JP2004171021A - Imaging device, soft focus image capturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and surely perform soft focus photographing in an electronic still camera or the like without impairing small size, light weight, portability, and ease of handling.
SOLUTION: If a soft focus mode is set when a shutter key is pressed (SA1 and SA2 are both YES), a first image (focused image) is captured and temporarily stored in a DRAM 16 (SA4). ). Subsequently, the focus position is changed to the front focus or the back focus (SA5), and after capturing the second image (unfocused image) (SA6), the second image is combined with the first image (SA7). Then, the synthesized image is compressed and stored (SA8). In the synthesized image, a soft focus image in which the outline of the main subject is blurred is obtained, and soft focus shooting can be performed only by performing a normal imaging operation such as pressing the shutter key once.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device and a soft focus image capturing method suitable for use in an electronic still camera.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is soft focus photography as one of photography techniques. The soft focus photographing is for, for example, expressing a person sharply in a portrait photograph and softly surrounding the person. Further, in the silver halide camera, a dedicated filter for performing soft focus photographing and a dedicated photographing lens are prepared, and by using them, anyone can perform soft focus photographing. Further, when there is no dedicated filter or a dedicated photographing lens, there is a simple method of painting the surface of the photographing lens (or filter) with petrolatum or the like.

  However, when performing the above-described soft focus photographing with a digital still camera, there are the following problems. In other words, many digital still cameras, apart from high-end models, do not have interchangeable shooting lenses, and carrying dedicated filters regardless of whether they are used or not means that small, lightweight, portable and easy-to-use digital cameras are important. Not suitable for still cameras. In addition, in a general digital still camera, the aperture of the photographing lens is small, and it is difficult to obtain a good photographing effect even if the surface is coated with petrolatum or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and an imaging apparatus and a soft focus capable of performing soft focus shooting easily and reliably without impairing small size, light weight, portability, and ease of handling. It is intended to provide an image capturing method.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging unit for imaging a subject image, a focus adjustment unit for adjusting a focus of the subject image captured by the imaging unit, and While causing the imaging unit to continuously capture the subject image, controlling the operation of the focus adjustment unit, ensuring that one of the subject images captured before and after is in focus, and securing the other one Control means for securing an out-of-focus state, and a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the in-focus image in the in-focus state and the out-of-focus image in the out-of-focus state captured by the imaging means. And synthesizing means.

  In such a configuration, when an imaging operation is performed, the in-focus image in which the subject image is in focus and the out-of-focus image out of focus are automatically and consecutively imaged by the imaging means, and the combining means As a result, a composite image of the focused image and the unfocused image is generated. Here, the generated composite image is an image in which the outline of the subject is blurred, that is, a soft focus image. Therefore, a soft focus image can be captured simply by performing the same operation as a normal imaging operation.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 2, the control unit controls an operation of the focus adjustment unit, ensures a focused state on a subject image captured first by the imaging unit, and a subject captured later. An out-of-focus state was secured for the image.

  In such a configuration, when an image is captured, a focused image is captured first, and an out-of-focus image is captured later, so that the subject intended to capture is always clearly displayed even when the subject is moving. Images can be obtained.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 3, an imaging condition for setting a predetermined imaging condition of the subject image by the imaging unit to be set at the time of capturing the out-of-focus image to a condition different from that at the time of capturing the focused image. It was provided with setting means.

  In such a configuration, the degree of blurring of the subject in the soft focus image can be adjusted depending on the difference in imaging conditions at the time of imaging.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 4, there is provided an exposure control means for controlling an exposure amount at the time of imaging, and the predetermined imaging condition set by the imaging condition setting means is an exposure controlled by the exposure control means. It was assumed to be a quantity.

  In such a configuration, by making the out-of-focus image brighter than the in-focus image, the blur state in the soft-focus image can be expressed softly.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 5, there is provided a white balance control means for controlling a white balance at the time of image pickup, and the predetermined image pickup condition set by the image pickup condition setting means is a color by the white balance control means. The balance adjustment was made.

