JP2013007949A - Photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent flicker in the case of carrying out consecutive photographing while emitting flash light.SOLUTION: A photographing apparatus (10) includes a CPU (24) and a memory (70). The photographing apparatus (10) uses an imaging apparatus (38), which repeatedly images a still picture, an LED (40a), and a driver (40b) for the LED, and thereby carries out consecutive photographing while emitting flash light. At least a first waveform W1a for consecutive photographing is stored in the memory. The first waveform W1a alternately includes a main light-emission period indicating a luminance L2 for still image photographing and a residual light emission period indicating a luminance L3 indicating flicker prevention, which is lower than the luminance for still image photographing. In the residual light emission period, after the luminance gradually decreases from the luminance L2 for still image photographing to the luminance L3 for flicker prevention, the luminance gradually increases from the luminance L3 to the luminance L2. The CPU controls the driver according to the imaging times T1, T2, ... of the imaging apparatus, and thereby causes the LED to emit light at the luminance based on the first waveform W1a (S11 to S29, and S35).

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, and more particularly to a photographing apparatus that performs photographing while flashing.

An example of a conventional photographing apparatus of this type is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this background art, red-eye light emission for preventing red-eye and pre-light emission for light control are performed before the main light emission for photographing. In general, “red-eye” refers to a phenomenon in which the eyes of a person appear red when taking a picture while flashing. This red-eye phenomenon reduces the pupil diameter by emitting red-eye before the main flash. Is prevented.
JP 2007-101689 A [G03B 15/05, 7/16, 7/26, 15/03, 17/02]

  However, in the above-described background art, as a result of repeated light emission and extinction, there is a possibility that a person who is a subject to be photographed (subject) may cause “flickering” in which a visual discomfort is felt due to a luminance difference between light emission and extinction.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a novel photographing apparatus.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus that can prevent flickering.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus capable of preventing flickering when continuous shooting is performed while flash emission is performed.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a photographing device capable of achieving both prevention of flicker and suppression of power consumption.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. Note that reference numerals in parentheses, supplementary explanations, and the like indicate correspondence with embodiments to be described later in order to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention.

  A first aspect of the present invention is an imaging device that performs continuous shooting while emitting light by an imaging unit that repeatedly captures a still image and a light emitting unit that emits light, and a main emission period and light emission in which the light emitting unit emits light at a luminance for shooting Sections alternately include remaining light-emitting periods that emit light with a flicker-preventing brightness lower than that for shooting, and the remaining light-emitting periods are shot from the flicker-preventing brightness after the brightness gradually decreases from the shooting brightness to the flicker-preventing brightness. A storage unit that at least stores the first light emission pattern that gradually increases to the luminance for use, and a light emission control unit that causes the light emission unit to emit light with luminance based on the first light emission pattern when photographing with the imaging unit.

  In the first invention, the imaging device (10) performs continuous shooting while emitting light by the imaging unit (38) that repeatedly captures still images and the light emitting unit (40) that emits light. The storage unit (70) stores at least first light emission patterns (W1a to W1d, W1r to W1t). The first light emission pattern alternately includes a main light emission period in which light is emitted at the luminance for photographing (L2) and a remaining light emission period in which light is emitted at a flicker prevention luminance (L3) lower than the luminance for photographing. The luminance gradually decreases from the luminance for photographing to the luminance for preventing flickering and then gradually increases from the luminance for preventing flickering to the luminance for photographing. A light emission control part (24, S11-S29, S35) makes a light emission part light-emit with the brightness | luminance based on a 1st light emission pattern, when image | photographing with an imaging part.

  In addition, although a light emission part is comprised with LED (40a) in a certain Example, you may use light-emitting bodies thru | or light emitting elements other than LED in another Example. However, the LED is suitable for the present invention because the light emission pattern can be easily controlled.

  The waveform in the remaining light emission period is U-shaped (W1a to W1d: FIGS. 2A to 2D) in one embodiment, and V-shaped (W1r: FIG. C)). The change in the remaining light emission period is linear in these examples, but in other examples it is stepwise (W1t: FIG. 8 (B), even if curvilinear (W1s: FIG. 8 (A)). )).

  The waveform may be stored in the form of function data with time (T) and luminance (L) as variables, or may be stored in the form of numerical data indicating the luminance in each time (period). In the case of function data, data that approximately represents each waveform may be used. The luminance may be expressed as a current value (and / or a voltage value) that drives the light emitting unit. These points are the same in the second and subsequent inventions described later.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the remaining light emission period is arranged after each main light emission period, and after the luminance is gradually decreased from the luminance for photographing to the luminance for preventing flickering in the remaining light emitting period, the luminance for photographing is changed from the luminance for preventing flickering. The flicker during continuous shooting is reduced.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing device that performs continuous shooting while emitting light by an imaging unit that repeatedly captures a still image and a light emitting unit that emits light. At least a first light emission pattern in which the first light emission period is longer than each of the second and subsequent main light emission periods, alternately including remaining light emission periods in which the light is emitted with a flicker prevention luminance lower than the photographing luminance. When shooting is performed using the storage unit and the imaging unit, a light emission control unit that causes the light emitting unit to emit light with luminance based on the first light emission pattern is provided.

  In the second invention, the photographing device (10) performs continuous shooting while emitting light by the imaging unit (38) that repeatedly captures still images and the light emitting unit (40) that emits light. The storage unit (70) stores at least the first light emission pattern (W1p). The first light emission pattern alternately includes a main light emission period indicating the luminance for photographing (L2) and a remaining light emission period indicating a flicker prevention luminance (L3) lower than the luminance for photographing, and the first main light emission period is the second time. It is longer than each subsequent light emission period. A light emission control part (24, S11-S29, S35) makes a light emission part light-emit with the brightness | luminance based on a 1st light emission pattern, when image | photographing with an imaging part.

  According to the second invention, since the remaining light emission period is arranged after each main light emission period, and the first main light emission period is longer than each main light emission period after the second time, flicker at the time of continuous shooting is reduced. The

  A third invention is a photographing device subordinate to the first or second invention, the imaging unit has an AE function (S7), and the light emission control unit flickers according to the brightness measured by the AE function. The prevention brightness is changed (S17 to S27).

  Preferably, the light emission control unit lowers the flicker prevention luminance as the brightness measured by the AE function is brighter. The luminance for preventing flicker may be changed stepwise in two steps or three or more steps based on comparison with one or more threshold values, or may be changed continuously using an appropriate function.

  In one embodiment, a first light emission pattern (W1a, W1c) for when the measured brightness does not exceed a predetermined brightness and another first light emission pattern (W1b, W1d) for when the measured brightness exceeds the predetermined brightness are previously stored. In another embodiment, one of the first light emission patterns is stored in the memory in advance, and the other first light emission pattern is stored in the memory from the first light emission pattern in the memory. You may create it.

  According to the third invention, when the surroundings are bright, the power consumption can be suppressed by reducing the luminance for preventing flicker.

