JP2000299811A - Imaging method and apparatus, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly and also reliably perform auto focus control in accordance with situations by providing a control process which controls the focus search direction of a lens driving means so as to be switched in accordance with a photographing mode. SOLUTION: Whether a mode dial 115 is a scene photographic mode is decided. When the dial 115 is found to be in the scene photographic mode, a focal point is set to be infinite. A diaphragm 103 is slightly closed to control an AE (exposure). When a prescribed time passes, a photographic lens 101 is driven by a lens driving motor 102 in the direction in which the focal point is moved toward a photographer and the peak of an evaluated value is searched. Thus, AF control drive is started from an infinite direction in the scene photographic mode in which subjects frequently exist far away in comparison with normal photographing. Also, it is possible to perform photographing with the depth of the subject deep so as to be suitable to scene photographing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup method and apparatus such as a digital still camera and a digital video camera having an autofocus function and a storage medium storing a control program for controlling the image pickup apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a method called a contrast method has been frequently used for an AF (autofocus) mechanism for automatically focusing on a subject in a video camera.

This contrast method is a method in which whether the contrast of an image signal is high or low is determined in order to detect whether or not the image is in focus. That is, when the contrast is high, the focus is on, and when the contrast is low, the focus is off. The high-frequency component of the imaging signal is extracted, data that integrates the high-frequency component existing in a predetermined setting area in the imaging screen is generated, and the level of the contrast of the imaging signal is determined by using the integrated data. can do. This integrated data is data indicating how many high-frequency components are present in the set area, and this data is generally called an evaluation value. Therefore, AF control can be realized by driving the focus lens such that the evaluation value is maximized, that is, the contrast is maximized.

[0004]

However, the above-described conventional autofocus mechanism based on contrast detection has the following problems.

That is, when a plurality of objects are present at different distances, the position where the evaluation value becomes maximum between infinity and the closest end is not limited to one position. Therefore, in order to determine the point at which the evaluation value becomes the maximum, the focus position of the focus lens is driven at least once in one way from the infinity to the closest end, and further from there to a predetermined focus position. It must be driven, which consumes wasted time and power.

Further, when a plurality of subjects are present at different distances as described above, there is a possibility that a mistake may occur in that a subject not intended by the photographer is focused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a first object of the present invention is to perform autofocus control quickly and reliably according to the situation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging method and apparatus capable of performing such operations.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup method capable of performing autofocus control quickly and reliably according to the situation and performing optimal exposure control. It is intended to provide a device.

Further, a third object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a control program capable of smoothly controlling the above-described imaging apparatus of the present invention.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup method comprising: at least two photographing modes; automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject; An image pickup method for picking up an image by an image pickup apparatus having a lens driving unit that drives a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring unit, wherein a focus search direction of the lens driving unit is switched according to the shooting mode. In the control process.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image capturing method including at least two image capturing modes including a landscape image capturing mode, and an automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject. And a lens driving unit that drives a photographic lens in accordance with distance information from the automatic distance measuring unit, wherein the imaging device shifts from a shooting mode other than the landscape shooting mode to the landscape shooting mode. In this case, the lens driving means has a control step of controlling the focal position of the photographing lens to be driven to infinity.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup method comprising at least two or more photographing modes including a landscape photographing mode, and an automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject. An image capturing method comprising: an image capturing apparatus having lens driving means for driving a photographing lens in accordance with distance information from the automatic distance measuring means; and a shutter button having at least two positions. When the shutter button is operated in the mode, the lens driving means has a control step of controlling the focus position of the taking lens to be driven to infinity.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging method according to the second or third aspect, further comprising the steps of: In the mode, when the focal position of the photographic lens becomes infinity, the photographic lens is driven from the infinity position to a short distance by the lens driving means after a predetermined time, and the contrast of the photographic screen is determined by the contrast detection step. And a second control step of performing control so as to detect the peak position of the contrast, wherein the first peak position of the contrast is set as the focus position.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image capturing method according to the second or third aspect, wherein the image capturing method is a mode other than the landscape image capturing mode. When the process shifts to (3), there is provided a third control step for controlling the aperture driving means to drive the aperture means in the closing direction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup method comprising: at least two or more photographing modes including a close-up photographing mode; and automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject. And a lens driving unit that drives a taking lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring unit. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: shifting from a shooting mode other than the close-up shooting mode to the close-up shooting mode. In this case, the lens driving means has a control step of controlling the focus position of the photographing lens to be driven to the closest end.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup method comprising: at least two image pickup modes including a close-up image pickup mode; and automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject. An image pickup method comprising: an image pickup apparatus having a lens driving unit for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring unit; and a shutter button having at least two positions. When the shutter button is operated in a mode, the lens driving means has a control step of controlling the focus position of the photographing lens to be driven to the closest end.