  In such a configuration, a more fantastic soft focus image can be obtained as the composite image.

  Further, the invention according to claim 6 is provided with an image processing means for performing a predetermined image processing on the out-of-focus image before the combining by the combining means.

  In such a configuration, more various effects can be added to the composite image.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 7, the image processing means is means for performing the predetermined image processing on both the in-focus image and the out-of-focus image, while the image processing means The image processing apparatus further includes an image processing content setting unit configured to set the setting content related to the predetermined image processing for the out-of-focus image to a content different from the setting content related to the predetermined image processing for the focused image.

  In such a configuration, by changing the settings of the image processing unit for the focused image and the setting of the image processing unit for the unfocused image, more various effects can be added to the composite image.

  Further, the invention according to claim 8 is provided with a light emission control means for causing a built-in or external flash device to emit light only when the out-of-focus image is picked up by the image pickup means.

  In such a configuration, the blurred state in the out-of-focus image can be expressed more softly.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, the synthesizing unit synthesizes the in-focus image and the out-of-focus image by shifting them in a predetermined direction.

  With such a configuration, a soft focus image having a camera shake effect can be obtained as a composite image.

  In the invention according to claim 10, the combining means combines only a predetermined image component of the unfocused image with the focused image.

  In such a configuration, various effects according to the types of image components of the unfocused image to be combined with the focused image can be added to the combined image.

  In the eleventh aspect, the predetermined image component of the out-of-focus image is a color component.

  In such a configuration, a soft-focus image with a blurred and fluffy color can be obtained as a composite image.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a computer provided in an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit that captures a subject image and a focus adjustment unit that adjusts the focus of the subject image captured by the imaging unit is provided by an imaging operation. In response to the image capturing means to continuously capture the subject image, control the operation of the focus adjustment means, to ensure a focused state on one of the subject images to be captured one after another, And control means for securing an out-of-focus state in one of the other, and synthesizing the in-focus image in the in-focus state and the out-of-focus image in the out-of-focus state, taken by the imaging means. The program was made to function as a synthesizing means.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 13, during the imaging operation, a step of continuously capturing a focused image of the subject image and a non-focused image out of focus in a predetermined order, And combining the focused image and the unfocused image to generate a combined image.

  In this method, when an imaging operation is performed, a composite image of a focused image and an unfocused image of the same imaging target is captured. Therefore, a soft focus image can be captured simply by performing the same operation as a normal imaging operation.

  As described above, in the present invention, a soft focus image can be captured simply by performing the same operation as a normal imaging operation. Therefore, soft focus photographing can be performed easily and reliably without impairing the small size, light weight, portability, and ease of handling.

  In addition, by shooting a focused image first and shooting a non-focused image later, an image in which a subject intended to be captured is always clearly displayed can be obtained even when the subject is moving. .

  In addition, the degree of blurring of the subject in the out-of-focus image can be adjusted by the difference in the imaging conditions at the time of imaging, and by setting the exposure condition to the exposure amount, the out-of-focus image is brightened by softening. The blur state in the image can be expressed softly, and if the imaging conditions are the contents of white balance adjustment, a more fantastic soft focus image can be obtained as a composite image.

  Further, prior to the synthesis of the in-focus image and the out-of-focus image, by changing the setting contents of the image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the out-of-focus image, it is possible to add more various effects to the synthesized image. it can. Further, when the setting contents of the image processing for the focused image and the setting contents of the image processing for the unfocused image are changed, special image processing is not required.

  Further, when the flash device is provided with the light emission control means for causing the flash device to emit light only when the out-of-focus image is captured, the blur state in the out-of-focus image can be expressed more softly.