  A fourth invention is a photographing device according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the imaging unit has a face detection function (S9), and the storage unit emits light with luminance for photographing (L2). A second light emission pattern (W2) alternately including a main light emission period and a non-light emission period to be stored, and the light emission control unit based on the first light emission pattern when the face is detected by the face detection function. Light is emitted with luminance, and when a face is not detected, light is emitted with luminance based on the second light emission pattern.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the remaining light emission for flicker prevention is executed when a face is detected, and is not executed when a face is not detected. Thus, both flicker reduction and power consumption suppression are achieved. Can be made.

  A fifth invention is an imaging device according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the imaging device has an AF function (S5), and the storage means is a book indicating the luminance for imaging (L2). A second waveform (W2) for continuous shooting, which alternately includes a light emission period and a non-light emission period, is further stored, and the light emission control means detects the LED when the distance measured by the AF function does not exceed a predetermined distance. If it exceeds the luminance based on the first waveform and exceeds the luminance, the light is emitted based on the luminance based on the second waveform.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the remaining light emission for preventing flickering is executed when the distance to the object to be photographed (subject) is short, and is not executed when the distance is long, so that flickering is reduced and power consumption is suppressed. Both can be achieved.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, the imaging unit has an AF function (S5) and a face detection function (S9), and the storage unit alternately includes a main light emission period and a non-light emission period in which light is emitted at the luminance for photographing (L2). The second light emission pattern (W2) is further stored, and the light emission control unit detects the light emission unit when the distance measured by the AF function does not exceed a predetermined distance and the face is detected by the face detection function. Light is emitted with luminance based on the first light emission pattern, and light is emitted with luminance based on the second light emission pattern when the measured distance exceeds a predetermined distance or when a face is not detected.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the remaining light emission for preventing flickering is executed when the distance to the shooting target is short and a face is detected, and when the distance to the shooting target is long or no face is detected Therefore, both flicker reduction and power consumption suppression can be achieved.

  A seventh invention is an imaging apparatus according to any one of the first, third to sixth inventions, wherein the first light emission pattern has a red-eye prevention luminance (L1) before the first main light emission period. A pre-light emission period shown is further included.

  In one embodiment, the luminance changes instantaneously at the boundary between the pre-light emission period and the first main light emission period, but may change gradually in other embodiments.

  In some embodiments, the red-eye prevention luminance is the same as the flicker prevention luminance (L3) (FIG. 2A), and in other embodiments, the red-eye prevention luminance is the same as the photographing luminance (L2) ( FIG. 7B is not limited thereto, and may be set as appropriate. The setting in the latter embodiment is equivalent to making the first main light emission period longer than the second and subsequent main light emission periods.

  The red-eye prevention luminance during the pre-emission period is constant in one embodiment (FIG. 2A), but in another embodiment, it varies linearly (FIG. 7C), but in a curved line. It may be changed (FIG. 8A) or may be changed step by step (FIG. 8B).

  According to the seventh aspect, red eyes can be prevented in addition to flickering.

  The eighth invention is a photographing device subordinate to the first invention, and the luminance change in the remaining light emission period is linear (FIGS. 2A to 2D).

  A ninth invention is a photographing device according to the eighth invention, wherein the luminance in the remaining light emission period is connected to a first inclined line segment having a negative inclination and a rear end of the first inclined line segment. And a second inclined line segment having a positive inclination connected to the rear end of the horizontal line segment (angular U-shaped waveform).

  Note that the horizontal line segment may be omitted (V-shaped waveform: FIG. 7C).

  According to the eighth and ninth inventions, it is possible to easily control the luminance during the remaining light emission period.

  A tenth aspect of the invention is a photographing device according to the first aspect of the invention, and the luminance in the remaining light emission period changes along a downwardly convex curve (FIGS. 8A and 8B).

  An eleventh aspect of the invention is an imaging device according to the tenth aspect of the invention, in which the luminance change during the remaining light emission period is continuous (FIG. 8A).

  A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a photographing device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, and the luminance change in the remaining light emission period is gradual (FIG. 8B).

  According to the tenth to twelfth inventions, power consumption in the remaining light emission period can be suppressed.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a photographing apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects of the present invention, wherein the light emission control unit controls the effective luminance in each period by pulse width modulation (PWM: FIG. 10).

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, it is possible to control the luminance during each light emission period simply by switching the LEDs.

  A fourteenth aspect of the invention is a continuous shooting control program (52), which is a shooting device (32) that performs continuous shooting while emitting light by an imaging unit (38) that repeatedly captures still images and a light emitting unit (40) that emits light. The computer (24, 34) of 10) alternately includes a main light emission period in which light is emitted at the luminance for photographing (L2) and a remaining light emission period in which light is emitted at a flicker prevention luminance (L3) lower than the luminance for photographing, In the remaining light emission period, at least a first light emission pattern (W1a to W1d, W1r to W1t) in which the luminance gradually decreases from the luminance for photographing to the luminance for preventing flickering and then gradually increases from the luminance for preventing flickering to the luminance for photographing is stored. A light-emission control unit (S11 to S29, S35) that causes the light-emitting unit to emit light at a luminance based on the first light-emitting pattern when shooting is performed by the storage unit (70) and the imaging unit To function Te.

  Also according to the fourteenth aspect, as in the first aspect, flicker during continuous shooting is reduced.

  A fifteenth aspect of the invention is a continuous shooting control program (52), which is a shooting device that performs continuous shooting while emitting light by an imaging unit (38) that repeatedly captures still images and a light emitting unit (40) that emits light. The computer (24, 34) of 10) alternately includes a main light emission period in which light is emitted at the luminance for photographing (L2) and a remaining light emission period in which light is emitted at a flicker prevention luminance (L3) lower than the luminance for photographing, When the first main light emission period is longer than each of the second and subsequent main light emission periods, the first light emission pattern (W1p) is stored at least in the storage unit (70), and the first light emission pattern It is made to function as a light emission control part (S35) which light-emits a light emission part with the brightness | luminance based on.

  Also according to the fifteenth aspect, as in the second aspect, flicker during continuous shooting is reduced.

  A sixteenth aspect of the invention is a continuous shooting method in which continuous shooting is performed while emitting light by an imaging unit (38) that repeatedly captures still images and a light emitting unit (40) that emits light. Alternately includes a main light emission period emitted by the light emission and a remaining light emission period emitted by the flicker prevention luminance (L3) lower than the luminance for photographing, and the luminance gradually increases from the luminance for photographing to the luminance for flicker prevention in the remaining light emitting period. When at least the first light emission patterns (W1a to W1d, W1r to W1t) that gradually increase from the flicker prevention luminance to the photographing luminance after being reduced are stored and the image pickup unit performs photographing, the first light emission pattern is used. The light emitting unit emits light with luminance.

  Also according to the sixteenth aspect, like the first aspect, flickering during continuous shooting is reduced.

  A seventeenth aspect of the invention is a continuous shooting method in which continuous shooting is performed while emitting light by an imaging unit (38) that repeatedly captures a still image and a light emitting unit (40) that emits light. The main light emission period and the remaining light emission period emitted with the flicker prevention luminance (L3) lower than the luminance for photographing are alternately included, and the first main light emission period is longer than the second and subsequent main light emission periods. In the case where at least the first light emission pattern (W1p) is stored and photographing is performed by the imaging unit, the light emitting unit is caused to emit light with luminance based on the first light emission pattern.

