JPH11168732A - Photographing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing system in which AWB adjustment to correct the dispersion in characteristics between image-pickup devices is conducted automatically. SOLUTION: This photographing system 100 is provided with a CCD 201 that converts an object light via an optical system into an electrical signal and provides an output of it as a color image signal, variable gain amplifiers 203r, g, b that adjust the gain of a prescribed of color of the color image signal to adjust an AWB, a control section 206 that controls the gain of the variable gain amplifiers 203r, g, b based on an AWB initial gain, a filter member 303 provided with plural kinds of color temperature filters, and a filter movement motor 302 that places the color temperature filters designated by the filter member 303 on a photographing optical axis. In the AWB adjustment mode, photographing via each color temperature filter is conducted by stopping the AE and AWB adjustment function to set AE data corresponding to each temperature filter respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging system, and more particularly, to an imaging system having an AE and AWB control function and a function necessary for automatically performing AWB adjustment for correcting a characteristic variation between individual imaging devices. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional color image pickup apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-68257. Such a color imaging device is a color imaging device having a white balance adjustment circuit for adjusting a white balance by adjusting a gain of a predetermined channel of a color signal by a color imaging unit. And a filter driving means for arranging a designated color temperature filter of the filter member on the photographing optical axis, and selecting the color temperature filter of the color temperature conversion filter member of the filter member based on the photographed surface image, and then selecting the white balance. The white balance is adjusted by a white balance adjustment circuit by an adjustment circuit. This color imaging device includes an optical filter in the device.

[0003]

As described above, in an image pickup apparatus, it is necessary to control the white balance in order to obtain a good color image. If this white balance shifts,
When a white subject is photographed, not only does the photographed image look tinted, but also the color reproducibility when photographing a general subject deteriorates, and a good photographed image cannot be obtained.

[0004] In addition, since an imaging device generally has individual variations in characteristics such as the spectral sensitivity characteristics of a CCD, in order to obtain a good white balance, the AWB must be corrected for each imaging device in order to correct the variation. It is necessary to measure the initial gain value and the AWB control limit gain value in advance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has been made in consideration of the above problem.
An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging system capable of automatically performing B adjustment.

[0006]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup system for converting an object into an electric signal through an optical system and outputting the electric signal as a color image signal. AWB evaluation value output means for outputting an AWB evaluation value according to a color image signal, AE evaluation value output means for outputting an AE evaluation value according to the color image signal, and externally outputting the AWB evaluation value and the AE evaluation value Means for externally outputting an evaluation value, and an AWB initial gain value or AW
AWB control means for calculating an AWB control value for adjusting the white balance based on the B control limit gain value, AWB control setting means for setting the AWB control value, and a control value for adjusting the exposure amount. AE control means for calculating, AE control value setting means for setting the calculated AE control value, and AWB for setting whether to stop the AWB operation
An operation mode setting unit; and an external setting unit configured to externally transmit an AWB control value and an AE control value.
The AWB operation is stopped by the operation mode setting means, the color and brightness of the subject are changed by a color conversion optical filter or the like, and the AWB initial gain value and the AWB control limit gain value are calculated with the exposure amount kept constant by the AE. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the imaging system of the first aspect, an AE operation mode setting means for setting whether to stop the AE operation is further provided.

The imaging system according to claim 3 is the imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the AE control value,
The AWB control value, the AE operation mode, and the AW
The setting of the B operation mode is performed from the input unit of the imaging device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging system according to the second aspect, the AE control value;
The AWB control value, the AE operation mode, and AW
The B operation mode is set from an external terminal device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Summary of the Invention] Adjustment of constants used for AWB control (hereinafter referred to as adjustment)
In order to perform the above, it is necessary to temporarily stop the function of the AWB. In addition, it is necessary to use several types of color conversion optical films for the adjustment, but since these filters have different transmittances, the amount of light from the subject changes. Differences in the size and accuracy of Therefore, the imaging device needs to have a function of stopping the operation of the AWB while the operation of the AE is enabled.
In order to realize the automatic adjustment system, it is necessary to be able to externally set whether or not to perform the AWB operation and read the evaluation values of the AE and AWB control values as described above.

