JP2007243634A - Image generating apparatus and photographing method of same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image generating apparatus capable of easily acquiring an image with an aimed-at layout and to provide a photographing method of the image generating apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image generating apparatus includes: a photographing target setting section 40 for setting in advance a photographing target position at which a principal object person is photographed before the photographing; a person position detection section 41 for generating a picture from an image captured by an imaging element 11 and detecting a position of the person from the generated picture ahead a substantial imaging and detecting the position of the person from the generated picture; and a photographing position instruction section 42 for calculating a difference between a photographing target position and the position of the person as a positional deviation amount and generating sound from a sound source circuit 22 depending on the positional deviation amount. In the case of self-photographing, a user corrects its standing position depending on a generated sound so as to be capable of easily obtaining an image wherein the principal object person is shown up at the setting photographing target position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation apparatus that generates an image of a main subject such as a person and a photographing method of the image generation apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a camera having a function of supporting photographing so that a user can photograph an image having an excellent composition.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, the quality of the composition is evaluated based on the gaze point of the user's line of sight, and when it is determined that the composition is not desirable, a warning is given to the display device provided in the camera, thereby preventing shooting of an unfavorable composition. A camera that can perform the above is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for displaying a contour line of a subject on a finder of a camera at a position where the composition at the time of shooting is improved. As a result, the user can obtain an image with a good composition simply by taking a picture while aligning the subject with the contour line while looking through the viewfinder.

JP-A-6-337467 JP 2001-166369 A (refer to page 9, FIG. 6)

  However, the techniques described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 have a problem that it is difficult to photograph in accordance with a target composition when it is difficult to know how to change the composition. For example, when taking a picture in a state in which the user cannot see the display device or viewfinder provided in the camera, such as when the user tries to take a picture of himself / herself, it becomes difficult to obtain an image with a desired composition.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image generation apparatus and an image generation method for the image generation apparatus that can easily obtain an image having a desired composition.

  An image generation apparatus according to the present invention that achieves the above object is an image generation apparatus that generates an image corresponding to an imaging target range that is an imaging target, and an imaging target region in which the main subject is to be imaged within the imaging target range. An imaging target area determining unit for determining, a main subject area detecting unit for causing the imaging device to capture an image and detecting a main subject area in which the main subject is captured from the captured image, and an instruction notifying unit for notifying an instruction And an imaging instruction means for notifying the instruction notifying means of an imaging instruction for correcting the area where the main subject is imaged so that the main subject area matches the imaging target area.

  According to this configuration, the imaging target area where the main subject is to be imaged is determined, and the area where the main subject is imaged is corrected so that the main subject area detected from the image captured by the image sensor matches the imaging target area. An imaging instruction to be notified is notified. The user can easily obtain an image of the composition in which the main subject is imaged in the imaging target area by correcting the main subject imaged in the imaging target range in accordance with the notified imaging instruction.

  Here, a display unit for displaying an image corresponding to the imaging target range and an operation unit for receiving an input operation are further provided, and the imaging target area determination unit displays a selection screen showing a plurality of candidates that can be the imaging target area. It is preferable that a candidate selected by an input operation displayed on the display unit and received by the operation unit is set as the imaging target region.

  In this way, by selecting a desired candidate on the selection screen displayed on the display means, it is possible to obtain an image having a composition in which the main subject is imaged in a region desired by the user.

  Here, it is preferable that the main subject is a person, and the imaging target area determination means sets the imaging target area based on recommended composition data indicating a composition recommended for a human face.

  In this way, since the imaging target area of the recommended composition is set according to the recommended composition data, it is possible to obtain an image with an excellent composition regarding the human face.

  Here, the imaging instruction means detects a position difference between the imaging target area and the main subject area on the image corresponding to the imaging target range, and sends an imaging instruction including a correction direction for correcting the position difference to the instruction notification means. It is preferable to notify.

  In this way, the user can obtain a desired image in which the main subject is imaged at the position of the imaging target area by correcting the main subject area according to the correction direction in the imaging instruction.

  Here, it is preferable that the imaging instruction unit calculates a correction amount of the imaging target according to a difference in position between the imaging target region and the main subject region, and notifies the instruction notification unit of an imaging instruction including the correction amount.

  In this way, it is possible to obtain a desired image in which the main subject is imaged at the position of the imaging target area by correcting the main subject area by the correction amount in the imaging instruction.

