JP2004109247A - Digital camera, image processor, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera which can acquire a plurality of images varying in their compositions from each other, an image processor, and a program. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera (the image processor) is provided with a zoom lens, a shutter button and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging device. The digital camera moves the lens position of the zoom lens from the first position by the operator's setting at the point of the time the shutter button is pushed to the second position on the wider angle side than the first position and thereafter the digital camera photographs the wide-angle image (the image corresponding to a region R1) by the CCD imaging device. Thence, the digital camera extracts a plurality of the regions (the regions R0, R2, etc.) having the size corresponding to the angle of view in the first position and varying in the positions within the images from each other as a plurality of the images from the photographed images. As a result, a plurality of the images varying in the compositions from each other are acquired. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera, an image processing device, and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some digital cameras include a bracket in which a plurality of images are shot in response to a single press of a shutter button with respect to an exposure, a flash emission amount, and a color temperature (white balance), as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. There are things that can take pictures.
[0003]
In such bracket photographing, a plurality of images can be photographed while changing conditions such as exposure, and an optimal image can be selected from the plurality of images after photographing.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-285779 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, factors that determine the quality of a photograph include “composition” (or framing) in addition to the above-described photographing conditions related to exposure, flash emission amount, and color temperature.
[0006]
However, as the above bracket shooting, there is a type that obtains a plurality of images while changing at least one of the above-described exposure, flash emission amount, and color temperature shooting conditions, but changes the “composition” (or framing). There is no one that acquires multiple images while doing so.
[0007]
Therefore, if the composition of the photographed image is different from the composition intended by the photographer, there is a problem that the photographing is performed again or trimming is manually performed after the photographing. Further, the trimming operation by manual operation is very difficult.
[0008]
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera, an image processing device, and a program capable of acquiring a plurality of images having different compositions.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a digital camera, comprising: a zoom lens capable of performing an optical zoom; input means for receiving an instruction input of photographing start; and a lens position of the zoom lens. And subjecting the subject image from the zoom lens to photoelectric conversion while moving from the first position set by the operator at the time of inputting the instruction to a second position on the wider angle side than the first position. Image capturing means for obtaining an image by using the image capturing means, and a plurality of regions having a size corresponding to the angle of view at the first position and having different positions in the image from the image obtained by the image capturing means. And control means for performing composition bracket photographing by extracting the image as an image.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 2 is a digital camera, wherein a photographing lens, an image pickup device that acquires a subject image from the photographing lens as an image using photoelectric conversion, and in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the photographing lens, Moving means for moving the imaging element relative to the imaging lens; input means for receiving an instruction input for imaging start; and, in response to the instruction input, moving the imaging element and the imaging lens in the vertical plane. And a control unit that performs composition bracket photographing by photographing with the image sensor at a plurality of positions relatively moved in and acquiring a plurality of images.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 3 is a digital camera, comprising: a photographing optical system; a photographing unit that acquires a subject image from the photographing optical system as an image using photoelectric conversion; and a composition that acquires a plurality of images having different compositions. Setting means for setting a bracket mode as a photographing mode; and, when the composition bracket mode is set as the photographing mode, a plurality of images having different compositions from each other, at least one of photographing conditions other than the composition. And control means for controlling the acquisition in the same state.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 4, which is an image processing apparatus, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires a target image to be processed; an input unit that receives an instruction input for processing start; A generation unit configured to generate a plurality of images having different compositions from each other by extracting a plurality of regions that are small and have different positions in the target image from the target image.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 5, wherein the computer obtains a target image to be processed, an input unit that receives an input of an instruction to start processing, and, in response to the instruction input, the computer is smaller than the target image and the target is smaller than the target image. A program for causing a plurality of regions having different positions in the image to be extracted from the target image to generate a plurality of images having different compositions from each other, and a function to function as generating means.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
<A. First Embodiment>
<A1. Configuration>
1, 2 and 3 are views showing the external configuration of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a top view, and FIG. 3 is a rear view. These drawings do not always conform to the triangular projection, and the main purpose is to exemplify the appearance of the digital camera 1. This digital camera functions not only as an imaging device but also as an image processing device.
[0016]
A photographing lens 2 is provided on the front side of the digital camera 1. The taking lens 2 is a zoom lens having a zoom function (optical zoom function), and can perform optical zoom (in other words, adjust the angle of view). This optical zoom is realized by changing the focal length of the taking lens 2. The focal length is changed within a predetermined range. In the digital camera 1, the focal length is changed from 28 mm (wide end) to 210 mm (tele end). In this specification, the focal length is represented by a value converted into a focal length in a 35 mm film camera (also referred to as a 35 mm film equivalent or a value equivalent to 35 mm).
[0017]
The photographer can specify the photographing magnification of the photographed image by using the zoom ring 2a. Specifically, it is possible to change the photographing magnification by rotating the zoom ring 2a manually. The zoom ring 2a functions as an operation switch for performing optical zoom. More specifically, the zoom ring 2a is supported by an elastic member inside the digital camera while receiving an elastic force (restoring force) for returning to the reference position (home position). In this state, the lens position of the taking lens 2 is stopped at that position. Thereafter, when the operator manually rotates the zoom ring 2a against the restoring force, the zoom ring 2a is rotated to an arbitrary angle from its reference position to a predetermined angle. The digital camera 1 detects a deviation of the zoom ring 2a from a reference position by a rotation detection sensor provided inside the digital camera 1. Upon detecting this shift, the digital camera 1 drives the zoom motor of the lens drive unit 41 (FIG. 4) to move the lens position of the taking lens 2. Thereby, the magnification (in other words, the angle of view) in the optical zoom is changed. It is preferable that the moving speed of the lens position is adjusted based on the detected rotation angle. For example, when the rotation angle is large, the movement may be performed at a higher speed than when the rotation angle is small. According to this, it is easy to adjust the magnification in the optical zoom.
[0018]
By changing the focal length of the photographing lens 2 in this manner, the photographing magnification in the optical zoom of the photographing lens 2 is changed. In addition, as described later, the digital camera 1 may change the position of the photographing lens 2 under the control of the overall control unit 30 and the lens driving unit 41 other than the manual operation using the zoom ring 2a (in other words, The photographing magnification in the optical zoom can be changed).
[0019]
Further, a shutter button (release button) 9 is provided above the grip portion 1a of the digital camera 1, and the shutter button 9 is pressed halfway by the user (hereinafter also referred to as state S1) and fully pressed (hereinafter referred to as state S1). , State S2). When the automatic focusing mode is set, the digital camera 1 starts the automatic focusing control in the half-pressed state S1 and the main photographing operation for photographing a recording image in the fully-pressed state S2. To start. Here, it is assumed that when the shutter button 9 is set to the former state (that is, the half-pressed state S1), the input of an instruction to start shooting from the operator (user) is accepted.
[0020]
Further, on the upper surface of the digital camera 1, a mode switching dial 3 for switching and setting between a "photographing mode" and a "reproduction mode" is provided. The shooting mode is a mode in which shooting of a subject is performed to generate image data. The reproduction mode is a mode in which image data recorded on the memory card 90 is reproduced and displayed on a liquid crystal display (hereinafter, referred to as LCD) 5 provided on the back side of the digital camera 1.
[0021]
More specifically, the shooting mode can be set by rotating and moving a portion where "shooting" indicating the shooting mode is displayed to a predetermined position (triangle mark MT in FIG. 2). The playback mode can be set by rotating and moving a portion where "play" indicating the playback mode is displayed to a predetermined position (triangle mark MT in FIG. 2).
[0022]
The dial 3 is also used to receive a power-on operation and a power-off operation. That is, the dial 3 can be referred to as a power operation unit. Specifically, an operation of turning off the power (power-off operation) is performed by rotating and moving the portion of the dial 3 where “OFF” is displayed to a predetermined position (triangle in FIG. 2). .
[0023]
On the back of the digital camera 1, an LCD 5 and an electronic view finder (hereinafter, referred to as EVF) 4 for performing live view display and playback display of a recorded image before the actual shooting operation are provided. Each of the LCD 5 and the EVF 4 displays a color image. The LCD 5 and the EVF 4 each have a predetermined pixel size (for example, 320 pixels × 240 pixels).
[0024]
A menu button 6 is provided on the back of the digital camera 1. For example, when the menu button 6 is pressed in the shooting mode, various menu screens for setting various shooting conditions and the like are displayed on the LCD 5. . On the back of the digital camera 1, there are provided cross cursor buttons 7U, 7D, 7L, 7R for moving a display cursor on the LCD 5 in four directions, and a decision button 7C provided at the center of the cross cursor button. A control button 7 is provided. Using the menu button 6 and the control button 7, an operation for setting various shooting parameters is performed. The setting states of various shooting parameters are displayed on a data panel 8 arranged on the upper surface side of the digital camera 1. Further, on the back of the digital camera 1, a switching button 13 for switching display contents (especially, display state of shooting information) displayed on the LCD 5 during live view display is provided.
[0025]
Further, a focusing mode switching button 12 for switching the focusing mode between the automatic focusing mode and the manual focusing mode is provided on a side surface of the digital camera 1.
[0026]
Further, on the side surface of the digital camera 1, as shown in FIG. 5A, operations for setting conditions (image size, image quality, exposure mode, drive mode, white balance, imaging sensitivity) of the digital camera 1 are performed. Function operation unit 11 is provided. The function operation unit 11 includes a function button 11a provided at the center and a function dial 11b provided rotatably.
[0027]
Further, on the side of the digital camera 1, a digital effect operation unit 14 (see FIG. 5B) for performing an operation related to another setting state of the digital camera 1 (specifically, exposure correction, contrast, saturation, and composition). ) Is provided. As shown in the detailed view of FIG. 5B, the digital effect operation unit 14 includes a digital effect button 14a provided at the center and a digital effect lever 14b provided rotatably. You.
[0028]
A front dial 10 for performing various adjustments of the digital camera 1 is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the digital camera 1.
[0029]
In the digital camera 1, the “composition bracket mode” can be set by using the front dial 10, the function operation unit 11, and the digital effect operation unit 14 described above. Here, the “composition bracket mode” means a shooting mode for acquiring a plurality of images having different compositions from each other. The photographing in the composition bracket mode is performed in response to a photographing start instruction input by the shutter button 9 or the like.
[0030]
Specifically, the function dial 11b of the function operation unit 11 is rotated to select an option of a “drive mode” for setting various photographing modes (continuous photographing, self-timer, bracket photographing) in the photographing mode ( 5 (a), turning the front dial 10 while pressing the function button 11a selects an option for performing bracket shooting. At this time, the operator can confirm which option is currently selected by displaying on the data panel 8. Thereafter, the user selects the "composition" option (see FIG. 5A) using the digital effect lever 14b. Thereby, setting to perform bracket shooting (also referred to as “composition bracket shooting”) that acquires a plurality of images while changing the composition little by little (in other words, setting composition bracket shooting as a shooting mode) can be performed. it can. By selecting another option using the digital effect lever 14b, another type of bracket shooting (for example, bracket shooting related to exposure correction, contrast, saturation, etc.) can be performed.
