JP4042805B2 - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus for a mobile phone and an imaging method thereof.

  In recent years, sales of mobile phones with cameras are increasing in the mobile phone market. Such a camera-equipped mobile phone device can be sent to the other party (recipient) by attaching an easily photographed image to a partner (recipient) on the spot. It has become popular.

  Also, in recent models, products with a strobe device added to enable photographing even in a relatively dark place such as an entertainment room equipped with an audio device have been released.

  An example of such a conventional apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-336498. The device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-336498 is a camera in which a lid with a liquid crystal screen attached to a mobile phone body provided with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera and a finder is openable and closable. An attached mobile phone is disclosed.

  In this camera-equipped mobile phone, the camera can be imaged using the viewfinder with the lid closed, and the camera can be photographed while the lid is opened and the liquid crystal screen is viewed as an imaging monitor. Yes.

  Further, for example, in the conventional device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-320622, a strobe device using a strobe discharge tube and a main capacitor is provided in the main body of a camera-equipped mobile phone, and this strobe device is used as an imaging unit. The flash is activated by the release operation. This makes it possible to illuminate the subject with strobe light and thereby image the subject even in a dark place.

A conventional apparatus example will be briefly described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 24 is an external view of an example of a conventional camera-equipped cellular phone device, and is configured such that the camera 105 is exposed to the outside even when the cellular phone body is folded.

When the user uses the telephone as a normal telephone, the voice is transmitted by the transmitter 103 (hereinafter referred to as the microphone 103) configured by a microphone and the receiver 102 (hereinafter referred to as the speaker 102) configured by a speaker. Information is sent and received.

  In addition, when the user transmits and receives image information, the image is captured by the camera 105 that includes a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD, and the image is captured using an image display element such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The captured image can be confirmed using the display device 101 that displays the captured image.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes a mirror, which is used when the user captures a self-portrait or the like by the camera 105. When the user presses the operation key 104 in a state of an image desired by the user, the camera 105 captures an image. When the release button is pressed, the imaging data is stored in an image memory built in the mobile phone body (not shown).

  The captured image data that has been captured and stored in the image memory is attached to e-mail, for example, and transmitted by a transmission unit (not shown).

  Recently, in order to further improve the convenience for the user, a strobe 120 that illuminates the imaging target has been added to enable imaging even in a relatively dark place as described above. ing.

FIG. 25 is an external view of another example of a conventional camera-equipped cellular phone device, and is configured such that the camera 105 is not exposed to the outside when the cellular phone body is folded. Since the operation mode when the user uses it as a telephone is the same as that described above, the description is omitted.

  In this embodiment, when the user transmits / receives image information, the image captured by the camera 105 can be confirmed in real time by the display device 101. In this respect, the above-described example More convenient.

  The user confirms the self-portrait or the like by the camera 105 while viewing the image displayed on the display device 101, and presses the operation key 104 in a desired image state, whereby the camera 105 takes an image, and a release (not shown) is performed. When the button is pressed, the imaging data is stored in an image memory built in the mobile phone body (not shown).

  The imaging data stored in the image memory can be transmitted in the same manner as described above. In a place where the illumination is dark, the strobe 120 is used as described above.

  FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a configuration for performing an imaging operation of a conventional camera-equipped mobile phone. In FIG. 26, 100 is a mobile phone device, 111 is a control unit for controlling the entire mobile phone device, 112 is a central CPU of the control unit, and 113 is a program code (hereinafter referred to as a program) for operating the CPU 112. Stored in the memory 114.

  The display device 101, operation keys 104, camera 105, and strobe 109 are the same as those described above.

  FIG. 27 is an example of a flowchart showing the operation at the time of camera imaging by the program 113. Hereinafter, an operation at the time of camera photographing will be described with reference to FIG.

  When an instruction to start imaging is made by pressing the operation key 104 by the user, the CPU 112 in the control unit 111 detects this and starts imaging processing by the camera 105 in accordance with the program 113 stored in the memory 114 (steps). S500).