  Also according to the seventeenth aspect, as in the second aspect, flicker during continuous shooting is reduced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a photographing apparatus that can achieve both flicker prevention and power consumption reduction when performing continuous shooting while flash emission.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the portable terminal which is one Example of this invention. FIG. 2A is an illustrative view showing an example of a flash emission waveform that is selectively employed in a state where a distance to a subject is close and a face is detected, and FIG. 2A is a case where the red-eye prevention function is on and the surroundings are dark 2B shows a waveform when the red-eye prevention function is on and the surroundings are bright, and FIG. 2C shows a waveform when the red-eye prevention function is off and the surroundings are dark. ) Shows waveforms when the red-eye prevention function is off and the surroundings are bright. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the flash light emission waveform employ | adopted in the state where the distance to a to-be-photographed object is far or the face is not detected. It is a memory map figure which shows the contents of the main memory. It is a flowchart which shows a part of CPU operation | movement (process in continuous shooting imaging | photography mode). FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another part of the CPU operation (processing following FIG. 5). FIG. 7A is an illustrative view showing a modification of the waveform of FIG. 2, and FIG. 7A is a simple rectangular waveform corresponding to FIG. 2A, and the first main light emission period is from the second and subsequent main light emission periods. 7B shows a simple rectangular waveform corresponding to FIG. 2C, and FIG. 7C shows a triangular waveform corresponding to FIG. 2A. FIG. 8A is an illustrative view showing another modified example of the waveform of FIG. 2, FIG. 8A corresponds to a curved waveform corresponding to FIG. 2D, and FIG. 8B corresponds to FIG. Each stepped waveform is shown. FIG. 9A is an illustrative view showing an example of a flash emission waveform for single-shot shooting. FIG. 9A shows a pre-emission period having a constant luminance and a remaining emission period in which the luminance decreases linearly before and after the main emission period. FIG. 9B shows a waveform in which a remaining light emission period having a luminance lower than the main light emission period and longer in length than the main light emission period is arranged after the main light emission period, and FIG. A waveform in which a pre-light emission period in which the luminance linearly increases to the main light emission luminance and a remaining light emission period in which the luminance decreases linearly from the main light emission luminance is arranged before and after the main light emission period, respectively. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the luminance control by pulse width modulation (PWM).

  FIG. 1 shows a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 10. Referring to FIG. 1, mobile terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 24. The CPU 24 is connected with a key input device 26, a main memory 34, a flash memory 36, an imaging device 38 and a flash light emitter 40, and the antenna 12 is connected via the wireless communication circuit 14 via the A / D converter 16. The microphone 18 is connected to the speaker 22 via the D / A converter 20 and the display 30 via the driver 28.

  The antenna 12 captures (receives) a radio signal from a base station (not shown) and emits (transmits) a radio signal from the radio communication circuit 14. The radio communication circuit 14 demodulates and decodes a radio signal received by the antenna 12, and encodes and modulates a signal from the CPU 24. The microphone 18 converts the sound wave into an analog audio signal, and the A / D converter 16 converts the audio signal from the microphone 18 into digital audio data. The D / A converter 20 converts the audio data from the CPU 24 into an analog audio signal, and the speaker 22 converts the audio signal from the D / A converter 20 into a sound wave.

  The key input device 26 includes various keys, buttons, trackballs (not shown) operated by the user, and inputs signals (commands) corresponding to the operations to the CPU 24. The driver 28 displays an image corresponding to the signal from the CPU 24 on the display 30.

  The main memory 34 is composed of, for example, an SDRAM or the like, and stores programs, parameters, a database (DB) and the like (see FIG. 4) for causing the CPU 24 to execute various processes, and provides a necessary work area for the CPU 24. . The flash memory 36 is composed of, for example, a NAND flash memory, and is used as a storage area for programs and the like, and also as an image data recording area by the imaging device 38.

  The imaging device 38 includes, for example, a lens 38a, an image sensor (e.g., an imaging device such as a CCD or CMOS) 38b, a camera processing circuit 38c, and a driver 38d for driving the lens, and is connected to the image sensor 38b via the lens 38a. The optical image to be imaged is photoelectrically converted, and image data corresponding to this is output. At this time, the image sensor 38b and the driver 38d operate under the control of the CPU 24, and image data in which the exposure amount and the focus are appropriately adjusted is output. That is, the imaging device 38 has an AE (Automatic Exposure) function and an AF (Autofocus) function. Furthermore, the imaging device 38 also has a face detection function, and can detect a human face image from the captured image.

  The flash light emitter 40 includes, for example, a single LED (Light Emitting Diode) 40a and a driver 40b, and the driver 40b drives the LED 40a under the control of the CPU 24, whereby flash light (strobe light) for continuous shooting is used. In particular, it emits flash light with a waveform suitable for continuous shooting of people. It is also possible to emit flash light for normal shooting (single-shot shooting) or irradiation light for simply irradiating a shooting target (subject). There may be a plurality of LEDs 40a. In this case, the driver 40b drives each LED 40a equally. Alternatively, a light emitter (such as a xenon lamp) or a light emitting element other than the LED may be used, but the LED is suitable for this embodiment in that fine control of the light emission pattern is easy. An LED is also called a light emitting diode, and an organic LE (Electro-Luminescence) element, which is a light emitting diode whose light emitting layer is made of an organic compound, is also a kind of LED.

  The CPU 24 executes various processes according to the programs (52 to 58) stored in the main memory 34 while using other hardware (12 to 22, 26 to 30, and 34 to 40). A timing signal necessary for executing the processing is supplied from an RTC (Real Time Clock) 24a.

  In the mobile terminal 10 configured as described above, a call mode for making a call, a normal shooting mode for performing normal shooting (single shooting), and continuous shooting for performing continuous shooting while flashing, through a menu screen (not shown). A mode etc. can be selected. When the continuous shooting mode is selected, you can also set (change) the shooting cycle, select whether or not to perform pre-flash for red-eye prevention (red-eye prevention function on / off setting), etc. on the menu screen. It can be carried out. Although other modes, for example, a mode for performing continuous shooting without flash emission are also prepared, they are not the main features of this embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  When the call mode is selected, the mobile terminal 10 functions as a call device. Specifically, when a call operation is performed by the key input device 26, the CPU 24 controls the wireless communication circuit 14 to output a call signal. The output call signal is output via the antenna 12 and transmitted to the other telephone through a mobile communication network (not shown). The telephone starts ringing with a ring tone or the like. When the other party performs an incoming call operation, the CPU 24 starts a call process. On the other hand, when the call signal from the other party is captured by the antenna 12, the wireless communication circuit 14 notifies the CPU 24 of the incoming call, and the CPU 24 starts calling by the ring tone. When an incoming call operation is performed by the key input device 26, the CPU 24 starts a call process.

