Multiple lens imaging apparatuses, and methods and programs for setting exposure of multiple lens imaging apparatuses

• US 7,978,257 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2007
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Masuda, Tomonori
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Nhan T
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIEP, TRUNG T
• Application Number:
  US11/935,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20080106634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 348/42, 348/139, 348/335, 348/333.09, 348362-366
• US Class Current: 348/362
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/25 using two or more image sensors with different characteristics other than in their location or field of view, e.g. having different resolutions or colour pickup characteristics; using image signals from one sensor to control the characteristics of another sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/70 Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/71 Circuitry for evaluating the brightness variation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/73 by influencing the exposure time

Abstract

When an exposure value calculated according to a result of photometric measurement for predetermined main imaging units among a plurality of imaging units is used for setting exposure of the main imaging units and sub-imaging units other than the main imaging units, judgment is carried out as to whether an image or images obtained in photography with the sub-imaging units by setting the exposure thereof according to the exposure value is/are saturated. In the case where a result of the judgment is affirmative, any one of the sub-imaging units having obtained the saturated image or images is designated as new main imaging units. The exposure value is calculated newly, and the exposure is set for the new main imaging units and for new sub-imaging units other than the new main imaging units.

Claims

1. A multiple lens imaging apparatus comprising:

a plurality of imaging unit for obtaining images by photography; and

exposure setting unit for using an exposure value calculated according to a result of photometric measurement for predetermined main imaging unit among the plurality of imaging unit, to set exposure of the main imaging unit and sub-imaging unit other than the main imaging unit, wherein,

in the case where an image or images obtained in photography with the sub-imaging unit by setting the exposure thereof according to the exposure value is/are saturated, the exposure setting unit designates any one of the sub-imaging unit having obtained the saturated image or images as new main imaging unit, and newly calculates the exposure value and sets the exposure of the new main imaging unit and new sub-imaging unit other than the new main imaging unit.

2. The multiple lens imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

in the case where the number of the sub-imaging unit having obtained the saturated image or images is one, the exposure setting unit designates the sub-imaging unit as the new main imaging unit.

3. The multiple lens imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

in the case where the number of the sub-imaging unit having obtained the saturated image or images is larger than one, the exposure setting unit designates the sub-imaging unit having obtained the image with a largest saturated region therein as the new main imaging unit.

4. The multiple lens imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the exposure setting unit carries out judgment as to whether a saturated region in each of the images obtained by the plurality of imaging unit is within a predetermined region therein, and,

in the case where a result of the judgment is affirmative, the exposure setting unit judges that the corresponding image is saturated.

5. The multiple lens imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

the exposure setting unit carries out the judgment as to whether the image or images is/are saturated, in a predetermined region in each of the images obtained by the plurality of imaging unit.

6. The multiple lens imaging apparatus according to claim 1, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of auxiliary light sources corresponding respectively to the plurality of imaging unit for emitting auxiliary lights to directions of photography by the corresponding imaging unit; and

the apparatus further comprising;

lighting control unit for controlling, in the case where the image or images obtained in photography with the sub-imaging unit by setting the exposure thereof according to the exposure value is/are saturated, lighting on and off the auxiliary light sources depending on whether the image or each of the images is saturated on a high luminance side or on a low luminance side.

7. An exposure setting method for a multiple lens imaging apparatus having a plurality of imaging unit for obtaining images by photography, the method comprising the steps of:

carrying out judgment, at the time of using an exposure value calculated according to a result of photometric measurement for predetermined main imaging unit among the plurality of imaging unit to set exposure of the main imaging unit and sub-imaging unit other than the main imaging unit, as to whether an image or images obtained in photography with the sub-imaging unit by setting the exposure thereof according to the exposure value is/are saturated;

designating, in the case where a result of the judgment is affirmative, any one of the sub-imaging unit having obtained the saturated image or images as new main imaging unit; and

newly carrying out calculation of the exposure value and setting of the exposure of the new main imaging unit and new sub-imaging unit other than the new main imaging unit.

8. An exposure setting method for a multiple lens imaging apparatus having a plurality of imaging unit for obtaining images by photography, the method comprising the steps of:

carrying out judgment, at the time of using an exposure value calculated from a result of photometric measurement according to a predetermined photometric method for predetermined main imaging unit among the plurality of imaging unit to set exposure of the main imaging unit and sub-imaging unit other than the main imaging unit, as to whether an image or images obtained in photography with the sub-imaging unit by setting the exposure thereof according to the exposure value is/are saturated; and

designating, in the case where a result of the judgment is affirmative, any one of the sub-imaging unit having obtained the saturated image or images as new main imaging unit and calculating a new exposure value based on a result of photometric measurement for the new main imaging unit according to a photometric method different from the predetermined photometric method.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program causing a computer to execute an exposure setting method for a multiple lens imaging apparatus having a plurality of imaging unit for obtaining images by photography, the program comprising the procedures of:

carrying out judgment, at the time of using an exposure value calculated according to a result of photometric measurement for predetermined main imaging unit among the plurality of imaging unit to set exposure of the main imaging unit and sub-imaging unit other than the main imaging unit, as to whether an image or images obtained in photography with the sub-imaging unit by setting the exposure thereof according to the exposure value is/are saturated;

designating, in the case where a result of the judgment is affirmative, any one of the sub-imaging unit having obtained the saturated image or images as new main imaging unit; and

newly carrying out calculation of the exposure value and setting of the exposure of the new main imaging unit and new sub-imaging unit other than the new main imaging unit.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program causing a computer to execute an exposure setting method for a multiple lens imaging apparatus having a plurality of imaging unit for obtaining images by photography, the program comprising the procedures of:

carrying out judgment, at the time of using an exposure value calculated from a result of photometric measurement according to a predetermined photometric method for predetermined main imaging unit among the plurality of imaging unit to set exposure of the main imaging unit and sub-imaging unit other than the main imaging unit, as to whether an image or images obtained in photography with the sub-imaging unit by setting the exposure thereof according to the exposure value is/are saturated; and

designating, in the case where a result of the judgment is affirmative, any one of the sub-imaging unit having obtained the saturated image or images as new main imaging unit and calculating a new exposure value based on a result of photometric measurement for the new main imaging unit according to a photometric method different from the predetermined photometric method.