JP2005202037A - Stereo camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereo camera capable of more stereophonically recording sound in stereoscopic photography than in ordinary photography. <P>SOLUTION: In recording sound information on a recording medium 43, a CPU 32 controls so that the sound information may be acquired by using microphones 90A and 90B if a stereoscopic photography mode for performing three-dimensional photography is selected, and that the sound information may be acquired by using the microphone (microphone 90A or 90B), the number of which is smaller than that of the microphones used when the stereoscopic photography mode is selected if an ordinary photography mode for performing two-dimensional photography is selected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a stereoscopic camera, and in particular, is configured to be able to select any one of a stereoscopic shooting mode for performing three-dimensional shooting and a normal shooting mode for performing two-dimensional shooting, and the stereoscopic shooting mode and the normal shooting mode. The present invention relates to a stereoscopic camera configured to be able to record audio information in any shooting mode.

  In recent years, interest in three-dimensional stereoscopic video has increased, and a camera capable of performing stereoscopic shooting (herein referred to as “stereoscopic camera”) has been commercialized.

  In general, this type of stereoscopic camera is provided with two imaging systems for imaging a subject. Two types of image information obtained by simultaneously imaging from different positions depending on each imaging system are converted into a stereoscopic video. It is recorded as image information.

  By the way, as a technique related to a camera having a function of performing two-dimensional normal photographing with respect to such a stereoscopic camera having two image pickup systems, there has conventionally been the following.

  First, Patent Document 1 discloses a two-dimensional imaging or a three-dimensional imaging in a stereoscopic imaging apparatus having a pair of imaging optical systems arranged in a substantially horizontal direction and capable of selectively performing two-dimensional imaging or three-dimensional imaging. Also in the case of performing, for the purpose of eliminating the uncomfortable feeling caused by the deviation of the viewing direction, a viewing direction changing means for changing at least one viewing direction of the photographing optical system is provided and two-dimensional photographing or three-dimensional photographing is performed. A technique for controlling the viewing direction changing means based on the selection information is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, in a stereoscopic video imaging apparatus composed of two video cameras, the above two video cameras are used without waste when shooting a normal two-dimensional video, and a three-dimensional stereoscopic video is recorded. For the purpose of enabling easy shooting, a zoom lens is used for the imaging lens of one video camera, and a fixed magnification lens is used for the imaging lens of the other video camera, and normal two-dimensional images are shot. When shooting, a telephoto image and a wide image are simultaneously shot by the two video cameras so that they can be switched arbitrarily. When shooting a three-dimensional image, the zoom magnification between the two video cameras is matched by electronic zoom. Thus, there is disclosed a technique for photographing.

Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, it is possible to selectively record and record a stereoscopic still image and a normal still image, and to record each image information and the like by mixing them in a single recording medium. In order to be able to do so, two imaging optical systems are juxtaposed in the horizontal direction of the camera body, and two imaging means for imaging subject light imaged by each imaging optical system are provided, and a stereoscopic still image When shooting in the shooting mode, the two image pickup means are driven together to acquire an image signal, and in shooting in the normal shooting mode, only one of the two image pickup means is driven to take an image. A technique is disclosed in which a signal is acquired and the stereoscopic still image shooting mode and the normal shooting mode are switched by mode switching setting means.
JP-A-9-37299 JP 9-2115012 A JP-A-8-317425

  By the way, in recent years, many digital electronic still cameras that can shoot moving images with sound in addition to still images have been commercialized. In recent years, many digital electronic still cameras have a function of storing audio information in association with an image file obtained by taking a still image, that is, a so-called voice memo function.

  Here, when it is assumed that a digital electronic still camera having a function of recording this type of sound is equipped with the above-described stereoscopic shooting function, the sound at the time of stereoscopic shooting is used to enhance the sense of presence. It is considered that recording in a three-dimensional manner is desired rather than during normal photographing.

  However, although the techniques disclosed in each of Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above can perform stereoscopic shooting, no consideration is given to audio recording. There was a problem that audio could not be recorded three-dimensionally.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic camera capable of recording audio in a three-dimensional manner at the time of three-dimensional imaging than at the time of normal photographing.

