JP3563895B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device, and more particularly, to an imaging device that analyzes output information of an imaging unit that images a subject and performs imaging.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an imaging device such as a still camera or a video camera sets an imaging region, the imaging region of a subject is generally set via a monitor having a small finder window provided in the imaging device.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, this type of imaging apparatus has a drawback that the line of sight of the photographer cannot be matched because the line of sight of the photographer is directed to a monitor or the like and not to the subject.
[0004]
In addition, it is necessary to lift the camera unit near the face when shooting, and the operation of camera shooting is made aware by both the photographer and the subject, and it is necessary to capture natural expressions and movements slightly. I needed some tips.
[0005]
On the other hand, with the progress of recording technology, the miniaturization of the image information recording device is remarkable, but the finder portion is not improved, and only the finder portion is relatively disproportionately large, which is not preferable in terms of operability and design. There was a problem.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to solve such a problem and to provide an imaging apparatus capable of reducing a load of a shooting operation and shooting a subject with a simple configuration.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes: a projection unit capable of projecting an index beam onto a subject; a main imaging system for recording the subject on which the index beam is projected on a recording medium; A sub-imaging system having an imaging unit for imaging, an image recognition unit for analyzing output information of the imaging unit, and an imaging control unit for controlling the sub-imaging system based on subject information determined by the image recognition unit The subject is recorded on a recording medium via a main imaging system controlled in conjunction with the sub imaging system. In this case, the main and sub imaging systems are controlled such that the ratio of the occupation of the recording area by the subject becomes a predetermined value.
[0008]
Further, in the present invention, an imaging mode setting means for setting an imaging ratio of the subject is provided, and the sub-imaging system is controlled based on the subject information determined by the image recognizing means and the set imaging mode. A subject is recorded on a recording medium via a main imaging system controlled in conjunction with the subject. In this case, the main and sub-imaging systems are controlled such that the proportion of the subject in the recording area determined by the image recognizing means becomes the imaging ratio set by the imaging mode setting means.
[0009]
In the embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a light projecting means capable of projecting a target beam substantially parallel to an extension of the optical axis of the main and sub imaging systems, and this index beam (pointer) is directed to a desired subject. The direction of the imaging device is adjusted such that the index light beam is located substantially at the center of the subject. In this state, from the imaging means provided in the sub-imaging system, an image signal with a desired subject substantially at the center can be obtained. This image signal is analyzed by the image recognition means, the boundary of the subject is detected, and the subject area is recognized. The imaging angle of view of the sub-imaging system is controlled such that the ratio of the recognized subject area to the imaging area matches the ratio set by the photographer with the imaging mode setting means. The imaging angle of view is adjusted mainly by an optical zoom means, but an electronic zoom means is also used as necessary. The main imaging system and the sub-imaging system are interlocked, and when the imaging angle of view is set to a desired state, the subject is recorded on the recording medium via the main imaging system controlled in conjunction with the sub-imaging system. Be recorded.
[0010]
The imaging device of the present invention is applied to various embodiments, and for example, can also be used as a gaze detecting unit. That is, a detachable insertion member is provided at a portion that guides the subject that has emitted the target light beam to the sub-imaging system, and when the insertion member is removed, the line of sight of the photographer placed at the position of the insertion member is reduced. It can be detected by the sub-imaging system.
[0011]
Further, it can be used also as a strobe auxiliary light emitting means, and the image recognizing process is performed by the image recognizing means by pre-emission of the strobe light emitting means. At the time of recording on a recording medium, the strobe light emitting means emits the main light.
[0012]
Further, it can be used also as an infrared light emitting means for distance measurement. For example, infrared rays generated from the infrared light emitting means are projected on the subject together with the target beam via the light projecting means, and the distance to the subject is measured by receiving the infrared rays from the subject.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.
[0014]
[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The imaging apparatus includes a main imaging unit 11, a sub imaging unit 12, a pointing unit 13, an image analysis unit 14, a system control unit 15, and an imaging area setting unit 16.