  Here, the imaging instruction means detects the difference in size between the imaging target area and the main subject area on the image corresponding to the imaging target range, and notifies the imaging instruction including a correction direction for correcting the size difference. It is preferable to notify the means.

  In this way, the user can obtain an image in which the main subject is imaged in the size of the imaging target area by correcting the main subject area according to the correction direction in the imaging instruction.

  Here, it is preferable that the imaging instruction unit calculates a correction amount of the imaging target according to a difference in size between the imaging target region and the main subject region, and causes the instruction notification unit to notify the imaging instruction including the correction amount.

  In this way, by correcting the main subject area by the correction amount in the imaging instruction, it is possible to obtain an image in which the main subject is imaged to the size of the imaging target area.

  Here, it is preferable that the instruction notifying unit notifies by outputting a sound corresponding to the imaging instruction from the imaging instruction unit.

  In this way, since the imaging instruction is output by sound, an image in which the main subject is captured in the imaging target area can be obtained even in a situation where it is difficult to visually observe the display device or the viewfinder. .

  Note that the instruction notifying unit desirably performs output by changing the volume of sound or the period of sound generation according to the imaging instruction, or outputting the contents of the imaging instruction by sound.

  Here, the instruction notifying unit has a plurality of light emitting units each corresponding to a predetermined correction direction, and among the plurality of light emitting units, a light emitting unit corresponding to the correction direction included in the imaging instruction from the imaging instruction unit is provided. It is preferable to emit light.

  In this way, since the light emitting unit emits light according to the correction direction of the imaging instruction, an image in which the main subject is imaged in the imaging target region can be obtained even in a situation where it is difficult to view the display device or the viewfinder. Can be easily obtained.

  Here, the instruction notifying unit has a light emitting unit capable of emitting light of a color corresponding to each of a plurality of correction directions, and the instruction notifying unit emits light according to an imaging instruction from the imaging instruction unit. It is preferable to change the color.

  In this way, since the light emitting unit emits light in a color according to the correction direction of the imaging instruction, the main subject is imaged in the imaging target area even in a situation where it is difficult to visually observe the display device or the viewfinder. Images can be easily obtained.

  Here, when the image generation apparatus is set to a self-photographing mode for capturing an image of the user as the main subject, the imaging target area determining unit, the main subject area detecting unit, and the imaging instruction unit perform processing to notify the instruction. Preferably, the means notifies an instruction to correct the position of the main subject in accordance with an imaging instruction from the imaging instruction means.

  In this way, when the self-photographing mode is set, the user can easily shoot an image in which the user as the main subject is imaged in the imaging target area by imaging according to the imaging instruction from the instruction notification unit. It becomes like this.

  Here, it is preferable that the instruction notifying unit has a light emitting unit capable of irradiating light, and irradiates light according to an imaging instruction from the imaging instruction unit.

  In this way, at the time of self-photographing, the user can easily obtain an image in which the main subject is imaged in the imaging target area by photographing according to the imaging instruction of the emitted light.

  The present invention may also be a method invention. That is, the present invention is an imaging method of an image generation apparatus that generates an image corresponding to an imaging target range to be imaged, and an imaging target that determines an imaging target area in which a main subject is to be imaged within the imaging target range. An area determination step, a main subject area detection step of causing the image sensor to capture an image, and detecting a main subject area in which the main subject is captured from the captured image; and a main subject so that the main subject area matches the imaging target area An imaging instruction step of notifying an instruction notifying unit for notifying an instruction of an imaging instruction for correcting an area in which an image is captured.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 includes an imaging circuit 12 that generates an image from an image signal obtained by converting light captured from an imaging lens 10 by an imaging element 11, an image memory 13 that stores data of the captured image, an image Are provided with an image processing engine 14 for performing predetermined image processing, a liquid crystal display panel 15, a memory card slot 16, and a control unit 17 for controlling these components. These components are connected to each other via a bus 18.

  Further, the control unit 17 includes a lens drive control circuit 20 that controls a lens drive mechanism 19 that focuses the imaging lens 10, an operation unit 21 that includes various switches to which user operations are input, and a speaker (not shown). ) Is connected to a sound source circuit 22 for outputting sound.

  The imaging lens 10 is a part that forms an image of the captured light on the imaging element 11 and is composed of a plurality of lens groups. Then, the lens drive mechanism 19 adjusts the position of the lens group under the control of the lens drive control circuit 20 to enable focusing.

