JP2010224499A - Autofocus system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autofocus system by which focusing can be properly performed after preset reproduction by storing and reproducing a position of an AF frame taking the position of the AF frame as a preset object in a preset function concerning a focus position and a zoom position. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 78 of a main board 70 of an image processing unit 58 having an automatic AF frame tracking function has an AF frame preset function. When an instruction switch 122 or 124 of a number 1 or a number 2 is turned on in a state that a storage mode is set by operation of a memory switch 120 of an AF frame operation part 60, the CPU 78 stores a present range of an AF frame, a present focus position and a present zoom position as the preset state corresponding to the number. When the instruction switch 122 or 124 of the number showing the preset state that has been stored is turned on in a state that a reproducing mode is set by operation of the AF frame operation part 60, the CPU 78 sets the range of the AF frame, the focus position and the zoom position so that the stored preset state is assumed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an autofocus system, and more particularly to an autofocus system having a preset function related to an AF frame (AF area) indicating a range of a subject to be focused by autofocus (AF).

  For example, the focus and zoom preset functions of the photographing lens are stored in advance as a preset focus position and a desired focus position designated by the operator, and stored according to a predetermined preset reproduction instruction by the operator. This is known as a function of moving the focus and zoom to a preset position by a motor (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, in an autofocus (AF) system that performs focusing automatically by electrically driving a focus, an AF frame (AF area) that indicates a range of a subject to be focused can be changed to a desired position by a user. Furthermore, an AF frame automatic tracking system that automatically tracks an AF frame to a predetermined subject has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this specification, an AF frame indicating the outline of the range of the AF area is mainly used as a term meaning the range of the subject to be focused in the same manner as the AF area.

JP-A-8-334673 JP 2006-267221 A

  By the way, when shooting with a broadcast or professional television camera, in the shooting style using a tripod or shoulder strap, the focus position is stored as the preset position of the preset function so that the target subject is in focus However, since the shooting position moves, even if the preset position is reproduced, it is difficult to focus accurately on the target subject.

  In addition, when the TV camera is installed on a pan head for fixing to a certain location, there is no problem of moving the shooting position, but shooting is performed when the preset position is stored (preset storage) and during preset playback. Due to the difference in conditions, there may be a problem that even if the focus position at the time of storing presets is reproduced, the target subject cannot be focused.

  For example, when the shooting environment at the time of storing presets is bright, the iris is narrowed down and focus adjustment is performed under a condition where the depth of focus is deep. The focus position adjusted in this state is stored as a preset position. On the other hand, when the shooting environment at the time of the preset reproduction is darker than that at the time of storing the preset, the iris is opened more than at the time of storing the preset, and the depth of focus becomes shallow. As a result, the focus condition is more severe than when presets are stored, and even if there is no change in the shooting position or the position of the target subject, the focus may not be accurately adjusted at the focus position when presets are stored. Arise.

  Also, if the subject to be focused is moving like a news program caster, the focus position that is in focus when the target subject is at a predetermined position may be stored as a preset position. In many cases, the subject is not accurately located at the preset storage position, and even if the focus position is reproduced as the preset position, the target subject is not accurately focused.

  When the focus position is played back to the preset position in this way, the focus position may not be in focus correctly, and in that case, it will be necessary to adjust the focus manually after the preset playback. In addition, there is a problem that an improperly shot video is not in focus immediately after preset playback.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an autofocus system in which focusing after preset reproduction of a preset function related to a focus position and a zoom position is appropriately performed. .

  In order to achieve the object, an autofocus system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image formed by an optical system, and a predetermined AF frame among captured images acquired by the imaging unit. Auto focus means for controlling the focus position of the optical system so as to focus on a subject within a range of the AF frame, the position, size, and shape of the AF frame that is an element that determines the range of the AF frame, and the optical Preset storage means for storing at least elements including at least the position of the AF frame and the focus position or zoom position among the focus position and zoom position of the system as a preset target and storing a desired setting state of each element of the preset target as a preset state And preset playback to set the preset target to the preset state stored by the preset storage means Preset reproduction instruction means for giving an indication, and preset reproduction means for setting the preset object to the preset state stored by the preset storage means when a preset reproduction instruction is given by the preset reproduction instruction means. It is a feature.

  An autofocus system according to a second aspect includes the focus position as the preset target element in the invention according to the first aspect, and the preset reproduction unit sets the focus position to the preset state, and then performs the AF. The preset target element related to the frame is set in the preset state, and control of the focus position by the autofocus means is started.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first or second aspect, the autofocus system has a pan / tilt function in which the camera including the imaging unit is electrically panned and tilted as the preset target. When supported by a camera platform, the preset target element includes a panning position and a tilting position of the camera.

