JP5217504B2 - Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and a program suitable for a digital camera or the like having a face detection function for detecting a human face portion from an image.

  In recent years, a digital camera or digital video camera that captures a subject using a CCD or MOS type solid-state imaging device has a face detection function that automatically detects a person's face as a subject when shooting a still image or a moving image. What you have is increasing. In a digital camera or the like having such a function, focus control and exposure control are generally performed based on image information in a detected face area (hereinafter referred to as “face area”).

Further, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses processing time at the time of face detection for the purpose of speeding up face detection (face area detection) processing on an arbitrary image and eliminating unnecessary detection processing. And the number of people detected, and the face area ratio (the ratio of the area of the image to be processed to the total area of the detected face area), when the user presets the maximum value, and when any value reaches the maximum value Describes a technique for completing the detection process.
JP 2000-048184 A

  However, when the above technique is applied to a digital camera having a face detection function, in order for the camera to perform efficient face detection, the user who is the photographer needs the above processing time, the number of detected persons, and the face contact at the time of photographing. There is a problem that a very complicated setting operation such as individually setting a plurality of parameters defining the content of the face detection operation such as a rate is forced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device capable of efficiently detecting a face according to a shooting scene without forcing a user to perform complicated setting work. Another object is to provide an imaging method and program.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided imaging means for photographing a subject image, face detection means for performing face detection processing for detecting a face portion from the photographing range of the subject image photographed by the imaging means, and photographing for photographing a person. Differentiating between scenes and shooting scenes for shooting children, the facial features corresponding to each person and child are stored as face status data indicating the status of faces within the shooting range corresponding to each of multiple shooting scenes. The shooting situation storage means, a selection means for selecting one of the plurality of shooting scenes stored in the shooting scene storage means, and the face situation data from the shooting scene storage means based on the shooting scene selected by the selection means. read, the face detection condition by the read face status data the face detection means performs the face detection processing, a shooting scene for photographing a person, the shooting scene to shoot children its Scene image storing the face detection control means for changing setting to a different face detection conditions suitable for, respectively, a shooting scene for photographing a person, to distinguish the photographic scene to shoot children, the image showing each shooting scene The image processing apparatus includes storage means and scene image display means for reading an image showing a photographic scene selected by the selection means from the scene image storage means and displaying it in a finder image .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention , the shooting scene storage means distinguishes a shooting scene for shooting a person, a shooting scene for shooting a child, and a shooting scene for shooting a moving subject other than a person including an animal, The face detection data corresponding to each shooting scene is stored, and the face detection control unit is configured to shoot a shooting scene for shooting a person, a shooting scene for shooting a child, and a shooting scene for shooting a moving subject other than a person including animals. A different face detection condition is set for each of the above.

In the invention according to claim 5 , the scene image storage means further distinguishes between a shooting scene for shooting a person, a shooting scene for shooting a child, and a shooting scene for shooting a moving subject other than a person including animals, A sample image corresponding to each photographic scene is stored, and the scene image display means reads the sample image corresponding to the photographic scene selected by the selection means from the sample image storage means and displays it in the finder image. Features.

The invention described in claim 6 further distinguishes between a shooting scene for shooting a person, a shooting scene for shooting a child, and a shooting scene for shooting a moving subject other than a person including animals, and corresponds to each shooting scene. The image processing apparatus further includes shooting condition storage means for storing shooting conditions, and shooting condition setting means for reading and setting shooting conditions corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the selection means from the shooting condition storage means .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention , the shooting condition storage means is configured such that the shutter speed is higher in a shooting scene for shooting a child and a shooting scene for shooting a moving subject other than a person including animals compared to a shooting scene for shooting a person. It is characterized by memorizing fast shooting conditions .

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention , the face situation data for each shooting scene stored in the shooting scene storage means includes the presence / absence of a face, the position of the face, the size of the face, the number of faces, and the face in the shooting range. Including a plurality of the arrangement conditions of the organs constituting the.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention , the face detection control means determines, based on the face status data, a limitation of a region to be subjected to detection processing and a face portion when performing face detection from within the photographing range. The face detection condition is changed and set including at least one of the threshold values when changing .

