JP6176306B2 - Electronic camera and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic camera and a program.

  A technique for photographing a desired subject in synchronization with a plurality of cameras is known (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-261999 A

  In the conventional technique, when the subject aimed by the master camera is changed, the synchronized camera can also change the subject to be photographed, but there is a problem that a transmitter must be attached to the subject in advance.

The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a tracking unit that tracks a subject based on image information; and a communication unit that transmits a shooting request of the subject that is a tracking target to another electronic device, the communication unit Transmits the end information indicating the end of the photographing request to the other electronic device when the tracking of the subject by the tracking unit ends .

  According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to transmit information about an object to be photographed to an external camera in real time.

1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the invention. It is a figure explaining the scene which uses two electronic cameras in combination. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the interlocking | linkage process which CPU of an electronic camera performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the live view image displayed on a LCD monitor. It is a figure which illustrates the display which surrounds the detected to-be-photographed object area | region with a frame. It is a figure which illustrates the display which encloses the to-be-photographed area | region detected based on the added template information in a frame. It is a figure which illustrates the touch operation screen in the case of requesting photography. It is a figure which illustrates the display which surrounds the to-be-photographed area | region detected based on the template information after an update with a frame. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen of the LCD monitor which notifies having received the imaging | photography request. It is a figure which illustrates the display which surrounds the to-be-photographed area | region detected based on the template information after an update with a frame. It is a figure which illustrates the imaging | photography screen containing the main subject currently captured. It is a figure which illustrates a picked-up image. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the interlocking | linkage process which CPU of the electronic camera by 2nd embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the live view image at the time of receiving tracking object designation | designated operation. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen of the LCD monitor of the electronic camera which transmits a photography request and template information. It is a figure which illustrates the display which encloses the to-be-photographed area | region detected based on the template information after a change with a frame. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen of the LCD monitor which notifies having received the imaging | photography request. It is a figure which illustrates the display which encloses the to-be-photographed area | region detected based on the template information after a change with a frame. It is a figure which illustrates the imaging | photography screen containing the main subject currently captured. It is a figure which illustrates a picked-up image. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the interlocking | linkage process which CPU of the electronic camera by 3rd embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the live view image at the time of receiving tracking object designation | designated operation. It is a figure which illustrates the display which surrounds the detected to-be-photographed object area | region with a frame. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen of the LCD monitor of the electronic camera which transmits a photography request. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen of the LCD monitor of the electronic camera which transmits imaging | photography request end. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen of the LCD monitor which notifies having received the imaging | photography request. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen of the LCD monitor which notifies that the imaging | photography request completion was received. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the interlocking | linkage process which CPU of the electronic camera by 4th embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the live view image at the time of receiving tracking object designation | designated operation. It is a figure which illustrates the display which surrounds the detected to-be-photographed object area | region with a frame. It is a figure which illustrates the touch operation screen in the case of requesting photography. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen of the LCD monitor which notifies having received the imaging | photography request. It is a figure which illustrates a guide display. It is a figure which illustrates the imaging | photography screen containing the main subject currently captured. It is a figure which illustrates a picked-up image.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the electronic camera 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, an electronic camera 1 includes a photographing optical system 11, an image sensor 12, an AFE (Analog front end) circuit 13, an image processing circuit 14, an LCD monitor 15, a RAM 16, a flash memory 17, and a CPU 18. A communication control circuit 19, a GPS module 20, and an operation member 21.

  The CPU 18, RAM 16, flash memory 17, image processing circuit 14, LCD monitor 15, and communication control circuit 19 are connected via a bus 22.

  The photographing optical system 11 includes a plurality of lens groups including a zoom lens and a focusing lens, and forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 12. In order to simplify FIG. 1, the photographing optical system 11 is shown as a single lens.

  The image sensor 12 is configured by a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like in which light receiving elements are two-dimensionally arranged on a light receiving surface. The image sensor 12 photoelectrically converts a subject image by a light beam that has passed through the photographing optical system 11 to generate an analog image signal. The analog image signal is input to the AFE circuit 13.

  The AFE circuit 13 performs predetermined analog processing on the analog image signal and converts the image signal after the analog processing into digital image data. The digital image data is input to the image processing circuit 14. The image processing circuit 14 performs various types of image processing (color interpolation processing, gradation conversion processing, contour enhancement processing, white balance adjustment processing, image compression processing, image expansion processing, etc.) on the digital image data.

