JP2005197885A - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of detecting pupils in photographed image data and correcting red-eye that reduces a photographing interval for the red-eye correction and a time required for quick review display after the photographing. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus detects positions of the pupils by using image data obtained during ranging processing before focusing (S514) and applies red-eye processing to the photographed image data by using the detection result. It is possible to reduce the time required for the red-eye correction processing compared to that of a case when the pupil positions are detected after focusing and the reduction in the photographing interval and the fast quick-review-display can be realized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that records a still image and / or a moving image on a recording medium and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus having a red-eye correction function and a control method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camera having a red-eye alleviation function has been known in order to alleviate a so-called red-eye phenomenon in which eyes appear red due to reflection of flash light by retinal blood vessels.

  The general red-eye reduction function performs pre-flash (pre-flash) immediately before flash photography or turns on a separate red-eye reduction lamp for about 1 second to reduce the size of the human pupil in advance. At times, the amount of light reflected by the retinal blood vessels is reduced to alleviate the red-eye phenomenon.

  Further, as described in Patent Document 1, there is also known an imaging device that corrects red eye by detecting an eye region in an input image and selectively converting a pixel corresponding to red eye to black or the like. .

JP 2000-209425 A

  However, since it takes about 1 to 2 seconds for the pupil to become the smallest due to the flash pre-flash and red-eye reduction lamp, actual shooting is performed about 1 second after the start of the pre-flash and red-eye reduction lamp. Is called. Therefore, when red-eye reduction is performed in an imaging apparatus such as a conventional electronic camera, a time lag of about 1 to 2 seconds is generated from when the shutter button is pressed until actual shooting is performed.

  In addition, when image correction as described in Patent Document 1 is performed, the number of pixels of an image to be processed is large due to the recent increase in the number of pixels of the image sensor, and it takes time that cannot be ignored for detection of the pupil position. . As a result, there is a problem that it takes a long time to process after shooting without red-eye reduction at the time of shooting, and the time until the quick review display after shooting is taken.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and its main object is to provide an imaging apparatus having a red-eye correction function that detects and corrects red-eye in captured image data. The purpose is to shorten the time until quick review display after shooting.

  The above-mentioned object is to detect the pupil of the subject included in the image data obtained from the flash, the photographing optical system, the image pickup device, the distance measuring means for driving the photographing optical system, and the distance measuring process. An imaging device characterized by detecting pupils of a subject from image data obtained from an imaging element before focusing during distance measurement processing by the distance measuring means. Achieved.

  Further, the above-described object is a method for controlling an image pickup apparatus having a flash, a photographing optical system, and an image pickup device, and includes a distance measuring step for performing a distance measurement process by driving the image pickup optical system, and an image pickup device. A pupil detection step for detecting the pupil of the subject included in the obtained image data, and the pupil detection step is configured to detect the subject from the image data obtained from the image sensor before focusing during the distance measurement processing by the distance measurement step. This is also achieved by a method for controlling an imaging apparatus characterized by detecting a pupil.

  According to the present invention, in an imaging apparatus having a red-eye correction function that detects and corrects red-eye in captured image data, a pupil position is detected from image data obtained before focusing during distance measurement processing, and this position information By performing red-eye correction processing on captured image data using, there is no need to detect pupils after shooting, shortening the time required for red-eye correction processing, and in turn, reducing the time between shooting intervals and quick review display after shooting. It becomes possible to shorten.

● «First Embodiment»
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera as an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a digital camera mainly for taking a still image will be described as a representative example. However, for any apparatus capable of outputting a captured image as a digital image, such as a video camera having a still image shooting function. The present invention is applicable.

● (Configuration of digital camera)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the digital camera 100 will be described.
10 is a photographing lens, 12 is a shutter having an aperture function, 14 is an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and 16 is an A / A that converts an analog signal output of the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. D converter.

The timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.
The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22.

The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed.
Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

The memory control circuit 22 includes an A / D converter 16, a timing generation circuit 18, an image processing circuit 20, an image display memory 24, a D / A converter 26, a memory 30, a pupil detection unit 31, a compression / decompression circuit 32, and a red eye. The correction unit 33 is controlled.
The data of the A / D converter 16 is sent via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, or the data of the A / D converter 16 is sent directly via the memory control circuit 22 and the image display memory 24 and the pupil detection unit 31. Alternatively, it is written in the memory 30.

Display image data written in the image display memory 24 is displayed by an image display unit 28 such as an LCD or an organic EL display via a D / A converter 26. An electronic viewfinder function can be realized by sequentially displaying the captured image data on the image display unit 28.
Further, the image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the digital camera 100 can be significantly reduced. it can.

The memory 30 is a storage device for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images. Therefore, even in continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed.
The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  The pupil detection unit 31 captures image data picked up to detect a pupil into an internal memory (not shown) of the pupil detection unit 31, and applies a known image processing technique or matching process to the face, pupil, or the like. The feature is detected and finally the position and coordinates of the pupil are detected. The red eye correction unit 33 performs red eye correction processing on the image data stored in the internal memory of the pupil detection unit 31.

  The compression / decompression circuit 32 reads an image stored in the memory 30 and performs a known data compression process or expansion process using adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT), wavelet transform, etc., and stores the processed data in the memory Write to 30.

The exposure control unit 40 controls the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, and also has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48.
The distance measurement control unit 42 controls the focusing of the photographing lens 10, and the lens position detection unit 41 detects the position of the focusing lens of the photographing optical system 10 using a photo interrupter or the like. The zoom control unit 44 controls zooming of the taking lens 10. The barrier control unit 46 controls the operation of the protection unit 102 that is a lens barrier for protecting the photographing lens 10.

