JP2015210467A - Imaging device, imaging control device, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a photographer of a person serving as a subject to take a photograph desired by the photographer by rebooting a timer photograph in responce to reception of a preliminarily registered voice.SOLUTION: An imaging device having imaging means for taking a timer photograph of a subject includes: storage means that stores a first voice characteristic; voice input means that inputs an external voice; voice analysis means that analyses the voice input by the voice input means to analyze a characteristic of the voice; and timer control means that compares the first voice characteristic with a second voice characteristic analyzed by the voice analysis means, and controls a timer time of the timer photograph by the imaging means on the basis of the comparison result.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling shooting timing of an imaging apparatus.

  In the case of current camera self-photographing, it is common to use a self-timer built into the camera. This self-photographing is a method in which a photographer sets and activates a timer before photographing, and the camera automatically releases the shutter when the timer expires.

  In the case of this self-photographing, it is necessary to wait for the set timer, and there is a problem that a photo opportunity is missed during the waiting time or an unnecessary subject is covered, and the photographing is executed with an unintended composition.

  As a technique for solving this problem, the technique of Patent Document 1 is disclosed.

  Patent Document 1 stores the sound collected in the “sound memory photographing mode”, the operation preparation timing from the user to the imaging apparatus, and the photographing timing. A technique for photographing is disclosed.

JP 2012-185343 A

  However, in the imaging device of Patent Document 1, the same situation is repeated. For example, it is effective when taking a picture from a spectator seat in a car race, but it is used when there is only a chance of taking a picture or when self-shooting is desired from the beginning. It is a technology that cannot be done.

  In addition, there is a technology for shooting in response to voice, but in the case of self-shooting, there is a problem that the natural facial expression of the subject cannot be shot if it is shot at the timing of making a voice (tapping a hand) or speaking. is there.

  An object of the present invention is to enable a photographer of a person who is a subject to take a picture that he / she wants to shoot by restarting a shooting timer in response to receiving a pre-registered voice. .

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means for taking a picture of a subject with a timer, a storage means for storing first sound characteristics, a sound input means for inputting sound from the outside, Analyzing the voice input by the voice input means, and comparing the voice analysis means for analyzing the characteristics of the voice, the first voice characteristics and the second voice characteristics analyzed by the voice analysis means, Timer control means for controlling a timer time of timer shooting by the image pickup means based on the comparison result.

  According to the present invention, when a pre-registered voice is received, the shooting timer is correspondingly restarted, thereby enabling the photographer of the person who is the subject to take a photograph that he wants to take. Have.

1 is an external view of an imaging apparatus 100 as an example of an image reproduction apparatus in the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the imaging device 100 in this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the process which registers the timer restart audio | voice in the imaging device 100 of this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the timer imaging | photography process in the imaging device 100 of this embodiment. It is an example of the screen image at the time of the audio | voice registration displayed on the display part 54 of the imaging device 100 of this embodiment. It is an example of the setting screen image of the restart timer time displayed on the display part 54 of the imaging device 100 of this embodiment. It is an example of the setting screen image of the timer time displayed on the display part 54 of the imaging device 100 of this embodiment. It is an example of the screen image after the timer imaging | photography start displayed on the display part 54 of the imaging device 100 of this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the image of the timer reset of the imaging device 100 of this embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed the relationship between the timer reset seconds (control timer time) memorize | stored in the non-volatile memory 56 of the imaging device 100 of this embodiment, and an audio | voice characteristic data file name.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Configuration of imaging device]

  FIG. 1 shows an external view as an example of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present invention. The image display unit 28 is a display unit that displays images and various types of information. The shutter button 61 is an operation unit for issuing a shooting instruction. The mode dial 60 is an operation unit for switching various modes. The connector 112 is a connector between the connection cable and the imaging device 100. The operation unit 70 is an operation unit including operation members such as various switches, buttons, and a touch panel for receiving various operations from the user. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium slot 201 is a slot for storing the recording medium 200. The recording medium 200 stored in the recording medium slot 201 can communicate with the imaging device 100. A lid 203 is a lid of the recording medium slot 201.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the imaging apparatus 100.

