JP2009058834A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

An imaging apparatus and an in-focus status display method are provided that can easily determine whether or where the subject is in focus during photographing.
A balloon displaying character information such as “?” And “!” Is superimposed on a subject image photographed by an imaging unit and displayed on a monitor. At the same time, the imaging means is controlled to focus on a predetermined area such as a face area of the subject image or an area near the center. It is determined whether or not a predetermined area of the subject image is in focus, and when the focusing operation is not completed, the character “?” Is displayed in the balloon, and “ The character “?” Is changed from “?” To “!” By rotating by 90 degrees, and the character “!” Indicating that the inside of the balloon is in focus is displayed simultaneously with the end of the focusing operation.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus that displays a focused state during an autofocus operation.

  The following method is disclosed as a method for displaying whether or not the subject is in focus.

  Patent Document 1 proposes an imaging apparatus that can confirm the degree of focus by displaying a bar graph indicating a transition state of an in-focus state at the bottom of an electronic viewfinder.

  Patent Document 2 proposes an imaging apparatus that can confirm whether or not a subject is within the subject depth by performing a focus aid display.

Patent Document 3 proposes an imaging apparatus that can determine in-focus or out-of-focus by changing the display color or display form of a cross-shaped target mark.
JP-A-6-113184 JP-A-6-301098 JP 2002-311489 A

  However, the imaging devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 have a drawback in that the fact that the subject is in focus is not necessarily displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for all users.

  In particular, considering the case where a user who is not familiar with the imaging apparatus, such as a child, takes a picture, it is necessary to display the user's interest and display that is easy to understand at a glance.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an imaging apparatus and an in-focus state display capable of easily determining whether or not the subject is in focus at the time of shooting. It aims to provide a method.

  In order to achieve the object, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, an imaging unit that images a subject, an image acquisition unit that continuously acquires an image signal indicating the subject via the imaging unit, and the acquisition Display means for displaying a through image based on the obtained image signal, automatic focus adjustment means for automatically performing focus adjustment so as to maximize the contrast of the subject based on the acquired image signal, and the automatic focus adjustment means The focus state detection means for detecting the focus state of the subject by the synthesizer and the display area for displaying the focus information on the through image of the display means are synthesized, and the focus detected by the synthesis state detection means And display control means for synthesizing, in the display area, focusing information that changes at least between out-of-focus and in-focus according to the state.

  According to the imaging device of the first aspect, the subject is imaged, the image signal indicating the subject is continuously acquired, the through image is displayed based on the acquired image signal, and the image is displayed on the through image of the display unit. A display area for displaying the focus information is synthesized. Further, the focus adjustment is automatically performed based on the acquired image signal so that the contrast of the subject is maximized, and the result of the focus adjustment is detected. Based on the detected focus state, the focus information to be combined with the display area is changed. The focus information includes at least the focus information at the time of out-of-focus and the focus information at the time of focus. Thereby, the information that the subject is focused on the desired area can be easily shown to the user.

  An imaging apparatus according to a second aspect is the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising face detection means for detecting a face of a subject from the acquired image signal, wherein the automatic focus adjustment means is detected by the face detection means. When a face is detected, automatic focus adjustment is performed so as to focus on the detected face.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the second aspect, the face of the subject is detected from the acquired image signal, and when the face is detected, the automatic focus adjustment is performed so that the detected face is focused. As a result, it is possible to prevent a problem that the main subject is not in focus.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 3 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit detects a display area displayed on the through image of the display unit by the face detection unit. Is synthesized in the vicinity of.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the third aspect, when a face is detected, the display area displayed on the through image is synthesized in the vicinity of the detected face. Thereby, it is possible to easily show the user where the focused area is.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the third aspect, the display area displayed on the through image of the display unit by the display control unit has a balloon shape.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the fourth aspect, the balloon-shaped display area is synthesized on the through image. Thereby, it is possible to clearly notify the user of the focused state by a display that attracts the user's interest.

  An imaging apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the information is in-focus information corresponding to the in-focus state, and is at least in-focus information and in-focus. Storage means for storing the focus information at the time is provided, and the display control means combines the focus information stored in the storage means with the display area.

  According to the imaging device of the fifth aspect, the focusing information including the focusing information at the time of non-focusing and the focusing information at the time of focusing is stored, and focusing is performed from the stored focusing information. Focus information corresponding to the state is displayed. Thus, the in-focus state can be transmitted to the user in an easy-to-understand manner, and such a display allows the user to easily determine the in-focus state.

