JP5233726B2 - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera provided with a display monitor.

  Conventionally, when taking a group photo or taking a commemorative photo at a sightseeing spot, it is often done to ask a photographer to take an electronic camera. Therefore, an electronic camera equipped with a photographing mode for facilitating photographing by a photographing agent has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

According to the electronic camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, a contour line is extracted from an image (pre-image) acquired by provisional photographing prior to the main photographing, and the contour line is displayed on a display monitor. When taking the electronic camera, the photographic agent performs composition adjustment so that the outline of the pre-image and the outline of the image (through image) in the current composition overlap while looking at the monitor, and then presses the release button. Press to have the electronic camera take a picture.
JP 2005-102263 A

  However, in the electronic camera of Patent Document 1, since the outline of the entire subject is extracted from the pre-image and displayed, there is a problem that it takes time to match the outline of the entire subject depending on the shape of the subject.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that enables a photographing agent to easily compose a composition when taking a commemorative photo or the like.

  An electronic camera according to a first invention includes an imaging unit, a display unit, a shooting mode switching unit, an extraction unit, a first landmark information generation unit, a first landmark selection unit, a search unit, and a second landmark. An information generation unit, a landmark display control unit, and an enlarged display control unit are provided. The imaging unit images a subject and generates image data. The display unit displays an image based on the image data. The shooting mode switching unit switches from a plurality of shooting modes including a composition shooting mode having a shooting guide function for determining the composition of the main shooting to an arbitrary shooting mode. The extraction unit extracts the contour of the subject from the temporary image acquired by the temporary shooting performed prior to the main shooting when the composition adjustment shooting mode is set. The first mark information generating unit generates first mark information that clearly indicates a characteristic part of the contour. The first mark selection unit superimposes and displays the first mark based on the first mark information on the temporary image and selects the first mark. The search unit searches for a characteristic portion from a through image acquired by composition confirmation in actual photographing. The second mark information generation unit generates second mark information that clearly indicates the characteristic portion found by the search unit. The mark display control unit superimposes and displays the first mark selected by the first mark selecting unit and the second mark based on the second mark information on the through image. The enlarged display control unit enlarges and displays the partial area including the characteristic part of at least one of the temporary image and the through image on the display unit.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the display unit further includes a touch panel that receives an operation from the user. The first mark selection unit selects the first mark via the touch panel.

  According to a third invention, in the first invention, an operation unit for receiving an operation from a user is further provided. The first mark selection unit selects the first mark through the operation unit.

  In a fourth invention according to any one of the first to third inventions, the enlarged display control unit further causes the display unit to display a small screen showing the enlarged partial area.

  In a fifth aspect based on the third aspect, the enlarged display control unit displays a small screen in a region different from the partial region displayed on the display unit.

  In a sixth aspect based on the fourth or fifth aspect, the enlarged display control section displays a small screen corresponding to the number of areas on the display section.

  In a seventh aspect based on the fourth or fifth aspect, the enlarged display control unit determines whether or not the first mark and the second mark are within a predetermined distance range in the image. A small screen is displayed when the distance approaches a predetermined distance.

  In an eighth aspect based on the first aspect, the first mark and the second mark are line displays indicating an outline. The mark display control unit changes and displays at least one of the length and the thickness of the lines of the first mark and the second mark.

  According to the electronic camera of the present invention, when taking a commemorative photo or the like, the photo taking agent can easily make the composition.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the composition adjustment shooting mode (hereinafter referred to as “commemorative shooting mode”) described in the first embodiment has a shooting guide function for determining the composition of the main shooting for recording an image. In this commemorative photography mode, a temporary image (pre-image) for composition adjustment is acquired prior to the main image capture. When the actual image is taken, the composition of the pre-image and the current composition confirmation through image are displayed. Assist in composition adjustment (details will be described later).

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic camera 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera 1 includes a photographing lens 10, an imaging unit 11, an image processing unit 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14, a display device 15, and a release device. A button 16, an operation unit 17, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 18, a recording interface (recording I / F) 19, a bus 20, and a recording medium 21 are provided.

  Among these, the image processing unit 12, the RAM 13, the ROM 14, the display device 15, the recording interface (recording I / F) 19, and the CPU 18 are connected to each other via a bus 20. The release button 16 and the operation unit 17 are connected to the CPU 18.

  The photographing lens 10 includes a plurality of lens groups including a zoom lens and a focus lens. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 1 shows the photographic lens 10 as a single lens.

