JP4695586B2 - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method.

  When shooting a still image using an image pickup device, the image pickup device normally releases the shutter when the user presses the shutter button down and the shutter button is pressed. Is called. At this time, there is a time difference between pressing the shutter button and the shutter operation and strobe light emission. This time is caused by factors such as the focus lens position setting, exposure conditions such as aperture setting, and the charging time for strobe light emission.

  On the other hand, in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone provided with a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, a mechanical shutter sound and a strobe light are not generated during photographing. Therefore, there is a case where a sound is generated electronically when the shutter button is pressed down in order to obtain a sense of reality or to prevent voyeurism at a close distance. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for generating a shutter sound in a camera-equipped mobile phone.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-217484

  By the way, the time from pressing the shutter button to the shutter operation and strobe light emission is shortened by improving the performance of the arithmetic unit built into the imaging device and improving the mechanical performance of the imaging device. We were able to plan to some extent. However, since a time difference is still perceived by the user from the time the shutter button is pressed to the shutter operation or flash emission, the user feels that the operation of the imaging device is slow, and the user operates the imaging device. There was a problem of feeling stressed.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved imaging capable of making the shooting preparation time perceived based on audiovisual characteristics. An apparatus and an imaging method are provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, a strobe light emitting unit that emits strobe light at the time of shooting, a dummy sound generating unit that generates a dummy sound from when the shutter button is pressed to when the flash is emitted, and pressing the shutter button Shooting preparation time acquisition unit that acquires in advance the shooting preparation time required from flash to strobe flashing, and the time from dummy sound generation to strobe flashing is detected based on the audiovisual characteristics that dummy sound generation and strobe flashing are simultaneous An imaging apparatus is provided, which includes a dummy sound generation time acquisition unit that acquires a time for generating a dummy sound that is set to 0 when the shutter button is pressed.

  With this configuration, a dummy sound is generated before the strobe light is emitted after the shutter button is pressed. Therefore, the dummy sound generation precedes the strobe light emission. In addition, since the time from the generation of the dummy sound to the strobe light emission is within the detection limit, for example, the user or the subject can detect that the dummy sound generation and the strobe light emission are simultaneous based on the audiovisual characteristics. Therefore, the user or the person to be photographed has an illusion that the imaging device is operating as fast as the detection limit. Therefore, even when there is a delay associated with the shooting preparation time from when the shutter button is pressed until the strobe is generated, the shooting preparation time can be sensed short.

  The detection limit can be set to 250 milliseconds based on audiovisual characteristics. With such a configuration, the user or subject takes the illusion that the imaging device is operating quickly for a maximum of 250 milliseconds.

  The shooting preparation time acquisition unit acquires a shutter delay time acquisition unit that acquires a shutter delay time based on a focus lens alignment condition or an exposure condition at the time of shooting, and acquires a strobe delay time based on a charge state of the flash emission unit. A strobe delay time acquisition unit that compares the shutter delay time with the strobe delay time, and a shooting preparation time determination unit that determines the longer one as the shooting preparation time. With this configuration, the shooting preparation time required from when the shutter button is pressed to when the flash is emitted is determined to be the longer of the shutter delay time or the strobe delay time.

  The dummy sound generation time acquisition unit can compare the detection limit with the shooting preparation time and acquire the dummy sound generation time based on the detection limit and the shooting preparation time. With this configuration, the dummy sound generation time is determined as either the detection limit or the shooting preparation time from the dummy sound generation to the strobe light emission, and the dummy sound generation is based on the time from the dummy sound generation to the strobe light emission. The time is acquired.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, the step of acquiring the shooting preparation time required from the time when the shutter button is pressed until the flash is emitted, and the time from when the dummy sound is generated until the flash is emitted A step of acquiring a time for generating a dummy sound set to 0 when the shutter button is pressed, assuming that the generation of the dummy sound and the strobe light emission are within the detection limit based on the characteristics, and the shutter button There is provided an imaging method characterized by including a step of generating a dummy sound from pressing to strobe emission and a step of emitting strobe light at the time of photographing.

