JP2007281647A - Electronic camera and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus or the like whereby unique operations can easily be executed at face detection without losing the operability or the like when no face is detected. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic camera includes: an imaging element; a face detection section; an operation section; a monitor; and a control section. The imaging element photographs an object image. The face detection section detects a face region in a photographed image on the basis of an output of the imaging element. The operation section includes a plurality of switches for accepting entries by a user. The monitor can display a menu image whereby various settings of the electronic camera are executed. The control section switches between a first state wherein the face detection section detects a face region and a second state when the face detection section detects no face region for at least one of user interfaces being the operation section and the menu image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera and an image processing apparatus having a human face detection function.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example, a camera that performs focus control (AF) by detecting a face of a subject from a shooting screen is known.
JP 2005-86682 A

  By the way, it is preferable that the user interface of the electronic camera is configured as simply as possible with the number of operation buttons, items on the menu screen, and the like in order to enable intuitive operation by the user. Therefore, an electronic camera having a face detection function is desired to have a user interface that can easily perform a specific operation at the time of face detection without impairing operability when face detection is not performed.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to easily perform unique operations during face detection without impairing operability when face detection is not performed. It is to provide electronic cameras.

  An electronic camera according to a first invention includes an image sensor, a face detection unit, an operation unit, a monitor, and a control unit. The image sensor captures a subject image. The face detection unit detects a face area in the shooting screen based on the output of the image sensor. The operation unit includes a plurality of switches that accept user input. The monitor can display a menu screen for performing various settings of the electronic camera. The control unit includes a first state when the face detection unit detects a face area and a second state when the face detection unit does not detect the face area for at least one user interface of the operation unit and the menu screen. Switch.

  An electronic camera according to a second invention includes an image sensor, a face detection unit, an operation unit, a monitor, and a control unit. The image sensor captures a subject image. The face detection unit detects a face area in the shooting screen based on the output of the image sensor. The operation unit includes a plurality of switches that accept user input. The monitor can display a menu screen for performing various settings of the electronic camera. The control unit switches between a first state corresponding to the face detection photographing mode for executing the face detection process and a second state corresponding to another photographing mode for at least one user interface of the operation unit and the menu screen.

According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the control unit switches an operation assigned to the first switch of the operation unit between the first state and the second state.
In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the first switch is disposed in the vicinity of the release button.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the electronic device further includes a housing having a grip portion in which the release button is disposed and in which the photographing optical system is disposed at a position other than the grip portion. And the 1st switch is arrange | positioned in the corresponding position of the holding part of a housing | casing.

In a sixth aspect based on the third aspect, the first switch is disposed on the side of the monitor near the release button.
In a seventh aspect based on the third aspect, the first switch is a button for receiving an input indicating determination of an item by an operation on the menu screen.
In an eighth aspect based on the third aspect, the monitor displays a display image obtained from the imaging device as a moving image during shooting standby. The control unit switches between the display of the first display image showing the entire photographing screen and the second display image showing the enlarged face area in response to the input of the first switch in the first state.

In a ninth aspect based on the third aspect, the apparatus further includes a focus control unit that performs focus control by designating a focus detection area corresponding to the face area. And a control part changes the face area designated as a focus detection area according to the input of the 1st switch in the 1st state.
According to a tenth aspect, in the third aspect, a face recognition data generation unit that extracts feature points of a person's face corresponding to the face area based on an output of the image sensor and generates face recognition data of the photographed person Is further provided. And a control part changes the face area | region which produces | generates face recognition data according to the input of the 1st switch in a 1st state.

In an eleventh aspect based on the third aspect, the operation unit further includes a second switch for receiving an input for adjusting the in-focus state in the face area in the first state.
In a twelfth aspect based on the first or second aspect, the control unit changes an item presented to the user on the menu screen between the first state and the second state.
In a thirteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, the control unit changes an item related to the human face recognition process between the first state and the second state.