  An imaging apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the imaging apparatus according to the fifth aspect, further comprising an input unit that inputs focusing information corresponding to a focused state, and the storage unit receives the focusing information input by the input unit. Focus information is stored, and the display control means, when a plurality of pieces of focus information corresponding to the same focus state are stored in the storage means, desired focus information among the plurality of focus information Is selected and combined with the display area.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the sixth aspect, the focus information input via the input unit is further stored, so that a plurality of focus information corresponding to the same focus state is stored. When a plurality of pieces of focusing information corresponding to the same focusing state are stored, desired focusing information among the plurality of focusing information is selected and displayed. Thereby, it can customize according to a user's liking.

  In the imaging device according to claim 7, in the imaging device according to claim 5 or 6, when the display control unit detects that focus adjustment is being performed by the in-focus state detection unit, The focus information is shifted from the focus information at the time of non-focus to the focus information at the time of focus.

  According to the imaging device of the seventh aspect, the focus information at the time of out-of-focus is displayed before the focus operation, and the focus information at the time of focus is adjusted from the focus information at the time of out-of-focus during focus adjustment. Transition is made to in-focus information, and in-focus information is displayed during in-focus. Thereby, it is possible to clearly notify the user of the focused state by a display that attracts the user's interest.

  An imaging apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the imaging apparatus according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, wherein the face detecting unit detects a face and an expression of a subject, and the display control unit is the face detecting unit. The focus information corresponding to the facial expression detected by the above is synthesized in the display area.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the eighth aspect, the face and expression of the subject are detected, and the focusing information corresponding to the detected expression is displayed. Thereby, the user can be informed of the in-focus state more easily by a display that attracts the user's interest.

  An imaging apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the display control means adjusts the size of the display area according to a detection result of the in-focus state detection means. It is characterized by changing.

  According to the imaging device of the ninth aspect, the size of the display area is changed according to the in-focus state. Thereby, it is possible to inform the user of the in-focus state more easily.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display for easily determining whether or where the subject is in focus during photographing.

  The best mode for carrying out a camera according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing an embodiment of the imaging apparatus. This imaging device is a digital camera that receives light passing through a lens with an imaging device, converts the light into a digital signal, and records it on a storage medium.

  The camera body 12 of the digital camera 10 is formed in the shape of a horizontally long rectangular box, and on the front thereof, as shown in FIG. 1, a lens 14, a strobe 16, a finder window 18, a self-timer lamp 20, an AF auxiliary light. A lamp 22, a strobe light control sensor 24, and the like are provided. A shutter button 26, a power / mode switch 28, a mode dial 30 and the like are disposed on the upper surface of the camera body 12. On the other hand, on the back of the camera body 12, as shown in FIG. 2, a monitor 32, a viewfinder eyepiece 34, a speaker 36, a zoom button 38, a cross button 40, a MENU / OK button 42, a DISP button 44, and a BACK button 46 Etc. are arranged.

  A battery insertion portion and a memory card slot are provided on the lower surface of the camera body 12 (not shown) via a tripod screw hole and an openable / closable cover. The battery insertion portion and the memory card slot have a battery and a memory. The card is loaded.

  The lens 14 is constituted by a retractable zoom lens, and is extended from the camera body 12 by setting the camera mode to the photographing mode by the power / mode switch 28. In addition, since the zoom mechanism and the retracting mechanism of the lens 14 are well-known techniques, description of the specific configuration thereof is omitted here.

  The strobe 16 is configured such that its light emitting portion can swing in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction so that strobe light can be emitted toward the main subject. The configuration of the strobe 16 will be described later in detail.

  The viewfinder window 18 is a portion of a viewing window that determines a subject to be photographed.

  The self-timer lamp 20 is configured, for example, as an LED, and emits light when a picture is taken using a self-timer function for taking a picture after a predetermined time has elapsed after a shutter button 26 described later is pressed.

  The AF auxiliary light lamp 22 is configured, for example, as a high-intensity LED, and emits light as necessary during AF.

  The strobe light control sensor 24 adjusts the light emission amount of the strobe 16 as will be described later.

  The shutter button 26 is constituted by a two-stage stroke type switch composed of so-called “half-press” and “full-press”. When the shutter button 26 is “half-pressed”, the digital camera 10 activates AE / AF, and “full-press” to execute shooting.

  The power / mode switch 28 has both a function as a power switch for turning on / off the power of the digital camera 10 and a function as a mode switch for setting the mode of the digital camera 10. It is slidably arranged between “position” and “photographing position”. The digital camera 10 is turned on by sliding the power / mode switch 28 to the “reproduction position” or “photographing position”, and turned off by setting it to the “OFF position”. Then, the power / mode switch 28 is slid and set to “playback position” to set to “playback mode”, and to the “shooting position” to set to “shooting mode”.

