JP4006856B2 - Electronic camera system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic camera system, and more particularly to a hands-free electronic camera system having a means for fixing the camera to a photographer's body and capable of photographing without the photographer holding the camera by hand and its control. It relates to a method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, when shooting with a camera, a photographer holds the camera with his hand and holds the camera toward the subject. The normal operation procedure is to check the composition through the viewfinder, and after the composition is determined, press the release switch or the like with a finger to record the image on the recording medium.
[0003]
On the other hand, in recent years, cameras that do not need to be held have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-199281 discloses that a camera is mounted on an electric camera platform near a photographer's shoulder and the camera platform is automatically controlled in a direction facing the photographer's face. A technique for photographing a subject as it is is disclosed. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-141308 discloses a headphone type videophone in which a camera unit and a display unit are provided in a headset, and the user can perform other tasks by attaching the headphone type videophone to the user's head. Technology has been proposed that communicates video and audio in real time while performing.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the technique disclosed in each of the above publications uses a wired (wired connection type) or wireless (non-contact communication connection type) remote control as a means for operating the camera, so that hands are freed. Nevertheless, there is a drawback that the remote control device must be held instead.
[0005]
By the way, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-248873, which is another document, discloses a technique for detecting hand movements using muscle current of a human body and controlling devices based on this detection. In particular, word processors and video discs are targeted, and there is no mention of camera control. In addition, in this publication, various commands (commands) are assigned to hand gestures by combining finger motions and hand gripping motions, but the commands are executed in the usual casual motions that are not intended by the photographer. There is a risk that.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera system that can control a camera without requiring a photographer to hold anything in the hand and a control method thereof.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic camera system according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that converts a subject image into an electronic image signal, a recording unit that records an electronic image captured through the imaging unit on a recording medium, A display means for displaying an electronic image acquired through the imaging means or an electronic image recorded on the recording medium, and the imaging means and the display means are supported, and these means are attached to the body of the photographer. An electronic camera system comprising: a mounting means for detecting a movement of the hand ahead of the photographer's arm, wherein the movement of the arm detected by the movement detecting means is near the position of the shoulder Control means for controlling the operation of the electronic camera system by executing a command associated with the physical movement detected by the movement detection means when it is determined that the movement is detected; It is characterized in Rukoto.
In addition, another electronic camera system according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that converts a subject image into an electronic image signal, a recording unit that records an electronic image captured through the imaging unit on a recording medium, and an imaging unit. Display means for displaying an electronic image acquired in this way, or an electronic image recorded on the recording medium, and a mounting means for supporting the imaging means and the display means and for mounting these means on the body of the photographer An electronic camera system comprising: first motion detection means for detecting movement of the hand from the wrist of the photographer; and second motion detection means for detecting movement of the arm of the photographer, The electronic function is based on a command associated with a body motion consisting of a combination of a hand movement detected by the first motion detection means and an arm movement detected by the second motion detection means. When a control means for controlling the operation of La system, the movement of the arms detected by the second movement detecting means is determined to have been performed in the vicinity of the position of the shoulder, to perform an operation corresponding to the command It is a feature.
[0008]
According to the present invention, since the imaging means and the display means are fixed to the photographer's body via the mounting means, the photographer does not need to hold the imaging means or the display means for displaying images. By associating a shooting control command (command) such as a shooting start instruction with the movement of the photographer's hand in advance, the photographer simply moves the hand according to a predetermined promise, and the movement of the hand is detected by the detecting means. The control means controls the photographing operation by a command defined by the hand movement. In this way, the photographer can control the camera without holding anything in his hand.
[0009]
As a specific aspect of the detection means, a detection means that includes a signal detection unit that detects a myoelectric signal of the photographer and is mounted on the wrist or arm of the photographer can be used.
Further, in the electronic camera system of the present invention, a second detection means for detecting the movement of the photographer's arm is added, and the control means detects the movement of the arm detected by the second detection means and the detection. It is desirable that the imaging operation by the imaging unit is controlled based on a body motion that is a combination of hand movements detected by the unit.
[0010]
As in this aspect, by combining the movement of the arm and the movement of the hand from the wrist, it is possible to avoid a malfunction caused by the movement of the hand that is not intended by the photographer .
