JP2003107555A - Image pickup device, automatic exposing method, and program making computer implement the same method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device which enables proper exposure to a person irrelevantly to the position and range of the person in a picture plane. SOLUTION: A CPU 115a detects the face of the person from inputted image data, computes an exposure quantity according to a photometric result based upon the detected face of the person as a photometric area, and performs exposure control based upon the computed exposure quantity.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, an automatic exposure method, and a program for a computer to execute the method. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having an automatic exposure control function and a face detection function. The present invention relates to a method and a program for a computer to execute the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional technique for determining exposure in an image pickup device such as a digital camera is to divide a photometric range in a screen into a plurality of photometric areas and determine the exposure from the photometric results of each photometric area. Method, center-weighted metering method that weights the center of the screen for metering, partial metering method that measures only 10% of the center part of the screen, spot metering method that measures several% of the center part of the screen, etc. Has been done.

[0003]

However, in the conventional photometric methods 1 to 3, there is a problem that the person is not always properly exposed. More specifically, in the multi-division photometry method, since exposure control is performed so that the entire screen is appropriately exposed, there is a problem that a person in the screen may not be properly exposed. In addition, center-weighted metering system,
The partial metering method and the spot metering method have a problem in that the person is not properly exposed only when the positions of the person and the metering area match each other.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an image pickup apparatus, an automatic exposure method, and a method thereof capable of appropriately exposing a person regardless of the position / range of the person on the screen. The purpose is to provide a program for execution by a computer.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is, in an image pickup apparatus having an automatic exposure function, an image pickup means for inputting image data according to a subject, Face detecting means for detecting a person's face from the image data input from the image pickup means,
A photometric unit that measures the human face detected by the face detection unit as a photometric area, and an exposure amount is calculated based on the photometric result of the human face of the photometric unit, and exposure control is performed based on the calculated exposure amount. And an exposure control means for performing the exposure control.

According to the above invention, the image pickup means inputs the image data corresponding to the subject, the face detection means detects the face of the person from the image data inputted from the image pickup means, and the photometry means sets the face. The face of the person detected by the detection unit is metered as a photometric area, and the exposure control unit calculates the exposure amount based on the result of photometry of the face of the person measured by the photometric unit, and performs the exposure control based on the calculated exposure amount. As a result, the exposure control is performed so that the person is properly exposed.

The invention according to claim 2 is based on claim 1.
In the invention according to the above, the photometric means further performs photometry with the entire screen as a photometric area, and the exposure control means,
Based on the result of photometry of the face of the person and the result of photometry of the entire screen by the photometric means, the exposure amount is calculated by weighting the result of photometry of the face of the person in comparison with the result of photometry of the entire screen. .

According to the above invention, the photometric means measures the entire screen as a photometric area, and the exposure control means measures the face of the person based on the photometric result of the human face by the photometric means and the photometric result of the entire screen. The exposure is calculated by weighting the result in comparison with the result of photometry on the entire screen, so that not only the person but also the background is properly exposed.

The invention according to claim 3 provides the invention according to claim 2.
In the invention according to the first aspect, the exposure control unit may include a first photometric method for calculating an exposure amount based on a photometric result of the face of the person according to the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face; One of the second photometric methods for calculating the exposure amount by weighting the photometric result of the face of the person larger than the photometric result of the entire screen based on the photometric result of the face and the photometric result of the entire screen. Is to be selected.

According to the above invention, the exposure control means calculates the exposure amount based on the result of the photometry of the face of the person according to the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face; Based on the result of photometry of the face of the person and the result of photometry of the entire screen, the photometry result of the face of the person is weighted more than the result of photometry of the entire screen to calculate the exposure amount. select. When the photometric result of the entire screen and the photometric result of the face portion are significantly different, it is difficult to properly expose both the face portion and the background, and the exposure amount is halfway for both the person and the background. Therefore, when the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face is at the center, exposure is performed with the photometric result of only the face portion, and only the person obtains an image with proper exposure.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2.
In the invention according to the first aspect, the first photometric method for calculating the exposure amount based on the photometric result of the face of the person, and the photometric result of the face of the person based on the photometric result of the face of the person and the photometric result of the entire screen. It is provided with a photometric system selecting means for the user to select one of the second photometric systems in which the exposure amount is calculated by increasing the weighting as compared with the photometric result of the entire screen.

According to the above invention, the user uses the photometric system selecting means to calculate the exposure amount based on the photometric result of the face of the person, and the photometric result of the face of the person and the photometry of the entire screen. Based on the result, by selecting one of the second photometric methods for calculating the exposure amount by weighting the photometric result of the person's face in comparison with the photometric result of the entire screen, It is possible for the user to select which of the photometric results of the face portion is to be emphasized, and the user's shooting intention is reflected.

The invention according to claim 5 provides the invention according to claim 2.
The invention according to any one of claims 4 to 4 further comprises weighting setting means for allowing the user to set the weighting of the photometric result of the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen. According to the above invention, the user sets the weighting of the photometric result of the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen by the weighting setting means. When the exposure is adjusted based on the result, the user's shooting intention is reflected.

The invention according to claim 6 is the same as claim 2.
In the invention according to any one of claims 4 to 5, the exposure control means, based on the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face, the photometry result of the face of the person with respect to the photometry result of the entire screen. The weighting of is set.

According to the above invention, the exposure control means, based on the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face,
The weighting of the photometric result of the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen is set. As a result, if the proportion of the face in the screen is large, the weighting of the photometric result of the face portion is increased, and if the proportion of the face in the screen is small, the weighting is reduced to balance the face and the background. Exposure can be performed, which is effective, for example, when taking a commemorative photo with a building or the like in the background.

The invention according to claim 7 is the same as claim 1.
The invention according to any one of claims 6 to 6, further comprising face detection operation setting means for allowing a user to set permission / prohibition of the face detection operation of the face detection means, wherein the exposure control means includes the face. When the permission of the face detection operation of the detection means is set, the face detection means is caused to execute the face detection operation,
While performing the exposure control based on the photometric result of the detected face of the person, when the prohibition of the face detection operation of the face detection means is set, without causing the face detection means to perform the face detection operation, The exposure is controlled.

According to the above invention, the user sets permission / prohibition of the face detection operation of the face detection means by the face detection operation setting means, and the exposure control means permits the face detection operation of the face detection means. If set, the face detection means is caused to execute the face detection operation, and exposure control is performed based on the photometric result of the detected face of the person, while prohibition of the face detection operation of the face detection means is set. In this case, the exposure control is performed without causing the face detection unit to execute the face detection operation. For example, when a subject such as a landscape that does not include a person is photographed, face detection is not necessary. Therefore, it is possible to prohibit face detection by the user and avoid wasteful face detection.

The invention according to claim 8 is the same as claim 1.
In the invention according to any one of claims 6 to 6, the first face detection operation of the face detection means is performed to perform exposure control.
Or a mode setting means for setting a second shooting mode for performing exposure control without executing the face detection operation of the face detection means, wherein the exposure control means sets the first shooting mode If the second photography mode is set, the face detection unit is caused to perform a face detection operation to perform exposure control based on the photometry result of the detected face of the person. The exposure control is performed without causing the face detection means to perform the face detection operation.

