JP6365748B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

  An imaging apparatus is known in which a subject distance is set in advance and a photographing operation is automatically started when the subject is located at the subject distance (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-4095

  In the method of setting the distance for starting automatic shooting in advance, it is difficult to perform shooting in accordance with the timing at which the subject is at the intended position when the camera moves.

The imaging apparatus includes a selection unit that selects a moving subject, a tracking unit that tracks the subject selected by the selection unit, a position setting unit that sets a first position, a distance to the subject, and the first A distance measuring unit that measures the distance to the position a plurality of times, a control unit that performs control to start a shooting operation when the distance to the subject reaches the distance to the first position ; Is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately shoot at the timing when the subject is at the intended position.

It is a block block diagram of the imaging device by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the automatic imaging | photography mode of the imaging device in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart relating to an operation in an automatic shooting mode of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the automatic imaging | photography mode of the imaging device in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart regarding operation | movement of the automatic imaging | photography mode of the imaging device in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the automatic imaging | photography mode of the imaging device in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart regarding operation | movement of the automatic imaging | photography mode of the imaging device in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the automatic imaging | photography mode of the imaging device in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart regarding operation | movement of the automatic imaging | photography mode of the imaging device in the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The imaging device illustrated in FIG. 1 is a digital camera 100 (hereinafter abbreviated as camera 100). The camera 100 has a shooting mode, a playback mode, and an automatic shooting mode.

  The subject light flux that has passed through the photographing lens 11 of the camera 100 is picked up by the image pickup device 12, and the image pickup signal is input to the image processing unit 13. The image processing circuit 13a constituting the image processing unit 13 performs various processes on the input imaging signal to generate image data. The image data is displayed as an image on the liquid crystal monitor 14 through processing by the display circuit 13b. The liquid crystal monitor 14 is provided on the back surface of the camera, for example.

  When the camera 100 is set to the shooting mode, the above imaging (shooting for display) is repeated, and images based on the image data obtained each time are sequentially updated and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 14. This sequential update display is called live view display or live view display. The photographer determines the composition while viewing the image displayed by the live view display.

  When the photographer performs a release operation using the operation unit 17 while the live view display is performed, imaging (shooting for recording) is performed again. The image data generated by the imaging is recorded on the recording medium 15 such as a memory card by the recording / reproducing circuit 13c as an image file that can be handled by a computer. The camera 100 can perform still image shooting, continuous shooting, and moving image shooting.

  When the camera 100 is set to the reproduction mode, the image data (still image, moving image) recorded on the recording medium 15 is read by the recording / reproducing circuit 13c. The image data is displayed as an image on the liquid crystal monitor 14 through the image processing circuit 13a and the display circuit 13b.

  In response to the input from the operation unit 17, the CPU 16 controls the image processing unit 13, the AF drive circuit 18, and other circuits (not shown), and performs various operations such as the above-described live view display, shooting (imaging), and reproduction. Perform the action. Further, the CPU 16 executes focus detection processing by a phase difference detection method, and instructs the AF drive circuit 18 regarding driving of the optical system. The AF driving circuit 18 drives the AF motor 19 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 16 to adjust the focus of the photographing lens 11. Further, the CPU 16 executes target tracking processing for tracking the subject designated by the photographer.

  The operation unit 17 includes a release button, a recording button, a power button, a touch panel disposed on the liquid crystal monitor 14, and a plurality of other operation members.

  The automatic shooting mode of the camera 100 will be described. When the camera 100 is set to the automatic shooting mode, the photographer designates a subject from the live view screen (shooting screen). This subject is a tracking target by the target tracking process. Further, the photographer designates an object at the position from the live view screen in order to designate a position in the real space. When the subject reaches the position in the real space designated by using the object, the camera 100 automatically starts a shooting operation for recording under the control of the CPU 16.

  The automatic shooting mode of the camera 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). 2A and 2B show the camera 100, the subject X, and the object Y. In the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the subject X is a track and field athlete and the object Y is a hurdle. The subject X is running toward the object Y. The camera 100 is installed on the opposite side of the subject X across the object Y, and a photographing lens 11 (not shown in FIG. 2) is directed toward the subject X in order to photograph the subject X.

  A live view screen is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 14 (not shown in FIG. 2) of the camera 100, and the live view screen includes a subject X and an object Y. The photographer has selected the subject X and the object Y from the live view screen.