The flash 48 functions as an auxiliary light source at the time of photographing and also has a light control function. It also has a function of projecting AF auxiliary light.
The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method. Based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement. The controller 42 is controlled.

  The system control circuit 50 is a CPU, for example, and controls the entire digital camera 100 by executing a program stored in the memory 52. The memory 52 stores constants, variables, programs, etc. for operating the system control circuit 50.

  The display unit 54 is configured by a combination of output devices such as an LCD, an LED, a speaker, and the like, and outputs an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like according to execution of a program by the system control circuit 50. . One or a plurality of display units 54 are installed at a position near the operation unit 70 of the digital camera 100 that is easily visible. A part of the display unit 54 is installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

The display content of the display unit 54 includes, for example, single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, recording pixel number display, recording number display, remaining image number display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, Exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, clock battery level display, battery level display, error display, information display with multiple digits, and attachment / detachment status of recording media 200 and 210 Display, communication I / F operation display, date / time display, connection status display with external computer, focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, recording medium writing operation display, etc. is there. A part of this is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104.
Specifically, for example, in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like are displayed in the optical viewfinder 104.

The nonvolatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable / recordable memory, and for example, an EEPROM or the like is used.
The mode dial 60, the shutter switches 62 and 64, the image display ON / OFF switch 66, the flash setting button 68, and the operation unit 70 constitute operation means for inputting various operation instructions to the system control circuit 50. A switch, dial, touch panel, pointing by line-of-sight detection, a voice recognition device, or the like is used.

Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given.
The mode dial switch 60 is a switch for switching and setting each function mode such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, PC connection mode, and the like.

  The shutter switch SW1 (62) is turned on during halfway operation of a shutter button (not shown) provided in the digital camera 100, and AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (automatic) Instructs the start of operations such as white balance processing and EF (flash pre-emission) processing.

  The shutter switch SW2 (64) is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed (fully pressed), and the signal read from the image sensor 12 is imaged in the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Exposure processing written as data, development processing using computations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, image data is read from the memory 30, compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 32, and image data is stored in the recording medium 200 or 210. Is instructed to start the operation of a series of processing called recording processing.

  The image display ON / OFF switch 66 is a display ON / OFF setting switch of the image display unit 28. When shooting using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by turning off the display of the image display unit 28 made of, for example, a TFT LCD or the like to cut off the current supply.

  The quick review ON / OFF switch 68 is a switch for setting use / non-use of a quick review function for automatically reproducing captured image data immediately after shooting. In the present embodiment, in particular, a function for setting a quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off is provided.

  The operation unit 70 includes various buttons, a touch panel, etc., and includes a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a red-eye correction button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, menu movement + (Plus) button, menu move-(minus) button, playback image move + (plus) button, playback image-(minus) button, shooting image quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, compression mode switch, etc. is there.

  The compression mode switch is a switch for selecting a compression rate of JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Gpoup) compression or for selecting a RAW mode in which a signal from an image sensor is digitized and recorded on a recording medium.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a normal mode and a fine mode are prepared as JPEG compression modes. The user of the digital camera 100 can select the normal mode when emphasizing the data size of the captured image and select the fine mode when emphasizing the image quality of the captured image.

  In the JPEG compression mode, the compression / decompression circuit 32 reads the image data written in the memory 30, compresses it to the set compression rate, and then records it on the recording medium 200, for example.

  In the RAW mode, image data is read as it is for each line according to the pixel arrangement of the color filter of the image sensor 14, and the image data written in the memory 30 is read via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Read and record on the recording medium 200.

  The power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like, detects whether or not a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. The DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the system control circuit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each part including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  The power source 86 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, or an AC adapter, and is attached to the digital camera 100 by connectors 82 and 84.

  Recording media 200 and 210 such as a memory card and a hard disk have recording units 202 and 212 constituted by a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk, interfaces 204 and 214 and connectors 206 and 216 with the digital camera 100. The recording media 200 and 210 are attached to the digital camera 100 via connectors 206 and 216 on the medium side and connectors 92 and 96 on the digital camera 100 side. Interfaces 90 and 94 are connected to the connectors 92 and 96. Whether or not the recording media 202 and 212 are attached is detected by the recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit 98.

  In the present embodiment, the digital camera 100 is described as having two interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium. However, any number of interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium can be provided. Different standard interfaces and connectors may be used for each system.

  As the interface and the connector, for example, a PCMCIA (trademark) card, a CF (compact flash (trademark)) card, or the like conforming to a standard can be used.

  Further, when the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (compact flash) card, or the like, a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, an IEEE 1394 card, a P1284 card. By connecting various communication cards such as SCSI cards, PHS and other communication cards, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other computers and peripheral devices such as printers. it can.

The barrier 102 covers the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the digital camera 100 to prevent the imaging unit from being dirty or damaged.
The optical finder 104 is, for example, a TTL finder, and forms an image of a light beam that has passed through the lens 10 using a prism or a mirror. By using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to take a picture without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. Further, as described above, some functions of the display unit 54 such as an in-focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, etc. are provided in the optical viewfinder 104. Information is displayed.

The communication unit 110 controls communication according to a predetermined protocol among well-known communication protocols such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, IEEE802.1x, X series, etc., and realizes a communication function with a wired or wireless external device To do.
A connector (antenna in the case of wireless communication) 112 connects the digital camera 100 to another device via the communication unit 110.