[0015]
When a power-on or imaging standby instruction is given to the system control unit 15 by manual operation, the pointing unit 13 receives the instruction from the system control unit 15 and moves the optical axis of the optical system of the main imaging unit 11 and the sub-imaging unit 12 to the optical axis. Emits almost parallel visible light. The sub-imaging means 12 photoelectrically converts the subject image and outputs it as an imaging signal. The image analysis means 14 performs image recognition processing on the output from the sub-imaging means 12 to detect the area of the subject image. The imaging area setting means 16 determines an imaging area (and a recording area) in accordance with the object area information obtained by the image analysis and the object imaging ratio information from the system control means 15, and determines the main and sub-imaging means 11 and 12. Is controlled. After the angle of view is adjusted by such processing, the imaging and recording operation of the main imaging unit 11 is executed in response to an imaging instruction from the system control unit 15.
[0016]
The detailed configuration of each unit will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0017]
[Emission optical system]
The pointing means 13 comprises a light projecting optical system 20 and an index generator 21. When the photographer turns on the switch SW1, the operation key switch detecting means 30 detects this and outputs a light emission instruction to the index generator 22. I do.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 3, the index generator 21 is provided with a light emitting member 21a such as a semiconductor laser driven by a laser driver 21b, and is controlled by receiving an imaging standby instruction from the system control circuit 31. When the signal is generated, the semiconductor laser 21a is driven by the laser driver 21b in the index generator 21 in response to the signal, and a visible ray serving as an index is generated. The visible light is projected by the light projecting optical system 20 to the main image pickup optical system 40 of the main image pickup means 11 and the sub image pickup optical system 50 of the sub image pickup means 12 so that their optical axes are almost parallel at the time of the subject at infinity. You. The direction of the image pickup device is adjusted so that the center of the desired subject 10 is irradiated with the index light.
[0019]
The subject image on which the index light is projected is formed on the image sensor 51 via the sub-imaging optical system 50 of the sub-imaging means 12. A signal output from the image sensor 51 is processed in a video camera signal processing circuit 52, output as a video signal, and input to an electronic zoom processing circuit 53. When a recording instruction is input, the projection of the index light is stopped so that the index of visible light is not projected on the image.
[0020]
[Imaging system]
The imaging system is divided into a main imaging system including the main imaging unit 11 and a sub imaging system including the sub imaging unit 12. The main imaging means 11 has a main imaging optical system 40 and a silver halide film recording medium 41, and the sub-imaging means 12 has a sub-imaging optical system 50, an image sensor 51, a video camera system signal processing circuit 52, and an electronic zoom process. The circuit 53 is provided.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3, the sub-imaging optical system 50 includes a focus adjusting optical system 50a for adjusting the imaging focus, an incident light amount adjusting member 50b such as an iris, and a sub-imaging magnification of the subject image on which the index light is projected. It comprises a variable power optical system 50c to be controlled.
[0022]
As described above, when a control signal is generated by the system control circuit 31 in response to the imaging standby instruction, the semiconductor laser 21a is driven by the laser driver 21b in the index generator 21 in response thereto, and the visible Light rays are generated. The subject image on which the index light is projected is formed on an image sensor 51 such as a CCD or a MOS device by a sub-image pickup optical system 50, and an output signal from the image sensor 51 is sent to a video camera system signal processing circuit 52. Then, it is processed as a video signal and input to the electronic zoom processing circuit 53 of the next stage. Based on information from the system control circuit 31, the electronic zoom processing circuit 53 provides an electronic zoom when a magnification that cannot be adjusted by the variable power optical system 50 c of the sub-imaging optical system 50 or a high-speed control that cannot be completely adjusted is required. This is a circuit for performing a scaling process and setting necessary angle of view.
[0023]
Since the electronic processing is superior in terms of power consumption, it is preferable to set the angle of view using the electronic zoom processing circuit 53 even within the adjustment range of the variable power optical system 50c. The result is obtained.
[0024]
The output signal of the electronic zoom processing circuit 53 is input to the pattern recognition processing means 60, and is subjected to image analysis as described later. The analysis result is output to the system control circuit 31 and used for various controls.
