JP2009098167A - Imaging device and program of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device and its program capable of easily checking focusing areas according to a plurality of diaphragm values. <P>SOLUTION: A diaphragm value is changed into the smallest value in the currently selected diaphragm values (S21); when a frame cycle comes (S22), an AF evaluation value is calculated in each area frame 31 of the photographed image data (S23); and an operation is started for correlating an area frame 31 having the AF evaluation value equal to or larger than a predetermined value to the current diaphragm value and identifying and displaying the correlation (S24). In this step, the area frames are identified and displayed in such a way that each diaphragm value can be distinguished from others. Subsequently, whether the second largest value exists or not in the selected diaphragm values is determined (S25); and if the second largest diaphragm value exists, the diaphragm value is changed to the second largest value and the operation returns back to the step S22 to wait until the next frame comes, so as to repeat the above steps. Thus, area frames 31 are identified and displayed in such a way that the area frames 31 as focusing areas of each diaphragm value can be distinguished from others as shown in Fig.5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device and a program thereof, and more particularly, to an imaging device and a program thereof that suppress subject blurring.

Conventionally, some cameras and the like manually change the depth of field. This depth of field varies depending on the aperture value (F value), the focal length, and the like. However, it is difficult to arbitrarily change the depth of field, and the subject that appears on the electronic viewfinder and optical viewfinder is small. In some cases, it is very difficult for a beginner to arbitrarily change the depth of field.
In order to solve such a problem, for example, the invention of Patent Document 1 describes that a binarized region within and outside the range of depth of field is displayed superimposed on a through image. According to this, the range of the depth of field can be easily recognized, and even a beginner can easily check the focus area and the blur area.

JP Patent Publication No. 2006-74634

  However, according to the above-mentioned patent document, only the depth of field corresponding to one aperture value is displayed, and each time the aperture value or the like is changed, one change in the depth of field range is seen by looking at the through image. It was cumbersome to check each one, and it was not possible to easily check the change in the depth of field according to the change in the aperture value.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of easily confirming an in-focus area corresponding to a plurality of aperture values and a program thereof. .

In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject
Detecting means for detecting an in-focus area in the image data obtained by the imaging means corresponding to each of a plurality of aperture values;
Display means for displaying the in-focus area detected by the detection means in association with the plurality of aperture values;
It is provided with.

In addition, for example, as described in claim 2, further comprising a selection means for selecting a plurality of the aperture values,
The detection means includes
You may make it detect the focusing area | region in the image data imaged by the said imaging means corresponding to each of the some aperture value selected by the said selection means.

For example, as described in claim 3, the display means is
The image data obtained by the imaging means may be further displayed.

For example, as described in claim 4, the display means is
The in-focus area detected by the detection unit may be identified and displayed in a distinguishable manner for each of a plurality of aperture values selected by the selection unit.

For example, as described in claim 5, the display means is
The in-focus area detected by the detection unit may be displayed with a different color for each of the plurality of aperture values selected by the selection unit.

For example, as described in claim 6, the display means is
A plurality of aperture value indicators may be displayed in association with the in-focus areas detected by the detection means.

Further, for example, as described in claim 7, the display means includes:
You may make it display the parameter | index of a some aperture value, and the focus area | region detected by the said detection means by the same color.

Further, for example, as described in claim 8, after the display by the display unit, a determination detection unit that detects determination of a predetermined aperture value from a plurality of aperture values selected by the selection unit;
A first imaging control unit configured to control the imaging to be performed by setting the aperture value detected by the determination detection unit;
First recording means for recording image data imaged by the first imaging control means;
May be further provided.