In order to achieve the first object, the imaging method according to claim 8 is the imaging method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a contrast detection step for detecting a contrast of a shooting screen, and the close-up shooting. In the mode, when the focal position of the photographing lens becomes the closest end, after a predetermined time, the photographing lens is driven from the closest end position toward infinity by the lens driving unit, and the photographing screen is displayed by the contrast detection process. And a second control step of controlling to detect the contrast, wherein the first peak position of the contrast is set as the focus position.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the imaging method comprising: In the third case, the diaphragm driving means is controlled to drive the diaphragm means in the opening direction.
Characterized in that it has the following control process.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup method comprising: at least two or more photographing modes including a person photographing mode; and automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject. A lens driving unit that drives a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring unit, wherein the mode shifts from a shooting mode other than the person shooting mode to the person shooting mode. In this case, the lens driving means has a control step of controlling the focal position of the photographing lens to be driven to a first predetermined position.

In order to achieve the first object, an image pickup method according to claim 11 is the image pickup method according to claim 10, wherein a contrast detection step for detecting a contrast of a photographing screen, When the focal position of the taking lens has reached the first predetermined position,
After a predetermined time, the photographic lens is driven from the first predetermined position to a second predetermined position different from the first predetermined position by the lens driving means, and the contrast of the photographic screen is detected by the contrast detection step. And a second control step of performing control so that the first peak position of the contrast is a focus position.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the second object, in the ninth or tenth aspect of the present invention, the photographing mode other than the person photographing mode is shifted to the person photographing mode. In this case, the third driving unit controls the aperture driving unit to drive the aperture unit in the opening direction.
Characterized in that it has the following control process.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the first and second objects, in the imaging method of the first to eleventh or twelfth aspect, the imaging apparatus is a digital still camera. It is characterized by the following.

In order to achieve the first and second objects, the imaging method according to claim 14 is the imaging method according to claims 1 to 11 or 12, wherein the imaging device is a digital video camera. It is characterized by the following.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising: at least two photographing modes; an automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject; Lens driving means for driving a photographing lens in accordance with distance information from the means, and control means for controlling switching of a focus search direction of the lens driving means in accordance with the photographing mode. It is characterized by.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising at least two or more photographing modes including a landscape photographing mode, and automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject. Lens driving means for driving a photographing lens in accordance with distance information from the automatic distance measuring means, wherein the lens shifts from a shooting mode other than the landscape shooting mode to the landscape shooting mode. A driving unit includes a control unit that controls the focal position of the taking lens to be driven to infinity.

In order to achieve the first object, the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention has at least two or more photographing modes including a landscape photographing mode, and automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject. An image pickup apparatus comprising: lens driving means for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means; and a shutter button having at least two or more positions, wherein the shutter is in the landscape shooting mode and the shutter When the button is operated, the lens driving means has a control means for controlling the focal position of the taking lens to be driven to infinity.

In order to achieve the first object, an image pickup apparatus according to claim 18 is the image pickup apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the contrast detection means for detecting a contrast of a photographing screen, and the landscape photographing means. In the mode, when the focal position of the photographing lens is at infinity, after a predetermined time, the photographing lens is driven from the infinity position to a short distance by the lens driving unit, and the contrast of the photographing screen is reduced by the contrast detecting unit. Second control means for performing control so as to perform detection, wherein the first peak position of the contrast is set as a focus position.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the second object, the imaging device according to the sixteenth, the seventeenth or the first aspect is provided.
8. The imaging device according to 8, further comprising an aperture unit and an aperture driving unit, wherein when the mode shifts from an imaging mode other than the landscape imaging mode to the landscape imaging mode, the aperture driving unit drives the aperture unit in a direction to close the aperture unit. And a third control step of controlling so as to perform the control.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising: at least two or more photographing modes including a close-up photographing mode; and automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject. Lens driving means for driving a taking lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means, wherein the lens is used when the mode is shifted from a shooting mode other than the close-up shooting mode to the close-up shooting mode. A drive unit includes a control unit that controls the focus position of the photographing lens to be driven to the nearest end.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising: at least two or more photographing modes including a close-up photographing mode; automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject; An image pickup apparatus comprising: a lens driving unit that drives a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring unit; and a shutter button having at least two or more positions, wherein the shutter button is in the close-up shooting mode. Is operated, the lens driving means has a control means for controlling the focus position of the taking lens to be driven to the closest end.

