JP4575022B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera, and more particularly to continuous shooting.

In recent years, digital still cameras (hereinafter referred to as DSCs) that can immediately check captured images have rapidly spread (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this DSC shooting function, the number converted to a 35 mm film camera of silver salt is a wide angle with a focal length of 35 mm or less, as is the case with many users who desire a telephoto function to shoot a subject far away. There is also a strong desire to shoot.
JP 11-298765 A

  However, the DSC as described above has the following problems.

  (1) DSCs have few models that support interchangeable lenses, such as single-lens reflex cameras, and it is difficult to support DSC uniformly from the wide-angle side to the telephoto side. Therefore, the telephoto side tends to be emphasized, and in most models, the focal length on the wide-angle side is 35 mm in terms of 35 mm film camera. When shooting with this imaging device, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), when shooting a house and a tree on the right side from a certain distance, the distance to the subject is close and all May not fit within one frame.

  Therefore, at that time, as shown in FIG. 8B, the image can be taken only at the center. Therefore, in order to photograph with such a composition, it is necessary to attach a wide conversion lens or the like to shift the photographing lens to the wide angle side and photograph it. In addition, when shooting a person in a room of about 6 tatami mats, not only outdoors, the distance to the subject is similarly short, so it is difficult and very inconvenient at a focal length of about 35 mm.

  (2) As one function of the DSC, there is a function having a panoramic photographing function for creating a single image by joining a plurality of photographed images as disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this function, in order to create one panoramic image, for example, in order to combine three images, it is necessary to press the shutter button three times, and the composition is made so that the images one by one overlap each other little by little. It is necessary to change the shooting. Therefore, it takes time and effort for the photographer and is not easy to use.

  (3) Furthermore, in DSC, since a captured image is recorded in an image recording means such as a memory, it is said that it is convenient if there is no option for recording a plurality of captured images. I want.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that is easy to use in consideration of the problems of the conventional imaging device.

According to the present invention, an image sensor, a shutter button for performing a photographing operation, a photographing lens for forming a subject image on the image sensor, and a predetermined number of images are continuously generated by one operation of the shutter button. And continuous shooting control means for acquiring continuously shot images, and image synthesizing means for automatically combining the plurality of continuously shot images as one image by the single operation of the shutter button. When the shutter button is operated once, an image that is automatically combined as one image by the image combining means is recorded in a state in which the image size is compressed as compared with the photographed image before the combination. Rutotomoni, an image recording means for capturing images of a plurality of pre its synthesis is recorded, an image pickup apparatus comprising a.

Further, the present invention automatically synthesized image as a single image by the image synthesizing means is an image pickup apparatus characterized by and Turkey are recorded in a state where the image size is compressed by resizing.

In addition, the present invention is characterized by comprising a communication means for transmitting a composite image in which the image size is compressed .

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of images are captured using the image shifting means using the camera shake correction mechanism, and the captured images are displayed together. Compared to this, it is possible to shoot with a wider angle of view. Therefore, wide-angle shooting can be performed easily and instantaneously without attaching a wide conversion lens or the like. Furthermore, a remarkable effect that a good image without camera shake can be taken by mounting the camera shake correction mechanism during normal shooting can be obtained.

  According to the imaging device of the present invention, a plurality of continuous shots are taken by a single shutter operation, and the plurality of continuous shot images are recorded in the image recording means by recording a plurality of shot images. And only this one composite image is recorded in a state where the image size is compressed compared to the photographed image before the composition, and this one compressed composition is also recorded. Since both the image and the pre-combination image can be recorded, the user's selectivity of image recording is widened, which is very convenient.

  Furthermore, by providing the communication means, the composite image can be sent instantly and easily to a mobile phone or the like, which is also very convenient in this respect.

  Hereinafter, the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an image blur correction mechanism that performs an image shifting function of the imaging apparatus, and FIGS. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the principle of image shifting in the imaging apparatus, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for shifting images captured by the imaging apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing four captured images captured by the imaging apparatus, and is displayed on the same screen.

  The solid-state imaging device (CCD) 4 is an imaging device that converts an image incident through the imaging optical system 3 into an electrical signal, and is driven and controlled by a CCD drive control means 5. The analog signal processing unit 6 is a processing unit that performs analog signal processing such as gamma processing on the video signal obtained by the solid-state imaging device 4. The A / D conversion means 7 is a conversion means for converting the analog video signal output from the analog signal processing means 6 into a digital signal. The digital signal processing unit 8 is a signal processing unit that performs digital signal processing such as noise removal and edge enhancement on the video signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 7. The frame memory 9 temporarily stores the image signal that has passed through the digital signal processing means 8. The image once stored in the frame memory 9 is controlled to be written into the image recording means 11 such as an internal memory or a recording medium in accordance with a command from the image recording control means 10.

