JP2012227638A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an imaging performance.SOLUTION: An optical/imaging system 12L has an imaging surface for capturing a view field VF_L, and outputs L side raw image data indicating the view field VF_L. An optical/imaging system 12R has an imaging surface for capturing a view field VF_R, and outputs R side raw image data indicating the view field VF_R. The view fields VF_L and VF_R are partially in common, and the L side raw image data and the R side raw image data are selectively outputted. A CPU 34 adjusts imaging conditions of the optica/imaging systems 12L and 12R in common on the basis of the L side image data, the R side raw image data and weighting coefficients Wcrnt and Wprv. The CPU 34 also identifies which of the L side raw image data and the R side raw image data the raw image data of a present frame is, and changes values of the weighting coefficients Wcrnt and Wprv.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly to an electronic camera provided with a plurality of imaging surfaces that respectively capture a plurality of fields of view.

  An example of this type of camera is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to this background art, the plurality of image sensors are arranged to have a predetermined parallax. When an abnormal area is detected from the image data output from the image sensor, complementary data for complementing the detected abnormal area is generated based on the image data in which no abnormal area exists. The abnormal area is supplemented by the generated supplement data. As a result, a normal stereoscopic image can be created even when a part of the image data is lost.

JP 2010-154111 A

  However, the background art has a problem that peak power increases because image data is simultaneously acquired from a plurality of image sensors. As described above, the background art has a limit in imaging performance.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that can improve imaging performance.

  An electronic camera according to the present invention (10: reference numeral corresponding to the embodiment; hereinafter the same) has a plurality of imaging planes that respectively capture a plurality of partially common fields of view, and a plurality of images each representing a plurality of fields of view. Imaging means (12L, 12R) for selectively outputting, adjustment means (S25 to S27, S43 to S51) for commonly adjusting a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to a plurality of imaging surfaces with reference to an adjustment coefficient, and Changing means (S21 to S23, S31 to S39) is provided that identifies which of the plurality of visual fields the image output from the imaging means represents and changes the value of the adjustment coefficient.

  Preferably, a generation unit (18) that repeatedly generates a timing signal is further provided, and the imaging unit includes an image output unit (126L, 126R) that executes an image output process based on the timing signal generated by the generation unit, The changing means includes image identifying means (S21 to S23, S31, S35, S39) for executing image identification processing based on the timing signal generated by the generating means.

  Preferably, the adjusting means detects the characteristics of the image output from the imaging means corresponding to each of the plurality of fields of view (S25 to S27, S43), and the characteristics detected by the detecting means and the adjustment coefficient Adjustment processing means (S45 to S51) for adjusting a plurality of imaging conditions based on

  Preferably, detection means (38L, 38R) for detecting the movement of the camera housing (CB1) and correction means (S41) for correcting the value changed by the change means based on the detection result of the detection means are further provided. .

  Preferably, the plurality of fields of view have a common magnification, and each of the plurality of imaging conditions noted by the adjusting unit includes at least one of a focus and an exposure amount.

  An imaging control program according to the present invention includes an imaging unit (12L, 12R) that has a plurality of imaging surfaces that respectively capture a plurality of partially common fields of view and selectively outputs a plurality of images that respectively represent the plurality of fields of view. An adjustment step (S25 to S27, S43 to S51) for commonly adjusting a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to a plurality of imaging surfaces with reference to an adjustment coefficient in a processor (34) of the electronic camera (10) provided, and An imaging control program for executing a change step (S21 to S23, S31 to S39) for identifying which of the plurality of fields of view the image output from the imaging means represents and changing the value of the adjustment coefficient It is.

  An imaging control method according to the present invention includes an imaging unit (12L, 12R) that has a plurality of imaging surfaces that respectively capture a plurality of partially common fields of view and selectively outputs a plurality of images that respectively represent the plurality of fields of view. An imaging control method executed by an electronic camera (10) provided, wherein adjustment steps (S25-S27, S43--) commonly adjust a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to a plurality of imaging surfaces with reference to an adjustment coefficient S51), and a change step (S21 to S23, S31 to S39) for identifying which of the plurality of visual fields the image output from the imaging means represents and changing the value of the adjustment coefficient.