  In FIG. 2, 10 is a photographing lens, 12 is a shutter having a diaphragm function, and 14 is an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. Reference numeral 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26. The timing generation circuit 18 is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

  An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs a predetermined calculation process using the captured image data. The system control circuit 50 performs AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, EF (flash preflash) processing, TTL AWB (auto white balance) based on the calculation result obtained in the image processing circuit 20. ) Process.

  A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. The data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is directly passed through the memory control circuit 22. It is.

  Reference numeral 24 is an image display memory, 26 is a D / A converter, and 27 is an external output connector for outputting the output of the D / A converter 26 to an external monitor. When a connector is inserted into the external output connector 27, the system control circuit 50 can know the external output state by the external output connection detection unit 108.

  Reference numeral 28 denotes an image display unit, which is composed of, for example, a TFT type LCD. The display image data written in the image display memory 24 is displayed by the image display unit 28 via the D / A converter 26. If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized. Further, the image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced. it can.

  Furthermore, the image display unit 28 is coupled to the main body of the imaging apparatus 100 by a rotatable hinge unit, and can use an electronic finder function, a reproduction display function, and various display functions by setting a free orientation and angle. It is. In addition, the display portion of the image display unit 28 can be stored facing the imaging apparatus 100. In this case, the system control circuit 50 can detect the storage state of the display portion of the image display unit 28 by the image display unit open / close detection unit 106 and stop the display operation of the image display unit 28.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and a moving image for a predetermined time. Thereby, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50. The memory 30 is also used as a write buffer for the recording media 200 and 210. Reference numeral 32 denotes a compression / decompression circuit that compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and stores the processed data in the memory 30. Write to.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control unit that controls the shutter 12 having an aperture function. The exposure control unit 40 also has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48. Reference numeral 42 denotes a distance measurement control unit that controls focusing of the photographing lens 10, and 44 denotes a zoom control unit that controls zooming of the photographing lens 10. A barrier control unit 46 controls the operation of the lens barrier 102 that protects the imaging unit including the photographing lens 10. A flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function. The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method. Based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement. The controller 42 is controlled.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 100. The system control circuit 50 executes the program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56, thereby realizing the processing of each embodiment described later. Reference numeral 52 denotes a memory for developing constants and variables for operation of the system control circuit 50, a program read from the nonvolatile memory 56, and the like.

  A display unit 54 includes a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, and the like that display an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like according to execution of a program in the system control circuit 50. The display unit 54 is installed at a single or a plurality of positions near the operation unit of the imaging apparatus 100 so as to be easily visible, and is configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element. The display unit 54 has a part of its function installed in the optical viewfinder 104. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes aperture value display, exposure correction display, flash display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, battery remaining amount display, error display, and recording media 200 and 210. There is an attachment / detachment state display. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM. The nonvolatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, and the like for operating the system control circuit 50. Here, the program is a program for executing various flowcharts described later. A timer 58 is used for measuring the data recording speed of the recording media 200 and 210 and the data rate of the data to be acquired, and for measuring the time at the time of timer photographing which is the main function of the present invention.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 are operation mechanisms for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50, such as a switch, dial, touch panel, pointing by line-of-sight detection, a voice recognition device, or the like. Consists of multiple combinations. Hereinafter, these operation mechanisms will be described in detail.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch for switching and setting each function mode such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode (including panorama shooting mode and moving image shooting mode), playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, PC connection mode, and the like. Can do. A shutter switch (SW1) 62 is turned on during the operation of the shutter button 61, and AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, etc. Instruct the start of operation. Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch (SW2), which is turned on when the operation of the shutter button 61 is completed, and an exposure process for writing a signal read from the image sensor 14 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Instruct the start of operation. At the same time, development processing using operations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, recording processing for reading out image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression circuit 32, and writing the image data to the recording medium 200 or 210 The operation start of a series of processes is also instructed. In the case of moving image shooting, the start / stop of moving image shooting is instructed.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch which can set ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. With this function, when taking an image using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to the image display unit 28 including a TFT LCD or the like. Reference numeral 68 denotes a quick review ON / OFF switch, which sets a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after photographing. In the present embodiment, in particular, a function for setting a quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off is provided.

