JP4789695B2 - Camera, composite image photographing method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a digital camera, and more particularly to a camera having an image composition function.

When shooting, a situation that typically appears in self-timer shooting, etc., there is a problem that there is an intrusive intruder between the camera and the subject, missing a precious photo opportunity, or a good image cannot be obtained . As one of countermeasures, a technique has been proposed in which distance measurement is repeatedly performed during the self-timer operation and the presence of an intruder is detected from a change in distance. (Patent Document 1)
As another countermeasure, in the field of digital cameras, a technique for obtaining an image without an intruder by using an image detection process has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a method of detecting the presence or absence of a moving object from a plurality of partial images prior to shooting, and synthesizing partial images in which the moving object is not captured to obtain an image.

  On the other hand, recent digital cameras have become able to support not only still image shooting but also video shooting and high-speed continuous shooting due to the increase in memory capacity, the progress of video compression technology, and the speedup of the image sensor. . In an image sensor with high pixels, for example, 5 million pixels or more, the conventional readout speed has been several tens of milliseconds, but recently, a device capable of reading full pixels at a high frame rate of 60 fps has been proposed.

In the technique using a plurality of images as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, there is a problem in the shooting time difference between the plurality of images. However, if the above-described high-speed continuous shooting technique is added, it is not disturbed without worrying about a time lag. It is also possible to shoot only the essential subject without taking a picture.
JP-A-6-67260 JP 2001-189889 A

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a method of shooting at a timing such that an obstructive object does not enter the screen. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 is also a method of synthesizing an image in which an obstructive object is not shown. In any case, the shooting is not performed in a state where a disturbing object is present.

  However, when traveling overseas, there are many situations where the tour is restricted by the movement of the tour and the scenery of the car window is simply enjoyed. In such a case, it is often impossible to take a beautiful scenery because an oncoming vehicle or sign in the case of a car and a telephone pole in the case of a train get in the way. In such a situation, if the conventional technique is used, the obstruction will not be captured, but it will deviate from the shooting timing and angle that you want to capture.

  In other words, in the conventional technique, it is necessary to wait until the time when the obstacles are not photographed. That is, it is not possible to obtain an effective image from which the obstacles are deleted only by the above technique. Therefore, there is a demand for a camera that can easily obtain an image in which an obstacle does not enter the screen even when a disturbing obstacle enters the angle of view.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can capture an image that does not contain an obstructive obstacle, and a method and program for capturing the image.

In order to achieve the above object, the camera according to the first aspect of the present invention compares a plurality of images obtained by continuously capturing adjacent positions and compares the adjacent images with each other and is a subject common to the screens of both images. , An image in which an obstacle that is an obstacle to the subject is photographed on only one screen is regarded as an image in which the inappropriate subject is photographed, and an image in which the inappropriate subject is photographed is selected and cannot be adopted. An image selection unit that selects an image in which an appropriate subject is photographed and sets it as an adopted image;
And a combining unit that combines the plurality of adopted images to obtain one still image .

The camera according to the second aspect of the present invention compares the plurality of images that have been continuously shot with the shooting control unit that controls the continuous shooting and whether or not an obstacle that blocks the subject appears in the screen of the shot image. A determination unit that determines whether an obstacle that obstructs the subject is captured in the screen of the continuously shot image, the image continuously shot before and after the shot image, And an image composition unit that synthesizes an image having a subject angle equivalent to that of an image of an obstacle and an image of no obstruction from images before and after the obstacle is not photographed.

The third image combined image capturing process according to the invention is, in the synthesized image capturing method for synthesizing the images obtained by continuous shooting, the screen aforementioned connecting or obstructions the subject is not reflected in the captured image Judgment is made by comparing multiple shot images, and if it is determined that an obstacle that blocks the subject appears in the screen of the continuously shot images, continuous shooting is taken before and after the above shot images. An image having a subject angle equivalent to that of an image showing an obstacle and not showing an obstacle is synthesized from images before and after the obstacle is not shown.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the camera which can image | photograph the image which does not enter an obstructive obstacle, its composite image imaging method, and a program can be provided.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention relates to an improvement of a digital camera, and is a technique for obtaining an image obtained by photographing one beautiful and powerful large range from a plurality of images. Specifically, it is a camera that can be used to take a panoramic view of a magnificent landscape from the car window without worrying about the presence of obstacles such as utility poles.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a camera 1 to which the present invention is applied. The camera 1 includes a lens unit 2, an image sensor 3, an A / D conversion unit 4, an image processing unit 5, an image recording unit 6, a memory 8, and a display unit 7. The lens unit 2 forms an image of the incident subject 20 on the image sensor 3. The image sensor 3 is composed of a CCD or a CMOS, and converts the formed subject image into an electrical signal. The A / D converter 4 converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 3 into a digital image signal.