The invention described in claim 10 further includes output means for outputting identification information for identifying a plurality of shooting scenes stored in the shooting scene storage means, wherein the selection means includes the identification information output by the output means. One of the plurality of shooting scenes stored in the shooting scene storage means is selected by a corresponding instruction input .

The invention described in claim 11 further includes external information acquisition means for acquiring environmental information outside the apparatus, and the selection means is configured to select one of a plurality of shooting scenes based on the external information acquired by the external information acquisition means. It is characterized by selecting one .

The invention of claim 10 distinguishes between a shooting scene for shooting a person and a shooting scene for shooting a child, and as face situation data indicating the situation of a face within a shooting range corresponding to each of a plurality of shooting scenes , A scene that stores an image showing each shooting scene by distinguishing between a shooting scene storage unit storing facial features corresponding to a person and a child, a shooting scene shooting a person, and a shooting scene shooting a child An imaging method in an imaging apparatus including an image storage unit, wherein a face detection process for performing a face detection process for detecting a face portion from within a shooting range of a subject image shot by the imaging unit, and the shooting scene storage unit A selection step for selecting one of a plurality of stored shooting scenes, and reading and reading out the face situation data from the shooting scene storage unit based on the shooting scene selected in the selection step By the face status data face detection condition for the face detection processing by the face detection process, the photographic scene for photographing a person, the face detection to change setting to a different face detection conditions suitable for each shooting scene to shoot children It has a control step and a scene image display step of reading an image showing the photographing scene selected in the selection step from the scene image storage unit and displaying it in the finder image .

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, as face situation data indicating a situation of a face within a photographing range corresponding to each of a plurality of photographing scenes , a photographing scene for photographing a person and a photographing scene for photographing a child are distinguished . A scene that stores an image showing each shooting scene by distinguishing between a shooting scene storage unit storing facial features corresponding to a person and a child, a shooting scene shooting a person, and a shooting scene shooting a child A face detection step of performing a face detection process for detecting a face portion from within a shooting range of a subject image shot by the imaging unit, the program executed by a computer built in an imaging device including an image storage unit ; A selection step for selecting one of a plurality of shooting scenes stored in the shooting scene storage unit, and the shooting scene based on the shooting scene selected in the selection step. Reads the face status data from the storage unit, the read-out face status data face detection condition for the face detection processing by the face detecting step, the photographic scene for photographing a person, appropriate for each shooting scene to shoot children Causing the computer to execute a face detection control step for changing and setting different face detection conditions, and a scene image display step for reading out an image showing the photographic scene selected in the selection step from the scene image storage unit and displaying it in the viewfinder image It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently detect a face according to a shooting scene without forcing a user to perform complicated setting work.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera that captures a still image will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of a digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a lens optical system 11 forms an optical image of a subject on the imaging surface of a CCD 12 that is a solid-state imaging device.

  An image signal obtained by imaging with the CCD 12 in the monitor state is sent to the image processing unit 13 and subjected to correlation square sampling, automatic gain adjustment, A / D conversion processing and digitized, and then pixel interpolation processing and γ correction. Color process processing including processing is performed and temporarily held in the buffer memory 14.

  The image data held in the buffer memory 14 is read out to the image processing unit 13, sent to the display unit 15 via the system bus SB, and displayed as a monitor image.

  The control unit 16 performs overall control of all the operations described above. The control unit 16 is composed of a CPU and is connected to a main memory 17 and a program memory 18. The main memory 17 is composed of SDRAM (synchronous DRAM). The program memory 18 is composed of an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores an operation program including face detection control in a photographing mode, which will be described later, and fixed data.

  The control unit 16 reads out necessary programs, data, and the like from the program memory 18 and manages the entire digital camera 10 while temporarily developing and storing them in the main memory 17 as appropriate.

  The control unit 16 executes various control operations in response to a key operation signal directly input from the key input unit 19, and in addition to the image processing unit 13 and the display unit 15 through the system bus SB, a lens. The optical system drive unit 20, flash drive unit 21, CCD driver 22, memory card controller 23, USB interface (I / F) 24, and audio processing unit 25 are also connected.

  The key input unit 19 includes, for example, a power key, shutter key, shooting mode key, playback mode key, menu key, cursor (“↑” “→” “↓” “←”) key, set key, scene program key, camera shake key, A correction key, a face detection function key and the like are provided.

  The lens optical system driving unit 20 receives a control signal from the control unit 16 and controls the rotation of the lens motor (M) 26, and a part of a plurality of lenses constituting the lens optical system 11, specifically, focus. The positions of the lens and the zoom lens are moved along the optical axis direction.

  The flash drive unit 21 receives a control signal from the control unit 16 during still image shooting, and drives the flash unit 27 including a plurality of white high-intensity LEDs to be lit in synchronization with the shooting timing.

  The memory card controller 23 is connected to the memory card 28 via the card connector C. The memory card 28 is a memory for recording image data or the like that is detachably attached to the digital camera 10.

  The USB interface 24 controls transmission / reception of data when connecting to an external device of the digital camera 10 such as a personal computer via the USB connector 29.

  The audio processing unit 25 includes a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source, and digitizes an audio signal input from the microphone unit 30 disposed on the front surface of the housing of the digital camera 10 at the time of recording audio, and a predetermined data file format For example, the audio data file is created by compressing the data in, for example, AAC (moving picture experts group-4 Advanced Audio Coding) format, and sent to the memory card 28.

  On the other hand, the audio processing unit 25 uncompresses and converts the audio data file read from the memory card 28 at the time of audio reproduction into an analog signal, and drives the speaker unit 31 provided on the back of the digital camera 10 to release the sound. Let it sound.

The image processing unit 13 includes a face detection processing unit 32 and a compression / decompression processing unit 33.
The face detection processing unit 32 performs face detection by creating a face graph by performing contour extraction and face feature point extraction on the image data held in the buffer memory 14, and various kinds of detection conditions are used. Data is given from the control unit 16 via the image processing unit 13.

  The compression / decompression processor 33 converts the image data held in the buffer memory 14 into a predetermined data file format, for example, DCT if it is a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), at the time of shooting an image accompanying the shutter key operation of the key input unit 19. Data compression processing such as (discrete cosine transform) or Huffman coding is performed to greatly reduce the amount of data, and the created image data file is recorded on the memory card 28.

  The compression / decompression processing unit 33 obtains image data of the original size by decompression processing that decompresses the image data read from the memory card 28 in the playback mode in the reverse procedure to that during recording. The display unit 15 performs display for reproduction based on the image data held in the buffer memory 14.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the basic processing contents executed in the still image shooting mode. The control operation is performed by the control unit 16 reading the operation program stored in the program memory 18 and the main memory. This is executed by storing the data in 17.

  When the photographing mode is started by operating the power key or photographing mode key of the key input unit 19, the monitor display operation is first started (step S101). In this monitor display operation, the CCD 12 is periodically driven at a predetermined frame rate, for example, 30 [frame / second], and captured images obtained from the CCD 12 are sequentially displayed on the display unit 15.

Next, it is determined whether or not the setting for enabling the face detection function for detecting the face of a person or the like from the subject image being photographed at that time is made (step S102).
Here, when it is determined that the face detection function is not set without setting the face detection function, it is assumed that normal photographing processing not related to the face detection function is performed, and the description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the setting of the face detection function is performed by the user, whether the condition setting mode for setting the face detection function next is individual setting, default setting, or scene program setting. Is determined (step S103).

  When it is determined that the face detection function is enabled by the individual setting, the user individually sets the conditions related to the face detection function by manual operation. Therefore, after performing the setting based on the manual operation (step S104), the process proceeds to the actual photographing operation.

  If it is determined in step S103 that the setting is default, the most standard face detection function fixed in advance in the digital camera 10 is set to a state without any limitation condition ( Step S105), the process proceeds to the actual photographing operation.

  If it is determined in step S103 that the scene program is set, a sample image and description of each shooting scene in the scene program management table stored in the program memory 18 are displayed in a list according to the user's operation (step). S106).