  The LCD monitor 15 is constituted by a liquid crystal panel, and displays an image, an operation menu screen, and the like according to an instruction from the CPU 18. The RAM 16 is used as a work memory for the CPU 18. The RAM 16 temporarily stores digital image data in the image processing step by the image processing circuit 14. The flash memory 17 stores a program to be executed by the CPU 18.

  The CPU 18 controls an operation performed by the electronic camera 1 by executing a program stored in the flash memory 17. The CPU 18 also performs AF (autofocus) operation control and automatic exposure (AE) calculation. The AF operation uses a contrast detection method that obtains a focus position of a focusing lens (not shown) based on image contrast information. For example, the CPU 18 sequentially acquires contrast information from images repeatedly acquired by the image sensor 12 at predetermined time intervals (for example, 30 frames / second), and performs focus adjustment.

  The operation member 21 includes a main switch, a release button, a menu switch, and a touch sensor (not shown) configured on the display surface of the LCD monitor 15. The operation member 21 sends an operation signal corresponding to each operation such as a main switch operation, a release operation, and a menu selection operation to the CPU 18. The touch sensor sends a signal indicating the touch position on the display surface of the LCD monitor 15 to the CPU 18. In addition to monitoring input of operation signals from the operation member 21, the CPU 18 also acquires positioning information from the GPS module 20.

  The GPS module 20 receives radio waves from the GPS satellites 201 and 202 and calculates positioning information (latitude, longitude, altitude) using information carried on the received signal. In FIG. 1, only two GPS satellites are shown. The CPU 18 receives positioning information from the GPS module 20 every predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), and overwrites and saves the positioning information in a predetermined area of the nonvolatile memory (flash memory 17).

  The direction sensor 23 detects the shooting direction of the electronic camera 1 based on, for example, geomagnetism. Direction information indicating the shooting direction is stored in a predetermined area of the nonvolatile memory (flash memory 17) in association with the positioning information.

  The CPU 18 in the case where the setting for storing the positioning information of the shooting point and the azimuth information indicating the shooting direction in association with the photographic image is performed, the image of the Exif format including the photographic image data, the positioning information, and the azimuth information. A file is generated, and control is performed so as to record the image file on a memory card (not shown). Specifically, when the CPU 18 receives an operation signal indicating that the release button is pressed, an instruction is sent to each block in FIG. 1 to start the photographing process.

  The Exif format image file is obtained by embedding data such as thumbnail images and shooting information in image data in the JPEG image format. This file structure has a tag area for recording image attached information and an image data area for recording captured image data. The CPU 18 reads positioning information and direction information stored in a predetermined area of the flash memory 17 at the time of shooting, and generates an image file by including the read information in the tag area.

  The communication control circuit 19 performs wireless communication with an external device in response to an instruction from the CPU 18. The communication control circuit 19 transmits and receives radio waves via the antenna 19a. In the present embodiment, an example in which wireless communication is performed with another electronic camera 1 having the same configuration as the electronic camera 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a scene in which two electronic cameras 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 are used in combination. In FIG. 2, for example, a plurality of photographers photograph the same runner 50 (50B) at an athletic meet. A photographer A (not shown) operates the first electronic camera 61, and a photographer B (not shown) operates the second electronic camera 62. The runner 50 passes in front of the first electronic camera 61 and then runs through the front of the second electronic camera 62 (runner 50B).

  The electronic camera 61 transmits the aiming information acquired by the electronic camera 61 together with the photographing request information to the electronic camera 62 when aiming at the photographing target (runner 50). The electronic camera 62 that has received the shooting request information tracks the shooting target (runner 50B) based on the received aiming information. Each of the electronic camera 61 and the electronic camera 62 captures an image of the runner 50 (runner 50B) when a release operation is performed by the photographer A (photographer B).

  The electronic cameras 61 and 62 are set in advance so that the photographers A and B can send and receive a photographing request between the electronic cameras 61 and 62 by a menu operation performed on the electronic cameras 61 and 62 by the photographers A and B in advance. Yes. For example, the photographer A displays a menu screen (not shown) on the LCD monitor 15, selects the item “linked shooting”, and selects the item “send a shooting request”. On the other hand, the photographer B displays a menu screen (not shown) on the LCD monitor 15, selects the item “linked shooting”, and selects the item “receive a shooting request”. When the “Send imaging request” item is selected, the CPU 18 executes processing that operates as the electronic camera 61. When the “Receive photographing request” item is selected, the CPU 18 executes a process of operating as the electronic camera 62.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the interlocking process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic cameras 61 and 62 according to the first embodiment. The process starting from step S11 described on the left side in FIG. 3 is a process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 61 operated by the photographer A. The process starting from step S51 described on the right side in FIG. 3 is a process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 62 operated by the photographer B. As described above, the electronic camera 61 makes a shooting request to the electronic camera 62.