  During this time, an image captured by the camera 105 is displayed on the display device 101 in real time. In addition, characters and pictures such as “camera activated” are displayed. When the camera 105 is activated, the CPU 112 displays a live image on the display device 101 (step S501).

  Here, when the user ends the shooting, the camera shooting ends (step S511), and when the user continues the shooting, the process proceeds (step S502).

  When the user continues shooting, it is determined whether or not a release button (not shown) has been pressed (step S506), and in a state where the release button has not been pressed, the live video is displayed as it is (step S501).

  When the release button is pressed, it is determined whether or not to turn on the strobe (step S505). If the subject is sufficiently bright, the strobe is turned off (not lit) (step S504), and if it is dark, the strobe is turned on (step S503).

  Next, the image (still image data) captured by the camera 105 is stored in the memory 114 inside the apparatus, and the stored image is displayed on the display device (step S507).

  Here, it is determined whether or not to save the image (still image data) stored in the memory 114 (step S508). If not stored, a live video is displayed (step S501).

  In the case of saving, the image stored in the memory 114 is saved in a state where it can be read later together with additional data such as the shooting date and time and shooting conditions, for example (step S509).

  When shooting is performed subsequently, live video is displayed (step S501). When shooting is not performed subsequently, processing operation such as an end process of the apparatus is performed to end shooting (step S512).

  When performing camera imaging using a finder as disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-336498, the viewpoint of an eye viewed through the finder between a subject viewed through the finder and an image actually captured by the camera Since the viewpoint of the electronic camera is different, the subject position is different.

  In this regard, in a camera-equipped mobile phone equipped with a display device such as an LCD as disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-320622, the captured image of the camera is displayed live on the display device, and the display is performed. After aligning the subject position while watching, the user can take an image by pressing the release button. In the case of this configuration, since the subject displayed on the display device and the actually captured subject image are substantially the same scenery, a desired image confirmed by the user can be obtained.

  By the way, in a so-called dark environment where only an illuminance less than the minimum subject illuminance of the camera can be obtained, a mobile phone using a strobe device illuminates the subject only when imaging. Therefore, even if the user tries to confirm the subject on the display device, the subject is not reflected on the display device at all, or even if the subject is reflected, it cannot be confirmed as a clear image, so it is difficult to confirm the subject while viewing the display device. It becomes a situation.

  In such a case, since the human eye has better sensitivity than the camera, it is conceivable to check the subject using the finder, but as described above, the subject actually looks through the finder and the camera actually captures images. The subject position is different from the image.

  As described above, in the conventional apparatus, it is difficult to confirm the subject in imaging in a so-called dark environment.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an imaging device and an imaging method capable of confirming a subject even in a dark environment, a mobile phone including the imaging device, and an imaging method for a mobile phone. With the goal.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes: a camera that captures and outputs an image of a subject; an illuminating unit that illuminates the subject; and a memory that accumulates the subject image output from the camera. Before the image of the subject output from the camera is stored in the memory, the illumination unit is turned off.

  According to the present invention, before the image of the subject output from the camera is stored in the memory, the illumination unit that illuminates the subject is turned off, so that the subject can be removed even in a dark environment. Imaging can be performed while checking, and in addition, there is an effect that it is possible to better recognize that imaging is performed on the subject side.

  In the following description of the embodiments, including the description of this embodiment, a camera-equipped mobile phone (a mobile phone including an imaging device) will be described as an example of the imaging device. In the following description of each embodiment, a case where a still image capturing a momentary image of a subject is used as a recorded image will be mainly described. However, a case where a moving image of a subject for a predetermined period is used as a recorded image. However, the present invention can be applied without any problem (that is, the technique according to the present invention can be applied to a recorded image whether it is a still image or a moving image).

Embodiment 1 FIG.
The camera-equipped mobile phone according to the first embodiment has a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitted Device) or an EL (Electro-Luminescence) element as an illumination means instead of the strobe used in the conventional apparatus. It can be turned on, and even in a dark environment, it can illuminate the subject with light emitted from the illumination means to capture images captured by a camera consisting of an imaging device (CCD, etc.) or display it on a display device (LCD, etc.) in real time. (This real-time display image is referred to as a live image in the following description of the embodiment. In general, it may be referred to as a monitor image).

