JP2009200793A - Electronic camera, and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera which is made compact and also devised such that while the original imaging range of an imaging element is effectively used, images of two kinds of aspect ratios can be selectively obtained. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic camera comprises an imaging element, an optical element, an optical element control unit, and an interpolation processing unit. The imaging element generates an image from a subject image formed on an imaging plane. The imaging element picks up the subject image to generate the image. The optical element is disposed opposite the imaging element, and compresses the subject image from a first aspect ratio representing the longitudinal/lateral ratio of a photographic range to a second aspect ratio representing the longitudinal/lateral ratio of an imaging plane of the imaging element. The optical element control unit rotates the optical element by a predetermined angle in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical element to freely change the first aspect ratio. The interpolation processing unit expands an image of the second aspect ratio generated by the imaging element to an image of the first aspect ratio. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera including a lens that changes an aspect ratio. The present invention also relates to an image processing program for processing an image photographed by the electronic camera.

  Conventionally, as a means for obtaining a wide image (aspect ratio = 16: 9), a panoramic image (aspect ratio = 8: 3), etc., a normal image (aspect ratio = 4: 3) is cut into a horizontally long image and photographed. The method is known.

  However, in the above method, since a part of the original image range is used, the image quality may be deteriorated. Therefore, there is a problem that the original imaging range of the imaging element cannot be effectively used.

  Therefore, electronic cameras and video apparatuses that do not cut out normal images (aspect ratio = 4: 3) horizontally have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In the electronic camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, a cylindrical lens that switches a normal image to a wide image is provided so that it can be inserted into and removed from the optical axis. As a result, the electronic camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 can obtain a wide image without cutting out a normal image horizontally.

The video apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 is provided with an anamorphic lens that can switch between a normal image and a wide image on the optical axis. In this case, the video apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 can project a normal image or a wide image on the screen by rotating the anamorphic lens by the rotation mechanism.
JP 2005-62531 A JP-A-6-30366

  However, since the electronic camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 incorporates a cylindrical lens insertion / extraction mechanism, a retreat space is required. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size of the electronic camera. In addition, the video apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 needs to be processed in advance so that an original image can be projected with two types of aspect ratios. Therefore, it is difficult to directly adopt this video device method for an electronic camera. Furthermore, the electronic camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the video device disclosed in Patent Document 2 can be changed to only two types of aspect ratios, and there is room for improvement in terms of versatility.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an electronic camera that has been reduced in size and has been devised by selecting images having two or more aspect ratios while effectively utilizing the original imaging range of the imaging device. The purpose is to provide. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing program for processing an image photographed by the electronic camera.

  An electronic camera according to a first invention includes an imaging element, an optical element, an optical element control unit, and an interpolation processing unit. The imaging element generates an image from the subject image formed on the imaging surface.

  The imaging element captures a subject image and generates an image. The optical element compresses the subject image from a first aspect ratio representing the aspect ratio of the imaging range, which is disposed at a position facing the image sensor, to a second aspect ratio representing the aspect ratio of the imaging surface of the imaging element. The optical element control unit can change the first aspect ratio by rotating the optical element by a predetermined angle within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical element. The interpolation processing unit expands the image with the second aspect ratio generated by the image sensor into an image with the first aspect ratio.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the optical element is a cylindrical lens or an anamorphic lens having a different imaging magnification in the vertical direction and a different imaging magnification in the horizontal direction.

  According to a third aspect, in the first aspect, the second aspect ratio is 1: 1.

  According to a fourth aspect, in the first aspect, the image processing apparatus further includes a recording medium that records image data, and the interpolation processing unit captures an image captured by an image sensor that records an image having the first aspect ratio as image data on the recording medium. Record information.

  According to a fifth aspect, in the first aspect, the image processing apparatus further includes a recording medium for recording image data, and the interpolation processing unit compresses the second aspect ratio image, the first aspect ratio, and the first aspect ratio image. The image compression direction representing the direction or the optical element rotation angle representing the rotation angle of the optical element is recorded on the recording medium as image data, and at the time of reproduction, the interpolation processing unit performs the first aspect ratio and the image compression direction or the optical element rotation angle. Based on the above, the second aspect ratio image is expanded into the first aspect ratio image.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus further includes a shooting state detection unit that detects horizontal position shooting in which the electronic camera is held in landscape orientation or vertical position shooting in which the electronic camera is held in portrait orientation. When the detection result of the detection unit is horizontal position shooting, the optical element control unit sets a predetermined first aspect ratio for horizontal position shooting, and the detection result of the shooting state detection unit is vertical position shooting. The optical element control unit is characterized in that a first aspect ratio set in advance for vertical position shooting is set.