<Processing of electronic camera 61>
The CPU 18 of the electronic camera 61 accepts a tracking target designation operation in step S11 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a live view image displayed on the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 61. For example, the CPU 18 sets a subject located in an area designated by the operation member 21 in the live view image as a tracking target. Here, the live view image refers to a monitor image that is repeatedly acquired by the image sensor 12 at a predetermined time interval (for example, 30 frames / second) before a shooting instruction.

  In step S12, the CPU 18 extracts feature amounts from the image data in the designated area, and generates template information for performing a known template matching process. The template information is, for example, reduced image data having a low resolution (about 1/9 size of an image that can be acquired by the image sensor 12), and is recorded in the RAM 16. In step S13, the CPU 18 starts a tracking process and proceeds to step S14. Specifically, by performing template matching using multiple frames of image data with different acquisition times, a region similar to the tracking subject in the previously acquired image data is detected from the image data acquired later. (Capture). FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display in which the detected subject area is surrounded by a frame. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 61 represents template information.

  In the tracking process, it is determined whether or not the main subject has moved within the shooting screen. The CPU 18 moves the main subject when the relative distance between the position of the detection (capture) region in the image data acquired later and the position of the tracking subject in the image data acquired earlier exceeds a predetermined difference. Judge that By repeating such processing, the main subject is tracked in the shooting screen.

  The CPU 18 additionally generates template information as appropriate in accordance with the change in direction or movement of the tracking target. When the number of templates reaches a predetermined number (for example, 4), the RAM 16 is overwritten and updated from the oldest one. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display in which a subject region detected based on newly added template information is surrounded by a frame. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 61 represents template information.

  In step S14, the CPU 18 determines whether or not a photographing request operation has been performed. For example, when the touch operation of the “Request imaging” button is performed on the touch operation screen illustrated in FIG. 7, the CPU 18 makes a positive determination in step S <b> 14 and proceeds to step S <b> 15. When the touch operation of the “Request to shoot” button is not performed on the touch operation screen, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination in step S14 and proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the CPU 18 performs time-out determination. The CPU 18 ends the process of FIG. 3 when a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed without the touch operation of the “Request photographing” button being performed. If the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time, the CPU 18 returns to step S14 and repeats the determination process of step S14.

  The CPU 18 having affirmed the determination in step S14 sends a transmission instruction to the communication control circuit 19 in step S15 and proceeds to step S16. As a result, the communication control circuit 19 transmits the photographing request and template information to the electronic camera 62. For example, the CPU 18 causes the LCD monitor 15 to display a message “I have sent a shooting request” to notify the photographer A that the shooting has been requested. In FIG. 7, the reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 61 represents template information transmitted to the electronic camera 62.

  In step S16, the CPU 18 determines whether shooting data has been received. When the communication control circuit 19 receives the captured image data transmitted from the electronic camera 62, the CPU 18 makes a positive determination in step S16 and proceeds to step S17. If the communication control circuit 19 does not receive the captured image data transmitted from the electronic camera 62, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination in step S16 and proceeds to step S19.

  In step S17, the CPU 18 records the received captured image data in the flash memory 17, and proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the CPU 18 ends the tracking process and ends the process shown in FIG.

  In step S19, the CPU 18 determines whether or not the template information has been updated. When the template information different from the template information transmitted in step S15 exists in the RAM 16, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the CPU 18 sends an instruction to the communication control circuit 19 to transmit the updated template information, and returns to step S16. Thereby, the communication control circuit 19 transmits the template information to the electronic camera 62. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display in which a subject area detected based on the updated template information is surrounded by a frame. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 61 represents template information to be transmitted to the electronic camera 62. On the other hand, if the template information different from the template information transmitted in step S15 does not exist in the RAM 16, the CPU 18 returns to step S16 without instructing the communication control circuit 19 to transmit the template information.

