JP2010128395A - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus where an autofocus region is decided on the basis of a line designated on a picture by a photographer, and thus an object to be focused can be correctly designated. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus comprises: a display means displaying an image; a designation means designating a line to the image displayed on the display face of the display means; a detection means detecting the line designated by the designation means; and a region setting means setting a detection region used for autofocus control using the line detected by the detection means. By the constitution, an autofocus region is decided on the basis of the line designated on the picture by the photographer, and thus the object to be focused can be correctly designated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method.

  In an electronic image pickup apparatus that includes an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, such as a digital still camera, and takes an image of a subject electronically, the image pickup device is connected. An autofocus process that can automatically focus on the subject using the imaged image is provided.

  In recent imaging apparatuses, a photographer can freely specify an autofocus area (AF area) used for ranging in an image formed by an image sensor during autofocus processing. The AF area is generally rectangular, and the autofocus process is executed so as to focus on the subject included in the rectangular AF area. However, there is a problem that the shooting distance information cannot be obtained correctly if both the near and far subjects are included in the AF area. For this reason, it has been proposed to devise a subject reading method and an evaluation method so as to correctly obtain shooting distance information (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 7).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-19985 JP 2005-78009 A JP 2004-48526 A JP 2001-159730 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-70206 JP 2008-85737 A JP 11-136568 A

  However, even if you try to obtain the correct shooting distance information by devising the method of reading and evaluating the subject, it may be difficult to determine the subject depending on the algorithm. In such a case, focus on the subject you want to focus on. Therefore, it causes a malfunction that causes the subject that is not desired to be focused to be focused. For example, when both the near and near subjects are included in the AF area, there is a problem that it is impossible to correctly detect which subject is the subject to be focused.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to specify a line for an image displayed on a screen by a photographer, and to specify a line designated by the photographer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved imaging apparatus and imaging method capable of accurately specifying a subject to be focused by determining an AF area based on the above.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, a display unit that displays an image, a designation unit that designates a line for an image displayed on the display surface of the display unit, and a designation unit An imaging apparatus is provided that includes detection means for detecting a designated line and area setting means for a detection area used for autofocus control using the line detected by the detection means.

  According to this configuration, the display means displays an image, the designation means designates a line with respect to the image displayed on the display surface of the display means, and the detection means detects the line designated by the designation means. The area setting means sets a detection area used for autofocus control using the line detected by the detection means. As a result, by determining the area on the line designated for the image displayed on the screen, the area to be focused becomes clear, and the subject to be focused can be accurately designated.

  The line designated by the designation means may be designated directly with respect to the line designation surface provided on the surface of the display surface. Then, the area setting means may determine the priority when setting the detection area according to the pressure intensity detected by the detection means.

  The area setting means may determine the priority in setting the detection area according to the detection order when the detection means detects a plurality of lines.

  The area setting means may determine the priority for setting the detection area according to the length of the detected line when the detecting means detects a plurality of lines.

  Further, the line designated by the designation means may be indirectly designated with respect to the line designation surface provided on the surface of the display surface.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a display step for displaying an image, a specification step for specifying a line for the image displayed in the display step, and a specification step There is provided an imaging method comprising: a detection step for detecting a detected line; and a region setting step for setting a predetermined vicinity region around the line detected in the detection step as a detection region used for autofocus control.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately specify a subject to be focused by determining an autofocus area based on a line designated by the photographer for an image displayed on the screen. Possible new and improved imaging devices and imaging methods can be provided.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  First, the configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a zoom lens 102, a diaphragm 104, a focus lens 106, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) element 108, and an amplifier-integrated CDS. (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit 110, A / D converter 112, image input controller 114, image signal processing unit 116, compression processing unit 120, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) driver 122, LCD 124, timing Generator 126, motor drivers 142a, 142b, 142c, control unit 128, operation unit 132, memory 134, VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 136, media A controller 138, and a recording medium 140.

  The zoom lens 102, the diaphragm 104, the focus lens 106, and the CCD element 108 constitute an exposure unit. In the present embodiment, the exposure unit is configured using the CCD element 108, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) element may be used instead of the CCD element. Since the CMOS element can convert the image light of the subject into an electric signal at a higher speed than the CCD element, it is possible to shorten the time from when the subject is photographed until the image is recorded.

  The zoom lens 102 is a lens whose focal length continuously changes by moving back and forth in the optical axis direction, and shoots while changing the size of the subject. The diaphragm 104 adjusts the amount of light entering the CCD element 108 when taking an image. The focus lens 106 adjusts the focus of the subject by moving back and forth in the optical axis direction.

  Motor drivers 142a, 142b, and 142c control motors that operate the zoom lens 102, the diaphragm 104, and the focus lens 106. By operating the zoom lens 102, the diaphragm 104, and the focus lens 106 via the motor drivers 142a, 142b, and 142c, the size of the subject, the amount of light, and the focus are adjusted.

  The CCD element 108 is an element for converting light incident from the zoom lens 102, the diaphragm 104, and the focus lens 106 into an electric signal. In this embodiment, the incident light is controlled by the electronic shutter to adjust the time for extracting the electric signal. However, the time for extracting the electric signal may be adjusted by controlling the incident light using the mechanical shutter.

  The CDS circuit 110 is a circuit in which a CDS circuit that is a kind of sampling circuit that removes noise from the electrical signal output from the CCD element 108 and an amplifier that amplifies the electrical signal after removing the noise are integrated. . In the present embodiment, the imaging apparatus 100 is configured using a circuit in which a CDS circuit and an amplifier are integrated. However, the CDS circuit and the amplifier may be configured as separate circuits.

  The A / D converter 112 converts the electrical signal generated by the CCD element 108 into a digital signal, and generates raw image data.

  The image signal processing unit 116 is a circuit that performs various signal processing on the raw image data generated by the A / D converter 112.

  The compression processing unit 120 performs a compression process for compressing the data subjected to the signal processing by the image signal processing unit 116 into image data of an appropriate format. The image compression format may be a reversible format or an irreversible format. As an example of a suitable format, you may convert into a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format and a JPEG2000 format.

  The LCD 124 performs live view display before performing a shooting operation, various setting screens of the imaging apparatus 100, display of captured images, and the like. Display of image data and various information of the imaging apparatus 100 on the LCD 124 is performed via the LCD driver 122. In this embodiment, live view display before performing a shooting operation on the LCD, various setting screens of the imaging apparatus 100, display of a captured image, and the like are performed. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. . Live view display before shooting operation, various setting screens of the image capturing apparatus 100, display of captured images, and the like are performed on a display device other than the LCD, for example, a display device using an organic EL (Electro Luminescence). May be.

  The timing generator 126 inputs a timing signal to the CCD element 108. The shutter speed is determined by the timing signal from the timing generator 126. That is, the drive of the CCD element 108 is controlled by the timing signal from the timing generator 126, and the image signal from the subject is incident within the time that the CCD element 108 is driven, thereby generating an electrical signal that is the basis of the image data. The

  The control unit 128 issues a signal-related command to the CCD element 108, the CDS circuit 110, and the like, and issues an operation-related command to the operation of the operation unit 132. In the present embodiment, the control unit 128 may be a single CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a signal system command and an operation system command are performed by separate CPUs or DSPs (Digital Signal Processors). Also good.

  The operation unit 132 includes a function as a shooting mode selection unit, and members for operating the imaging apparatus 100 and various settings at the time of shooting are arranged. The members arranged in the operation unit 132 include a power button, a cross key and a selection button for selecting a shooting mode and a shooting drive mode and setting an effect parameter, a shutter button for starting a shooting operation, and the like.

  The memory 134 temporarily stores captured images and images subjected to signal processing by the image signal processing unit 116. The memory 134 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a plurality of images. Reading and writing of images to and from the memory 134 is controlled by the image input controller 114.

  The VRAM 136 holds contents displayed on the LCD 124, and the resolution and the maximum number of colors of the LCD 124 depend on the capacity of the VRAM 136.

  The recording medium 140 records a photographed image. Input / output to / from the recording medium 140 is controlled by the media controller 138. As the recording medium 140, a memory card that is a card-type storage device that records data in a flash memory can be used.

