JP2010081100A - Imaging device, imaging method, and imaging program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device which can automatically set an optimum pixel number according to a characteristic object such as a character included in a subject, and which can optimize a memory capacity. <P>SOLUTION: At a stage where a live view image taking an image of a subject is displayed, when a half push of a shutter is detected (step SA1), an imaging device performs image analysis within an image analysis area A (step SA2). When it is recognized that a characteristic object is a character as a result of image analysis (step SA3), the imaging device sets a pixel to VGA. Also, when it is recognized that the characteristic object is a scenery (step SA5), the imaging device sets a pixel to 8M. In addition, when it is recognized that the characteristic object is a face (step SA7), the imaging device sets a pixel to 10M (step SA8). Accordingly, when a character not requiring a large number of pixels is used as a subject and imaging is performed instead of taking notes, the number of pixels is set low and then an image is taken with a small number of pixels so long as a character is in an image analysis area, whereby memory consumption is economically managed according to the plan. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device such as a digital camera, and more particularly to an imaging device, an imaging method, and an imaging device that can automatically change the number of pixels when shooting a subject according to a feature such as a character included in the subject. It is about the program.

  Conventionally, subjects such as landscapes, buildings / monuments, characters, people, and the like have been photographed using an imaging device. The number of pixels (resolution) at this time is generally determined by the user himself, such as the user manually entering the MENU hierarchy and selecting and switching the number of pixels. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging apparatus in which settings are switched between character shooting and normal shooting by mode switching means for switching between a character recognition mode and a normal shooting mode.

JP-A-7-288722 (specification [0015])

  However, in the conventional method in which the user selects and switches the number of pixels by manual operation, shooting is often performed with the number of pixels selected at the previous shooting without switching the number of pixels. For this reason, a user who is shooting at the maximum number of pixels of the camera, for example, 10M, tends to shoot at 10M regardless of the subject, because manual switching is troublesome. Often not done with optimal settings.

  In particular, if the image is always taken at 10M, there is a problem that the memory capacity is consumed more than necessary, or the image size is too large to be handled when the photographed image is confirmed on the PC.

  Recently, there is a method of photographing a character as a subject and using it instead of a memo. In such a case, it is sufficient that the character can be recognized.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to set an optimal number of pixels in accordance with, for example, a feature such as a character included in a subject.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, an imaging unit that captures a subject image, a detection unit that detects a feature from the subject image captured by the imaging unit, and the detection And a pixel number setting unit that sets a range to be imaged by the imaging unit as the number of pixels according to the feature detected by the unit.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the optical zoom means for optically zooming and the characteristic object detected by the detection means are set within the image pickup angle of view of the image pickup means. And zoom control means for performing zoom processing by the optical zoom means up to a maximum magnification that can be accommodated in an image analysis area for analyzing the feature.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, when the zoom control unit detects a plurality of feature objects from the subject image by the detection unit, all the detected feature objects are included in the image analysis area. The zoom processing by the optical zoom means is performed up to the maximum magnification that falls within the range.

  Further, in the imaging device according to the invention of claim 4, when the feature cannot be detected from the subject image by the detection means or when the zoom processing range that can be processed by the optical zoom means is exceeded, It is further characterized by further comprising a notifying means for notifying that effect.

  In the imaging device according to the fifth aspect of the invention, when the feature cannot be detected by the detection means, the pixel number setting means further increases the number of pixels, and the detection means detects the feature again. It is further characterized by further comprising detection control means for performing control.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the feature detected by the detection unit is a character, and the detection unit includes a character detection unit that detects a character. .

  In the image pickup apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the invention, the detection unit detects a feature in an image analysis area in the subject image.

  In the imaging method according to the eighth aspect of the invention, a detection step of detecting a feature from a subject image captured by an imaging unit, and the imaging according to the feature detected in the detection step And a pixel number setting step of setting a range to be imaged by the means as the pixel number.

  In the imaging program according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the computer included in the imaging apparatus detects a feature from a subject image to be captured, according to the feature detected by the detection unit, The imaging apparatus functions as a pixel number setting unit that sets a range to be imaged as the number of pixels.