An image processing program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is an image processing program for causing a computer to execute image processing, the first aspect ratio representing the aspect ratio of the photographing range, and an image pickup device that picks up the subject image and generates an image. An image composed of an image compressed to the second aspect ratio representing the aspect ratio of the imaging surface and an image compression direction representing the compression direction of the image having the first aspect ratio or an optical element rotation angle representing the rotation angle of the optical element. Reading data from outside,
Based on the first aspect ratio and the image compression direction or the optical element rotation angle, the computer is caused to execute a step of expanding an image compressed to the second aspect ratio into an image having the first aspect ratio.

  According to the electronic camera of the present invention, since it is not necessary to incorporate an optical element insertion / extraction mechanism, miniaturization is realized. Further, the electronic camera of the present invention can select and obtain images having two or more types of aspect ratios while effectively using the original imaging range of the imaging device. This improves the convenience for the user.

(First embodiment)
<Description of the configuration of the electronic camera>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view and a rear view of the electronic camera of the first embodiment. FIG. 1A shows a front view, and FIG. 1B shows a rear view. As shown in FIG. 1A, a photographing optical system 10 described later is provided on the front surface of the electronic camera 1. A release button 21 a is provided on the upper surface of the electronic camera 1.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 1B, on the back of the electronic camera 1, there is a liquid crystal display monitor 20, a wide-angle zoom key 21b, a telephoto zoom key 21c, a power button 21d, a mode switch 21e, and a menu switch / execute key. 21f. The liquid crystal display monitor 20 displays a still image, an operation menu of the electronic camera 1, and the like. The wide-angle zoom key 21b is an operation button for changing the focal length to the wide-angle side. The telephoto zoom key 21c is an operation button for changing the focal length to the telephoto side. The mode switch 21e is an operation button for switching the shooting mode to still image shooting or still image playback. The menu switching / execution key 21f is an operation button for selecting or executing a setting condition by freely switching a menu used for still image shooting or still image reproduction.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic camera 1 includes a photographing optical system 10, a photographing lens control unit 11, a cylindrical lens control unit 12, an image sensor 13, a timing generator (TG) 14, and an analog front end unit (hereinafter, referred to as “photographing optical system 10”). "AFE") 15, an image processing unit 16, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 17, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 18, a display control unit 19, a liquid crystal display monitor 20, an operation unit 21, A CPU (Central processing Unit) 22, a recording interface (recording I / F) 23, and a bus 24 are provided. Among these, the image processing unit 16, the RAM 17, the ROM 18, the display control unit 19, the CPU 22 and the recording interface (recording I / F) 23 are connected to each other via a bus 24. The operation unit 21 is connected to the CPU 22.

  The photographing optical system 10 includes a plurality of photographing lenses 10a including a focus lens and a zoom lens and a cylindrical lens 10b. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 2 shows the photographing optical system 10 as two lenses.

  Each lens constituting the photographing lens 10 a is moved in the optical axis direction by the photographing lens control unit 11. The input / output of the photographic lens control unit 11 is connected to the CPU 22.

  The cylindrical lens 10b is an optical element having a different image forming magnification in the vertical direction and image forming magnification in the horizontal direction. The cylindrical lens 10 b is disposed at a position facing the image sensor 13. The cylindrical lens 10b compresses the subject image from the first aspect ratio that represents the aspect ratio of the imaging range to the second aspect ratio that represents the aspect ratio of the imaging surface of the imaging device 13.

  The cylindrical lens control unit 12 allows the first aspect ratio to be changed by rotating the cylindrical lens 10b in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the cylindrical lens 10b by a rotation mechanism (not shown). The cylindrical lens control unit 12 includes a sensor (not shown) that detects the rotation angle of the cylindrical lens 10b, and controls the rotation angle (details will be described later).

  The cylindrical lens 10b is an example, and an anamorphic lens may be used.