  The image sensor 11 is an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS that takes in a subject image and takes it out as an electrical image signal, and is a portion that images the subject. The imaging device 11 has a large number of pixels arranged in a matrix, and the light of the image formed by the imaging lens 10 is divided into R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components. The image signal that is an analog signal is photoelectrically converted to an image signal and output to the imaging circuit 12.

  The imaging circuit 12 subjects the image signal from the imaging element 11 to analog processing including processing for reducing noise in the image signal, processing for adjusting the gain of the image signal, and the like. And the image signal of the predetermined | prescribed resolution which has a pixel value for every pixel of the image pick-up element 11 is produced | generated so that the image signal processed analogly may be converted into a digital signal.

  The image processing engine 14 is a hardware circuit that performs image processing such as white balance adjustment, γ correction, color correction, resolution conversion, and image compression, and performs various types of image processing on the image generated by the imaging circuit 12.

  The memory card slot 16 is configured so that the memory card MC can be attached and detached, and is a part for reading and writing data to and from the memory card MC inserted into the memory card slot 16 under the control of the control unit 17.

  The control unit 17 controls the operation of each component of the digital camera 1 described above, and controls each component of the CPU 30 that executes various processes for control, the RAM 32 as a working memory, and the digital camera 1. And a ROM 31 that stores a control program for the purpose.

  In addition, the digital camera 1 can set a shooting mode in accordance with a shooting situation from among a plurality of shooting modes. In the present embodiment, a self-shooting mode for a user as a photographer to photograph the user himself / herself. The operation at the time of self-photographing set in the above will be described.

  When the user operates the operation unit 21 to set the self-photographing mode, the CPU 30 of the control unit 17 reads the control program from the ROM 31 and executes it, as shown in FIG. 40, functions as a person position detection unit 41 and a shooting position instruction unit 42. Hereinafter, processing performed by each of these components will be described.

  The shooting target setting unit 40 is a part that sets in advance a position at which the person of the main subject is shot (hereinafter referred to as “shooting target position”) before shooting. Specifically, a screen for setting the shooting target position is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 15, and the shooting target position is set in accordance with an input from the user to the operation unit 21.

  The person position detection unit 41 is a part that performs processing for detecting the position of a person (hereinafter referred to as “person position”) from the captured image by causing the image sensor 11 to pick up an image prior to shooting. Specifically, after extracting a skin color region from the image G captured by the image sensor 11, the face region is specified by performing pattern matching with a template representing the face for the skin color region, and the center of the face region is determined in advance. Is acquired as a person position. However, as a method for detecting the person position, various well-known methods such as a method for extracting and determining a part such as a face eye or nose can be used.

  The shooting position instruction unit 42 calculates the difference between the shooting target position and the person position as a position shift amount, and causes the sound source circuit 22 to generate a sound corresponding to the position shift amount. Thus, the user is notified of the positional deviation between the set shooting target position and the person position where the person of the main subject is shown, and the user is prompted to correct the standing position where the user stands during self-shooting, that is, the shooting position.

  As described above, the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment captures a sound by generating sound in order to facilitate the photographing of the composition that matches the photographing target position set by the person of the main subject (that is, the user at the time of self-photographing). Is to support.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the self-photographing mode is set, and will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the processing is started, first, in step S1, the CPU 30 (shooting target setting unit 40) causes the liquid crystal display panel 15 to display for setting the shooting target position.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the shooting target position setting screen. As shown in FIG. 3, in the shooting target position setting screen 50, a person image 51 is displayed for each of a plurality of positions that are candidates for shooting target positions within the range of the image captured by the image sensor 11 (imaging target range). The Here, the position where the human image 51 is displayed is determined in advance according to a technique such as a three-part composition or a golden part composition, and is different from each other in the horizontal direction within the imaging target range. Then, the shooting target position setting screen 50 is an image in which the person image 51 is superimposed with the image in the imaging target range as the background so that the user can select the shooting target position in consideration of the positional relationship between the person image 51 and the background. It has become.

  Next, in step S <b> 2, the CPU 30 (shooting target setting unit 40) receives an input from the operation unit 21 and sets the shooting target position at the position of the person image 51 selected by the user.

  In the example of FIG. 3, when the user operates the operation unit 21 to select a desired shooting target position, the outline of the selected person image 51 is emphasized. Further, by operating the operation unit 21 and determining the selected person image 51, the center position of the face of the selected person image 51 is set as the shooting target position Pt (see FIG. 4A).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the shooting target position setting screen 50 displays a switch 52 for manually adjusting the position of the selected selection candidate. When the switch 52 is selected, the user can operate the operation unit 21 to freely set the shooting target position or finely adjust the set position.

