Abstract:
A mobile communication apparatus comprises: a first camera unit for capturing an image of a subject; a second camera unit for capturing an image of the camera operator or an image of an object possessed by the camera operator; an activation control unit; an operation recognizing unit; and an image capture control unit. The activation control unit controls, in response to an activation instruction, the second camera unit to start an image capture operation and sequentially generate still-image data. The operation recognizing unit compares, in response to an instruction to start the image capture operation, still-image data, specifically, current still-image data and the previous still-image data. If the current still-image data have varied relative to the previous still-image data, the image capture control unit controls the first camera unit to capture an image of the subject to generate image capture data. In this way, the mobile communication apparatus can prevent any blur from occurring when the camera function is used to capture an image of a subject.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention is related to a mobile communication apparatus provided with a camera function. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    For example, as a mobile communication apparatus, a mobile phone terminal is in widespread use. In recent years, the miniaturization and lightening of the mobile phone terminal are developed. Also, a type of mobile phone terminal provided with a camera (a camera function) is increasing. 
         [0003]    However, because the mobile phone terminal is not camera exclusive use, the stability is not often good as compared with a usual camera, when imaging a subject by the camera function. For example, in the mobile phone terminal, a shutter button (imaging button) is pushed when a photographer images a subject by use of the camera function. At this time, the mobile phone terminal sometimes shifts from a desired position due to a pushing manner or technique of the photographer (the position shifts due to hand movement) when the shutter button is pushed. 
         [0004]    It is considered that a remote control device is used on imaging to prevent the shift of the mobile phone terminal. However, the photographer must carry the remote control device separately from the mobile phone terminal. Thus, a problem exists in the profit convenience point. Also, it is considered that the mobile phone terminal recognizes a speech of the photographer as a trigger. However, there is a problem in the imaging in the place where the speech is not permitted. 
         [0005]    The techniques of the mobile communication apparatus are introduced. 
         [0006]    A mobile terminal is described in JP 2008-227672A in which a power saving condition of a display can be canceled even if any key is not touched. 
         [0007]    A mobile terminal with a camera is described in JP 2005-250396A in which a parallax control and a focus control in a pair of imaging sections are performed and a stereograph image can be generated. 
         [0008]    A mobile communication apparatus is described in JP 2003-274376A in which one camera is used while another camera is used for the TV telephone. 
       CITATION LIST 
       [0009]    [Patent Literature 1] JP 2008-227672A 
         [0010]    [Patent Literature 2] JP 2005-250396A 
         [0011]    [Patent Literature 3] JP 2003-274376A 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication apparatus which can stabilize the imaging when imaging a subject by a camera function. 
         [0013]    The mobile communication apparatus of the present invention is provided with a first camera section to image a subject; a second camera section to image a photographer or a personal thing; a start control section; an operation recognizing section, an imaging control section. The start control section controls the second camera section to start the imaging and to generate still image data in order, in response to a start instruction. The operation recognizing section compares the current still image data and previous still image data, which are still image data, in response to an imaging start instruction. The imaging control section controls the first camera section to image the subject and to generate imaged data, when the current still image data is changed from the previous still image data. 
         [0014]    In the mobile communication apparatus of the present invention, a change between the images imaged by the second camera section is used as a trigger when imaging the subject by the camera function (the first camera section). Thus, because the imaging can be carried out in the condition that the mobile communication apparatus is put, the image stabilization can be attained. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The objects, effects, and features of the present invention would become clearer from the description of the exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the attached drawings: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone terminal  11  as a mobile communication apparatus according to a first to third exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view showing the mobile phone terminal  11 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is a back perspective view showing mobile phone terminal  11 ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing the operation of the mobile phone terminal  11 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Hereinafter, a mobile communication apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. 
       First Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0021]    As the mobile communication apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mobile phone terminal, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) and so on are exemplified. Hereinafter, a mobile phone terminal will be described, using it as an example. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a configuration of the mobile phone terminal  11  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0023]    The mobile phone terminal  11  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  12 , a bus  13 , a ROM (Read Only Memory)  14 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  15 , a first camera section  16 , a second camera section  17 , a display section  18 , an operation recognizing section  19 , and the storage unit  20 . 
         [0024]    The CPU  12  is connected with the ROM  14 , the RAM  15 , the first camera section  16 , the second camera section  17 , the display section  18 , the operation recognizing section  19 , and the storage unit  20  through the bus  13 . 