  Further, when the in-focus image and the out-of-focus image are combined while being shifted in a predetermined direction, a soft focus image having a camera shake effect can be obtained as the combined image. Furthermore, in the case of combining only a predetermined image component of an unfocused image with a focused image, various effects corresponding to the types of image components of the unfocused image to be combined with the focused image are added to the combined image. When the image component is a color component, it is possible to obtain a soft focus image in which the color is blurred and fluffy.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of an electronic still camera according to the present invention. This electronic still camera has an AE (automatic exposure control) function, a contrast AF (autofocus) function, and a soft focus mode as an operation mode during photographing.

  The electronic still camera according to the present embodiment includes a CCD 4 serving as an imaging unit that captures a subject image formed via a fixed lens 1, a focus lens 2, and an aperture 3, and an aperture driving unit that changes the degree of opening of the aperture 3. 5. A TG 6 and a V driver 7 for driving the CCD 4, a CDS holding an image signal output from the CCD 4, a gain adjustment amplifier (AGC) for amplifying the image signal, and converting the image signal after amplification into a digital signal And a unit circuit 8 including an A / D converter (AD). The focus lens 2 is held by a drive mechanism 9 composed of an AF motor or the like. The focus lens 2 moves in the optical axis direction when the drive mechanism 9 is driven via the AF driver 11 under the control of the MPU 10. The focus of the subject image formed on the CCD 4 is adjusted. That is, the focus lens 2, the drive mechanism 9, and the AF driver 11 constitute a focus adjustment unit of the present invention. In the AE control, the CCD 4 is driven by the TG 6 and the V driver 7 based on a shutter pulse sent from the MPU 10, and the charge accumulation time is controlled. Thus, an electronic shutter is realized, and the degree of opening of the diaphragm 3 is controlled by a control signal sent from the MPU 10 to the diaphragm driving unit 5.

  The MPU 10 is provided with various signal processing and image processing functions. The MPU 10 generates a video signal from an image signal converted into a digital signal via the unit circuit 8, and converts a subject image picked up by the CCD 4 into a TFT image as a through image. It is displayed on the monitor 12. Further, at the time of photographing, the image signal is compressed to generate an image file of a predetermined format, which is stored in the flash memory 13, and at the time of reproduction, the compressed image file is expanded and displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 12.

  Further, a power supply circuit 14 including a power supply such as a battery, an operation key unit 15 including various switches such as a shutter key, a DRAM 16, an MROM 17, and a built-in strobe 18 are connected to the MPU 10. The DRAM 16 is a working memory of the MPU 10 and also functions as an image memory for storing one frame of an image signal converted to a digital signal via the unit circuit 8 during photographing. The MROM 17 is a program ROM in which an operation program necessary for controlling each unit by the MPU 10 and processing various data is recorded. In the present embodiment, a program for causing the MPU 10 to function as the control unit and the synthesizing unit of the present invention is particularly used. Is stored. Note that the MROM 17 may be a memory in which storage data such as a program can be rewritten as needed. Further, a part of the program and data may be stored in the flash memory 13.

  Next, the operation of the electronic still camera having the above configuration during shooting will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart shows an operation in a shooting standby state in which a capture mode (shooting mode) for displaying a through image on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 12 is selected. In the following description, it is assumed that the AF function of the electronic still camera is in an ON state.

  When the shutter key is pressed (YES in step SA1), the electronic still camera first determines whether or not the soft focus mode has been set by the photographer. If such a mode has not been set (NO in step SA2). Then, an image is captured by the CCD 4, an image (subject image) is captured (step SA3), and the captured image is compressed and stored in the flash memory 13 (step SA8).

  If the soft focus mode is set (YES in step SA2), a first image (focused image) is captured in that state, and is temporarily stored in the DRAM 16 (step SA4). Subsequently, after the focus lens 2 is driven to change the focus position (step SA5), a second image (out-of-focus image) is captured (step SA6). The focus position changed in step SA5 is one of the front focus and the back focus, and the moving amount of the focus lens 2 is a predetermined amount. Thereafter, by averaging the first image and the second image, the second image captured later is combined with the first image captured earlier (step SA7), and the combined image is combined. The data is compressed and stored in the flash memory 13 (step SA8). Thus, one shooting operation ends.