  The external control program according to the present invention has a plurality of imaging surfaces that respectively capture a plurality of partially common fields of view, and imaging means (12L, 12R) that selectively outputs a plurality of images each representing a plurality of fields of view. And an external control program supplied to the electronic camera (10) including a processor (34) for executing processing according to the internal control program stored in the memory (40), and a plurality of imaging corresponding to a plurality of imaging surfaces, respectively. An adjustment step (S25 to S27, S43 to S51) for commonly adjusting the condition with reference to the adjustment coefficient, and identifying and adjusting which of the plurality of visual fields the image output from the imaging means represents It is an external control program for causing a processor to execute change steps (S21 to S23, S31 to S39) for changing coefficient values in cooperation with the internal control program.

  An electronic camera (10) according to the present invention has a plurality of imaging planes that respectively capture a plurality of partially common fields of view, and selectively outputs a plurality of images that respectively represent the plurality of fields of view (12L, 12R) ), An electronic camera including a capturing unit (42) for capturing an external control program, and a processor (34) for executing processing according to the external control program captured by the capturing unit and the internal control program stored in the memory (40) ( 10), and the external control program adjusts a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to a plurality of imaging surfaces with reference to an adjustment coefficient (S25 to S27, S43 to S51), and imaging means A change step (S21 to S23, S31 to S39) is executed in cooperation with the internal control program to identify which of the plurality of visual fields the image output from the image represents and to change the value of the adjustment coefficient Blog Corresponding to the beam.

  According to this invention, peak power is suppressed by selectively outputting images each representing a plurality of fields of view. In addition, by commonly adjusting a plurality of imaging conditions corresponding to a plurality of imaging planes, it is possible to suppress a shift in image quality between fields of view. Furthermore, by identifying which field of view the image output from the imaging means represents and changing the value of the adjustment coefficient, fluctuations in image quality in the time axis direction are suppressed. Thus, the imaging performance is improved.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of this invention. It is a timing diagram showing an example of an output operation of raw image data. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the embodiment. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the scene caught by the FIG. 2 Example. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of composite image data created by an image composition circuit applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a configuration of an optical / imaging system applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the allocation state of the evaluation area EVA in an imaging surface. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a configuration of a register applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; (A) is an illustration figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of evaluation area EVA in the visual field VF_L, (B) is an illustration figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of evaluation area EVA in the visual field VF_R. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing a part of the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing still another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the other Example of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Basic configuration]

  Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic camera of this embodiment is basically configured as follows. The imaging means 1 has a plurality of imaging planes that respectively capture a plurality of partially common fields of view, and selectively outputs a plurality of images that respectively represent the plurality of fields of view. The adjusting unit 2 commonly adjusts a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to a plurality of imaging surfaces with reference to the adjustment coefficient. The changing unit 3 identifies which of the plurality of fields of view the image output from the imaging unit 1 is, and changes the value of the adjustment coefficient.

By selectively outputting images each representing a plurality of fields of view, peak power is suppressed. In addition, by commonly adjusting a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to a plurality of imaging surfaces, a shift in image quality between a plurality of fields of view is suppressed. Furthermore, by identifying which field of view the image output from the imaging unit 1 represents and changing the value of the adjustment coefficient, fluctuations in image quality in the time axis direction are suppressed. Thus, the imaging performance is improved.
[Example]

  Referring to FIG. 2, the digital video camera 10 of this embodiment includes optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R. When the power is turned on, the optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R are activated under the imaging task executed by the CPU. A vertical synchronization signal Vsync periodically output from an SG (Signal Generator) 18 is commonly supplied to the activated optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R.