  According to the present invention, since the optimum number of pixels is set according to the feature included in the subject, the memory capacity can be optimized.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a digital camera 1 that is an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The digital camera 1 includes a zoom driving unit 32 that moves the zoom lens 31 to perform an optical zoom operation in an imaging mode that is a basic mode, an AF driving unit 34 that moves a focus lens 33 to perform a focusing operation, An image pickup unit 35 including an image pickup optical system including a CCD as an image pickup device, a timing generator (TG), a vertical driver, a sample hold circuit (S / H), an A / D converter, a color process circuit An information processing unit 36 including a control unit 36a, an image compression unit 36b, and an imaging processing unit 36c, a main display control unit 37, a main display unit 38, a main touch panel 39, a key input unit 40, and a storage area 41. And an audio processing unit 42 and a speaker 43.

  In the monitoring state in the imaging mode, when there is an optical zoom instruction, the zoom drive unit 32 drives a zoom lens drive motor (not shown) based on a control signal from the control unit 36a to move the zoom lens 31 along the optical axis. By moving back and forth, the magnification itself of the image formed on the CCD is changed. The AF drive unit 34 drives a focus lens drive motor (not shown) to move the focus lens 33. Then, the CCD, which is an imaging device provided in the imaging unit 35 disposed behind the imaging optical axis of the imaging optical system, is scanned and driven by a timing generator (TG) and a vertical driver, and is imaged at regular intervals. One frame of photoelectric conversion output corresponding to the image is output. The imaging optical system corresponds to the optical zoom means of the present invention.

  The CCD of the imaging unit 35 is a solid-state imaging device that captures a two-dimensional image of a subject, and typically captures an image of several tens of frames per second. The imaging element is not limited to the CCD, and may be a solid-state imaging device such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The photoelectric conversion output is appropriately gain-adjusted for each primary color component of RGB in the state of an analog value signal, then sampled and held by a sample hold circuit (S / H), and then converted into digital data (pixels) by an A / D converter. ) And color process processing including image interpolation processing and Y correction processing is performed in the color process circuit to generate a digital luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cb and Cr. Thereafter, the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cb and Cr output from the color process circuit are converted into a volatile memory used as a buffer memory using a composite synchronization signal, a memory write enable signal, and a clock signal from the color process circuit. Transfer to the temporary recording device 41d.

  The information processing unit 36 controls the entire digital camera 1. The information processing unit 36 controls the control unit 36 a such as a CPU or MPU and the luminance and color difference signals for one frame for each of Y, Cb, and Cr components. It is read out in units called 8 pixel × horizontal 8 pixel basic blocks and written to a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) circuit, and this JPEG circuit uses ADCT (Adaptive Discrete Cosine Transform: Adaptive Discrete Cosine Transform) An image compression unit 36b that compresses data by a process such as Huffman coding, and an imaging processing unit 36c that processes image data captured by the imaging unit 35. Note that the information processing unit 36 corresponds to an imaging unit, a pixel number setting unit, a detection unit (character detection unit), and a zoom control unit of the present invention.

  In addition, the control unit 36a takes out a processing program and menu data corresponding to each mode stored in a program storage memory such as a flash memory in response to the status signal from the key input unit 40, and Execution control of each function, operation control of the zoom lens at the time of optical zoom, execution control such as electronic zoom, live view display, automatic focusing, imaging, storage, and reproduction / display of the stored image are performed.

  Also, the controller 36a stops the path from the CCD immediately after the completion of the DMA transfer of the luminance and color difference signals for one frame that has been captured from the CCD at that time in response to the focus instruction, and enters the storage and storage state. Transition. Then, the obtained code data is read out from the JPEG circuit as a data file of one image, and stored in the storage / recording device 41c or the external storage device 41b. In addition, with the compression processing of the luminance and color difference signals for one frame and the completion of the writing of all the compressed data to the storage recording device 41c, the control unit 36a activates the path from the CCD to the temporary recording device 41d again.

  The main display control unit 37 performs display control of captured images, display control of operation images when selecting functions, display control of setting screens, and the like, and performs display control on the main display unit 38. The main display control unit 37 periodically reads the luminance and color difference signals from the temporary recording device 41d, generates a video signal based on these data, and outputs the video signal to the main display unit 38. As described above, the main display unit 38 functions as a monitor display unit (electronic finder) in the imaging mode. By performing display based on a video signal, an image based on image information captured at that time is displayed. It will be displayed in real time.

  The main touch panel 39 is an input control unit that controls a touch panel function provided in the main display unit 38.

The storage area 41 includes an external storage device 41b that can be mounted on the external storage mounting portion 41a, a nonvolatile storage recording device 41c, and a volatile temporary recording device 41d. The storage recording device 41c functions as a program storage memory that stores an operation program executed by the control unit 36a, and the temporary recording device 41d functions as a memory that DMA-transfers the luminance and color difference signals.
The recording device or storage device belonging to the storage area 41 takes the form of 41a to 41d in the present embodiment, but is not limited to this, and may be another combination. For example, the temporary recording device 41d and the storage recording device 41c may be replaced with one nonvolatile recording device.

