JP2010268019A - Photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the following problem in a conventional digital camera: a wide-angle-side image and a telephotographic-side image should be recorded as two individual images because in photography for an athletic meeting, school plays or the like, photography may be polarized into wide-angle-side photography for catching entire atmospheres and telephotographic-side photography for catching vigorous moments. <P>SOLUTION: A composite image generation means generates one composite image 25 obtained by attaching to a first image 23 a new second image 24a having a viewing angle different from that of the first image 23, and a recording means records one composite image 25 generated by the composite image generation means in a memory card 20. Thereby, it is not necessary to record the first image 23 and the second image 24a having a viewing angle different from that of the first image as two individual images like before, and the first image 23 and the second image 24a having viewing angles different from each other can be recorded as one composite image 25, so that convenience of photography can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus including a recording unit that records an image.

  Conventionally, as this type of photographing apparatus, there is a digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. In this digital camera, the captured image is displayed as a through image on the liquid crystal panel. The photographer moves the zoom center position in the through image to the photographer's desired position with the cross cursor button, and further presses the zoom enlarge button to change the zoom area around the zoom center position. After trimming to a desired angle of view, shooting is performed. The image is stored in the trimmed digital zoom area.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-23631

  However, with a conventional digital camera as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when shooting at an athletic meet, a school performance, etc., to capture the entire atmosphere, or to capture a powerful moment It was divided into two poles: shooting on the telephoto side. For this reason, it is difficult to express a child's facial expression or the like when shooting on the wide-angle side, and conversely, it is difficult to express the overall atmosphere when shooting on the telephoto side. Therefore, in the conventional digital camera, it is necessary to record the wide-angle image and the telephoto image as two separate images.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems,
First image acquisition means for acquiring a first image including a second image;
A second second image having a field angle different from that of the first image is acquired based on the original second image or at substantially the same timing as the acquisition timing of the original second image by the first image acquisition means. Two image acquisition means;
A composite image generating means for generating one composite image in which a new second image is pasted on the first image;
The photographing apparatus is configured to include recording means for recording one composite image generated by the composite image generation means.

  According to this configuration, the composite image generation unit generates a single composite image in which a new second image having a different angle of view is pasted on the first image, and the recording unit generates the composite image by the composite image generation unit. One composite image is recorded. For this reason, unlike the prior art, there is no need to record two images of the first image and the second image having different angles of view as separate images, and the first image and the first image having different angles of view are not required. It is convenient that two images can be recorded as one composite image. In addition, since the image representing the overall atmosphere on the wide-angle side and the image representing the powerful state of the subject on the telephoto side can be represented by a single image, It is possible to create a new image that cannot be obtained by shooting.

Further, the present invention includes a frame setting means for setting a frame on the second image,
The second image acquisition unit acquires an image obtained by enlarging the second image in the frame set by the frame setting unit at a predetermined magnification as a new second image.

  According to this configuration, an image obtained by enlarging the second image within the frame set by the frame setting unit at a predetermined magnification is acquired as a new second image by the second image acquisition unit, and the second image acquisition unit acquires the first image by the composite image generation unit. A single composite image is generated by pasting to one image. For this reason, the user can grasp the content of the second image enlarged at a predetermined magnification, which is different in angle of view from the first image, from the frame set by the frame setting means.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the frame setting means sets a frame according to a user's operation.

  According to this configuration, the position, size, and the like of the frame of the second image that is enlarged at a predetermined magnification and pasted on the first image are set by the frame setting means in accordance with a user operation. Therefore, it is possible to create a composite image that matches the user's preference.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the frame setting means automatically sets the frame regardless of the user's operation.

  According to this configuration, even if the photographic subject moves, the frame setting means automatically sets a frame for the photographic subject in accordance with the movement of the photographic subject. For this reason, there is no need for the user to bother manually setting the frame in accordance with the movement of the object to be photographed, and the convenience when photographing the object to be photographed as the second image is improved.

  Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising position selection means for selecting a new second image pasting position by the composite image generation means.

  According to this configuration, the position selection unit selects a new second image pasting position by the composite image generation unit. For this reason, the user can paste the second image at a desired position of the first image, and a composite image that matches the user's preference can be created.

  In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the composite image generation means pastes a new second image at a position overlapping the original second image.

  According to this configuration, the new second image is pasted at a position overlapping the original second image by the composite image generation unit. Therefore, a new second image can be recorded at the position of the original second image, and a powerful second image can be expressed without impairing the positional relationship of the object to be photographed in the entire atmosphere.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the composite image generating means pastes the new second image at a position that does not overlap the original second image.

  According to this configuration, the new second image is pasted at a position that does not overlap the original second image by the composite image generation unit. For this reason, it is convenient to compare the new enlarged second image and the original second image before being enlarged.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, as described above, there is no need to record the two images of the first image and the second image having different angles of view as separate images as in the prior art. It is convenient that the first image and the second image having different angles of view can be recorded as one composite image. In addition, since the image representing the overall atmosphere on the wide-angle side and the image representing the powerful state of the subject on the telephoto side can be represented by a single image, It is possible to create a new image that cannot be obtained by shooting.

1 is a rear view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the electric circuit structure of the digital camera shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of a composite image generation process performed by a CPU of the digital camera shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a monitor in the synthesized image generation process shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing for generating a composite image by a target automatic tracking function of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a monitor in the process which produces | generates a synthesized image by the automatic tracking function shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing for generating a composite image by the face recognition function of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a monitor in the process which produces | generates a synthesized image by the face recognition function shown in FIG.

  Next, an embodiment in which the photographing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a rear view of a digital camera 1 according to this embodiment.

  A release button 2 that is operated when photographing a subject is provided on an upper portion of the casing 1a of the digital camera 1 constituting the photographing apparatus. When the release button 2 is pressed halfway, the auto focus function is activated. When the release button 2 is fully pressed, the shutter is opened at a preset shutter speed, and the subject image is exposed for a predetermined time to shoot the subject. Let it be done. A monitor 3 is provided on the back of the housing 1a. The monitor 3 is made of a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) liquid crystal.

  On the right side of the monitor 3, a zoom button 4 and a cross button 5 are arranged. The zoom button 4 is operated when the captured image displayed on the monitor 3 is enlarged or reduced. The cross button 5 includes direction keys for detecting operation directions such as up and down directions and left and right directions, and is operated when a desired setting item is selected from various setting items on a menu screen for performing various settings of the digital camera 1. Is done. An enter button 6 is provided inside the cross button 5. The determination button 6 is operated when determining a desired setting item selected by operating the cross button 5.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electric circuit configuration of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.

  The digital camera 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a nonvolatile memory 12 including an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Lead Only Memory), and a buffer memory 13 including a RAM (Random Access Memory). Yes. The nonvolatile memory 12 stores a control program that is referred to when the CPU 11 performs various controls. In accordance with a control program stored in the nonvolatile memory 12, the CPU 11 controls each part of the circuit using the buffer memory 13 as a temporary storage work area and operates various device functions of the digital camera 1.

  Light from the subject is taken into the digital camera 1 through the lens 14 constituting the optical system. The subject light captured in the digital camera 1 projects a subject image on the imaging surface 15 a of the imaging unit 15. The imaging unit 15 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and the like, and a subject image formed on the imaging surface 15a of the imaging unit 15 is converted into an analog imaging signal. The converted image signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 16. The image processing unit 17 acquires the imaging signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 16 via the bus 18 and performs image processing such as white balance processing and gamma correction on the acquired imaging signal. The image data of the photographed image is generated. The image data generated by the image processing unit 17 is compressed by the CPU 11 and stored in the buffer memory 13, and is also stored in a memory card 20 that is attached to and detached from a slot (not shown) via the I / F unit 19. To be recorded.

  As will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the lens 14 and the imaging unit 15 constitute a first image acquisition unit that acquires a first image 23 (see FIG. 4A) including the second image 24. Further, the CPU 11 enlarges or reduces the image by electronic processing based on the original second image 24 based on the new second image 24a (see FIG. 4E) having a different angle of view from the first image 23. A second image acquisition unit configured to acquire the electronic zoom function. Further, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 4B, the CPU 11 constitutes a frame setting unit that sets the inner frame 21 in the second image 24. The second image acquisition unit acquires an image obtained by enlarging the second image 24 in the inner frame 21 set by the frame setting unit with a predetermined magnification as a new second image 24a. In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 sets the inner frame 21 according to the operation of the zoom button 4 and the cross button 5 by the user, as will be described later with reference to FIG. The CPU 11 is generated by a composite image generation unit that generates a single composite image 25 (see FIG. 4E) in which a new second image 24a is pasted on the first image 23, and a composite image generation unit. And a recording unit for recording the single composite image 25 on the memory card 20. In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 pastes the second image 24a at a position overlapping the original second image 24 (see FIGS. 4A and 4E).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the release button 2, the zoom button 4, the cross button 5, and the determination button 6 described above are connected to the CPU 11 as an operation unit 7, and the release button 2 constituting the operation unit 7 by the user. Is operated, the subject light is exposed to the imaging unit 15 and an imaging signal of the subject image is generated. On the monitor 3 described above, a subject image captured by the imaging surface 15a of the imaging unit 15 is displayed as a through image, and the photographer confirms the composition using the through image.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the composite image generation process performed by the CPU 11. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the monitor 3 in the composite image generation process shown in FIG.

  In step (hereinafter referred to as “S”) 1, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the decision button 6 has been pressed while the through image as shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the monitor 3. . In this through image, a first image 23 composed of subjects A, B, and C is displayed, and the first image 23 includes a second image 24 composed of subject B. If the determination button 6 is not pressed and the determination in S1 is “NO”, the CPU 11 waits until the determination button 6 is pressed.

  On the other hand, when the determination button 6 is pressed and the determination in S1 is “YES”, the CPU 11 displays the inner frame 21 and the outer frame 22 on the monitor 3 as shown in FIG. The inner frame 21 defines a trimming area of the second image 24 to be enlarged and the outer frame 22 defines an area where the trimming area of the second image 24 defined by the inner frame 21 is enlarged. The size and position of the inner frame 21 and the outer frame 22 that are initially displayed on the monitor 3 are set by default or set by the user by operating the menu screen. By default, the inner frame 21 displayed first on the monitor 3 is set to a size that surrounds the subject B at the position of the subject B in the center of the screen, and the outer frame 22 matches the center of the inner frame 21. The position is set to a predetermined size, for example, twice the size of the inner frame 21. Next, in S3, the CPU 11 selects the inner frame 21 as a setting change target, and displays the inner frame 21 with a dotted line as shown in FIG. In S4, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the zoom button 4 has been pressed. When the zoom button 4 is pressed and the determination in S4 is “YES”, the CPU 11 indicates in S5 the arrow a at the corner of the inner frame 21 in FIG. 4B in accordance with the operation of the zoom button 4. As shown, the inner frame 21 is enlarged or reduced. After the process of S5 or when the zoom button 4 is not pressed and the determination of S4 is “NO”, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the cross button 5 is pressed in S6. When the cross button 5 is pressed and the determination in S6 is “YES”, the CPU 11 displays the inner frame 21 displayed on the monitor 3 according to the operation of the cross button 5 in S7 in FIG. As shown, the inner frame 21 is moved in any direction of the arrow b in the vertical and horizontal directions. After the process of S7 or when the cross button 5 is not pressed and the determination of S6 is “NO”, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the determination button 6 is pressed in S8. If the determination button 6 is not pressed and the determination in S8 is “NO”, the CPU 11 returns to the process of S4. On the other hand, when the determination button 6 is pressed and the determination in S8 is “YES”, the CPU 11 places the inner frame 21 at the size and position set by the zoom button 4 and the cross button 5 as shown in FIG. Determine as shown by the solid line.

  Next, in S9, the CPU 11 selects the outer frame 22 as a setting change target, and displays the outer frame 22 with a dotted line as shown in FIG. Next, in S10, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the zoom button 4 has been pressed. When the zoom button 4 is pressed and the determination in S10 is “YES”, the CPU 11 responds to the operation of the zoom button 4 as indicated by the arrow a at the corner of the outer frame 22 in FIG. The outer frame 22 is enlarged or reduced. After the process of S11 or when the zoom button 4 is not pressed and the determination in S10 is “NO”, the CPU 11 determines in S12 whether or not the cross button 5 has been pressed. When the cross button 5 is pressed and the determination in S12 is “YES”, the CPU 11 displays the outer frame 22 displayed on the monitor 3 in response to the operation of the cross button 5 in S13 in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the outer frame 22 is moved in any direction of the arrow b in the vertical and horizontal directions. At this time, the inner frame 21 moves so that the centers of the frames 21 and 22 coincide with the movement of the outer frame 22. After the process of S13 or when the cross button 5 is not pressed and the determination of S12 is “NO”, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the determination button 6 is pressed in S14. If the determination button 6 is not pressed and the determination in S14 is “NO”, the CPU 11 returns to the process of S10. On the other hand, when the determination button 6 is pressed and the determination in S14 is “YES”, the CPU 11 places the outer frame 22 in the size and position set by the zoom button 4 and the cross button 5 as shown in FIG. Determine as shown by the solid line.

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the release button 2 has been pressed in S15. If the release button 2 is not pressed and the determination in S14 is “NO”, the CPU 11 waits until the release button 2 is pressed. On the other hand, when the release button 2 is pressed and the determination in S15 is “YES”, the CPU 11 uses the electronic zoom function of the digital camera 1 to display the second image 24 defined by the inner frame 21 in S16 as shown in FIG. As shown to e), it expands to the outer frame 22, and the new 2nd image 24a is produced | generated. Then, the new second image 24a is pasted on the first image 23 to generate a composite image 25 including the new second image 24a in the first image 23 as shown in FIG. To record.

  According to such a digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the composite image generation unit generates a single composite image 25 in which a new second image 24a having a different angle of view is pasted on the first image 23, The recording means records one composite image 25 generated by the composite image generation means on the memory card 20. For this reason, unlike the prior art, there is no need to record two images of the first image 23 and the second image 24a having different angles of view as separate images, and the first images having different angles of view. 23 and the second image 24a can be recorded as one composite image 25, which is convenient. In addition, the first image 23 representing the entire atmosphere on the wide angle side and the new second image 24a representing the powerful state of the subject B on the telephoto side can be represented by one composite image 25. Therefore, it is possible to create a new image that cannot be obtained by conventional imaging of each image.

  Further, according to the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, an image obtained by enlarging the second image 24 in the inner frame 21 set by the frame setting unit at a predetermined magnification by the second image acquisition unit is a new second image. 24a and pasted on the first image 23 by the composite image generation means to generate one composite image 25. For this reason, the user can grasp the contents of the second image 24 that is different in angle of view from the first image 23 and enlarged at a predetermined magnification, from the inner frame 21 set by the frame setting means. .

  Further, according to the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the frame setting means enlarges the image at a predetermined magnification and pastes it on the first image 23 according to the operation of the zoom button 4 and the cross button 5 by the user. The position and size of the frame of the two images 24 are set. Therefore, it is possible to create the composite image 25 that matches the user's preference.

  Further, according to the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the new second image 24a (see FIG. 4E) is overlapped with the original second image 24 (see FIG. 4A) by the composite image generating unit. By pasting at the position, a composite image 25 (see FIG. 4E) is generated. Therefore, a new second image 24a can be recorded at the position of the original second image 24, and the powerful second image 24a can be expressed without losing the positional relationship of the object to be photographed in the entire atmosphere. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the composite image 25 may be generated by pasting the new second image 24 a at a position that does not overlap the original second image 24 by the composite image generation unit. According to this configuration, the new enlarged second image 24a and the original second image 24 before being enlarged can be compared, which is convenient.

  Further, the CPU 11 and the cross button 5 may constitute position selection means for selecting a position where the new second image 24a is pasted by the composite image generation means. According to this configuration, the position selection unit selects the pasting position of the new second image 24 a by the composite image generation unit, so that the user pastes the second image 24 a on the desired position of the first image 23. The composite image 25 can be created according to the user's preference.

  In addition, the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment has an electronic zoom function, and acquires a new second image 24 a having a different angle of view from the first image 23 based on the original second image 24. It was. However, the digital camera 1 has an optical zoom function for enlarging or reducing the photographed image by moving the lens 14, and a new second image 24a having a field angle different from that of the first image 23 is obtained by the first image acquisition unit. The configuration may be such that the second image 24 is acquired at substantially the same timing as the acquisition timing of the second image 24. That is, the second image 24a having a different angle of view from the first image 23 is shot by optical zoom at almost the same timing as the shooting of the first image 23, and the second image 24a is pasted on the first image 23 to obtain one sheet. A composite image 25 may be generated.

  In the present embodiment, the shapes of the inner frame 21 and the outer frame 22 displayed on the monitor 3 are rectangular. However, the shape is not limited to this shape, and other shapes such as a circle, a triangle, and a heart shape are also possible. There may be.

  In the present embodiment, the shape of the outer frame 22 displayed on the monitor 3 is an enlarged similar shape of the inner frame 21, but the shape of the outer frame 22 is not limited to this shape, and is a shape different from the inner frame 21. It may be. For example, the inner frame 21 may be a rectangle, and the outer frame 22 may be a triangle or a heart shape. In this case, the image in the inner frame 21 is enlarged according to the shape of the outer frame 22.

  In addition, the monitor 3 of the digital camera 1 includes a touch panel, and the shape of the outer frame 22 and the inner frame 21 is freely determined on the touch panel using a pen or the like without using the cross button 5 or by a touch operation. The structure which can be used may be sufficient.

  In the present embodiment, the outer frame 22 displayed in the generated composite image 25 is represented by a line. However, this line may not be present, and a boundary line between the composite image 25 and the background image is represented. May blur

  Further, the CPU 11 displays the outer frame 22 and the inner frame 21 for each of the plurality of subjects A, B, and C, and the user operates the cross button 5 and the determination button 6 so that the plurality of the outer frames 22 and the inner frame 21 are operated. One or more new outer frames 22 or inner frames 21 are selected from the frame 22 or inner frame 21 and the second image 24 displayed on the inner frame 21 is enlarged to the outer frame 22. The composition image 25 including the second image 24a may be generated.

  In the present embodiment, the inner frame 21 and the outer frame 22 are displayed on the monitor 3 at the same time. However, only the inner frame 21 is displayed on the monitor 3 first, and the decision button 6 is pressed to display the inner frame. The configuration may be such that the outer frame 22 is displayed on the monitor 3 for the first time after the position and size of 21 are determined. According to this configuration, it is not mistaken whether the setting change target frame is the inner frame 21 or the outer frame 22.

  The positions of the inner frame 21 and the outer frame 22 that are initially displayed on the monitor 3 are configured to be displayed on the subject B in the center of the monitor 3 by default or menu screen operation. The subject A or the right subject C may be positioned. Alternatively, the positions of the inner frame 21 and the outer frame 22 that are initially displayed on the subject B may be changed to different subjects A or C by the subsequent operation of the cross button 5 by the user.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing for generating a composite image by the target automatic tracking function of the digital camera 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the monitor 3 in the process of generating a composite image by the automatic tracking function shown in FIG.

  In S21, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the target automatic tracking function is set in the digital camera 1 by setting the menu screen or the like. If the automatic tracking function is not set and the determination in S21 is “NO”, the CPU 11 waits until the automatic tracking function is set. On the other hand, when the automatic tracking function is set to the target 31 as shown in FIG. 6A and the determination in S21 is “YES”, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the target 31 is recognized in S22. Here, as an example of the target 31, a child or the like running at an athletic meet or the like can be cited. If the target 31 is not recognized and the determination in S22 is “NO”, the CPU 11 waits until the target 31 is recognized. On the other hand, if the target 31 is recognized and the determination in S22 is “YES”, the CPU 11 determines in S23 the inner frame 21 that defines the second image 24 in accordance with the size and the amount of movement of the target 31, the second image. The size and position of each of the outer frames 22 that define the area where 24 is enlarged are determined. Next, in S24, as shown in FIG. 6A, the CPU 11 displays the inner frame 21 and the outer frame 22 on the monitor 3 at the size and position determined in S23.

  Next, in S25, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the target 31 has moved. When the target 31 moves and the determination in S25 is “YES”, the CPU 11 is linked to the automatic tracking function in S26, and the size and position of the inner frame 21 and the outer frame 22 in accordance with the new movement of the target 31. To decide. Next, in S <b> 27, the CPU 11 displays the inner frame 21 and the outer frame 22 in accordance with the movement of the target 31 as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. At this time, the frames 21 and 22 are displayed so that the centers of the inner frame 21 and the outer frame 22 coincide. After the process of S27 or when the target 31 does not move and the determination of S25 is “NO”, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the release button 2 has been pressed in S28. If the release button 2 is not pressed and the determination in S28 is “NO”, the CPU 11 returns to the process of S25. On the other hand, when the release button 2 is pressed and the determination in S28 is “YES”, the CPU 11 enlarges the second image 24 defined by the inner frame 21 to the outer frame 22 in S29, and creates a new second image. 24a is generated. Then, the new second image 24a is pasted on the first image 23 to generate a composite image 26 including the new second image 24a in the first image 23 as shown in FIG. To record.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing for generating a composite image by the face recognition function of the digital camera 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the monitor 3 in the process of generating a composite image by the face recognition function shown in FIG.

  In S31, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the face recognition function is set in the digital camera 1 by setting the menu screen or the like. If the face recognition function is not set and the determination in S31 is “NO”, the CPU 11 stands by until the face recognition function is set. On the other hand, when the face recognition function is set and the determination in S31 is “YES”, the CPU 11 determines in S32 whether or not a face has been recognized by the face recognition function. If the face is not recognized by the face recognition function and the determination in S32 is “NO”, the CPU 11 waits until the face is recognized by the face recognition function. On the other hand, if the face is recognized by the face recognition function and the determination in S32 is “YES”, the CPU 11 displays the face recognition frame 41 on the monitor 3 in S33 as shown in FIG. Next, in S34, as shown in FIG. 8B, the CPU 11 includes, in the through image, an inner frame 21 that defines the second image 24 and an outer frame 22 that defines an area where the second image 24 is enlarged. Displayed according to the size and position of the face recognition frame 41. Here, when the CPU 11 recognizes a plurality of faces, the face recognition frame 41, the inner frame 21, and the subject that is a predetermined reference, for example, the subject with the largest face or the subject closest to the center of the screen, The outer frame 22 is displayed. Next, in S35, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the release button 2 has been pressed. If the release button 2 is not pressed and the determination in S35 is “NO”, the CPU 11 waits until the release button 2 is pressed. On the other hand, if the release button 2 is pressed and the determination in S35 is "YES", the CPU 11 displays a new second image 24a obtained by enlarging the second image 24 defined in the inner frame 21 up to the outer frame 22 in S36. As shown in FIG. 8E, a composite image 27 is generated and recorded in the memory card 20.

  The same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can also be achieved by the above-described composite image generation process linked to the automatic tracking function shown in FIG. 5 and the composite image generation process linked to the face recognition function shown in FIG.

  Further, according to the composite image generation process shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 described above, even if the object to be photographed moves, the frame setting means automatically adjusts the inner frame 21 for the object to be photographed according to the movement of the object to be photographed The outer frame 22 is set. For this reason, there is no need for the user to manually set the inner frame 21 and the outer frame 22 in accordance with the movement of the object to be photographed, which is convenient for photographing the object to be photographed as the second image 24. improves.

  In the composite image generation process shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 described above, the size of the outer frame 22 displayed automatically can be set by setting the size itself in advance on the menu screen. The configuration may be determined by designating the number of recording pixels of the image 24a. Moreover, the structure determined by designating to the resolution of the 1st image 23, ie, the predetermined ratio with respect to full resolution, for example, 50%, irrespective of the number of recording pixels.

  The object to be captured as the second image 24 is the target 31 in the above-described composite image generation process of FIG. 5 and the subject's face in the composite image generation process of FIG. However, the captured image is divided into a plurality of areas, for example, 25, and the brightness of each divided area is measured, and a specific divided area having brightness equal to or higher than a predetermined value, for example, the spread of fireworks at the time of shooting fireworks The area may be enlarged as the second image 24 and pasted on the first image 23 to generate a composite image.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to other photographing apparatuses such as a video camera and a camera built in a mobile phone. . Even when the present invention is applied to such a photographing apparatus, the same effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

1 ... Digital camera 3 ... Monitor 11 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Lens 15 ... Image pick-up part 20 ... Memory card 21 ... Inner frame 22 ... Outer frame 23 ... 1st image 24 ... Original 2nd image 24a ... New 2nd image 25, 26, 27 ... Composite image 31 ... Target 41 ... Face recognition frames A, B, C ... Subject

Claims (7)

First image acquisition means for acquiring a first image including a second image;
The new second image having a field angle different from that of the first image is based on the original second image or almost the same timing as the acquisition timing of the original second image by the first image acquisition unit. And second image acquisition means for acquiring,
A composite image generating means for generating one composite image in which the second image is pasted on the first image;
An imaging apparatus comprising: recording means for recording one piece of the composite image generated by the composite image generation means. The imaging device according to claim 1,
Frame setting means for setting a frame on the second image;
The second image acquisition unit acquires an image obtained by enlarging the second image within the frame set by the frame setting unit at a predetermined magnification as a new second image. The imaging device according to claim 2,
The frame setting means sets a frame according to a user's operation. The imaging device according to claim 2,
The frame setting means automatically sets a frame regardless of a user's operation. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An imaging apparatus comprising: a position selection unit that selects a new pasting position of the second image by the composite image generation unit. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The composite image generating means pastes the new second image at a position overlapping the original second image. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The composite image generation means pastes the new second image at a position that does not overlap the original second image.

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