In order to achieve the first object, the image pickup apparatus according to claim 22 is the image pickup apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the contrast detection means for detecting a contrast of a photographing screen; In the case where the focal position of the photographing lens becomes the closest end, after a predetermined time, the photographing lens is driven from the closest end position to infinity by the lens driving means, and the contrast of the photographing screen is obtained by the contrast detecting means. And a second control means for performing control so as to detect the in-focus position, wherein the first peak position of the contrast is set as the in-focus position.

In order to achieve the second object, the image pickup apparatus according to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention provides the imaging apparatus according to the twentieth, twenty-first or twenty-second aspect.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an aperture unit and an aperture driving unit, wherein when the mode shifts from an imaging mode other than the close-up imaging mode to the close-up imaging mode, the aperture driving unit drives the aperture unit in an opening direction. It is characterized by having third control means for performing such control.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising: at least two or more photographing modes including a person photographing mode; automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject; Lens driving means for driving a photographing lens according to the distance information from the automatic distance measuring means, wherein the lens drive is performed when the mode is shifted from a photographing mode other than the person photographing mode to the person photographing mode. And means for controlling the focus position of the taking lens to be driven to a first predetermined position.

In order to achieve the first object, the imaging apparatus according to claim 25 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 24, wherein contrast detection means for detecting a contrast of a photographing screen, When the focal position of the taking lens has reached the first predetermined position, after a predetermined time, the lens driving means moves the taking lens from the first predetermined position to a second position different from the first predetermined position.
Second control means for driving toward the predetermined position and controlling the contrast detection means to detect the contrast of the photographing screen, wherein the first peak position of the contrast is set as the focus position. It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the second object, an image pickup apparatus according to claim 26 is the image pickup apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, further comprising aperture means and aperture drive means, A third control unit that controls the aperture driving unit to drive the aperture unit in a direction in which the aperture unit opens when the mode shifts from the other imaging mode to the person imaging mode.

In order to achieve the first and second objects, the imaging device according to claim 27 is the imaging device according to claims 15 to 25 or 26, wherein the imaging device is a digital still camera. It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the first and second objects, the imaging device according to claim 28 is the imaging device according to claims 15 to 25 or 26, wherein the imaging device is a digital still camera. It is characterized by.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium comprising: at least two photographing modes; automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject;
A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an imaging apparatus having a lens driving unit that drives a shooting lens in accordance with distance information from the automatic distance measurement unit, wherein the control program is configured to set the shooting mode to A control module for controlling to switch the focus search direction of the lens driving means in response to the control module.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium comprising: at least two or more photographing modes including a landscape photographing mode; automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject; A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an image pickup apparatus that performs image pickup by an image pickup apparatus having a lens driving unit that drives a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring unit. A control module for controlling the lens driving means to drive the focal position of the photographing lens to infinity when the mode shifts from a photographing mode other than the landscape photographing mode to the landscape photographing mode. I do.

In order to achieve the third object, the storage medium according to claim 31 includes at least two or more photographing modes including a landscape photographing mode, an automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an image pickup apparatus having a lens driving unit for driving a taking lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring unit and a shutter button having at least two or more positions. The control program may further include a control module for controlling the lens driving unit to drive the focal position of the photographing lens to infinity when the shutter button is operated in the landscape photographing mode. It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the third object, the storage medium according to claim 32 is the storage medium according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the control program is configured to determine a focal position of the photographing lens in the landscape photographing mode. When the distance becomes infinity, after a predetermined time, the lens driving means drives the photographing lens from the infinity position to a short distance and has a control module for controlling to detect the contrast of the photographing screen. , Wherein the first peak position of the contrast is set as the focus position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium according to the third aspect.
In the storage medium according to the present invention, the control program includes a control module of a step of controlling the aperture driving unit to drive the aperture unit in a closing direction when the mode shifts from a shooting mode other than the landscape shooting mode to the landscape shooting mode. It is characterized by having.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium including at least two or more photographing modes including a close-up photographing mode, an automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an image pickup apparatus that performs image pickup by an image pickup apparatus having a lens driving unit that drives a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring unit. A control module for controlling the lens driving unit to drive the focal position of the photographing lens to the closest end when the mode shifts from a photographing mode other than the close-up photographing mode to the close-up photographing mode. And

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium comprising at least two or more photographing modes including a close-up photographing mode, an automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an image pickup apparatus having a lens driving unit for driving a taking lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring unit and a shutter button having at least two or more positions. The control program further includes a control module for controlling the lens driving unit to drive the focal position of the photographing lens to the nearest end when the shutter button is operated in the close-up photographing mode. It is characterized by the following.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium according to the thirty-fourth or thirty-fifth aspect, wherein the control program comprises: Is closer to the near end, after a predetermined time, the control module drives the photographing lens from the closest end position toward infinity by the lens driving unit and controls to detect the contrast of the photographing screen. And the first peak position of the contrast is set as a focus position.

