JP2007049408A - Photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing device which enables a user to carry out an photographing operation without losing a shutter opportunity, and to acquire desired photographed images easily. <P>SOLUTION: The photographing device is equipped with an image sensing unit which continuously photographs objects to acquire object images; a trigger generating unit which generates a time trigger that indicates a point of time when the trigger generating unit is actuated in a photographing operation carried out by the image sensing unit; and a display unit which is equipped with a display screen, and displays the object images acquired by the image sensing unit on the display screen, so as to position the object image photographed the nearest to a point of time represented by the time trigger, the nearest of all the object images to the center of the display screen in order of photographing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus that photographs a subject.

  In recent years, in addition to the rapid progress of miniaturization of digital cameras, it has been widely used to mount shooting functions on small devices such as mobile phones that are always carried around. It has become possible to carry. Digital cameras and small devices are equipped with digital cameras that capture digital images, so you can immediately check the images on a liquid crystal display, etc., or print out unnecessary images. Can be deleted before. Furthermore, by recording a plurality of photographed images together on a recording medium or the like, the photographed images can be stored with high image quality without being bulky during storage.

  As described above, it has become a daily routine to photograph a subject because the photographing apparatus has become familiar, and only necessary photographed images can be stored in a compact manner. . In such a situation, for example, there is a strong demand for taking a picture without missing a momentary shutter chance such as a moment when a ball hits a bat or a moment when a bird flies.

A continuous shooting mode that captures multiple frames continuously when the release button is pressed is widely known as a technique for shooting without missing a photo opportunity, but there is also a preview mode for trial shooting. The captured images obtained while the image is being displayed are displayed one by one on the display, and the selected image is recorded on a recording medium (see Patent Document 1), or a moving image is captured, A technique for cutting out one frame as a still image has been proposed (see Patent Document 2). According to these technologies, not only the moment when the release button is pressed, but also the best shot image can be selected from the shot images shot within a predetermined time, reducing the problem of missing a photo opportunity. it can.
JP-A-11-88761 JP 2004-80614 A

  However, when applying continuous shooting mode, preview mode, movie mode, etc., continuous shooting starts long before the shutter chance comes, and after shooting, you can check many shots one by one and select the desired shot image There is a problem that it takes a lot of time and effort. In normal shooting, it is common for the photographer to press the release button at the timing of the photo opportunity, but when using the movie mode, etc., press the release button long before the photo opportunity. In addition, since the timing of operating the release button is different from the timing of the photo opportunity, such as when the release button is released after the photo opportunity has passed, the operator feels uncomfortable with the operation.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that can capture a photo opportunity without missing a photo opportunity and easily obtain a desired captured image.

An imaging device of the present invention that achieves the above object includes an imaging unit that continuously captures a subject and acquires a plurality of subject images;
A trigger generation unit that receives an operation during shooting by the imaging unit and issues a time trigger indicating the time when the operation was received;
A display screen having a plurality of subject images acquired by the imaging unit on the display screen, and a subject image captured at a time closest to the time indicated by the time trigger is the most of the plurality of subject images on the display screen. And a display unit arranged and displayed in order of photographing so as to be closer to the center.

  The subject image taken at the time when the user performs the release operation in anticipation of the photo opportunity is supposed to be the subject image of the photo opportunity desired by the user, but the release operation is slightly shifted from the timing of the photo opportunity. In fact, in many cases, a photo opportunity comes before and after the release operation. According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, a subject image is continuously photographed in advance, and when a time trigger is generated by a user's release operation or the like, the center taken at the time closest to the time indicated by the time trigger is displayed. A plurality of photographed images are displayed in order of photographing so that a typical subject image is closest to the center of the display screen. The user only needs to perform the release operation at the timing of the photo opportunity in the same way as normal shooting. Since the images are continuously photographed, even when the release operation is slightly deviated from the timing of the photo opportunity, it is possible to obtain a subject image of the photo opportunity. Also, the user can easily select a subject image with a photo opportunity by focusing on the central subject image displayed near the center of the display screen and the captured image displayed in the vicinity thereof. it can.

In the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the trigger generation unit includes a switch operated in two stages, and receives a first-stage operation of the switch to instruct a start of continuous photographing of the subject. , And trigger the time trigger in response to the second operation of the switch.
It is preferable that the imaging unit is configured to start continuous shooting of a subject in response to an input of a shooting trigger.

