JP2010178112A - Imaging device and television door intercom device - Google Patents

Abstract

An imaging device and a television door phone device using the same are provided to prevent the subject from being dazzled even when the subject is illuminated with visible light in a dark place.
An imaging device includes an imaging unit that captures a person who is a visitor, a shooting distance detection unit within the imaging unit that detects a shooting distance between the person and the imaging unit, and a person. A light amount control unit 9f that controls the amount of visible light of the visible light source units 9b and 9d to illuminate, and the light amount control unit 9f has a shooting distance detected by a shooting distance detection unit in the imaging unit 9c based on a distance setting reference value. The configuration is such that the amount of visible light is reduced as the length becomes shorter. As a result, the amount of visible light can be suppressed as the shooting distance becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value, so that the visitor 4 is not dazzled.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device and a television door phone device.

  Conventionally, the captured image obtained by the camera installed in the child machine installed at the entrance is displayed on the monitor of the master unit installed in the room, and the telephone inside the room is talked with There has been proposed a TV door phone device in which a resident can check a captured image of a visitor.

In a conventional TV door phone device, when a call button of a slave unit is pressed by a visitor at night, the visitor is illuminated with visible light, and the illuminated visitor is photographed with a camera. Further, the conventional TV door phone device detects the brightness around the camera and adjusts the amount of visible light according to the detected brightness (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-224573 A

  In the conventional TV door phone device described above, when a subject that is a visitor is photographed at night, the amount of visible light increases as the surroundings of the camera become darker, and thus the subject has a problem that the visible light is dazzling.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent visible light from being dazzled for a subject even when the subject is illuminated with visible light in a dark place.

  In order to achieve this object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures a person, a shooting distance detection unit that detects a shooting distance between the person and the imaging unit, and a visible light source unit that illuminates the person. A light amount control unit that controls the light amount of light, and the light amount control unit is configured to reduce the light amount of visible light as the shooting distance detected by the shooting distance detection unit becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value. It is characterized by that. With such a configuration, the intended purpose is achieved.

  The television door phone device of the present invention includes a slave unit having the above-described imaging device, and a display device that is electrically connected to the slave unit and displays a video signal obtained by photographing a visitor by the imaging device. And a master unit having the same. With such a configuration, the intended purpose is achieved.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that shoots a person, a shooting distance detection unit that detects a shooting distance between the person and the imaging unit, and a visible light amount of a visible light source unit that illuminates the person. The light amount control unit is configured to reduce the amount of visible light as the shooting distance detected by the shooting distance detection unit becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value. As the shooting distance between the camera and the imaging unit becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value, the amount of visible light can be reduced, so that the visible light illuminated from the visible light source unit is not dazzled by the subject. can do.

  The television door phone device of the present invention includes a slave unit having the above-described imaging device, and a display device that is electrically connected to the slave unit and displays a video signal obtained by photographing a visitor by the imaging device. As the shooting distance, which changes depending on the position where the visitor stands, becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value, the amount of visible light can be reduced, which makes it visible to visitors. Visible light illuminated from the light source unit can be prevented from being dazzled.

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

(Embodiment)
With reference to FIGS. 1-16, the television door phone apparatus in embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. Here, a TV door phone device that can check a visitor by a color captured image will be described as an example.

  1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a television door phone device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the television door phone device 1, FIG. 3 is a front view of a master unit 3 of the television door phone device 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of the slave unit 2 of the television doorphone device 1, and FIG. 6 is a visible light in the imaging device 9 of the television doorphone device 1. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view for explaining the arrangement and operation of the illumination unit, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the light amount ratio of the visible light illumination unit in the imaging device 9 of the television doorphone device 1, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the light quantity control system including the unit 9c, FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the color separation filter 21 of the imaging unit 9c in the television door phone device 1, and FIG. 10 shows the light transmission characteristics of the color separation filter 21 shown in FIG. Special FIG. 11 is a principle diagram of the shooting distance detection unit 24 in the imaging device 9 of the television doorphone device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an imaging position detection unit 25 in the imaging device 9 of the television doorphone device 1. FIG. 13 is a side sectional view for explaining the vertical arrangement and operation of the visible light illuminating unit in the imaging device 9 of the television doorphone device 1, and FIG. 14 is the inside of the imaging device 9 of the television doorphone device 1. FIG. 15 is a top cross-sectional view illustrating the left and right arrangement and operation of the visible light illuminating unit in the imaging device 9 of the television doorphone device 1, and FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the television doorphone device. It is a figure explaining the light quantity ratio of the visible light illumination part in the 1 imaging device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the television door phone apparatus 1 is comprised from the subunit | mobile_unit 2 and the main | base station 3, and the subunit | mobile_unit 2 and the main | base station 3 are electrically connected via the communication line. And the subunit | mobile_unit 2 is each installed in the entrance, and the main | base station 3 is each installed in the living room. Thereby, the visitor 4 can talk with the resident 5 via the subunit | mobile_unit 2 in a front door, and the main | base station 3 in a living room.

  First, the configuration of the slave unit 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the handset 2 includes a call button 6, a handset control section 7, a handset communication section 8, and an imaging device 9.