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The description of the same configuration as that of the conventional apparatus is omitted. In the following description, an example in which an LED (LED 106) is used as illumination means will be described.

  1 and 2 are external views of a camera-equipped mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each of the camera-equipped mobile phones shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a portion (first portion) to which the display device 101, the camera 105, the LED 106, and the like are attached, and keys that are used for normal telephone operation, imaging operation of the camera 105, and the like. The camera-equipped mobile phone is shown in which the portion (second portion) is connected to be openable and closable. The internal block configuration of each camera-equipped mobile phone is as shown in FIG. 3, and is the same as the configuration of the conventional apparatus except that the strobe device 109 described with reference to FIG. The LED 106 uses a so-called white LED that emits white light so that the subject image is not colored by the illumination light in the captured image, or uses red (R), green (G), and blue ( It is conceivable that the LEDs of the three primary colors B) emit light to generate white light for illumination.

  1, the camera 105 and the LED 106 are configured to be exposed to the outside even when the cellular phone body is folded. In the structure shown in FIG. 2, the camera 105 and the LED 106 are portable. When the telephone main body is folded, it is configured not to be exposed to the outside.

Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The operation mode when the user uses the mobile phone shown in the figure as a telephone is the same as that of the conventional apparatus, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In the case shown in FIG. 1, the camera 105 captures an erect image of the subject when the second portion in the open state of the mobile phone body is downward, and the camera 105 is the subject when the second portion is upward. It is assumed that it is configured to take an inverted image.

  When the user captures an image with the camera 105, the user captures the camera 105 toward the subject to be imaged. However, when capturing a self-portrait, the camera 105 faces the user himself and the mirror 107 The state of the self-portrait is confirmed, and imaging is performed by pressing a release button (not shown).

  In this case, in a dark environment, the LED 106 is turned on to illuminate the user who is the subject, and the camera 105 captures an image of the illuminated user. The captured image is stored in the memory 114 built in the mobile phone main body, and attached to an e-mail, for example, and transmitted by a transmission unit (not shown) as in the conventional apparatus.

  In the apparatus shown in the figure, the mirror 107 is disposed above the camera 105 and the LED 106 is disposed below the camera 105 when the user holds the mobile phone downward with the second portion. The arrangement is not necessarily limited to this, and the LED 106 may be arranged above the camera 105 and the mirror 107 may be arranged. Of course, the mirror 107 and the LED 106 can be arranged on the left and right sides of the camera 105, and a plurality of LEDs 106 can be arranged around the camera 105.

  In the mobile phone with a camera in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the camera 105 and the LED 106 are provided on the same side as the display apparatus 101, as compared with the apparatus shown in FIG. Therefore, the state of the subject imaged by the camera 105 can be confirmed in real time by the user using the display device 101 (a screen displayed in real time is also referred to as a live screen).

  In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, when the user captures an image with the camera 105, the user captures the camera 105 toward the subject to be captured, but when capturing a self-portrait, the camera 105 is directed toward the user himself / herself. As described above, imaging is performed by depressing a release button (not shown) while confirming an image displayed on the display device 101 in real time.

  In this case, in a dark environment, the LED 106 is turned on to illuminate the user who is the subject, and the camera 105 captures an image of the illuminated user. The captured image is accumulated in the memory 114 built in the mobile phone main body (the memory 114 is also a storage unit of the program 113 as will be described later), and attached to an e-mail, for example, It is transmitted by a transmission unit (not shown).

  FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart in the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation at the time of camera photographing will be described with reference to FIG.

  When an instruction to start imaging is made by pressing the operation key 104 by the user, the CPU 112 in the control unit 111 detects this and starts imaging processing by the camera 105 in accordance with the program 113 stored in the memory 114 (steps). S100).

  During this time, an image captured by the camera 105 is displayed on the display device 101 in real time. In addition, characters and pictures such as “camera activated” are displayed. When the camera 105 is activated, the CPU 112 displays a live image on the display device 101 (step S101).

