JP2016127451A - Imaging device and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To certainly perform continuous shooting, by grasping various performance of associated apparatuses and controlling the continuous shooting.SOLUTION: An imaging device includes: a first imaging portion which shoots a subject at first timing to obtain a captured image; a first communicating portion which communicates with another shooting apparatus; a timing deciding portion which decides second timing which is the shooting timing of another shooting apparatus during associated continuous shooting with another shooting apparatus, on the basis of information on the performance of another shooting apparatus; and an association control portion which obtains the information on the performance of another shooting apparatus through the first communicating portion to give the information to the timing deciding portion, and designates the second timing to another shooting apparatus through the first communicating portion before the associated continuous shooting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method that control imaging of a plurality of imaging devices in cooperation.

  In recent years, portable devices with a photographing function (photographing devices) such as digital cameras have become widespread. In this type of photographing device, there are some devices in which various settings at the time of photographing are automated. For example, some digital cameras and the like are equipped with an AF function that automates focusing and an automatic exposure (AE) function that automates exposure. In addition, photographing devices having a so-called continuous shooting function that continuously performs photographing are also widespread.

  Continuous shooting requires continuous opening and closing of the shutter, continuous writing and reading to the memory, continuous image processing, and the like. Therefore, the continuous shooting speed is limited by the performance of the CPU and memory, the mechanical speed of the shutter, and the like. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, an apparatus using two cameras has been proposed in order to shorten the shooting interval during continuous shooting.

JP 2004-173255 A

  However, the apparatus of Patent Document 1 does not take into account the continuous shooting performance of the two cameras, and the continuous shooting performance of the two cameras is not always sufficient. It is not always possible. In addition, the apparatus of Patent Document 1 does not consider image quality or the like in continuous shooting, and does not always obtain an image with sufficient quality.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging method capable of performing reliable continuous shooting by grasping various performances of devices that cooperate with each other and controlling continuous shooting.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a first imaging unit that captures a captured image by capturing a subject at a first timing, a first communication unit that communicates with another imaging device, and the other imaging device. A timing determination unit that determines a second timing that is a shooting timing of the other photographing device in the cooperative continuous shooting with the other photographing device based on the information on the performance of the other, before the cooperative continuous photographing, Information relating to the performance of the other imaging device is acquired via the first communication unit and provided to the timing determination unit, and the second timing determined by the timing determination unit via the first communication unit is used as the other timing. And a cooperation control unit that designates the photographing device.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a second imaging unit that captures a captured image by capturing a subject, a second communication unit that communicates with another imaging device, and the other imaging device. In response to an inquiry about the performance related to continuous shooting from the other photographing device before the cooperative continuous shooting, the information on the performance related to the continuous shooting before the cooperative continuous shooting is obtained via the second communication unit. A performance transmission unit that transmits to the imaging device, and a second that indicates the imaging timing of the second imaging unit in the cooperative continuous shooting from the other imaging device via the second communication unit before the cooperative continuous shooting before the cooperative continuous shooting. A timing instructing unit for receiving timing information and instructing the second imaging unit to take a photographing timing based on the received second timing;

  In addition, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a first imaging device that captures a subject at a first timing and acquires a captured image, a second imaging device that captures the subject and acquires a captured image, and the first The first communication unit provided in the imaging device, the second communication unit provided in the second imaging device, and the first and second communications before the cooperative continuous shooting by the first and second imaging devices. A timing determination unit that acquires information on the performance of the first and second imaging devices via the unit and determines a second timing that is a shooting timing of the second imaging device in the cooperative continuous shooting; and A linked control unit that designates the second timing to the second shooting device via the first and second communication units before the linked continuous shooting.

  In addition, the imaging method according to the present invention acquires information on the performance of the first and second imaging devices via the first and second communication units before the cooperative continuous shooting by the first and second imaging devices. A step of determining a second timing which is a photographing timing of the second photographing device in the cooperative continuous photographing based on information on the performance of the first and second photographing devices, and the cooperative continuous photographing Prior to photographing, specifying the second timing to the second photographing device via the first and second communication units.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that reliable continuous shooting can be performed by grasping various performances of linked devices and controlling continuous shooting.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment can be configured by two cameras, for example. In addition, this embodiment may be configured by one camera and one lens-type camera attached to this camera. Instead of the camera, a tablet PC (personal computer), a smartphone, or a portable You may comprise by telephone etc. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure with one camera having two imaging units and two processing systems.