Further, for example, as described in claim 9, after the display by the display unit, a plurality of aperture values selected by the selection unit are sequentially set, and each time the imaging unit performs imaging. Second imaging control means for controlling;
Second recording means for recording a plurality of image data imaged by the second imaging control means;
May be further provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the invention described in claim 10 includes a computer provided in an imaging device including an imaging device, a diaphragm that changes an amount of light incident on the imaging device, and a display unit.
Detecting means for detecting an in-focus area in the image data obtained by the image sensor corresponding to each of a plurality of aperture values of the aperture;
Display control means for displaying the in-focus area detected by the detection means on the display unit in association with the plurality of aperture values;
It is made to function as.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily confirm a focusing area corresponding to a plurality of aperture values.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as an example in which the imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital camera.
[Embodiment]
A. Configuration of Digital Camera FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a digital camera 1 that implements the imaging apparatus of the present invention.
The digital camera 1 includes a photographing lens 2, a lens driving block 3, an aperture 4, a CCD 5, a vertical driver 6, a TG (timing generator) 7, a unit circuit 8, a DMA controller (hereinafter referred to as DMA) 9, a CPU 10, and a key input unit 11. , Memory 12, DRAM 13, DMA 14, AF evaluation value calculation unit 15, DMA 16, image generation unit 17, DMA 18, DMA 19, display unit 20, DMA 21, compression / decompression unit 22, DMA 23, flash memory 24, and bus 25.

  The photographic lens 2 includes a focus lens and a zoom lens that are composed of a plurality of lens groups (not shown). A lens driving block 3 is connected to the photographing lens 2. The lens driving block 3 moves the focus lens and the zoom lens in the optical axis direction in accordance with a focus motor and a zoom motor (not shown) for driving the focus lens and the zoom lens in the optical axis direction, and a control signal sent from the CPU 10, respectively. And a zoom motor driver (not shown).

The diaphragm 4 includes a driving circuit (not shown), and the driving circuit operates the diaphragm 4 in accordance with a control signal sent from the changing unit 101 of the CPU 10.
The diaphragm is a mechanism that controls the amount of light incident on the CCD 5. As the aperture value (F value) indicating the aperture level decreases, the aperture level decreases as the value decreases, and the aperture level increases as the value increases.
The exposure amount is determined by the aperture value and the shutter speed.

  The CCD 5 is scanned and driven by the vertical driver 6, photoelectrically converts the intensity of light of each color of the RGB value of the subject image at a constant period, and outputs it to the unit circuit 8 as an imaging signal. The operation timing of the vertical driver 6 and the unit circuit 8 is controlled by the CPU 10 via the TG 7. The CCD 5 has a Bayer color filter and also functions as an electronic shutter. The shutter speed of the electronic shutter is controlled by the CPU 10 via the driver 6 and TG7.

  A TG 7 is connected to the unit circuit 8, a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit that holds the imaged signal output from the CCD 5 by correlated double sampling, and an AGC that performs automatic gain adjustment of the imaged signal after the sampling. (Automatic Gain Control) circuit and an A / D converter that converts the analog signal after the automatic gain adjustment into a digital signal. The image pickup signal obtained by the CCD 5 passes through the unit circuit 8 and is then Bayered by the DMA 9 The data is stored in the buffer memory (DRAM 13).

The CPU 10 is a one-chip microcomputer that has functions of performing an imaging process, a recording process, and the like and controls each unit of the digital camera 1.
In particular, the CPU 10 includes a change unit 101 that changes the aperture value (aperture degree) of the aperture, a detection unit 102 that detects a focusing area of image data captured by the CCD 5, and image data captured by the CCD 5 and the detected data. The display control unit 103 displays the in-focus area on the display unit 20.

The key input unit 11 includes a plurality of operation keys such as a shutter button, a mode switching key, a cross key, a SET key, an aperture value designation key, and the like, which can be operated by a half-press operation, and an operation signal corresponding to a user's key operation. It outputs to CPU10.
The memory 12 stores a control program and necessary data necessary for the CPU 10 to control each unit of the digital camera 1, and the CPU 10 operates according to the program.

  The DRAM 13 is used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data picked up by the CCD 5 and also as a working memory for the CPU 10.

The DMA 14 reads out Bayer data or luminance / chrominance signal image data stored in the buffer memory and outputs them to the AF evaluation value calculation unit 15.
The AF evaluation value calculation unit 15 extracts a high frequency component based on the image data of the transmitted image data, and calculates the AF evaluation value by integrating the extracted high frequency component. The calculated AF evaluation value is sent to the CPU 10. The region where the AF evaluation value is higher is the region in focus.

