JP3729009B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

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Publication number
JP3729009B2
JP3729009B2 JP2000017117A JP2000017117A JP3729009B2 JP 3729009 B2 JP3729009 B2 JP 3729009B2 JP 2000017117 A JP2000017117 A JP 2000017117A JP 2000017117 A JP2000017117 A JP 2000017117A JP 3729009 B2 JP3729009 B2 JP 3729009B2
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Prior art keywords
target object
value
brightness
brightness control
detection
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JP2001211383A (en
Inventor
英吾 瀬川
守人 塩原
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Fujitsu Ltd
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Fujitsu Ltd
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Description

【0001】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、道路監視カメラ等の撮像装置に関し、特に、太陽の位置の変化や天候の変化等の環境変化に従って対象物体の明るさが変化した場合にも、対象物体の輝度値が適正な値になるように調整する撮像装置に関する。
【0002】
【従来の技術】
従来、周囲の明るさが変化した場合にも、撮像装置で撮影された対象物体の輝度値が適正な値となるように絞りを制御する方法が考案されている。しかし、周囲の明るさの変化が急激であったり、撮影範囲内に対象が写っていない間に周囲の明るさが変化すると、絞りの制御が有効に働かない場合がある。
【0003】
この問題を解決する例として、「自動画像認識装置」(特開平6-301884)がある。この例の概略構成を図12に示す。
【0004】
この例は、路面を撮影する撮影手段(カメラ)と、この撮影画像を正規化する画像処理部と、正規化された画像を記憶する画像メモリと、画像メモリに記憶されたデータをもとに、対象物体切り出し等の処理を行い、対象物体を認識する認識処理部を有し、概略、以下のように絞りを制御する。
【0005】
なお、認識処理部は、入力画像の平均輝度を正確に計算するために、予め、路面に描かれた白線、文字等のペイント部を抽出しておく。
1.所定のサンプリング時間毎に撮影された路面の画像は、画像処理部で正規化され、画像メモリに記憶される。
2.認識処理部は、画像メモリに記憶された路面の画像から、ペイント部を除外し、残った画像の平均輝度から新たな絞り値を計算し、絞りを制御する。
【0006】
この例は、ペイント部は除外しているが、実質的には、背景を含んだ入力画像の平均輝度を基に、新たな絞り値を計算している。
【0007】
入力画像中で、対象物体と太陽等の光源がなす角度と、背景と光源がなす角度が異なる場合には、対象物体の反射と背景の反射の関係が異なる。従って、背景を含んだ入力画像の平均輝度値に合わせて絞りを制御しても、対象物体の輝度値を適切な値に制御できない。
【0008】
一例として、対象物体がカメラの光軸に対して垂直に近い角度で、背景が光軸に対して水平に近い角度をなしている場合について説明する。
背景を含んだ入力画像の平均輝度値が最適になるように絞りを制御すると、
逆光の場合には、対象物体は適切な輝度よりも暗くなり、
順光の場合には、対象物体の適切な輝度よりも明るくなる。
【0009】
このように、太陽等の光源が移動すると、対象物体の平均輝度値と背景を含んだ入力画像の平均輝度値の関係は変化してしまう。
【0010】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従って、ペイント部を除去したとしても、背景を含んだ入力画像の平均輝度値に合わせて絞りを制御すると、対象物体の輝度値を最適にはできない場合がある。
本発明は、太陽の位置の変化や、天候の変化等の環境変化に適応して、対象物体の輝度値を目標とする輝度値に調整することを目的としている。
【0011】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、入力画像の輝度を調整する機能を備えたカメラと、該カメラに入力画像の輝度調整を指示する輝度制御手段とを有する撮像装置であって、輝度制御手段は、入力画像から対象物体を検出し、抽出する対象物体検出・抽出手段と、対象物体の検出待ち時間を定める検出待ちタイマーと、輝度制御値の変更周期を定める変更周期タイマーと、前記対象物体検出・抽出手段が対象物体を検出・抽出した場合は、輝度制御値を対象物体の輝度の平均値と輝度の目標値から定められる値とし、前記対象物体検出・抽出手段が対象物体を前記検出待ちタイマーの定める時間内に検出しなかった場合は、輝度制御値を前記変更周期タイマーの定める変更周期毎に変更する輝度制御値計算手段とを有することを特徴とする。
【0012】
以下図をもって説明する。図1は、本発明の基本構成を示す。カメラ1で撮影された入力画像は、輝度制御手段5の対象物体検出・抽出手段4に送られる。
【0013】
対象物体検出・抽出手段4は、入力画像から対象物体の検出・抽出処理を行い、結果を輝度制御値計算手段に送る。対象物体の検出・抽出方法としては、様々な画像処理手法が提案されており、それらのいずれかを用いることができる。
【0014】
輝度制御値計算手段は、対象物体の検出待ち時間を定める検出待ちタイマーの値が所定値になるまで、対象物体が検出・抽出できたか判定を行う。
対象物体が検出できた場合、輝度制御値計算手段は、抽出した対象物体の輝度の平均値を計算し、求められた輝度の平均値と輝度の目標値を基に、予め設定された計算式、あるいは参照テーブルにより、新たな輝度制御値を求め、この輝度制御値を変更後の輝度制御信号としてカメラに送る。
【0015】
計算式としては、例えば次式を用いる。
【0016】
【数1】

Figure 0003729009
【0017】
係数aは、輝度制御値の変化と輝度の平均値の変化の関係から求めておく。
この輝度の調整により対象物体の輝度の平均値は輝度の目標値に収斂する。
【0018】
対象物体が検出待ち時間内に検出できない場合は、以下の方法で輝度制御値を変更し、再度対象物体の検出・抽出処理を行う。
1.輝度制御値の変更周期を定める変更周期タイマーの値が所定値になる毎に、輝度制御値を所定量ds増加し、変更周期タイマーをリセットすると共に、対象物体の検出・抽出処理を行う。
【0019】
時間帯によって対象物体の出現頻度が変化する場合には、時間帯と対象物体の検出待ち時間及び輝度制御値の変更周期の対応テーブルを作成し、各時間帯毎に合わせて対象物体の検出待ち時間、及び輝度制御値の変更周期を定めてもよい。各値は、例えば出現頻度が高い時間帯には短く、出現頻度が低い時間帯は長く設定する。
2.日時を示す時計と、時間帯と輝度制御値の対応テーブルを追加し、時計により現在の日時を求め、時間帯と輝度制御値の対応テーブルの示す値に輝度制御値を設定する。
3.日時を示す時計と、時間帯と輝度制御値の変更範囲の対応テーブルを追加し、現在の日時と、時間帯と輝度制御値の変更範囲の対応テーブルに従って輝度制御値を変更する。
4.対象物体が検出・抽出され、輝度制御値を変更した場合は、時間帯と輝度制御値の対応テーブル、あるいは、時間帯と輝度制御値の変更範囲の対応テーブルを更新する。
【0020】
時間帯と輝度制御値の対応テーブルの更新方法の例としては、
テーブル中の現在の時間帯に対応する輝度制御値を、変更後の輝度制御値で置き換える、あるいは、テーブル中の現在の時間帯に対応する輝度制御値と変更後の輝度制御値との平均値で置き換える等がある。
【0021】
時間帯と輝度制御値の変更範囲の対応テーブルの更新方法の例としては、
変更後の輝度制御値とテーブル中の現在の時間帯に対応する輝度制御値の最大値とを比較し、変更後の輝度制御値の方が大きければ、輝度制御値の最大値を現在の輝度制御値とし、変更後の輝度制御値とテーブル中の現在の時間帯に対応する輝度制御値の最小値とを比較し、変更後の輝度制御値の方が小さければ、輝度制御値の最小値を現在の輝度制御値とし、テーブル中の現在の時間帯に対応する最大値、最小値と置き換える等がある。
【0022】
輝度調整機能の例としてレンズの絞り制御がある。
他の輝度調整機能の例として、画像信号の増幅・A/D変換する手段を、ゲイン制御の可能なゲイン制御増幅・A/D変換手段とし、ゲイン制御増幅・A/D変換手段のゲインを制御してもよい。
【0023】
以上の方法により、太陽の位置の変化や天候の変化等の環境変化に従って対象物体の明るさが変化した場合にも、対象物体の輝度値が適正な値になるように調整することが可能となる。
【0024】
【発明の実施の形態】
図2は、輝度調整を絞り制御で実現する本発明の実施例1の構成を示し、図3は、実施例1の流れを示す。
【0025】
カメラ11で撮影された入力画像は、増幅・A/D変換手段12で増幅・A/D変換され、画像保持手段13に保持される。
【0026】
絞り制御手段15の対象物体検出・抽出手段14は、撮影された入力画像に対し対象物体の検出・抽出処理を行い、対象物体が検出・抽出できたか判定を行う(S1)。
対象物体が検出・抽出できた場合、絞り制御手段15は、対象物体の輝度の平均値Eを求め、計算式、あるいは輝度の平均値Eと新たな絞り値の対応を定めた参照テーブルに従って新たな絞り値を求め、変更後の絞り値としてカメラ11に送る。
【0027】
この絞り値の変更により、新たな入力画像内の対象物体の輝度の平均値Eは、輝度の目標値Edに収斂する。
【0028】
対象物体が検出できない場合、絞り制御手段15は、対象物体の検出待ち時間を定めるタイマー1の値を参照し、0であれば、タイマー1を起動する(S2)。タイマー1を起動後、Tiを超えても対象物体を検出できない場合(S3)は、絞り値の変更周期を定めるタイマー2の値を参照し、0であれば、絞り値をds増加する(S4)。絞り値Sが予め設定した変更範囲、最小値Sminから最大値Smaxまで、から外れた場合は、絞り値Sを、最大値Smax、あるいは最小値Sminとし、タイマー2を起動する(S5)。タイマー2の値が絞り値の変更周期Tjを越えても対象物体を検出できない場合、ステップS4からステップS5の処理を繰り返す。
【0029】
タイマーの所定値は、図4に示す、各時間帯とタイマーの所定値を定めるテーブル1を設け、現在の時間帯に対応するTi、Tjの値を設定しても良い。
【0030】
図5に実施例2の構成、図6に実施例2の流れを示す。絞り制御手段25は、時間帯と絞り値を設定したテーブル2を有する。対象物体が検出・抽出できた場合の処理は、実施例1と同様である。
【0031】
対象物体が検出できない場合、絞り制御手段25はタイマー1の値を参照し、0であれば、タイマー1を起動する(S22)。
タイマー1を起動後、タイマー1の値がTiを超えても対象物体が検出できない場合は(S23)、図7に示す各時間帯の絞り値を定めるテーブル2を参照し、絞り値Sを現在の時間帯に対応する絞り値Siに変更し、タイマー1の値を0にリセットする。
【0032】
テーブル2には、予めカメラを設置した状態での各時間帯における絞り値Siを設定しておく。
【0033】
図8に実施例3の構成、図9に実施例3の流れを示す。絞り制御手段35は、時間帯と絞り値の変更範囲を設定したテーブル3を有する。対象物体が検出・抽出できた場合の処理は、実施例1と同様である。
【0034】
対象物体が検出できない場合、絞り制御手段35はタイマー1の値を参照し、0であれば、タイマー1を起動する(S32)。
タイマー1を起動後、タイマー1の値がTiを超えても対象物体が検出できない場合は(S33)、図10に示す、時間帯と絞り値の変更範囲を定めるテーブル3を参照し、絞り値Sを現在の時間帯に対応する絞り値変更範囲(最小値Simin から最大値Simax )で所定量dsずつ増加する。
【0035】
テーブル3には、予め、カメラを設置した状態での、各時間帯に対する絞り値変更範囲を設定しておく。
【0036】
図11に実施例4の構成を示す。実施例4は、実施例1の増幅・A/D変換手段12の代わりに、ゲイン制御増幅・A/D変換手段42を設け、絞り制御手段15の代わりに、ゲイン制御手段45を設け、ゲイン制御増幅・A/D変換手段42のゲインを制御する例である。したがって実施例1〜3の絞り制御をゲイン制御に置き換えれば、実施例1〜3と同様の手段で輝度値の調整が行える。