  In order to achieve the above object, the stereoscopic camera according to claim 1 is configured to be able to select either one of a three-dimensional photographing mode for performing three-dimensional photographing and a normal photographing mode for performing two-dimensional photographing, A stereoscopic camera configured to be able to record sound information in any of the three-dimensional photographing mode and the normal photographing mode, and a plurality of sound obtaining means each for obtaining sound information, and when recording sound information When the stereoscopic shooting mode is selected, control is performed so as to acquire the audio information using two or more of the audio acquisition means, and when the normal shooting mode is selected, the stereoscopic shooting is performed. Control means for controlling to acquire the voice information using a smaller number of voice acquisition means than the voice acquisition means used when a mode is selected.

  The stereoscopic camera according to claim 1 is configured so that either one of a three-dimensional photographing mode for performing three-dimensional photographing and a normal photographing mode for performing two-dimensional photographing can be selected, and the three-dimensional photographing mode and the normal photographing mode are selected. Audio information can be recorded in any shooting mode. The recording of the audio information includes recording of the audio information by the voice memo function described above in addition to the recording of the audio information performed simultaneously with the shooting of the moving image.

  Here, the stereoscopic camera of the present invention is provided with a plurality of audio acquisition units each acquiring audio information, and when the stereoscopic imaging mode is selected when recording the audio information by the control unit. Is controlled to acquire the audio information using two or more of the audio acquisition means, and the audio acquisition used when the stereoscopic shooting mode is selected when the normal shooting mode is selected Control is performed so as to acquire the audio information by using a smaller number of the audio acquisition means than the means. Note that the voice acquisition means includes microphones of various directivities such as omnidirectionality, unidirectionality, and bidirectionality.

  For example, when two audio acquisition means are provided, audio information is acquired and recorded (stereo recording) using two audio acquisition means when the stereoscopic shooting mode is selected, and the normal shooting mode is set. If it is selected, audio information is acquired and recorded (monaural recording) using one audio acquisition means. Also, for example, when three sound acquisition means are provided, sound information is acquired and recorded (surround recording) using the three sound acquisition means when the stereoscopic shooting mode is selected, and normal shooting is performed. When the mode is selected, a mode in which audio information is acquired and recorded (mono recording or stereo recording) using one or two audio acquisition means can be exemplified.

  As described above, according to the stereoscopic camera of the first aspect, when recording the audio information, the audio information is acquired using two or more audio acquisition means when the stereoscopic shooting mode is selected. When the normal shooting mode is selected, the audio information is acquired using a smaller number of sound acquisition means than the sound acquisition means used when the stereoscopic shooting mode is selected. Therefore, it is possible to record audio in a three-dimensional manner at the time of three-dimensional photography than during normal photographing.

  Note that, as in the invention described in claim 2, the present invention further includes a selection operation means operated to select one of the stereoscopic shooting mode and the normal shooting mode, and the control means includes: It is preferable that the photographing mode selected according to the selection result by the selection operation means is specified. As a result, the shooting mode can be easily specified. The selection operation means includes various switches such as a slide switch and a rotation switch and various buttons.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 3, the control unit performs control so as to stop feeding power for driving to the voice acquisition unit that is not used in the selected shooting mode. Is preferred. Thereby, power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 4, the three-dimensional imaging in the stereoscopic imaging mode is performed by a plurality of imaging systems provided at different positions, and the two-dimensional imaging in the normal imaging mode is performed. It is assumed that only one of a plurality of imaging systems is used, and when the normal imaging mode is selected, the control unit supplies driving power to the imaging system that is not used in the normal imaging mode. It is preferable to control to stop. This can also reduce power consumption.

  According to the stereoscopic camera of the present invention, when recording the audio information, if the stereoscopic shooting mode is selected, control is performed so that the audio information is acquired using two or more audio acquisition means, When the shooting mode is selected, control is performed so that voice information is acquired using a smaller number of voice acquisition means than the voice acquisition means used when the stereoscopic shooting mode is selected. There is an effect that audio can be recorded in three dimensions compared to normal shooting.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where the present invention is applied to a digital electronic still camera (hereinafter simply referred to as “digital camera”) having a function of capturing a moving image in addition to capturing a still image will be described.