  The call button 6 is a button that is pressed by the finger of the visitor 4. When the call button 6 is pressed by the finger, a push signal is notified to the slave unit control unit 7.

  The subunit | mobile_unit control part 7 controls the subunit | mobile_unit 2 whole. When receiving the notification indicating that the call button 6 has been pressed by the visitor 4, the slave unit control unit 7 transmits a call notification to the base unit 3 and activates the slave unit call unit 8 and the imaging device 9. Further, the operations of the slave unit call unit 8 and the imaging device 9 are terminated by a response end signal from the master unit 3.

  The slave unit call unit 8 includes a microphone (hereinafter referred to as “microphone”) 8a, a speaker 8b, and a call interface (hereinafter referred to as “call I / F”) 8c, and is provided on the front surface of the slave unit body 2a. ing. The microphone 8a outputs the voice of the visitor 4 as a voice signal. The speaker 8b outputs the audio signal from the parent device 3 as audio. The call I / F 8c performs voice input / output with the parent device 3.

  The imaging device 9 is operated by the slave control unit 7 to photograph the visitor 4, and a color difference signal and a luminance signal, which are color video signals, are transmitted via a video interface (hereinafter referred to as “video I / F”) 9e. To the base unit 3. The detailed configuration of the imaging device 9 will be described later.

  Next, the configuration of base unit 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the base unit 3 includes an operation button 10, a base unit control unit 11, a base unit call unit 12, and a display device 13.

  The operation button 10 is a response button used when the resident 5 in the room calls the visitor 4, and is connected to the parent device control unit 11.

  The parent device control unit 11 has a function of performing overall control of the entire parent device 3. Base unit control unit 11 operates base unit call unit 12 and display device 13 in response to a call notification from handset 2. As a result, when the call button 6 is pressed, voice signals can be input / output between the slave unit call unit 8 and the base unit call unit 12 via the call I / F 8c and the call I / F 12c, which will be described later. . In addition, the base unit control unit 11 has a function of causing the base unit call unit 12 and the display device 13 to be stopped by a signal from the operation button 10 that is pressed when the resident 5 finishes the call with the visitor 4. I have.

  The base phone call unit 12 includes a microphone 12a, a speaker 12b, and a call I / F 12c. The microphone 12a outputs the voice of the resident 5 as a voice signal. The speaker 12b outputs the sound signal from the child device 2 as sound. The call I / F 12c performs input / output of audio signals with the slave unit 2.

  The display device 13 includes a video I / F 13a and a liquid crystal display panel 13b. The display device 13 receives the color video signal from the slave unit 2 through the video I / F 13a, and displays a color captured image on the liquid crystal display panel 13b based on the color difference signal and the luminance signal of the input color video signal.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation button 10 of the main | base station 3 is provided in the front lower side of the main | base station main body 3a. Further, the microphone 12a and the speaker 12b of the base unit call unit 12 are provided at the front center of the base unit main body 3a, that is, above the operation buttons 10. The display device 13 is provided on the upper front side of the main body 3a.

  Next, when the configuration of the television door phone device 1 is understood, details of the imaging device 9 that is a feature of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the TV door phone apparatus 1, when the visitor 4 is photographed by the imaging device 9 of the slave unit 2 and the captured image of the visitor 4 is confirmed by the liquid crystal display panel 13 b of the master unit 3, the necessary brightness is reduced as the surroundings become dark, such as at night. Becomes insufficient and the captured image becomes dark and the visibility deteriorates. Therefore, in order to compensate for the insufficient brightness in the television door phone device 1, the visitor 4 is illuminated and photographed with visible light.

  However, if the amount of visible light is increased in order to compensate for insufficient brightness as the surroundings become darker, the light illuminated for the visitor 4 becomes dazzling.

  Therefore, the imaging device 9 shoots the light illuminated by the visitor 4 so as not to be dazzled even when obtaining a color captured image of the visitor 4 in a dark place. That is, the imaging device 9 detects the shooting distance between the visitor 4 and the imaging device 9 when shooting the visitor 4, and the visible light source unit 9b according to the shooting distance being shorter than the distance setting reference value. The amount of visible light illuminated from 9d is reduced.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the imaging device 9 includes an infrared light source unit 9 a that illuminates the visitor 4, visible light source units 9 b and 9 d that illuminate the visitor 4, and imaging that captures the visitor 4. Unit 9c, a light amount control unit 9f for controlling the light amounts of the infrared light source unit 9a and the visible light source units 9b and 9d, respectively, and a video I / F 9e. The infrared light source unit 9a is composed of, for example, an infrared light emitting diode (for example, a peak wavelength of 810 to 950 nm). Further, the visible light source units 9b and 9d are composed of, for example, white light emitting diodes. A white light emitting diode is a superposition of a plurality of lights with different wavelengths, a combination of light emitting diodes of three colors (red, green, blue), a combination of a blue light emitting diode and a fluorescent material. Etc. are used.

  The imaging unit 9c is configured by a camera, and images a visitor 4 illuminated by visible light from the visible light source units 9b and 9d and displays a color video signal based on a plurality of color signals obtained by capturing the visitor 4. The data is output to the main unit 3 via the I / F 9e. Details of the color signal processing of the imaging unit 9c will be described later.