  With this configuration, a dummy sound is generated before the strobe light is emitted after the shutter button is pressed. Therefore, the dummy sound generation precedes the strobe light emission. In addition, since the time between the generation of the dummy sound and the strobe light emission is within the detection limit, for example, the user or the subject can detect that the dummy sound generation and the strobe light emission are simultaneous based on the audiovisual characteristics. Therefore, the user or the person to be photographed has an illusion that the imaging device is operating as fast as the detection limit. Therefore, even when there is a delay associated with the shooting preparation time from when the shutter button is pressed until the strobe is generated, the shooting preparation time can be sensed short.

  The step of acquiring the shooting preparation time includes a step of acquiring a shutter delay time based on a focus alignment condition at the time of shooting or an exposure condition, and a strobe delay for acquiring a strobe delay time based on a charge state of the strobe light emitting unit. The step of acquiring the time and the step of comparing the shutter delay time and the strobe delay time and determining the longer value as the imaging preparation time can be included. With this configuration, the shooting preparation time required from when the shutter button is pressed to when the flash is emitted is determined to be the longer of the shutter delay time or the strobe delay time.

  In the step of obtaining the time for generating the dummy sound, the detection limit and the imaging preparation time are compared, and the dummy sound generation time can be acquired based on the detection limit and the imaging preparation time. With this configuration, the dummy sound generation time is determined as either the detection limit or the shooting preparation time from the dummy sound generation to the strobe light emission, and the dummy sound generation is based on the time from the dummy sound generation to the strobe light emission. The time is acquired.

  According to the present invention, the imaging preparation time can be perceived as short based on the audiovisual characteristics.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  First, the configuration of an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an imaging apparatus 100 includes an OPS 102 (optical system), a photoelectric conversion element 104 (OEC: optoelectric converter), a sampler / AD converter 106, a timing circuit 108, and a DSP 110 (digital signal processor). DRAM 112 (dynamic random access memory), EEPROM 114 (electronically erasable and programmable read only memory), MCI 116 (memory card interface), microcontroller 120, lens driving unit 122, strobe control unit 124, and strobe light emission Unit 126, user input unit 128, display driver 130, display user output 132, microphone 140, AD converter 142, encoder 144, decoder 150, DA converter 152, and speaker 154. Preparation The

  The OPS 102 is an optical system that projects external optical information onto the photoelectric conversion element 104. The OPS 102 has, for example, a cylindrical lens barrel (not shown) to which a lens is attached, a lens unit (not shown) for imaging optical information on the photoelectric conversion element 104, and the size of the opening is changed. A diaphragm that can limit the direction and range of the light beam is provided. The lens unit includes, for example, a single focus lens and a zoom lens, and the number of lenses is one or two or more.

  The photoelectric conversion element 104 is composed of an element capable of photoelectric conversion that converts optical information incident via the OPS 102 into an electric signal, and generates an electric signal corresponding to the light received by each element. As the photoelectric conversion element 104, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or the like can be applied. In order to control the exposure time of the photoelectric conversion element 104, a mechanical shutter (not shown) can be applied so that light is blocked during non-photographing and light is applied only during photographing. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and an electronic shutter (not shown) may be applied.

  The sampler / AD converter 106 includes a CDS / AMP (correlated double sampling circuit / amplifier) (not shown), an AGC (automatic gain control) (not shown), It has an AD converter. The sampler / AD converter 106 performs correlated double sampling on the electrical signal output from the photoelectric conversion element 104, and then adjusts the gain according to the signal using AGC. In addition, an analog electric signal generated by the photoelectric conversion element 104 is converted into a digital signal.

  The sampler / AD converter 106 may be an integrated circuit, but is not limited to this example, and the CDS circuit and the AD converter may be configured as separate circuits. In addition, an amplifier may not be provided.