  First, an external configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, on the front of the digital camera 10, a pair of lenses 12A and 12B for forming a subject image, a finder 70 used for determining the composition of the subject to be photographed, A pair of microphones (hereinafter simply referred to as “microphones”) 90A and 90B having the same directional sensitivity characteristics (here, characteristics that become a cardioid curve) are provided.

  The microphone 90A according to the present embodiment is arranged in the vicinity of the lens 12A, the microphone 90B is arranged in the vicinity of the lens 12B, and the central axis with the maximum sound pressure sensitivity is directed to the front direction (subject direction) of the digital camera 10. It is installed. In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, both the microphone 90A and the microphone 90B are used when recording audio in stereo, and the microphone 90A and the microphone 90B are predetermined when recording audio in monaural. Only one of them (here, the microphone 90A) is used.

  On the top surface of the digital camera 10, a release button (so-called shutter) 52A that is pressed by a user when shooting is performed, and a power switch 52E are provided.

  Note that the release button 52A according to the present embodiment is in a state where it is pressed down to an intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as “half-pressed state”) and a state where it is pressed down to a final pressed position that exceeds the intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as “herein”) It is configured to be able to detect a two-stage pressing operation of “fully pressed state”.

  In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, when a later-described still image shooting mode (stereo still image shooting mode and normal still image shooting mode) is set, the release button 52A is pressed halfway. After the AE (Automatic Exposure) function is activated and the exposure state (shutter speed, aperture state) is set, the AF (Auto Focus) function is activated and the focus is controlled. When pressed, exposure (photographing) is performed.

  On the other hand, when a later-described moving image shooting mode (stereoscopic moving image shooting mode and normal moving image shooting mode) is set, moving image shooting is started by pressing the release button 52A, and the release button 52A is pressed. The moving image shooting is stopped by returning to the non-pressed state and then setting it to the fully pressed state again. Note that, during shooting in the moving image shooting mode, AE control and AF control are appropriately performed during moving image shooting.

  On the other hand, on the back of the digital camera 10, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “the eyepiece” of the finder 70 and a subject image, various menu screens, messages, etc. indicated by the digital image data obtained by photographing). 30), a shooting mode that is a mode for performing shooting, and a playback mode that is a mode for displaying (reproducing) a subject image indicated by digital image data obtained by shooting on the LCD 30. A mode changeover switch 52B that is operated for setting, a cross cursor button 52C, and a zoom switch 52D that is operated when zooming (enlarging and reducing) the subject image at the time of shooting are provided.

  Note that the mode changeover switch 52B according to the present embodiment includes a stereoscopic still image shooting mode for performing three-dimensional shooting of a still image, a normal still image shooting mode for performing two-dimensional shooting of a still image, and a moving image as the shooting mode. One of four types of shooting modes can be set: a stereoscopic moving image shooting mode for performing three-dimensional image shooting, and a normal moving image shooting mode for performing two-dimensional shooting of moving images. Here, in two moving image shooting modes, a stereoscopic moving image shooting mode and a normal moving image shooting mode, audio information can be recorded simultaneously with moving image shooting.

  On the other hand, the cross cursor button 52C has a total of five arrow keys indicating four upward, downward, left, and right movement directions in the display area of the LCD 30, and a determination key positioned at the center of the four arrow keys. Consists of two keys. The zoom switch 52D corresponds to the position of “T” in the figure and is operated when enlarging the subject image, corresponds to the position of “W” in the figure, and corresponds to the subject image. And a wide switch that is operated when the image is reduced.

  On the other hand, on the side surface of the digital camera 10, a slot in which a recording medium capable of recording digital image data obtained by photographing (here, a recording medium on which the digital image data is recorded as an image file) can be mounted. SL is provided.

  Next, the main configuration of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 includes an optical unit 13A configured to include the lens 12A described above, a CCD (charge coupled device) 14A disposed behind the optical axis of the lens 12A, and a correlated double. A first circuit configured to include a sampling circuit (hereinafter referred to as “CDS”) 16A and an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 18A that converts an input analog signal into digital data. An imaging system 88A is provided. The digital camera 10 includes a second optical unit 13B configured to include the lens 12B described above, a CCD 14B disposed behind the optical axis of the lens 12B, a CDS 16B, and an ADC 18B. An imaging system 88B is provided.