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of an electronic camera system and its control method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic camera body showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the electronic camera body 10, a camera unit 14 and a display unit 16 are provided on a spectacle-type frame (corresponding to a mounting means) 12. The camera unit 14 has a photographic lens 18, and an imaging device (equivalent to an imaging means) such as a CCD (not shown) is disposed behind the photographic lens 18. Further, the camera unit 14 includes a processing circuit and memory for signals read from the imaging device, a central processing unit (CPU), a control signal receiving unit for communicating with a remote control device (shown in FIG. 2) described later, and the like. It is stored.
[0013]
The camera unit 14 is attached along the right vine portion of the glasses-type frame 12 in FIG. 1, and the camera unit 14 is attached to the left side of the photographer when the photographer wears the frame 12 so as to put on glasses. The optical axis of the photographic lens 18 is directed in substantially the same direction as the photographer's line of sight.
The location where the camera unit 14 is fixed is not limited to the example of FIG. 1, and the camera unit 14 may be attached along the left side of the frame 12 in FIG. Further, a joint (not shown) mechanism capable of adjusting the angle may be provided so that the optical axis of the photographing lens 18 can be adjusted.
[0014]
The display unit (corresponding to display means) 16 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel 20 and a back cover 22, and covers the front frame of the glasses-type frame 12 so as to cover the front vision of the left eye of the person wearing the glasses-type frame 12. It is attached to the left eye lens. The camera unit 14 and the display unit 16 may be detachably attached to the frame 12 and may be attached to normal glasses, or an integrated type in which the camera unit 14 and the display unit 16 are fixed to the glasses-type frame 12. It is good.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is an external view of a remote control device for operating the electronic camera described above. The remote control device 24 includes a remote control main body 26 and a belt portion 28, and has a form that can be attached to the photographer's wrist like a wristwatch. The belt portion 28 is provided with an electrode (hereinafter referred to as a signal detection portion) 30 for detecting a myoelectric signal accompanying the movement of the photographer's muscle.
[0016]
The remote control body 26 includes a signal amplifying unit that amplifies a signal obtained from the signal detection unit 30, an operation detection unit that identifies movements of hands, fingers, and arms based on the signal detected by the signal detection unit 30; A control unit that controls the camera in accordance with a camera control command (command) defined in the identified body movement and a transmission unit that sends the control signal to the camera unit 14 are configured. In addition, when assuming that the remote control device 24 is worn as an alternative to a wristwatch, it is desirable that the remote control body 26 be provided with a timepiece operation unit having a timekeeping function as a timepiece. The internal structure of the remote control body 26 will be further described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the electronic camera system according to the present embodiment. The electronic camera body 10 includes a photographing lens 18, an imaging device 32, a device driving circuit 34, an analog signal processing unit 36, an A / D converter 38, a digital signal processing unit 40, a memory 42, a compression / decompression circuit 44, and a display unit 16. , A built-in memory (or memory card) 46, a CPU 48, a key switch (operation input unit) 50, and a control signal receiving unit 52.
[0018]
The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the imaging device 32 via the photographing lens 18 is photoelectrically converted by the imaging device 32 and sequentially read out as a video signal. The analog signal processing unit 36 includes a CDS clamp circuit, a gain adjustment circuit, and the like. The signal output from the imaging device 32 is subjected to predetermined processing in the analog signal processing unit 36 and then converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 38. And is added to the digital signal processing unit 40.
[0019]
The digital signal processing unit 40 includes image processing circuits such as a luminance signal generation circuit, a color difference signal generation circuit, and a gamma correction circuit, and digital image data is generated here. The image data subjected to Y / C signal processing by the digital signal processing unit 40 is temporarily stored in the memory 42.
The image data stored in the memory 42 is decoded and supplied to the display unit 16. In this way, the video captured by the camera unit 14 is displayed on the display unit 16. Further, the image data acquired in response to the reception of the shooting start instruction signal (release signal) is guided from the memory 42 to the compression / expansion circuit 44 where it is compressed according to a predetermined format (for example, JPEG). Thereafter, the data is recorded in a built-in memory (for example, a flash memory built in the camera) 46. The form of the recording medium is not limited to this, and an ultra-small memory card may be used.
[0020]
The image data stored in the built-in memory 46 can be recalled via the CPU 48, and the recalled image data is reproduced by the compression / expansion circuit 44 and then output to the display unit 16 via the memory 42, or The data is output to another external device via a communication unit (external output unit) (not shown).
The CPU 48 controls and controls each circuit of the electronic camera body 10. The CPU 48 determines the photographer's intention based on various input signals input from the key switch 50 and the control signal receiving unit 52, and performs zooming and focusing. The control of the lens 18 for taking a picture, the control of the device driving circuit 34, the display control on the display unit 16, the writing / reading control of the image data to the built-in memory 46, and the like are performed.