[0031]
Further, on the side surface of the digital camera 1, there is provided an insertion mount for a memory card 90 which is a recording medium which can be inserted and removed (detachable), and image data obtained by actual shooting is set in this insert mount. It is recorded on the memory card 90.
[0032]
Next, the internal configuration of the digital camera 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating internal functions of the digital camera 1.
[0033]
The photographing lens (photographing optical system) 2 is driven by a lens driving unit 41 and is configured to change the focus state of an image formed on the CCD image pickup device 20. At the time of automatic focusing (auto focus) setting, the overall control unit 30 automatically determines the lens driving amount of the photographing lens 2 from the image, and the photographing lens 2 is driven based on this lens driving amount. At the time of focus (manual focus) setting, the lens driving amount is determined according to the operation amount of the control button 7 by the user, and the photographing lens 2 is driven based on this lens driving amount.
[0034]
The photographing lens 2 also has an optical zoom function as described above, and moves the position of a lens having a focal length adjusting function (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “zoom lens”) of the photographing lens 2. By doing so, the magnification at the time of shooting can be adjusted (in other words, the angle of view at the time of shooting can be adjusted).
[0035]
The CCD imaging device 20 functions as an imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates an electronic image signal. For example, the CCD imaging device 20 has 2560 × 1920 pixels and emits light of the subject formed by the imaging lens 2. The image is photoelectrically converted into an image signal of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) for each pixel (a signal composed of a signal sequence of pixel signals received by each pixel) and output. The timing generator 42 generates various timing pulses for controlling the driving of the CCD imaging device 20.
[0036]
An image signal obtained from the CCD image pickup device 20 is supplied to a signal processing circuit 21, which performs predetermined analog signal processing on the image signal (analog signal). The signal processing circuit 21 has a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) and an automatic gain control circuit (AGC). The signal processing circuit 21 performs noise reduction processing of the image signal by the correlated double sampling circuit, and controls the gain by the auto gain control circuit. By performing the adjustment, the level of the image signal is adjusted.
[0037]
The A / D converter 22 converts each pixel signal of the image signal into a 12-bit digital signal. The A / D converter 22 converts each pixel signal (analog signal) into a 12-bit digital signal based on an A / D conversion clock input from the overall control unit 30. The converted digital signal is temporarily stored in the image memory 44 as image data. Then, the image data stored in the image memory 44 is subjected to various processes by a WB circuit 23, a γ correction circuit 24, a color correction unit 25, a resolution conversion unit 26, a compression / decompression unit 46, and the like, which will be described below. . Further, the image data after each processing is re-stored in the image memory 44 again or transferred to another processing unit according to the content of each processing.
[0038]
The WB (white balance) circuit 23 performs level conversion of each of the R, G, and B color components. The WB circuit 23 converts the levels of the R, G, and B color components using a level conversion table stored in the overall control unit 30. The parameters (gradients of the characteristics) of the respective color components in the level conversion table are set automatically or manually by the overall control unit 30 for each captured image. The γ correction circuit 24 corrects the gradation of the pixel data.
[0039]
The color correction unit 25 performs color correction on the image data input from the γ correction circuit 24 based on the color correction parameters set by the user, and converts the color information expressed in the RGB color space into the YCrCb color space. Is converted to the color information represented by. By this color system conversion, a luminance component value Y is obtained for all pixels.
[0040]
The resolution converter 26 performs a predetermined resolution conversion on image data obtained from the CCD image sensor 20.
[0041]
For example, at the time of live view display, the resolution conversion unit 16 performs predetermined resolution conversion on the image data obtained from the CCD image pickup device 20, and image data (320 × 240 pixels) having an image size suitable for the number of display pixels of the LCD 5. That is, a live view image is generated. Also, at the time of automatic focusing, an image component corresponding to the AF evaluation area is extracted, unlike during live view display. At the time of actual photographing, the resolution conversion unit 26 stores image data having a relatively high resolution in the image memory 44 via the overall control unit 30.
[0042]
At the time of live view display, the image data that has been subjected to predetermined resolution conversion by the resolution conversion unit 26 is provided to the image synthesis unit 43 via the overall control unit 30, and the live view image is displayed on the LCD 5 and the EVF 4. At the same time, it is also provided to the photometric calculation unit 28, and an evaluation value for automatic exposure (AE) control is calculated. On the other hand, at the time of automatic focusing control, an image component corresponding to the AF evaluation area specified by the overall control unit 30 is extracted, and image data of the image component is provided to the AF evaluation value calculation unit 27, and the automatic focusing control is performed. An evaluation value for (AF) control is calculated.
[0043]
The AF evaluation value calculation unit 27 functions when the shutter button 9 is half-pressed by the user, and performs an evaluation value calculation operation for performing automatic focusing control of the contrast method. Here, the sum of absolute differences between two pixels adjacent in the horizontal direction for the image component corresponding to the AF evaluation area is calculated as the AF evaluation value. Then, the AF evaluation value calculated by the AF evaluation value calculation unit 27 is output to the overall control unit 30, and automatic focusing control is realized.
[0044]
The photometric calculation unit 28 divides the image data output from the resolution conversion unit 26 into a plurality of blocks, and calculates an AE evaluation value based on the representative luminance value of each block. Then, the AE evaluation value calculated in the photometry calculation unit 28 is output to the overall control unit 30 and used for automatic exposure control in the overall control unit 30.
[0045]
The image memory 44 is a memory for temporarily storing image data obtained by the CCD image pickup device 20 at the time of the main photographing and subjected to the above-described image processing. The image memory 44 has a storage capacity for several frames, for example. Then, when after-viewing of the image is performed after the main shooting, image data is provided from the image memory 44 to the image synthesizing unit 43, and image display for confirming the shot image is performed. After photographing, the image data is transferred from the image memory 44 to the memory card 90, and the image data is recorded and stored.
[0046]
The card interface (card I / F) 47 is an interface for writing and reading image data to and from the memory card 90 mounted on the insertion mounting portion on the side of the digital camera 1. When reading / writing image data from / to the memory card 90, the compression / expansion unit 46 performs a compression process or an expansion process on the image data by, for example, the JPEG method. An external connection interface (external connection I / F) 48 is an interface for enabling communication with an external computer 91 via a communication cable or the like, and is realized by, for example, a communication interface or the like compliant with the USB standard. Via the card I / F 47 and the external connection I / F 48, a control program recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM set in the memory card 90 or the external computer 91 is stored in the RAM 30a or the ROM 30b of the overall control unit 30. Can be captured. By executing the program in the overall control unit 30, various functions are realized.
[0047]
The operation unit 45 is an operation unit including the dial 3, the menu button 6, the control button 7, the shutter button 9, the function operation unit 11, the focusing mode switching button 12, the switching button 13, and the like. It is used when changing the setting state of the camera or when performing a shooting operation.
[0048]
The real-time clock 49 is a so-called clock unit. The digital camera 1 can recognize the current time by the timing function of the real-time clock 49.
[0049]
Further, the digital camera 1 uses a battery 51 as a drive source. As the battery 51, for example, four AA batteries connected in series can be used. The power supply from the battery 51 to each processing unit in the digital camera 1 is controlled by the power control unit 52.
[0050]
The overall control unit 30 is configured by a microcomputer having a RAM 30a and a ROM 30b therein. The microcomputer executes a predetermined program, and functions as a control unit that controls the above units in an integrated manner. Note that the ROM 30b is a nonvolatile memory in which data can be electrically rewritten.
[0051]
In the photographing mode, the overall control unit 30 instructs the timing generator on a driving method for driving the CCD image sensor 20. In particular, when the user does not operate the shutter button 9, the overall control unit 30 instructs the timing generator to repeat the photographing operation by the CCD imaging device 20 to obtain a live view image. As a result, a captured image (live view image) for live view display is acquired by the CCD imaging device 20.
[0052]
<A2. Composition bracket shooting>
Here, an outline of the composition bracket mode will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0053]
6 to 8 are diagrams illustrating a shooting area (shooting range) of the subject B. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the photographing region R0 when the focal length of the photographing lens 2 is 31 mm, for example.
[0054]
Regarding the composition of the subject B (also referred to as framing), even if the operator decides the composition as shown in FIG. 6, such composition is not always optimal. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, it may be preferable to set an area R2 slightly shifted to the upper left from the imaging area R0 as the imaging area. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, it may be preferable to set an area R3 slightly shifted to the lower right side from the imaging area R0 as the imaging area.
[0055]
Therefore, in this case, three images in which each of these regions R0, R2, and R3 is a photographing range are acquired in the photographing by pressing the shutter button 9 once.
[0056]
Specifically, in the first embodiment, an image having a relatively wide angle of view (an image on the relatively wide angle side) is obtained by temporarily shortening the focal length (ie, moving the position of the zoom lens to the wide side). ) Is obtained, and an image having the same angle of view as the original angle of view is generated by extracting (cutting out) a part of the obtained image.
[0057]
For example, when the photographer sets the focal length of the taking lens 2 to 31 mm when the shutter button 9 is pressed, the focal length of the taking lens 2 is changed to 28 mm on the wide-angle side as shown in FIG. Then, the region R1 is photographed as the photographing region. At this time, in order to effectively use all the pixels, it is preferable that the region R1 corresponds to the entire region of the CCD imaging device 20.
[0058]
Then, from the image (corresponding to the region R1) acquired at the focal length on the wide angle side (the focal length of 28 mm), the image obtained by extracting the region R0, the image obtained by extracting the region R2, and the region R3 are obtained by performing trimming. Is generated.
[0059]
Here, each of the images extracted from the regions R0, R2, and R3 has the same angle of view as the angle of view at the focal length (31 mm) at the time when the photographer instructs to start shooting (when the shutter button 9 is pressed). I have. In other words, each of the regions R0, R2, and R3 has a size corresponding to the angle of view of the image captured at the designated focal length (in other words, the angle of view at the lens position at the designated time). However, on the other hand, the positions of the regions R0, R2, and R3 in the region R1 are different from each other. Specifically, the region R0 is located at the center of the region R1, the region R2 is slightly shifted to the upper left from the center of the region R1, and the region R3 is slightly shifted to the lower right from the center of the region R1. It is out of alignment. Therefore, the images extracted from the regions R0, R2, and R3 have different compositions.
[0060]
In this manner, three images having different compositions can be obtained. This is the outline of composition bracket photography. According to the composition bracket photographing, the photographer can select an optimum image from a plurality of images having different compositions. Therefore, photographing failure due to a composition error can be minimized. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, since the region R2 has a portion that “runs off” from the region R0, the composition of the image from which the region R2 is extracted cannot be obtained by extracting a part of the region R0. belongs to. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a more varied composition than in the case where the image is manually trimmed and extracted from the image corresponding to the region R0. The same applies to the region R3.
[0061]
Here, the case where the number of shots in the composition bracket mode is three has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as described below, a predetermined number, such as five or nine, may be obtained by a single photographing operation.
[0062]
<A3. Operation>
<Operation during shooting>
Next, the operation of the digital camera 1 when the composition bracket mode is set as the shooting mode will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the operation of the digital camera 1 in composition bracket photography. This flowchart is described as a subroutine called from the main routine at predetermined time intervals (for example, at intervals of several milliseconds to several tens of milliseconds). These routines are executed under the control of the overall control unit 30. Here, it is assumed that the setting operation to the composition bracket mode as described above has already been performed.