  Next, a display indicating that the user needs to turn on the LED 106 displayed on the display device 101 while viewing the image displayed on the display device 101 (this is based on the brightness level of a CCD (not shown), for example). And determining whether or not the LED 106 is to be turned on (step S102). If the LED 106 needs to be turned on, it is determined whether or not the LED 106 is to be turned on. The LED 106 is turned on (step S103), and if not necessary, the LED 106 is not turned on (turned off) (step S104).

  Thus, even in a dark environment, the LED 106 is turned on to illuminate the user who is the subject, and the camera 105 can capture a self-image of the illuminated user.

  Here, when the user ends the shooting, the camera shooting ends (step S111), and when the user continues the shooting, the process proceeds (step S105).

  When the user continues shooting, it is determined whether or not a release button (not shown) has been pressed (step S106), and in the state where the release button has not been pressed, the live video is displayed as it is (step S101).

  When the release button is pressed, the image (still image data) captured by the camera 105 is stored in the memory 114 inside the apparatus, and the stored image is displayed on the display device (step S107).

  Here, it is determined whether or not to store the image (still image data. If a moving image is a recorded image, a moving image of a predetermined period) stored in the memory 114 (step S108). If not stored, a live video is displayed (step S101).

In the case of saving, the image stored in the memory 114 is saved in a state where it can be read later together with additional data such as shooting date and time and shooting conditions, for example (step S109).
When shooting is subsequently performed, live video is displayed (step S101), and when shooting is not performed subsequently, processing operation such as an end process of the apparatus is performed to end shooting (step S112).

  FIG. 5 is another flowchart in the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone in the present embodiment. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the lighting operation of the LED 106 in steps S102 to S104 may be performed before the live image is displayed on the display device 101 in step S101. In this way, when the illuminance is clearly insufficient, the position of the subject can be adjusted on the display screen where the camera image is bright from the beginning, so that the operation can be performed quickly.

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining lighting of the LEDs in the present embodiment. When the operation key 104 is pressed, a signal indicating that the operation key 104 has been pressed is given to the CPU 112 in the control unit 111 (ON period in FIG. 6).

  Here, when the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 described above is followed, the live image captured by the camera 105 is displayed on the display device 101 (during the ON period in FIG. 6). At this time, it is determined whether or not the LED 106 is to be turned on. If the environment is dark, the LED 106 is turned on (during the ON period in FIG. 6), and the live image is illuminated by the LED 106. The subject in the selected state is displayed.

  When the release button is further pressed in this state, a signal (ON period in FIG. 6) indicating that the release button has been pressed is given to the CPU 112 in the control unit 111, and a shutter signal at the time of imaging is output. (ON period in FIG. 6).

  By outputting the shutter signal, the image captured by the camera 105 is stored as still image data in the memory 114 inside the apparatus, and the stored image is displayed on the display device (during the ON period in FIG. 6).

  When the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is followed, it is determined whether or not the LED 106 is lit before a live image is displayed on the camera 105 on the display device 101, and other operations are the same as described above.

  By operating as shown in this embodiment mode, it is possible to capture a live image displayed on the display device 101 while the user confirms it even in a dark environment.

Embodiment 2
In this embodiment, the same structure as that described in Embodiment 1 is adopted. However, as illustrated in the timing chart of FIG. It is different in point.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the second embodiment.
When the operation key 104 is pressed, a signal indicating that the operation key 104 is pressed is given to the CPU 112 in the control unit 111 (ON period in FIG. 7).

  Here, when the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 described above is followed, a live image captured by the camera 105 is displayed on the display device 101 (during the ON period in FIG. 7). At this time, it is continuously determined whether or not the LED 106 is to be turned on. If the environment is dark, the LED 106 is turned on (this is the period of the LED luminance A in FIG. 7, and in FIG. Live display lighting period and display.) In the live image, an object illuminated by the LED 106 that emits light with luminance A is displayed.