         [0025]    Control programs as various computer programs to be executed by the CPU  12  and fixed data used in the mobile phone terminal  11  are stored in the ROM  14 . 
         [0026]    Data which is temporarily required when the CPU  12  executes the programs is stored in the RAM  15 . 
         [0027]    The first camera section  16  is used to image a subject. 
         [0028]    The second camera section  17  is used to image a photographer or its personal thing. 
         [0029]    The display section  18  displays to an operator, data such as the execution result of the CPU (e.g. operation menu) and images imaged by the first camera section  16  and the second camera section  17 . 
         [0030]    The operation recognizing section  19  receives an image imaged by the second camera section  17  and detects an operation change from the image. 
         [0031]    The storage unit  20  stores the image imaged by the first camera section  16 . 
         [0032]    The control programs stored in the ROM  14  contain a camera imaging program. This camera imaging program contains a start control section  21  and an imaging control section  22 . Here, the operation recognizing section  19  may be realized by a circuit (device) or a computer program (the camera imaging program). 
         [0033]      FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of the mobile phone terminal  11  and  FIG. 2B  is a back perspective view of the mobile phone terminal  11 . 
         [0034]    Moreover, the mobile phone terminal  11  is provided with an input section  23  operated by a user (photographer) and a housing  24 . The second camera section  17 , the display section  18 , and the input section  23  are provided on the front side of the housing  24 . The first camera section  16  is provided for the back side of the housing  24 . The CPU  12 , the bus  13 , the ROM  14 , the RAM  15 , the operation recognizing section  19 , and the storage unit  20  are provided in the housing  24 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing the operation of the mobile phone terminal  11 . 
         [0036]    The photographer turns the first camera section  16  (the front side of the mobile phone terminal  11 ) to the subject. At this time, the photographer operates the input section  23  to give a start instruction to the mobile phone terminal  11  to start the camera imaging program (the camera imaging application) (Step S 30 ). 
         [0037]    The start control section  21  starts the first camera section  16  in response to the start instruction. At this time, the start control section  21  starts the imaging, controls the first camera section  16  to generate preview video image data as video image data showing the subject, and displays the preview image data on a first display area of the display section  18  (Step S 31 ). 
         [0038]    Also, the start control section  21  starts the second camera section  17  in response to the start instruction. At this time, the start control section  21  start the imaging, controls the second camera section  17  to generate still image data in order, and displays the still image data on a second display area of the display section  18  in order (Step S 32 ). 
         [0039]    At the step S 32 , the first and second display areas of the display section  18  are square, and the second display area is smaller than the first display area. For example, the second display area is provided for a corner of the first display area with a small frame, and the still image data is displayed so as not to hinder the preview video image data. 
         [0040]    The photographer operates the input section  23  to give an imaging start instruction to the mobile phone terminal  11  while the camera imaging application is executed (Step S 33 ). 
         [0041]    At this time, the operation recognizing section  19  sequentially receives the still image data generated by the second camera section  17  in response to the imaging start instruction (Step S 34 ). 
         [0042]    The operation recognizing section  19  compares the current still image data and the previous still image data and determines whether or not current still image data of the received still image data is changed from previous still image data thereof (Step S 35 ). 
         [0043]    At the step S 35 , as a determination method of the change, for example, the operation recognizing section  19  calculates a differential brightness value showing a difference between the brightness value of an image of the current still image data and the brightness value of an image of the previous still image data in response to the imaging start instruction, and compares the calculated differential brightness value and a setting brightness value. 
         [0044]    When the calculated differential brightness value does not exceed the setting brightness value (Step S 35 —NO), the operation recognizing section  19  determines that the current still image data is not changed from the previous still image data. Thus, a step S 34  is executed. 
         [0045]    On the other hand, when the calculated differential brightness value exceeds the setting brightness value (Step S 35 —YES), the operation recognizing section  19  determines that the current still image data is changed from the previous still image data and outputs an operation detection signal. 
         [0046]    At the step S 35 —YES, for example, through an operation that the photographer crosses his own finger or the photographer&#39;s thing in front of the second camera  17 , the operation recognizing section  19  determines that the current still image data is changed from the previous still image data. In this case, an image of the photographer or the photographer&#39;s thing is displayed in an image showing one of the current still image data and the previous still image data, and the image of the photographer or the photographer&#39;s thing is not displayed in an still showing the other of the current still image data and the previous still image data. 