[0063]
As shown in FIG. 10, first, in step SP1, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 9 has been half-pressed S1. If it is determined that it is in the half-pressed state S1, the process proceeds to step SP2. On the other hand, if it is determined that the half-press state S1 has not been reached, this subroutine is temporarily ended. After that, when the subroutine is executed again, this step SP1 is executed again.
[0064]
In step SP2, the current focal length is detected. In other words, the current position Xp of the zoom lens (see FIG. 14) is detected. As a result, the lens position of the zoom lens at the time when the instruction to start shooting is input, that is, when the shutter button 9 is half-pressed S1 is obtained. This position can be said to be a position set by the operator.
[0065]
In step SP3, it is determined whether the current lens position Xp is near the wide end. Specifically, when the lens position Xp is within a predetermined minute range from the position Xw of the wide end, it is regarded as being near the wide end.
[0066]
Here, a case will be described in which a minute range for determining whether or not it is near the wide end is changed according to a bracket range described later.
[0067]
More specifically, when a bracket range described later is set to a relatively “wide range”, the current position Xp is present in a range RN1 from a position Xw at the wide end to a position Xw1 (see FIG. 14A). If the position Xp is on the wider side than Xw1, it is determined that it is near the wide end. Here, the position Xw is a lens position when the focal length is 28 mm, and the position Xw1 is a lens position when the focal length is 31.1 mm (= 28.0 / 0.9).
[0068]
Further, when a bracket range described later is set to a relatively “narrow range”, if the current position Xp exists in the range RN2 from the wide-end position Xw to the position Xw2 (see FIG. 14B) (position If Xp is on the wider side than Xw2), it is determined that it is near the wide end. Here, the position Xw2 is the lens position when the focal length becomes 29.5 mm (= 28.0 / 0.95).
[0069]
As will be described later, in step SP12 or step SP13, the focal length of the zoom lens is multiplied by a predetermined value (0.9 times or 0.95 times) and moved to the wide angle side. However, when the lens position Xp of the zoom lens is already near the wide end, it is difficult to move the zoom lens to the wide angle side as intended, and it is difficult to perform composition bracket photographing satisfactorily. Therefore, in this embodiment, in such a case, the composition bracket photographing itself is prohibited, and the normal photographing operation is performed without performing the composition bracket photographing.
[0070]
For example, when the lens position Xp is at the wide end Xw, an image is acquired by the CCD image pickup device 20 at the same position without changing the lens position Xp (= Xw) of the zoom lens, and the image is recorded as a photographed image. . In this way, normal shooting can be performed after prohibiting composition bracket shooting that is in principle difficult to achieve at the wide end. Therefore, confusion of the photographer can be prevented.
[0071]
Therefore, a branching process is performed in step SP3. Specifically, if it is determined in step SP3 that the current lens position Xp is near the wide end, the process proceeds to step SP4. On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP3 that the current lens position Xp is not near the wide end, the process proceeds to step SP11.
[0072]
Here, the case where the process proceeds to step SP4 will be described first.
[0073]
In step SP4, a warning display is displayed on LCD5. As the warning display, for example, a warning display screen G1 as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. On the screen G1, a warning that "composition bracketing cannot be performed near the wide end" is displayed. Thereby, the photographer can recognize that the composition bracket photographing is not executable. Here, the warning by the screen G1 is illustrated, but the invention is not limited thereto, and a warning by audio information may be performed.
[0074]
In step SP5, automatic exposure control (AE control), automatic focus control (AF control), and automatic white balance control (AWB control) are performed.
[0075]
Thereafter, when it is determined in step SP6 that the shutter button 9 has been fully pressed S2, the process proceeds to step SP7 (FIG. 11). At step SP7, one frame (one image) is photographed, and then, at step SP8, a recording process is performed. Thus, one captured image is stored in the memory card 90.
[0076]
Next, a case where the process proceeds from step SP3 to step SP11, that is, a case where composition bracket shooting is performed will be described.
[0077]
In step SP11, it is determined whether the bracket range is set to “wide range” or “narrow range”.
[0078]
Here, the bracket range is set by using a screen G2 as shown in FIG. The screen G2 is displayed on the LCD 5 (or the EVF 4) by using the menu button 6 and the control button 7. The operator indicates the desired degree of the two options “wide range” and “narrow range” on the screen G2 displayed on the LCD 5 or the like, indicating the degree (ie, the size) of the size of the “bracket range”. It can be selected as a setting value. Such a setting operation is performed in advance before performing the photographing operation. If the setting operation has not been performed, the determination is made based on a preset value that is predetermined as an initial value (default value).
[0079]
In step SP11, the set value relating to the bracket range is determined, and if it is set to "wide range", the process proceeds to step SP12, and if it is set to "narrow range", the process proceeds to step SP13.
[0080]
In step SP12, the zoom lens is driven to the wide-angle lens position so that a wide-angle image can be taken. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14A, a value obtained by multiplying the current lens position Xp designated by the manual operation of the operator by 0.90 times by driving using the zoom motor in the lens driving unit 41. The zoom lens is moved to the position Xa1. For example, when the position Xp = 50.0 mm, the position Xa1 = 45.0 mm. Note that the lens position X of the zoom lens is represented by the focal length of the zoom lens. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a photographing range R10 when the zoom lens has moved to the position Xa1 and a photographing range R11 when the zoom lens exists at the position Xp before the movement.
[0081]
Also in step SP13, the zoom lens is moved to the wide-angle lens position so that a wide-angle image can be captured. However, the photographing range R12 based on the moved lens position in step SP13 is smaller than the moved photographing range R10 in step SP12.
[0082]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14B, the zoom lens is moved to a position Xa2 having a value obtained by multiplying the current lens position Xp by 0.95 by driving using the zoom motor in the lens driving unit 41. I do. For example, when the position Xp = 50.0 mm, the position Xa2 = 47.5 mm.
[0083]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the photographing range R12 when the zoom lens has moved to the position Xa2 and the photographing range R11 when the zoom lens exists at the position Xp before the movement. Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the photographing range R12 is a range wider than the photographing range R11, but a range smaller than the photographing range R10.
[0084]
Thus, the photographing range R12 is smaller than the photographing range R10. The difference between the widths of the photographing range R12 and the photographing range R11 is smaller than the difference in the width between the shadow range R10 and the photographing range R11. Therefore, the case where the photographing range R11 is extracted from the photographing range R12 corresponds to the region to be trimmed (the region to be trimmed, that is, the region outside the range R11), as compared with the case where the photographing range R11 is extracted from the photographing range R10. The number of pixels to be extracted is small, and the number of pixels corresponding to the extracted shooting range R11 is large. Therefore, an image obtained by extracting the photographing range R11 from the photographing range R12 has a higher image quality than an image obtained by extracting the photographing range R11 from the photographing range R10. The same applies to an image from which regions R22, R23, R24, and R25 described later are extracted. As described above, when “narrow range” is selected as the “bracket range”, a relatively high-quality image can be obtained.
[0085]
On the other hand, when “Wide Range” is selected as “Bracket Range”, the composition change is compared because the maximum range of the extraction area to be extracted when extracting multiple images is relatively wide. It becomes possible to obtain a plurality of images which are very large.
[0086]
Note that the “bracket range” can also be expressed as the maximum range (maximum target range) of an extraction region to be extracted when a plurality of images are extracted from a wide-angle image. Here, the “wide-angle image” refers to an image obtained in step SP20 after the photographing lens 2 is moved to the wide-angle side in step SP12 (or step SP13).
[0087]
Hereinafter, the description will be continued focusing on the case where the option of “wide range” is selected as the setting value of the “bracket range”.
[0088]
In step SP14, the enlargement ratio in the live view is changed. Thus, the subject range displayed on the LCD 5 as a live view before and after the shutter button 9 is pressed halfway down to S1 can be kept unchanged. This operation will be described.
[0089]
According to the movement of the lens in step SP12 (or step SP13), the captured image captured by the CCD image sensor 20 is an image on the wider angle side. Therefore, if the live view display is continued as it is, the live view image becomes an image having a wider angle of view than the angle of view instructed by the photographer. In this case, since the image on the wide-angle side is suddenly displayed in response to the movement of the lens, the photographer feels that the magnification in the live view display has suddenly decreased, giving an unnatural impression.
[0090]
In the live view display, it is preferable to avoid such a sudden change in the angle of view. Therefore, here, the live view image is enlarged and displayed according to the magnification in step SP12 (or step SP13). Specifically, an image of the region R11 at the center is extracted from the image captured by the CCD image sensor 20 obtained after the change of the lens position in step SP12 (or step SP13), and the extracted image is displayed on the display screen of the LCD 5. Enlarge and display according to the size. At this time, the enlargement ratio is determined as a value such that the region R11 is displayed in the entire region in the live view display of the LCD 5. In other words, the magnification is determined as a value such that the size of the subject displayed on the LCD 5 does not change before and after the shutter button 9 is pressed halfway down the state S1. As a result, as a live view image, as shown in FIG. 17, an image G3 covering the entire region R11 is continuously displayed, and the size of the subject in the live view does not change before and after the instruction input. Therefore, the photographer watching the live view does not have to feel uncomfortable.
[0091]
In step SP15, a photometric operation, a colorimetric operation, and an AF operation are performed. In the photometric operation, a photometric value calculation operation is performed using data over the entire range of the region R10 (or R12). The same applies to the colorimetric operation. In the colorimetric operation, a colorimetric value calculation operation is performed using data over the entire range of the region R10 (or R12).
[0092]
In a plurality of images obtained by the composition bracket photographing, it is preferable that the exposure condition and the white balance are not changed. In other words, it is preferable that a plurality of images captured under the same exposure condition (or the same white balance) and having different compositions are acquired. According to this, the image having the best composition can be selected without being affected by at least one condition other than the composition (for example, the exposure condition).
[0093]
In determining such a common (identical) exposure condition and white balance, data of the region R10 (or R12) is used instead of using data of a region whose position in the region R10 is partially biased. It is preferable to use data covering the entire range. According to this, it is possible to determine the exposure condition and the white balance in which the dependence on the specific composition (or the specific area) is reduced. According to this, the exposure condition and the white balance for a plurality of images can be determined at once. That is, a photometric value and a colorimetric value for optimizing the exposure condition and the white balance as a whole can be obtained at once.
[0094]
In step SP16, the AE operation is performed. Specifically, the values of the exposure control parameters (shutter speed, aperture, gain) are determined based on the photometric value in the photometric operation in step SP15. Then, the exposure control parameter is locked at that value. In step SP20, an imaging process is performed using the value of the exposure control parameter.
[0095]
In step SP17, an automatic white balance operation (AWB operation) is performed. Specifically, the value of the AWB correction parameter for correcting the white balance is determined based on the colorimetric value in the colorimetric operation in step SP15. Then, the AWB correction parameter is locked at that value. In step SP20, the white balance is adjusted with the value of the AWB correction parameter, and the imaging process is performed.
[0096]
In step SP18, the focus position according to the autofocus operation in step SP15 is determined as the focus position in the imaging operation in step SP20. Then, the focus position is locked.