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which the contents of the scene program management table preset in the program memory 18 of the digital camera 10 are rewritten in an easily understandable form. The digital camera 10 has a plurality of shooting scene program functions with names such as “portrait shooting (normal)” “portrait shooting (portrait)”, “landscape and portrait”, “couple”, “party”, etc. The sample image and the description data, the situation of the face in the shooting frame, and the shooting conditions are stored in association with each shooting scene.

More specifically, for example, in “portrait photography (normal)”, an image in which the upper part from the shoulder of the person is arranged in the center of the image frame as a sample image is displayed, and as explanatory data
"Shoot a person
Color enhancement is set to skin tone.
If you use the telephoto side, the background will be beautifully blurred. ''
By displaying the guide message together, the contents of the shooting scene are presented to the user in an easily understandable manner.

  In a state where such a display is performed, it is determined whether or not any of the shooting scenes has been selected next (step S107). If not, the process returns to step S106 again.

  Here, for example, the user selects one of a plurality of shooting scenes prepared in advance by operating a cursor (“↑”, “→”, “↓”, “←”) key and a set key of the key input unit 19. be able to.

  When one of the shooting scenes is selected, it is determined in step S107, and shooting condition data stored in association with the selected shooting scene is acquired from the scene program management table and set as shooting conditions. (Step S108).

  Then, the status data of the face in the shooting frame corresponding to the set shooting scene is obtained from the scene program management table (step S109).

  Based on the acquired situation data of the face in the shooting frame, the “face position” is estimated as the first factor, and the area to be detected in the shooting frame as a condition for the face detection process is determined with respect to the estimated position. The range is limited (step S110).

  Next, the “face size” is estimated as the second factor, and the size of the face to be detected is limited to a predetermined range with respect to the estimated face size. (Step S111).

  Furthermore, when the “number of faces” is estimated as the third factor and the number of detected faces is limited to a predetermined range with respect to the estimated number of faces, the estimated number of faces is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. In this case, the detection threshold value is reset to a low value (step S112).

  In addition, the “facial features” are estimated as the fourth factor, and the facial features to be matched, the state of the feature portions, the threshold value for determining the state, and the like are determined. It sets so that it may restrict | limit according to a characteristic (step S113).

  For example, if it is estimated that the face is large and round, it is determined that the face is the desired face when the face part is large and the shape of the face part is round as the feature part used for face determination. Set to

  When it is estimated that the face parts other than the eyes are indefinite, the main determination condition is that the weight of matching determination by the feature parts other than the eyes is lowered and two equally spaced points move.

  As described above, after limiting the first to fourth factors, each limited condition is set as a face detection condition (step S114), and thereafter, the process shifts to an actual photographing operation.

  At the time of the photographing operation, the CCD 12 as the image pickup element is driven based on the set photographing condition to acquire image data (step S115).

  The acquired image data is stored in the buffer memory 14 by the image processing unit 13, face detection processing is executed on the stored image data based on the set conditions, and the detected face portion is subjected to AF (automatic focusing) processing and As a target of automatic (automatic exposure) processing, a frame corresponding to the face detection portion in the finder image displayed on the display unit 15 is superimposed and displayed (step S117).

It is determined whether or not a shooting instruction has been given based on whether or not the shutter key of the key input unit 19 has been operated for this finder image display (step S118).
If it is determined that the shutter key has not been operated and no shooting instruction has been issued, the process returns to the process from step S115 again. Thereafter, the processes of steps S115 to S18 are repeatedly executed to issue the shooting instruction. Wait for.

  FIG. 5 shows a display example of a finder image on the display unit 15 when the shooting scene “portrait shooting (normal)” is selected. In the same figure, as described in the scene program management table of FIG. 4 above, since the “face size” item in the face situation data is set for all face sizes, as shown in the figure. Frames FR11 to FR13 based on face detection are displayed.

  Among the frames FR11 to FR13, the frame FR11 having the largest size is assumed to be a subject to be emphasized, and is set as an object of AF processing and AE processing. The large frame is very likely to be located closer to the digital camera 10 than the other smaller frames in the subject image, and generally the depth of field is more distal than the proximal position of the in-focus position. Since is wider, there is a higher possibility of focusing on the other small frame side.