[0025]
On the other hand, the main image pickup means 11 has a main image pickup optical system 40 and a silver halide film recording medium 41. The main image pickup optical system 40 includes a focus adjustment optical system 40a for adjusting an image pickup focus, and an incident light amount adjustment such as an iris. It comprises a member 40b and a variable power optical system 40c for controlling the main imaging magnification of the subject image on which the index light is projected. The imaging light beam of the subject image onto which the index light is projected is split into two by the half mirror 40d in the main imaging optical system 40, and the main imaging light beam is separated by the shutter means 40e at a timing as required by the silver halide film recording medium 41. Then, the silver halide film recording medium 41 is exposed. The other of the two divided imaging light beams is guided to the AF sensor 40f. The signal from the AF sensor 40f is input to an automatic focus control circuit 32a using a well-known focus state detection method such as a correlation detection method or a phase difference detection method, and the focus is automatically adjusted based on the signal from the AF sensor 40f. You.
[0026]
Further, the main imaging optical system 40 includes encoders (e3, e2, e1) for detecting states of the focus adjusting optical system 40a, the incident light amount adjusting member 40b, and the variable power optical system 40c, and each encoder detection signal is transmitted to the system control circuit. The signal is output to an optical system controller 31 and is used in an optical system controller 32.
[0027]
Control regarding adjustment of various optical characteristics of the main image pickup means is performed by the optical system control means 32 in substantially the same manner as control of the sub image pickup means.
[0028]
[Optical system control means]
The control relating to the adjustment of various optical characteristics of the main and sub imaging systems is performed by the optical system control unit 32 as described above. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical system control means 32 includes an automatic focus control circuit 32a, an automatic exposure control circuit 32b, an optical zoom control circuit 32c, and a shutter control circuit 32d.
[0029]
Imaging light passing through the main imaging optical system 40 is split by the half mirror 40d and detected by the AF sensor 40f. The detection signal from the AF sensor 40f includes correlation information between two predetermined points, and a focus adjustment signal is generated by an automatic focus control circuit 32a using a so-called phase difference method. In particular, in a system that requires a faster response for capturing a still image, it is preferable to use a method of detecting and controlling a shift direction and a shift amount by a phase difference method. The focus adjustment signals generated by the automatic focus adjustment circuit 32a act as drive signals C3 and C7 on the respective focus adjustment optical systems 40a and 50a of the main and sub imaging optical systems 40 and 50, and work in conjunction with the main and sub imaging optical systems. Adjust the focus of the system.
[0030]
The automatic exposure control circuit 32b uses the information of the video camera system signal processing circuit 52 to generate a drive signal C6 to supply an appropriate amount of light accumulated within the dynamic range of the image sensor 51 onto the image sensor 51. The transmitted light amount characteristic of the incident light amount adjusting member 50b is controlled through the drive signal. As described above, first, the control value of the main imaging system is determined using the value detected by the sub-imaging system, and the transmitted light amount characteristic of the incident light amount adjusting member 40b of the main imaging system is controlled as the drive signal C2. Alternatively, the aperture value of the main imaging system may be determined using an external sensor (not shown).
[0031]
The optical zoom control circuit 32c receives an instruction from the system control circuit 31, generates a zoom magnification adjustment signal for controlling the imaging optical system, and uses the signals as drive signals C1 and C5 to change the magnification of the main and sub imaging optical systems. The signals are supplied to the optical systems 40c and 50c, and the angle of view and the focal length of each imaging optical system are adjusted in conjunction with each other.
[0032]
On the other hand, the shutter control circuit 32d receives an imaging / recording instruction from the system control circuit 31, supplies a drive signal C4 to the shutter means 40e, and controls exposure of the silver halide film medium 41.
[0033]
Incidentally, the focus adjustment of the sub-imaging system may be performed by using the TV-AF system for maximizing the sharpness of an imaged video signal, or by a pan-focus system that does not require adjustment depending on the condition of the optical system. .