In a fourteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, the control unit changes an item related to image processing for a person between the first state and the second state.
An image processing apparatus according to a fifteenth aspect includes a data reading unit, a face detection unit, a display control unit, and a control unit. The data reading unit reads an image file including captured image data generated by the electronic camera. The face detection unit detects a face area from the captured image. The display control unit performs display output of a menu screen for performing various settings of the image processing apparatus. The control unit switches the user interface of the menu screen between a first state when the face detection unit detects a face area and a second state when the face detection unit does not detect the face area.

  An image processing apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect includes a data reading unit, a display control unit, and a control unit. The data reading unit reads an image file. In the image file, data of a captured image generated by the electronic camera is associated with attached data indicating a face area in the captured image. The display control unit performs display output of a menu screen for performing various settings of the image processing apparatus. The control unit determines the presence or absence of a face area in the captured image based on the attached data, and switches between a first state when the face area is present and a second state when the face area is not present on the user interface of the menu screen I do.

In a seventeenth aspect based on the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, the control unit changes an item presented to the user on the menu screen between the first state and the second state.
It should be noted that what is expressed by converting the configuration relating to the fifteenth or sixteenth invention into a method, a recording medium, a computer program, or the like is also effective as a specific aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, by switching the user interface of the control unit, it is possible to easily perform a specific operation at the time of face detection without impairing operability when face detection is not performed.

Hereinafter, the electronic camera of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the electronic camera of this embodiment.
The electronic camera includes a photographing lens 11, a lens driving unit 12, a diaphragm 13, a diaphragm driving unit 14, an image sensor 15, an analog processing unit 16, an A / D conversion unit 17, and a timing generator (TG) 18. The first memory 19, the image processing unit 20, the recording I / F 21, the display I / F 22, the monitor 23, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 25, the external I / F 26, the CPU 27, 2 has a memory 28 and a system bus 29. The above components are stored in the housing 10. The first memory 19, the image processing unit 20, the recording I / F 21, the display I / F 22, the communication unit 25, the external I / F 26, and the CPU 27 are connected via a system bus 29.

  The photographing lens 11 is composed of a plurality of lens groups including a zoom lens and a focus lens for adjusting a focus position. Each lens constituting the photographing lens 11 is moved in the optical axis direction by the lens driving unit 12. Further, the lens driving unit 12 includes an encoder (not shown) that detects the position of the photographing lens 11 in the optical axis direction. The input / output of the lens driving unit 12 is connected to the CPU 27.

The diaphragm 13 adjusts the amount of incident light from the photographic lens 11. The aperture amount of the diaphragm 13 is adjusted by the diaphragm drive unit 14. The input / output of the aperture driving unit 14 is connected to the CPU 27.
The image sensor 15 photoelectrically converts the light beam that has passed through the photographing lens 11 to generate an analog image signal of the subject image. In the photographing mode for photographing a subject, the image sensor 15 captures a recording image for recording at the time of shooting, and outputs a through image by thinning out at predetermined intervals even during standby for shooting. The through image data is used for various arithmetic processes by the CPU 27 and display on the monitor 23.

  The analog processing unit 16 is an analog front end circuit that performs analog signal processing on the output of the image sensor 15. The analog processing unit 16 has a CDS circuit and a gain circuit inside. The CDS circuit of the analog processing unit 16 reduces the noise component of the output of the image sensor 15 by correlated double sampling. The gain circuit of the analog processing unit 16 amplifies the gain of the input signal based on an instruction from the CPU 27. In the gain circuit described above, the imaging sensitivity corresponding to the ISO sensitivity can be adjusted.

The A / D conversion unit 17 performs A / D conversion on the analog image signal output from the analog processing unit 16. The output of the A / D converter 17 is connected to the first memory 19.
The TG 18 supplies timing pulses to the image sensor 15, the analog processing unit 16, and the A / D conversion unit 17 based on instructions from the CPU 27. The drive timing of the image sensor 15, the analog processing unit and the A / D conversion unit 17 is controlled by the timing pulse of the TG 18.