In order to adjust the constant used for controlling the AWB (hereinafter referred to as “adjustment”), it is more accurate to set the data amount not to change every data measurement under the same conditions. Can be calculated. In addition, it is necessary to use several types of color conversion optical filters for adjustment, but since these filters have different transmittances, AE and A
If the operation of the WB is stopped, the amount of light from the subject changes, resulting in a difference in the size and accuracy of data (evaluation value) used for adjustment. Therefore, the imaging device includes A
It is necessary to have a function of stopping the operations of E and AWB and to be able to set the control values of AE and AWB even in the stopped state. Also, in order to realize an automatic adjustment system, A
It is necessary that the setting of whether to perform the operation of the WB and the AE, the setting of the control values of the AE and the AWB, and the reading operation of the evaluation value can be externally performed.

Further, the input unit of the image pickup apparatus has a function of setting each of an AE control value, an AWB control value, an AE operation mode, and an AWB operation mode. If only a standard subject is prepared, it is used for AWB control. It is possible to calculate and set the AWB initial gain value and the AWB control limit gain value, and to confirm the operation whether the set values are accurate.

The present invention proposes an imaging system for realizing an automatic adjustment system for detecting an AWB constant, which automatically calculates and sets an AWB initial gain value and an AWB control limit gain value used for AWB control. It is.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an imaging system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an imaging system. The imaging system 100 includes an imaging device 200 and an adjustment device 300 for the imaging device.

The image pickup apparatus 200 includes a mechanical mechanism including a lens, an auto focus, etc., a CCD 201, an A / D converter, variable gain amplifiers (amplifiers) 203r, 203g,
03b, color difference conversion matrix circuit 204, AE / AW
B evaluation value extraction circuit 205, control circuit 206, Timin
gSG (control signal generator) 209.

The lens unit comprises a mechanical mechanism including a lens, an auto focus (AF), a diaphragm, and a filter. A CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 201 converts an image input through a lens unit into an electric signal (analog image data), and outputs analog image data for each of R, G, and B. The A / D converter 202 has a CCD 201.
Is converted into digital image data and output to a variable gain amplifier (amplifier) 203 at the subsequent stage.

Variable gain amplifiers (amplifiers) 203r, 20
Reference numerals 3g and 203b amplify and output RGB digital image data input from the A / D converter 202 with gains set by the control unit 206, respectively. The color difference matrix conversion circuit 204 includes a variable gain amplifier (amplifier) 203.
The digital image data input from r, 203g, and 203b are converted into color difference (Cb, Cr) and luminance (Y) and output.

The AE / AWB evaluation value extraction circuit 205 includes three AWB evaluation values of RGB generated from respective luminances of RGB of digital image data input from the variable gain amplifiers 203r, 203g and 203b, and one AE. The evaluation value is output to the control unit 203.

The control unit 206 includes a CPU (not shown)
The CPU includes a microcomputer including an OM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU uses the RAM as a work area according to a program stored in the ROM, and operates the key operation unit 20.
7 or an external operation instruction such as a remote controller (not shown), or a communication operation instruction by communication from an external terminal such as a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a “PC”) 301 to control all operations of the imaging apparatus. I do. Specifically, the control unit 206 performs an image capturing operation, a white balance (A
WB) operation, AE operation and the like are controlled.

The key operation unit 207 is for giving an operation instruction of the image pickup apparatus, and includes a release key for giving an instruction for photographing and buttons for making various other settings from outside. In the flash memory 208, initial data (including an AWB initial gain) and the like for controlling the imaging device are written. Timing SG (control signal generator) 209 controls C
A timing signal for capturing an electric signal from the CD 201 is generated and output to the CCD 201. Imaging device 2 described above
00 has an AE function and an AWB function.

Next, the basic operation of the AWB control of the image pickup apparatus 100 will be briefly described. First, a subject image via a lens (not shown) enters the CCD 201 and is
1 converts an object image into an electric signal (analog image data) and outputs R, C, and B analog image data.
The variable gain amplifiers 203r and 203b amplify and output digital image data of R and 8, respectively, with the gain set by the control unit 206.

The AE / AWB evaluation value output circuit 205
The three AWB evaluation values generated from the RGB luminance data of the digital image data input from the variable gain amplifiers 203r, 203g, and 203b are output to the control unit 206. The control unit 206 calculates the gain to be set in the variable gain amplifiers 203r, 203g, and 203b based on the AWB evaluation value and the AWB initial gain value written in the flash memory 208 in the AWB adjustment described later, and calculates the gain. Variable gain amplifier 2 calculates the gain
The white balance is controlled by setting 03r and 203b.