  Although the description of the case where the electronic camera 61 is subjected to the release operation is omitted in the description of the present embodiment, the CPU 18 receives a release operation signal from the operation member 21 even when the electronic camera 62 is requested to take a picture. When the input is made, the photographing process is performed immediately. Further, when the electronic camera 61 is released, the release operation signal of the electronic camera 61 is transmitted to the electronic camera 62, and the release operation of the electronic camera 62 is automatically performed in synchronization with the release operation of the electronic camera 61. You may go.

<Processing of Electronic Camera 62>
The CPU 18 of the electronic camera 62 determines whether or not an imaging request and template information have been received in step S51 of FIG. When the communication control circuit 19 receives the information transmitted from the electronic camera 61, the CPU 18 makes a positive determination in step S51 and proceeds to step S52. The received template information is recorded in the RAM 16. When the communication control circuit 19 does not receive the information transmitted from the electronic camera 61, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination in step S51 and repeats the determination process.

  In step S52, the CPU 18 starts tracking processing based on the received template information, and proceeds to step S53. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the CPU 18 causes the LCD monitor 15 to display a message “I received a shooting request”. Further, the CPU 18 displays a frame surrounding the subject area detected based on the received template information. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 62 represents the received template information.

  In step S53, the CPU 18 determines whether or not a release operation has been performed. When the release operation signal is input from the operation member 21, the CPU 18 makes a positive determination in step S53 and proceeds to step S54. When the release operation signal is not input from the operation member 21, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination in step S53 and proceeds to step S57.

  In step S57, the CPU 18 determines whether template information has been received. When the communication control circuit 19 receives the template information transmitted from the electronic camera 61, the CPU 18 makes a positive determination in step S57 and proceeds to step S58. If the communication control circuit 19 does not receive the information transmitted from the electronic camera 61, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination in step S57 and returns to step S53.

  In step S58, the CPU 18 records the received template information in the RAM 16, and returns to step S53. When the number of templates reaches a predetermined number (for example, 4), the RAM 16 is overwritten and updated from the oldest one. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display in which a subject area detected based on the updated template information is surrounded by a frame. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 62 represents the received template information.

  In step S54, which proceeds after making an affirmative determination in step S53, the CPU 18 performs shooting including the main subject detected (captured) at this time. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a shooting screen in this case. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 62 represents template information stored in the RAM 16. In step S54, the CPU 18 performs a predetermined photographing process and proceeds to step S55. In step S55, the CPU 18 sends an instruction to the communication control circuit 19, transmits the image data to the electronic camera 61, and proceeds to step S56. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a photographed image. In step S56, the CPU 18 ends the tracking process and ends the process shown in FIG.

According to the first embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) The electronic camera 61 includes an imaging element 12, a CPU 18 that tracks a main subject based on image information acquired by the imaging element 12 every predetermined time, a photographing request signal that indicates a photographing request to the electronic camera 62, and And a communication control circuit 19 for transmitting template information indicating the main subject to be tracked. Thereby, the information of the photographing target can be transmitted to the electronic camera 62 in real time without attaching a transmitter to the main subject.

(2) The CPU 18 of the electronic camera 61 that tracks the main subject generates template information in accordance with the change in the orientation of the main subject to be tracked or the movement of the main subject, and the communication control circuit 19 Since the latest template information is transmitted to the electronic camera 62 when the template information is generated, the latest template information can be transmitted to the electronic camera 62 in real time.

(3) The electronic camera 62 includes the image sensor 12, the CPU 18 that tracks the main subject based on the image information acquired by the image sensor 12 every predetermined time, and a photographing request signal indicating a photographing request from the electronic camera 61, and When the communication control circuit 19 that receives the template information indicating the main subject to be tracked and the photographing request signal and the template information from the electronic camera 61 are received, the received template information and the image sensor 12 are acquired at predetermined intervals. Since the CPU 18 that controls the CPU 18 to track the main subject based on the image information to be performed is provided, the subject requested to be photographed from the electronic camera 61 can be tracked in real time.