  In FIG. 1, imaging devices 10 and 20 are provided with imaging units 12 and 22, respectively. Each of the imaging units 12 and 22 is provided with an imaging device (not shown) configured by a CCD, a CMOS sensor, or the like, and a subject image is guided to the imaging surface of the imaging device by the optical systems 11 and 21, respectively. Yes. Each of the optical systems 11 and 21 is provided with a focus lens that is movable to set a focus (in-focus) state by focusing, a zoom lens that changes magnification in the focus state, and the like. Further, the optical systems 11 and 21 each have a mechanism unit (not shown) that drives these lenses and a diaphragm. As the optical systems 11 and 21, an optical system that does not have a zoom lens, a focus lens, or the like may be employed.

  The control unit 13 of the photographing apparatus 10 includes a photographing control unit 13 a that controls the imaging of the imaging unit 12. In addition, the control unit 23 of the imaging device 20 includes an imaging control unit 23 a that controls imaging of the imaging unit 22. The control unit 13 can control the mechanism unit of the optical system 11 to drive and control the focus lens, the zoom lens, and the diaphragm in the optical system 11. The control unit 23 can control the mechanical unit of the optical system 21 to drive and control the focus lens, the zoom lens, and the diaphragm in the optical system 21.

Each of the control units 13 and 23 may be configured by, for example, one or more processors such as a CPU, and may execute various processes according to a program stored in a memory (not shown). The control parts 13 and 23 can acquire the information regarding the optical systems 11 and 21, respectively. Examples of information regarding the optical systems 11 and 21 include lens information such as a zoom lens and a focus lens and lens conditions such as a focus, for example, focus position, depth of field, and angle of view. Operation units 15 and 25 are provided for setting, releasing, and the like parameters relating to focus, zoom and aperture. The control units 13 and 23 detect user operations on the operation units 15 and 25, respectively, and perform control based on the detection results.

  The control units 13 and 23 are provided with image processing units 13b and 23b, respectively. The image processing units 13b and 23b are provided with captured images from the imaging units 12 and 22, respectively, and perform predetermined image signal processing, for example, color adjustment processing, matrix conversion processing, noise removal processing, and other various signal processing. it can. The control units 13 and 23 can provide the recorded images after signal processing to the recording units 16 and 26 for recording. As the recording units 16 and 26, for example, an IC memory can be employed.

  The photographing devices 10 and 20 are provided with communication units 17 and 27, respectively. The communication units 17 and 27 can communicate with each other via a predetermined transmission path. As the transmission path, various transmission paths by wire and wireless, for example, a transmission path of a wireless LAN such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) can be adopted. The image processing unit 23 b of the imaging device 20 can transfer the captured image to the control unit 13 of the imaging device 10 via the communication units 27 and 17. Further, as will be described later, the control unit 13 of the imaging device 10 can also control the imaging of the imaging device 20 by controlling the imaging control unit 23a of the imaging device 20 via the communication units 17 and 27. It has become.

  The control unit 13 of the photographing apparatus 10 is provided with a display control unit 13c. The display control unit 13c executes various processes related to display. The display control unit 13c is provided with the captured image after the signal processing from the image processing unit 13b and can provide it to the display unit 14. The display unit 14 has a display screen (not shown) such as an LCD, and displays an image given from the display control unit 13c. Further, the display control unit 13c can display various menu displays on the display screen of the display unit 14.

  The control unit 13 can read the captured image recorded in the recording unit 16 and perform expansion processing. The display control unit 13c can reproduce the recorded image by giving the expanded captured image to the display unit 14. In addition, the control unit 13 can extend the captured image transferred from the imaging device 20, and the display control unit 13 c gives the captured image subjected to the expansion processing to the display unit 14, thereby recording the imaging device 20. Images can also be played back.

  On the display screen of the display unit 14, a touch panel 14a is provided. The touch panel 14a can generate an operation signal according to the position on the display screen pointed by the user with a finger. This operation signal is supplied to the control unit 13. As a result, when the user touches or slides on the display screen, the control unit 13 performs the touch position of the user, the operation of closing and separating the finger (pinch operation), the position reached by the slide operation or the slide operation. Various operations such as a sliding direction and a touch period can be detected, and processing corresponding to a user operation can be executed. For example, the screen is switched by a touch operation.