[0034]
[Imaging mode selection]
Next, selection of an imaging mode for setting an imaging ratio of a subject will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0035]
The photographer inputs selection information of the imaging mode to the mode setting means 70. The display information corresponding to the input mode information is generated by the icon pattern generation circuit 71. As an example, a graphical icon pattern that is frequently used recently in a GUI of a personal computer is generated and displayed using an icon display means 72 such as a liquid crystal display.
[0036]
As a display example of this icon pattern, a pattern of the photographing magnification in three modes of large, medium and small modes of mode-A, mode-B and mode-C is shown in the frame of the icon display means 72 in FIG.
[0037]
The photographer selects a photographing magnification in the picture display. The numerical value corresponding to this magnification is the ratio of P (1) / {P (0) + (1)} when the imaging area is divided into white P (0) and the subject image area is divided into black P (1). Numerical values are stored in a form corresponding to each imaging mode, and a numerical value corresponding to the imaging magnification set here is output to the pattern recognition processing means 60. A signal from the video camera system signal processing circuit 52 is input to the pattern recognition processing unit 60, a subject area is detected, an area ratio of the subject area to the recording area is calculated, and the set photographing magnification is calculated. Based on the result of the comparison with the numerical value, a control signal is output to the optical system control means 32 so as to obtain a desired magnification.
[0038]
[Pattern recognition processing]
FIG. 4 shows a detailed configuration of the pattern recognition processing means 60. The pattern recognition processing means 60 includes an edge detection processing means 60a, a color area detection processing means 60b, a frequency discrimination (detection) processing means 60c, a motion detection processing means 60d, a pattern recognition means 60e, and a comparison means 60f. Upon receiving the camera video signal from the signal processing circuit 52, the subject area is determined.
[0039]
The edge detection processing means 60a has a function of detecting a change point in the image area based on horizontal and vertical differential coefficients and the like, and judging the continuity of the change point to determine a subject area.
[0040]
The color area detection processing means 60b has a function of grouping color information for each predetermined range and judging the continuity of the belonging range of each color to determine a subject area.
[0041]
The frequency discrimination processing means 60c has a function of discriminating the subject region by judging the continuity of the spatial frequency. As a specific example, as a characteristic peculiar to camera shooting, when the depth of field is shallow, there is a high possibility that the high-frequency component of only the desired subject is increased by the automatic focusing means. Thus, the main subject can be distinguished from the background.
[0042]
The motion detection processing unit 60d has a function of discriminating a subject area by utilizing that a desired subject is likely to have a different motion pattern from another person or background. In the actual device configuration, it can be shared when the area resolving ability of the image motion detecting means used in a video camera shake correction device or the like in recent years is equal to or more than a predetermined value.
[0043]
The pre-processed information is comprehensively used to determine the area of the subject by the next-stage pattern recognition means 60e, and the proportion of the subject area in the current imaging area is calculated as P ( 1) / {P (0) + P (1)} and supplied to the comparing means 60f. The comparison means 60f compares the current subject area ratio with the numerical value of the photographing magnification, and controls the optical system control means 32 so as to attain a desired magnification.
[0044]
[Operation sequence]
Next, an operation sequence of the entire system will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
[0045]
First, as shown in step S1, as a main routine, the trimming means is initialized, and the variable power optical systems of the main and sub image pickup systems and the electronic zoom means are initialized to the wide end.
[0046]
Subsequently, in step S2, it is determined whether the switch SW1 has been pressed. When the photographer turns on the switch SW1, the operation key switch detecting means 30 detects the depression of the switch SW1, and turns on the pointer in step S3. In response to this operation, a control signal is generated in response to an imaging standby instruction, and the semiconductor laser 21a in the index generator 21 is driven by the laser driver 21b in response to the control signal to generate visible light serving as an index. This visible light is projected through the light projecting optical system 20 to the main and sub-imaging optical systems 40 and 50 so that the optical axis is almost parallel when the subject is at infinity.
[0047]
The subject image onto which the index light beam (pointer) is projected is formed on the image pickup device 51 via the sub-imaging optical system 50, and the signal output from the image pickup device 51 is sent to the video camera system signal processing circuit 52. And is output as a video signal. At this time, the subroutine is called, and the pointer is continuously irradiated on a desired subject (target) while adjusting the angle of view in the subroutine.
