JP2012227744A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus by which a user can more easily select a tint suitable for a subject.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging sensor for capturing a subject to generate an image; a determination part for determining a standard color temperature in white balance adjustment according to the image generated; a white balance adjustment part for applying a white balance adjustment on the image according to the determination result; and a control part for controlling the determination part in response to the user's operation so that the determination part determines by which criteria, a first color temperature range or a second color temperature range differing from the first color temperature range, the standard color temperature is decided.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus capable of white balance adjustment.

  There is known a digital camera that performs an auto white balance process based on a measurement result of a color temperature of a subject so that a photographed image has an optimum white balance. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a digital camera having a manual white balance mode and an auto white balance mode. According to the digital camera of Patent Document 1, the user can perform shooting by setting either the manual white balance mode or the auto white balance mode.

JP 2002-101420 A

  The auto white balance mode is a mode in which an appropriate color temperature is automatically set from a predetermined color temperature range in accordance with the illumination conditions of the subject. In the auto white balance mode, since the color temperature is automatically set, the same color temperature is set under the same illumination conditions. For this reason, it is difficult to set other color temperatures under the same illumination conditions, and depending on the color that the user wants to express, a captured image that does not have the color expected by the subject may be obtained. On the other hand, according to the manual white balance mode, the color temperature can be set manually to express a desired color tone, but there is a problem that it is difficult to handle for a photographer who does not have knowledge of white balance. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that allows a user to more easily select a color suitable for a subject.

  In order to solve the above problems, an imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging sensor that captures a subject image and generates an image, and a determination unit that determines a reference color temperature during white balance adjustment based on the generated image And a white balance adjustment unit that performs white balance adjustment on the image based on the determination result, and whether the determination unit determines the reference color temperature from the first color temperature range according to a designation operation by the user, A control unit that controls whether the reference color temperature is determined from a second color temperature range different from the color temperature range of the first color temperature range.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the imaging device which a user can select more easily the color suitable for a to-be-photographed object can be provided.

Front view of digital camera 100 according to Embodiment 1 1 is a rear configuration diagram of the digital camera 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. Electrical configuration diagram of digital camera 100 according to Embodiment 1 The figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the function of BM integrating circuit 170 Configuration diagram of WB control circuit 180 according to Embodiment 1 Color Adjustment Operation Flowchart According to Embodiment 1 Image of AWB mode selection screen The figure for demonstrating the light source estimation based on the plot result of BM data The figure for demonstrating the tracking range of a white balance control value according to AWB mode, and the weighting for every light source

[Embodiment 1]
The digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment calculates a white balance control value for the image information generated by the CCD image sensor 120 according to an auto white balance mode (hereinafter, AWB mode) selected by the user, and performs white balance adjustment. To do. Here, the digital camera 100 has a plurality of auto white balance modes having different settable color temperature ranges. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the digital camera 100 capable of determining the white balance control value so as to obtain an image of an appropriate color according to the user's preference. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the digital camera 100 will be described.

[1. Constitution〕
Hereinafter, the configuration of the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[1-1. Configuration of Digital Camera 100]
FIG. 1 is a front view of the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 includes a lens barrel that houses the optical system 110 and a flash 160 on the front surface. The digital camera 100 also includes operation buttons such as a release button 201, a zoom lever 202, and a power source 203 on the upper surface.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 includes a liquid crystal monitor 123 and operation buttons such as a center button 203 and a cross button 204 on the back.

  FIG. 3 is an electrical configuration diagram of the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 captures a subject image formed via the optical system 110 with the CCD image sensor 120. The CCD image sensor 120 generates image information based on the captured subject image. The image information generated by the imaging is subjected to various processes in an AFE (analog front end) 121 and an image processing unit 122. The generated image information is recorded in the flash memory 142 or the memory card 140. The image information recorded in the flash memory 142 or the memory card 140 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 123 in response to an operation of the operation unit 150 by the user. Details of the components shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described below.