  Next, in step S3, the CPU 30 (person position detection unit 41) controls the image sensor 11, the imaging circuit 12, and the image processing engine 14, and the image G of the image captured from the imaging lens 10 at the time of step S3. (See FIG. 4B).

  Next, in step S4, the CPU 30 (person position detection unit 41) analyzes the image G generated in step S3 and performs a process of detecting a person position. Specifically, matching is performed using a face template for the skin color area of the image G, a face area in which a person's face is captured is detected, and the center position of the face area is set as the person position Pp (FIG. 4 (c)).

  The method for determining the person position Pp is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a background image HG (see FIG. 5A) when a person is not captured is captured, and an image G (FIG. 5B) including the background image HG and the person is captured. 5), the person image may be extracted as shown in FIG. 5C, and the center of the person image may be detected as the person position Pp.

Next, in step S5, the CPU 30 (shooting position instruction unit 42) calculates a positional deviation amount between the shooting target position Pt and the person position Pp. Here, in this embodiment, assuming that the horizontal direction is the X direction and the height direction is the Y direction, and focusing on the positional deviation in the X direction, the positional deviation amount Ex is defined by the following equation (1) (FIG. 4 ( d)). However, Xp is the X coordinate of the person position Pp, and Xt is the X coordinate of the shooting target position Pt.
Ex = Xt-Xp (1)

  Next, in step S <b> 6, the CPU 30 (shooting position instruction unit 42) outputs a control signal to the sound source circuit 22 and controls the sound source circuit 22 to generate a sound corresponding to the magnitude of the positional deviation amount Ex. As a control method of the sound to be generated, the relationship shown in FIG. 6 is followed, assuming that the period and the magnitude of the sound to be generated are changed according to the positional deviation amount Ex.

  First, the CPU 30 controls the sound generation cycle (interval) so that the sound generation cycle (interval) becomes longer as the absolute value of the positional deviation amount Ex increases as shown in FIG. As for the volume at this time, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the absolute value of the positional deviation amount Ex is smaller than a predetermined threshold Th, the volume is set to “0”, that is, not more than the threshold Th so that no sound is generated. It controls to become a predetermined volume when it becomes.

  The user can bring the person position Pp in the imaging range closer to the imaging target position Pt by correcting the standing position at a position where the sound period becomes shorter according to the sound period. When the positional deviation amount Ex is smaller than the threshold Th, no sound is generated, so that the user can know that the person position Pp is within a predetermined range from the set imaging target position Pt. In this way, the user is guided to the standing position at the position corresponding to the set imaging target position Pt by following the generated sound.

  Next, in step S7, the CPU 30 determines whether or not a predetermined time has passed in a state where no sound is output. If it has not elapsed (No), the process returns to step S3, and if it has elapsed (Yes) ) Proceed to step S8 to take a picture. That is, while repeating the process from step S3 to step S6, a process that does not generate a sound in step S6 because the positional deviation amount Ex becomes smaller than a predetermined threshold Th induced by a sound that generates a user's standing position. When the operation is repeated a predetermined number of times, the CPU 30 determines that the person position Pp is within a predetermined range from the imaging target position Pt and performs imaging.

  In addition, about the process of step S7, it is good also as image | photographing at the timing which received the trigger from the remote control etc. which the user who guide | induced standing position with the sound to generate | occur | produce operates.

  In step S8, the CPU 30 controls the image sensor 11, the imaging circuit 12, the image memory 13, and the image processing engine 14 to generate an image G of an image captured from the imaging lens 10 at the time of step S3. And the process which records the image data of the produced | generated image G to the memory card MC via the memory card slot 16 is performed. When the process of step S8 is finished, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  It should be noted that the processing of step S1 and step S2 is the imaging target region determination step described in the claims, the processing of step S3 and step S4 is the main subject region detection step of the claims, and the processing of steps S5 and S6 is the claim. This corresponds to the imaging instruction step described in (1).

  As described above, in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, when the self-photographing mode is set, a sound corresponding to the positional deviation amount Ex is generated, so that the photographing target position Pt selected on the photographing target position setting screen 50 is set. Self-photographing can be performed by guiding the user to the corresponding standing position.

  Hereinafter, effects in the first embodiment will be described.

  (1) The user is guided to the standing position in accordance with an instruction by sound, so that the shooting target position Pt selected on the shooting target position setting screen 50 (strictly, a predetermined range corresponding to the threshold Th from the shooting target position P). The image of the composition captured by the user himself / herself can be easily taken. Therefore, an image with a targeted composition can be easily obtained even during self-photographing.

  (2) Since the instruction for guiding the standing position is output with sound, the user who is the photographer aims at a composition aimed even at the time of self-photographing where the user cannot take a picture while looking at the liquid crystal display panel 15. A captured image can be easily obtained.

  (3) Since the shooting target position can be selected from a plurality of candidates on the shooting target position setting screen 50, a desired position where the user can take an image can be easily determined.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. The digital camera according to the second embodiment instructs a movement amount in addition to the left and right movement directions during self-photographing.

First, the movement amount calculation method will be described. For the calculation of the movement amount, an optical imaging relationship between the main subject and the image formed on the image sensor 11 is used. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the main subject and the image formed on the image sensor 11 by the imaging lens 10. The subject image with the image height x is inverted on the image sensor 11 with the image height x ′. A state of being imaged is shown. As shown in FIG. 7, the optical axis direction passing through the principal point H of the imaging lens 10 from the center of the imaging element 11 is defined as the Z direction, and the front side from the principal point H of the imaging lens 10 to the position of the focal length f in the subject Z direction. It is assumed that there is a rear focal point Fb at a focal distance f from the focal point Ff to the camera side Z direction from the principal point H. The Z plane position of the principal point H is Oh, the Z plane position of the subject is Ob, and the image plane position on the image sensor 11 is Oc. At this time, if the distance in the Z direction from the front focal point Ff to the subject (the Z plane of the subject position Ob) is z, the following imaging formula is established.
x / x ′ = z / f (2)

Here, focusing on the image of the face area, the size of the face area on the image sensor 11 is the height HF of the face area (unit: from the face area acquired in step S4 in the first embodiment). By calculating the product of the height HF of the face area and the length per pixel pitch, the actual face area size HFr can be obtained on the image sensor 11 (see FIG. 8). On the other hand, assuming that the face size of the main subject is an average human face height HFave (for example, a predetermined value of about 23 to 24 cm), the distance from the imaging expression of Expression (2) The following equation defining z can be obtained:
z = HFave × f / HFr (3)

Here, the focal length f is a value specific to the imaging lens 10, and assuming that no change occurs in the Z direction when correcting the standing position to the left and right (that is, the X direction) with respect to the camera, From Equation (3), an approximate equation for obtaining the movement amount Δx of the main subject can be obtained.
Δx = z × Δx ′ / f
= HFave × Δx ′ / HFr (4)

  Δx ′ is an actual dimension on the image sensor 11 with respect to the displacement amount Ex, and when a value obtained by calculating the product of the displacement amount Ex (unit is the number of pixels) and the length per pixel pitch is used as Δx ′. The movement amount Δx of the main subject can be obtained from the equation (4).

  According to the digital camera of the second embodiment, the shooting position instruction unit 42 calculates the movement amount Δx of the main subject obtained by the calculations of Expressions (2) to (4), and Notification is performed by outputting the amount of movement Δx of the main subject as a sound in addition to the correction direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the standing position is moved by Δx in the actual dimension in the direction instructed by the user who is the person of the main subject, and the person is captured at the person position Pp on the image sensor 11. The main subject image can be adjusted to the shooting target position Pt. Accordingly, it is possible to perform self-photographing of the user who is the photographer at the set photographing target position Pt.

  In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

  (4) Since the user can be notified of the amount of movement in addition to the direction of correcting the standing position, the user's standing position can be determined by moving the digital camera by the necessary amount in the left-right direction. Can be guided. Therefore, the set composition can be taken more easily.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. The digital camera according to the third embodiment allows the user to set the shooting size at the time of self-shooting, and the user's back and forth direction (Z direction) with respect to the digital camera so that the captured size matches the set size. The standing position is corrected.

  First, when setting the shooting size, the shooting target setting unit 40 displays a shooting target size setting screen 100 shown as an example in FIG. 10 on the liquid crystal display panel 15, and allows the user to set a desired shooting size. Then, the set shooting size is compared with the detected size of the person area, and an instruction to correct the standing position of the main subject in the front-rear direction (Z direction) is issued to the digital camera. In other words, if the detected person area is smaller than the set shooting size, the person moves closer to the digital camera, and if the detected person area is larger than the set shooting size, the person is moved to move away from the digital camera 1. Match the size of the area to the set shooting size.