[0048]
In the subroutine, the set value of the screen ratio of the subject that can be set in the imaging mode set by the photographer in step S9 is read. That is, the photographer inputs a desired photographing magnification from three modes of large, medium and small modes, mode-A, mode-B, and mode-C, which are shown in the frame of the mode setting means 70, 72. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, mode-A having the highest photographing magnification is selected.
[0049]
The display information corresponding to the input imaging mode information is generated by the pattern generation circuit 71 and displayed by the icon display means 72, and at the same time, the numerical value corresponding to the set photographing magnification is compared with the comparison means 60f of the pattern recognition processing means 60. Output. The numerical value corresponding to this magnification is the ratio of P (1) / {P (0) + P (1)} when the imaging area is divided into white P (0) and the subject image area is divided into black P (1). Since the values are digitized and stored in a form corresponding to each of the modes, the corresponding numerical value among them is output to the comparing means 60f of the pattern recognition processing means 60.
[0050]
Subsequently, in step S10, image recognition processing is performed by the following processing using the pattern recognition processing means 60. The video signal from the video camera system signal processing circuit 52, which has been trimmed by being linked with the variable power optical system 40c of the main imaging optical system, is supplied to the edge detection processing means 60a, the color area detection processing means 60b, and the frequency discrimination processing. The area of the subject is discriminated by the next-stage pattern recognition means 60e using the information obtained by the above-mentioned functions comprehensively and supplied to the various processing means of the means 60c and the motion detection processing means 60d. The number of pixels in the area (corresponding to P (1)) and the number of pixels in the imaging area (corresponding to P (0)) are counted, and the ratio of the subject area in the current imaging area to P (1) / It is digitized by the ratio of {P (0) + P (1)} and supplied to the comparison means 60f.
[0051]
The comparing means 60f compares the value thus quantified with the set value read in step S9, generates a correction control signal, and controls the imaging angle of view so that the two coincide with each other. That is, the magnification of the main and sub imaging systems is controlled via the optical system control means 32 so as to obtain a desired magnification based on the comparison result (step S11).
[0052]
FIG. 5 shows this control characteristic. In this example, the optical zoom enables trimming at a magnification of 8 times. Here, if the value of the number of pixels in the subject area calculated by the pattern recognition unit 60e, which is a value representing the current magnification, is lower than the target value of the magnification set according to the calculation result of the magnification, the magnification is corrected. Conversely, if the current magnification is high, control is performed so as to correct in the reduction direction.
[0053]
Subsequently, in step S12, a tele (telephoto / enlargement direction) or wide (wide-angle / reduction direction) end of the optical system is detected. Upon reaching each end, a warning is issued by sound or display in step S13. In this case, the set value in step S9 may be changed to a value close to the adjustable range.
[0054]
In step S14, the correction process is continued until each end is reached, and a desired angle of view is driven. When the angle of view matches the desired angle of view, the process returns to the main routine.
[0055]
In step S4 of the main routine, the center of the desired subject is irradiated with a pointer, and the main and sub image pickup systems are adjusted to the photographing magnification set by the photographer by the optical trimming process performed under the optical system control means 32. If it is determined that the angle of view has been set to a desired state, it is determined in step S5 whether the switch SW2 has been pressed. When the operation key switch detecting means 30 detects that the switch SW2 is pressed, in step S6, the pointer is turned off immediately after the final correction and immediately before the imaging and recording. Subsequently, the system control circuit 31 outputs the drive signal C4 through the optical system control means 32, controls the shutter means 40e of the main image pickup optical system 40, exposes the subject light onto the silver halide film recording medium 41, and performs imaging and A recording process is performed (Step S7). In step S8, if there is no next image pickup, the process ends, and if there is, the process returns to step S2 and repeats again.
[0056]
Various examples of the imaging mode set in step S9 are shown in FIG. Mode-A set in FIG. 4 is a mode for up, in which the icon indicates a human head and the pixel ratio is registered as 70%. As a result, as shown in the upper left figure, the photographer confirms a scene in which the pointer light spot is located at the center of the solid-line square frame indicating the imaging area, and presses the switch to turn on SW2 to perform the recording by the image recognition processing. The area adjustment process achieves an imaging pixel ratio of 70%. At this magnification, a still image is recorded on the film.