  The image processing unit 5 performs various processes on the image data. The image processing unit 5 includes a compression unit, an expansion unit, and the like, and performs various processes such as color correction, smoothing processing, contrast enhancement processing, signal compression, and expansion on the image data. The image processing unit 5 includes a circuit for detecting a contrast value. The image recording unit 6 records the image signal subjected to image processing on a recording medium. The memory 8 is a buffer memory used as a work area during image processing. The display unit 7 is composed of, for example, an LCD, and displays a monitor image at the time of shooting, and displays a decompressed recorded image at the time of reproduction.

  The camera 1 is provided with a lens drive unit (hereinafter referred to as LD) 12 and an image capturing unit 13. The LD unit 12 includes an actuator and a position encoder, and controls the movement of the lens unit 2. The LD unit 12 detects the in-focus position based on the contrast value of the image output from the image processing unit 5 and moves the lens unit 2. The image capturing unit 13 instructs the image sensor 3 to capture an image.

  The camera 1 is provided with an MPU 10, a ROM 11, and an operation unit 16. An MPU (microcontroller) 10 is a control unit that controls the entire camera 1 such as shooting and reproduction according to a program. The ROM 11 is a non-volatile and recordable memory such as a flash ROM, and stores a control program for performing camera processing. The operation unit 16 notifies the MPU 10 of the photographer's instruction. As a representative example of the operation unit 16, switches 16a, 16b, and 16c are provided. The switch 16a is a release switch. The MPU 10 detects user instructions such as shooting and display with the switches 16a, 16b, and 16c, and controls these units connected to perform smooth, speedy and beautiful image shooting. Further, the MPU 10 acquires contrast information and controls the LD unit 12 to perform focus control.

In addition, the camera 1 is provided with an image determination unit 1 4, a margin determination unit 1 0 a, an image selection unit 1 0 b, and a synthesis unit 1 5. Image determining unit 1 4 compares the image data by using the signal digitized by the A / D conversion unit 4 determines the presence of the obstacle. The image determination unit 1 4 determines an obstacle from the similarity of the images by comparing with a signal stored in the memory 8. The image determining unit 1 4, pillars etc. obstacle invading as D 1 of the FIG. 2 also, there is a feature that Ri was dark or have blurred unlike landscape, the contrast value and brightness of the images, etc. This information is also used for determination. Further, the image determination unit 1 4 also determines a matching portion and a mismatching portion between continuous shot images.

  The margin determination unit 10 a and the image selection unit 10 b are one of processing functions executed by the MPU 10. The margin determination unit 10 a extracts margin portions from the left and right sides of the image to create margin data, and temporarily records the margin data in the memory 8. The margin determination unit 10a compares the margin data of the two images to determine whether the two images are connected.

  The image selection unit 10b selects an image for panorama configuration from images continuously shot during panorama shooting. The image selection unit 10b selects a panorama composition image based on the determination result of the margin determination unit 10a. The selected panorama composition image is stored in the memory 8.

  The composition unit 15 performs composition processing on a plurality of images. Further, the composition processing is performed by removing the obstacle from the plurality of images. The synthesizing unit 15 creates a panoramic image by using the panorama composition image temporarily stored in the memory 8.

  Further, the MPU 10 instructs the image processing unit 5 and the synthesizing unit 15 to process an image having an intruding object and to perform panorama synthesis based on the determination result of the image determining unit 14 as a photographing control unit. In addition, it determines the user's switch (16a, etc.) operation, determines the image capture timing, and cooperates the functions of the subsequent block to execute digital image acquisition. Details of the image determination unit 14, the image selection unit 10b, and the synthesis unit 15 will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a scene in which a photographer in a traveling vehicle continuously captures a mountain landscape from a vehicle window. The landscape is a landscape with four mountains M1 to M4 as shown in FIG. The camera 1 indicated by the lens 2 and the image sensor 3 travels in the right direction. The camera positions at the time of continuous shooting are indicated by P1, P2,. P23 indicates a camera position between P2 and P3, and P34 indicates a camera position between P3 and P4. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing images taken corresponding to the respective positions in FIG.