  Here, in the image generated by the synthesizing process in step SA7, that is, in the synthesized image, an unfocused image out of focus is synthesized with a focused image in focus on the subject image. The image is an image in which the outline of the main subject is blurred, that is, a soft focus image. Therefore, the photographer can perform the soft focus photographing only by performing a normal photographing operation such as pressing the shutter key once. In addition, since it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated filter or a dedicated photographing lens described in the related art, or to prepare a surface of the photographing lens (fixed lens 1) with vaseline or the like, the size and weight required for the electronic still camera are reduced. , Portability and ease of handling can be maintained.

  In the soft focus mode according to the present embodiment, a focused image is captured first, and an unfocused image is captured later. By being captured as a focused image, a soft-focus image in which a subject in a state intended by the photographer is always clearly displayed can be obtained.

  In addition to the above-described processing, when combining an in-focus image with an in-focus image, a shift (a shift direction and a shift amount) between the focused image and the unfocused image is detected in advance by using an image recognition technique. The composition position of the out-of-focus image with respect to the in-focus image may be corrected according to the detection result. In that case, a more natural soft focus image can be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the unfocused image is simply combined with the focused image in step SA7 has been described. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, when combining both images, for example, Also, it is possible to obtain a more natural soft focus image by performing a weighting process or the like for increasing the ratio of the focused image.

  In step SA5 described above, the moving amount of the focus lens 2 when the focus position is changed prior to imaging of the second image (out-of-focus image) is set to a predetermined amount. Alternatively, the moving amount may be set in accordance with the degree of soft focus effect set in advance by the photographer, or may be set in accordance with the zoom magnification in the case of having a zoom function. . Furthermore, if the change amount of the focus position can be set in advance by the photographer, the user can adjust the degree of soft focus to his liking, thereby improving usability.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, in the electronic still camera shown in FIG. 1, a program for causing the MPU 10 to function as a control unit, an imaging condition setting unit, and an exposure control unit of the present invention is stored.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the electronic still camera according to the present embodiment in the shooting standby state in which the capture mode is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the AE function of the electronic still camera is in an ON state.