The light amount control unit 9f controls the light amount of visible light according to the shooting distance detected by the imaging unit 9c. That is, the amount of visible light illuminated from the visible light sources 9b and 9d is reduced as the shooting distance between the visitor 4 and the imaging unit 9c becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value Lp. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the light quantity control unit 9 f is configured to display the visible light source unit 9 b based on a table value (for example, a curve A in FIG. 4) set in advance as the shooting distance becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value Lp. , The amount of visible light from 9d is reduced, and dazzling for visitors 4 is suppressed. For example, the distance setting reference value Lp is 1 m, and the light amount control unit 9f sets the light amount so that the luminance of the visible light source units 9b and 9d is 5000 cd / m ² when the shooting distance is 1 m. Then, as the distance becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value Lp, the light amount is decreased so as to be inversely proportional to the square of the distance (for example, the luminance of the visible light source portions 9b and 9d is 1250 cd / mm when the shooting distance is 0.5 m). m ² ). A method for detecting the shooting distance will be described later.

  As a result, the amount of visible light is reduced as the shooting distance between the visitor 4 and the imaging unit 9c becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value Lp, so that the subject is illuminated from the visible light source units 9b and 9d. Visible light can be prevented from being dazzled. Note that the required luminance as the shooting distance becomes shorter can be reduced in inverse proportion to the square of the distance, so that the required luminance can be ensured even if the amount of visible light is reduced.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5, since the handset 2 is provided with a call button 6 that is pressed by the finger of the visitor 4 on the lower front side of the handset main body 2a, the infrared light source unit 9a and the visible light source unit 9b are provided. , 9d are provided above the position of the call button 6. Thereby, since it is not light-shielded by the finger | toe and hand of the visitor 4, it can light appropriately.

  Further, visible light source portions 9d are provided on the left and right sides above the position of the imaging portion 9c in the imaging device 9, respectively. Similarly, visible light source units 9b are provided on the left and right sides with respect to the position of the imaging unit 9c in the imaging device 9, respectively.

  The light quantity control unit 9f controls the illumination direction of visible light illuminated toward the visitor 4 according to the imaging position of the face of the visitor 4 detected by the imaging unit 9c. This prevents the visitor 4 from illuminating the visible light. The detection of the imaging position will be described later.

  Next, control of the illumination direction of visible light will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, of the visible light source units 9b and 9d, the visible light source unit 9b that illuminates the visible light in the horizontal direction is illuminated by the horizontal illumination light source unit, the visible light is directed downward by an angle θ from the horizontal direction, and the horizontal illumination is performed. The visible light source unit 9d provided below the position of the light source unit is defined as a downward illumination light source unit.

As shown in FIG. 8, the light amount control unit 9f is configured to maintain a predetermined luminance as shown in FIG. 8 in accordance with the shooting distance detected by the shooting distance detection unit being shorter than the distance setting reference value Lp. The visible light source unit 9b) and the downward illumination light source unit (visible light source unit 9d) control the amount of visible light respectively illuminated, and reduce the amount of visible light illuminated from the horizontal illumination light source unit, thereby reducing the downward illumination light source. The amount of visible light from the part is increased. Here, the predetermined luminance is a luminance necessary for appropriately performing photographing. For example, when shooting a visitor 4 standing at a position 1 m ² from each of the visible light source portions 9b and 9d and 1 m away from the visible light source portions 9b and 9d, the predetermined luminance is approximately 5000 cd / m ^2. .

  Thereby, according to the shooting distance at the position where the visitor 4 stands shorter than the distance setting reference value Lp, the horizontal illumination light source unit is illuminated directly to the eyes of the visitor 4 while maintaining a predetermined luminance. The amount of visible light is reduced and the amount of visible light from the downward illumination light source that illuminates the mouth of the visitor 4 is increased, so that the visible light is not dazzled by the visitor 4. In addition, since the predetermined luminance of the visible light source units 9b and 9d is maintained, the luminance necessary for photographing is ensured.

  Next, color signal processing of the imaging unit 9c will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the imaging unit 9 c includes a lens unit 20, a color separation filter 21, a light receiving element 22, a color signal processing unit 23, an imaging distance detection unit 24, and an imaging position detection unit 25. .

  The lens unit 20 is a lens group formed by combining a single lens or a plurality of lenses, and forms an image of a subject on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 22 via the color separation filter 21.

  The color separation filter 21 is provided in front of the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 22, and transmits a red component (R), a green component (G), and a blue component (B) of visible light, and an infrared component ( A plurality of filters that transmit only Ir) light are arranged on the same plane.

  For example, the color separation filter 21 transmits only the red component (R) light, the red filter 21a, the green filter (b) that transmits only the green component (G) light, and the blue component (B) only. A blue filter 21c and an infrared filter 21d that transmits only infrared component (Ir) light are provided, and the minimum unit is 2 × 2 as shown in FIG. Each filter is arranged such that the red filter 21a and the blue filter 21c are in an oblique positional relationship, and the green filter 21b and the infrared filter 21d are arranged in an oblique positional relationship.