The DMA 16 reads image data of Bayer data stored in the buffer memory and outputs it to the image generation unit 17.
The image generation unit 17 performs processing such as pixel interpolation processing, γ correction processing, and white balance processing on the image data sent from the DMA 16, and also generates a luminance color difference signal (YUV data). That is, it is a portion that performs image processing.
The DMA 18 stores the image data (YUV data) of the luminance / color difference signal subjected to image processing by the image generation unit 17 in a buffer memory.

The DMA 19 outputs image data of YUV data stored in the buffer memory to the display unit 20.
The display unit 20 includes a color LCD and its driving circuit, and displays an image of the image data output from the DMA 19 under the control of the display control unit 103 of the CPU 10.

The DMA 21 outputs the YUV data image data and compressed image data stored in the buffer memory to the compression / decompression unit 22, and buffers the image data compressed by the compression / decompression unit 22 and the decompressed image data. It is stored in memory.
The compression / decompression unit 22 is a part that performs compression / decompression of image data (for example, compression / decompression in JPEG or MPEG format).
The DMA 23 reads compressed image data stored in the buffer memory and records it in the flash memory 24, or stores the compressed image data recorded in the flash memory 24 in the buffer memory.

B. Operation of Digital Camera 1 The operation of the digital camera 1 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the still image shooting mode is set by the user's operation of the mode switching key of the key input unit 11, in step S1, the CPU 10 starts processing for capturing a subject (moving image capturing processing) with the CCD 5 at a predetermined capture frame rate. Then, the display control unit 103 of the CPU 10 starts so-called through image display in which the display unit 20 displays the image data of the luminance color difference signals sequentially generated by the image generation unit 17 and stored in the buffer memory ( Step S1).

  Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the shutter button is half-pressed by the user (step S2). This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to a half-press operation of the shutter button is sent from the key input unit 11.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the shutter button is not half-pressed, it remains in step S2 until it is half-pressed. If it is determined that the shutter button is half-pressed, the display control unit 103 of the CPU 10 The area frame is displayed so as to overlap the through image (step S3). This area frame is a frame indicating a certain area of image data that has been captured or displayed, and this certain area is a predetermined area.

FIG. 3A shows an example of a state of a plurality of region frames displayed, and FIG. 3B shows an example of a state of a plurality of region frames 31 displayed superimposed on the through image 32. It is shown.
In this way, a plurality of area frames 31 as shown in FIG. 3A are displayed so as to overlap the through image 32.
Here, a total of 80 area frames 31 of 8 × 10 are displayed here, but it is needless to say that the number is not limited to this, and the size of the area frame 31 is not limited to this. . The size of the region frame 31 may be a block unit of n pixels × m pixels, or may be a pixel unit.

Next, the changing unit 101 of the CPU 10 sets a minimum aperture value among settable aperture values (step S4). Along with the setting of the aperture value, the aperture level of the aperture is also changed. Here, the minimum aperture value is “F2.8”.
Next, the CPU 10 performs an AF process by a contrast detection method so as to match the foremost subject (step S5).

  This AF process will be described in detail. First, the CPU 10 sends a control signal to the lens driving block 3 so that one lens end within the range in which the focus lens can be driven (the subject closest to the photographer). The lens position is sequentially moved to the lens position of the sampling point by a predetermined unit of movement from the other lens end (lens position where the subject farthest from the photographer is in focus) to the other lens end. Then, image data is read from the CCD 5 at the lens position of each sampling point, and the read image data is output to the AF evaluation value calculation unit 15. Then, the AF evaluation value calculation unit 15 calculates the AF evaluation value of each area frame 31 of the image data obtained at each sampling point, and outputs the calculated AF evaluation value of each area frame 31 to the CPU 10. . Then, when the detection unit 102 of the CPU 10 first detects the peak of the AF evaluation value among the AF evaluation values of the respective area frames 31 that have been sent, the detection unit 102 moves the focus lens to the lens position that is the peak. In other words, the displayed area frame 31 is focused on the area frame 34 where the closest subject is located.

Next, the display control unit 103 of the CPU 10 performs a process of identifying and displaying a region in focus for each currently selected aperture value in association with the aperture value (step S6). That is, for each aperture value that is currently selected, the area frame of the in-focus area is identified and displayed. The operation of step S6 will be described later.
At this time, the CPU 10 places the cursor on the smallest aperture value (here, “F2.8”) among the displayed aperture values.
Here, since the selected aperture value is only the minimum aperture value “F2.8” selected in step S4, only the area frame that is in focus with the aperture value “F2.8” is identified and displayed. become.

FIG. 4A shows an example of the state of the in-focus area that is identified and displayed when only the aperture value “F2.8” is selected.
As can be seen from FIG. 4A, among the plurality of displayed area frames 31, only the area frame 34 in the most troubled subject is identified and displayed (indicated by diagonal lines), and the area frame is in focus. It turns out that it is an area.
Further, as can be seen from the upper right, it can be seen that the focus area (area frame 34) currently identified and displayed and the index (icon) 33 indicating the aperture value are displayed in association with each other. That is, the area frame 34 is displayed so that it can be understood at which aperture value the focus is achieved. Here, in the same manner as the area frame 34 of the in-focus area at the aperture value “F2.8” (displayed with diagonal lines), an index 33 drawn “F2.8” is displayed on the upper right.

  Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not an aperture value determination operation has been performed by the user (step S7). This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the SET key is sent from the key input unit 11.

If it is determined in step S7 that the aperture value determination operation has not been performed, the CPU 10 determines whether or not an aperture value change and designation operation has been performed by the user (step S8).
At this time, when the user operates the aperture value designation key, a list of aperture values that can be set is displayed, and the cursor can be set to an arbitrary aperture value by operating the cross key from the displayed list. By operating the SET key when the aperture value at which the cursor is aligned is considered OK, the aperture value at which the cursor is aligned can be designated, and an operation signal corresponding to this series of operations is sent. Then, the CPU 10 determines that an aperture value designation operation has been performed.

  If it is determined in step S8 that there is an aperture value change and designation operation, the CPU 10 additionally selects the designated aperture value, returns to step S6, and determines that there is no aperture value designation operation in step S8. The process returns to step S6 as it is.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state of the in-focus area that is identified and displayed by the operation of step S6 when the aperture value “F4.0” is newly selected.
In FIG. 4B, the area frame 34 that is in focus with the aperture value “F2.8” is identified and displayed, and the area frame 36 that is in focus with the aperture value “F4.0” is also identified and displayed. I can see that In addition, it can be seen that the area frame 34 and the area frame 36 are identified and displayed (diagonal line display and vertical line display) in a distinguishable state. This is because, if it is possible and can not be displayed in this distinguishable manner, for example, if all are displayed with diagonal lines, it is not possible to know which area frame 31 is in focus at which aperture value.

  In addition, an index indicating the aperture value and the in-focus area focused by the aperture value are displayed in association with each other so that the aperture value at which the identified focused area is in focus can be understood. Here, the index 33 drawn as “F2.8” is displayed on the upper right side of the screen in the same manner (displayed with diagonal lines) as the region frame 34, and at the same time, in the same mode (vertical line display) as the region frame 36. An index 35 drawn as “F4.0” is displayed.

  At this time, if the user can move the cursor to any of the indexes currently displayed on the upper right of the screen by operating the cross key, and the cursor is positioned and the indicator is OK. The aperture value can be determined by operating the SET key. When the SET key is operated, it is determined in step S7 that there is an aperture value determining operation. It should be noted that the aperture value may be determined by designating an in-focus area that is identified and displayed. In this case, the aperture value corresponding to the designated in-focus area is determined. The point is that the user can determine the aperture value.

  In this way, by further selecting the aperture value, it is obvious at a glance which region frame 31 is the in-focus region with the selected aperture value, and the depth of field of each selected aperture value is also determined. I understand it at a glance.

FIG. 5A shows an example of the state of the in-focus area that is identified and displayed when it is additionally selected by the user, and FIG. 5B shows the identification shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows what extracted the area frame 31 currently displayed (what excluded the imaged through image 32).
As can be seen from FIG. 5, the designated aperture values are “F2.8” (index 33), “F4.0” (index 35), “F8.0” (index 37), “F11” (index). 39), “F16” (index 41), and the area frames 34, 36, 38, 40, and 42 that are in focus at each aperture value are identified and displayed in a distinguishable manner. The index of each aperture value and each region frame are displayed in association with each other so that it can be understood at which aperture value each region frame is in focus.

  Here, the area frame that is identified and displayed as the area frame 31 that is identified and displayed as the area 40 that is in focus at a certain aperture value is in the area frame other than the area that is in focus at an aperture value that is smaller than the certain aperture value. Shows that it fits. For example, referring to FIG. 5, the area frame 36 that is in focus at the aperture value “F4.0” indicates that the area frame 36 that is in focus at the aperture value “F2.8” is in focus other than the area frame 34 that is in focus. .

  In addition, the area frame 40 in focus at the aperture value “F11” includes the area frame 34 in focus at the aperture value “F2.8”, the area frame 36 in focus at “F4.0”, and “F8.0”. "" Indicates that the focus is out of the area frame 38 that is in focus. In other words, as the aperture value increases, the depth of field also increases, so it is highly likely that an area frame that is in focus at a certain aperture value will be in focus even at an aperture value that is larger than the certain aperture value. This is because it is not necessary to identify and display the area frame twice.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 2, if it is determined in step S7 of FIG. 2 that an aperture value determination operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S10, and the CPU 10 sets the determined aperture value as a shooting condition for still image shooting. (Step S10).
Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the shutter button has been fully pressed by the user (step S11). This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the full pressing operation of the shutter button is sent from the key input unit 11.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the shutter button is not fully pressed, the process stays in step S11 until it is fully pressed. If it is determined that the shutter button is fully pressed, the CPU 10 ends the moving image capturing process and is set in step S10. Still image shooting is performed with the aperture value, and the image data obtained by the still image shooting process and compressed by the compression unit 22 is recorded in the flash memory 24 via the DMA 23 (step S12).

C. Operation of identification display Next, the operation of the process of displaying the region in focus associated with the aperture value for each aperture value currently selected in step S6 of FIG. 2 according to the sub-flowchart of FIG. explain.

  If it progresses to step S6 of FIG. 2, it will progress to step S21 of FIG. 6, and the change part 21 of CPU10 will change to the smallest aperture value among the some aperture values currently selected. For example, when the currently selected aperture value is “F2.8”, “F4.0”, “F8.0”, “F11”, “F16”, the smallest “F2.8” is selected. It will be. Along with the change of the aperture value, the aperture degree of the aperture is also changed.

  Next, the CPU 10 performs a waiting process until the capture frame period (imaging timing) arrives (step S22). This capture frame period is determined based on the capture frame rate for moving image capturing. For example, when the capture frame rate is 30 fps, the capture frame period arrives every 1/30 seconds.

  When the capture frame period arrives, the CPU 10 outputs the captured frame image data to the AF evaluation value calculation unit 15, and causes the AF evaluation value calculation unit 15 to calculate the AF evaluation value of each area frame (step). S23). The calculated AF evaluation value of each area frame is sent to the CPU 10.

  Next, the detection unit 102 of the CPU 10 detects an AF area frame in which the AF evaluation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on the AF evaluation value of each area frame sent from the AF evaluation value calculation unit 15, and the display control unit 103 starts an operation of causing the image display unit 15 to identify and display an area frame in which the detected AF evaluation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in association with the aperture value (current aperture value) that was most recently changed in step S21. (Step S24). That is, an area frame having an AF evaluation value equal to or greater than a predetermined value is detected as a focused area, and the area frame determined to be the focused area is identified and displayed. At this time, identification display is performed in a distinguishable manner for each aperture value.

  Here, the detection unit 103 focuses out of all the area frames 31 other than the area frame detected as the in-focus area with an aperture value smaller than the aperture value (current aperture value) changed most recently in step 21. It is assumed that a region frame to be a region is detected. That is, for the area frame detected as an in-focus area with an aperture value smaller than the current aperture value, it is not detected again whether it is the in-focus area. This is because an area frame that is in focus with an aperture value smaller than the current aperture value is likely to be in focus with a higher aperture value. For example, when the currently selected aperture value is “F2.8”, “F4.0”, “F8.0”, “F11”, and “F16”, the current aperture value is “F8”. .0 ”is a focus area other than the area frame detected as the in-focus area with the aperture value“ F2.8 ”and the area frame detected as the in-focus area with the aperture value“ F4.0 ”. The area frame to be detected is detected. Thereby, the processing load of detection can be reduced.

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not there is an aperture value that is next to the current aperture value among the selected aperture values (step S25). For example, for example, the currently selected aperture value is “F2.8”, “F4.0”, “F8.0”, “F11”, “F16”, and the current aperture value is “F8”. .0 ”, it is determined that there is the next largest aperture value.
If it is determined in step S25 that there is the next largest aperture value, the changing unit 101 of the CPU 10 changes to the next largest aperture value (step S26) and returns to step S22. Along with the change of the aperture value, the aperture degree of the aperture is also changed.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S25 that there is no next largest aperture value, the process proceeds to step S7 in FIG.

As described above, in the embodiment, by changing the aperture value, a region frame that becomes a focus region is detected in each region frame 31 of the image data at each aperture value, and each detected aperture By focusing and displaying the area frame that becomes the focus area in the value and the aperture value, it is possible to easily confirm the focus area corresponding to the plurality of aperture values, and The range of the depth of field can be easily confirmed.
In addition, the captured image data is displayed and the in-focus area corresponding to each aperture value is identified and displayed, so it is possible to easily recognize which subject is in focus at which aperture value.

In addition, because the area frame that becomes the focus area is identified and displayed for each aperture value in a distinguishable manner, which area frame is in focus at which aperture value, and how much depth of field is at which aperture value The user can recognize whether it has happened.
In addition, since the aperture value and the area frame that is the focus area at the aperture value are displayed in association with each other, it is displayed which field frame is in focus with which aperture value, and how much depth of field with which aperture value. Can be easily recognized.
Further, since the aperture value is changed to the aperture value selected by the user, the aperture value can be changed to an arbitrary aperture value, and the depth of field of the aperture value for which the depth of field is desired can be known.
Further, since still image shooting is performed with the determined aperture value, a desired depth of field is obtained by determining the most appropriate aperture value by looking at the in-focus area identified and displayed for each aperture value. Still image data can be obtained.

[Modification]
D. The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.

  (01) In the above embodiment, the minimum aperture value that can be set in step S4 of FIG. 2 is selected and the aperture value of the aperture is changed. However, it is arbitrarily designated by the user. An aperture value or an automatically selected aperture value may be selected and changed to the selected aperture value. This automatic selection refers to an aperture value or the like automatically selected by a program diagram or the like so as to obtain an appropriate exposure amount.

(02) In the above embodiment, the AF process is performed on the foremost subject in step S5 of FIG. 2, but the area frame designated by the user or the predetermined area frame For example, the AF process may be performed so as to focus on the area frame 31 at the center of the angle of view.
Further, the AF operation may not be performed. In this case, if the operation of step S4 in FIG. In this case, no operation may be performed in step S2. That is, when the through image display is started in step S1, the process may proceed to step S3.

(03) In the above embodiment, the operation in step S6 in FIG. 2 and the identification display in step S24 in FIG. 6 change the pattern of the area frame (pattern with diagonal lines, vertical lines, etc.) according to the aperture value. However, the area frame that becomes the in-focus area may be identified and displayed with a different color depending on the aperture value. In short, any method may be used as long as it is possible to identify and display the area frame 31 that is the in-focus area for each aperture value in a distinguishable manner.
Also, in the case of discriminating and displaying by changing the color of the area frame according to the aperture value, the aperture value to be displayed is displayed in association with the aperture value index and the in-focus area focused on by the aperture value. You may also change the color of. That is, according to each aperture value, the aperture value and the region frame 31 that is the focus region at the aperture value are displayed in the same color. For example, when a region frame that has become a focus region at the first aperture value is displayed with a red color, the first aperture value index is drawn and displayed in red.