[0097]
In step SP19, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 9 has been fully pressed S2. When it is determined that the shutter button 9 has not been fully pressed in the predetermined time S2, the process returns to step SP1 and repeats the above processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the shutter button 9 is in the fully pressed state S2, the process proceeds to step SP20.
[0098]
In step SP20, an imaging process is performed. Specifically, one shot image is acquired by one exposure operation. At this time, the lens position of the photographing lens 2 has been changed to the position Xa1 (or Xa2), and the photographing parameters (specifically, the exposure control parameter, the AWB correction parameter, and the focus position) are set to steps SP16, SP17, and SP18, respectively. It is the value set in. An image obtained by this imaging processing is acquired as an image covering the entire region R10, and is temporarily stored in the image memory 44.
[0099]
In step SP21, it is confirmed whether the number of shots in one composition bracket shooting (also referred to as "bracket shot count") is set to "5" or "9".
[0100]
Here, the number of bracket images is set by using the screen G2 (FIG. 13) as described above. The operator can select a desired one of the two options “5” and “9” as the set value of “(bracket) number of images” on the screen G2 displayed on the LCD 5 or the like. . Such a setting operation is performed in advance before performing the photographing operation. If the setting operation has not been performed, the determination is made based on a preset value that is predetermined as an initial value (default value).
[0101]
As described above, the number of bracketed shots and the bracket range can be changed (set) by the operator's selection, so that it is possible to respond to various requests.
[0102]
Then, in step SP21, the set value regarding the number of shots is determined, and when it is set to "5", the process proceeds to step SP22, and when it is set to "9", the process proceeds to step SP23.
[0103]
In step SP22, five images having different compositions are extracted from the captured images stored in the image memory 44. On the other hand, in step SP23, nine images having different compositions are extracted from the captured images stored in the image memory 44.
[0104]
Specifically, in step SP22, from the captured image (wide-angle image) stored in the image memory 44, the central region R21 (FIG. 18), the upper left region R22 (FIG. 19), and the upper right region R23 (FIG. 20), five images having the lower right region R24 (FIG. 21) and the lower left region R25 (FIG. 22) as their entire ranges are extracted. Each of the images in these regions R21 to R25 has the same angle of view as the angle of view corresponding to the lens position (lens position designated by the operator) Xp, while the image captured in step SP20. The position within is different. That is, a plurality of images that are photographed at a magnification designated by the photographer and whose compositions are different from each other are generated. Then, the generated images are sequentially subjected to compression processing in a predetermined compression format (such as the JPEG method) and stored in the memory card 90.
[0105]
Note that the five extracted images are acquired in a state having a common subject area (in a state where their photographing ranges overlap). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, a region R26 (a region indicated by a thick frame) is a subject region common to these five images. The region R26 is an overlapping portion of the five regions R21, R22, R23, R24, and R25. In this case, the five images are acquired in a state having the common subject region R26. Therefore, if the main subject is included in the common subject region R26, a plurality of images having different compositions including the main subject can be obtained. In other words, it is possible to more reliably obtain a plurality of images having different compositions including the main subject. In particular, since the main subject is often arranged near the center, if the common area includes the center area of the wide-angle image as described above, it is possible to more reliably obtain a plurality of images including the main subject. Will be possible.
[0106]
In step SP23, similarly, nine images having different compositions are photographed.
[0107]
In step SP24, the lock of the various shooting parameters determined above is released with the end of the shooting. Thereafter, this subroutine ends, and the process returns to the main routine.
[0108]
<Recording state>
A plurality of images shot by the composition bracket shooting described above are stored in the memory card 90 as files (image files) given the following names.
[0109]
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a name assignment rule when composition bracketing is not performed. As shown in FIG. 24, for an image file other than the composition bracket shooting, four characters “Pict” indicating a normal image are added as the first four characters. Also, as the last four characters, serial numbers in the order of photographing are given regardless of whether or not the image is obtained by composition bracket photographing.
[0110]
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a name assignment rule in the case of composition bracket shooting. As shown in FIG. 25, for an image file obtained by composition bracket shooting, two characters “Fb” indicating that composition bracket shooting is performed are given as the first two characters, and the next two characters are used as wide-angle characters in the composition bracket. A code indicating a position in the image is given. Specifically, “cc” is assigned to the center image, “la” is assigned to the upper left image, “ra” is assigned to the upper right image, and “ra” is assigned to the lower right image. “Rb” is assigned to the image, and “lb” is assigned to the lower left image. Also, as the last four characters, serial numbers in the order of photographing are given regardless of whether or not the image is obtained by composition bracket photographing.
[0111]
A name is assigned according to such a name assignment rule. For example, when seven images are obtained by normal shooting, image files having names as shown in FIG. 26 are generated in order from the top. In addition, when one image is obtained by normal shooting, five images are obtained by one composition bracket shooting, and one image is obtained by normal shooting, as shown in FIG. Image files with names are generated in order from the top.
[0112]
Each image file conforms to the Exif format, and records, in addition to the high-resolution image data acquired as described above, its thumbnail image and tag information. Here, the high-resolution data is compressed in the JPEG format, and the extension of the file in the Exif format is given as “jpg” representing the JPEG format.
[0113]
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the structure of an image file for one image. At the beginning of the storage area of the memory card 90, an area for recording index information is provided, and in the subsequent area, image files are recorded in the order in which they were shot. The storage area of each image file in the memory card 90 is composed of three areas, and tag information, compressed image data (high-resolution data) and thumbnail images are recorded in order from the top area. As shown in FIG. 28, the tag information describes a shooting condition (composition bracket). The photographing conditions include a photographed image by composition bracket photographing, a photographing order in the composition bracket (“1/5”), a positional relationship of the composition in the composition bracket (“upper left”), a bracket range (“wide”), and the like. Information is described. Here, the positional relationship of the composition is expressed as a relative position with respect to a reference composition (composition specified by the operator). As described above, the plurality of images acquired by the composition bracket photographing are recorded together with the information indicating the positional relationship of the composition, so that it is easy to sort or arrange the images performed later.
[0114]
Although not shown in the figure, various information such as a camera model name, a shooting date, a shutter speed, an aperture value, and presence / absence of flash emission are also described. As will be described later, the digital camera 1 refers to these pieces of information when playing back an image, and performs a playback process according to the information content.
[0115]
Although the case where five images are acquired has been described above, when acquiring nine images, it is preferable to correspond to the nine images extracted in the order shown in FIG. Nine image files to be recorded are recorded in a state where file names indicating positions in the wide-angle image are given.
[0116]
Specifically, the center image (cc), the upper left image (la), the upper center image (ca), the upper right image (ra), the center right image (rc), the lower right image (rb), The lower center image (cb), the lower left image (lb), and the center left image (lc) are recorded in the memory card 90 in this order. The name in parentheses immediately after each image is added to the third and fourth characters of the file name as characters indicating the shooting position.
[0117]
<Operation during playback>
In the above, the operation of the digital camera 1 in the shooting mode has been described. Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera 1 in the reproduction mode will be described.
[0118]
In the reproduction mode, in addition to the image captured by the normal imaging, the image captured by the composition bracket imaging can be reproduced.
[0119]
Further, in this reproduction mode, a plurality of images having different compositions can be automatically generated and recorded based on the photographed image photographed in the normal photographing. According to this, it is possible to easily obtain a plurality of images having different compositions.
[0120]
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the operation in the reproduction mode.
[0121]
As shown in FIG. 30, first, in step SP31, the most recently captured image file (the image file of the most recently captured image) is read from the memory card 90 as a reproduction target image. As described above, since the four-digit number from the fifth character to the eighth character of the file name represents the serial number, the file with the largest four-digit number is read as the latest image file. .
[0122]
In the next step SP32, under the control of the overall control unit 30, the compression / expansion unit 46 expands the image data of the image to be reproduced in accordance with the compression format and expands the image data in the image memory 44. Thereafter, the image synthesizing unit 43 displays the reproduction target image on the LCD 5 based on the data developed (stored) in the image memory 44 as shown in FIG. At this time, the image synthesizing unit 43 displays the image number (“0003”) in the upper area U1 of the reproduction target image.
[0123]
In step SP33, the overall control unit 30 determines whether or not the image to be reproduced is an image obtained by composition bracket shooting. This determination is made based on whether the minimum two characters of the file name are “Fb”.
[0124]
Specifically, an image file whose first two characters of the file name are “Fb” is determined to be an image obtained by composition bracket shooting. On the other hand, an image file in which the first two characters of the file name are “Pi” is determined to be an image obtained by normal shooting. When it is determined that the image file is generated by the composition bracket shooting, the process proceeds to step SP34, and when it is determined that the image file is generated by the normal shooting, the process proceeds to step SP35.
[0125]
In step SP34, the image synthesizing section 43 displays additional information on the composition bracket photographed image. This additional information is obtained by reading information included in the tag information (FIG. 28) of the image file.
[0126]
Specifically, as shown in a screen G11 of FIG. 31, the image combining unit 43 indicates that the image is an image obtained by composition bracket shooting (“composition bracket”) in the upper area U1 of the playback target image, and Information on the position (“1/5”) in the wide-angle image and the composition bracket range (“wide”) is further displayed.
[0127]
Here, the position in the wide-angle image in the composition bracket photographing is expressed by the notation “1/5” indicating the photographing order (“first photograph”) in the total number (“five”). As described above, since the shooting order of the plurality of images in the composition bracket shooting is fixed, the position in the wide-angle image in the composition bracket shooting can be known by indicating the shooting order. For example, “1/5” indicates that the image corresponds to the central area (R21 (FIG. 18)) in the wide-angle image, and “3/5” indicates the upper right area (R23 (FIG. 20) in the wide-angle image. )). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and not a notation such as “1/5” indirectly indicating a position, but the position such as “center”, “upper left”, “upper right”, “lower right”, “lower left”, etc. May be displayed. Alternatively, the positional relationship may be clearly indicated by using a figure instead of a character. For example, as shown in FIG. 32, each image obtained by the composition bracket photographing may be expressed as a relative position in a wide-angle image area RB (shown by an outer frame in the figure). In FIG. 32, when the bracket image generated by extracting the upper left area of the wide-angle image is reproduced and displayed, the image is arranged on the upper left of the wide-angle image area RB, and a blank area BP is positioned on the lower right of the wide-angle image area RB. Are arranged and shown. According to such a display, the position of the bracket image in the wide-angle image becomes clearer.
[0128]
As described above, in the reproduction mode, a plurality of images acquired by the composition bracket photographing are displayed together with the information indicating the positional relationship of the composition, so that it is easy to select or arrange the images. In particular, when checking with a relatively small LCD 5 of the digital camera 1, it is difficult to understand the difference in composition. In such a case, since each image is displayed together with information indicating the positional relationship of the composition, image selection and the like are performed. Is easy.
[0129]
Thereafter, when it is detected in step SP37 that the frame advance and frame return operations by the cross cursor buttons 7R and 7L have been performed, the process proceeds to step SP38, in which the number of the reproduction target image to be displayed next is determined. The image data corresponding to the number is read from the memory card 90, the process returns to step SP32, and the same processing as described above is repeated. On the other hand, in step SP37, when the frame forward and frame return operations are not detected, the process proceeds to step SP39, and it is determined whether or not there is a camera mode change operation. When it is confirmed in step SP39 that the mode change operation has been performed, the image memory 44 is cleared and the mode of the digital camera 1 is changed to the mode (photographing mode) of the change destination (step SP40). If the mode change operation has not been performed, the process returns to step SP33 again.