Further, in order to achieve the third object, the storage medium according to claim 37 is a storage medium according to claim 34, 35 or 36.
In the storage medium according to the present invention, the control program includes a control module of a step of controlling the aperture driving unit to drive the aperture unit in a direction in which the aperture unit opens when the mode shifts from an imaging mode other than the close-up imaging mode to the close-up imaging mode. And the first peak position of the contrast is set as a focus position.

In order to achieve the third object, the storage medium according to claim 38 includes at least two or more photographing modes including a person photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an image pickup apparatus having a lens driving unit that drives a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring unit, wherein the control program includes the person photographing mode. And a control module for controlling the lens driving means to drive the focal position of the photographing lens to a first predetermined position when the mode shifts from the photographing mode other than the above to the person photographing mode.

In order to achieve the third object, the storage medium according to claim 39 is the storage medium according to claim 38, wherein the control program is arranged such that the focus position of the photographing lens in the person photographing mode is the same as that of the photographing lens. If the first predetermined position is reached, after a predetermined time, the lens driving means drives the photographic lens from the first predetermined position to a second predetermined position different from the first predetermined position, and a photographic screen And a control module for performing a control to detect the contrast of the image, wherein the first peak position of the contrast is set as an in-focus position.

In order to achieve the third object, a storage medium according to claim 40 is the storage medium according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the control program is configured to switch the person from a photographing mode other than the person photographing mode. When the mode shifts to the photographing mode, a control module for controlling the aperture driving unit to drive the aperture unit in the opening direction is provided.

[0050]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital still camera which is an image pickup apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. The photographing lens 101 is driven by a motor to form a subject image on an image sensor described later. Reference numeral 103 denotes an aperture, which controls the amount of light to an image sensor described later. An image sensor 104 converts a subject captured by the photographing lens 101 into an image signal. 105 is a CD
S (correlated double sampling) / AGC (automatic gain adjustment)
A circuit samples and holds the image signal output from the image sensor 104 to obtain an appropriate signal level.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a digital signal processing circuit, which is a CDS.
The image signal output from the / AGC circuit 105 is A (analog) / D (digital) converted to perform digital signal processing. 107 is JPEG (Joint Photograph)
A phix Experts Group processing circuit compresses the digital image signal output from the digital signal processing circuit 106 by the JPEG method (JPEG compression), and decompresses JPEG compressed data recorded on a recording medium described later. Reference numeral 108 denotes a recording medium, which is a JPEG processing circuit 1
07 or JPEG compressed data to be output is recorded.

Reference numeral 109 denotes NTSC (National T)
elevation SystemCommitte
e) The digital signal processing circuit 10 at the time of photographing by the encoder.
6 and the digital image signal output from the JPEG processing circuit 107 at the time of reproduction is converted into an NTSC image signal and output. A signal output terminal 110 outputs an image signal, and a liquid crystal driver 111 outputs a digital image signal similar to that of the NTSC encoder 109 to a liquid crystal display described later.

Reference numeral 112 denotes a built-in liquid crystal display.
Display an image or the like. 113 is a system controller,
An operation from an operation key is received, and the operation is performed. 114 is a camera controller, among the operations described above.
In particular, it controls the focus and exposure of the taking lens 101. Reference numeral 115 denotes a mode dial for selecting a shooting mode, and reference numeral 116 denotes a shutter button for operating a shutter.

Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus having the above configuration will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

First, when the present sequence is started in step S201, the mode dial 11 is set in step S202.
It is determined whether or not 5 is a landscape photography mode. And
If it is determined that the mode dial 115 is not in the landscape shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S203 to determine whether the shooting mode has been changed or not. If the shooting mode has been changed, the process returns to step S202.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the mode dial 115 is in the landscape shooting mode, the flow advances to step S204 and step S208, respectively. In step S204, the in-focus position is set to be infinity.
The AE (exposure) is controlled by closing 3 slightly. Then, after the processing of step S204 and step S208 is completed, the process proceeds to step S205.