【0037】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したごとく、本発明によれば、季節、時刻等の環境変化により対象物体の明るさが変化する場合にも、撮像した対象物体の輝度値を適切な値に調整することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図1】 本発明の基本構成
【図2】 実施例1の構成
【図3】 実施例1の流れ
【図4】 テーブル1:時間帯とタイマーの所定値
【図5】 実施例2の構成
【図6】 実施例2の流れ
【図7】 テーブル2:時間帯と絞り値
【図8】 実施例3の構成
【図9】 実施例3の流れ
【図10】テーブル3:時間帯と絞り値の変更範囲
【図11】 実施例4の構成
【図12】 従来例の構成
【符号の説明】
1、11 カメラ
12 増幅・A/D変換手段
13 画像保持手段
4、14 対象物体検出・抽出手段
5 輝度制御手段
15、25、35 絞り制御手段
42 ゲイン制御増幅・A/D変換手段
45 ゲイン制御手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device such as a road monitoring camera, and in particular, the brightness value of a target object is an appropriate value even when the brightness of the target object changes in accordance with an environmental change such as a change in the position of the sun or a change in weather. The present invention relates to an imaging device that is adjusted so that
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there has been devised a method for controlling the diaphragm so that the luminance value of the target object photographed by the imaging device becomes an appropriate value even when the ambient brightness changes. However, the aperture control may not work effectively if the ambient brightness changes suddenly or if the ambient brightness changes while the subject is not within the shooting range.
[0003]
As an example for solving this problem, there is an “automatic image recognition apparatus” (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-301884). A schematic configuration of this example is shown in FIG.
[0004]
This example is based on a photographing means (camera) for photographing a road surface, an image processing unit for normalizing the photographed image, an image memory for storing the normalized image, and data stored in the image memory. The target object is cut out, and a recognition processing unit for recognizing the target object is provided. The diaphragm is controlled roughly as follows.
[0005]
Note that the recognition processing unit extracts in advance paint portions such as white lines and characters drawn on the road surface in order to accurately calculate the average luminance of the input image.
1. An image of the road surface photographed at every predetermined sampling time is normalized by the image processing unit and stored in the image memory.
2. The recognition processing unit excludes the paint unit from the road surface image stored in the image memory, calculates a new aperture value from the average luminance of the remaining image, and controls the aperture.
[0006]
In this example, the paint portion is excluded, but a new aperture value is substantially calculated based on the average luminance of the input image including the background.
[0007]