(4) It further includes a RAM 16 that records the latest predetermined number of pieces of template information received from the electronic camera 61, and the CPU 18 and information recorded in the RAM 16 and image information acquired by the image sensor 12 at predetermined intervals. Since the main subject is controlled to be tracked based on the above, the area of the RAM 16 need not be used more than necessary.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the interlocking process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic cameras 61 and 62 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The process starting from step S11 described on the left side in FIG. 13 is a process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 61 operated by the photographer A. The process starting from step S51 described on the right side in FIG. 13 is a process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 62 operated by the photographer B. Similar to the first embodiment, the electronic camera 61 requests the electronic camera 62 to shoot. In FIG. 13, the same processes as those in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers as those in FIG.

  The second embodiment is different from FIG. 3 in that step S14 is omitted, step S21 is omitted, and step S30 is executed instead of step S19. Explained.

<Processing of electronic camera 61>
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a live view image displayed on the LCD monitor 15 when the electronic camera 61 receives a tracking target designation operation (step S11). In the second embodiment, the electronic camera 61 transmits an imaging request and template information to the electronic camera 62 when the tracking starts (step S13) (step S15). FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 61 in this case. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 61 represents template information to be transmitted to the electronic camera 62.

  When the captured image data transmitted from the electronic camera 62 has not been received (No at Step S16), the CPU 18 determines whether or not a tracking target change operation has been performed in Step S30. When the operation signal instructing the change of the tracking target is input from the operation member 21, the CPU 18 makes a positive determination in step S30 and proceeds to step S20. When the operation signal instructing the change of the tracking target is not input from the operation member 21, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination in step S30 and returns to step S16. FIG. 16 is a diagram exemplifying a display in which a tracking target changing operation is performed and a subject area detected based on the changed template information is surrounded by a frame.

  In step S20, the CPU 18 sends an instruction to the communication control circuit 19 to transmit the changed template information to the electronic camera 62, and returns to step S16. Thereby, the communication control circuit 19 transmits the template information to the electronic camera 62. In FIG. 16, the reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 61 represents template information transmitted to the electronic camera 62.

  Note that the second embodiment is also configured to immediately perform a shooting process when a release operation signal is input from the operation member 21 regardless of whether or not the electronic camera 62 is requested to perform a shooting. Yes.

<Processing of Electronic Camera 62>
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 62 when a photographing request is received (step S51) and tracking is started (step S52). As illustrated in FIG. 17, the CPU 18 causes the LCD monitor 15 to display a message “I received a shooting request”. Further, the CPU 18 displays a frame surrounding the subject area detected based on the received template information. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 62 represents the template information received from the electronic camera 61.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a display in which the subject area detected based on the template information after the change (step S58) is surrounded by a frame. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 62 represents template information. FIG. 19 is a diagram exemplifying a shooting screen when an affirmative determination is made in step S53. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 62 represents template information. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a photographed image.

According to the second embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 61 that tracks the main subject further generates template information in response to a change instruction for the tracking target, it is possible to transmit the changed tracking target template information to the electronic camera 62 in real time. it can.

(2) Since the communication control circuit 19 of the electronic camera 61 transmits the imaging request signal to the electronic camera 62 based on the timing when the CPU 18 starts tracking, it is compared with the case where the communication control circuit 19 transmits in response to the imaging request operation. Thus, the operation burden on the photographer of the electronic camera 61 can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the interlocking process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic cameras 61 and 62 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The process starting from step S11 described on the left side in FIG. 21 is a process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 61 operated by the photographer A. The process starting from step S51 described on the right side in FIG. 21 is a process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 62 operated by the photographer B. Similar to the first embodiment, the electronic camera 61 requests the electronic camera 62 to shoot. In FIG. 21, the same processes as those in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers as those in FIG.

  In the third embodiment, step S14B is executed instead of step S14 compared to FIG. 3, step S21 is omitted, step S30 is executed instead of step S19, and step S20 is used instead. The difference is that step S32 is executed, step S60 is executed instead of step S57, and step S61 is executed instead of step S58. Therefore, these differences will be mainly described.

<Processing of electronic camera 61>
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a live view image displayed on the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 61 at the time when the electronic camera 61 accepts a tracking target specifying operation (step S11). FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a display in which a subject area detected by the electronic camera 61 is surrounded by a frame. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 61 represents template information. In the third embodiment, the tracking target moves outside the live view shooting range of the electronic camera 61, or the tracking target falls behind an obstacle even if the tracking target is located within the shooting range. Due to this, the imaging request and the template information are transmitted to the electronic camera 62 when the tracking target cannot be detected (captured). FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 61 in this case. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 61 represents template information to be transmitted to the electronic camera 62.