[0057]
mode-B is a mode for bust shot, in which the icon indicates the upper body of a person and the pixel ratio is registered as 40%. As a result, when the photographer confirms the scene as shown in the middle left diagram and presses the switch to turn on SW2, the image ratio realizes the imaging ratio of 40% by the image recognition processing. At this magnification, a still image is recorded on the film.
[0058]
mode-C is a mode for landscape photography, in which the icon indicates a distant view of the mountain and the pixel ratio is registered as 20%. As a result, when the photographer confirms the scene as shown in the lower left figure and presses the switch to turn on the SW-2, the pixel ratio achieves the imaging magnification of 20% by the image recognition processing. At this magnification, a still image is recorded on the film. Only in this mode, the pointer light does not have to indicate the central subject. That is, since it is a distant view imaging condition, there is a high possibility that the light cannot be sufficiently emitted. Even if it is set and an imaging process is performed, a result close to a certain extent can be obtained.
[0059]
[Application example]
FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example in which the above-described imaging apparatus is applied to a compact camera as a front view and a rear view. On the front of the compact camera, a light projecting member 81 (pointing means 13) for projecting the index light, a main imaging system optical lens 82 (main imaging means 11), and a sub imaging system optical lens 83 (sub imaging means 12) are arranged. Have been. The spot-like target light 84 projected from the light projecting member 81 is projected onto the target subject 10 substantially parallel to the optical axes of the main and sub imaging systems. The light beam 85 from the subject including the index light is received by the optical lens 83 of the sub-imaging system, is collected through an optical lens 82 of the main imaging system onto a film housed in an imaging device, and is recorded.
[0060]
A switch 86 (switches SW1 and SW2) for shutter release is provided on the upper surface of the compact camera. By operating this switch, light emission of the pointer, adjustment of the angle of view, and recording as described above are performed. Further, a display section 87 (icon display means 72) is formed on the upper surface, and various information such as an imaging mode can be visually checked. A normal finder 88 is provided on the back of the compact camera. Thus, when the no finder function of the present invention is not used, the finder light beam 89 can be visually recognized as a normal finder.
[0061]
[Other embodiments]
FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show a configuration that can also be used as the visual axis detection optical system. FIG. 10A shows a configuration at the time of use in the finder state, and FIG. 10B shows a configuration at the time of use in the pointer state.
[0062]
The infrared light projecting means 91 emits infrared light in the direction of the photographer's pupil in accordance with an instruction from the system control circuit 31 to obtain illumination or corneal reflected light necessary for a gaze direction detecting mechanism. It is installed in the direction to illuminate the pupil when looking through the viewfinder. The reflected light from the pupil is imaged on the imaging device 51 via the sub-imaging optical system 50 and detected as a two-dimensional image. This detection signal is processed by a well-known gaze direction calculation algorithm, and is used for focus adjustment, system control, and the like.
[0063]
When the no finder function of the present invention is used, the configuration is as shown in FIG. That is, a pair of the light shielding member 92 and the reflection member 93 is inserted into the pupil side of the finder section. Further, the infrared light emitting means 91 is turned off. The incident light beam 85 from the subject is reflected by the reflecting surface of the reflecting member 92, forms an image on the image sensor 51 via the sub-imaging optical system 50, and is detected as a two-dimensional image. This detection signal is used for the above-described image recognition.
[0064]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a configuration that can also be used as the line-of-sight detection means. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0065]
By the mode selection, first, a pointer mode for using the no finder function or a normal finder mode is set, and this selection information is input to the system control circuit 31. According to this setting, it is determined whether or not to use the output information of the visual line detection processing means 90.