  The optical / imaging system 12L repeatedly outputs raw image data (L-side raw image data) in response to the even-numbered vertical synchronization signal Vsync, and the optical / imaging system 12R generates the raw image data in response to the odd-numbered vertical synchronization signal Vsync. Image data (R-side raw image data) is repeatedly output. As shown in FIG. 3, the L-side raw image data and the R-side raw image data are alternately (selectively) output in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal Vsync.

  Referring to FIG. 4, optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R are fixedly provided on the front surface of camera casing CB1. The optical / imaging system 12L is located on the left side toward the front of the camera casing CB1, and the optical / imaging system 12R is located on the right side toward the front of the camera casing CB1.

  The optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R have optical axes AX_L and AX_R, respectively, and the distance from the bottom surface of the camera housing CB1 to the optical axis AX_L (= H_L) is the distance from the bottom surface of the camera housing CB1 to the optical axis AX_R ( = H_R). Further, the distance (= W1) between the optical axes AX_L and AX_R in the horizontal direction is set to about 6 cm in consideration of the distance between human eyes. Furthermore, the optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R have a common magnification.

  Therefore, when the scene shown in FIG. 5 spreads in front of the camera casing CB1, the optical / imaging system 12L captures the left visual field VF_L, while the optical / imaging system 12R captures the right visual field VF_R. Since the optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R are provided at the same height in the camera casing CB1 and set to a common magnification, the left visual field VF_L and the right visual field VF_R are slightly shifted, but the left visual field VF_L The vertical positions of the right visual field VF_R coincide with each other. As a result, the common visual field VF_C captured by both the optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R partially appears in each of the left visual field VF_L and the right visual field VF_R.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the L-side raw image data and the R-side raw image data output from the optical / imaging systems 12 </ b> L and 12 </ b> R are alternately supplied to the signal processing circuit 14. The signal processing circuit 14 performs processing such as color separation, white balance adjustment, and YUV conversion on the given raw image data, and writes the YUV format image data into the SDRAM 22 through the memory control circuit 20. The YUV format image data (L side image data) based on the L side raw image data is stored in the L side image area 22L, and the YUV format image data (R side image data) based on the R side raw image data is stored in the R side image. Stored in area 22R.

  The image composition circuit 24 repeatedly reads L-side image data from the L-side image area 22L through the memory control circuit 20, repeatedly reads R-side image data from the R-side image area 22L through the memory control circuit 20, and reads the read L The side image data and the R side image data are synthesized with the common visual field VF_C as a reference. When the scene shown in FIG. 5 is captured, the composite image data is created in the manner shown in FIG. The created composite image data is written into the composite image area 22C of the SDRAM 22 through the memory control circuit 20.

  The LCD driver 26 repeatedly reads the composite image data stored in the composite image area 22C through the memory control circuit 20, and drives the LCD monitor 28 based on the read composite image data. As a result, a real-time moving image (through image) representing a scene captured by the optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R is displayed on the monitor screen.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the optical / imaging system 12L includes a focus lens 121L, an aperture mechanism 122L, and an imaging device 123L that are driven by drivers 124L, 125L, and 126L, respectively, and an actuator 127L that controls the attitude of the imaging device 123L. Is provided. Similarly, the optical / imaging system 12R includes a focus lens 121R, a diaphragm mechanism 122R, and an imaging device 123R that are driven by drivers 124R, 125R, and 126R, respectively, and an actuator 127L that controls the attitude of the imaging device 123L.

  The optical image representing the left visual field VF_L is irradiated on the imaging surface of the imaging device 123L via the focus lens 121L and the diaphragm mechanism 122L. The driver 126L exposes the imaging surface in response to the even-numbered vertical synchronization signal Vsync given from the SG 18, and reads out the charges generated thereby in a raster scanning manner. The L-side raw image data is created based on the read charges.