The first memory 19 is a buffer memory for temporarily recording image data in the pre-process and post-process of image processing described later.
The image processing unit 20 performs various kinds of image processing on the digital image signal at the time of shooting in the above shooting mode to generate a shot image. The image processing unit 20 compresses the captured image data in the JPEG format. Furthermore, the image processing unit 20 generates a display image (view image) from the image signal of the through image according to an instruction from the CPU 27 in the above-described shooting mode.

On the other hand, in an edit mode in which a captured image is reproduced, the image processing unit 20 executes a process of decompressing and restoring the compressed captured image data. The image processing unit 20 can also perform image processing on captured image data in the editing mode. The specific contents of the image processing by the image processing unit 20 will be described later.
A connector for connecting the recording medium 30 is formed on the recording I / F 21. The recording I / F 21 executes writing / reading of the captured image data with respect to the recording medium 30 connected to the connector. The recording medium 30 includes a hard disk, a memory card incorporating a semiconductor memory, or the like. In FIG. 1, a memory card is illustrated as an example of the recording medium 30.

The display I / F 22 controls display on the monitor 23 based on an instruction from the CPU 27. The display I / F 22 has a video terminal for outputting an image to the outside. Therefore, in the electronic camera of the present embodiment, it is possible to display a reproduced image on an external display device (such as a television) via the video terminal of the display I / F 22.
The monitor 23 displays various images in accordance with instructions from the CPU 27 and the display I / F 22. The monitor 23 in this embodiment is a liquid crystal monitor. The monitor 23 displays a moving image of the view image during shooting standby in the shooting mode. The monitor 23 displays various information necessary for shooting (for example, the number of frames that can be shot, the position of the focus detection area, the frame display of the face area detected by the face detection process described later, etc.) by the on-screen function. ) Can be superimposed on the view image. Further, the monitor 23 can display a reproduced image based on the captured image data, a menu screen that allows input in a GUI (Graphical User Interface) format, and the like.

The operation unit 24 has a plurality of switches that accept user operations. Specifically, the operation unit 24 of the present embodiment includes a release button 40, a mode dial 41, a zoom switch 42, a menu button 43, a playback button 44, a delete button 45, a monitor button 46, and a multi-function operation. It has button 47. In addition, description of each switch of the operation part 24 is mentioned later.
The communication unit 25 controls communication with an external device in accordance with a specification defined in the wireless LAN standard IEEE 802.11. For example, when transmitting captured image data to an external device, the communication unit 25 converts the captured image data into data that can be wirelessly communicated, and transmits the converted data to the external device.

The external I / F 26 has a connection terminal of a serial communication standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus). The external I / F 26 controls data transmission / reception with a computer or the like connected via the connection terminal in accordance with the communication standard.
The CPU 27 controls the operation of each part of the electronic camera according to a sequence program stored in a ROM (not shown) and executes various calculations necessary for photographing. In addition, the CPU 27 performs management of user interfaces such as assignment of operations to each switch of the operation unit 24 and items on the menu screen. Further, the CPU 27 of this embodiment functions as an AF control unit 31, a face detection unit 32, and a face recognition unit 33.

The AF control unit 31 performs drive control of the focus lens, a known AF calculation in a contrast detection method based on through image data, and the like. The AF control unit 31 can also acquire the position of the focus lens at the time of focusing from the lens driving unit 12 and calculate the subject distance of each subject in the shooting screen.
The face detection unit 32 extracts feature points from the data of the through image or the photographed image, and detects the face area of the subject, the size of the face and the like. For example, the face detection unit 32 extracts a face region by a feature point extraction process described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-16573. Examples of the feature points include eyebrow, eye, nose, and lip end points, face contour points, head vertices, and chin lower end points. Note that the face detection unit 32 can also detect the faces of animals such as dogs, cats, and birds.