  The position of the subject X and the position P of the object Y are repeatedly measured by focus detection processing. The subject X is tracked by the target tracking process. The camera 100 starts the still image shooting operation when the subject X reaches the position P of the object Y as shown in FIG.

  Since the camera 100 repeatedly measures the distance of the object Y, even when the photographer moves the camera 100 in the optical axis direction or when the object Y moves within the angle of view of the camera 100, the camera 100 is at an appropriate timing. The shooting operation can be started.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart regarding the operation of the camera 100 in the automatic shooting mode. The process shown in FIG. 3 is executed by the CPU 16. In step S1000, the CPU 16 measures the distance L _Y (FIG. 2) from the camera 100 to the object Y. The measured distance L _Y is temporarily recorded in a RAM or the like.

In step S1001, CPU 16 is ranging the distance _{L X} to the object X. In step S1002, the CPU 16 tracks the subject X by target tracking processing. In step S1003, the CPU 16 determines whether or not the subject X has reached the position P of the object Y. That is, it is determined whether the distance L _Y Distance to L _X and the object Y to the subject X matches. If the determination in step S1003 is affirmative, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S1004, and if the determination in step S1003 is negative, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S1000. In step S1004, the CPU 16 starts a still image shooting operation.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the operation content of the camera 100 in the automatic shooting mode is different. Other than the operation content of the automatic shooting mode, the description is omitted because it is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  The operation content of the automatic shooting mode in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4 shows the camera 100 and the subject X as in FIG. 2, and objects Y1 and Y2 are shown instead of the object Y in FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, the objects Y1 and Y2 are hurdles like the object Y of FIG. The position P2 of the object Y2 is farther from the subject X than the position P1 of the object Y1.

  A live view screen is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 14 (not shown in FIG. 4) of the camera 100, and the live view screen includes a subject X, an object Y1, and an object Y2. The photographer has selected subject X, object Y1, and object Y2 from the live view screen.

  The position of the subject X, the position P1 of the object Y1, and the position P2 of the object Y2 are repeatedly measured by the focus detection process. The camera 100 starts continuous shooting or moving image shooting when the subject X reaches the position P1 of the object Y1, and ends continuous shooting or moving image shooting when the subject X reaches the position P2 of the object Y2.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to the operation content of the automatic shooting mode according to the second embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the CPU 16. Note that the same processes as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

In step S2000, the CPU 16 measures the distance L _Y1 (FIG. 4) and the distance L _Y2 (FIG. 4) from the camera 100 to the objects Y1 and Y2. The measured distance L _Y1 and distance L _Y2 are temporarily recorded in a RAM or the like.

  In step S2003, the CPU 16 determines whether or not the subject X has reached the position P1 of the object Y1. When step S2003 is positively determined, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S2004, and when step S2003 is negative, the process proceeds to step S2005. In step S2004, the CPU 16 starts a shooting operation for continuous shooting or moving image shooting of still images.

  In step S2005, the CPU 16 determines whether or not the subject X has reached the position P2 of the object Y2. If the determination in step S2005 is affirmative, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S2006, and if the determination in step S2005 is negative, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S2000. In step S2006, the CPU 16 ends the still image continuous shooting or moving image shooting operation started in step S2004.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the operation content of the camera 100 in the automatic shooting mode is different. Other than the operation content of the automatic shooting mode, the description is omitted because it is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The operation content of the automatic shooting mode in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 shows the camera 100, the subject X, and the object Y as in FIG. In the third embodiment, when the object Y is measured, an automatic shooting range A is set in which continuous shooting of still images or moving images is shot. The automatic shooting range A matches the depth of field of the shooting lens 11 when the shooting lens 11 is focused on the object Y. Endpoint A1 and the end point A2 of depth of field, focal length of the taking lens 11, CPU 16 based on such as the distance _{L Y} to the object Y is calculated in a known manner.

  In the third embodiment, the camera 100 starts the continuous shooting or moving image shooting operation when the subject X reaches the end point A1, and the continuous shooting or moving image shooting operation when the subject X reaches the end point A2. End the shooting operation.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart relating to the operation content of the automatic shooting mode according to the third embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the CPU 16. 3 and FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 and FIG.