  When the soft focus mode is not set when the shutter key is pressed (YES in step SB1 and NO in SB2), the electronic still camera captures a subject image (step SB3), compresses the captured image, and flashes the captured image. The data is stored in the memory 13 (step SB9). If the soft focus mode is set (YES in step SB2), a first image (focused image) is captured in that state, and the first image is temporarily stored in the DRAM 16 (step SB4). 2 to change the focus position (step SB5). The operation up to this point is the same as in the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, after the focus position is changed, the set value of the appropriate exposure amount to be controlled at the time of imaging is changed to the “+” (overexposure) side (step SB6), and then the second image ( An out-of-focus image is captured (step SB7). Then, the second image captured later is combined with the first image captured first (step SB8), and the combined image is compressed and stored in the flash memory 13 (step SB9). Thus, one shooting operation ends. Note that the combining process in step SB8 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the second image (unfocused image) is captured, the set value of the appropriate exposure amount is changed to the overexposure side, so that the out-of-focus image is smaller than the in-focus image. It becomes bright. Therefore, the blur state in the soft focus image can be expressed softly. In addition, if the change amount of the appropriate exposure amount can be set in advance by the photographer, the user can adjust the blur state to his liking, and the usability is improved. The other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, in the electronic still camera having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the MPU 10 has an AWB (auto white balance) function for controlling the gain of the gain adjustment amplifier (AGC) of the unit circuit 8 for each of RGB. Stores a program for causing the MPU 10 to function as the imaging condition setting means of the present invention and to function together with the unit circuit 8 as the white balance control means of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the electronic still camera according to the present embodiment in the shooting standby state in which the capture mode is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the AWB function of the electronic still camera is in an ON state. In the present embodiment, if the soft focus mode is set at the time of the shooting operation (YES in steps SC1 and SC2), the first image (focused image) is captured and temporarily stored in the DRAM 16 ( Next, the focus lens 2 is driven to change the focus position (step SC5). The operation up to this point and the operation when the soft focus mode is not set at the time of the shooting operation (the description is omitted) are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, after the focus position is changed, the white balance set at the time of capturing the first image, that is, the set value of the gain for each RGB in the gain adjustment amplifier (AGC) of the unit circuit 8 Is changed (step SC6), and a second image (unfocused image) is captured (step SC7). Then, the second image captured later is combined with the first image captured earlier (step SC8), and the combined image is compressed and stored in the flash memory 13 (step SC9). Thus, one shooting operation ends. Note that the combining process in step SC8 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the color balance in the out-of-focus image can be intentionally broken by changing the white balance setting content when the second image (out-of-focus image) is captured. it can. Therefore, a more fantastic soft focus image can be obtained. Note that a configuration in which the photographer can set or select the white balance setting content in advance, for example, a configuration in which an arbitrary color of RGB can be made stronger (or weaker) or the degree thereof can be designated. If this is the case, a fantastic soft focus image according to the photographer's preference can be taken, and usability is improved. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Note that, in the present embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, the setting content of the white balance at the time of capturing the second image (out-of-focus image) is changed to a setting content different from the capturing time of the first image. In addition to the above, the setting contents of other imaging conditions at the time of capturing the second image, more specifically, at the time of generating one frame of image data based on the imaging signal output by the CCD 4 are described. May be changed to a setting content different from that at the time of capturing the first image. In that case, an effect corresponding to the imaging condition for changing the setting content can be obtained in the soft focus image. For example, when the aperture value at the time of capturing the second image is changed to the open side, the degree of blurring of the portion other than the central subject is increased by reducing the depth of field in the second image. be able to. Even in such a case, usability can be improved by allowing the photographer to set the degree of change of the setting contents of the imaging conditions in advance.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, in the electronic still camera having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a program for causing the MPU 10 to function as an image processing unit and an image processing content setting unit of the present invention is stored in the MROM 17.

Hereinafter, the operation of the electronic still camera according to the present embodiment in the shooting standby state in which the capture mode is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, also in the present embodiment, if the soft focus mode is set at the time of the shooting operation (YES in steps SD1 and SD2), the first image (focused image) is captured and temporarily stored in the DRAM 16. Then, the focus lens 2 is driven to change the focus position (step SD5).
The operation up to this point and the operation when the soft focus mode is not set at the time of the shooting operation (the description is omitted) are the same as those of the other embodiments described above.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, after the focus position is changed, the setting contents of sharpness (outline enhancement), which is one of the image quality adjustment functions prepared in advance, are enhanced at the time of capturing the first image. After changing to the software side from the stage (step SD6), a second image (unfocused image) is captured (step SD7). Then, the second image captured later is combined with the first image captured first (step SD8), and the combined image is compressed and stored in the flash memory 13 (step SD9). Thus, one shooting operation ends. Note that the combining process in step SD8 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In such an embodiment, by changing the setting of the sharpness at the time of capturing the second image (out-of-focus image), the blurred subject in the out-of-focus image can be expressed more softly. Therefore, the blur state in the soft focus image can be expressed more softly. Also in the present embodiment, usability can be improved by allowing the photographer to set the degree of change in the sharpness setting in advance. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a description has been given of a case where the setting content of the sharpness is changed to a setting content different from that at the time of capturing the first image when capturing the second image (unfocused image). Prior to the synthesis into the first image, the setting contents of other image processing to be performed on the captured second image, more specifically, one frame of image data temporarily stored in the DRAM 16 are referred to as the first image. The settings may be changed to different settings. Even in such a case, more various soft effects can be added to the soft focus image after the synthesis. For example, in step SD6 described above, the second image is set to lower the saturation than the first image, or the contrast is set lower (lower) than the first image. May be. Even in such a case, usability can be improved by allowing the photographer to set the degree of change of the setting content in advance.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, in the electronic still camera having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a program for causing the MPU 10 to function as the light emission control unit of the present invention is stored in the MROM 17.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the electronic still camera according to the present embodiment in the shooting standby state in which the capture mode is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, also in the present embodiment, if the soft focus mode is set at the time of the shooting operation (YES in steps SE1 and SE2), the first image (focused image) is captured and temporarily stored in the DRAM 16. Then, the focus lens 2 is driven to change the focus position (step SE5). The operation up to this point and the operation when the soft focus mode is not set at the time of the shooting operation (the description is omitted) are the same as those of the other embodiments described above.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, after the focus position is changed, the built-in strobe 18 is forcibly fired (step SE6), and a second image (unfocused image) is captured (step SE7). Then, the second image captured later is combined with the first image captured earlier (step SE8), and the combined image is compressed and stored in the flash memory 13 (step SE9). Thus, one shooting operation ends. Note that the combining process in step SE8 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In such an embodiment, the second image (out-of-focus image) can always be in the overexposed state, so that the blurred state in the soft focus image can be expressed more softly. Also, unlike the second image described in the second embodiment in which the second image is overexposed, a main subject, for example, the periphery of a person at the time of photographing a person can be expressed more softly. The other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, a program different from that of the first embodiment is stored in the electronic still camera having the configuration shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the electronic still camera according to the present embodiment in the shooting standby state in which the capture mode is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, also in this embodiment, when the soft focus mode is set at the time of the photographing operation (steps SF1 and SF2 are both YES), as in the first embodiment, the first image (focused image) is obtained. Image), and temporarily stores it in the DRAM 16 (step SF4). Then, after the focus lens 2 is driven to change the focus position (step SF5), a second image (unfocused image) is taken. (Step SF6). The same applies to the operation when the soft focus mode is not set (the description is omitted).

  Then, in the present embodiment, when the first image and the second image captured continuously are combined, the second image is intentionally shifted by 5% in the X-axis direction (lateral direction). Then, the image is synthesized with the first image (step SF8), and the synthesized image is compressed and stored in the flash memory 13 (step SF9). Thus, one shooting operation ends. Note that the combining processing in step SF8 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In such an embodiment, an image synthesized in step SF8, that is, a soft focus image can be provided with a camera shake effect in addition to a simple soft effect. Further, in the present embodiment, the second image is shifted by 5% in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) to be synthesized with the first image. However, the direction and the amount of shifting the second image are different. If the configuration is such that the photographer can set in advance, a camera shake effect according to the photographer's preference can be given to the soft focus image, and the usability can be improved. In addition, when the electronic still camera is provided with a zoom function and a zoom lens is used, when the second image (focused image) is captured, the focal length of the zoom lens is set to a predetermined distance to capture the first image. When the image is set to be longer than the time (telephoto side), the second image is taken in an enlarged manner than the first image, and then synthesized with the first image, or when an image processing technique is used ( In the case of (digital zoom), the captured second image (out-of-focus image) may be enlarged at a predetermined zoom magnification and combined with the first image. In such a case, it is possible to give an effect to the soft focus image, for example, such that camera shake occurs in all directions of 360 ° from the center of the image.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. Also in the present embodiment, in the electronic still camera having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a program different from that of the first embodiment is stored.

  The operation of the electronic still camera according to the present embodiment in the shooting standby state in which the capture mode is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, if the soft focus mode is set at the time of the shooting operation (steps SG1 and SG2 are both YES), the first image (focusing) is set. Image), and temporarily stores it in the DRAM 16 (step SG4). Then, after the focus lens 2 is driven to change the focus position (step SG5), a second image (out-of-focus image) is taken. (Step SG6). The same applies to the operation when the soft focus mode is not set (the description is omitted).