  Note that the display screen is arranged so as to occupy substantially the entire rear surface of the housing (not shown) of the photographing device 10, and the user is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 14 when photographing with the photographing device 10. A captured image can be confirmed, and a photographing operation can be performed while confirming the captured image.

  The photographing devices 10 and 20 are provided with clock portions 18 and 28, respectively. The clock units 18 and 28 generate time information and supply it to the control units 13 and 23, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the photographing device 10 has a cooperative continuous shooting function for continuously photographing in cooperation with the photographing device 20. In order to realize this cooperative continuous shooting function, in addition to the communication units 17 and 27 described above, the control unit 13 of the imaging device 10 includes a shooting condition setting unit 13d, a first timing determination unit 13e, and a second timing determination unit. 13f and a cooperation control unit 13g are provided, and the control unit 23 of the photographing apparatus 20 is provided with a photographing condition setting unit 23d, a second timing determination unit 23f, and a cooperation control unit 23g. The cooperation control units 13g and 23g operate in cooperation to enable cooperative continuous shooting.

  The imaging condition setting unit 13d can set the imaging conditions of the imaging device 10. For example, the shooting condition setting unit 13d determines shooting conditions according to a user's setting operation. For example, when the user sets autofocus and automatic exposure control, the shooting condition setting unit 13d sets the shooting control unit 13a to perform autofocus and automatic exposure control. When the user manually operates the focus and exposure, the shooting condition setting unit 13d instructs the shooting control unit 13a to set a value based on the user setting operation. For example, when the user performs a zoom operation, the shooting condition setting unit 13d instructs the shooting control unit 13a to drive the zoom lens according to the user's operation.

(First communication)
In the present embodiment, the cooperation control unit 13g acquires continuous shooting performance information from the photographing device 20 in order to reliably control the cooperative continuous shooting of the photographing devices 10 and 20. The continuous shooting performance information includes continuous shooting speed information. In order to acquire continuous shooting performance information from the photographing device 20, the cooperation control unit 13g performs communication (hereinafter referred to as first communication) between the photographing devices 10 and 20 before the start of cooperative continuous shooting. That is, the cooperation control unit 13g acquires continuous shooting performance information from the cooperation control unit 23g of the photographing device 20 via the communication units 27 and 17 in the first communication before the cooperative continuous shooting.

  Furthermore, the cooperation control unit 13g may acquire the response performance information of the imaging device 20 in the first communication. It is assumed that the shooting condition setting unit 13d knows the continuous shooting performance and response performance information of the shooting device 10. The response performance relates to a time lag from the shooting instruction to actual shooting, such as the time required for focusing and exposure adjustment.

  Note that the imaging device 20 may store information on continuous shooting performance and response performance in the recording unit 26, a memory (not shown), or the like. In addition, the link control unit 23g of the imaging device 20 may transmit information on various setting values of the imaging device 20 instead of information on continuous shooting performance and response performance, and continuous shooting may be performed from information on various setting values. Information on performance and response performance may be obtained and transmitted.

  Note that when the continuous shooting performance and response performance of the photographing device 20 are extremely high, the photographing device 20 is considered to be able to respond to any photographing request from the photographing device 10, and therefore the cooperation control unit 13g is not necessarily It is not necessary to acquire continuous shooting performance and response performance information from the imaging device 20, and acquisition of these information may be omitted.

  The shooting condition setting unit 13d determines the continuous shooting speed based on the continuous shooting performance information of the imaging devices 10 and 20, or based on the continuous shooting performance and response performance information. For example, the shooting condition setting unit 13d determines a continuous shooting speed at which the shooting devices 10 and 20 can reliably perform continuous shooting. The imaging condition setting unit 13d outputs information on the determined continuous shooting speed to the first timing determination unit 13e and the second timing determination unit 13f.

  The first timing determination unit 13e and the second timing determination unit 13f are shooting timings for obtaining a designated continuous shooting speed, respectively, the first timing specified for the imaging unit 12 and the first timing specified for the imaging unit 22. 2 timings are determined.

  For example, the first timing determination unit 13e may obtain the shooting time of each time of linked continuous shooting in the imaging unit 12, and sets the time interval between the first shooting time of linked continuous shooting and the subsequent shooting. You may ask for it. The first timing determination unit 13e may determine the first shooting time according to the user's shooting operation. The first timing determination unit 13e instructs the imaging control unit 13a to perform the first timing during cooperative continuous shooting. Thereby, the imaging unit 12 performs imaging at the first timing.

