JPH10133308A - Image-pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize the special photographing action of a panoramic picture and the like without requiring a special technique or skill by automatically executing the photographing action when a posture set as a photographing condition and the real posture of a camera main body are compared and they coincide with each other. SOLUTION: When the photographing condition is set, zoom, exposure, shutter speed and the like are decided and stored in an inside memory by operating a set button 24. Besides, an arithmetically operated photographing posture is stored. Then, the set of the photographing condition is finished. When a release button is turned on by a photographer, the photographing action of a first frame is finished. Next, when the posture of a camera is properly changed by the photographer and it coincides with the posture of a next frame stored at the setting time of the photographing condition, that means, the posture set as the photographing condition and the real posture of the camera main body 13 are compared and it is detected by a photographing posture decision means that they coincide with each other, a photographing means is actuated based on the detection signal of the decision means. Then, a shutter is automatically opened and the photographing action of the next frame is automatically executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus for photographing a plurality of images for viewing a plurality of images as a set.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image for viewing a plurality of images as a set, there are an image such as a connected panoramic photograph and an image of one subject viewed from a plurality of different directions. In a connected panoramic photograph, image distortion occurs when a wide-angle lens is used, so that a plurality of images are connected to obtain an image close to a human eye by using a standard lens or the like for a wide range of subjects. This is useful when recording a subject such as a landscape with a larger angle of view. Further, in order to recognize buildings, fashions, and the like from various perspectives, the subject is photographed from various directions. The use of a plurality of images as described above has recently been used not only for silver halide photography but also for computer images.

[0003] That is, with the recent development of computer-related technology, there is a technique for actively reproducing a photographed image in a computer.
ckTimeVR (Virtual Reality)
There is something like Among these, a QuickTime VR Pan which takes a picture at a fixed angle about 360 degrees around the camera and reproduces the image on a computer screen
QuickTime that captures orama and 360 degrees around the subject at a predetermined angle and reproduces them on a computer screen
There are two types of eVR Objects. This Quick
Photographing of TimeVObject is performed by repeating a procedure of placing a subject on a turntable or the like, turning the table at a predetermined angle, stopping the photographing, and photographing.
However, when the subject is fixed or large like a building, it is necessary to move the camera around the subject to perform shooting.

[0004] Next, QuickTimeVR Pano
As an example showing the rama appreciation method, there is one shown in FIG. 7 in which the interior of a car is photographed. FIG. 7A is an initial screen displayed on the computer screen, and the hand mark in the figure is a cursor that is moved by operating a pointing device such as a mouse connected to the computer. When the user moves the cursor while pressing the button of the pointing device, that is, drags, the image displayed in conjunction therewith becomes an image with a different viewing angle as shown in FIG. 7B. If the user continues dragging, the image moves further and becomes as shown in FIG. Thus, FIG.
7 (c) shows only the front panel of the automobile,
If the user continues dragging, he can look inside 360 degrees including the inside rear of the car. Furthermore, when the user presses a predetermined button on the keyboard, the image is enlarged and enlarged in the same manner as when zooming the camera.
It is also possible to reduce. This allows the user to check everything in the car while staying at home. In addition to such interiors of automobiles, travel agencies and the like also take pictures of landscapes and use them as moving pamphlets.

[0005] Also, QuickTimeVR Object
The same applies to the viewing method of ct, and an example is shown in FIG.
That is, by dragging the cursor from the state shown in FIG. 8A, the subject (airplane) can be viewed at a different angle as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C. Furthermore, if a 360-degree image taken at a different elevation angle in the upward or downward direction of the subject is prepared in advance, the user can drag the cursor in the vertical direction to adjust the image in the corresponding vertical direction. Can also be seen. This QuickTimeVR Object is practically used for the appearance of automobiles, mail order in the apparel industry, and the like.

Next, a conventional method of capturing these images will be described. In a device for taking a so-called connecting panoramic photograph by connecting and viewing a plurality of images,
There is a method in which a compass, an angular velocity sensor, or the like is provided in a camera body to detect the orientation of the camera and photograph a plurality of images with a desired viewing angle. For example, a method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-199321 has been proposed. It has been done. This example is shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. That is, the attitude detecting means 1 is connected to the CPU 2, and the mode selecting switch means 3 and the display means 4 are sequentially connected to the CPU 2. In addition, the CP
U2 is connected with a film feeding means 5 and an identification mark imprinting means 6, and a film feeding detecting means 7 is connected to the film feeding means 5, and the film feeding detecting means 7 is connected to the CPU 2. It is connected.