  In the playback mode, which is the basic mode, the control unit 36a selectively reads out the image data stored in the storage / recording device 41c or the external storage device 41b, and is completely opposite to the procedure in which the data is compressed in the image capturing mode by the JPEG circuit. The image data that has been compressed in the above procedure is expanded, and the expanded image data is expanded and stored via the main display control unit 37, and then periodically read out from the main display control unit 37. A video signal is generated based on the data and reproduced and output by the display units 11 and 21.

  The JPEG circuit supports a plurality of compression ratios, and a mode and compression corresponding to a high resolution (generally referred to as high definition, fine, normal, etc.) with a low compression ratio are stored in correspondence with the compression ratio. There is a high rate low resolution (commonly called economy) mode. It also supports high to low pixel counts. For example, there are storage pixel sizes called SXGA (1600 × 1200), XGA (1024 × 786), SVGA (800 × 600), VGA (640 × 480), QVGA (320 × 240) and the like.

  The storage recording device 41c is a built-in memory (flash memory) or a hard disk, and the external storage device 41b is a storage medium such as a removable memory card, and stores and stores image data, imaging information, and the like.

  The key input unit 40 has a shutter button 3, a power button 4, and a mode button 5. A key processing unit that generates an operation signal of the operated key and sends it to the information processing unit 36 when these keys are operated. (Not shown). The mode button 5 is used to select an imaging mode or a playback mode. The user can select a shooting mode such as (still image) normal shooting mode, macro shooting mode, continuous shooting mode, rapid shooting mode,..., Moving image shooting mode,. The zoom lever 2 is used for zoom operation. In the case of optical zoom, the zoom lens (variable focal length lens) is moved to the wide side or the tele side in response to the operation of the zoom button (W button or T button). The zoom value is determined in response to the above operation, the angle of view actually changes following the change of the zoom value, and a wide (wide angle) image or a tele (telephoto) image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor screen. The shutter button 3 performs a release operation at the time of imaging, has a stroke of two steps, and performs auto focus (AF) and automatic exposure (AE) by the first step operation (half-pressed state). And an imaging instruction signal for performing imaging processing by the second stage operation (fully pressed state).

  The audio processing unit 42 processes an audio signal generated by the speaker 43 in response to an instruction from the control unit 36a. As an example, the audio processing unit 42 is preset when the zoom processing range that can be processed by the control unit 36a is exceeded. The recorded audio signal is read from the storage recording device 41 c and reproduced by the speaker 43. The sound processing unit 42 and the speaker 43 correspond to notifying means of the present invention, but the notification can be performed not only by sound but also by light such as a lamp or display content by the main display unit 38.

  An operation of the digital camera 1 having the above configuration when the shooting mode is set will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating contents displayed on the main display unit 38 when the shooting mode is set. FIG. 3 is executed under the control of the information processing unit 36 when the shooting mode is set. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of pixel determination.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a live view image obtained by photographing a subject is displayed on the main display unit 38. The image analysis area A is set in advance such as the center of the main display section 38, and can be switched between display and non-display. In this example, the subject is landscape in FIG. 2A and the number of pixels is 10M. In FIG. 2B, the subject is newspaper and the number of pixels is VGA. In the main display section 38, the image analysis area A is indicated by a rectangular frame and the number of pixels B is displayed.

  With reference to FIG. 3, a process procedure for determining the number of pixels that is executed under the control of the information processing unit 36 when the shooting mode is set will be described.

  When the information processing unit 36 detects that the shutter button is half-pressed while the live view image obtained by photographing the subject is displayed (step SA1), it performs image analysis in the image analysis area A (step SA2). That is, when it is desired to leave the characters (name of the building) in the landscape in FIG. 2 (a) instead of the memo, or to leave a part of the description on the newspaper in FIG. 2 (b) instead of the memo, When the user moves the digital camera 1 up / down / left / right so that the range desired to be left in the image analysis area A is aligned, when the user presses the shutter button 3 halfway at an appropriate position, the image in the image analysis area A The feature object is detected to determine whether the feature object is a character, a landscape, or a face.

  As a result of image analysis, when it is recognized that the feature is a character (step SA3), the pixel is changed to VGA. If the scene is recognized (step SA5), the pixel is changed to 8M. If the face is recognized (step SA7), the pixel is changed to 10M (maximum number of pixels) (step SA8).