  That is, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment includes two imaging systems, the first imaging system 88A and the second imaging system 88B, which have the same configuration as each other, and can be used for stereoscopic shooting by using them. It is said. Note that any one of the normal still image shooting mode and the normal moving image shooting mode is set, and when performing normal two-dimensional shooting, any one of the first imaging system 88A and the second imaging system 88B is used. One is selectively used.

  In the first imaging system 88A, the output end of the CCD 14A is connected to the input end of the CDS 16A, and the output end of the CDS 16A is connected to the input end of the ADC 18A. Similarly, in the second imaging system 88B, the output end of the CCD 14B is connected to the input end of the CDS 16B, and the output end of the CDS 16B is connected to the input end of the ADC 18B.

  Here, the correlated double sampling processing by the CDS 16A and the CDS 16B is included in the output signal for each pixel of the solid-state image sensor for the purpose of reducing noise (particularly thermal noise) included in the output signal of the solid-state image sensor. This process is to obtain accurate pixel data by taking the difference between the feedthrough component level and the pixel signal component level.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 has input terminals connected to the output terminals of the ADC 18A and ADC 18B, and has a built-in line buffer of a predetermined capacity, and the input digital image data is stored in a predetermined area of the second memory 40 described later. The first imaging system 88A and the first imaging system 20A that are applied when the image input controller 20 that performs direct storage control and the two-dimensional shooting mode of either the normal still image shooting mode or the normal moving image shooting mode are set. An image signal processing circuit 22 that performs various image processing on the digital image data acquired by one of the two imaging systems 88B, and a three-dimensional shooting mode of any one of a stereoscopic still image shooting mode and a stereoscopic moving image shooting mode. When set, the two digital image data acquired by both the first imaging system 88A and the second imaging system 88B A stereoscopic image signal processing circuit 23 that performs various image processing and synthesizes the digital image data in a predetermined compression format, while compressing the digital image data in a format corresponding to the compression format. And a compression / decompression processing circuit 24 for performing the decompression process.

  The compression / decompression processing circuit 24 according to the present embodiment selectively applies one of a plurality of compression formats (in this embodiment, JPEG format, motion JPEG format, MPEG format) to perform compression processing. The compression format to be applied can be set according to an instruction input from the CPU 32 described later.

  In addition, the digital camera 10 generates a signal for displaying an image, a menu screen, or the like indicated by the digital image data on the LCD 30 and supplies the signal to the LCD 30, while a video signal indicating the image to be displayed on the LCD 30 (the present embodiment). The video / LCD encoder 28 generates an NTSC signal and outputs it to the video output terminal OUT.

  In addition, the digital camera 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10 and physical quantities required for operating the AF function (in this embodiment, the CCD 14A used for photographing). And an AF detection circuit 34 for detecting the contrast value of an image obtained by imaging with at least one of the CCD 14B, and a physical quantity (this embodiment) required to operate the AE function and the AWB (Automatic White Balance) function. Then, an AE / AWB detection circuit 36 that detects the brightness (hereinafter referred to as “photometric data”) of an image obtained by imaging with at least one of the CCD 14A and the CCD 14B used for photographing, and the CPU 32. SDRAM (Synchronous Dynam) used as a work area when executing various processes a first memory 38 constituted by ic Random Access Memory) and a second memory 40 constituted mainly by VRAM (Video RAM) for storing digital image data obtained by photographing.

  Further, the digital camera 10 performs a process for outputting audio information to the outside by the media controller 42 for making the recording medium 43 mounted in the slot SL accessible by the digital camera 10, the speaker 72, and the speaker 72. The digital camera 10 handles the audio output processing unit 46 to be performed, the amplifier 84 that amplifies the audio signals output from the microphone 90A and the microphone 90B described above at a predetermined amplification factor, and the analog audio signal input through the amplifier 84. And an audio input processing unit 82 for performing processing such as conversion into digital audio data that can be performed. Note that the amplifier 84 according to the present embodiment includes two amplifying units for individually amplifying two audio signals input from the microphone 90A and the microphone 90B.