[0021]
That is, the electronic camera body 10 has a known automatic exposure adjustment (AE) function and autofocus (AF) function, and optimal exposure adjustment and focusing can be performed only by directing the photographing lens 18 toward the subject. Done automatically.
On the other hand, the remote control device 24 includes a signal detection unit 30, a signal processing unit 54, a CPU 56 (corresponding to control means), a control signal transmission unit 58, and a clock unit 60. The signal processing unit 54 includes a signal amplification circuit, amplifies the weak myoelectric signal detected by the signal detection unit 30, and then A / D converts the signal to add it to the CPU 56.
[0022]
A technique for detecting a myoelectric signal observed on the skin surface of a human body and associating this myoelectric signal with the movement of each part of the body is a known technique (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-248873, etc.). In the internal memory of the CPU 56, data defining the relationship between the myoelectric signal and the movement of the human muscle is stored in advance, and camera control commands (commands) for predetermined movements of the hands, fingers, and arms. Is stored, and data defining the corresponding relationship is stored.
[0023]
Then, the CPU 56 outputs a control signal for controlling the operation of the camera according to a command corresponding to the movement of the photographer's hand or arm detected via the signal detection unit 30. This control signal is transmitted from the control signal transmission unit 58 according to a predetermined signal form (for example, an infrared communication method) and is received by the control signal reception unit 52 of the electronic camera body 10.
[0024]
By the way, when the camera is to be controlled by the remote control device 24 as described above, the following problems occur. That is, when a camera control command is assigned to the operation of the arm and wrist to which the remote control device 24 is attached, there is a risk that the command is executed with a normal casual operation that is not intended by the photographer. On the other hand, if the command is associated with a complicated operation that is not included in the normal operation in order to prevent such a malfunction, it becomes difficult for the photographer to operate.
[0025]
Therefore, in this system, a command is assigned to an action (gesture) that combines the movement of the hand from the wrist and the movement of the second arm. This is based on the fact that the arm usually does not move up to the height of the shoulder and usually moves the hand under the shoulder. There are many conscious movements when moving with the arm up to the vicinity of the shoulder position, and it is rare to unconsciously raise the hand to this area. Therefore, by not only the movement of the hand from the wrist but also the movement of the arm and assigning commands to the combined movement, commands can be issued (malfunctions) due to unintentional movements that are not intended by the photographer. Can be prevented.
[0026]
Further, in order to confirm the command associated with the gesture detection described above, it is assumed that the content of the detected command is displayed on the display unit 16 and that the photographer confirms the display and gives an execution instruction. The command is configured to be executed. However, if such a two-stage input is performed for the imaging start signal, a photo opportunity is missed, and therefore the confirmation display and the input of the execution instruction are omitted.
[0027]
Although the myoelectric current associated with the movement of the photographer's arm can be measured by attaching the remote control device shown in FIG. 2 to the photographer's wrist, a second method for separately measuring the myoelectric current of the second arm is also possible. A remote control device may be used. In this case, the remote control unit has a two-block configuration as shown in FIG.
That is, the two remote control devices 64 are a first remote control device 64 for detecting a myoelectric current accompanying the movement of the hand from the wrist and a second remote control device 65 for detecting a myoelectric current accompanying the movement of the second arm. , 65 controls the electronic camera body 10.
[0028]
The first remote control device 64 is provided with a signal receiving unit 67 for performing communication with the second remote control device 65 in addition to the configuration substantially the same as that of the remote control device 24 described with reference to FIGS. On the other hand, the second remote control device 65 includes a signal detection unit 68 that detects muscle current, a signal processing unit 70, and a signal transmission unit 72. The myoelectric signal detected by the signal detector 68 is amplified by the signal processor 70 and transmitted from the signal transmitter 72 to the first remote control device 64.
[0029]
The signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit 72 is received by the signal reception unit 67 of the first remote control device 64, and the signal is input to the CPU 56.
The CPU 56 operates the photographer based on the detection signal received from the second remote control device 65 (myoelectric signal of the second arm) and the myoelectric signal corresponding to the wrist-to-tip movement detected by the signal detection unit 30. And a command associated therewith is specified, and a camera control signal is output. This control signal is transmitted from the control signal transmission unit 58 according to a predetermined signal format.
[0030]
Next, an example of correspondence between gestures and commands will be described.