  The optical image representing the right visual field VF_R is irradiated on the imaging surface of the imaging device 123R via the focus lens 121R and the diaphragm mechanism 122R. The driver 126R also exposes the imaging surface in response to the odd-numbered vertical synchronization signal Vsync given from the SG 18, and reads out the charges generated thereby in a raster scanning manner. The R-side raw image data is created based on the read charges.

  An evaluation area EVA is allocated to the imaging surfaces of the imaging devices 123L and 123R as shown in FIG. Further, the L-side image data and the R-side image data generated alternately by the signal processing circuit 14 shown in FIG. 2 are also supplied to the AE / AF evaluation circuit 16.

  The AE / AF evaluation circuit 16 repeatedly creates a luminance evaluation value and a focus evaluation value indicating the brightness and sharpness of the image representing the left visual field VF_L based on a part of the L-side image data belonging to the evaluation area EVA. . The AE / AF evaluation circuit 16 also repeatedly creates a luminance evaluation value and a focus evaluation value indicating the brightness and sharpness of the image representing the right visual field VF_R based on a part of the R-side image data belonging to the evaluation area EVA. To do.

  The L-side image data and the R-side image data are alternately generated in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal Vsync. Therefore, the luminance evaluation value corresponding to the left visual field VF_L and the luminance evaluation value corresponding to the right visual field VF_R are alternately generated in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, and correspond to the focus evaluation value corresponding to the left visual field VF_L and the right visual field VF_R. The focus evaluation values to be generated are also alternately generated in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal Vsync.

  The gyro sensors 38L and 38R are assigned to the optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R, respectively. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the gyro sensor 38L is arranged in the vicinity of the optical / imaging system 12L, and the gyro sensor 38R is arranged in the vicinity of the optical / imaging system 12R. Both the gyro sensors 38L and 38R detect the shaking of the camera casing CB1 and output the detection result. The detection result of the gyro sensor 38L is given to the CPU 34 as L-side camera shake information, and the detection result of the gyro sensor 38R is given to the CPU 34 as R-side camera shake information.

  The CPU 34 refers to the luminance evaluation value and the focus evaluation value output from the AE / AF evaluation circuit 16 and the L-side camera shake information and the R-side camera shake information output from the gyro sensors 38L and 38R. Below, AE processing, AF processing, and camera shake correction processing are repeatedly executed. As a result, the brightness and sharpness of the through image are appropriately adjusted, and camera shake of the through image is suppressed. The processing under the imaging condition adjustment task will be described in detail later.

  When a movie button 36mv provided on the key input device 36 is operated, the CPU 34 commands the memory I / F 30 to execute a moving image recording process. The memory I / F 30 creates a new moving image file on the recording medium 32 (the created moving image file is opened), and repeatedly reads the composite image data stored in the composite image area 22C of the SDRAM 22 through the memory control circuit 20, Then, the read composite image data is stored in an open moving image file.

  When the movie button 36mv is operated again, the CPU 34 commands the memory I / F 30 to stop the moving image recording process. The memory I / F 30 finishes reading the composite image data from the composite image area 22C, and closes the open moving image file. Thus, a moving image that continuously represents the scene captured by the optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R is recorded in the recording medium 32 in a file format.

  The following processing is executed under the imaging condition adjustment task. When the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated, the luminance evaluation value and the focus evaluation value output from the AE / AF evaluation circuit 16 are captured by the CPU 34. The fetched luminance evaluation value and focus evaluation value are registered in the column corresponding to the current frame of the register RGST1 shown in FIG. Subsequently, the L-side camera shake information and the R-side camera shake information output from the gyro sensors 38L and 38R, respectively, are captured. The L-side camera shake information and the R-side camera shake information are also registered in the column corresponding to the current frame of the register RGST1.