  Further, the second timing determination unit 13f may obtain the shooting time of each time of cooperative continuous shooting in the imaging unit 22, and sets the time interval between the first shooting time of the cooperative continuous shooting and the subsequent shooting. You may ask for it. Further, the second timing determination unit 13f may obtain a time interval between the shootings of the cooperative continuous shooting of the imaging unit 12 of the imaging device 10. In this case, the photographing device 20 needs to obtain the photographing timing of the own device. The second timing determination unit 13f determines the first shooting time according to the first shooting time of the first timing.

  In the present embodiment, the cooperation control unit 13g transmits the information on the second timing determined by the second timing determination unit 13f to the cooperation control unit 23g of the imaging device 20 in the first communication. . When the cooperation control unit 23g receives the second timing information in the first communication, the cooperation control unit 23g gives the second timing determination unit 23f. The second timing determination unit 23f, which is a timing instruction unit, instructs the imaging control unit 23a at the designated second timing during the cooperative continuous shooting. Note that the second timing determination unit 23f converts the shooting time information into shooting time information when the second timing information transmitted from the shooting device 10 does not directly specify the shooting time, such as a time interval. The control unit 23a is instructed.

In the present embodiment, the cooperative control unit 13g can set the photographing condition specified by the photographing condition setting unit 13d in the photographing device 20 in the cooperative photographing. In other words, the shooting condition setting unit 13d obtains shooting conditions to be set in the shooting control unit 23a of the shooting device 20 corresponding to, for example, shooting conditions set in the shooting control unit 13a. In the first communication, the cooperation control unit 13g transmits information on imaging conditions set in the imaging device 20 to the cooperation control unit 23g. The imaging condition setting unit 23 d of the control unit 23 can set the imaging conditions of the imaging device 20 by operating the operation unit 25. When the imaging condition is received in the first communication, the imaging condition setting unit 23d sets the received imaging condition in the imaging control unit 23a in preference to the operation of the operation unit 25.
Note that the control units 13 and 23 may adjust the time of the clock units 18 and 28 in the first communication.

(Second communication)
As described above, in the present embodiment, by performing the first communication, the continuous shooting speed and the like that can be set in the photographing devices 10 and 20 are grasped, and according to the capabilities of the photographing devices 10 and 20. It is possible to set the optimum continuous shooting speed and shooting conditions. However, the control by the first communication is based on information at the time of starting the cooperative continuous shooting. Even in this case, there is no problem in particular when the photographing condition does not change. However, the shooting conditions of the shooting devices 10 and 20 may change during linked continuous shooting due to a user operation on the shooting device 10 or a change in the state of the subject. In this embodiment, even in this case, the second communication for updating the photographing condition of the photographing device 20 and instructing the updated photographing condition or the like is performed in order to enable good cooperative continuous shooting. You can also do that.

  For example, the subject may move during linked continuous shooting, the subject distance may change significantly, and the focus may not be achieved. In this case, a setting may be considered in which the auto-focusing is not performed in the photographing device 10 with an emphasis on the continuous shooting speed during continuous shooting. However, the auto-focusing may be performed after each continuous shooting. In this case, the cooperation control unit 13g instructs auto-focusing to the cooperation control unit 23g via the communication units 17 and 27 in the second communication. The cooperation control unit 23g causes the shooting condition setting unit 23d to set autofocus. Thereby, autofocus is performed by the imaging control unit 23a. The cooperation control unit 13g can also instruct the cooperation control unit 23g to perform exposure adjustment in the second communication. Thereby, exposure adjustment is performed by the imaging | photography control part 23a.

  In addition, for example, the user may change the angle of view of the photographing device 10 during cooperative continuous shooting. In this case, the shooting condition setting unit 13d calculates the angle of view of the shooting device 20 corresponding to the angle of view of the shooting device 10, and the linkage control unit 13g links the calculated shooting angle of view in the second communication. It is also possible to instruct the imaging condition setting unit 23d via the control unit 23g. In the second communication, various conditions that can be set as shooting conditions such as a focus position, aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, number of pixels, white balance, and aspect ratio can be transmitted.

  In the present embodiment, the cooperation control unit 13g can execute the second communication at an appropriate timing. For example, the cooperation control unit 13g may perform the second communication before or after each shooting during continuous shooting of the shooting device 10, or may perform the second communication at a predetermined cycle. Further, the cooperation control unit 13g may perform the second communication when it is detected that each photographing condition of the photographing device 10 has changed by a predetermined threshold value or more.