According to the above invention, the mode setting means performs the exposure control without executing the face detection operation of the face detection means to perform the exposure control in the first photographing mode or the face detection operation of the face detection means. The second photographing mode to be performed is set, and when the first photographing mode is set, the exposure control unit causes the face detecting unit to perform the face detection operation, and the photometry result of the detected face of the person is obtained. On the other hand, when the second shooting mode is set, the exposure control is performed without causing the face detection unit to perform the face detection operation. By defining the shooting mode for face detection and switching the shooting modes, the user can easily select whether or not to detect the face, and shooting suitable for the user's application can be performed.

The invention according to claim 9 relates to claim 1
In the invention according to the third aspect of the invention, there is provided a notifying unit for notifying the user of the detection result of the face of the person by the face detecting unit. According to the above invention, the notification means notifies the user of the detection result of the face of the person by the face detection means, so that the user can determine whether the face detection processing is normally performed. Prevents shooting from failing, such as by stopping shooting.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the ninth aspect, the notifying means is a monitor screen for displaying image data. According to the above invention, the user is informed of the result of the face detection operation such as the position / range of the detected face and the face in the screen on the monitor screen.

According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the ninth aspect, the notifying means is a sub LCD for displaying an operating state of the image pickup apparatus. According to the above-mentioned invention, since an image pickup apparatus having a sub-LCD which shows the state of the image pickup apparatus such as the number of recorded images and the remaining battery level is general, the result of face detection can be obtained with an inexpensive configuration by using this sub-LCD. It is possible to inform the user.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the ninth aspect, the notifying means is an LED. According to the above-mentioned invention, by notifying the detection result of the face of the person by the face detection means by the LED, when the user does not use the monitor screen in the image pickup device without the monitor screen or the image pickup device provided with the monitor screen. Also, it is possible to notify the user of the result of face detection.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the exposure control means, when the face detection means cannot detect the face of a person, performs photometry by another photometry method. The exposure control is performed based on the result. According to the above invention, the exposure control means, when the face detection means cannot detect the face of the person, by performing the exposure control based on the photometric result of another photometric method, even when the face cannot be detected, This makes it possible to perform the same shooting as in the past, without significantly failing to shoot.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input step for inputting image data according to a subject,
A face detection step of detecting a person's face from the image data input in the image input step, a photometric step of photometry of the person's face detected by the face detection step as a photometric area, and a person's face by the photometry step. An exposure control step of calculating an exposure amount based on the result of photometry of the face and performing exposure control based on the calculated exposure amount.

According to the above invention, the image data corresponding to the subject is input, the face of the person is detected from the input image data, and the detected face of the person is measured as a photometric area to determine the face of the person. By calculating the exposure amount based on the photometric result and performing the exposure control based on the calculated exposure amount,
The exposure is controlled so that the person has the proper exposure.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourteenth aspect, in the photometric step, the entire screen is further photometrically measured as a photometric area, and in the exposure control step, the face of the person in the photometric step is measured. The exposure amount is calculated by weighting the result of photometry of the face of the person in comparison with the result of photometry on the entire screen based on the result of photometry on the whole screen and the result of photometry on the entire screen.

According to the above invention, the entire screen is measured as a photometric area, and the photometric result of the person's face is weighted in comparison with the photometric result of the entire screen based on the photometric result of the human face and the photometric result of the entire screen. Is increased to calculate the exposure amount, so that not only the person but also the background is properly exposed.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifteenth aspect, in the exposure control step, according to the ratio of the face to the screen and / or the position of the face,
A first calculating an exposure amount based on the result of photometry of the person's face;
And a photometry result of the person's face and a photometry result of the entire screen, based on the photometry result of the person's face and the photometry result of the entire screen, the exposure amount is calculated by weighting the photometric result of the person's face larger than the photometric result of the entire screen One of the two photometric methods is selected.

According to the above invention, the first photometric method for calculating the exposure amount based on the photometric result of the face of the person according to the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face, and the face of the person Based on the photometry result of the whole screen and the photometry result of the whole screen, the photometry result of the person's face is weighted more than the photometry result of the whole screen to calculate the exposure amount. To do. When the photometric result of the entire screen and the photometric result of the face portion are significantly different, it is difficult to properly expose both the face portion and the background, and the exposure amount is halfway for both the person and the background. Therefore,
When the proportion of the face occupying the screen is large and / or when the face is at the center, exposure is performed with the photometric result of only the face portion, and only the person obtains an image with proper exposure.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifteenth aspect, a first photometric method for calculating the exposure amount based on the photometric result of the face of the person, and the photometric result of the face of the person and Based on the photometric result of the entire screen, the user selects one of the second photometric methods for calculating the exposure amount by weighting the photometric result of the face of the person in comparison with the photometric result of the entire screen. It includes a photometric method step for

According to the above invention, the first photometric method in which the user calculates the exposure amount based on the photometric result of the face of the person and the photometric result of the face of the person and the photometric result of the entire screen
By selecting one of the second photometric methods for calculating the exposure amount by weighting the photometric result of the person's face in comparison with the photometric result of the entire screen, the photometric result of the entire screen and the face portion are selected. It is possible for the user to select which of the photometric results of (1) is to be emphasized, and the user's intention of photographing is reflected.

The invention according to claim 18 is the invention according to any one of claims 15 to 17, further using weighting of the photometric result of the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen. This includes a weighting setting step for the person to set.

According to the above invention, claims 15 to 1
In the invention according to any one of 7 above, further, the user sets the weighting of the photometric result of the person's face with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen. Reflects the user's intention to shoot when adjusting the exposure.

The invention according to claim 19 is the invention according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the exposure control step is based on the ratio of the face to the screen and / or the position of the face. Then, the weighting of the photometric result of the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen is set.

According to the above invention, the weighting of the photometric result of the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen is set based on the ratio of the face to the screen and / or the position of the face. As a result, if the proportion of the face in the screen is large, the weighting of the photometric result of the face portion is increased, and if the proportion of the face in the screen is small, the weighting is reduced to balance the face and the background. Exposure can be performed, which is effective, for example, when taking a commemorative photo with a building or the like in the background.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fifteenth to nineteenth aspects, the face detection in which the user sets permission / prohibition of the face detection operation in the face detection step is performed. In the exposure control step, when the permission of the face detection operation of the face detection step is set, the face detection step is caused to execute the face detection operation to detect the face of the detected person. While performing the exposure control based on the photometric result, when the prohibition of the face detection operation in the face detection step is set, the exposure control is performed without executing the face detection operation in the face detection step. .