  Then, it is assumed that the photographer operates the release button 16a at the position P3 to photograph the image M3 in order to photograph the mountain M3. However, it is assumed that there is an obstacle (pillar) D1 in front of it at that timing. Then, the image I3 becomes an image with the obstacle D1 in the middle as shown in FIG. 3A, and the beautiful mountain of M3 cannot be captured.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, an image I 3 at the P 3 position is obtained from images continuously shot at the positions P 2 3 and P 3 4 (FIG. 2) corresponding to the positions before and after P 3. At the positions P2 3 and P3 4, images of I2 3 in FIG. 3B and I3 4 in FIG. By synthesizing these two images, an image I3 having a pillar-free image as shown in FIG. 3D and having a mountain M3 at the center of the screen can be obtained. The image I2 3 and the image I3 4 do not have an obstacle at the center of the mountain M 3, but the mountain M 3 is not at the center of the screen, so that the image is deviated from the photographer's intention. Note that the images of I2 3 and I3 4 may or may not remain.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the photographing process for obtaining the composite image described above. This photographing process is mainly executed by the MPU 10, the image determination unit 14, and the synthesis unit 15 according to the program. First, the image I23 is once recorded in the memory 8 at the position P23 (step S11). Next, in continuous shooting, the image I3 is recorded at the position P3 (step S12).

Then, it is determined whether the image I3 is an appropriate image (step S13). A proper image is an image without an obstacle in the screen. In this case, the image determination unit 14 determines whether the contrast and brightness are appropriate. If it is determined that it is appropriate (step S13 YES), the image recording unit 6 records the image I3 as it is (step S16). On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not appropriate (NO in step S13), the image is also taken at the position P34 and the image I34 is stored (step S14). Then, the synthesizer 15 synthesizes I23 and I34 (step S15). An image I3 as shown in FIG. The image recording unit 6 records the synthesized image I3 (step S16).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining such a photographing method. Two shooting positions of the camera 1 are indicated by positions 10a and 10b. At these two positions 10a and 10b, changes in the long-distance subject (mountain M3) and the short-distance subject (column D1) on the screen shot by the camera 1 are shown. The focal length of the lens 2 is f, the distance from the camera 1 to the mountain M3 is L1, the distance from the camera 1 to the column d1 is L2, and the distance between the positions 10a and 10b is S.

At the position 10a, the mountain M3 and the column D1 are in a relationship of overlapping on the optical axis of the lens 2. At the position 10b where the position of the camera 1 is shifted by S, the pillar D1 is removed from the screen. In other words, the distance from the center of the screen of the image sensor 3 to the end is X2, and S up to the position 10b where the column is not captured is
S = X2 × L2 / f Equation 1
It becomes the relationship. For example, if X2 = 10 mm, L2 = 10 m, and f = 10 mm, S = 10 m. On the other hand, even at the position 10b, the image of the mountain M3 is almost at the same place on the image sensor 10a on the screen. That is, even if the position 10a is moved to the position 10b, the change in the position of the mountain in the screen is small. If the distance to the mountain M3 is 10 km, S = 10 m from Equation 1, so that even if the pillar is not visible, it can be seen that another 9.99 km long mountain is visible (the image sensor has a mountain The image is incident).

  Therefore, prior to photographing at the position 10a, an image I23 as shown in FIG. 3B is taken, and an image I34 as shown in FIG. Is obtained, an I3 image as shown in FIG. 3D centering on the M3 mountain is obtained. Even if you run at 100km / h, you have a chance for a few minutes on a straight line. On the other hand, since it takes only about 0.3 seconds to pass through the pillar, an image similar to I3 in FIG. be able to.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 6, 7 and 8. In the second embodiment, shooting control for obtaining a panoramic image without an obstacle even when an obstacle is present during panoramic shooting will be described. A block diagram of a camera to which the present invention is applied is the same as that shown in FIG.

  A panoramic image as shown as IA in FIG. 2 can be created by taking five photographs at five positions P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 and combining them. However, as described above, at the position P3, the obstacle (column) D1 becomes an obstacle, and the I3 image at this time cannot be used. Therefore, the panoramic image shown as IA in FIG. 2 can be obtained from the continuous shooting by replacing the shooting image at the point P3 with the shooting at the points P23 and P34 as described above.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the panoramic image IA and the single images constituting the panoramic image IA. T1 to T7 indicate shooting timing, and G1 to G7 indicate corresponding image numbers. The panoramic image IA of this example is created based on three images among the seven continuous shot images from G1 to G7 taken at the timing from T1 to T7. These three images are selected by the image selection unit 10b from images taken at positions shifted with fine timing. If there are no obstacles, a panoramic image is composed of three images T1, T4, and T7.