  When the release button is further pressed in this state, a signal (ON period in FIG. 7) indicating that the release button has been pressed is given to the CPU 112 in the control unit 111, and the brightness of the LED 106 increases ( This is a period of LED luminance B in FIG. 7 and is displayed as an imaging lighting period in FIG. 7. The subject is illuminated more brightly, and a shutter signal at the time of imaging is output (ON period in FIG. 7). The timing of increasing the luminance of the LED 106 is a period from when the release button is pressed (rise of the release button signal) to the end of the image recording period (fall of the image recording period signal).

  Thereafter, the LED 106 emits light again with the luminance A (the luminance is lowered from the luminance B). In the lighting period of the LED 106 that is lit to perform image recording, the timing at which the LED 106 starts to be lit at the luminance B is the timing at which an image suitable for imaging is obtained before the camera 105 records an image.

  For example, when the camera 105 has an automatic exposure adjustment function, the brightness of the subject changes as the brightness of the LED 106 changes. However, the automatic exposure adjustment function makes the image brighter and clearer in stages.

  The response speed of the automatic exposure adjustment function differs for each camera 105, but has a certain time constant. Accordingly, the imaging lighting period is set including the time corresponding to this time constant (required for the output signal from the camera 105 to be stabilized at a predetermined level).

  By doing so, the luminance of the LED 106 is lowered (brighter than the luminance B) while the display device 101 is displaying a live image or after imaging is performed by pressing the release button. Therefore, the power consumption in the illumination of the LED 106 can be reduced.

  With the output of the shutter signal, the image captured by the camera 105 is stored as still image data in the memory 114 inside the apparatus, and the stored image is displayed on the display device (during the ON period in FIG. 7).

  In addition, since the illumination while the live image is displayed on the display device 101 is illuminated with the luminance A, the user confirms the subject without feeling particularly dazzling even if the subject is a person or an animal. can do.

  Further, since a change in luminance occurs when the release button is pressed, it can be recognized that the release button has been pressed on the subject side.

  When the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is followed, it is determined whether or not the LED 106 is lit before a live image is displayed on the camera 105 on the display device 101, and other operations are the same as described above.

  By operating as shown in the present embodiment, a user can capture a live image displayed on the display device 101 even in a dark environment, and the release button is pressed particularly on the subject side. It is easy to recognize that.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In this embodiment, the same configuration as that described in Embodiment 1 is adopted, and an operation similar to the operation described in Embodiment 2 is performed. However, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. The difference is that when the button is pressed, the lit LED 106 is temporarily turned off, and then the emission luminance is increased.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the operation of the third embodiment.
When the operation key 104 is pressed, a signal indicating that the operation key 104 has been pressed is given to the CPU 112 in the control unit 111 (ON period in FIG. 8).

  Here, when the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 described above is followed, the live image captured by the camera 105 is displayed on the display device 101 (during the ON period in FIG. 8). At this time, it is continuously determined whether or not the LED 106 is to be turned on. When the environment is dark, the LED 106 is turned on (this is the period of the LED luminance A in FIG. 8, and in FIG. Live display lighting period and display.) In the live image, an object illuminated by the LED 106 that emits light with luminance A is displayed.

  When the release button is further pressed in this state, a signal indicating that the release button has been pressed (ON period in FIG. 8) is given to the CPU 112 in the control unit 111, and the LED 106 is temporarily turned off. Thereafter, the LED 106 is turned on again at a higher brightness than that before the light is turned off (the period of the LED brightness B in FIG. 8, which is displayed as an imaging lighting period in FIG. 8), and from the state where the live image is displayed. In addition, the subject is illuminated more brightly, and a shutter signal for imaging is output (ON period in FIG. 8).

  With the output of the shutter signal, the image captured by the camera 105 is stored as still image data in the memory 114 inside the apparatus, and the stored image is displayed on the display device (during the ON period in FIG. 8).

  Thereafter, the LED 106 emits light again with the luminance A (the luminance is lowered from the luminance B). Note that the period during which the LED 106 is lit at the luminance B in the imaging lighting period is a period until an image suitable for imaging is obtained by the camera 105, and is set in the same manner as described in the second embodiment.