  The timing circuit 108 is controlled by the DSP 110 and inputs a timing signal to the photoelectric conversion element 104 and the sampler / AD converter 106. Based on the timing signal from the timing circuit 108, the shutter speed of the shutter such as the mechanical shutter or the electronic shutter described above is determined. Then, driving of the photoelectric conversion element 104 is controlled by a timing signal from the timing circuit 108. As a result, optical information is incident on the photoelectric conversion element 104 within the time that the photoelectric conversion element 104 is driven, and an electrical signal that is the basis of image data is generated.

  The DSP 110 is a microprocessor that performs digital signal processing to perform image / audio processing. The microcontroller 120 transmits / receives a signal to / from each component of the imaging apparatus 100 to control each component. Note that the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the DSP 110, the microcontroller 120, and two other processors. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and one processor performs image / audio processing and each component. Control can be performed.

  The DRAM 112 temporarily stores an image that has been shot. Note that a semiconductor storage element such as another RAM having a capacity capable of storing a photographed image can be used without using the DRAM 112.

  The EEPROM 114 stores operation procedure instructions (computer program code) for controlling the DSP 110 and the microcontroller 120. Note that other storage elements capable of storing operation procedure instructions can be used without using the EEPROM 114.

  The MCI 116 is connected to a storage medium (not shown) for storing images, sounds, moving images, and the like, and performs an interface with the imaging apparatus 100.

  The lens driving unit 122 controls the lens unit provided in the OPS 102. The lens driving unit 122 drives the lens unit to adjust the size and focus of the subject imaged on the photoelectric conversion element 104.

  The strobe light emitting unit 126 emits light at the time of photographing at night or in a dark place in order to illuminate a subject photographed by the imaging apparatus 100 brightly. The light emission control of the strobe light emitting unit 126 is performed by the strobe control unit 124 receiving a signal from the microcontroller 120 and outputting a light emission command to the strobe light emitting unit 126.

  The user input unit 128 operates the imaging apparatus 100 and performs various settings at the time of shooting. The user input unit 128 includes a power button (not shown) for turning the imaging apparatus 100 on and off, a cross key and a selection button (not shown) for selecting a shooting mode and a shooting drive mode, and an image. And a shutter button (not shown) for starting video recording and audio recording. By operating the user input unit 128, a signal is output to the microcontroller 120, and each component of the imaging device 100 is controlled in accordance with the output signal. The shutter button is configured to be pressed in two stages, and in the first stage, the imaging apparatus 100 acquires shooting conditions at the time of shooting and calculates a dummy sound occurrence scheduled time as described later. The second step of pressing actually triggers the shutter operation and strobe light emission.

  The display user output 132 performs, for example, live view display before shooting, various setting screens of the imaging apparatus 100, display of images that have been shot, and the like. Display of image data on the display user output 132 and various information of the imaging apparatus 100 are performed via the display driving unit 130.

  The microphone 140 records audio when the imaging apparatus 100 captures a moving image or records audio. The sound recorded by the microphone 140 is converted from an analog electric signal to a digital signal by the AD converter 142 and encoded by the encoder 144.

  The speaker 154 outputs a sound when playing back a moving image or a recorded sound shot by the imaging apparatus 100. The speaker 154 outputs a dummy sound. The encoded data is decoded by the decoder 150, converted from a digital signal to an analog signal by the DA converter 152, and output from the speaker 154. The dummy sound is a sound that signals shutter operation and strobe light emission. Note that the dummy sound may not be a sound generated by the above-described electrical signal, but a mechanical mechanism may be separately provided in the imaging apparatus 100, and the sound may be generated by this mechanism.

  Next, the shooting time processing unit 160 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a photographing time processing unit according to the present embodiment.