  The imaging unit 11 includes a lens driving mechanism, a diaphragm, a shutter mechanism, an imaging element, an AFE (analog front end), and the like. The imaging unit 11 generates image data of the subject image formed by the photographing lens 10 and sends it to the image processing unit 12.

  Note that the image based on the image data generated by the imaging unit 11 includes a composition confirmation through image in addition to the provisional image and the actual image. The image for storage is a one-frame image with a large amount of data. The through image is an image of a plurality of continuous frames with a small amount of data, and is an image for displaying the current subject of the electronic camera 1 in real time.

  The image processing unit 12 temporarily stores the image data output from the imaging unit 11 in the RAM 13. This RAM 13 functions as a frame memory. In addition, the image processing unit 12 reads out image data for one frame stored in the RAM 13 and performs various image processing (gradation conversion processing, contour enhancement processing, white balance processing, etc.).

  The ROM 14 is a non-volatile memory that stores a program for controlling the electronic camera 1 in advance.

  The display device 15 includes a liquid crystal display monitor 15a and a touch panel 15b. The touch panel 15b is provided on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a, and employs, for example, a known resistive film method (pressure sensitive method). Thereby, the user (the owner of the electronic camera 1 or the like) or the photographing agent can operate the electronic camera 1 by pressing the surface of the touch panel 15b with a finger. The liquid crystal display monitor 15a displays a still image, a through image, an operation menu of the electronic camera 1, and the like.

  The release button 16 accepts an instruction input for a half-press operation (instruction input for starting an operation such as autofocus (AF) before photographing) and a full-press operation (starting an imaging operation). In the commemorative shooting mode, when an instruction input for a half-press operation is received in a state where the pre-image acquired by the temporary shooting is displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a, the display is switched to the through image display.

  A connector for connecting the recording medium 21 is formed in the recording interface (recording I / F) 19. The recording interface (recording I / F) 19 accesses the recording medium 21 connected to the connector according to an instruction from the CPU 18 and performs image recording processing.

  The operation unit 17 includes, for example, a command dial, a cross-shaped cursor key, a power button, and the like. And the operation part 21 receives operation with respect to the electronic camera 1 from a user.

  The CPU 18 is a processor that performs overall control of the electronic camera 1. The CPU 18 includes a shooting mode switching unit 18a, an extraction unit 18b, a feature outline generation unit 18c, a feature outline selection unit 18d, a search unit 18e, a corresponding outline generation unit 18f, a landmark display control unit 18g, and an enlarged display control unit 18h. Also works.

  The photographing mode switching unit 18a switches the photographing mode by receiving an instruction input for photographing mode switching from the touch panel 15b. As an example of the imaging mode, a landscape mode suitable for landscape photography, a portrait mode suitable for human photography, a commemorative photography mode, and the like are prepared in advance.

  The extraction unit 18b extracts the contour of the subject from the image data of the pre-image acquired by provisional shooting in the commemorative shooting mode. At this time, the extraction unit 18b extracts the contour of the subject by analyzing the luminance value of the image data using a known contour extraction process.

  Based on the contour extracted by the extraction unit 18b, the feature contour generation unit 18c generates feature contour information that clearly indicates the feature portion of the contour. Further, the feature outline generation unit 18c generates a feature outline as a first mark from the feature outline information. Here, as an example, a predetermined region including a point at which two contour lines intersect with each other within a predetermined angle range is defined in advance as a feature portion of the contour. Therefore, the feature outline is formed by two outlines. Note that as the feature outline, a part of one selected outline may be defined as a feature portion and used as a guide line for composition adjustment.

  The feature outline selection unit 18d superimposes and displays the feature outline on the pre-image and selects the feature outline by input from the touch panel 15b.

  The search unit 18e searches for a feature contour line from a through image acquired by composition confirmation in actual photographing using known pattern matching.

  The corresponding contour generation unit 18f generates corresponding contour line information that clearly indicates the characteristic portion found by the search unit 18e. Further, the corresponding contour generation unit 18f generates a corresponding contour as a second mark from the corresponding contour information.

  The mark display control unit 18g superimposes and displays the feature contour selected by the feature contour selection unit 18d and the corresponding contour based on the corresponding contour information on the through image. In the present embodiment, as an example, the feature outline and the corresponding outline are displayed as lines indicating the outline. Here, the mark display control unit 18g may change and display at least one of the length and the thickness of the feature outline and the corresponding outline. Note that the mark display control unit 18g may superimpose and display the feature contour line and the corresponding contour line in different colors.

  The enlarged display control unit enlarges and displays the partial area including the feature outline in the pre-image on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a. The enlarged display control unit enlarges and displays the partial area including the feature outline and the corresponding outline in the through image on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a.