According to the above invention, when the user sets permission / prohibition of the face detection operation and the permission of the face detection operation is set, the face detection operation is executed to detect the face detection operation. While the exposure control is performed based on the photometry result of the face of the person, when the prohibition of the face detection operation is set, the exposure control is performed without executing the face detection operation in the detection step. For example, when a subject such as a landscape that does not include a person is photographed, face detection is not necessary. Therefore, it is possible to prohibit face detection by the user and avoid wasteful face detection.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fifteenth to nineteenth aspects, the first photographing for performing the face detection operation of the face detection step to control the exposure. Mode or a mode setting step for setting a second shooting mode for performing exposure control without performing the face detection operation of the face detection step. In the exposure control step, the first shooting mode is set. If the second photographing mode is set, the face detection operation is executed in the face detection step, and the exposure control based on the photometry result of the detected face of the person is performed. The exposure control is performed without executing the face detection operation in the face detection step.

According to the above invention, the first photographing mode for performing the exposure control by executing the face detecting operation or the second photographing mode for performing the exposure control without executing the face detecting operation is set,
When the first shooting mode is set, the face detection operation is executed to perform exposure control based on the photometry result of the detected face of the person, while when the second shooting mode is set. Performs exposure control without executing the face detection operation. Thus, by setting a shooting mode for face detection and switching the shooting modes, the user can easily select whether or not to detect the face, and shooting suitable for the user's application can be performed.

The invention according to claim 22 is the invention according to claim 14, which further includes a notification step of notifying a user of the detection result of the face of the person by the face detection step. According to the above invention, by notifying the user of the detection result of the face of the person, the user can determine whether the face detection processing normally operates, and if it is malfunctioning, stop shooting, etc., Prevent shooting from failing.

The invention according to claim 23 is a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the invention according to any one of claims 14 to 22. According to the above invention, the computer executes the program to perform the exposure control so that the person has the proper exposure.

[0043]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an image pickup apparatus, an exposure control method, and a digital camera to which a computer executes the method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1),
(Embodiment 2), (Modification 1), and (Modification 2) will be described in detail in this order.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera according to the first embodiment.
Shows a front view, (B) shows a side view, and (C) shows a top view. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the upper lid is opened. In the figure, 1 is a camera body, 2 is a photographing lens,
3 is a strobe, 4 is a viewfinder, 5 is an openable lid, 6 is a hinge that supports the openable lid 5, 7
Is a liquid crystal monitor provided inside the upper lid 5, 8 is a sub-LCD provided outside the upper lid 5, 9 is an upper lid opening / closing detection switch for detecting opening / closing of the upper lid 5, 10 is a barrier opening / closing knob, and 11 is photographing. Etc., a release switch for issuing operation instructions, 12 a mode switch for selecting each mode, 13 a strobe switch for strobe emission, 14 an image quality mode switch for setting a shooting image quality, and 15 A cursor key, 16 is a DATE switch for inputting a date, 17 is an ENTER key, and 18 is a SELECT key.

The mode change switch 12 is a SETUP mode for changing or confirming the setting of the camera,
Still image mode for recording still images, moving image mode for recording moving images, playback mode for playing recorded files, connecting to a computer to send files to the computer and operate the camera from the computer For selecting the PC mode, the communication mode for performing communication via the network, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. The digital camera shown in the figure includes a photographing lens 2 (zoom lens 2a, focus lens 2b), a mechanical mechanism (mechanical shutter, diaphragm, filter, etc.) 101, CCD 102, F / E (CD
S circuit, AGC circuit, A / D conversion circuit) 103, IPP
104, compression / expansion circuit 105, memory card 106,
DRAM 107, liquid crystal monitor 7, sub-LCD 10, operation unit 108, motor (zoom lens motor 109a, focus motor 109b, aperture / shutter motor 109)
c) 109, driver (zoom driver 110a, focus driver 110b, aperture / shutter driver 1)
10c) 110, SG111, battery 112, DC / DC
Converter 113, AC adapter 114, controller (CPU 115a, FLASH_ROM 115b, SD
_RAM 115c) 115, a communication driver unit 116, and a network communication unit 117.

The photographing lens 2 is for forming an image of a subject, and a zoom lens 2a for realizing a zoom function and a focus lens 2 for focusing on the subject.
b. The mechanical mechanism 101 includes a mechanical shutter, a diaphragm for adjusting the brightness of a subject, a filter, and the like. The CCD 102 converts the subject image formed by the taking lens 2 into an electric signal and outputs it to the F / E 103 as analog image data.

The F / E 103 pre-processes the analog image data input from the CCD 102, and includes a CDS circuit for performing correlated double sampling of the analog image data input from the CCD 102 and a CDS circuit. An AGC circuit that adjusts the gain of the output analog image data, and an A / D conversion that performs A / D conversion on the analog image data output from the AGC circuit and outputs the digital image data to the IPP 104. It consists of a circuit.

The IPP 104 is for subjecting the input image data to various types of image processing. For example, F / E
After performing interpolation processing on the color image data input from 103, YUV data (luminance Y data, color difference U,
V data).

The compression / expansion circuit 105 compresses the YUV data by a compression method conforming to the JPEG method, and decompresses the compressed image data stored in the memory card 106 by the expansion method conforming to the JPEG method. To process.

The DRAM 107 is a frame memory for temporarily storing captured image data, image data read from the memory card 106, and the like. The memory card 106 is detachably attached to the main body of the digital camera and stores the compressed image data as an image file.

The liquid crystal monitor 7 is for displaying image data and the like. The sub LCD 8 is for displaying the set mode and operation contents of the digital camera.

The zoom driver 110a drives the zoom lens motor 109a according to a control signal input from the controller 115 to move the zoom lens 2a in the optical axis direction. The focus driver 110b drives the focus motor 109b in accordance with the control signal input from the controller 115 to drive the focus lens 2
b is moved in the optical axis direction. The aperture / shutter driver 110c drives the aperture / shutter motor 109c according to a control signal input from the controller 115 to set the aperture value of the mechanical mechanism 101 and the mechanical mechanism 1.
The mechanical shutter 01 is opened and closed.

The SG 111 is based on a control signal input from the controller 115, and the CCD 102 and the F / E 1
Drive 03. The battery 112 is made of, for example, a battery of Nicd, nickel hydrogen, lithium or the like, and supplies a DC voltage to the DC / DC converter 113. AC adapter 1
14 converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage and supplies it to the DC / DC converter 113. DC / DC converter 113
Is the D input from the battery 112 or the AC adapter 114.
The level of the C voltage is converted to supply power to each part of the digital camera.

The communication driver section 116 is for connecting to an external device (for example, a personal computer or the like) to perform data communication. Network communication unit 117
Is for data communication with the network.