  Call processing is performed as follows, for example. The received voice signal sent from the other party is captured by the antenna 12, demodulated and decoded by the wireless communication circuit 14, and then given to the speaker 22 via the D / A converter 20. As a result, the received voice is output from the speaker 22. On the other hand, the transmission voice signal captured by the microphone 18 is encoded and modulated by the wireless communication circuit 14 and then transmitted to the other party through the antenna 12. The other party's telephone also demodulates and decodes the transmitted voice signal and outputs the transmitted voice.

  When the normal shooting mode is selected, the mobile terminal 10 functions as a camera device for normal shooting. Specifically, the CPU 24 issues a through shooting start command, and the imaging device 38 starts through shooting. In the imaging device 38, the optical image formed on the image sensor 38b through the lens 38a is subjected to photoelectric conversion, and thereby electric charges representing the optical image are generated. In through shooting, a part of the charge generated by the image sensor 38b is read as a low-resolution raw image signal every 1/60 seconds, for example. The read raw image signal is subjected to a series of image processing such as A / D conversion, color separation, and YUV conversion by the camera processing circuit 38c, thereby being converted into image data in the YUV format.

  Thus, low-resolution image data for through display is output from the imaging device 38 at a frame rate of, for example, 60 fps. The output image data is written in the main memory 34 as current through image data, and the driver 28 repeatedly reads through image data stored in the main memory 34 and displays a through image based on the read image data on the display 30.

  The user holds the portable terminal 10 by hand or places it on a desk or the like, and points the imaging device 38 toward a target (a subject such as a person). Since the through image captured by the imaging device 38 is displayed on the display 30, the user adjusts the orientation of the imaging device 38 and the distance to the target so as to capture the target with a desired composition while watching this. . When the adjustment is completed, a shutter operation is performed by the key input device 26.

  The shutter operation has two stages: a half-press operation for pressing the shutter button halfway and a full-press operation for pressing the shutter button in the half-press state to the bottom. The user first performs a half-press operation when the rough adjustment is completed. The CPU 24 executes AF, AE, and face detection processes in response to the half-press operation, whereby the brightness and focus of the through image are optimally adjusted. When a face image is included in the through image, a frame image (not shown) surrounding the face image is displayed on-screen (overlaid on the through image).

  The user performs fine adjustment while referring to such a through image, and then shifts to a full press operation. The CPU 24 issues a still image shooting command in response to the full press operation. In response, the imaging device 38 performs still image shooting. In the imaging device 38, the optical image formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 38b via the lens 38a is subjected to photoelectric conversion, and thereby electric charges representing the optical image are generated. In still image shooting, the charge generated by the image sensor 38b is read out as a high-resolution raw image signal. The read raw image signal is subjected to a series of image processing such as A / D conversion, color separation, and YUV conversion by the camera processing circuit 38c, thereby being converted into image data in the YUV format.

  Depending on the type of the mobile terminal 10, there is a case where there is no distinction between half-press and full-press, and in this case, the first half of the above-described two-stage processing, that is, processing in response to the half-press operation is omitted. The Therefore, the still image shooting process is executed in response to an operation (single press) of simply pressing the shutter button.

  Thus, high-resolution image data for recording is output from the imaging device 38. The output image data is temporarily stored in the main memory 34. The CPU 24 writes the image data temporarily stored in the main memory 34 to the flash memory 36 as still image data.

  When the continuous shooting mode is selected, the mobile terminal 10 functions as a camera device that performs continuous shooting while flashing. Specifically, the CPU 24 issues a through shooting start command, and the imaging device 38 starts through shooting. The through photographing process executed here is the same as the through photographing process in the normal photographing mode described above. Thereby, a through image is displayed on the display 30.

  The user directs the imaging device 38 toward the target and performs a half-press operation or a full-press operation in the same procedure as in the normal shooting. In response to the half-press operation, the CPU 24 first executes AF, AE, and face detection processes as in the case of normal shooting. As a result, the brightness and focus of the through image are adjusted optimally. When a face image is included in the through image, a frame image surrounding the face image is displayed on the screen.

  Next, the CPU 24 carries information such as the distance to the subject, the brightness of the surroundings, and the number of faces (presence / absence), such as information obtained as a result or process of each process of AF, AE and face detection. A plurality of flash emission waveforms prepared in advance based on information indicating the status of the terminal 10 and the subject to be photographed (for example, waveforms W1a to W1d and W2: see FIGS. 2A to 2D and 3) Select one of the items and hold the selection result.

  Thereafter, in response to the full-press operation, the CPU 24 first issues a flash emission start command and then a continuous shooting start command. When the flash light emitter 40 and the imaging device 38 respond to this, an operation for performing continuous shooting while starting flash emission is started.

  Specifically, in the continuous shooting operation, the imaging device 38 takes a timing (T1, T2,...) According to a preset period (for example, 1 second = 1000 milliseconds / once) under the control of the CPU 24. : See FIG. 2 (A)). Each still image capturing process is the same as still image shooting (single shooting) in normal shooting. A series of still images captured in this manner, that is, continuous shot images, are temporarily stored in the main memory 34.

  On the other hand, in the flash light emission operation, the driver 40b drives the LED 40a according to the timing T1, T2,... Of continuous shooting under the control of the CPU 24 (for example, by controlling the current while applying a predetermined voltage to the LED 40a, Or by controlling the length and brightness of each light emission period).

  Although details will be described later, one of the main features of this embodiment is to define a flash emission pattern (change in luminance with time) suitable for continuous shooting for a person. 2 (A) to individual waveforms W1a to W1d as shown in FIG. 2 (D). Another main feature is that a waveform corresponding to the situation is selected from a plurality of waveforms W1a to W1d and W2 including these, and the LED 40a emits light with luminance based on the waveform.

  Such continuous shooting with flash emission continues until the user releases the full-press operation (or until the number of shots reaches the upper limit determined by the capacity of the main memory 34 or the flash memory 36). That is, when the full-press operation is released (or when the number reaches the upper limit), the CPU 24 first issues a continuous shooting stop command and then a flash emission stop command. Then, after continuous shooting and flash emission are stopped, the continuous shot image stored in the main memory 34 is recorded in the flash memory 36. Instead of recording a series of still images after the continuous shooting has been completed in this way, each time a still image is captured, the still image is recorded in the flash memory 36 via the main memory 34 one by one. May be.

  Next, details of continuous shooting will be described focusing on the above-described features. FIG. 2 shows an example of a flash emission waveform that is selectively employed in the portable terminal 10 in a state where the distance to the subject is short and a face is detected. 2A shows a waveform adopted when the red-eye prevention function is on and the surroundings are dark, and FIG. 2B shows a waveform adopted when the red-eye prevention function is on and the surroundings are bright. (C) shows a waveform adopted when the red-eye prevention function is off and the surroundings are dark, and FIG. 2 (D) shows a waveform adopted when the red-eye prevention function is off and the surroundings are bright. On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows an example of a flash emission waveform that is employed in the portable terminal 10 when the distance to the subject is far or no face is detected.