In the input image, when the angle between the target object and the light source such as the sun and the angle between the background and the light source are different, the relationship between the reflection of the target object and the reflection of the background is different. Therefore, even if the aperture is controlled in accordance with the average luminance value of the input image including the background, the luminance value of the target object cannot be controlled to an appropriate value.
[0008]
As an example, a case will be described in which the target object has an angle close to perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera and the background has an angle close to horizontal to the optical axis.
When the aperture is controlled so that the average luminance value of the input image including the background is optimal,
In the case of backlighting, the target object will be darker than the appropriate brightness,
In the case of forward light, the brightness is higher than the appropriate brightness of the target object.
[0009]
Thus, when the light source such as the sun moves, the relationship between the average luminance value of the target object and the average luminance value of the input image including the background changes.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, even if the paint portion is removed, the brightness value of the target object may not be optimized if the aperture is controlled in accordance with the average brightness value of the input image including the background.
An object of the present invention is to adjust a luminance value of a target object to a target luminance value in accordance with environmental changes such as changes in the position of the sun and changes in weather.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is an imaging apparatus having a camera having a function of adjusting the brightness of an input image, and brightness control means for instructing the camera to adjust the brightness of the input image. Target object detection / extraction means for detecting and extracting an object, detection wait timer for determining the detection wait time of the target object, change period timer for determining the change period of the brightness control value, and the target object detection / extraction means When an object is detected / extracted, the brightness control value is set to a value determined from the average brightness value of the target object and the target brightness value, and the target object detecting / extracting means detects the target object within the time set by the detection wait timer. If not detected, a brightness control value calculation means for changing the brightness control value at each change cycle determined by the change cycle timer is provided.
[0012]
This will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of the present invention. The input image taken by the camera 1 is sent to the target object detection / extraction means 4 of the brightness control means 5.