  According to the present invention, the focus adjustment after the preset reproduction of the preset function relating to the focus position and the zoom position is appropriately performed.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a television camera system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an AF frame automatic tracking system applied to the television camera system of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an AF frame (AF area). FIG. 4 is an external view of the focus demand. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a liquid crystal display with a touch panel.

  Hereinafter, an autofocus system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a television camera system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, a television camera 10 is a television camera mainly used for broadcasting or business use. The television camera 10 includes a lens device 12 and a camera body 14 and is mounted on a pedestal stand 16. It is supported by.

  The pan head 18 is extended with two left and right bread bars 22 and 24, and a focus demand (focus controller) 26 is installed on the grip part 22 </ b> A of the right bread bar 22 with a mounting clamp 38, and the left side A zoom demand (zoom controller) 28 is installed in the grip portion of the pan bar 24.

  The focus demand 26 is provided with a rotatable focus knob 30. When focus control is performed by manual focus (MF), when the focus knob 30 is rotated, a focus corresponding to the rotation position is obtained. A focus control signal for instructing movement of the focus (focus lens group) with the position as a target position is given from the focus demand 26 to the lens device 12. As a result, the focus lens of the lens device 12 moves to the target position commanded by the focus control signal.

  The zoom demand 28 is provided with a rotatable thumb ring 34. When the thumb ring 34 is rotated in the left-right direction, the zoom (zoom lens group) is moved with a zoom speed corresponding to the rotation position as a target speed. Is supplied from the zoom demand 28 to the lens device 12. As a result, the zoom lens of the lens device 12 moves at the target speed commanded by the zoom control signal.

  Although not shown in the figure, the focus demand 26 is provided with various operation members related to autofocus (AF) and the like, and control of an AF frame indicating a subject range (AF target range) to be focused by AF. An AF frame control device (AF frame automatic tracking device) for performing (change of position and the like) is incorporated, and various operation members of the AF frame control device are also provided in the focus demand 26.

  Further, as shown in the figure, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 40 with a touch panel is installed on the upper part of the focus demand 26 as a constituent element of the AF frame control device, and is connected to the focus demand 26 by a cable (not shown).

  In the following description, the LCD 40 is simply referred to as the LCD 40 with a touch panel. The LCD 40 can be installed at any position other than the upper part of the main body of the focus demand 26. For example, it may be installed beside the viewfinder 36.

  A viewfinder 36 that is a display device is installed on the camera body 14. Since the viewfinder 36 displays an image of the subject photographed by the television camera 10, the cameraman operates the focus demand 26 and the zoom demand 28 while viewing the image, thereby selecting the subject with a desired composition. You can shoot. In the following description, the term “captured video” or “captured image” refers to a video or image currently captured by the television camera 10.

  In addition, an image of the AF frame indicating the position, size, and shape (aspect ratio) where the AF frame is currently set is superimposed on the captured image displayed on the viewfinder 36. When focus control is performed by AF, it is possible to know which range of subjects in the captured image can be focused. The focus control of MF and AF can be switched by a mode switch or the like provided in the focus demand 26.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an AF frame automatic tracking system applied to the television camera system.

  In the AF frame automatic tracking system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the lens device 12, the camera body 14, and the viewfinder 36 of the television camera 10 shown in FIG. 1 are shown. Further, as components of the focus demand 26 in FIG. 1, a focus operation unit 50, an image processing unit 58 and an AF frame operation unit 60 constituting an AF frame control device (AF frame automatic tracking device) incorporated in the focus demand 26. It is shown.

  The television camera 10 includes a camera body 14 composed of an HD camera compatible with a high-definition television [HD (High Definition) TV] system, and a lens device 12 having a photographing lens (optical system) attached to a lens mount of the camera body 14. It consists of.

  The camera body 14 is equipped with an image sensor (for example, a CCD), a required signal processing circuit, and the like. The image formed by the photographing lens of the lens device 12 is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor and then subjected to signal processing. Necessary signal processing is performed by the circuit and output as an HDTV video signal (HDTV signal) from the video signal output terminal of the camera body 14 to the outside.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a video captured by the television camera 10 is displayed on the viewfinder 36 installed on the upper part of the camera body 14 or the like. Various information other than the captured video is displayed on the viewfinder 36. For example, an image indicating the currently set AF frame range (position, size, shape) is superimposed on the captured video. Has been displayed.