  In addition, a predetermined area at the left and right ends of each image is set as a margin. For example, the left and right connection margins of the image G1 are H1L and H1R. Further, the margin for left connection of the image G4 is H4L. It is assumed that the marginal area is set at a predetermined position on the left and right of the image. Then, the margin determination unit 10a determines whether the two images can be connected based on the degree of coincidence of the margin data.

  The margin determination unit 10a determines that the right margin H1R of the image G1 matches the left margin H4L of the image G4. However, it is assumed that a pillar enters the screen of the captured image G4 at the timing of T4. That is, for the image G1 acquired at the timing of T1, the G4 image captured at the timing of T4 may be connected and synthesized. However, this image G4 is an NG image with the pillars reflected. In other words, the G4 image is not suitable as the panorama composition image by the image selection unit 10b, and is therefore not adopted.

  Therefore, the image G3 taken at the previous timing T3 is adopted by the image selection unit 10b. Next, the margin determination unit 10a determines that the right margin H3R of the image G3 matches the H7L of the image G7. Accordingly, the image selection unit 10b employs the image G7 as the panorama composition image. Then, the synthesizing unit 15 creates a panoramic image from the images G1, G3, and G7.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when there is an NG image (such as a pillar being captured), the previous image is used. Thereby, the margin part for a synthesis | combination is securable. This is because the margin after the NG image may become discontinuous due to the lack of the margin. Then, images suitable for panorama synthesis are sequentially selected.

  On the other hand, in the above panorama image creation, it is necessary to store many continuous shot images. However, if a large number of continuous shot images are stored, the memory capacity is reduced and the system becomes large. Therefore, in order to perform the panorama composition with a memory having as little capacity as possible, the storage of continuous shot image data will be described below.

  FIG. 7 is a chart showing the contents of data stored at each timing during continuous shooting. That is, it is a chart showing data stored in the memory 8 at each timing of T1... T7 shown in FIG. Data is shown in a square box. G1 to G7 are stored image data. Since the data at the margin is used for connection determination, it is stored as H1L, H1R... H7L, H7R data as data different from the images G1 to G7. The memory and deletion are shown in the figure.

  First, at the timing T1, each data of the image G1, the margin H1R (the margin on the right side of the image G1), and the margin H1L (the margin on the left side of the image G1) is stored. Subsequently, at the timings T2 and T3, data on G2 and G3 and marginal data are sequentially added and stored. At the next T4 timing, the image G4 itself is not adopted and is not stored. Further, the margin determination unit 10a determines that G4 has H4L that can be connected to H1R. At T4, G2 and the marginal data are deleted. That is, until an image connected to the G1 image obtained at the timing of T1 is found, the previous image is also stored, but since a connectable image (G4) is found at the timing of T4, an image that is not used ( G2) is deleted.

  As described above, since the margin data is stored as separate data, it is possible to select the panorama composition image by high-speed determination while quickly reading and comparing them. This marginal data does not need to be high-definition data like the original image, and it becomes more effective if the data size is reduced and processed so that the determination can be made quickly. Only necessary data was stored. It should be noted that this data is also selected as appropriate so that the memory capacity is sufficient.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for specifically explaining the photographing process for obtaining the composite image described above. This photographing process is mainly executed by the MPU 10 according to the program, the margin determination unit 10a, the image selection unit 10b, and the synthesis unit 15. First, here, it is assumed that the panorama synthesis continuous shooting mode is selected by operating the mode switching SW of 16b in FIG. At the time of shooting in this mode, the lens unit 2 is controlled using the LD unit 12 to focus on a long distance (step S21). A picture is taken and image data is read out (step S22). This image data is temporarily stored in the memory 8 (step S23).

  Processing is divided depending on whether this is the first (first) continuous shooting. If it is the first image (YES in step S24), it is determined whether or not there is a blurred portion in the screen of the photographed image (whether there is no near object such as a pillar) (step S25). The image determination unit 14 performs the determination. If there is no blurred portion (YES in step S25), this image is selected as the adopted image for panorama synthesis (step S27). The image selection unit 10b performs selection. The margin data (left and right edges of the screen) are also detected at this stage and stored separately (step S28). The margin determination unit 10a performs this. By setting the margins at the left and right ends, it is not necessary to monitor an area more than necessary in the screen, and the connection can be made efficiently. If it is not set to the end, for example, since G2 and G3 both have G4 margins with respect to G1 in FIG. 6, all these image coincidence determinations are required, and a great deal of time and energy is required for the determination and composition calculation. It is because it will require. On the other hand, when a failure occurs in an image such as a blurred portion (NO in step S25), the image selection unit 10b does not employ this image. The temporarily stored image is deleted (step S26), and the process returns to step S22.