(Third communication)
The control unit 23 of the photographing device 20 records the captured image obtained by the own device in the cooperative continuous shooting in the recording unit 26 and is recorded in the cooperative continuous shooting after the cooperative continuous shooting is completed. The captured image is transmitted from the communication units 27 and 17 to the control unit 13 of the photographing apparatus 10 in the third communication. The control unit 13 of the photographic device 10 can record the captured image acquired in the third communication and the captured image acquired by the own device at the time of cooperative continuous shooting in the recording unit 26 in the order of time. It can be done.

  1 shows an example in which the photographing of the photographing device 20 is controlled by the photographing device 10 in the cooperative continuous shooting. However, the photographing of the photographing device 10 may be controlled by the photographing device 20, You may comprise so that the imaging devices 10 and 20 may cooperate and control cooperation continuous shooting. For example, one of the photographing devices 10 and 20 transmits information on the continuous shooting speed according to the performance of the own device to the other device, and the other device depends on the continuous shooting speed of the one device and the performance of the own device. The continuous shooting speed may be determined. Also, one of the photographing devices 10 and 20 transmits information on the photographing timing of the own device to the other device, and the other device determines the photographing timing of the own device in consideration of the photographing timing of the one device. Also good.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment. The flow of FIG. 2 shows an example in which continuous shooting of the imaging device 20 is controlled by the imaging device 10 with the control of the imaging device 10 being the first camera control and the control of the imaging device 20 being the second camera control. In FIG. 2, an arrow connecting the control flow of the first camera control and the control flow of the second camera control indicates that communication is performed by processing. Further, FIG. 2 shows only camera control during cooperative continuous shooting.

  Now, it is assumed that the user shoots a common subject using the two imaging devices 10 and 20. For example, the photographing devices 10 and 20 are fixed to each other as in the case of using a tablet PC with a built-in camera as the photographing device 10 and a lens type camera mounted on the tablet PC as the photographing device 20. Although it is desirable to shoot in a state, any arrangement and support may be used as long as a common subject can be photographed. In consideration of the user operating only the photographing device 10 to determine the angle of view, the angle of view of the photographing device 20 may be set to a wide angle at least at the start of cooperative shooting. In this case, the same area as the image captured by the imaging device 10 may be cut out from the image captured by the imaging device 20 and used.

  In step S1, the imaging control unit 13a of the control unit 13 of the imaging device 10 controls the imaging unit 12 to image the subject. The captured image obtained by the imaging unit 12 is captured by the control unit 13, subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 13 b, and then given to the display control unit 13 c as a through image. The display control unit 13c displays the live view on the display unit 14 in a live view. Next, in step S <b> 2, the cooperation control unit 13 g of the control unit 13 establishes communication between the cooperation control unit 23 g with the imaging device 20 and starts the first communication, and sets the time with the imaging device 20. Do.

  FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the communication and the image acquisition period in the photographing devices 10 and 20, and each period is indicated by a portion with a high level. 3A shows a period of the first to third communication in the photographing apparatus 10, FIG. 3B shows a period in which an image is acquired in the photographing apparatus 10, and FIG. 1 to 3 show a period of the third communication, FIG. 3D shows a period for acquiring an image in the photographing device 20, and FIG. 3E shows a period for acquiring an image by cooperative continuous shooting.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, the first communication is performed at the start of cooperative continuous shooting. The cooperation control unit 23g of the imaging device 20 is in a standby state for a communication request for the first communication in step S31. When a communication request is generated from the cooperation control unit 13g, the first communication is started and time adjustment is first performed ( Step S32). Furthermore, the cooperation control unit 23g gives performance information such as continuous shooting performance and response performance to the control unit 13 via the communication units 27 and 17. Thereby, the control part 13 grasps | ascertains the performance of the own apparatus and the imaging device 20 (step S3).

  Next, the imaging condition setting unit 13d of the imaging device 10 obtains the continuous shooting speed in the cooperative continuous shooting based on the performance of the own device and the imaging device 20, and sends the continuous timing to the first timing determination unit 13e and the second timing determination unit 13f. give. In accordance with the set continuous shooting speed, the first timing determination unit 13e determines a first shooting timing that is a shooting timing of the imaging device 10 at the time of linked continuous shooting, and the second timing determination unit 13f A second shooting timing that is a shooting timing of the shooting device 20 at the time of continuous shooting is determined (step S4). The cooperation control unit 13g transmits the second timing information obtained by the second timing determination unit 13f to the cooperation control unit 23g via the communication units 17 and 27 in the first communication period (step S5).