  The operation unit 70 includes various buttons and a touch panel. Specifically, it is as follows. menu button. Set button. Macro button. Multi-screen playback page break button. Flash setting button. Single / continuous / self-timer switching button. Menu movement + (plus) button. Menu move-(minus) button. Playback image move + (plus) button. Playback image move-(minus) button. Shooting quality selection button. Exposure compensation button. Date / time setting button. Select / switch button for selecting and switching various functions. Decision button to set the decision and execution of various functions. A display button for setting ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. Quick review ON / OFF switch that sets a quick review function that automatically plays back image data taken immediately after shooting. A zoom operation unit that adjusts zoom and wide angle during shooting, and adjusts enlargement / reduction of image display and switching between single-screen display / multi-screen display during playback. A compression mode switch for selecting a compression rate for JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) compression, or for selecting a CCD RAW mode in which a signal from an image sensor is directly digitized and recorded on a recording medium. A touch panel for specifying the composition range to compose the shooting range.

  The power supply control unit 80 detects whether or not a battery is attached, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level, and based on the detection result and instructions from the system control circuit 50, each unit including a recording medium for a necessary period of time To supply. Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, and 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  Reference numerals 90 and 94 denote interfaces with recording media such as memory cards and hard disks. Reference numerals 92 and 96 denote connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. A recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit 98 detects whether the recording medium 200 or 210 is attached to the connector 92 and / or the connector 96.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two systems of interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems and any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard. The interface and connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like that conforms to a standard. Furthermore, by connecting various communication cards to the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other devices.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a lens barrier that covers the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the imaging apparatus 100 to prevent the imaging unit from being soiled or damaged. Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are installed. Reference numeral 106 denotes an image display unit open / close detection unit, which can detect whether or not the image display unit 28 is in a storage state in which the display portion is stored facing the imaging apparatus 100. Here, if the storage state is detected, the display operation of the image display unit 28 can be stopped and unnecessary power consumption can be prohibited.

  Reference numeral 108 denotes an external output connector connection detection unit, which can detect whether an external monitor is connected to the external output connector 27. Here, if it is detected that the connection state is established, an external monitor can be used as a display device instead of the image display unit 28. Reference numeral 109 denotes an RTC (Real Time Clock), which maintains a power supply unit therein separately from the power supply control unit 80, and continues the clock operation state even when the power supply unit 86 is not supplying power. The system control circuit 50 performs timer control using the date and time acquired from the RTC 109 at the time of activation.

  A communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication. Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector or an antenna (in the case of wireless communication) that connects the imaging apparatus 100 to another device through the communication unit 110.

  Reference numeral 114 denotes a microphone that functions as an audio data acquisition unit. Reference numeral 116 denotes an A / D converter, which performs A / D conversion so that audio data obtained by the microphone 114 can be acquired by the system control circuit 50. Reference numeral 118 denotes a speaker, which functions as an audio data reproducing unit. A D / A converter 120 D / A converts the digital audio data output from the system control circuit 50 for reproduction by the speaker 118.

  Reference numerals 200 and 210 denote recording media such as a memory card and a hard disk. The recording media 200 and 210 include recording units 202 and 212 configured by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, interfaces 204 and 214 with the imaging apparatus 100, and connectors 206 and 216 for connecting with the imaging apparatus 100. When the recording media 200 and 210 are PCMCIA standard PC-Card, CF, or the like, an information storage circuit describing performance may be built in.

  Next, the flow of processing according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  [Operation of the timer restart voice registration process of the imaging device]

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the process for registering the timer restart sound in the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. Each process in the flowchart is realized by the system control unit 50 expanding and executing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like in the system memory 52.