  The shooting time processing unit 160 includes a shooting preparation time acquisition unit 170 and a dummy sound generation time acquisition unit 180. The photographing time processing unit 160 is provided in the DSP 110, for example, but is not limited to this example, and may be provided in the microcontroller 120, for example. The shooting time processing unit 160 calculates the time from the second press of the shutter button to the shutter operation and strobe light emission, and further calculates the time for generating the dummy sound. It is assumed that the shutter operation and strobe light emission are performed simultaneously.

  Next, each component of the photographing time processing unit 160 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shooting preparation time acquisition unit 170 includes a shutter delay time acquisition unit 172, a strobe delay time acquisition unit 174, and a shooting preparation time determination unit 176. The shooting preparation time acquisition unit 170 acquires in advance the shooting preparation time required from the second pressing of the shutter button to the flash emission, for example, when the first pressing of the shutter button is performed.

  That is, when shooting using the imaging apparatus 100, it is necessary to consider various shooting conditions in order to shoot a subject with appropriate brightness, color, focus, and the like. In order to grasp the shooting conditions and adjust the lens unit, aperture, etc. of the image pickup apparatus 100, there is a slight time difference from the second press of the shutter button until the shutter actually operates and the flash fires. Occurs. The shooting preparation time acquisition unit 170 acquires this time difference in advance.

  The shutter delay time acquisition unit 172 acquires a shutter delay time Ds that is a time required for the shutter operation according to the exposure condition and the focus lens position adjustment condition at the time of shooting. The exposure condition varies depending on the total amount of light incident on the photoelectric conversion element 104 through the lens unit, and the diaphragm and shutter speed are adjusted according to the amount of light. Therefore, by storing the time required for adjusting the aperture and shutter speed in advance in a storage unit (not shown) as a table, it is possible to acquire the delay time for adjusting the aperture and shutter speed.

  Further, the focus lens positioning condition varies depending on the combination of the aperture value of the lens unit, the distance to the subject, and the focal length of the lens, and the position of the focus lens is adjusted according to these values. Therefore, by storing the time required for the position adjustment of the focus lens in advance as a table in the storage unit, it is possible to acquire the delay time related to the position adjustment of the focus lens.

  Although the time required for adjusting the aperture and shutter speed and adjusting the position of the focus lens is stored as a table, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, by acquiring exposure conditions and focus lens alignment conditions at the time of shooting, and calculating the time required to adjust the aperture and shutter speed and focus lens position when the shutter button is pressed in the first stage, the shutter The delay time Ds may be acquired.

  The strobe delay time acquisition unit 174 acquires a strobe delay time Df caused by a strobe charge condition at the time of shooting. Charging conditions vary depending on the amount of light emitted from the strobe and the amount of electricity stored, and the time required for charging also changes. By storing the time required for charging under various conditions as a table in the storage unit, the strobe delay time Df related to the charging status can be acquired. It is also possible to acquire the strobe delay time Df by acquiring the strobe emission amount and the storage amount according to the shooting conditions and calculating the time required for charging when the shutter button is pressed in the first stage.

  The shooting preparation time determination unit 176 compares the shutter delay time Ds and the strobe delay time Df, and determines the longer value as the shooting preparation time D. Specifically, the imaging preparation time determination unit 176 receives the shutter delay time Ds acquired by the shutter delay time acquisition unit 172 and the strobe delay time Df acquired by the strobe delay time acquisition unit 174, and receives the shutter delay time. Ds is compared with the strobe delay time Df. If the shutter delay time Ds is greater than or equal to the strobe delay time Df, the shutter delay time Ds is determined as the shooting preparation time D. If the shutter delay time Ds is less than the strobe delay time Df, the strobe delay time Df is determined as the shooting preparation time D. To do.