● (Overall operation of digital camera 100)
Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
2 and 3 show a flowchart of a main routine of the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment.
When the power source (main power source) such as battery replacement is turned on, the system control circuit 50 initializes flags, control variables, and the like (S101), and initializes the image display of the image display unit 28 to the OFF state (S102).

  The system control circuit 50 determines the setting state of the mode dial 60. If the mode dial 60 is set to the power OFF state (S103), the display of each display unit is changed to the end state, and the barrier of the protection unit 102 is changed. Is closed to protect the imaging unit, and necessary parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags and control variables are recorded in the non-volatile memory 56, and the power control unit 80 controls each part of the digital camera 100 including the image display unit 28. After performing a predetermined end process such as shutting off unnecessary power (S105), the process returns to S103.

  If the mode dial 60 is set to a mode other than the power-off mode or the shooting mode (S103), the system control circuit 50 executes a process corresponding to the selected mode (S104), and if the process is completed, the process proceeds to S103. Return to.

  If the mode dial 60 is set to the shooting mode (S103), the process proceeds to S106. In S <b> 106, the system control circuit 50 checks the remaining capacity and operation status of the power source 86 configured by a battery or the like by the power source control unit 80, and determines whether there is a problem in the operation of the digital camera 100. If it is determined that there is a problem, for example, a predetermined warning is notified by an image or sound using the display unit 54 (S108), and the process returns to S103.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S106 that the power source 86 has no problem in the operation of the digital camera 100, the system control circuit 50 next determines that the operation state of the recording medium 200 or 210 is the operation of the digital camera 100, particularly the image for the recording medium. It is determined whether there is a problem in the data recording / reproducing operation (S107). If it is determined that there is a problem, a predetermined warning is notified by image or sound using the display unit 54 or the like in the same manner as when it is determined that there is a problem with the power source 86 (S108), Return.

  If it is determined in S107 that there is no problem in the operation state of the recording medium 200 or 210, the system control circuit 50 displays various setting states of the digital camera 100 using images and sounds using the display unit 54 (S109). . When the image display setting of the image display unit 28 is ON, not only the display unit 54 but also the image display unit 28 is used to display various setting states of the digital camera 100 using images and sounds.

  Next, the system control circuit 50 checks the setting state of the quick review ON / OFF switch 68 (S110). If the quick review ON is set, the system control circuit 50 sets a quick review flag (S111) and turns the quick review OFF. If it has been set, the quick review flag is canceled (S112). The state of the quick review flag is stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

  Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 checks the setting state of the image display ON / OFF switch 66 (S113). If the image display ON is set, the system control circuit 50 sets the image display flag (S114) and the image display unit. 28 is set to the ON state (S115), and the captured image data is set to the through display state for sequentially displaying (S116), and the process proceeds to S119 (FIG. 3).

  In the through display state, the data sequentially written in the image display memory 24 via the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22 are transferred to the memory control circuit 22, D The electronic finder function is realized by sequentially displaying images on the image display unit 28 via the / A converter 26.

  If the image display ON / OFF switch 66 is set to image display OFF (S113), the image display flag is canceled (S117), and the image display on the image display unit 28 is set to the OFF state (S118). The process proceeds to S119.

When the image display is OFF, shooting is performed using the optical viewfinder 104 without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In this case, it is possible to reduce power consumption of the image display unit 28, the D / A converter 26, and the like that consume a large amount of power.
The state of the image display flag is stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

Moving to FIG. 3, if the shutter switch SW1 (62) is not ON (S119), the process returns to S103.
If the shutter switch SW1 (62) is ON, that is, half-pressed (S119), the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 (S120), and the image display flag. Is set, the display state of the image display unit 28 is set to the freeze display state (S121), and the process proceeds to S122.

In the freeze display state, rewriting of image data in the image display memory 24 via the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22 is prohibited, and the last written image data Is displayed by the image display unit 28 via the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A converter 26, thereby displaying the frozen video on the electronic viewfinder.
If the image display flag has been canceled in S120, the process proceeds to S122.

  Next, the system control circuit 50 performs a distance measurement process to focus the photographing lens 10 on the subject, performs a photometry process, and determines an aperture value and a shutter time (S122). In the photometric process, the flash is set if necessary.

Details of the photometry / ranging process (S122) will be described later with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
When the distance measurement / photometry processing is completed, the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 (S123). If the image display flag is set, the image display flag is displayed. The display state of the unit 28 is set to the through display state (S124), and the process proceeds to S125. Note that the through display state in S124 is the same operation state as the through state in S116. If the image display flag is not set in S123, the process proceeds to S125.

  In S125, the state of the shutter switch SW2 (64) is checked. If the shutter switch SW2 (64) is in the OFF state, the state of the shutter switch SW1 (62) is also checked in S126, and if the shutter switch SW1 (62) also returns to the OFF state (half-press is released). Return to S103. If the shutter switch SW1 (62) remains on, the process returns to S125 again to check the state of the shutter switch SW2 (64).

  If the ON state of the shutter switch SW2 (64) is detected in S125 (the shutter is fully pressed), the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 (S127). If the image display flag has been set, the display state of the image display unit 28 is set to the fixed color display state (S128), and the process proceeds to S129.

In the fixed color display state, instead of the photographed image data written in the image display memory 24 via the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22, a predetermined replacement is performed. The fixed color image data is displayed by the image display unit 28 via the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A converter 26, whereby the fixed color image is displayed on the electronic viewfinder.
On the other hand, if the image display flag has been canceled in S127, the process proceeds to S129.