  This color separation filter 21 exhibits the light transmission characteristics shown in FIG. That is, although there are some overlaps in the wavelengths of the filters that transmit visible light, the peak wavelength that maximizes the transmission of light is only one in the visible light range. The infrared filter 21d transmits only the infrared region.

  The light receiving element 22 uses an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, and red components (R signals) from pixels corresponding to the filters of the color separation filter 21. ), A green component as a green signal (G signal), and a blue component as a blue signal (B signal).

  Next, the color signal processing unit 23 includes a luminance / color difference conversion unit 23a. The luminance / color difference conversion unit 23a inputs each color signal of the primary color signal (RGB), and the luminance signal and the color difference signal (Cr signal, Cb signal). Convert to The luminance / color difference conversion unit 23a can perform conversion using a known conversion formula. For example, if the luminance signal is Y, the red signal is R, the green signal is G, and the blue signal is B, the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals (Cb, Cr) are Y = 0.30 × R + 0.59 × G + 0. 11 × B, Cb = 0.564 × (BY), and Cr = 0.713 × (R−Y). In the above example, the case where the color matrix for SDTV is used has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other color matrices (for example, Y, Pb, Pr for HDTV) may be used.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the shooting distance detection unit 24 detects the shooting distance L based on the size of the face portion of the person image in the captured image determined by the shooting angle of view of the imaging unit 9c.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the shootable range varies depending on the shooting distance depending on the angle of view of the imaging unit 9 c. That is, since the ratio of the size of the face in the captured image changes according to the shooting distance, the ratio R and the shooting are performed with reference to the size of the standard face (the statistical model of the face created by prior learning) in advance. A distance table storing the relationship with the distance L is created. This distance table is stored in a storage unit (not shown) in the shooting distance detection unit 24. Thereby, if the size of the face portion of the human image in the captured image is detected and the ratio R is calculated, the shooting distance L can be calculated.

  For example, the ratio (for example, Ra to Rb) with respect to the size of the standard face (template) when the shooting distance La is changed from Lb to Lb is stored in the storage unit as a distance table. Here, when the number of pixels of the standard face is Sa, Sx, Sb, and the number of pixels of the captured image in the horizontal direction is Sh, Ra = Sa / Sh, Rx = Sx / Sh, Rb = Sb / Sh. The shooting distance detection unit 24 enlarges / reduces the standard face template to match the face part in the captured image, detects the size of the face part (number of pixels Sx), and sets the ratio Rx (Ra>) as Rx = Sx / Sh. Rx> Rb) is calculated. Then, the shooting distance detection unit 24 refers to the distance table stored in the internal storage unit and detects the shooting distance Lx (La <Lx <Lb).

  The imaging device 9 illuminates the visitor 4 with infrared light by turning on the infrared light source unit 9a by the light amount control unit 9f. Then, the visitor 4 illuminated with infrared light by the imaging distance detection unit 24 in the imaging unit 9c described later is imaged by the imaging unit 9c, and the person image of the visitor 4 in the captured image obtained by the imaging is captured. Detect the size of the face.

  Since the infrared light does not cause any sense of brightness and darkness to the naked eye, it is not dazzling for the visitor 4, so that the visitor 4 can be illuminated with a sufficient amount of light, and the luminance component of the captured image is sufficiently secured and the contrast is high. . For this reason, it becomes easy to detect the size of the face portion of the human image in the captured image, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

  The size of the face can be detected using a face detection technique. That is, a standard face template (a standard face created by prior learning) is stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown), and the size and position of the standard face template are changed in the captured image. The degree of matching with a face template generated from feature points such as light and dark patterns by the eyes, eyebrows, nose, and cheeks, which are the constituent elements of the face portion of the human image, is detected. Then, the number of pixels Sx of the face part of the visitor 4 is detected based on the size of the standard face template having the highest matching degree among the sizes of the standard face templates that have been scaled up and down, and the ratio Rx (Sx / Sh) And the shooting distance Lx at Rx is detected with reference to the distance table stored in the storage unit.

  Note that the shooting distance detection unit 24 may detect two eye positions of the face portion of the person image and detect the shooting distance based on the interval between these eye positions. As a result, the size of the appearance of the face changes greatly between the adult and the child, but the distance between the two eye positions of the face does not change greatly between the adult and the child. The error can be suppressed, and thereby the detection accuracy of the shooting distance L can be increased.

  Next, the imaging position detection unit 25 detects the imaging position of the face portion of the person image in the captured image, as shown in FIG. For example, FIG. 12A shows an example in which the imaging position of the face is detected above the vertical position setting reference. Similarly, FIG. 12B shows an example in which the imaging position of the face is detected on the vertical position setting reference, and FIG. 12C shows that the imaging position of the face is detected below the vertical position setting reference. An example is shown.

  FIG. 12D shows an example in which the imaging position of the face is detected on the left side of the horizontal position setting reference. Similarly, FIG. 12E shows an example in which the imaging position of the face is detected on the horizontal position setting reference, and FIG. 12F shows the imaging position of the face detected on the right side of the horizontal position setting reference. An example is shown.