  As described above, the shooting preparation time acquisition unit 170 can acquire in advance the shooting preparation time D required from the second press of the shutter button to the flash emission.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the dummy sound generation time acquisition unit 180 includes a dummy sound generation time calculation unit 182. The dummy sound generation time acquisition unit 180 acquires the generation time S2 of the dummy sound. The dummy sound is generated between the time when the shutter button is pressed in the second stage until the shutter operation and the flash emission, and the dummy sound generation time S2 is a time after Y seconds have elapsed since the time when the shutter button was pressed at the second stage S1. . The dummy sound generation time acquisition unit 180 acquires the dummy sound generation time S2 so that the time from generation of the dummy sound to strobe emission is within the detection limit T.

  The detection limit T is a time during which dummy sound generation and strobe light emission are sensed almost simultaneously based on audiovisual characteristics. In general, when sound and light are generated close to each other in time and sound generation is preceded, when the interval between sound generation and light generation is within 250 milliseconds, light emission is It has been observed that sound and light are generated almost simultaneously as the time of occurrence approaches (for example, Shunsuke Uemura, et al. “Time characteristics of audiovisual interaction”, Basic psychology research, Japanese basic psychology) Society, September 2006, Vol. 25, No. 1, p. 134). On the other hand, if the interval between the sound generation and the light generation exceeds 250 milliseconds, it is detected that the sound and the light generation are generated separately. In the present embodiment, the detection limit T is set to, for example, 250 milliseconds.

  The dummy sound generation time calculation unit 182 compares the shooting preparation time D with the detection limit T. The shooting preparation time D is the time acquired by the shooting preparation time determination unit 176 of the shooting preparation time acquisition unit 170, and the detection limit T is stored in the storage unit, for example.

  When the shooting preparation time D is equal to or longer than the detection limit T, the time from the generation of the dummy sound to the flash emission is set to the detection limit T. Therefore, if a dummy sound is generated after Y seconds have elapsed since the shutter button was pressed S1, the elapsed time Y is calculated as Y = shooting preparation time D−detection limit T.

  On the other hand, when the shooting preparation time D is less than the detection limit T, strobe light can be emitted in a time shorter than the detection limit T, so that a dummy sound can be generated simultaneously with the shutter button press S1. The elapsed time Y from the shutter button press S1 to the strobe light emission is Y = 0.

  Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an imaging method using the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, the user depresses one of the shutter buttons that can be pressed in two steps during shooting. Then, the imaging apparatus 100 acquires shooting conditions and calculates dummy sound generation time. Thereafter, when the user depresses the second stage of the shutter button, the imaging apparatus 100 actually performs the shutter operation and the strobe light emission, and the photographing is completed. Hereinafter, the process of acquiring the shooting conditions and the like and calculating the dummy sound generation time by pressing the shutter button in the first stage will be described in detail.

  First, the shutter delay time acquisition unit 172 acquires exposure conditions at the time of shooting, focus lens alignment conditions, and the like from light information incident through the lens unit, and controls shutters for adjusting the aperture and shutter speed and adjusting the position of the focus lens. The delay time Ds is acquired (step S102). Further, the strobe delay time acquisition unit 174 acquires shutter conditions such as the amount of light emitted from the strobe and the amount of electricity stored, and acquires the strobe delay time Df (step S104). In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the shutter delay time Ds is acquired (step S102) and the strobe delay time Df is acquired (step S104). However, the present embodiment is not limited to this order. The strobe delay time Df may be acquired first or at the same time.

  Also, the shooting preparation time determination unit 176 compares the shutter delay time Ds and the strobe delay time Df to determine which is the longer time (step S106). If the shutter delay time Ds is greater than or equal to the strobe delay time Df, the shutter delay time Ds is determined as the shooting preparation time D (step S108). On the other hand, if the shutter delay time Ds is less than the strobe delay time Df, the strobe delay time Df is determined as the shooting preparation time D (step S110).