  The enlarged display control unit 18h further displays a small screen showing the enlarged partial area on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a. Furthermore, the enlarged display control unit 18h displays a small screen in an area different from the partial area displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a. The enlarged display control unit 18h can display a small screen corresponding to the number of partial areas on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a.

  Here, the enlarged display control unit 18h determines whether or not the feature contour line and the corresponding contour line are within a predetermined distance range in the through image, and has approached the predetermined distance range. In some cases, a small screen may be displayed. The small screen is not limited to a rectangle, and may be a screen having an arbitrary shape.

  Next, an example of the operation of the electronic camera 1 in the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the electronic camera 1 when provisional shooting is performed. 3, 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the provisional photographing in the commemorative photographing mode. In the following description, a case where the commemorative shooting mode is set will be described. In this commemorative photographing mode, first, the user performs provisional photographing with the electronic camera 1, and then the user hands the electronic camera 1 to the photographing agent to have the photographing agent perform the main photographing. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the operation of the electronic camera 1 when performing temporary shooting and the operation of the electronic camera 1 when performing actual shooting will be described separately.

  First, the operation of the electronic camera 1 when performing temporary shooting will be described. FIG. 3 (a) shows the composition desired to take a commemorative photo. In FIG. 3A, it is assumed that three people (P1, P2, P3) are commemoratively photographed with the building 100 in the background. It is assumed that the person P2 performs provisional shooting. This flowchart is started when the photographing mode switching unit 18a receives an instruction input of the commemorative photographing mode via the touch panel 15b after the electronic camera 1 is turned on.

  Step S101: The CPU 18 starts acquiring a through image by driving the imaging unit 11. This through image is displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a.

  Step S102: The CPU 18 monitors whether or not the release button 16 is half-pressed. When the release button 16 is half-pressed (step S102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if the CPU 18 does not detect half-press (step S102: No), step S102 is repeated until the release button 16 is half-pressed.

  Step S103: The CPU 18 performs control such as AF (automatic focus control), AE (automatic exposure control), etc., and sets shooting conditions necessary for temporary shooting.

  Step S104: The CPU 18 monitors whether or not the release button 16 is fully pressed. When the release button 16 is fully pressed (step S104: Yes), the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the CPU 18 does not detect full press even after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S104: No), the temporarily set shooting conditions for temporary shooting are canceled, and the process returns to step S102.

  Step S105: The CPU 18 drives the imaging unit 11 to receive a full press operation and acquire a pre-image. Image data output by the imaging unit 11 is input to the image processing unit 12. The image processing unit 12 temporarily stores the pre-image data output from the imaging unit 11 in the RAM 13. Further, a pre-image is displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3B, the person P2 is represented by a dotted line, but this explicitly shows that the person P2 is taking a temporary image. It is not in the pre-image.

  When the CPU 18 receives an instruction input indicating that the pre-image is used as the composition of the main shooting by the user input via the touch panel 15b, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, when an instruction input indicating that the pre-image is retaken by the user input is received via the touch panel 15b, the process returns to step S102.

  Step S106: The extraction unit 18b extracts the contour of the subject by the contour extraction process. Furthermore, the feature outline generation unit 18c generates feature outline information that clearly indicates the feature portion of the outline based on the outline extracted by the extraction unit 18b. Further, the feature outline generation unit 18c generates a feature outline from the feature outline information.

  At this stage, the mark display control unit 18g does not cause the feature outline to be superimposed on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a. Subsequently, the CPU 18 displays on the pre-image a contour extraction frame 30 for designating a location where a feature contour is set by user input. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the mark display control unit 18g superimposes and displays the feature outlines 31 and 32 on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a in the outline extraction frame 30.

  Here, the user can freely move the outline extraction frame 30 on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a by operating the touch panel 15b. Then, when a feature outline exists in the outline extraction frame 30, the feature outline is superimposed on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a. Note that the landmark display control unit 18g, for example, superimposes and displays as a characteristic contour line if the predetermined contour line of the building shown in the pre-image displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a is 3 mm or more on the display screen. May be. Moreover, the outline extraction frame 30 is not limited to one, and may be two or more. Further, the size and shape of the outline extraction frame 30 can be arbitrarily changed by user input.

  Step S107: When the setting of the outline extraction frame 30 is completed by the user input (step S107: Yes), the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, step S107 is repeated until the setting of the outline extraction frame 30 is completed by user input (step S107: No).