  The lens device 12 includes a photographic lens (zoom lens) 64 attached to a lens mount of the camera body 14, and the subject 56 forms an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor of the camera body 14 by the photographic lens 64. It is like that. Although not shown, the photographing lens 64 is provided with movable parts for adjusting photographing conditions such as a focus lens group, a zoom lens group, and a diaphragm as its constituent elements. Servo mechanism) is electrically driven. For example, the focus lens group and the zoom lens group move in the optical axis direction, the focus (subject distance) adjustment is performed by moving the focus lens group, and the focal length (zoom magnification) is adjusted by moving the zoom lens group. Adjustments are made.

  The lens device 12 includes an AF unit 66 and a lens CPU (not shown). The lens CPU controls the entire lens device 12 and controls the state (position, speed) of a control target that is electrically driven by a motor such as a focus lens group, a zoom lens group, and a diaphragm by driving the motor. The AF unit 66 is a processing unit for acquiring information necessary for performing AF focus control (automatic focus adjustment), and is configured from an AF processing unit, an AF imaging circuit, and the like, although not shown. Has been.

  The AF imaging circuit is disposed in the lens device 12 to acquire an AF processing video signal, and an output signal from an imaging device such as a CCD (referred to as an AF imaging device) or an AF imaging device is output in a predetermined format. A processing circuit for outputting as a signal is provided. The video signal output from the AF imaging circuit is a luminance signal.

  On the imaging surface of the AF imaging device, subject light branched from subject light incident on the imaging device of the camera body 14 is imaged by a half mirror or the like disposed on the optical path of the photographing lens 64. . The shooting range and subject distance (distance of the subject in focus) with respect to the imaging area of the AF imaging element are configured to match the shooting range and subject distance with respect to the imaging area of the imaging element of the camera body 14. The subject image captured by the image sensor coincides with the subject image captured by the image sensor of the camera body 14. It should be noted that the shooting ranges of the two do not need to be completely the same. For example, the shooting range of the AF imaging element may be a larger range including the shooting range of the imaging element of the camera body 14.

  The AF processing unit acquires a video signal from the AF imaging circuit, and based on the video signal, calculates a focus evaluation value indicating the level of contrast of the subject image within an AF area (AF frame) that is an AF target range. calculate. For example, a high frequency component signal is extracted from a video signal obtained from an AF image sensor by a high-pass filter, and then a range corresponding to an AF area set as described later in the high frequency component signal. Are integrated for each screen (one frame). The integrated value obtained for each screen in this manner indicates the level of contrast of the subject image in the AF area, and the integrated value is given to the lens CPU as a focus evaluation value.

  The lens CPU acquires AF frame information (AF frame information) indicating the range (contour) of the AF area from the image processing unit 58 as described later, and the range within the AF frame specified by the AF frame information is obtained. The AF area is designated as the AF area. Then, the focus evaluation value obtained from the image (video signal) in the AF area is acquired from the AF processing unit.

  In this way, every time a video signal for one screen is acquired from the AF imaging circuit (each time the focus evaluation value is obtained by the AF processing unit), the focus evaluation value is acquired from the AF processing unit, and the acquired focus is obtained. The focus lens group is controlled so that the evaluation value is maximum (maximum), that is, the contrast of the subject image in the AF frame is maximum. For example, a hill-climbing method is generally known as a control method for a focus lens group based on a focus evaluation value, and the focus evaluation value starts to decrease by moving the focus lens group in a direction in which the focus evaluation value increases. Is detected, the focus lens group is set at that position. Thereby, the subject in the AF frame is automatically focused.

  Note that the above-described AF processing unit obtains a video signal from the AF image sensor mounted on the lens device 12 in order to calculate the focus evaluation value, but the video imaged by the image sensor of the camera body 14 The video signal may be obtained from the camera body 14. Also, any AF means for automatically focusing on the subject within the AF frame may be used.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the AF area 200 is set as a rectangular area with respect to the imaging area 202 of the imaging device in the camera body 14, and a frame 204 indicating the outline indicates an AF frame, A subject photographed in the range of the AF area 200 (within the AF frame 204) is an object to be focused by AF.

  In this specification, the range of the AF frame 204 (AF area 200) with respect to the imaging area 202 is determined by three factors including the position, size, and shape (aspect ratio) of the AF frame 204. The description of “changing the frame range” means changing at least one of the three elements of the position, size, and shape of the AF frame.