  The configuration of the imaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, the configuration of the control unit 128 included in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the control unit 128 included in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the control unit 128 included in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 128 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a proper exposure calculation unit 151, an exposure control unit 152, an autofocus operation control unit 153, an autofocus area setting unit 154, A line detection unit 155.

  The appropriate exposure calculation unit 151 calculates the aperture value of the aperture 104 and the exposure time for the CCD 108 so that the image formed on the CCD 108 is appropriately exposed. The exposure control unit 152 controls the operation of the aperture 104 and the exposure time to the CCD 108 based on the aperture value of the aperture 104 calculated by the appropriate exposure calculation unit 151 and the exposure time to the CCD 108. By calculating the aperture value of the aperture 104 and the exposure time to the CCD 108 by the appropriate exposure calculation unit 151, the exposure control unit 152 can control the aperture value and the shutter time when the subject is imaged.

  The autofocus operation control unit 153 controls the operation of the focus lens 106 in order to focus the image formed on the CCD 108 in accordance with the start instruction of the autofocus operation by the photographer. The autofocus operation control unit 153 performs autofocus processing on an image included in an autofocus area set by an autofocus area setting unit 154 described later. As an instruction to start the autofocus operation of the photographer, for example, a half-press operation by the photographer of the shutter button included in the operation unit 132 may be used.

  The autofocus area setting unit 154 sets an autofocus area used in autofocus processing in the autofocus operation control unit 153. The autofocus area setting unit 154 sets the autofocus area based on the line on the image formed on the CCD 108 set by the line detection unit 155. The autofocus area setting process by the autofocus area setting unit 154 will be described in detail later.

  The line detection unit 155 detects a line designated by the photographer with respect to the image displayed on the live view on the LCD 124, and forms an image on the CCD 108 for setting the autofocus region by the autofocus region setting unit 154. Is set on the image to be displayed.

  In order for the photographer to specify a line using a finger or a pen tip with respect to the image displayed in the live view on the LCD 124, and to detect the set line with the line detection unit 155, a touch panel member or other contact type The detection means may be provided on the LCD 124, and the non-contact detection means may be provided on the LCD 124. Examples of the contact detection means include a resistance film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an acoustic pulse recognition method, and an electromagnetic induction method. Among them, the electromagnetic induction method is a method that can detect the pressing strength when the LCD 124 is pointed with a finger or a pen tip.

  As the non-contact detection means, an infrared method, a capacitance method, a line-of-sight detection method, or the like can be used.

  In order to designate a line for an image displayed on the LCD 124 using the infrared method, for example, a device that emits infrared light on each side of the LCD 124 and a device that receives infrared light emitted from the device are provided, and a finger or pen When the infrared ray is blocked by the tip, a location designated for the LCD 124 may be detected by detecting the blocked portion with an infrared light receiving device.

  In order to designate a line for an image displayed on the LCD 124 using the electrostatic capacity method, for example, an electrode is provided on the back surface of the LCD 124, and the electrostatic capacity generated between the electrode and the photographer's finger. May be detected by the electrode to detect a designated place on the LCD 124.

  In addition, in order to designate a line for an image displayed on the LCD 124 using the line-of-sight detection method, for example, a small camera for detecting the line of sight is provided in the vicinity of the LCD 124, and the photographer's line of sight is detected by the camera. By detecting, a place designated for the LCD 124 may be detected.

  The configuration of the control unit 128 included in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Prior to the description, problems in the conventional imaging apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a case where a subject is present on both the far side and the near side of the imaging apparatus 100 as viewed from the lateral direction. FIG. 3 shows a case where a face is present at a point 3 m from the imaging apparatus 100 and a plant is present as a subject at a point 10 m away.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image formed by the CCD 108 of the imaging apparatus 100 when a subject exists as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 also shows the autofocus area 160. Note that the grid shown in FIG. 4 is given for convenience of explanation.

  Thus, if the autofocus area 160 includes a far-side subject and a near-side subject, it is not possible to know which subject should be focused, and to the subject that should not be focused. There arises a problem of focusing. As shown in FIG. 4, when the autofocus area 160 includes a far-side subject and a near-side subject, this can occur when the autofocus processing is executed by a contrast detection method that is a general autofocus processing. Explain the problem.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a filter when performing autofocus processing by the contrast detection method, and FIG. 6 shows an example of obtaining the contrast intensity by the contrast detection method using the filter shown in FIG. It is a flowchart shown about. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing, as a graph, an example of the relationship between the distance from the imaging device and the contrast intensity when the contrast intensity of the image is obtained using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The contrast intensity calculation process shown in FIG. 6 will be described. In order to calculate the contrast intensity in the detection region, first, the value of the contrast intensity is reset (a variable for storing the contrast intensity value is set to 0) (step S101). When the contrast intensity value is reset, the height is subsequently two points smaller than the width of the detection region in the horizontal axis (x-axis) direction and two points less than the height of the detection region in the vertical axis (y-axis) direction. In response to this, the following processing is repeated (step S102, step S103).

  In order to calculate the contrast intensity, the following contrast intensity calculation process is repeated for all elements in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction of the filter shown in FIG. 5 (steps S104 and S105).

  The contrast intensity is calculated by integrating the luminance value of each coordinate of the detection area multiplied by the filter value shown in FIG. 5 in the range specified in steps S102 and S103 (step S106). . When the calculation process using all the elements in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction of the filter shown in FIG. 5 is completed for a predetermined coordinate, the process proceeds to the process to the next coordinate (step S107, step S108). . When the calculation process for all the calculation target areas is completed (step S109, step S110), the contrast intensity calculation process ends.

  In the graph shown in FIG. 7, the contrast intensity value of the far-side subject is larger than the contrast intensity of the near-side subject. When auto-focus processing is performed using the contrast detection method, it focuses on a subject with a high contrast intensity, so it focuses on a plant that is a far-side subject rather than a face that is a near-side subject. End up. Therefore, if the photographer wants to focus on the face, not the plant, the autofocus process will malfunction.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the photographer draws a line on the subject to be focused on with respect to the image displayed in the live view on the LCD 124 by using a finger or a pen tip, and the surroundings of the drawn line. By using as the autofocus area, it is possible to accurately focus on the subject to be focused. Hereinafter, the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where an autofocus area is designated for an image displayed in live view on the LCD 124 of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the grids shown in FIG. 8 are given for convenience of explanation, and such grids are not displayed in an image that is actually displayed in live view on the LCD 124.

  8 also shows an instruction line 172 instructed by the photographer and a detection area 174 set by the autofocus area setting unit 154 by the instruction line 172. The instruction line 172 is set, for example, when the photographer traces an arbitrary place on the image displayed on the LCD 124 using a finger or a pen tip. In the example shown in FIG. 8, in order to focus on the face that is the subject on the near side, the instruction line 172 is designated so as to trace the outline of the face. As shown in FIG. 8, by specifying an instruction line 172 for the image displayed on the LCD 124, a detection region 174 for focusing on the face can be set in the imaging apparatus 100. When the instruction line 172 is designated, the instruction line 172 is displayed on the LCD 124 so that the locus of the location designated by the photographer remains in order to make it easy to grasp which position the photographer designated as the instruction line. It is desirable to display.

  When the instruction line 172 is designated, it may be combined with enlargement / reduction processing of an image displayed on the LCD 124. For example, the image displayed on the LCD 124 may be enlarged by operating the operation unit 132, and the instruction line 172 may be designated for the enlarged image. Thus, by specifying the instruction line 172 in combination with the enlargement / reduction processing of the image displayed on the LCD 124, the detection region 174 can be set in a finer range.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting the detection area 174 when the instruction line 172 is designated in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a method for setting the detection region 174 when the instruction line 172 is designated in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

  First, when a photographer inputs a line to the image displayed on the LCD 124 using a fingertip or a pen tip, the line detector 155 detects the line input by the photographer. Then, the line detected by the line detection unit is acquired as the instruction line 172 (step S111).

  In step S111, when the line detection unit 155 acquires the instruction line 172, the autofocus area setting unit 154 converts the acquired instruction line 172 into a predetermined two-dimensional coordinate system (autofocus) for setting the autofocus area. (Evaluation coordinate system) is converted (step S112). When the instruction line 172 is converted into the autofocus coordinate system in step S112, the variable y for the y axis in the autofocus evaluation coordinate system is set to 1 in order to specify the detection area 174 in the autofocus area setting unit 154. (Step S113), the following processing is repeated until the variable i becomes 0 to the number of elements of the instruction line 172 (Step S114).

  First, the x-axis variable x in the autofocus evaluation coordinate system is set to 1 (step S115), and then the following process is performed from the variable x_offset for determining the autofocus area in the x-axis direction from −M to M. Repeat (step S116). Note that M is a variable for determining the width in the x-axis direction of the detection region 174. In the example shown in FIG. Of course, it goes without saying that the value of M is not limited to this example. For example, if the value of M is set to 0, only the instruction line 172 can be set as the autofocus detection area.

  In order to calculate the coordinates of the detection region 174, the variable xx indicating the value of the x coordinate of the region (evaluation region) for evaluating the contrast of the subject in the autofocus evaluation coordinate system includes the value of the x coordinate of the instruction line 172 ( The value obtained by adding the value of the variable x_offset to FocusCurve [i] .x) is set, and the value of the y-coordinate of the indication line 172 (FocusCurve [i] .y) is set in the variable yy indicating the value of the y-coordinate of the evaluation area. Is set (step S117). Then, the values of the variables xx and yy set in step S117 are set as the x coordinate and y coordinate of the detection area 174 (step S118).

  In step S118, when the values of variables xx and yy set in step S117 are set as the x coordinate and y coordinate of the autofocus area, the values of variable x_offset and variable x are increased by 1 (step S119). Here, if the value of the variable x_offset is larger than the value of M, the iterative process shown in step S116 is terminated.

  When the iterative process shown in step S116 is completed, the values of variable i and variable y are incremented by 1 (step S120). If the value of the variable i is larger than the number of elements on the instruction line 172, the iterative process shown in step S114 is terminated, and the setting process for the detection area 174 is terminated.

  Heretofore, the method for setting the detection area 174 when the instruction line 172 is designated in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described. In this manner, the area near the instruction line 172 designated by the photographer can be set as the detection area 174 for focusing on the subject. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, by specifying the instruction line 172, it is possible to focus on the face that is the near subject, not the plant that is the far subject.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a case where the contrast intensity is calculated using the detection region 174 set by the detection region 174 setting method according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 9. . Similar to the graph shown in FIG. 7, the graph shown in FIG. 10 is the distance from the imaging device 100 when the contrast intensity is calculated by the contrast intensity calculation method shown in FIG. 6 using the filter of FIG. 5. Shows an example of the relationship between the contrast intensity and the contrast intensity.

  By designating the instruction line 172 as shown in FIG. 8, the detection area 174 is set. By setting the detection area 174, as shown in FIG. 10, only the contrast intensity peak of only the near subject (face) is detected. Therefore, by specifying the instruction line 172 as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to accurately focus on the near subject (face) to be focused.

  Next, an example of a detection area setting method when a plurality of instruction lines are set by the photographer will be described. FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the order in which the instruction lines are detected and the weights determined according to the order when a plurality of instruction lines are set by the photographer in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing demonstrated with a graph about an example. In the example shown in FIG. 11, as the detection area set based on the previously detected instruction line is used, a larger weight is used in calculating the contrast strength, and the detected line is detected later. This is a case where a small weight is used. Such weight may be used when a plurality of instruction lines are set within a predetermined time. Of course, in the present invention, it is needless to say that weights other than those shown in FIG. 11 can be set.

  When a plurality of instruction lines are set for the image displayed on the LCD 124 by the photographer, an appropriate instruction line is detected by using the weights shown in FIG. 11 when setting the detection area. It can be set as an area. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where a plurality of instruction lines are set on the screen imaged on the CCD 108 in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows an instruction line 172a instructed by the first instruction and an instruction line 172b instructed by the second instruction. FIG. 12 also shows a detection area 174a set based on the instruction line 172a specified by the first instruction and a detection area 174b set based on the instruction line 172b specified by the second instruction. It shows. The detection areas 174a and 174b shown in FIG. 12 can be set using the detection area setting method shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a contrast intensity detection method when a plurality of instruction lines are set by the photographer in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows the case where the contrast intensity detection method shown in FIG. 6 is replaced with the part (step S106) where the contrast intensity is calculated, in consideration of the weight shown in FIG. 11 (step S126). It is a thing. That is, the contrast intensity is calculated by integrating the brightness value of each coordinate of the detection area multiplied by the filter value shown in FIG. 5 in the range specified in steps S102 and S103. However, when considering the weight, as shown in step S126 of FIG. 13, the value of the filter shown in FIG. 5 and the detection order in the detection region are compared with the luminance value of each coordinate of the detection region. Multiply by weight.

  FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the distance measurement result from the imaging apparatus 100 and the contrast intensity when the contrast intensity of the image shown in FIG. 12 is calculated using the contrast intensity calculation method shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing shown. The contrast intensity is calculated for the same subject, but as shown in FIG. 14, the peak value of the contrast intensity is set by the weight shown in FIG. 11 set according to the detection order of the instruction lines. Different. Therefore, even when a plurality of instruction lines are detected, it is possible to appropriately calculate the contrast intensity and focus on the subject.

  Next, a case where the contrast intensity is calculated by determining the weight for calculating the contrast intensity based on the pressing intensity when the instruction line is set by the photographer will be described. FIG. 15 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the pressing strength against the LCD 124 when the instruction line is set by the photographer and the weight determined according to the pressing strength in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. In the graph shown in FIG. 15, the horizontal axis indicates a value obtained by normalizing the pressing strength, and the vertical axis indicates the weight. In this way, by setting the weight according to the pressure intensity on the LCD 124 when the instruction line is set, the contrast intensity can be calculated using the weight. In order to detect the pressing strength, it is desirable that the LCD 124 includes an electromagnetic induction type touch panel member. In the present invention, it goes without saying that the relationship between the pressure intensity and the weight shown in FIG. 15 is not limited, and the weight to be set is not discontinuous as shown in FIG. Alternatively, it may increase in proportion to the magnitude of the pressing strength.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where an instruction line is set for the screen imaged on the CCD 108 in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 16, a numerical value representing the pressing strength is shown together with the instruction line 172c. FIG. 16 also shows a detection area 174c set by the instruction line 172c. The detection area 174c shown in FIG. 16 can be set using the detection area setting method shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 16, the pressing strength when the instruction line 172c is set is weak at a position close to the far subject (plant), and the pressing strength when the instruction line 172c is set at a position close to the near subject (face). The case where the instruction line 172c is set by the photographer so as to become stronger is illustrated. The numerical value written together with the instruction line 172c shows the value of the normalized pressing strength, and the larger the numerical value, the higher the pressing strength at that point. FIG. 16 shows a case where the far-side subject and the near-side subject are included in the detection region 174c, as in the case shown in FIG. By setting the instruction line 172c as shown in FIG. 16, even if the detection area 174c includes a far subject and a near subject, the near subject can be focused. The contrast intensity can be calculated.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a contrast intensity detection method when setting a weight according to the pressing intensity when an instruction line is set by the photographer in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is. FIG. 17 shows a part (step S106) where the contrast intensity is calculated in the contrast intensity detection method shown in FIG. 6 in consideration of the weight based on the pressure intensity shown in FIG. 15 (step S136). The case where it replaced is shown.

  FIG. 18 is a graph showing the relationship between the distance measurement result from the imaging apparatus 100 and the contrast intensity when the contrast intensity of the image shown in FIG. 16 is calculated using the contrast intensity calculation method shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing shown. As shown in FIG. 18, even when the detection area 174c includes a subject on the far side and a subject on the near side by using a weight corresponding to the pressure intensity when setting the instruction line 172c. In addition, the contrast intensity can be calculated so that the contrast intensity of the near subject increases.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the autofocus area is set, the determination of the autofocus area is performed on the LCD 124 using the photographer's finger or a pen tip. It is possible to set an instruction line used for the. And the imaging device 100 concerning one Embodiment of this invention detects the set instruction | indication line, and sets an auto-focus area | region using an instruction | indication line. Thereby, the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can set the vicinity of the line designated by the photographer as the autofocus area, and appropriately focus on the subject that the photographer wants to focus on. Is possible.

  In addition, according to the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when detecting an instruction line, by setting the weight according to the detection order of the instruction line and the pressing strength when setting the instruction line. Thus, it is possible to set an autofocus area that better meets the photographer's wishes.

  The above-described operation of the imaging apparatus 100 is performed by storing a computer program inside the imaging apparatus 100 (for example, in the memory 134), and reading out the stored computer program and sequentially executing the stored computer program. It may be.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  The present invention can be applied to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method, and in particular, can be applied to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method that can automatically focus on a subject.

It is explanatory drawing shown about the structure of the imaging device 100 concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the control part 128 contained in the imaging device 100 concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example when the case where a to-be-photographed object exists in both the far side and near side of an imaging device is seen from a horizontal direction. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image formed by the CCD of the imaging apparatus 100. FIG. It is explanatory drawing shown about an example of the filter at the time of performing an autofocus process by a contrast detection system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of obtaining contrast intensity by a contrast detection method using the filter illustrated in FIG. 5. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the relationship between the distance from an imaging device, and contrast intensity | strength by a graph. It is explanatory drawing shown about the case where an auto-focus area | region is designated with respect to the image displayed on LCD124 by the live view. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting a detection region 174. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example at the time of calculating contrast intensity | strength with a graph. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the relationship between the order which detected the instruction | indication line, and the weight determined according to the said order with a graph. It is explanatory drawing shown about the case where a some instruction | indication line is set with respect to the screen image-formed on CCD108. It is a flowchart explaining the detection method of contrast intensity | strength when multiple instruction lines are set by the photographer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the distance measurement result from the imaging device 100, and contrast intensity | strength with a graph. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the relationship between the press intensity with respect to LCD124, and the weight determined according to the said press intensity with a graph. It is explanatory drawing shown about the case where an instruction line is set with respect to the screen image-formed on CCD108. It is a flowchart explaining the detection method of contrast intensity | strength when setting the weight according to press intensity | strength. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the distance measurement result from the imaging device 100, and contrast intensity | strength with a graph.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Imaging device 102 Zoom lens 104 Aperture 106 Focus lens 108 CCD element 110 CDS circuit 112 A / D converter 114 Image input controller 116 Image signal processing part 120 Compression processing part 122 LCD driver 124 LCD
126 Timing generator 128 Control unit 132 Operation unit 134 Memory 138 Media controller 140 Recording medium 142a, 142b, 142c Motor driver 151 Proper exposure calculation unit 152 Exposure control unit 153 Autofocus operation control unit 154 Autofocus area setting unit 155 Line detection unit 172 , 172a, 172b, 172c Indicator lines 174, 174a, 174b, 174c Detection area

Claims (7)

Display means for displaying an image;
Designating means for designating a line for an image displayed on the display surface of the display means;
Detection means for detecting a line designated by the designation means;
Area setting means for setting a detection area used for autofocus control using the line detected by the detection means;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the line designated by the designation unit is designated directly with respect to a line designation surface provided on a surface of the display surface.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the area setting unit determines a priority in setting the detection area according to the pressure intensity detected by the detection unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the detection unit detects a plurality of lines, the region setting unit determines a priority in setting the detection region according to the detection order.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the detection unit detects a plurality of lines, the region setting unit determines a priority in setting the detection region according to a length of the detected line. .   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the line designated by the designation unit is indirectly designated with respect to a line designation surface provided on a surface of the display surface. A display step for displaying an image;
A designation step for designating a line for an image displayed on the display surface of the display step;
A detection step of detecting a line designated by the designation step;
A region setting step for setting a predetermined neighborhood region around the line detected in the detection step as a detection region used for autofocus control;
An imaging method comprising:

Images