  The mode dial 30 functions as shooting mode setting means for setting the shooting mode of the digital camera 10, and the shooting mode of the digital camera 10 is set to various modes depending on the setting position of the mode dial. For example, an “auto shooting mode” in which an aperture, a shutter speed, etc. are automatically set by the digital camera 10, a “movie shooting mode” for moving image shooting, a “person shooting mode” suitable for portrait shooting, and a moving subject shooting “Sports shooting mode”, “Scenery shooting mode” suitable for landscape shooting, “Night scene shooting mode” suitable for sunset and night scene shooting, the scale of the aperture is set by the photographer, and the shutter speed is automatically set by the digital camera 10 The photographer sets the “aperture priority shooting mode” to be set automatically, the shutter speed is set by the photographer, and the “shutter speed priority shooting mode” in which the digital camera 10 automatically sets the aperture scale, the aperture, the shutter speed, etc. Set “Manual Shooting Mode” to automatically detect a person and emit strobe light toward that person. Out shooting mode "(which will be described in detail later), and the like.

  The monitor 32 is composed of a liquid crystal display capable of color display. The monitor 32 is used as an image display panel for displaying a photographed image in the playback mode, and is also used as a user interface display panel for performing various setting operations. In the photographing mode, a through image is displayed as necessary, and is used as an electronic viewfinder for checking the angle of view.

  The speaker 36 outputs a sound such as a predetermined sound or a buzzer sound when the sound output is set to ON by the mode dial 30 or the like.

  The zoom button 38 functions as zoom instruction means for instructing zooming, and includes a zoom tele button 38T for instructing zooming to the telephoto side and a zoom wide button 38W for instructing zooming to the wide angle side. In the digital camera 10, when the zoom tele button 38T and the zoom wide button 38W are operated in the shooting mode, the focal length of the lens 14 changes. Further, when the zoom tele button 38T and the zoom wide button 38W are operated in the reproduction mode, the image being reproduced is enlarged or reduced.

  The cross button 40 functions as direction indicating means for inputting instructions in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and is used, for example, for selecting a menu item on a menu screen.

  The MENU / OK button 42 functions as a button (MENU button) for instructing a transition from the normal screen to the menu screen in each mode, and also functions as a button (OK button) for instructing selection confirmation, execution of processing, and the like. To do.

  The DISP button 44 functions as a button for instructing the display switching of the monitor 32. When the DISP button 44 is pressed during photographing, the display of the monitor 32 is switched from ON to framing guide display to OFF. If the DISP button 44 is pressed during playback, the playback mode is switched from normal playback to playback without character display to multi playback.

  The BACK button 46 functions as a button for instructing to cancel the input operation or return to the previous operation state.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the digital camera 10.

  As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 includes a CPU 110, an operation unit (shutter button 26, power / mode switch 28, mode dial 30, zoom button 38, cross button 40, MENU / OK button 42, DISP button 44, BACK. Button 46, etc.) 112, ROM 116, EEPROM 118, memory 120, VRAM 122, image sensor 124, timing generator (TG) 126, analog processing unit (CDS / AMP) 128, A / D converter 130, image input control unit 132, image Signal processing unit 134, video encoder 136, character MIX unit 138, AF detection unit 140, AE / AWB detection unit 142, aperture drive unit 144, lens drive unit 146, compression / decompression processing unit 148, media control unit 150, storage medium 152 , Face detection unit 154 It is composed of a flash light emission control unit 160 and the like.

  The CPU 110 performs overall control of the entire digital camera 10 according to a predetermined control program based on an operation signal input from the operation unit 112.

  A ROM 116 connected to the CPU 110 via the bus 114 stores a control program executed by the CPU 110 and various data necessary for the control. The EEPROM 118 relates to the operation of the digital camera 10 such as user setting information. Various setting information and the like are stored. The memory (SDRAM) 120 is used as a calculation work area for the CPU 110 and is used as a temporary storage area for image data and the VRAM 122 is used as a temporary storage area dedicated to image data.

  The image sensor 124 is composed of, for example, a color CCD having a predetermined color filter array, and electronically captures an image of a subject imaged by the lens 14. A timing generator (TG) 126 outputs a timing signal for driving the image sensor 124 in response to a command from the CPU 110.

  The analog processing unit 128 samples and holds the R, G, and B signals for each pixel with respect to the image signal output from the image sensor 124 (a correlated double sampling process), and amplifies the signal to the A / D converter 130. Output to.

  The A / D converter 130 converts the analog R, G, and B signals output from the analog processing unit 128 into digital R, G, and B signals and outputs them.

  The image input control unit 132 outputs digital R, G, and B signals output from the A / D converter 130 to the memory 120.

  The image signal processing unit 134 includes a synchronization circuit (a processing circuit that converts a color signal into a simultaneous expression by interpolating a spatial shift of the color signal associated with the color filter array of the single CCD), a white balance correction circuit, and a gamma correction. Circuit, contour correction circuit, luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, etc., and according to a command from the CPU 110, the input image signal is subjected to necessary signal processing to obtain luminance data (Y data) and color difference data (Cr, Cb data). ) Is generated.