The operation unit 108 includes various keys and switches (release switch 11, mode changeover switch 12, strobe switch 13, image quality mode switch 1) shown in FIG. 1 for the user to give various instructions to the digital camera.
4, cursor key 15, DATE switch 16, ENT
ER key 17 and SELECT key 18)
The controller 11 detects the operation of various keys and switches.
Output to 5. The above-mentioned release switch 11 is a two-step SW, and when it is pressed halfway, the first SW is turned on, and when it is fully pressed, the second switch is turned on. In the digital camera, the AE operation and the AF operation are executed when the first SW is turned on, and the photographing operation is executed when the second SW is turned on.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show user setting screens of recording conditions displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 7 when the SETUP mode is selected by the mode changeover switch 12 of the operation unit 108. In the user setting screen for recording conditions shown in the figure, the setting conditions for each item ("focus / AF / manual", "face detection (face detection operation mode)""ON"
/ OFF], "Auto / Manual (Face (1st metering method) / Face + Background (2nd metering method)"), "Long exposure""ON / OFF", "Date included" This is a screen for the user to set "[ON / OFF]" of ". The desired item is selected by the cursor keys 15 on the screen shown in FIG.
Select the desired setting condition with the key 18 and press the ENTER key 1
The setting condition selected in 7 is set.

As will be described later, the user selects "photometric system".
When [Auto] is selected in, the CPU 115a selects either the first photometric method (face) or the second photometric method (face + background). On the other hand, when the user selects [Manual] in "Metering method", the user can further select [Face (first metering method)] or [Face + background (second metering method)]. Select one. In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, “focus” is “AF”, “face detection (face detection processing)” is “ON”, and “photometric method” is “auto”.
"Long exposure" is "OFF", "Dated" is "OFF"
Is set.

The controller 115 is a unit for controlling the entire operation of the digital camera, and based on an instruction from the operation unit 108, the SD_RAM 115 according to the control program stored in the FLASH_ROM 115b.
CPU 115a for controlling the operation of each part of the digital camera using c as a work area, and CPU 115a
FLASH_ROM 11 storing various control programs to be executed by the computer and parameters and data required for control
5b and an SD_RAM 115c used as a work area for the CPU 115a. FLA
The control program, parameters, and data stored in the SH_ROM 115b can be distributed via the network, and can be downloaded and stored via the network. Also, FLASH_
Programs, parameters, and data can be written in the ROM 115b from an external device connected via the communication driver unit 116.

The CPU 115a also controls the monitoring operation, AF operation, AE operation, and photographing operation. Next, an outline of the monitoring operation, the AE operation, and the still image shooting operation executed under the control of the CPU 115a will be described.

When the still image mode or the moving image mode is selected by the mode selector switch 12 of the monitoring operation operating section 108, the monitoring image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 7. Specifically, the CCD 102
The image data of the subject input from the F / E (CD
S, AGC, A / D) 103 and then IPP1
Enter 04. Then, after signal processing is performed by the IPP 104, a monitoring image corresponding to the image data written in the DRAM 107 and stored in the DRAM 107 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 7. The user can determine the composition of shooting by looking at the monitoring image of the subject displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 7.

When the still image mode or the moving image mode is selected by the mode changeover switch 12 of the AE operation operation unit 108 and the release switch 11 is half-pressed to turn on SW1, the CPU 115a
Performs the AE operation. Specifically, in the AE operation,
When the face detection operation mode is set (see FIG.
Also, see FIG. 4). First, face detection processing is executed to detect a person's face. Specifically, the image data input from the CCD 102 is F / E (CDS, AGC, A / D)
After being processed by 103, it is input to the IPP 104. This image data is processed by the IPP 104 and then DR
Written to AM107. The CPU 115a is the DRA
Known face detection technology (Gabor wavelet transform + graph matching) from image data stored in M107
Use to detect a person's face. Then, the detected face of the person is set as a photometric area (AE area), and the CPU 11
5a calculates an AE evaluation value (photometric result), calculates an exposure amount on the basis of the AE evaluation value, and exposes the exposure condition (electronic shutter speed of CCD 3, mechanical mechanism 101) according to the exposure amount.
The exposure control is performed by setting the aperture value of the aperture, the gain of the AGC circuit of the F / E 103, etc.).

The method of calculating the AE evaluation value will be specifically described. FIG. 5 shows an example of division when the screen (image frame) of the CCD 102 is divided into a plurality of areas Y1 to Y35. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of image data of the subject in FIG.

The IPP 104 calculates the brightness data Y1 to Y35 for each area Y1 to Y35 which is the object of photometry, based on the image data (each pixel data (R, G, B)) input from the CCD 102. The formula for calculating the brightness data is shown below. In the following calculation formula, Rn, Gn, Bn
Indicates the average value of each pixel data (R, G, B) in each area.

[0065]   Area 1 Y1 = 0.299R1 + 0.587G1 + 0.114B1   Area 2 Y2 = 0.299R2 + 0.587G2 + 0.114B2                                ・                                ・   Area n Yn = 0.299Rn + 0.587Gn + 0.114Bn

Here, in the face detection operation mode,
When the photometric processing is performed only on the face (in the first photometric method, the luminance data of the area including the face is calculated, and the average value of the calculated luminance data of the area is used as the luminance data Yy (AE evaluation value). In the example shown in FIG. 6, Y14, Y20, Y2
The average value of the brightness data of the areas 1, Y26 and Y27 is defined as the brightness data Yy (AE evaluation value).

Further, in the face detection operation mode, when the photometry processing is performed on the face and the whole, the brightness data of the area including the face is calculated, and the average value of the brightness data of the calculated area is calculated as the brightness data. Yface. In addition, the brightness data of the areas Y1 to Y25 of the entire screen are calculated,
The calculated average value of the brightness data of all areas is the brightness data Y.
All. Then, the weight of the face portion is n1, the weight of the entire screen is n2 (however, n1> n2, n1 + n2
= 1), luminance data Yy (AE evaluation value) = Yfa
ce × n1 + luminance data Yall × n2 is calculated.

In the case of normal photometry processing, a center-weighted photometry method (a method that places emphasis on the brightness of the central portion and determines brightness data by taking into account ambient brightness) and partial photometry method (in the screen) Only the average value of the brightness data in the area,
Luminance data determination method), Sport metering method (same idea as partial metering, but the metering area is small, about 1 to 2%), split metering method (screen is divided into multiple areas, The brightness data Yy (AE evaluation value) is calculated by using one of the methods of obtaining the average value of the brightness for each brightness and determining the brightness data from the brightness distribution pattern).

Then, the CPU 115a causes the FLASH_
Target luminance data Y stored in advance in the ROM 115b
When the value of x and the value of the subject brightness data Yy, which is the result of metering the subject, match, it is determined that the exposure (brightness) is appropriate, and the subject brightness data Yy becomes the target brightness data Yx. The exposure amount is calculated, and based on the calculated exposure amount, exposure conditions (shutter speed of the CCD 102, aperture value (aperture value) of the diaphragm of the mechanical mechanism 101, CCD
The sensitivity of 102 (gain value of the amplifier circuit of F / E 103) is set.

Specifically, the CPU 115a "decreases the shutter speed of the CCD 102", "increases the size of the aperture", and "sensitivity of the CCD 102" in order to increase the value of the luminance data Yy. One of the values (there may be a plurality), while the luminance data Yy
To reduce the value of, do the reverse of the above.

Although the CPU 115a executes the control program to detect the face here, dedicated hardware for face detection may be provided.

Still image photographing operation After the still image mode or the moving image mode is selected by the mode changeover switch 12 of the operation unit 108, the CPU 115a fully presses the release switch 11 of the operation unit 108 to switch SW2.
When is turned on, the still image shooting operation is executed. CCD1
The image pickup data captured from 02 is written in the DRAM 107 after being subjected to image processing / compression processing by the IPP 104. The CPU 115a writes the compressed image data written in the DRAM 107 to the memory card 106 as a still image file.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the AE operation of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of the liquid crystal monitor 7. The AE operation of the digital camera according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the display example of the liquid crystal monitor 7 of FIG. 8 according to the flowchart of FIG. 7. The CPU 115a uses the operation unit 10
After the still image mode or the moving image mode is selected by the mode selector switch 8 of 8, the AE process is executed when the release switch 11 is half-depressed and the SW1 is turned on.

In FIG. 7, first, the CPU 115a
It is determined whether or not the face detection operation mode in which face detection of a person is executed is performed (step S1). The face detection operation mode is set on the user setting screen for the above-described recording conditions (see FIG. 3 above).
And FIG. 4). If the result of this determination is that it is the face detection operation mode, the CPU 115a executes face detection processing (step S2).

The following methods (1) to (4) are known as methods for detecting a person image from a subject image. In the first embodiment, any one of them is used.

Television Society Journal Vol. 49, N
o. 6, pp. 787-797 (1995) “Proposed modified HSV color system effective for face area extraction”, a method of converting a color image into a mosaic image and extracting the face area by focusing on the skin color area. IEICE Journal Vol. 74-D-II, No.
11, pp. 1625-1627 (1991), "Geometry regarding each part constituting the head of a front human figure such as hair, eyes and mouth" as shown in "Method of extracting face area from still gray scene image". Method to extract the head region of a front person using various shape features. As shown in "Face detection for videophone and its effect" in Image Lab 1991-11 (1991), in the case of a moving image, contour edges of a human image generated by a subtle movement of a human between frames are used. The method of extracting the front person image.

Then, the CPU 115a determines whether or not a face is detected (step S3). As a result of this judgment,
When the face is detected, the CPU 115a displays a rectangular frame on the face portion of the person in the image data displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 7 (displays the result of face detection execution OK) to detect that the face is detected. Is notified to the user (step S4).
FIG. 8A shows a display example of image data (monitoring image) displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 7. Figure 8
FIG. 8B shows a display example when a rectangular frame is displayed on the face portion of a person in the image data of FIG.

Subsequently, the CPU 115a determines whether or not the photometric method is set (step S5). This photometric method is set on the user setting screen for the above-described recording conditions (see FIGS. 3 and 4 above). As a result of this judgment,
If the photometric method is set, the process proceeds to step S7.

On the other hand, in step S5, if the photometric system is not set, the CPU 115a executes the photometric system automatic discrimination processing (step S6), and then shifts to step S7. In this automatic determination process of photometric method, based on the ratio of the face to the screen and / or the position of the face, "only the face portion is measured and the luminance data Yy (A
The first photometric method for calculating the E evaluation value) to calculate the exposure amount "or" the photometric result for the face part and the photometric result for the entire screen, with emphasis on the photometric result for the face part (face Of the second photometric method for calculating the exposure amount by calculating the luminance data Yy (AE evaluation value), and increasing the weighting of the photometric result of the portion (1). Specifically, the CPU
115a is the first when the ratio of the face to the screen is large and / or when the face is at the center position of the screen.
The photometric method of is selected, and in other cases, the second photometric processing is selected.

After that, when the selected photometric method is the first photometric method, the CPU 115a performs the photometric processing with the face portion as the photometric area (AE area) (step S8). Then, the CPU 115a calculates the exposure amount based on the photometric result of the photometric area (luminance data Yy (AE evaluation value) (step S9), and executes the exposure setting process,
An exposure condition is set based on the calculated exposure amount (step S10).

If the selected photometric method is the second photometric method in step S7, the photometric processing of the entire screen is executed to perform the photometric measurement of the entire screen (step S11). The CPU 115a performs photometry processing by using the face portion as a photometry area (AE area) (step S1).
2). The CPU 115a focuses on the photometric result of the face portion based on the photometric result of the face portion and the photometric result of the entire screen, according to the ratio of the face to the screen and / or the position of the face (the face portion). (Increasing the weighting of the photometric result of 1) to calculate the above-mentioned luminance data Yy (AE evaluation value),
An exposure amount is calculated based on the calculated luminance data Yy (AE evaluation value) (step S13). Then, the CPU 115
The a executes the exposure setting process to set the exposure condition based on the calculated exposure amount (step S10).

If it is determined in step S1 that the face detection operation mode is not set, or if no face is detected in step S3, the CPU 1
15a executes normal photometry processing (step S1).
4), the exposure amount is calculated based on the photometric result (step S15), the exposure setting process is performed, and the exposure condition is set based on the calculated exposure amount (step S10).

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the CPU 115a detects the human face of the subject and controls the exposure based on the photometric result of the detected human face. It is possible to properly expose a person regardless of the range or position.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the CPU 11
Reference numeral 5a denotes a first photometric method for calculating the exposure amount based on the result of photometry of a person's face according to the ratio of the face to the screen and / or the position of the face, and the result of photometry of the face of the person and the photometry of the entire screen. Based on the result, it is decided to select one of the second photometric methods for calculating the exposure amount by weighting the photometric result of the person's face in comparison with the photometric result of the entire screen, and occupy the screen. When the face is large or the face is in the center, it is possible to use the first photometric method that calculates the exposure amount based on the photometric result of the face of the person, and prioritize proper exposure of the person. .

Further, according to the first embodiment, the user can select the first photometric method and the second photometric method (see FIGS. 3 and 4 above). The user can select which of the photometric results of the portion is to be emphasized, and it is possible to reflect the user's shooting intention.

Further, according to the first embodiment, when the second photometric method is executed, the CPU 115a determines the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen according to the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face. Since we decided to set the weighting of the photometric result of the face, if the proportion of the face occupying the screen is large, increase the weighting to the photometric result of the face part, and if the proportion of the face occupying the screen is small By making it small, it is possible to perform a well-balanced exposure for the face and the background.

Further, according to the first embodiment, since the user can set permission / prohibition of face detection (face detection operation mode) (see FIGS. 3 and 4 above), the person is properly exposed. It becomes possible for the user to select whether or not.

Further, according to the first embodiment, since a rectangular frame is displayed on the face detected on the liquid crystal monitor 7 to indicate to the user that the face detection has succeeded, the user It is possible to confirm whether the face detection is successful.

In the first embodiment, the first photometric method and the second photometric method are selected on the user setting screen of the recording condition displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 7 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 above). However, for example, the first photometric method and the second photometric method may be selected on the screen where the monitoring image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 7. FIG. 10 shows the first
7 illustrates a display example of a screen for selecting the second photometric method and the second photometric method. In the figure, E1 indicates the first selection method and E2 indicates the second selection method, and the user selects either one.