In S129, the system control circuit 50 stores the memory 30 via the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter via the memory control circuit 22. Exposure processing for writing captured image data, and imaging processing consisting of development processing for reading out the image data written in the memory 30 and performing various processing using the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20 Execute.
Details of this photographing process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the photographing process is completed, the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 (S130). If the image display flag is set, the quick review display is performed (S133). ). In this case, the image display unit 28 is always displayed as an electronic viewfinder even during shooting, and quick review display immediately after shooting is also performed. When the quick review display is performed, the process proceeds to S134.

  On the other hand, if the image display flag has been canceled (S130), the state of the quick review flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 is determined (S131), and the quick review flag has been set. If so, the image display of the image display unit 28 is set to the ON state (S132), quick review display is performed (S133), and the process proceeds to S134.

  If the image display flag is released (S130) and the quick review flag is also released (S131), the process proceeds to S134 while the image display unit 28 is in an OFF state. In this case, the image display unit 28 remains off even after shooting, and no quick review display is performed. Such a setting does not require confirmation of a photographed image immediately after photographing as in the case of continuing photographing using the optical viewfinder 104, and places importance on power saving without using the electronic finder function of the image display unit 28. Useful for.

In S134, the system control circuit 50 reads the captured image data written in the memory 30, performs various image processing using the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. After performing the image compression process according to the mode set using the recording process, the recording process for writing the image data to the recording medium 200 or 210 is executed.
Details of the recording process S134 will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the shutter switch SW2 (64) has been pressed when the recording process in S134 is completed (S135), the system control circuit 50 sets the continuous shooting flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52. The state is judged (S136), and if the continuous shooting flag is set, the process returns to S129 to perform continuous shooting, and the next shooting is performed.

  If the continuous shooting flag is not set (S136), the process returns to S135. In this way, the process waits until the shutter switch SW2 (64) is turned off. Since the quick review display continues in this standby state, the user can continuously display the quick review display by keeping the shutter fully pressed even after shooting.

  On the other hand, if the shutter switch SW2 (64) is in an OFF state when the recording process ends or is ON at the end of the recording process, but then turns OFF, the process proceeds to step S137 and a predetermined minimum review is performed. Find out if time has passed. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to S138 immediately. If not, the process proceeds to S138.

In S138, the system control circuit 50 confirms the state of the image display flag, and if it has been set, sets the display state of the image display unit 28 to the through display state (S139), and proceeds to S141.
In this case, after confirming the captured image by the quick review display on the image display unit 28, it is possible to enter a through display state in which image data captured for the next imaging is sequentially displayed.

On the other hand, if the image display flag has been canceled (S138), the image display of the image display unit 28 is set to the OFF state (S140), and the process proceeds to S141.
In this case, after confirming the photographed image by the quick review display on the image display unit 28, the function of the image display unit 28 is stopped for power saving, and the image display unit 28 or D / A conversion with large power consumption is stopped. It is possible to reduce the power consumption of the device 26 and the like.

  In S141, the state of the shutter switch SW1 (62) is checked. If it is ON, the process returns to S125 to prepare for the next shooting. On the other hand, if it is OFF, a series of photographing operations are finished and the process returns to S103.

● (ranging / photometry processing)
4 and 5 are flowcharts showing details of the distance measurement / photometry processing in S122 of FIG. 4 corresponds to photometry processing, and FIG. 5 corresponds to distance measurement processing (AF processing).
The system control circuit 50 reads out a charge signal from the image sensor 14 made of, for example, a CCD, and sequentially reads captured image data into the image processing circuit 20 via the A / D converter 16 (S201). Using the sequentially read image data, the image processing circuit 20 is a predetermined used for TTL (through-the-lens) AE (automatic exposure) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and AF (autofocus) processing. Perform the operation.

  In each of these processes, a specific portion as necessary is extracted from the image data for the total number of pixels taken and extracted for use in calculation. As a result, in each of the TTL method AE, EF, AWB, and AF processes, it is possible to perform an optimal calculation for each different processing mode such as the center weight mode, the average mode, and the evaluation mode.

  If the photometry process is described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the system control circuit 50 uses the exposure control unit 40 until the exposure (AE) is determined to be appropriate (S202) using the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20. AE control is then performed (S203).

Using the set flash mode and the exposure data obtained by the AE control in S203, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the flash is necessary (S204). A flash flag is set in the area, and the flash 48 is charged (S205).
If it is determined that the exposure (AE) is appropriate (S202), the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50.

Next, the system control circuit 50 uses the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20 and the measurement data obtained by the AE control in S203 until the white balance (AWB) is determined to be appropriate (S206). AWB control for adjusting color processing parameters is performed using the circuit 20 (S207).
If it is determined that the white balance (AWB) is appropriate (S206), the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50.

Next, the system control circuit 50 uses the measurement data obtained by the AE control in S203 and the AWB control in S207 until the distance measurement (AF) is determined to be in focus (S208). AF control is performed using this (S209).
If it is determined that the distance measurement (AF) is in focus (S208), the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50, and the distance measurement / photometry process is terminated.

  Next, the distance measuring process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. First, here, the flag FLh indicating whether or not the pupil detection process stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 has been performed is reset. (S501). Then, the system control circuit 50 reads out the charge signal from the image sensor 14 and reads the distance measurement image data into the image processing circuit 20 via the A / D converter 16 (S502).