  Thereafter, the focus exposure is determined (step SA9), and this subroutine is terminated.

  The method of image analysis in step SA2 will be described in detail. Judgment of characters, landscapes, and faces can be made as follows.

  The control unit 36a reads the subject image data from the temporary recording device 41d, and performs binarization threshold calculation to obtain a threshold (binarization reference threshold) by an appropriate method. Next, when the subject image data is a multi-tone image, it is converted into a monochrome binary image (binary image data). Thereafter, the converted binary image data is divided into arbitrary sub-regions, and in each sub-region, the number of black pixels (or the number of white pixels) in the total number of pixels in the sub-region is obtained, and these are used as elements. A feature vector is generated and feature comparison is performed. This compares the obtained feature vector with a reference feature vector recorded in advance in the storage recording device, and determines that the one with the highest similarity (for example, normalized correlation coefficient) is a character, a landscape, or a face.

  For example, when setting the sub-regions in the vertical (or horizontal) direction, if sub-regions with only the number of white pixels are generated at regular intervals, it can be determined that characters exist between the sub-regions. However, it is possible to determine the presence of a face by detecting human face features such as face contour, eyes, nose, and mouth with a binary image, and if such features cannot be detected, there is a landscape. It can be determined.

  In the above description, the binary image data is generated for the subject image data. However, in determining whether the feature is a character, a landscape, or a face, only the binary image data in the image analysis area A is used. It may also be performed by generating. In this case, the image data in the image analysis area A is recorded in the temporary recording device 41d separately from the subject image data by detecting the pressing of the shutter button 3, and the control unit 36a reads out the image data in the image analysis area A. Conversion to binary image data is performed.

  In the present embodiment, a method for generating binary image data as an image analysis in step SA2 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any method can be used as long as it can efficiently distinguish characters, landscapes, and faces. In addition, for example, pattern matching, a special character detection program, a landscape detection program, a face detection program, or the like may be used.

  Next, photographing processing by the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a shooting preparation processing procedure executed under the control of the information processing unit 36 when the shooting mode is set, and FIG. 5 is recognized in the image analysis area A when the shooting preparation processing is executed. It is a figure which shows the example of the possible character range. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the live view image shooting process in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a shooting recording process procedure executed under the control of the information processing unit 36 when the shooting mode is set. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the basic photographing condition setting process of FIG.

  First, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, a photographing preparation processing procedure executed under the control of the information processing unit 36 when the photographing mode is set will be described.

  Live view image shooting processing is performed (step SB1). In this process, as shown in FIG. 6, the focus lens 33 is moved based on the position of the zoom lens 31 (step SB1-1), and a live view image is taken by the imaging unit 35 (step SB1-). 2).

  Next, recognition in the image analysis area A is performed (step SB2). This is done by analyzing the binary image in the image analysis area A as shown in step SA2 in FIG. 3 to recognize whether any of characters, scenery, or a face exists in the image analysis area A. In particular, when the user selects / sets the mode menu to recognize the character, the presence / absence of the character is recognized. In this way, features such as characters, landscapes, and faces are detected from the subject image. Note that the timing for acquiring the binary image data in the image analysis area A can be set in accordance with the acquisition of the live view image. However, in order to reduce the processing load, for example, in accordance with the half-press detection of the shutter button 3. Various methods are possible, such as automatically detecting that the user is in focus or performing a zoom operation, and automatically acquiring binary image data.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a character in the image analysis area A (step SB3). If there is no character, a normal image shooting setting is performed (step SB4). For example, as shown in steps SA6 and SA8 in FIG. 3, the number of pixels is changed to 8M and 10M.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a character exists, the number of character pixels is detected (step SB5). Whether or not a character exists can be determined by the above-described feature comparison. In addition, the number of character pixels is detected by calculating the number of pixels constituting one character and detecting the average number of pixels in the case of a large number of characters. For example, it exists between white pixel regions of binary image data. The number of pixels per character may be detected by individually calculating the number of black pixels to be processed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number of character pixels detected in step SB5 is appropriate (step SB6). That is, whether or not the number of pixels is suitable for the user to visually recognize and read is determined based on whether or not the number of pixels is equal to or greater than a preset threshold (for example, 25 × 25). If so, the resolution is adjusted (step SB7) to increase the resolution. On the other hand, if the threshold is equal to or higher than a preset threshold, the resolution is lowered. In this way, an optimal resolution close to a preset threshold value is set.