  The cooperation control unit 23g of the imaging device 20 provides the received second timing information to the second timing determination unit 23f. The second timing determination unit 23f determines the shooting timing at the time of linked continuous shooting in the shooting device 20 based on the input second timing information. Next, in step S34, the imaging device 20 enters a standby state for the second communication.

  Here, it is assumed that the user performs continuous shooting operation such as pressing the release button of the imaging device 10 and instructs cooperative continuous shooting. The control unit 13 determines the occurrence of the continuous shooting operation in step S6, and when this shooting operation is performed, shooting is performed in step S7. For example, the control unit 13 performs linked continuous shooting when the user continues to press the release button, and ends the linked continuous shooting when the user stops pressing the release button.

  For example, when a cooperative continuous shooting operation is performed at time t1 in FIG. 3, from the time t1, exposure by the imaging unit 12, capture of a captured image, image processing, and recording in the recording unit 16 are performed. One shooting is performed in the shooting. FIG. 3B shows this period. When each shooting of the linked continuous shooting is finished by the shooting device 10, the linkage control unit 13g performs the second communication in step S8 (see FIG. 3A). In the second communication, the cooperation control unit 13g transmits information on the imaging conditions to be set for the imaging device 20 obtained by the imaging condition setting unit 13d.

  The cooperation control unit 23g of the imaging device 20 is in the standby state for the second communication in step S34. When the information by the second communication is received from the cooperation control unit 13g, the content of the second communication is captured in the next step S35. It is determined whether or not the end is indicated. When the shooting condition information is transmitted from the linkage control unit 13g, the cooperation control unit 23g shifts the process from step S35 to step S36 to acquire the transmitted shooting condition (step S36), and the shooting condition setting unit 23d. Is set in the imaging control unit 23a (step S37). Next, the second timing determination unit 23f determines whether or not the second timing has been reached based on the output of the clock unit 28 (step S38).

  Now, the first timing determination unit 13e of the imaging device 10 uses t1 + 0.1 × (n−1) seconds (n indicates how many times the imaging device 10 is shooting in cooperative continuous shooting as the first timing. ), And the second timing determination unit 13f sets t1 + 0.05 + 0.1 × (m−1) seconds (m is the number of times the photographing device 20 is shooting in cooperative continuous shooting as the second timing. ) Is determined.

  In this case, the imaging control unit 13a of the imaging device 10 is controlled by the first timing determination unit 13e to perform the second imaging 0.1 seconds after the first imaging, and thereafter every 0.1 second. Take a picture. On the other hand, the second timing determination unit 23f of the photographing device 20 determines that the first second timing is reached 0.05 seconds after the first photographing of the photographing device 20, and thereafter, every 0.01 seconds. It is determined that two timings are reached. In this way, the imaging control unit 23a of the imaging device 20 performs the first imaging 0.05 seconds after the first imaging of the imaging device 10, and thereafter performs the imaging every 0.1 second (see FIG. 3D). ).

  The control unit 23 gives and records the captured image obtained by the imaging of the imaging unit 22 to the recording unit 26, and resizes the recorded image for display (step S39). The control unit 23 transmits the resized image for display to the control unit 13 via the communication units 27 and 17.

The display control unit 13c of the imaging device 10 gives the display image transmitted from the imaging device 20 to the display unit 14 for display (step S9). Thereby, the image captured by the imaging device 20 can be displayed during cooperative continuous shooting. Since the imaging unit 12 cannot perform exposure for a display image at the time of exposure for cooperative continuous shooting, it cannot display a through image at the time of continuous shooting, but the display control unit 13c It is possible to read and display an image recorded by photographing from the recording unit 16. Accordingly, the display control unit 13c can display a captured image by the imaging device 10, display a captured image by the imaging device 20, or display by both the captured images of the imaging devices 10 and 20.
In addition, when the continuous shooting performance of the imaging device 10 is sufficiently high, the continuous shooting is not necessarily performed in the imaging device 20. However, even in this case, the through image can be displayed on the display unit 14 of the photographing device 10 by the photographing device 20 transmitting the through image to the photographing device 10. The imaging devices 10 and 20 can also perform communication necessary for such a through image display regardless of whether or not cooperative continuous shooting is performed.

