JP2005352164A - Imaging apparatus and control method therefor, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus, a control method therefor, a program and a storage medium with which photographic images in which the positions of prescribed subjects are each emphasized can be obtained without need for a user to specify the position of a prescribed subject as a main subject position for each photographing when a composition includes a plurality of subjects to be specified. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus 100 includes an imaging section 1, a signal processing section 3, an image display section 7 for displaying photographic images, a built-in memory 2 connected to the signal processing section 3, a system control section 4 connected to the signal processing section 3, and an operation section 9 integrated with the image display section 7. The system control section 4 displays images photographed by a shutter release operation onto the image display section 7. Then, the system control section 4 records into the built-in memory 2 all pieces of subject position information P(A) corresponding to main subject positions specified by the cross key of the operation section 9 from subjects corresponding to the images displayed. The system control section 4 sequentially reads the pieces of subject position information P(A) recorded, and successively caries out photographing under automatic exposure control, automatic focus control, etc., based upon the pieces of subject position information P(A) thus read. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, a program, and a storage medium, and in particular, an imaging apparatus that captures a main subject by automatic exposure control (AE) and automatic focusing control (AF), a control method thereof, a program, and The present invention relates to a storage medium.

Conventionally, a digital camera has a touch panel in front of a display unit that displays an image, and shooting that focuses on a specific subject (hereinafter referred to as “main subject”) intended by a user, such as a person, reproduction of recorded images, and printing As a method of performing automatic exposure control (AE) and automatic focus control (AF) with an emphasis on the main subject by touching and instructing the main subject on the touch panel with a finger or a pen while viewing the image on the display unit And a method of recording main subject position information indicating the position of the main subject on the recording medium together with the image information when the captured image is recorded on the recording medium (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 11-136568 A

  However, when there are a plurality of subjects in the composition and each of them is photographed at an appropriate exposure, the user has to indicate the main subject for each photographing, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a photographed image in which each specific subject is emphasized without specifying a user for each photographing when there are a plurality of objects to be identified as subjects in the composition, and a control method therefor And providing a program and a storage medium.

  To achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to claim 1 displays a captured image acquisition unit that acquires captured images of a plurality of subjects existing in a composition by a shutter release operation, and the acquired captured images. In the imaging apparatus comprising image display means and designation means for designating a plurality of specific subject positions among the plurality of subjects included in the displayed captured image as main subject positions, the designated main subjects A first recording means for recording the position and its designated order in association with each other; and a reading means for reading out the recorded main subject positions from the first recording means in the designated order. The image acquisition means continuously performs shooting of the specific subject after performing focusing control and exposure control at the read main subject positions in the designated order. And performing a manner.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the captured image acquisition unit assigns the highest weighting to the photometric value at the position each time one of the main subject positions is read by the reading unit. And a photometric value calculating means for calculating the photometric value of the entire photographed image.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the captured image acquisition unit is configured to calculate the photometric value when a difference between the calculated photometric value and a reference photometric value is less than a predetermined value. According to the present invention, the captured image is not acquired.

  The imaging device according to claim 4 is the imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the photographed image acquisition unit calculates the calculated photometry every time a difference of the calculated photometric value with respect to a reference photometric value is a predetermined value or more. The photographing is performed after performing the focusing control and the exposure control based on the value.

  The imaging device according to claim 5 is the imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the captured image acquisition unit calculates the difference every time a difference between the calculated photometric values with respect to the reference measured value is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. Control value calculation means for calculating the control value for the focus control and the control value for the exposure control based on the photometric value, and the control value for the focus control, the control value for the exposure control, and both control values And a second recording means for recording in association with each other, and the reading means outputs the recorded control value for focusing control and control value for exposure control from the second recording means in the acquired order. The reading and image display means is based on the read focus control value and exposure control value each time the other read means reads the focus control value and exposure control value. The above image The captured image that has been subjected to the image processing is displayed, and the captured image acquisition unit is configured to control the read focus control value of the displayed captured image that has been instructed to be captured. In addition, the imaging is performed after performing the focusing control and the exposure control based on the control value of the exposure control.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 6 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second recording unit records the designated main subject position and the calculated order in association with each other. To do.

  The imaging device according to claim 7 is the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display unit displays a captured image of the specific subject acquired each time the imaging is performed, and The imaging apparatus includes a third recording unit that records the specific subject photographed image for the specific subject photographed image displayed by the image display unit for which a recording instruction has been issued.

  An imaging apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the imaging apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein the third recording unit records the main subject position for each of the recorded specific subject photographed images.

  An imaging apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the specifying means includes a cross key or a touch panel.