  In the second and subsequent images (NO in step S24), margin data on the left and right of the image data is temporarily recorded (step S29). Then, the margin determination unit 10a determines whether or not it can be connected to the previous adopted image (step S30). Whether or not connection is possible is determined by comparing the margin data of the two images. If these marginal data match and can be connected (step S30 YES), the process proceeds to step S31.

  Next, as in step S25, it is determined whether or not this image is not appropriate due to blurring or blackness (step S31). If there is an inappropriate part (YES in step S31), the temporary recording in step S23 is canceled (step S32). Then, the image obtained at the previous timing is adopted (step S33). As a result, an image as a material for panoramic composition is obtained. If there is no inappropriate portion (NO in step S31), the image selection unit 10b sets this image as an adopted image (step S34).

  Then, all the images obtained before that are erased as indicated by T3 to T4 in FIG. 7 (step S35). Further, the margin data (edge) of the erased image is also erased (step S36). Further, the margin data of the previous adopted image is also deleted (step S37). This marginal data is no longer necessary. As a result, there is room in the storage area of the memory. The margin data of the newly adopted image is recorded (step S38). This is because the next adopted image (panoramic material image) is determined by the margin of the last adopted image.

  When the user finishes the release operation or when the necessary image acquisition is completed (YES in step S39), the shooting is ended and the panoramic image is synthesized from the adopted image (step S40). The panorama composition is performed by the composition unit 15. Then, this panorama shooting process is completed. Otherwise, the process returns to step S22 to repeat acquisition of the next shooting data. On the other hand, if it is not possible to connect to the previous employment data in step S30, the process proceeds to step S39.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain a beautiful panoramic image that is not obstructed by an obstructive subject in the foreground by efficiently using the continuous shooting function and the small memory capacity of the camera. Many conventional cameras use a wide-angle lens for such panoramic photography, but in order to acquire an image from a wide angle, the size of the lens increases or the size of the image sensor increases. Portability was often sacrificed. In the camera of the present invention, images obtained by continuous shooting are connected by image processing, so even if there are obstacles on the way, it is possible to take beautiful pictures of things beyond them, And the camera can be downsized. This is not possible with panoramic photography using a wide-angle lens.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first and second embodiments described above, scenes for capturing landscapes and panoramic images from the car window have been described, but the present invention can also be applied to other situations. In the third embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a scene such as a room will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a scene in which an image beyond that is captured when there is an obstacle D1 such as a window frame in front. In this photographing method, the camera 1 is continuously shot while being shifted from the position P1 to the position P2, and the obtained images I1 and I2 are combined to photograph the scenery beyond the obstacle D1. A block diagram of a camera to which the present invention is applied is the same as FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the subject image and the angle of view of the camera 1 at the positions P1 and P2 in the scene of FIG. It is a figure similar to above-mentioned FIG. FIG. 11 shows images I1 and I2 taken by the camera 1 at the positions P1 and P2 and a synthesized image.

  As shown in FIG. 10, on the optical path, the obstacle D1 overlaps the mountain M2 as S2 at the position P1, and overlaps the mountain M1 as S1 at the position P2. That is, the image I1 of P1 is an image in which the image of the obstacle D1 is superimposed on the mountain M2 (FIG. 11A) I1, and the image I2 of P2 is an image in which the image of the obstacle D1 is superimposed on the mountain M1 ( FIG. 11 (B) I2). As can be seen from a comparison between FIGS. 11A and 11B, the nearby obstacle (window frame) D1 has a large incident position on the image sensor due to the principle of triangulation. On the other hand, in the mountains (M1, M2) far away, the incident position on the image sensor does not change much.

  As is apparent from FIG. 11, in the image I1, the M1 mountain is captured without being blocked, but M2 is blocked by S2. On the contrary, in the image I2, the mountain of M2 is not blocked, and the mountain of M1 is blocked by S1. Therefore, by using these two images to create an image (C) with a composite image of (I1 + I2), an image that is not affected by the obstacle (window frame) D1 can be obtained.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for specifically explaining the photographing process for obtaining the composite image described above. This is a procedure for obtaining the image (C) of FIG. 11 from the continuous shot images. This process is mainly executed by the MPU 10, the image determination unit 14, the synthesis unit 15, and the like. First, continuous shooting is executed according to a user's continuous shooting instruction, and a continuous shot image is stored (step S51). As shown in FIG. 9, the user operates the release switch 1a while moving the position of the camera 1 from P1 to P2, and continuous shooting is performed. From the plurality of images (continuous shooting results) obtained in this way, an image having no out-of-focus portion (influence of D1) is selected at the center of the screen (step S52). This is because the presence or absence of an obstacle at the center of the screen is determined from the presence or absence of out of focus. The image determination unit 14 determines out-of-focus.