[0066]
When the line-of-sight detection mode is selected (FIG. 10A), the projection light of the infrared light projecting means 91 irradiates the pupil, and the reflected light forms an image on the image sensor 51 via the sub-imaging optical system 50. And are photoelectrically converted. The imaging element 51 does not include an infrared cut filter, and can detect infrared reflected light at the time of gaze detection. The photoelectric conversion output signal from the image sensor 51 is output as a video signal by the camera-system signal processing circuit 52, performs a well-known gaze detection calculation by the gaze detection processing unit 90, and the result is transmitted to the system control circuit 31. The system control unit 32 is driven to focus on a region in the line of sight and optimize exposure of the imaging region.
[0067]
On the other hand, when the pointer mode is selected (FIG. 10B), the subject light 85 including the index light is imaged on the imaging element 51 via the sub-imaging optical system 50 and photoelectrically converted. The imaging element 51 has sufficient detection sensitivity even in the visible light region, and can detect a signal for pattern recognition. The photoelectric conversion output signal from the image pickup device is output as a video signal by the camera system signal processing circuit 52, subjected to trimming processing as needed by the electronic zoom circuit 53, and used for pattern recognition processing as in the first embodiment. You.
[0068]
FIG. 12 shows a configuration of still another embodiment which can be used also as a strobe auxiliary light emitting means. 2 differs from the configuration of FIG. 2 in that a strobe light emitting unit 100 that operates in response to a control signal from a system control circuit 31 is provided, and that information processed by a video camera system signal processing circuit 52 is stored. That is, an image memory 101 is provided.
[0069]
In such a configuration, as shown in the operation flowchart of FIG. 13, trimming means such as an optical zoom and an electronic zoom are initialized in step T1 (corresponding to step S1 in FIG. 6). Subsequently, the set value of the imaging ratio is read in step T2 (corresponding to step S9 in FIG. 6). Thereafter, it is determined in step T3 whether the switch SW1 has been pressed, and if so, the subroutine is called in step T4.
[0070]
In step T8 of the subroutine, the flash emission unit 100 is driven to perform pre-flash emission of the flash and auxiliary emission of autofocus (AF). Since the auxiliary light emission of this AF is visible light, it can be shared with the above-mentioned index light. Also, while the switch is half-pressed (while the switch SW2 is not pressed), the loop including the subroutine is running, so that the light emission processing is always executed continuously, and the object setting using the pointer light is performed. Can be performed during this period.
[0071]
In the following step T9, a subject image at the time of the pre-flash emission of the strobe is taken and stored in the image memory 101, and in step T10, a pattern recognition process of the image using the information of the subject image is executed (FIG. 6). (Corresponding to step S10). In step T11, it is checked whether the angle of view setting is a desired value by the same calculation method as in the first embodiment. If the angle of view is satisfactory, the process returns to the main routine process. In step T12, the optical zoom control of the main imaging system and the sub imaging system is performed (corresponding to step S11 in FIG. 6), and the process returns to step T8 for readjustment, and the above processing is continued.
[0072]
If the angle of view has reached the set value, the process returns to the main routine, and in step T5, it is checked whether the switch SW2 has been pressed. The process returns to step T3 until it is pressed, and waits. If it is determined in step T5 that the switch SW2 has been pressed, the main flash of the strobe is performed by the strobe light emitting means 100 in step T6. In synchronization with this, the imaging and recording operations are performed (step T7).
[0073]
FIG. 14 shows the configuration of still another embodiment that can be used also as the light projecting means of the infrared AF. The same parts as those in the configuration of FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0074]
In FIG. 14, an infrared light emitter 110 and a visible light emitter 111 that operate in response to a control signal from the system control circuit 31 are provided, and an AF sensor 112 that receives light from a subject is provided. The infrared light emitter 110 generates infrared light for distance measurement by triangulation, and the visible light emitter 111 generates visible light for a pointer.
[0075]
The infrared light from the infrared light generator 110 and the pointer light from the visible light generator 111 are projected onto a target subject by using the common projection optical system 20. A light beam 84 in the front view of the camera shown in FIG. 8 is a light beam emitted from the light projecting optical system 20 in FIG. If a broadband light-emitting element that covers both spectral bands of infrared light for distance measurement and visible light for an index pointer is used, the infrared light emitter 110 and the visible light emitter 111 can be configured by one member. .