  Next, the contrast component of the image data of the image processing circuit 20 is extracted (S503) and stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 as distance measurement evaluation data (S504). Next, the focus control circuit 42 is controlled via the system control circuit 50, the focus lens is finely driven in a predetermined direction (S505), and image data after the focus lens is finely driven is imaged via the system control circuit 50. A charge signal is read from the element 14, and the captured image data is read into the image processing circuit 20 via the A / D converter 16 (S506). Similarly, the contrast component of the image data is extracted (S507).

  The contrast component data recorded in the previous internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 and the contrast component value of the newly obtained image data are compared (S508). If the contrast component tends to increase, this extraction is performed. The contrast data thus stored is stored (S510), and if it is decreased, the focus drive control circuit 42 is set to reverse the moving direction of the focus lens (S509) and stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52. The contrast component data is replaced with the latest data (S510).

  In S511, the state of setting (1) / reset (0) of pupil detection flag FLh is confirmed, and if it is in the reset state, it is confirmed whether or not flash photography is performed (S512). If it is flash photography, the process proceeds to S513. In S513, it is confirmed whether or not the latest contrast data extracted in S507 and stored in S510 has reached a predetermined level at which feature recognition, that is, pupil detection is possible. If not, the process proceeds to S516.

  On the other hand, when the contrast data has reached a level at which the pupil can be detected, the system control circuit 50 reads out the charge signal from the image sensor 14 and stores it in the internal memory of the pupil detector 31 via the A / D converter 16. Transfer captured image data. Then, the system control circuit 50 stores the pupil position detected from the captured image data by the pupil detection unit 31 in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50 using coordinates or the like (S514). Then, “1” is set to the pupil detection flag FLh (S515), and the process proceeds to S516.

  In S516, the process returns to S517 if focused by the evaluation based on the contrast component data, and returns to S505 if not focused. This operation is repeated until focus is achieved. When focused, the focus control circuit 42 for driving the focus lens in the optical system 10 is stopped via the system control circuit 50 (S517), and the distance measurement routine is terminated and the process returns to S201.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing so-called hill-climbing AF, where the vertical axis shows the value of the contrast component and the horizontal axis shows the distance. If the contrast component between the previous and the latest data has increased, the focus lens is driven in the infinity direction here by repeatedly performing hill-climbing ranging from a predetermined initial position a of the focus lens drive to infinity. Yes. Since the contrast component decreases at the distance d or b before and after the contrast component peak point c, by repeating the operation of reversing the lens driving direction when the contrast component starts decreasing, the contrast component peak is finally obtained. Convergence is performed with a focus level tolerance near the corresponding distance c. In the present embodiment, the pupil detection allowable level is set to a predetermined level at which feature recognition is possible using the contrast data shown in the drawing. This level is measured and determined in advance using various image data. At this time, a value lower than the permissible focus level determined in advance through experiments or the like is determined in advance.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the pupil detection allowable level is a predetermined level that is less focused than the focus level allowable value but has little influence on pupil detection. By providing this pupil detection allowable level, it is possible to detect the pupil position, coordinates, etc. without waiting for the time until focusing, and it is possible to shorten the photographing interval and the time until display after processing.

  The processes in and after S505 are repeated until the subject is in focus, but the pupil detection flag FLh indicating whether or not the pupil detection process has been performed has the contrast data reach the pupil detection allowable level, and the pupil detection (S514) process is performed first. Therefore, in the subsequent process, the process proceeds directly from S511 to S516, and the pupil detection process is not repeated.

  As described above, when it is determined that the distance measurement (AF) is in focus (S516), the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50, and the distance measurement / photometry processing routine S122 is executed. finish.

● (shooting process)
FIG. 6 shows a detailed flowchart of the photographing process in S129 of FIG.
In accordance with the photometric data stored in the internal memory or the memory 52, the system control circuit 50 exposes the image sensor 14 by opening the shutter 12 having the aperture function according to the aperture value by the exposure control unit 40 (S301, S301). S302).

  Based on the flash flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52, it is determined whether or not the flash 48 needs to be emitted (S303). If necessary, the flash 48 is caused to emit light (S304).

  The system control circuit 50 waits for the exposure of the image sensor 14 to end in accordance with the photometric data (S305), closes the shutter 12 (S306), reads the charge signal from the image sensor 14, reads the A / D converter 16, and the image processing circuit 20. Then, the photographed image data is written into the memory 30 via the memory control circuit 22 or directly from the A / D converter 16 via the memory control circuit 22 (S307).

  Next, it is determined whether the pupil detection flag FLh is set (S308). If it is set, the detection is performed by the pupil detection unit 31 and the red-eye correction unit 33 in the above-described AF processing, and the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or A region in the captured image corresponding to the pupil position and coordinate data stored in the memory 52 is compared with an eye image pattern prepared in advance (S309). As a result of this comparison, when the position of the pupil detected in the AF process does not match the eye in the captured image, the captured image data written in the memory 30 is transferred to the internal memory of the pupil detection unit 31 via the memory control circuit 22. Then, the pupil position is detected again (S310). In step S311, red-eye correction is performed. If it is determined in S309 that the position of the pupil detected during the distance measurement process matches the pupil in the captured image, the process skips S310 and proceeds to the red-eye correction process in S311. In the red-eye correction processing in S311, in order to determine that red-eye is strong in the portion corresponding to the position and coordinate data of the pupil detected during distance measurement in the captured image, a parameter change, for example, red-eye is performed. Then, correction processing such as replacement of the portion with black or gray processing or iris color is performed, and the process proceeds to S312.