  Then, in the present embodiment, when combining the first image and the second image that are continuously captured, only the color components (Cb, Cr data) in the second image are combined with the first image. Then, the combined image is compressed and stored in the flash memory 13 (step SG9). Thus, one shooting operation ends. Note that the combining process in step SG8 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In such an embodiment, since only the color components in the second image are combined with the first image, a soft focus image having a blurred and fluffy color can be obtained as the soft focus image. Note that, unlike the present embodiment, for example, only the luminance component of the second image may be combined with the first image. In this case, a soft focus image with a blurred outline can be obtained.

  Also in the present embodiment, if a configuration is adopted in which the photographer can set in advance the degree of combination when a specific image component such as a color component or a luminance component in the second image is combined with the first image, An effect according to the photographer's preference can be obtained, and usability is improved. Other effects are the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the above description, the case where the present invention is applied to an electronic still camera having only a camera function similarly to a conventional silver halide camera has been described. In addition, the present invention can be applied to an information device including a recording medium for storing a predetermined program necessary to function as an imaging device, for example, a personal computer and various portable information terminals. In this case, the same effect as that of the above-described electronic still camera can be obtained.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic still camera common to each embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a capture mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a capture mode according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a capture mode according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a capture mode according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a capture mode according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a capture mode according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a capture mode according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

2 Focus lens 4 CCD
9 Drive mechanism 10 MPU
11 AF Driver 15 Operation Key 16 DRAM
17 MROM

Claims (13)

Imaging means for imaging a subject image;
Focus adjustment means for adjusting the focus of a subject image captured by the imaging means;
In response to an imaging operation, the imaging unit continuously captures the subject image, and controls the operation of the focus adjustment unit to secure a focused state on one of the subject images that are captured one after another. And control means for ensuring that one of the other is out of focus,
A synthesizing unit that generates a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the in-focus image in the in-focus state and the in-focus image in the out-of-focus state captured by the imaging unit. apparatus.   The control unit controls an operation of the focus adjustment unit, and secures a focused state on a subject image captured first by the imaging unit, and secures an out-of-focus state on a subject image captured later. The imaging device according to claim 1.   An imaging condition setting unit configured to set a predetermined imaging condition of a subject image by the imaging unit set at the time of capturing the out-of-focus image to a condition different from that at the time of capturing the focused image. 3. The imaging device according to 1 or 2.   4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an exposure control unit configured to control an exposure amount at the time of imaging, wherein the predetermined imaging condition set by the imaging condition setting unit is an exposure amount controlled by the exposure control unit. Imaging device.   A white balance control unit for controlling a white balance at the time of imaging, and the predetermined imaging condition set by the imaging condition setting unit is a content of color balance adjustment by the white balance control unit. Item 5. The imaging device according to item 3 or 4.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image processing unit configured to perform predetermined image processing on the out-of-focus image before the combining by the combining unit.   The image processing unit is a unit that performs the predetermined image processing on both the in-focus image and the out-of-focus image, while setting related to the predetermined image processing on the out-of-focus image by the image processing unit 7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising image processing content setting means for setting the content to a content different from the setting content related to the predetermined image processing for the in-focus image.   8. A light emission control means for causing a built-in or external flash device to emit light only when the image pickup means captures the out-of-focus image. Imaging device.   The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the combining unit combines the in-focus image and the out-of-focus image in a predetermined direction.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the combining unit combines only a predetermined image component of the out-of-focus image with the focused image.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined image component of the out-of-focus image is a color component. A computer having an imaging device including an imaging unit that captures a subject image and a focus adjustment unit that adjusts the focus of the subject image captured by the imaging unit;
In response to an imaging operation, the imaging unit continuously captures the subject image, and controls the operation of the focus adjustment unit to secure a focused state on one of the subject images that are imaged one after another. And control means for ensuring that one of the other is out of focus,
A program for functioning as synthesizing means for synthesizing the in-focus image in the in-focus state and the out-of-focus image in the out-of-focus state, imaged by the imaging means. At the time of the imaging operation, a step of continuously capturing a focused image in focus of the subject image and an out-of-focus image out of focus in a predetermined order,
Combining a captured focused image and an unfocused image to generate a combined image.

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