In the above description, the gains to be controlled are R and B, but the present invention is not limited to these, and the gain of at least two or more combinations of R, G and 8 is controlled. May be.

Next, the basic operation of the AE control of the imaging apparatus 100 will be briefly described. The AE / AWB evaluation value output circuit 205 includes variable gain amplifiers 203r, 203g, 20g.
The controller 20 generates one AE evaluation value from each of the RGB luminance data of the digital image data input from the controller 3b.
6 is output. The control unit 206 controls the aperture of the lens unit and the shutter open time based on the AE evaluation value, and adjusts the exposure amount.

As shown in FIG. 1, the adjusting device 300 of the image pickup apparatus includes a PC 301 for controlling an adjustment operation of an AWB initial gain value and an AWB control limit gain value, and four kinds of color temperature filters 303a (color temperature filters) having different color temperatures. A filter member 303 including a W4 filter), 303b (C10 filter), 303c (C4 filter), and 303d (W18 filter), and a color temperature filter designated by the filter member 303 are arranged on the imaging optical axis of the imaging device 200. And a lighting source (not shown) for emitting a fixed amount of light.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the PC 301. As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 301 includes an input unit 400 for giving operation instructions, a CPU 401 for controlling the entire computer device, and a ROM 402 for storing various control programs and data for operating the CPU 401.
And RA used as a work area of the CPU 401
M403 and I for performing data communication with the imaging device and the like.
/ F404. As the control program, for example, AWB adjustment is executed, and the imaging apparatus 200
The flash memory 208 has a program for outputting an AWB gain value for each color temperature filter (each illumination condition). In the ROM 402, AE data corresponding to each of the color temperature filters 303a (W4 filter), 303b (C10 filter), and 303c (W18 filter) is written.

The PC 301 controls the motor 302 for moving the filter, selects one of the color temperature filters 303a to 303d of the filter member 303, and arranges it on the photographing optical axis of the image pickup device 200. 200 is made to shoot, and each AWB generated from each RGB luminance data output from the AE / AWB evaluation value extraction circuit 205
AW with specified color temperature filter based on evaluation value
The B gain value and the AWB control limit gain value are calculated. PC
The calculation unit 301 performs the calculation operation of the AWB gain value for all the color temperature filters 303a to 303d, and writes the AWB gain value of each of the color temperature filters 303a to 303d to the flash memory 208 of the imaging device 200 via the control unit 206.

The AWB gain values calculated using the above color temperature filters are used as an initial gain value and a control limit gain value for AWB control. Next, the imaging system 100
The operation of the AWB adjustment performed by the (imaging device 200 and the adjusting device 300 of the imaging device) will be described. Such AW
The B adjustment is performed by using A
This is an adjustment for calculating the WB initial gain value, the AWB control limit gain value, and the AWB control limit gain value. In this AWB adjustment, for example, a transmissive gray scale is set in the illumination source, and the filter moving motor 302
Color temperature filters 303a (W
4 filters), 303b (C10 filter), 303c
By switching between (C4 filter) and 303d (W18 filter), the illumination condition is changed and the AWB gain value for each color temperature filter is calculated.

<Operation Example 1> An operation example 1 of AWB adjustment is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the operation example 1, the color temperature filters 303a (W4 filter) and 303b are operated in a state where the operations of the AE function and the AWB function are stopped.
(C10 filter), 303c (C4 filter), 30
3D (W18 filter) is switched, AE data used for exposure amount control corresponding to the selected color temperature filter is set using a plurality of color temperature filters having different color temperature characteristics, and shooting is performed. At this time, an AWB gain corresponding to each color temperature filter is calculated based on each AWB evaluation value calculated from each RGB luminance data of the digital image data output from the AE / AWB evaluation value extraction circuit 205.