  The optical system 110 includes a focus lens 111, a zoom lens 112, a diaphragm 113, a shutter 114, and the like. Although not shown, the optical system 110 may include an optical image stabilization lens OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer). The various lenses constituting the optical system 110 may be composed of any number of lenses or any number of groups.

  The focus lens 111 is used to adjust the focus state of the subject. The zoom lens 112 is used to adjust the angle of view of the subject. The diaphragm 113 is used to adjust the amount of light incident on the CCD image sensor 120. The shutter 114 adjusts the exposure time of light incident on the CCD image sensor 120. The focus lens 111, the zoom lens 112, the diaphragm 113, and the shutter 114 are driven in accordance with control signals notified from the controller 130 by corresponding driving means such as a DC motor and a stepping motor.

  The CCD image sensor 120 captures a subject image formed through the optical system 110 and generates image information. A large number of photodiodes are two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 120. In addition, R, G, and B primary color filters are arranged in a predetermined arrangement structure corresponding to each photodiode. The light from the subject to be imaged passes through the optical system 110 and then forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 120. The formed subject image is converted into color information classified into R, G, and B according to the amount of light incident on each photodiode. As a result, the entire image information indicating the subject image is generated. Each photodiode corresponds to a pixel of the CCD image sensor 120. However, the color information actually output from each photodiode is R, G, or B primary color information. Therefore, the color to be developed in each pixel is generated based on the primary color information (color, light amount) output from the photodiode corresponding to each pixel and the surrounding photodiodes in the image processing unit 122 in the subsequent stage. The In the following description, a combination of R, G, and B that constitutes a color to be expressed in each pixel will be expressed as (R, G, B). At this time, R, G, and B of each component of (R, G, B) indicate the combination degree of each primary color. Note that the CCD image sensor 120 can generate image information of new frames at regular intervals when the digital camera 100 is in the shooting mode.

  In the AFE 121, image information read from the CCD image sensor 120 is subjected to noise suppression by correlated double sampling, amplification to the input range width of the AD converter 133 by an analog gain controller, and AD conversion by the AD converter. Thereafter, the AFE 121 outputs the image information to the image processing unit 122.

  The image processing unit 122 performs various processes on the image information output from the AFE 121. Examples of the various processes include, but are not limited to, BM (block memory) integration, smear correction, white balance correction, gamma correction, YC conversion processing, electronic zoom processing, compression processing, expansion processing, and the like. The image processing unit 122 may be configured with a hard-wired electronic circuit or a microcomputer using a program. Further, it may be constituted by one semiconductor chip together with the controller 130 or the like.

  The BM integrating circuit 170 is a circuit included in the image processing unit 122 in order to generate BM data with respect to input image information. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the functions of the BM integrating circuit 170. As shown in FIG. 4A, the BM integrating circuit 170 divides the input image information of the same frame into 144 blocks of 12 × 12 in the vertical direction, for example. Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, each of the divided blocks has R, G, and B primary color information for the number of pixels included in the block. Subsequently, the BM integrating circuit 170 integrates the values of the R, G, and B channels corresponding to the number of pixels included in the block in each block, and calculates the average value of R, G, and B in the block. . The calculated average value of R, G, and B in the block will be referred to as BM data in the following description. The calculated BM data is stored in a memory (not shown) for each block and taken out as necessary. As described above, the BM integrating circuit 170 generates BM data in each of the 144 divided blocks.

  A white balance control circuit 180 (hereinafter referred to as a WB control circuit 180) is a circuit included in the image processing unit 122 in order to adjust white balance for input image information. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the WB control circuit 180. The WB control circuit 180 includes an input terminal 181, a light source estimation unit 182, a follow-up control unit 183, and an output terminal 184, and receives AWB mode setting information from an AWB mode setting unit 131 included in the controller 130. The AWB mode setting information is information indicating which AWB mode the user has selected from among a plurality of AWB modes. The light source estimation unit 182 and the follow-up control unit 183 can perform control according to the AWB mode selected by the user by receiving the AWB mode setting information. The input terminal 181 supplies the input BM data and image information to the light source estimation unit 182 and the tracking control unit 183, respectively. Details of the functions of the light source estimation unit 182 and the tracking control unit 183 will be described in the operation section of the first embodiment. The output terminal 184 outputs image information adjusted to an appropriate color by the light source estimation unit 182 and the tracking control unit 183. The image information output from the WB control circuit 180 is subjected to other image processing by the image processing unit 122.

  The liquid crystal monitor 123 is provided on the back of the digital camera 100. The liquid crystal monitor 123 displays the settings of the digital camera 100 that can be set by the user as icons. When the user operates the operation unit 150, the icon displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 123 changes according to the operation content, and the user can select and determine the setting of the digital camera 100 while confirming with the liquid crystal monitor 123. . The liquid crystal monitor 123 displays an image based on the image information processed by the image processing unit 122. The image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 123 includes a through image and a recorded image. The through image is an image in which images of new frames generated every certain time by the CCD image sensor 120 are continuously displayed. Normally, when the digital camera 100 is in the shooting mode, the image processing unit 122 generates a through image from the image information generated by the CCD image sensor 120. The user can take a picture while confirming the composition of the subject by referring to the through image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 123. The recorded image is an image that has been reduced to low pixels so that a high-pixel image recorded on the memory card 140 or the like is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 123 when the digital camera 100 is in the playback mode. The high-pixel image information recorded on the memory card 140 is generated by the image processing unit 122 based on the image information generated by the CCD image sensor 120 after receiving an operation of the release button 201 by the user.

  The controller 130 controls the overall operation of the digital camera 100. The controller 130 has an AWB mode setting unit 131. The AWB mode setting unit 131 sets the AWB mode based on the input from the operation unit 150. Details of the function of the AWB mode setting unit 131 will be described in the operation section of the first embodiment. The controller 130 includes a ROM that stores information such as programs, and a CPU that processes information such as programs. In addition to programs related to autofocus control (AF control), automatic exposure control (AE control), and flash 160 light emission control, the ROM also follows the white balance control value tracking range and light source according to the AWB mode as shown in FIG. Information on weighting for each is stored. The ROM stores a program for overall control of the operation of the entire digital camera 100.

  The controller 130 may be configured with a hard-wired electronic circuit or a microcomputer. Further, it may be constituted by one semiconductor chip together with the image processing unit 122 and the like. The ROM does not have to be an internal configuration of the controller 130 and may be provided outside the controller 130.

  The buffer memory 124 is a storage unit that functions as a work memory for the image processing unit 122 and the controller 130. The buffer memory 124 can be realized by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like. The flash memory 142 functions as an internal memory for recording image information and the like.

  The card slot 141 is a connection means that allows the memory card 140 to be attached and detached. The card slot 141 can connect the memory card 140 electrically and mechanically. The card slot 141 may have a function of controlling the memory card 120.

  The memory card 140 is an external memory provided with a recording unit such as a flash memory. The memory card 140 can record data such as image information processed by the image processing unit 122.

  The operation unit 150 is a general term for operation buttons and operation dials provided on the exterior of the digital camera 100, and accepts an operation by a user. For example, the release button 201 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the zoom lever 202, the power button 203, the center button 204, the cross button 205, and the like correspond to this. When the operation unit 150 receives an operation by the user, the operation unit 150 notifies the controller 130 of various operation instruction signals.

  The release button 201 is a two-stage push button that is half pressed and fully pressed. When the release button 201 is half-pressed by the user, the controller 130 executes AF (Auto Focus) control or AE (Auto Exposure) control to determine the photographing condition. Subsequently, when the release button 201 is fully pressed by the user, the controller 130 records image information captured at the timing of the full press on the memory card 140 or the like as a recorded image.

  The zoom lever 202 is a center-position self-returning lever having a wide-angle end and a telephoto end for adjusting the angle of view. When operated by the user, the zoom lever 202 notifies the controller 130 of an operation instruction signal for driving the zoom lens 112. That is, when the zoom lever 202 is operated to the wide angle end, the controller 130 drives the zoom lens 112 so that the subject can be captured at a wide angle. Similarly, when the zoom lever 201 is operated to the telephoto end, the controller 130 drives the zoom lens 112 so that the subject can be captured at the telephoto end.

  The power button 203 is a push button for turning on / off the power supply to each part constituting the digital camera 100. When the power button 203 is pressed by the user when the power is turned off, the controller 130 supplies power to each unit constituting the digital camera 100 and activates it. When the power button 203 is pressed by the user when the power is turned on, the controller 130 stops the power supply to each unit.

  The center button 204 is a push button. When the center button 204 is pressed by the user while the digital camera 100 is in the shooting mode or the playback mode, the controller 130 displays a menu screen on the liquid crystal monitor 123. The menu screen is a screen for setting various conditions for shooting / playback. When pressed when a setting item for various conditions is selected, the center button 204 also functions as an enter button.

  The cross button 205 is a push-type button provided in the vertical and horizontal directions. The user can select various condition items displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 123 by pressing any direction of the cross button 205.

  The flash 160 includes a xenon tube, a capacitor, a booster circuit, a light emission trigger circuit, and the like. The booster circuit applies a high voltage to the capacitor in accordance with a control signal from the controller 130. The light emission trigger circuit discharges the high voltage of the applied and charged capacitor according to the control signal from the controller 130, and instantaneously emits xenon gas in the xenon tube. The light emission trigger circuit discharges the high voltage of the capacitor in synchronization with imaging. Thereby, the digital camera 100 can shoot the emitted subject. In other words, the flash 113 emits light instantaneously at the time of imaging with respect to the subject, so that it is possible to shoot with the brightness of the subject supplemented. Note that light emission of the flash 160 includes pre-light emission and main light emission. In the pre-flash, the distance to the subject is determined based on the degree of the amount of light reflected from the subject by flash emission (hereinafter referred to as the reflection level), and the light emission amount of the flash 113 at the time of shooting is determined according to the determination result. This is light emission before shooting. The main light emission is light emission that is executed in synchronization with the photographing timing based on the light emission amount obtained by the pre-light emission.

[1-2. Correspondence with the present invention]
The CCD image sensor 120 is an example of an imaging sensor of the present invention. The light source estimation unit 182 is an example of a determination unit of the present invention. The follow-up control unit 183 is an example of a white balance adjustment unit of the present invention. The controller 130 is an example of a control unit of the present invention. The digital camera 100 is an example of an imaging apparatus of the present invention.

[2. Operation)
Hereinafter, the color adjustment operation of the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a color adjustment operation flowchart of the digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment.

  When the menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 123, the controller 130 can receive the user's operation and control the display so as to shift to the AWB mode selection screen. FIG. 7 is an image diagram of an AWB mode selection screen. On the AWB mode selection screen, the user can select any one of a plurality of AWB modes. In the example of FIG. 7, the liquid crystal monitor 123 shows an icon indicating the normal AWB mode, an icon indicating the landscape AWB mode, an icon indicating the night view AWB mode, an icon indicating the party AWB mode, and a custom AWB mode on the AWB mode selection screen. The icon is displayed. The user can determine which icon (that is, which AWB mode) to select by operating the cross button and the determination button. When one of the AWB modes is selected by the user, the AWB mode setting unit 131 in the controller 130 sets the AWB mode based on an input by the user operating the operation unit 150 (S301).

  When the digital camera 100 is in the shooting mode, the CCD image sensor 120 captures a subject image and generates image information (S302). The controller 130 outputs the image information generated by the CCD image sensor 120 to the image processing unit 122 after various processes are performed in the AFE 121. Subsequently, from the image information input to the image processing unit 122, the controller 130 generates BM data for each of the divided blocks in the BM integrating circuit 170 as described above (S303). The controller 130 outputs the generated image information and BM data to the WB control circuit 180.

  The controller 130 outputs the BM data of each of the divided blocks to the light source estimation unit 182 in the WB control circuit 180. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining light source estimation based on a plot result of BM data. In FIG. 8, individual BM data is plotted on the coordinates of R gain and B gain. The more plotted on the upper left of this coordinate, the higher the BM data belongs to the higher color temperature, and the lower the lower right corner of the coordinate, the more BM data belongs to the lower color temperature. In the present embodiment, there are 144 BM data, but in FIG. 8, only a plot of several BM data is shown for convenience of explanation. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of light source estimation ranges are set on the coordinates of the R gain and the B gain. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the light source estimation ranges of shade, clear sky, fluorescent lamp, and incandescent lamp are set. The light source estimation unit 182 can estimate the light source used as a reference for white balance adjustment based on which light source estimation range the input BM data plot is distributed over.

  The AWB mode setting unit 131 outputs the AWB mode setting information selected by the user to the light source estimation unit 182 and the tracking control unit 183. The light source estimation unit 182 calculates a WB control value (gain) for each BM data based on the input BM data. At this time, the light source estimation unit 182 weights the calculated WB control value based on the weighting information read from the ROM according to the set AWB mode. The weighting information read according to the AWB mode is information describing the weighting degree for each light source. Specifically, the degree of weighting in the set AWB mode is described for each light source of shade, clear sky, fluorescent lamp, and incandescent lamp. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the tracking range of the white balance control value and the weighting for each light source according to the AWB mode. As shown in FIG. 9A, in the normal AWB mode, the weighting levels for the light sources of shade, clear sky, fluorescent light, and incandescent light are made equal. As shown in FIG. 9B, in the landscape AWB mode, the weight of shade or clear sky indicating outdoors is set to be greater than the weight of fluorescent lights or incandescent lights indicating indoors. As shown in FIG. 9C, in the night view AWB mode, the weights of shade and incandescent lamps are made smaller than those of clear sky and fluorescent lamps so that the color of the night view can be emphasized. . As shown in FIG. 9D, in the party AWB mode, the weight of the warm light source (incandescent lamp) is increased. As described above, the light source estimation unit 182 calculates the reference color temperature by averaging the weighted WB control values in each light source estimation range (S304). The light source estimation unit 182 notifies the tracking control unit 183 of the calculated reference color temperature.

  At this time, the tracking control unit 183 reads the color temperature control tracking range information from the ROM in accordance with the set AWB mode, and sets the color temperature control tracking range corresponding to the AWB mode (S305). The color temperature tracking range information read according to the AWB mode describes the color temperature tracking range for each AWB mode. As shown in FIG. 9A, in the normal AWB mode, a color temperature tracking range from 8000 K to 2800 K, which is assumed to be suitable for a general shooting scene, is described. As shown in FIG. 9B, in the landscape AWB mode, the color temperature tracking range is limited to a higher color temperature side than the color temperature tracking range in the normal AWB mode. As shown in FIG. 9C, in the night scene AWB mode, the low color temperature side has a slightly higher color in order to express the night scene color impressively with respect to the tracking range of the color temperature in the normal AWB mode. The temperature is set, and the high color temperature side is described to be set to a lower color temperature. As shown in FIG. 9D, in the party AWB mode, it is assumed that there is a light source with a low color temperature, and in order to reduce the influence of the color of the light source on the captured image under the light source with the low color temperature. In the normal AWB mode, the low color temperature side is described to be lower than the color temperature tracking range. As described above, the tracking control unit 183 sets the tracking range of color temperature control corresponding to the AWB mode.

  The tracking control unit 183 compares the set tracking range of the color temperature control with the reference color temperature calculated in S304 (S306). When the calculated reference color temperature is included within the set color temperature control tracking range (Yes in S306), the tracking control unit 183 adopts the calculated WB control value (reference color temperature) and performs white balance adjustment. This is performed (S307). On the other hand, when the calculated reference color temperature is not included in the set color temperature control tracking range (No in S306), the tracking control unit 183 employs the WB control value clipped at the end of the tracking range, and performs white balance. Adjustment is performed (S308). That is, when the reference color temperature is outside the tracking range, the WB control value indicating the color temperature at the end of the tracking range is adopted as the WB control value, not the reference color temperature.