  When the user presses a button or the like on the operation unit 70 corresponding to voice registration of the imaging apparatus, the flowchart of FIG. 3 for registering voice that triggers changing the timer time is started.

  In step S <b> 301, the system control unit 50 of the image capturing apparatus 100 acquires sound generated outside the image capturing apparatus from the microphone 114 and performs A / D conversion using the A / D converter 116.

  Next, in step S302, the system control unit 50 analyzes the acquired audio signal to extract the audio characteristics of the external audio, that is, volume information, audio waveform information, and fundamental frequency information. . After extraction, these voice characteristics are stored in the nonvolatile memory 56, for example, in a file format. A display example of the screen displayed on the display unit 54 until step S302 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a screen image at the time of voice registration displayed on the display unit 54 of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 501 denotes a screen image displayed at the time of the processing in step S301, and prompts for voice or utterance by the user's action as indicated by 501.

  Reference numeral 502 denotes a screen image displayed at the time of the process of step S <b> 302. The timer restart sound is analyzed while 502 is displayed, and the sound characteristic of the analysis result is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S303 in FIG. 3, the system control unit 50 displays a screen that prompts the user to input a timer time set when the timer is restarted. A display example of the screen displayed on the display unit 54 in step S303 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is an example of a restart timer time setting screen image displayed on the display unit 54 of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 601 denotes a restart timer time setting screen, which displays a screen for requesting input from the user at 602 as the control timer time. [Reduced] check box 603 is a check box that the user checks when setting a shortened time from the remaining timer time when a sound having the same characteristics as the sound registered in step S302 is received. When the [Short] check box 603 is checked, the remaining timer time is deleted by the number of seconds of the control timer time 602 and the timer is continued. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S304 in FIG. 3, the system control unit 50 uses the restart timer time input on the screen (eg, 601 in FIG. 6) displayed in step S303 as the control timer time, and stores the voice stored in step S302. A series of processing is completed by linking and storing the characteristics. An example of data stored in association with voice characteristic data and control timer time will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the timer resetting seconds (control timer time) stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment and the voice characteristic data file name.

  A table 1001 indicates a voice characteristic data file name and a timer resetting number of seconds associated therewith. For example, the resetting time of the timer associated with the voice characteristic file “voice 1.dat” is 10 seconds, and when a voice having the same characteristic as the “voice 1.dat” file is received, the timer time is set to the current timer. This means that the timer shooting can be started after resetting to 10 seconds, regardless of the progress of.

  In addition, as indicated by 1002, a minus reset timer resetting number of seconds means that a time obtained by subtracting the display time from the remaining timer time is set as the number of seconds of the resetting timer. For example, when an audio having the same characteristics as the “audio 2.dat” file is received, the timer time is subtracted by 3 seconds from the current timer setting time to obtain a timer resetting number of seconds. Specifically, if the current remaining timer time is 7 seconds and the sound having the same characteristics as the “voice 2.dat” file is received, the timer time is 7-3 = 4 seconds.

  Note that the same meaning as the received voice characteristics described above is determined by whether or not the difference between the two voice characteristics is equal to or less than a certain threshold, and only when they match. Does not mean. The same applies thereafter.

Next, the processing operation at the time of timer shooting of the imaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
[Operation of timer imaging process of imaging device]

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the timer imaging process in the imaging apparatus 100 of this embodiment. Each process in the flowchart is realized by the system control unit 50 expanding and executing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like in the system memory 52.

  The flowchart of FIG. 4 is a flowchart executed when the user presses the self-timer switching button of the operation unit 70.