  In order to achieve the above object, a control method according to claim 10 displays a captured image acquisition step of acquiring captured images of a plurality of subjects existing in the composition by a shutter release operation, and the acquired captured images. In the control method of an imaging apparatus, comprising: an image display step; and a designation step of designating a plurality of specific subject positions among the plurality of subjects included in the displayed captured image as main subject positions. A recording step for recording each main subject position and its designated order in association with each other, a reading step for reading each recorded main subject position in the designated order, and the photographed image acquisition step include the designated step Taking a picture of the specific subject after performing in-focus control and exposure control at each of the read main subject positions in order. And performing connection to.

  The control method according to claim 11 is the control method according to claim 10, wherein the captured image acquisition step gives the highest weighting to the photometric value at the position every time one of the main subject positions is read in the reading step. And a photometric value calculating step for calculating a photometric value of the entire photographed image.

  A control method according to a twelfth aspect is the control method according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the photographed image acquisition step includes calculating the photometric value when a difference between the calculated photometric value and a reference photometric value is less than a predetermined value. According to the present invention, the captured image is not acquired.

  A control method according to a thirteenth aspect is the control method according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the captured image acquisition step includes calculating the photometric value every time a difference between the calculated photometric value and a reference photometric value is a predetermined value or more. The photographing is performed after performing the focusing control and the exposure control based on the value.

  The control method according to claim 14 is the control method according to claim 14, wherein the captured image acquisition step calculates the difference every time a difference between the calculated photometric values with respect to the reference measured value is a predetermined value or more. A control value calculating step for calculating a control value for the focus control and a control value for the exposure control based on a photometric value, and a control value for the focus control, a control value for the exposure control, and both control values are calculated. The recording step includes recording the recording sequence in association with each other, and the reading step reads the control value of the focus control and the control value of the exposure control recorded in the other recording step in the acquired order, The image display step is based on the read focus control value and exposure control value each time the focus control value and exposure control value are read in the other read step. The image processing of the captured image is performed, and the captured image that has been subjected to the image processing is displayed, and the captured image acquisition step reads the read image of the displayed captured image that has been instructed to be captured The photographing is performed after the focus control and the exposure control are performed based on the control value of the focus control and the control value of the exposure control.

  The control method according to claim 15 is the control method according to claim 14, wherein the other recording step records the designated main subject position and the calculated order in association with each other. .

  The control method according to claim 16 is the control method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the display step displays a captured image of the specific subject acquired each time the image is taken, The control method includes a further recording step of recording the specific subject photographed image for the specific subject photographed image displayed in the image display step with respect to a recording instruction.

  A control method according to a seventeenth aspect is the control method according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the further recording step records the main subject position for each recorded specific subject photographed image.

  The control method according to claim 18 is the control method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the designation step performs the designation using a cross key or a touch panel.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging device control program according to claim 19 includes a captured image acquisition module that acquires captured images of a plurality of subjects existing in a composition by a shutter release operation, and the acquired captured images. In an image display module to be displayed, a designation module for designating a plurality of specific subject positions among the plurality of subjects included in the displayed photographed image as a main subject position, and a photographing apparatus control program to be executed by a computer, A recording module that records each designated main subject position in association with the designated order and a reading module that reads the recorded main subject positions in the designated order are executed by a computer, and the captured image The acquisition step includes the main subject positions read out in the designated order. And continuously performing said imaging of said specific subject after performing Oite respectively focus control and exposure control.

  In order to achieve the above object, a storage medium according to a twentieth aspect stores the imaging apparatus control program according to the nineteenth aspect.

  According to the imaging device according to claim 1, the control method according to claim 10, the control program according to claim 19, and the storage medium according to claim 20, a specific one of the plurality of subjects included in the captured image is specified. A plurality of subject positions are designated as main subject positions, the designated main subject positions are recorded in association with the designated order, and each main subject position read in the designated order is focused. Since the specific subject is continuously shot after performing the control and the exposure control, when there are a plurality of subjects to be specified as subjects in the composition, the position of the specific subject is set as the main subject position for each shooting. As a result, it is possible to obtain a captured image that places importance on the position of each subject without specifying the user.

  According to the imaging apparatus of claim 2 and the control method of claim 11, each time one of the main subject positions is read from the first recording means, the highest weighting is given to the position and the photometric value of the entire photographed image. Therefore, it is possible to acquire a captured image that is exposure-controlled for each main subject position designated by the user.

  According to the imaging apparatus according to claim 3 and the control method according to claim 12, when a difference between the calculated photometric value and the reference photometric value is less than a predetermined value, acquisition of a captured image based on the calculated photometric value is performed. Therefore, when the reference metering value and the calculated metering value are at the same level, it is possible to prohibit main subject shooting in the currently designated order, and to prevent the exact same image from being shot twice. be able to.

  According to the imaging device of claim 4 and the control method of claim 13, focusing control is performed based on the calculated photometric value only when the difference between the calculated photometric value and the reference photometric value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. Since exposure control is performed, it is possible to prevent the photometric value at the same level from being overwritten and recorded on the first recording means.