  When the brightness evaluation value, the focus evaluation value, the L-side camera shake information, and the R-side camera shake information are acquired, the value of the weighting amount Wcrnt corresponding to the current frame and the value of the weighting amount Wprv corresponding to the previous frame are as follows: Adjusted. In other words, if the current frame is an even-numbered frame, the weighting amount Wcrnt is set to the constant K_L1, and the weighting amount Wprv is set to the constant K_R2. On the other hand, if the current frame is an odd-numbered frame, the weighting amount Wcrnt is set to the constant K_R1, and the weighting amount Wprv is set to the constant K_L2.

  Here, the values of the constants K_L1 and K_R2 are selected within the range of “0” to “1” so that the sum thereof indicates “1.0”. Similarly, the values of the constants K_R1 and K_L2 are also selected within the range of “0” to “1” so that the sum thereof indicates “1.0”. However, the magnitudes of these constants decrease in the order of K_L 1 → K_L 2 → K_R 1 → K_R 2.

  When the current frame is an even-numbered frame, the L-side image data corresponds to the current frame, and the R-side image data corresponds to the previous frame. On the other hand, when the current frame is an odd-numbered frame, the R-side image data corresponds to the current frame, and the L-side image data corresponds to the previous frame.

  Accordingly, the constants K_L1 and K_L2 are assigned to the L-side image data, and the constants K_L1 and K_L2 are assigned to the R-side image data. Constants K_L1 and K_R1 are assigned to the current frame, and constants K_L2 and K_R2 are assigned to the previous frame. Since the constants K_L1, K_L2, K_R1, and K_R2 decrease in this order, it can be seen that the L-side raw image data is more important than the R-side image data, and the current frame is more important than the previous frame.

  The values of the weights Wcrnt and Wprv set in this way are corrected with reference to the L-side camera shake information and the R-side camera shake information acquired in the current frame. As a result, the movement of the camera casing CB1 is reflected in the weighting amounts Wcrnt and Wprv.

When the weighting amounts Wcrnt and Wprv are determined in this way, two columns corresponding to the latest two frames are designated on the register RGST1. The two luminance evaluation values on the designated column are subjected to a weighted addition operation according to Equation 1, thereby calculating an integrated luminance evaluation value. Also, the two focus evaluation values on the designated column are subjected to a weighted addition operation according to Equation 2, thereby calculating an integrated focus evaluation value.
[Equation 1]
AEunit = AEcrnt * Wcrnt + AEprv * Wprv
AEcrnt: luminance evaluation value of the current frame AEprv: luminance evaluation value of the previous frame AEunit: integrated luminance evaluation value [Equation 2]
AFunit = AFcrnt * Wcrnt + AFprv * Wprv
AFCrnt: focus evaluation value AFprv of the current frame: focus evaluation value AFunit of the previous frame: integrated focus evaluation value

  According to Equation 1, the weighting amount Wcrnt is multiplied by the luminance evaluation value of the current frame, the weighting amount Wprv is multiplied by the luminance evaluation value of the previous frame, and these multiplication values are added to each other. According to Equation 2, the weighting amount Wcrnt is multiplied by the focus evaluation value of the current frame, the weighting amount Wprv is multiplied by the focus evaluation value of the previous frame, and these multiplication values are added to each other.

  The integrated luminance evaluation value calculated by Equation 1 is referred to for the AE process, and thereby the aperture amount and the exposure time that define the appropriate EV value are determined. The determined aperture amount is set in the drivers 125L and 125R, and the determined exposure time is set in the drivers 126L and 126R. As a result, the exposure amounts of the imaging devices 123L and 123R are adjusted in common.

  The integrated focus evaluation value is referred to for AF processing. As a result of the AF process, the focus lens 121L is moved in the in-focus direction by the driver 124L, and the focus lens 121R is moved in the in-focus direction by the driver 124R. The movement modes of the focus lenses 121L and 121R are common, and thereby the focus is adjusted in common.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the images belonging to the evaluation area EVA differ between the visual fields VF_L and VF_R, and due to this, each of the luminance evaluation value and the focus evaluation value is on the L side. Where there is a difference between the image data and the R-side image data, the exposure amount and the focus are adjusted in common as described above. This avoids a situation in which the exposure amount and the focus are shifted between the visual fields VF_L and VF_R, and further prevents a situation in which the exposure amount and the focus fluctuate in the time axis direction.