  The tracking process is started (step S13), and the CPU 18 determines whether or not tracking is not possible in step S14B. If the CPU 18 cannot detect a region similar to the tracking subject in the acquired image (that is, the tracking target cannot be captured based on the template information recorded in the RAM 16), it makes a positive determination in step S14B and proceeds to step S15. In this case, the imaging request and template information are transmitted to the electronic camera 62 in step S15. On the other hand, if the CPU 18 detects a region similar to the tracking subject in the acquired image, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination in step S14B and repeats the determination process.

  When the captured image data transmitted from the electronic camera 62 is not received (No at Step S16), the CPU 18 determines whether or not tracking is possible in Step S31. If the CPU 18 can detect a region similar to the tracking subject in the acquired image (that is, the tracking target can be captured based on the template information recorded in the RAM 16), the CPU 18 makes an affirmative determination in step S31 and proceeds to step S32. In this case, photographing request end information is transmitted to the electronic camera 62 in step S32. For example, the CPU 18 causes the LCD monitor 15 to display a message “Finished photographing request” and informs the photographer A that the photographing request is to be terminated. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 61 in this case. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 61 represents template information. On the other hand, when the area similar to the tracking subject cannot be detected in the acquired image, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination in step S31 and returns to step S16.

<Processing of Electronic Camera 62>
FIG. 26 is a diagram exemplifying a display screen of the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 62 when the photographing request is received (step S51) and the tracking process is started (step S52). As illustrated in FIG. 26, the CPU 18 causes the LCD monitor 15 to display a message “I received a shooting request”. Further, the CPU 18 displays a frame surrounding the subject area detected based on the received template information. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 62 represents the template information received from the electronic camera 61.

  When the release operation signal is not input from the operation member 21 (No at Step S53), the CPU 18 makes a positive determination at Step S60 when the communication control circuit 19 receives the information transmitted from the electronic camera 61 at Step S60. Proceed to step S61. If the communication control circuit 19 does not receive the information transmitted from the electronic camera 61, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination in step S60 and returns to step S53.

  In step S61, the CPU 18 ends the tracking process and returns to step S51. As illustrated in FIG. 27, the CPU 18 causes the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 62 to display a message “Finished photographing request has been received.”

According to the third embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
The communication control circuit 19 of the electronic camera 61 transmits a shooting request signal to the electronic camera 62 based on the timing at which the CPU 18 can no longer detect the tracking target. After the transmission of the shooting request signal, the CPU 18 determines the tracking target again. Since the photographing request end signal is transmitted to the electronic camera 62 based on the detected timing, the operation burden on the photographer of the electronic camera 61 can be reduced.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the interlocking process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic cameras 61 and 62 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The process starting from step S11 described on the left side in FIG. 28 is a process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 61 operated by the photographer A. The process starting from step S51 described on the right side in FIG. 28 is a process executed by the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 62 operated by the photographer B. Similar to the first embodiment, the electronic camera 61 requests the electronic camera 62 to shoot. 28, the same processing as that in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment is denoted by the same step number as in FIG. 3, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, compared to FIG. 3, step S15B is executed instead of step S15, step S19B is executed instead of step S19, step S20B is executed instead of step S20, step S57. The difference is that step S57B is executed instead of step S58B, step S58B is executed instead of step S58, and step S62 is inserted after step S52. Therefore, these differences will be mainly described.

<Processing of electronic camera 61>
FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a live view image displayed on the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 61 at the time when the electronic camera 61 accepts a tracking target designation operation (step S11). FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a display in which the detected subject area is surrounded by a frame. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 61 represents template information.

  The CPU 18 having affirmed the determination in step S14 sends a transmission instruction to the communication control circuit 19 in step S15B and proceeds to step S16. As a result, the communication control circuit 19 transmits the shooting request, template information, and shooting target position information to the electronic camera 62. For example, the CPU 18 causes the LCD monitor 15 to display a message “I have sent a shooting request” to notify the photographer A that the shooting has been requested. FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a touch operation screen of the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 61 in step S14. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 61 represents template information to be transmitted to the electronic camera 62.

  The shooting target position information is calculated using positioning information, orientation information, and shooting distance information (calculated based on the focal length of the shooting optical system 11 and the position information of the focusing lens after AF processing) acquired by the electronic camera 61.