  The image input controller 20, image signal processing circuit 22, stereoscopic image signal processing circuit 23, compression / decompression processing circuit 24, video / LCD encoder 28, CPU 32, AF detection circuit 34, AE / AWB detection circuit 36, first memory 38, the second memory 40, the media controller 42, the audio output processing unit 46, and the audio input processing unit 82 are connected to each other via the system bus BUS.

  Therefore, the CPU 32 controls the operations of the image input controller 20, the image signal processing circuit 22, the stereoscopic image signal processing circuit 23, the compression / decompression processing circuit 24, and the video / LCD encoder 28, and the AF detection circuit 34 and the AE. Acquisition of the physical quantity detected by the AWB detection circuit 36, access to the first memory 38, the second memory 40, and the recording medium 43, output of audio information by the speaker 72 via the audio output processing unit 46, Audio information can be input through the microphones 90A and 90B, the amplifier 84, and the audio input processing unit 82, respectively.

  On the other hand, the first imaging system 88A is provided with a timing generator 48A that mainly generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 14A and supplies the timing signal to the CCD 14A. The input end of the timing generator 48A is connected to the CPU 32, and the output end is Each of them is connected to the CCD 14A, and the drive of the CCD 14A is controlled by the CPU 32 via the timing generator 48A.

  Further, the CPU 32 is connected to an input end of a motor drive unit 50A provided in the first imaging system 88A, and an output end of the motor drive unit 50A is connected to a focus adjustment motor, a zoom motor, and an aperture drive motor provided in the optical unit 13A. It is connected.

  That is, the lens 12A included in the optical unit 13A according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses and is configured as a zoom lens that can change (magnify) the focal length. I have. The lens drive mechanism includes the focus adjustment motor, the zoom motor, and the aperture drive motor. The focus adjustment motor, the zoom motor, and the aperture drive motor are each supplied with a drive signal supplied from the motor drive unit 50A under the control of the CPU 32. Driven by.

  When changing the optical zoom magnification, the CPU 32 drives and controls the zoom motor to change the focal length of the lens 12A included in the optical unit 13A.

  Further, the CPU 32 performs focusing control by driving and controlling the focus adjustment motor so that the contrast of an image obtained by imaging by the CCD 14A is maximized. In other words, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment employs a so-called TTL (Through The Lens) method in which the lens position is set so that the contrast of the read image is maximized as the focus control. .

  Note that the second imaging system 88B is also provided with a timing generator 48B and a motor drive unit 50B having the same configuration as that of the first imaging system 88A. The CPU 32 controls driving of the CCD 14B and driving of a focus adjustment motor, a zoom motor, and an aperture driving motor included in a lens driving mechanism (not shown) provided in the optical unit 13B.

  Further, the release button 52A, the mode switch 52B, the cross cursor button 52C, the zoom switch 52D, and the various buttons and switches (generally referred to as “operation unit 52” in FIG. 2) of the power switch 52E are stored in the CPU 32. Connected, the CPU 32 can always grasp the operation state of these buttons and switches.

  In addition, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment includes a power supply circuit 54 and a battery 56, and the power supply circuit 54 is appropriate based on the power input from the battery 56 under the control of the CPU 32. Electric power for operation is generated and supplied to each part. In order to avoid complications, connection lines to the respective parts to which power is supplied from the power supply circuit 54 are not shown in the figure.

  Furthermore, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with a clock generator 80. The clock generator 80 generates an appropriate clock signal under the control of the CPU 32 and supplies it to each unit. In order to avoid complications, connection lines to the respective parts to which the clock signal is supplied from the clock generator 80 are omitted in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the overall operation of the digital camera 10 during stereoscopic shooting when the stereoscopic still image shooting mode and the stereoscopic moving image shooting mode are set will be described.

  First, in the first imaging system 88A, the subject image is captured by the CCD 14A via the optical unit 13A, and signals indicating the subject image are sequentially output from the CCD 14A to the CDS 16A.

  The CDS 16A performs correlated double sampling processing on the signal input from the CCD 14A and sequentially outputs analog image signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) obtained thereby to the ADC 18A.