[0130]
When the process proceeds from step SP33 to step SP35, it is determined whether or not the menu button 6 has been pressed. If the menu button 6 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step SP37, and the normal reproduction process is continued. On the other hand, if the menu button 6 has been pressed, the flow advances to step SP36 to perform composition bracketing processing. As described above, it is possible to perform two types of processing (normal reproduction processing and composition bracket processing) on an image obtained by normal shooting.
[0131]
In step SP36, first, a setting screen G13 as shown in FIG. FIG. 33 shows a menu screen in the playback mode.
[0132]
At this time, the image synthesizing unit 43 displays the tenth captured image G10 itself and its image number (“0010”), and further displays a reproduction menu on the captured image G10. In the playback menu, it is also possible to realize these functions by designating items of a slide show and a print designation. However, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here, and composition bracket photographing will be described.
[0133]
On the screen G13 in FIG. 33, settings in the composition bracketing process can be performed. Specifically, the number of images to be generated and the bracket range (range) can be set.
[0134]
More specifically, a desired option can be selected by moving a selection cursor (CS in the figure) using the cross cursor buttons 7U, 7D, 7L, 7R. Here, a case where the tenth image is adopted as a target image and “five” images are generated based on the target image will be described. It is assumed that “wide” is selected as the bracket range.
[0135]
Then, by pressing the enter button 7C with “execute” selected last, the setting contents are determined, and the composition bracketing process is started. In other words, the start of the composition bracket process is instructed by pressing the enter button 7C. Then, in response to the pressing of the enter button 7C, a plurality of images having different compositions are generated.
[0136]
By specifying the bracket range, the relationship between the size of the subject area of the processing target image (original image) and the size of the subject areas of a plurality of images acquired by the composition bracketing process is specified. Specifically, if “wide” is designated as the range, each acquired image will be an image corresponding to a relatively small area with respect to the original image, and the composition change between the images will be relatively large. On the other hand, if “narrow” is designated as the range, each acquired image will be an image corresponding to an area (relatively large area) having a size relatively close to the original image with respect to the original image. Changes are relatively small.
[0137]
In other words, the “bracket range” indicates the degree of change in the size of the extracted image with respect to the original image, similarly to the composition bracket shooting described above. When the degree of change in the size of the extracted image with respect to the original image is relatively large and the change in composition between the extracted images is relatively large (for example, when the original image has a size of 90% and a variation of 10%). Is described as having a "wide" bracket range. On the other hand, when the degree of change in the size of the extracted image with respect to the original image is relatively small, and the change in composition between the extracted images is relatively small (for example, when the original image has a size of 95% and has only a 5% variation). ), The bracket range is described as being “narrow”. In other words, the bracket range can be expressed as indicating the degree of “shift” between the extracted image and the original image.
[0138]
FIG. 34 to FIG. 38 are diagrams showing the position of each image generated by the composition bracket process with respect to the original image (target image). The operation of generating five images will be described with reference to these drawings.
[0139]
First, as shown in FIG. 34, the overall control unit 30 extracts (cuts out) a central region (range) Rcc from the original image G10 and converts it into a predetermined format using the compression / decompression unit 46. After performing the compression process, the data is recorded on the memory card 90. The name of the image file to be recorded may be given in the same manner as in the composition bracket photographing, according to the above-described criteria. For example, if 20 images have already been recorded, a file name of “Fbcc0021.jpg” is given to this new image file.
[0140]
Next, as shown in FIG. 35, the overall control unit 30 extracts (cuts out) an upper left region (range) Rla from the original image G10, and uses the compression / decompression unit 46 to execute a predetermined format. After the compression process, the data is recorded on the memory card 90. For example, a file name of “Fbla0022.jpg” is given to the recorded image file.
[0141]
Next, as shown in FIG. 36, the overall control unit 30 extracts (cuts out) the upper right region (range) Rra from the original image G10 and uses the compression / decompression unit 46. After performing compression processing to a predetermined format, the data is recorded on the memory card 90. For example, a file name of “Fbra0023.jpg” is given to the recorded image file.
[0142]
Further, as shown in FIG. 37, the overall control unit 30 extracts (cuts out) a lower right region (range) Rrb from the original image G10, and uses the compression / decompression unit 46 to perform a predetermined format. After the compression process, the data is recorded on the memory card 90. For example, a file name of “Fbrb0024.jpg” is given to the recorded image file.
[0143]
Finally, as shown in FIG. 38, the overall control unit 30 extracts (cuts out) a lower left region (range) Rlb from the original image G10, and uses the compression / decompression unit 46 to perform a predetermined format. After the compression process, the data is recorded on the memory card 90. A file name of, for example, “Fblb0025.jpg” is given to the recorded image file.
[0144]
As described above, the composition bracket processing is performed in the reproduction mode. The composition bracketing process can also be expressed as a re-recording process, more specifically, a process of generating and recording a plurality of images having different compositions based on one image.
[0145]
According to such composition bracket processing, a plurality of areas smaller than the original image (target image) and different in position in the target image are extracted from the target image in response to an instruction input from the operator. A plurality of images having different compositions are generated. Therefore, it is possible to easily generate a plurality of images whose compositions are different from each other.
[0146]
Here, a case has been exemplified in which the microcomputer incorporated in the digital camera 1 causes the digital camera 1 to function as an image processing apparatus that performs image processing including the above-described composition bracket processing by executing a predetermined program. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by causing a personal computer (external computer 91) to execute a program for performing the above processing, the personal computer functions as an image processing apparatus that performs image processing including the composition bracket processing (re-recording processing) as described above. You may make it do.
[0147]
<B. Second Embodiment>
<B1. Configuration>
In the second embodiment, the imaging device is moved relative to the imaging lens in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging lens, and images captured by the imaging device are acquired at each of a plurality of positions accompanying the movement. The case of acquiring a plurality of images having different compositions will be described. According to this, it is not necessary to change the focal length to the wide angle side, and a plurality of images can be acquired with the focal length designated by the operator. Therefore, the pixels of the image sensor can be used more effectively. In other words, it is possible to avoid a decrease in image quality due to a decrease in the number of pixels. In the following, a case where the imaging element is moved is exemplified, but the imaging lens may be moved.
[0148]
FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main configuration of a digital camera 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera 101 has a function of performing composition bracket photographing to acquire a plurality of images having different compositions and a camera shake correction function of correcting (suppressing) blurring of a subject image in an image due to camera shake.
[0149]
As shown in the figure, the digital camera 101 mainly includes a camera body 102 and a photographing lens 103 fixed to the camera body 102. In the following description, the directions and directions will be indicated by appropriately using the XYZ three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system shown in the figure. Here, the Z-axis direction is a direction along the optical axis L of the photographing lens 103, and the positive Z-axis direction is a direction (rightward in the figure) to which incident light is incident. The Y-axis direction is a vertical direction, and the Y-axis positive direction is a vertically upward direction (upward in the figure). Further, the X-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the drawing (paper surface), and the X-axis positive direction is a downward direction perpendicular to the drawing (paper surface). These XYZ axes are fixed relatively to the housing 102a of the camera body 102.
[0150]
The photographing lens 103 mainly includes a lens barrel 131, a plurality of lens groups 132 provided inside the lens barrel 131, and an aperture 133. The lens group 132 includes a zoom lens (zoom lens) 134 and a focus lens (focus lens) 135. By moving the position of the zoom lens 134 in the Z-axis direction, the focal length (magnification) can be changed. In addition, by moving the focus lens 135 in the Z-axis direction, the focal position (focus of the subject image) can be changed. Focus state) can be changed.
[0151]
Behind the optical axis L of the taking lens 103 (on the positive side in the Z-axis), a CCD image sensor (also simply referred to as a CCD) 105 housed in a housing 102a of the camera body 102 is arranged. The CCD 105 is an image sensor configured by a group of fine pixels each having a color filter, and photoelectrically converts a light image of a subject formed by the photographing lens 103 into an image signal having, for example, RGB color components. . The light receiving surface of the CCD 105 is arranged so as to coincide with the imaging plane, and a part of the area of the imaging plane is acquired as image data (in this specification, also simply referred to as “image” as appropriate). .
[0152]
The CCD 105 is fixedly disposed in the CCD moving section 150. The CCD 105 can be moved by the CCD moving unit 150 in an XY plane orthogonal to the Z axis. FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of the CCD moving unit 150 including the CCD 105.
[0153]
As shown in FIG. 40, the CCD moving unit 150 mainly includes a base plate 151 fixed to the housing 102a, a first slider 152 moving in the X-axis direction with respect to the base plate 151, and a first slider 151. The second slider 153 moves in the Y-axis direction.
[0154]
The base plate 151 has an opening at the center so as to allow incident light from the photographing lens 103 to pass therethrough, a first actuator 151a extending in the X-axis direction, and a first spring hook 151b for hooking a spring 155. It has. In the second slider 153, an opening 153c capable of fixing the CCD 105 is formed at the center thereof, and a second actuator 153a extending in the Y-axis direction and a rigid ball 154 are loosely fitted on both surfaces in the Z-axis direction. A hard ball receiver 153b is provided. The first slider 152 has an opening at the center, and includes a first frictional coupling portion 152a at a position facing the first actuator 151a and a second frictional coupling portion 152b at a position facing the second actuator 153a. A second spring hook 152c is provided at a position facing the first spring hook 151b.
[0155]
Each of the first actuator 151a and the second actuator 153a includes a piezoelectric element and a drive rod that can be driven in the extending direction, and the drive rod moves in an amount and direction according to a drive pulse applied to the piezoelectric element. It has become.
[0156]
When the CCD moving unit 150 is assembled, the CCD 105 is fitted and fixed in the opening 153c of the second slider 153, and the driving rod of the first actuator 151a and the first frictional coupling unit 152a are frictionally coupled. The drive rod of the second actuator 153a and the second frictional coupling portion 152b are frictionally coupled. The base plate 151 and the first slider 152 are urged by a spring 155 in a direction in which they approach each other. At this time, the second slider 153 is sandwiched between the base plate 151 and the first slider 152 via the hard sphere 154. As a result, these members 151, 153, and 152 are arranged so as to overlap the base plate 151, the second slider 153, and the first slider 152 in this order from the negative side of the Z axis to the positive side.
[0157]
When the driving rod of the first actuator 151a moves at a slow speed in a state where the CCD moving unit 150 is assembled, the first slider 152 is moved relative to the base plate 151 by the first frictional coupling unit 152a frictionally coupled to the driving rod. To move in the X-axis direction. At this time, the second slider 153 also moves in the X-axis direction with respect to the base plate 151 in accordance with the movement of the first slider 152. When the drive rod of the first actuator 151a moves rapidly, the first slider 152 stops due to inertia. When the drive rod of the second actuator 153a moves at a slow speed, the second slider 153 moves in the Y-axis direction with respect to the first slider 152 by the second friction coupling portion 152b frictionally coupled to the drive rod. At this time, since the first slider 152 does not move with respect to the base plate 151, the second slider 153 moves independently with respect to the base plate 151 in the Y-axis direction. When the drive rod of the second actuator 153a moves rapidly, the second slider 153 stops due to inertia. In other words, the second slider 153 moves in the X-axis and Y-axis directions when each drive rod performs a forward movement and a backward movement (vibration) having different speeds by the drive pulse given to each piezoelectric element.