  If it is determined in step SB6 that the number of character pixels is appropriate, character range detection is performed (step SB8). That is, a character range in binary image data obtained by binarizing subject image data is detected.

  Next, it is determined whether the character range is a predetermined area (step SB9). The predetermined area is whether or not it is in the image analysis area A, and the character range detected in step SB8 (FIG. 5B) and the character range existing in the image analysis area A detected in step SB2 (see FIG. 5). 5 (a)) is the same. As an example, FIG. 5A shows a character range that can be recognized in the image analysis area A detected in step SB2, and FIG. 5B shows a character range detected in step SB8. For example, the image analysis area A (FIG. 5 (a)) detected in step SB2 is compared with the area A (FIG. 5 (b)) where the character is recognized by the character range detection, and both areas are compared. Are equal, that is, match or approximate, it is determined to be a predetermined area. Specifically, the number of black pixels (or the number of white pixels) in the image analysis area A and the number of black pixels (or the number of white pixels) in the detected character range are detected, compared, and the detected character is detected. If the number of pixels in the range matches or approximates the number of pixels in the image analysis area A, it is determined as a predetermined area.

  If it is determined in step SB9 that the character range is not the predetermined area, it is determined whether zoom adjustment is possible (step SB10). This is to perform zoom processing up to the maximum magnification or minimum magnification at which the detected character range fits in the image analysis area. If the character range is smaller than the image analysis area, zoom adjustment for performing zoom enlargement processing is performed. It is determined whether or not it is possible, and if the character range is larger than the image analysis area, it is determined whether or not zoom adjustment for performing zoom reduction processing is possible.

  If it is determined in step SB10 that zoom adjustment is possible, the zoom lens is adjusted up and down by one step (step SB11), and the process returns to step SB5.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step SB10 that zoom adjustment is impossible, or if it is determined in step SB9 that the character range is a predetermined area, detailed character recognition is performed (step SB12). Detailed character recognition recognizes characters in the image analysis area A.

  Next, the information processing unit 36 performs the shooting recording process shown in FIG. 7 after the series of shooting preparation processes shown in FIG. With reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a description will be given of a photographing recording processing procedure executed under the control of the information processing unit 36 when the photographing mode is set.

  First, basic photographing condition setting processing is performed (step SC1). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, AF (autofocus) is performed to determine Fr (lens position of the focus lens) (step SC1-1). It is determined whether or not AF has succeeded (step SC1-2). If it is determined that AF has succeeded, the process proceeds to step SC1-3. If it is determined that AF has failed, the process proceeds to step SC1-. Return to 1 and repeat the autofocus process. Here, in step SC1-2, whether the AF has succeeded or failed is determined based on whether or not the AF evaluation value has become a predetermined value or more. If it is determined that AF is successful, AE (automatic exposure) is performed to determine EV (EV value: Exposure Value) (step SC1-3). Thereafter, E (aperture), ISO (ISO sensitivity), SS (shutter speed), and flash ON / OFF are determined based on the program diagram, EV, EVH (EV correction value) (step SC1-4), This subroutine ends. In step SC1-4, the flash ON / OFF is determined to be ON when SS> 1/60 and OFF when SS <1/60, and only one program diagram is used regardless of ON / OFF. .

  Next, a recording image shooting process is performed under the set shooting conditions (step SC2). Thereafter, the result of the detailed character recognition executed in step SB12 in FIG. 4 is associated with the recorded recording image (step SC3), and the recording image is stored in the external storage device 41b (step SC4).

  Next, the recording image is confirmed and displayed on the main display section 38 (step SC5), and this subroutine is finished.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which, when it is determined in step SB3 in FIG. 4 that no character is present, the process immediately proceeds to step SB4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a process for adjusting the resolution of steps SB3-1 and SB3-2 shown in FIG. 9 is performed in the process between step SB1 and step SB3 of FIG. 4 so that character recognition in the image analysis area is performed more accurately. May be added.

  That is, after recognition in the image analysis area in step SB2, it is determined whether or not a character exists in step SB3. If it is determined that no character exists, the resolution is higher than the currently set resolution. It is determined whether or not the resolution can be expanded (step SB3-1). If it is determined that a higher resolution cannot be set, the process proceeds to step SB4.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the image can be enlarged to a resolution higher than the currently set resolution, the resolution is increased (step SB3-2), and the image analysis area is recognized again (step SB2). In the process of increasing the resolution, the resolution may be set higher for each step, or the maximum resolution may be set at a time. In this way, it is determined again whether the character exists after setting the resolution high (step SB3). If it is determined that the character exists in the image analysis area, the process proceeds to step SB5.