  The imaging device 13 generates an image signal (analog signal) by photoelectrically converting the subject image from the photographing optical system 10.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the first aspect ratio and the cylindrical lens 10b. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the arrangement of the cylindrical lens 10 b and the housing of the electronic camera 1. In addition, the cylindrical lens 10b shown in FIG. 3 is drawn as a front view in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, for easy understanding, it is assumed that the cylindrical lens 10b is in the vertical position when the lower surface 11 of the electronic camera 1 and the lower surface 100b of the cylindrical lens 10b are in a parallel positional relationship. With this state as a reference, the cylindrical lens control unit 12 uses a rotation mechanism (not shown) to rotate the cylindrical lens 10b to 0 in a clockwise direction when the electronic camera 1 is viewed from the front in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the cylindrical lens 10b. Rotate in the range of ° to 90 °. When returning the cylindrical lens 10b to the vertical position, the cylindrical lens control unit 12 rotates the cylindrical lens 10b counterclockwise. This is an example, and the cylindrical lens 10b may be rotated clockwise to return to the vertical position. Here, the vertical position corresponds to the rotation angle 0 ° of the cylindrical lens 10b.

  Further, when the lower surface 11 of the electronic camera 1 and the lower surface 100b of the cylindrical lens 10b are in a vertical positional relationship, it is assumed that the cylindrical lens 10b is in the lateral position. In this case, the lateral position corresponds to a rotation angle of 90 ° of the cylindrical lens 10b.

  In the first embodiment, the second aspect ratio of the image sensor 13 is fixed. On the other hand, the first aspect ratio of the photographing range varies with the rotation of the cylindrical lens 10b. Therefore, first, it is necessary to define the second aspect ratio of the image sensor 13.

  Therefore, the second aspect ratio of the image sensor 13 is defined by the calculation described below. In the first embodiment, the second aspect ratio of the image sensor 13 is obtained by obtaining the product of two types of first aspect ratios and taking the square root of the product.

  Specifically, the two types of first aspect ratios for defining the second aspect ratio of the image sensor 13 are the first aspect ratio (16: 9) at the time of wide shooting shown in FIG. The first aspect ratio (4: 3) during normal shooting shown in FIG. Then, the second aspect ratio of the image sensor 13 is 1.54: 1. That is, the second aspect ratio b of the image sensor 13 is obtained as follows. Here, if (16/9) is converted to decimal and a = 1.777, and (4/3) is converted to decimal and c = 1.333, then “a: b = b: c”. Such b is calculated as 1.54 which is the square root of a × c.

  When the second aspect ratio of the image sensor 13 is defined as 1.54: 1, the vertical imaging magnification and the horizontal imaging magnification of the cylindrical lens 10b are determined. Based on this imaging magnification, the cylindrical lens 10b is manufactured.

  Note that the second aspect ratio of the imaging element 13 is not limited to 1.54: 1, and may be 1: 1 or 2: 1, for example. In this case, the first aspect ratio at the vertical position and the horizontal position is different from that when the second aspect ratio is 1.54: 1. Details of FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described later when the operation of the electronic camera 1 is described.

  Returning to the description of the block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic camera shown in FIG. A timing generator (TG) 14 sends a drive signal to each of the image sensor 13 and the AFE 15 according to an instruction from the CPU 22, thereby controlling the drive timing of both.

  The AFE 15 is an analog front-end circuit that performs signal processing on an image signal generated by the image sensor 13. The AFE 15 performs gain adjustment of the image signal, A / D conversion of the image signal, and the like. The image signal (digital signal) output from the AFE 15 is input to the image processing unit 16.

  The image processing unit 16 temporarily stores the image data output from the AFE 15 in the frame memory of the RAM 17. Further, the image processing unit 16 performs image processing such as white balance correction processing and gain control processing on image data on which image processing by the interpolation processing unit 22a described later is performed.

  A connector for connecting the recording medium 25 is formed in the recording interface (recording I / F) 23. The recording interface (recording I / F) 23 accesses the recording medium 25 connected to the connector according to an instruction from the CPU 22 and performs image recording processing.

  The display control unit 19 displays the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit 16 on the liquid crystal display monitor 20 as an image. As the liquid crystal display monitor 20, a touch panel type liquid crystal display monitor may be adopted. In this case, the user can select the first aspect ratio by, for example, touching a numeric display portion of the first aspect ratio displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 20 with a finger.

  The operation unit 21 receives each operation of the electronic camera 1 and issues a processing instruction to the CPU 22.

  The CPU 22 is a processor that performs overall control of the electronic camera 1. The CPU 22 executes a sequence program stored in advance in the ROM 18 to calculate parameters for each process and control each part of the electronic camera 1. Further, the CPU 22 of the first embodiment functions as an interpolation processing unit 22a.

  The interpolation processing unit 22a expands the second aspect ratio image generated by the image sensor 13 into a first aspect ratio image according to the compression ratio of the cylindrical lens 10b. Thereby, the image compressed by way of the cylindrical lens 10b can be restored to an image having an aspect ratio before compression.

<Description of electronic camera operation>
Next, an operation example of the electronic camera in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the electronic camera 1. This flowchart is started when the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned on.

  In the following description, the description is made on the assumption that the mode in which the user selects the aspect ratio and shoots is set to ON.

  Step S101: The CPU 22 causes the liquid crystal display monitor 20 to display the first aspect ratio (aspect ratios of a plurality of types of shooting ranges). When the first aspect ratio is input by the user, the operation unit 21 receives the first aspect ratio. Then, the process proceeds to step S102.

  Step S102: The CPU 22 determines whether or not to rotate the cylindrical lens 10b based on the first aspect ratio received by the operation unit 21. When the current first aspect ratio is the first aspect ratio received by the operation unit 21 and it is not necessary to change the first aspect ratio (step S102: No), the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, when the current first aspect ratio is different from the first aspect ratio received by the operation unit 21 and the first aspect ratio needs to be changed (step S102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S103.

  Step S103: The CPU 22 issues an instruction to the cylindrical lens control unit 12 and moves the cylindrical lens 10b to 0 ° within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the cylindrical lens 10b so that the first aspect ratio received by the operation unit 21 is obtained. To 90 °.

  In FIG. 3A, as described above, the second aspect ratio of the image sensor 13 is 1.54: 1. In this case, when the cylindrical lens 10b is in the vertical position (0 degree), the first aspect ratio is wide shooting (16: 9). Accordingly, the subject image of wide shooting (16: 9) is compressed into the subject image of the second aspect ratio through the cylindrical lens 10b. Then, a subject image having the second aspect ratio is formed on the imaging surface of the image sensor 13. That is, “16: 9” = “1.777: 1”, and 1.777 can be 1.54 by multiplying by 0.866. In this case, the cylindrical lens 10b compresses the imaging range in the horizontal direction by 86.6%. 4A shows the relationship between the arrangement of the cylindrical lens 10b in FIG. 3A and the housing of the electronic camera 1. FIG.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining photographing when the first aspect ratio is 22:13. When the cylindrical lens control unit 12 rotates the cylindrical lens 10b by 45 degrees from the vertical position (0 degree) in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the cylindrical lens 10b, the first aspect ratio becomes 22:13. FIG. 4B shows the relationship between the arrangement of the cylindrical lens 10 b in FIG. 3B and the housing of the electronic camera 1.

  In this case, the subject image having the first aspect ratio (22:13) is compressed into the subject image having the second aspect ratio through the cylindrical lens 10b.

  FIG. 3C is a diagram for describing shooting when the first aspect ratio is normal shooting (4: 3). When the cylindrical lens control unit 12 rotates the cylindrical lens 10b by 90 degrees from the vertical position (0 degree) in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the cylindrical lens 10b, the first aspect ratio is as follows. 4: 3. 4C shows the relationship between the arrangement of the cylindrical lens 10b in FIG. 3C and the housing of the electronic camera 1. FIG.

  In this case, the subject image of normal shooting (4: 3) is compressed into a subject image having the second aspect ratio through the cylindrical lens 10b. Then, a subject image having the second aspect ratio is formed on the imaging surface of the image sensor 13. That is, “4: 3” = “1.54: 1.155”, and 1.155 can be set to 1 by multiplying by 0.866. In this case, the cylindrical lens 10b compresses the photographing range in the vertical direction by 86.6%.

  Step S104: When the release button 21a is half-pressed, the CPU 22 issues an instruction to the taking lens control unit 11 to drive the taking lens 10a. The photographing lens control unit 11 performs automatic focus adjustment, automatic exposure control, and the like, and sets photographing conditions used for photographing the main image. Subsequently, when the release button 21 a is fully pressed, the CPU 22 opens a mechanical shutter (not shown) and drives the timing generator 14. Thereby, the image data of the main image is acquired. In this case, the image data of the second aspect ratio imaged on the imaging surface of the imaging element 13 is stored in the frame memory of the RAM 17 by the image processing unit 16 after passing through the AFE 15.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between an image having a first aspect ratio and an image having a second aspect ratio. An image having the first aspect ratio (4: 3) (FIG. 6A) is compressed in the vertical direction (FIG. 6B). Further, the image having the first aspect ratio (16: 9) (FIG. 6C) is compressed in the horizontal direction (FIG. 6D). Further, an image in the 45-degree shooting range (first aspect ratio (22:13), (FIG. 6E)) is compressed in an oblique direction (FIG. 6F).

  Step S105: The interpolation processing unit 22a of the CPU 22 expands the second aspect ratio image stored in the frame memory of the RAM 17. That is, the interpolation processing unit 22a expands the compressed image obtained in step S104 according to the compression rate of the cylindrical lens 10b. By this expansion processing, the interpolation processing unit 22a can restore the image in the photographing range before compression. This expansion processing is realized by using, for example, an image interpolation method (bicubic) called a cubic interpolation method. Here, taking FIG. 6 as an example, the interpolation processing unit 22a converts the image compressed in the vertical direction (FIG. 6B) into an image in the shooting range of the first aspect ratio (4: 3). Stretch. In addition, the interpolation processing unit 22a expands the image compressed in the horizontal direction (FIG. 6D) so as to become an image having the first aspect ratio (16: 9). Further, the interpolation processing unit 22a expands the image compressed in the oblique direction (FIG. 6F) so as to become an image having the first aspect ratio (22:13).

  Next, processing for expanding an image compressed in an oblique direction so as to become an image of the first aspect ratio will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the decompression process of an image in the 45-degree shooting range. FIG. 7A shows an image compressed in an oblique direction on the light receiving surface (second aspect ratio (1.54: 1)) of the image sensor 13 in a 45-degree shooting range (first aspect ratio (22:13)). The obtained image (FIG. 6F) is shown.

  When the cylindrical lens 10b is disposed obliquely with respect to the imaging device 13, the image projected on the imaging surface of the imaging device 13 is compressed obliquely. Therefore, the interpolation processing unit 22a needs to expand in an oblique direction for an image compressed obliquely. For example, the interpolation processing unit 22a first converts the image read from the image sensor 13 into an image rotated by 45 degrees. This conversion process corresponds to an operation of rotating the cylindrical lens 10b by 45 degrees. Next, the interpolation processing unit 22a expands in the compressed direction. Further, the interpolation processing unit 22a converts the expanded image into an image rotated by 45 degrees. Then, an image shown in FIG. 7B is obtained.

  Subsequently, the interpolation processing unit 22a cuts out an inscribed rectangle from the image shown in FIG. Then, an image having the first aspect ratio (23:13) shown in FIG. 7C is obtained. Note that, here, the 45-degree rotation has been described as an example, but the same applies to an angle between 0 and 90 degrees.

  Step S106: The image processing unit 16 performs various image processing such as white balance and gradation conversion processing on the data of the main image that has been decompressed in step S105.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 20 after the image processing is performed in step S106. In this example, masks 20a and 20b are applied in the liquid crystal display monitor 20, and an image having a first aspect ratio (16: 9) is displayed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image when the cylindrical lens 10b is rotated in 15 degree increments and continuously captured. As shown in FIG. 9, images with different aspect ratios can be obtained by rotating the cylindrical lens 10b in steps of 15 degrees.

  Step S107: The CPU 22 stores the data of the main image that has been subjected to the image processing in Step S106 in the recording medium 25. Then, this processing routine ends.

  As described above, the electronic camera 1 of the present invention does not need to incorporate the insertion / extraction mechanism for the cylindrical lens 10b, and thus can be downsized. In addition, the electronic camera 1 of the present invention can select and obtain images having two or more types of aspect ratios while effectively using the original imaging range of the imaging device 13. This improves the convenience for the user.

  In the first embodiment, the cylindrical lens control unit 12 can change the first aspect ratio by rotating the cylindrical lens 10b. As another method of rotation, the user may rotate the cylindrical lens 10b by dial operation or the like by manual operation. In this case, the CPU 22 causes the liquid crystal display monitor 20 to display the first aspect ratio that changes with the rotation angle and rotation of the cylindrical lens 10b. Thus, the user can set a desired first aspect ratio while viewing the value of the rotation angle of the cylindrical lens 10b displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 20.

  In the first embodiment, the first aspect ratio at the vertical position of the cylindrical lens 10b is set to 16: 9, and the first aspect ratio at the horizontal position of the cylindrical lens 10b is set to 4: 3. This is an example, and the first aspect ratio in the vertical position of the cylindrical lens 10b is set to 8: 3 (panoramic shooting), and the first aspect ratio in the horizontal position of the cylindrical lens 10b is set to 3: 2 (normal shooting). A cylindrical lens 10b as shown in FIG. In this case, when the imaging element 13 having the second aspect ratio of 2: 1 is used, the vertical or horizontal direction of the subject image is compressed to 75% in the vertical or horizontal position of the cylindrical lens 10b.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, after the image is decompressed, the image is recorded on the recording medium 25, but the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio image generated by the image sensor 13 and the image compression direction or The cylindrical lens rotation angle may be recorded on the recording medium 25. In this case, at the time of reproduction, the interpolation processing unit 22a expands the image of the second aspect ratio to the image of the first aspect ratio based on the first aspect ratio and the image compression direction or the cylindrical lens rotation angle.

(Second Embodiment)
<Description of the configuration of the electronic camera>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment of the present invention and the second embodiment of the present invention, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, vertical position shooting and horizontal position shooting are discriminated, and in the case of horizontal position shooting, the cylindrical lens control unit 12 sets the first aspect ratio to 16: 9. In the case of vertical position shooting, the cylindrical lens control unit 12 sets the first aspect ratio to 4: 3. In the second embodiment, the second aspect ratio of the image sensor 13 is 1.54: 1.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic camera of the second embodiment. The electronic camera 2 shown in FIG. 10 is newly equipped with an acceleration sensor 26 as compared with the electronic camera 1 shown in FIG.

  The acceleration sensor 26 is a sensor that measures acceleration in a three-dimensional direction (X axis, Y axis, and Z axis directions orthogonal to each other). The acceleration sensor 26 can detect the tilt of the electronic camera 1 using gravitational acceleration. The acceleration sensor 26 transmits information on the tilt of the electronic camera 2 to the CPU 22. The CPU 22 determines whether it is vertical position shooting or horizontal position shooting based on the information of the tilt of the electronic camera 2.

<Description of electronic camera operation>
Next, the operation of the electronic camera 2 of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the electronic camera 2. This flowchart is started when the power of the electronic camera 2 is turned on.

  Step S201: The CPU 22 detects a shooting state as to whether the shooting is vertical position shooting or horizontal position shooting. Specifically, the acceleration sensor 26 shown in FIG. 10 detects the tilt information of the electronic camera 2 using gravitational acceleration. The acceleration sensor 26 transmits information on the tilt of the electronic camera 2 to the CPU 22.

  Step S202: The CPU 22 determines whether it is vertical position shooting or horizontal position shooting based on the tilt information of the electronic camera 2. In the case of vertical position shooting (step S202: Yes), the process proceeds to step S203. In the case of horizontal position shooting (step S202: No), the process proceeds to step S204.

  Step S203: The CPU 22 instructs the cylindrical lens control unit 12 to rotate the cylindrical lens 10b in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis so that the first aspect ratio (4: 3) is obtained.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the change of the first aspect ratio in the vertical position shooting. FIG. 12A illustrates the case of vertical position shooting (first aspect ratio (16: 9)).

  From this state, when the cylindrical lens control unit 12 rotates the cylindrical lens 10b by 90 ° in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, the cylindrical lens 10b is arranged as shown in FIG. The arrangement of the cylindrical lens 10b is the arrangement shown in FIG. That is, the first aspect ratio of the shooting range is 4: 3.

  Originally, in the case of the first aspect ratio (4: 3), the rotation operation of the cylindrical lens 10b is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S205.

  Step S204: The CPU 22 issues an instruction to the cylindrical lens control unit 12 so that the first aspect ratio (16: 9) is obtained. Then, the cylindrical lens control unit 12 rotates the cylindrical lens 10b in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the cylindrical lens 10b. Originally, in the case of the first aspect ratio (16: 9), the rotation operation of the cylindrical lens 10b is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S205.

  Step S205: The CPU 22 performs photographing in the same manner as Step S104 shown in FIG.

  Step S206: The interpolation processing unit 22a of the CPU 22 expands the second aspect ratio image stored in the frame memory of the RAM 17 in the same manner as in step S105 shown in FIG. That is, the interpolation processing unit 22a expands the compressed image obtained in step S205 according to the compression rate of the cylindrical lens 10b.

  Step S207: The image processing unit 16 performs various image processing such as white balance and gradation conversion processing on the main image data that has been expanded in step S206.

  Step S208: The CPU 22 stores the data of the main image that has been subjected to the image processing in Step S207 in the recording medium 25. Then, this processing routine ends.

  In the second embodiment, the first aspect ratio is set to 16: 9 in the horizontal position shooting, but this is an example, and the first aspect ratio may be set to 8: 3 or 4: 3, for example. .

  As described above, the electronic camera 2 of the present invention automatically has the normal shooting aspect ratio (4: 3) in the vertical position shooting, which improves the convenience for the user. This solves the problem that wide shooting and panoramic shooting are convenient for horizontal position shooting but are difficult for the user to use for vertical position shooting.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment relates to an image processing program for decompressing a compressed image captured by the electronic camera 1 or the electronic camera 2 without recording the decompressed image.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the computer 3. The computer 3 shown in FIG. 13 includes a computer CPU 30, a memory 31, a communication interface (I / F) 32, a keyboard 33, and a display monitor 34. The memory 31 also stores a program that is an embodiment of the present invention.

  An interpolation processing unit 30a is constructed in the computer CPU 30 by incorporating a program according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The computer CPU 30 acquires image data from a communication interface (I / F) (not shown) on the electronic camera 1 side via a communication interface (I / F) 32. The image data includes a first aspect ratio that represents the aspect ratio of the imaging range, an image compression direction or a cylindrical lens rotation angle, and image data that has been compressed to a second aspect ratio that represents the aspect ratio of the imaging surface of the image sensor 13. Consists of. This image data is stored in the memory 31. The interpolation processing unit 30a performs a decompression process on the image data.

  Next, the operation of the computer 3 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing of the computer 3. This flowchart is started when the user inputs a command from the keyboard 33.

  Step S301: The computer CPU 30 receives an image decompression command from the keyboard 33. Then, the computer CPU 30 acquires the image data recorded in the electronic camera 1 via the communication interface (I / F) 32 and stores it in the memory 31.

  Step S302: The interpolation processing unit 30a reads the first aspect ratio, the image compression direction or the cylindrical lens rotation angle, and the image compressed to the second aspect ratio from the memory 31.

  Step S303: The interpolation processing unit 30a performs an expansion process on the image compressed to the second aspect ratio based on the first aspect ratio and the image compression direction or the cylindrical lens rotation angle. This decompression process is the same as the decompression process described in the first embodiment.

  Step S304: The computer CPU 30 causes the display monitor 34 to display the decompressed image. Then, this processing routine ends.

  Thereby, the image compressed by the electronic camera 1 can be restored as an image of the first aspect ratio.

  As a means for acquiring image data from the electronic camera 1, the image data may be read by attaching the recording medium 25 storing the image data to the computer 3.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the second aspect ratio is 1: 1, and the compression ratio of the cylindrical lens 10b is 75%. In the vertical position and the horizontal position of the cylindrical lens 10b, the vertical and horizontal of the first aspect ratio are reversed. For example, when the cylindrical lens 10b is in the vertical position, the first aspect ratio is 4: 3, and when it is in the horizontal position, it is 3: 4. In other words, when the cylindrical lens 10b is in the vertical position, the electronic camera 1 is taken in the horizontal position, and when the cylindrical lens 10b is in the horizontal position, the electronic camera 1 is taken in the vertical position. The vertical position and the horizontal position can be switched without changing 1, and there is an effect that the holding of the electronic camera 1 is improved.
<Supplementary items of the embodiment>
When photographing with the electronic camera 1 of the present invention fixed to a tripod, even if the first aspect ratio is changed by instructing the CPU 22 by rotating a remote control such as an infrared sensor and rotating the cylindrical lens 10b. Good. In this way, in remote shooting, it is possible to change the first aspect ratio without touching the electronic camera 1 and to improve user convenience.

Front view and rear view of electronic camera of first embodiment The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic camera of 1st Embodiment. The figure explaining the relationship between a 1st aspect ratio and the cylindrical lens 10b. The figure explaining the relationship between arrangement | positioning of the cylindrical lens 10b, and the housing | casing of the electronic camera 1. FIG. A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic camera 1 The figure which shows the correspondence of the image of a 1st aspect ratio, and the image of a 2nd aspect ratio The figure explaining the expansion process of the image of a 45 degree | times imaging | photography range The figure which shows an example of the picked-up image displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 20 after image processing was performed by step S106. The figure which shows an example of the picked-up image at the time of rotating the cylindrical lens 10b by 15 degree | times, and image | photographing continuously. The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic camera of 2nd Embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic camera 2 A diagram schematically showing the change of the first aspect ratio in vertical position shooting The figure for demonstrating the internal structure of the computer 3 Flow chart showing processing of computer 3

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic camera, 10b ... Cylindrical lens, 12 ... Cylindrical lens control part, 13 ... Imaging element, 26 ... Acceleration sensor, 3 ... Computer, 22a, 30a ... Interpolation Processing part

Claims (7)

An image sensor that captures a subject image and generates an image;
An optical element arranged at a position facing the image sensor to compress the subject image from a first aspect ratio representing an aspect ratio of a photographing range to a second aspect ratio representing an aspect ratio of an image pickup surface of the image sensor;
An optical element controller that allows the first aspect ratio to be changed by rotating the optical element by a predetermined angle within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical element;
An interpolation processing unit that expands the image of the second aspect ratio generated by the image sensor into the image of the first aspect ratio;
An electronic camera comprising: The electronic camera according to claim 1,
2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the optical element is a cylindrical lens or an anamorphic lens having a different imaging magnification in the vertical direction and a different imaging magnification in the horizontal direction. The electronic camera according to claim 1,
The electronic camera, wherein the second aspect ratio is 1: 1. The electronic camera according to claim 1,
A recording medium for recording image data;
The electronic camera, wherein the interpolation processing unit records the image having the first aspect ratio as image data on the recording medium. The electronic camera according to claim 1,
A recording medium for recording image data;
The interpolation processing unit includes an image compression direction representing a compression direction of the image having the second aspect ratio, the first aspect ratio, and the image having the first aspect ratio, or an optical element rotation angle representing a rotation angle of the optical element. Are recorded as image data on the recording medium,
At the time of reproduction, the interpolation processing unit expands the image of the second aspect ratio to the image of the first aspect ratio based on the first aspect ratio and the image compression direction or the optical element rotation angle. A featured electronic camera. The electronic camera according to claim 1,
The camera further includes a shooting state detection unit that detects horizontal position shooting in which the electronic camera is held horizontally or vertical position shooting in which the electronic camera body is held vertically.
When the detection result of the shooting state detection unit is the horizontal position shooting, the optical element control unit sets the first aspect ratio predetermined for horizontal position shooting,
When the detection result of the shooting state detection unit is the vertical position shooting, the optical element control unit sets the first aspect ratio predetermined for vertical position shooting. An image processing program for causing a computer to execute image processing,
A first aspect ratio representing the aspect ratio of the shooting range, an image compressed to a second aspect ratio representing the aspect ratio of the imaging surface of the image sensor that captures the subject image and generates the image, and the first aspect ratio. Reading image data from the outside consisting of an image compression direction representing an image compression direction or an optical element rotation angle representing a rotation angle of the optical element;
Causing the computer to execute the step of expanding the image compressed to the second aspect ratio into the image of the first aspect ratio based on the first aspect ratio and the image compression direction or the optical element rotation angle. An image processing program characterized by the above.