         [0047]    The imaging control section  22  controls the first camera section  16  to image the subject in response to the operation detection signal and stores the imaged data in the storage unit  20  (Step S 36 ). 
         [0048]    In the mobile phone terminal  11  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the change of the image imaged by the second camera section  17  is used a trigger for the imaging, when the subject is imaged by a camera function (the first camera section  16 ). Thus, because the photographer can image the subject in a condition that the mobile phone terminal  11  is put and fixed, the imaging can be carried out in a stabilized condition. 
         [0049]    Also, in the mobile phone terminal  11  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, because the image imaged by the second camera section  17  is displayed in the corner (the second display area) of the display section  18 , it is easy for the photographer to determine the imaging timing. 
       Second Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0050]    In the mobile phone terminal  11  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when comparing the current still image data and the previous still image data, the operation recognizing section  19  calculates the differential brightness value showing a difference in the brightness value, and compares the calculated differential brightness value and the setting brightness value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the mobile phone terminal  11  according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when comparing the current still image data and the previous still image data, a change value showing the number of pixels or an area, which is changed, is calculated, and the change value and the setting value are compared. In the second exemplary embodiment, the explanation of a portion which overlaps the first exemplary embodiment is omitted. 
         [0051]    First, the steps S 30  to S 34  are executed. 
         [0052]    At the step S 35 , as the determination method of the change, for example, the operation recognizing section  19  calculates the change value indicating the number of pixels or an area of a change portion of the image shown by the current still image data from the image shown by the previous still image data in response to the imaging start instruction and compares the change value and a setting value. 
         [0053]    Here, when the change value does not exceed the setting value (Step S 35 —NO), the operation recognizing section  19  determines that the current still image data is not changed from the previous still image data, and the control flow advances to step S 34 . 
         [0054]    On the other hand, when the change value exceeds the setting value (Step S 35 —YES), the operation recognizing section  19  determines that the current still image data is changed from the previous still image data about, and outputs an operation detection signal. After that, the control flow advances to step S 36 . 
         [0055]    In the mobile phone terminal  11  according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the same effect as the first exemplary embodiment is achieved. 
       Third Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0056]    In the mobile phone terminal  11  according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the photographer moves his own finger or the photographer&#39;s thing to cross the view of the second camera  17 , the operation recognizing section  19  determines that the current still image data is changed from the previous still image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the mobile phone terminal  11  according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the photographer changes its expression in front of the second camera  17 , the operation recognizing section  19  may determine that the current still image data is changed from the previous still image data through the facial recognition. The same description as those of the first and second exemplary embodiments is omitted in the description of the third exemplary embodiment. 
         [0057]    First, the steps S 30  to S 34  are executed. 
         [0058]    At the step S 35 , as the determination method of the change, for example, the operation recognizing section  19  calculates the change value indicating the number of pixels or the area of the change portion of the image shown by the current still image data from the image shown by the previous still image data in response to the imaging start instruction and compares the change value and the setting value. In this case, the face of the photographer is imaged as the current still image data and the previous still image data, and the change portion of the image shown by the current still image data from the image shown by the previous still image data is the look of the face. 
         [0059]    For example, the setting value is set so that the change value does not exceed the setting value through the facial recognition, when the photographer looks serious. Also, the setting value is set so that the change value exceeds the setting value through the facial recognition when the photographer winks or keeps a smile. 
         [0060]    Thus, when the change value does not exceed the setting value (Step S 35 —NO), the operation recognizing section  19  determines that the current still image data is not changed from the previous still image data about. The control flow advances to step S 34 . 
         [0061]    On the other hand, when the change value exceeds the setting value (Step S 35 —YES), the operation recognizing section  19  determines that the current still image data is changed from the previous still image data and outputs an operation detection signal. After that, the step S 36  is executed. 
         [0062]    In the mobile phone terminal  11  according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a subject is imaged by the camera function (the first camera section  16 ), the change between the images imaged by the second camera section  17  is used as a trigger through the facial recognition. Thus, it becomes possible for the photographer to fix the mobile phone terminal  11  with both hands and to image in the more natural posture. 
         [0063]    The present invention has been described with reference to the above exemplary embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments. Various modifications to the configuration and the details by the photographer skilled in the art are contained in the scope of the present invention. 
         [0064]    This application claims a priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2009-252155 filed on Nov. 2, 2009. The disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference.