JP2010107578A - Automatic focusing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic focusing device for quickly completing automatic focusing operation by capturing the presence of an object in a near side and easily bringing the object in the near side into focus even when the object having a peak exists in a remote side. <P>SOLUTION: A controller 150 divides generated image data into a first region and a second region. An AF control part 152 detects a focus point by evaluating image data generated with a CCD image sensor 120 while moving a focus lens. The AF control part 152 continues detection operation of the focus point by using the image data of the second region when evaluation result of the image data of the second region indicates tendency in which another focus point exists at a position different from the focus point detected by using the image data of the first region when detecting the focus point by using the image data of the first region. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic focusing apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic focus adjustment device that performs hill-climbing autofocus control.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging apparatus that performs a hill-climbing control type autofocus operation. This imaging apparatus divides a focus area into a plurality of areas and obtains a focus evaluation value from a digital integrator for each area. When restarting the autofocus operation in response to a change in the focus evaluation value from the state in which the autofocus operation is in the monitoring mode, the focus evaluation is always performed while forcibly moving the focus lens position toward the near side. A further peak of the value is detected, and if the maximum value of the focus evaluation value once detected does not satisfy a certain reference value, the autofocus operation is further executed.

Thereby, even if the subject is in a mixed state or the subject does not exist in the center of the imaging region, the desired subject can be accurately focused.
JP 2001-255450 A

  If a subject is present on the far side, searching for the focal point from the far side to the near side may cause the far side subject to be in focus and blur the near side subject. In particular, when the far-side subject is a high-contrast subject such as a tree, the tendency is remarkable.

  However, when a subject is present on the near side, the user's intention is often to focus on the near subject (for example, a person).

  Therefore, the present invention makes it easier to focus on the near subject by capturing the presence of the near subject even when there is a subject having a peak on the far side, and to perform the automatic focus adjustment operation more quickly. An object is to provide an automatic focusing device that can be terminated.

  In order to achieve the above object, an automatic focusing apparatus of the present invention includes an optical system that collects light from a subject to form a subject image, and is included in the optical system and moves in the optical axis direction of the optical system. Thus, the focus lens capable of adjusting the subject image to the in-focus state, the subject image formed by the optical system, the imaging means for generating image data, and the generated image data as the first region An image dividing unit that divides the image into the second region, and a focal point that is a position of the focus lens in a state where the subject image is focused by evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit while moving the focus lens. And a focus control unit that detects the focal point by using the image data of the first region, the evaluation result of the image data of the second region is the first control unit. Using image data of area If a tendency that the presence of another focus position different from the detected focus point, to continue the operation of detecting the focusing point by using the image data of the second area.

  According to the present invention, when the subject does not exist on the near side, the focus detection operation is terminated when the focus is detected using the image data of the first region, so that rapid focus is achieved. Operation can be realized. On the other hand, when there is a subject on the near side, even if the focal point is detected using the image data of the first area, the focus operation is continued by detecting the presence of the near side subject. A focusing operation can be realized. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both quick and close focus operation.

(Embodiment 1)
1.1 Configuration Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera 100 includes a focus lens 110, a CCD image sensor 120, an image processing unit 140, a controller 150, and a focus lens 110.

  The digital camera 100 includes an optical system that collects light from a subject to form a subject image. The optical system includes a focus lens 110. The focus lens 110 can adjust the subject image to a focused state by moving in the optical axis direction of the optical system. That is, the focus lens 110 can adjust the focus state of the subject image. In FIG. 1, only the focus lens 110 is shown as an optical system for the sake of convenience, but in practice, other lenses may be included. For example, a zoom lens, an objective lens, a camera shake correction lens, or the like may be included. The optical system may have any number of groups. For example, a two-group configuration, a three-group configuration, or more configurations may be used. The focus motor 111 drives the focus lens 110 according to the control of the controller 150.

  The CCD image sensor 120 is an image sensor that captures a subject image formed by an optical system and generates image data. In the present embodiment, a CCD image sensor is used as an image sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a MOS image sensor or the like may be used. The AD converter 130 converts the image data generated by the CCD image sensor 120 into digital data.

  The image processing unit 140 performs various image processing on the image data received from the AD converter 130. Examples of various image processing include gamma correction processing, white balance correction processing, scratch correction processing, YC conversion processing, electronic zoom processing, and compression processing. The image processing unit 140 may perform other image processing. Further, the image processing unit 140 does not always have to perform all of the above-described processes.

  The controller 150 controls the entire digital camera 100. The controller 150 may be configured with a hard-wired circuit or a microcomputer. The controller 150 includes an AF evaluation value calculation unit 151 and an AF control unit 152. The AF evaluation value calculation unit 151 and the AF control unit 152 can be configured by circuits inside the controller 150. The AF evaluation value calculation unit 151 calculates an AF evaluation value by calculating the sum of the high frequency components of the luminance data generated by the image processing unit 140. The AF evaluation value is a value used during autofocus control, and becomes higher as the subject image formed on the CCD image sensor 120 is in focus. The AF control unit 152 determines how to drive the focus motor 111 based on the AF evaluation value calculated by the AF evaluation value calculation unit 151.

  The buffer memory 160 functions as a work memory when the image processing unit 140 and the controller 150 perform processing. The buffer memory 160 can be realized by a DRAM or the like. The memory card 162 can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 100 via the card slot 161. The memory card 162 has a built-in nonvolatile memory and can store image data processed by the image processing unit 140. The flash memory 163 functions as a built-in memory, and stores image data captured by the CCD image sensor 120, data indicating various setting conditions, and the like.

  The liquid crystal monitor 170 can display an image captured by the CCD image sensor 120, an image stored in the memory card 162, and the like. The liquid crystal monitor 170 can display various setting conditions. In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal monitor is used as the display means, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an organic EL display or the like may be used instead of the liquid crystal monitor.

  The release button 180 is an operation unit for instructing the start of recording of image data captured by the CCD image sensor 120. When the user fully presses the release button 180, the image data is generated by the CCD image sensor 120, processed by the image processing unit 140 and the controller 150, and finally stored in the memory card 162 or the flash memory 163. On the other hand, when the user presses release button 180 halfway, controller 150 performs an autofocus operation based on the image data generated by CCD image sensor 120. More specifically, when the release button 180 is half-pressed, luminance data is generated by the image processing unit 140 based on the image data generated by the CCD image sensor 120. Then, the AF evaluation value calculation unit 151 calculates an AF evaluation value based on the luminance data generated by the image processing unit 140. The AF control unit 152 obtains a focal point based on the AF evaluation value calculated by the AF evaluation value calculation unit 151, and controls the focus motor 111 so that the focus lens 110 moves to the obtained focal point. The focal point refers to the position of the focus lens 110 in a state where the subject image formed on the CCD image sensor 120 is in focus.

1.2 Image Division The controller 150 divides the image data generated by the image processing unit 140 into a plurality of regions. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state when the controller 150 divides the image data into a plurality of regions. The image data is divided into 23 areas A11 to A33 and other areas. Here, in this embodiment, nine areas A11 to A19 are collectively referred to as a first area.

  The controller 150 further divides the image data. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state of division of image data. In addition to the division of A11 to A33, the controller 150 also divides into B11 to B15. B11 exists in an area included in A12, B12 exists in an area included in A16, B13 exists in an area included in A18, and B14 is included in A14. B15 exists in a region included in A15. In the present embodiment, the five areas B11 to B15 are collectively referred to as a second area. Therefore, the second region is arranged so as to be included in the first region. Here, each area divided in the second area only needs to be included in the first area, and may be included in one of the areas divided in the first area. It may be arranged so as to extend over a plurality of divided regions. For example, the region B12 only needs to be disposed in the first region including the regions A11 to A19, and may be disposed across A16 and A15.

  Next, the AF evaluation value calculation method in the AF evaluation value calculation unit 151 will be described in detail. The AF evaluation value calculation unit 151 calculates a first AF evaluation value based on the image data of the first area, and calculates a second AF evaluation value based on the image data of the second area.

  The AF evaluation value calculation unit 151 detects whether or not there is a peak for each of the divided regions A11 to A19, based on the high frequency components of the luminance data of the regions A11 to A19. And about the division area which detected the peak, the sum of the score shown in FIG. 4 is calculated | required. For example, in the state where the peak is detected only in the divided area A14, the sum of the in-focus points is 80 points. Further, in the state where the peaks are detected at A11 and A14, the sum of the in-focus points is 100 points. When the sum of the focal points exceeds a predetermined number of points, the autofocus operation is terminated. As a result, it is possible to perform an autofocus operation focusing on an area having a large score. In FIG. 4, the area A15 is the most important area. Here, the AF evaluation value generated using the high-frequency component of the luminance data of each area of A11 to A19 is referred to as a first AF evaluation value in this specification. In the following description, the focal point is detected using the image data of the first area. In the present embodiment, the sum of the focal points of the divided areas of the first area is a predetermined score. Means exceeded. However, in general, the in-focus point is detected using the image data of the first region as long as any peak is detected, and the sum of the in-focus points exceeds a predetermined score. Not.

  Also, the AF evaluation value calculation unit 151 obtains a second AF evaluation value for each of B11 to B15. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the AF evaluation value calculation unit 151 obtains five types of AF evaluation values as the second AF evaluation values.

1.3 Correspondence with the Present Invention The CCD image sensor 120 is an example of the imaging means of the present invention. The controller 150 is an example of an image dividing unit of the present invention. The AF control unit 152 is an example of a focus control unit of the present invention. The liquid crystal monitor 170 is an example of the display means of the present invention. The digital camera 100 is an example of the automatic focus adjustment apparatus of the present invention.

2.1 Autofocus Operation The autofocus operation of the digital camera 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  The controller 150 monitors whether or not the release button 180 is half-pressed (S11).

  When the release button 180 is pressed halfway, the AF control unit 152 evaluates the image data generated by the CCD image sensor 120 while moving the focus lens 110 from the far side to the near side (S12). (S13) An attempt is made to detect the focal point. At that time, the AF control unit 152 performs autofocus control using the image data of the first areas A11 to A19. If the AF control unit 152 detects the in-focus point, the process proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, if the in-focus point cannot be detected, the AF control unit 152 detects whether or not the focus lens 110 has reached the close end (S15). If the focus lens 110 has not reached the close end, the focus lens 110 is detected. Is further moved (S12), and the first AF evaluation value is calculated again (S13). Accordingly, the AF control unit 152 repeats the loop-like control operation in steps S12 to S15 until the in-focus point is detected using the first AF evaluation value. However, when the focus lens 110 reaches the closest end in step S15, it means that the in-focus point cannot be detected over the entire moving range of the focus lens 110. An error notification to that effect is sent (S16).

  Note that while the loop-like control operation in steps S12 to S15 is repeated, the AF evaluation value calculation unit 151 also obtains a second AF evaluation value based on the image data of the regions B11 to B15. Then, the AF control unit 152 monitors the second AF evaluation value calculated by the AF evaluation value calculation unit 151.

  When the AF control unit 152 detects the focal point in step S <b> 14, the AF control unit 152 stores the focal point position in the buffer memory 160. Then, the AF control unit 152 detects whether or not the second AF evaluation value being monitored tends to increase (S17). When the second AF evaluation value tends to increase (in the case of Yes in S17), the AF control unit 152 has another focal point at a position different from the focal point detected using the first AF evaluation value. It is judged that it shows the tendency to do.

  Then, the AF control unit 152 detects the in-focus point by moving the focus lens 110 from the far side to the near side (S18) and evaluating the image data generated by the CCD image sensor 120 (S19). And That is, the AF control unit 152 continues the focus detection operation using the image data of the second region. At that time, the AF evaluation value calculation unit 151 calculates a second AF evaluation value using the image data of the second regions B11 to B15 (S19), and the AF control unit 152 calculates the second AF evaluation value. Use to perform autofocus control. Then, the AF control unit 152 monitors whether or not the focal point is detected using any one of the image data in the areas B11 to B15 (S20).

  When the AF control unit 152 detects the focal point in step S20, the AF control unit 152 moves the focus lens 110 to a position where the second AF evaluation value reaches a peak (S23).

  On the other hand, when the in-focus point cannot be detected, the AF control unit 152 detects whether or not the focus lens 110 has reached the close end (S21). If the focus lens 110 has not reached the close end, the focus lens 110 is detected. (S18), the second AF evaluation value is calculated again (S19). Therefore, the AF control unit 152 repeats the loop-like control operation composed of Step S18 to Step S21 until the focal point is detected using the second AF evaluation value. However, when the focus lens 110 reaches the closest end in step S21, it means that the in-focus point could not be detected in the AF control using the second AF evaluation value. The focus position based on the first AF evaluation value is read from 160 (S22), and the focus motor 111 is controlled to drive the focus lens 110 to that position (S23).

  In step S17, when the second AF evaluation value does not tend to increase (No in S17), another in-focus exists at a position different from the in-focus detected using the first AF evaluation value. Judged not to. Then, the AF control unit 152 reads the in-focus position based on the first AF evaluation value from the buffer memory 160, controls the focus motor 111, and drives the focus lens 110 to that position (S23).

2.2 Specific Example The autofocus operation of the digital camera 100 has been described above with reference to FIG. Next, the autofocus operation of the digital camera 100 will be described more specifically by dividing the case where a subject exists on the near side and the case where no subject exists on the near side. The case where the subject exists on the near side will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, and the case where the subject does not exist on the near side will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

2.2.1 When a Subject is Present on the Near Side FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram in which a frame indicating the first region and the second region is superimposed on an image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 170. However, actually, the liquid crystal monitor 170 does not display a frame indicating the first area and the second area. In FIG. 6, the frames indicating the first region and the second region are shown in an overlapping manner in order to facilitate the following description.

  In FIG. 6, the subject (person) on the near side exists over the areas A13, A16, and A19 in the first area, and also exists in the area B12. On the other hand, the far-side subject (tree) exists over the entire first area (areas A11 to A19).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing AF evaluation values at each position when the focus lens 110 is moved from the far side to the near side. The solid line indicates the first AF evaluation value, and the broken line indicates the second AF evaluation value.

  When the release button 180 is pressed halfway, the AF controller 152 moves the focus lens 110 from the far side to the near side (S12) and evaluates the image data generated by the CCD image sensor 120 (S13). . Accordingly, the tree is in focus at the position where the focus lens 110 is P1 in FIG. 7, and the first AF evaluation value shows a peak. After exceeding the peak (for example, when the focus lens 110 is at the position P3), the AF control unit 152 detects that P1 is in focus (in the case of Yes in S14). At that time, the AF control unit 152 detects that the second AF evaluation value tends to increase (in the case of Yes in S17). This is because there is a near subject in the area B12. Therefore, the AF control unit 152 continues the autofocus operation using the second AF evaluation value using the image data in the region 12 (S18 to S21). Then, the AF control unit 152 recognizes the position where the focus lens 110 is at P2 as a focal point (S20). Therefore, the AF control unit 152 moves the focus lens 110 to the position P2 and ends the autofocus operation. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the controller 150 controls the liquid crystal monitor 170 so as to display a frame indicating the area A <b> 16 by superimposing it on the image generated by the CCD image sensor 120 and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 170. That is, the focused area is the area B12, but a frame indicating the area A16 including the area B12 is displayed. In other words, when the AF control unit 152 detects the focal point in any one of the second areas, the liquid crystal monitor 170 is an area that includes the area and is a divided area in the first area. Is clearly indicated as the focused area.

2.2.2 When no subject exists on the near side Next, a case where no subject exists on the near side will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram in which a frame indicating the first region and the second region is superimposed on the image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 170. However, actually, the liquid crystal monitor 170 does not display a frame indicating the first area and the second area. In FIG. 9, the frames indicating the first region and the second region are shown in an overlapping manner in order to facilitate the following description.

  In FIG. 9, only a tree is imaged, and no subject exists on the near side. Trees exist over the entire first region (regions A11 to A19) and also in the second region.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing AF evaluation values at each position when the focus lens 110 is moved from the far side to the near side. The solid line indicates the first AF evaluation value, and the broken line indicates the second AF evaluation value.

  The process until the AF control unit 152 detects the position P1 as the in-focus point is the same as that in the case where the subject is present on the near side, and a description thereof will be omitted. When the AF control unit 152 detects that the position P1 is in focus, the AF control unit 152 detects that the second AF evaluation value does not tend to increase (in the case of No in S17). This is because there is no subject on the near side. Therefore, the AF control unit 152 controls the focus motor 111 to move the focus lens 110 with P1 as the focal point (S23).

3. Summary As described above, the digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the optical system, the focus lens 110, the CCD image sensor 120, the controller 150, and the AF control unit 152. The optical system collects the light from the subject and forms the subject image. The focus lens 110 is included in the optical system and can be adjusted to the in-focus state by moving in the optical axis direction of the optical system. It is. The CCD image sensor 120 captures a subject image formed by an optical system and generates image data. The controller 150 divides the generated image data into a first area and a second area. The AF control unit 152 detects the focal point that is the position of the focus lens 110 in a state where the subject image is in focus by evaluating the image data generated by the CCD image sensor 120 while moving the focus lens. Then, when the AF control unit 152 detects the focal point using the image data of the first region, the evaluation result of the image data of the second region is detected using the image data of the first region. If another focal point tends to exist at a position different from the focal point, the focal point detection operation is continued using the image data of the second region.

  As a result, when there is no subject on the near side, the in-focus detection operation is terminated when the in-focus is detected using the image data of the first region, so that a quick in-focus operation is realized. it can. On the other hand, when there is a subject on the near side, even if the focal point is detected using the image data of the first area, the focus operation is continued by detecting the presence of the near side subject. A focusing operation can be realized. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both quick and close focus operation.

  In the present invention, as shown in the first embodiment, the second area may be included in the first area. By doing in this way, the 2nd field can be made smaller than the 1st field. In general, increasing the in-focus area can increase the possibility of picking up a peak in a wide image area, but also increases the possibility of picking up an extra peak. As in the present invention, by increasing the first area and reducing the second area, the focusing operation using the image data of the first area is made quick, while the image data of the second area is It is possible to easily capture a close subject in the focusing operation using the.

  Further, according to the present invention, as shown in the first embodiment, the focusing control unit evaluates the image data of the first region and moves the second image while moving the focus lens from the far side to the near side. When the evaluation of the data is performed and the focal point is detected using the image data of the first area, if the evaluation value of the second image data tends to increase, the detection is performed using the image data of the first area It may be determined that another in-focus point tends to exist at a position different from the in-focus point.

  Thereby, it can be easily determined by a simple determination method whether or not there is a tendency that another focal point exists at a position different from the focal point detected using the image data of the first region. .

  In addition, as shown in the first embodiment, the present invention further includes a display unit that displays an image indicated by the image data generated by the imaging unit and clearly indicates a focused region in the image, The image dividing means divides the first area into a plurality of areas and also divides the second area into a plurality of areas, and the display means detects the focal point in any one of the second areas. In this case, the region including the region, and the divided region in the first region may be clearly indicated as a focused region.

  Thereby, even when the focal point is detected using the image data of the second region, the in-focus region can be recognized by the display frame familiar to the user, so that the usability is improved. If the focal point is detected using the image data of the second area and a frame indicating the second area is displayed, a plurality of types of frames can be displayed and used. It feels cumbersome for the user, and the usability deteriorates.

  In the present invention, it is not always necessary to start the autofocus operation from the infinity end. For example, the autofocus operation may be started from a position between the infinity end and the close end. In this case, in the case of Yes in step S15 shown in FIG. 5, the AF evaluation value may be calculated while driving the focus lens 110 from the near side to the far side, returning to the position where the autofocus operation is started.

  Further, as a result of calculating the AF evaluation value in the entire moving range of the focus lens 110, if the sum of the in-focus points is less than a predetermined number, an error display may be performed as in the present embodiment (S16). Alternatively, if there is a divided area where the peak is detected, the focusing operation may be performed using the image data of the divided area.

  The present invention is applicable to an automatic focus adjustment apparatus that performs hill-climbing autofocus control. More specifically, the present invention can be applied to a digital still camera, a movie, a mobile phone terminal with a camera function, and the like.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram showing the first region in the image Schematic diagram showing a first area and a second area in the screen The schematic diagram which shows the weighting for every area | region divided in the 1st area | region concerning AF evaluation value calculation Flowchart for explaining an autofocus operation of the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the example of a display of a liquid crystal monitor (example in which a subject exists in the near side) Schematic diagram showing examples of AF evaluation values The figure which shows the example of a display of the liquid crystal monitor after focusing A figure showing a display example on the LCD monitor (an example where no subject is present on the far side) Schematic diagram showing examples of AF evaluation values

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera 110 Focus lens 111 Focus motor 120 CCD image sensor 130 AD converter 140 Image processing part 150 Controller 151 AF evaluation value calculation part 152 AF control part 160 Buffer memory 161 Card slot 162 Memory card 163 Flash memory 170 Liquid crystal monitor 180 Release button

Claims (4)

An optical system that collects light from the subject to form a subject image;
A focus lens included in the optical system and capable of adjusting the subject image to a focused state by moving in the optical axis direction of the optical system;
Imaging means for capturing an image of a subject formed by the optical system and generating image data;
Image dividing means for dividing the generated image data into a first area and a second area;
Focusing control means for detecting a focal point which is a position of the focus lens in a state where a subject image is focused by evaluating image data generated by the imaging means while moving the focus lens; Prepared,
When the focus control unit detects the focal point using the image data of the first area, the evaluation result of the image data of the second area is detected using the image data of the first area. If another in-focus point tends to exist at a position different from the in-focus point, the focus detection operation is continued using the image data of the second region.
Automatic focusing device. The second region is included in the first region.
The automatic focusing apparatus according to claim 1. The focusing control means includes
While moving the focus lens from the far side to the near side, performing the evaluation of the image data of the first region and the evaluation of the second image data,
When the focal point is detected using the image data of the first region, and the evaluation value of the second image data tends to increase, the focal point detected using the image data of the first region It shows that there is a tendency to have another in-focus in a different position from
The automatic focusing apparatus according to claim 1. A display unit that displays an image indicated by the image data generated by the imaging unit and that clearly indicates a focused area in the image;
The image dividing unit divides the first area into a plurality of areas and divides the second area into a plurality of areas.
When the focusing control unit detects a focal point in any one of the second regions, the display unit includes the region, and is a divided region in the first region Clearly indicate that it is in focus,
The automatic focusing apparatus according to claim 1.

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