In step S205, the processing in step S20 is performed.
The determination is made until a predetermined time has passed since the processing of step 4 and step S208 was performed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S206, in which the photographing lens 101 is driven by the lens driving motor 102 in a direction in which the focus position moves toward the front, and a peak of the evaluation value is searched. Next, after the first peak is determined as the in-focus position in step S207, step S2 is performed.
Return to 03.

As described in detail above, according to the imaging method and apparatus according to the present embodiment, in the landscape photographing mode in which the subject is often far away as compared with normal photographing, AF (from the infinity direction) is performed. Since auto-focus control driving is started, AF control with fast focusing can be realized. Further, since the AE control is performed with the aperture 103 being slightly closed, it is possible to perform shooting with the depth of the subject deepened so as to be optimal for landscape shooting.

In the present embodiment, the functions of the present embodiment are realized by the computer reading and executing the program code of the control program stored in the storage medium. However, when the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. This includes a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the present embodiment are realized by the processing.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM (Co-ROM)
mpact Disk Read Only Memo
ry), CD-R (Compact Disk Rec)
order, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM chip, or the like.

In the present embodiment, the AF mechanism is always operated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the shutter button having a plurality of positions is operated and the shutter button is operated. Only the AF mechanism may be configured to operate.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Note that the basic configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

First, when this sequence is started in step S301, the mode dial 11 is set in step S302.
It is determined whether or not 5 is a close-up (macro) shooting mode. If it is determined that the mode dial 115 is not in the close-up shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S303 to determine whether or not the shooting mode has been changed.
If the shooting mode has been changed, step S
Return to 302.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S302 that the mode dial 115 is in the close-up shooting mode, the flow advances to step S304 and step S308, respectively. In step S304, the aperture is set to be the closest end, and in step S308, the AE (exposure) is controlled by slightly opening the aperture 103. Then, after the processing of step S304 and step S308 is completed,
In any case, the process proceeds to step S305.

In step S305, step S30 is performed.
It is determined until a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing of step 4 and step S308 was performed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S306, where the lens driving motor 102 drives the photographing lens 101 in a direction in which the focus position moves far, and a peak of the evaluation value is searched. Next, after the first peak is determined as the in-focus position in step S307, step S3 is performed.
Return to 03.

As described in detail above, according to the imaging method and apparatus according to the present embodiment, in the close-up shooting mode where an object relatively close to the closest end is often taken, AF (automatic) Focus) driving starts,
It is possible to realize AF control in which focusing is fast, and it is also possible to prevent a mistake in focusing on a subject behind the main subject. In addition, since the AE control is performed with the aperture 103 being slightly opened, the shutter speed is increased, and close-up shooting in which blur is likely to occur can be performed with less failure.

In the present embodiment, the functions of the present embodiment are realized by the computer reading and executing the program code of the control program stored in the storage medium. However, when the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. This includes a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the present embodiment are realized by the processing.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM (Co-ROM)
mpact Disk Read Only Memo
ry), CD-R (Compact Disk Rec)
order, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM chip, or the like.

In the present embodiment, the AF mechanism is always operated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the user has a shutter button having a plurality of positions and operates the shutter button. Only the AF mechanism may be configured to operate.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The basic configuration of the image pickup apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

First, when this sequence is started in step S401, the mode dial 11 is started in step S402.
It is determined whether or not 5 is a person photographing mode. And
If it is determined that the mode dial 115 is not in the portrait mode, the process advances to step S403 to determine whether or not the photography mode has been changed. If the shooting mode has been changed, the process returns to step S402.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that the mode dial 115 is in the portrait mode, the process proceeds to step S404 and step S409, respectively. In step S404, the focus position is set so as to be 1 m. In step S409, the aperture 103 is set.
Is opened, and AE (exposure) is controlled. And
After the processing in step S404 and step S409 is completed, the process proceeds to step S405.

In step S405, step S40
It is determined until a predetermined time has passed since the processing of step 4 and step S409 was performed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S406, in which the photographing lens 101 is driven by the lens driving motor 102 in a direction in which the focus position moves toward 3 m, and the peak of the evaluation value is searched. Next, it is determined whether or not there is a peak in step S407. Then, the step S40
If it is determined in step 7 that there is a peak between 1 m and 3 m, the process returns to step S403 after the first peak is determined as the focus position in step S408. If it is determined in step S407 that there is no peak between 1 m and 3 m, an evaluation value search is performed in the entire area in step S410, and the process proceeds to step S408.