When the panoramic photographing is selected by the mode selection switch means 3, the display means 4 is activated, and the number of frames photographed during the operation and the posture of the camera and the current posture are detected by the posture detecting means 1. The input is made to the CPU 2 by a compass, an angle sensor, and the like, and the results are compared. The calculation result is displayed on the display means 4. When the photographer presses the release switch according to the display, the film feeding means 5 is moved based on the comparison result, According to the rotation of the roller of the feed detecting means 7, the identification mark imprinting means 6 causes the identification mark 8
On the film. Then, by connecting the photographs using the identification mark 8 as shown in FIG. 10, a panoramic photograph can be obtained.

On the other hand, in the case of QuickTimeVR,
Images taken at a predetermined camera position / posture are similarly connected to form one image. However, the image is captured by a digital camera having an image sensor such as a CCD area sensor, and then the image is created by processing the data in a software manner.

[0009]

In the conventional method for obtaining a plurality of images, it is necessary for the photographer to press the release button every time a photograph is taken in accordance with the display of the posture of the camera. It is necessary to hold the camera strictly so that the posture does not change. In addition, since the posture of the camera must be accurately determined in the left, right, up, and down directions, the photographer has to perform a two-dimensional change in the posture of the camera to find a desired position. For this reason, there is a problem that if a photographer attempts to take a picture with a camera by hand without using a camera fixing device such as a tripod, the work is extremely difficult and requires considerable skill.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus which simplifies the operation of determining the position of a camera by a photographer and enables even a beginner to easily connect and photograph panoramic photographs. I do.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Attitude detecting means for detecting the attitude of the camera body, and setting means for setting shooting conditions such as a range of a subject to be photographed by a photographer or the number of pictures to be taken at different positions of the subject,
A photographing posture determining unit that compares the posture set as the photographing condition with the actual posture of the camera body and detects that the two are coincident with each other; and automatically detects the posture based on a signal from the photographing posture determining unit. It comprises a photographing means for photographing. Accordingly, the photographer can perform photographing in a strictly defined photographing posture only by appropriately moving the camera body in the photographing direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a camera body is movably held on a holder, and a gravitational direction sensor and an actuator for changing an elevation angle of a photographing direction of the camera body based on an output from the gravitational direction sensor. Camera elevation angle control means for maintaining a constant elevation angle of the camera body with respect to a reference plane even if the direction of the holding body held by the photographer changes. Therefore, it is possible to take an image of the entire circumference of the camera body in a strict horizontal plane only by holding the holder and moving the camera body in the left-right direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an azimuth sensor and an actuator for changing an azimuth of a photographing direction of the camera main body based on an output from the azimuth sensor. Camera azimuth control means for maintaining the azimuth of the camera body constant even when the direction of the holder held by the photographer changes. Therefore, it is possible to perform photographing in a strict vertical plane only by holding the holder and moving the camera body in the vertical direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a distance measuring means for measuring a distance between a camera body and a subject and a distance setting means for setting a distance for photographing the subject, wherein the distance measured by the distance measuring means is provided. Is provided with a photographing permitting unit that enables photographing only when the distance matches the distance set by the distance setting unit. Therefore, when a plurality of images around the subject are obtained, the size of the subject can be made constant.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a subject image detecting means for detecting a size of a subject photographed by a camera body; and a subject image setting means for setting a size of a subject image to be photographed. There is provided a photographing permitting unit which enables photographing only when the size detected by the subject image detecting unit matches the size of the subject image set by the subject image setting unit. Therefore, even when photographing using a zoom lens, when a plurality of images around the subject are to be obtained, the size of the subject can be kept constant.

[0016]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
A description will be given based on FIGS. First, the frame-shaped holder 1
The camera body 13 is supported by
Are held so as to rotate about a horizontal axis. The holding body 11 is provided with a bearing 14 for holding the support shaft 12 and a motor 15 as an actuator coupled to the support shaft 12. The motor 15 is connected to a controller 17 provided with a gravitational direction sensor 16 acting as a posture detecting means. Further, an absolute angle detector 18 electrically connected to the controller 16 is provided. Next, the camera body 13 has all the functions of a normal camera, and a lens 19, a finder window 20, a strobe 21, and an AF window 22 for automatic focusing are provided in front of the camera body 13. On the upper surface, a display unit 23, a setting button 24, and a release button 25 are provided.
6 are provided.