  In step S <b> 401, the system control unit 50 of the imaging apparatus 100 displays a screen for accepting timer photographing time input on the display unit 54 and accepts input of timer photographing time from the user. A screen image for accepting timer shooting time input will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a timer time setting screen image displayed on the display unit 54 of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 701 denotes an image of a timer time setting screen. When the timer time is set to 10 seconds as in 702, the timer shooting is performed 10 seconds after the shutter button 61 is pressed. Note that if the timer shooting time is set in advance before the timer shooting, the process of step S401 may be omitted with the preset timer time as a default. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S402 in FIG. 4, the system control unit 50 accepts the pressing of the shutter button from the user, and starts the shooting timer in the next step S403. A screen image after the shooting timer is started and the timer shooting is started will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a screen image after the start of timer shooting displayed on the display unit 54 of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 801 denotes a screen image at the time of timer shooting, and a progress bar is displayed as in 802 to indicate the passage of time. The black part is the elapsed time, which means that when the black part gradually increases and the entire bar becomes black, the shutter is released and the picture is taken. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S404 in FIG. 4, the system control unit 50 inputs an audio signal via the microphone 114 and analyzes the audio. As a result of the analysis, voice characteristic data of a voice signal input from the microphone 114, that is, volume information, voice waveform information, and fundamental frequency information are extracted.

  Next, in step S405, the system control unit 50 compares the input voice characteristic data analyzed in step S404 with the voice specific data stored in step S302 of FIG. 3, and the difference between the two voice characteristics is constant. It is judged whether it is below the threshold value. If it is less than a certain threshold value, that is, if it is determined that the two sounds are the same sound, the process proceeds to step S408, and if it is greater than the certain threshold value, that is, if the two sounds are determined to be different sounds. Then, the process proceeds to step S406.

  When the process proceeds to step S408, the system control unit 50 obtains the timer reset seconds associated with the voice characteristic data determined to be the same voice as the input voice in step S405, and sets the timer reset seconds. Set the shooting timer. A specific example will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining an image of timer resetting of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  For example, in FIG. 9, the user 903 sets timer shooting for shooting after 10 seconds with the image pickup apparatus 904, and presses the shutter button. If the user moves to the subject position of the camera after pressing the shutter button and waits for 10 seconds after shooting, a person who tries to cross between the imaging device 904 and the user 903 about 10 seconds later. Was confirmed. At that time, the user 903 associates the pre-registered voice (“early” in the case of FIG. 9) with the timer time of 3 seconds, and the pre-registered voice (in the case of FIG. 9, [early]). , And taking a picture with the timer time of the imaging device shortened to 3 seconds. 901 is an image diagram in which an audio input is received and a timer time is set short. A progress bar 902 indicates that the remaining time is shorter than 802 in FIG. By these processes, it is possible to shoot with the timer time shifted, and not to capture the moment when the sound is generated, so that a natural expression of the user can be taken. In other words, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to take a picture such as a moment when a loud voice or a hand is hit. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the process of step S408 is completed, the process proceeds to step S403, and the imaging timer is started with the timer time reset in step S408. Thereafter, a series of processing is performed.

  In addition, when step S408 of FIG. 8 is passed once, it is also possible to perform the process which does not perform the voice input of step S404 for a fixed time (for example, 2 seconds) after starting the timer. As a result of this processing, for example, when the other person tries to pass between the imaging device 904 and the user 903 as in the former, and there are a plurality of users 903, the plurality of persons utter words such as “early” and “wait”. In this case, the possibility that the timer time is extended every time a voice is input for the shooting time is eliminated, and it is possible to capture without missing the shooting timing.

  On the other hand, in step S405, if the difference between the input voice characteristic data analyzed in step S404 and the voice specific data stored in step S302 in FIG. 3 is greater than a certain threshold, that is, the two voices are different voices. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S406.

  In step S406, the system control unit 50 determines whether the shooting timer has reached 0 seconds. If it is not 0 seconds, the process returns to step S404, and the process from the voice input process is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the shooting timer reaches 0 seconds in step S406, the process proceeds to the next step S407.

  In step S407, the system control unit 50 images the subject. Specifically, the shutter 12 is opened, a captured image is taken into the image sensor 14, and the signal read from the image sensor 14 is written into the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Perform processing actions.

  Through the above processing, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment accepts a pre-registered voice and restarts a shooting timer corresponding to the voice, thereby taking a picture that the photographer of the person who is the subject wants to take a picture. It has the effect of making possible.

