JP2008113109A - Zoom apparatus, and zoom control method and zoom control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously vary combined zoom power consisting of optical zoom power and digital zoom power even at the point of time of switching of optical zoom power when the combined zoom power is varied. <P>SOLUTION: When change in zoom power to predetermined power is instructed, for example, by pressing a zoom button for a short time, the electronic zoom power is varied in steps with a variation width smaller than the variation width of the optical zoom power while the optical zoom power is fixed. Here, if the electronic power already reaches the limit of a variation range in a direction to the predetermined power, the optical zoom power is varied to the predetermined power and the electronic zoom power is simultaneously and gradually varied by a plurality of steps in the opposite direction from the predetermined power. When the optical zoom power is switched, the combined zoom power continuously varies. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a zoom device, a zoom control method, and a zoom control program suitable for use in an imaging device such as a digital camera.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many digital cameras have an optical zoom function and a digital zoom function, and a high-power zoom is possible by combining an optical zoom magnification and a digital zoom magnification. As is well known, the digital zoom function is a function based on an image processing technique such as extracting and enlarging an image area having an area size corresponding to a required zoom magnification from a captured image.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1 below, when a mixed zoom magnification composed of an optical zoom magnification and a digital zoom magnification is controlled to a target zoom magnification corresponding to a zoom operation, the zoom is performed in a wide magnification range with a high resolution. A technique for controlling the optical zoom magnification and the digital zoom magnification as follows is described.

That is, when the maximum zoom magnification of the optical zoom is about 3.2 times and the maximum zoom magnification of the electronic zoom is 4 times, the zoom is increased when the mixed zoom magnification is the lowest magnification (in the wide end state). According to the operation, the optical zoom magnification is gradually increased while the electronic zoom is fixed to 1 ×, and when it reaches 2 ×, the optical zoom magnification is rapidly returned to 1 × and the electronic zoom magnification is gradually increased. Move twice. Also, if the zoom-up operation is continued at that time, the optical zoom magnification is gradually increased while the electronic zoom magnification is fixed to 2 times, and the optical zoom magnification is rapidly increased again after reaching 2 times again. While returning to 1x, the electronic zoom is shifted to 4x. Furthermore, if the zoom-up operation is continued at that time, the optical zoom magnification is gradually increased again while the electronic zoom is fixed at 4 times.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-314868 (page 12, FIG. 19, FIG. 20)

  However, in the above zoom control, while the zoom-up operation is continuously performed, at the changing point where the optical zoom magnification that has once doubled rapidly returns to 1 ×, that is, at the point where the optical zoom magnification is switched, Since it takes a certain time to complete the driving of the optical system, the mixed zoom magnification temporarily decreases. Therefore, there is a problem that the mixed zoom magnification cannot be continuously changed over the entire range from the lowest controllable magnification to the maximum magnification.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and when changing the mixed zoom magnification composed of the optical zoom magnification and the digital zoom magnification, the mixed zoom magnification is continuously changed even at the time of switching the optical zoom magnification. An object of the present invention is to provide a zoom device, a zoom control method, and a zoom control program used for realizing them.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the invention of claim 1, an optical zoom control means for controlling the optical zoom magnification by the optical zoom function to a predetermined zoom magnification at the first magnification interval, and the electronic zoom magnification by the electronic zoom function An electronic zoom setting means for controlling a zoom ratio to a predetermined zoom magnification at a predetermined magnification interval narrower than the first magnification interval, and an instruction to change a mixed zoom magnification obtained by a combination of the optical zoom magnification and the electronic zoom magnification And a mixed zoom control for controlling the mixed zoom magnification at a second magnification interval narrower than the first magnification interval in response to a mixed zoom magnification change instruction by the mixed zoom magnification change instruction device. And the mixed zoom control means receives a mixed zoom magnification change instruction by the mixed zoom magnification change instruction means. The optical zoom magnification is increased when the electronic zoom magnification is increased at a predetermined magnification interval when the electronic zoom magnification is increased at a predetermined point. And a first zoom changing means for gradually changing the mixed zoom magnification at the second magnification interval by gradually decreasing the electronic zoom magnification.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the mixed zoom control means is configured such that the mixed zoom magnification change instruction by the mixed zoom magnification change instruction means is an instruction to change the mixed zoom magnification increase direction, and the electronic zoom. Including second zoom changing means for increasing only the electronic zoom magnification when the electronic zoom magnification when the magnification is increased at the predetermined magnification interval is performed at a second point that does not exceed the predetermined magnification. It was.