  The captured image recorded in the image recording unit 11 is displayed by the image display control unit 32 on the image display unit 33 such as a liquid crystal monitor mounted on the imaging apparatus 1 via the frame memory 37.

  The imaging optical system 3 is an imaging optical system including three lens groups L1, L2, and L3. The L2 lens group is used as an image shifting lens group, and the optical axis is decentered by moving in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The image obtained by the solid-state imaging device 4 is shifted.

The yawing drive correction unit 12x and the pitching drive correction unit 12y drive-control the L2 lens group, which is an image shifting lens group, in two directions X and Y directions orthogonal to the optical axis of the imaging optical system 3 . Hereinafter, the X direction is the yawing direction and the Y direction is the pitching direction. The position detection means 13 is a detection means for detecting the position of the L2 lens group, and forms a feedback control loop for driving and controlling the L2 lens group together with the yawing drive control means 12x and the pitching drive control means 12y. The L2 lens group, the yawing drive control unit 12x, and the pitching drive control unit 12y form an image shifting unit 30 that controls the optical axis of the imaging light.

  The microcomputer 2 generates a predetermined control amount and outputs it to the yawing drive control means 12x and the pitching drive control means 12y via the D / A conversion means 16x and 16y. Therefore, the yawing drive control means 12x and the pitching drive control means 12y perform image shifting by driving the L2 lens group based on this control signal.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of images shifting mechanism 20 to drive and control in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L2 lens unit in the imaging optical system 3. The L2 lens group is fixed to a pitching moving frame 21, and this pitching moving frame 21 is held so as to be slidable in the Y direction via two pitching shafts 23 a and 23 b with respect to the yawing moving frame 22. The coils 24x and 24y are fixed to the pitching movement frame 21. The yawing movement frame 22 is slidably held in the X direction with respect to the fixed frame 25 via yawing shafts 26a and 26b. The magnet 27x and the yoke 28x are held by the fixed frame 25 and constitute an actuator 29x together with the coil 24x.

  Similarly, the magnet 27y and the yoke 28y are held by the fixed frame 25 and constitute an actuator 29y together with the coil 24y. The light emitting element 30 is fixed to the pitching movement frame 21. The light receiving element 31 is an element that receives the projection light of the light emitting element 30 and detects a two-dimensional position coordinate, and is fixed to the fixed frame 25.

  Next, a control method of the image shifting mechanism 20 will be described with reference to FIG. When photographing the landscape shown in FIG. 8A, during normal photographing, drive control is performed by the yawing drive control means 12x and the pitching drive control means 12y so that the L2 lens group is fixed at the position of the origin O. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the L2 lens group is driven and controlled by outputting 1.0 V for both pitching and yawing. By performing exposure in this state, a captured image as shown in FIG. 8B can be obtained.

  Next, in order to move the L2 lens group from the origin O to A located at the upper right position, both the pitching and yawing are driven and controlled by outputting 1.5V. Then, by performing exposure in this state, a captured image as shown in FIG. 5A can be obtained.

  Similarly, by moving the L2 lens group to positions B, C, and D, and exposing at the timing, it is possible to obtain photographed images as shown in FIGS. 5 (B), (C), and (D). it can. With respect to this operation, for example, by setting the number of shots using the continuous shooting setting button 35 and pressing the shutter button 34 of the imaging apparatus 1, it is possible to obtain captured images continuously (the imaging in this embodiment). 3 (a) and 3 (b), which are schematic diagrams for explaining the function of the apparatus.

The image shifting unit 30 can also serve as an image blur correcting unit by detecting the movement of the imaging apparatus 1 and correcting the movement. The angular velocity sensors 14x and 14y are sensors for detecting the movement of the imaging apparatus 1 itself including the imaging optical system 3, and the movement of the imaging apparatus 1 is based on the output when the imaging apparatus 1 is stationary. Depending on the direction, both positive and negative angular velocity signals are output. Two angular velocity sensors 14x and 14y are provided to detect movements in two directions of yawing and pitching, respectively.

  As described above, the angular velocity sensors 14x and 14y have a function of a motion detection unit that detects the motion of the imaging apparatus 1 due to camera shake and other vibrations. The output of the angular velocity sensor is converted into a digital signal by A / D conversion means 15x and 15y through filter processing, amplifier processing, and the like, and is given to the microcomputer 2.