  According to the imaging apparatus of claim 5 and the control method of claim 14, the control value for focus control and the control value for exposure control are respectively calculated each time the difference between the calculated measurement value and the reference measurement value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The calculated both control values and the calculated order are associated and recorded together for the first time, and each time both control values are read out in the calculated order, based on the read both control values. When a captured image is displayed when the captured image is processed and displayed, and this captured image is displayed, the read focus control value and exposure control value are displayed. Since shooting is performed with focusing control and exposure control based on the image, the user can check in advance before shooting an image equivalent to the image obtained by shooting, and the image contrary to the user's intention is erroneous. Can be prevented .

  According to the image pickup apparatus according to claim 6 and the control method according to claim 15, each designated main subject position is recorded in association with the order in which the focus control value and the exposure control value are calculated. Therefore, even when image processing is performed based on both control values before shooting, the user can easily confirm where the captured image is designated as the main subject position.

  According to the imaging device according to claim 7 and the control method according to claim 16, when the specific subject captured image acquired is displayed every time shooting is performed, and there is a recording instruction for the displayed specific subject captured image Since the specific subject photographed image is recorded, it is possible to prevent erroneous recording of an image contrary to the user's intention.

  According to the imaging device according to claim 8 and the control method according to claim 17, the main subject position is recorded for each recorded specific subject photographed image, so that the user designates where the photographed image is as the main subject position. You can easily check whether

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an imaging apparatus 100 includes an imaging unit 1 (captured image acquisition means), a signal processing unit 3, an output memory 5, a D / A converter 6, and a TFT type LCD, and displays captured images. And an image display unit 7 (image display means) that are connected in order. The imaging apparatus 100 also includes a built-in memory 2 connected to the signal processing unit 3, a system control unit 4 (captured image acquisition unit, image display unit) connected to the signal processing unit 3 and the output memory 5, respectively. A strobe 8 connected to the system control unit 4 and an operation unit 9 integrated with the image display unit 7 are provided. The operation unit 9 inputs various operation instructions to the signal processing unit 3 and the system control unit 4. With these configurations, the image capturing apparatus 100 acquires a captured image in which a plurality of subjects are present in the composition by a shutter release operation, or among a plurality of subjects existing in the acquired captured image by continuous shooting described later. A captured image (hereinafter referred to as “specific subject captured image”) obtained by performing focusing control and exposure control on a specific subject (hereinafter referred to as “main subject”) is acquired.

  The imaging unit 1 is disposed behind the photographing lens, for example, a photographing lens (imaging optical system) composed of a rear focus zoom lens having a zoom unit and a correcting unit, a shutter having a diaphragm function (a diaphragm for adjusting the amount of light), and the like. CCD (imaging device). The photographing lens forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the CCD, and the CCD photoelectrically converts the formed subject image and outputs it as a video signal.

  The built-in memory 2 is composed of, for example, a camera built-in flash memory. However, the built-in memory 2 is not limited to this as long as video image data output from the CCD of the imaging unit 1 can be stored. Good. In the case of an external memory, not only a memory card such as a PCMCIA card or compact flash (registered trademark), a hard disk, but also a micro DAT, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk such as a CD-R or CD-WR, a phase change type such as a DVD A removable memory such as an optical disk can be exemplified, and a composite medium in which a memory card and a hard disk are integrated may be used, or a part of the composite medium may be removable.

  The signal processing unit 3 includes an analog processing circuit such as a CDS clamp circuit and a gain adjustment circuit, an A / D converter, and a digital image processing circuit such as a luminance signal generation circuit, a color difference signal generation circuit, and a gamma correction circuit. The signal processing unit 3 also processes the video signal output from the CCD of the imaging unit 1 and records it in the built-in memory 2, and reads out the video signal output from the CCD of the imaging unit 1 and the built-in memory 2. The processed video signal is processed by the signal processing unit 3 and then output to the output memory 5.

  The D / A converter 6 D / A converts the video signal in the output memory 5, and the image display unit 7 displays the D / A converted video signal as a captured image.

  The system control unit 4 controls each component of the imaging unit 1, and sequentially performs automatic focus control (AF), automatic exposure control (AE), and the like according to the position of the main subject specified by the operation of the operation unit 9. Control of the imaging unit 1, display control in the image display unit 7, and video signal writing / reading control to the built-in memory 2 are performed so as to perform shooting (hereinafter referred to as “continuous main subject shooting”).

  The operation unit 9 is an operation unit for inputting various operation instructions, and is configured by a single or a plurality of combinations such as a switch, a dial, a cross key, a touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, and a voice recognition device. 9, each function mode of the imaging apparatus 100 such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, PC connection mode, and the like can be switched. Set ON / OFF, set quick review function to automatically play back image data taken immediately after shooting, other menu buttons, set buttons, macro / non-macro switching buttons, multi-screen playback page break buttons, flash Setting button, Single / Burst / Self-timer / Long shutter speed (slow shutter) / Mode Mode switch button, menu move + (plus) button, menu move-(minus) button, playback image move + (plus) button, playback image-(minus) button, shooting quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time Functions such as setting buttons can also be set.

  In addition, the flash setting by the operation unit 9 includes automatic flash / forced flash / prohibition prohibition / red-eye reduction automatic flash / night scene flash mode, but flash mode is prohibited when switching to the slow shutter mode by the above shooting mode switching. Needless to say, the timing for switching to the mode is not particularly limited in terms of camera design, and may be left to the user's settings.

  In the present embodiment, the built-in memory 2 has been described as a recording medium separated from the signal processing unit 3, but any or all of the recording media constituting the built-in memory 2 remain fixed to the signal processing unit 3. Alternatively, the signal processing unit 3 may be configured such that the built-in memory 2 can be connected to an arbitrary number of single or plural. The built-in memory 2 may be composed of a plurality of recording media, and may be composed of any single or plural combinations.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the image display unit 7 is configured to display an image in the imaging device 100. However, an external device connected to the imaging device 100 via a video amplifier and a video signal output terminal may be used. An external device to which image data is transferred from the imaging device 100 via a communication unit and a connector may be used.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the image display unit 7 is divided into 8 × 8 64 areas (photometry frames), and when the user selects one of the areas via the operation unit 9, the image display unit 7 is detected, and the detected area is set as the main subject area, and the photometric values of the main subject portion are highly weighted as shown in FIG. Is assigned a low weight, a photometric value is calculated from the entire screen, and an exposure value is calculated based on the calculated photometric value. Although FIG. 6 shows an example in which the screen of the image display unit 7 is divided into 8 × 8 areas, the division form is not limited to this.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of imaging processing executed by the imaging apparatus 100 of FIG.

  This process is executed by the system control unit 4 of the imaging apparatus 100 to perform continuous main subject shooting.

  In FIG. 2, first, the function mode of the imaging device 100 is set to the shooting mode by the mode operation of the operation unit 9 (YES in step S100), and when the shutter release operation is performed (YES in step S102), the imaging device 100. Takes a picture of the subject (step S103).

  Thereafter, the photographed image is displayed on the image display unit 7 and recorded in the internal memory 2 (step S104), and the cross key of the operation unit 9 is used based on the displayed image within a predetermined time (X seconds). It is determined whether or not the main subject position has been designated (step S105). If the main subject position has been designated within a predetermined time, the photographing order A having an initial value of 0 is incremented by one. (Step S106), the position of the main subject position designated in Step S105 in the 8 × 8 64 photometry frame in FIG. 6 is associated with the photographing order A designated as the main subject position information P (A). After recording in the output memory 5 via the signal processing unit 3 (step S107) (first recording means), the processing of steps S105 to S107 is repeated.

  The predetermined time (X seconds) is stored in the built-in memory 2 and can be set by the user via the operation unit 9, and there is no limit on the set time.

  The processing in steps S105 to S107 is repeated without limitation if the user designates the main subject position within a predetermined time (X seconds) in step S105. However, when all the positions designated by the operation of the operation unit 9 are reset, the set predetermined time is also reset. In addition, the processing in steps S105 to S107 may be repeated until an end instruction is issued from the user without setting the predetermined time.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S105 is that there is no instruction of the main subject position within a predetermined time, the maximum value N of the shooting order A is recorded in the built-in memory 2 (step S108). The maximum value N of the photographing order A is reset to 0 when all the main subject positions designated in step S105 are reset by operating the operation unit 9.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the maximum value N of the shooting order A is 0 (step S109). If it is 0, it is determined that the main subject position has not been specified at all, and this processing is terminated as it is. The system control unit 4 sets the shooting order A to 1 (step S110), and proceeds to step S111.

  Thereafter, the main subject position information P (A) recorded in the built-in memory 2 is read from the built-in memory 2 (step S111) (reading means), and this read out of the images displayed on the image display unit 7 in step S104. A high weighting is applied to the photometric value at the corresponding position of the main subject position information P (A), and the photometric value C1 of the entire image is calculated by applying a low weight to the photometric value in the region other than this position (step S112) ). Thereby, exposure control can be reliably performed for the specific subject photographed image.

  Next, the reference photometric value C2 recorded in advance from the built-in memory 2 is read (step S113), and it is determined whether or not the difference Δ (= C1−C2) between the photometric values C1 and C2 exceeds the first predetermined value. (Step S114). The first predetermined value can be set by operating the operation unit 9 and is stored in the built-in memory 2.

  If the difference Δ between the photometric values C1 and C2 is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value as a result of the determination in step S114, the reference photometric value C2 in the built-in memory 2 is overwritten and recorded to change to the photometric value C1 (step S115). ), An exposure composed of three elements of an aperture control value (Av (A)), a shutter control value (Tv (A)), and a sensitivity (Sv (A)) based on the photometric value C1 recorded and overwritten. A control value D (A) is calculated (step S116), and then it is determined whether or not the shutter control value (Tv (A)) of the exposure control value D (A) is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value (step S117). ). The second predetermined value is a camera shake value, and is recorded in the built-in memory 2.