  As described above, the digital camera 100 has a plurality of AWB modes having different tracking ranges for color temperature control, and performs white balance processing according to the AWB mode selected by the user. Thereby, an image of an appropriate color according to the user's preference can be taken.

  Next, a case where the custom AWB mode is selected in S301 will be described. In the custom AWB mode, the user can freely specify the upper limit color temperature or the lower limit color temperature so that the desired color temperature control tracking range is obtained. For example, assume that 9000K is specified as the upper limit color temperature of the tracking range of the color temperature control, and 2000K is specified as the lower limit color temperature. At this time, the follow-up control unit 183 sets the color temperature range from 9000K to 2000K as the follow-up range. Thereby, the user can freely set the color temperature range of the auto white balance according to his / her preference.

[3. (Summary)
As described above, the digital camera 100 according to Embodiment 1 captures the subject image and generates the image, and the reference color temperature for white balance adjustment based on the generated image. The light source estimation unit 182 to determine, the follow-up control unit 183 that performs white balance adjustment on the image based on the determination result, and the light source estimation unit 182 in accordance with the designation operation by the user from the color temperature range of the normal AWB mode Whether the color temperature is determined or whether the reference color temperature is determined from the color temperature range of another AWB mode (landscape AWB mode, night view AWB mode, party AWB mode, custom AWB mode) different from the normal AWB mode color temperature range And a controller 130 for controlling. Accordingly, the digital camera 100 can perform white balance adjustment by selecting a color temperature range for white balance adjustment from a plurality of different color temperature ranges in accordance with a designation operation by the user. According to the digital camera 100, the user can more easily select a color suitable for the subject.

  The digital camera 100 according to the above embodiment further includes an LCD monitor 123, an icon for designating the color temperature range of the normal AWB mode, and other AWB modes (landscape AWB mode, night view AWB mode, party AWB mode, custom A controller 130 for controlling the liquid crystal monitor 123 so as to display an icon for designating the color temperature of the (AWB mode). At this time, the controller 130 depends on whether the user has designated an icon indicating the normal AWB mode or an icon of another AWB mode (landscape AWB mode, night view AWB mode, party AWB mode, custom AWB mode). Then, the light source estimation unit 182 determines the reference color temperature from the color temperature range of the normal AWB mode, or another AWB mode (landscape AWB mode, night view AWB mode, party AWB mode different from the color temperature range of the normal AWB mode. , Custom AWB mode) to control the reference color temperature from the color temperature range. Therefore, by selecting an icon displayed in accordance with the liquid crystal monitor 123, the user can select an AWB mode indicating different color temperature ranges. Thereby, the user can more easily select a color suitable for the subject. Further, since each icon indicates a specific shooting scene, the user can more easily select a color suitable for the shooting scene of the subject.

  When it is determined that the light source colors having different color temperatures are present in the generated image, the digital camera 100 according to the above embodiment and the color temperature range of the normal AWB mode and other AWB modes (landscape AWB mode, The image processing unit 122 further changes the weighting of each light source color when the light source estimation unit 182 determines the reference color temperature in the color temperature ranges of night view AWB mode, party AWB mode, and custom AWB mode. Thereby, the digital camera 100 can change the weight of the light source according to the shooting scene selected by the user. Thus, the user can more easily select a color suitable for the shooting scene of the subject.

  The digital camera 100 according to the above embodiment includes a CCD image sensor 120 that captures a subject image and generates an image, and a light source that determines a reference color temperature for white balance adjustment based on the generated image. Based on the estimation unit 182, the tracking control unit 183 that performs white balance adjustment on the image based on the determination result, and accepts a designation operation by the user, and sets the color temperature range when the light source estimation unit 182 determines the reference color temperature And a controller 130. Thereby, the user can perform white balance adjustment based on his / her favorite color temperature range.