  The microcomputer 2 performs filtering, integration processing, phase compensation, gain adjustment, clip processing, etc. on the output signals of the angular velocity sensors 14x, 14y taken in via the A / D conversion means 15x, 15y, and is necessary for motion correction A drive control amount (control signal) of the L2 lens group is obtained. The control signal is output to the yawing drive control means 12x and the pitching drive control means 12y via the D / A conversion means 16x and 16y. Therefore, the yawing drive control means 12x and the pitching drive control means 12y correct the image motion by driving the L2 lens group based on the control signal.

  The operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

  In order to obtain continuous images, the photographer sets the continuous shooting mode with the continuous shooting setting button 35. In this embodiment, by pressing the shutter button 34 once, the mode is such that images can be taken continuously when the L2 lens group is at positions A, B, C, and D shown in FIG. Set. In conjunction with the photographer pressing the shutter button 34, when the microcomputer 2 gives a command and supplies current from the outside of the coils 24x and 24y of the pitching moving frame 21, the pitching moving frame 21 is moved by the actuators 27x and 27y. Driven by the formed magnetic circuit, the pitching moving frame 21 moves to positions A, B, C, and D, respectively.

  Further, since the position of the pitching moving frame 21 is detected by the light receiving element 29, highly accurate position detection can be performed. Next, four photographed images continuously photographed at the exposure timings at positions A, B, C, and D are recorded in the image recording means 11 via the frame memory 9 respectively. These four photographed images can be made into one image shown in FIG. 6 by separately transferring them to a personal computer or the like and synthesizing them.

  Note that the boundary between the four captured images is an image captured by driving the image shifting mechanism 20 with high accuracy (about 10 microns). Can be created.

  Further, as an image blur correction function, when the photographer takes a picture, the camera speed generated in the imaging device 1 is detected by the angular velocity sensors 14x and 14y, and the microcomputer 2 gives a command to cancel the camera shake, and the pitching movement frame 21 When current is supplied to the coils 24x and 24y from the external circuit, the pitching moving frame 21 moves in the two directions X and Y planes perpendicular to the optical axis Z by the magnetic circuit formed by the actuators 27x and 27y. .

Further, since the position of the pitching moving frame 21 is detected by the light receiving element 29, highly accurate position detection can be performed. That is, by moving the L2 lens group in two planes orthogonal to the optical axis by the image blur correction mechanism 20, it is possible to correct an image incident on the image sensor 4 through the image pickup optical system 3, and to prevent camera shake. It is possible to take a good suppressed image.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, only the angle of view shown in FIG. 8B can be taken in normal wide-angle shooting, but four images shot using the image shifting means 30 are used. By combining the captured images, it is possible to capture a wide angle as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to easily and instantly perform wide-angle shooting by combining without attaching a wide conversion lens or the like.

  Compared to the previous panorama creation function that combines multiple shot images to create a panorama image, the shot image can be obtained by pressing the shutter button only once, and the accuracy of the boundary is improved. The image creation function can be simplified. Furthermore, since the image blur correction function is installed, a good image without camera shake can be taken during normal shooting.

  In the present embodiment, the image shifting image has been described with respect to four captured images at positions A, B, C, and D in FIG. Good. Further, a total of 8 or 9 positions including the positions of E, F, G, and H may be used, and the number of sheets is not limited.

  It should be noted that the effect of wide-angle shooting in this embodiment is more effective when performed near the wide-angle end than when shooting around the normal telephoto end. Also, during continuous shooting, images can be captured at high speed by shooting at a higher shutter speed.

  Further, the configuration of the image shifting unit 30, that is, the image blur correcting mechanism 20, is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment, and any configuration can be used as long as the image on the image sensor 4 can be shifted. Further, the configuration of the imaging optical system 3 is not limited to the three-group configuration as in the present embodiment, and may be a four-group configuration, for example.

  Next explained is the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating three photographed images photographed by the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment. In addition, what was demonstrated so far attaches | subjects the same code | symbol and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The photographer designates the direction in which continuous shooting is desired and the number of images using the continuous shooting setting button 35. For example, when the continuous shooting direction is the horizontal direction and the continuous shooting number is 3, the shutter button 34 is pressed once to continuously display the images at the positions O, F, and H shown in FIG. You can set to a mode that allows you to shoot.