  Thereafter, during a period in which the user continues the cooperative continuous shooting operation, the processing of steps S6 to S9 is repeated in the photographing device 10, and the processing of steps S34 to S40 is repeated in the photographing device 20. In this way, as shown in FIG. 3, the second communication is performed every time the continuous continuous shooting is performed, and the shooting condition is set in the shooting device 20.

  For example, in the case of linked continuous shooting, the shooting condition setting unit 13d performs focus adjustment and exposure adjustment even when the user is in a defocus state or exposure is poor due to a shooting operation or movement of a subject. An adjustment value for this is set in the imaging control unit 13a, and the imaging conditions updated according to this setting are transmitted to the imaging device 20 by the cooperation control unit 13g and supplied to the imaging condition setting unit 23d. As a result, the shooting condition setting unit 23d can set adjustment values for focus adjustment and exposure adjustment in the shooting control unit 23a, and both the shooting devices 10 and 20 can perform shooting with good focus and exposure. It can be performed.

  Further, even when the user changes the angle of view of the photographing device 10, the corresponding angle of view is set in the photographing device 20, and continuous shooting of a common subject is continuously performed in the photographing devices 10 and 20. Can do.

  When the user stops the cooperative continuous shooting operation in the photographing device 10, the control unit 13 shifts the process from step S6 to step S12, ends the cooperative continuous shooting, and transmits information on the end of the cooperative continuous shooting. The second communication is performed. When the second communication indicating the end of the cooperative continuous shooting is performed, the control unit 23 of the imaging device 20 ends the cooperative continuous shooting and shifts the process from step S35 to step S41 to perform the third communication. That is, the control unit 23 reads the captured image recorded in the recording unit 26 and transfers it to the control unit 13 via the communication units 27 and 17. In step S <b> 13, the control unit 13 receives the image transferred from the photographing device 20, and rearranges and records the image stored in the recording unit 16 in order of photographing time by continuous shooting of the own device. In this way, the acquired image shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3E, even when the maximum continuous shooting speed of the photographing devices 10 and 20 is 10 frames / second, the continuous shooting speed of 20 frames / second is achieved by the cooperative continuous shooting of this embodiment. Images can be obtained.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the performance of the two photographing devices is determined by the first communication before the cooperative continuous shooting by the two photographing devices, and the cooperative continuous shooting is controlled based on the determination result. Thus, optimum continuous shooting control according to the performance of the device that performs linked continuous shooting is possible. In addition, for example, the second communication is performed for each photographing to set the photographing conditions, and the two continuous photographing devices can perform optimum continuous photographing with uniform image quality. For example, even when shooting conditions change due to shooting operations by the user, changes in subjects, etc., stable shooting while maintaining image quality and angle of view is possible.

  In each embodiment of the present invention, a digital camera is used as an apparatus for photographing. However, the camera may be a lens type camera, a digital single-lens reflex camera, or a compact digital camera, a video camera, A camera for moving images such as a movie camera may be used, and a camera built in a personal digital assistant (PDA) such as a mobile phone or a smartphone may of course be used. In addition, it may be an industrial or medical optical device such as an endoscope or a microscope, such as a surveillance camera, an on-vehicle camera, a stationary camera, for example, a camera attached to a television receiver or a personal computer. There may be. Of course, it can be used for observation devices and inspection devices that observe various things from various angles.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, you may delete some components of all the components shown by embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  It should be noted that even if the operation flow in the claims, the description, and the drawings is described using “first,” “next,” etc. for convenience, it is essential to carry out in this order. It doesn't mean. In addition, it goes without saying that the steps constituting these operation flows can be omitted as appropriate for portions that do not affect the essence of the invention.

  Of the technologies described here, many of the controls and functions mainly described in the flowcharts can be set by a program, and the above-described controls and functions can be realized by a computer reading and executing the program. it can. As a computer program product, the program may be recorded or stored in whole or in part on a portable medium such as a non-volatile memory such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, or a storage medium such as a hard disk or a volatile memory. It can be distributed or provided at the time of product shipment or via a portable medium or communication line. The user can easily realize the imaging apparatus and imaging method of the present embodiment by downloading the program via a communication network and installing it on a computer, or installing it from a recording medium to a computer. .

