Image taking apparatus and program for multiple-exposure shooting

• US 20070077055A1
• Filed: 09/27/2006
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Hamamoto, Yasuhachi, Okada, Seiji, Mori, Yukio, Yokohata, Masahiro, Tominaga, Ryuichiro
• Application Number:
  US11/527,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20070077055A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/256
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6811 based on the image signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/684 performed by controlling the image sensor readout, e.g. by controlling the integration time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/70 Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/76 by influencing the image signals

Abstract

The exposure time calculator calculates exposure time of image sensor based on an aperture value corresponding to a diaphragm and brightness of an object. The predetermined time calculator calculates predetermined time based on a focal length of a lens and a predetermined coefficient. The shooting mode determining unit determines execution of multiple-exposure shooting to obtain a composite image of the object by obtaining multiple object images and then combining the multiple object images in a case where the exposure time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time. The motion detector detects motion among the multiple object images in the multiple-exposure shooting. The predetermined coefficient calculator updates a predetermined coefficient based on the detected amount of motion.

Claims

1. An image taking apparatus performing a multiple-exposure shooting by using object images, the image taking apparatus comprising:

a lens;

a diaphragm;

an image sensor configured to obtain object images through the lens and the diaphragm;

an exposure time calculator configured to calculate exposure time of the image sensor based on an aperture value corresponding to the diaphragm and on brightness of the object;

a predetermined time calculator configured to calculate predetermined time based on a focal length of the lens and a predetermined coefficient;

a shooting mode determining unit configured to determine execution of the multiple-exposure shooting to obtain a composite image of the object if the exposure time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, said composite image obtained to combine the plurality of object images;

a motion detector configured to detect motion among the plurality of object images in the multiple-exposure shooting; and

a predetermined coefficient calculator configured to update the predetermined coefficient based on the detected amount of motion.

2. The image taking apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a multiple-exposure shooting controller configured to calculate single shot exposure time necessary for obtaining one object image, a composite number of the plurality of object images necessary for obtaining the composite image, and total shooting time necessary for obtaining the plurality of object images, based on the exposure time and the predetermined time in the multiple-exposure shooting.

3. The image taking apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein the multiple-exposure shooting controller calculates an upper limit value of the composite number by use of an evaluated value indicating a correction effect of the motion and calculates the composite number based on the upper limit value.

4. The image taking apparatus according to claims 2,

wherein, in a case where the single shot exposure time is shorter than a frame period, the multiple-exposure shooting controller calculates the total shooting time based on the frame period.

5. The image taking apparatus according to one of claims 3,

wherein, in a case where the single shot exposure time is shorter than a frame period, the multiple-exposure shooting controller calculates the total shooting time based on the frame period.

6. The image taking apparatus according to claim 4,

wherein the multiple-exposure shooting controller extends the single shot exposure time in the case where the single shot exposure time is shorter than the frame period and the total shooting time calculated based on the frame period is longer than the exposure time, and calculates the composite number and the total shooting time based on the single shot exposure time.

7. The image taking apparatus according to claim 4,

wherein the multiple-exposure shooting controller defines the exposure time as the total shooting time in the case where the single shot exposure time is shorter than the frame period and the total shooting time calculated based on the frame period is longer than the exposure time, and calculates the single shot exposure time and the composite number based on the total shooting time.

8. A program for obtaining an object image by use of image sensor exposed through a lens and a diaphragm and to perform a multiple-exposure shooting by use of the object image, the program causing a computer to execute procedures for:

calculating exposure time of the image sensor based on an aperture value corresponding to the diaphragm and on brightness of the object;

calculating predetermined time based on a focal length of the lens and a predetermined coefficient;

determining execution of the multiple-exposure shooting to obtain a composite image of the object if the exposure time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, said composite image obtained to combine the plurality of object images;

detecting motion among the plurality of object images in the multiple-exposure shooting; and

updating the predetermined coefficient based on a detected amount of motion.

9. The program according to claim 8, further causing a computer to execute procedures for:

calculating single shot exposure time necessary for obtaining one object image, a composite number of the plurality of object images necessary for obtaining the composite image, and total shooting time necessary for obtaining the plurality of object images, based on the exposure time and the predetermined time in the multiple-exposure shooting.

10. The program according to claim 9, further causing a computer to execute procedures for:

calculating an upper limit value of the composite number by use of an evaluated value indicating a correction effect of the motion and calculates the composite number based on the upper limit value.

11. The program according to claims 9, further causing a computer to execute procedures for:

calculating the total shooting time based on the frame period in a case where the single shot exposure time is shorter than a frame period.

12. The program according to claims 10, causing a computer to execute procedures for:

calculating the total shooting time based on the frame period in a case where the single shot exposure time is shorter than a frame period.

13. The program according to claim 11, causing a computer to execute procedures for:

extending the single shot exposure time if the single shot exposure time is shorter than the frame period and the total shooting time calculated based on the frame period is longer than the exposure time, and calculates the composite number and the total shooting time based on the single shot exposure time,

14. The program according to claim 11, causing a computer to execute procedures for:

defining the exposure time as the total shooting time in the case where the single shot exposure time is shorter than the frame period and the total shooting time calculated based on the frame period is longer than the exposure time, and calculates the single shot exposure time and the composite number based on the total shooting time.