[0158]
Further, as described above, the base plate 151 is fixed to the housing 102a of the camera body 102, and the CCD 105 is fixed to the second slider 153. It will move relatively within a plane. Therefore, the CCD 105 moves relatively in the XY plane with respect to the photographing lens 103, and the area obtained as an image on the imaging plane is changed. In other words, the CCD moving unit 150 can move the CCD 105 relative to the photographing lens 103 within a plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the optical axis L of the photographing lens 103.
[0159]
Referring back to FIG. 39, a CCD position sensor 158 for detecting the position of the moving CCD 105 is disposed on the positive side of the CCD 105 in the Z-axis direction. The CCD position sensor 158 includes two light emitting units 156a and 156b including light emitting diodes and the like, and two light receiving units 157a and 157b including photodiodes and the like. The light emitting units 156a and 156b are fixed on the back side (positive Z-axis side) of the CCD 105, and the light receiving units 157a and 157b are opposed to the light emitting units 156a and 156b, respectively. It is fixed to. The light emitted from the light emitting units 156a and 156b can be received by the light receiving units 157a and 157b, and the position of the CCD 105 is changed to the XY coordinate based on the change in the position of the light received by the light receiving units 157a and 157b. Required as a position. Specifically, the first light projecting unit 156a and the first light receiving unit 157a detect the position of the CCD 105 in the X axis direction, and the second light projecting unit 156b and the second light receiving unit 157b detect the position of the CCD 105 in the Y axis direction. The position is detected.
[0160]
In addition, a vibration sensor 140 that detects vibration due to camera shake of the digital camera 101 is provided inside the housing 102a of the camera body 102. The vibration sensor 140 includes two angular velocity sensors (a first angular velocity sensor 141 and a second angular velocity sensor 142), and the first angular velocity sensor 141 detects the angular velocity of the rotational vibration (pitching) Pi about the X axis. Then, the second angular velocity sensor 142 detects the angular velocity of the rotational vibration (yaw) Ya about the Y axis. Based on the two angular velocities detected by the vibration sensor 140, the CCD 105 is moved in the respective directions of the X axis and the Y axis, thereby correcting the blur of the subject image in the image, that is, correcting the camera shake. It will be.
[0161]
A shutter button 161 is provided on the upper surface side of the camera body 102. The shutter button 161 is a button for receiving an instruction to start photographing preparation or capture (start exposure) from the user, and is a two-stage switch capable of detecting a half-pressed state (state S1) and a fully-pressed state (state S2). ing.
[0162]
An operation button 162 and an LCD 163 are provided on the back side of the camera body 102. The operation button 162 receives various settings of the digital camera 101 from a user. The digital camera 101 has, as its operation modes, a shooting mode that functions as an imaging device that acquires and records an image of a subject, and a playback mode that functions as an image playback device that plays back and displays the recorded image on the LCD 163. . By operating the operation button 162, the operation mode can be switched between a shooting mode and a reproduction mode.
[0163]
The LCD 163 displays various information and images. In the shooting mode, the LCD 163 displays an image (live view display) acquired by the CCD 105 at predetermined time intervals, and functions as a viewfinder that allows the user to perform framing while checking the subject image. On the other hand, in the reproduction mode, the LCD 163 displays the recorded image.
[0164]
Also, a memory card 191 (see FIG. 41) for recording various data can be inserted and mounted inside the camera body 102. In the photographing mode, an image acquired by the CCD 105 is recorded on the memory card 191.
[0165]
Various functions of the digital camera 101 are performed under the control of an overall control unit provided in the housing 102a of the camera body 102. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the main functional configuration of the digital camera 101 including the overall control unit 107 as a functional block.
[0166]
As shown in FIG. 41, each processing unit of the digital camera 101 such as the CCD 105, the CCD moving unit 150, the CCD position sensor 158, the vibration sensor 140, the operation unit MP, and the LCD 163 is electrically connected to the overall control unit 107. It operates under the control of the control unit 107. At the same time, the position of the CCD 105 detected by the CCD position sensor 158, the angular velocity detected by the vibration sensor 140, the operation content of the operation unit MP, and the like are input to the overall control unit 107 as signals.
[0167]
The operation unit MP includes a shutter button 161, an operation button 162, and other operation buttons (not shown), and can perform various settings similar to those in the first embodiment.
[0168]
The taking lens 103 includes a zoom drive unit 134a, a focus drive unit 135a, and an aperture drive unit 133a. The zoom drive unit 134a drives the zoom lens 134 in the Z-axis direction to change the focal length. The focus drive unit 135a drives the focus lens 135 in the Z-axis direction to change the focus position. The aperture driving unit 133a adjusts the aperture diameter of the aperture 133 so that the aperture value is set by the overall control unit 107. The zoom drive unit 134a, the focus drive unit 135a, and the aperture drive unit 133a are also electrically connected to the overall control unit 107 and operate under the control of the overall control unit 107.
[0169]
In FIG. 41, an A / D conversion unit 121, an image processing unit 122, and an image memory 123 indicate processing units that handle images acquired by the CCD 105. That is, the image of the analog signal acquired by the CCD 105 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 121, and predetermined image processing (white balance correction, γ correction, color correction, resolution After the conversion, the image data is stored in the image memory 123. The image stored in the image memory 123 is recorded on the memory card 191 as a recording image, or displayed on the LCD 163 as a live view display image. Various processes for such images are also performed based on the control of the overall control unit 107.
[0170]
The overall control unit 107 includes a microcomputer. That is, the overall control unit 107 includes a CPU 170 that performs various arithmetic processes, a RAM 171 that is a work area for performing arithmetic operations, and a ROM 172 that stores a control program and the like. General control of the operation of the unit.
[0171]
Various functions of the overall control unit 107 are realized by the CPU 170 performing arithmetic processing according to a control program stored in the ROM 172 in advance. Such a control program is stored in the ROM 172 in advance, but it is also possible to store a new control program in the ROM 172 by reading it out from the memory card 191 or the like.
[0172]
<B2. Operation>
Next, the photographing operation of the digital camera 101 in the photographing mode will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 42 and 43 are flowcharts showing the operation of the digital camera 101 in composition bracket shooting. This flowchart is described as a subroutine called from the main routine at predetermined time intervals (for example, at intervals of several milliseconds to several tens of milliseconds). These routines are executed under the control of the overall control unit 107. In addition, for simplicity of description, a description will be given assuming that the camera shake correction function is not used in the composition bracket photographing.
[0173]
Here, as in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the setting operation to the composition bracket mode and the setting operation regarding the range and the number of the composition bracket shooting (see FIG. 13) have already been performed. Here, it is assumed that the setting is to shoot five images.
[0174]
In the composition bracket photographing of the second embodiment, the CCD 105 (image pickup device) is moved relative to the photographing lens 103 within a plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the optical axis L of the photographing lens 103 (FIG. 39). By acquiring images captured by the CCD 105 at each of a plurality of (five) subsequent positions, a plurality of (five) images having different compositions are acquired. Note that when capturing a plurality of images, the photographing lens 103 keeps a predetermined position and posture with respect to the subject at the time of inputting an instruction to start photographing (in other words, the same position and posture are maintained). keeping). In the second embodiment, “input of an instruction to start shooting” means that the shutter button is pressed down to the fully pressed state S2.
[0175]
FIG. 44 is a view showing a state of movement of the CCD 105, and FIG. 45 is a partially enlarged view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, the center position of the CCD 105 moves in the XY plane in the order of the positions Pcc, Pla, Pra, Prb, and Plb. Then, an imaging operation is performed at each of the plurality of positions Pcc, Pla, Pra, Prb, and Plb, and an image is obtained. An area Rcc in FIG. 44 indicates a subject area of an image captured at the first position Pcc (home position or reference position). The region Rla indicates a subject region of an image captured at the position Pla, and the region Rrb indicates a subject region of an image captured at the position Prb. Note that FIG. 44 does not show the subject regions Rra and Rlb when they are moved to the positions Pra and Plb for convenience of illustration.
[0176]
As shown in FIG. 44, the subject areas of a plurality of images captured as the CCD 105 moves are different from each other. That is, the compositions of these images are different from each other. In addition, since each image is photographed without changing the position of the zoom lens in the optical axis direction when a photographing start instruction input is given, compared with the first embodiment, the effective pixels in the CCD are reduced. The number can be increased.
[0177]
A description will be given of shooting bracket shooting involving such movement.
[0178]
First, as shown in FIG. 42, in step SP51, it is determined whether or not the CCD 105 is at the home position (reference position) (specifically, whether or not the center position of the CCD 105 is at Pcc). If the CCD 105 is not at the home position, the CPU 105 moves the CCD 105 to the home position in step SP52, and then proceeds to step SP53.
[0179]
In step SP53, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 161 has been half-pressed S1. If it is determined that it is in the half-pressed state S1, the process proceeds to step SP54. On the other hand, if it is determined that the half-press state S1 has not been reached, this subroutine is temporarily ended. After that, when the subroutine is executed again, step SP54 is executed again.
[0180]
In steps SP54 to SP57, automatic exposure control (AE control), automatic focus control (AF control), and automatic white balance control (AWB control) are performed. Specifically, in step SP54, the photometric value, the colorimetric value, and the AF evaluation value are measured. As the AF evaluation value, a plurality of measurement values are acquired while driving the focusing lens.
[0181]
In step SP55, the AE operation is performed. Specifically, the values of the exposure control parameters (shutter speed, aperture, gain) are determined based on the photometric value in the photometric operation in step SP15. Then, the exposure control parameter is locked at that value. In the imaging processing in steps SP59 and SP62, imaging processing is performed a plurality of times using the determined value of the exposure control parameter (the same exposure control parameter).
[0182]
In step SP56, an automatic white balance operation (AWB operation) is performed. Specifically, the value of the AWB correction parameter for correcting the white balance is determined based on the colorimetric value in the colorimetric operation in step SP54. Then, the AWB correction parameter is locked at that value. In the imaging processing in steps SP59 and SP62, the white balance is adjusted by the value of the correction parameter, and the imaging processing is performed a plurality of times.
[0183]
In step SP57, the focus position according to the autofocus operation in step SP54 is determined, and the focus position in the composition bracket photographing is locked. In the subsequent imaging processes of steps SP59 and SP62, the imaging process is performed a plurality of times at this focus position.
[0184]
In step SP58 (FIG. 43), it is determined whether or not the shutter button 161 has been fully pressed S2. If it is determined that the shutter button 161 has not been fully pressed S2, this subroutine ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the shutter button 161 is in the fully pressed state S2, the process proceeds to step SP59.