  If the result of determination in step S117 is that the shutter control value (Tv (A)) is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value, automatic exposure control is performed based on the exposure control value D (A) as it is, and main subject position information. When autofocus control is performed in P (A), the subject is photographed (step S118). On the other hand, when the shutter control value (Tv (A)) is less than the second predetermined value, a diagram to be described later. 3 is performed (step S119), and the process proceeds to step S303.

  In the flash photography processing of FIG. 3, first, pre-flash is performed to acquire a pre-flash captured image (step S201), and among the acquired pre-flash captured images, the photometric value in the main subject position information P (A) is high. Weighting is performed, and a light metering value C3 of the entire image is calculated by applying low weighting to the metering value in the region other than the main subject position (step S202), and then the main light emission amount is calculated based on the metering value C3 (Step S203), the exposure of the strobe 8 is controlled so as to obtain the calculated main light emission amount (Step S204), and the process is terminated. As a result, it is possible to acquire a photographic image whose exposure is controlled for each main subject designated by the user.

  Returning to FIG. 2, based on the main subject position information P (A) in step S118, the subject is photographed by performing only exposure control and focus control without performing the strobe photographing process, or the strobe photographing process is also performed in step S119. The subject is photographed and the specific subject photographed image E (A) obtained thereby is displayed on the image display unit 7 without being recorded in the built-in memory 2 (step S120). 9 determines whether or not there is an instruction to record the image displayed in step S120 (step S121).

  As a result of the determination in step S121, when there is an instruction to record an image, the specific subject photographed image E (A) is recorded in the built-in memory 2 via the signal processing unit 3 (step S122) (third step Recording means). On the other hand, when there is no instruction to record an image, the shooting order A is immediately incremented by 1 (step S123), and then it is determined whether or not the shooting order A is less than the maximum value N. When the value is less than N (YES in step S124), the processing after step S111 is performed to perform continuous shooting, and when the value of the shooting order A is N (NO in step S124), this processing ends. To do. Thereby, it is possible to reliably obtain a captured image in which automatic exposure control and automatic focusing control are performed for each of a plurality of designated main subject positions.

  At this time, a shooting instruction from the user by the operation unit 9 may be performed by detecting whether or not the recording instruction button in the operation unit 9 is pressed, or a message indicating that the recording instruction is to be asked is displayed on the image display unit 7. The determination may be made by detecting whether or not the SET button in the operation unit 9 is pressed.

  According to the processing in steps S120 and S121, the system control unit 4 stores captured images that have been subjected to automatic exposure control, automatic focusing control, and the like in order based on the recorded main subject position information P (A). 2 is recorded on the image display unit 7 without being recorded (step S303), and when a recording instruction is given by a predetermined time (YES in step S304), the specific subject photographed image E (A) of the displayed image is displayed. Is recorded in the built-in memory 2 (step S120), the user can determine whether or not to instruct recording of the captured image after confirming an image equivalent to the recorded image before recording in the built-in memory 2. Thus, it is possible to prevent an image that is not intended by the user from being recorded by mistake.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S114 is that the difference Δ between the photometric values C1 and C2 is less than the first predetermined value, the photometric value C2 in the built-in memory 2 is overwritten to change to the photometric value C1 as in step S115. Without recording, the value of the shooting order A is immediately incremented by 1 (step S121), and the processing after step S122 is executed. Thus, if the current photometric value C1 calculated in step S112 is at the same level as the reference photometric value C2 used in the previous main subject photographing (steps S118 and S119), the main subject in the current photographing order A Shooting can be prohibited and the same image can be prevented from being shot twice. Further, only when the difference Δ between the photometric values C1 and C2 is equal to or larger than the first predetermined value, the photometric value C2 in the built-in memory 2 is overwritten and recorded to change to the photometric value C1 (step S115). Since this overwriting is not performed (step S121), it is possible to prevent the photometric value at the same level from being overwritten and recorded in the internal memory 2.

  As described above, according to the processing of FIG. 2, the image captured by the shutter release operation is displayed on the image display unit 7 (step S104), and the cross key of the operation unit 9 among the subjects in the displayed image. Each time the main subject position is designated in step S105 (YES in step S105), all the subject position information P (A) corresponding to the designated main subject position is recorded in the built-in memory 2 (step S107). The subject position information P (A) is sequentially read out (step S111), and photographing with automatic exposure control, automatic focus control, and the like is continuously performed based on the read subject position information P (A) (step S112). To S122), when there are a plurality of positions to be designated as the main subject, a new shutter release operation is performed every time the user designates a different position of the main subject. Eliminating the need to perform Do photographing, and it is possible to obtain a photographed image automatic exposure control and automatic exposure control is performed for the main subject each.

  In the present embodiment, the main subject position designation operation by the user is performed by the cross key of the operation unit 9. However, the operation is limited to this by any input means constituting the operation unit 9. For example, other operation keys or a touch panel may be used. In the present embodiment, the photometric frame is shown as an example in which the screen is divided into 8 × 8 areas as shown in FIG. 6, but the division form is not limited to this.

  In the present embodiment, the image display unit 7 displays a still image taken by a shutter release operation. However, the image display unit 7 is not limited to a still image as long as the user can designate the main subject position from the displayed image. It may be a moving picture in which the shooting time is defined by the shutter release operation.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another imaging process executed by the imaging apparatus 100 of FIG.

  This process is executed by the system control unit 4 of the imaging apparatus 100 and is basically the same as the process in FIG. 2. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, steps for performing the same process as the flowchart of FIG. 2 are omitted. Only the different steps are shown.

  In this process, the control value for focus control and the control value for exposure control respectively acquired based on each photometric value calculated for each designated main subject position are recorded together at first, and each designated main subject is recorded. This is different from the process of FIG. 2 in that the image is continuously taken while reading out the recorded control value of focus control and control value of exposure control for each subject position.

  An exposure control value composed of three elements: an aperture control value (Av (A)), a shutter control value (Tv (A)), and a sensitivity (Sv (A)) calculated by the processes in steps S100 to S116 in FIG. D (A) is recorded in the internal memory 2 (step S300) (second recording means), the shooting order A is incremented by 1 (step S301), and then the shooting order A incremented in step S301 is the maximum. It is determined whether or not the value is less than N (step S302). If the value of the shooting order A is less than N (YES in step S302), the processes in and after step S111 are repeated.

  As a result of the determination in step S302, if the value of the shooting order A is N (NO in step S302), the designated order B whose initial value is 0 is incremented by 1 (step S303), and then the internal memory 2 is image-processed based on the exposure control value D (B) (step S304), and this image-processed captured image is displayed on the image display unit 7 (step S305). Then, the user is notified of whether or not to take an image equivalent to the displayed image, and the presence or absence of a shooting request as a response to the notification is determined (step S306). Although this notification method is not particularly limited, for example, the characters “OK?” And “NO?” Are put in a part of the image display unit 7 together with the captured image subjected to the image processing, When the user selects the “OK?” Portion on the touch panel, it may be determined that there is a shooting request from the user, and when the “NO?” Portion is selected, it may be determined that there is no shooting request from the user.

  If the result of determination in step S306 is that there is no shooting request, the processing of steps S303 to S306 is repeated until there is a shooting request from the user (YES in step S306). If there is a shooting request, the exposure control value D ( B), it is determined whether or not the shutter control value (Tv (B)) is greater than or equal to a second predetermined value (step S307), and the shutter control value (Tv (B)) is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value. If it is, automatic exposure control is performed based on the exposure control value D (B), and the subject is photographed after performing automatic focusing control in the main subject position information P (B). E (B) is acquired (step S308), and the process proceeds to step S310. On the other hand, when the shutter control value (Tv (B)) is less than the second predetermined value, the flash photography of FIG. Performing management, obtains the specified subject photographed image E (B) (step S309), the process proceeds to step S310.

  In subsequent step S310, the specific subject captured image E (B) acquired in step S308 or step S309 is displayed on the image display unit 7 without being recorded in the built-in memory 2, and this display is performed by the operation unit 9 from the user by a predetermined time. It is determined whether or not there is an instruction to record the specific subject photographed image E (B) (step S311).

  If there is an instruction to record an image as a result of the determination in step S311, the specific subject captured image E (B) is recorded in the built-in memory 2 via the signal processing unit 3 (step S312). When there is no instruction to record an image, the designated order B is immediately incremented by 1 (step S313), and it is determined whether or not the designated order B is less than the maximum value N. If there is (YES in step S314), the process from step S304 is performed to perform continuous shooting, and if the value of the specified order B is the maximum value N (NO in step S314), this process ends.

  According to the processing of FIG. 4, the shooting order A is incremented in order until the maximum value N is reached (step S301), the exposure control value D (A) is recorded in the internal memory 2 (step S300), and the specified order B Since the captured image that has been image-processed based on the exposure control value D (B) in order is displayed on the image display unit 7 (step S305), shooting after exposure / focus control or strobe shooting is performed according to a shooting request ( Steps S308 and S309), it is possible to shoot only those that have been requested to shoot.

  Further, according to the processing in steps S311 to S314 in FIG. 4, as the same effect as the processing in steps S121 to S124 in FIG. 2, automatic exposure and automatic focusing control are performed for each of a plurality of designated main subject positions. A broken photographed image can be obtained with certainty.

  Since the user can confirm in advance before shooting an image equivalent to the image obtained by shooting, it is possible to prevent an image contrary to the user's intention from being shot erroneously.

  Also in the present embodiment, the subject instruction operation by the user is performed by the cross key of the operation unit 9, but the present invention is not limited to this as long as it is performed by any input means constituting the operation unit 9. For example, another operation key of the operation unit 9 or a touch panel may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, the photometry frame is shown as an example in which the screen is divided into 8 × 8 areas as shown in FIG. 6, but the division form is not limited to this.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the reproduction process executed by the imaging apparatus 100 of FIG.

  This process is executed by the system control unit 4 of the imaging apparatus 100, and displays the image captured by the image display unit 7 during reproduction, and then indicates the main subject position of the reproduced image.

  In FIG. 5, first, when the mode of the imaging device 100 is set to the reproduction mode by the operation of the mode operation unit of the operation unit 9 (YES in step S400), the shooting order A is set to 1 (step S401). In S120, it is determined whether or not there is a specific subject captured image E (A) recorded in the built-in memory 2 (step S402). If there is a specific subject captured image E (A), the specific subject captured image E (A ) Is read and reproduced (step S403).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to display the main subject position by operating the operation unit 9 (step S404). When there is an instruction to display the main subject position, the internal memory 2 is stored in step S107. The recorded main subject position information P (A) is read out and the main subject position is displayed on the specific subject photographed image E (A) reproduced in step S403 (step S405). If there is no (NO in step S404), the process immediately proceeds to step S406. The display instruction of the subject instruction position by the operation of the operation unit 9 may be determined by setting a main subject position display instruction button in the operation unit 9 in advance and pressing this button by the user. 7 may be displayed when the subject instruction position display is inquired and the user presses the SET button in the operation unit 9.

  Next, when there is an instruction to read the next specific subject captured image E (A + 1) by operating the operation unit 9 (YES in step S406), the imaging order A is incremented by 1 (step S407), and the imaging order A is the maximum. It is determined whether or not the value is less than the value N (step S408). When the shooting order is less than the maximum value N, the processing from step S403 is repeated, while when the shooting order is the maximum value N, The process ends.

  As for the next image information read instruction information by the operation of the operation unit 9, a next image information read instruction button is set in advance in the operation unit 9 in the same manner as the subject instruction position display, and the user presses this button. Alternatively, it may be determined by displaying on the image display unit 7 a request for the next image information reading instruction and pressing the SET button in the operation unit 9 by the user.

  If the result of determination in step S402 is that there is no specific subject photographed image E (A), the process following step S407 is executed without reading and reproducing the specific subject photographed image E (A), and the next photographing is performed. Proceed to the processing after the order A + 1.

  According to the processing in FIG. 5, when the user reproduces an image captured by the image display unit 7 (step S400), when the user gives an instruction to display the main subject position (YES in step S404), Since the main subject position of the reproduced image is displayed (step S405), the user can easily confirm where the main subject position is designated from among the 8 × 8 64 photometric frames in FIG. 6 of the photographed image. it can.

  Further, in the processing of FIG. 4, since each designated main subject position P and exposure control value D are recorded in association with the shooting order A (step S300), based on the exposure control value D before shooting. Even when image processing has been performed, the user can easily confirm where the captured image has been designated as the main subject position.

  Also in the present embodiment, the photometry frame is shown as an example in which the screen is divided into 8 × 8 areas as shown in FIG. 6, but the division form is not limited to this.

  In the present invention, a software program (flowcharts in FIGS. 2 to 5) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system control unit 4, and the system control unit 4 reads and executes the supplied program. Can be achieved.

  In this case, the program is directly supplied from a storage medium storing the program, or downloaded from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like. Supplied.

  The form of the program may be in the form of object code, program code executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system), and the like.

  The present invention can also be achieved by supplying a CPU with a storage medium storing a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments, and reading and executing the program stored in the storage medium. can do.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, ROM, RAM, NV-RAM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD -ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, and the like.

  The function of the above-described embodiment is not only by executing the program code read from the computer, but the OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Can also be realized.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart of imaging processing executed by the imaging apparatus 100 of FIG. It is a flowchart of the flash photographing process of step S119 of FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another imaging process executed by the imaging apparatus 100 in FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart of a reproduction process executed by the imaging apparatus 100 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the photometry frame displayed by the image display part 7 in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram used to explain a weighting method of photometric values for the photometric frame of FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging part 2 Built-in memory 3 Signal processing part 4 System control part 5 Output memory 7 Image display part 9 Operation part 100 Imaging device

Claims (20)