  The invention according to claim 3 further comprises operation mode detection means for detecting an operation mode of the operation means when a zoom magnification change instruction is given by the operation means, wherein the mixed zoom control means includes the Third zoom change means for increasing only the optical zoom magnification when the operation form detected by the operation detection means is the first operation form when the operation is performed at a third point that is 1x electronic zoom. Included.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an operation form detection means for detecting an operation form of the operation means when an instruction to change the zoom magnification is provided by the operation means, and the second zoom change means comprises When the mixed zoom magnification change instruction by the mixed zoom magnification change instructing means is an instruction to change the direction of increasing the mixed zoom magnification, and is performed at the second point, the operation form detected by the operation detecting means Is the second operation mode different from the first operation mode, only the electronic zoom magnification is increased.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first zoom changing unit is configured to change the increasing direction of the mixed zoom magnification by the mixed zoom magnification changing instruction unit at the first point. By reducing the electronic zoom magnification, the mixed zoom magnification was gradually changed at the second magnification interval.

  In the invention of claim 6, the optical zoom by the first zoom changing means in response to an instruction to change the direction of increasing the mixed zoom magnification by the mixed zoom magnification changing instruction means at the first point. During the control of the optical zoom magnification to a predetermined zoom magnification by the optical zoom control means as the magnification increases, the electronic zoom magnification is automatically gradually decreased to maintain the mixed zoom magnification constant. The zoom change means is provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the mixed zoom control means controls a change width at the time of changing the electronic zoom magnification accompanying the control of the mixed zoom magnification based on the optical zoom magnification. Included.

  According to the invention of claim 8, the mixed zoom magnification obtained by the combination of the optical zoom magnification by the optical zoom function and the electronic zoom magnification by the electronic zoom function is set in a control unit of the optical zoom magnification according to the change instruction. A zoom control method for controlling at a second magnification interval that is narrower than a certain first magnification interval, wherein the change instruction is a change instruction for increasing the mixed zoom magnification and the electronic zoom magnification is set to the predetermined magnification interval. When the zoom is performed at the first point where the electronic zoom magnification is greater than or equal to the predetermined magnification, the optical zoom magnification is increased and the electronic zoom magnification is narrower than the first magnification interval. The method includes a step of gradually changing the mixed zoom magnification at the second magnification interval.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, the computer controls the optical zoom control means for controlling the optical zoom magnification by the optical zoom function to a predetermined zoom magnification at the first magnification interval, and the electronic zoom magnification by the electronic zoom function. An electronic zoom setting means for controlling to a predetermined zoom magnification at a predetermined magnification interval narrower than the first magnification interval, and an instruction to change a mixed zoom magnification obtained by a combination of the optical zoom magnification and the electronic zoom magnification A mixed zoom magnification change instruction means, and means for controlling the mixed zoom magnification at a second magnification interval narrower than the first magnification interval in response to a mixed zoom magnification change instruction by the mixed zoom magnification change instruction means. The mixed zoom magnification change instruction by the mixed zoom magnification change instructing means is an instruction for changing the mixed zoom magnification in the increasing direction. When the zoom magnification is increased at the predetermined magnification interval and the electronic zoom magnification is performed at the first point that is equal to or higher than the predetermined magnification, the optical zoom magnification is increased and the electronic zoom magnification is gradually decreased. By doing so, a zoom control program for functioning as a mixed zoom control means including a first zoom changing means for gradually changing the mixed zoom magnification at the second magnification interval is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the mixed zoom magnification composed of the optical zoom magnification and the digital zoom magnification is changed, the mixed zoom magnification can be continuously changed even when the optical zoom magnification is switched.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera provided with a zoom device of the present invention, which is common to each embodiment. This digital camera has an optical zoom function and a digital zoom function, and has the following configuration.

  That is, the digital camera includes a camera body 1 and a recording medium 15 that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 1. The camera body 1 includes an optical system 2 including a zoom lens and a focus lens, and a CCD 3 that is an imaging unit. Has been. The CCD 3 is driven based on the horizontal and vertical drive signals generated by the timing generator 7 under the control of the CPU 13, and photoelectrically converts the light image of the subject and outputs it as an imaging signal.

  The output signal of the CCD 3 is correlated double-sampled by the CDS circuit 4 and then converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 5. The A / D converted image signal is input to a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 6 and subjected to processing such as pedestal clamping, and then the luminance (Y) signal and color difference are obtained by YUV conversion in the luminance / color difference matrix circuit in the block. Converted to a (UV) signal.

  The YUV data output from the DSP 6 is sequentially stored in the built-in memory 14 (for example, SDRAM) for each frame via the data bus 21, and then the YUV data for one frame is read by the CPU 13. At this time, when the digital zoom function is used, a clipping process for reading out only YUV data corresponding to a predetermined clipping region from YUV data of all image regions is performed as necessary.

  The YUV data read from the built-in memory 14 is enlarged or reduced, that is, scaled to a predetermined image size in the resolution conversion circuit 8 as necessary, and then converted into a video signal by the display controller 11 to be displayed on an LCD (liquid crystal display). Device) 12 and displayed as a through image. The resolution conversion circuit 8 enlarges or reduces the image data based on a predetermined scaling algorithm such as a geometric interpolation method such as a zero-order interpolation method, a primary interpolation method, a cubic interpolation method, or a projection method. .