    11, 21 ... Optical system, 12, 22 ... Imaging unit, 13, 23 ... Control unit, 13a, 23a ... Shooting control unit, 13b, 23b ... Image processing unit, 13c ... Display control unit, 13d, 23d ... Shooting condition setting , 13e: first timing determination unit, 13f, 23f ... second timing determination unit, 14: display unit, 15, 25 ... operation unit, 16, 26 ... recording unit, 17, 27 ... communication unit, 18, 28 ... Clock part.

Claims (14)

A first imaging unit that captures a captured image by capturing a subject at a first timing;
A first communication unit that communicates with other imaging devices;
A timing determination unit that determines a second timing that is a shooting timing of the other imaging device in the cooperative continuous shooting with the other imaging device based on information on the performance of the other imaging device;
Prior to the cooperative continuous shooting, information on the performance of the other photographing device is acquired via the first communication unit and provided to the timing determination unit, and the timing determination unit is determined via the first communication unit. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a cooperation control unit that designates the second timing to the other photographing device. A shooting condition setting unit for setting shooting conditions of the other shooting device;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooperation control unit designates the imaging condition to the other imaging device via the first communication unit before the cooperative continuous shooting. The shooting condition setting unit updates shooting conditions of the other shooting device according to a change in shooting conditions of the first imaging unit during the cooperative continuous shooting.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cooperative control unit designates the updated imaging condition to the other imaging device via the first communication unit during the cooperative continuous shooting. The cooperative control unit designates the updated imaging condition to the other imaging device via the first communication unit for each imaging of the first imaging unit during the cooperative continuous shooting. The imaging device according to claim 3. A second imaging unit that captures a captured image by capturing a subject;
A second communication unit that communicates with other imaging devices;
In response to an inquiry about the performance related to continuous shooting from the other shooting device before the cooperative continuous shooting with the other shooting device, before the cooperative continuous shooting, information on the performance related to the continuous shooting is sent to the second communication. A performance transmitter for transmitting to the other imaging device via the unit;
Before the linked continuous shooting, the second timing information indicating the shooting timing of the second imaging unit in the linked continuous shooting is received from the other imaging device via the second communication unit, and the received information is received. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a timing instruction unit that instructs the second imaging unit to indicate a shooting timing based on a second timing. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: an imaging control unit that controls imaging of the second imaging unit in accordance with an imaging condition received via the second communication unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the shooting condition is received before the linked continuous shooting and during the linked continuous shooting. A first photographing device for photographing a subject at a first timing and obtaining a captured image;
A second photographing device for photographing the subject and obtaining a captured image;
A first communication unit provided in the first photographing device;
A second communication unit provided in the second photographing device;
Before the continuous continuous shooting by the first and second photographing devices, information on the performance of the first and second photographing devices is acquired via the first and second communication units, and the cooperative continuous shooting is performed. A timing determination unit for determining a second timing as a shooting timing of the second imaging device;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a cooperation control unit that designates the second timing to the second imaging device via the first and second communication units before the cooperative continuous shooting. A shooting condition setting unit that sets shooting conditions for the first shooting device and obtains shooting conditions for the second shooting device is provided.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cooperative control unit designates the photographing condition to the second photographing device via the first and second communication units before the cooperative continuous photographing. . The shooting condition setting unit updates the shooting condition of the second shooting device according to a change in the shooting condition of the first shooting device during the cooperative continuous shooting.
The said cooperation control part specifies the said updated imaging condition to the said 2nd imaging device via the said 1st and 2nd communication part in the middle of the said cooperation continuous shooting, The said 2nd imaging | photography apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. Imaging device. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the performance of the other imaging device is a continuous shooting performance and a response performance of the other imaging device. Acquiring information on the performance of the first and second imaging devices via the first and second communication units before the cooperative continuous shooting by the first and second imaging devices;
Determining a second timing that is a shooting timing of the second imaging device in the cooperative continuous shooting based on information on the performance of the first and second imaging devices;
The step of designating the second timing to the second imaging device via the first and second communication units before the cooperative continuous shooting is provided. Setting shooting conditions for the first shooting device and obtaining shooting conditions for the second shooting device;
The imaging method according to claim 12, further comprising a step of designating the imaging condition to the second imaging device via the first and second communication units before the cooperative continuous shooting. Updating the shooting conditions of the second shooting device in response to a change in shooting conditions of the first shooting device during the linked continuous shooting;
The imaging according to claim 13, comprising the step of designating the updated imaging condition to the second imaging device via the first and second communication units during the cooperative continuous shooting. Method.

Images