  In the third embodiment, a method for determining the amount of movement in the front-rear direction will be described below as an instruction for the amount of movement in the front-rear direction in addition to the instruction in the front-rear direction.

  In order to determine the amount of movement Δz in the front-rear direction, first, as in the second embodiment, the subject is determined from the front focal point Ff according to equation (3) from the actual face area size HFr and the average human face size HFave. A distance z to the position Ob is calculated.

Then, the product of the size (unit: pixel) of the face area corresponding to the photographing size set on the photographing target size setting screen 100 and the pixel pitch is calculated, and the actual target photographing size HFt is obtained. Substituting the distance z, the actual size shooting target size HFt, and the actual size face area size HFr into the image formation formula (2), the distance Z in the Z direction from the front focus Ff after the standing position correction to the subject position Ob ” The following equation can be obtained.
z ″ = x / x ′ × f
= HFave / HFt (5)

Therefore, the movement amount Δz in the front-rear direction (Z direction) can be obtained by the following equation.
Δz = z−z ”
= HFave × f / HFr-HFave / HFt
= HFave × (f / HFr−1 / HFt) (6)

  The shooting position instruction unit 42 calculates the movement amount Δz of the main subject obtained by the calculation of Expression (3), Expression (5), and Expression (6), and corrects the digital camera in the front-rear direction (Z direction). In addition to the direction, a message having a content including the movement amount Δz of the main subject is notified by the sound source circuit 22 by voice. The user who is the main subject at the time of self-photographing moves the standing position in the designated direction by Δz in the indicated direction, so that the size of the person image formed on the image sensor 11 can be reduced. Instead, an image in which the main subject is captured in the set size can be taken.

  In the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (5) By issuing instructions in the front-rear direction during self-photographing, an image in which the main subject is captured in a desired size can be obtained.

  (6) Since the user is informed of the amount of movement in the front-rear direction in addition to the direction before and after the standing position is corrected, the set composition can be taken more easily.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the digital camera 1 has recommended composition data RD for evaluating a composition recommended for the position of the human face shown as an example in FIG. 12, and the shooting target position Pt according to the recommended composition data RD. Shall be defined.

  Here, the recommended composition data RD is used as a criterion for determining the preference of the composition of the image, and is a database of evaluation values that evaluate the preference of the composition for images of various compositions. is there. Therefore, the position where the evaluation value is larger than the predetermined threshold in the recommended composition data RD, more preferably, the position where the evaluation value is maximum is set as the photographing target position Pt.

  For example, assuming that an example of the recommended composition data RD shown on the XY coordinates in FIG. 12 is issued in the X direction, the shooting position instruction unit 42 maintains the Y value with respect to the person position Pp while maintaining the Y value. The position where the evaluation value becomes the highest is searched. Then, the position of the search result is set as the shooting target position Pt, and an instruction for correcting the standing position from the person position Pp to the position corresponding to the shooting target position Pt (see the arrow direction in FIG. 12) is excellent in composition. An image in which a person is photographed at a position can be taken.

  In the fourth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (7) Since the user can be guided to a standing position corresponding to a position that is excellent in composition according to the recommended composition data RD, an image excellent in composition can be easily obtained.

  Although the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various forms can be adopted. Hereinafter, modifications of the present invention will be described.

  (Modification 1) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the user himself / herself is photographed as the main subject at the time of setting the self-photographing mode has been described, but the application to which the present invention is applicable is not limited thereto. For example, even when it is difficult for the user to confirm an image captured on the liquid crystal display panel 15 such as when shooting at a low angle, the orientation of the digital camera 1 itself is determined according to an instruction by sound or light emitted from the digital camera 1. Is corrected and the position of the main subject in the shooting target range is shot in accordance with the shooting target position, whereby an image having a desired composition can be obtained.

  (Modification 2) In the second modification, the instruction to the user is visually notified by the light emitting unit emitting the instruction of the correction direction. FIG. 13 shows an external view of a digital camera according to the second modification. As shown in FIG. 13A, the exterior surface of the digital camera 200 on the imaging lens 10 side is provided with a pair of a light emitting unit 201L and a light emitting unit 201R in the left-right direction. A light emitting unit 201C is provided at a position closer to the center of the camera than the light emitting unit 201L and the light emitting unit 201R.