  For example, if you want to read a distant character instead of a memo, it is not possible to distinguish it as a character at the currently set low resolution, but it may be possible to distinguish it as a character by setting a high resolution. is there. By automatically setting to a high resolution in this way, it is possible to quickly and accurately determine whether or not there is a character in step SB3.

  Next, the content of error processing performed in the information processing unit 36 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of error processing executed under the control of the information processing unit 36, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state of an error flag written in the temporary recording device 41d.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, error processing is performed first when it is determined that there is no character in step SB3 of FIG. 4 or 9, and secondly, zoom adjustment is not possible in step SB10 of FIG. The third case is a case where AF failure is determined in step SC1-2 in FIG. The “no character” flag is set in the first case, the “zoom limit” flag is set in the second case, and the “AF failure” flag is set in the third case (see FIG. 11). The error flag is indicated by binary information, and when the flag is set, transition is made to “1”, and otherwise, transition is made to “0”.

  In the information processing unit 36, the content of the error flag is read from the temporary recording device 41d (step SD1), and error notification according to the content of the error flag is performed by the main display unit 38 or the speaker 43 (steps SD2 and SD3).

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the character that is a feature is detected from the image in the image analysis area in the subject image, and the number of images that can be read by the user is determined. Thus, it is possible to store the data with the optimum storage capacity, and to manage the memory consumption economically and systematically. At this time, instead of simply storing with a low number of pixels, the zoom processing is performed up to the maximum magnification that can be accommodated in the image analysis area, so that memory consumption is considered in consideration of ease of character discrimination and appropriate storage capacity. Can be managed.

  In particular, if the subject image is a landscape or a building, but you want to leave only the text part that exists in it as a memo, instead of aiming at the scenery, aim the text part in the image analysis area. In addition, by performing resolution setting and zoom processing, it is possible to perform optimal shooting at a resolution necessary for character recognition and manage memory consumption.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a digital camera that is an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the content displayed on a main display part, when imaging | photography mode is set. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the pixel determination performed under control of an information processing part, when imaging | photography mode is set. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography preparation process procedure performed under control of an information processing part, when imaging | photography mode is set. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a character range that can be recognized in an image analysis area A when the shooting preparation process in FIG. 4 is executed. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of live view image shooting processing in FIG. 4. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography recording process procedure performed under control of an information processing part, when imaging | photography mode is set. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of basic photographing condition setting processing executed under the control of the information processing section 36. It is a partial modification of the flow shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the error process performed under control of an information processing part. It is a figure which shows the state of the error flag currently written in the temporary recording device.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital camera 38 Main display area A Image analysis area B Pixel count display

Claims (9)

An imaging means for imaging a subject image;
Detection means for detecting a feature from a subject image captured by the imaging means;
A number-of-pixels setting unit that sets, as the number of pixels, a range to be imaged by the imaging unit according to the feature detected by the detection unit;
An imaging apparatus comprising: Optical zoom means for optically zooming;
Zoom control for performing zoom processing by the optical zoom unit up to a maximum magnification that allows the feature detected by the detection unit to be within an image analysis area for analyzing the feature set in the imaging field angle of the imaging unit Means,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The zoom control unit performs zoom processing by the optical zoom unit up to a maximum magnification at which all the detected feature objects can be accommodated in the image analysis area when the detection unit detects a plurality of feature objects from the subject image. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an informing unit that informs the user when a feature cannot be detected from the subject image by the detecting unit or when a zoom processing range that can be processed by the optical zoom unit is exceeded. The imaging device according to claim 2 or claim 3.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a detection control unit configured to perform control so that the number of pixels is further increased and the feature is detected again by the detection unit when the feature unit cannot be detected by the detection unit. The imaging device according to any one of 1 to 4. The feature detected by the detecting means is a character,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes a character detection unit that detects a character.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects a feature in an image analysis area in the subject image. A detection step of detecting a feature from the subject image captured by the imaging unit;
In accordance with the feature detected in the detection step, a pixel number setting step for setting a range to be imaged by the imaging unit as the number of pixels,
An imaging method comprising: A computer included in the imaging apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting a feature from a subject image to be imaged;
A pixel number setting unit that sets a range to be imaged by the imaging apparatus as the number of pixels according to the feature detected by the detection unit,
An imaging program that functions as a computer program.

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