JP2010072659A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera with excellent operability, which allows a user to confirm a focusing state estimated by the user or not, and can perform focusing to the focusing state estimated by the user. <P>SOLUTION: A subject which the user tries to focus on is located on a part of a target mark at the center of an imaging screen. When STOP operation is then performed, image data of the subject in the part of the target mark is acquired. The acquired image data is stored. When STOP operation is performed again, image data of the subject in the part of the target mark at that time are acquired. Thereafter, focusing and then imaging are performed, and when a part similar to the stored two image data is present in image data obtained as a result of the imaging, images based on the two similar image data are simultaneously enlarged and displayed in line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera that can focus on a subject intended by a user.

  In recent years, digital cameras have been widely used. However, with regard to focusing, it is difficult to obtain a photograph of the focus as expected by the user. For example, in a scene in which subjects with various spatial frequencies and distances are mixed in the screen as in the shooting scene 10 of FIG. 1, a miscellaneous subject different from the main subject may be in focus. In addition, it cannot be checked with a small monitor with a built-in camera, and it is important to focus on the surrounding subject only after printing the image or checking it on a large monitor after shooting. It was often found that the main subject of was not in focus. For this reason, further improvement is necessary so that focusing can be performed more correctly.

  Among such focusing techniques, a technique has been proposed that allows a user to check a focusing state by displaying a focusing state on a camera. As a technique for making it possible to confirm the state of focusing, there is a technique of superimposing and displaying a focusing point together with a distance measuring point in a finder screen like a camera disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  As another focusing technique, there is a focus lock technique disclosed in JP-A-1-307711.

JP 10-48733 A JP-A-1-307711

  However, the camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not sufficient for the user to check the focus state. In addition, since the focused state is displayed in a superimposed manner in the finder screen, other displays in the finder screen may be difficult to see. Furthermore, since frames and the like that are not actually photographed are also displayed on the finder screen, there is a possibility of causing confusion for the user. In other words, there is a need for a technique that enables the user to know how and where the subject to be focused more directly is displayed and to perform accurate focusing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and enables the user to check whether or not the focus state assumed by the user is satisfied, and allows the user to focus on the focus state assumed by the user. An object of the present invention is to provide a camera with excellent operability.

  In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to the present invention includes an imaging sensor that acquires subject image data, a photographing lens that forms a subject image on the imaging sensor, and a focus that focuses the photographing lens. And a display means for displaying the subject image area used for focusing and the subject image area not used for focusing in an enlarged manner and arranged side by side after the focusing of the photographing lens is completed. It is characterized by comprising.

  According to the present invention, a camera with excellent operability that can confirm whether or not the user is in a focused state and can focus on the focused state that the user assumes. Can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric circuit structure of the camera which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used, and FIGS. 2B to 2F are display examples on the LCD of the camera. FIG. It is a figure shown about the detection area of an image pick-up element. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the program of the operation control of the camera which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed a mode that the direction of a camera was changed and the to-be-photographed object was changed with a ranging point selection mark. FIG. 6A is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of a camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a detection area of the sensor array. It is an external appearance block diagram of the camera which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the program of the operation control of the camera which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the switch in connection with the enlarged display function of the camera which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a target mark. It is a figure for demonstrating the SPOT operation of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the program of the operation control of the camera which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an electronic circuit inside the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The electronic circuit in the camera according to the first embodiment includes a CPU 1, a photographing lens 2, an image pickup device 3, a photographing lens drive circuit (LD) 4, a focus determination circuit 5, an image processing circuit 6, a memory 6a, an LCD. A driver 7, a display (LCD) 8, a release button 9a, a focus position confirmation switch 9b, a focus position adjustment switch 9c, and other switches, a strobe light emitting unit 12, and the like are provided.