  The video encoder 136 controls display on the monitor 32 in accordance with a command from the CPU 110. That is, in accordance with a command from the CPU 110, the input image signal is converted into a video signal (for example, an NTSC signal, a PAL signal, or a SCAM signal) for display on the monitor 32 and output to the monitor 32. Predetermined character and graphic information synthesized by the character MIX unit 138 is output to the monitor 32.

  The AF detection unit 140 includes a high-pass filter that passes only a high-frequency component of the G signal, an absolute value processing unit, an AF area detection unit that extracts a signal within a predetermined focus area (for example, the center of the screen), and an absolute value within the AF area. It consists of an integration unit that integrates value data.

  The AE / AWB detection unit 142 calculates a physical quantity necessary for AE control and AWB control from the input image signal in accordance with a command from the CPU 110. For example, as a physical quantity required for AE control, one screen is divided into a plurality of areas (for example, 16 × 16), and an integrated value of R, G, and B image signals is calculated for each divided area.

  The aperture drive unit 144 and the lens drive unit 146 control the drive unit 124 </ b> A of the image sensor 124 in accordance with a command from the CPU 110 and control the operations of the photographing lens 14 and the aperture 15.

  The compression / decompression processing unit 148 performs compression processing in a predetermined format on the input image data in accordance with a command from the CPU 110 to generate compressed image data. Further, in accordance with a command from the CPU 110, the input compressed image data is subjected to a decompression process in a predetermined format to generate uncompressed image data.

  The media control unit 150 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the storage medium 152 loaded in the media slot in accordance with a command from the CPU 110.

  The face detection unit 154 extracts a face area in the image from the input image data in accordance with a command from the CPU 110, and detects the position (for example, the center of gravity of the face area). In this face area extraction, for example, skin color data is extracted from an original image, and a cluster of photometric points determined to be in the skin color range is extracted as a face. In addition, as a method for extracting a face area from an image, a method for determining a face area by converting photometric data into hue and saturation, creating a two-dimensional histogram of the converted hue / saturation, and analyzing it. Or a method for extracting a face candidate region corresponding to the shape of a human face and determining the face region from the feature amount in the region, extracting a human face outline from an image, and determining a face region, There are known methods for extracting a human face by preparing a template having the shape of a human face, calculating the correlation between the template and an image, and using the correlation value as a face candidate region. Can be extracted.

  The in-focus display creation unit 156 creates a balloon that displays characters and symbols inside. The CPU 110 grasps the status of AF performed by the AF detection unit 140 and issues a command to the in-focus display creation unit 156. The in-focus display creation unit 156 creates characters and symbols according to the AF status in accordance with instructions from the CPU 110. Further, based on the face position information detected by the face detection unit 154, the CPU 110 instructs the character MIX unit 138 to display the display created by the in-focus display creation unit 156 close to the face. . The display created by the focus display creation unit 156 will be described in detail later.

  The strobe light emission control unit 160 controls the light emission of the strobe 16 in accordance with a command from the CPU 110.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  First, a general image capturing and recording procedure will be described. As described above, the digital camera 10 is set to the shooting mode by setting the power / mode switch 28 to the shooting position, and shooting is possible. Then, when the shooting mode is set, the lens 14 is extended to enter a shooting standby state.

  Under this photographing mode, the subject light that has passed through the lens 14 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 124 via the diaphragm 15. On the light receiving surface of the image sensor 124, a large number of photodiodes (light receiving) are received via red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color filters arranged in a predetermined arrangement structure (Bayer, G stripe, etc.). Elements) are two-dimensionally arranged. The subject light that has passed through the lens 14 is received by each photodiode and converted into a signal charge in an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light.

  The signal charge accumulated in each photodiode is sequentially read out as a voltage signal (image signal) corresponding to the signal charge based on the drive pulse supplied from the timing generator (TG) 126, and is analog processing section (CDS / AMP). 128.

  Analog R, G, and B signals output from the analog processing unit 128 are converted into digital R, G, and B signals by the A / D converter 130 and added to the image input control unit 132. The image input control unit 132 outputs digital R, G, and B signals output from the A / D converter 130 to the memory 120.

  When outputting the captured image to the monitor 32, a luminance / color difference signal is generated by the image signal processing unit 134 from the image signal output from the image input control unit 132 to the memory 120, and the signal is sent to the video encoder 136. The video encoder 136 converts the input luminance / color difference signal into a display signal format (for example, an NTSC color composite video signal), and outputs it to the monitor 32. As a result, an image captured by the image sensor 124 is displayed on the monitor 32.

  The image sensor 124 periodically captures an image signal, periodically rewrites the image data in the VRAM 122 with the luminance / color difference signal generated from the image signal, and outputs the image data to the monitor 32 so that the image is captured by the image sensor 124. Images are displayed in real time. The photographer can confirm the shooting angle of view by viewing the image (through image) displayed in real time on the monitor 32.