  As described above, the present invention has been described using the imaging device, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a device capable of photographing such as a mobile phone or a mobile terminal.

  In addition, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  Also, when a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied from a recording medium directly to a system or apparatus having a computer that can execute the program using wired / wireless communication, and the program is executed Are also included in the present invention.

  Accordingly, the program code itself supplied and installed in the computer in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention.

  In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  The following can be considered as a computer-readable storage medium or recording medium for supplying the program. For example, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVDROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and the like. Further, a non-volatile semiconductor memory of an optical / magneto-optical recording medium may be used.

  As a program supply method using wired / wireless communication, the following method can be considered. That is, a computer program itself or a program data file forming the present invention is stored in a server on a computer network, and the program data file is downloaded to a connected client computer.

  Here, the program data file includes a computer program which is compressed and forms the present invention, and a file including an automatic installation function.

  In this case, the program data file can be divided into a plurality of segment files, and the segment files can be arranged on different servers.

  That is, the present invention includes a server device that allows a plurality of users to download a program data file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer.

  In addition, the program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is encrypted, stored in a recording medium, distributed to the user, and the user who satisfies the predetermined condition is allowed to download the key information to be decrypted via the network. It is also possible to use a method that supplies the product. By using the key information, the encrypted program can be executed and installed in a computer to realize the present invention.

  The functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by executing the program code supplied by the computer. The program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention when the function of the above-described embodiment is realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) or other application software running on the computer. included.

  Furthermore, the present invention includes the case where the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Further, when the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. It goes without saying that it is included in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Imaging device 12 Shutter 14 Image sensor 54 Display part 61 Shutter button

Claims (10)

In an imaging apparatus having an imaging means for taking a picture of a subject with a timer,
Storage means for storing a first voice characteristic;
Voice input means for inputting voice from outside;
Analyzing the voice input by the voice input means, and analyzing voice characteristics; and
Timer control means for comparing the first voice characteristic with the second voice characteristic analyzed by the voice analysis means, and controlling a timer time of timer shooting by the imaging means based on the comparison result;
An imaging device comprising: The voice input means also accepts voice input for registering the first voice characteristics stored in the storage means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the voice analysis unit also analyzes a characteristic of a voice received for registering a first voice characteristic stored in the storage unit. Timer time setting display means for displaying an input screen for prompting input of a reset timer time controlled by the timer control means;
Timer time setting means for setting the reset timer time input by the timer time setting display means as a timer time controlled by the timer control means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the timer time setting means deletes and sets the reset timer time input by the timer time setting display means from the timer time during the timer shooting. The timer control unit controls a timer time of timer shooting by the imaging unit when a difference between the first audio characteristic and the second audio characteristic is a predetermined threshold value or less. Item 5. The imaging device according to Items 1 to 4. The storage means stores a plurality of first audio characteristics,
Timer time storage means for storing the timer time controlled by the timer control means in association with each of the plurality of first audio characteristics;
The timer control unit compares the second audio characteristic among the plurality of first audio characteristics stored in the storage unit, and associates the first audio characteristic with a difference equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timer time stored in the step is acquired from the timer time storage means and controlled.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the voice input unit does not accept a voice input within a predetermined time after a timer time is controlled by the timer control unit. An image pickup control method in an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means for taking a picture of a subject with a timer and a storage means for storing a first sound characteristic,
A voice input step in which the voice input means of the imaging apparatus inputs a voice from the outside;
A voice analysis step in which the voice analysis means of the imaging apparatus analyzes the voice input by the voice input means, and analyzes the characteristics of the voice;
The timer control means of the imaging device compares the first voice characteristic with the second voice characteristic analyzed by the voice analysis means, and based on the comparison result, a timer shooting timer by the imaging means A timer control process for controlling time;
An imaging control method comprising:   A program for causing an imaging apparatus to execute the imaging control method according to claim 8.   A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing an imaging apparatus to execute the imaging control method according to claim 8.

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