  Conventionally, a release button that is pressed in two stages has been provided. When the release button is pressed in the first stage, AF processing is performed to focus on the subject, and when the release button is pressed in the second stage, a still image is displayed. Digital cameras that start shooting are widely used. Therefore, in response to the first step of the switch, a shooting trigger is generated. In response to the input of the shooting trigger, the subject image is continuously shot. In response to the second step of the switch, the time trigger is generated. A switch for a digital camera that has been used in the past by displaying a plurality of subject images in order of acquisition so that the subject image taken at the time closest to the time indicated by the time trigger is closest to the center of the display screen The mechanism can be diverted as it is.

In addition, the photographing apparatus of the present invention includes a display number designation unit that designates the number of subject images displayed on the display unit according to an operation,
It is preferable that the display unit displays the number of subject images designated by the display number designation unit among the subject images acquired by the imaging unit.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display number of subject images can be changed according to the photographer's preference.

In addition, the photographing apparatus of the present invention includes a display number designating unit that designates an odd number corresponding to an operation as the number of subject images displayed on the display unit.
It is preferable that the display unit displays the number of subject images designated by the display number designation unit among the subject images acquired by the imaging unit.

  By designating an odd number of subject images, the subject image taken at the time closest to the time indicated by the time trigger is displayed in an easily viewable manner at the center of the plurality of subject images.

Further, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, it comprises a determination unit for determining whether or not a defect has occurred in the eye part of the subject image acquired by the imaging unit,
When the display unit displays a plurality of subject images, among the subject images determined by the determination unit to be non-defective, a subject image captured at a time closest to the time indicated by the time trigger is a plurality of subjects. It is preferable that the image is displayed so as to be closest to the center on the display screen.

Further, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the image capturing apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the eye part of the subject image acquired by the imaging unit is closed.
When the display unit displays a plurality of subject images, among the subject images determined by the determination unit that no eye-compression has occurred, a plurality of subject images captured at the time closest to the time indicated by the time trigger are displayed. It is also preferable to display the subject image so as to be closest to the center on the display screen.

Further, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, a determination unit that determines whether or not the subject image acquired by the imaging unit is in focus,
When the display unit displays a plurality of subject images, among the subject images determined to be in focus by the determination unit, a subject image captured at a time closest to the time indicated by the time trigger is a plurality of subjects. It is also preferable that the image is displayed so as to be closest to the center on the display screen.

Further, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the image capturing apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether camera shake occurs in the subject image acquired by the imaging unit,
When the display unit displays a plurality of subject images, among the subject images determined by the determination unit that no camera shake has occurred, a plurality of subject images captured at a time closest to the time indicated by the time trigger are displayed. It is also preferable to display the subject image so as to be closest to the center on the display screen.

  Even if the moment when the user thinks that “the moment is a shutter opportunity” matches the timing when the release operation is performed, for example, the subject meditates due to the flash emitted by the release operation, and the subject image The subject may escape due to sounds generated during the release operation, or the subject may be out of focus, the hand holding the camera may move during the release operation, and camera shake may occur in the subject image. There are cases where various problems such as end-of-life occur. In such a case, since the above-mentioned problems have occurred in the subject image taken immediately before the photo opportunity, the subject image closest to the photo opportunity is excluded from the subject images in which these problems have occurred. By displaying the image closest to the center on the display screen, a captured image intended by the user can be reliably obtained.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device that can capture a photo opportunity without missing a photo opportunity and easily obtain a desired captured image.

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

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera 100, which is an embodiment of a photographing apparatus of the present invention, as seen from diagonally above the front.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing lens 101, an optical finder objective window 102, and an auxiliary light emitting unit 103 are provided on the front surface of the digital camera 100. Furthermore, a slide-type power switch 104 and a release switch 105 that is pressed in two stages are provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 100.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera 100.

  On the rear surface of the digital camera 100, a finder objective window 102 shown in FIG. 1, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 140 on which a photographed image, a menu screen, and the like are displayed, items on the menu screen displayed on the LCD 140, and the like are selected. A cross key 108 for setting, an execution switch 106 for determining setting contents, and a cancel switch 107 for canceling setting contents are provided. Here, in the present embodiment, as a shooting mode, a “normal shooting mode” in which shooting is performed in synchronization with the pressing of the power switch 104, a subject is shot continuously in advance, and a desired shot image is later displayed. A “best shot mode” to be selected is prepared, and one of them is selected using the cross key 108. These shooting modes will be described in detail later.

  Further, the side surface of the digital camera 100 is provided with a USB connector for connecting to an external device such as a personal computer, a media loading port into which a recording medium is loaded, and the like. These are the essence of the present invention. Is not shown in FIG.

  Next, the internal configuration of the digital camera 100 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the digital camera 100.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the digital camera 100 includes a photographing optical system 110 and a signal processing unit 120. In addition to these, the digital camera 100 includes an LCD 140 for displaying captured images, a power switch 104, a release switch 10 a, an execution switch 106, a stop switch 107, and a cross key that cause the digital camera 100 to perform various processes. 108 and the like, and a recording medium 200 for recording a photographed image signal is connected.

  First, the configuration of the photographing optical system 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the digital camera 100, subject light enters from the left side of FIG. 3, passes through a photographing lens 101 composed of a zoom lens, a focus lens, and the like, and then passes through a diaphragm 113 that adjusts the amount of subject light. If it is open, it forms an image on the CCD 111 arranged in the subsequent stage. Originally, a plurality of lenses are provided in the photographing optical system, and at least one of the plurality of lenses is largely involved in the focus adjustment, and the relative position of each lens is involved in the focal length. A lens related to a change in focal length is referred to as a zoom lens, and a lens related to focus adjustment is referred to as a focus lens.

  The photographing lens 101, the diaphragm 113, and the shutter 112 are driven and moved by the lens driving unit 101a, the diaphragm driving unit 113a, and the shutter driving unit 112a, respectively. Instructions for operating the lens driving unit 101a, the aperture driving unit 113a, and the shutter driving unit 112a are transmitted from the system controller 123 in the signal processing unit 120 through the motor driver 120c.

  The zoom lens and the focus lens included in the photographing lens 101 are moved in the direction along the optical axis by the lens driving unit 101a. When the zoom lens is moved to a position corresponding to a signal from the system controller 123, the focal length is changed and the photographing magnification is determined. The focus lens is a lens for realizing a TTLAF (Through The Lens Auto Focus) function. With the TTLAF function, the contrast of the image signal obtained by the CCD 111 is determined by the AF / AE calculation unit 124 of the signal processing unit 120 while moving the focus lens in the direction along the optical axis, and the peak of the contrast is obtained. The focus lens is adjusted to the focus position with the lens position to be focused as the focus position. By this TTLAF function, it is possible to automatically focus on an object with a peak contrast and perform shooting.

  The aperture 113 adjusts the amount of subject light received by the CCD 112 by changing the aperture diameter.

  The subject light that has passed through the photographing lens 101, the diaphragm 113, and the shutter 112 is imaged on the CCD 111, and the CCD 111 generates an image signal representing the subject image. The CCD 111 corresponds to an example of an imaging unit according to the present invention.

  The imaging optical system 110 is configured as described above.

  Next, the configuration of the signal processing unit 120 will be described.

  The subject image formed on the CCD 111 is read as an image signal to the analog processing (A / D) unit 120a, and the analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the analog processing (A / D) unit 120a. 120b. A system controller 123 is provided in the digital signal processing unit 120b, and processes executed by various elements shown in FIG. 3 are controlled by instructions from the system controller 123. Data transfer between the image signal processing unit 121, the system controller 123, the AF / AE calculation unit 124, the image display control unit 126, the media controller 127, the image compression unit 128, the key controller 129, and the buffer memory 122 is a bus 1200. The internal memory 125 serves as a buffer when data is transferred via the bus 1200. Data serving as variables is written to the internal memory 125 as needed according to the progress of the processing process of each unit, and the image signal processing unit 121, system controller 123, AF / AE calculation unit 124, image display control unit 126, media controller 127, the image compression unit 128, and the key controller 129 perform appropriate processing by referring to the data. That is, an instruction from the system controller 123 is transmitted to each unit described above via the bus 1200, and a processing process of each unit is started. Then, the data in the internal memory 125 is rewritten according to the progress of the process, and is further referred to on the system controller 123 side to manage the operation of each unit described above. That is, when the power switch 104, the release switch 105, the cross key 108, or the like is operated, information that the operation is performed is transmitted to the system controller 123 via the key controller 129, and the program procedure in the system controller 123 is performed. Therefore, the process of each part is started and the process according to operation is performed.