  Next, the dummy sound generation time calculation unit 182 compares the imaging preparation time D with the detection limit T, and determines which is the longer time (step S112). When the shooting preparation time D is equal to or longer than the detection limit T, the elapsed time Y from the shutter button press S1 to the occurrence of the strobe sound is calculated as Y = shooting preparation time D−detection limit T (step S114). On the other hand, if the shooting preparation time D is less than the detection limit T, the elapsed time Y from the shutter button press S1 to the flash emission is calculated as Y = 0 (step S116).

  Then, the dummy sound generation time acquisition unit 180 acquires the dummy sound generation time S2 from the second-stage shutter button press S1 based on the elapsed time Y calculated by the dummy sound generation time calculation unit 182 ( Step S118). As described above, the imaging apparatus 100 can acquire the dummy sound generation time S2 based on the shooting conditions. Thereafter, when the second stage of the shutter button is pressed by the user, the imaging apparatus 100 sets the time of pressing to 0 and generates a dummy sound at the dummy sound generation time S2 (step S120).

  Next, the timing of pressing the shutter button and the generation time of the dummy sound will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 are sequence diagrams illustrating the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The timing of the shutter button press and dummy sound generation time varies depending on the relationship between the strobe delay time Df, the shutter delay time Ds, and the detection limit T.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, a case where the strobe delay time Df> the detection limit T> the shutter delay time Ds will be described. At this time, from the flash delay time Df> the shutter delay time Ds, the shooting preparation time determination unit 176 determines that the flash delay time Df is the shooting preparation time D (step S108). Further, since the shooting preparation time D (strobe delay time Df)> detection limit T, the dummy sound generation time calculation unit 182 determines that the elapsed time Y from the shutter button press S1 to the generation of the strobe sound is Y = shooting preparation time D-detection. The limit T is calculated (step S114). Accordingly, if the flash delay time Df> the detection limit T> the shutter delay time Ds, a dummy sound is generated Y seconds after the shutter button is pressed S1 (step S120).

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the detection limit T> strobe delay time Df> shutter delay time Ds, from the strobe delay time Df> shutter delay time Ds, the shooting preparation time determination unit 176 determines that the strobe delay time Df is the shooting delay time Df. It is determined that it is the preparation time D (step S108). Also, from the detection limit T> the shooting preparation time D (strobe delay time Df), the dummy sound generation time calculation unit 182 calculates the elapsed time Y from the shutter button press S1 to the generation of the strobe sound as Y = 0 (step S1). S116). Accordingly, when the detection limit T> the strobe delay time Df> the shutter delay time Ds, a dummy sound is generated simultaneously with the shutter button press S1 (step S120).

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the strobe delay time Df> the shutter delay time Ds> the detection limit T, from the strobe delay time Df> the shutter delay time Ds, the shooting preparation time determination unit 176 determines that the strobe delay time Df is the shooting delay time Df. It is determined that it is the preparation time D (step S108). Unlike FIG. 4, the shutter delay time Ds is longer than the detection limit T, but since the shooting preparation time D (strobe delay time Df)> detection limit T, the dummy sound generation time calculation unit 182 causes the strobe sound from the shutter button press S <b> 1. The elapsed time Y until the occurrence is calculated as Y = shooting preparation time D−detection limit T (step S114). Accordingly, if the flash delay time Df> the detection limit T> the shutter delay time Ds, a dummy sound is generated Y seconds after the shutter button is pressed S1 (step S120).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a dummy sound is generated between the time when the shutter button is pressed and the shutter operation and the flash emission, and the dummy sound is preceded by a maximum of 250 milliseconds before the shutter operation and the flash emission. appear.

  Although there is a time difference between pressing the shutter button and the shutter operation and strobe light emission, a dummy sound is generated prior to the shutter operation and strobe light emission. Further, the time difference is within a detection limit of 250 milliseconds, which is a time when it is sensed that dummy sound generation and strobe light emission are almost simultaneously based on the audiovisual characteristics. Therefore, the user of the image pickup apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment or the subject who is the subject senses that the strobe light is approaching the dummy sound generation time and the strobe light is emitted simultaneously with the generation of the dummy sound due to the audiovisual characteristics. To do.