  In the digital camera 100 according to the above embodiment, the controller 130 sets the color temperature range by the user specifying the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the color temperature range. As a result, the user can designate a color temperature range to be referred to when performing white balance adjustment.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various embodiments are conceivable. Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described together.

  In the above embodiment, the CCD image sensor 120 has been described as an example of the imaging unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, other image pickup devices such as a CMOS image sensor and an NMOS image sensor can be applied to the present invention. In the above embodiment, the filter configuration for color separation is an RGB primary color filter, but a complementary color filter such as CMY may be used. In addition, each of RGB may be a three-plate type having an image sensor or more.

  In the above-described embodiment, the light source estimation unit 182 and the tracking control unit 183 have been described as part of the circuit constituting the WB control circuit 180, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the same functions as those of the light source estimation unit 182 and the tracking control unit 183 may be realized by the controller 130 and the image processing unit 122 executing a predetermined program.

  In the above embodiment, the user selects the AWB mode using the icon, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may select the AWB mode by a display body displaying a character string indicating the AWB mode.

  In the above embodiment, the AWB mode that can be selected by the user is not limited to the normal AWB mode, the landscape AWB mode, the night view AWB mode, and the party AWB mode. That is, it may have other AWB modes in which suitable weighting conditions and color temperature control tracking ranges are set according to the type of shooting scene.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that allows a user to more easily select a color suitable for a subject.

  The present invention is not limited to the implementation on the digital camera 100. That is, the present invention can be applied to an imaging apparatus that performs white balance adjustment at the time of imaging, such as a movie camera or a mobile phone with a camera.

100 Digital Camera 111 Focus Lens 112 Zoom Lens 113 Aperture 114 Shutter 120 CCD Image Sensor 121 AFE (Analog Front End)
122 image processing unit 123 liquid crystal monitor 124 buffer memory 130 controller 131 AWB mode setting unit 140 memory card 141 card slot 142 flash memory 150 operation unit 160 flash 170 BM integration circuit 180 WB control circuit 181 input terminal 182 light source estimation unit 183 tracking control unit 184 Output terminal 201 Release button 202 Zoom lever 203 Power button 204 Center button 205 Cross button

Claims (6)

An imaging sensor that captures a subject image and generates an image;
A determination unit that determines a reference color temperature at the time of white balance adjustment based on the generated image;
A white balance adjustment unit that performs white balance adjustment on the image based on the determination result;
The determination unit determines the reference color temperature from a first color temperature range or a reference color temperature from a second color temperature range different from the first color temperature range according to a designation operation by a user. A control unit for determining whether or not to control,
An imaging apparatus comprising: A display unit;
A display for controlling the display unit to display the first display body for designating the first color temperature range and the second display body for designating the second color temperature together. A control unit,
The control unit determines the reference color temperature from the first color temperature range according to which of the first display body and the second display body is designated by the user. Determining whether to control the reference color temperature from a second color temperature range different from the first color temperature range;
The imaging device according to claim 1. It has a plurality of shooting scene modes in which suitable shooting conditions according to the shooting scene are set,
The first display body is a display body showing a first shooting scene,
The second display body is a display body showing a second shooting scene different from the first shooting scene.
The imaging device according to claim 2. When it is determined that light source colors having different color temperatures exist in the generated image, the determination unit determines the reference color temperature in the first color temperature range and the second color temperature range. A change unit for changing the weight of each of the light source colors at the time of determination;
The imaging device according to claim 1. An imaging sensor that captures a subject image and generates an image;
A determination unit that determines a reference color temperature at the time of white balance adjustment based on the generated image;
A white balance adjustment unit that performs white balance adjustment on the image based on the determination result;
A setting unit that receives a designation operation by a user and sets a color temperature range when the determination unit determines the reference color temperature;
Imaging device. The setting unit sets the color temperature range by designating an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the color temperature range from a user.
The imaging device according to claim 5.

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