The first timing image and the last timing image are selected from the continuous shooting (step S53). The first image is I1, and the last image is I2. This is to cover as wide a range as possible.
The two images I1 and I2 obtained in this way are compared to determine a mismatched portion (step S54). The matching portion is left, and the in-focus portion is selected from the two images in focus (step S55). The image determination unit 14 determines and selects a mismatched portion. Then, the synthesizing unit 15 synthesizes the matching part and the non-matching part in focus (step S56).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the image synthesis is OK because the ridge lines of the mountains are continuously connected (step S57). If it is OK (YES in step S57), this photographing process is terminated. However, if the composition is not successful (step S57 NO), the process branches to step S58, and the image I1 is changed from the first image to the second image (step S58). This is because another image obtained during continuous shooting is used again to try combining. And it returns to step S54 and repeats.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to provide a camera that can photograph an object beyond the obstacle even if there is an obstacle.

(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the third embodiment, an example in which an appropriate image is selected from many images obtained by continuous shooting and image synthesis is performed has been described. However, taking and storing many images may waste energy and memory. The fourth embodiment is an example in which this is improved so as to obtain a composite image from the minimum necessary captured image. Shooting for determining the position of an obstacle is performed at the beginning of continuous shooting, and two images having different ways of being affected by the obstacle are efficiently shot in the latter half of continuous shooting. A block diagram of a camera to which the present invention is applied is the same as that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a timing chart of continuous shooting and an image obtained in correspondence with the continuous shooting. Specifically, continuous shooting is performed while moving the position of the camera 1 from left to right in the scene as shown in FIG. Relatively obstacles move from right to left in the screen. 13 shows the timing of continuous shooting, and t1, t2,... Are the timing of each shooting. Low is the readout time of the pixel signal from the image sensor. At the timing of t1 and t2, an image with few pixels is taken for obstacle determination. The lower part of FIG. 13 shows the captured images, which are the captured small-size images I01 and I02. Next, at the timing of t3 and t4, a high-definition image is taken for recording. The captured images are I1 and I2.

  From the small-size images I01 and I02 obtained at the timings t1 and t2, obstacle positions (distances from the right end of the screen to the left end of the obstacle) X01 and X02 are detected. Then, how the obstacle position changes is predicted using the time difference Δt between t1 and t2. The reason for shooting with a small number of pixels at this stage is that the small-size images I01 and I02 only determine the position of the obstacle and do not require a fine image. Therefore, priority is given to reducing the size by techniques such as thinning and pixel addition, and obtaining at high speed with less energy consumption.

  Following this, a high-definition original image for synthesis I1 is taken at the timing of t3. From this image I1, the left and right positions X1L and X1R of the obstacle are calculated. Then, in the original image for synthesis I1, the next timing 4 is taken at the timing at which the portion hidden by the obstacle appears on the screen due to the movement of the obstacle. Thus, an original image for synthesis I2 is obtained. Then, an obstacle-free image is synthesized from the two images I1 and I2.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for specifically explaining the photographing process for obtaining the composite image described above. This process is mainly executed by the MPU 10. First, a timer for managing shooting timing is activated (step S61). At the timings t1 and t2, small-size images I01 and I02 for monitoring the obstacle position change are taken (steps S62 and S63). A time difference between the two images is set to Δt (step S64).

  Subsequently, at the timing t3, the first composition original image I1 is acquired (step S65). The timing at this time is also recorded as t3. The small size images I01 and I02 obtained earlier are compared (step S66). Based on the principle of triangulation, a portion with a large image change is determined as an obstacle using the fact that a nearby obstacle has a large movement and a far object has a small movement (step S67). Then, the position of the obstacle on the screen is determined among the two small-size images I01 and I02 obtained earlier and set as X01 and X02 (step S68). An image with the same image pattern as the obstacle is extracted from the composition original image I1, and a range occupied on the screen is determined. The left end position of the obstacle is X1L, and the right end position is X1R (step S69). .