In FIG. 5, first, when the power of the imaging device 200 and the adjustment device 300 (PC 301 and filter moving device 302) of the imaging device is turned on, the initial reduction of the imaging device 200 and the PC 301 is performed (step S1). , P
1) In the imaging device 200, the recording / adjustment mode is set (step P2), and a display menu as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display of the PC 301 (step S2). Then, when AWB adjustment is selected from the display menu screen of the PC 301 (see FIG. 3) (step S3), a filter selection screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, and a filter is selected from this selection screen. (Step S4). Then, the PC 301 controls the filter driving motor 302 to arrange the selected color temperature filter of the filter member 303 on the photographing optical axis of the imaging device 200 (Step S5).

Subsequently, the PC 301 reads from the ROM 402 the command indicating the start of the AWB adjustment and the AE data corresponding to the selected color temperature filter, and transmits them to the imaging device 206 (step S6). Then, the value of the counter X is set to the initial value "0" (step S7). Upon receiving this command and the AE data corresponding to the selected color temperature filter (step P3), the control unit 206 of the imaging device 200 turns off the AE control function and the AWB control function (step P4), and converts the received AE data. The aperture value and the shutter release time calculated for the object are set in the lens unit, and shooting is performed (step P5).

Here, the photographing operation will be briefly described. An image of a subject through a lens (not shown) is incident on the CCD 201, and the CCD 201 converts the subject image into an electric signal (analog image data). , G, and B analog image data. Variable gain amplifiers 203r, 203g,
203b is a gain set by the control unit 206, R,
The digital image data of B is amplified and output.

The AE / AWB evaluation value extraction circuit 205
Luminance data R1 to Ro (n indicates the number of pixels), G1 to Gn, and R3 for each pixel of R, G, and B digital image data input from the variable gain amplifiers 203r, 203g, and 203b.
The AWB evaluation value generated based on B1 to B1 is Σ
The three AWB evaluation values of R, ΣG, and ΣB and the AE evaluation value for calculating the luminance are output to the control unit 206.

The control unit 206 controls the AWB evaluation values {R,
When G and $ B are received (step S8), the PC
301 calculates ΣR / ΣG and ΣB / ΣG (step S9), and increments the value of the counter K by “1” (step S10).

Subsequently, the CPU 207 determines whether or not ΣR / ΣG and ΣB / ΣG are within specified values (near 1) (step S11), and ΣR / ΣG and ΣB / ΣG are within specified values. In this case, the gains of R and G at this time are A
The WB gain value is sent to the control unit 206 of the imaging device 200 (Step S12). The control unit 206 of the imaging device 200 receives the R and G AWB gain values,
Write to flash memory 208 (step P
7).

On the other hand, in step S11, {R /}
If G and ΣB / ΣG are not within the specified values (near 1), the process shifts to step S13 to determine whether or not the value of the counter K, that is, the number of adjustments is larger than N than the specified number.
If> N, it is determined that the digital camera or the environmental condition is abnormal, and the fact is displayed on the display of the PC 301 to notify the operator (step S15).

On the other hand, if K <N, step S
Then, the process goes to 14 to calculate the R and G gains such that ΣR / ΣG and ΣB / ΣG are close to 1, and to control the imaging apparatus 200 to notify that the photographing should be performed again together with the calculated R and G gains. It is sent to the unit 206 (step S14). In response to this, the control unit 206 of the imaging device 200 compares the calculated R and G gains with the variable gain amplifiers 203r, 203g,
03b, shooting is performed (step P4), and AWB is performed.
The evaluation value is transmitted again (step P6).

Then, the PC 301 outputs ΣR, ΣG, and ΣB.
Are received (step S8), ΣR / ΣG,
ΣB / ΣG is calculated (step S9), the value of the counter K is incremented by “1” (step S10), and ΣR
This processing (step S14, step S14) is performed until the predetermined number N is reached until / G and ΣB / ΣG fall within the specified value (near 1).
P5, P6, S8, S9, S10, S11, S1S) are repeated.

The above processing (steps S4 to S1)
4. Steps P3 to P6) are performed for each of the color temperature filters 303a, 303b, 303c, and 303d, and the AWB gain under each illumination condition is written to the flash memory 208. In the operation example 1, the AE data corresponding to the selected color temperature filter is transmitted from the PC 301, and the control unit 206 of the imaging apparatus 200 determines the aperture value and the shutter release time calculated based on the AE data by the lens unit. However, the configuration may be such that AE data is input from the key operation unit 207 of the imaging device 200 and the exposure amount of the imaging device 200 is controlled.