[0076]
When the light beam for distance measurement is projected on the subject, the AF sensor 112 detects the reflected light intensity of the infrared light, transmits it to the optical system control unit 32 as an AF signal, measures time, and calculates the subject distance. . A well-known algorithm can be used for the distance calculation method itself.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the subject can be collimated by projecting the index light beam (pointer), there is no need to look for the subject while looking through the viewfinder. And operability is greatly improved. Further, if the shooting ratio of the subject is set or selected in advance, it is not necessary to adjust the angle of view while looking through the viewfinder, and the operability at the time of imaging is remarkably improved.
[0078]
Further, according to the present invention, the finder portion is improved, and in response to the downsizing of the image information recording device, which has been remarkably downsized in recent years, the finder portion can be reduced in power consumption to have a design-balanced shape. Can contribute to downsizing.
[0079]
Further, the imaging apparatus of the present invention can be used also as a line-of-sight detection unit, a strobe auxiliary light emitting unit, an optical system for infrared projection for active distance measurement, and the like, and it is possible to minimize the number of additional members. Become.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of each unit in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of main and sub-imaging means.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a pattern recognition processing unit.
FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram illustrating characteristics of angle-of-view control performed by an optical system control unit.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence of the imaging apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating selectable imaging modes.
FIG. 8 is a front view when the imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a camera.
FIG. 9 is a rear view when the imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a camera.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment that can also be used as a visual axis detection optical system.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment that can be used also as a visual axis detection optical system.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment that can be used also as a strobe auxiliary light emitting means.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence of the configuration of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment that can also be used as a light projecting unit of an infrared AF.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 subject
20 Projection optical system
21 Index generator
30 Operation key switch detection means
31 System control circuit
32 Optical system control means
40 Main imaging optical system
41 Silver halide film recording medium
50 Sub-imaging optical system
51 Image sensor
52 Video camera system signal processing circuit
53 Electronic zoom processing circuit
60 Pattern recognition processing means
70 Mode setting means
71 Icon Pattern Generation Circuit
72 Icon display means

Claims (7)

Projection means capable of projecting an index light beam to a subject,
A main image pickup system for recording the subject projected with the index light beam on a recording medium,
A sub-imaging system including imaging means for imaging the subject projected with the index light beam,
Image recognition means for analyzing output information of the imaging means,
Imaging control means for controlling a sub-imaging system based on subject information determined by the image recognition means,
An imaging apparatus for recording a subject on a recording medium via a main imaging system controlled in conjunction with the sub imaging system. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main and sub imaging systems are controlled such that a ratio of the subject in a recording area is a predetermined value. Projection means capable of projecting an index light beam to a subject,
A main image pickup system for recording the subject projected with the index light beam on a recording medium,
A sub-imaging system including imaging means for imaging the subject projected with the index light beam,
Image recognition means for analyzing output information of the imaging means,
Imaging mode setting means for setting an imaging ratio of a subject;
Imaging control means for controlling a sub-imaging system based on subject information determined by the image recognition means and an imaging mode set,
An imaging apparatus for recording a subject on a recording medium via a main imaging system controlled in conjunction with the sub imaging system. 4. The main and sub imaging systems are controlled such that the ratio of the object occupying the recording area determined by the image recognition unit becomes the imaging ratio set by the imaging mode setting unit. Imaging device. A detachable insertion member is provided at a portion that guides the subject to which the optotype light is projected to the sub-imaging system, and when the insertion member is removed, the line of sight of the photographer placed at the position of the insertion member is subordinate. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the imaging apparatus can be detected by an imaging system. An electronic flash device is provided, and an image recognition process is performed by an image recognizing device by pre-emission of the electronic flash device, and the electronic flash device emits main light when recording on a recording medium. Item 6. The imaging device according to any one of Items 1 to 5. Infrared light emitting means is provided, and infrared light generated from the infrared light emitting means is projected on the subject together with a target beam through the light projecting means, and the distance to the subject is measured by receiving infrared light from the subject. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the imaging device is used.

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