JP2012053366A - Imaging apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an imaging apparatus capable of performing an automatic start adapted to the intention of a user.SOLUTION: A first touch sensor 19, a second touch sensor 20, and a first imaging section 13 for imaging the surroundings of the rear side of a housing are provided on the rear side of the housing. A third touch sensor and a second imaging section for imaging the surroundings of the front side of the housing are provided on the front side of the housing. When an imaging apparatus 100 is turned into an idle state (a power source is off), a control section 10 automatically starts in an operation mode (a photographic mode for photographing a subject/a playback mode for displaying a photographic image) that matches the behavior of a user considered based on the touch detection results of the first touch sensor 19 to the third touch sensor and the surrounding states respectively obtained from imaging outputs of the first imaging section 13 and the second imaging section. Accordingly, the automatic start adapted to the intention of the user can be performed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a program that can be automatically activated in accordance with a user's intention.

  There is known a technique for setting a photographing apparatus that is turned off and in a photographing stopped state to a state in which photographing can be performed quickly. As this type of technology, for example, in Patent Document 1, a touch sensor is provided on the grip of the camera body, and when the touch sensor detects that the user has gripped the grip, power is supplied to each unit and the state immediately shifts to a ready-to-shoot state. Techniques for making them disclosed are disclosed.

JP 2003-295282 A

  By the way, in the technique disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document 1, since the user is not intentionally photographed and simply shifts to a state in which immediate photographing is possible simply by grasping the grip of the camera body, There is a problem that it cannot be started.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus and a program that can perform automatic activation in accordance with a user's intention.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first situation acquisition means for acquiring the situation around the back side of the apparatus casing and the second condition for obtaining the situation around the front side of the apparatus casing. Status acquisition means, a gripping state detection means for detecting a state in which the user grips the apparatus housing, a situation on the back side obtained by the first status acquisition means, and the second status acquisition means The device is automatically activated in an operation mode that matches the user's behavior, which is detected based on the acquired front-side surrounding conditions and the state in which the user grasps the device housing, which is detected by the gripping state detection means. And an activation control means for performing the above.

  In the invention according to claim 2 subordinate to claim 1, the activation control means includes an imaging mode for acquiring a captured image or a playback mode for displaying the acquired captured image as an operation mode that matches the user's behavior. One of the features is that the own apparatus is automatically activated.

  In the invention according to claim 3, which is dependent on claim 1, the first situation acquisition means has face detection means for determining whether or not a user's face has been detected from the acquired situation on the back side. It is characterized by that.

  In the invention according to claim 4 subordinate to claim 3, the face detection means detects the direction of the line of sight of the detected face when the face of the user is detected from the situation around the back side. The apparatus further comprises means.

  In the invention according to claim 5 subordinate to claim 1, the second situation acquisition means includes subject detection means for determining whether or not a subject has been detected from the acquired situation around the front side. Features.

  In the invention according to claim 6, which is dependent on claim 1, the gripping state detection means detects a user's contact operation at a plurality of locations of the apparatus housing, and the user detects the apparatus housing from the detected user contact operation. It is characterized by detecting a state of gripping the body.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the first situation acquisition step for acquiring the situation around the back side of the apparatus casing and the second situation acquisition step for acquiring the situation around the front side of the apparatus casing. A gripping state detection step for detecting a state in which the user grips the apparatus housing, a situation around the back side obtained by the first situation acquisition step, and a front face obtained by the second situation acquisition step Activation control step of automatically starting the apparatus in an operation mode that matches the user's behavior taken into consideration based on the situation around the side and the state in which the user grasps the apparatus housing based on the grasping state detection step Are executed.

  In the present invention, automatic activation can be performed in accordance with the user's intention.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. 1 is a front view illustrating an appearance of an imaging apparatus 100. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an imaging apparatus 100. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of main power-off processing executed by the control unit 10 of the imaging apparatus 100.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A. Configuration (1) Appearance Configuration FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are a perspective view and a front view showing a rear side appearance of an imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the first touch sensor 19 and the second touch sensor 20 are arranged on the back side of the imaging device 100 at locations where the user holds the device housing B with the left and right fingers. And a first imaging unit 13 that captures an image around the back side of the apparatus housing B. On the front side of the device casing B, as shown in FIG. 2, a third touch sensor 21 is provided at a location where the user holds the device casing B with his / her right finger and is dedicated to subject imaging. In the vicinity of the objective lens of the third imaging unit 15 to be used, a second imaging unit 14 that images the periphery of the front side of the apparatus housing B is provided. The intention of providing the first imaging unit 13, the second imaging unit 14, and the first touch sensor 19 to the third touch sensor 21 will be described later.