According to the first operation example, each of the color temperature filters 303a is stopped while the AE function and the AWB function are stopped.
(W4 filter), 303b (C10 filter), 30
By switching between 3c (C4 filter) and 303d (W18 filter) and using a plurality of color temperature filters having different color temperature characteristics, exposure amount control is performed by AE data corresponding to the selected color temperature filter. AE
R output from the AWB evaluation value extraction circuit 205;
Since the AWB gain values corresponding to the respective color temperature filters are calculated based on the evaluation values corresponding to the respective luminance data of the G and B digital image data, the AWB gain values are calculated using filters having different color temperature characteristics. When calculating the gain value, the light amount from the subject can be kept constant,
High precision AWB with little variation between individual imaging devices
The gain value can be calculated. As a result, the imaging device can appropriately reproduce colors even when the color temperature of the light source changes.

All settings for the imaging device 200 are stored in a PC
Since it can be performed from an external terminal such as 301, all the adjustment work and the work of checking the adjustment result can be automatically performed. This eliminates the need for human judgment, and thus makes it possible to make adjustments with small variations among individual imaging devices.

Further, since all the settings for the image pickup apparatus 200 can be performed from the key operation unit 207 of the image pickup apparatus 200, even if a jig such as the adjustment apparatus 300 of the image pickup apparatus is not prepared, the image pickup apparatus 200 and the image pickup apparatus 200 can be used. If only a standard subject is prepared, simple adjustment work and adjustment result check work can be performed.

<Operation Example 2> An operation example 2 of AWB adjustment is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the second operation example, while the operation of the AWB function is stopped and the AE function is operated, the color temperature filters are switched to use a plurality of color temperature filters having different color temperature characteristics. The AE function is activated to take a picture. At the time of this picture taking, the AE / AWB evaluation value depiction circuit 2
An AWB gain value corresponding to each color temperature filter is calculated based on each evaluation value generated based on each of the RGB luminance data of the digital image data output from step 05.

By operating the AE function,
Even if the color temperature filters are different, the adjustment can be performed with the exposure amount kept constant.

In FIG. 6, when the power of the imaging apparatus 200 and the adjustment apparatus 300 (PC 301 and filter moving 302) of the imaging apparatus is turned on, initialization processing of the imaging apparatus 200 and the PC 301 is performed (step S11). ,
P11) In the imaging device 200, the recording / adjustment mode is set (step P12), and a display menu as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display of the PC 301 (step S12).

Then, when AWB adjustment is performed from the display menu screen (see FIG. 3) of the PC 301 (step S).
13), a filter selection screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, and a filter is selected from this selection screen (step S14). Then, the PC 301 controls the filter moving motor 302 to arrange the selected color temperature filter of the filter member 303 on the photographing optical axis of the imaging device 200 (Step S15).

Subsequently, the PC 301 transmits a command indicating the start of AWB adjustment to the control unit 206 of the imaging device 200 (step S16). Then, the value of the counter K is set to the initial value "0" (step S17). Upon receiving this command (step P13), the control unit 206 of the imaging device 200 sets only the AWB function to OFF and sets the AE function to the operating state (step P14). A
The setting of ON / OFF of the WB function can be set by communication from the PC 301 and can be set by operating the key input unit 207. Then, photography is always performed with a constant exposure amount by the aperture and shutter of the lens unit controlled by the AE function (step P15). Here, the photographing operation will be briefly described. A subject image via a lens (not shown) is incident on the CCD 201, and the CCD 201 converts the subject image into an electric signal (analog image data),
G and B analog image data are output. The variable gain amplifiers 203r and 203b amplify and output the R and B digital image data, respectively, with the gain set by the control unit 206.

The AE / AWB evaluation value extraction circuit 205
Luminance data R1 to Ro (n indicates the number of pixels), G1 to Gn, and R3 for each pixel of R, G, and B digital image data input from the variable gain amplifiers 203r, 203g, and 203b.
The AWB evaluation value generated based on B1 to B1 is Σ
Three AWB evaluation values of R, ΣG, and ΣB (step P1
6), and outputs the AE evaluation value for calculating the luminance to the control unit 206.

The control unit 206 controls the AWB evaluation values {R,
When G and $ B are received (step S18), P
C301 calculates ΣR / ΣG and ΣB / ΣG (step S19), and increments the value of the counter K by “1” (step S20).