  As with the shooting distance detection unit 24, face detection technology can be used for detecting the imaging position of the face. That is, the size and position of the standard face template is changed in the captured image, and the face is generated from feature points such as light, dark patterns by the eyes, eyebrows, nose, and cheeks, which are constituent elements of the face portion of the human image in the captured image. The degree of matching with the template is detected. Then, the size and the imaging position of the standard face template having the highest matching degree among the scaled standard face template size and moving position are detected. The detected imaging position is notified to the light amount control unit 9f.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16, a description will be given of a case where the illumination direction in which the luminance of visible light increases according to the imaging position of the face is controlled in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The light amount control unit 9f receives the notification of the imaging position of the face from the imaging position detection unit 25, controls the light amount of each light source of the visible light source units 9b and 9d based on the imaging position of the face, and the luminance of the visible light The illumination direction in which the height is increased is controlled in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

  First, a case where the illumination direction in which the luminance of visible light increases according to the imaging position of the visitor 4 is controlled in the vertical direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

  As shown in FIG. 13, among the visible light source units 9b and 9d, the horizontal illumination light source unit 9b illuminates the visible light in the horizontal direction, and illuminates the visible light downward by an angle θ from the horizontal direction. Let the light source provided below the position of the horizontal illumination light source part 9b be the downward illumination light source part 9d.

  The light amount control unit 9f changes the illumination direction in which the luminance is increased in accordance with the imaging position of the face portion of the human image in the captured image so that the visible light from the visible light source units 9b and 9d is not dazzled for the visitor 4. .

  That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the light amount control unit 9f controls the light amount of visible light respectively illuminated from the horizontal illumination light source unit 9b and the lower illumination light source unit 9d so as to maintain a predetermined luminance, and the imaging position. When the imaging position of the face detected by the detection unit 25 is above the vertical position setting reference PV, the amount of visible light emitted from the horizontal illumination light source unit 9b is set to the amount of visible light from the lower illumination light source unit 9d. If the imaging position of the face is lower than the vertical position setting reference PV, the amount of visible light illuminated from the horizontal illumination light source unit 9b is larger than the amount of visible light from the lower illumination light source unit 9d. It was set as the structure to do. Here, the predetermined luminance is a luminance necessary for appropriately performing photographing.

  Further, the vertical position setting reference PV is set at the center in the vertical direction of the captured image, whereby the light amount control unit 9f is based on the case where the position where the visitor 4 stands is in the front center of the imaging unit 9c (center). Thus, the light quantity is distributed and controlled in a balanced manner.

  Thereby, it is possible to suppress the amount of visible light that is easily seen by the eyes according to the position of the face of the visitor 4, so that the visible light is not dazzled for the visitor 4. For this reason, it is not necessary to cover the light source with a diffusive cover or a glove for reducing glare, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing assembly man-hours. Further, since the amount of visible light of the horizontal illumination light source unit 9b and the lower illumination light source unit 9d is controlled so as to maintain a predetermined luminance, the luminance necessary for photographing is ensured and a clear color image with high contrast is obtained. A signal can be output to the base unit 3. The light quantity control unit 9f controls the upper and lower illumination directions by the two visible light source units 9b and 9d on the left and right sides, respectively.

  Next, a case where the illumination direction in which the luminance of visible light increases according to the imaging position of the visitor 4 is controlled in the left-right direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the visible light source unit 9b includes a left illumination light source unit installed on the left side from the position of the imaging unit 9c and a right illumination light source unit installed on the right side of the position of the imaging unit 9c.

  The light amount control unit 9f changes the illumination direction in which the luminance is increased according to the imaging position of the face of the visitor 4 in the captured image to the left and right so that the visible light from the visible light source unit 9b is not dazzled for the visitor 4. To.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the light amount control unit 9f controls the amount of visible light emitted from the left illumination light source unit and the right illumination light source unit so as to maintain a predetermined luminance, and performs imaging. When the imaging position of the face detected by the position detector 25 is on the left side (visitor 4a in FIG. 15) from the horizontal position setting reference PH, the amount of visible light illuminated from the left illumination light source unit is set to the right. If the imaging position of the face portion of the person image is on the right side of the horizontal position setting reference PH (visitor 4b in FIG. 15), the left illumination light source The amount of visible light illuminated from the unit is set to be larger than the amount of visible light illuminated from the right illumination light source unit. Here, the predetermined luminance is a luminance necessary for appropriately performing photographing.

  Further, the horizontal position setting reference PH is set at the center in the left-right direction of the captured image, whereby the light amount control unit 9f is based on the case where the position where the visitor 4 stands is at the front center of the imaging unit 9c (center). And control the distribution of the light quantity in a balanced manner.

  Thereby, it is possible to suppress the amount of visible light that is easily seen by the eyes according to the position of the face of the visitor 4, so that the visible light is not dazzled for the visitor 4. For this reason, it is not necessary to cover the light source with a diffusive cover or a glove for reducing glare, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing assembly man-hours. In addition, the amount of visible light in the horizontal illumination light source unit and the lower illumination light source unit is controlled so as to maintain a predetermined luminance, so that the luminance necessary for shooting is ensured and a clear color video signal with high contrast is obtained. It can be output to the master unit 3. The light amount control unit 9f similarly controls the left and right illumination directions with the two visible light source units 9d on the lower side.