  The CPU 18 having made a negative determination in step S16 determines whether or not at least one of the template information and the shooting target position information has been updated in step S19B. The CPU 18 proceeds to step S20B when template information different from the template information transmitted in step S15B exists in the RAM 16 or when shooting target position information different from the shooting target position information transmitted in step S15B exists in the RAM 16.

  In step S20B, the CPU 18 sends an instruction to the communication control circuit 19 to transmit the updated information, and returns to step S16. As a result, the communication control circuit 19 transmits the updated template information or the updated shooting target position information to the electronic camera 62. On the other hand, if template information different from the information transmitted in step S15B or shooting target position information does not exist in the RAM 16, the CPU 18 returns to step S16 without instructing the communication control circuit 19 to transmit the updated information.

  Although the description of the case where the electronic camera 61 is subjected to the release operation is omitted in the description of the present embodiment, the CPU 18 receives a release operation signal from the operation member 21 even when the electronic camera 62 is requested to take a picture. When the input is made, the photographing process is performed immediately. Further, when the electronic camera 61 is released, the release operation signal of the electronic camera 61 is transmitted to the electronic camera 62, and the release operation of the electronic camera 62 is automatically performed in synchronization with the release operation of the electronic camera 61. You may go.

<Processing of Electronic Camera 62>
FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 62 when the imaging request is received (step S51) and the tracking process is started (step S52). As illustrated in FIG. 32, the CPU 18 causes the LCD monitor 15 to display a message “I received a shooting request”. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 62 represents the received template information.

  In step S <b> 62, the CPU 18 causes the LCD monitor 15 to display a guide display indicating the relationship between the position of the shooting target and the shooting range of the electronic camera 62. The sub-screen display 321 at the lower right of the screen in FIG. 32 and the arrows 322 positioned on the top, bottom, left, and right of the screen constitute a guide display. In the example of FIG. 32, there is no shooting target in the shooting range of the electronic camera 62, and there is a shooting target on the right side when viewed from the photographer B. Therefore, the CPU 18 displays the arrow 322 on the right side of the screen in a manner different from other arrows (for example, increasing brightness or blinking) and prompts the photographer B to pan the electronic camera 62 to the right. . The sub screen display 321 represents that there is a subject to be photographed on the right front side of the electronic camera 62.

  Note that the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 62 uses the shooting target position information received from the electronic camera 61, the positioning information acquired by the electronic camera 62, and the orientation information to determine whether or not the shooting target exists in the shooting range of the electronic camera 62. Determine whether. The CPU 18 performs the guide display illustrated in FIG. 32 when the shooting target does not exist in the shooting range, and performs the guide display illustrated in FIG. 33 when the shooting target exists in the shooting range.

  In FIG. 33, a sub-screen display 331 at the lower right of the screen and arrows 332 positioned on the upper, lower, left, and right of the screen constitute a guide display. In the example of FIG. 33, since there is a shooting target within the shooting range of the electronic camera 62, the CPU 18 displays to the photographer B that it is not necessary to display all the arrows 322 in the same manner and pan the electronic camera 62. Inform. The sub screen display 331 indicates that there is an imaging target in front of the electronic camera 62. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 62 represents the received template information.

  In step S57B which proceeds when a negative determination is made in step S53, the CPU 18 determines whether or not updated information has been received. When the communication control circuit 19 receives at least one of the updated shooting target position information and the updated template information from the electronic camera 61, the CPU 18 makes a positive determination in step S57B and proceeds to step S58B. If the communication control circuit 19 does not receive the update information transmitted from the electronic camera 61, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination in step S57B and returns to step S53.

  In step S58B, the CPU 18 records the received template information and shooting target position information in the RAM 16, and returns to step S53. When the number of templates reaches a predetermined number (for example, 4), the RAM 16 is overwritten and updated from the oldest one. The latest information on the photographing target position is overwritten and updated in the RAM 16.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a shooting screen including the main subject detected (captured) at this time when step S53 is positively determined. The reduced image on the right side of the electronic camera 62 represents template information. FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a captured image.

According to the fourth embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) As in the first embodiment, information about the subject can be transmitted from the electronic camera 61 to the electronic camera 62 in real time without attaching a transmitter to the main subject. Then, the latest template information can be transmitted to the electronic camera 62. Furthermore, it is not necessary to use the area of the RAM 16 of the electronic camera 62 more than necessary.