As described in detail above, according to the imaging method and apparatus according to the present embodiment, in the person photographing mode in which the subject is often photographed at a distance of about 1 m to 3 m,
Since AF (autofocus) driving is started from the vicinity, AF control with fast focusing can be realized, and a mistake of focusing on a subject behind the main subject can be prevented. Further, since the AE control is performed with the aperture 103 being slightly opened, the background can be blurred so as to be optimal for photographing a person.

In the present embodiment, the functions of the present embodiment are realized by the computer reading and executing the program code of the control program stored in the storage medium. However, when the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. This includes a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the present embodiment are realized by the processing.

The storage medium for supplying the program code includes, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM (Co-ROM).
mpact Disk Read Only Memo
ry), CD-R (Compact Disk Rec)
order, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM chip, or the like.

In the present embodiment, the AF mechanism is always operated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the user has a shutter button having a plurality of positions and operates the shutter button, Only the AF mechanism may be configured to operate.

[0085]

As described in detail above, according to the imaging method and apparatus of the present invention, autofocus control can be quickly performed according to the situation, and autofocus control without failure can be performed according to the subject. This makes it possible to perform optimal AE control according to the situation.

Further, according to the storage medium of the present invention, there is an effect that the above-described imaging device can be smoothly controlled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation of the imaging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation of an imaging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 101 shooting lens 102 lens drive motor 103 aperture 104 image sensor 105 CDS / AGC circuit 106 digital signal processing circuit 107 JPEG processing circuit 108 recording medium 109 NTSC encoder 110 signal output terminal 111 liquid crystal driver 112 liquid crystal display 113 system controller 114 camera controller 115 mode Dial 116 Shutter button

Claims (40)