  The YUV data for one frame read from the built-in memory 14 is encoded after being compressed by the data compression / decompression block 9 using the JPEG method or the like at the time of still image shooting, Then, it is recorded as still image data (still image file) on the recording medium 15 via the media controller 10. Further, at the time of moving image shooting, the data is sequentially sent to the data compression / decompression block 9 and is compressed after data compression by a codec of a predetermined moving image recording method (for example, Motion-JPEG or MPEG), and finally, via the media controller 10. It is recorded on the recording medium 15 (image recording means) as a moving image file.

  On the other hand, in the playback mode, the data compression / decompression block 9 decompresses still image and moving image data read from the recording medium 15 and expands them in the image data work area of the built-in memory 14 as still image data and moving image frame data. To do.

  The key input block 16 includes a power key and a plurality of operation keys such as a mode switching key, a MENU key, a shutter key, and a zoom button, and outputs a key input signal corresponding to the key operation by the user to the CPU 13. The mode switching key is a switch used for switching each operation mode of the still image shooting mode, the moving image shooting mode, and the playback mode. The zoom button is a switch used for a zoom magnification change instruction, that is, a zoom up instruction and a zoom down instruction, and is a mixed zoom magnification change instruction means of the present invention.

  The focus lens and zoom lens in the optical system 2 are driven by a drive signal generated by the lens driver 17 in accordance with a command from the CPU 13. That is, the focus lens is driven by AF control by the CPU 13, and the zoom lens is driven by zoom control described later based on the operation of the zoom button by the user.

  The program memory 18 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, and the program memory 18 stores programs and various data necessary for the CPU 13 to control each block described above. Particularly in the present embodiment, the CPU 13 controls the optical zoom control means, electronic zoom setting means, operation mode detection means, mixed zoom control means (first zoom change means, second zoom change means, and third zoom change) according to the present invention. And a magnification setting table 100 (see FIG. 2) used by the CPU 13 for zoom control to be described later.

  Here, in this embodiment, the optical zoom magnification and the digital zoom magnification can be controlled in a plurality of stages at predetermined magnification intervals that are determined in advance, and the magnification setting table 100 can be controlled according to the operation of the zoom button. A specific combination of optical zoom magnification and digital zoom magnification to obtain a changing target zoom magnification is shown.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of the magnification setting table 100. In this embodiment, the optical zoom magnification can be controlled in units of 0.5, and the control range of the digital zoom magnification can be controlled with a control width narrower than the magnification interval (0.5 times) of the optical zoom magnification. It has become. More specifically, the magnification interval of the digital zoom magnification becomes narrower as the optical zoom magnification becomes higher so that the interval of the mixed zoom magnification becomes constant.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the magnification interval of the digital zoom magnification is controlled at the same magnification interval from 1 to 1.20 times, for example, while it is at the same magnification regardless of the difference in the optical zoom magnification. May be. FIG. 5 is an example of another magnification setting table 101 used in that case.

  Next, a zoom operation in the digital camera having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of zoom processing performed by the CPU 13 when the still image shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode is set.

  The CPU 13 starts processing together with setting of the still image shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode, and whether or not the zoom button is pressed every time the zoom button is pressed, that is, every time a predetermined timing point arrives (YES in step SA1). Confirm.

  If the zoom button is not pressed (YES in step SA1, NO in step SA2), the process directly returns to step SA1, and if the zoom button is pressed (YES in step SA2), the zoom button is pressed. It is further determined whether or not the operation mode is a long press (first operation mode), that is, whether or not the operation mode is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more (step SA3).

  When the operation mode of the zoom button is not a long press, that is, when the press time is a short press (second operation mode) that is less than the predetermined time (NO in step SA3), the current zoom point (mixed zoom) is continued. Whether or not the magnification is a mixed zoom point among the operating points that differ depending on the combination of the optical zoom magnification and the mixed zoom magnification and the zoom instruction content (zoom-up instruction or zoom-down instruction), as will be described later. It discriminate | determines (step SA6). Here, the point of the mixed zoom is a zoom point at which both the optical zoom magnification and the digital zoom magnification should be changed at the same time, and the digital zoom magnification is the maximum magnification (1.20 times) or the minimum magnification (1.0 times). This is the mixed zoom magnification when.

  That is, FIG. 4 (a) shows the control contents when the zoom-in instruction by the long press of the zoom button is continuously performed by the user, and FIG. 4 (b) shows the zoom by the short press of the zoom button by the user. It is the figure which each showed the control content when an up instruction | indication is performed continuously. In the figure, P1 to P11 are zoom points that can be controlled in accordance with the operation of the zoom button, and P5 and P10 are the above-mentioned mixed zoom points. Conversely, when a short press of the zoom button is a zoom-down instruction, the zoom points of P1, P6, and P11 in the figure are mixed zoom points.