The face recognition unit 33 generates face recognition data based on the feature points detected by the face detection unit 32. For example, the face recognition unit 33 generates face recognition data of a registered person to be recognized from the position of the detected feature point of the face, the size of the face part obtained from the feature point, the relative distance of each feature point, and the like.
Further, the face recognition unit 33 performs face recognition processing for determining whether or not the face of the person in the shooting screen is the face of the person in the face recognition data. Specifically, first, the face recognition unit 33 calculates the position of the feature point of the photographed person's face, the size of each face part, the relative distance of each feature point, and the like based on the detected feature points of the face. Next, the face recognition unit 33 compares the above calculation result with the face recognition data, and obtains the similarity between the face of the person in the face recognition data and the face of the photographed person. Then, the face recognition unit 33 determines that the photographed person matches the person in the face recognition data when the similarity is above the threshold. Note that the CPU 27 executes designation of a main subject, which will be described later, based on the face recognition result of the face recognition unit 33.

  The second memory 28 is connected to the CPU 27. In the second memory 28, face recognition data generated by the face recognition unit 33 is recorded. In the second memory 28, a group folder can be generated for each registered person (registered person), and face recognition data can be grouped for each registered person by the group folder. For example, in the group folder, a plurality of face recognition data with different face orientations, shooting conditions, etc. can be recorded for the same registered person.

  Next, the external appearance of the electronic camera of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an external view of the front side of the electronic camera of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an external view of the back side of the electronic camera of this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the photographing lens 11 and the optical viewfinder 34 are arranged on the right side of the housing 10 when viewed from the front of the housing. In addition, the left side portion of the housing 10 forms a grip portion when viewed from the front of the housing. Therefore, the user's palm and fingers attached to the grip portion of the electronic camera do not interfere with the photographing lens 11.

A release button 40 and a mode dial 41 are disposed on the upper surface of the housing 10. The release button 40 receives an instruction input for starting an exposure operation from the user. The release button 40 is disposed near the left side surface that forms the grip portion when viewed from the front of the housing. The mode dial 41 receives a shooting mode switching input from the user.
As shown in FIG. 3, on the rear surface of the housing 10, a monitor 23, an eyepiece part of the optical finder 34, a zoom switch 42, a menu button 43, a playback button 44, a delete button 45, a monitor button 46 and a multi-function operation button 47 are arranged. The monitor 23 is arranged close to the left side of FIG. 3 (right side with respect to the front of the casing). In FIG. 3, the zoom switch 42, the menu button 43, the playback button 44, the delete button 45, the monitor button 46, and the multi-function operation button 47 are concentrated on the right side (grip part side) of the monitor. Is arranged. Since these switches are arranged in the vicinity of the release button 40, they can be easily operated with one hand by a hand supporting the gripping portion.

  Here, the multi-function operation button 47 has a main body portion 47a, an enter button 47b, and a dial portion 47c. The overall shape of the main body 47a is circular, and is configured to be tiltable in four directions, up, down, left, and right. The decision button 47 b is arranged at the center of the multi-function operation button 47. The dial portion 47c is formed in an annular shape as a whole, and is configured to be rotatable on the outer periphery of the decision button 47b.

Hereinafter, the photographing operation by the electronic camera of this embodiment will be described. When shooting with the electronic camera, the user designates a shooting mode (for example, a normal shooting mode, a boat rate shooting mode, etc.) to the CPU 27 with the mode dial 41.
When the user selects a shooting mode with the mode dial 41, the CPU 27 drives the image pickup device 15 to start acquiring a through image. The imaging element 15 acquires an image signal of a through image by thinning out reading at predetermined intervals. The image processing unit 20 sequentially generates view images based on through-image data. In the shooting mode, the view image is displayed as a moving image on the monitor 23 during standby for shooting. Therefore, the user can perform framing for determining the shooting composition based on the view image on the monitor 23.