  As a result, the user of the image capturing apparatus 100 and the person to be imaged have an illusion that the image capturing apparatus 100 is operating quickly for a maximum of 250 milliseconds. Therefore, even when there is a delay associated with the shooting preparation time from when the shutter button is pressed to when the strobe is generated, the shooting preparation time can be sensed short, and the sensory delay due to the delay during shooting can be reduced. The delay reduction effect can reduce the stress caused by the delay.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this example. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an imaging apparatus including a photoelectric conversion element has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the present invention may be applied to an image pickup apparatus that forms optical information on a film through a lens unit.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the imaging | photography time process part which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging method using the imaging device which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the effect | action of the imaging device which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the effect | action of the imaging device which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the effect | action of the imaging device which concerns on the same embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100 Imaging device 102 OPS
104 Photoelectric conversion element 106 Sampler / AD converter 108 Timing circuit 110 DSP
112 DRAM
114 EEPROM
116 MCI
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 Microcontroller 122 Lens drive part 124 Strobe control part 126 Strobe light emission part 128 User input unit 130 Display drive part 132 Display user output 140 Microphone 142 AD converter 144 Encoder 150 Decoder 152 DA converter 154 Speaker 160 Shooting time processing part 170 Shooting Preparation time acquisition unit 172 Shutter delay time acquisition unit 174 Strobe delay time acquisition unit 176 Shooting preparation time determination unit 180 Dummy sound generation time acquisition unit 182 Dummy sound generation time calculation unit

Claims (5)

A flash unit that emits flash when shooting,
A dummy sound generating unit that generates a dummy sound from the time when the shutter button is pressed to the time when the flash is emitted;
A shooting preparation time acquisition unit that acquires in advance the shooting preparation time required from the shutter button press to the flash emission;
The time from the generation of the dummy sound to the strobe light emission is assumed to be within the detection limit where it is detected that the dummy sound generation and the strobe light emission are simultaneous based on audiovisual characteristics, and the time when the shutter button is pressed is 0. A dummy sound generation time acquisition unit for acquiring a time for generating the dummy sound set to
Equipped with a,
The said dummy sound generation time acquisition part compares the said detection limit with the said imaging preparation time, and acquires the said dummy sound generation time , The imaging device characterized by the above-mentioned .   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the detection limit is set to 250 milliseconds based on audiovisual characteristics. The shooting preparation time acquisition unit
A shutter delay time acquisition unit that acquires a shutter delay time based on a focus lens alignment condition at the time of shooting or an exposure condition;
A strobe delay time acquisition unit for acquiring a strobe delay time based on the charge status of the strobe light emitting unit;
A comparison of the shutter delay time and the strobe delay time, a shooting preparation time determination unit that determines the longer value as the shooting preparation time,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Obtaining a shooting preparation time required from pressing the shutter button to flash emission;
The time from the generation of the dummy sound to the flash emission is set to 0 when the shutter button is pressed, assuming that the time between the generation of the dummy sound and the flash emission is within the detection limit based on the audiovisual characteristics. Obtaining a time for generating the set dummy sound;
Generating the dummy sound from when the shutter button is pressed to when the flash is emitted;
The step of firing the flash when shooting,
Only including,
The step of acquiring the time at which the dummy sound is generated includes comparing the detection limit with the imaging preparation time to acquire the dummy sound generation time . The step of acquiring the shooting preparation time includes
Acquiring a shutter delay time based on a focus position adjusting condition at the time of photographing or an exposure condition;
Obtaining a strobe delay time for obtaining a strobe delay time based on the charge status of the strobe light emitting unit; and
Comparing the shutter delay time and the strobe delay time, and determining the longer value as the shooting preparation time;
The imaging method according to claim 4 , further comprising:

Images