  The lens device 12 is connected to the camera body 14 via a cable or directly, and serial communication is performed through serial communication interfaces (SCI) 12a and 14a provided in the lens device 12 and the camera body 14, respectively. Various information can be exchanged. Thereby, for example, the information of the AF frame currently set in the AF unit 66 is also transmitted to the camera body 14, and the AF currently set in the captured image displayed on the viewfinder 36 by the processing in the camera body 14. An AF frame image corresponding to the position, size, and shape of the frame is displayed in a superimposed manner.

  The focus operation unit 50 is a constituent element of the focus demand 26 and also shows constituent elements of a general focus demand. As the components of the focus operation unit 50, the focus knob 30 shown in FIG. 1, a mode switch (not shown) for switching between the AF mode and the MF mode and switching the AF mode type (continuous mode or momentary mode). And an operation member related to AF control contents and MF control, such as an AF start switch (not shown) for instructing the start of AF, and detecting the setting state of these operation members, and based on the detected setting state A processing circuit for sending control signals is provided.

  The focus demand 26 is provided with an interface (I / F) 52 for connecting to the lens device 12 with a cable. The focus operation unit 50 is connected to the lens device 12 via the I / F 52 and the cable, and the SCI 12a. Various signals can be exchanged through serial communication with the lens CPU.

  Accordingly, various control signals sent from the focus operation unit 50 are given to the lens CPU, and processing according to the control signals is executed by the lens CPU. For example, when an instruction for focus control (AF mode) by AF is given, focus control by AF is performed based on the focus evaluation value obtained from the AF unit 66 as described above, and focus control by MF (MF When an instruction of (mode) is given, focus control by MF is performed according to a focus position command signal given from the focus operation unit 50 based on the operation of the focus knob 30.

  The image processing unit 58 is a processing unit incorporated in the focus demand 26 as a component of the AF frame control device, and the range (position, size, shape (vertical and horizontal) of the AF frame set in the AF unit 66 of the lens device 12. A ratio)) is designated by a manual operation or AF frame automatic tracking process described later. The AF frame control device also has an AF frame preset function, and the image processing unit 58 also performs processing of the AF frame preset function. The AF frame preset function stores the position of the AF frame designated by the operator in advance as a preset position, and when the operator gives a predetermined preset playback instruction at any time, the AF frame preset function is set to the stored preset position. It is a function to set the position of. The AF frame preset function of this embodiment is a set of AF frame position, AF frame size, shape, focus position (focus lens group position), and zoom position (zoom lens group position). Each state of the preset target is stored as a preset position (hereinafter referred to as a preset state), and each element of the preset target is set to the preset state according to a predetermined preset reproduction instruction by the operator ( Function). Details will be described later.

  The image processing unit 58 includes an SCI 70a. The SCI 70a is connected to the lens device 12 via the I / F 52, and various signals can be exchanged with the lens CPU through the SCI 12a by serial communication. ing. Thereby, for example, AF frame information for designating the range of the AF frame is given from the image processing unit 58 to the lens CPU of the lens apparatus 12, and the range of the AF frame in the AF unit 66 is set based on the AF frame information. .

  The focus demand 26 is provided with a video input connector for taking a video signal into the image processing unit 58, and the video output connector of the camera body 14 is connected to the video input connector via a down converter 68 with a cable. The As a result, the HDTV signal output from the video output connector of the camera body 14 is converted (down-converted) into a standard television [NTSC (National Television System Committee)] video signal (SDTV signal) by the down converter 68. Are input to the image processing unit 58.

  When executing the AF frame automatic tracking process, the image processing unit 58 sequentially captures one frame of the captured image from the image signal of the captured image input from the camera body 14, and selects a predetermined tracking target from the captured image. The process of detecting the subject is performed. Then, the AF frame range is determined so that the subject can be focused by AF, and the determined AF frame range is transmitted to the lens CPU of the lens device 12.

  The AF frame operation unit 60 is integrally provided with the image processing unit 58 in the focus demand 26 as an AF frame control device, or a part or all of the AF frame operation unit 60 is a separate device from the focus demand 26, that is, image processing. The unit 58 is provided in a separate device and connected by a cable or the like. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the LCD 40 with a touch panel is provided separately from the focus demand 26 (image processing unit 58), and the other components are provided together with the image processing unit 58 on the focus demand 26. .

  The AF frame operation unit 60 is an operation unit for mainly performing operations related to control of the AF frame, and an operation member for an operator to manually input an AF frame range or an AF frame to a desired subject. An operation member for performing an operation related to AF frame automatic tracking to be automatically tracked and an operation member related to an AF frame preset function are provided.