  The CPU 1 is an arithmetic control unit composed of a one-chip microcomputer or the like, and operates a built-in program according to the operation state of each switch such as the release button 9a, thereby causing the LD 4, the focus determination circuit 5, the image processing circuit 6, and the LCD. The entire camera including the control of the driver 7 is controlled.

  The photographing lens 2 is a lens for forming an image of a subject on the image sensor 3.

  The image sensor 3 converts an image of a subject formed through the photographing lens 2 into an image signal that is an electrical signal. Also, this image signal is digitally converted into image data. Then, the image data is input to the focus determination circuit 5.

  The LD 4 is a circuit for driving the photographing lens 2.

  The focus determination circuit 5 detects the focus position based on the image data input from the image sensor 3 under the control of the CPU 1. In this focus position detection method, first, image data of a subject is measured while the taking lens 2 is extended and controlled via the LD 4, and a component corresponding to a predetermined spatial frequency is extracted from the image data. Then, the peak position of the subject contrast is detected from the extracted component by the focus determination circuit 5, and focusing is performed based on the detected peak position.

  A focusing method for detecting the focus position by measuring the subject contrast while controlling the taking lens 2 is referred to as “mountain climbing AF”. In this method, the contrast is controlled while driving the taking lens 2. There is a disadvantage that it takes time to perform the measurement.

  In a state where the photographing lens 2 is aligned with the focus position detected by the focus determination circuit 5, the image sensor 3 acquires image data again and inputs the acquired image data to the image processing circuit 6. If there is insufficient exposure at this time, the CPU 1 also performs control to supplement the light by causing the strobe light emitting unit 12 to emit light.

  The image processing circuit 6 performs various image processing such as compression on the input image data. The processed image can be stored in the memory 6a or displayed on the LCD 8. At this time, the CPU 1 controls the LCD driver 7 to display an image on the LCD 8. Furthermore, when operating a focusing state confirmation function, which will be described later, only a specific part of the image sensor 3 is selected via the image processing circuit 6, and an image of the specific part is cut out and enlarged and displayed on the LCD 8. The LCD driver 7 is controlled.

  FIG. 2A shows a state in which the user handles the camera having such a configuration. The LCD 8 is provided on the rear surface of the camera 30 and is controlled by the CPU 1 to switch the display image in accordance with the operation of the release button 9a, the focus position confirmation switch 9b, the focus position adjustment switch 9c, and the like.

  The release button 9a is composed of two switches, a 1st release switch and a 2nd release switch. Then, when the release button 13 is half-pressed, the 1st release switch is turned on, and the image data of the central area is extracted from the image data acquired by the image sensor 3 and stored in a RAM (not shown). When the 2nd release switch is turned on by pressing, the photographing lens 2 is focused, and the captured image is stored in the memory 6a.

  The focus position confirmation switch 9b is a switch for operating a distance measuring point confirmation function described later, and the focus position adjustment switch 9c is a switch for finely adjusting the focus position at the selected focus point. .

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the user sees which subject the distance measuring point selection mark 80 in the image 8a displayed on the LCD 8 is marking, and is in a focused state as intended. Can be confirmed. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the image pickup device 3 has three focus detection areas 3a, 3b, and 3c as shown in FIG. 3, but the number of areas is not limited to three and includes one central point. One or seven is acceptable.

  By using a plurality of focus detection areas in this way, the focus position can be detected not only when the subject is in the center but also in a scene where the subject is not at the center of the screen as shown in FIG. Note that a method that enables focusing on a plurality of points within the screen is called a “multi AF method”. However, due to the side effect of using such a multi AF method, the original focus as shown in FIG. The distance measurement point selection mark 80 may be aligned with the tree 11b that was not intended to be matched. If the shooting sequence is continued in such a state, some measure is required because the tree 11b is focused on instead of the person 11a.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the release button 9a is configured to be pressed in two steps, and a so-called focus lock technique, which is a technique for dividing the shooting sequence into two stages according to the operation state of the release button 9a, is applied to such a scene. Correspond.