  First, when the power switch 104 is turned on by the user, the fact that the power switch 104 is turned on is notified to the system controller 123 via the key controller 129. The system controller 123 instructs the analog processing (A / D) unit 120a to acquire a through image, and the analog processing (A / D) unit 120a roughly reads out the image signal generated by the CCD 111 at predetermined timings. The image signal is converted into digital through image data. The generated through image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 122, read by the image display control unit 126, and the through image is displayed on the LCD 140.

  When the user selects the “normal shooting mode” using the cross key 108 and depresses the first switch 1051 of the release switch 105, the first stage switch 1051 executes the AF function to change the shooting field angle. A focus lock trigger is generated to focus on the center region and maintain the position of the focus lens in the photographing lens 101 until the main exposure, and the focus lock trigger is transmitted to the system controller 123 via the key controller 129. The AF / AE calculation unit 124 calculates subject contrast and subject brightness based on the through image data in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 123. Further, the system controller 129 determines the aperture value of the aperture 113 and the shutter speed of the shutter 112 based on the calculated subject luminance, and the lens position of the focus lens in the photographing lens 101 based on the calculated subject contrast. To decide. The determined lens position is transmitted to the lens driving unit 101a, and the focus lens is driven to perform focus adjustment.

  Subsequently, when the user turns on the second-stage switch 1052 of the release switch 105, the second-stage switch 1052 generates a captured image trigger for starting acquisition of a captured image, and the system controller 123 performs analog processing (A / D) The unit 120a is instructed to acquire a captured image. In the analog processing (A / D) unit 120a, the image signal generated by the CCD 111 is read out finely, and high-resolution captured image data is generated. The captured image data is converted from RGB signals to YC signals by the image signal processing unit 121, and further subjected to JPEG compression by the image compression unit 128, so that the captured image data becomes an image file and is recorded via the media controller 127. 200.

  When the “best shot mode” is selected as the shooting mode, when the user turns on the first switch 1051 of the release switch 105, the first switch 1051 uses the focus lock trigger described above. A continuous image trigger for continuously photographing the subject is issued. First, as in the “normal shooting mode”, the contrast and brightness of the subject are calculated based on the through image data, and the lens position of the focus lens in the shooting lens 101 is adjusted. Subsequently, in the analog processing (A / D) unit 120a, the image signal generated by the CCD 111 is finely read at predetermined timings, and the image signal is converted into digital photographed image data. The generated captured image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 122 in the same manner as the through image data.

  When the second switch 1052 of the release switch 105 is turned on and a captured image trigger is issued, the system controller 123 instructs the analog processing (A / D) unit 120a to acquire captured image data for a predetermined number of frames. To do. The analog processing (A / D) unit 120a further generates captured image data for a predetermined number of frames from the time when the captured image trigger is issued. These captured image data are also stored in the buffer memory 122 in the same manner as the captured image data acquired before the captured image trigger is issued. The plurality of photographed image data stored in the buffer memory 122 is read out to the system controller 123, and the photographed image data (hereinafter referred to as “photographed image data”) acquired at the time closest to the time when the photographed image trigger is issued among the plurality of photographed image data. Then, this photographed image data is referred to as central image data). The plurality of photographed image data is transmitted to the image display control unit 126, and the plurality of photographed images represented by the plurality of photographed image data are arranged in the order of acquisition so that the center image represented by the center image data is arranged at the center of the LCD 140. They are displayed side by side. When the user selects a desired photographed image from a plurality of photographed images displayed on the LCD 140 using the cross key 108 or the like, photographed image data representing the selected photographed image is transmitted to the image signal processing unit 121. . The captured image data is subjected to image processing in the image signal processing unit 121, and further subjected to JPEG compression in the image compression unit 128, and the captured captured image data is recorded on the recording medium 200. The continuous image trigger corresponds to an example of a shooting trigger according to the present invention, the captured image trigger corresponds to an example of a time trigger according to the present invention, and the release switch 105 corresponds to an example of a trigger generation unit according to the present invention. The LCD 140 is an example of the display screen according to the present invention, and the combination of the system controller 123 and the image display control unit 126 corresponds to an example of the display unit according to the present invention.

  The digital camera 100 is basically configured as described above.