If it is necessary to perform frame processing according to the set shooting mode (S312), the system control circuit 50 writes the data in the memory 30 using the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20. After the image data is read and the vertical addition process (S313) and the color process (S314) are sequentially performed, the processed image data is written in the memory 30.
The system control circuit 50 reads the image data from the memory 30 and transfers the display image data to the image display memory 24 via the memory control circuit 22 (S315).
When the series of processing is finished, the photographing processing routine S129 is finished.

● (Recording process)
FIG. 7 shows a detailed flowchart of the recording process in S134 of FIG.
The system control circuit 50 reads out the captured image data written in the memory 30 using the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20, and interpolates the aspect ratio of the image sensor 14 to 1: 1. After performing the square processing (S401), the processed image data is written in the memory 30.

Then, after the image data written in the memory 30 is read out and image compression processing according to the set mode is performed by the compression / decompression circuit 32 (S402), the interface 90 or 94 and the connector 92 or 96 are used. Then, the compressed image data is written to the recording medium 200 or 210 such as a memory card (S403).
When the writing to the recording medium is finished, the recording processing routine S134 is ended.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the position of the pupil is detected using the pre-focused image data obtained during the distance measurement process, the position of the pupil is detected after shooting and red-eye correction is performed. The processing time can be shortened as compared with the above, and the time required for shooting interval and quick review display after shooting can be reduced.

● «Second Embodiment»
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of distance measurement processing in a digital camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the configuration of the digital camera according to the present embodiment and the processing other than the distance measurement processing are the same as those described in the first embodiment, redundant description is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the focus lens entire range scan contrast detection method distance measurement processing is performed. First, the flag FLh indicating whether or not the pupil detection process stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 has been performed is reset (S601). Next, the focus control circuit 42 is controlled to move the focus lens to the scan position, and the lens position detector 41 that detects the position of the focusing lens of the photographing optical system 10 detects the movement to the scan start position (S602, S603). . This scan start position is at the infinity end in the distance measurement range.

  In step S <b> 604, the system control circuit 50 acquires the lens position detected by the lens position detection unit 41, reads a charge signal from the image sensor 14, and measures the distance to the image processing circuit 20 via the A / D converter 16. Read image data. Next, in S605, the contrast component and lens position data of the image data of the image processing circuit 20 are extracted, and stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50 as distance measurement evaluation data in S606. In S607, it is determined whether or not natural light photography without using a flash or flash photography. If natural light photography is performed, the process proceeds to S614, and if flash photography is performed, the process proceeds to S608.

  In S608, it is determined whether or not the contrast component is below the pupil detection allowable level. If the contrast component is reduced below the pupil detection allowable level, the flag FLh is reset to “0” (S609), and the process proceeds to S614. On the other hand, if the contrast component exceeds the detection allowable level in S608, the process proceeds to S610. If the pupil detection flag FLh is “1” in the set state in S610, the process proceeds to S614. When the pupil detection flag FLh is “0” in the reset state, the system control circuit 50 reads out the charge signal from the image sensor 14 and reads the captured image data into the image processing circuit 20 via the A / D converter 16. Then, the image processing circuit 20 transfers the image data in which the number of pixels is reduced by thinning out from all the images to the internal memory of the pupil detection unit 31, and proceeds to S612.

  In step S612, the system control circuit 50 stores the pupil position detected from the image data transferred to the internal memory by the pupil detection unit 31 in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50 using coordinates or the like. Then, the pupil detection flag FLh is set to “1” (S613), and the process proceeds to S614.

  In S614, the focus control circuit 42 is controlled to drive the focus lens by a predetermined amount, and the process proceeds to S615. In S615, it is determined whether or not the focus lens has reached the final lens position that is the in-focus area. Here, the final position is the closest position in the distance measurement area. In step S606, the peak of the contrast component is calculated by interpolation from the lens position and contrast component data when the lens is driven by a predetermined amount from the scan start position, which is stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50. Obtain (S616) and go to S617. In S617, the lens is moved to a position corresponding to the peak value of the contrast component. And it returns to the sequence of S201 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining FIG. 10, and shows the distance measurement process of the contrast detection method for the entire focus lens scan.
The vertical axis represents the contrast component value, and the horizontal axis represents the distance corresponding to the lens driving amount. The focus lens is driven from a predetermined initial position a in the direction of infinity of the distance measurement range, and contrast data at a predetermined distance (corresponding to lens movement) is plotted up to the closest distance position. From these data, the system control circuit 50 interpolates the contrast data to perform peak calculation to obtain the peak. As shown in the figure, there are two peaks in the contrast value, and they are competing for perspective, but here they are closer to the distance “c” and “c ′” points corresponding to the contrast component peak points. “C ′” is the focal point.

  The lens starts to be driven from the initial position a, and the pupil detection process is performed at a distance “e” for which the contrast value exceeds the pupil detection allowable level for the first time, and data such as the coordinates of the detected pupil is stored. Then, the FLh flag is reset at the distance “f” that is lower than the contrast value pupil detection allowable level. Next, the coordinate data is updated at a distance “g” exceeding the pupil detection allowable level. Thereafter, FLh is set to “1”, and pupil detection is not performed unless the contrast value again falls below the pupil detection allowable level. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment as well, the pupil detection allowable level is lower than the focus level allowable value near the contrast component peak points “c” and “c ′”, but the pupil is the same as in the first embodiment. The predetermined level has a small influence on detection.