(2) Electrical Configuration FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the imaging apparatus 100. In FIG. 3, the control unit 10 includes a CPU and the like, and controls each unit of the apparatus. The characteristic processing operation of the control unit 10 according to the gist of the present invention will be described in detail later. The operation unit 11 is, for example, a power switch for instructing a power shutdown by a long press operation or instructing a power on / off in response to an on / off operation, a mode dial for selectively switching a shooting mode or a playback mode, and a display unit 17 is a cursor key that is operated when pointing to a menu item or icon displayed on the screen, a zoom lever that is operated by zooming, and a shutter button that generates a focusing instruction when pressed halfway and a shooting instruction when pressed fully. Etc., and an event corresponding to the operation of these operators is generated. Events generated by the operation unit 11 are captured by the control unit 10.

  The power supply unit 12 shuts down or on / off the power supplied to each unit in accordance with a control signal generated by the control unit 10 based on the operation of the power switch. Specifically, in the shutdown, the power supply is cut off for all the parts of the device, in the power-on startup state, the power is supplied to all the parts of the device, and in the idle state where the power is off, the third imaging unit 15 and the display unit 17 are excluded Power is supplied to each part.

  The first imaging unit 13 captures an image around the back side of the apparatus housing B and generates an imaging signal. The second imaging unit 14 captures an image of the periphery of the front side of the device casing B and generates an imaging signal. The third image pickup unit 15 implements a zoom function and an autofocus function, and picks up an imaged subject in response to a user operation and generates an image pickup signal.

  The image processing unit 16 selectively performs image processing on the imaging signals output from the first imaging unit 13 to the third imaging unit 15 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 10. Specifically, when the control unit 10 detects a user's shooting operation (described later) based on outputs from a first touch sensor 19 to a third touch sensor 21 described later in an idle state (power off), the image processing unit 16 In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10, a rear image and a front image are generated based on the respective imaging signals output from the first imaging unit 13 and the second imaging unit 14, respectively.

  In addition, when the control unit 10 detects a holding operation (described later) based on outputs from a second touch sensor 20 and a third touch sensor 21 described later in the idle state (power off), the image processing unit 16 controls the control unit 10. , Face detection is performed on the rear image generated based on the imaging signal output from the first imaging unit 13. When a user's face is detected from the back image by face detection, line-of-sight detection is performed to detect the direction of the user's line of sight according to the detected face direction and pupil position.

  Further, when the control unit 10 detects a gripping operation (described later) based on an output of a third touch sensor 21 described later in the idle state (power off), the image processing unit 16 follows the instruction of the control unit 10 and the second imaging unit. Subject detection is performed on the front image generated based on the imaging signal output from 14.

  In addition, the image processing unit 16 converts the captured image generated based on the imaging signal output from the third imaging unit 15 into a video signal and supplies the video signal to the display unit 17 in the imaging mode in the activated state (power on). Then, when the display unit 17 functions as a viewfinder and the control unit 10 generates a shooting instruction in response to pressing of the shutter button, the captured image for one frame captured at that time is compressed and encoded, and the storage unit 18. To record. On the other hand, in the playback mode in the activated state (power on), the compressed photographed image that is selectively read out from the storage unit 18 according to a user operation is decompressed, and the decompressed photographed image is converted into a video signal and displayed on the display unit 17. Display playback.

  The display unit 17 includes a color liquid crystal panel and the like, and displays the video signal generated by the image processing unit 16 on the screen under the control of the control unit 10. The storage unit 18 includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, and the like. The storage unit 18 stores various control programs and control data executed by the control unit 10, a work area of the control unit 10, a DMA transfer area of the image processing unit 16, and a VRAM. In addition to being used as an area or the like, it is used as a built-in memory (or external memory) for recording and storing compressed photographed images.