  By doing so, the luminance of the LED 106 is lowered (brighter than the luminance B) while the display device 101 is displaying a live image or after imaging is performed by pressing the release button. Therefore, the power consumption in the illumination of the LED 106 can be reduced.

  In addition, since the illumination while the live image is displayed on the display device 101 is illuminated with the luminance A, the user confirms the subject without feeling particularly dazzling even if the subject is a person or an animal. can do.

  In addition, since the luminance changes after the LED 106 is turned off once the release button is pressed, it is possible to better recognize that the release button has been pressed on the subject side than in the operation according to the second embodiment.

  When the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is followed, it is determined whether or not the LED 106 is lit before a live image is displayed on the camera 105 on the display device 101, and other operations are the same as described above.

  By operating as shown in the present embodiment, a user can capture a live image displayed on the display device 101 even in a dark environment, and the release button is pressed particularly on the subject side. It is easy to recognize better.

  In this embodiment, when the turn-off period of the LED 106 is longer than the response speed of the previous automatic exposure function, the exposure of the captured image may be affected. FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining another lighting mode of the LED 106 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, by shortening the turn-off period Ta of the LED 106 as compared with the response speed of the automatic exposure function, it is possible to increase the period until imaging, and while taking advantage of the present embodiment, automatic exposure It is not affected by the response speed of the function.

  In this embodiment, when the turn-off period of the LED 106 is longer than the response speed of the previous automatic exposure function, the exposure of the captured image may be affected. FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining another lighting mode of the LED 106 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the automatic exposure function is stopped during the turn-off period Ta of the LED 106 (in the drawing, the automatic exposure mechanism OFF period), and the LED 106 is turned on with brightness B and the automatic exposure function is activated. As a result, it is possible to increase the period until the image is taken, and without being affected by the response speed of the automatic exposure function while taking advantage of the present embodiment.

  In this embodiment, when the turn-off period of the LED 106 is longer than the response speed of the previous automatic exposure function, the exposure of the captured image may be affected. FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining another lighting mode of the LED 106 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the LED 106 is turned on with the brightness B, and the image captured by the camera 105 is stored as still image data in the memory 114 inside the apparatus and the LED 106 is turned off by the output of the shutter signal. Thereby, it is easier to recognize that the release button has been pressed on the subject side, and the LED 106 is turned off after imaging, so that the imaging state is not affected by the presence or absence of the automatic exposure function.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining another lighting mode of the LED 106 according to the present embodiment. As shown in any of FIGS. 8 to 11, each turn-off operation in which the LED 106 is turned off before turning on with the brightness B, and the LED 106 is turned off after turning on with the brightness B, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the LED 106 can be turned on in combination. This makes it easier to recognize that the release button has been pressed on the subject side, and the LED 106 is turned off after imaging, so the imaging state is not affected by the presence or absence of the automatic exposure function.

  FIG. 13 is an external view of a camera-equipped mobile phone provided with an external unit, and FIGS. 14 to 16 are external views showing other external shapes of the camera-equipped mobile phone provided with an external unit. In the description of the first to third embodiments so far, the camera 105 and the LED 106 are incorporated into the mobile phone body as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the external unit 108 having the functions of the camera 105 and the LED 106 can be separated from the mobile phone main body and attached to the mobile phone main body at the time of imaging. is there. The operation is the same as that described in the above embodiments.

  Moreover, in the operation | movement at the time of camera photographing with reference to FIG. 4 or FIG. It is not limited to this.

  FIG. 17 is an example of a flowchart showing another camera shooting operation, in which the determination step S102 for turning on the LED 106 shown in FIG. 4 is replaced with a determination step S602 based on the average luminance of the image. The steps other than step S602 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 602, the CPU 112 calculates the average luminance of the live image obtained from the camera 105. For example, the average luminance X of the live screen in the video signal is calculated by dividing the total luminance level of the video signal output from the camera 105 by the total number of pixels, and the average luminance X and the predetermined value Y are calculated. Compare

  If the average luminance X is larger than the predetermined value Y as a result of this comparison, it is determined that the live image captured by the camera 105 is sufficiently bright, and the LED 106 is turned off (or not turned on, step S104).