  By providing this pupil detection tolerance level, the focus level is worse than the focus level tolerance, but it starts at a level that has little effect on pupil detection, so it is possible to detect the pupil position, coordinates, etc. without waiting for the lens drive time. Thus, the shooting interval can be shortened.

  Also in this embodiment, the time required for the shooting interval and quick review display after shooting can be shortened as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, even if distance conflict occurs in the whole-range scanning contrast detection distance measurement method, the accuracy of pupil detection can be improved by recalculating pupil detection data.

● «Third Embodiment»
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of distance measurement processing in a digital camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the configuration of the digital camera according to the present embodiment and the processing other than the distance measurement processing are the same as those described in the first embodiment, redundant description is omitted. In the present embodiment, a distance measurement method for detecting a phase difference is used for distance measurement processing.

  Specifically, first, it is assumed that the phase difference ranging unit is included in the focus control unit 42 of FIG. 1, and the subject image that is a focus detection target of the phase difference ranging unit is accumulated by the focus control unit 42 device. (S701), the stored image is read (S702). Next, a correlation operation is performed on the paired two-image data. Specifically, a shift value that maximizes the correlation between the two images is obtained while relatively shifting the two images pixel by pixel (S703). Then, phase difference correction is performed (S704), and the corrected phase difference obtained there is converted into a defocus amount (focus shift amount) def on the film surface (S705), and the value is a width that allows pupil detection (focusing). However, it is determined whether or not it is within a pupil detection allowable width that can be regarded as a detectable width of the pupil (S706). If def is larger than the pupil detection tolerance, the process proceeds to S712, and if it is within the pupil detection tolerance, the process proceeds to S707.

  In S707, if the natural light photography does not use the flash, the process proceeds to S712, and if the flash photography, the process proceeds to S708. In S708, the state of setting (1) / reset (0) of the flag FLh indicating whether or not pupil detection processing has been performed is confirmed. If the reset state is “0”, the flow proceeds to S709, and if the set state is “1”. Proceed to S712. In step S <b> 709, the system control circuit 50 reads out the charge signal from the image sensor 14 and transfers the captured image data to the internal memory of the pupil detection unit 31 via the A / D converter 16. After that, the system control circuit 50 stores the pupil position detected from the captured image data existing in the internal memory by the pupil detection unit 31 in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 as coordinate data (S710). Then, “1” is set to the pupil detection flag FLh (S711), and the process proceeds to S712.

  In S712, it is checked whether or not the value of def is within the focus width (allowable amount that can be regarded as being in focus. The focus width A here is the focus width). If it is not within the focus width A (that is, if it is determined that the focus is not in focus), the lens is driven by the defocus amount (S713), and the process returns to the initial state to repeat the focus. If it is within the range, the distance measurement process is terminated and the process returns to the sequence of S201 in FIG.

  If the process in FIG. 11 is supplemented using FIG. 12, FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) show a pair of subject images, A image and B image, which have been subjected to correlation calculation. FIG. 12A shows a state where the blur is large (the value of def is large), and the phase correction amount is large. To perform this correction, the system control circuit 50 uses the focus unit 42 to focus the focus lens in the optical system 10. Drive. FIG. 12B shows an A image and a B image when the correction performed in the state of FIG. 12A is still insufficient.

In FIG. 12B, the focus width is shown as A and the pupil detection allowable width is shown as B. Accordingly, since the focus width A is not included in this figure, the system control circuit 50 drives the focus lens in the optical system 10 by the phase difference correction amount shown in FIG. However, since the phase difference correction amount (= def) in FIG. 12B is within the pupil detection allowable width B, the system control circuit 50 has the flash flag set (performs flash photography) and the pupil. If the detection flag FLh is in the reset “0” state, the charge signal is read from the image sensor 14 prior to driving the lens, and the captured image data is transferred to the internal memory of the pupil detector 31 via the A / D converter 16. Then, the system control circuit 50 stores the pupil position detected from the image data existing in the internal memory by the pupil detection unit 31 using coordinate data or the like, and sets the pupil detection flag FLh to 1.
When the focus lens is driven and the phase difference correction amount (= def) enters the in-focus width A, the distance measuring process ends.

  Also in this embodiment, the time required for the shooting interval and quick review display after shooting can be reduced as in the above-described embodiment.

● «Other Embodiments»
In the above-described embodiment, the pupil detection is automatically performed using the pupil detection flag FLh during flash photography, and the red-eye correction process is performed on the photographed image data. However, it is possible to set whether or not red-eye correction is performed at the time of flash shooting by setting the operation unit 70, and the red-eye correction processing is performed only when the setting for red-eye correction is performed at the time of flash shooting. It is also possible to configure.

  In the second embodiment, an example in which the contrast value decreases below the pupil detection allowable level due to perspective conflict is shown. However, the cause of the decrease in the contrast value is not limited to perspective conflict. Even if it drops due to the influence, it can be dealt with in the same way.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, only the imaging apparatus configured by one device has been described, but an equivalent function may be realized by a system configured by a plurality of devices.

  A software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied directly from a recording medium or to a system or apparatus having a computer that can execute the program using wired / wireless communication. The present invention includes a case where an equivalent function is achieved by a computer executing the supplied program.

  Accordingly, the program code itself supplied and installed in the computer in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention.

  In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD- There are optical / magneto-optical storage media such as RW, and non-volatile semiconductor memory.

  As a program supply method using wired / wireless communication, a computer program forming the present invention on a server on a computer network, or a computer forming the present invention on a client computer such as a compressed file including an automatic installation function A method of storing a data file (program data file) that can be a program and downloading the program data file to a connected client computer can be used. In this case, the program data file can be divided into a plurality of segment files, and the segment files can be arranged on different servers.