Subsequently, CPU 207 determines whether or not ΣR / ΣG and ΣB / ΣG are within specified values (near 1) (step S21), and ΣR / ΣG and ΣB / ΣG are within specified values. In this case, the control unit 206 of the imaging device 200 sets the R and G gains at this time as AWB gain values.
(Step SS22). Upon receiving the R and G AWB gain values, the control unit 206 of the imaging device 200 writes the R and G AWB gain values to the flash memory 208 (step P
17).

On the other hand, in step S11, {R / Σ
If G and ΣB / ΣG are not within the specified values (near 1), the process proceeds to step S23, where it is determined whether the value of the counter K, that is, the number of adjustments is greater than the specified number N, and K> N. In this case, it is determined that the digital camera or the environmental condition is abnormal, and the fact is displayed on the display of the PC 301 to notify the operator (step S25).

On the other hand, if K <N, step S
24, the R and G gains are calculated such that ΣR / ΣG and ΣB / ΣG are close to 1, and the control unit of the imaging device 200 notifies that the photographing should be performed again together with the calculated R and G gains. The packet is sent to the client 206 (step S24). In response, the control unit 206 of the imaging device 200 sets the calculated R and G gains in the variable gain amplifiers 203r and 203b, performs shooting (Step P15), and sends out the AWB evaluation value again (Step P15). P16). And PC30
After receiving ΣR, ΣG, and ΣB (step S18), ΣR / ΣG and ΣB / ΣG are calculated (step S19), the value of the counter K is incremented by “1” (step S20), and ΣR Until / ΣG and ΣB / ΣG fall within specified values (near 1), up to the specified number N,
This processing (steps S24, P15, P16, S18,
S19, S20, S21, S23) are repeated.

The above processing (steps S14 to S2)
4. Steps P13 to P6) are performed for each of the color temperature filters 303a, 303b, 303c, 303d,
The AWB gain under each lighting condition is stored in the flash memory 208.
Write to

According to the operation example 2 described above, in the adjustment performed by stopping the operation of the AWB function, the color temperature filters are switched while the AE function is operated, and the plurality of color temperature filters having different color temperature characteristics are changed. Use and shoot
At the time of this photographing, exposure amount control (AE function) corresponding to each color temperature filter is performed by the AE evaluation value output from the AE / AW evaluation value extracting circuit 205, and the exposure value is output from the AE / AWB evaluation value extracting circuit 205. AWB gain values corresponding to the respective color temperature filters are calculated based on the respective evaluation values generated based on the respective RGB luminance data of the digital image data, so that filters having different color temperature characteristics are used. When each of the AWB gain values is calculated, the amount of light from the subject can be kept constant, and it is possible to calculate the AWB gain with little variation among the individual imaging devices and high accuracy. Even if the brightness of the light source is slightly shifted, stable adjustment can be performed. As a result, the imaging device can properly reproduce white even when the color temperature of the light source changes.

All settings for the imaging device 200 are stored in a PC
Since it can be performed from an external terminal such as 301, all the adjustment work and the work of checking the adjustment result can be automatically performed. This eliminates the need for human judgment, and thus makes it possible to make adjustments with small variations among individual imaging devices.

Further, since all settings for the image pickup apparatus 200 can be made from the key operation unit 207 of the image pickup apparatus 200, the image pickup apparatus 200 can be connected to the image pickup apparatus 200 without preparing a jig such as the adjustment apparatus 300 for the image pickup apparatus. If only a standard subject is prepared, adjustment work and adjustment result check work can be performed with a simple configuration.

Note that the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is widely applicable to digital cameras, digital video cameras, and the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0061]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device which converts an object into an electric signal via an optical system and outputs the signal as a color image signal, and an AWB corresponding to the color image signal. AWB evaluation value output means for outputting an evaluation value, AE evaluation value output means for outputting an AE evaluation value corresponding to a color image signal, AWB evaluation value and the AE
Evaluation value external output means for outputting an evaluation value to the outside, and AWB
AWB control means for calculating an AWB control value for adjusting a white balance based on an initial gain value or an AWB control limit gain value, AWB control setting means for setting an AWB control value, and an AWB control setting means for adjusting an exposure amount. AE control means for calculating a control value, and A for setting the calculated AE control value
E control value setting means, AWB operation mode setting means for setting whether to stop the AWB operation, AWB control value and A
External setting means for transmitting an E control value from outside,
AWB operation is stopped by the AWB operation mode setting means,
The color and brightness of the subject are changed by a color conversion optical filter and the like, and the AWB initial gain value and the AWB control limit gain value are calculated with the exposure amount kept constant by AE.