  The ADC 18A converts the R, G, and B analog image signals input from the CDS 16A into 12-bit R, G, and B signals (digital image data) and outputs the converted signals to the image input controller 20.

  In parallel with the operation of the first image pickup system 88A, the second image pickup system 88B also picks up the subject image by the CCD 14B via the optical unit 13B, and sequentially outputs a signal indicating the subject image from the CCD 14B to the CDS 16B. The CDS 16B performs correlated double sampling processing on the signal input from the CCD 14B, and sequentially outputs the R, G, and B analog image signals obtained to the ADC 18B. The ADC 18B is input from the CDS 16B. The R, G, B analog image signals are converted into 12-bit R, G, B signals (digital image data), respectively, and output to the image input controller 20.

  The image input controller 20 accumulates digital image data for two images sequentially input from the ADC 18 </ b> A and ADC 18 </ b> B in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stores them in a predetermined area of the second memory 40.

  Digital image data for two images stored in a predetermined area of the second memory 40 is read out by the stereoscopic image signal processing circuit 23 under the control of the CPU 32, and the physical quantity (detected by the AE / AWB detection circuit 36 ( The white balance is adjusted by applying a digital gain corresponding to the photometric data), gamma processing and sharpness processing are performed to generate 8-bit digital image data, and further YC signal processing is performed to obtain the luminance signal Y and chroma signal. Cr, Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”) is generated, YC signals for these two images are combined to generate a YC signal indicating a stereoscopic image, and the YC signal is stored in the predetermined area of the second memory 40. Store in a different area.

  Here, the stereoscopic image signal processing circuit 23 recognizes the YC signals obtained by the first imaging system 88A and the second imaging system 88B as YC signals indicating the images for the right eye and the left eye, respectively. A YC signal indicating a stereoscopic image is generated based on the YC signal.

  The LCD 30 is configured to display a moving image (through image) obtained by continuous imaging by each imaging system and can be used as a finder. In this way, the LCD 30 is used as a finder. In this case, YC signals indicating stereoscopic images stored in a predetermined area of the second memory 40 are sequentially output to the LCD 30 via the video / LCD encoder 28. As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 30.

  Here, when the stereoscopic still image shooting mode is set, after the release button 52A is half-pressed by the user, after the AE function is activated and the exposure state is set in each imaging system as described above. The YC signal stored in the second memory 40 at the time when the AF function is activated and the focus control is performed and then the fully-pressed state is subsequently pressed is compressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 24 to a predetermined compression format. After compression in the JPEG format (in this embodiment), recording is performed on the recording medium 43 via the media controller 42.

  On the other hand, when the stereoscopic moving image shooting mode is set, the YC signal stored in the second memory 40 from that point in time when the release button 52A is fully pressed is sent to the microphone 90A and the microphone 90B. Along with the audio signal obtained through the amplifier 84 and the audio input processing unit 82, the compression / decompression processing circuit 24 compresses the audio signal in a predetermined time sequence in a predetermined compression format (in this embodiment, MPEG format). Later, recording is sequentially performed on the recording medium 43 via the media controller 42, and the recording operation is terminated when the release button 52A is fully pressed again.

  Note that the operation of the digital camera 10 during shooting when the normal still image shooting mode and the normal moving image shooting mode are set is selected in advance by the image signal processing circuit 22 instead of the stereoscopic image signal processing circuit 23. Only the digital image data obtained by the imaging system is subjected to various image signal processing to generate a YC signal, the YC signal is stored in the second memory 40, and compressed when shooting in the normal movie shooting mode Except for the fact that the compression format applied in the decompression processing circuit 24 is the motion JPEG format, this is substantially the same as the operation when the stereoscopic still image shooting mode and the stereoscopic video shooting mode are set. The description in is omitted.

  By the way, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the moving image shooting setting process is executed when the shooting mode is set to the normal moving image shooting mode or the stereoscopic moving image shooting mode.

  Next, the moving image shooting setting process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the moving image shooting setting processing program executed by the CPU 32 when the moving image shooting setting process is executed.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the stereoscopic moving image shooting mode is set according to the selection result of the operation mode by the mode switch 52B. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 102.