  The digital camera 200 emits the light emitting unit 201L or the light emitting unit 201R corresponding to the direction in which the person position Pp is corrected to the shooting target position Pt according to the positional relationship between the shooting target position Pt and the person position Pp. The user is instructed in the direction that matches the shooting target position Pt. That is, the light emitting unit L or the light emitting unit R is controlled to emit light according to the sign of the positional deviation amount Ex.

  Then, when the person position Pp is aligned with the shooting target position Pt, that is, when the absolute value of the positional deviation amount Ex becomes smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the light emitting unit 201C is controlled to emit light. As a result, the user is guided to the standing position corresponding to the shooting target position Pt, and when the person position Pp falls within a predetermined range from the shooting target position Pt, the light emitting unit 201C is caused to emit light, and the composition aimed at the user is shot. You can tell the timing.

  Of course, as shown in FIG. 13B, the light emission color of one light emitting unit 201 may be adjustable, and the user may be instructed to change the light emission color according to the correction direction.

(Modification 3) In the third modification, the user is instructed to stand by projecting a marker onto the ground of the standing position to be corrected. Assuming that the Z direction is given, as shown in FIG. 14, when the height of the digital camera 300 supported by a tripod or the like is Hi, the marker position to the standing position when correcting in the front-rear direction according to the following equation: The irradiation direction α can be obtained. However, (alpha) is a value which shows the angle difference of the Z direction and the irradiation direction of a marker.
α = tan ⁻¹ (Hi / (z ″ + f)) (7)

  The value of the camera height Hi may be set by the user in advance. At the time of shooting, it is assumed that the face height of the main subject is substantially equal to the camera height, and the average human level is assumed. The height may be obtained as the height Hi of the camera.

  In this way, as shown in Fig. 14, when the user is at a position separated by (z + f) from the camera, the marker 301 is projected at a position separated by (z "+ f) from the camera. By taking a picture of the standing position at the position where the marker 301 is projected, it is possible to easily obtain an image of the composition imaged in a desired size.

  (Modification 4) In the above-described embodiment, the main subject is a person and the face of the person is detected and processed. However, the present invention can also be applied to photographing other than a person. . For example, the user sets an object to be the main subject on the setting screen, and emits sound or light according to the amount of positional deviation between the position set by the camera and the position of the object that is actually the shooting target. If an instruction is issued to the user, it is possible to easily take an image of an object at a desired position.

  (Modification 5) In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to various devices such as a digital video camera and a camera-equipped mobile phone. .

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment. The flowchart figure which shows the flow of a process at the time of self imaging | photography mode setting. The figure which showed an example of the imaging | photography target position setting screen. It is the figure which showed the calculation process of positional offset amount, (a) the photographing target position, (b) the photographed image, (c) the person position in the photographed image, (d) the positional displacement amount. Figure. It is the figure which showed an example of the method of calculating | requiring a person position, (a) is a background image, (b) is the image which image | photographed the person, (c) is the figure which showed the difference image. It is explanatory drawing explaining the control method of a sound, (a) is a figure which showed the relationship between positional offset amount and a period of sound, (b) and the positional offset amount and volume. Explanatory drawing explaining the image formation relationship of the to-be-photographed object and imaging surface which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the calculation method of the distance of a to-be-photographed object and a front side focus side. The figure which showed the relationship between a to-be-photographed object's position and a correction position. The figure which showed an example of the imaging | photography target size setting screen. Explanatory drawing explaining the image formation relationship of the to-be-photographed object and imaging surface which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The figure which showed an example of the recommended composition data which concern on 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a 2nd modification, (a), (b) is the figure which showed an example. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating a 3rd modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera as an image generation apparatus, 10 ... Imaging lens, 11 ... Imaging device, 12 ... Imaging circuit, 13 ... Image memory, 14 ... Image processing engine, 15 ... Liquid crystal display panel as display means, 16 ... Memory card Slot, 17 ... Control unit, 18 ... Bus, 19 ... Lens drive mechanism, 20 ... Lens drive control circuit, 21 ... Operation unit as operation means, 22 ... Sound source circuit as instruction notification means, 30 ... CPU, 31 ... ROM 32 ... RAM, 40 ... shooting target setting section as imaging target area determining means, 41 ... person position detecting section as main subject area detecting means, 42 ... shooting position instruction section as imaging instruction means, 50 ... shooting target position Setting screen, 51 ... person image, 52 ... switch, 100 ... shooting target size setting screen, 200 ... digital camera according to the second modification, 201C, L R: light emitting section, 300: digital camera according to the fourth modification, 301: marker, Ex: displacement amount, f: focal length, Ff: front focus, Fb: rear focus, G: image, HG ... background Image, HFt: Target face area size, HFr: Actual face area size, Hi: Camera height, MC: Memory card, Ob: Subject position, Oh: Main point position, Oc: Image on the image sensor Surface position, Pt: Shooting target position, Pp: Person position, Xp: X coordinate of person position, Xt: X coordinate of shooting target position, Δx: Movement amount of main subject, Δx ′: Movement amount on image sensor, Δz ... the amount of movement of the main subject.