  FIG. 6 shows a display example of the finder image on the display unit 15 when the shooting scene “portrait shooting (portrait)” is selected. In the figure, as described in the scene program management table of FIG. 4, only the large face is set as the target in the “face size” item in the face state data. Therefore, although the subject image itself is the same as that in FIG. 5, only the frame FR11 by face detection is displayed as shown in the figure, and the positions corresponding to the frames FR12 and FR13 in FIG. 5 are not subject to face detection.

  If there are a plurality of large faces in the image data, the larger face is the target of AF processing and AE processing. Also in this case, the larger frame is very likely to be located closer to the digital camera 10 than the other frames in the subject image, and the depth of field is generally higher than the proximal side of the in-focus position. Since the distal side is wider, the possibility of focusing on the other frame side is also increased.

FIG. 7 shows a display example of a finder image on the display unit 15 when the shooting scene “landscape and a person” is selected. In this shooting scene “landscape and person”, for example, an image in which a person is placed on the left front side of an image frame and a building is placed on the background is displayed as a sample image.
"Shoot landscape and people
Color enhancement is set to skin tone.
On the wide side, people and background
It ’s easier to focus. ”
By displaying the guide message together, the contents of the shooting scene are presented to the user in an easily understandable manner.

  In this figure, two vertical lines AL11 and AL12 and two horizontal lines AL13 and AL14 whose composition is the golden ratio (1: 1.6) as auxiliary lines on the display unit 15 are taken in a well-shaped image. 4 and the scene program management table of FIG. 4 preferentially sets the face at the golden ratio as the target as described in the “face position” item in the face status data. Therefore, a frame FR31 by face detection is displayed as shown in the figure.

  By limiting the face detection target based on the position in the image data as described above, it is possible to perform face detection more quickly and accurately, and to obtain a calm and well-balanced composition even for users unfamiliar with photography. be able to.

FIG. 8 shows a display example of a finder image on the display unit 15 when the shooting scene “party” is selected. In this shooting scene “party”, as a sample image, for example, an indoor image in which a large number of persons are arranged in the entire image frame is displayed, and as explanation data
"Shoot a party
The shutter speed will be faster. "
By displaying the guide message together, the contents of the shooting scene are presented to the user in an easily understandable manner.

  In this figure, since it is estimated that there are many people in the room, the number of faces that can be detected even if the face detection threshold is lowered by predicting that there are many small faces is given priority. The face is detected. For this reason, frames FR41 to FR45 based on face detection are displayed as shown in the figure, excluding the side face and the like. As described above, in the shooting scene “party”, in order to increase the shutter speed in a room with a small amount of light, a setting for improving the sensitivity of the CCD 12 (amplification factor of the automatic gain control amplifier in the image processing unit 13) is performed. Therefore, although noise in the image data will increase, on the other hand, the possibility of detecting a face increases because the face detection threshold is lowered.

FIG. 9 shows a display example of a finder image on the display unit 15 when the photographing scene “pet” is selected. In this shooting scene “pet”, for example, a dog image is displayed in the image frame as a sample image, and as explanatory data.
"Shoot your pet
The shutter speed becomes faster
Let's shoot with the eyes of a pet. "
By displaying the guide message together, the contents of the shooting scene are presented to the user in an easily understandable manner.

  In the figure, the owner is often photographed with the pet, the number of faces is one or more, the facial features other than eyes are indefinite, and two equally spaced points are in the same direction If it moves, it is detected that it is an eye, the size of the face is judged therefrom, and a frame as a detection result is displayed. The figure shows an example in which frames FR51 to FR53 are displayed by face detection. Among these, the frame FR51 is a person, but the face FR51 is detected by estimating the feature of the face only by eyes. The mouth is not covered. The frames FR52 and FR53 both indicate the position of the face of a small dog that is far away from the human facial features. By limiting the facial features in this way, not only humans but also other animals can be displayed. Even face detection can be performed.

  FIG. 10 shows the characteristics of a child's face as a subject when the shooting scene “child” is selected, and a display example of a finder image on the display unit 15. As shown in FIG. 10A, the ratio of the length a from the top of the head to the eyes and the length b from the eyes to the chin is greatly different between adults and children.