  First, the user points the photographing lens 2 toward the person 11a so that the main subject to be focused, for example, the person 11a is at the center of the photographing screen. Thereafter, the camera according to the present embodiment performs an operation according to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and corresponds to the above scene.

  When a main switch (not shown) of the camera is turned on, the operation of the flow of FIG. 4 is started, and the CPU 1 of the camera operates the image sensor 3 to acquire image data of the subject (step S1). Next, a captured image is displayed on the LCD 8 based on the image data acquired by the image sensor 3 (step S2). At the same time, a distance measuring point selection mark 80 is displayed at the center of the LCD screen. These displays are displayed on the LCD 8 and also on a finder (not shown) of the camera. In this state, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the release button 9a is half-pressed and the 1st release switch is turned on (step S3). If it is determined that the 1st release switch is not turned on, the process returns to step S1.

  When it is determined that the 1st release switch is turned on, the image data of the main subject, for example, the person 11a in the central area 3b is extracted from the image data acquired by the image sensor 3 in step S1 (step S4). . This image data becomes the image data of the main subject selected by the user in the current state. In general, since the image data of the main subject has a higher output level than the image data of other portions, acquisition of the image data of the main subject is, for example, an output of a certain level or more in the central area 3b. It is sufficient to extract only the image data. Next, the extracted image data of the main subject is stored in a RAM (not shown) (step S5).

  After storing the main subject image data, the user moves the direction of the camera as indicated by an arrow a in FIG. In this state, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the release switch 9a is fully pressed and the 2nd release switch is turned on (step S6).

  If it is determined that the 2nd release switch is not ON, it is determined whether or not the 1st release switch remains ON (step S7). If it is determined that the 1st release switch is turned off, the process returns to step S1. When it is determined that the 1st release switch remains ON, the user can freely change the composition by changing the direction of the camera as indicated by an arrow a in FIG. In FIG. 5, the arrow a is shown as only one direction, but it is needless to say that the direction of the camera can be changed in the opposite direction.

  When the orientation of the camera is changed, the CPU 1 operates the imaging device 3 again to acquire image data of all subjects in the shooting screen (step S20). Then, image data similar to the image data of the main subject stored in the RAM is detected from all the subject image data in the shooting screen (step S21). Hereinafter, such detection operation of similar image data is referred to as object search.

  Based on this detection result, it is determined whether or not image data similar to the main subject image data stored in the RAM exists among all the subject image data in the shooting screen acquired in step S20 (step S20). Step S22). If it is determined that image data similar to the main subject image data stored in the RAM exists in the image data acquired in step S20, a distance measurement point selection mark as shown in FIG. The display position 80 is changed to the position of the subject that outputs image data similar to the main subject image data stored in the RAM (step S23), and the process proceeds to step S25.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that there is no image data similar to the main subject image data stored in the RAM among all the subject image data in the shooting screen, for example, a low-contrast subject In the case of image data that changes such as image data or sea waves, or when there is no image data stored in the RAM in the shooting screen, the display position of the distance measuring point selection mark 80 can be changed. Without (step S24), it progresses to step S25 as it is.

  The user looks at the image displayed on the LCD 8 and confirms whether the composition is his / her favorite. Then, the focus position confirmation switch 9b or the focus position adjustment switch 9c is operated according to the confirmation result. The CPU 1 determines whether or not the focus position confirmation switch 9b or the focus position adjustment switch 9c has been operated by the user (step S25). If it is determined that these switches are not operated, the process directly returns to step S6. On the other hand, if it is determined that these switches have been operated, the display position of the distance measuring point selection mark 80 is changed according to the operation of the switches (step S26). Then, the image data of the subject where the distance measuring point selection mark 80 is located is overwritten and stored in the RAM (step S27), and the process returns to step S6.