  Here, even if the user expects a photo opportunity and presses the release switch 105, the release operation often deviates slightly from the timing of the photo opportunity. In the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, when “best shot mode” is selected as the shooting mode, a plurality of shot images are continuously acquired, and the user selects a desired shot image from the plurality of shot images. By doing so, it is possible to acquire a photographed image photographed at the timing of the photo opportunity. Hereinafter, the “best shot mode” will be described in detail.

  When the user turns on the power switch 104 shown in FIG. 1, a shooting mode setting screen prepared in advance is displayed on the LCD 140 shown in FIG. Further, when the user selects “best shot mode” using the cross key 108, the image display control unit 126 displays a display frame number setting screen for setting the number of captured images to be displayed on the LCD 140. .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display frame number setting screen.

  The display frame number setting screen 150 is provided with number specification buttons 151, 152, 153, and 154 for specifying the number of display frames of a captured image, and a determination button 155 for determining the specified number as the number of display frames. ing. The user can set an odd number of display frames by selecting one of the number specification buttons 151, 152, 153, and 154 using the cross key 108. The cross key 108 corresponds to an example of a display number designation unit according to the present invention. In this example, it is assumed that “3” is designated as the number of display frames. The set display frame number is transmitted to the system controller 123 via the key controller 129.

  With the above procedure, “best shot mode (number of display frames: 3)” is set as the shooting mode. When the “best shot mode” is set, shooting is performed according to the user's release operation.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a sequence of photographing processes in the “best shot mode”.

  First, when the user turns on the first-stage switch 1051 of the release switch 105 (step S11 in FIG. 5: Yes), the first-stage switch 1051 generates a focus lock trigger and a continuous image trigger. The focus lock trigger and the continuous image trigger are transmitted to the system controller 123 via the key controller 129, and an instruction to calculate the contrast and luminance of the subject is given to the AF / AE calculation unit 124, and an analog processing (A / D) unit An instruction to acquire photographed image data is given to 120a.

  When the AF process and the AE process are executed and the position of the focus lens in the photographing lens 101 is adjusted, the analog processing (A / D) unit 120a finely processes the image signal generated by the CCD 111 at every predetermined timing. Scanned image data is generated by reading (step S12 in FIG. 5). The generated captured image data is stored in the buffer memory 122. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when the number of display frames “3” is selected, photographed image data for up to six frames can be stored in the buffer memory 122, and new photographed images can be stored. When the data is generated, the old captured image data is overwritten in order, and the buffer memory 122 is used cyclically.

  When the user turns on the second-stage switch 1052 of the release switch 105 (step S13 in FIG. 5: Yes), a captured image trigger is generated by the second-stage switch 1052. The captured image trigger is also transmitted to the system controller 123 via the key controller 129, and an instruction to acquire a predetermined number of captured image data is given from the system controller 123 to the analog processing (A / D) unit 120a. In the present embodiment, a number obtained by subtracting 2 from the number of display frames selected using the display frame number setting screen 150 shown in FIG. 4 (display frame number-2: where 1 is displayed when the number of display frames is 1). ) Is further acquired. In the example of FIG. 4, since “best shot mode (number of display frames: 3)” is set, the system controller 123 gives an instruction to acquire one more captured image data to the analog processing (A / D) unit 120a. It is done.

  The analog processing (A / D) unit 120a reads the image signal generated by the CCD 111, and further generates captured image data for one frame (step S14 in FIG. 5). The generated captured image data is stored in the buffer memory 122 in the same manner as the captured image data generated before the captured image trigger is issued.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image represented by acquired captured image data.

  Part (A) of FIG. 6 shows a conceptual diagram of a captured image stored in the buffer memory 122.

  In the buffer memory 122, as shown in part (A) of FIG. 6, a plurality of photographed images 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, and 306 are stored in the order of acquisition. In this example, the four captured images 301, 302, 303, and 304 are sequentially acquired after the continuous image trigger is generated, and the captured image trigger is generated at a time point ts in the middle of acquiring the fifth captured image 305. Furthermore, a captured image 306 for one frame is acquired.

  The system controller 123 captures an image captured at a time closest to the time ts at which the captured image trigger is generated among the plurality of captured images 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, and 306 shown in part (A) of FIG. An image 305 is acquired (step S15 in FIG. 5). In this example, the fifth captured image 305 acquired at the time t5 closest to the time ts when the captured image trigger is issued is determined as the central image.

  Further, the system controller 123 sets the number of frames to be displayed in FIG. 4 around the determined center image 305 among the plurality of captured images 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, and 306 shown in part (A) of FIG. Captured images having the number of display frames selected using the setting screen 150 are acquired (step S16 in FIG. 5). In this example, since the number of display frames is “3”, the center image 305 and the captured images 304 and 306 before and after the center image 305 are acquired. The acquired three captured images 304, 305, and 306 are transmitted to the image display control unit 126.

  The image display control unit 126 displays the transmitted three captured images 304, 305, and 306 on the LCD 140 (step S17 in FIG. 5).

  Part (B) in FIG. 6 shows captured images 304, 305, and 306 displayed on the LCD 140. On the LCD 140, three photographed images 304, 305, and 306 are displayed side by side so that the center image 305 is arranged at the center. Further, the LCD 140 records a pointer 143 for selecting one of the three captured images 304, 305, and 306, an enlarge button 141 for enlarging the selected captured image, and the selected captured image. A recording button 142, a next image button 144a for displaying a photographed image taken after the photographed images 304, 305, 306, and a photographed image photographed before the photographed images 304, 305, 306 are displayed. A previous image button 144b is also shown. The pointer 143 is moved when the user operates the cross key 108 shown in FIG. 2, and the specified content is confirmed by operating the OK button 106.

  When the user selects a desired photographed image among the three photographed images 304, 305, and 306 using the pointer 143 and presses the record button 142 (step S18 in FIG. 5: Yes), the selected photographed image is displayed. The captured image data to be represented is transmitted to the image processing unit 121. The selected photographed image data is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 121, and further subjected to compression processing by the image compression unit 128, and then recorded on the recording medium 200 via the media controller 127 (FIG. 5). Step S19).

  If there is no desired photographed image among the three photographed images 304, 305, and 306 displayed, if the previous image button 144b is pushed using the pointer 143, the photographed images 304, 305, and 306 are displayed. The previously captured images 301, 302, and 303 are displayed in order from the new captured image. In this example, since the captured image 306 displayed on the right is the newest captured image, when the next image button 144a is pressed, the captured images 304, 305, and 306 are displayed as they are.

  In FIG. 6, the photographed image 305 photographed at the time t5 closest to the time ts when the photographed image trigger is issued should be the image desired by the user. In many cases, the timing is shifted between the moment when the user feels “is” and the time when the release operation is performed. However, in the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, the captured image data is continuously acquired before and after the captured image trigger is issued, and the problem of missing a photo opportunity is reduced. In addition, since a plurality of photographed images are displayed side by side so that the center image 305 is arranged at the center, the user focuses on the photographed image displayed near the center of the LCD 140 to thereby obtain a desired photograph. Images can be easily selected.

  Above, description of 1st Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished and 2nd Embodiment of this invention is described. The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in the method of selecting a captured image displayed on the LCD 140, but has the same configuration in terms of configuration, so FIG. 3 is described for the second embodiment. However, only the differences will be explained.

  Also in the present embodiment, in a state where the “best shot mode” is set as the operation mode, acquisition of captured image data is started when a continuous image trigger is issued, and a predetermined number (when a captured image trigger is generated) In this embodiment, one) of captured image data is acquired.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image represented by acquired captured image data.

  Part (A) of FIG. 7 shows a conceptual diagram of a captured image stored in the buffer memory 122. In the present embodiment, captured images 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, and 316 obtained by capturing a person's subject are acquired, but the auxiliary light emission shown in FIG. 1 is performed at the time ts when the captured image trigger is issued. A flash is emitted from the unit 103, and the subject meditates due to the flash, and eye meditation has occurred in the captured images 315 and 316 captured after the time ts when the captured image trigger is generated.

  The captured images 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, and 316 stored in the buffer memory 122 are transmitted to the system controller 123 as in the first embodiment.

  The system controller 123 first determines whether or not eye meditation has occurred in the captured images 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316. In this example, the four photographed images 311, 312, 313, and 314 photographed before the time ts when the photographed image trigger is issued are not closed, and the time ts when the photographed image trigger is issued. Eye meditation has occurred in the two captured images 315 and 316 captured thereafter. Furthermore, in the system controller 123, the four captured images 311, 312, 313, and 314 that have not been closed are taken as the central image from the captured image captured at the time closest to the time ts when the captured image trigger is issued. decide. In this example, the fourth captured image 314 captured at time t4 is determined as the central image 314. The system controller 123 corresponds to an example of a determination unit according to the present invention.