Here, in a standard state in which face detection is not performed, the user can perform the following operations using the switches of the operation unit. The assignment of operations to each switch of the operation unit is managed by the CPU 27.
The zoom switch 42 receives an operation for enlarging / reducing the magnification of the image optically or electronically from the user at the time of shooting. The menu button 43 receives an operation for starting a menu screen on the monitor 23 from the user. An example of the menu screen in the standard state is shown in FIG. Both the display and input processing on the menu screen are executed by the CPU 27 based on the sequence program. On this menu screen, the user can select an item on the menu screen with the main body 47a or the dial 47c of the multi-function operation button 47, and can make an input indicating the determination of the item with the determination button 47b. On this menu screen, the face recognition function can be turned on / off.

The reproduction button 44 receives an operation for reproducing and displaying the photographed image on the monitor 23 from the user. The delete button 45 accepts an operation for erasing data of the displayed captured image from the user in a state where the captured image is reproduced and displayed on the monitor 23. The monitor button 46 receives an operation for switching between a lighting state and a light-off state of the monitor 23 from the user.
The main body 47a of the multi-function operation button 47 accepts four types of operations from the user. When the main body 47a is pressed upward, flash settings (not shown) (automatic light emission, light emission inhibition, red-eye reduction light emission, etc.) can be performed on the CPU 27. When the main body 47a is pressed rightward, exposure correction can be performed on the CPU 27. When the main body 47a is pressed downward, the macro shooting can be turned on / off for the CPU 27. When the main body 47a is pressed leftward, the CPU 27 can be set to turn on / off the self-timer. Note that, in the standard state described above, the operation at the time of shooting (display of the view image) is not assigned to the enter button 47b of the multi-function operation button 47 and the dial unit 47c.

When the user turns on the face detection function of the electronic camera on the menu screen, the CPU 27 executes AF by face detection. Hereinafter, the photographing operation of the electronic camera when the face detection function is on will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Step 101: The face detection unit 32 of the CPU 27 detects a face area in the shooting screen based on the through image.

  Step 102: The CPU 27 determines whether or not a face area has been detected in the face detection process of S101. When the face area is detected (YES side), the CPU 27 sets a flag (face detection flag) indicating face detection in the control program to ON, and proceeds to S103. On the other hand, when the face area is not detected (NO side), the CPU 27 sets the face detection flag to OFF and proceeds to S106. If the user interface setting has been changed in S104 described later, the CPU 27 returns the user interface to the standard state setting.

Step 103: The CPU 27 superimposes a rectangular frame on the position of the face area on the view image and displays it on the monitor 23.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a view image displayed on the monitor 23 when a face is detected. In the example of FIG. 6, the CPU 27 displays a rectangular frame superimposed on the position of the face area in the view image on the monitor 23. Then, the CPU 27 shows the face area corresponding to the focus detection area on the monitor 23 by means such as changing the thickness or color of the rectangular frame. Accordingly, the user can confirm the face detection result and the face area that is the focus detection target in the view image.

Step 104: The CPU 27 changes the settings of the user interface on the operation unit and the menu screen of the monitor as the face detection flag is turned on. Specifically, the CPU 27 executes the following controls (1) and (2).
(1) The CPU 27 partially changes the setting of the switch of the operation unit 24 at the time of face detection from the setting of the standard state. In the present embodiment, the CPU 27 changes the operation assigned to the multi-function operation button 47.

First, the CPU 27 assigns to the determination button 47b of the multi-function operation button 47 a view image display switching operation at the time of face detection and a change operation of the focus detection target face area at the time of face detection. For example, a description will be given with reference to FIG. 7 showing an example of a state in which a plurality of face regions are detected in the shooting screen.
When the enter button 47b is pressed during face detection, the CPU 27 enlarges and displays on the monitor 23 the part of the face area corresponding to the focus detection area in the view image. At this time, the CPU 27 may enlarge and display the entire face area, or may enlarge and display only the eyes of the face area.