  The operation of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 7, for example, when shooting a subject moving in the horizontal direction by playing soccer, there is a certain time lag from when the photographer presses the shutter until the actual shooting is started. Therefore, the subject moves at that time, and the subject cannot always be photographed as the photographer desires. Therefore, by using the shooting mode using the image shifting means 30, the L2 lens group is driven to the left and right, and high-speed continuous shooting is performed at the three angles of the center and the left and right, so that the three shot images are instantaneously captured. Can be obtained. Therefore, in normal shooting, only an image in which the subject is biased to the left side as in the (O) shot image can be taken, but by using the image shifting means 30, the subject can be taken as in the shot image in (F). You can shoot an image in the center. Therefore, it is possible to easily take a photograph intended by the photographer.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, even when a subject is moving, the L2 lens group is driven in the moving direction of the subject to continuously shoot, so that the subject is not photographed. The possibility of taking pictures is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the number of continuous shots is specified as three and the continuous shooting direction is specified as right and left. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Next explained is the third embodiment of the invention. In addition, what was demonstrated so far attaches | subjects the same code | symbol and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  When the screen composition button 36 is set before photographing, a function of automatically synthesizing a plurality of photographed images is achieved. The captured image output from the image sensor 4 is temporarily stored in the frame memory 9, and a plurality of captured images are combined according to a certain rule and then written to the image recording unit 11.

  The operation of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

  Similar to the description in the first embodiment, four images taken continuously at the exposure timings at positions A, B, C, and D in FIG. 4A by pressing the shutter button 34 once. The captured images (FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D) are temporarily stored in the frame memory 9. These four shot images are converted into one shot image (in the order of A, B, C, and D) in the frame memory 9 according to the position information of the L2 lens group, that is, the angle of view of the shooting lens. The synthesized image is recorded in the image recording means 11.

  As a result, a single photographed image as shown in FIG. 6 is obtained, and it is possible to photograph at a wider angle of view than a photographed image at the wide-angle end of a normal optical system. Therefore, at the time of normal photographing, it is possible to shoot an image free from camera shake at a high magnification by making the focal length of the photographing lens compatible with a high magnification such as 35 mm to 350 mm and using a camera shake correction function.

  On the other hand, by using the image shifting means 30, it is possible to cope with wide-angle shooting such as 28 mm. In other words, an effect that cannot be obtained by conventional imaging devices that can be handled by a single imaging device from wide angle to telephoto can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments, a single composite photo can be automatically created in the imaging apparatus, so it can be instantaneously performed. A remarkable effect that a wide-angle image can be taken is obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the method of synthesizing four captured images in the frame memory 9 at the time of shooting has been described. However, once the four images are separately recorded in the image recording means 11 and read out again, the frame memory is used. It is good also as a method performed in 37. Further, when one shot image is synthesized from four shot images in the frame memory 9 at the time of shooting, only the combined image may be recorded, or a total of five images are recorded together with the image before combining. It is good also as such a method.

  Further, in order to reduce the image size of the combined captured image, for example, a method may be used in which the image size is compressed by a compression unit by resizing or the like. Furthermore, by using a communication means for sending an image to a mobile phone or the like in this imaging apparatus, it is possible to use the composite image in an instant and easy manner.

  The present invention is very convenient because, in a digital still camera or the like, it is possible to select a plurality of continuously shot images to be combined and recorded in the image recording means as a single image having a compressed image size. It is.

  Further, it is convenient that the composite image can be instantly transmitted to a mobile phone or the like by communication means.

1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. An exploded perspective view showing an image blur correcting mechanism that performs an image shifting function of the imaging apparatus Schematic explaining the functions of the imaging device Explanatory drawing explaining the principle of image shifting in the imaging device The figure which shows four picked-up images at the time of the image shift image | photographed with the same imaging device The figure when four photographed images photographed by the imaging device are displayed on the same screen. The figure which shows three picked-up images image | photographed with the imaging device in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the angle of view of an imaging device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 2 Microcomputer 3 Imaging optical system 11 Image recording means 12x Yawing drive control means 12y Pitching drive control means 13 Position detection means 14x, 14y Angular velocity sensor 19 Lens barrel 20 Camera shake correction mechanism 21 Pitching movement frame 22 Yawing movement frame 24x 24y Coil 29x, 29y Actuator 30 Image shift means 33 Display device 34 Shutter button 35 Continuous shooting button 36 Image composition button L2 Image shift (correction) lens group

Claims (3)

An image sensor;
A shutter button for performing shooting operations;
A photographic lens for forming a subject image on the image sensor;
Continuous shooting control means for continuously shooting a predetermined number of images by one operation of the shutter button and acquiring continuously shot images;
Image synthesizing means for automatically synthesizing the plurality of continuously shot images as one image by the single operation of the shutter button ;
As a result of the one operation of the shutter button, an image automatically synthesized as a single image by the image synthesizing unit is recorded in a state in which the image size is compressed as compared with a photographed image before the synthesis. And an image recording means for recording a plurality of photographed images before the composition.   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image automatically synthesized as one image by the image synthesizing unit is recorded in a state where the image size is compressed by resizing.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that transmits a composite image with a compressed image size.

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