  On the other hand, when the average luminance X is smaller than the predetermined value Y, it is determined that the live image captured by the camera 105 is an image in a dark environment, and the LED 106 is turned on (step S103).

  Accordingly, the LED 106 can be automatically turned on or off (not lit), and the convenience of operation can be further improved.

  As for a method of automating the lighting or extinguishing (non-lighting) of the LED 106, an illuminance sensor is added to the camera-equipped mobile phone body instead of obtaining the average luminance X of the live screen and comparing it with a predetermined value Y. But it can be realized.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the fourth embodiment, instead of obtaining the above-described average luminance X of the live screen and comparing it with a predetermined value Y, the LED is turned on and off (not lit) based on the output from the illuminance sensor. It is what I do.

  18 and 19 are external views of a camera-equipped mobile phone provided with an illuminance sensor according to this embodiment. Each of the camera-equipped mobile phones shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 includes a portion (first portion) to which the display device 101, the camera 105, the LED 106, and the like are attached, and keys used for normal telephone operation, imaging operation of the camera 105, and the like. The camera-equipped mobile phone is shown in which the portion (second portion) is connected to be openable and closable.

  The internal block configuration of each camera phone is as shown in FIG. 20, and in addition to the devices of the above-described embodiments described with reference to FIG. 3, an illuminance sensor 110 is connected to the control unit 111. The other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.

  18, the camera 105, the LED 106, and the illuminance sensor 110 are configured to be exposed to the outside even when the mobile phone body is folded. In the case shown in FIG. The LED 106 and the illuminance sensor 110 are configured not to be exposed to the outside when the cellular phone body is folded.

  The operation mode when the user uses the mobile phone shown in the figure as a phone, the display operation of the live screen, the imaging mode by pressing the release button, etc. are basically the same as those described in the description of the embodiments so far. Since it is the same, description of the same part is omitted.

  As the illuminance sensor 110, a CdS cell, a solar battery, or the like is used, and the brightness in the imaging environment before the LED 106 is turned on is converted into an electric signal P (referred to as illuminance output P) and output. The output electrical signal is given to the CPU 112 of the control unit 111, and the CPU 112 controls lighting or extinguishing (non-lighting) of the LED 106 based on a flowchart described below.

  FIG. 21 is an example of a flowchart showing an operation at the time of camera shooting in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, and the average luminance X and the predetermined value Y in the flowchart described with reference to FIG. 17 in the previous embodiment. The comparison step S602 is replaced with the comparison step S702 between the illuminance output P and the predetermined value Q, and the other flow is the same as in FIG.

  In step S702, the illuminance output P output from the illuminance sensor 110 and the predetermined value Q are compared.

  As a result of the comparison, if the illuminance output P is larger than the predetermined value Q, it is determined that the imaging environment in the camera 105 is sufficiently bright, and the LED 106 is turned off (or not turned on, step S104).

  On the other hand, when the illuminance output P is smaller than the predetermined value Q, it is determined that the imaging environment of the camera 105 is dark, and the LED 106 is turned on (step S103).

  Accordingly, the LED 106 can be automatically turned on or off (not lit), and the convenience of operation can be further improved.

  In the description of the embodiment so far, as shown in FIG. 18 or FIG. 19, the camera 105, the LED 106, and the illuminance sensor 110 are incorporated into the mobile phone body. The external unit 108 having the functions of the camera 105, the LED 106, and the illuminance sensor 110 is separated from the mobile phone main body as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, and the mobile phone main body is used for imaging. It is also possible to attach to. The operation is the same as that described in the above embodiments.

  In addition, the camera 105 is incorporated in the mobile phone body, and the LED 106 or the external unit 108 having the functions of the LED 106 and the illumination sensor 110 can be separated from the mobile phone body and attached to the mobile phone body during imaging. It is. Even in such a case, the operation is the same as that described in the above embodiments.