  (04) In the above embodiment, the aperture value and the area frame that becomes the in-focus area are displayed in association with each other, that is, the area that becomes the in-focus area with a certain aperture value. While the frame is identified and displayed, the certain aperture value is also displayed, but the aperture value may not be displayed. That is, only the area frame identification display may be performed. This is because the aperture value may be known depending on the mode of the identification display. In this case, an identification display mode (shaded display, red display, etc.) may be determined in advance for each aperture value.

(05) Also, in the above embodiment, in step S24 of FIG. 6, the region that becomes the in-focus region among the region frames other than the region frame detected as the in-focus region with the aperture value smaller than the current aperture value. Although the detection of the frame is performed, the region frame that becomes the in-focus region with the current aperture value may be detected from all the region frames.
In this case, when a certain area frame becomes an in-focus area with two or more aperture values, the area frame is identified and displayed so that it can be understood. For example, when the identification display is performed by changing the color according to the aperture value, the area frame that becomes the in-focus area may be identified and displayed by alternately displaying the frame corresponding to the aperture value. More specifically, when an area frame that is an in-focus area at a first aperture value is displayed in red and an area frame that is an in-focus area at a second aperture value is displayed in blue, a certain area frame is the first If the aperture value and the second aperture value are the in-focus area, the certain area frame is displayed in two colors of red and blue.

(06) In the above embodiment, after setting the aperture value determined in step S10 in FIG. 2, the still image shooting and recording process is not performed until the shutter button is fully pressed. After setting the aperture value determined in S10, the still image shooting and recording process may be performed immediately.
That is, after the operation of step S10, the process may proceed to step S12 as it is.

(07) In the above embodiment, the still image shooting and recording process is performed with the aperture value set in step S12. However, all the selected aperture values (selected in step S4 and step S9) are selected. Still image shooting processing at all aperture values) may be performed continuously. For example, when the currently selected aperture value is “F2.8”, “F4.0”, “F8.0”, “F11”, “F16”, the still image shooting process is performed with “F2.8”. It may be performed continuously, such as still image shooting at “F4.0” and still image shooting at “F8.0”.
In this case, the operation determines whether or not the shutter button has been fully pressed in step S7 of FIG. 2. If the shutter button has not been fully pressed, the operation proceeds to step S8. The still image shooting process with the aperture value is performed continuously.
At this time, all of the image data obtained by the continuous still image shooting process may be recorded, or the image data obtained by the continuous still image shooting process may be displayed as a preview. Only the image data selected by the user may be recorded.
Thus, since still image shooting is continuously performed at each aperture value, image data having a desired depth of field can be obtained.

  (08) In the above embodiment, the area frame is displayed when the shutter button is half-pressed (step S3 in FIG. 2), but it may not be displayed. In this case, the area frame is displayed only when it is detected as a focused area frame, and the area frame is identified and displayed (step S6 in FIG. 2, step S24 in FIG. 6).

  (09) In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of area frames are predetermined areas in the image data, but may be areas obtained by dividing the image data into a plurality of areas. This area may be divided into block units such as 8 pixels × 8 pixels, for example, and each block may be used as an area frame, or may be divided one pixel at a time, and each pixel may be used as an area frame. .

(10) In the above embodiment, the individual area frames may not be identified and displayed, but may be identified and displayed in such a manner that the image areas that are in-focus areas at the respective aperture values can be distinguished.
FIG. 7 shows an example of the state of the focus area identified and displayed at that time.
As can be seen from FIG. 7, the indices 33, 35, 37, 39, and 41 in which each aperture value is drawn, and the image regions 340, 360, 380, 400 that are in-focus regions at the respective aperture values, and It can be seen that 420 is displayed in a distinguishable manner.

  (11) In the above-described embodiment, the aperture value is changed for each frame, and the region frame that becomes the focus region of the aperture value after the change is detected (see FIG. 6). ) The aperture value may be changed every two frames or every five frames. In short, what is necessary is just to change an aperture value for every predetermined period.

  (12) In the above embodiment, the aperture value designated by the user is additionally selected in step S9. However, the aperture value may be automatically selected. Thereby, it is possible to easily confirm the focus area of each aperture value automatically selected. In this automatic aperture value selection, a high aperture value may be selected one after another, a random aperture may be selected, or an aperture value may be selected at a predetermined interval. Also good.

  (13) In the above-described embodiment, the description has been mainly made of the compact digital camera as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention is also applicable to an interchangeable lens digital camera.

  (14) Moreover, the aspect which combined the said modification (01) thru | or (13) arbitrarily may be sufficient.

(15) In addition, the above-described embodiment and each modification of the present invention are merely examples as the best embodiment, so that the principle and structure of the present invention can be better understood. And is not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.
Therefore, it should be understood that all the various variations and modifications that can be made to the above-described embodiments of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention and protected by the appended claims.

  Finally, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the image pickup apparatus of the present invention is applied to the digital camera 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Any device equipped can be applied.

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera of embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the several area | region frame displayed, and an example of the mode of the some area | region displayed superimposed on the through image. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the focus area | region identified and displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the focus area | region identified and displayed. 3 is a sub-flowchart showing an operation in step S6 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the focus area | region identified and displayed in a modification.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital Camera 2 Shooting Lens 3 Lens Drive Block 4 Aperture 5 CCD
6 Vertical driver 7 TG
8 Unit circuit 9 DMA
10 CPU
11 Key input section 12 Memory 13 DRAM
14 DMA
15 AF evaluation value calculation unit 16 DMA
17 Image generator 18 DMA
19 DMA
20 Display unit 21 DMA
22 Compression / decompression unit 23 DMA
24 flash memory 25 bus

Claims (10)

Imaging means for imaging a subject;
Detecting means for detecting an in-focus area in the image data obtained by the imaging means corresponding to each of a plurality of aperture values;
Display means for displaying the in-focus area detected by the detection means in association with the plurality of aperture values;
An imaging apparatus comprising: A selection means for selecting a plurality of aperture values;
The detection means includes
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an in-focus region in image data captured by the imaging unit corresponding to each of a plurality of aperture values selected by the selection unit is detected. The display means includes
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image data obtained by the image pickup means is further displayed. The display means includes
4. The imaging according to claim 1, wherein the in-focus area detected by the detection unit is identified and displayed in a distinguishable manner for each of a plurality of aperture values selected by the selection unit. 5. apparatus. The display means includes
4. The imaging according to claim 1, wherein the in-focus area detected by the detection unit is displayed with a different color for each of a plurality of aperture values selected by the selection unit. apparatus. The display means includes
The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of aperture value indexes and the in-focus area detected by the detection unit are displayed in association with each other. The display means includes
The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of aperture value indexes and the in-focus area detected by the detection unit are displayed in the same color. A determination detection unit for detecting determination of a predetermined aperture value from a plurality of aperture values selected by the selection unit after the display by the display unit;
A first imaging control unit configured to control the imaging to be performed by setting the aperture value detected by the determination detection unit;
First recording means for recording image data imaged by the first imaging control means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A second imaging control unit configured to sequentially set a plurality of aperture values selected by the selection unit after the display by the display unit, and to control to perform imaging by the imaging unit each time;
Second recording means for recording a plurality of image data imaged by the second imaging control means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: An image pickup device, a diaphragm that changes the amount of light incident on the image pickup device, and a computer provided in an image pickup apparatus including a display unit,
Detecting means for detecting an in-focus area in the image data obtained by the image sensor corresponding to each of a plurality of aperture values of the aperture;
Display control means for displaying the in-focus area detected by the detection means on the display unit in association with the plurality of aperture values;
A program characterized by functioning as

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