[Claims] At least two or more photographing modes, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and lens driving means for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. An image pickup method for picking up an image by an image pickup device, comprising a control step of controlling a focus search direction of the lens driving means to be switched according to the image pickup mode. 2. An at least two photographing mode including a landscape photographing mode, an automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. An imaging method for imaging by an imaging device having a driving unit, wherein when the mode shifts from a shooting mode other than the landscape shooting mode to the landscape shooting mode, the lens driving unit drives the focal position of the shooting lens to infinity. An imaging method characterized by having a control step of performing control so as to perform the control. 3. At least two or more photographing modes including a landscape photographing mode, an automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. An imaging method for imaging by an imaging device having a driving unit and a shutter button having at least two or more positions, wherein when the shutter button is operated in the landscape shooting mode and the lens driving unit is operated, An imaging method comprising a control step of controlling the focal position of the lens to be driven to infinity. 4. A contrast detection step for detecting a contrast of a photographing screen, and when the focal position of the photographing lens becomes infinity in the landscape photographing mode, the photographing lens is moved to infinity by a predetermined time after a predetermined time. A second control step of driving the camera toward a short distance from a position and performing control to detect the contrast of the photographing screen by the contrast detection step, wherein the first peak position of the contrast is set as the focus position. The imaging method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: 5. A method according to claim 3, further comprising a third control step for controlling the aperture driving means to drive the aperture means in a direction to close the aperture means when the mode shifts from a shooting mode other than the landscape shooting mode to the landscape shooting mode. The imaging method according to claim 2, 3, or 4. 6. At least two or more photographing modes including a close-up photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. An imaging method for imaging with an imaging device having a driving unit, wherein when the mode shifts from a shooting mode other than the close-up shooting mode to the close-up shooting mode, the lens driving unit shifts a focal position of the shooting lens to a nearest end. An imaging method having a control step of controlling driving. 7. At least two or more photographing modes including a close-up photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. An imaging method for imaging by an imaging device having a driving unit and a shutter button having at least two or more positions, wherein when the close-up shooting mode is operated and the shutter button is operated, the lens driving unit sets the photographing lens An imaging method comprising: a control step of controlling the focal position of the lens to be driven to the closest end. 8. A contrast detection step for detecting a contrast of a photographing screen, and in a case where the focal position of the photographing lens becomes the closest end in the close-up photographing mode, the photographing lens is moved by the lens driving means after a predetermined time. A second control step of driving from the near end position toward infinity and controlling the contrast of the photographing screen to be detected by the contrast detection step. The imaging method according to claim 6, wherein: 9. A method according to claim 6, further comprising a third control step of controlling the aperture driving unit to drive the aperture unit in a direction in which the aperture unit opens when the mode shifts from an imaging mode other than the close-up imaging mode to the close-up imaging mode. Claim 6, 7 or 8
The imaging method described in the above. 10. At least two or more photographing modes including a person photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. An imaging method for imaging by an imaging apparatus having a driving unit, wherein when the mode shifts from a shooting mode other than the person shooting mode to the person shooting mode, the lens driving unit sets a focal position of the shooting lens to a first predetermined position. An imaging method, comprising: a control step of controlling to drive to a position. 11. A contrast detection step for detecting a contrast of a photographing screen, and when the focal position of the photographing lens reaches the first predetermined position in the person photographing mode, the photographing is performed by the lens driving means after a predetermined time. A second control step of driving the lens from the first predetermined position to a second predetermined position different from the first predetermined position, and controlling to detect a contrast of the photographing screen by the contrast detection step; 11. The imaging method according to claim 10, comprising: setting a first peak position of the contrast as a focus position. 12. A third control step for controlling the aperture driving means to drive the aperture means in a direction in which the aperture means opens when the mode shifts from an imaging mode other than the portrait photography mode to the portrait photography mode. Claim 9 or 10
The imaging method described in the above. 13. The imaging method according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is a digital still camera. 14. The imaging method according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is a digital video camera. 15. At least two or more photographing modes,
An image pickup apparatus comprising: automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject; and lens driving means for driving a photographing lens in accordance with distance information from the automatic distance measuring means, wherein the lens is controlled in accordance with the photographing mode. An imaging apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling switching of a focus search direction of a driving means. 16. At least two or more photographing modes including a landscape photographing mode, an automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. An imaging device having a driving unit, wherein when the mode shifts from a shooting mode other than the landscape shooting mode to the landscape shooting mode, the lens driving unit controls the focus position of the shooting lens to be driven to infinity. An imaging apparatus comprising a control unit. 17. At least two or more photographing modes including a landscape photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. An imaging apparatus having a driving unit and a shutter button having at least two or more positions, wherein when the shutter button is operated in the landscape shooting mode, the lens driving unit sets the focal position of the shooting lens to infinity. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a control unit configured to control driving to a distance. 18. A contrast detecting means for detecting a contrast of a photographing screen, and when the focal position of the photographing lens becomes infinity in the landscape photographing mode, the photographing lens is moved to infinity by a predetermined time after a predetermined time. And a second control means for controlling the contrast detection means to detect the contrast of the photographing screen, and the first peak position of the contrast is set as a focus position. The imaging device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: 19. An image forming apparatus comprising: a diaphragm unit; and a diaphragm driving unit.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third control step of controlling the aperture driving unit to drive the aperture unit in a closing direction when the mode shifts from an imaging mode other than the landscape imaging mode to the landscape imaging mode. 16, 17 or 1