  When the AE process and the AF process are completed, the L-side camera shake correction is executed with reference to the L-side camera shake information registered in the register RGST1, and the R-side camera shake correction is performed with reference to the R-side camera shake information registered in the register RGST1. Executed. As a result, the posture of the imaging device 123L is adjusted by the actuator 127L, and the posture of the imaging device 123R is adjusted by the actuator 127R. In this way, the postures of the imaging devices 123L and 123R are individually adjusted.

  Referring to FIG. 11, the exposure setting based on the luminance evaluation value acquired in the current frame and the luminance evaluation value acquired in the previous frame is executed for the next frame. Focus setting based on the focus evaluation value acquired in the current frame and the focus evaluation value acquired in the previous frame is also executed for the next frame. Further, posture control based on the L-side camera shake information and the R-side camera shake information acquired in the current frame is also executed for the next frame. As a result, the quality of the L-side raw image data and the R-side raw image data output from the optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R, respectively, and the quality of the synthesized image data created by the image synthesis circuit 24 are improved.

  The CPU 34 executes a plurality of tasks including the imaging task shown in FIG. 12 and the imaging condition adjustment task shown in FIGS. 13 to 14 in parallel under the control of the multitask OS. Note that control programs corresponding to these tasks are stored in the flash memory 40.

  Referring to FIG. 12, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. When the determination result is updated from NO to YES, the optical / imaging system 12L is activated in step S3. In step S5, it is determined again whether or not the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. When the determination result is updated from NO to YES, the optical / imaging system 12R is activated in step S7.

  As a result, the L-side raw image data is output from the optical / imaging system 12L corresponding to the even-numbered frames, and the R-side raw image data is output from the optical / imaging system 12R corresponding to the odd-numbered frames. The signal processing circuit 14 creates L-side image data in YUV format based on the L-side raw image data, creates R-side image data in YUV format based on the R-side raw image data, and the image composition circuit 24 Composite image data is created based on the L-side image data and the R-side image data. A through image based on the composite image data created in this way is displayed on the LCD monitor 28.

  In step S9, an imaging condition adjustment task is activated, and in step S11, it is determined whether or not the movie button 36mv has been operated. When the determination result in step S11 is updated from NO to YES, it is determined in step S13 whether or not the moving image recording process is being executed. If the determination result in step S13 is YES, the moving image recording process is started in step S15. If the determination result in step S13 is NO, the moving image recording process is stopped in step S17. When the process of step S15 or S17 is completed, the process returns to step S11. As a result of the processing in steps S15 and S17, the composite image data created in the period from the first operation to the second operation of the movie button 36mv is recorded in the recording medium 32 in the moving image file format.

  Referring to FIG. 13, in step S21, flag FLG_L is set to “0”, and in step S23, it is determined whether or not vertical synchronization signal Vsync has been generated. When the determination result is updated from NO to YES, the luminance evaluation value and the focus evaluation value output from the AE / AF evaluation circuit 16 are captured in steps S25 and S27. The fetched luminance evaluation value and focus evaluation value are registered in the register RGST1 corresponding to the current frame. In step S29, the detection result of the gyro sensor 38L is captured as L-side camera shake information, and the detection result of the gyro sensor 38R is captured as R-side camera shake information. The L-side camera shake information and the R-side camera shake information are also registered in the register RGST1 corresponding to the current frame.

  In step S31, it is determined whether or not the flag FLG_L indicates “0”. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step S33, and if the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S37. In step S33, the weighting amount Wcrnt is set to a constant K_L1, and the weighting amount Wprv is set to a constant K_R2. When the setting is completed, the flag FLG_L is updated to “1” in step S35. In step S37, the weighting amount Wcrnt is set to a constant K_R1, and the weighting amount Wprv is set to a constant K_L2. When the setting is completed, the flag FLG_L is updated to “0” in step S39.