  Note that the luminance / color difference signal applied from the VRAM 122 to the video encoder 136 is added to the character MIX unit 138 as necessary, and is combined with a predetermined character, graphic, etc., and then applied to the video encoder 136. As a result, required shooting information and the like are displayed superimposed on the through image.

  Shooting is performed by pressing the shutter button 26. When the shutter button 26 is half-pressed, an S1 ON signal is input to the CPU 110, and the CPU 110 performs AE / AF processing.

  First, an image signal captured from the image sensor 124 via the image input control unit 132 is input to the AF detection unit 140 and the AE / AWB detection unit 142.

  The integrated value data obtained by the AF detection unit 140 is notified to the CPU 110.

  The CPU 110 calculates a focus evaluation value (AF evaluation value) at a plurality of AF detection points while moving the focus lens group of the photographing optical system including the lens 14 by controlling the lens driving unit 146, and the evaluation value is maximum. Is determined as the in-focus position. Then, the lens driving unit 146 is controlled so that the focus lens group moves to the obtained in-focus position.

  The CPU 110 detects the brightness of the subject (subject brightness) based on the integrated value obtained from the AE / AWB detection unit 142, and calculates an exposure value (shooting EV value) suitable for shooting. Then, the aperture value and the shutter speed are determined from the obtained shooting EV value and a predetermined program diagram, and the electronic shutter and the aperture drive unit 144 of the image sensor 124 are controlled according to the determined aperture value and an appropriate exposure amount. At the same time, it is determined from the detected subject brightness whether or not the strobe light emission is necessary.

  The AE / AWB detection unit 142 calculates an average integrated value for each color of the R, G, and B signals for each divided area during automatic white balance adjustment, and provides the calculation result to the CPU 110. The CPU 110 obtains the ratio of R / G and B / G for each divided area from the obtained R accumulated value, B accumulated value, and G accumulated value, and R of the obtained R / G and B / G values. The light source type is discriminated based on the distribution in the color space of / G and B / G. Then, according to the white balance adjustment value suitable for the discriminated light source type, for example, the value of each ratio is approximately 1 (that is, the RGB integration ratio is R: G: B≈1: 1: 1 on one screen). As described above, the gain value (white balance correction value) for the R, G, and B signals of the white balance adjustment circuit is controlled to correct the signal of each color channel.

  As described above, the AE / AF process is performed by half-pressing the shutter button 26. The photographer operates the zoom button 38 as necessary to zoom the lens 14 and adjust the angle of view.

  Thereafter, when the shutter button 26 is fully pressed, an S2ON signal is input to the CPU 110, and the CPU 110 starts photographing and recording processing. That is, the image sensor 124 is exposed with the shutter speed and aperture value determined based on the photometric result. At this time, when the strobe 16 is caused to emit light, the strobe 16 is caused to emit light via the strobe emission control unit 160. When the amount of light received by the strobe light control sensor 24 reaches a predetermined amount, the strobe light emission control unit 160 cuts off the power supply to the strobe 16 and stops the light emission of the strobe 16.

  The image signal output from the image sensor 124 is taken into the memory 120 via the analog processing unit 128, the A / D converter 130, and the image input control unit 132, and is converted into a luminance / color difference signal by the image signal processing unit 134. After that, it is stored in the memory 120.

  The image data stored in the memory 120 is added to the compression / decompression processing unit 148, compressed in accordance with a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG format), then stored in the memory 120, and a predetermined image recording format (for example, Exif format). Are recorded on the storage medium 152 via the media control unit 150.

  The image recorded on the storage medium 152 as described above can be reproduced and displayed on the monitor 32 by setting the power / mode switch 28 to the reproduction position and setting the mode of the digital camera 10 to the reproduction mode. .

  When the power / mode switch 28 is set to the playback position and the mode of the digital camera 10 is set to the playback mode, the CPU 110 outputs a command to the media control unit 150 and reads the image file recorded last on the storage medium 152. Let it come out.

  The compressed image data of the read image file is added to the compression / decompression processing unit 148, decompressed to an uncompressed luminance / color difference signal, and then output to the monitor 32 via the video encoder 136. As a result, the image recorded on the storage medium 152 is reproduced and displayed on the monitor 32. It is to be noted that the luminance / color difference signal of the image to be reproduced is added to the character MIX unit 138 and synthesized with a predetermined character, figure, or the like as necessary, and then added to the video encoder 136. As a result, predetermined photographing information and the like are displayed on the monitor 32 so as to be superimposed on the photographed image.