  Step S108: The enlarged display control unit 18h enlarges and displays the contour line extraction frame 30 on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a as shown in FIG. Here, the enlarged display control unit 18h may perform enlarged display so that the feature outline can be displayed with a margin in the display screen in consideration of camera shake and the like.

  Step S109: When the user presses one of the areas where the feature outlines 31 and 32 are displayed via the touch panel 15b, the feature outline selection unit 18d receives an instruction input for selecting the feature outline. (Step S109: Yes), the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, step S109 is repeated until the instruction input for selecting the feature contour ends (step S109: No). Note that the CPU 18 may accept both the feature outlines 31 and 32. Here, the description is continued assuming that the feature outline 31 is selected.

  Step S110: The CPU 18 ends the enlarged display shown in FIG. Then, the mark display control unit 18g superimposes and displays the characteristic outline 31 on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a in the outline extraction frame 30 as shown in FIG. 4B.

  Thus, the process of the flowchart when the user performs provisional shooting with the electronic camera 1 is completed.

  In the process of step S108, the enlarged display control unit 18h displays the small screen 33 on the display screen of the liquid crystal display monitor 15a as shown in FIG. May be enlarged and displayed. In this case, the enlarged display control unit 18h displays the small screen 33 at a position different from the outline extraction frame 30 displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a. That is, the enlarged display control unit 18h displays the small screen 33 so that the outline extraction frame 30 is not hidden. The enlarged display control unit 18h can display two small screens 33 and 34 on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a as shown in FIG. This facilitates composition adjustment when the distance between the feature outlines is long.

  Next, the operation of the electronic camera 1 when performing actual shooting will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the electronic camera 1 when performing the main photographing. Here, it is assumed that the user passes the electronic camera 1 to the imaging agent in a state shown in FIG. 4B (a state in which a feature outline is superimposed on the pre-image). 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the main photographing in the commemorative photographing mode.

  Step S201: The CPU 18 monitors whether or not the release button 16 has been half-pressed. If the release button 16 is half-pressed (step S201: Yes), the process proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, if the CPU 18 does not detect half-press (step S201: No), step S201 is repeated until the release button 16 is half-pressed.

  Step S202: When detecting that the release button 16 is half-pressed, the CPU 18 switches the pre-image display on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a to the through image display. Thereby, the feature outline 31 is superimposed and displayed on the through image. Here, the feature outline 31 is fixed on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a even if the through image changes, and the corresponding outline described later moves as the through image changes.

  Step S203: The search unit 18e searches for a corresponding outline corresponding to the feature outline obtained from the pre-image from the through image using known pattern matching. The corresponding contour generation unit 18f generates information that is the basis of the corresponding contour found by the search unit 18e. Furthermore, the corresponding contour generation unit 18f generates a corresponding contour from information that is the basis of the corresponding contour. Once the corresponding contour line is generated, the CPU 18 tracks the position information of the corresponding contour line by a known tracking function. Thereby, the corresponding outline generation unit 18f generates the corresponding outline in real time.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7A, the mark display control unit 18g superimposes and displays the feature outline 31 and the corresponding outline 32 on the through image. In addition, although the image protrudes outside the frame of the liquid crystal display monitor 15a, this represents that the composition is deviated for easy understanding.

  Step S204: As shown in FIG. 7B, the enlarged display control unit 18h displays the small screen 33 on the display screen of the liquid crystal display monitor 15a, and enlarges and displays the region including the feature outline 31 and the corresponding outline 32. Let

  In this state, the user can easily superimpose the feature outline 31 and the corresponding outline 32 by moving the electronic camera 1 while looking at the small screen 33. At this time, as the feature outline 31 and the corresponding outline 32 approach each other, the size of the small screen 33 occupying the display screen may be increased stepwise so that the user can easily compose the composition. .

  Step S205: The CPU 18 determines the degree of coincidence (degree of overlap) between the feature outline 31 and the corresponding outline 32 displayed on the through image. If the determination result shows that the feature outline 31 and the corresponding outline 32 overlap each other as shown in FIG. 7C (step S204: Yes), the process proceeds to step S206. Here, when the feature contour line 31 and the corresponding contour line 32 overlap, the CPU 18 performs control such as AF (automatic focus control), AE (automatic exposure control), etc., and sets the photographing conditions necessary for the main photographing. .

  On the other hand, when the feature outline 31 and the corresponding outline 32 do not overlap (step S204: No), step S205 is repeated.

  Step S206: As shown in FIG. 8A, the CPU 18 deletes the small screen 33 and proceeds to step S207. Thereby, the user knows that the feature outline 31 and the corresponding outline 32 overlap each other.