In this shooting scene “children”, for example, an image of an infant is displayed as a sample image in an image frame, and as explanatory data.
"Shoot the child
Color enhancement is set to skin tone.
The shutter speed will be faster. "
By displaying the guide message together, the contents of the shooting scene are presented to the user in an easily understandable manner.

  In the figure, the face position is set at the center of the image and the face size is set to be large, and the face components are arranged differently as described above, so that the face is greatly rounded. Shall also correspond. FIG. 10B shows an example in which a frame FR61 by face detection is displayed.

  By selecting one of a plurality of shooting scenes as exemplified in part of FIGS. 5 to 10 above, face detection corresponding to the shooting scene is performed, and the finder image on the display unit 15 is detected. A frame as a detection result is displayed together, and AF processing and AE processing corresponding to the frame position are performed. When the face to be detected moves in the finder image, by continuing the face detection process, as a result, the AF process and the AE process are performed while automatically tracking the face position.

  However, when the shutter key of the key input unit 19 is operated, it is determined in step S118, and shooting is performed according to the AF position and AE value set at that time and the shooting conditions corresponding to the shooting scene. (Step S119). The image data obtained by shooting is compressed into a data file by the compression / decompression processing unit 33 and then recorded on the memory card 28 via the memory card controller 23 (step S120). After ending, prepare for the next shooting.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, data for limiting the situation of the face in the image corresponding to a plurality of shooting scenes is stored in advance without forcing the user to perform complicated setting work. It is possible to perform efficient face detection according to the shooting intention and the subject.

  In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the shooting condition data is stored in association with the face situation data detected from the shooting frame in each of the plurality of shooting scenes, and shooting is performed based on the shooting scene selected by the user. Since the conditions are also set, it is possible to simplify not only the face detection but also various setting operations required for photographing and improve the usability of the apparatus comprehensively.

  In particular, in the above embodiment, as data indicating the situation of the face corresponding to the shooting scene, the presence or absence of the face, the size of the face, the number of faces, and the characteristics of the face, that is, the arrangement conditions of the organs constituting the face, By specifying at least one, it is possible to detect the face in a shorter time by limiting the conditions related to face detection, and improve the responsiveness of the device, for example, for a fast-moving subject such as a child or a pet Even if there is, it is possible to shoot reliably.

  In addition, in the above embodiment, the data indicating the situation of the face corresponding to the shooting scene includes at least one of the limitation of the detection target region and the detection threshold change. A face can be detected more accurately according to the condition of the subject, and shooting can be performed.

  In particular, in the above embodiment, as the data indicating the situation of the face corresponding to the shooting scene, the presence / absence of a face in the shooting range is indicated, and when there is no face in the shooting range, the face detection process is executed. Since suppression is performed, it is possible to accurately determine a situation in which face detection is not necessary, and to avoid wasting processing time.

  In the above embodiment, as the data indicating the situation of the face corresponding to the shooting scene, the position of the face in the shooting range is indicated, and the face detection process is performed in correspondence with the position of the face in the shooting range. In particular, in a shooting scene where shooting is performed according to a composition prepared in advance, the face detection process can be further accelerated.

  Similarly, in the above-described embodiment, the face size corresponding to the shooting scene indicates the size of the face in the shooting range, and the face detection process is performed according to the size of the face in the shooting range. Therefore, the face detection process can be further speeded up particularly in a shooting scene in which shooting is performed according to a composition prepared in advance.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as the data indicating the situation of the face corresponding to the shooting scene, the number of faces in the shooting range is indicated, and the face detection process is performed in correspondence with the number of faces in the shooting range. By performing face detection processing assuming the approximate size of the face to be detected corresponding to the shooting scene, it is possible to detect the face more quickly and perform shooting.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as the data indicating the face state corresponding to the shooting scene, the arrangement condition of the organ constituting the face in the shooting range is shown, and the face corresponding to the arrangement condition of the organ constituting the face in the shooting range is shown. Since the types of faces to be detected are limited, face detection processing is supported not only for general adult faces corresponding to shooting scenes but also for a wide range of shooting targets such as children and animals other than humans. Efficient shooting scenes can be taken.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, with respect to a plurality of shooting scenes stored in advance by the digital camera 10, the identification information presenting the contents of the plurality of shooting scenes in an easy-to-understand manner is output, and the user selects one of them. If one is selected, face detection is performed according to the selected shooting scene, so that the user's desired face detection function is presented in a more easily understandable manner, and the user's shooting intention is indicated. It is possible to quickly select a shooting scene that is more appropriate and reflects the subject.