9. The imaging device according to 8. 20. At least two or more photographing modes including a close-up photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. An imaging device having a driving unit, wherein when the mode shifts from a shooting mode other than the close-up shooting mode to the close-up shooting mode, the lens driving unit controls the focus position of the shooting lens to be driven to the closest end. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a control unit that performs the control. 21. At least two or more photographing modes including a close-up photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. An image pickup apparatus comprising a driving unit and a shutter button having at least two positions, wherein in the close-up shooting mode and when the shutter button is operated, the lens driving unit reaches a focal position of the photographing lens. An imaging apparatus comprising: control means for controlling driving to a near end. 22. A contrast detecting means for detecting a contrast of a photographing screen, and, when the focal position of the photographing lens becomes the closest end in the close-up photographing mode, the photographing lens is brought close by the lens driving means after a predetermined time. Second control means for driving from an end position toward infinity and controlling the contrast detection means to detect the contrast of the photographing screen, wherein the first peak position of the contrast is defined as the in-focus position. 22. The imaging apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the imaging is performed. 23. An image forming apparatus comprising: a diaphragm unit; and a diaphragm driving unit.
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third control unit configured to control the aperture driving unit to drive the aperture unit in an opening direction when the mode shifts from an imaging mode other than the close-up imaging mode to the close-up imaging mode. 20, 21 or 22
An imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims. 24. At least two or more photographing modes including a person photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. An imaging device having a driving unit, wherein when the mode shifts from a photographing mode other than the person photographing mode to the person photographing mode, the lens driving unit drives the focal position of the photographing lens to a first predetermined position. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a control unit configured to control the image pickup apparatus. 25. A contrast detecting means for detecting a contrast of a photographing screen, and said photographing lens by said lens driving means after a predetermined time when the focal position of said photographing lens has reached said first predetermined position in said person photographing mode. A second control means for driving the first predetermined position from the first predetermined position toward a second predetermined position different from the first predetermined position, and controlling the contrast detection means to detect a contrast of the photographed screen; 25. The imaging apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising: setting a first peak position of the contrast as a focus position. 26. An image forming apparatus having a diaphragm means and a diaphragm driving means,
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third control unit configured to control the aperture driving unit to drive the aperture unit in a direction in which the aperture unit opens when the mode shifts from an imaging mode other than the portrait mode to the portrait mode. 26. The imaging device according to 24 or 25. 27. The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein the imaging device is a digital still camera.
An imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims. 28. The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein the imaging device is a digital video camera.
An imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims. 29. at least two or more shooting modes;
A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an image pickup apparatus having an automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject and a lens driving means for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means Wherein the control program includes a control module for controlling to switch a focus search direction of the lens driving means according to the shooting mode. 30. At least two or more photographing modes including a landscape photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an imaging device that performs imaging by an imaging device having a driving unit, wherein the control program shifts from a shooting mode other than the landscape shooting mode to the landscape shooting mode. And a control module for controlling the lens driving means to drive the focal position of the photographing lens to infinity. 31. At least two or more photographing modes including a landscape photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens in accordance with distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an imaging device having a driving unit and a shutter button having at least two or more positions, wherein the control program is configured to execute the shutter button in the landscape shooting mode. A storage medium, comprising: a control module for controlling the lens driving unit to drive the focal position of the photographing lens to infinity when operated. 32. The control program, when the focal position of the photographing lens becomes infinity in the landscape photographing mode, moves the photographing lens from the infinity position to a short distance by the lens driving unit after a predetermined time. 32. The storage medium according to claim 30, further comprising a control module for driving and controlling to detect a contrast of a photographing screen, wherein a first peak position of the contrast is set as a focus position. 33. The control program has a control module of a step of controlling the aperture driving means to drive the aperture means in a closing direction when the mode shifts from a shooting mode other than the landscape shooting mode to the landscape shooting mode. 33. The storage medium according to claim 30, 31 or 32. 34. At least two or more photographing modes including a close-up photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an imaging apparatus that performs imaging by an imaging apparatus having a driving unit, wherein the control program shifts from a shooting mode other than the close-up shooting mode to the close-up shooting mode. And a control module for controlling the lens driving means to drive the focal position of the photographing lens to the nearest end. 35. At least two or more photographing modes including a close-up photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an imaging device having a driving unit and a shutter button having at least two or more positions, wherein the control program is configured to execute the shutter button in the close-up shooting mode. A storage medium, comprising: a control module for controlling the lens driving unit to drive a focal position of the photographing lens to a nearest end when operated. 36. The control program, when the focal position of the photographing lens is at the closest end in the close-up photographing mode, after a predetermined time, the lens driving means moves the photographing lens from the closest end position to infinity. 36. The storage device according to claim 34, further comprising a control module for controlling the driving of the camera toward the front and detecting the contrast of the photographing screen, wherein the first peak position of the contrast is set as the focus position. Medium. 37. The control program according to claim 37, wherein the control program includes a control module for controlling the aperture driving unit to drive the aperture unit in a direction in which the aperture unit opens when the mode shifts from an imaging mode other than the close-up imaging mode to the close-up imaging mode. 37. The storage medium according to claim 34, wherein the first peak position of the contrast is set as a focus position. 38. At least two or more photographing modes including a person photographing mode, automatic distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a subject, and a lens for driving a photographing lens according to distance information from the automatic distance measuring means. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an imaging apparatus having a driving unit, wherein the control program is configured to switch the lens driving unit when the mode shifts from a shooting mode other than the person shooting mode to the person shooting mode. A control module for controlling the focus position of the taking lens to be driven to a first predetermined position. 39. The control program, when the focal position of the photographing lens has reached the first predetermined position in the portrait photographing mode, the photographing lens is moved by the lens driving means to the first predetermined time after a predetermined time. A control module for driving from a position to a second predetermined position different from the first predetermined position and controlling to detect a contrast of a photographed screen, and focuses on the first peak position of the contrast. The storage medium according to claim 38, wherein the storage medium is a position. 40. The control program further includes a control module for controlling the aperture driving unit to drive the aperture unit in a direction in which the aperture unit opens when the mode shifts from a shooting mode other than the person shooting mode to the person shooting mode. The storage medium according to claim 38 or 39, wherein: