JP2007208715A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability, when utilizing an imaging device as a magnifying glass. <P>SOLUTION: When a hood is attached on a camera body, a CPU 37 detects via a microswitch 54 that the hood is attached. Upon detecting that the hood has been attached, the CPU 37 drives a lens motor 35 to move a focus lens 32 in an optical axis direction, thereby focusing a photogaphic lens 10 to the tip position of the hood, and inputs the maximum magnification factor into a digital zoom processing section 59 to set a digital camera at a magnification glass mode. The digital zoom processing section 59 applies digital zoom processing to original image data acquired in a CCD 38, to create zoom image data corresponding to the zoom magnification factor. At the magnification factor, a zoom image, to be represented by the created zoom image data, is displayed on a liquid crystal panel 20 as a through image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that performs digital zoom processing for extracting a part of image data and enlarging it to a predetermined zoom magnification.

  2. Description of the Related Art Digital cameras that capture a subject image with an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor, convert the image into digital image data, and record the digital image data on a storage medium such as a built-in memory or a memory card are widely used. As one of the functions of such a digital camera, a so-called digital zoom function for extracting and enlarging a part of an image is known (see Patent Document 1). The digital zoom function has a simple configuration as compared with the optical zoom and can be implemented at a low cost. Therefore, the digital zoom function is installed in many digital cameras.

  Also, most digital cameras are provided with a display such as a liquid crystal panel in order to display a through image for framing a subject or a captured image. A digital camera equipped with a digital zoom function and a display can be used in place of a magnifying glass such as a magnifying glass by taking close-up photographs of characters and designs described in a document, enlarging them with digital zoom, and displaying them on the display. .

For example, travel timetables and guidebooks are often miniaturized to allow them to be stored in clothes pockets in consideration of portability, and written letters and designs tend to be fine. . For this reason, a magnifying glass may be required when viewing them. However, it is preferable that luggage can be reduced when traveling, and when carrying a digital camera, the digital camera should be attached rather than carrying the magnifying glass separately. It is more efficient to substitute as
JP-A-2005-80086

  However, when trying to replace a digital camera with a magnifying glass, the zoom magnification and focus must be adjusted, and depending on the camera model, a macro shooting mode different from the normal shooting mode must be set. There is a problem that the operability is remarkably poor as compared with the case of viewing on the screen. In addition, it is very difficult to keep the distance between the object and the digital camera constant, and even if the focus is once adjusted, if the distance changes, the adjustment is unavoidable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus with improved operability when used as a magnifying glass.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging element that captures a subject image formed by a photographing lens and acquires original image data corresponding to the subject image, and a focus lens included in the photographing lens. Lens moving means for moving in the optical axis direction, display means for displaying the original image represented by the original image data, and digital zoom processing for extracting a part of the original image data and creating zoom image data enlarged to a predetermined zoom magnification A main body provided with a means, and the main body provided by the main body so that the tip protrudes forward of the photographing lens, and the tip is brought into contact with an object on which information is described. A mode setting for setting a spacer member that keeps the distance to the object constant, and a magnifying glass mode for enlarging and displaying the information described in the object on the display means And when the magnifying glass mode is set by the mode setting means, the lens moving means is driven to focus the photographing lens on the tip position of the spacer member, and the digital zoom processing means Mode control means for executing the magnifying glass mode by creating image data and displaying the zoom image represented by the created zoom image data on the display means is provided.

  The mode control unit creates the zoom image data based on the original image data output from the image sensor, and displays the zoom image represented by the created zoom image data on the display unit as a through image. It is preferable to do.

  In addition, the main body unit includes a release button that instructs the imaging device to execute shooting, and a recording unit that records the original image data acquired in accordance with the execution of shooting on a recording medium. The means records the original image data on the recording medium when the release button is operated in a state where the zoom image is displayed as a through image on the display means, and the recorded original image data is again recorded on the recording medium. It is preferable to read from the recording medium, create the zoom image data based on the read original image data, and display the zoom image represented by the created zoom image data on the display means.

  Further, photometric means for calculating a photometric value representing the luminance of the subject based on the original image data, determination means for determining whether or not the photometric value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and the photometric value determined by the determining means is predetermined. It is preferable to provide illumination means for illuminating the object when it is determined that the value is equal to or less than the value.

  In addition, when having a focusing control means for performing a contrast-type autofocus process based on a focus evaluation value calculated from the original image data, the illuminating means performs AF for illuminating the subject during the autofocus process. It is preferable that the auxiliary light is also used.

  In addition, the spacer member is configured to be detachable from the main body, and a detecting means for detecting whether or not the spacer member is attached is provided in the main body, and the mode setting means includes the spacer member It is preferable that the magnifying glass mode is set when the detecting means detects that the lens is attached.

  Further, the digital zoom processing means causes the original image data to be extracted based on an extraction region set by an extraction position indicating a position from which the original image data is extracted and the zoom magnification, and the digital zoom processing means It is preferable that a movement instruction means for instructing movement of the extraction position is provided in the main body. Further, at this time, it is preferable to provide notifying means for notifying the movable direction of the extraction position.

  The spacer member is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to surround the photographing lens, and its tip surface is formed smoothly, so that the surface of the object and the imaging surface of the imaging element are parallel to each other. Is preferred.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the information described in the object includes at least one of characters, symbols, and designs.

  In the present invention, when the magnifying glass mode is set by the mode setting unit, the lens moving unit is driven to focus the photographing lens on the tip position of the spacer member, and the digital zoom processing unit creates zoom image data, Mode control means for executing the magnifying glass mode by displaying the zoom image represented by the created zoom image data on the display means is provided. Thus, the imaging apparatus can be used as a magnifying glass simply by setting the magnifying glass mode with the mode setting means. In addition, since a spacer member is provided to keep the distance between the main body and the object constant by bringing the tip into contact with the object, there is no need for re-adjustment and the information described on the object is stabilized. You can see.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a digital camera (imaging device) 2 as viewed from the front. The digital camera 2 includes a camera body (main body portion) 4 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a hood (spacer member) 6 that is detachably attached to the front surface of the camera body 4 as an accessory. Further, the digital camera 2 reproduces and displays a still image shooting mode for taking a still image, a moving image shooting mode for taking a movie, and each shot image on the liquid crystal panel (display means) 20 (see FIG. 2). There are four modes: a mode and a magnifying glass mode in which information such as characters, symbols, symbols, and the like written on an object such as a timetable or a guide book is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20 in an enlarged manner. Note that the information described in the object may be printed or engraved.

  When the hood 6 is not attached to the camera body 4, the still image shooting mode, the movie shooting mode, and the playback mode can be selectively switched, and shooting of the subject in each shooting mode and playback display of the acquired image are possible. And done. On the other hand, when the hood 6 is attached to the camera body 4, the digital camera 2 is automatically set to the magnifying glass mode, and the enlarged display of the object is performed.

  On the front surface of the camera body 4, a lens barrel 11 that holds the photographing lens 10, an optical viewfinder 12 for optically observing a subject image, a slide-type power switch 13, and a subject when photographing is performed. An stroboscopic light emitting unit 14 for irradiating, and an AF auxiliary light emitting unit (illuminating means) 15 for irradiating an object by irradiating AF auxiliary light during autofocus processing (AF) are provided.

  A release button 16 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 4. The release button 16 is a two-stage push switch. When the release button 16 is lightly pressed (half-pressed), various shooting preparation processes such as AF and AE (automatic exposure adjustment) are performed. When the release button 15 is pressed once more fully (fully pressed) from this half-pressed state, the camera body 4 is instructed to execute shooting, and the image pickup signal for one screen on which shooting preparation processing has been performed is converted into image data. .

  The hood 6 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape so as to surround the lens barrel 11 and the AF auxiliary light emitting unit 15, and a mounting foot 6 a with four corners protruding in a substantially L shape is formed at the rear end. Has been. On the other hand, on the front surface of the camera body 4 facing the rear end of the hood 6, attachment holes 17 corresponding to the respective attachment feet 6 a are provided. The hood 6 is attached to the camera body 4 by inserting each attachment foot 6 a into each attachment hole 17. In addition, it is preferable that the attached hood 6 is not easily detached by providing a leaf spring for holding the inserted attachment foot 6a inside the attachment hole 17 or the like.

  The hood 6 is attached to the camera body 4 and keeps the distance between the camera body 4 and the object constant by bringing the tip into contact with the object when the digital camera 2 is set to the magnifier mode. Prevents deviations in focus adjustment. For this reason, the hood 6 is longer than the lens barrel 11 so that the tip protrudes forward from the photographing lens 10, and the light is transmitted so that the light is incident on the object even when the tip is brought into contact. It is formed of a characteristic member. Further, the front end surface of the hood 6 is formed smoothly so that the imaging surface of the CCD (imaging device) 38 (see FIG. 3) disposed in the back of the photographing lens 10 is parallel to the surface of the object. To. As a result, the hood 6 stably holds the contact state with the object, and allows the imaging surface and the object to face each other so that the information described on the object can be captured from the front.

  A diffusing lens 18 is provided inside the hood 6. The diffusing lens 18 is disposed so as to face the AF auxiliary light emitting unit 15 when the hood 6 is attached to the camera body 4. The digital camera 2 turns on the AF auxiliary light emitting unit 15 in accordance with the luminance of the subject during the shooting preparation process in the still image shooting mode, and the AF auxiliary light emitting unit also in accordance with the luminance of the object in the magnifying glass mode. 15 is turned on. At this time, the AF auxiliary light has directivity so that it can also illuminate a subject that is somewhat distant, and only a part of the reading portion is irradiated with respect to an object at a close distance contacting the tip of the hood 6. There is a concern that will not be irradiated. In order to prevent this, the diffusing lens 18 diffuses directional AF auxiliary light so that the object covered with the hood 6 is evenly irradiated with light (see FIG. 5). For example, a light emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode (LD) may be used as the AF auxiliary light emitting unit 15.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the camera body 4 as seen from the back side. A liquid crystal panel 20 and an operation unit 21 are provided on the back surface of the camera body 4. The liquid crystal panel 20 displays captured images, so-called through images at the time of shooting, various menu screens, and the like. The operation unit 21 switches between the still image shooting mode, the moving image shooting mode, and the playback mode without the zoom operation button 25 for changing the magnification of the shooting lens 10 to the wide angle side or the telephoto side and the hood 6. A mode changeover switch 26 for performing, a menu button 27 operated when displaying a menu screen on the liquid crystal panel 20 or determining a selection, and a cross operated when moving a cursor in the menu screen. A key (movement instruction means) 28 and the like are disposed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the digital camera 2. The photographing lens 10 includes a zoom lens 30, a diaphragm 31, and a focus lens 32 arranged along the optical axis L. A lens motor 33 is connected to the zoom lens 30. The lens motor 33 moves the zoom lens 30 to the wide angle side or the telephoto side in conjunction with the operation of the zoom operation button 25. An iris motor 34 is connected to the diaphragm 31. The iris motor 34 adjusts the amount of light incident from the zoom lens 30 by changing the aperture area of the diaphragm 31 during the shooting preparation process when the release button 16 is half-pressed. A lens motor (lens moving means) 35 is connected to the focus lens 32. The lens motor 35 adjusts the focus of the photographing lens 10 to the near side or the infinity side by moving the focus lens 32 in the optical axis direction in response to zooming of the zoom lens 30 or half-pressing of the release button 16. To do.

  Each motor 33, 34, 35 is connected to a motor driver 36. The motor driver 36 is connected to a CPU 37 that comprehensively controls the digital camera 2, and transmits drive pulses to the motors 33, 34, and 35 based on control signals from the CPU 37. Each of the motors 33, 34, and 35 rotates the rotation shaft according to the drive pulse. As each motor 33, 34, 35, for example, a stepping motor is used.

  Behind the photographic lens 10 is a CCD 38 that captures a subject image formed by the photographic lens 10. A timing generator (TG) 39 controlled by the CPU 37 is connected to the CCD 38, and the shutter speed of the electronic shutter is determined by a timing signal (clock pulse) input from the TG 39.

  The imaging signal output from the CCD 38 is input to a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 40, and is output as R, G, B image data that accurately corresponds to the accumulated charge amount of each cell of the CCD 38. The image data output from the CDS 40 is amplified by an amplifier (AMP) 41 and converted into digital image data by an A / D converter (A / D) 42.

  The image input controller 43 is connected to the CPU 37 via the bus 44, and controls each part of the CCD 38, the CDS 40, the AMP 41, and the A / D 42 in accordance with a control command from the CPU 37. The image data output from the A / D 42 is temporarily recorded in the SDRAM 45.

  The image signal processing circuit 46 reads the image data from the SDRAM 45, performs various image processing such as gradation conversion, white balance correction, and γ correction processing, and records the image data in the SDRAM 45 again. The YC conversion processing circuit 47 reads out the image data subjected to various processes by the image signal processing circuit 46 from the SDRAM 45, and converts it into a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cr and Cb.

  The VRAM 48 is a memory for outputting a through image to the liquid crystal panel 20 and stores image data that has passed through the image signal processing circuit 46 and the YC conversion processing circuit 47. The VRAM 48 has a memory for two frames so that image data can be written and read in parallel. The image data stored in the VRAM 48 is converted into an analog composite signal by the LCD driver 49 and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20 as a through image.

  The compression / decompression processing circuit 50 compresses the image data YC converted by the YC conversion processing circuit 47 in a predetermined compression format such as TIFF or JPEG. The compressed image data is stored in a memory card (recording medium) 52 via a media controller (recording unit) 51.

  A release button 16, an operation unit 21, an EEPROM 53, and a micro switch (detection means) 54 are connected to the CPU 37. The EEPROM 53 stores various control programs and setting information. The CPU 37 reads these pieces of information from the EEPROM 53 to the SDRAM 45, which is a working memory, and executes various processes.

  The micro switch 54 has a contact point that is switched ON / OFF in response to the pressing of the terminal portion, and this contact point is connected to the CPU 37. The micro switch 54 is provided in one of the mounting holes 17 so that the terminal portion is pressed by the mounting foot 6a when the hood 6 is mounted to the camera body 4. Thereby, the CPU 37 detects that the hood 6 is attached according to ON / OFF of the contact of the micro switch 54, and sets the digital camera 2 to the magnifying glass mode according to this detection. Note that the number of microswitches 54 is not limited to one, and may be provided in each of the mounting holes 17 (four in this example), for example.

  In addition to the above, the bus 44 includes a strobe control unit 55, an AF auxiliary light control unit 56, an AE / AWB detection circuit (photometry unit) 57, an AF detection circuit (focus control unit) 58, and a digital zoom processing unit. (Digital zoom processing means) 59 and the like are connected. The strobe control unit 55 causes the strobe light emitting unit 14 to emit light according to the strobe light emission signal transmitted from the CPU 37. Similarly, the AF auxiliary light control unit 56 causes the AF auxiliary light emitting unit 15 to emit light according to the AF auxiliary light emission signal transmitted from the CPU 37.

  The AE / AWB detection circuit 57 calculates a photometric value representing the luminance of the subject based on the integrated value of the luminance signal Y of the image data YC converted by the YC conversion processing circuit 47 and the color difference signals Cr and Cb. The calculation result is transmitted to the CPU 37. The CPU 37 determines the appropriateness of the exposure amount and the white balance based on the photometric value transmitted from the AE / AWB detection circuit 57, and controls the operations of the diaphragm 31, the CCD 38, and the like.

  The AF detection circuit 58 is for performing a so-called contrast AF process, calculates a focus evaluation value representing the contrast of the image from the image data digitized by the A / D 42, and sends the calculation result to the CPU 37. Send. The focus evaluation value is obtained by performing contour extraction processing on a specific area of the image, for example, the image data of the central portion of the captured image with a high-pass filter or the like, and extracting the contour signal and the luminance value of the image data of the central portion. Obtained by integrating. Note that the larger the focus evaluation value is, the more high-frequency components are in the portion, and the portion is in focus.

  The CPU 37 drives the lens motor 35 and moves the focus lens 32 by a predetermined amount from close to infinity or from infinity to close during the shooting preparation process when the release button 16 is half-pressed. The AF detection circuit 58 calculates the focus evaluation value at the point. Then, the point with the maximum focus evaluation value is determined as the in-focus position, and the focus lens 32 is moved to that point, thereby terminating the AF process.

  Further, when performing the AF process, the CPU 37 determines whether or not the photometric value calculated by the AE / AWB detection circuit 57 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. At this time, if it is determined that the photometric value is equal to or less than the predetermined value, an AF auxiliary light emission signal is transmitted from the CPU 37 to the AF auxiliary light control unit 56, and the subject is illuminated by the AF auxiliary light emission unit 15. In contrast AF processing, if the entire subject is dark and sufficient contrast cannot be obtained, focus adjustment becomes difficult. The AF auxiliary light emitted from the AF auxiliary light emitting unit 15 is emitted to prevent this. By irradiating the subject as described above, AF processing is appropriately performed even when the subject is dark. To be Further, when AF processing is performed using AF auxiliary light, a flash emission signal is transmitted from the CPU 37 to the flash control unit 55 in response to a full press of the release button 16, and the subject is irradiated by the flash emission unit 14. The

  The digital zoom processing unit 59 reads the image data output from the image signal processing circuit 46 or the YC conversion processing circuit 47 from the SDRAM 45, performs digital zoom processing on the image data, and creates zoom image data. In the following, image data before digital zoom processing is referred to as “original image data” for comparison with zoom image data. The digital zoom processing unit 59 receives, for example, a zoom center position (corresponding to the extraction position in the claims) indicating the position of the area to be extracted and a zoom magnification indicating the size of the area to be extracted from the CPU 37. Note that the position setting of the extraction region is not limited to the center, and may be, for example, four corners.

  The digital zoom processing unit 59 sets an extraction region having a size corresponding to the zoom magnification with the zoom center position as the center. The zoom image data is created by extracting a portion corresponding to the set extraction region from the original image data and then enlarging the extracted portion to the same size as the original image data. The created zoom image data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20 as a through image, or recorded on the memory card 52 as a photographed image.

  The CPU 37 is set to the still image shooting mode or the movie shooting mode, and when the zoom lens 30 is moved to the telephoto end and the zoom operation button 25 is operated to the telephoto side, the CPU 37 responds to the operation amount of the zoom operation button 25. The zoom magnification is input to the digital zoom processing unit 59, and digital zoom processing is performed following the optical zoom. In addition, when the magnifying glass mode is set, the CPU 37 drives the lens motor 33 to move the zoom lens 30 to the telephoto end, and inputs the maximum zoom magnification that can be set to the digital zoom processing unit 59 so as to be optical. The information described on the object is read at the maximum magnification of the zoom and the digital zoom.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the power switch 13 is turned on without the hood 6 attached, the digital camera 2 is activated in the mode selected by the mode switch 26. When the still image shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode is selected, the subject is shot, and the acquired still image or moving image is recorded in the memory card 52. When the reproduction mode is selected, an image acquired by shooting or an image recorded in advance is read from the memory card 52 and reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20.

  When each attachment foot 6a is inserted into each attachment hole 17 and the hood 6 is attached to the camera body 4, the contact of the microswitch 54 is switched to the ON state, and the CPU 37 detects the attachment of the hood 6. The CPU 37 that detects the mounting of the hood 6 drives the lens motor 33 to move the zoom lens 30 to the tele end, drives the lens motor 35 to adjust the focus of the photographing lens 10 to the front end position of the hood 6, and Are input to the digital zoom processing unit 59. Thereby, the digital camera 2 is set to the magnifying glass mode.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the tip of the hood 6 is brought into contact with an object TA such as a timetable or a guide book, information described in the object TA is read by the CCD 38. Information read by the CCD 38 is acquired as digital original image data through the CDS 40, the AMP 41, and the A / D 42. The acquired original image data is subjected to various image processing by the image signal processing circuit 46 and YC conversion processing by the YC conversion processing circuit 47, and then input to the digital zoom processing unit 59.

  The original image data that has been subjected to YC conversion processing by the YC conversion processing circuit 47 is input to the digital zoom processing unit 59 and also input to the AE / AWB detection circuit 57. The AE / AWB detection circuit 57 calculates a photometric value based on the input original image data, and outputs the calculation result to the CPU 37. The CPU 37, to which the photometric value is input from the AE / AWB detection circuit 57, determines whether or not the photometric value is a predetermined value or more. The CPU 37 that has determined that the photometric value is equal to or less than the predetermined value transmits an AF auxiliary light emission signal to the AF auxiliary light control unit 56 to turn on the AF auxiliary light emission unit 15.

  The AF auxiliary light emitted from the AF auxiliary light emitting unit 15 passes through the diffusion lens 18 provided in the hood 6 and is diffused so as to illuminate the entire area read by the CCD 38. This makes it possible to read information described in the object TA even in a dark environment such as outdoors at night. Note that the predetermined value of the photometric value determined by the CPU 37 may be the same as that determined at the time of AF, or may be set individually for AF and magnifier mode.

  The digital zoom processing unit 59 performs digital zoom processing on the input original image data to create zoom image data corresponding to the set extraction region. The created zoom image data is input to the LCD driver 49 via the VRAM 48, and as shown in FIG. 6, the zoom image represented by the zoom image data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20 as a through image. At this time, the liquid crystal panel 20 is overlaid with an arrow-shaped instruction icon (notification means) 65 pointing in the vertical and horizontal directions along with the zoom image.

  Whenever the cross key 28 is operated, the CPU 37 in the magnifying glass mode updates the zoom center position according to the operation direction and the operation amount, and inputs the updated zoom center position to the digital zoom processing unit 59. The digital zoom processing unit 59 resets the extraction area based on the input zoom center position, and moves the extraction area in the direction in which the cross key 28 is operated. Accordingly, for example, when the cross key 28 is operated in the right direction in a state where the zoom image and the instruction icon 65 are displayed as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the operation illustrated in FIG. The zoom image thus displayed moves to the right.

  When the zoom center position moves to the limit position (the position where the extraction area has moved to the end of the original image data), the CPU 37 deletes the direction icon 65 for that direction as shown in FIG. Notify that it cannot move any more. That is, each instruction icon 65 notifies the direction in which the extraction area can be moved. In this example, the instruction icons 65 are displayed only in the four directions, up, down, left, and right. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an instruction icon 65 indicating another direction is added, and the extraction region moves in these directions. It may be. The notification of the movable direction is not limited to the instruction icon 65. For example, a display lamp such as an LED may be provided on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal panel 20, and the notification may be performed by turning on and off the display lamp. .

  Thus, according to the digital camera 2 of this example, the digital camera 2 can be easily used as a magnifying glass simply by attaching the hood 6 to the camera body 4. In addition, since the distance between the camera body 4 and the object TA is kept constant by bringing the tip of the hood 6 into contact with the object TA, there is no need to perform focus adjustment again. Characters and designs written on the object TA can be seen stably. Furthermore, since the extraction area is moved in accordance with the operation of the cross key 28, the zoom image to be displayed can be easily adjusted, and can be easily adjusted to the information desired to be viewed. When the zoom magnification is insufficient or when it is difficult to focus on the tip position of the hood 6, an auxiliary lens for assisting these may be provided on the hood 6.

  In the above-described embodiment, the zoom image represented by the zoom image data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20 as a through image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and according to the operation of the release button 16 as shown in FIG. Then, still image shooting may be performed, and a zoom image may be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20 as a captured image. In the example of FIG. 7, once the zoom image is displayed as a through image, original image data captured in response to the full press of the release button 16 is recorded in the memory card 52. When the original image data is recorded in the memory card 52, the CPU 37 stops driving the CCD 38 and the TG 39. The original image data recorded in the memory card 52 is read again and input to the digital zoom processing unit 59, and the created zoom image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20 as a captured image. Also, the display of the zoom image on the liquid crystal panel 20 is canceled by operating the menu button 27, for example. When the display of the captured image is canceled, the CCD 38 and the TG 39 are driven, and the through image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20 again.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, when the zoom image is displayed as a captured image, the drive of the CCD 38, the TG 39, etc. is stopped, so that it is possible to reduce the power consumption when the digital camera 2 is used in the magnifier mode. . Since the main usage of the digital camera 2 is to shoot a subject in the still image shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode, it is preferable to reduce power consumption as much as possible in the magnifying glass mode as shown in this example. Although omitted in the flowchart of FIG. 7, as in the example shown in FIG. 4, the extraction area is moved in the operated direction by operating the cross key 28 while the zoom image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20. be able to.

  In the above embodiment, the hood 6 is attached to the camera body 4 by inserting each attachment foot 6a into each attachment hole 17, but the attachment method of the hood 6 is not limited to this, for example, It may be by other mechanical fitting such as a bayonet method or may be screwed. In the above embodiment, the attachment of the hood 6 is detected by the microswitch 54. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other mechanical switches may be used, or a magnetic sensor such as a Hall element. Alternatively, an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the square-tube-shaped food | hood 6 is used as a spacer member, the shape of a spacer member is not restricted to this, For example, a cylindrical thing may be sufficient, a plate shape and a rod-shaped thing It may be. However, since the posture of the camera body 4 or the like may not be stable when the plate-like or bar-like spacer member is brought into contact with the object, a cylindrical one is preferable as shown in the above-described embodiment. It is. Furthermore, the spacer member is not limited to a detachable member, but may be a member that remains attached to the camera body 4. In this case, if the spacer member remains protruding, there is a concern that it may be an obstacle when shooting or carrying, so it is housed inside the camera body 4 or folded along the front surface of the camera body 4. It is preferable that it is comprised.

  In the above embodiment, the maximum zoom magnification is input to the digital zoom processing unit 59 in the magnifying glass mode. However, the input zoom magnification is not limited to the maximum value and is described in the object. Any value that allows easy viewing of characters and designs is acceptable. Further, the zoom magnification input to the digital zoom processing unit 59 may be changed by operating the zoom operation button 25 in the magnifier mode.

  In the above embodiment, the illumination for illuminating the object in the magnifier mode is also used as the AF auxiliary light emitting unit 15 for illuminating the subject in the AF process. You may make it provide.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the digital camera 2 is shown as the imaging device, but the imaging device may be a mobile phone with a camera in addition to the digital camera 2.

It is the perspective view seen from the front direction which shows the external appearance of a digital camera. It is the top view which looked at the camera main body from the back direction. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a digital camera schematically. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of a magnifier mode roughly. It is explanatory drawing which shows the use condition at the time of a magnifier mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of an image. It is a flowchart which shows the example which performs still image photography at the time of magnifier mode.

Explanation of symbols

2 Digital camera (imaging device)
4 Camera body (main body)
6 Hood (spacer member)
10 Shooting Lens 15 AF Auxiliary Light Emitting Unit (Illumination Unit)
16 Release button 20 LCD panel (display means)
28 Four-way controller (movement instruction means)
32 focus lens 35 lens motor (lens moving means)
37 CPU (mode setting means, mode control means, determination means)
38 CCD (imaging device)
51 Media controller (recording means)
52 Memory card (recording medium)
54 Microswitch (detection means)
57 AE / AWB detection circuit (photometric means)
58 AF detection circuit (focus control means)
59 Digital zoom processing unit (digital zoom processing means)
65 Instruction icon (notification means)

Claims (10)

An image sensor that captures a subject image formed by a photographing lens and acquires original image data corresponding to the subject image, a lens moving unit that moves a focus lens included in the photographing lens in an optical axis direction, and the original An image pickup apparatus having a main body comprising display means for displaying an original image represented by image data, and digital zoom processing means for extracting a part of the original image data and creating zoom image data enlarged to a predetermined zoom magnification In
A distance between the main body and the object is made constant by contacting the front end with an object on which information is described. A spacer member to keep,
Mode setting means for setting a magnifying glass mode for enlarging and displaying the information described in the object on the display means;
When the magnifying glass mode is set by the mode setting means, the lens moving means is driven to focus the photographing lens on the tip position of the spacer member, and the zoom image data is sent to the digital zoom processing means. An imaging apparatus comprising: a mode control unit configured to execute the magnifying glass mode by displaying the zoom image represented by the generated zoom image data on the display unit.   The mode control means creates the zoom image data based on the original image data output from the image sensor, and displays the zoom image represented by the created zoom image data on the display means as a through image. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. The main body has a release button for instructing the imaging device to execute shooting, and a recording unit for recording the original image data acquired in accordance with the execution of shooting on a recording medium,
The mode control means records the original image data on the recording medium and records the original image data when the release button is operated in a state where the zoom image is displayed as a through image on the display means. Is read from the recording medium again, the zoom image data is created based on the read original image data, and the zoom image represented by the created zoom image data is displayed on the display means. The imaging device according to claim 2. A photometric means for calculating a photometric value representing the luminance of the subject based on the original image data;
Determination means for determining whether the photometric value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
4. The imaging according to claim 1, further comprising an illuminating unit that illuminates the object when the photometric value is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined value by the determining unit. 5. apparatus. Focusing control means for performing contrast-based autofocus processing based on a focus evaluation value calculated from the original image data;
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the illumination unit is also used as AF auxiliary light for illuminating a subject during the autofocus process. The spacer member is configured to be detachable with respect to the main body, and a detecting means for detecting whether or not the spacer member is attached to the main body.
6. The imaging according to claim 1, wherein the mode setting unit sets the magnifying glass mode when the detection unit detects that the spacer member is attached. apparatus. The digital zoom processing means extracts the original image data based on an extraction region set by an extraction position indicating a position from which the original image data is extracted and the zoom magnification,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a movement instruction unit that instructs the digital zoom processing unit to move the extraction position is provided in the main body.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a direction in which the extraction position is movable.   The spacer member is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to surround the photographing lens, and a tip end surface thereof is formed smoothly so that the surface of the object and the imaging surface of the imaging element are parallel to each other. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the information described in the object includes at least one of a character, a symbol, and a design.

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