  Although not described in the above embodiment, for example, the digital camera 10 incorporates a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna and a receiver, and stores map data associated with position information. Thus, it is possible to acquire an accurate position and time as environment information in which the digital camera 10 exists. Therefore, for example, when one or more shooting scenes that are considered appropriate are automatically selected in consideration of the location and time of famous tourist spots, leisure facilities, superb view points, ambient brightness, etc. Furthermore, by entrusting the user to select one of them, it is possible to quickly select a shooting scene suitable for the external environment and shift to a shooting operation.

  The above embodiment describes the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a video movie camera that performs moving image shooting, a mobile phone terminal having a camera function, or a PND. It can also be applied to small electronic devices such as (Personal Navigation Device) and portable music players.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, the functions executed in the above-described embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combination as much as possible. The above-described embodiment includes various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by an appropriate combination according to a plurality of disclosed structural requirements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, if the effect is obtained, a configuration from which the constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

1 is a block diagram showing a functional circuit configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart showing processing contents in a shooting mode including face detection processing according to the embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing processing contents in a shooting mode including face detection processing according to the embodiment. The figure which rewrites and illustrates in an easy-to-understand form the content of the correspondence table of the imaging | photography scene which concerns on the same embodiment, the condition of the face in an imaging | photography frame, and an imaging condition. The figure which illustrates the monitor image at the time of the photography scene "person photography (normal)" selection concerning the embodiment. The figure which illustrates the monitor image at the time of the photography scene "portrait photography (portrait)" selection concerning the embodiment. The figure which illustrates the monitor image at the time of the photography scene "landscape and a person" selection concerning the embodiment. The figure which illustrates the monitor image at the time of photography scene "party" selection concerning the embodiment. The figure which illustrates the monitor image at the time of photography scene "pet" selection concerning the embodiment. The figure which illustrates the face detection standard and monitor image at the time of photography scene "child" selection concerning the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 11 ... Lens optical system, 12 ... CCD, 13 ... Image processing part, 14 ... Buffer memory, 15 ... Display part, 16 ... Control part, 17 ... Main memory, 18 ... Program memory, 19 ... Key input , 20 ... Lens optical system drive unit, 21 ... Flash drive unit, 22 ... CCD driver, 23 ... Memory card controller, 24 ... USB interface (I / F), 25 ... Audio processing unit, 26 ... Lens motor (M) , 27: Flash unit, 28: Memory card, 29 ... USB connector, 30 ... Microphone unit, 31 ... Speaker unit, 32 ... Face detection processing unit, 33 ... Compression / decompression processing unit, C ... Card connector, SB ... System bus.

Claims (11)

