CN1692624A - Photographic device, photographic device control method, and recording medium in which photographic device control method is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

An image pickup device such as a CCD of the photographing apparatus replaces a photodetector for detecting infrared light emitted from the infrared remote control unit. When infrared light is detected based on an image signal output from the image pickup device, a transmission position of the infrared light in a target is detected. The photographing apparatus performs an operation such that the detected conveyance position is set to a focus detection range in focus control, an exposure detection range in exposure control, and a color evaluation range in white balance control.

Description

Photographing device, photographing device control method, and recording medium in which photographing control method is recorded

technical field

The present invention relates to a photographing device configured with an image pickup device, a photographing device control method, and a recording medium in which a method of controlling the photographing device is recorded.

Background technique

Hitherto, in photographing devices by which image data of an object picked up by a CCD is recorded in a recording medium as graphic image data, by utilizing the fact that an image pickup device such as a CCD can detect infrared light emitted from an infrared remote control unit , CCDs have replaced photodetectors of infrared remote control units for infrared light (see paragraphs [0011] to [0013] of Japanese Patent Application KOKAL Publication No. 6-22194). The advantage of this device is that the light receiving unit for the infrared remote control unit mounted on the main body of the device can be eliminated.

However, in the above-mentioned photographing device, the remote control unit only causes the photographing device to perform a predetermined operation based on the presence of detected infrared light in the CCD, so that although the photodetector can be eliminated, the photographing device does not enhance usability for users.

Contents of the invention

An embodiment of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image pickup device that outputs a target image as a pickup image signal; a recording unit that records the image signal output from the image pickup device; a detector based on the image signal output from the image pickup device, A transfer position of the light signal in the target image is detected; and a controller executes a control operation in response to the transfer position detected by the detector.

Description of drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, wherein :

Fig. 1 shows the block diagram of the digital camera of the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram representing data content of a command table stored in a built-in flash memory;

Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the control process according to the DSP/CPU 3 in the image pickup mode by the remote control unit;

Fig. 4 is a flowchart representing the contents in a process for detecting a block;

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram representing operations in a process for detecting a block;

Fig. 6 shows a diagram for detecting blocks of objects picking up brightness in a graphic image;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of an area specifying AF operation;

FIG. 8 shows an explanatory diagram of content for weighted AE operations in different zones;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the area specifying AWB operation.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention relates to a device that includes general functions such as AF (Automatic Focus), AE (Automatic Exposure Control), and AWB (Automatic White Balance Control) and is configured so that it can pick up a target by a user's remote control operation of an infrared remote control unit connected to the main body of the device. Digital photography device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a digital camera 1 according to the present invention. The digital camera 1 has a CCD (image pickup device) 2 and a DSP/CPU 3 . The CCD 2 photoelectrically converts an object imaged by an optical system including a focus lens, a zoom lens, etc. (not shown) to output an analog image pickup signal according to an optical image of the object. The optical system includes a blue glass infrared cut filter for cutting infrared light from about 750nm to 950nm, which range adversely affects the picked-up image.

In addition to the DSP/CPU3 controlling various parts of the digital camera 1, the DSP/CPU3 is also a single-chip microcomputer having various digital signal processing functions including compressing/expanding image data according to the JPEG standard. DSP/CPU3 is connected to TG (Timing Generator) 4 for driving CCD2. A unit circuit (CDS/AGC/AD) 5 that inputs an image pickup signal output from the CCD2 is connected to TG4. The unit circuit 5 includes a CDS circuit for removing noise from the output signal from the CCD 2 according to correlation subsampling; an automatic gain controller (AGC) for amplifying the image pickup signal from which the noise has been removed; and an A/D converter (AD) for converting the amplified image pickup signal into a digital signal. The output signal from the CCD2 is converted into a digital signal by the unit circuit 5, and the final signal is sent to the DSP/CPU3.

Display unit 6, key input device 7 and lens drive unit 5 are all connected to DSP/CPU3. In addition, DRAM 10 , built-in flash memory 11 , and card interface 12 are all connected to DSP/CPU 3 via address data bus 9 . The card interface 12 is connected to a memory card 13 detachably mounted in a card slot defined on a camera body (not shown).

The lens driving unit 8 includes stepping motors for driving the focus lens and the zoom lens in their optical axis directions, respectively, and a motor driver for driving these lenses in response to control signals transmitted from the DSP/CPU 3 . The DRAM 10 is used as a buffer for temporarily storing image data of an object that has been picked up by the CCD 2 and digitized in the image pickup standby state, and in addition, it is used for a work memory of the DSP/CPU 3 . Image data temporarily stored in the DRAM 10 is compressed and finally recorded in the memory card 13 (recording unit).

The display unit 6 includes a color LCD and its driver, and in the image pickup standby mode, displays graphic images of objects picked up by the CCD 2 as continuous images, while in the reproduction mode, it displays recorded images read out from the memory card 13 and expanded . The key input device 7 includes a plurality of operation keys such as a shutter key, a power key, a mode selection key, and a cross key, and outputs key input signals to the DSP/CPU 3 in response to user's key operations. The alarm unit 14 responds to the instructions of the DSP/CPU3 and sends out one or more alarm sounds.

In the built-in flash memory 11 , a control program for causing the DSP/CPU 3 to control various components of the digital camera 1 and various data for operating the DPS/CPU 3 have been stored. When operating the DSP/CPU3 according to the control program, it acts as a first detector, a second detector, a controller, a designation unit and a recognition unit. In the built-in flash memory 11, data forming the command table T shown in FIG. 2 has been stored. The command table T is a table representing the value (code value) of specific code data included in the remote control unit signal transmitted from the above-mentioned infrared remote control unit and commands for operations represented thereby.

Hereinafter, the operation in the case where the remote control image pickup mode is determined by the user in the digital camera 1 constructed as described above will be described.

First, the remote control image pickup mode is described below. The remote control image pickup mode is one of the various modes that have been previously defined as image pickup modes. In the remote control image pickup mode, when the user operates a predetermined button in the infrared remote control unit, in the area of the object to be picked up, responding to each position of the infrared remote control unit, in multiple types (three types in the present invention) ) mode, selectively pick graphics. In this embodiment, the infrared remote control unit transmits a signal in which code data for detection having a predetermined bit width and repeating ON-OFF states is added to the head of the code data for command. In this case, each bit width of a part of the code data used for detection has been set to correspond to the drive of CCD2 longer than that in the case of the processing for block detection which will be mentioned below (see FIG. 5 ). The period (frame period) is twice as long, and the infrared remote control unit emits infrared light having a wavelength of about 950nm to 1050nm through the above-mentioned blue glass infrared cut filter.

Hereinafter, specific operations in the remote-control image pickup mode will be described based on a flowchart showing a control procedure by the DSP/CPU 3 shown in FIG. 3 . When the remote control image pickup mode is determined, the DSP/CPU3 fixes the exposure time in the CCD2 to 1/2 frame to start continuous exposure in a predetermined drive period (frame period) (step SA1), and then, the process proceeds to block detection processing (step SA2). 4 is a flowchart of the block detection process (step SA2), and FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the digital camera 1 during a period in which the infrared remote control unit transmits code data for detection with an infrared signal, and the sequence of the infrared signal. The period is synchronized with the frame period. In the block detection process, as described above, the CCD 2 is allowed to expose at 1/2 frame period in the frame period (step SB1). The exposure time of CCD2 corresponds to the second half of the frame period. Brightness data of each color corresponding to the number of one frame of graphic images obtained as a result of exposure are stored in the buffer (step SB2). Then, the graphic image area is divided into several detection blocks (0,0) to (7,7), which are obtained by equally dividing the area in the X direction and Y direction as shown in Figure 6, and Continue with the steps below. In this case, the number and shape of these blocks may differ from those described above.

The head block (0, 0) is set as the target block (step SB3), and then, it is determined whether there is a pixel having a predetermined luminance or higher in the block. In the case of existence, it is determined that the infrared light emits light (Yes in step SB4), and the data code "1" is set in the buffer area for accumulating the previously maintained data codes in each detection block in the RAM 10 (step SB4). SB5). In the absence, it is determined that the infrared light is off (NO in step SB4), and code data "0" is set (step SB6). This processing is performed on all remaining detection blocks that are targets to be processed (in steps SB7 to SB9, NO in step SB10). When finishing the process related to the last detection block (no in steps SB7 and SB8, and yes in step SB9), then the process returns to step SB1, allows CCD2 to be exposed at the next exposure time, and repeats the process from step SB2 deal with. Therefore, data in response to an amount corresponding to the exposure time is sequentially accumulated in the above-mentioned buffer area of each detection block of the DRAM 10 .

As described above, the bit width of the signal of the code data for detection transmitted from the infrared remote control unit has been set to be longer than twice the frame period of the CCD2 (infrared signal of FIG. 5 ). Therefore, during the period in which the above-described processing is repeated, the code data accumulated in each detection block becomes an emission bit of two bits for one emission of infrared light (" 11"). On the contrary, when they are not synchronized with each other, the data codes become one-time lighting, three-digit lighting bits ("111") with respect to infrared light (data codes in FIG. 5 ).

Therefore, it is determined whether or not the bitmap representing the above-mentioned asynchronous state is present on the code data of the detection block when the code data is accumulated in each detection block during repetition of the above-mentioned process (step SB8). In the case of occurrence (YES at step SB8), the frame counter for driving CCD2 is reset at this time, and 1/2 frame is substituted for its exposure timing so as to synchronize the timing with a single cycle of infrared light (step SB11). The timing of the frame counter to be reset is "frame time-exposure time" at which the count value of the frame counter reaches the count value of 1/2 frame. Thereafter, all code data accumulated in each detection block is reset (step SB12), and the process returns to step SB1 to repeat the above-described process from the beginning, and to newly accumulate code data in each detection block.

On the other hand, it is determined whether or not these code data which coincide with the detection are accumulated in any one of the detection blocks while repeating the above-mentioned process. When it has been determined (YES at step SB7), at that time, an enable flag is set to the detection block as the target (step SB13). The detection block (the detection block of (3, 5) in the embodiment of Fig. 6) is arranged as the transmission position of the infrared light. Therefore, the block detection process ends, and its process returns to the main routine in FIG. 3 .

Subsequently, the CCD 2 is allowed to expose with a frame period in the main routine, and in addition, starts to collect code data while confirming a detection signal (brightness) according to the detection block determined in the block detection process (step SA3). This process continues until data with a predetermined bit width can be obtained. After having obtained the data of predetermined bit width, that is, the code data (step SA4 is yes) that is used for command, confirm in command table T the code data (step SA5) that accords with the code value that obtains, additionally, confirm Contents of the command corresponding to the coincidence code data (step SA6). Thereafter, in response to the confirmed command operation, the following process is performed.

When the confirmed operation command is area-designated AF, during the block detection process, the detection block set as the transmission position of infrared light and the area A1 of the eight blocks around it are set as the focus area in the automatic focus control, as shown in Figure 7 shown (step SA7). Next, the alarm unit 14 is allowed to emit a predetermined alarm sound to notify the user to start image pickup. Further, AF, AE, and AWB are individually controlled, image pickup is performed through the CCD 2, and image data obtained as a result of the image pickup is compressed to be stored in the memory card 13 (steps SA10 to SA13).

When the operation command confirmed in step SA6 is the weighted AE for a single area, the eight blocks around the detection block and its surroundings are respectively set to the high-order area A2 of eight times weighting, and the surrounding forty (maximum) , and then in this embodiment, 33) blocks are set as quadruple weighted middle sub-area A3, and other blocks are set as unweighted low sub-area A4, as the weighted area in automatic exposure control, as shown in FIG. 8 displayed (step SA8). Thereafter, the processing in steps SA10 to SA13 is carried out to store image data.

When the operation command confirmed in step SA6 is the area designation AWB, the surrounding forty (maximum value, 33 in this example) blocks of the adjacent eight blocks surrounding the above-mentioned detection block are set as the color identification in the automatic white balance control area, as shown in Figure 9. Thereafter, processing in steps SA10 to SA13 is performed to store image data.

In the remote control image pickup mode described above, when the image pickup operation in the area designation AF mode is realized by the user with the infrared remote control unit, such an image pickup operation can be performed under highly precise focusing conditions, wherein as the receiving position of the infrared light The user maintains a precise focus point near the primary target. Furthermore, when the image pickup operation in the weighted AE mode for each area is performed, such image pickup can be performed in a highly precise focusing condition in which correct exposure is achieved around the user. When realizing the image pickup operation in the area designation AWB mode, on the basis of only excluding the surrounding area of the user, under the condition of adjusting the white balance, such image pickup can be realized so that it can be ensured that the clothes of the user are not adversely affected. The image pickup operation is performed under the condition of highly accurate white balance influenced by color, etc. Therefore, according to the present invention, not only can the photodetector for the infrared signal be eliminated, but also usability for the user can be increased.

The structure in which the image pickup operation is accompanied by the above-mentioned different controls (weighted AE for a single area, area-specified AF, and area-specified AWB) has been described in this embodiment, in which by using the infrared remote control unit in the digital camera 1, the its possible. It can be configured for operations other than image pickup in such a way that other operations can be performed in response to the transmission position (ie target) of the infrared light in the picked up optical image according to the operation of the infrared remote control unit. On the other hand, in the case where the digital camera 1 includes a function for picking up moving images, by operating the infrared remote control unit, it is possible to perform movements related to moving images.

Furthermore, although the present embodiment is configured so that a plurality of code data is received and recognized by using the CCD2, it may also be set so that only one code data is received.

Furthermore, it can be arranged to only confirm whether infrared light has been received, and to allow confirmation as to the location of the origin of the transmission, without carrying code data on the remote control signal to be received and transmitted in infrared light, and when infrared light has been received , execute the scheduled operation. However, in this case, since it is easily affected by light (noise) passing through other than the infrared remote control unit, the received light that occurs is easily detected erroneously. Therefore, it is preferable, as in the present embodiment, to carry code data on the remote control signal, and only when the code data can be received, perform a predetermined operation.

In addition, it is preferable that, as in this embodiment, when the code data is carried on the remote control signal, the exposure timing of the CCD 2 is synchronized with the signal period of the infrared light in the received code data. More specifically, when the two components are synchronized with each other and the code data is carried on the remote control signal, the occurrence rate of false detection can be further reduced. This is extremely effective when the bit width of the code data is particularly wide.

Hereinafter, modifications of the embodiment described above will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the detection for the transmission position of infrared light has been performed by a considerably large block previously set according to the block detection process shown in FIG. 6 . However, the transmission position of infrared light can be detected by a single pixel or a plurality of pixels.

In addition, such transfer positions of infrared light are continuously detected for a certain period of time, the results are sequentially stored, and after a certain period of time has elapsed, a specific area is determined on the basis of a change in a plurality of transfer positions stored during the above-mentioned period . For example, make an area (circle, rectangle, etc.) including all of the multiple transfer positions a specific area. Then, image pickup operations accompanied by AF processing, AE processing, and AWB processing are allowed to be performed after only this specific area is targeted. As for the types of AF processing and the like in the image pickup operation, they may be set in advance by the user, or may be corresponding to accumulated codes obtained by a configuration that continuously realizes the detection of the transfer position during the accumulation of the above-mentioned code data in parallel with the detection processing of data.

According to such a modification as described above, at the time of image pickup operation, the target area for AF processing and the like can be freely designated by the user in order to further enhance the usability thereof.

In addition to the above description, operations that will be described hereinafter can be implemented. As described above, the detection of the transmission position of infrared light is continuously performed for a certain period of time, the results are sequentially stored, and thereafter, during a certain period of time, on the basis of changes in a plurality of transmission positions that have been stored, the identification as the transmission position for transmission is performed. Motion graphics of an infrared remote control unit with a source of infrared light. The motion patterns to be identified must be easily recognizable motion patterns, for example, they may be those of vertical motion, horizontal motion, and motion for drawing large circles. The identification method is arbitrary, for example, it may be a manner of drawing a plurality of delivery positions on coordinates corresponding to detection pixel units in the memory, and performing graphic recognition of their distribution.

In addition, a command table representing motion graphics to be recognized and image recognition commands for AF processing and the like has been stored. When recognizing motion patterns, first, the area adjacent to the infrared remote control unit will be moved, for example, at any time, the area centered on the transmission position and a certain area of a part or all of the detected transmission position, in other words, an area containing the infrared Part or all of the area of the motion track of the remote control unit is set as a specific area. Then, an image pickup operation accompanied by processing corresponding to the above-described moving image is performed only with respect to this area as the target as described above.