  First, in common with FIGS. 2A to 2D and FIG. 3, the horizontal axis indicates time (T), the vertical axis indicates luminance (L), and the horizontal axis indicates the timing of continuous shooting. T1 to T4 (all of which are fixed values) are arranged at intervals of 1 second (= 1000 ms). That is, in this example, the number of shots is 4, the shooting cycle is 1 second (= 1000 ms), and the period of 3400 ms including the timings T1 to T4 is defined as “during continuous shooting”. Accordingly, “before photographing” is set up to 200 ms before timing T1, and “after shooting” is set after 200 ms at timing T4.

  On the other hand, the luminances L1, L2, and L3 shown on the horizontal axis indicate the red-eye prevention luminance, the still image photographing luminance, and the flicker prevention luminance, respectively. The luminance L2 is a fixed value (for example, 200 mA when converted to current) regardless of the situation, but the luminance L3 varies depending on the surrounding brightness. The brightness L1 is standard brightness (the brightness of the irradiation light described above: 120 mA, for example) when the red-eye prevention function is on, and 0 when it is off. For comparison, the standard luminance is indicated by a thick dotted line.

  Next, referring to FIG. 2A, in the waveform W1a, after a pre-emission period of 800 ms starting from timing T0 1000 ms before timing T1, 400 ms starting from 200 ms before timing T1. The main light emission period and the remaining light emission period of 600 ms starting from 200 ms after timing T1 continue, and thereafter, the same main light emission period and remaining light emission period are repeated along timings T2 to T4.

  The luminance during the pre-light emission period is the red-eye prevention luminance L1 (= standard luminance), and the luminance during the main light emission period is the still image photographing luminance L2. Then, the luminance during the remaining light emission period (for 600 ms) is the initial still image shooting luminance L2, and linearly decreases to flicker prevention luminance L3 (= standard luminance) for the first 200 ms, and for the next 200 ms. It is maintained at the flicker prevention luminance L3, and rises linearly to the still image photographing luminance L2 in the next 200 ms. Accordingly, the luminance (converted current value: the same applies hereinafter) during the remaining light emission period changes from 200 mA → 120 mA → 200 mA every 200 ms.

  Next, referring to FIG. 2B, this waveform W1b is obtained by changing the value of the red-eye prevention luminance L1 to a value lower than the standard luminance (for example, 80 mA) in the waveform W1a of FIG. It is. Therefore, the luminance during the remaining light emission period changes from 200 mA → 80 mA → 200 mA every 200 ms.

  Next, referring to FIG. 2C, this waveform W1c is obtained by changing the value of the red-eye prevention luminance L1 to 0 in the waveform W1a of FIG.

  Next, referring to FIG. 2D, this waveform W1d is obtained by changing the value of the red-eye prevention luminance L1 to a value lower than the standard luminance (for example, 80 mA) in the waveform W1c of FIG. It is.

  Next, referring to FIG. 3, the waveform W2 is obtained by changing the value of the red-eye prevention luminance L1 to 0 and setting the luminance of the remaining light emission period to 0 (in other words, in the waveform W1a of FIG. 2A). And the pre-light emission period and the remaining light emission period are replaced with non-light emission periods). Therefore, the luminance instantaneously increases from 0 to the luminance for still image shooting immediately before the main light emission period (before 200 ms), and instantaneously from the luminance for still image shooting to 0 immediately after the main light emission period (after 200 ms). Then, the same change is repeated with no light emission period (for 600 ms).

  In addition, the shape or structure of each waveform mentioned above is an example, and may be changed as appropriate. The number of waveforms to be prepared is not limited to 5, and may be 4 or less or 6 or more. Numerical values relating to the imaging cycle, the length of each light emission period, the luminance, and the like are examples, and may be changed as appropriate.

  Each waveform may be stored in the form of function data having time (T) and luminance (L) as variables, or may be stored in the form of numerical data indicating the luminance in each time (period). In the case of function data, data that approximately represents each waveform may be used. The luminance may be expressed by a current value (and / or a voltage value) that drives the LED. These points are the same in the modified example described later.

  The continuous shooting operation while flash emission as described above is performed, for example, by the CPU 24 as shown in FIGS. 51 and 6 based on the program, parameters, DB and the like shown in FIG. 4 stored in the main memory 34. This is realized by executing processing according to a simple flow.

  Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the main memory 34 includes a program area 50, a parameter area 60, and a DB area 70. The program area 50 includes a continuous shooting control program 52, an AF program 54, an AE program 56, and a face detection. A program 58 and the like are stored. The parameter area 60 stores continuous shooting information 62, AF information 64, AE information 66, face information 68, and the like, and the DB area 70 stores a waveform DB 72, a face DB 74, and the like.

  Although not shown, the program area 50 also stores a control program for realizing the above-described call mode and normal shooting mode.

  The continuous shooting control program 52 is a main software program that controls various hardware (12 to 20, 26 to 40) via the CPU 24 and executes processing according to the flow of FIGS. 5 and 6. The AF, AE, and face detection programs 54 to 58 are sub software programs used by the continuous shooting control program 52 in the course of executing such processing.

  The AF program 54 performs an AF process on the image data input through the imaging device 38, thereby detecting the distance to the shooting target (subject), calculating the optimum focus value, and performing focus adjustment. The AE program 56 performs AE processing on the image data input through the imaging device 38 to detect ambient brightness, calculate an optimal exposure time, and perform exposure adjustment. The face detection program 58 detects the face of a person by performing face detection processing based on the face DB 74 stored in the DB area 70 on the image data input through the imaging device 38, the position of each face, etc. Is calculated.

  The continuous shooting information 62 stores various types of information set through the menu screen and the like regarding the continuous shooting, specifically, information indicating the shooting cycle, the upper limit number of sheets, the on / off state of the red-eye prevention function, and the like. The AF information 64 stores various types of information detected or calculated by the AF program 54, specifically information indicating the distance to the subject, the optimum focus value, and the like. The AE information 66 stores various types of information detected or calculated by the AE program 54, specifically information indicating ambient brightness, optimum exposure time, and the like. The face information 68 stores various information detected or calculated by the face detection program 58, specifically, information indicating the number of faces, the position of each face, and the like.

  In the waveform DB, various flash emission waveforms selectively adopted by the continuous shooting control program 52, specifically, the waveforms W1a to W1d shown in FIGS. 2 (A) to 2 (D) and FIG. Data indicating W2 is stored. The face DB 74 stores data indicating various facial features that the face detection program 58 refers to when detecting the face of the subject.

  In the main memory 34, a through image area 80 for temporarily storing through image data and a continuous image area 82 for storing continuous image data are also formed.

  When “continuous shooting mode” is selected through a menu screen or the like (not shown), the continuous shooting control program 52, the AF program 54, the AE program 56, and the face detection program 58 stored in the program area 50 are activated, and the CPU 24 The continuous shooting control process as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is executed. It should be noted that parameters related to continuous shooting (shooting period, upper limit number of sheets, red-eye prevention capability on / off state, etc.) are set in advance through a menu screen or the like.