(Second Embodiment) A digital camera according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. The configuration of the digital camera according to the second embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The digital camera according to the second embodiment uses the second photometric method (based on the photometric result of the face of the person and the photometric result of the entire screen to weight the photometric result of the face of the person relative to the photometric result of the entire screen. In the method of increasing the exposure amount), the user can set the weighting ratio of the face and the background.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining the AE operation of the digital camera according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of the liquid crystal monitor 7.
FIG. 1 shows the AE operation of the digital camera according to the second embodiment.
This will be described with reference to the display example of the liquid crystal monitor 7 in FIG. The CPU 115a executes the AE process when the release switch 11 is half pressed and SW1 is turned on after the still image mode or the moving image mode is selected by the mode selection switch 12 of the operation unit 108.

In FIG. 11, first, the CPU 115a
Determines whether or not it is the face detection operation mode in which the face detection of a person is executed (step S21). The face detection operation mode is set on the user setting screen for the above-described recording conditions (see FIGS. 3 and 4 above). If the result of this determination is that it is in the face detection operation mode, the CPU 115a
Face detection processing similar to that of the first embodiment is executed (step S22).

Then, the CPU 115a determines whether or not a face is detected (step S23). If the result of this determination is that a face has been detected, the CPU 115a displays a rectangular frame in the face portion of the person in the image data displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 7 (face detection execution result OK display), and Is detected to the user (step S
24). FIG. 8A shows a display example of image data (monitoring image) displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 7. FIG. 8B shows a display example when a rectangular frame is displayed on the face portion of the person in the image data of FIG. 8A.

Subsequently, the CPU 115a executes a weighted user setting process for the face portion (step S25). Specifically, in the face portion weighting user setting process, the CPU 115a displays a screen for setting the weighting ratio of the face and the entire screen (background). FIG. 12 shows a display example of a screen for setting the weighting ratio of the face and the entire screen (background). The user moves the position of the arrow displayed on the screen to a desired position with the cursor key 15 and presses the ENTER key 17 to set the weighting ratio of the face and the entire screen (background). .

After that, the CPU 115a executes photometry processing for the entire screen to perform photometry for the entire screen (step S).
26). The CPU 115a determines that the face portion is in the photometric area (A
Photometric processing is performed as the E area (step S27).
The CPU 115a performs weighting set by the user based on the photometric result of the face portion and the photometric result of the entire screen to calculate the above-described luminance data Yy (AE evaluation value),
An exposure amount is calculated based on the calculated luminance data Yy (AE evaluation value) (step S28). Then, the CPU 115
The a executes the exposure setting process to set the exposure condition based on the calculated exposure amount (step S29).

If it is determined in step S21 that the face detection operation mode is not set, or if no face is detected in step S23, the CPU
115a executes a normal photometric process (step S3).
0), the exposure amount is calculated based on the photometric result, and the exposure condition is set based on the calculated exposure amount (step S2).
9).

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the user can set the weighting of the photometric result of the human face with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen. Therefore, the photometric result of the human face and the screen can be set. When the exposure is adjusted based on the overall photometric result, it is possible to reflect the user's shooting intention.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the invention. For example, the following modifications can be made. It is possible.

(Modification 1) In the digital camera of the present invention,
A portrait photographing mode (first photographing mode) for photographing a person and a landscape photographing mode (second photographing mode) for photographing a landscape are provided, and this mode can be selected by the mode selector switch 12, for example. Every CPU11
5a is an exposure control including face detection processing when the person photographing mode is selected (“YE in step S1 in FIG. 7”).
S) and subsequent steps), and when the landscape shooting mode is selected, the face detection processing is not performed, and exposure control is performed by a normal photometric method (processing after "NO" in step S1 in FIG. 7). You may decide to do. This is because the face detection process is necessary in the person photographing mode in which the face needs to be properly exposed, but the face detection process is unnecessary in the landscape photographing mode in which the face is not required to be properly exposed.

(Modification 2) In the first and second embodiments, the execution result of face detection is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 7, but it may be displayed on the sub LCD 8. FIG. 9 shows a display example of the sub LCD 8 when the face detection is successful. Further, instead of the sub LCD 8, an LED for displaying the execution result of face detection may be provided.

[0101]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus having the automatic exposure function, the image pickup means for inputting the image data corresponding to the subject and the image pickup means are provided. Face detection means for detecting the face of a person from the input image data, photometric means for photometrically measuring the face of the person detected by the face detection means as a photometric area, and Since the exposure amount is calculated based on the photometric result and the exposure control unit performs the exposure control based on the calculated exposure amount, the person is properly exposed regardless of the position / range of the person on the screen. It becomes possible to do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the photometric means further performs photometry on the entire screen as a photometric area, and the exposure control means uses the photometric means. 2. The exposure amount is calculated by weighting the photometric result of the person's face more heavily than the photometric result of the entire screen based on the photometric result of the face and the photometric result of the entire screen. In addition to the effect of the present invention, not only the person but also the background can be properly exposed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the exposure control means may change the proportion of the face in the screen and / or the position of the face.
A first calculating an exposure amount based on a photometric result of the face of the person;
And a photometry result of the person's face and a photometry result of the entire screen, based on the photometry result of the person's face and the photometry result of the entire screen, the exposure amount is calculated by weighting the photometric result of the person's face larger than the photometric result of the entire screen. Since any one of the two photometric methods is selected, in addition to the effect of the invention according to the first aspect, it is possible to prevent the exposure amount from being halfway exposed for both the person and the background.

The invention according to claim 4 provides the invention according to claim 2.
In the invention according to the first aspect, the first photometric method for calculating the exposure amount based on the photometric result of the face of the person, and the photometric result of the face of the person based on the photometric result of the face of the person and the photometric result of the entire screen. The photometric method selecting means for allowing the user to select one of the second photometric methods for calculating the exposure amount by increasing the weighting compared to the photometric result of the entire screen is provided. In addition to the effects of the invention,
It is possible for the user to select which of the photometric result of the entire surface and the photometric result of the face portion is to be emphasized, and it is possible to reflect the photographing intention of the user.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the weighting of the photometric result of the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen is used. Since the weight setting means for the person to set is provided, in addition to the effects of the invention according to claims 2 to 4, exposure is performed based on the result of photometry of the face of the person and the result of photometry of the entire screen. When adjusting, it is possible to reflect the user's shooting intention.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the exposure control means is the ratio of the face to the screen and / or the position of the face. Since the weighting of the photometric result of the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen is set based on the above, the face occupied in the screen in the invention according to any one of claims 2 to 4. If the ratio is large, the photometric result of the face part is weighted large, and if the ratio of the face occupying the screen is small, it is possible to perform the exposure with a well-balanced face and background. .