According to the above modification, for example, by moving the infrared remote control unit horizontally, an image pickup operation accompanied by AF processing whose main target is the user himself, and an image pickup operation accompanied by AWB processing by vertically moving the infrared control unit, in which the user himself and Its surroundings become a color identification area (or an area other than the color identification area). Therefore, the usability of the digital camera including the configuration as described above is further increased. Similar to the first embodiment, if specific code data is carried on the remote control signal, and the above operation is started only when the code data can be received, erroneous operation due to erroneous detection of the remote control signal can be prevented.

In the above description, the present invention is applicable to the digital camera 1 . However, the present invention can be applied to a movie camera, a cellular phone with a camera, a PDA with a camera, a personal computer with a camera, and the like in addition to a digital camera. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to silver halide cameras including image pickup devices such as CCDs and CMOS sensors. In addition, the same operations as the present embodiment can be realized when only programs included in existing digital cameras and the like are modified or updated.

Claims (19)

1. camera comprises:

Image pickup device (2), it obtains target image and output image signal;

Record cell (13), record is from the picture signal of described image pickup device output;

First detector (3) based on the described picture signal from described image pickup device output, detects the delivering position of light signal in the described target image; And

Controller (3), the described delivering position that response is detected by described first detector, executive control operation.

2. camera as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

Designating unit (3) based on the variation of the described delivering position that is detected by described first detector, is specified the arbitrary region of described destination object; And

Wherein, described controller is with respect to the zone by described designating unit appointment, executive control operation.

3. camera as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

Recognition unit (3) based on the variation of the described delivering position that is detected by described first detector, is discerned the moving picture of the transfer source of described light signal, and

Wherein, described controller is based on the described moving picture by described recognition unit identification, executive control operation.

4. camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described controller is carried out the operation that is used to be provided with the focus detection scope.

5. camera as claimed in claim 2, wherein, described controller is carried out the operation that is used to be provided with the focus detection scope.

6. camera as claimed in claim 3, wherein, described controller is carried out the operation that is used to be provided with the focus detection scope.

7. camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described controller is carried out the operation that is used to be provided with the exposure tests scope.

8. camera as claimed in claim 2, wherein, described controller is carried out the operation that is used to be provided with the exposure tests scope.

9. camera as claimed in claim 3, wherein, described controller is carried out the operation that is used to be provided with the exposure tests scope.

10. camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described controller is carried out the operation that is used to be provided with the color identification scope.

11. camera as claimed in claim 2, wherein, described controller is carried out the operation that is used to be provided with the color identification scope.

12. camera as claimed in claim 3, wherein, described controller is carried out the operation that is used to be provided with the color identification scope.

13. camera as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

Second detector (3), the described picture signal based on from described image pickup device output detects the specific code data that transmits by described light signal; And

Wherein, described controller is carried out described control operation based on the described specific code data that is detected by described second detector.

14. camera as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

Second detector (3), based on the described picture signal from described image pickup device output, difference is by one in a plurality of specific code data of described light signal transmission; And

Wherein, described controller is carried out described control operation based on the described specific code data by described second detector identification.

15. camera as claimed in claim 2 further comprises:

Second detector (3), based on the described picture signal from described image pickup device output, difference is by one in a plurality of specific code data of described light signal transmission; And

Wherein, described controller is carried out described control operation based on the described specific code data by described second detector identification.

16. a camera control method comprises:

Obtain target image so that output image signal;

Write down described picture signal;

Based on described picture signal, detect the delivering position of light signal in the described target image; And

The delivering position that response is detected, executive control operation.

17. camera control method as claimed in claim 16 further comprises:

Based on the variation of the delivering position that is detected, specify the arbitrary region of described target image; And

Wherein, described control operation comprises the control operation with respect to described specific region.

18. camera control method as claimed in claim 16 further comprises:

Based on the variation of the delivering position that is detected, discern the moving picture of the transfer source of described light signal; And

Wherein, described control operation comprises the control operation based on the moving picture of being discerned.

19. the product of a manufacturing comprises the computer usable medium with built-in computer readable program code device, described computer readable program code device comprises:

Be used to make described computer to obtain target image so that the computer readable program code device of output image signal;

Be used to make the computer readable program code device of the described picture signal of computer recording;

Be used to make computer based in described picture signal, detect the computer readable program code device of the delivering position of the light signal in the described target image; And

Be used to make computer to respond the delivering position that is detected, the computer readable program code device of executive control operation.

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