  As shown in the external view of the focus demand 26 in FIG. 4, as the operation member of the AF frame operation unit 60, a position operation member 100 (for example, for moving the position of the AF frame up and down and left and right manually by the user) , A joystick or a trackball), a size operation member 102 (for example, a knob) for manually changing the size of the AF frame, and a shape operation member 104 (for example, a knob) for changing the shape of the AF frame by manual operation. ), A tracking start switch 108 for instructing start of AF frame automatic tracking, a tracking stop switch 110 for instructing stop of AF frame automatic tracking, a storage mode for storing preset positions and a playback mode for reproducing preset positions in the AF frame preset function Memory switch 120 for switching between and 2 sets of preset position storage or playback instructions 1 and 2 indicating switches 122, 124 and the like, and the setting states of these operation members 100, 102, 104, 108, 110, 120, 122, 124 are the image processing unit 58 (described later). CPU 78) of the main board 70.

  Further, the LCD 40 of the AF frame operation unit 60 is configured such that settings such as a mode related to AF frame automatic tracking can be input by a touch operation (tap operation), and an image displayed on the LCD 40 by the CPU 78 of the image processing unit 58 is displayed. It can be switched appropriately according to the setting contents.

  In the present embodiment, the AF frame control device including the image processing unit 58 and the AF frame operation unit 60 is incorporated in the focus demand 26. However, the AF frame control device is different from the focus demand 26. It may be configured as a body device. In this case, a part or all of the AF frame operation unit 60 may be provided in an apparatus integrated with the image processing unit 58, or may be provided in a separate apparatus.

  Next, the configuration and processing contents of the image processing unit 58 will be described.

  The image processing unit 58 mainly includes a main board 70, a pattern matching processing calculation board 72, and a face recognition processing calculation board 74. Each of the main board 70, the pattern matching processing calculation board 72, and the face recognition processing calculation board 74 is equipped with CPUs 78, 90, and 92. Individual calculation processing is performed for each board, and each of the CPUs 78, 90, Reference numerals 92 are connected by a bus or a control line so that data can be exchanged or arithmetic processing can be synchronized with each other.

  The processing in the image processing unit 58 is performed on the main board 70 in an integrated manner. In addition to the CPU 78 that performs arithmetic processing, the main board 70 is equipped with an SCI 70a, a decoder (A / D converter) 76, a superimposer 82, a RAM 80, and the like.

  The SCI 70 a is an interface circuit for performing serial communication with the SCI 12 a of the lens device 12 as described above, and transmits the AF frame information and the like to the lens device 12.

  The decoder 76 is a circuit for converting a video signal (SDTV signal) of a video image taken by the television camera 10 input from the down converter 68 to the image processing unit 58 into data that can be digitally processed by the image processing unit 58. A / D conversion processing for converting an analog SDTV signal into a video signal of digital data is performed. The video signal of the captured video output from the decoder 76 is also sent to the pattern matching processing calculation board 72 and the face recognition processing calculation board 74, and the television camera 10 is also used in the pattern matching processing calculation board 72 and the face recognition processing calculation board 74. The captured video can be acquired as a captured image for each frame.

  The superimposer 82 is a circuit that synthesizes the video signal of the captured video output from the decoder 76 and the image signal generated by the CPU 78 and outputs and displays the synthesized video signal on the LCD 40. As a result, the image captured by the television camera 10 is displayed on the LCD 40 in the same manner as the viewfinder 36 installed in the camera body 14, and the AF indicating the currently set AF frame range is superimposed on the image captured. An image of the frame, a menu screen (menu image) that allows input operations on the touch panel, and the like are displayed on the LCD 40. Of course, it is also possible to display only the image generated by the CPU 78 without being superimposed on the captured video.

  The RAM 80 is a memory that temporarily stores data used in the arithmetic processing of the CPU 78.

  On the other hand, the pattern matching processing calculation board 72 and the face recognition processing calculation board 74 are calculation boards for individually performing pattern matching and face detection / recognition processing. In addition to the CPUs 90 and 92 that perform calculation processing, image data VRAM 94, 96, etc. are temporarily stored.

  Further, the image processing unit 58 is provided with a slot 115 into which a data card 114 is loaded as an external memory such as an SD (Secure Digital) card or a USB memory, and when detecting a face of a specific person by face recognition. Authentication data indicating the face of the specific person is stored in the data card 114 in advance, and the data card 114 is loaded into the slot 75, whereby the CPU 78 can read the authentication data necessary for face recognition from the data card 114. It is like that.

  Subsequently, the control of the AF frame by the image processing unit 58 configured as described above will be described together with the display and operation on the LCD 40.

  As shown in FIG. 5, on the screen 40a of the LCD 40, a menu screen (menu image) composed of various buttons 300 to 310 superimposed on the video image taken by the TV camera 10, and an AF indicating the currently set AF frame range. A frame image 204 (simply referred to as AF frame 204) is displayed. Images to be superimposed on the captured video, such as the various buttons 300 to 310 on the menu screen and the AF frame 204, are generated by the CPU 78 of the main board 70 in the image processing unit 58 shown in FIG. The poser 82 is displayed on the LCD 40 so as to be superimposed on the video image taken by the television camera 10 output from the decoder 76. Note that the CPU 78 controls the display (display contents) on the LCD 40.

  On the other hand, the LCD 40 is provided with a touch panel, and when a touch operation with which a fingertip or the like touches the screen 40a of the LCD 40 is performed, position information indicating the touched position (coordinates) is given to the CPU 78. As a result, the position of the touch operation performed on the screen 40a of the LCD 40 and the type of operation (tap operation, double tap operation, etc.) are detected by the CPU 78. Then, processing according to the operation is executed by the CPU 78.

  As basic operations on the screen 40a of the LCD 40, there are an operation of inputting an instruction assigned in advance to each of the buttons 300 to 310 and an operation of designating a range of the AF frame 204. The former operation is performed by using the buttons 300 to 310. Is tapped with a fingertip or the like. The latter operation of designating the range of the AF frame 204 is performed, for example, by tapping the position where the AF frame 204 is to be moved on the screen 40a of the LCD 40 on which the captured image is displayed, so that the position becomes the center. The AF frame 204 can be moved. Also, the size and shape of the AF frame 204 can be changed by moving the position of the touched vertex or side to the position where the drag operation is performed by a drag operation of touching and sliding the vertex or side of the AF frame 204 with a fingertip or the like. it can.

  The position, size, and shape of the AF frame 204 can be changed by operating the position operation member 100, the size operation member 102, and the shape operation member 104 of the AF frame operation unit 60 (focus demand 26).

  The menu screen (menu image) displayed on the screen 40a of the LCD 40 will be described. In FIG. 5, a fixed mode selection button 300 displayed as “Fixed”, an object tracking mode selection button 302 displayed as “Object tracking”, A face detection tracking mode selection button 304 displayed as “face detection” and a face recognition tracking mode selection button 306 displayed as “face recognition” are buttons for selecting a control mode of the AF frame. By tapping any one of 306, a desired mode can be selected from a fixed mode (manual mode), an object tracking mode, a face detection tracking mode, and a face recognition tracking mode.

  Although details about the control mode of the AF frame are omitted, in the fixed mode (manual mode), the range (position, size, shape) of the desired AF frame is manually designated by the operator, and AF is designated at the designated position. In this mode, the frame is fixed. As a method for the operator to manually specify a desired AF frame range by a manual operation, in addition to a method of performing a touch operation on the screen 40a of the LCD 40, the position operation member 100 of the AF frame operation unit 60 (focus demand 26 in FIG. 4), It is also possible to operate the size operation member 102 and the shape operation member 104. The range of the AF frame specified in this way is transmitted as AF frame information to the lens CPU of the lens apparatus 12 by the SCI 70a and set as an AF frame in the AF unit 66.

  The object tracking mode is a mode for tracking an arbitrary type of object with the AF frame. In this mode, when the range of the AF frame is specified so that the operator includes an image of an arbitrary object that is desired to be a tracking target for the captured video, the object in that range is set as the tracking target. Then, the image to be tracked is registered as a reference pattern, and the CPU 90 of the pattern matching processing calculation board 72 performs pattern matching processing for detecting an image range that matches the reference pattern on the sequentially obtained captured images. Is called. The CPU 78 of the main board 70 determines the range in which the reference pattern is detected as the AF frame range and transmits it to the lens CPU of the lens device 12. When focus control by AF is not performed in the lens device 12 when AF frame automatic tracking is started (when AF mode is not set), AF is started in conjunction with the start of AF frame automatic tracking. Is also instructed.

  The face detection tracking mode is a mode for tracking the face of an arbitrary person using the AF frame. In this mode, first, a well-known face detection process for detecting a face image of an arbitrary person from a photographed image is performed by the CPU 92 of the face recognition processing calculation board 74. When the operator designates a face image to be tracked from the detected face images, the face image is set as the track target. Thereafter, the CPU 92 of the face recognition processing calculation board 74 performs face detection processing on the sequentially obtained photographed images, and the process of specifying the tracking target face image from the detected face images is the CPU 78 of the main board 70. Is done. The CPU 78 of the main board 70 determines the detected range of the face image to be tracked as the range of the AF frame and transmits it to the lens CPU of the lens device 12.