  The frame advance of the image is performed by operating the left and right keys of the cross button 40. When the right key of the cross button 40 is pressed, the next image file is read from the storage medium 152 and reproduced and displayed on the monitor 32. When the left key of the cross button 40 is pressed, the previous image file is read from the storage medium 152 and reproduced and displayed on the monitor 32.

  Now, in the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, in order to indicate the in-focus state to the user, the state of the in-focus operation is determined, and display according to the state (in-focus display) is performed. Hereinafter, the procedure of this in-focus display will be described.

<First Embodiment of Focus Display>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of focus display processing of the digital camera 10. The following processing is mainly performed by the CPU 110.

  In the shooting standby state in which a through image is displayed on the monitor 32, the face detection unit 154 determines whether or not a face is included in the input subject image. Is detected (step S10).

  It is determined whether or not half-press (S1 ON) of the shutter button 26 is detected (step S12). If S1ON is not detected (NO in step S12), step S12 is performed again.

  If S1ON is detected (YES in step S12), it is determined whether a face is detected from the subject image in step S10 (step S14). When a face is detected (YES in step S14), as shown in FIG. 5, it is a display area for displaying focus information adjacent to the face area extracted by the focus display creation unit 156. A balloon is displayed (step S16), and the character “?”, Which is in-focus information when the focus is not yet within the balloon, is displayed (step S16). If no face is detected (NO in step S14), a balloon is displayed at the lower left of the screen by the focus display creation unit 156 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S18), and the focus is still inside the balloon. The character “?”, Which is the focusing information when not, is displayed (step S20).

  It is determined whether or not the shutter button 26 is fully pressed (S2 ON) (step S22). If S2ON is not detected (NO in step S22), since AF cannot be performed accurately, the focus lens group is moved to a predetermined position (step S40), and photographing is performed (step S42).

  When S2ON is detected (YES in step S22), the focus evaluation value is calculated at a plurality of AF detection points while the focus lens group is moved by controlling the lens driving unit 146, and the evaluation value becomes maximum. The lens position is determined as the focus position (step S24). Then, the lens driving unit 146 is controlled so that the focus lens group moves to the obtained in-focus position, and movement of the focus lens group is started.

  It is determined whether or not the desired area is in focus (step S26). If a face is detected in step S10, it is determined whether or not the face is in focus. If no face is detected in step S10, the subject in the predetermined area near the center is in focus. It is judged whether or not.

  If it is determined that the desired area is not in focus (NO in step S26), the focus lens group is moved to the obtained in-focus position, and at the same time, as shown in FIG. The character “?” Is rotated so that the character “?” Is changed to the character “!” (Step S32), and step S26 is performed again. When the desired area is in focus, that is, when the movement of the focus lens group is completed (YES in step S26), as shown in FIG. 8, the focus when the focus is inside the balloon is shown. The character “!” As information is displayed (step S28), and the balloon is clearly displayed with increased brightness (step S30).

  That is, before starting the focusing operation (step S20), the character “?”, Which is the focusing information when there is no focus, is displayed, and during the focusing operation (steps S24 to S32). By rotating the character “?” By 90 degrees, the character “?” Is gradually changed to “!”, And the focus information is obtained when the inside of the balloon is focused at the end of the focusing process. A character “!” Is displayed (step S28). The rotation of “?” May always be performed at a predetermined rotational speed, or the rotational speed is calculated from the approximate time required from the calculation of the in-focus position to the in-focus position, and is rotated at the calculated rotational speed. Alternatively, the time required to move the focus lens group is calculated from the in-focus position obtained in step S24, and the rotation speed is calculated so that the rotation ends at the same time as when the focus is in a predetermined area. It may be rotated at the rotation speed set.

  It is determined whether the audio output is ON (step S34). When the audio output is ON (YES in step S34), sounds such as voice, melody, and cueing sound indicating that focusing has ended are output via the speaker 36 (step S36), and S2ON is set. It is determined whether or not it has been detected (step S38). If the audio output is not ON (NO in step S34), it is determined whether or not S2 ON is detected (step S38).

  If S2ON is not detected (NO in step S38), the process returns to the step of calculating the focus evaluation value (step S24). If S2ON is detected (YES in step S38), shooting is performed (step S42).

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to attract the user's interest by displaying the speech balloon and the focusing information, thereby informing the user of the focusing state in an easy-to-understand manner. Further, when the AF is not performed correctly, the focus information is not displayed, and when the AF is performed, the focus information corresponding to the focus state is displayed so that the AF operation is performed. User can be guided.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when a face is detected, a balloon or the like is displayed in the vicinity of the face, so that the user can easily understand where the focused area is. . In addition, by outputting sound and the like together with the display, it can be shown to the user that the focus has been achieved.

<Second Embodiment of Focus Display>
In the second embodiment of the in-focus display, not only the characters depending on whether or not the focus is focused are displayed inside the balloon, but also the message is changed according to the condition of the subject. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of focus display processing of the digital camera 10. The following processing is mainly performed by the CPU 110. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the shooting standby state in which a through image is displayed on the monitor 32, the face detection unit 154 determines whether or not a face is included in the input subject image. Is detected (step S10).