[0185]
In step SP59, an imaging process is performed. Specifically, one captured image is obtained by the first exposure operation. At this time, the shooting parameters (specifically, the exposure control parameter, the AWB correction parameter, and the focus position) have the values set in steps SP55, SP56, and SP57, respectively. Further, the lens position of the zoom lens is not changed (it is not changed). The image obtained by the imaging process is an image corresponding to the composition specified by the operator. This image is obtained as an image in which the subject image formed in a predetermined area (here, the entire area) of the CCD 105 has the entire range, is subjected to predetermined image processing, and is temporarily stored in the image memory 123. .
[0186]
Then, in step SP60, the recording processing of the captured image is performed. Specifically, the image stored in the image memory 123 is transferred to the memory card 191 and recorded in the memory card 191 as a recording image.
[0187]
In step SP61, the center position of the CCD 105 is moved to the next position Pla.
[0188]
Thereafter, an imaging process (step SP62) and a recording process (step SP63) are performed. Thus, a captured image at the position Pla can be obtained.
[0189]
In step SP64, it is determined whether or not all shooting has been completed. More specifically, it is determined whether or not all five images have been captured. Here, since it has not been completed, the process proceeds to step SP65.
[0190]
In step SP65, as shown in FIG. 44, the overall control unit 107 moves the CCD 105 one step clockwise as viewed from the back of the digital camera 101. That is, the center position of the CCD 105 is moved to the next position Pra. Thereafter, the process returns to step SP62.
[0191]
Then, in steps SP62, SP63, and SP64, the above-described processing is performed. Thus, a captured image at the position Pra can be obtained.
[0192]
Further, in steps SP62, SP63, and SP64, by repeating the same processing, it is possible to acquire the remaining two images, that is, the images captured at the positions Prb and Plb. In this way, five images with different compositions are captured. At the time of photographing these five images, the photographing parameters (specifically, the exposure control parameter, the AWB correction parameter, and the focus position) remain the values set in steps SP55, SP56, and SP57, respectively. is there. Further, the lens position of the zoom lens is not changed.
[0193]
If it is determined in step SP64 that the shooting has been completed, the process proceeds to step SP66. In step SP66, the lock of the exposure control parameter, the AWB correction parameter, and the focus position in the composition bracket photographing is released.
[0194]
Then, in step SP67, the CCD 105 is moved to the home position. Thereafter, this subroutine ends, and the process returns to the main routine.
[0195]
As described above, according to the composition bracket photographing of the digital camera 101 of the second embodiment, the CCD 105 moves relative to the photographing lens 103 in the XY plane in response to the depression of the shutter button (input of a photographing start instruction). The CCD 105 performs image capturing at a plurality of positions associated with the movement to obtain a plurality of images. Therefore, by performing such composition bracket photographing, the same effect as the composition bracket photographing of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0196]
Further, according to the composition bracket photographing of the second embodiment, the CCD 105 is moved relatively to the photographing lens 103 to acquire a plurality of photographed images having different compositions. Therefore, since it is not necessary to change the focal length to the wide-angle side for photographing, the pixels of the image sensor can be used more effectively than in the first embodiment. In other words, it is possible to avoid a decrease in image quality due to a decrease in the number of pixels.
[0197]
Further, the CCD 105 and the photographing lens 103 are relatively moved so that the other movement trajectory viewed from one does not intersect halfway.
[0198]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 45, the movement trajectory of the CCD 105 with respect to the photographing lens 103 (shown by a thick line in the figure) does not intersect in the middle. Note that this movement trajectory can also be expressed as a spiral (or loop).
[0199]
On the other hand, FIG. 46 shows a movement locus when the center position of the CCD 105 is moved in the order of the positions Pcc, Pla, Pra, Plb, and Prb. The movement locus of FIG. 46 is longer than the movement locus of FIG. This is based on the fact that the movement trajectories in FIG. 46 intersect on the way. Alternatively, it can be expressed as being based on not being a spiral (or loop).
[0200]
Therefore, if the CCD 105 is moved in the order shown in FIG. 45, the moving distance of the CCD 105 can be shortened as compared with the case where the CCD 105 is moved in the order shown in FIG. As described above, since the moving distance of the CCD 105 can be reduced, the moving speed can be increased, and a plurality of images can be captured in a shorter time. In particular, even when the movement of the subject is intense, it is possible to acquire a plurality of images with changed compositions while minimizing the change in the state of the subject.
[0201]
Further, in the second embodiment, a case has been described in which five images are photographed by composition bracket photographing, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, nine images may be shot.
[0202]
FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating a shooting order (moving order) when shooting nine images. FIG. 47 shows how the center position of the CCD 105 moves. As shown in FIG. 47, the digital camera 101 moves the CCD 105 in this order such that the center position is located at each position Pcc, Pla, Pca, Pra, Prc, Prb, Pcb, Plb, Plc. The imaging operation may be performed at the position.
[0203]
Also in this case, the movement trajectory in FIG. 47 is shorter than the movement trajectory in FIG. This is based on the fact that the movement trajectories in FIG. 47 do not intersect on the way. Alternatively, it can be expressed as being based on a spiral (or loop) shape. FIG. 48 is a diagram showing another example of the movement, in which the CCD 105 is moved in this order so that the center position of the CCD 105 exists at each position Pcc, Pla, Pca, Pra, Plc, Prc, Plb, Pcb, Prb. And the case where an imaging operation is performed at each position.
[0204]
<C. Others>
In the first embodiment described above, the case where the number of bracket images is set by the operator has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of bracket shots in the composition bracket mode may be determined according to the size of the bracket range. More specifically, when it is detected that the bracket range is set to “wide”, the number of bracket shots is changed to a relatively large number (for example, 9), and the bracket range is set to “narrow”. When it is detected that the camera is in the position, the number of bracket images may be changed to a relatively small number (for example, five). As described above, as the bracket range becomes wider, a larger number of images may be acquired. According to this, images with various compositions can be obtained according to the width of the bracket range.
[0205]
In the first embodiment, the case where the photometric value and the colorimetric value are calculated based on the image data of the entire range of the region R10 of the wide-angle image has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a photometric value and a colorimetric value may be calculated using image data of a region R26 (FIG. 23) common to all of the regions R21 to R25.
[0206]
In the first embodiment, the time when the shutter button is half-pressed S1 is regarded as the time when an instruction to start shooting is input, and in the second embodiment, the shutter button is fully pressed. The point in time S2 is regarded as the point in time when an instruction to start shooting is input. In other words, in the first embodiment, the input of the instruction to start shooting is given by setting the shutter button to the half-pressed state S1, and in the second embodiment, the input of the instruction to start shooting is when the shutter button is fully pressed. This is given by being set to the pressed state S2. As described above, the input of the instruction to start photographing may be any instruction that indicates that any process related to photographing should be started. Further, the composition bracket photographing in the composition bracket mode is to acquire a plurality of images in response to such an instruction input, more specifically, a single instruction input from the operator, in order to facilitate the operation. Preferably, there is.
[0207]
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the composition bracket shooting is performed has been described. However, other types of bracket shooting may be performed. For example, the composition bracket photographing in the composition bracket mode and the bracket photographing in another bracket mode relating to predetermined photographing conditions other than the composition (for example, exposure bracket photographing for acquiring a plurality of images while changing the exposure condition) are performed in combination. It may be. In the case of performing bracket shooting according to such a combination, the combination of the shooting condition value (eg, exposure value) and the composition is changed, while the other shooting conditions (eg, white balance) are the same. (Fixed state) to acquire multiple images. According to this, even when performing bracket shooting in which predetermined shooting conditions such as an exposure value are also changed, it is possible to obtain a plurality of images having the same other shooting conditions and different compositions only.
[0208]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given assuming that the composition bracketing process can be performed only on the image obtained by the normal shooting in the reproduction mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one of a plurality of images photographed by composition bracket photographing may be further subjected to composition bracket processing in the playback mode.
[0209]
In the second embodiment, a zoom lens is used as a photographing lens, but it is not always necessary to use a zoom lens. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, it is not necessary to change the focal length, and therefore, a single focus lens may be used as the photographing lens.
[0210]
The specific embodiments described above include inventions having the following configurations.
[0211]
(1) In the digital camera according to claim 1,
Range setting means for setting a maximum target range when extracting the plurality of images,
Further comprising
The second position is relatively located at the first position when the maximum target range set by the range setting means is set to a relatively narrow range, as compared to when the maximum target range is set to a relatively wide range. A digital camera, which is set at a close position.
[0212]
According to this, when the maximum target range is set to a relatively narrow range, the second position is set to a position relatively close to the first position compared to when the maximum target range is set to a relatively wide range. You. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of pixels of a portion to be cut (trimmed) when extracting a plurality of images from an image by the imaging unit and increase the number of pixels of each of the plurality of images. Images can be of high quality.
[0213]
(2) In the digital camera according to claim 1,
When the first position is the wide end, the imaging unit acquires an image without changing the lens position of the zoom lens while maintaining the first position, and the control unit captures the image. A digital camera characterized by recording as an image.
[0214]
According to this, composition bracket photography can be prohibited at the wide end.
[0215]
(3) In the digital camera according to claim 1,
A warning unit that warns that it is impossible to execute the composition bracket shooting when the first position is at the wide end;
A digital camera, further comprising:
[0216]
According to this, the photographer can recognize that it is impossible to execute the composition bracket photographing.
[0217]
(4) In the digital camera according to claim 1,
Display means for displaying a live view based on an image by the imaging means,
Further comprising
The display means,
Before the instruction input, the image by the imaging unit is displayed in accordance with the display area of the display unit,
After the instruction input, when the lens position of the zoom lens is moving to the second position, an image having a size corresponding to the angle of view at the first position is obtained from the image obtained by the imaging unit. A digital camera, wherein the digital camera extracts and displays the extracted image in accordance with the size of a display screen of the display means.
[0218]
According to this, since the size of the subject in the live view does not change before and after the instruction is input, the photographer watching the live view does not feel uncomfortable.
[0219]
(5) In the digital camera according to claim 1,
Means for acquiring at least one of a photometric value and a colorimetric value, based on the entire range of the image acquired by the imaging means,
A digital camera, further comprising:
[0220]
According to this, the optimum value as a whole can be obtained at once.
[0221]
(6) a digital camera,
A digital camera, wherein the image pickup element and the photographing lens are relatively moved so that a movement locus of the other viewed from one does not intersect halfway.
[0222]
According to this, the relative movement distance between the imaging element and the photographing lens can be shortened.
[0223]
(7) a digital camera,
Shooting optics,
Imaging means for acquiring a subject image from the imaging optical system as an image using photoelectric conversion,
Setting means for setting a composition bracket mode for acquiring a plurality of images of different compositions using the imaging means as a shooting mode,
When the composition bracket mode is set as the shooting mode, a control unit that controls to acquire a plurality of images having different compositions from each other,
Recording means for recording the obtained plurality of images together with information indicating the positional relationship of the composition,
A digital camera, comprising:
[0224]
According to this, the plurality of images acquired by the composition bracket photographing are recorded together with the information indicating the positional relationship of the composition, so that it is easy to select or arrange the images.
[0225]
(8) In the digital camera according to (7),
Switching means for switching between a shooting mode and a playback mode;
A display unit configured to display the plurality of images by explicitly indicating a positional relationship of a composition of the plurality of images when the mode is switched to a reproduction mode by the switching unit;
A digital camera, further comprising:
[0226]
According to this, in the reproduction mode, a plurality of images obtained by the composition bracket photographing are generated together with the information indicating the positional relationship of the composition, so that the images can be easily sorted or sorted.
[0227]
(9) a digital camera,
Shooting optics,
Imaging means for acquiring a subject image from the imaging optical system as an image using photoelectric conversion,
Setting means for setting a composition bracket mode for acquiring a plurality of images of different compositions using the imaging means as a shooting mode,
When the composition bracket mode is set as the photographing mode, control is performed such that a plurality of images having different compositions are acquired in a state having a common subject area (the photographing ranges overlap). Control means;
A digital camera, comprising:
[0228]
According to this, a plurality of images having different compositions from each other are acquired in a state having a common subject region (a state in which the photographing ranges overlap), so that a plurality of images having different compositions including a main subject can be obtained. It is possible to obtain it reliably.
[0229]
(10) A digital camera,
Shooting optics,
Imaging means for acquiring a subject image from the imaging optical system as an image using photoelectric conversion,
Setting means for setting a composition bracket mode for acquiring a plurality of images of different compositions using the imaging means as a shooting mode,
Number setting means for setting the number of bracket shooting in the composition bracket mode,
Input means for receiving an instruction input for starting shooting,
When the composition bracket mode is set as the shooting mode, control means for controlling so as to acquire the image of the number of bracket shots set by the number setting means according to the instruction input,
A digital camera, comprising:
[0230]
According to this, it is possible to change the number of bracket shots in the composition bracket mode, so that it is possible to meet various requests.
[0231]
(11) a digital camera,
A zoom lens that can perform optical zoom,
Imaging means for acquiring a subject image from the zoom lens as an image using photoelectric conversion,
Setting means for setting a composition bracket mode for acquiring a plurality of images of different compositions using the imaging means as a shooting mode,
Range setting means for setting a bracket range in the composition bracket mode,
Input means for receiving an instruction input for starting shooting,
In a state where the lens position of the zoom lens is moved from a first position set by an operator at the time of inputting the instruction to a position on a wider angle side than the first position, a subject image from the zoom lens is moved. Means for acquiring an image as an image using photoelectric conversion, and a plurality of images having a size corresponding to the angle of view at the first position and different positions in the image from the image acquired by the image pickup means. Control means for generating a plurality of images having different compositions from each other by extracting a region of
With
A digital camera, wherein the position on the wide angle side of the first position is a position adjusted according to a bracket range set by the range setting means.
[0232]
According to this, since the bracket range in the composition bracket mode can be changed, it is possible to meet various requests.
[0233]
(12) In the digital camera according to (11),
Changing means for changing the number of bracketed shots in the composition bracket mode according to the size of the bracket range,
A digital camera, further comprising:
[0234]
According to this, images with various compositions can be obtained according to the width of the bracket range.
[0235]
(13) The digital camera according to claim 3,
The setting means can be set in combination with a composition bracket mode and another bracket mode relating to a predetermined shooting condition other than the composition,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires a plurality of images having different compositions while changing a combination with a predetermined shooting condition while keeping shooting conditions other than the predetermined shooting condition the same.
[0236]
According to this, even when performing bracket shooting in which predetermined shooting conditions other than composition are changed, it is possible to acquire a plurality of images having the same other shooting conditions and different compositions only.
[0237]
(14) In the image processing apparatus according to claim 4,
Recording means for recording the plurality of images together with information indicating the positional relationship of the composition,
An image processing apparatus further comprising:
[0238]
According to this, a plurality of images having different compositions are recorded together with information indicating the positional relationship between the compositions, so that the images can be easily sorted or sorted.
[0239]
(15) In the image processing device according to claim 4,
The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of images are acquired in a state having a common subject area.
[0240]
According to this, since a plurality of images having different compositions are obtained in a state having a common subject area, it is possible to more reliably obtain a plurality of images having different compositions including a main subject. .
[0241]
(16) In the image processing apparatus according to claim 4,
Number setting means for setting the number of images to be generated as the plurality of images,
An image processing apparatus further comprising:
[0242]
According to this, since the number of sheets to be generated as a plurality of images can be changed, it is possible to meet various demands.
[0243]
(17) In the image processing apparatus according to claim 4,
Setting means for setting a relationship between the size of the subject area of the target image and the size of the subject areas of the plurality of images generated by the generation means;
An image processing apparatus further comprising:
[0244]
According to this, since the relationship between the size of the subject area of the target image and the size of the subject areas of the plurality of images generated by the generation unit can be set, it is possible to meet various demands.
[0245]
(18) In the program according to claim 5,
The program further controls the computer,
Recording means for recording the plurality of images together with information indicating the positional relationship of the composition,
A program characterized by functioning as a computer.
[0246]
According to this, a plurality of images having different compositions are recorded together with information indicating the positional relationship between the compositions, so that the images can be easily sorted or sorted.
[0247]
(19) In the program according to claim 5,
A program according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of images are acquired in a state having a common subject area.
[0248]
According to this, since a plurality of images having different compositions are obtained in a state having a common subject area, it is possible to more reliably obtain a plurality of images having different compositions including a main subject. .
[0249]
(20) In the program according to claim 5,
The program further controls the computer,
Number setting means for setting the number of images to be generated as the plurality of images,
A program characterized by functioning as a computer.
[0250]
According to this, since the number of sheets to be generated as a plurality of images can be changed, it is possible to meet various demands.
[0251]
(21) In the program according to claim 5,
The program further controls the computer,
Setting means for setting a relationship between the size of the subject area of the target image and the size of the subject areas of the plurality of images generated by the generation means;
A program characterized by functioning as a computer.
[0252]
According to this, since the relationship between the size of the subject area of the target image and the size of the subject areas of the plurality of images generated by the generation unit can be set, it is possible to meet various demands.
[0253]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to acquire a plurality of images whose compositions are different from each other (that is, perform composition bracket photography) in response to an instruction input for starting photography. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a captured image with a better composition.
[0254]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to acquire a plurality of images whose compositions are different from each other (that is, perform composition bracket photography) in response to an instruction input to start photography. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a captured image with a better composition. Further, since it is not necessary to change the focal length to the wide-angle side, it is possible to avoid deterioration in image quality.
[0255]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of images having different compositions are acquired in a state where at least one of the imaging conditions other than the composition is the same, at least one condition other than the composition is acquired. It is possible to select the image with the best composition from the plurality of images without being affected.
[0256]
According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, a plurality of regions smaller than the target image and having different positions in the target image are extracted from the target image in response to the instruction input, so that different compositions are obtained. Can be generated, so that a plurality of images having different compositions can be easily generated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external configuration of a digital camera.
FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating an external configuration of the digital camera.
FIG. 3 is a rear view illustrating an external configuration of the digital camera.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing internal functions of the digital camera.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a function operation unit and a digital effect operation unit.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a shooting range of a subject.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a shooting range of a subject.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a shooting range of a subject.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a shooting range of a subject.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the digital camera in composition bracket photographing.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the digital camera in composition bracket photographing.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a warning display screen.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a composition bracket setting screen.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the position of a zoom lens.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a photographing range (when the bracket range is wide) after the movement of the zoom lens.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a photographing range (when the bracket range is narrow) after the movement of the zoom lens.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a live view screen G3.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a central region of a wide-angle image.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an upper left area of a wide-angle image.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an upper right area of a wide-angle image.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a lower right area of a wide-angle image.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a lower left area of a wide-angle image.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a common subject area.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a name assignment rule (other than composition bracket shooting).
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a name assignment rule (composition bracket shooting).
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file name.
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing another example of a file name.
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the structure of an image file.
FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an acquisition order when acquiring nine images.
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an operation in a reproduction mode.
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a playback display screen for a composition bracket photographed image.
FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a playback display screen for a composition bracket photographed image.
FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a menu screen in a playback mode.
FIG. 34 is a diagram showing the position of the image generated by the composition bracketing process with respect to the original image.
FIG. 35 is a diagram showing the position of the image generated by the composition bracketing process with respect to the original image.
FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a position of an image generated by the composition bracketing process with respect to the original image.
FIG. 37 is a diagram showing the position of the image generated by the composition bracketing process with respect to the original image.
FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating the position of the image generated by the composition bracketing process with respect to the original image.
FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main configuration of a digital camera according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of a CCD moving unit.
FIG. 41 is a functional block diagram.
FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in composition bracket photographing according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing an operation in composition bracket photographing according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 44 is a diagram showing how the CCD moves.
FIG. 45 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 44.
FIG. 46 is a diagram showing another state of movement of the CCD.
FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating a shooting order when shooting nine images.
FIG. 48 is a diagram showing another state of movement of the CCD.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,101 Digital camera
2,103 shooting lens
2a Zoom ring
4 EVF
5,163 LCD
6 Menu button
7 Control buttons
7C OK button
7U, 7D, 7L, 7R Cross cursor button
9,161 Shutter button
11 Function operation section
14 Digital effect operation section
20,105 CCD image sensor
150 CCD moving unit
90,191 Memory card

Claims (5)

A digital camera,
A zoom lens that can perform optical zoom,
Input means for receiving an instruction input for starting shooting,
In a state where the lens position of the zoom lens is moved from a first position set by an operator at the time of inputting the instruction to a second position on a wider angle side than the first position, the zoom lens is moved from the zoom lens. Imaging means for acquiring the subject image as an image using photoelectric conversion,
Composition bracketing is performed by extracting, as a plurality of images, a plurality of regions having a size corresponding to the angle of view at the first position and different positions in the image from the image acquired by the imaging unit. Control means for taking a picture,
A digital camera, comprising: A digital camera,
A shooting lens,
An image sensor that acquires a subject image from the photographing lens as an image using photoelectric conversion,
Moving means for moving the imaging element relative to the imaging lens in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging lens;
Input means for receiving an instruction input for starting shooting,
In response to the instruction input, composition bracket shooting is performed by performing image capturing using the image sensor at a plurality of positions where the image sensor and the imaging lens are relatively moved in the vertical plane to obtain a plurality of images. Control means for performing
A digital camera, comprising: A digital camera,
Shooting optics,
Imaging means for acquiring a subject image from the imaging optical system as an image using photoelectric conversion,
Setting means for setting a composition bracket mode for acquiring a plurality of images of different compositions as a shooting mode,
When the composition bracket mode is set as the photographing mode, control is performed such that a plurality of images having different compositions are acquired with at least one of the photographing conditions other than the composition being the same. Control means;
A digital camera, comprising: An image processing device,
Acquisition means for acquiring a target image to be processed;
Input means for receiving an instruction input for processing start;
A generating unit configured to generate a plurality of images having different compositions from each other by extracting a plurality of regions smaller than the target image and having different positions in the target image from the target image in response to the instruction input; When,
An image processing apparatus comprising: Computer
Acquisition means for acquiring a target image to be processed;
Input means for receiving an instruction input for processing start;
A generating unit configured to generate a plurality of images having different compositions from each other by extracting a plurality of regions smaller than the target image and having different positions in the target image from the target image in response to the instruction input; When,
Program to function as

Images