  The face recognition tracking mode is a mode in which a person's face registered in advance as authentication data is tracked with an AF frame. In this mode, authentication data of the face of the person to be tracked is fetched from the data card 114 loaded in the slot 115 shown in FIG. Then, face detection processing is performed in the CPU 92 of the face recognition processing calculation board 74 in the same manner as in the face detection tracking mode, and the face image to be tracked among the detected face images is known face recognition processing using authentication data. Is detected. The CPU 78 of the main board 70 determines the detected range of the face image to be tracked as the range of the AF frame and transmits it to the lens CPU of the lens device 12.

  In FIG. 5, a set button 308 displayed as “SET” and a reset button 310 displayed as “RESET” are buttons for instructing start and stop of AF frame automatic tracking. 310 is displayed only when a control mode (object tracking mode, face detection mode) in which the operator instructs to start or stop AF frame automatic tracking is selected. The set button 308 and the reset button 310 are buttons that operate in the same manner as the tracking start switch 108 and the tracking stop switch 110 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) of the AF frame operation unit 60.

  Next, the AF frame preset function in the AF frame control device incorporated in the focus demand 26 will be described. The AF frame preset function stores in advance (preset storage) the position of a desired AF frame designated by the operator as a preset position, and stores the memory when the operator issues a predetermined preset reproduction instruction at any time. This is a function for setting the position of the AF frame to the preset position. In the AF frame preset function of the present embodiment, not only the position of the AF frame but also the size and shape of the AF frame are stored, and the focus position and zoom position of the photographing lens 64 of the lens device 12 are also stored. When the preset reproduction instruction is given, the position, size, shape (that is, the range of the AF frame), focus position, and zoom position of the AF frame are set in the stored state. Note that a predetermined state regarding any element among the position, size, and shape of the AF frame, the focus position of the photographing lens 64, and the zoom position is referred to as a preset state in this specification.

  The AF frame operation unit 60 in FIG. 2 (focus demand 26 in FIG. 4) has memory switches 120 and 2 for switching between a storage mode for storing the preset state and a reproduction mode for reproducing (reproducing) the preset state in the AF frame preset function. No. 1 and No. 2 instruction switches 122 and 124 are provided for instructing the storage or reproduction of the preset state of the set. The setting states (on / off states) of these switches 120 to 124 are read by the CPU 78 of the main board 70 in the image processing unit 58.

  For example, the operator sets the AF frame control mode to the fixed mode (manual mode) (selects the fixed mode selection button 300 in FIG. 5), and sets the AF frame range to be stored as a preset state by manual operation. To do. Further, the focus position and zoom position of the photographing lens 64 in the lens device 12 are also set to positions that are to be stored as preset states. The focus position stored as the preset state may be set by manual operation of the focus knob 30 of the focus demand 26, or may be set by AF.

  Subsequently, the operator operates the memory switch 120 to set the storage mode. Here, the memo switch 120 is, for example, an automatic return type button switch, and each time it is turned on, the storage mode and the reproduction mode are alternately switched. The CPU 78 of the main board 70 is in the reproduction mode. When the memory switch 120 is turned on, the mode is changed to the storage mode, and when the memory switch 120 is turned on in the storage mode, the mode is changed to the reproduction mode.

  After setting the storage mode, the operator turns on the instruction switch 122 of number 1 or the instruction switch 124 of number 2, and sets the current AF frame range, focus position, and zoom position to number 1 or number 2. Instruct to store as preset state.

  Note that the number 1 indicating switch 122 or the number 2 indicating switch 124 can store and reproduce two types of preset states, number 1 and number 2, and the direction switch can be set according to the number of preset states that can be stored. Changed. Further, after setting the storage mode, the operator sets the range of the AF frame, the focus position, and the zoom position to a state to be stored as a preset state, and the state is stored as the preset state with the instruction switches 122 and 124. You may indicate that.

  When either the number 1 instruction switch 122 or the number 2 instruction switch 124 is turned on when the CPU 78 of the main board 70 is in the storage mode, the (current) AF frame at that time is turned on. The range, focus position, and zoom position are stored in a memory such as an EEPROM (not shown) as a preset state corresponding to the number of the instruction switch that is turned on. Information on the current focus position and zoom position is acquired from the lens CPU by serial communication with the lens CPU of the lens device 12.

