Imaging device and image processing apparatus

• US 8,515,237 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2010
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Oikawa, Masafumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thai
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wendmagegn, Girumsew
• Application Number:
  US12/897,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20110116759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: 386/226, 386/E05.069
• US Class Current: 386/226
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8211 the additional signal being a sound signal H04N9/835 takes precedence

Abstract

Provided are: an imaging sensor that captures light from a subject; a movement information detection unit that detects movement information of the subject; a time setting unit that sets at least one of a recording time for recording a zone movie image based on an imaging signal from the imaging sensor and a recording pause time for not recording the zone movie image, based upon the movement information of the subject detected by the movement information detection unit; and a movie image data creation unit that repeats recording of the zone movie image for the recording time and pausing of the recording of the zone movie image for the recording pause time based upon the setting made by the time setting unit, and creates movie image data including a movie image formed by successively joining a plurality of the repeatedly recorded zone movie images.

Claims

1. An imaging device, comprising:

an imaging sensor that captures light from a subject;

a movement information detection unit that detects movement information of the subject;

a time setting unit that sets at least one of a recording time for recording a zone movie image based upon an imaging signal from the imaging sensor and a recording pause time for not recording the zone movie image, based on the movement information of the subject detected by the movement information detection unit; and

a movie image data creation unit that repeats recording of the zone movie image for the recording time and pausing of the recording of the zone movie image for the recording pause time based upon the setting made by the time setting unit, and creates movie image data including a movie image formed by successively joining a plurality of the repeatedly recorded zone movie images;

a size detection unit that detects a size of the subject with respect to a shooting screen, wherein

the time setting unit sets the recording pause time to 0, if the size of the subject with respect to the shooting screen that is detected by the size detection unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the time setting unit shortens the recording time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the recording time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the time setting unit shortens the recording pause time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the recording pause time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects a size of the subject with respect to a shooting screen, as the movement information of the subject, and

the time setting unit sets at least one of the recording time and the recording pause time, based upon the size of the subject with respect to the shooting screen that is detected by the movement information detection unit.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, comprising

a focal length information obtaining unit that obtains, in a predetermined time interval, focal length information for a photographic lens that guides light from the subject to the imaging sensor, while the movie image is being shot, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects the movement information of the subject based upon the focal length information that is obtained by the focal length information obtaining unit.

6. The imaging device according to claim 1, comprising:

a movie image storage unit that stores a movie image based upon the imaging signal from the imaging sensor; and

a movement information recording unit that records movement information of the subject detected by the movement information detection unit, wherein

the time setting unit sets at least one of the recording time and the recording pause time, based upon the movement information that has been recorded in the recording unit, and

the movie image data creation unit creates the movie image data, based upon a setting made by the time setting unit and the movie image that has been stored in the movie image storage unit.

7. The imaging device according to claim 1, comprising

a display unit that displays a movie image, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects movement information for a principal subject in a predetermined movie image based upon predetermined movie image data that has been recorded on a recording medium,

the time setting unit sets at least one of a display time in which a predetermined zone movie image, formed from at least one frame image from among a plurality of frame images that form the predetermined movie image, is displayed on the display unit, and a non-display time in which the predetermined zone movie image is not displayed on the display unit, based upon the movement information for the principal subject detected by the movement information detection unit, and

the display unit joins and displays a plurality of the predetermined zone movie images corresponding to the display time, in the temporal sequence in which the predetermined zone movie images are recorded, based upon a setting made by the time setting unit.

8. An imaging device, comprising:

an imaging sensor that captures light from a subject;

a movement information detection unit that detects movement information of the subject;

a time setting unit that sets at least one of a recording time for recording a zone movie image based upon an imaging signal from the imaging sensor and a recording pause time for not recording the zone movie image, based on the movement information of the subject detected by the movement information detection unit; and

a movie image data creation unit that repeats recording of the zone movie image for the recording time and pausing of the recording of the zone movie image for the recording pause time based upon the setting made by the time setting unit, and creates movie image data including a movie image formed by successively joining a plurality of the repeatedly recorded zone movie images;

a number of times setting unit that sets the number of times that recording of the zone movie image and pausing of the recording are repeated, wherein

the time setting unit sets the recording pause time to 0, in a period subsequent to the elapse of a number of the recording times and the recording pause times corresponding to the number of times set by the number of times setting unit, and up to the end of recording of the movie image based upon the movie image data created by the movie image data creation unit, or in a period from the start of recording of the movie image, and up to the start of the first recording time and recording pause time.

9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the time setting unit shortens the recording time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the recording time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

10. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the time setting unit shortens the recording pause time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the recording pause time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

11. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects a size of the subject with respect to a shooting screen, as the movement information of the subject, and

the time setting unit sets at least one of the recording time and the recording pause time, based upon the size of the subject with respect to the shooting screen that is detected by the movement information detection unit.

12. The imaging device according to claim 8, comprising

a focal length information obtaining unit that obtains, in a predetermined time interval, focal length information for a photographic lens that guides light from the subject to the imaging sensor, while the movie image is being shot, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects the movement information of the subject based upon the focal length information that is obtained by the focal length information obtaining unit.

13. The imaging device according to claim 8, comprising:

a movie image storage unit that stores a movie image based upon the imaging signal from the imaging sensor; and

a movement information recording unit that records movement information of the subject detected by the movement information detection unit, wherein

the time setting unit sets at least one of the recording time and the recording pause time, based upon the movement information that has been recorded in the recording unit, and

the movie image data creation unit creates the movie image data, based upon a setting made by the time setting unit and the movie image that has been stored in the movie image storage unit.

14. The imaging device according to claim 8, comprising

a display unit that displays a movie image, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects movement information for a principal subject in a predetermined movie image based upon predetermined movie image data that has been recorded on a recording medium,

the time setting unit sets at least one of a display time in which a predetermined zone movie image, formed from at least one frame image from among a plurality of frame images that form the predetermined movie image, is displayed on the display unit, and a non-display time in which the predetermined zone movie image is not displayed on the display unit, based upon the movement information for the principal subject detected by the movement information detection unit, and

the display unit joins and displays a plurality of the predetermined zone movie images corresponding to the display time, in the temporal sequence in which the predetermined zone movie images are recorded, based upon a setting made by the time setting unit.

15. An imaging device, comprising:

an imaging sensor that captures light from a subject;

a movement information detection unit that detects movement information of the subject;

a time setting unit that sets at least one of a recording time for recording a zone movie image based upon an imaging signal from the imaging sensor and a recording pause time for not recording the zone movie image, based on the movement information of the subject detected by the movement information detection unit; and

a movie image data creation unit that repeats recording of the zone movie image for the recording time and pausing of the recording of the zone movie image for the recording pause time based upon the setting made by the time setting unit, and creates movie image data including a movie image formed by successively joining a plurality of the repeatedly recorded zone movie images, wherein

the time setting unit sets the recording pause time to 0, in a period subsequent to the elapse of a first predetermined time, which is a time in which the recording of the zone movie image and the pausing of recording are repeated, and which is set in advance, and up to the end of the recording of the movie image based upon the movie image data created by the movie image data creation unit, or in a period from the start of recording of the movie image, and up to the elapsing of a second predetermined time which is set in advance.

16. The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein the time setting unit shortens the recording time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the recording time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

17. The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein the time setting unit shortens the recording pause time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the recording pause time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

18. The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects a size of the subject with respect to a shooting screen, as the movement information of the subject, and

the time setting unit sets at least one of the recording time and the recording pause time, based upon the size of the subject with respect to the shooting screen that is detected by the movement information detection unit.

19. The imaging device according to claim 15, comprising

a focal length information obtaining unit that obtains, in a predetermined time interval, focal length information for a photographic lens that guides light from the subject to the imaging sensor, while the movie image is being shot, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects the movement information of the subject based upon the focal length in formation that is obtained by the focal length information obtaining unit.

20. The imaging device according to claim 15, comprising:

a movie image storage unit that stores a movie image based upon the imaging signal from the imaging sensor; and

a movement information recording unit that records movement information of the subject detected by the movement information detection unit, wherein

the time setting unit sets at least one of the recording time and the recording pause time, based upon the movement information that has been recorded in the recording unit, and

the movie image data creation unit creates the movie image data, based upon a setting made by the time setting unit and the movie image that has been stored in the movie image storage unit.

21. The imaging device according to claim 15, comprising

a display unit that displays a movie image, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects movement information for a principal subject in a predetermined movie image based upon predetermined movie image data that has been recorded on a recording medium,

the time setting unit sets at least one of a display time in which a predetermined zone movie image, formed from at least one frame image from among a plurality of frame images that form the predetermined movie image, is displayed on the display unit, and a non-display time in which the predetermined zone movie image is not displayed on the display unit, based upon the movement information for the principal subject detected by the movement information detection unit, and

the display unit joins and displays a plurality of the predetermined zone movie images corresponding to the display time, in the temporal sequence in which the predetermined zone movie images are recorded, based upon a setting made by the time setting unit.

22. An image processing device, comprising:

a movement information detection unit that detects movement information for a subject in a movie image based upon movie image data recorded on a recording medium;

a time setting unit that sets at least one of a display time in which a zone movie image, formed from at least one frame image from among a plurality of frame images that form the movie image, is displayed on a display unit, and a non-display time in which the zone movie image is not displayed on the display unit, based upon the movement information of the subject detected by the movement information detection unit; and

a display control unit that joins and displays on the display unit a plurality of the zone movie images corresponding to the display time, in the temporal sequence in which the zone movie images are recorded, based upon a setting made by the time setting unit;

a size detection unit that detects a size of the subject with respect to the frame image, wherein

the time setting unit sets the non-display time to 0, if the size of the subject with respect to the frame image detected by the size detection unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

23. The image processing device according to claim 22, wherein the time setting unit shortens the display time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the display time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

24. The image processing device according to claim 22, wherein the time setting unit shortens the non-display time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the non-display time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

25. The image processing device according to claim 22, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects a size of the subject with respect to the frame image, as the movement information of the subject;

and

the time setting unit sets at least one of the display time and the non-display time, based upon the size of the subject with respect to the frame image that is detected by the movement information detection unit.

26. The image processing device according to claim 22, wherein the movement information detection unit detects the movement information of the subject based upon focal length information for a photographic lens and the recording times at which the plurality of frame images are recorded, which have been added to the movie image data as shooting information.

27. An image processing device, comprising:

a movement information detection unit that detects movement information for a subject in a movie image based upon movie image data recorded on a recording medium;

a time setting unit that sets at least one of a display time in which a zone movie image, formed from at least one frame image from among a plurality of frame images that form the movie image, is displayed on a display unit, and a non-display time in which the zone movie image is not displayed on the display unit, based upon the movement information of the subject detected by the movement information detection unit; and

a display control unit that joins and displays on the display unit a plurality of the zone movie images corresponding to the display time, in the temporal sequence in which the zone movie images are recorded, based upon a setting made by the time setting unit;

a number of times setting unit that sets the number of times that display of the zone movie image and non-display are repeated, wherein

the time setting unit sets the non-display time to 0, in a period subsequent to the elapse of a number of the display times and the non-display times corresponding to the number of times set by the number of times setting unit, and up to the end of the movie image, or in a period from the start of the movie image, and up to the start of the first display time and non-display time.

28. The image processing device according to claim 27, wherein the time setting unit shortens the display time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the display time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

29. The image processing device according to claim 27, wherein the time setting unit shortens the non-display time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the non-display time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

30. The image processing device according to claim 27, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects a size of the subject with respect to the frame image, as the movement information of the subject;

and

the time setting unit sets at least one of the display time and the non-display time, based upon the size of the subject with respect to the frame image that is detected by the movement information detection unit.

31. The image processing device according to claim 27, wherein the movement information detection unit detects the movement information of the subject based upon focal length information for a photographic lens and the recording times at which the plurality of frame images are recorded, which have been added to the movie image data as shooting information.

32. An image processing device, comprising:

a movement information detection unit that detects movement information for a subject in a movie image based upon movie image data recorded on a recording medium;

a time setting unit that sets at least one of a display time in which a zone movie image, formed from at least one frame image from among a plurality of frame images that form the movie image, is displayed on a display unit, and a non-display time in which the zone movie image is not displayed on the display unit, based upon the movement information of the subject detected by the movement information detection unit; and

a display control unit that joins and displays on the display unit a plurality of the zone movie images corresponding to the display time, in the temporal sequence in which the zone movie images are recorded, based upon a setting made by the time setting unit, wherein

the time setting unit sets the non-display time to 0, in a period subsequent to the elapse of a first predetermined time, which is a time in which display of the zone movie image and non-display are repeated, and which is set in advance, and up to the end of the movie image, or in a period from the start of the movie image, and up to the elapsing of a second predetermined time which is set in advance.

33. The image processing device according to claim 32, wherein the time setting unit shortens the display time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the display time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

34. The image processing device according to claim 32, wherein the time setting unit shortens the non-display time in response to an increase in a movement velocity of the subject, and lengthens the non-display time in response to a decrease in the movement velocity of the subject, based upon the movement information of the subject.

35. The imaging device according to claim 32, wherein

the movement information detection unit detects a size of the subject with respect to the frame image, as the movement information of the subject;

and

the time setting unit sets at least one of the display time and the non-display time, based upon the size of the subject with respect to the frame image that is detected by the movement information detection unit.

36. The image processing device according to claim 32, wherein the movement information detection unit detects the movement information of the subject based upon focal length information for a photographic lens and the recording times at which the plurality of frame images are recorded, which have been added to the movie image data as shooting information.