  Next, the operation of the TV door phone device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the television door phone apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the visitor 4 presses the call button 6 when arriving at the front door. When the call button 6 of the handset 2 is pressed (S100), the TV door phone apparatus 1 turns on the infrared light source unit 9a (S102), activates the imaging unit 9c of the imaging device 9, and photographs the visitor 4 (S104).

  Next, the TV door phone apparatus 1 detects the face part of the human image in the captured image obtained by photographing the visitor 4 illuminated by the infrared light from the infrared light source unit 9a by the photographing distance detecting unit 24. (S106).

  Next, when the face size (number of pixels Sx) is detected from the person image in the captured image (S108), the TV door phone apparatus 1 determines that the face portion is set to Sh when the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the captured image is Sh. The ratio R (Sx / Sh) of the image size can be detected (S110), and the shooting distance L is detected from the detected ratio R with reference to the distance table stored in the storage unit (S112). Then, the TV door phone apparatus 1 notifies the light amount control unit 9f of the shooting distance L and turns off the infrared light source unit 9a.

  Next, the TV door phone apparatus 1 sets the light quantity of visible light according to the photographing distance L notified from the photographing distance detection part 24 by the light quantity control part 9f (S114). That is, a setting for reducing the amount of visible light illuminated from the visible light source units 9b and 9d as the shooting distance between the visitor 4 and the imaging unit 9c becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value Lp (for example, Curve A) in FIG. As a result, the amount of visible light is reduced as the shooting distance between the visitor 4 and the imaging unit 9c, which changes depending on the position where the visitor 4 is standing, and the glare for the visitor 4 is reduced.

  Next, in the television door phone apparatus 1, the imaging position detection unit 25 detects the imaging position of the face portion of the human image in the captured image (S116).

  Next, the TV door phone apparatus 1 notifies the detection result of the imaging position of the face by the imaging position detection unit 25 to the light amount control unit 9f, and the light amount control unit 9f maintains the predetermined luminance so that the visible light source unit 9b, The light amount of each light source 9d is controlled, and the illumination direction in which the luminance of the visible light increases according to the notified imaging position of the face is set to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (S118). And the visible light source parts 9b and 9d are turned on by the light quantity control part 9f, and the visitor 4 is image | photographed by the imaging part 9c (S120). If no face portion is detected in S108, the light amounts of the visible light source portions 9b and 9d are set as initial setting values (S124).

  In this way, the TV door phone apparatus 1 appropriately controls the light amounts of the visible light source units 9b and 9d by the light amount control unit 9f, and the imaging unit 9c of the slave unit 2 sends a clear color video signal with high contrast to the master unit 3. Output.

  Next, the TV door phone apparatus 1 receives the color video signal output from the handset 2 by the base unit 3, and displays the color image on the liquid crystal display panel 13b of the base unit 3 based on the color difference signal and the luminance signal of the color video signal. Display the captured image. Furthermore, the TV door phone apparatus 1 operates the base unit call unit 12 and the display unit 13 in response to a call notification from the handset 2, and thereby, when the call button 6 is pressed, the handset call unit 8 and the base unit call unit 12 Voice signals can be input and output between them, and a call can be made (S122).

  Thereby, the resident 5 can talk with the visitor 4 while confirming the captured image of the visitor 4 by the liquid crystal display panel 13b. Note that the TV door phone apparatus 1 causes the base unit call unit 12 and the display unit 13 to be connected again by a signal from the operation button 10 pressed by the base unit control unit 11 when the resident 5 finishes the call with the visitor 4. Stop.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the imaging device 9 includes the imaging unit 9c that captures the person who is the visitor 4 and the imaging distance detection unit 24 that detects the imaging distance between the person and the imaging unit 9c. And a light amount control unit 9f that controls the amount of visible light from the visible light source units 9b and 9d that illuminate the person, and the light amount control unit 9f has a shooting distance detected by the shooting distance detection unit 24 as a distance setting reference value. Since the configuration is such that the amount of visible light is reduced as it becomes shorter than Lp, the amount of visible light that is emitted as the shooting distance between the person and the imaging unit 9c becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value. As a result, the visible light emitted from the visible light source portions 9b and 9d can be prevented from being dazzled by the visitor 4.

  In addition, the television door phone apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a slave unit 2 having the above-described imaging device 9 and an image obtained by photographing the visitor 4 with the imaging device 9 while being electrically connected to the slave unit 2. The main unit 3 having the display device 13 for displaying the signal is provided, so that the amount of visible light is reduced as the shooting distance that changes depending on the position where the visitor 4 stands is shorter than the distance setting reference value Lp. Accordingly, the visible light illuminated from the visible light source portions 9b and 9d can be prevented from being dazzled for the visitor 4.