Using the numerical values (time t3 and Δt and positions X01, X02, X1L, and X1R) obtained in this way, a timing t4 at which all the parts hidden by the obstacle in the image I1 appear on the screen is calculated ( Step S70). t4 is the time obtained by adding the time for the obstacle to pass through the hidden portion to t3. Here, if the moving speed V of the obstacle on the screen and the width B of the obstacle, the time for the obstacle to pass is (B / V). Further, V = (X02−X01) / Δt and B = (X1L−X1R).
Therefore, t4 = t3 + ((X1L−X1R) / (X02−X01)) × Δt (2)
It becomes.

  Wait for the timing of t4 (step S71). When it is time t4 (step S71 YES), the second composition original image I2 as shown in FIG. 13 is photographed (step S72). This is also shot at a large size (similar to I1), unlike the small-size images I01 and I02, so that a beautiful image is obtained when the images are combined. Then, synthesize.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to efficiently obtain two images of obstacle countermeasures by calculating the obstacle moving time and speed due to the user's camera movement and determining an appropriate timing. . Then, the passage of the obstacle is calculated, and the second original photographing for synthesis is performed immediately after the passage, so that the shift between the two images can be reduced.

(Fifth embodiment)
A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. In the fifth embodiment, a higher-speed imaging device is used to monitor the image state in real time instead of prediction, and the second original image for synthesis I2 is captured at an optimal timing. A block diagram of a camera to which the present invention is applied is the same as that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a timing chart of continuous shooting and an image obtained corresponding to this shooting. It is a figure similar to FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the first composite original image I1 (first reference image) is acquired at the timing t1. Thereafter, in order to increase the detection speed, an image is read with a relatively small size from t2 to t5.

  The graph of FIG. 16 shows the change in the position of the obstacle as a graph. In this graph, the vertical axis indicates the horizontal coordinate position on the XR screen, and the horizontal axis indicates time. The left and right positions of the obstacle are indicated by X (n) L and X (n) R. (N) is a timing number. The plot shows the position of XR, and shows the time change of the XR position. Of the obstacle positions in the first composite original image I1, the end position in the direction in which the obstacle moves is X1L, and the opposite side is X1L.

  At the timing of t5, X5R exceeds the position of X1L. At this time, all the portions hidden by the obstacle in the first composition original image I1 are exposed. Therefore, when it is detected that XR has exceeded the X1 position, an image that has not been seen by the obstacle becomes visible, so the second original image I2 for synthesis (second reference) at the timing t6 following this. Image). As a result, I1 and I2 can be obtained, so that an image without an obstacle as shown as I1 + I2 in FIG. 11 can be synthesized by the method described in FIG.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a camera capable of effectively using continuous shooting technology and photographing methods to obtain an object beyond the obstacle as an image without obstructing the obstacle. Can be provided.

  As described in each of the above embodiments, according to the present invention, an image sensor that can read an image at high speed is effectively used to obstruct a subject in front from images obtained in succession. It is possible to provide a camera that can obtain an image of a distant view. In other words, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily and quickly obtain a still image beyond that which has been difficult with conventional cameras without being obstructed by an obstacle in the foreground by effectively using continuous images obtained continuously. Can do.

  In each of the above embodiments, part or all of the MPU 10 processing described in each of the above embodiments may be configured by hardware. Conversely, the image determination unit 14, the synthesis unit 15, and the like may be configured by software. The specific configuration is a design matter. Each control process by the MPU 10 is realized by a software program stored in the ROM 11 being supplied to the MPU and operating according to the supplied program. Therefore, the software program itself realizes the functions of the MPU 10, and the program itself constitutes the present invention. A recording medium for storing the program also constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium, besides a flash memory, an optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, a magnetic recording medium such as an MD, a tape medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card, or the like can be used. Moreover, although each embodiment demonstrated the example which applied this invention to the digital camera, you may apply not only to this but the camera part of a mobile telephone, for example.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