  When the process of step S35 or S39 is completed, the process proceeds to step S41, and the values of the weighting amounts Wcrnt and Wprv are corrected with reference to the L-side camera shake information and the R-side camera shake information acquired in step S29. In step S43, two columns corresponding to the latest two frames are designated on the register RGST1.

  In step S45, a weighted addition operation according to Equation 1 is performed on the two luminance evaluation values described in the designated column to calculate an integrated luminance evaluation value. In step S47, an AE process with reference to the calculated integrated luminance evaluation value is executed, and an aperture amount and an exposure time that define an appropriate EV value are determined. The determined aperture amount is set in the drivers 125L and 125R, and the determined exposure time is set in the drivers 126L and 126R. As a result, the exposure amounts of the imaging devices 123L and 123R are adjusted in common.

  In step S49, a weighted addition operation according to Equation 2 is performed on the two focus evaluation values described in the designated column to calculate an integrated focus evaluation value. In step S51, AF processing with reference to the calculated integrated focus evaluation value is executed. The focus lens 121L is moved in the in-focus direction by the driver 124L, and the focus lens 121R is moved in the in-focus direction by the driver 124R. The movement modes of the focus lenses 121L and 121R are common, and thereby the focus is adjusted in common.

  In step S53, the L-side camera shake correction is executed with reference to the L-side camera shake information registered in the register RGST1, and in step S55, the R-side camera shake correction is executed with reference to the R-side camera shake information registered in the register RGST1. As a result of the processing in step S53, the posture of the imaging device 123L is adjusted by the actuator 127L. Further, as a result of the processing in step S55, the posture of the imaging device 123R is adjusted by the actuator 127R. When the process of step S55 is completed, the process returns to step S23.

  As can be seen from the above description, the optical / imaging system 12L has an imaging surface that captures the visual field VF_L, and outputs L-side raw image data representing the visual field VF_L. The optical / imaging system 12R has an imaging surface that captures the visual field VF_R, and outputs R-side raw image data representing the visual field VF_R. Here, the visual fields VF_L and VF_R are partially common, and the L-side raw image data and the R-side raw image data are selectively output. The CPU 34 commonly adjusts the imaging conditions of the optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R based on the L-side image data, the R-side raw image data, and the weighting coefficients Wcrnt and Wprv (S25 to S27, S43 to S51). The CPU 34 also identifies whether the raw image data of the current frame is the L side raw image data or the R side raw image data, and changes the values of the weighting coefficients Wcrnt and Wprv (S21 to S23, S31 to S39). .

  By selectively outputting the L-side raw image data and the R-side raw image data representing the visual fields VF_L and VF_R, respectively, peak power is suppressed. Further, by commonly adjusting the imaging conditions of the optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R, the image quality deviation between the visual fields VF_L and VF_R is suppressed. Further, by identifying whether the raw image data of the current frame is the L-side raw image data or the R-side raw image data and changing the values of the weighting coefficients Wcrnt and Wprv, image quality fluctuations in the time axis direction can be changed. It is suppressed. Thus, the imaging performance is improved.

  In this embodiment, the multitask OS and control programs corresponding to a plurality of tasks executed thereby are stored in the flash memory 40 in advance. However, as shown in FIG. 15, a communication I / F 42 is provided in the digital camera 10 and some control programs are prepared in the flash memory 40 from the beginning as internal control programs, while other control programs are prepared as external control programs. May be acquired from an external server. In this case, the above-described operation is realized by cooperation of the internal control program and the external control program.

  In this embodiment, the process executed by the CPU 34 is divided into a plurality of tasks as described above. However, each task may be further divided into a plurality of small tasks, and a part of the divided plurality of small tasks may be integrated with other tasks. Further, when each task is divided into a plurality of small tasks, all or part of the tasks may be acquired from an external server.