  First, referring to FIG. 4, the CPU 24 first issues a through shooting start command in step S1. In response, the imaging device 38 starts through imaging. In the imaging device 38, the optical image formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 38b via the lens 38a is subjected to photoelectric conversion, and thereby electric charges representing the optical image are generated. In through shooting, a part of the charge generated by the image sensor 38b is read as a low-resolution raw image signal every 1/60 seconds, for example. The read raw image signal is subjected to a series of image processing such as A / D conversion, color separation, and YUV conversion by the camera processing circuit 38c, thereby being converted into image data in the YUV format.

  Thus, low-resolution image data for through display is output from the imaging device 38 at a frame rate of, for example, 60 fps. The output image data is written in the through image area 80. The driver 28 repeatedly reads through image data 69 temporarily stored in the through image area 80 at a rate of, for example, 60 fps, and displays a through image based on the read image data 69 on the display 30.

  Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not a half-press operation has been performed. If NO, the same determination is repeated with a standby period of 1/60 seconds, for example. When the determination result in step S3 changes from NO to YES, AF, AE, and face detection processes are executed in steps S5 to S9. Information indicating detection or calculation results in each process is written in the parameter area 60 as AF information 64, AE information 66, and face information 68.

  In step S11, the AF information 64 is referred to and it is determined whether or not it is a short distance. Specifically, the distance to the subject stored in the AF information 64 is compared with a threshold value. If the distance exceeds the threshold value, NO (not a short distance), and if not, YES (short distance). Is determined. If NO in step S11, the process proceeds to step S29, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, it is determined whether or not a face has been detected with reference to the face information 68. Specifically, the determination is YES if the number of faces stored in the face information 68 is 1 or more, and NO if the number is 0. If NO in step S13, the process proceeds to step S29, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, it is determined whether or not the red-eye prevention function is on by referring to the continuous shooting information 62. If YES is determined here, the process proceeds to step S17, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S17, it is determined by referring to the AE information 66 whether the surroundings are dark. Specifically, the surrounding brightness stored in the AE information 66 is compared with a threshold value, and if the brightness is below the threshold value, it is determined as YES (dark), and if not below, it is determined as NO (bright). If YES in step S17, the process proceeds to step S19, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S23, as in step S17, it is determined whether or not the surrounding is dark by referring to the AE information 66. If YES, the process proceeds to step S25, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In steps S19, S21, S25, S27 and S29, waveforms W1a, W1b, W1c, W1d and W2 are selected, respectively. The selection result is held in a built-in register (not shown) of the CPU 24, for example. Thereafter, the processing of the CPU 24 enters an operation waiting loop in steps S31 and S33.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in step S31, it is determined whether or not a full-press operation has been performed. In step S33, it is determined whether or not a release operation has been performed. The same determination is repeated with a waiting period of seconds. If the determination result of step S33 is YES, it will return to step S3 and will repeat the process similar to the above. As a result, the current AF information 64, AE information 66, and face information 68 become invalid, and continuous shooting can be performed again.

  If the decision result in the step S31 is YES, a flash emission start command and a continuous shooting start command are sequentially issued in steps S35 and S36. In response, the flash light emitter 40 starts flash light emission, and the imaging device 38 starts continuous shooting under the control of the CPU 24. The timing of continuous shooting (T1, T2,...) Is controlled to follow the shooting cycle stored in the continuous shooting information 62, and the waveform of flash emission is the timing of continuous shooting (T1, T2,...). Control is performed to synchronize and change according to the selection result in any of steps S19, S21, S25, S27 and S29. A series of still images (continuous shot images) taken in this way are accumulated in the continuous shot image area 82 of the main memory 34. After issuing the command, the processing of the CPU 24 enters the event waiting loop of steps S37 and S39.

  In step S37, it is determined whether or not a release operation has been performed. In step S39, it is determined whether or not the number of shots has reached the upper limit. If any of the determination results is NO, for example, a standby period of 1/60 seconds is set. Repeat the same determination with a pinch. If the determination result in any of steps S37 and S39 is YES, a sequential shooting stop command and a flash emission stop command are sequentially issued in steps S40 and S41. Accordingly, flash emission by the flash light emitter 40 and continuous shooting by the imaging device 38 are stopped. In step S43, the continuous shot images accumulated in the continuous shot image area 82 as described above are recorded in the flash memory 36. Then, it returns to step S1 and repeats the same process as the above. Thereby, through shooting is resumed, and the next continuous shooting can be performed.

  As is clear from the above, the mobile terminal 10 of this embodiment performs continuous shooting while flashing using the imaging device 38 that repeatedly captures still images, the LED 40a, and its driver 40b.

  The waveform DB 72 of the main memory 34 includes four types of first waveforms W1a to W1d (see FIGS. 2A to 2D) and one type of second waveform W2 as flash emission waveforms for continuous shooting. (See FIG. 3) is registered. The first waveforms W1a to W1d alternately include a main light emission period indicating the still image photographing luminance L2 and a remaining light emission period indicating the flicker prevention luminance L3 lower than the still image photographing luminance, and the luminance is stationary in the remaining light emitting period. After gradually decreasing from the image capturing brightness L2 to the flicker preventing brightness L3, the flicker preventing brightness L3 is gradually increased to the still image capturing brightness L2. The second waveform alternately includes a main light emission period and a non-light emission period indicating the still image photographing luminance L2.

  The imaging device 38 has AF, AE, and face detection functions. The CPU 24 first generates a waveform W2 when the distance to the subject is far away or no face is detected based on the AF and face detection results. When a face is detected and the distance to the subject is close, select one of the first waveforms W1a to W1d based on the on / off state of red-eye prevention and the AE result To do.

  Specifically, the first waveform W1a (FIG. 2A) is selected when red-eye prevention is on and the surrounding is dark, and the first waveform W1b (FIG. 2B) is selected when red-eye prevention is on and the surrounding is bright. ) Is selected and the first waveform W1c (FIG. 2C) is selected when the red-eye prevention is off and the surroundings are bright, and when the red-eye prevention is off and the surroundings are bright, the first waveform W1d (FIG. 2D) is selected. )) Is selected. The first waveform W1b is obtained by lowering the luminance of the remaining light emission period in the first waveform W1a because the surroundings are brighter. The first waveform W1c is obtained by replacing the pre-light emission period with a non-light emission period according to the setting of red-eye prevention off in the first waveform W1a. The first waveform W1d is obtained by reducing the luminance of the remaining light emission period by the amount of light around the first waveform W1c (in the first light emission waveform, the luminance of the remaining light emission period is reduced and the pre-light emission period is set to the non-light emission period. Replaced). In the embodiment, the luminance of the remaining light emission period changes in two stages based on a comparison between the surrounding brightness and a single threshold value. In other examples, the luminance is based on a comparison with a plurality of threshold values. May be changed in three or more steps, or may be changed continuously based on an appropriate function.

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 controls the driver 40b according to the imaging timings T1, T2,... Of the imaging device 38, and causes the LED 40a to emit light with the luminance based on the previously selected waveform (S11 to S29, S35). As a result, it is possible to achieve both prevention of flicker and continuous reduction of power consumption when continuous shooting is performed with flash emission.

  Note that the flash emission waveforms that are selectively employed in the state where the distance to the subject is close and the face is detected are not limited to the waveforms W1a to W1d shown in FIGS. 2 (A) to 2 (D).

  Specifically, the waveforms W1a to W1d are shaped like a combination of a rectangle and a trapezoid. However, in a modified example, a simple combination of rectangles as shown in FIG. 7A may be used. This waveform W1p extends from the waveform W2 shown in FIG. 3 by extending the initial main light emission period retroactively by 800 ms, and the non-light emission period is the remaining light emission period of flicker prevention luminance L3 (= standard luminance). It is a replacement. Therefore, the first main light emission period is 1200 ms including 800 ms corresponding to the pre-light emission period, and the second and subsequent main light emission periods are 400 ms.

  In this way, the first main light emission period is made longer than each of the second and subsequent main light emission periods, so that the red-eye prevention effect can be obtained. Further, flickering is reduced by the remaining light emission period arranged between the main light emission periods. However, in this case, since the luminance instantaneously changes at the boundary between the main light emission period and the remaining light emission period, the flicker reduction effect is, for example, the case where the luminance gradually changes like the waveform W1a in FIG. It is somewhat small compared.

  If red-eye prevention is not necessary, a simpler waveform as shown in FIG. 7B may be used. A waveform W1q in FIG. 7B is obtained by removing 800 ms corresponding to the pre-light emission period from the first main light emission period in the waveform W1p in FIG. 7A. In this case, the same flicker prevention effect as that of the waveform W1p can be obtained.

  Alternatively, even if a triangular waveform as shown in FIG. 7C is used, a red-eye prevention effect and a flicker prevention effect can be obtained. In the waveform of FIG. 7C, the pre-light emission period is 1000 ms from timing T0 to T1, the remaining light emission period is 1000 ms from timing T1 to T2, and the boundary between the pre-light emission period and the remaining light emission period, that is, the moment of timing T1. With the main light emission period (equivalent to the exposure period: for example, several ms to several tens of ms), the luminance first increases linearly from 0 to the still image photographing luminance L2 in the pre-emission period. Thereafter, in the first remaining light emission period after the main light emission period at timing T1, the luminance decreases linearly from the still image shooting luminance L2 to the flicker prevention luminance L3 (= standard luminance) in the first 500 ms, In the latter half of 500 ms, the luminance rises linearly from the flicker prevention luminance L3 to the still image photographing luminance L2. Thereafter, the same luminance change as the first time is repeated in the second and third remaining light emission periods after the main light emission period at timings T2 and T3.

  Note that, in each of the waveforms W1a to W1d and W1p to W1r described above, the luminance change in the pre-light emission period and the remaining light emission period is linear, but it may be changed in a curved or stepwise manner. FIG. 8A shows an example of a waveform in which the luminance change in the pre-light emission period and the remaining light emission period is curvilinear, and FIG. 8A shows an example of a waveform in which the change is stepwise. The waveform W1s in FIG. 8A corresponds to the waveform W1r in FIG. 7C, and the waveform W1t in FIG. 8B also corresponds to the waveform W1r. Anti-flickering effect can be expected.

  In particular, in the waveform W1s in FIG. 8A, since the curves for each period are all convex downward, the area obtained by integrating the luminance L with the time T is smaller than in the case of the waveform W1r in FIG. Electricity reduction effect can also be expected. A part of the waveform W1s may be an upwardly convex curve or straight line. Also, in the case of the waveform W1t that changes stepwise, if the steps of change are made closer to a curve like the waveform W1s, the same is true. Can be expected. In other words, it is possible to balance between the power consumption reduction effect, the red-eye prevention effect, and the flicker prevention effect by configuring an appropriate waveform combining straight lines and curves.

  By the way, the flicker prevention effect due to the remaining light emission is particularly noticeable when continuous shooting is performed as in the above-described embodiment, but can also be obtained during single shooting. Examples of flash emission waveforms for single shooting are shown in FIGS. 9 (A) to 9 (C). The waveform in FIG. 9A corresponds to a portion from the pre-light emission period to the first main light emission and the remaining light emission period in the waveform W1a in FIG. In this case, the remaining light emission period is 500 ms. During this period, the luminance decreases linearly from the still image photographing luminance L2 to zero. Thereby, a red-eye prevention effect and a flicker prevention effect are obtained.

  The waveform in FIG. 9B corresponds to the first main light emission and remaining light emission period portions of the waveform W1q in FIG. 7B. Thereby, the flicker prevention effect is obtained. The waveform in FIG. 9C corresponds to a portion from the pre-light emission period to the first main light emission and the remaining light emission period in the waveform W1r in FIG. 7C. In this case, the remaining light emission period is 1000 ms, and during this period, the luminance decreases linearly from the still image photographing luminance L2 to zero. Thereby, a red-eye prevention effect and a flicker prevention effect are obtained.

  In addition, a pulse width modulation (PWM) method can be used to control the luminance in each period. An example is shown in FIG. In the waveform of FIG. 10, the pulse width in the pre-light emission period is controlled to 0.6 times that in the main light emission period, and as a result, the effective luminance in the pre-light emission period is 0.6 times that in the main light emission period. ing. The effective luminance during the remaining light emission period is gradually decreased as a result of controlling the pulse width to decrease stepwise. Thereby, luminance control equivalent to the case where the waveform of FIG. 9A is used is possible.

As described above, when the PWM method is used, the effective luminance or luminance ratio of each period can be controlled only by switching (ON / OFF) of the LED 40a. In the example of FIG. 10, the pulse width is increased for the sake of explanation, but flickering is not felt if the pulse width is sufficiently reduced and switching is performed at high speed.
Furthermore, the following modifications are possible.
(1) Even if a single-shot waveform as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C is registered in the waveform DB 72 and a continuous-shot waveform is created from the single-shot waveform during continuous shooting. Good. For example, in the waveform of FIG. 9B, the continuous waveform is obtained as shown in FIG. 7B by sequentially connecting the same waveform after the main light emission and the remaining light emission period. Further, in the waveform of FIG. 9C, after the main light emission and the remaining light emission period, the same waveform is sequentially connected while being partially overlapped, so that continuous shooting as shown in FIG. A waveform is obtained. Further, in the waveform of FIG. 9A, after the main light emission and the remaining light emission period, the same waveform and the inverted waveform thereof are sequentially connected while partially overlapping, and the lowest in each remaining light emission period. By cutting off the luminance at the standard luminance, a continuous shooting waveform as shown in FIG. 7A can be obtained.
(2) If the imaging device 38 does not have an AF function, steps S5 and S11 may be omitted from the flow of FIGS. Similarly, when the imaging device 38 does not have a face detection function, steps S9 and S13 may be omitted.
(3) The pre-flash may be started at the half-press timing. However, in this case, since the length of the pre-light emission period is indefinite, the above embodiment is preferable in terms of easy management of power consumption. Alternatively, when the continuous shooting mode is selected, if the light setting (setting whether to use illumination light) is on, the pre-flash is started at that time (that is, simultaneously with the start of through shooting). May be. If the auto light setting that automatically turns the light on / off according to the ambient brightness is on, the pre-flash is activated when the ambient brightness falls below the specified value after selecting the continuous shooting mode. You may make it start.
(4) The first waveform (W1a, W1c: refer to FIGS. 2A and 2C) when the surrounding brightness does not exceed the predetermined brightness and the first waveform (W1b, W1d: Instead of storing both in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D in the memory, only one of the waveforms is stored in the memory, and the other waveform is stored if necessary. May be created from the waveform in memory.