1 is an overall block diagram of a camera 1 to which the present invention is applied in a first embodiment. The figure which shows the scene where the photographer in the vehicle which drive | works in 1st Embodiment image | photographs the mountain scenery from a vehicle window. The figure which shows the image image | photographed in the scene of FIG. 2 in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for describing a procedure of photographing processing for obtaining a composite image in the first embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the imaging | photography method in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the relationship between the single image which comprises the panorama image IA and the panorama image IA in 2nd Embodiment. In 2nd Embodiment, the chart which shows the content of the data memorize | stored in each timing during continuous shooting. 9 is a flowchart for describing a procedure of photographing processing for obtaining a composite image in the second embodiment. The figure which shows the scene which image | photographs the image of the other side, when there exists obstruction D1 like a window frame in front in 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the subject image and the angle of view of the camera 1 at the positions of P1 and P2 in the scene of FIG. 9 in the third embodiment. The figure which shows the picked-up image in the position of P1 and P2, and its synthesized image in 3rd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for describing a procedure of photographing processing for obtaining a composite image in the third embodiment. In 4th Embodiment, the figure which contrasts the timing chart of continuous shooting, and the image obtained corresponding to this continuous shooting. The flowchart explaining the procedure of the imaging | photography process for obtaining a synthesized image in 4th Embodiment. The figure which shows the timing chart of continuous shooting in contrast with the image obtained corresponding to this imaging | photography in 5th Embodiment. In 5th Embodiment, the graph which shows the imaging | photography timing of the 2nd synthetic | combination original image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera, 2 ... Lens part, 3 ... Imaging device, 4 ... A / D conversion part, 5 ... Image processing part, 6 ... Image recording part,
7 ... Display unit, 8 ... Memory, 10 ... MPU, 10a ... Margin determination unit, 10b ... Image selection unit,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... ROM, 12 ... Lens drive part, 13 ... Image capture part, 14 ... Image determination part, 15 ... Composition part,
16 ... operation unit, 16a ... release switch, 16b, 16c ... mode switch, 20 ... subject,
I01, I02 ... small size image, I1, I2 ... original image for composition, f ... focal length,
G1 to G7: panoramic shot image, T1 to T7: panoramic image shooting timing

Claims (7)

For a plurality of images taken successively from adjacent positions, compare the adjacent images,
An image of an object that is a subject common to both images, but where an obstacle that obstructs the subject is captured on only one screen is taken as an image of the inappropriate subject, and the inappropriate subject is captured An image selection unit that selects the selected image and makes it unusable, selects an image in which the inappropriate subject is not photographed as an image in which the suitable subject is photographed, and sets the image as a adopted image;
A camera comprising: a combining unit that combines the plurality of adopted images to obtain a single still image. In a camera that performs panoramic shooting,
Compare adjacent images among images shot at different angles of view, and view the subject in front of the distant subject only on one screen, even though it is a far subject that is common to the screens of both images. When there is an image of a subject at a short distance so as to block it, the image taken of the subject at a short distance cannot be used as a panoramic image, An image selection unit that employs an image in which a subject at a distance is not captured as a panoramic image;
A camera comprising: a combining unit that combines the images adopted as the panoramic image to obtain a panoramic image. A shooting control unit for controlling continuous shooting;
A determination unit that determines whether an obstacle that blocks the subject is captured in the screen of the captured image by comparing the plurality of continuously shot images;
When it is determined that an obstacle that blocks the subject appears in the continuous shot image screen,
An image that is continuously shot before and after the above-mentioned photographed image, and is composed of an image with the same subject angle and no obstacle as the image showing the obstacle from the images before and after the obstacle. A camera comprising an image synthesizing unit. In a camera that combines multiple shot images and performs panoramic shooting,
A synthesizing unit that synthesizes a single panoramic image from a plurality of panoramic images;
A shooting control unit for controlling continuous shooting for panorama;
An image selection unit for selecting an image for panorama composition from images continuously shot;
A determination unit that determines whether there is an obstacle that blocks the subject in the captured image according to the result of the continuous shooting for panorama, and the image selection unit has no obstacle to block the subject by the determination unit A camera, wherein the determined image is selected as an image for panorama composition. The image selection unit selects an image that is determined to be free of the obstacle and that can be connected to one end of another adjacent panorama configuration image as the panorama configuration image;
The camera according to claim 4 . In a composite image shooting method for combining images obtained by continuous shooting,
Determine whether there are any obstacles blocking the subject on the screen of the captured image by comparing the images taken by the continuous shooting above,
When it is determined that an obstacle that blocks the subject appears in the continuous shot image screen,
Images taken consecutively before and after the above-mentioned photographed image, and from the images before and after the above-mentioned obstacle is not captured with an object angle equivalent to the image of the obstacle and without any obstacle A composite image photographing method characterized by combining. In a program for causing a computer to execute a composite image capturing method for combining images obtained by continuous shooting,
The composite image capturing method determines whether an obstacle that blocks the subject is captured in the screen of the captured image by comparing the plurality of continuously captured images,
When it is determined that an obstacle that blocks the subject appears in the continuous shot image screen,
Images taken consecutively before and after the above-mentioned photographed image, and from the images before and after the above-mentioned obstacle is not captured with an object angle equivalent to the image of the obstacle and without any obstacle A program characterized by composition.

Images