In step S3000, the CPU 16 measures the distance L _Y (FIG. 6) from the camera 100 to the object Y, and determines the focal length of the taking lens 11 and the distance Y of the object _Y from the end points A1 and A2 of the depth of field. Calculate the position.
In step S3003, the CPU 16 determines whether or not the subject X has reached the position of the end point A1. If the determination in step S3003 is affirmative, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S2004 in FIG. 7. If the determination in step S3003 is negative, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S3005.
In step S3005, the CPU 16 determines whether or not the subject X has reached the position of the end point A2. If the determination in step S3005 is affirmative, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S2006 in FIG. 7. If the determination in step S3005 is negative, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S3000.

(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the fourth embodiment, the operation content of the camera 100 in the automatic shooting mode is different. Other than the operation content of the automatic shooting mode, the description is omitted because it is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The operation content of the automatic shooting mode in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows the camera 100, the subject X, and the object Y as in FIG. In the fourth embodiment, a range B is set when the subject X is measured. The range B matches the depth of field of the photographing lens 11 when the photographing lens 11 is focused on the subject X. Endpoints B1 and the end point of the depth of field B2 is, CPU 16 is calculated in a known manner on the basis of the focal length of the taking lens 11, such as the distance _{L X} of the object X.

  In the fourth embodiment, the camera 100 starts the continuous shooting or moving image shooting operation when the end point B2 reaches the position of the object Y, and the continuous shooting or moving image when the end point B1 reaches the object Y. Ends the shooting operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart regarding the operation content of the camera 100 in the automatic shooting mode according to the fourth embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 9 is executed by the CPU 16. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to each process similar to FIG.3, FIG.5, FIG.7, and description of the process is abbreviate | omitted.
In step S4001, the CPU 16 measures the distance L _X to the subject X and calculates the positions of the end points B1 and B2 of the range B.
In step S4003, the CPU 16 determines whether or not the end point B2 has reached the position P of the object Y. If the determination in step S4003 is affirmative, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S2004 in FIG. 9, and if the determination in step S4003 is negative, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S4005. In step S4005, the CPU 16 determines whether or not the end point B1 has reached the position P of the object Y. If step S4005 is positively determined, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S2006 in FIG. 9, and if step S4005 is negatively determined, the process proceeds to step S1000 in FIG.

According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) The imaging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 16 that executes target tracking processing and focus detection processing. The CPU 16 measures the distance L _Y to the object Y selected by the user (step S1000 in FIG. 3), and sets the position P in the real space. The CPU 16 tracks the subject X by the target tracking process (step S1002 in FIG. 3), and starts the shooting operation when the subject X reaches the position P of the object Y. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately shoot at the timing when the subject is at the intended position.

(2) An imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 16 that executes target tracking processing and focus detection processing. The CPU 16 measures the distances L _Y1 and L _Y2 to the objects Y1 and Y2 selected by the user (step S2000 in FIG. 5), and sets the positions P1 and P2 in the real space. The CPU 16 tracks the subject X by the target tracking process (step S1002 in FIG. 5). When the subject X reaches the position P1 of the object Y1 (YES in step S2003 in FIG. 5), the CPU 16 starts a photographing operation (step S2004 in FIG. 5). When the subject X reaches the position P2 of the object Y2 (YES in step S2005 in FIG. 5), the CPU 16 ends the shooting operation for still image continuous shooting and moving image shooting (step S2006 in FIG. 5). Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately start and end continuous shooting and moving image shooting at the timing when the subject is at the intended position.

(3) An imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 16 that executes target tracking processing and focus detection processing. The CPU 16 measures the distance to the object Y selected by the user and calculates the depth of field A including the end points A1 and A2 (step S3000 in FIG. 7). Then, the CPU 16 tracks the subject X by the target tracking process (step S1002 in FIG. 7). When the subject X reaches the end point A1 (YES in step S3003 in FIG. 7), the CPU 16 starts a still image continuous shooting or moving image shooting operation (step S2004 in FIG. 7). When the subject X reaches the end point A2 (YES in step S3005 in FIG. 7), the still image continuous shooting and moving image shooting operation ends (step S2006 in FIG. 7). Thus, it is possible to appropriately start and end the continuous shooting and the moving image shooting at the timing when both the subject X and the object Y are in focus by only specifying one position in the real space.