  If it is determined in step S6 that the 2nd release switch is turned on, the image sensor 3 is operated again in the current state to acquire image data of all subjects in the shooting screen (step S8). Then, the object search for detecting image data similar to the main subject image data stored in the RAM from all the subject image data in the photographing screen is performed (step S9). Based on this result, it is determined whether or not image data similar to the subject image data stored in the RAM exists among all the subject image data in the shooting screen acquired in step S8 (step S10). ).

  If it is determined that there is image data similar to the subject image data stored in the RAM, the similar image data is extracted (step S11), and the process proceeds to step S14. Use to start hill-climbing AF. Before entering the hill-climbing AF, as shown in FIG. 2C, a state in which the distance measuring point selection mark 80 is aligned with a subject that outputs similar image data may be displayed, and this result was confirmed. Thereafter, the focus position may be finely adjusted by the focus position adjustment switch 9c or the like. Here, these processes are omitted.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that there is no image data similar to the subject image data stored in the RAM, a warning is displayed or a warning sound is given (step S12). The subject image data of the central area 3b where the main subject is likely to exist is acquired (step S13), and the process proceeds to step S14 to start hill-climbing AF.

  After the hill-climbing AF in step S14 is started, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the hill-climbing AF is finished (step S15). If it is determined that the hill-climbing AF has not ended, the determination in step S15 is repeated until the hill-climbing AF ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the hill-climbing AF is completed, an exposure operation is performed (step S16), and the captured image is stored in the memory 6a.

  After this exposure operation and image storage in the memory 6a, it is determined whether or not the focus position confirmation switch 9b or the focus position adjustment switch 9c has been operated, that is, whether or not the focus state confirmation function is to be operated (step S17). ). If it is determined that the focus state confirmation function is to be operated, the focused subject is enlarged and displayed on the LCD 8 as shown in FIG. 2D (step S18). On the other hand, if it is determined not to operate the focus state confirmation function, the operation of this flow is terminated as it is.

  Note that the enlarged display performed in step S18 may be performed before the exposure operation in step S16. In this way, the user can check the focus point, the expression of the subject, and the like by this enlarged display before shooting. In addition, when the release operation is continued with the focus position being incorrect as shown in FIG. 2B, the tree 11b which is not originally intended is enlarged as shown in FIG. Further, it can be prevented.

  Furthermore, when the selected point is not always in focus, a warning is given, and then the indication position on the LCD 8 is changed, and redoing from the hill-climbing AF in step S14 makes it possible to shoot with an emphasis on photo opportunity. Anyway.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the object search is performed before entering the hill-climbing operation for the time-consuming hill-climbing AF, and the camera is made to recognize the subject that the user is aiming for. The possibility of judgment is reduced.

  In addition, the release time lag can be shortened because an extra hill climbing operation is not required.

  Furthermore, if the subject that has been focused is enlarged and displayed after focusing, the user can confirm the focused state accurately and easily. If the user sees this display result and is in a focus state that he does not like, it is only necessary to take a picture again by taking advantage of the digital camera, such as the ability to easily erase the photographed image data.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the camera according to the present embodiment, focusing using the image sensor used in the first embodiment and image signals obtained by the sensor arrays 21a and 21b via the two light receiving lenses 20a and 20b are performed. The object search is performed in combination with a so-called external light type triangulation method that performs distance measurement using a position difference x caused by parallax between the two light receiving lenses 20a and 20b. Image signals obtained by the sensor arrays 21a and 21b are converted into digital signals by the A / D converter (A / D) 22 to become image data. These image data are input to the CPU 1.

  The CPU 1 calculates the subject distance L from L = Bf / x, which is the principle formula of triangulation, by obtaining the aforementioned x by comparing these two image data. Here, B is the distance between the two light receiving lenses, and f is the distance between the light receiving lens 20a and the sensor array 21a or the distance between the light receiving lens 20b and the sensor array 21b.

  In this way, based on the obtained subject distance L, the CPU 1 focuses the photographing lens 2 via the LD 4. Thereafter, when actually capturing an image, the CPU 1 also performs light amount control of the strobe light emitting unit 12 based on the amount of light received by the photographing lens 2 and the amount of light received by the image sensor 3.

  The distance measuring device based on the principle of triangulation is a well-known technique and will not be described in detail. Further, since focusing using the image sensor 3 has been described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here. In the present embodiment, the function of enlarging and displaying the focused subject in the first embodiment on the LCD is omitted so that the display of the distance measurement point and the like is superimposed on the finder. It can also be applied to.

  Here, the range 23 monitored by the above-described triangulation sensor array in the photographing scene 10 is as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to measure three points in the screen depending on which of 24L, 24C, and 24R of the sensor array 21a is used as a distance measuring point.

  Here, FIG. 6B shows only one of the sensor arrays 21a and 21b (for example, the sensor array 21a), and actually there is another same one. Thereafter, the description will be continued for the sensor array 21a, but the same description can be made for the sensor array 21b. In addition, the distance measurement area is not limited to the number of three areas as in the first embodiment, and can be five or seven points depending on how the area is divided.

  FIG. 7 is a front view of the camera having such a configuration. The basic appearance is the same as that of the first embodiment except that a distance measuring window 25, which is a window for the light receiving lenses 20a and 20b, is provided above the photographing lens 2. Further, in the present embodiment, since the function of enlarging and displaying the subject that has been focused is omitted, the focus position confirmation switch 9b and the focus position adjustment switch 9c are omitted.

  Next, a camera operation control program according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Also in the present embodiment, the release button 9a is configured in a two-step push-down manner, and the 1st release switch is turned on by half-pressing operation to start imaging the central area 24C and start acquiring the main subject image data. . In addition, it is assumed that the 2nd release switch is turned ON by a full press operation, and an operation of starting focusing and taking a captured image in the memory 6a is started. Also, before starting the operation of this flow, it is assumed that the user sets the subject to be focused at the center of the shooting screen.

  First, when a main switch (not shown) of the camera is turned on, the CPU 1 displays a target mark (ranging frame) in the center of the finder screen (step S70). In this state, it is determined whether or not the 1st release switch is turned on (step S71). If it is determined that the 1st release switch is not turned on, it waits until the 1st release switch is turned on. If it is determined that the 1st release switch is turned on, the sensor arrays 21a and 21b are used to display the inside of the shooting screen. The image data I0 of the subject with the target mark in the central area 24C is acquired (step S72), and the subject distance data L0 in the central area 24C in the shooting screen is calculated based on the subject image data I0 (step S72). S73).

  With the above operation, the camera has detected subject distance data and image data of the subject desired by the user. Next, the subject distance data L0 and the image data I0 are stored in a RAM (not shown) (step S74). After storing these data, the user changes the direction of the camera so that his / her favorite composition is obtained, and fully presses the release button 9a (2nd release switch is turned on).

  Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the 2nd release switch is turned on (step S75). If it is determined that the 2nd release switch is not turned ON, it is determined whether or not the 1st release switch remains ON (step S84). If it is determined that the 1st release switch remains ON, the process returns to step S75. If it is determined that the 1st release switch has been turned off, the process returns to step S71.

  If it is determined in step S75 that the 2nd release switch is turned on, the entire shooting screen is imaged to obtain image data on the entire shooting screen (step S76). Then, based on the acquired image data, the subject distance is measured for each of the three distance measuring areas 24L, 24C, and 24R (step S77). Next, it is determined whether or not a point for outputting data similar to I0 and L0 exists in the distance measurement areas 24L, 24C, and 24R (step S78).

  When it is determined that a point for outputting similar data exists in the distance measurement areas 24L, 24C, and 24R, the similar image data is selected as the image data of the focusing point (step S81), and step S82 is performed. Proceed to

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S78 that there is no point for outputting similar data in the distance measurement areas 24L, 24C, 24R, the image data I0 other than the three distance measurement areas. It is determined whether or not there is a point for outputting similar image data (step S79). If it is determined that there is a point for outputting similar image data, the similar image data is selected as the image data for the focusing point (step S81), and the process proceeds to step S82.

  If it is determined in step S79 that there is no point for outputting similar image data, the image data in the center area 24C of the shooting screen is selected as the image data for the focusing point (step S80), and step S82. Proceed to

  After the image data of the selected point to be focused is found, hill-climbing AF is performed using the image data of the selected point (step S82), and after the hill-climbing AF processing is completed, an exposure operation is performed (step S83). The photographed image is stored in the memory 6a.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user narrows down the subject that the user wants to focus on based on the subject image data (subject image signal) and the subject distance.

  In the present embodiment, the image display system is simplified. However, as in the first embodiment, the distance measurement point selection mark follows when the composition is changed. Alternatively, a function for confirming the focus state by enlarged display may be provided.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is an example in which a subject to be focused is enlarged and displayed on an LCD using a technique for detecting similar image data. Note that the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is assumed. Here, the focus position confirmation switch 9b and the focus position adjustment switch 9c will be supplemented with reference to FIG.

  In this embodiment, the focus position confirmation switch 9b and the focus position adjustment switch 9c are configured as one switch 31 as shown in FIG. The switch 31 includes a push switch portion 51 and a dial switch portion 52. A hole is provided in the center of the dial switch portion 52, and the push switch portion 51 is passed through the hole.

  When the push switch unit 51 is pushed down, the segment 57 is also pushed and is electrically connected to the electrode 58, and a signal output as a result is input to the CPU 1 to operate the confirmation function of the focusing state. That is, it plays the role of the focus position confirmation switch 9b.

  Further, by rotating the dial switch unit 52, the segment 53 is also rotated in conjunction with the movement. By this rotation state, the electrode 54 and the electrode 55 or the electrode 56 and the electrode 55 are brought into conduction, and a signal output as a result is input to the CPU 1 to finely adjust the focus position. That is, it plays the role of the focus position adjustment switch 9c.

  For example, when the electrode 54 and the electrode 55 are electrically connected, the photographing lens 2 is moved in the extending direction and adjustment to the front pin side can be performed, and when the electrode 56 and the electrode 55 are electrically connected, the photographing lens 2 is provided. It moves in the direction of retracting and can be adjusted to the rear pin side.

  For example, in the case of taking a photograph having a composition as shown in FIG. 10B using the camera having such a configuration, first, in FIG. 11, the target mark 90 displayed at the center of the photographing screen is set to the main subject 11a. The composition of 10a shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Next, the camera is reset to the composition 10b indicated by the broken line in FIG. 11 so that the target mark 90 is aligned with the tree 11b as the subordinate subject. The operation in which the user aims at the subject with the target mark 90 is hereinafter referred to as a SPOT operation. After this SPOT operation, image data of the subject selected by the user is acquired by the image sensor 3.

  Operation control of the camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Also in this embodiment, it is assumed that the user sets the subject to be focused in advance in the center of the shooting screen as shown in FIG. Further, the flow of FIG. 12 shows the part related to the enlarged display of the camera, and the control of the exposure operation and the like is omitted, but the control of the first or second embodiment is included in these controls. Things can be applied.

  First, the CPU 1 determines whether or not a SPOT operation has been performed (step S90). If it is determined that the SPOT operation has not been performed, the system waits until the SPOT operation has been performed. If it is determined that the SPOT operation has been performed, the image data I1 of the subject with the target mark 90 is acquired ( In step S91), the image data I1 is stored in a RAM (not shown) (step S92).

  Here, the user aims at another subject with the target mark 90, that is, a subject whose focus is to be confirmed other than the subject. The CPU 1 determines again whether or not the SPOT operation has been performed (step S93). If it is determined that the SPOT operation has not been performed, the system waits until the SPOT operation has been performed. If it is determined that the SPOT operation has been performed, the image data I2 of the subject with the target mark 90 is acquired ( In step S94, the image data I2 is stored in a region other than the region in which the image data I1 is stored in a RAM (not shown) (step S95).

  Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not to perform display on the LCD 8 according to an operation state of a monitor button (not shown) (step S96). If it is determined not to display on the LCD 8, it is determined whether or not to clear the image data stored in the RAM (step S97).

  Note that this determination includes, for example, a method of determining the elapse of a predetermined time and clearing the image data when the predetermined time elapses. If it is determined in step S97 that the image data is not cleared, the process returns to step S96. If it is determined that the image data is to be cleared, the image data stored in the RAM is cleared (step S98), and the process returns to step S90.

  If it is determined in step S96 that display on the LCD 8 is to be performed, all image data in the shooting screen is acquired (step S99). Next, image data similar to the image data I1 and I2 is extracted from the acquired image data (step S100). Next, it is determined whether or not the push switch unit 51 has been turned on, that is, whether or not to perform enlarged display for checking the focus state (step S101). If it is determined that the enlarged display is not to be performed, this flow is directly exited.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the enlarged display is to be performed, an image corresponding to the extracted image data I1 and I2 is enlarged and displayed on the LCD 8 as shown in FIG. 2F (step S102). Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the push switch unit 51 is turned off, that is, whether or not to cancel the enlarged display (step S103). If it is determined that the enlarged display is to be canceled, the enlarged display is canceled (step S104), and this flow is exited.

  On the other hand, if it is determined not to cancel the enlarged display, it is determined whether or not the dial switch unit 52 has been operated, that is, whether or not the focus position is to be finely adjusted (step S105). If it is determined that the dial switch unit 52 has been operated, the photographing lens 2 is extended or retracted according to the operation amount of the dial switch unit 52 (step S106), and then the process returns to step S99 to change the image. Do. If it is determined that the dial switch unit 52 has not been operated, the process returns to step S102.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by using the similar image data detection technique that is a feature of the present invention, it is specified at which point in the shooting screen the subject that the user wants to exist, By enlarging and displaying it, high-speed focusing and accurate confirmation of the focusing state can be performed. In this embodiment, the relationship between the two points of focus is made visible in the form of an LCD display. However, the two images are focused at the focus position where the contrast of the two images is the best. Such applications are also possible.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. is there.

  Here, if the summary of this invention is summarized, in addition to what was described in the claim, the following things are included.

  (1) If there is no portion similar to the image data stored in the storage means in the image data acquired at the time of focusing, a warning is given, and then the photographic lens is placed on the subject in the center of the photographic screen. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is focused.

(2) It further comprises selection means that can arbitrarily select a focusing point for performing focusing,
5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein when a focusing point is selected by the selection unit, acquisition of image data of a subject at the selected focusing point is performed. 6.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 2 ... Shooting lens, 3 ... Imaging device, 4 ... Shooting lens drive circuit (LD), 5 ... Focus determination circuit, 6 ... Image processing circuit, 6a ... Memory, 7 ... LCD driver, 8 ... Liquid crystal display (LCD), 9a ... Release switch, 9b ... Focus position change switch, 9c ... Focus position adjustment switch, 51 ... Push switch section, 52 ... Dial switch section

Claims (3)

An imaging sensor for acquiring subject image data;
A photographic lens for forming a subject image on the imaging sensor;
A focusing means for focusing the photographing lens;
Display means for displaying the enlarged image area of the subject image used for focusing and the area of the subject image not used for focusing after the focusing of the photographic lens is finished; and
A camera comprising:   2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising designation means for designating a subject image area used for focusing and a subject image area not used for focusing.   2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a focus fine adjustment means for finely adjusting the focus of the photographing lens after the display by the display means.

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