  That is, the present invention includes a server device that allows a plurality of users to download a program data file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to the user, and key information for decrypting the encryption for the user who satisfies a predetermined condition is obtained via, for example, a homepage It is also possible to realize the program by downloading it from the computer and executing the encrypted program using the key information and installing it on the computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU of the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. , It is a flowchart which shows the main routine of the digital camera of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the photometry process of the digital camera of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the ranging process of the digital camera of FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a photographing process of the digital camera of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the recording process of the digital camera of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the ranging process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the ranging process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the ranging process of the digital camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the ranging process of the digital camera which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the ranging process in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Shooting lens 12: Shutter 14: Image pick-up element 16: A / D converter 18: Timing generation circuit 20: Image processing circuit 22: Memory control circuit 24: Image display memory 26: D / A converter 28: Image display part 30: Memory 31: Pupil detection unit 32: Image compression / decompression circuit 33: Red eye correction unit 40: Exposure control unit 41: Lens position detection unit 42: Distance control unit 44: Zoom control unit 46: Barrier control unit 48: Flash 50: System control circuit 52: Memory 54: Display unit 56: Non-volatile memory 60: Mode dial switch 62: Shutter switch SW1
64: Shutter switch SW2
66: Image display ON / OFF switch 68: Quick review ON / OFF switch 70: Operation unit 80: Power supply control unit 82, 84, 92, 96, 206, 216: Connector 86: Power supply unit 90, 94, 204, 214: Interface 98: Recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit 100: Imaging device 102: Protection unit 104: Optical finder 110: Communication unit 112: Connector (or antenna)
200, 210: Recording medium 202, 212: Recording unit

Claims (14)

With flash,
Photographic optics,
An image sensor;
Ranging means for performing a ranging process by driving the photographing optical system;
Pupil detection means for detecting the subject's pupil included in the image data obtained from the imaging device;
The imaging apparatus, wherein the pupil detection unit detects the pupil of the subject from image data obtained from the imaging element before focusing, during distance measurement by the distance measurement unit. The distance measuring unit drives the photographing optical system based on a change in information indicating a degree of focusing of the photographing optical system,
The pupil detection unit detects the pupil of the subject when the information indicating the degree of focus reaches a predetermined pupil detection level that does not reach the in-focus state. Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1.   If the information indicating the degree of focus reaches the predetermined pupil detectable level and then falls below the predetermined pupil detectable level, the pupil detection unit next moves the predetermined pupil. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pupil of the subject is detected again when reaching a detectable level.   4. The pupil detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the pupil detection unit detects the pupil of the subject based on image data obtained by thinning out image data obtained from the image sensor. 5. Imaging device.   After the pupil of the subject is detected by the pupil detection means, an area corresponding to the pupil of the subject detected by the pupil detection means of the image data photographed using a flash is analyzed, and red-eye correction is performed based on the analysis result. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising red-eye correction means for performing the operation. Furthermore, it has a determination means for determining whether or not an area corresponding to the pupil of the subject detected by the pupil detection means of the image data photographed using the flash is actually a pupil image,
When the determination means determines that the area corresponding to the pupil of the subject detected by the pupil detection means of the image data photographed using the flash is not actually a pupil image, the red-eye correction means 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pupil detection unit uses a result of detecting a pupil of a subject from image data captured using the flash.   The information representing the degree of focusing is a contrast value of image data obtained from the image sensor or a defocus amount obtained based on image data obtained from the image sensor. The imaging device according to any one of 6. With flash,
Photographic optics,
A method for controlling an imaging apparatus having an imaging element,
A ranging step for performing a ranging process by driving the imaging optical system;
A pupil detection step for detecting the pupil of the subject included in the image data obtained from the image sensor;
The method for controlling an imaging apparatus, wherein the pupil detection step detects the pupil of the subject from image data obtained from the imaging element before focusing during the distance measurement processing in the distance measurement step. The distance measuring step drives the photographing optical system based on a change in information indicating the degree of focusing of the photographing optical system,
The pupil detection step detects the pupil of the subject when the information indicating the degree of focus reaches a predetermined pupil detection level that does not reach the in-focus state. Item 9. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to Item 8.   If the pupil detection step is less than the predetermined pupil detectable level after the information indicating the degree of focusing has reached the predetermined pupil detectable level, then the predetermined pupil The method of controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pupil of the subject is detected again when reaching a detectable level.   The said pupil detection step detects the pupil of the said subject based on the image data obtained by thinning out the image data obtained from the said image pick-up element. Method for controlling the imaging apparatus.   After the pupil of the subject is detected by the pupil detection step, an area corresponding to the pupil of the subject detected in the pupil detection step of the image data captured using a flash is analyzed, and red-eye correction is performed based on the analysis result. The method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a red-eye correction step to be performed. And a determination step for determining whether or not an area corresponding to the pupil of the subject detected in the pupil detection step of the image data captured using the flash is actually a pupil image,
If the determination step determines that the region corresponding to the subject pupil detected in the pupil detection step of the image data captured using the flash is not actually a pupil image, the red-eye correction step includes 13. The method of controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the pupil detection step uses a result of detecting a pupil of a subject from image data captured using the flash.   9. The information indicating the degree of focusing is a contrast value of image data obtained from the image sensor or a defocus amount obtained based on image data obtained from the image sensor. 14. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to any one of items 13.

Images