Imaging means for capturing a subject image;
Face detection means for performing face detection processing for detecting a face portion from within a shooting range of a subject image shot by the imaging means;
A photographic scene for photographing a person, to distinguish the photographic scene to shoot children, corresponding to each of the plurality of shooting scenes, as the face status data indicating the status of the face in the shooting range, a person, corresponding to each child Photographing scene storage means storing facial features ;
Selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of shooting scenes stored in the shooting scene storage means;
Based on the shooting scene selected by the selection means, the face situation data is read out from the shooting scene storage means, and the face detection condition for the face detection means to perform the face detection process is read based on the read face situation data. Face detection control means for changing and setting different face detection conditions suitable for each of the scene and the shooting scene for shooting the child ,
A scene image storage means for distinguishing between a shooting scene for shooting a person and a shooting scene for shooting a child, and storing an image showing each shooting scene;
Scene image display means for reading out an image showing a photographic scene selected by the selection means from the scene image storage means and displaying it in the finder image;
Imaging device, characterized in that it comprises a. The shooting scene storage means distinguishes between a shooting scene for shooting a person, a shooting scene for shooting a child, and a shooting scene for shooting a moving subject other than a person including animals, and a face situation corresponding to each shooting scene. Remember the data,
The face detection control means sets different face detection conditions for a shooting scene for shooting a person, a shooting scene for shooting a child, and a shooting scene for shooting a moving subject other than a person including animals. The imaging device according to claim 1 . The scene image storage means distinguishes between a shooting scene for shooting a person, a shooting scene for shooting a child, and a shooting scene for shooting a moving subject other than a person including animals, and corresponding sample images. Remember
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the scene image display means reads out a sample image corresponding to the photographic scene selected by the selection means from the scene image storage means and displays it in the finder image. Shooting condition storage means for distinguishing between a shooting scene for shooting a person, a shooting scene for shooting a child, and a shooting scene for shooting a moving subject other than a person including animals, and storing shooting conditions corresponding to each shooting scene When,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: an imaging condition setting unit that reads and sets an imaging condition corresponding to an imaging scene selected by the selection unit from the imaging condition storage unit. The shooting condition storage means stores a shooting condition with a faster shutter speed than a shooting scene for shooting a person in a shooting scene for shooting a child and a shooting scene for shooting a moving subject other than a person including animals. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the imaging apparatus is characterized. The face situation data for each shooting scene stored in the shooting scene storage means includes the presence / absence of the face, the position of the face, the size of the face, the number of faces, and the arrangement conditions of the organs constituting the face in the shooting range. The imaging device according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of the imaging devices. The face detection control unit is configured to limit a detection target area when performing face detection from a shooting range based on the face situation data, and to change a threshold value when determining a face part. 7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a change setting of the face detection condition including at least one of them is performed. An output unit that outputs identification information for identifying a plurality of shooting scenes stored in the shooting scene storage unit;
It said selection means any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that selecting one of a plurality of shooting scenes stored by the instruction input corresponding to the identification information output by the output means in the photographing scene storage means The imaging device described in 1. It further comprises external information acquisition means for acquiring environmental information outside the device,
8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the selection unit selects one of a plurality of shooting scenes based on the external information acquired by the external information acquisition unit. A photographic scene for photographing a person, to distinguish the photographic scene to shoot children, corresponding to each of the plurality of shooting scenes, as the face status data indicating the status of the face in the shooting range, a person, corresponding to each child Imaging having a shooting scene storage unit that stores facial features , a scene image storage unit that stores a shooting scene for shooting a person and a shooting scene for shooting a child, and stores an image showing each shooting scene An imaging method in an apparatus,
A face detection step for performing a face detection process for detecting a face portion from within a shooting range of a subject image shot by the imaging unit;
A selection step of selecting one from a plurality of shooting scenes stored in the shooting scene storage unit;
Shooting for photographing a person based on a face detection condition for reading the face situation data from the shooting scene storage unit based on the shooting scene selected in the selection step and performing the face detection process in the face detection step based on the read face situation data A face detection control step for changing and setting different face detection conditions suitable for a scene and a shooting scene for shooting a child ,
A scene image display step of reading out an image showing the photographic scene selected in the selection step from the scene image storage unit and displaying it in the finder image;
An imaging method characterized by comprising: A photographic scene for photographing a person, to distinguish the photographic scene to shoot children, corresponding to each of the plurality of shooting scenes, as the face status data indicating the status of the face in the shooting range, a person, corresponding to each child Imaging having a shooting scene storage unit that stores facial features , a scene image storage unit that stores a shooting scene for shooting a person and a shooting scene for shooting a child, and stores an image showing each shooting scene A program executed by a computer incorporated in the device,
A face detection step for performing face detection processing for detecting a face portion from within a shooting range of a subject image shot by the imaging unit;
A selection step of selecting one from a plurality of shooting scenes stored in the shooting scene storage unit;
Photographing face image data from the photographing scene storage unit based on the photographing scene selected in the selection step, and photographing a person under a face detection condition for performing the face detection processing in the face detection step based on the read face condition data A face detection control step for changing and setting different face detection conditions suitable for the scene and the shooting scene for shooting the child ,
A scene image display step of reading out an image showing the photographic scene selected in the selection step from the scene image storage unit and displaying it in the viewfinder image;
A program that causes a computer to execute .

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