  The configuration of the color separation filter 21 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, a color separation filter 30 having a two-band transmission characteristic that transmits each color component region and the infrared region is used for each filter. The color separation filter 30 transmits the red / infrared filter 30a that transmits not only the red component (R) but also the infrared component (Ir), and the infrared component (Ir) light as well as the green component (G). Transmitting green / infrared filter 30b, blue / infrared filter 30c transmitting not only blue component (B) but also infrared component (Ir) light, and red transmitting only infrared component (Ir) light An outer filter 30d, and the minimum unit is 2 × 2. With such a configuration, compared to the color separation filter 21, the color separation filter 30 can quadruple the size of the region that transmits infrared light, and the amount of infrared light received by the light receiving element 22 can be increased. . As a result, the luminance component can be easily detected by the imaging device 9 even in a dark place, and an image with high contrast and high visibility can be obtained. When this color separation filter 30 is used, since each color signal of the primary color signal includes an infrared component, a primary color signal extraction unit that subtracts the infrared signal (Ir) from each color signal is provided at the subsequent stage of the light receiving element 22, and each primary color signal is obtained. Extract. Thereby, a color video signal with high saturation can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a color separation filter 31 having a two-band transmission characteristic that transmits each color component region and the infrared region may be used for each filter. The color separation filter 31 transmits not only the red component (R) but also the infrared component (Ir) light, and the red / infrared filter 31a that transmits not only the green component (G) but also the infrared component (Ir) light. A green / infrared filter 31b that transmits light and a blue / infrared filter 31c that transmits light of not only a blue component (B) but also an infrared component (Ir) are included, and the minimum unit is 2 × 2. . With such a configuration, compared to the color separation filter 21, the color separation filter 31 can quadruple the size of the region that transmits infrared light, and the amount of infrared light received by the light receiving element 22 can be increased. .

  When this color separation filter 31 is used, as shown in FIG. 20, the color signal processing unit 26 has a luminance / color difference conversion unit 26a, and the luminance / color difference conversion unit 26a has a mixed color signal (R + Ir, G + Ir, B + Ir) is converted into a luminance signal and a color difference signal (Cr, Cb). As a result, since the luminance signal output from the luminance / color difference conversion unit 26a includes an infrared component and a high-contrast captured image is obtained, it is easy to detect the face of the visitor 4 even in a dark place. .

  Further, since the mixed color signal includes an infrared component, if the luminance signal and the color difference signal converted by the luminance / color difference conversion unit 26a are directly output as a color video signal, the infrared component is obtained as the color difference signal (Cr, Cb). It becomes a thin shade that is raised so much. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a color difference correction unit 26b that increases the saturation of the color difference signal is provided, and the color difference correction unit 26b inputs the color difference signal and outputs a corrected color signal with increased saturation. By outputting the luminance signal and the correction color signal as a color video signal, it is possible to deepen the hue of the mixed color signal.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the infrared light source unit 9a and the visible light source units 9b and 9d are provided in the imaging device 9 and attached in advance to the slave unit main body 2a. However, the infrared light source unit 9a and the visible light source units 9b and 9d are provided. And can be attached as an optional light source later. In this case, when the optional light source is attached, an interlocking operation between the optional light source and the imaging unit 9c is performed. Further, the infrared light source unit 9a and the visible light source units 9b and 9d are electrically connected to the light amount control unit 9f, and the light amount control unit 9f controls the light amounts of infrared light and visible light. You may make it do.

  Further, the shooting distance detection unit 24 calculates the shooting distance based on the person image in the captured image, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the visitor 4 is irradiated with infrared light from the infrared light source unit 9a, and the reflected light from the visitor 4 is imaged in a time-division manner by the imaging unit 9c using a high-speed shutter, and the captured multiple images are taken. Of the images, two captured images in which the intensity of the reflected light portion changes to a predetermined value or more are extracted, and a shooting distance is calculated based on a difference in time when the two extracted captured images are captured. . Thereby, it is possible to measure the time until the reflected light returns after irradiating the visitor 4 with light, and thereby the photographing distance to the subject can be calculated.

  In the present embodiment, the TV door phone device 1 is used for explanation. However, since a color captured image can be obtained in a dark place so that visible light illuminating the subject is not dazzled, the subject is photographed at night. The present invention can also be applied to imaging devices (for example, surveillance cameras, digital cameras, digital movies, mobile phones, etc.).

  As described above, the present invention controls the amount of visible light of the imaging unit that shoots a person, the shooting distance detection unit that detects the shooting distance between the person and the imaging unit, and the visible light source unit that illuminates the person. A light amount control unit, and the light amount control unit is configured to reduce the light amount of visible light in accordance with the shooting distance detected by the shooting distance detection unit being shorter than the distance setting reference value. As the shooting distance between and the distance becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value, the amount of illumination of visible light can be suppressed, so that the visible light illuminated from the visible light source unit is not dazzled for the subject It is useful for imaging devices, TV door phone devices, surveillance cameras, digital cameras, digital movies, mobile phones, and the like.