  It should be noted that the operation of turning on and off the LED 106 in the description of the embodiment so far is stored, and after the recorded image is stored in the memory 114 (after a series of photographing operations is completed), the imaging is performed again. When performing, you may comprise so that lighting and extinction of LED106 may be reproduced by the lighting mode of LED106 memorize | stored.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
In each of the embodiments described above, the LED 106 is used as an illumination device at the time of camera imaging, but the LED 106 can also be used as a light for brightening the hand.

  The lighting operation of the LED 106 in such use can be realized by configuring the user so that the LED 106 can be turned on and off (non-lighted) regardless of whether or not the camera 105 performs a shooting operation. That is, by configuring in this way, the LED 106 can be used as a light, and an effect as a portable illumination device such as night illumination is also exhibited.

1 is an external view of a camera-equipped mobile phone according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is another external view of the camera-equipped mobile phone according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera-equipped mobile phone according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart in the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the first embodiment. 10 is another flowchart in the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the first embodiment. 3 is a timing chart for explaining lighting of LEDs according to the first embodiment. 6 is a timing chart for explaining lighting of LEDs according to the second embodiment. 10 is a timing chart for explaining lighting of LEDs according to the third embodiment. 10 is a timing chart for explaining lighting of other LEDs according to the third embodiment. 10 is a timing chart for explaining lighting of other LEDs according to the third embodiment. 10 is a timing chart for explaining lighting of other LEDs according to the third embodiment. 10 is a timing chart for explaining lighting of other LEDs according to the third embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the mobile phone with a camera which provided the external unit. It is explanatory drawing of the other mobile phone with a camera provided with the external unit. It is explanatory drawing of the other mobile phone with a camera provided with the external unit. It is explanatory drawing of the other mobile phone with a camera provided with the external unit. 10 is a flowchart in the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an external view of a camera-equipped mobile phone according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is another external view of the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a camera-equipped mobile phone according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart in the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the fourth embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the mobile phone with a camera which provided the external unit. It is explanatory drawing of the other mobile phone with a camera provided with the external unit. It is an external view of the conventional camera-equipped mobile phone. It is another external view of the conventional camera-equipped mobile phone. It is a block diagram in the conventional mobile phone with a camera. It is a flowchart in operation | movement of the conventional camera-equipped mobile phone.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Mobile phone with camera, 101 Display apparatus, 104 Operation key, 105 Camera, 106 LED, 108 External unit, 110 Illuminance sensor, 111 Control apparatus, 112 CPU, 114 Memory

Claims (11)

A camera that captures and outputs a subject image;
Illumination means for illuminating the subject;
A memory for storing an image of the subject output from the camera;
In an imaging apparatus comprising:
An image pickup apparatus, wherein the illumination unit is turned off before the image of the subject output from the camera is stored in the memory.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a period during which the illumination is turned off is shorter than a response time of the automatic exposure of the camera.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein automatic exposure of the camera is not performed during a period in which the illumination is turned off.   The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein after the illumination is turned off, the luminance of the illumination unit is made higher than the luminance of the illumination unit before the illumination is turned off. A camera that captures and outputs a subject image;
Illumination means for illuminating the subject;
In an imaging device including a memory for storing the image of the subject output from the camera,
An image pickup apparatus characterized in that after the image of the subject output from the camera is stored in the memory, the illumination means is temporarily turned off.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first illumination unit is an LED or an EL element. Outputting a subject image captured by the camera;
Illuminating means for illuminating the subject;
Storing an image of the subject output from the camera in a memory;
In an imaging method including:
The imaging method further comprising the step of turning off the illumination of the illumination unit before storing the image of the subject output from the camera in the memory.   The imaging method according to claim 7, wherein a period during which the illumination is turned off is shorter than a response time of the automatic exposure of the camera.   The imaging method according to claim 7, wherein automatic exposure of the camera is not performed during a period in which the illumination is turned off. Outputting a subject image captured by the camera;
Illuminating means for illuminating the subject;
Storing an image of the subject output from the camera in a memory;
In an imaging method including:
An imaging method, further comprising temporarily turning off the illumination of the illumination unit after the image of the subject output from the camera is accumulated in the memory.   The imaging method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first illumination means is an LED or an EL element.

Images