Claims (13)

An image generation device that generates an image corresponding to an imaging target range to be imaged,
Imaging target area determining means for determining an imaging target area in which the main subject is to be imaged within the imaging target range;
Main subject region detecting means for causing the image sensor to pick up an image and detecting a main subject region in which the main subject is picked up from the picked-up image;
An instruction notifying means for notifying an instruction;
An image generation apparatus comprising: an imaging instruction unit that notifies the instruction notification unit of an imaging instruction for correcting an area in which the main subject is imaged so that the main subject area matches the imaging target area . The image generation apparatus according to claim 1,
A display unit for displaying an image corresponding to the imaging target range and an operation unit for receiving an input operation;
The imaging target area determining means causes the display means to display a selection screen showing a plurality of candidates that can become the imaging target area,
An image generation apparatus characterized in that a candidate selected by an input operation received by the operation means is set as the imaging target region. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1,
The main subject is a person;
The imaging target area determining means sets the imaging target area based on recommended composition data indicating a composition recommended for the human face. In the image generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The imaging instruction means detects a position difference between the imaging target area and the main subject area on an image corresponding to the imaging target range, and instructs the imaging instruction including a correction direction for correcting the position difference. An image generation apparatus characterized by causing notification means to notify. The image generation apparatus according to claim 4,
The imaging instruction unit calculates a correction amount of an imaging target according to a difference in position between the imaging target region and the main subject region, and causes the instruction notification unit to notify an imaging instruction including the correction amount. An image generating apparatus. In the image generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The imaging instruction means detects an imaging instruction including a correction direction for detecting a size difference between the imaging target area and the main subject area on an image corresponding to the imaging target range and correcting the size difference. An image generation apparatus, characterized in that the instruction notification means is notified. The image generation apparatus according to claim 5,
The imaging instruction means calculates a correction amount of the imaging target according to a difference in size between the imaging target area and the main subject area, and causes the instruction notification means to notify the imaging instruction including the correction amount. A featured image generation apparatus. In the image generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction notifying unit notifies by outputting a sound corresponding to an imaging instruction from the imaging instruction unit. In the image generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The instruction notifying unit has a plurality of light emitting units each corresponding to a predetermined correction direction,
An image generating apparatus that causes a light emitting unit corresponding to a correction direction included in an imaging instruction from the imaging instruction unit to emit light among the plurality of light emitting units. In the image generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The instruction notification unit includes a light emitting unit capable of emitting light of a color corresponding to each of a plurality of correction directions,
The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction notifying unit changes a color emitted by the light emitting unit in accordance with an imaging instruction from the imaging instruction unit. The image generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
When the image generating apparatus is set to a self-photographing mode for capturing an image of the user as a main subject, the imaging target region determining unit, the main subject region detecting unit, and the imaging instruction unit perform processing,
The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction notifying unit notifies an instruction to correct the position of the main subject in accordance with an imaging instruction from the imaging instruction unit. The image generation apparatus according to claim 11.
The instruction notifying unit has a light emitting unit capable of emitting light,
An image generating apparatus that emits light according to an imaging instruction from the imaging instruction means. An imaging method of an image generation device that generates an image corresponding to an imaging target range to be imaged,
An imaging target area determining step for determining an imaging target area in which the main subject is to be imaged within the imaging target range;
A main subject region detection step of causing the image sensor to capture an image and detecting a main subject region in which the main subject is captured from the captured image;
An imaging instruction step of notifying an instruction notifying unit for notifying an instruction to correct an area in which the main subject is imaged so that the main subject area is aligned with the imaging target area. An image generation method for the image generation apparatus.

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