  Further, in this embodiment, the L-side raw image data and the R-side raw image data output from the optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R, respectively, are input to a single signal processing circuit 14. However, two signal processing circuits may be prepared, and the L-side raw image data may be input to one signal processing circuit, while the R-side raw image data may be input to the other signal processing circuit. As a result, the load on the signal processing circuit can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, two optical / imaging systems 12L and 12R are provided, but the number of optical / imaging systems to be prepared may be three or more.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital video camera 12L, 12R ... Optical / imaging system 14 ... Signal processing circuit 34 ... CPU
38L, 38R ... Gyro sensor

Claims (9)

An imaging unit having a plurality of imaging planes that respectively capture a plurality of partially common fields of view, and selectively outputting a plurality of images each representing the plurality of fields of view;
An adjustment unit that commonly adjusts a plurality of imaging conditions corresponding to the plurality of imaging planes with reference to an adjustment coefficient, and which of the plurality of fields of view represents the image output from the imaging unit An electronic camera comprising a changing means for identifying the value and changing the value of the adjustment coefficient. It further comprises generating means for repeatedly generating timing signals,
The imaging means includes image output means for executing image output processing based on the timing signal generated by the generating means,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit includes an image identifying unit that executes an image identifying process based on a timing signal generated by the generating unit.   The adjustment means detects a characteristic of the image output from the imaging means corresponding to each of the plurality of fields of view, and the plurality of adjustments based on the characteristic detected by the detection means and the adjustment coefficient The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising adjustment processing means for adjusting the imaging conditions. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a detecting unit that detects movements of the plurality of imaging surfaces; and a correcting unit that corrects a value changed by the changing unit based on a detection result of the detecting unit. Electronic camera. The plurality of fields of view have a common magnification;
5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of imaging conditions noted by the adjusting unit includes at least one of a focus and an exposure amount. In a processor of an electronic camera having a plurality of imaging planes that respectively capture a plurality of partially common fields of view, and having an imaging unit that selectively outputs a plurality of images each representing the plurality of fields of view,
An adjustment step for commonly adjusting a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to the plurality of imaging planes with reference to an adjustment coefficient, and which of the plurality of visual fields the image output from the imaging means represents An imaging control program for executing a change step of changing the value of the adjustment coefficient by identifying An imaging control method that is executed by an electronic camera that includes a plurality of imaging planes that respectively capture a plurality of partially common fields of view and that includes an imaging unit that selectively outputs a plurality of images that respectively represent the plurality of fields of view. And
An adjustment step for commonly adjusting a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to the plurality of imaging planes with reference to an adjustment coefficient, and which of the plurality of visual fields the image output from the imaging means represents And a change step of changing the value of the adjustment coefficient. A plurality of imaging planes that respectively capture a plurality of partially common fields of view, an imaging unit that selectively outputs a plurality of images each representing the plurality of fields of view, and a process according to an internal control program stored in a memory An external control program supplied to an electronic camera having a processor to execute,
An adjustment step for commonly adjusting a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to the plurality of imaging planes with reference to an adjustment coefficient, and which of the plurality of visual fields the image output from the imaging means represents An external control program for causing the processor to execute a changing step of identifying the value and changing the value of the adjustment coefficient in cooperation with the internal control program. An imaging unit having a plurality of imaging planes that respectively capture a plurality of partially common fields of view, and selectively outputting a plurality of images each representing the plurality of fields of view;
An electronic camera comprising a capturing unit that captures an external control program, and a processor that executes processing according to the external control program captured by the capturing unit and the internal control program stored in a memory,
The external control program is
An adjustment step for commonly adjusting a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to the plurality of imaging planes with reference to an adjustment coefficient, and which of the plurality of visual fields the image output from the imaging means represents An electronic camera corresponding to a program that executes a changing step of identifying the change and changing the value of the adjustment coefficient in cooperation with the internal control program.

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