  In step 102, instruction information for instructing the audio input processing unit 82 to output the two digital audio signals obtained by both the microphone 90A and the microphone 90B to the compression / decompression processing circuit 24 is output. Then, an instruction to execute audio processing corresponding to stereoscopic shooting is issued to the related units.

  In the next step 104, instruction information for instructing the image signal processing circuit 22 to stop the operation is output, and instruction information for instructing the stereoscopic image signal processing circuit 23 to start the operation is output. Then, an instruction to execute image processing corresponding to stereoscopic shooting is issued to each related unit.

  In the next step 106, instruction information for instructing the compression / decompression processing circuit 24 to perform the compression processing in the MPEG format accompanied by the recording of the audio information in stereo is output to the related units. An instruction to execute compression processing corresponding to stereoscopic shooting is issued, and then the moving image shooting setting processing program is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 100 is negative, it is assumed that the normal moving image shooting mode is set, and the process proceeds to step 108.

  In step 108, the power supply circuit 54 is controlled so as to stop the supply of driving power to the imaging system that is not used, and in the next step 110, the microphone 90A or microphone 90B that is not used and the amplification unit of the amplifier 84 that is not used. The power supply circuit 54 is controlled to stop the supply of the driving power.

  In the next step 112, the audio input processing unit 82 is instructed to output only the digital audio signal obtained by the microphone used in monaural recording (here, the microphone 90A) to the compression / decompression processing circuit 24. By outputting instruction information or the like, an instruction to execute audio processing corresponding to normal shooting is given to the related units.

  In the next step 114, the instruction information for instructing the image signal processing circuit 22 to start the operation is output, and the instruction information for instructing the stereoscopic image signal processing circuit 23 to stop the operation is output. Then, an instruction to execute image processing corresponding to normal shooting is given to the related units.

  Then, in the next step 116, by outputting instruction information for instructing the compression / decompression processing circuit 24 to perform compression processing in the motion JPEG format accompanied with recording of audio information in monaural, etc. Is instructed to execute compression processing corresponding to normal shooting, and then the moving image shooting setting processing program is terminated.

  After the moving image shooting setting process as described above is executed, in the digital camera 10, when the stereoscopic moving image shooting mode is set, the stereoscopic image signal processing circuit 23 causes the first imaging system 88A and the second imaging system 88B to By synthesizing YC signals for two images obtained by both imaging, YC signals indicating a stereoscopic image are sequentially generated. At this time, the audio input processing unit 82 sequentially outputs two digital audio signals obtained by both the microphone 90A and the microphone 90B to the compression / expansion processing circuit 24.

  On the other hand, when the normal moving image shooting mode is set, the image signal processing circuit 22 causes the image pickup circuit 88A to select one of the first image pickup system 88A and the second image pickup system 88B (in this embodiment, the first image pickup system). 88C), YC signals for one image are sequentially generated. At this time, a digital audio signal obtained by either one of the microphone 90A or the microphone 90B (in this embodiment, the microphone 90A) is sequentially output to the compression / expansion processing circuit 24 by the audio input processing unit 82. .

  In this state, when the release button 52A is fully pressed by the user, the compression / expansion processing circuit 24 sequentially stores the YC signal stored in the second memory 40 by the above processing and the voice input processing unit 82. The compression format of the input digital audio signal set in the above movie shooting setting processing program (in the MPEG format with audio recording in stereo when the stereoscopic movie shooting mode is set, and the audio when the normal movie shooting mode is set) (Compression in motion JPEG format with monaural recording of information) and recording of the compressed video information on the recording medium 43 via the media controller 42 is started.

  Then, recording of the video information on the recording medium 43 is stopped when the release button 52A is fully pressed again by the user.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, when audio information is recorded, two microphones are used when the stereoscopic shooting mode (in this case, the stereoscopic moving image shooting mode) is selected. When the normal shooting mode (in this case, the normal video shooting mode) is selected, fewer microphones are used than the microphones used when the stereoscopic shooting mode is selected. Since the audio information is controlled to be acquired, it is possible to record the sound in a three-dimensional manner at the time of the three-dimensional shooting than at the time of the normal photographing.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, a mode changeover switch 52B that is operated to select one of the stereoscopic shooting mode and the normal shooting mode is further provided, and according to a selection result by the mode changeover switch 52B. Since the selected shooting mode is specified, the shooting mode can be easily specified.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since power supply for driving power to the microphone and the amplification unit that are not used in the selected shooting mode is stopped, power consumption can be reduced. .