According to the invention of claim 7, in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 6, the user sets permission / prohibition of the face detecting operation of the face detecting means. If the permission of the face detection operation of the face detection means is set, the exposure control means causes the face detection means to execute the face detection operation and is detected. While performing exposure control based on the result of photometry of a person's face, if prohibition of the face detection operation of the face detection means is set, exposure control is performed without causing the face detection means to perform the face detection operation. I decided to do it,
In addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the user can prohibit face detection, and the user can be prevented from performing useless face detection. .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the first face detection operation of the face detection means is performed to perform exposure control. Or a mode setting means for setting a second shooting mode for performing exposure control without executing the face detection operation of the face detection means, wherein the exposure control means sets the first shooting mode If yes,
While the face detection unit is caused to execute a face detection operation to perform exposure control based on the photometric result of the detected face of the person, when the second photographing mode is set, the face detection unit is caused to perform face detection. Since the exposure control is performed without executing the detection operation, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the presence or absence of face detection can be determined by switching the shooting mode. The user can easily select, and it is possible to perform shooting suitable for the user's purpose.

Further, according to the invention of claim 9, in the invention of claim 1, there is provided notifying means for notifying the user of the detection result of the face of the person by the face detecting means. It is possible for the user to judge whether or not the face detection is normally operated, and if it is malfunctioning, stop the shooting, and thereby prevent the shooting from failing.

According to the invention of claim 10,
In the invention according to claim 9, since the notifying means is a monitor screen for displaying image data, a face detecting operation such as a position / range of the detected face and the face in the screen is displayed on the monitor screen. It is possible to inform the user of the result of.

Further, according to the invention of claim 11,
In the invention according to claim 9, the notifying means is a sub-LCD for displaying the operation state of the image pickup apparatus, and therefore, in the invention according to claim 9, the result of face detection with an inexpensive configuration is obtained. Can be notified to the user.

Further, according to the invention of claim 12,
In the invention according to claim 9, the informing means is an LE.
Since it is set to D, it is possible to inform the user of the result of face detection even when the user does not use the monitor screen with the image pickup device having no monitor screen or the image pickup device having the monitor screen. Becomes

According to the invention of claim 13,
In the invention according to claim 1, the exposure control means is
When the face detection unit cannot detect the face of a person, the exposure control is performed based on the photometry result of another photometry method. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1,
Even if the face cannot be detected, it is possible to perform the same shooting as the conventional one without making a large failure in shooting.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention,
An image input step for inputting image data according to a subject, a face detection step for detecting a face of a person from the image data input in the image input step, and a face of the person detected by the face detection step And a photometric step of performing photometry as a photometric area, and an exposure control step of calculating an exposure amount based on the photometry result of the face of the person by the photometric step and performing exposure control based on the calculated exposure amount. Therefore, regardless of the position / range of the person on the screen, the person can be properly exposed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 15,
In the invention according to claim 14, in the photometric step,
Further, the entire screen is used as a photometric area, and in the exposure control step, the result of photometry of the face of the person is calculated based on the result of photometry of the face of the person and the result of photometry of the entire screen in the photometry step. The exposure amount is calculated by increasing the weighting as compared with the above.
In addition to the effect of the present invention, not only the person but also the background can be properly exposed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 16,
The invention according to claim 15, wherein in the exposure control step, a first photometric method is used, in which an exposure amount is calculated based on a photometric result of the face of the person in accordance with the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face. A second photometric method for calculating the exposure amount by weighting the photometric result of the person's face larger than the photometric result of the entire screen based on the photometric result of the person's face and the photometric result of the entire screen Since any one of the above is selected, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 15, it is possible to prevent halfway exposure doses for both the person and the background.

According to the invention of claim 17,
In the invention according to claim 15, a first photometric method for calculating an exposure amount based on the photometric result of the face of the person, and a photometric result of the face of the person and the photometric result of the entire screen Since the method includes a photometric method selection step for the user to select one of the second photometric methods for calculating the exposure amount by weighting the photometric result more heavily than the photometric result of the entire screen, In addition to the effect of the invention according to item 15, the user can select which of the photometry result of the entire screen and the photometry result of the face portion is emphasized, and the user's intention of photographing can be reflected.

Further, according to the invention of claim 18,
The invention according to any one of claims 15 to 17, further comprising a weighting setting step for a user to set the weighting of the photometric result of the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen. Therefore, claim 15
In addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 17 to 17, when the exposure is adjusted based on the photometric result of the person's face and the photometric result of the entire screen, it is possible to reflect the user's shooting intention. Becomes

Further, according to the invention of claim 19,
In the invention according to any one of claims 15 to 17, in the exposure control step, the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen is based on the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face. Since the weighting of the photometric result is set, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 15 to 17, if the proportion of the face in the screen is large, the photometric result of the face part If the weight of the face is large and the ratio of the face occupying the screen is small, the weight can be reduced to perform the exposure in which the face and the background are balanced.

Further, according to the invention of claim 20,
The invention according to any one of claims 15 to 19, further comprising: a face detection operation setting step in which a user sets permission / prohibition of a face detection operation in the face detection step, wherein the exposure control step includes: When the permission of the face detection operation in the face detection step is set, the face detection step is caused to execute the face detection operation, and the exposure control based on the photometric result of the detected face of the person is performed while the face detection operation is performed. When the prohibition of the face detection operation of the process is set, the exposure control is performed without executing the face detection operation in the face detection process.
In the invention according to any one of claims 15 to 19, the user can prohibit the face detection, and it is possible to prevent useless face detection.

Further, according to the invention of claim 21,
The invention according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the face detection operation of the face detection step is executed to perform exposure control in the first shooting mode or the face detection operation of the face detection step is not executed. Mode setting step for setting a second shooting mode for performing exposure control in the step of :, in the exposure control step, when the first shooting mode is set, a face detection operation is performed in the face detection step. While performing exposure control based on the detected photometric result of the face of the person,
The exposure control is performed without executing the face detection operation in the face detection step when the second shooting mode is set, and therefore, any one of claims 15 to 19 is performed. In addition to the effects of the present invention, by switching the shooting mode, the user can easily select whether or not to detect the face, and it is possible to perform shooting suitable for the user's application.

Further, according to the invention of claim 22,
Since the invention according to claim 14 includes the notification step of notifying the user of the detection result of the face of the person by the face detection step, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 14, face recognition detection is performed. The user can determine whether it has operated normally, and if it is malfunctioning, stop shooting, etc.
It is possible to prevent the shooting from failing.