[0013]
The target object detection / extraction means 4 performs target object detection / extraction processing from the input image and sends the result to the luminance control value calculation means. Various image processing methods have been proposed as a target object detection / extraction method, and any of them can be used.
[0014]
The luminance control value calculation means determines whether or not the target object has been detected and extracted until the value of the detection wait timer for determining the target object detection wait time reaches a predetermined value.
When the target object can be detected, the brightness control value calculation means calculates the average value of the brightness of the extracted target object, and a calculation formula set in advance based on the obtained average value of brightness and the target value of brightness Alternatively, a new brightness control value is obtained from the reference table, and this brightness control value is sent to the camera as a changed brightness control signal.
[0015]
As a calculation formula, for example, the following formula is used.
[0016]
[Expression 1]
Figure 0003729009
[0017]
The coefficient a is obtained from the relationship between the change in luminance control value and the change in average luminance value.
By adjusting the luminance, the average value of the luminance of the target object converges to the target luminance value.
[0018]
If the target object cannot be detected within the detection waiting time, the brightness control value is changed by the following method, and the target object is detected and extracted again.
1. Each time the value of the change cycle timer that determines the change cycle of the brightness control value reaches a predetermined value, the brightness control value is increased by a predetermined amount ds, the change cycle timer is reset, and the target object is detected and extracted.
[0019]
If the appearance frequency of the target object changes depending on the time zone, create a correspondence table of the time zone, the target object detection waiting time, and the brightness control value change period, and wait for detection of the target object for each time zone. You may define the change period of time and a brightness | luminance control value. Each value is set, for example, to be short in a time zone where the appearance frequency is high and long in a time zone where the appearance frequency is low.
2. A clock indicating the date and time and a correspondence table of time zone and luminance control value are added, the current date and time are obtained by the clock, and the luminance control value is set to the value indicated in the correspondence table of time zone and luminance control value.
3. A clock indicating the date and time, and a correspondence table of time zone and luminance control value change range are added, and the luminance control value is changed according to the current date and time and luminance control value change range correspondence table.
4). When the target object is detected / extracted and the luminance control value is changed, the correspondence table of the time zone and the luminance control value or the correspondence table of the change range of the time zone and the luminance control value is updated.
[0020]
As an example of how to update the correspondence table of time zone and brightness control value,
Replace the brightness control value corresponding to the current time zone in the table with the brightness control value after change, or the average value of the brightness control value corresponding to the current time zone in the table and the brightness control value after change Replace with
[0021]
As an example of how to update the correspondence table of time zone and brightness control value change range,
Compare the brightness control value after the change with the maximum brightness control value corresponding to the current time zone in the table, and if the brightness control value after the change is larger, the maximum brightness control value is the current brightness. Compare the brightness control value after the change with the minimum value of the brightness control value corresponding to the current time zone in the table, and if the brightness control value after the change is smaller, the minimum value of the brightness control value Is the current brightness control value, and is replaced with the maximum value and the minimum value corresponding to the current time zone in the table.
[0022]
An example of the brightness adjustment function is lens aperture control.
As another example of the brightness adjustment function, the means for amplifying and A / D converting the image signal is a gain control amplification and A / D conversion means capable of gain control, and the gain of the gain control amplification and A / D conversion means is set. You may control.
[0023]
With the above method, even when the brightness of the target object changes according to environmental changes such as changes in the sun position or weather, it is possible to adjust the brightness value of the target object to an appropriate value. Become.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention that realizes brightness adjustment by aperture control, and FIG. 3 shows a flow of the first embodiment.
[0025]
The input image photographed by the camera 11 is amplified and A / D converted by the amplification / A / D conversion means 12 and held in the image holding means 13.
[0026]
The target object detection / extraction means 14 of the aperture control means 15 performs target object detection / extraction processing on the photographed input image to determine whether the target object has been detected / extracted (S1).
When the target object can be detected and extracted, the aperture control means 15 calculates the average value E of the luminance of the target object, and newly calculates it according to a calculation formula or a reference table that defines the correspondence between the average value E of luminance and the new aperture value. A proper aperture value is obtained and sent to the camera 11 as a changed aperture value.