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the three-dimensional imaging in the stereoscopic imaging mode is performed by two imaging systems provided at different positions, and the two-dimensional imaging in the normal imaging mode is performed by any one of the two imaging systems. When the normal shooting mode is selected, the power consumption is controlled so as to stop the supply of driving power to the imaging system that is not used in the normal shooting mode. The amount can be further reduced.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which two microphones 90A and 90B having the same directional sensitivity characteristic are individually provided to enable stereo recording, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a stereo microphone unit in which two microphones are integrally provided may be used. As the microphone unit in this case, a stereo microphone unit in which one having a directional sensitivity characteristic showing a cardioid curve is applied as one microphone and a bi-directional (bidirectional) one is applied as the other microphone, so-called An MS microphone can be exemplified.

  Also in this case, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to audio recording at the time of moving image shooting has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, an image file obtained by shooting a still image. For example, the present invention can be applied to voice recording by a voice memo function that stores voice information in association with each other. In this case, in the image file obtained by shooting in the stereoscopic still image shooting mode, the audio signal obtained by both the microphone 90A and the microphone 90B is stereo, as in the case of setting the stereoscopic moving image shooting mode according to the present embodiment. In the image file recorded by the normal still image shooting mode and obtained by shooting in the normal still image shooting mode, the sound obtained by either the microphone 90A or the microphone 90B is set as in the normal moving image shooting mode setting according to the present embodiment. The signal is recorded in monaural.

  Also in this case, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, audio information is recorded in stereo with two audio signals when shooting in the stereoscopic video shooting mode, and monaural audio information is recorded with one audio signal when shooting in the normal video shooting mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, audio information is recorded in surround using three or more audio signals when shooting in the stereoscopic video shooting mode, and two channels are used when shooting in the normal video shooting mode. The audio information can be recorded in stereo using the audio signal. In this case, a surround microphone composed of three or more microphones is applied as a voice acquisition unit of the present invention and mounted on a digital camera, and the microphone to be used is selectively switched according to the shooting mode. As an example of the surround microphone, a surround microphone system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-191887 can be exemplified.

  In this case, the stereoscopic effect of the audio information during stereoscopic shooting can be further improved.

  Further, it is needless to say that the processing flow of the moving image shooting setting processing program (see FIG. 3) described in the present embodiment is an example, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  Further, the configuration of the digital camera 10 described in this embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is also an example, and it is needless to say that the configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the moving image shooting setting process program which concerns on embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital camera 32 CPU (control means)
52B Mode selector switch (selection operation means)
88A First imaging system (imaging system)
88B Second imaging system (imaging system)
90A, 90B Microphone (voice acquisition means)

Claims (4)

Either one of the three-dimensional photographing mode for performing three-dimensional photographing and the normal photographing mode for performing two-dimensional photographing can be selected. Is a stereoscopic camera configured to be recordable,
A plurality of voice acquisition means each for acquiring voice information;
When recording the audio information, if the stereoscopic shooting mode is selected, control is performed so as to acquire the audio information using two or more audio acquisition means, and the normal shooting mode is selected. Control means for controlling to acquire the audio information using a smaller number of the audio acquisition means than the audio acquisition means used when the stereoscopic shooting mode is selected,
Stereo camera equipped with. A selection operation means operated to select any one of the stereoscopic shooting mode and the normal shooting mode;
The stereoscopic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit specifies a shooting mode selected according to a selection result by the selection operation unit. The stereoscopic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so as to stop feeding power for driving to the sound acquisition unit that is not used in the selected shooting mode. 3D imaging in the stereoscopic imaging mode is performed by a plurality of imaging systems provided at different positions, and 2D imaging in the normal imaging mode is performed using only one of the plurality of imaging systems,
4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the normal shooting mode is selected, the control unit performs control so as to stop feeding of driving power to the imaging system that is not used in the normal shooting mode. 5. The stereo camera described in the item.

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