When the determination button 47b is subsequently pressed, the CPU 27 displays the entire view image again on the monitor 23, and changes the face area corresponding to the focus detection area to another face area. Of course, when there is one detected face area, the CPU 27 does not change the face area corresponding to the focus detection area.
When the determination button 47b is further pressed, the CPU 27 enlarges and displays on the monitor 23 the portion of the face area corresponding to the current focus detection area in the view image. Thereafter, every time the enter button 47b is pressed, the CPU 27 repeats the above operation. Accordingly, the user can easily switch the person in the focus detection area by pressing the enter button, and can check the focused state of the face of the subject.

  Second, the CPU 27 assigns an input for adjusting the in-focus state in the face area to the dial portion 47 c of the multi-function operation button 47. For example, the CPU 27 manually moves the position of the focus lens according to the rotation of the dial portion 47c. As a result, the user can more reliably focus on the desired face while confirming the enlarged display of the face area.

Third, the CPU 27 changes the operation content of the downward input of the main body 47a at the time of face detection. Specifically, when the main body 47a is input downward during face detection, the CPU 27 generates face recognition data for the detected face area. Thereby, the user can easily register the face recognition data in the second memory 28.
Note that the CPU 27 always sets the macro shooting function to OFF when the face detection function is ON. This is because when a face is photographed by macro photography, a part of the face is photographed and the face cannot be detected from a part of the face. Therefore, there is no particular problem even if the content of the downward input of the main body 47a is switched.

  (2) The CPU 27 changes the item on the menu screen displayed by pressing the menu button 43 from the standard state setting. For example, the CPU 27 adds a person face recognition process item and a person image processing item to the menu screen. Alternatively, the CPU 27 changes the display order of the items on the menu screen at the time of face detection, and the CPU 27 preferentially displays a person's face recognition processing item and a person's image processing item.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen at the time of face detection. The menu screen of FIG. 8 is different from the standard state shown in FIG. 4 in that the face registration / deletion item, the red-eye correction processing item, and the skin beautification processing item are displayed above the standard state item. Has been.
Here, when an item for face registration / deletion is selected, activation of a face registration shooting mode suitable for generation of face recognition data, various settings at the time of face registration, and editing of face recognition data recorded in the second memory 28 The CPU 27 can be instructed to delete. In the face registration / deletion item, the group folder in the second memory 28 can be linked in advance with a predetermined category (for example, family, circle, etc.). When the user designates a category in the face registration / deletion item, the user can perform batch designation of persons in the linked group folder to the CPU 23.

When the item of red-eye correction processing is selected, the CPU 27 executes red-eye correction processing by image processing on the captured image data. When an item for skin beautification correction is selected, the CPU 27 executes correction processing such as processing for reducing the degree of edge enhancement, color correction, and saturation adjustment on the captured image data.
Step 105: The AF control unit 31 of the CPU 27 executes AF control with reference to the focus detection area corresponding to the position of the face area detected in S101.

When a plurality of human faces are detected in the shooting screen, the AF control unit 31 selects a face area that is considered to be the closest to the closest area or a face area located at the center of the shooting screen as a focus detection area. Select
Step 106: The CPU 27 determines whether or not the release button 40 is half-pressed. If the release button 40 is half-pressed (YES side), the process proceeds to S107. On the other hand, when the release button 40 is not half-pressed (NO side), the CPU 27 returns to S101 and repeats the above operation.

Step 107: The CPU 27 determines whether or not the face detection flag is set to ON in S102. When the face detection flag is on (YES side), the process proceeds to S108. On the other hand, when the face detection flag is OFF (NO side), the process proceeds to S109.
Step 108: The CPU 27 performs AF lock and executes automatic exposure (AE) calculation or the like to adjust shooting conditions (aperture value, exposure time, imaging sensitivity). Thereafter, the CPU 27 proceeds to S110.

Step 109: The CPU 27 adjusts the shooting conditions by executing AF with the same algorithm as in normal shooting and executing AE calculation or the like.
Step 110: The CPU 27 shoots the subject in response to the release button 40 being fully pressed. The image processing unit 20 generates captured image data based on the output of the image sensor 15. The captured image data is finally recorded on the recording medium 30. When face detection is performed, the CPU 27 may record the captured image data in association with attached data indicating the detected face position and face size.

In addition, the electronic camera of the present embodiment changes the user interface related to the items on the menu screen based on the result of face detection even during playback. Hereinafter, an example of a reproduction operation by the electronic camera of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Step 201: When the user sets the playback mode with the mode dial 41 or when the user presses the playback button 44, the CPU 27 plays back and displays the captured image recorded on the recording medium 30 on the monitor.

Step 202: The CPU 27 determines whether or not a face detection instruction is received from the user by a predetermined operation such as a long press of the decision button 47b. When a face detection instruction is received (YES side), the process proceeds to S203. On the other hand, when there is no instruction for face detection (NO side), the process proceeds to S206.
Step 203: The CPU 27 detects a face area included in the captured image being reproduced. For example, the CPU 27 performs face detection by performing face detection processing on the captured image data. Further, when the attached data indicating the face area detected at the time of shooting is associated with the data of the shot image, the CPU 27 may perform face detection based on the attached data.

Step 204: The CPU 27 determines whether or not a face area is detected in S203. If a face area is detected (YES side), the process proceeds to S205. On the other hand, if no face area is detected, the process proceeds to S206. In this case, the menu screen user interface is not changed.
Step 205: The CPU 27 changes the setting of the menu screen displayed by pressing the menu button 43 along with the face detection in S203. Specifically, the CPU 27 adds a human face recognition processing item and an image processing item for the person to the menu screen, as in (2) of S104 above. Alternatively, the CPU 27 changes the display order of the items on the menu screen at the time of face detection, and preferentially displays a person face recognition processing item or a person image processing item. Note that the menu screen displayed on the monitor 23 in S205 is substantially the same as that in FIG. 8 except that the item in the standard state is an item corresponding to the playback mode, and is not shown.

Step 206: The CPU 27 determines whether or not there is an input to end the reproduction display. When the above input is present (YES side), the CPU 27 ends the reproduction display of the photographed image. On the other hand, if there is no input (NO side), the CPU 27 returns to S202 and repeats the above operation.
(Supplementary items of the embodiment)
(1) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the CPU changes the user interface to the standard state at the time of face detection has been described. However, in the present invention, the user interface may be changed regardless of the face detection state when the face detection function is turned on.

(2) In the above embodiment, an example in which an image is reproduced by an electronic camera has been described. However, in the present invention, image processing for executing processing similar to the editing mode of the electronic camera of the above-described embodiment on a playback-only device (viewer) having a function of playing back an image file or a general-purpose computer that executes an image playback program. An apparatus may be configured.
(3) The change of the user interface described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and buttons and menu items for changing functions may be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the electronic camera, usage conditions, and the like.

The block diagram which shows the internal structure of the electronic camera of this embodiment Front side external view of electronic camera of this embodiment Rear view of the electronic camera of the present embodiment Diagram showing an example of the menu screen in the standard state Flow chart showing the shooting operation of the electronic camera when the face detection function is on The figure which shows an example of the view image displayed on a monitor at the time of face detection The figure which shows the operation example of the electronic camera of the state in which the several face area | region is detected The figure which shows an example of the menu screen at the time of face detection Flow chart showing an example of a reproduction operation by the electronic camera of the present embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Case, 11 ... Shooting lens, 15 ... Image sensor, 22 ... Display I / F, 23 ... Monitor, 24 ... Operation part, 27 ... CPU, 28 ... 2nd memory, 31 ... AF control part, 32 ... Face Detection unit, 33 ... Face recognition unit, 40 ... Release button, 41 ... Mode dial, 43 ... Menu button, 44 ... Playback button, 47 ... Multi-function operation button, 47a ... Main unit, 47b ... Decision button, 47c ... Dial part

Claims (17)

An image sensor for capturing a subject image;
A face detection unit for detecting a face area in a shooting screen based on an output of the image sensor;
An operation unit having a plurality of switches for receiving user input;
A monitor capable of displaying a menu screen for various settings of the electronic camera;
A first state when the face detection unit detects the face region and a second state when the face detection unit does not detect the face region for at least one user interface of the operation unit and the menu screen A control unit for switching between and
An electronic camera comprising: An image sensor for capturing a subject image;
A face detection unit for detecting a face area in a shooting screen based on an output of the image sensor;
An operation unit having a plurality of switches for receiving user input;
A monitor capable of displaying a menu screen for various settings of the electronic camera;
A control unit that switches between a first state corresponding to a face detection photographing mode for executing face detection processing and a second state corresponding to another photographing mode for at least one user interface of the operation unit and the menu screen; ,
An electronic camera comprising: The electronic camera according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit is configured to switch an operation assigned to a first switch of the operation unit between the first state and the second state. The electronic camera according to claim 3.
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first switch is disposed in the vicinity of the release button. The electronic camera according to claim 3.
A holding unit in which a release button is arranged, and a housing in which a photographing optical system is arranged at a position other than the holding unit;
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first switch is disposed at a position corresponding to the grip portion of the housing. The electronic camera according to claim 3.
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first switch is disposed on a side of the monitor near the release button. The electronic camera according to claim 3.
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first switch is a button that receives an input indicating determination of an item by an operation on the menu screen. The electronic camera according to claim 3.
The monitor displays a display image obtained from the imaging element as a moving image during shooting standby,
In response to an input of the first switch in the first state, the control unit is configured to display the first display image showing the entire photographing screen and the second display image showing the face area in an enlarged manner. An electronic camera characterized by switching the display. The electronic camera according to claim 3.
A focus control unit that performs focus control by designating a focus detection area corresponding to the face region;
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the face area designated as the focus detection area in accordance with an input of the first switch in the first state. The electronic camera according to claim 3.
Further comprising a face recognition data generating unit for extracting feature points of a person's face corresponding to the face region based on an output of the image sensor and generating face recognition data of the photographed person;
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the face area in which the face recognition data is generated in accordance with an input of the first switch in the first state. The electronic camera according to claim 3.
The electronic camera further includes a second switch that receives an input for adjusting a focus state in the face area in the first state. The electronic camera according to claim 1 or 2,
The said control part changes the item shown to a user on the said menu screen by the said 1st state and the said 2nd state, The electronic camera characterized by the above-mentioned. The electronic camera according to claim 12,
The control unit changes an item related to human face recognition processing between the first state and the second state. The electronic camera according to claim 12,
The control unit changes an item related to image processing for a person between the first state and the second state. A data reading unit for reading an image file including data of a captured image generated by an electronic camera;
A face detection unit for detecting a face area from the captured image;
A display control unit for performing display output of a menu screen for performing various settings of the image processing apparatus;
For the user interface of the menu screen, a control unit that switches between a first state when the face detection unit detects the face region and a second state when the face detection unit does not detect the face region When,
An image processing apparatus comprising: A data reading unit that reads an image file in which data of a captured image generated by an electronic camera is associated with attached data indicating a face area in the captured image;
A display control unit for performing display output of a menu screen for performing various settings of the image processing apparatus;
The presence / absence of the face area in the captured image is determined based on the attached data, and for the user interface of the menu screen, a first state when the face area is present and a second state when the face area is absent A control unit for switching between
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 15 or 16,
The control unit changes an item presented to a user on the menu screen between the first state and the second state.

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