[0027]
By changing the aperture value, the average luminance value E of the target object in the new input image converges to the luminance target value Ed.
[0028]
If the target object cannot be detected, the aperture control means 15 refers to the value of the timer 1 that determines the detection waiting time of the target object, and if it is 0, activates the timer 1 (S2). If the target object cannot be detected even after exceeding Ti after starting the timer 1 (S3), the value of the timer 2 that determines the aperture value change period is referred to, and if 0, the aperture value is increased by ds (S4). ). When the aperture value S deviates from the preset change range, from the minimum value Smin to the maximum value Smax, the aperture value S is set to the maximum value Smax or the minimum value Smin, and the timer 2 is started (S5). If the target object cannot be detected even when the value of the timer 2 exceeds the aperture value change period Tj, the processing from step S4 to step S5 is repeated.
[0029]
As the predetermined value of the timer, a table 1 for determining each time zone and the predetermined value of the timer shown in FIG. 4 may be provided, and Ti and Tj values corresponding to the current time zone may be set.
[0030]
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows the flow of the second embodiment. The aperture control means 25 has a table 2 in which time zones and aperture values are set. The processing when the target object can be detected and extracted is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0031]
If the target object cannot be detected, the aperture control means 25 refers to the value of the timer 1, and if it is 0, activates the timer 1 (S22).
If the target object cannot be detected even after the timer 1 value exceeds Ti after the timer 1 is started (S23), refer to the table 2 for determining the aperture value for each time zone shown in FIG. Is changed to the aperture value Si corresponding to the time zone, and the value of the timer 1 is reset to 0.
[0032]
In the table 2, the aperture value Si in each time zone with the camera installed is set in advance.
[0033]
FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 shows the flow of the third embodiment. The aperture control means 35 has a table 3 in which the time zone and aperture value change range are set. The processing when the target object can be detected and extracted is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0034]
If the target object cannot be detected, the aperture control means 35 refers to the value of the timer 1, and if it is 0, activates the timer 1 (S32).
If the target object cannot be detected even after the timer 1 value exceeds Ti after the timer 1 is started (S33), the aperture value is referred to by referring to the table 3 for defining the time zone and aperture value change range shown in FIG. S is increased by a predetermined amount ds within the aperture value change range (from the minimum value Simin to the maximum value Simax) corresponding to the current time zone.
[0035]
In the table 3, the aperture value change range for each time zone with the camera installed is set in advance.
[0036]
FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, a gain control amplification / A / D conversion means 42 is provided instead of the amplification / A / D conversion means 12 of the first embodiment, a gain control means 45 is provided instead of the aperture control means 15, and the gain is increased. This is an example of controlling the gain of the control amplification / A / D conversion means 42. Therefore, if the aperture control in the first to third embodiments is replaced with gain control, the brightness value can be adjusted by the same means as in the first to third embodiments.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the brightness value of the captured target object can be adjusted to an appropriate value even when the brightness of the target object changes due to environmental changes such as the season and time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 Basic Configuration of the Invention FIG. 2 Configuration of Embodiment 1 FIG. 3 Flow of Embodiment 1 FIG. 4 Table 1: Time Zone and Predetermined Timer Values FIG. 5 Configuration of Embodiment 2 [Fig. 6] Flow of Embodiment 2 [Fig. 7] Table 2: Time zone and aperture value [Fig. 8] Configuration of Embodiment 3 [Fig. 9] Flow of Embodiment 3 [Fig. 10] Table 3: Time zone and aperture Value change range [Fig. 11] Configuration of Example 4 [Fig. 12] Configuration of conventional example [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 11 Camera 12 Amplification / A / D conversion means 13 Image holding means 4, 14 Target object detection / extraction means 5 Luminance control means 15, 25, 35 Aperture control means 42 Gain control amplification / A / D conversion means 45 Gain control means

Claims (4)

入力画像の輝度を調整する機能を備えたカメラと、該カメラに入力画像の輝度調整を指示する輝度制御手段とを有する撮像装置であって、
輝度制御手段は、
入力画像から対象物体を検出し、抽出する対象物体検出・抽出手段と、
対象物体の検出待ち時間を定める検出待ちタイマーと、
輝度制御値の変更周期を定める変更周期タイマーと、
前記対象物体検出・抽出手段が対象物体を検出・抽出した場合は、輝度制御値を対象物体の輝度の平均値と輝度の目標値から定められる値とし、前記対象物体検出・抽出手段が対象物体を前記検出待ちタイマーの定める時間内に検出しなかった場合は、輝度制御値を前記変更周期タイマーの定める変更周期毎に変更する輝度制御値計算手段とを有することを特徴とする撮像装置。
An imaging apparatus having a camera having a function of adjusting the brightness of an input image, and brightness control means for instructing the camera to adjust the brightness of the input image,
The brightness control means
Target object detection / extraction means for detecting and extracting a target object from an input image;
A detection waiting timer for determining the detection waiting time of the target object;
A change cycle timer for determining the change cycle of the brightness control value;
When the target object detection / extraction means detects / extracts the target object, the brightness control value is set to a value determined from the average brightness value and the target brightness value of the target object, and the target object detection / extraction means And a brightness control value calculation means for changing the brightness control value at each change cycle determined by the change cycle timer when the detection time is not detected within the time set by the detection wait timer.