  If the zoom point when the zoom button is pressed for a short time is not the mixed zoom point described above (NO in step SA6), only the digital zoom magnification is increased or decreased by one step (step SA7), and the process returns to step SA1. That is, when the zoom button is short-pressed to instruct the zoom-up, the point is that the mixed zoom magnification when the digital zoom magnification is increased by one step does not become an integral multiple of the control width (magnification interval) of the optical zoom magnification ( In the case of the second point), as shown in FIG. 4B, only the digital zoom magnification (D) is increased by one step.

  If the current zoom point is the above-described mixed zoom point (YES in step SA6), the optical zoom magnification is increased or decreased by one step, and at the same time, the digital zoom magnification is gradually increased or decreased by four steps in the opposite magnification direction ( Step SA8), the process returns to step SA1. In other words, the point when zoom-in is instructed by short-pressing the zoom button is the point at which the mixed zoom magnification when the digital zoom magnification is increased by one step is an integral multiple of the control width (magnification interval) of the optical zoom magnification. In the case of (first point), as shown in FIG. 4B, the optical zoom magnification (K) is increased by one step, and at the same time, the digital zoom magnification (D) is gradually decreased by four steps in the opposite magnification direction. .

  As a result, the user can continuously change the zoom magnification in the entire range from the lowest magnification to the maximum magnification by pressing the zoom button for a short time. It is possible to finely adjust any magnification position within the range.

  On the other hand, if the above-mentioned step SA3 is YES and the zoom button is pressed for a long time, it is determined whether or not the zoom point is an optical zoom point (step SA4). The point of the optical zoom is a mixed zoom magnification for which the optical zoom magnification should be changed. When the zoom button is pressed for a zoom-up instruction, the P1 shown in FIG. The zoom points are P6 and P11.

  If the zoom point when the zoom button is pressed long is the optical zoom point described above (YES in step SA4), the optical zoom magnification is increased or decreased by one step (step SA5), and then the process returns to step SA1. That is, when the zoom-in instruction is issued by long-pressing the zoom button, the point where the mixed zoom magnification is an integral multiple of the first magnification interval (third point) is shown in FIG. As shown in (a), the optical zoom magnification (K) is increased by one step.

  As a result, the user can continuously change the zoom magnification (mixed zoom magnification) at large magnification intervals of the optical zoom magnification by repeating the long press operation of the zoom button, that is, by continuously pressing the zoom button. it can.

  If the zoom point when the zoom button is pressed and held is not the optical zoom point described above (NO in step SA4), the process proceeds to step SA6 described above. If it is not the mixed zoom point (NO in step SA6), only the digital zoom magnification is increased or decreased by one step (step SA7), and if it is a mixed zoom point (YES in step SA6), the optical zoom magnification is set to 1. At the same time as increasing or decreasing the level, the digital zoom magnification is increased or decreased by four levels in the reverse magnification direction (step SA8), and then the process returns to step SA1.

  That is, when the zoom point when zoom-in is instructed by long-pressing the zoom button is, for example, P2 to P5 shown in FIG. 4, the digital zoom magnification is the same as when zoom-in is instructed by short-pressing the zoom button. Alternatively, the process of increasing / decreasing both the digital zoom magnification and the optical zoom magnification is repeated, and the zoom point is changed until it becomes the optical zoom point (P6). Thereafter, the optical zoom magnification is increased or decreased by one level (step SA5).

  As described above, in the digital camera of the present embodiment, when the zoom button is pressed shortly, the zoom magnification can be continuously changed over the entire range from the minimum magnification to the maximum magnification. (Magnification) can be finely adjusted to any magnification position within the entire range. As a result, the quality of the zoom function can be improved.

  In addition, for example, when it is desired to change the angle of view when determining the composition during shooting, the angle of view can be changed smoothly by pressing and holding the zoom button, and an angle of view close to the desired angle of view can be obtained immediately. it can. Therefore, the workability when the user adjusts the zoom magnification and the quality of the zoom function can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the zoom point (mixed zoom magnification) at the time when the zoom button is pressed and held is not the optical zoom point, the digital zoom magnification is increased or decreased to move the zoom point to the optical zoom point. The zoom magnification change immediately after the zoom button is pressed for a long time can always be made smooth. Therefore, even when the zoom button is pressed and held for a long time, the user does not feel uncomfortable, and this can also improve the quality of the zoom function.

  In this embodiment, the optical zoom magnification can be controlled in units of 0.5. However, the optical zoom magnification control interval is controlled to 1 ×, 2 ×,. It may be possible.

  In this embodiment, the operation mode of the zoom button is determined, and when the zoom button is pressed and held down, the zoom magnification (mixed zoom magnification) can be continuously changed at large magnification intervals of the optical zoom magnification. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the zoom button is operated regardless of the operation mode, and when the zoom button described above is continuously pressed at a predetermined processing interval during the operation, A configuration in which only the zoom magnification control shown in FIG.

  Further, in this embodiment, the operation mode is described as being divided into the long press and the short press of the zoom button. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a separate zoom button may be provided for each operation mode. A switching button may be provided.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, based on the magnification control table 200 shown in FIG. 6 and the magnification control table 200 shown in FIG. 6 in the program memory 18 described above, the CPU 13 controls the optical zoom control means, electronic zoom setting means, and mixed zoom control means of the present invention ( A zoom control program for functioning as first zoom change means and fourth zoom change means is recorded.

  The magnification control table 200 includes different types of operation points (U1, U2, U3, D1, D1) depending on the combination of the optical zoom magnification and the mixed zoom magnification relating to the zoom operation and the zoom instruction content (zoom-up instruction or zoom-down instruction). D2, D3) and the control contents of the target mixed zoom magnification, the target optical zoom magnification, and the target digital zoom magnification according to the combination of the zoom button operation state (UP: zoom up, DOWN: zoom down, none) It is configured. The target mixed zoom magnification is a zoom magnification to be secured in accordance with a zoom button operation by the user.

  7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the contents of zoom processing executed by the CPU 13 every time a predetermined processing point arrives when the still image shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode is set in the digital camera. . Here, the predetermined processing point is a point that arrives at a predetermined time interval shorter than the driving time of the optical system 2 necessary for changing the optical zoom magnification by one step.

  Here, it is described that the processing point arrives at every predetermined time interval. However, this need not be the case. In order to improve the accuracy of the zoom processing, the zoom state is confirmed after confirming the zoom state. It is preferable to design so that it is determined that the processing point has been reached when the camera reaches a predetermined state, that is, the arrival of the processing point is determined by giving priority to the zoom state over time.

  Further, the predetermined time interval may be configured to change depending on the zoom state.

  9 to 14 are diagrams respectively showing changes in the optical zoom magnification, the digital zoom magnification, and the mixed zoom magnification at each processing point during the zoom processing. More specifically, FIG. 9 shows that the zoom magnification is changed from the minimum magnification (1.0 times) to the maximum magnification (1.0 times) by the user continuing to press the zoom up button (zoom up instruction operation using the zoom button). This is a change in the mixed zoom magnification when continuously changing up to 4.0 times.

  FIG. 10 shows each stage of the mixed zoom magnification, the set values of the optical zoom magnification, the digital zoom magnification, and the mixed zoom magnification in that case, and the zoom points that serve as the scale of the horizontal axis in FIG. FIG. Note that the “digital zoom magnification difference” in FIG. 10 is the difference between the digital zoom magnification of the previous zoom point in the digital zoom magnification of the zoom point of each step.

  Further, FIG. 11 shows that the zoom magnification is continuously increased from the maximum magnification (4.0 times) to about 1.8 times by continuously pressing the zoom down button (zoom up instruction operation by the zoom button) by the user. FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10 in that case. FIG. 13 shows a change in the mixed zoom magnification when the user presses the zoom-up button and the zoom-down button, and FIG. 14 corresponds to FIG. 10 in that case.

  Hereinafter, the zoom processing of the present embodiment by the CPU 13 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, every time a predetermined processing point arrives, the CPU 13 first confirms whether or not the zoom-up button has been pressed, and when the zoom-up button is pressed (YES in step SB1), The current processing point is the point U1 at which only the digital zoom is operated, the point U2 at which the digital zoom is zoomed down at the same time as the optical zoom is zoomed up, or the optical zoom is being operated (zooming up). Then, it is sequentially confirmed whether or not the point U3 changes the magnification of the digital zoom in response to pressing of the zoom-up button (steps SB2 to SB4). The points U1, U2, and U3 are points on the rising side shown in FIGS. The point U2 is the first point of the present invention.

  If the current processing point is any of the above points U1, U2, U3 (YES in any of steps SB2 to SB4), the zoom magnification changing process described later is performed as it is (step SB11).

  Further, when the zoom-up button is not pressed (step SB1 is NO) and when the zoom-up button is pressed but the current processing point is not one of the above points U1, U2, U3 (step) SB2 to SB4 are all NO), and then it is confirmed whether or not the zoom down button has been pressed. When the zoom down button is pressed (step SB5 is YES), the current processing point is the point D1 for operating only the digital zoom or the optical zoom is zoomed down and the digital zoom is zoomed down at the same time. Whether the point is the point D2 or the point at which the optical zoom is in operation (zoom-down) and the digital zoom magnification is changed in response to pressing of the zoom-down button is checked in order (steps SB6 to SB8). . Note that the points D1, D2, and D3 are points on the ascending side shown in FIGS.

  If the current processing point is any of the above points D1, D2, D3 (YES in any of steps SB6 to SB8), the zoom magnification changing process described later is performed as it is (step SB11).

  Further, when neither the zoom-up button nor the zoom-down button is pressed (NO in step SB5), and even if any of the zoom-down buttons is pressed, the current processing point is any of the above points D1, D2, and D2. When it is not D3 (NO in step SB8), it is confirmed whether or not the optical zoom is the point U3 during zooming up (see the ascending point shown in FIGS. 12 and 14). If step SB9 is YES, the zoom magnification changing process described later is performed as it is (step SB11).

  If the optical zoom is not zooming up (step SB9 is NO), it is further confirmed whether or not the optical zoom is at a point D3 during zooming down (see the descending point shown in FIGS. 12 and 14). If the zoom is down (YES in step SB10), the zoom magnification changing process is performed as it is (step SB11).

  Further, if the optical zoom is neither zooming up nor zooming down (NO in step SB10), the process directly returns to step SB1 without doing anything.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, in the zoom magnification change process of step SB11, first, based on the magnification control table 200 (FIG. 6) described above, the target mixed delegate zoom magnification according to the contents confirmed in the above-described process is set. The target optical zoom magnification and the target digital zoom magnification are set to the following magnifications (step SB101).

  First, when it is confirmed that the zoom-up button has been pressed, the target mixed zoom magnification is first increased by 0.1 (one step), and the target optical zoom magnification and the target digital zoom magnification are determined according to the processing point at that time. Is set as follows.

  That is, if the processing point is a point U1 at which only the digital zoom is operated, the optical target zoom magnification is set to the same magnification as before, and the target digital zoom magnification is set in combination with the optical target zoom magnification to obtain a new target digital zoom magnification. Set to a zoom magnification that can be secured. If the processing point is a point U2 at which the optical zoom is zoomed up and the digital zoom is zoomed down at the same time, the target optical zoom magnification is set to +1 and the target digital zoom magnification is temporarily set to +0.33. The zoom magnification is set such that a new target digital zoom magnification can be secured by combining with the magnification. Further, if the processing point is point U3 in which the optical zoom is being operated (zoom-up is being performed) and the digital zoom magnification is changed in response to pressing of the zoom-up button, the optical target zoom magnification is the same as before. Assuming that the optical target zoom magnification is increased by 0.33, the zoom magnification capable of securing a new target digital zoom magnification is calculated and set.

  When it is confirmed that the zoom down button has been pressed, the target mixed zoom magnification is first reduced by 0.1 (one step), and the target optical zoom magnification and the target digital zoom magnification are selected according to the processing point at that time. Is set as follows.

  In other words, if the processing point is the point D1 at which only the digital zoom is operated, the optical target zoom magnification is set to the same magnification as before, and the target digital zoom magnification is combined with the optical target zoom magnification to obtain a new target digital zoom magnification. Set to a zoom magnification that can be secured. If the processing point is a point D2 at which the digital zoom is zoomed down at the same time as the optical zoom is zoomed down, the target optical zoom magnification is set to -1 and the target digital zoom magnification is temporarily set to -0.33. The zoom magnification is set such that a new target digital zoom magnification can be secured by a combination with the optical zoom magnification. Further, if the processing point is point D3 in which the optical zoom is in operation (zoom-down) and the digital zoom magnification is changed in response to pressing of the zoom-down button, the optical target zoom magnification is the same as before. The magnification is set, and the target digital zoom magnification is calculated and set to a zoom magnification that can secure a new target digital zoom magnification, assuming that the optical target zoom magnification is reduced by 0.33 times.

  On the other hand, when the zoom-up button and the zoom-down button are not pressed, but the processing point U3 is that the optical zoom is being zoomed up, the target mixed zoom magnification and the optical target zoom magnification are set to the same magnification as before. Assuming that the optical target zoom magnification is increased by 0.33 times, the target digital zoom magnification is calculated and set so that the target digital zoom magnification can be secured.

  In addition, when the zoom-up button and the zoom-down button are not pressed, but at the processing point D3 where the optical zoom is being zoomed down, the target mixed zoom magnification and the optical target zoom magnification are set to the same magnification as before. Assuming that the optical target zoom magnification is reduced by 0.33 times, the target digital zoom magnification is calculated and set so that the target digital zoom magnification can be secured.

  That is, neither the zoom-up button nor the zoom-down button is pressed, but while the optical zoom is zooming up or zooming down, in other words, the optical zoom magnification is increased in the zoom-up direction as the optical system 2 is driven, or When the zoom-up button is pressed or the zoom-down button is stopped while changing to the zoom-down direction, and immediately after that, the target digital zoom magnification is automatically set in the direction opposite to the optical zoom magnification. The target mixed zoom magnification is set to be maintained by changing the target.

  Then, after storing each zoom magnification set as described above as a current zoom setting value indicating the current zoom state (step SB102), an optical zoom process according to the target optical zoom magnification, and a digital zoom according to the target digital zoom magnification Processing is performed (step SB103). When changing the target optical zoom magnification, the driving of the optical system 2 is started at this point in order to ensure the target optical zoom magnification.

  Thereafter, the process returns to the process of FIG. 7, and the process described above is repeated every time a predetermined process point arrives.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 9, 11, and 13, by continuously operating the zoom button (depressing the zoom-up button or the zoom-down button), the zoom magnification (mixed zoom magnification) is obtained during that time. ) Can be changed continuously and smoothly over the entire range from the minimum magnification to the maximum magnification. As a result, the workability when the user adjusts the zoom magnification and the quality of the zoom function can be improved.

  Moreover, the presence or absence of the operation of the zoom button is confirmed at a predetermined time interval shorter than the optical zoom operation time associated with the change of the optical zoom magnification, and the optical zoom magnification and / or the digital zoom magnification are controlled as described above. Even if pressing of the zoom-up button or pressing of the zoom-down button is canceled while the optical zoom magnification is changing in the zoom-up direction or zoom-down direction as the optical system 2 is driven, the zoom at that time The magnification (mixed zoom magnification) can be maintained. Therefore, the zoom magnification (mixed zoom magnification) can be finely controlled at any magnification position within the entire range from the controllable minimum magnification to the maximum magnification.

  Further, while the zoom process described above is repeated, the magnification interval (change width) of the target digital zoom magnification is adjusted based on the optical zoom magnification at each zoom point, so that, for example, the zoom magnification (mixed zoom magnification) is increased in the zoom-up direction. Alternatively, it is possible to make the degree of change in zoom magnification (magnification rate) constant when changing continuously in the zoom-down direction. This also improves the workability when the user adjusts the zoom magnification and the quality of the zoom function.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the digital zoom value is set finely, but this value may be a temporary zoom value, and the actual digital zoom may be configured to take a rough value than the temporary zoom value. .

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the digital zoom is about to be equal to the optical zoom magnification interval, the optical zoom is increased by one step and the digital zoom is returned to one time. However, this is not necessary. The optical zoom may be operated at another point. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the zoom-up is kept pressed, the optical zoom is completed at the point where the zoom magnification of the mixed zoom becomes an integral multiple of the optical zoom magnification interval at the same time as the zoom-up of the optical zoom is completed. The zoom may be operated. Thereby, the freedom degree of design can be improved. 16 shows each stage of the mixed zoom magnification, the set values of the optical zoom magnification and the digital zoom magnification, and the mixed zoom magnification, and the zoom points that become the scale of the horizontal axis in FIG. It is a figure corresponding to FIG.

  In the above description, the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to other imaging devices other than a digital camera. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to the imaging device but also to other devices having an optical zoom function and a digital zoom function. For example, the present invention can be applied to a so-called data projector that projects an image based on image data onto an arbitrary projection target such as a screen or a whiteboard via an optical system.

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of a magnification setting table stored in a program memory in the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of zoom processing by a CPU according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the difference in the zoom processing content by the difference in the operation form of a zoom button. It is the conceptual diagram which showed the content of the other magnification setting table. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of a magnification control table stored in a program memory in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of zoom processing by a CPU in Embodiment 2. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the zoom process. It is a figure which shows the change of the optical zoom magnification | multiplying_factor, digital zoom magnification | multiplying_factor, and mixed zoom magnification | multiplying when a zoom-up button is pressed continuously. It is a figure which shows the setting value, zoom point, etc. of the same mixed zoom magnification, optical zoom magnification, and digital zoom magnification. It is a figure which shows the change of the optical zoom magnification, the digital zoom magnification, and the mixed zoom magnification when the zoom down button is continuously pressed. FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10 when the zoom down button is continuously pressed. It is a figure which shows the change of the optical zoom magnification | multiplying_factor, the digital zoom magnification | multiplying_factor, and a mixed zoom magnification | multiplying in the case where pressing-down of a zoom-up button and pressing-down of a zoom-down button was performed, respectively. FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10 when a zoom-up button is pressed and a zoom-down button is pressed. It is a figure which shows the change of the optical zoom magnification | multiplying_factor, digital zoom magnification | multiplying_factor, and mixed zoom magnification | multiplying when a zoom-up button is pressed continuously. FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10 when the zoom down button is continuously pressed.