In such a configuration, first, FIG.
In the case of the normal shooting, the normal shooting is performed, but in the continuous shooting mode, the process shifts to the continuous shooting start state and the shooting condition setting is executed. The photographing conditions are set in advance by the setting unit. That is, what is shown in FIG. 1B shows the processing of the setting means. In setting the photographing conditions, the zoom / exposure / shutter speed and the like are determined. It is stored in a memory or the like (not shown). In the condition input mode, two types of condition settings can be made. The first method is a method in which the photographer determines the number of images to be photographed in advance.
Is used to input the number of shots and the attitude of the camera at the start of shooting. Then, when the photographer inputs the number of images, a photographing posture calculation is performed. This shooting posture calculation is
It is performed as follows. First, the viewing angle α per one image to be photographed is determined from the preset focal length f of the lens, the distance a to the subject, and the light receiving area size d. That is, the viewing angle α per one image is as follows: α = 2 · tan ¹¹ ｛d · (af) / 2 · a · f｝ −β (1) where β is overlapped with an adjacent image. fit angle, in sought, attitude α _n of each frame as a shooting attitude is, if the initial attitude and _{α 0, α n = α 0} + (n-1) · α ... (2) However, n the number of sheets It is obtained by a natural number indicating the eye.

The second method is a method in which a photographer inputs a posture for starting photographing and a posture for ending photographing. In this case, two times, that is, the start of shooting and the end of shooting when the camera is input
It is possible to calculate the required number of images by detecting the posture and dividing the image into the number of images to be able to capture all the subjects within the range of the viewing angle required in the same manner as in the previous case. In this case, if there is not enough remaining film compared to the remaining number of films, it is possible to prompt a change in the photographing range.

In both of the first and second methods, the calculated photographing attitude is stored, and the setting of the photographing conditions is completed. These inputs can all be made by pressing a setting button 24 provided on the upper surface of the camera body 13.

When the photographing conditions have been input in this manner, the photographer turns on the release button to complete the photographing of the first image. Then, the photographer changes the camera posture appropriately and sets the photographing conditions. Is detected by the photographing posture determination means when the posture coincides with the posture of the next frame stored, that is, the posture set as the photographing condition is compared with the actual posture of the camera body 13. Then, the photographing means operates based on the detection signal and the shutter is automatically opened,
The shooting of the next frame is automatically performed.

The state shown in FIG. 4A is a state in which the camera body 13 is turned to hold the holding body 11 and take a panoramic photograph when the first image is taken. Is shown in FIG. 4 (b). At this time, it is generally considered that the holding body 11 held by hand is inclined. Since the attitude of the camera body 13 is set in advance, the vertical inclination of the camera body 13 is detected by the gravity direction sensor 16, and the signal from the absolute angle detector 18 is received, and the elevation angle of the camera body 13 with respect to the reference plane is obtained. The motor 15 is driven by a signal from a control unit 17 that controls the camera body 13 so that
The angle of elevation with respect to the reference plane is kept constant by inclining relative to 1. Therefore, when the camera body 13 is turned in the horizontal direction while holding the holding body 11, the elevation angle of the camera body 13 itself is set in a preset state even if the direction of the holding body 11 in the vertical direction is changed. Is maintained. That is, the gravity direction sensor is a sensor that detects the direction of gravity of the earth, and detects from the output of this sensor how much the holder 11 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. In response to the detection signal, the control unit 17 calculates an angle at which the camera body 13 becomes horizontal and sends an output signal to the motor 15. The driving of the motor 15 causes the camera body 13 to rotate via the support shaft 12.

In this embodiment, the state in which the gravitational direction sensor 16, the motor 15, and the like are provided on the holding body 11 side has been described. However, these may be provided on the camera body 13 side. The gravity direction sensor 16 is connected to the camera body 13
In the case where it is provided on the side, the attitude control can be performed directly using the output of the gravitational direction sensor 16 without providing a complicated control unit, and therefore, there is an advantage that the apparatus is simplified. is there. Further, the controllable direction is not limited to the horizontal direction, and even if the angle is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the control signal can be electrically controlled to a non-horizontal elevation angle by adding a constant offset to the control signal. Is also possible.

Further, an azimuth sensor is used in place of the gravity direction sensor 16, whereby the motor 15 is driven based on a signal from the azimuth sensor, so that the azimuth can be controlled to be constant. . In this case, even if the holding body 11 is moved in the vertical direction, a plurality of images changed in the vertical direction can be obtained while the position of the camera body 13 in the horizontal direction is kept constant.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Up to the first photographing, the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The distance to the subject is stored when the first image is captured.
The distance can be obtained by using an autofocus mechanism provided in the AF window 22. Next, the photographer moves the camera body 13 to a position where the second image is taken. That is, this is a case where the camera body 13 is moved to photograph the entire circumference of the subject. It is determined whether or not the distance to the subject after moving to the next predetermined position matches the distance in the first photographing. If not, the movement of the camera body 13 is urged, and if they match, shooting becomes possible. In this case, as in the first embodiment described above, if a photographing means for automatically performing photographing is provided, photographing can be performed without any operation by the photographer. That is, in the photographable state, the posture of the camera body 13 is changed / determined / automatically photographed. Hereinafter, it is possible to capture a plurality of videos in which the size of the subject image is constant by repeating the movement and the posture change of the camera body 13.