As already described, it is desirable for the photographer to detect the movement of the hand from the wrist further on the condition that the arm is raised to the height of the shoulder. For example, an operation of pushing the index finger into the hand grip is associated with a command for starting shooting (shutter release).
[0031]
Also, the up / down direction in which the thumb is placed is assigned to the zoom up and zoom down commands, respectively. Similarly, a specific operation can be assigned to commands such as mode selection, AF lock, and AE lock.
Since 3-bit information can be assigned to each of the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger, different commands can be defined depending on which finger is folded. However, since there are many people who are difficult to move the ring finger and little finger at the same time, the number of commands that can be actually assigned is about 4 operations.
[0032]
As the contents of mode switching in the electronic camera, for example, switching between recording mode and playback mode, switching of shooting operation (sport mode, portrait mode), etc. are conceivable. Absent. In that case, a plurality of patterns of hand movements may be combined to define a command for a series of continuous movements.
[0033]
How the movement of the photographer's hand is recognized based on the myoelectric signal detection by the signal detection units 30 and 68 is displayed on the display unit 16, so that it is also necessary to cancel at the time of erroneous recognition. . As for the command cancellation instruction, it is desirable to assign a clear action such as shaking the entire wrist.
The operation of the electronic camera system configured as described above is as follows.
[0034]
The photographer wears the electronic camera body 10 shown in FIG. 1 on the head like glasses, and wears the remote control device 24 shown in FIG. 2 on the wrist like a wristwatch. As described with reference to FIG. 4, when the remote control unit has a two-block configuration, one remote control device 64 is mounted on the wrist and the other remote control device 65 is mounted on the arm. Since the spectacle frame 12 is supported by the photographer's ear and nose, the photographing lens 18 of the camera unit 14 is directed in the same direction as the face of the photographer.
[0035]
When the power source of the electronic camera body 10 is turned on, an image shot through the camera unit 14 is displayed on the display unit 16. The photographer can observe the display on the display unit 16 with the left eye, and can confirm images captured by the camera unit 14 and camera control commands.
Camera control commands such as shooting start (release) instructions and zooming operations are defined as a combination of movements of the hands and fingers from the wrist and the movements of the two arms. Move your hand to give instructions. The operation of the photographer is detected by the signal detection unit 30 (and 68) of the remote control device 24 (or the remote control devices 64 and 65), and the camera is controlled by a command associated with the operation (gesture). Thus, according to the present embodiment, the photographer does not need to hold anything in the hand, and can freely control the camera.
[0036]
In the above-described embodiment, the spectacle-shaped frame 12 has been described as an example of the mounting means, but the specific form of the mounting means is not limited to this, and a hat-type form or a headset-type form is also possible. The remote control device is not limited to the wristwatch type as described with reference to FIG. 2, but may be a ring type.
In the above embodiment, the digital camera that records a still image has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a camera (movie) for recording a moving image. The operation control is substantially equivalent to the above example.
[0037]
As a modification of the present embodiment, in addition to the remote control devices 24, 64, and 65, a detecting means such as a myoelectric current sensor (corresponding to a third detecting means) is connected to the photographer's body through an appropriate fixing means. The sensor is configured to be wearable, and the sensor's electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and other physical functions and activity states of the photographer are monitored, and the information is recorded in an image recording unit (for example, a built-in memory 46) of the camera. May be. According to such an aspect, information such as an electrocardiogram is recorded constantly or periodically, which can be used for the health management of the photographer.
[0038]
For example, when a person having a heart disease carries such an electrocardiogram recording and electronic camera, a warning to that effect can be received via the display unit 16 when a physical abnormality is detected by the sensor. Also, in the unlikely event of a fall due to a seizure, etc., the emergency doctor can immediately know what kind of seizure has occurred by reproducing the information on the electrocardiogram, and can take quick lifesaving treatment .
[0039]
Of course, not only the electrocardiogram but also information such as blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, and step count may be recorded.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the electronic camera system of the present invention, the imaging unit and the display unit are fixed to the body of the photographer by the mounting unit, and the photographing operation is controlled by detecting the movement of the photographer's hand. As a result, the photographer can control the camera without holding anything in his hand.
[0041]
In particular, since a command is assigned to an action that combines the movement of the arm and the movement of the hand from the wrist, it is possible to avoid a malfunction caused by a movement of the hand that is not intended by the photographer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a perspective view of an electronic camera body showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external view of a remote control device for operating the electronic camera of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an electronic camera according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example in which the remote control device has a two-block configuration.