  When the center image 314 is determined, as in the first embodiment, the center image 314 and the captured images 313 and 315 before and after the center image 314 are determined as display images, and these display images are image display control units. 126. The image display control unit 126 arranges the transmitted three captured images 313, 314, and 315 in order of acquisition and displays them on the LCD 140.

  In part (B) of FIG. 7, captured images 313, 314, and 315 displayed on the LCD 140 are shown. On the LCD 140, there is no eye meditation, and a photographed image 314 photographed at a time t4 close to the time ts when the photographed image trigger is issued is displayed in the center. Easy to choose.

  Above, description of 2nd Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished and 3rd Embodiment of this invention is described. The third embodiment of the present invention is also different from the first embodiment in the method of selecting a captured image displayed on the LCD 140, but has the same configuration in terms of configuration, so FIG. 3 is described for the third embodiment. However, only the differences will be explained.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image represented by the captured image data acquired in the present embodiment.

  Part (A) of FIG. 8 shows a conceptual diagram of the captured images 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, and 326 stored in the buffer memory 122. When the digital camera 100 is pointed at the subject and the release switch 105 is pressed, the hand holding the digital camera 100 often moves. In part (A) of FIG. 8, camera shake has occurred in the fifth captured image 325 that was being acquired at the time ts when the captured image trigger was issued.

  The captured images 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, and 326 stored in the buffer memory 122 are transmitted to the system controller 123 as in the first embodiment.

  The system controller 123 first determines whether or not camera shake has occurred in the captured images 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, and 326, and among the captured images in which there is no camera shake, a captured image trigger is set. A photographed image photographed at the time closest to the time ts at which it was emitted is determined as the central image. In this example, among the five captured images 321, 322, 323, 324, and 326 in which no camera shake occurs, the fourth captured image 324 captured at the time t4 closest to the time ts when the captured image trigger is issued. Is determined as the center image 324.

  Further, the system controller 123 determines the center image 324 and the captured images 323 and 325 before and after the center image 324 as display captured images, and transmits these display captured images to the image display control unit 126. The image display control unit 126 arranges the transmitted three captured images 323, 324, and 325 in order of acquisition and displays them on the LCD 140.

  Part (B) of FIG. 8 shows captured images 323, 324, and 325 displayed on the LCD 140. The user can easily select a captured image in which camera shake does not occur by focusing on the central image 324 displayed at the center of the LCD 140.

  Above, description of 3rd Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished and 4th Embodiment of this invention is described. Although the fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in the method of selecting a captured image displayed on the LCD 140, the configuration is the same, and therefore FIG. However, only the differences will be explained.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image represented by the captured image data acquired in the present embodiment.

  Part (A) of FIG. 9 shows a conceptual diagram of the captured images 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, and 336 stored in the buffer memory 122. While these captured images 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, and 336 are acquired, the contrast of the subject is based on the captured image data representing the captured images 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, and 336. The focus lens included in the taking lens 101 shown in FIG. 3 is adjusted to the in-focus position. However, usually the contrast of the subject at the center of the shooting angle of view is generally detected, and when shooting a moving subject, the subject deviates from the center of the shooting angle of view. Often result in out of focus. In the example shown in part (A) of FIG. 9, blurring occurs in the captured images 331, 332, 333, 335, and 336 other than the captured image 334 captured fourth.

  The captured images 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, and 336 stored in the buffer memory 122 are transmitted to the system controller 123 and the captured images 331 and 332 in the AF / AE calculation unit 124 as in the first embodiment. , 333, 334, 335, and 336, the contrast information detected based on the information is transmitted to the system controller 123.

  The system controller 123 first determines whether or not the photographed images 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, and 336 are out of focus based on the contrast information transmitted from the AF / AE calculation unit 124. Of the captured images that are not out of focus, the captured image captured at the time closest to the time ts when the captured image trigger is issued is determined as the central image. In this example, the fourth captured image 334 is determined as the central image.

  Further, the system controller 123 determines the center image 334 and the captured images 333 and 335 before and after the center image 334 as display captured images, and transmits these display captured images to the image display control unit 126. The image display control unit 126 displays the three received captured images 333, 334, and 335 in order of acquisition on the LCD 140.

  Part (B) of FIG. 9 shows captured images 333, 334, and 335 displayed on the LCD 140. The user can select a photographed image that does not appear out of focus and looks good by checking the center image 334 displayed in the center of the LCD 140.

  Here, the example in which the photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described above, but the photographing apparatus of the present invention may be applied to, for example, a mobile phone.

  In the above description, the example of determining whether or not the eye part of the subject is closed has been described. However, the determination unit according to the present invention determines whether or not the eye part of the subject has red eye. It may be a thing.

  In the above description, an example is described in which the determination unit determines whether or not a malfunction such as eye meditation, out-of-focus, camera shake, or the like has occurred in a captured image. It may be determined whether or not it is appropriate.

  In the above description, the determination unit determines that the subject is not defective, and the captured image captured at the time closest to the time indicated by the time trigger and the captured images captured at the time points before and after the captured image. Although the display example has been described, the display unit referred to in the present invention is a photograph taken at the time closest to the time point indicated by the time point trigger among the picked-up images determined by the determination unit that the subject is not defective. An image and a captured image captured at a time close to the captured image may be displayed.

It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the digital camera 100 which is one Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention from the front diagonally upward. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera 100. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital camera 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a display frame number setting screen. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of shooting processes in “best shot mode”. It is a figure which shows an example of the picked-up image which the acquired picked-up image data represents. It is a figure which shows an example of the picked-up image which the picked-up image data acquired in 2nd Embodiment represents. It is a figure which shows an example of the picked-up image which the picked-up image data acquired in 3rd Embodiment represents. It is a figure which shows an example of the picked-up image which the picked-up image data acquired in 4th Embodiment represents.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera 101 Shooting lens 101a Lens drive part 102 Finder objective window 103 Auxiliary light emission part 104 Power switch 105 Release switch 106 Execution switch 107 Stop switch 108 Cross key 110 Shooting optical system 111 CCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112 Shutter 112a Shutter drive part 113 Aperture 113a Aperture drive part 120 Signal processing part 120a A / D part 120b Digital signal processing part 121 Image signal processing part 122 Buffer memory 123 System controller 124 AF / AE calculating part 125 Internal memory 126 Image display control Part 127 media controller 128 image compression part 129 key controller 1200 bus 140 LCD

Claims (8)

An imaging unit that continuously captures a subject and obtains a plurality of subject images;
A trigger generating unit that receives an operation during photographing by the imaging unit and emits a time point trigger indicating a time point when the operation is received;
A plurality of subject images acquired by the imaging unit on the display screen, and subject images captured at a time closest to the time indicated by the time trigger are among the plurality of subject images. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a display unit configured to display in order of imaging so as to be closest to the center of the display screen. The trigger generation unit has a switch operated in two stages, and receives a first-stage operation of the switch to generate a shooting trigger instructing start of continuous shooting of the subject. In response to the operation of the stage, the time trigger is issued,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit starts continuous imaging of the subject in response to an input of the imaging trigger. A display number designating unit for designating the number of subject images displayed on the display unit according to an operation;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the number of subject images designated by the display number designation unit among the subject images acquired by the imaging unit. A display number designating unit for designating an odd number according to an operation as the number of subject images displayed on the display unit;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the number of subject images designated by the display number designation unit among the subject images acquired by the imaging unit. A determination unit that determines whether or not a defect has occurred in the eye portion of the subject image acquired by the imaging unit;
In displaying the plurality of subject images, the display unit captures a subject image taken at a time point closest to the time point indicated by the time point trigger among the subject images determined by the determination unit as having no problem. 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed so as to be closest to the center on the display screen among the plurality of subject images. A determination unit for determining whether or not eye meditation has occurred in the eye part of the subject image acquired by the imaging unit;
The display unit, when displaying the plurality of subject images, of the subject images determined by the determination unit that no eye-compression has occurred, the subject captured at the time closest to the time indicated by the time trigger 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is displayed so as to be closest to a center on the display screen among the plurality of subject images. A determination unit for determining whether or not the subject image acquired by the imaging unit is in focus;
When the display unit displays the plurality of subject images, the subject image captured at the time closest to the time point indicated by the time trigger among the subject images determined to be in focus by the determination unit. 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed so as to be closest to the center on the display screen among the plurality of subject images. A determination unit that determines whether camera shake occurs in a subject image acquired by the imaging unit;
In displaying the plurality of subject images, the display unit captures a subject imaged at a time closest to the time point indicated by the time trigger among the subject images determined by the determination unit to have no camera shake. 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is displayed so as to be closest to a center on the display screen among the plurality of subject images.

Images