When the camera body 13 has a zoom function, automatic photographing can be performed based on the fact that the size of the photographed subject is constant.

[0026]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a posture detecting means for detecting a posture of a camera body and a photographing condition such as a range of an object to be photographed by a photographer or the number of images to be photographed at different positions. A photographing posture determining unit that compares the posture set as the photographing condition with the actual posture of the camera body and detects that the two are coincident with each other. Since the photographing means automatically performs photographing based on the photographing direction, the photographer can easily perform photographing in a strictly defined photographing posture simply by moving the camera body appropriately in the photographing direction,
There is no need for the photographer to press the release button,
In addition, there is an effect that a special photographing such as a connecting panoramic photograph can be performed without requiring a special technique or skill.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a camera body is movably held on a holding body, and a gravitational direction sensor and an actuator for changing an elevation angle of the camera body in a photographing direction based on an output from the gravitational direction sensor are provided. Camera elevation control means for maintaining a constant elevation angle with respect to the reference plane of the camera body even if the orientation of the holding body held by the photographer changes, so that the camera body is This has the effect that the entire periphery of the camera body can be photographed in a strict horizontal plane simply by moving the camera body in the horizontal direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an azimuth sensor and an actuator for changing an azimuth of a photographing direction of the camera body based on an output from the azimuth sensor. Camera azimuth control means for keeping the azimuth of the camera body constant even when the direction of the holding body held by the photographer changes, so that the holding body is gripped and the camera body is moved up and down. This has the effect that shooting in a strict vertical plane can be performed only by moving in the direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a distance measuring means for measuring a distance between a camera body and a subject, and a distance setting means for setting a distance for photographing the subject, wherein the distance measured by the distance measuring means is provided. Is provided with a photographing permitting unit that enables photographing only when the distance coincides with the distance set by the distance setting unit, so that when a plurality of images around the subject are obtained, the size of the subject is kept constant. This has the effect that it is possible to easily take an image without any special skills or skills.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a subject image detecting means for detecting a size of a subject photographed by a camera body; and a subject image setting means for setting a size of a subject image to be photographed. Since the photographing permission means for enabling the photographing only when the size detected by the subject image detecting means matches the size of the subject image set by the subject image setting means is provided, Even when shooting, if you try to obtain multiple images around the subject,
This has the effect that the state in which the size of the subject is constant can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows the entire operation and (b) shows the setting operation.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the entire structure.

FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing an operation at the time of shooting, in which (a) shows a state in which the position of the holding body and the position of the camera body match,
(b) shows a state where the relative positions of the two have changed.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a part of the apparatus with a part cut away.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional QuickTime VR Panora.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the interior of the vehicle ma is being viewed.

FIG. 8 shows a conventional QuickTimeVR Object.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the user is watching an airplane as a subject.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a conventional imaging device.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a process of creating a connecting panoramic photograph from a photograph taken with an identification mark.

[Description of Signs] 11 Holder 13 Camera Body 15 Motor (Actuator) 16 Gravity Direction Sensor (Attitude Detecting Means) 24 Setting Button (Setting Means)

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 16, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 7

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 7

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A posture detecting means for detecting a posture of a camera body, a setting means for setting photographing conditions such as a range of a subject to be photographed by a photographer or the number of photographed images of the subject at different positions, and A photographing posture determining means for comparing the set posture with the actual posture of the camera body to detect that the two are coincident with each other; and automatically performing photographing based on a signal from the photographing posture determining means. An imaging device comprising: a photographing unit. 2. A photographer comprising: a camera body movably held by a holding body; and a gravitational direction sensor and an actuator for changing an elevation angle of a photographing direction of the camera body based on an output from the gravitational direction sensor. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising camera elevation angle control means for keeping the elevation angle of the camera body with respect to a reference plane constant even when the direction of the held holding body changes. 3. A photographer having a camera body movably held by a holding body and having an azimuth sensor and an actuator for changing an azimuth of a photographing direction of the camera body based on an output from the azimuth sensor. 2. An image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising camera azimuth control means for keeping the azimuth of said camera body constant even when the direction of said holding body held by said camera changes. A distance measuring means for measuring a distance between the camera body and the object; and a distance setting means for setting a distance for photographing the object, wherein the distance measured by the distance measuring means is determined by the distance setting means. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a photographing permitting unit that enables photographing only when the distance matches the set distance. 5. A subject image detecting means for detecting the size of a subject photographed by a camera body and a subject image setting means for setting a size of a subject image to be photographed, wherein the subject image detecting means detects the subject image. 2. An image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a photographing permitting means for permitting photographing only when the set size matches the size of the subject image set by said subject image setting means.