  The first touch sensor 19 to the third touch sensor 21 are well-known touch switches each configured by a capacitance method. The first touch sensor 19 and the second touch sensor 20 detect a single touch touch operation. The third touch sensor 21 detects a single-touch touch operation or a multi-touch multi-touch operation. The detection outputs of the first touch sensor 19 to the third touch sensor 21 are taken into the control unit 10. The control unit 10 estimates a user action based on the captured detection output. For example, when both the first touch sensor 19 and the second touch sensor 20 detect a touch operation and the third touch sensor 21 detects a multi-touch operation, the user holds the apparatus housing B with left and right fingers. Consider it an action.

B. Operation Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4 illustrates an operation of power-off processing that is executed by the control unit 10 of the imaging apparatus 100 in an idle state (power-off). When the power supply unit 12 enters an idle state in which power is supplied to each unit other than the third imaging unit 15 and the display unit 17 in accordance with the user's power switch operation, this processing is executed at regular intervals.

  At the execution timing of this processing, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S1, the first touch sensor 19 and the second touch sensor 20 both detect a touch operation, and the third touch sensor 21 detects a multi-touch operation. It is determined whether or not the user is performing a shooting operation with the apparatus housing B held by the left and right fingers. If the user is performing a shooting operation, the determination result here is “YES”, and the flow proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, it is determined whether or not both the first imaging unit 13 and the second imaging unit 14 are imaging darkness. For example, the imaging apparatus 100 is housed in a cover case or the like, and thereby, a first imaging unit 13 that captures the periphery of the back side of the apparatus housing B and a second imaging unit 14 that captures the periphery of the front side of the apparatus housing B are provided. If both of them capture darkness, the determination result is “YES”, and the idle state (power off) is maintained. In other words, the idle state (power off) is maintained even if the photographing operation is performed in a situation unsuitable for photographing such as case storage.

  On the other hand, if both the first imaging unit 13 and the second imaging unit 14 are not capturing darkness, the determination result in step S2 is “NO”. In this case, the shooting operation is performed in a situation where shooting is possible. As a result, the power supply unit 12 is instructed to turn on the power (in the activated state), and the third imaging unit 15 is instructed to activate the imaging mode for capturing the subject. As a result, the user is automatically activated in the shooting mode only by holding the apparatus housing B with the left and right fingers.

  On the other hand, when the user is not performing the photographing operation, the determination result in Step S1 is “NO”, and the process proceeds to Step S3. In step S3, it is determined whether or not both the second touch sensor 20 and the third touch sensor 21 have detected a touch operation, that is, whether or not the user is performing a holding operation of holding the casing B with left and right fingers.

  If the user is performing the holding operation, the determination result is “YES”, and the process proceeds to step S4, where the determination is generated based on the imaging signal output from the first imaging unit 13 that images the periphery of the back side of the apparatus housing B. The image processing unit 16 is instructed to perform face detection on the back image. In step S5, the image processing unit 16 determines whether the user's face is detected from the background image.

  If the user's face cannot be detected from the background image, the determination result in step S5 is “NO”, and the process proceeds to step S7 described later. On the other hand, when the user's face is detected from the background image, the determination result in step S5 is “YES”. In this case, the holding operation for viewing the display screen of the display unit 17 is performed. Instructing the power-on (start-up state) and instructing the image processing unit 16 to start the playback mode. As a result, the user is automatically activated in the reproduction mode only by holding the apparatus housing B with the left and right fingers.

  When the image processing unit 16 detects the face of the user from the background image, it performs line-of-sight detection that detects the direction of the line of sight according to the detected face direction and pupil position, and the detected line-of-sight direction May face the display screen of the display unit 17, the power source unit 12 may be instructed to turn on the power (in an activated state), and the image processing unit 16 may be instructed to activate the playback mode. In this way, it is possible to automatically start in the playback mode only when the user holds the apparatus housing B with the left and right fingers and performs an operation of viewing the display screen.

  On the other hand, if the user has not performed the holding operation of holding the apparatus housing B with the left and right fingers, the determination result in Step S3 described above is “NO”, and the process proceeds to Step S6. In step S <b> 6, it is determined whether or not the third touch sensor 21 has detected a touch operation, that is, whether or not the user is performing a gripping operation for gripping the device housing B with only the right hand. If the gripping operation is not performed, the determination result is “NO”, and the idle state (power off) is maintained.