Therefore, when the color conversion optical filter is changed while the AWB operation of the image pickup apparatus is stopped, even if the brightness and color of the subject change with the change of the color conversion optical filter, the AWB at that time is changed.
Since the operation of E is performed, the exposure amount can always be kept constant. Thereby, stable evaluation values of the amount and the accuracy are obtained. In addition, stable evaluation values under various setting conditions can be checked, and from this data, AWB control values and other AE and AWB setting values under those conditions can be calculated outside the imaging apparatus. . Further, by setting the calculated AWB control value, it is possible to confirm whether the calculated control value is correct.

In the imaging system according to the second aspect, the imaging system according to the first aspect further includes AE operation mode setting means for setting whether to stop the operation of the AE. By stopping the operation of the AE and externally setting the AE control value, an evaluation value of an arbitrary exposure amount can be checked.

The imaging system according to claim 3 is the imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the AE control value, the AW
Since the B control value, the AE operation mode, and the AWB operation mode are set from the input unit of the imaging device, the AE control value, the AWB control value, the AE operation mode, and the AWB operation mode are set at the input unit of the imaging device. Setting can be performed, and an adjustment operation for detecting an AWB constant can be performed with a simple configuration including only the imaging device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging system of the second aspect, the AE control value, the AW
Since the B control value, the AE operation mode, and the AWB operation mode are set from the external terminal device, the AE control value, the AWB control value, the AE operation mode, and the AWB operation mode are set from an external terminal such as a PC. If the PC can be equipped with a color conversion optical filter or a jig for automatically changing the light source, the AWB initial gain value and AWB used for AWB control can be prepared.
An automatic adjustment system that detects a control limit gain value can be realized. This eliminates the need for human judgment, and thus makes it possible to perform adjustment with small variations among individual imaging devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an imaging system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a PC in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display menu.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a filter selection screen.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example 1 of an AWB adjustment mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example 2 of the AWB adjustment mode.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 imaging system 200 imaging device 300 imaging device adjustment device 201 CCD 202 A / D converter 203r variable gain amplifier for R 203g variable gain amplifier for G 203b variable gain amplifier for B 204 color difference matrix circuit 205 AE AWB evaluation value extraction circuit 206 Control unit 207 Key operation unit 208 Flash memory 209 Timing SG (control signal generation) 301 Personal computer (PC) 302 Filter moving motor 303 Filter member 303a Color temperature filter 303b Color temperature filter 303c Color temperature filter 303d Color temperature filter

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image sensor that converts a subject into an electric signal via an optical system and outputs the signal as a color image signal, and an A that outputs an AWB evaluation value corresponding to the color image signal.
WB evaluation value output means, AE for outputting an AE evaluation value corresponding to the color image signal
Evaluation value output means; evaluation value external output means for outputting the AWB evaluation value and the AE evaluation value to the outside; and AWB control for adjusting white balance based on an AWB initial gain value and an AWB control limit gain value. AWB control means for calculating a value, AWB control setting means for setting the AWB control value, AE control means for calculating a control value for adjusting the exposure amount, and AE control for setting the calculated AE control value Value setting means, AWB operation mode setting means for setting whether or not to stop the AWB operation, and external setting means for transmitting an AWB control value and an AE control value from the outside. The operation is stopped, the color and brightness of the subject are changed by a color conversion optical filter or the like, and the exposure amount is kept constant by AE, and the AWB initial gain value and A Imaging system characterized by calculating the B control limit gain value. 2. The imaging system according to claim 1, further comprising AE operation mode setting means for setting whether to stop the operation of the AE. 3. The imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the setting of the AE control value, the AWB control value, the AE operation mode, and the AWB operation mode is performed from an input unit of an imaging device. 4. The imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the setting of the AE control value, the AWB control value, the AE operation mode, and the AWB operation mode is performed from an external terminal device.