(2) Furthermore, since a guide display indicating the relationship between the position of the shooting target and the shooting range of the electronic camera 62 is displayed on the LCD monitor 15 of the electronic camera 62, It can be notified whether the camera 62 should be panned in that direction.

(Modification 1)
In the above description, the template information is updated (first embodiment), the tracking target is changed (second embodiment), the template information or the imaging target position information is updated (fourth embodiment). In this embodiment, new information is transmitted from the electronic camera 61 to the electronic camera 62, respectively. Instead, new information may be transmitted from the electronic camera 61 to the electronic camera 62 every predetermined time (for example, 1 second). In this case, if there is no change in either the template information or the shooting target position information, the same information as the previous time may be transmitted, or only information indicating no change may be transmitted.

(Modification 2)
In the guide display (step S62 in FIG. 28) in the fourth embodiment, the example in which the pan direction for prompting the photographer B to pan the electronic camera 62 is displayed on the LCD monitor 15 has been described. In addition to the pan direction, a display for encouraging zoom up or zoom down may be included. For example, when the shooting angle of view is too wide or too narrow, guide display is performed so that an appropriate angle of view can be obtained.

(Modification 3)
The electronic camera 62 may generate template information itself during the tracking process and perform tracking using the generated template information, or may perform tracking using only the template information received from the electronic camera 61. Good.

(Modification 4)
Although the example in which the electronic camera 61 and the electronic camera 62 directly communicate with each other via the communication control circuit 19 has been described, the electronic camera 61 and the electronic camera 62 may be configured to communicate via an access point such as a wireless LAN or a server.

(Modification 5)
In the first to fourth embodiments, the example in which the electronic camera 62 automatically ends tracking when the electronic camera 62 transmits the shooting data has been described. Instead of this, or in addition to this, the electronic camera 61 may be configured to transmit the photographing request end information to the electronic camera 62. The electronic camera 61 of the modification 5 transmits imaging request end information to the electronic camera 62 when the tracking process is ended. The electronic camera 62 of the modification 5 ends the tracking process when receiving the imaging request end information from the electronic camera 61.

(Modification 6)
In the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment, even when the shooting request operation is not performed with the electronic camera 61, the shooting request information is sent to the electronic camera 62 when the tracking target change operation is performed with the electronic camera 61. You may make it transmit. In this case, the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 61 sends an instruction to the communication control circuit 19 to transmit the template information after the tracking target is changed to the electronic camera 62 together with the shooting request information.

(Modification 7)
The electronic camera 62 may be installed on a tripod, and a motor drive mechanism may be provided on each of the three axes in the pitching direction, the yawing direction, and the rolling direction so as to control the rotation of the electronic camera 62. The CPU 18 of the electronic camera 62 automatically rotates the motor that rotates about the corresponding axis in accordance with the pan direction displayed by the guide so that the shooting direction of the electronic camera 62 is automatically included in the shooting range of the electronic camera 62. To rotate.

  The above description is merely an example, and is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 61, 62 ... Electronic camera 11 ... Shooting optical system 12 ... Imaging element 14 ... Image processing circuit 15 ... LCD monitor 16 ... RAM
17 ... Flash memory 18 ... CPU
19 ... Communication control circuit 20 ... GPS module 21 ... Operation member 23 ... Direction sensor

Claims (8)

A tracking unit that tracks a subject based on image information;
A communication unit that transmits a shooting request of the subject to be tracked to another electronic device,
The communication unit is an electronic camera that transmits end information indicating the end of the photographing request to the other electronic device when the tracking of the subject by the tracking unit ends . The electronic camera according to claim 1 ,
The communication unit is an electronic camera that transmits the photographing request based on a timing at which the tracking unit starts tracking the subject. The electronic camera according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The communication unit is an electronic camera that transmits the photographing request based on a timing at which a subject to be tracked is changed by the tracking unit . The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The communication unit is an electronic camera that transmits the photographing request based on an instruction from a user. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The communication unit is an electronic camera that transmits the end information when image data is received from the other electronic device. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
An electronic camera including a display control unit that emphasizes a subject to be tracked and displays the subject on a display unit. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
An electronic camera comprising an imaging unit that images the subject that is the tracking target. A tracking process for tracking a subject based on image information;
Causing the computer to execute communication processing for transmitting a photographing request of the subject to be tracked to another electronic device,
The communication process is a program for transmitting end information indicating the end of the imaging request to the other electronic device when the tracking process ends .

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