入力画像の輝度を調整する機能を備えたカメラと、該カメラに入力画像の輝度調整を指示する輝度制御手段とを有する撮像装置であって、
輝度制御手段は、
入力画像から対象物体を検出し、抽出する対象物体検・抽出出手段と、
対象物体の検出待ち時間を定める検出待ちタイマーと、
日時を示す時計と、
時間帯と輝度制御値の対応を定めるテーブルと、
前記対象物体検出・抽出手段が対象物体を検出・抽出した場合は、輝度制御値を対象物体の輝度の平均値と輝度の目標値から定められる値とし、前記対象物体検出・抽出手段が対象物体を前記検出待ちタイマーの定める時間内に検出しなかった場合は、輝度制御値を時間帯と輝度制御値の対応テーブルの定める値とする輝度制御値計算手段とを有することを特徴とする撮像装置。
An imaging apparatus having a camera having a function of adjusting the brightness of an input image, and brightness control means for instructing the camera to adjust the brightness of the input image,
The brightness control means
A target object detection / extraction means for detecting and extracting a target object from the input image;
A detection waiting timer for determining the detection waiting time of the target object;
A clock showing the date and time,
A table that defines the correspondence between time zones and brightness control values;
When the target object detection / extraction means detects / extracts the target object, the brightness control value is set to a value determined from the average brightness value and the target brightness value of the target object, and the target object detection / extraction means And a brightness control value calculation means that uses a brightness control value as a value defined in a correspondence table of time zones and brightness control values when the detection wait timer is not detected within the time set by the detection wait timer. .
請求項1に記載の撮像装置であって、
前記輝度制御手段は
時間帯と輝度制御値の変更範囲の対応テーブルと、
前記対象物体検出・抽出手段が前記検出待ちタイマーの定める時間内に検出しなかった場合は、輝度制御値を時間帯と輝度制御値の変更範囲の対応テーブルの定める範囲で、前記変更周期タイマーの定める変更周期毎に段階的に変更する輝度制御値計算手段とを有することを特徴とする撮像装置。
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
The brightness control means is a correspondence table of change ranges of time zones and brightness control values;
If the target object detection / extraction means does not detect within the time set by the detection waiting timer, the brightness control value is within a range determined by the correspondence table of time zone and brightness control value change range, and the change cycle timer An image pickup apparatus comprising: a luminance control value calculation unit that changes step by step at a predetermined change period.
請求項1、請求項2、及び請求項3に記載の撮像装置であって、
前記対象物体検出・抽出手段が対象物体を検出した場合の輝度制御値を用いて、テーブルを自動的に更新することを特徴とする撮像装置。
The imaging device according to claim 1, claim 2, and claim 3,
An imaging apparatus, wherein a table is automatically updated using a luminance control value when the target object detection / extraction means detects a target object.
JP2000017117A 2000-01-26 2000-01-26 Imaging device Expired - Fee Related JP3729009B2 (en)

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