  Step S207: The CPU 18 drives the imaging unit 11 to acquire the main image in response to the full press operation. Image data output by the imaging unit 11 is input to the image processing unit 12. The image processing unit 12 temporarily stores the main image data output from the imaging unit 11 in the RAM 13. The image processing unit 12 performs image processing such as white balance correction processing on the main image data. As shown in FIG. 8B, the CPU 18 displays the image after image processing on the liquid crystal display monitor 15 a and compresses the main image data after image processing and stores it in the recording medium 21. And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when taking a commemorative photo or the like, an imaging agent can easily perform composition adjustment.

  In addition, the enlarged display control unit 18h displays a small screen on the display screen of the liquid crystal display monitor 15a, and enlarges and displays the partial region including the feature outline and the corresponding outline in the small screen, so that the imaging agent can , Making composition easy. In addition, the enlarged display control unit 18h displays a small screen together with the partial area displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a, so that the photographic agent can further easily adjust the composition. Further, the enlarged display control unit 18h displays a small screen on the liquid crystal display monitor 15a when the feature outline and the corresponding outline approach within a predetermined distance range in the through image. This makes it easy for the imaging agent to accurately compose the composition without losing sight of the corresponding outline on the small screen.

Further, the mark display control unit 18g changes at least one of the length and the thickness of the characteristic contour line and the corresponding contour line, and superimposes them so as to make it easy to see. It becomes easy to do.
<Supplementary items of the embodiment>
In the above embodiment, the outline extraction frame and the feature outline are selected using the touch panel, but may be performed by key operation of the operation unit 17. Further, the feature contour selection unit 18d may automatically select the feature contour under a preset condition.

  Further, the enlarged display control unit 18h may enlarge or reduce the image in the small screen by a zoom operation.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic camera 1 A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic camera 1 in the case of provisional shooting. Diagram explaining temporary shooting in commemorative mode Diagram explaining temporary shooting in commemorative mode Diagram explaining temporary shooting in commemorative mode A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic camera 1 in the case of performing actual photographing. Diagram explaining main shooting in commemorative mode Diagram explaining main shooting in commemorative mode

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Imaging part, 15 ... Display apparatus, 18a ... Shooting mode switching part, 18b ... Extraction part, 18c ... Feature outline generation part, 18d ... Feature outline selection part, 18e... Search unit, 18f... Corresponding contour generation unit, 18g... Mark display control unit, 18h.

Claims (8)

An imaging unit that images a subject and generates image data;
A display unit for displaying an image based on the image data;
A shooting mode switching unit for switching to any shooting mode from a plurality of shooting modes including a composition matching shooting mode having a shooting guide function for determining the composition of the main shooting;
An extraction unit for extracting the contour of the subject from a temporary image acquired by temporary shooting performed prior to the main shooting when the composition shooting mode is set;
A first mark information generating unit that generates first mark information that clearly indicates a characteristic part of the contour;
A first mark selection unit that causes the first mark based on the first mark information to be superimposed on the temporary image and that selects the first mark;
A search unit for searching for the feature portion from a through image acquired by composition confirmation in the main shooting;
A second landmark information generation unit that generates second landmark information that clearly indicates the characteristic portion that the search unit has found;
A mark display control unit that superimposes and displays the first mark selected by the first mark selection unit and the second mark based on the second mark information on the through image;
An enlarged display control unit for enlarging and displaying a partial region including the characteristic part of at least one of the temporary image and the through image;
An electronic camera comprising: The electronic camera according to claim 1,
The display unit further includes a touch panel that receives an operation from a user,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first mark selection unit selects the first mark via the touch panel. The electronic camera according to claim 1,
It further includes an operation unit that receives an operation from the user,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first mark selection unit selects the first mark through the operation unit. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The enlarged display control unit further causes the display unit to display a small screen showing the partial area in an enlarged manner. The electronic camera according to claim 4,
The enlarged display control unit displays the small screen in a region different from the partial region displayed on the display unit. The electronic camera according to claim 4 or 5,
The enlarged display control unit displays the small screen according to the number of the areas on the display unit. The electronic camera according to claim 4 or 5,
The enlarged display control unit determines whether or not the first mark and the second mark are close to each other within a predetermined distance range in the image. An electronic camera that displays the small screen. The electronic camera according to claim 1.
The first mark and the second mark are line displays indicating an outline,
The electronic display camera, wherein the mark display control unit changes and displays at least one of the length and thickness of the lines of the first mark and the second mark.

Images