  It is determined whether or not S1ON is detected (step S12). If S1ON is not detected (NO in step S12), step S12 is performed again.

  If S1ON is detected (YES in step S12), it is determined whether a face is detected from the subject image in step S10 (step S14). If a face is detected (YES in step S14), a speech bubble is displayed adjacent to the face area (step S16), and “no more” is shown indicating that the focus is not yet inside the speech bubble. Characters are displayed (step S50). When the face is not detected (NO in step S14), a balloon is displayed at the lower left of the screen (step S18), and the focus information indicating that the focal point is not yet in the balloon is “still yet. "" Is displayed (step S50).

  It is determined whether or not S2ON is detected (step S22). If S2ON is not detected (NO in step S22), the focus lens group is moved to a predetermined position (step S40), and photographing is performed (step S42).

  When S2ON is detected (YES in step S22), calculation of a focus evaluation value and determination of a focus position (start of focus operation) are performed (step S24), and it is determined whether or not a desired region has a focus. (Step S26).

  If it is determined that the desired area is not in focus (NO in step S26), the focus lens group is moved to the obtained in-focus position (step S52), and step S26 is performed again. If the desired area is in focus (YES in step S26), it is determined whether or not a face has been detected from the focused subject image (step S54).

  If no face is detected from the subject image (NO in step S54), “OK!”, Which is in-focus information indicating that the focus is inside the balloon, is displayed (step S56), and the brightness is increased. The balloon is clearly displayed (step S30).

  If a face is detected from the subject image (YES in step S54), the face detection unit 154 detects the facial expression detected in step S54 (step S58), and the face detection unit 154 has a smiling expression. Is determined (step S60).

  If it is a smile (YES in step S60), the focus information indicating that the focus is on the subject and that the subject is a smile is displayed in the balloon ("Take a picture because it is a good smile!") ( In step S62), the balloon is displayed clearly with increased brightness (step S30). If it is not a smile (NO in step S60), the characters “OK!” Indicating that the focus is inside the speech balloon are displayed, and the speech balloon is clearly displayed with increased brightness (step S30).

  It is determined whether the audio output is ON (step S34). When the audio output is ON (YES in step S34), sounds such as voice, melody, and cueing sound indicating that focusing has ended are output via the speaker 36 (step S36), and S2ON is set. It is determined whether or not it has been detected (step S38). If the audio output is not ON (NO in step S34), it is determined whether or not S2 ON is detected (step S38).

  If S2ON is not detected (NO in step S38), the process returns to the step of calculating the focus evaluation value (step S24). If S2ON is detected (YES in step S38), shooting is performed (step S42).

  According to the present embodiment, the in-focus state can be transmitted to the user in a display form that is easier to understand by transmitting the in-focus state by text. This also allows the user to easily determine the in-focus state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the focus information and the focus state are associated with each other and recorded in the ROM 116 in advance. The focus information is displayed inside the balloon, but the user can input the focus information. You may do it. In this case, when the user inputs focus information corresponding to the focus state via the operation unit 112, the input focus information is recorded in the ROM 116 in association with the focus state, and is stored in a desired area. Based on the result of the determination of whether or not there is a focus (step S26), the focus information corresponding to the focus state is selected from the focus information input by the user and displayed inside the balloon. In addition, when the focusing information in the same focusing state is recorded in the plurality of ROMs 116, the latest focusing information among the recorded focusing information is automatically selected and displayed. Alternatively, focus information preset by the user may be displayed.

  In the above embodiment, when a face is detected, a balloon or the like is displayed near the face. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, a frame indicating that a face has been detected is displayed. By overlaying and displaying, it is possible to show more clearly where to focus. The place where the speech balloon is displayed is not limited to the vicinity of the face, but the mouth may be detected by the face detection unit 154, and a display may be made as if the speech balloon is coming out of the mouth.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the face detection unit 154 detects the face or the face and its expression, but the face detection unit 154 detects the movement of the face, that is, the movement of the main subject, and focuses information corresponding to the movement of the subject. May be displayed. That is, when the movement of the subject is detected by the face detection unit 154, the displayed focus information such as “Now!” Is vibrated, and when the movement of the subject is not detected, that is, the subject is stationary. In this case, the vibration of the focus information such as “Now!” May be stopped and the user may be informed that the subject is stationary.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the focus state was shown to the user by the focus information displayed inside the balloon, you may make it show a focus state by changing the magnitude | size of a balloon. For example, a small balloon as shown is initially displayed (see FIG. 12 (a)), and the balloon is inflated as the focusing operation proceeds (see FIG. 12 (b)). You may make it display (refer FIG.12 (c)).