Explanation of symbols

2 Optical system 3 CCD
6 DSP
13 CPU
14 Built-in memory 15 Recording medium 16 Key input block 17 Lens driver 18 Program memory 20 Recording medium 100 Magnification setting table 200 Magnification control table

Claims (9)

An optical zoom control means for controlling the optical zoom magnification by the optical zoom function to a predetermined zoom magnification at a first magnification interval;
Electronic zoom setting means for controlling the electronic zoom magnification by the electronic zoom function to a predetermined zoom magnification at a predetermined magnification interval narrower than the first magnification interval;
Mixed zoom magnification change instruction means for instructing a change of a mixed zoom magnification obtained by a combination of the optical zoom magnification and the electronic zoom magnification;
Mixed zoom control means for controlling the mixed zoom magnification at a second magnification interval narrower than the first magnification interval in response to a mixed zoom magnification change instruction by the mixed zoom magnification change instruction means;
In the mixed zoom control means, the mixed zoom magnification change instruction by the mixed zoom magnification change instruction means is a change instruction in the increasing direction of the mixed zoom magnification, and the electronic zoom magnification is increased at the predetermined magnification interval. When the electronic zoom magnification is performed at a first point that is equal to or greater than a predetermined magnification, the mixed zoom magnification is gradually increased at a second magnification interval by increasing the optical zoom magnification and gradually decreasing the electronic zoom magnification. The zoom apparatus characterized by including the 1st zoom change means to change to.   When the mixed zoom magnification change instruction by the mixed zoom magnification change instruction unit is an instruction to change the increase direction of the mixed zoom magnification, and the electronic zoom magnification is increased at the predetermined magnification interval 2. The zoom device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second zoom changing unit configured to increase only the electronic zoom magnification when the electronic zoom magnification is performed at a second point at which the electronic zoom magnification does not exceed the predetermined magnification. Comprising an operation form detection means for detecting an operation form of the operation means when an instruction to change the zoom magnification by the operation means is provided;
When the electronic zoom is performed at a third point at which the electronic zoom is performed at a third point, the mixed zoom control unit only has the optical zoom magnification when the operation mode detected by the operation detection unit is the first operation mode. The zoom device according to claim 1, further comprising third zoom changing means for increasing the zoom ratio. Comprising an operation form detection means for detecting an operation form of the operation means when an instruction to change the zoom magnification by the operation means is provided;
The second zoom change unit is configured to perform the operation when the mixed zoom magnification change instruction by the mixed zoom magnification change instruction unit is an instruction to change the mixed zoom magnification increase direction and is performed at the second point. 3. The zoom device according to claim 2, wherein, when the operation mode detected by the detection unit is a second operation mode different from the first operation mode, only the electronic zoom magnification is increased.   The first zoom changing means decreases the electronic zoom magnification every time the mixed zoom magnification changing instruction means instructs to change the increasing direction of the mixed zoom magnification at the first point. The zoom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens is gradually changed at a second magnification interval.   The optical by the optical zoom control means according to the increase in the optical zoom magnification by the first zoom change means in response to the change instruction of the increase direction of the mixed zoom magnification by the mixed zoom magnification change instruction means at the first point. A fourth zoom changing unit is provided for maintaining the mixed zoom magnification constant by automatically gradually decreasing the electronic zoom magnification during control of the zoom magnification to a predetermined zoom magnification. The zoom device according to claim 1 or 5.   The mixed zoom control means includes a change width control means for controlling a change width when the electronic zoom magnification is changed according to the control of the mixed zoom magnification based on the optical zoom magnification. Any zoom device. A mixed zoom magnification obtained by combining the optical zoom magnification by the optical zoom function and the electronic zoom magnification by the electronic zoom function is set to a second smaller than the first magnification interval that is a control unit of the optical zoom magnification in response to a change instruction. A zoom control method for controlling at a magnification interval,
The change instruction is an instruction to change the direction of increasing the mixed zoom magnification, and the electronic zoom magnification when the electronic zoom magnification is increased at the predetermined magnification interval is made at a first point at which the electronic zoom magnification is greater than or equal to the predetermined magnification. A step of gradually changing the mixed zoom magnification at the second magnification interval by increasing the optical zoom magnification and gradually decreasing the electronic zoom magnification at a predetermined magnification interval narrower than the first magnification interval. A zoom control method comprising: Computer
An optical zoom control means for controlling the optical zoom magnification by the optical zoom function to a predetermined zoom magnification at a first magnification interval;
Electronic zoom setting means for controlling the electronic zoom magnification by the electronic zoom function to a predetermined zoom magnification at a predetermined magnification interval narrower than the first magnification interval;
Mixed zoom magnification change instruction means for instructing a change of a mixed zoom magnification obtained by a combination of the optical zoom magnification and the electronic zoom magnification;
In response to the mixed zoom magnification change instruction by the mixed zoom magnification change instruction means, the mixed zoom magnification change instruction means controls the mixed zoom magnification at a second magnification interval that is narrower than the first magnification interval. The change instruction of the mixed zoom magnification by means of an instruction to change the direction of increasing the mixed zoom magnification, and the first point when the electronic zoom magnification when the electronic zoom magnification is increased at the predetermined magnification interval is equal to or greater than the predetermined magnification And a first zoom changing means for gradually changing the mixed zoom magnification at a second magnification interval by increasing the optical zoom magnification and gradually decreasing the electronic zoom magnification. A zoom control program for functioning as a control means.

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