Captured image acquisition means for acquiring captured images of a plurality of subjects existing in the composition by a shutter release operation, image display means for displaying the acquired captured images, and the plurality of images included in the displayed captured images In an imaging apparatus comprising: designation means for designating a plurality of specific subject positions among subjects as a main subject position;
First recording means for recording the designated main subject positions in association with the designated order;
Reading means for reading out the recorded main subject positions from the first recording means in the designated order;
The captured image acquisition means continuously performs imaging of the specific subject after performing focusing control and exposure control at the read main subject positions in the designated order. An imaging device.   The captured image acquisition unit includes a photometric value calculation unit that calculates the photometric value of the entire captured image by giving the highest weight to the photometric value at the position every time one of the main subject positions is read by the reading unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The captured image acquisition unit does not acquire the captured image based on the calculated photometric value when a difference between the calculated photometric value and a reference photometric value is less than a predetermined value. The imaging device described.   The captured image acquisition means performs the focusing control and the exposure control based on the calculated photometric value only when the difference between the calculated photometric value and a reference photometric value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging is performed. The photographed image acquisition unit is configured to control the focus control value and the exposure control value based on the calculated photometric value each time a difference between the calculated photometric value and the reference measured value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. A control value calculating means for calculating a control value; and a second recording means for recording the control value for the focus control and the control value for the exposure control and the order in which the two control values are calculated in association with each other;
The reading means reads the recorded control value for focus control and the control value for exposure control from the second recording means in the order of acquisition, and the image display means is configured so that the other read means controls the focus. Each time the control value of the control and the control value of the exposure control are read, the captured image is subjected to image processing based on the read focus control value and exposure control value, and the image-processed shooting is performed. The captured image acquisition means displays the focused image based on the read focus control value and exposure control value for the displayed captured image for which a shooting instruction has been issued. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the imaging is performed after performing focus control and exposure control.   6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second recording unit records the designated main subject position and the calculated order in association with each other.   The display means displays a specific subject photographed image acquired every time the photographing is performed, and the imaging device has a recording instruction among the specific subject photographed images displayed by the image display means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third recording unit that records the specific subject photographed image.   8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the third recording unit records the main subject position for each of the recorded specific subject photographed images.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designation unit includes a cross key or a touch panel. A captured image acquisition step of acquiring captured images of a plurality of subjects existing in the composition by a shutter release operation, an image display step of displaying the acquired captured images, and the plurality of the plurality of images included in the displayed captured image In a control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: a designation step for designating a plurality of positions of specific subjects among subjects as main subject positions;
A recording step for recording the designated main subject positions in association with the designated order;
A reading step of reading the recorded main subject positions in the designated order;
In the captured image acquisition step, the specific subject is continuously photographed after performing focusing control and exposure control at each of the read main subject positions in the designated order. Control method for imaging apparatus.   The captured image acquisition step includes a photometric value calculation step of calculating the photometric value of the entire captured image by giving the highest weighting to the photometric value at the position every time one of the main subject positions is read in the reading step. The method of controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 10.   The captured image acquisition step does not acquire the captured image based on the calculated photometric value when a difference between the calculated photometric value and a reference photometric value is less than a predetermined value. A control method for the imaging apparatus according to the description.   The captured image acquisition step performs the focusing control and the exposure control based on the calculated photometric value only when the difference between the calculated photometric value and a reference photometric value is a predetermined value or more. The method of controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the imaging is performed.   The captured image acquisition step includes a control value for focusing control and an exposure control value based on the calculated photometric value each time a difference between the calculated photometric value and the reference measured value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. A control value calculating step for calculating a control value; and another recording step for recording the control value for the focusing control and the control value for the exposure control and the order in which the two control values are calculated in association with each other, and the reading The step reads the control value of the focus control and the control value of the exposure control recorded in the other recording step in the acquired order, and the image display step includes the control value of the focus control in the other reading step. Each time the control value of the exposure control is read, the captured image is subjected to image processing based on the read focus control value and exposure control value, and the image-processed shooting is performed. An image is displayed, and the captured image acquisition step is performed based on the read focus control value and exposure control value for the displayed captured image for which a shooting instruction has been issued. 14. The method of controlling an image pickup apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the photographing is performed after performing focus control and exposure control.   15. The method of controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the other recording step records the designated main subject position and the calculated order in association with each other.   The display step displays a specific subject photographed image acquired every time the photographing is performed, and the control method includes a recording instruction among the specific subject photographed images displayed in the image display step. 16. The method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising another recording step for recording the specific subject photographed image.   17. The method of controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the further recording step records the main subject position for each of the recorded specific subject photographed images.   The method of controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the designation step performs the designation using a cross key or a touch panel. A captured image acquisition module that acquires captured images of a plurality of subjects existing in the composition by a shutter release operation, an image display module that displays the acquired captured images, and the plurality of images included in the displayed captured images In a designation module for designating a plurality of specific subject positions among subjects as a main subject position and a photographing device control program to be executed by a computer,
A recording module for recording the designated main subject positions in association with the designated order;
Causing the computer to execute a readout module that reads the recorded main subject positions in the designated order;
In the captured image acquisition step, the specific subject is continuously photographed after focusing control and exposure control are respectively performed at the read main subject positions in the designated order. Device control program.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the imaging apparatus control program according to claim 19.

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