(4) An imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 16 that executes target tracking processing and focus detection processing. The CPU 16 measures the distance to the object Y selected by the user (step S1000 in FIG. 9), and sets the position P in the real space. The CPU 16 tracks the subject X by subject tracking processing (step S1002 in FIG. 9). The CPU 16 calculates the depth of field B when measuring the subject X (step S4001 in FIG. 9). When the end point B2 of the depth of field B reaches the position P1 (YES in step S4003 in FIG. 9), the CPU 16 starts a still image continuous shooting or moving image shooting operation (step S2004 in FIG. 9). When the end point B1 of the depth of field B has reached the position P1 (YES in step S4005 in FIG. 9), the still image continuous shooting and moving image shooting operations are terminated (step S2006 in FIG. 9). Thus, continuous shooting and moving image shooting can be surely started before the subject reaches the intended position.

(Modification 1) The present invention can be applied to various imaging apparatuses such as a single-lens reflex digital camera, a compact camera, and a portable terminal with a camera.

(Modification 2) In the second and third embodiments, when the subject X reaches the position P2 or the end point A2 (for example, when the subject X is a cat approaching the camera 100, the head of the cat is at the position P2. When it arrives), we decided to end the continuous shooting and still image shooting. However, when the subject X passes the position P2 or the end point A2 (for example, when the aforementioned cat's tail reaches the position P2), the continuous shooting or the moving image shooting of the still image shooting may be ended.

(Modification 3) In the second embodiment, when the subject X reaches the position P1, the continuous shooting or moving image shooting operation is started when the subject X reaches the position P1, and when the subject X reaches the position P2, the still image is captured. The shooting operation for continuous shooting or movie shooting was ended. However, when the subject X reaches the position P1, and when the subject X reaches the position P2, a still image shooting operation may be performed. The same applies to the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment.

(Modification 4) In the above embodiment, the distances from the camera 100 to the object Y, the object Y1, and the object Y2 are measured by the passive method, but may be measured by other methods. For example, the camera 100 may be provided with an ultrasonic distance measuring unit or a laser distance measuring unit, and the distances to the object Y, the object Y1, and the object Y2 may be measured by an active method.

(Modification 5) The second embodiment and the third embodiment may be implemented in combination. That is, the depth of field C is calculated based on the position P1 of the object Y1 when the object Y1 is focused and the distance is measured, and the position P2 of the object Y2 is determined when the object Y2 is focused and the distance is measured. A reference depth of field D may be calculated. Then, when the subject X is in the depth of field C and the depth of field D, continuous shooting or moving image shooting may be performed, and the subject is captured at both ends of the depth of field C and D. When X arrives, a still image shooting operation may be started.

(Modification 6) In the first embodiment, step S1003 of FIG. 3 until the start of the photographing operation is affirmative determination, CPU 16, it was decided to repeat the distance measurement of the distance L _Y to the object Y . However, it may be to the distance measuring the distance L _Y to see the object Y at the start of the process of FIG. That is, when a negative determination is made in step S1003 of FIG. 3, the process may proceed to step S1001 instead of step S1000. Further, the distance L _Y to the object Y may be possible to re-ranging only when the posture of the camera 100 has changed significantly.

  The above description is merely an example, and is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment. Further, the embodiments and modifications described above may be combined and executed as long as the features of the invention are not impaired.

100: Camera, 16: CPU
X: Subject, Y: Object, Y1: Object, Y2: Object

Claims (6)

A selection unit for selecting a moving subject;
A tracking unit that tracks the subject selected by the selection unit;
A position setting unit for setting the first position;
A distance measuring unit that measures the distance to the subject and the distance to the first position multiple times;
A control unit that performs control to start a photographing operation when the distance to the subject reaches the distance to the first position ;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging device according to claim 1,
An operation unit that can be operated by a photographer of the imaging apparatus;
An imaging apparatus in which the photographer performs a selection operation of the selection unit and a position setting operation of the position setting unit by the operation unit. In the imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
The position setting unit sets a plurality of positions including the first position,
The distance measuring unit is an imaging device that measures a distance to the plurality of positions set by the position setting unit a plurality of times. The imaging device according to claim 3.
The plurality of positions includes a second position whose distance from the imaging device is different from the first position,
When the distance of the subject reaches a distance based on the distance to the first position, the control unit starts a shooting operation of moving image shooting or continuous shooting, and the distance of the subject is set to the second distance. An imaging device that ends moving image shooting or continuous shooting when a distance based on a distance to a position is reached. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4,
The control unit ends the shooting operation when the distance to one of the one end and the other end of the subject reaches a distance based on the distance to the second position. The imaging device according to claim 1,
An imaging apparatus in which the imaging apparatus is movable between the distance measurement unit starting distance measurement of the first position and the control unit starting an imaging operation.

Images