Schematic configuration diagram of a television door phone device in an embodiment of the present invention Circuit block diagram of the TV door phone device Front view of the main unit of the TV door phone device The figure explaining the light quantity control of the imaging device of the television door phone apparatus Front view of the slave unit of the TV door phone device Side surface sectional drawing explaining arrangement | positioning and operation | movement of a visible light illumination part in the imaging device of the television door phone apparatus The figure explaining the light quantity ratio of the visible light illumination part in the imaging device of the television door phone apparatus Block diagram of a light quantity control system including an imaging unit in the TV door phone device Configuration diagram of the color separation filter of the imaging unit in the TV door phone device FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing the light transmission characteristics of the color separation filter shown in FIG. The principle figure of the photographing distance detection part in the imaging device of the television door phone device in the embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the example of a detection of the imaging position detection part in the imaging device of the television door phone apparatus Side sectional view for explaining the vertical arrangement and operation of the visible light illuminating unit in the imaging device of the TV door phone device The figure explaining the light quantity ratio of the visible light illumination part in the imaging device of the television door phone apparatus Top sectional view for explaining the left-right arrangement and operation of the visible light illumination unit in the imaging device of the television door phone device The figure explaining the light quantity ratio of the visible light illumination part in the imaging device of the television door phone apparatus Flow chart showing the operation of the TV door phone device The block diagram which shows the other example of the color separation filter of the television door phone apparatus The block diagram which shows the further another example of the color separation filter of the television door phone apparatus The block diagram which shows the other example of the light quantity control system containing the imaging part in the television door phone apparatus

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 TV door phone apparatus 2 Slave unit 2a Slave unit main body 3 Master unit 3a Master unit main body 4, 4a, 4b Visitor 5 Resident 6 Call button 7 Slave unit control unit 8 Slave unit call unit 8a, 12a Microphone 8b, 12b Speaker 8c , 12c Call I / F
9 Imaging device 9a Infrared light source unit 9b, 9d Visible light source unit 9c Imaging unit 9e, 13a Video I / F
9f Light intensity control unit 10 Operation button 11 Base unit control unit 12 Base unit call unit 13 Display device 13b Liquid crystal display panel 20 Lens unit 21, 30, 31 Color separation filter 22 Light receiving element 23, 26 Color signal processing unit 23a, 26a Luminance color difference Conversion unit 24 Shooting distance detection unit 25 Imaging position detection unit 26b Color difference correction unit

Claims (10)

An imaging unit for photographing a person;
A shooting distance detecting unit for detecting a shooting distance between the person and the imaging unit;
A light amount control unit that controls the amount of visible light of the visible light source unit that illuminates the person,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light amount control unit is configured to reduce the light amount of the visible light in response to the shooting distance detected by the shooting distance detection unit being shorter than a distance setting reference value. The light amount control unit further controls lighting of an infrared light source unit that illuminates the person,
The photographing distance detection unit is a face part of a human image in a captured image obtained by photographing the person illuminated by infrared light from the infrared light source unit lit by the light amount control unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an imaging distance is detected based on a size of the imaging device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shooting distance detection unit detects two eye positions of a face portion of the person image, and detects the shooting distance based on an interval between these eye positions. . The visible light source unit includes a horizontal illumination light source unit that illuminates visible light in the horizontal direction and a downward illumination that illuminates the visible light downward from the horizontal direction and is provided below the position of the horizontal illumination light source unit. A light source unit,
The light amount control unit controls the amount of visible light illuminated from the horizontal illumination light source unit and the lower illumination light source unit so as to maintain a predetermined luminance of the visible light source unit, and
As the shooting distance detected by the shooting distance detection unit becomes shorter than the distance setting reference value, the amount of visible light illuminated from the horizontal illumination light source unit is reduced, and visible light from the lower illumination light source unit is reduced. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the configuration is configured to increase the amount of light. The visible light source unit is provided below the horizontal illumination light source unit and a horizontal illumination light source unit that illuminates the visible light in the horizontal direction, and illuminates the visible light downward from the horizontal direction. A lower illumination light source unit,
An imaging position detector for detecting the imaging position of the face of the person image in the captured image;
The light amount control unit controls the amount of visible light illuminated from the horizontal illumination light source unit and the lower illumination light source unit so as to maintain a predetermined luminance of the visible light source unit, and
When the imaging position of the face detected by the imaging position detection unit is above the vertical position setting reference, the amount of visible light illuminated from the horizontal illumination light source unit is changed to the visible light from the lower illumination light source unit. Less than the amount of light,
When the imaging position of the face is below the vertical position setting reference, the amount of visible light illuminated from the horizontal illumination light source is greater than the amount of visible light from the lower illumination light source The imaging device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the vertical position setting reference is set at a center in a vertical direction of a captured image. The visible light source unit has a left illumination light source unit installed on the left side of the position of the imaging unit and a right illumination light source unit installed on the right side of the position of the imaging unit,
An imaging position detector for detecting the imaging position of the face of the person image in the captured image;
The light amount control unit controls the amount of visible light illuminated from the left illumination light source unit and the right illumination light source unit so as to maintain a predetermined luminance of the visible light source unit,
When the imaging position of the face detected by the imaging position detection unit is on the left side of the horizontal position setting reference, the amount of visible light illuminated from the left illumination light source unit is illuminated from the right illumination light source unit Less than the amount of visible light
When the imaging position of the face is on the right side of the horizontal position setting reference, the amount of visible light illuminated from the left illumination light source is larger than the amount of visible light illuminated from the right illumination light source The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured as described above. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the horizontal position setting reference is set at a center in a left-right direction of the captured image. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein an eye position of the face part is detected as the imaging position. A slave having the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A television door phone device comprising: a parent device having a display device that is electrically connected to the child device and displays a video signal obtained by photographing a visitor by the imaging device.

Images