  In the above embodiment, the face is detected and the detected face is focused. However, the detection target is not limited to the face, but the whole person, animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, cars, and the like are detected. The target may be focused on the detected object. It should be noted that various known techniques can be used for detecting an entire person, an animal, a car, and the like.

  In the above embodiment, when a face is not detected, a balloon is displayed at the lower left of the screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and animations such as human faces and animals such as birds are displayed. Also good. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a bird may be displayed at the lower left of the screen, and a balloon may be displayed from a bee as if the bird is talking. Further, character information and graphic information may be displayed inside the balloon. Moreover, you may make it display the animation match | combined with the focused state inside the balloon. For example, a non-smiling face icon may be displayed when the subject is out of focus, and a smiling icon may be displayed when the subject is in focus.

  The application of the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and can be similarly applied to an imaging apparatus such as a mobile phone with a camera and a video camera.

1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. It is a rear view of 1st Embodiment of the said digital camera. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of 1st Embodiment of the said digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of 1st Embodiment of the focus display of the said digital camera. It is an example of a focus display when a focusing operation | movement is not complete | finished. It is an example of a focus display when a focusing operation | movement is not complete | finished. It is an example of a focus display when a focusing operation | movement is not complete | finished. It is an example of a focus display when a focusing operation | movement is complete | finished. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of 2nd Embodiment of the focus display of the said digital camera. It is an example of a focus display when a focusing operation | movement is complete | finished. It is an example of a focus display when a focusing operation | movement is not complete | finished. (A) is an example of the focus display immediately after the start of the focusing operation, (b) shows an example of the focus display during the focusing operation, and (c) is an example of the focus display at the time of focusing. .

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 12 ... Camera body, 14 ... Lens, 16 ... Strobe, 18 ... Viewfinder window, 20 ... Self-timer lamp, 22 ... AF auxiliary light lamp, 24 ... Strobe light control sensor, 26 ... Shutter button, 28 ... Power / mode switch, 30 ... mode dial, 32 ... monitor, 34 ... finder eyepiece, 36 ... speaker, 38 ... zoom button, 40 ... cross button, 42 ... MENU / OK button, 44 ... DISP button, 46 ... BACK 110, CPU, 112, operation unit, 114, bus, 116, ROM, 118, EEPROM, 120, memory (SDRAM), 122, VRAM, 124, image sensor (CCD), 126, timing generator (TG), 128: Analog processing unit (CDS / AMP), 130: A / D conversion 132 ... Image input control unit 134 ... Image signal processing unit 136 ... Video encoder 138 ... Character MIX unit 140 ... AF detection unit 142 ... AE / AWB detection unit 144 ... Aperture drive unit 146 ... Lens Drive unit, 148 ... compression / decompression processing unit, 150 ... media control unit, 152 ... storage medium, 154 ... face detection unit, 156 ... focus display creation unit, 160 ... strobe light emission control unit

Claims (9)

Imaging means for imaging a subject;
Image acquisition means for continuously acquiring image signals indicating the subject via the imaging means;
Display means for displaying a through image based on the acquired image signal;
Automatic focus adjusting means for automatically adjusting the focus so that the contrast of the subject is maximized based on the acquired image signal;
In-focus state detecting means for detecting the in-focus state of the subject by the automatic focus adjusting means;
The display area for displaying the focus information on the through image of the display means is synthesized, and at least in the out-of-focus state and in the focus state according to the focus state detected by the composite state detection means. Display control means for synthesizing varying focus information in the display area;
An imaging apparatus comprising: A face detecting means for detecting the face of the subject from the acquired image signal;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the face is detected by the face detection unit, the automatic focus adjustment unit performs automatic focus adjustment so as to focus on the detected face.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit synthesizes a display area displayed on the through image of the display unit in the vicinity of the face detected by the face detection unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a display area displayed on the through image of the display unit by the display control unit has a balloon shape. A storage unit that stores in-focus information according to the in-focus state, at least in-focus information at the time of out-of-focus and in-focus information at the time of in-focus;
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit combines the focus information stored in the storage unit with the display region. An input means for inputting in-focus information corresponding to the in-focus state,
The storage means stores the focusing information input by the input means,
When a plurality of pieces of focusing information corresponding to the same focusing state are stored in the storage unit, the display control unit selects the desired focusing information from the plurality of focusing information and displays the focusing information. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the imaging device is synthesized into a region.   When the focus state detecting unit detects that the focus is being adjusted, the display control unit converts the focus information from the focus information at the time of out-of-focus to the focus at the time of focus. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein transition to information is performed. The face detection means detects the face and expression of the subject,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit synthesizes focus information corresponding to the facial expression detected by the face detection unit in the display area.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit changes a size of the display area according to a detection result of the in-focus state detection unit.

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