10. Electronic camera body 12. Frame (mounting means)
14 ... Camera unit (imaging means)
16 ... Display section (display means)
18 ... Shooting lenses 24, 64, 65 ... Remote control device 28 ... Belt unit 30 ... Signal detection unit (detection means)
46. Built-in memory (information recording part)
48 ... CPU (control means)

Claims (12)

Imaging means for converting a subject image into an electronic image signal;
Recording means for recording an electronic image taken through the imaging means on a recording medium;
Display means for displaying an electronic image acquired via the imaging means or an electronic image recorded on the recording medium;
A mounting means for supporting the imaging means and the display means, and for mounting the means on a photographer's body;
An electronic camera system comprising motion detection means for detecting the movement of the hand from the arm of the photographer,
When it is determined that the movement of the arm detected by the motion detection means is performed near the position of the shoulder , a command associated with the physical motion detected by the motion detection means is executed to perform the motion of the electronic camera system An electronic camera system comprising control means for controlling the camera. Imaging means for converting a subject image into an electronic image signal;
Recording means for recording an electronic image taken through the imaging means on a recording medium;
Display means for displaying an electronic image acquired via the imaging means or an electronic image recorded on the recording medium;
A mounting means for supporting the imaging means and the display means, and for mounting the means on a photographer's body;
First motion detection means for detecting movement of the hand from the wrist of the photographer;
A second motion detecting means for detecting movement of the photographer's arm, and an electronic camera system comprising:
The operation of the electronic camera system based on a command associated with a body motion consisting of a combination of the hand movement detected by the first motion detection means and the arm movement detected by the second motion detection means Control means for controlling
An electronic camera system that performs an operation corresponding to the command when it is determined that the movement of the arm detected by the second motion detection means is performed near a shoulder position .   The control content of the command associated with the physical motion detected by the motion detection means is displayed on the display means, and after the execution instruction is input for the displayed control content, the control content related to the display is executed. The electronic camera system according to claim 1.   The control content of the command associated with the body motion detected by the first and second motion detection means is displayed on the display means, and after the execution instruction is input for the displayed control content, the display is performed. The electronic camera system according to claim 2, wherein the control content is executed.   The electronic camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the command is defined by a series of continuous operations of bit expression by bending a finger.   6. The command according to claim 1, wherein the command indicates any one of an instruction to start shooting, zooming up, zooming down, switching between a recording mode and a playback mode, and switching a mode of shooting operation. The electronic camera system according to any one of the above. Imaging means for converting a subject image into an electronic image signal;
Recording means for recording an electronic image taken through the imaging means on a recording medium;
Display means for displaying an electronic image acquired via the imaging means or an electronic image recorded on the recording medium;
A method for controlling an electronic camera system, comprising: mounting means for supporting the imaging means and the display means, and mounting the means on a photographer's body,
Detects the movement of the hand from the photographer's arm,
When it is determined that the detected arm movement is performed near a shoulder position, a command associated with the detected body movement is executed to control the operation of the electronic camera system. Control method of electronic camera system. Imaging means for converting a subject image into an electronic image signal;
Recording means for recording an electronic image taken through the imaging means on a recording medium;
Display means for displaying an electronic image acquired via the imaging means or an electronic image recorded on the recording medium;
A mounting means for supporting the imaging means and the display means, and for mounting the means on a photographer's body;
An electronic camera system control method comprising:
Performing a first motion detection to detect the movement of the hand from the wrist of the photographer,
Perform a second motion detection to detect the movement of the photographer's arm,
The operation of the electronic camera system is controlled based on a command associated with a body movement that is a combination of the hand movement detected by the first movement detection and the arm movement detected by the second movement detection. And an operation corresponding to the command is executed when it is determined that the movement of the arm detected in the second motion detection is performed near the position of the shoulder.   Displaying the control content of the command associated with the detected physical action on the display means, and executing the control content related to the display after inputting an execution instruction for the displayed control content The method of controlling an electronic camera system according to claim 7.   The control content of the command associated with the physical motion detected by the first and second motion detection is displayed on the display means, and after the execution instruction is input for the displayed control content, 9. The control method for an electronic camera system according to claim 8, wherein the control content related to display is executed.   The method of controlling an electronic camera system according to claim 7, wherein the command is defined by a series of continuous operations of bit expression by bending a finger.   12. The command according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the command indicates any one of a shooting start instruction, zoom-up, zoom-down, switching between a recording mode and a playback mode, and switching of a shooting operation mode. The control method of the electronic camera system of any one.

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