Further, according to the invention of claim 23,
Since each step of the invention according to any one of claims 14 to 22 is realized by the computer executing the program, the person is properly exposed regardless of the position / range of the person on the screen. It becomes possible to do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram of a digital camera according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a user setting screen of recording conditions displayed on a liquid crystal monitor when the SETUP mode is selected by the mode changeover switch of the operation unit in the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a user setting screen of recording conditions displayed on a liquid crystal monitor when the SETUP mode is selected by the mode changeover switch of the operation unit in the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an AE operation.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an AE operation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining AE operation of the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal monitor of the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a sub LCD.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal monitor of the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an AE of the digital camera according to the second embodiment.
It is a flow chart for explaining operation.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal monitor of the digital camera according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 camera body 2 Shooting lens 3 Strobe 4 finder 5 Top lid 6 hinges 7 LCD monitor 8 sub LCD 9 Top lid open / close detection switch 10 Barrier opening / closing knob 11 Release switch 12 Mode selector switch 13 Strobe switch 14 Image quality mode switch 15 Cursor key 16 DATE switch 17 ENTER key 18 SELECT key 2a zoom lens 2b Focus lens 101 Mechanical mechanism 102 CCD 103 F / E 104 IPP 105 compression / expansion circuit 106 memory card 107 DRAM 108 Operation part 109a Zoom lens motor 109b Focus motor 109c Aperture / Shutter motor 110a zoom driver 110b focus driver 110c Aperture / Shutter driver 111 SG 112 batteries 113 DC / DC converter 114 AC adapter 115 controller 115a CPU 115b FLASH_ROM 115c SD_RAM 116 Communication driver section 117 Network Communications Department

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) // H04N 101: 00 H04N 101: 00 F term (reference) 2H002 AB01 DB02 DB06 DB14 DB15 DB19 DB21 DB24 DB29 DB30 DB31 DB32 FB51 FB56 FB58 JA07 2H102 AA42 AA51 AA71 AB00 BA01 BA25 BA27 5C022 AA00 AB06 AB12 AC18 CA00

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus having an automatic exposure function, comprising: an image pickup unit for inputting image data according to a subject; and a face for detecting a person from the image data input from the image pickup unit. Face detection means, photometric means for photometry of the person's face detected by the face detection means as a photometric area, and exposure amount calculated based on the photometric result of the person's face by the photometric means, and the calculated exposure amount An image pickup apparatus comprising: an exposure control unit that performs exposure control based on the following. 2. The photometric means further measures the entire screen as a photometric area, and the exposure control means determines the face of the person based on the photometric result of the face of the person by the photometric means and the photometric result of the entire screen. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure amount is calculated by weighting the photometric result of 1 above in comparison with the photometric result of the entire screen. 3. The first photometric method, wherein the exposure control means calculates an exposure amount based on the photometric result of the face of the person according to the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face,
Second, based on the photometric result of the person's face and the photometric result of the entire screen, the photometric result of the person's face is weighted more than the photometric result of the entire screen to calculate the exposure amount.
3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein any one of the photometric methods is selected. 4. A first photometric method for calculating an exposure amount based on the photometric result of the face of the person, and a photometric result of the face of the person based on the photometric result of the face of the person and the photometric result of the entire screen. 7. A photometric method selecting means for allowing a user to select one of the second photometric methods for calculating an exposure amount by weighting more than the photometric result of the entire screen. The imaging device according to 2. 5. The weight setting means for allowing a user to set the weighting of the photometric result of the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen is further provided. The imaging device according to any one of 1. 6. The exposure control means sets weighting of the photometry result of the face of the person with respect to the photometry result of the entire screen based on the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face. The imaging device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. 7. A face detection operation setting means for allowing a user to set permission / prohibition of the face detection operation of the face detection means, wherein the exposure control means is set to permit the face detection operation of the face detection means. If set, the face detection unit is caused to execute a face detection operation, and exposure control is performed based on the photometric result of the detected face of the person, while prohibition of the face detection operation of the face detection unit is set. If so, the exposure control is performed without causing the face detection unit to perform the face detection operation, and the image pickup apparatus according to claim 1. 8. A first shooting mode in which the face detection operation of the face detection means is performed to perform exposure control, or a second shooting mode in which the exposure control is performed without performing the face detection operation of the face detection means is set. The exposure control means causes the face detection means to perform a face detection operation when the first shooting mode is set, and performs the photometry of the detected face of the person. The exposure control based on the result is performed, while the exposure control is performed without causing the face detection unit to perform the face detection operation when the second shooting mode is set. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 6. 9. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an informing unit for informing a user of the detection result of the face of the person by the face detecting unit. 10. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the notification unit is a monitor screen for displaying image data. 11. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the notification unit is a sub-LCD for displaying an operation state of the image pickup apparatus. 12. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the notification unit is an LED. 13. The exposure control means, when the face detection means cannot detect a person's face, controls the exposure based on a photometry result of another photometry method. The imaging device described. 14. An image input step for inputting image data according to a subject, a face detection step of detecting a face of a person from the image data input in the image input step, and a face detection step. A photometry step of performing photometry on the face of the person as a photometry area, an exposure amount based on the photometry result of the face of the person by the photometry step, and an exposure control step of performing exposure control based on the calculated exposure amount, An automatic exposure method comprising: 15. The photometric process further comprises photometry of the entire screen as a photometric area, and the exposure control process, based on the photometric result of the face of the person and the photometric result of the entire screen by the photometric process, the face of the person is measured. 15. The automatic exposure method according to claim 14, wherein the exposure amount is calculated by increasing the weighting of the photometric result of <1> to the photometric result of the entire screen. 16. The exposure control step comprises: a first photometric method for calculating an exposure amount based on the result of photometry of the face of the person according to the ratio of the face to the screen and / or the position of the face; One of the second photometric methods for calculating the exposure amount by weighting the photometric result of the face of the person larger than the photometric result of the entire screen based on the photometric result of the face and the photometric result of the entire screen. 16. The automatic exposure method according to claim 15, wherein is selected. 17. A first photometric method for calculating an exposure amount based on the photometric result of the face of the person, and a photometric result of the face of the person based on the photometric result of the face of the person and the photometric result of the entire screen. 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a photometric method selection step for a user to select one of the second photometric methods in which the exposure amount is calculated by increasing the weighting as compared with the photometric result of the entire screen. The automatic exposure method described in. 18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a weighting setting step for the user to set the weighting of the photometric result of the face of the person with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen. The automatic exposure method described in any one. 19. In the exposure control step, weighting of the photometric result of the person's face with respect to the photometric result of the entire screen is set based on the ratio of the face occupying the screen and / or the position of the face. Claim 15-Claim 1
7. The automatic exposure method according to any one of 7. 20. Permission / permission of face detection operation in the face detection step
A face detection operation setting step in which the user sets prohibition; in the exposure control step, when the permission of the face detection operation in the face detection step is set, the face detection operation is executed in the face detection step. Then, while performing exposure control based on the photometric result of the detected face of the person, when the prohibition of the face detection operation of the face detection step is set, the face detection step is caused to execute the face detection operation. The automatic exposure method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the exposure control is performed without the exposure control. 21. A first photographing mode in which a face detecting operation in the face detecting step is executed to perform exposure control, or a second photographing mode in which an exposure control is performed without executing the face detecting operation in the face detecting step is set. In the exposure control step, when the first shooting mode is set, the face detection step is caused to execute a face detection operation, and the detected person's face is metered. 16. The exposure control based on the result is performed, while the exposure control is performed without causing the face detection step to perform a face detection operation when the second shooting mode is set. 20. The automatic exposure method according to claim 19. 22. The automatic exposure method according to claim 14, further comprising a notifying step of notifying a user of the detection result of the human face detected by the face detecting step. 23. Any one of claims 14 to 22.
A program for a computer to execute each step of the invention according to one aspect.