  On the other hand, if the user performs a gripping operation for gripping the apparatus housing B with only the right hand, the determination result in step S6 is “YES”, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the image processing unit 16 is instructed to perform subject detection on the front image generated based on the imaging signal output from the second imaging unit 14 that captures the periphery of the front side of the apparatus housing B, and in response thereto It is determined whether or not the image processing unit 16 has detected a subject from the front image.

  If the subject is not detected, the determination result is “NO” and the idle state (power off) is maintained. However, if the subject is detected, the determination result is “YES”. In this case, one hand (right hand) is used. Assuming that the apparatus housing B is to be photographed, the power supply unit 12 is instructed to turn on the power (activated state), and the image processing unit 16 is instructed to activate the imaging mode by the third imaging unit 15. As a result, the user is automatically activated in the shooting mode only by holding the apparatus housing B with the right hand.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first touch sensor 19, the second touch sensor 20, and the first imaging unit 13 that images the periphery of the back side of the device housing B are provided on the back side of the device housing B. When the imaging device 100 is in an idle state (power off), the first touch sensor 19 is provided when the third touch sensor 21 and the second imaging unit 14 that images the front side periphery of the housing B are provided on the front side of the device housing B. In an operation mode that matches the user's behavior (motion) taken into consideration based on each touch detection result of the third touch sensor 21 and the surrounding situation obtained from each imaging output of the first imaging unit 13 and the second imaging unit 14. Since it is automatically activated, it is possible to perform automatic activation according to the user's intention.

  In the present embodiment, the operation mode that matches the behavior of the user is automatically activated in either a shooting mode for acquiring a captured image or a playback mode for displaying the acquired captured image. The shooting mode and playback mode can be automatically activated with high accuracy. Further, since it is determined whether or not the user's face has been detected from the acquired situation around the back side, it is possible to determine whether or not the user is behaving to view the display screen.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, when the user's face is detected from the situation on the back side, the direction of the line of sight of the detected face is detected, so that the behavior of the user looking at the display unit can be further improved. Can be determined. Further, since it is determined whether or not the subject has been detected from the acquired situation around the front side, it can be determined that there is a possibility that the user has an intention to shoot. Furthermore, since the user's contact operation (touch operation / multi-touch operation) at a plurality of locations of the housing is detected, and the state in which the user grips the housing is detected from the detected user contact operation, Whether the housing is gripped by the behavior can be determined with high accuracy.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control part 11 Operation part 12 Power supply part 13 1st imaging part 14 2nd imaging part 15 3rd imaging part 16 Image processing part 17 Display part 18 Memory | storage part 19 1st touch sensor 20 2nd touch sensor 21 3rd touch sensor 100 Imaging device

Claims (7)

First situation acquisition means for acquiring the situation around the back side of the apparatus housing;
Second situation acquisition means for acquiring the situation around the front side of the apparatus housing;
Gripping state detection means for detecting a state in which the user grips the apparatus housing;
The situation around the back side acquired by the first situation acquisition means, the situation around the front side obtained by the second situation acquisition means, and the gripping state detection means, and the user can An image pickup apparatus comprising: an activation control unit that automatically activates the apparatus in an operation mode that matches a user's behavior taken into consideration based on a state of gripping the user.   The activation control means automatically activates its own apparatus in an imaging mode for acquiring a captured image or a playback mode for displaying the acquired captured image as an operation mode that matches a user's behavior. The imaging device according to claim 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first situation acquisition unit includes a face detection unit that determines whether or not a user's face has been detected from the acquired situation around the back side.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the face detection unit further includes a line-of-sight detection unit that detects a direction of a line of sight of the detected face when a face of the user is detected from a situation around the back side. .   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second situation acquisition unit includes a subject detection unit that determines whether or not a subject has been detected from the acquired situation around the front side.   2. The gripping state detecting unit detects a user's contact operation at a plurality of locations of the apparatus housing, and detects a state in which the user grips the apparatus housing from the detected user contact operation. The imaging device described. On the computer,
A first situation acquisition step for obtaining a situation around the back side of the apparatus housing;
A second situation acquisition step for acquiring the situation around the front side of the device housing;
A gripping state detection step of detecting a state in which the user grips the device housing;
The situation around the back side acquired by the first situation acquisition step, the situation around the front side obtained by the second situation acquisition step, and the gripping state detection step, and the user can And a start control step for automatically starting the apparatus in an operation mode that matches the user's behavior taken into account based on the state of gripping the device.

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