  Although the portable terminal 10 has been described above, the present invention relates to various photographing devices including a photographing device, a flash light emitter, and a CPU (processor, computer), such as a digital camera, a mobile phone, and a personal digital assistant (PDA). ), Can be applied to smartphones. The photographing device and the flash light emitter may be separate (external) from the main body of the photographing device. For example, a Web camera with a flash light emitter can be remotely operated from a personal computer or a portable terminal via a network. In this case, the personal computer or portable terminal is the main body of the photographing device, and the Web camera becomes a part of the photographing device by being connected to the personal computer or portable terminal via the network. May be called a system).

10 ... mobile terminal 24 ... CPU
34 ... main memory 38 ... imaging device 40 ... flash light emitter 40a ... LED
40b Driver

Claims (17)

An imaging device that performs continuous shooting while emitting light by an imaging unit that repeatedly captures still images and a light emitting unit that emits light,
The light emission unit alternately includes a main light emission period in which light emission is performed at a luminance for photographing and a remaining light emission period in which the light emission unit emits light at a flicker prevention luminance lower than the luminance for photographing. A storage unit that stores at least a first light emission pattern that gradually decreases from luminance to flicker-preventing luminance after gradually decreasing from luminance to flicker-preventing luminance; and An imaging apparatus comprising a light emission control unit that causes the light emitting unit to emit light with a luminance based on one light emission pattern. An imaging device that performs continuous shooting while emitting light by an imaging unit that repeatedly captures still images and a light emitting unit that emits light,
The first light emission period is the second time including the main light emission period in which the light emitting unit emits light with the luminance for photographing and the remaining light emission period in which the light emitting unit emits light with the flicker prevention luminance lower than the luminance for photographing. A storage unit that stores at least a first light emission pattern that is longer than each of the subsequent main light emission periods, and a light emission control unit that causes the light emission unit to emit light at a luminance based on the first light emission pattern when shooting with the imaging unit. An imaging device comprising: The imaging unit has an AE function,
The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control unit changes the flicker-preventing luminance according to the brightness measured by the AE function. The imaging unit has a face detection function,
The storage unit further stores a second light emission pattern that alternately includes a main light emission period and a non-light emission period that are emitted at the luminance for shooting.
The light emission control unit causes the light emission unit to emit light with a luminance based on the first light emission pattern when a face is detected by the face detection function, and based on the second light emission pattern when a face is not detected. The photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which emits light with luminance. The imaging unit has an AF function,
The storage unit further stores a second light emission pattern that alternately includes a main light emission period and a non-light emission period that are emitted at the luminance for shooting.
The light emission control unit causes the light emitting unit to emit light at a luminance based on the first light emission pattern when the distance measured by the AF function does not exceed a predetermined distance, and when the distance measured by the AF function exceeds the predetermined distance, The photographing device according to claim 1, wherein the photographing device emits light with luminance based on the light emission pattern. The imaging unit has an AF function and a face detection function,
The storage unit further stores a second light emission pattern that alternately includes a main light emission period and a non-light emission period that are emitted at the luminance for shooting.
The light-emission control unit causes the light-emission unit to brightness based on the first light-emission pattern when the distance measured by the AF function does not exceed a predetermined distance and a face is detected by the face detection function. 4. The photographing device according to claim 1, wherein when the measured distance exceeds a predetermined distance or when no face is detected, light is emitted at a luminance based on the second light emission pattern. 5. .   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first light emission pattern further includes a pre-light emission period showing a red-eye prevention luminance before the first main light emission period.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the luminance change during the remaining light emission period is linear.   The luminance during the remaining light emission period includes a negative first slope line segment, a horizontal line segment connected to the rear end of the first slope line segment, and a positive slope connected to the rear end of the horizontal line segment. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the imaging device changes along a second inclined line segment having the following.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the luminance in the remaining light emission period changes along a downwardly convex curve.   The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein the luminance change in the remaining light emission period is continuous.   The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein the luminance change in the remaining light emission period is gradual.   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control unit controls effective luminance in each period by pulse width modulation. An imaging device computer that performs continuous shooting while emitting light by an imaging unit that repeatedly captures still images and a light emitting unit that emits light,
It alternately includes a main light emission period in which light is emitted at a luminance for photographing and a remaining light emission period in which light is emitted at a flicker prevention luminance that is lower than the luminance for photographing. In the remaining light emission period, the luminance gradually increases from the luminance for photographing to the luminance for preventing flickering. A storage unit that stores at least a first light emission pattern that gradually increases from a luminance for preventing flicker to a luminance for shooting after being reduced to a low level, and when shooting with the imaging unit, the luminance based on the first light emission pattern A continuous shooting control program for causing a light emitting unit to function as a light emission control unit. An imaging device computer that performs continuous shooting while emitting light by an imaging unit that repeatedly captures still images and a light emitting unit that emits light,
It alternately includes a main light emission period in which light is emitted at a luminance for photographing and a remaining light emission period in which light is emitted at a flicker-preventing luminance lower than the luminance for photographing, and the first main light emission period is longer than the second and subsequent main light emission periods. A long storage unit that stores at least the first light emission pattern, and a continuous shooting control that functions as a light emission control unit that causes the light emission unit to emit light at a luminance based on the first light emission pattern when shooting is performed with the imaging unit. program. A continuous shooting method that performs continuous shooting while emitting light by an imaging unit that repeatedly captures still images and a light emitting unit that emits light,
It alternately includes a main light emission period in which light is emitted at a luminance for photographing and a remaining light emission period in which light is emitted at a flicker prevention luminance that is lower than the luminance for photographing. In the remaining light emission period, the luminance gradually increases from the luminance for photographing to the luminance for preventing flickering. At least a first light emission pattern that gradually increases from the flicker prevention luminance to the photographing luminance after being reduced to
A continuous shooting method, in which, when shooting is performed by the imaging unit, the light emitting unit emits light with luminance based on the first light emission pattern. A continuous shooting method that performs continuous shooting while emitting light by an imaging unit that repeatedly captures still images and a light emitting unit that emits light,
It alternately includes a main light emission period in which light is emitted at a luminance for photographing and a remaining light emission period in which light is emitted at a flicker-preventing luminance lower than the luminance for photographing, and the first main light emission period is longer than the second and subsequent main light emission periods. Memorize at least the first light emission pattern that is long,
A continuous shooting method, in which, when shooting is performed by the imaging unit, the light emitting unit emits light with luminance based on the first light emission pattern.

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