  On the other hand, the operator can reproduce the position where the preset state is stored as described above when desired, and the operator operates the memory switch 120 to set the reproduction mode. Then, the instruction switch 122 of No. 1 or the instruction switch 124 of No. 2 in which the preset state to be reproduced is stored is turned on to instruct reproduction of the preset state of that number.

  When the instruction switch 122 of number 1 or the instruction switch 124 of number 2 is turned on in the playback mode state, the CPU 78 reads the preset state of the number corresponding to the designated switch that has been turned on from the memory. The AF frame range, focus position, and zoom position are set to the preset state. That is, the AF frame range, focus position, and zoom position stored as the preset state are transmitted to the lens CPU. Thereby, the focus position and zoom position of the photographing lens 64 in the lens device 12 are set to the preset state (preset position) given from the image processing unit 58 under the control of the lens CPU.

  Further, the range of the AF frame in the AF unit 66 is set to the preset state given from the image processing unit 58, and the lens CPU starts focus control by AF based on the focus evaluation value information from the AF unit 66. Here, focus control by AF is started after the focus position is set to a preset position. For example, after confirming that the focus position is set to the preset position, the CPU 78 of the main board 70 in the image processing unit 58 sets the AF frame range to the preset state and starts focus control by AF. To the lens CPU. However, only the focus control by AF may be started after the focus position is set to the preset position. The focus control by AF may be started after all the elements of the AF frame range, the focus position, and the zoom position are set to the preset state, or whether these elements are set to the preset state. It may be performed regardless of whether or not.

  According to the above AF frame preset function, the shooting condition at the time of storing the preset state (at the time of storing the preset) is different from the shooting condition at the time of reproducing the preset state (at the time of the preset playback), or the target subject is moved. Therefore, even when the target subject is not in focus when the preset state is reproduced, the AF frame is adjusted to the position of the subject, so that the target subject is appropriately focused by subsequent AF.

  Note that the AF frame preset function of the above embodiment stores all the elements of the size and shape of the AF frame, the focus position and the zoom position of the taking lens 64 in addition to the position of the AF frame, and stores and reproduces the preset state. However, in the present invention, any element including at least the position of the AF frame and the focus position or the zoom position may be used as the preset object.

  In addition, when the TV camera 10 is placed on a pan head and panning and tilting is electrically performed by the pan / tilt function of the pan head, panning and panning are performed as preset targets in the AF preset function. The position (pan position) and the tilting position (tilt position) may be included. In this case, the image processing unit 58 (CPU 78 of the main board 70) acquires information on the pan position and tilt position from the pan head control unit. In addition, the pan head can be driven to a desired pan position and tilt position by an instruction signal from the image processing unit 58 (CPU 78 of the main board 70) to the pan head control unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... AF frame automatic tracking system, 10 ... Television camera, 12 ... Lens apparatus, 14 ... Camera body, 26 ... Focus demand, 36 ... Viewfinder, 40 ... Liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, 50 ... Focus operation part, 58 ... Image processing unit, 60 ... AF frame operation unit, 66 ... AF unit, 68 ... Down converter, 70 ... Main board, 72 ... Pattern matching processing calculation board, 74 ... Face recognition processing calculation board, 76 ... Decoder, 78, 90 , 92 ... CPU, 82 ... Superimposer, 114 ... Data card, 115 ... Slot, 120 ... Memory switch, 122, 124 ... Instruction switch, 200 ... AF area, 204 ... AF frame, 300 ... Fixed mode selection button, 302 ... Object tracking mode selection button 304 ... Face detection tracking mode Mode selection button, 306 ... face recognition tracking mode selection button, 308 ... set button, 310 ... reset button

Claims (3)

Imaging means for imaging a subject image formed by an optical system;
Auto-focus means for controlling the focus position of the optical system so that a subject within a predetermined AF frame is in focus among the captured images acquired by the imaging means;
It includes at least the position of the AF frame, and the focus position or zoom position among the position, size, and shape of the AF frame, which is an element that determines the range of the AF frame, and the focus position and zoom position of the optical system. Preset storage means for setting an element as a preset target and storing a desired setting state of each element of the preset target as a preset state;
Preset reproduction instruction means for giving a preset reproduction instruction for setting the preset object in the preset state stored by the preset storage means;
When a preset playback instruction is given by the preset playback instruction means, a preset playback means for setting the preset target to a preset state stored by the preset storage means;
An autofocus system characterized by comprising   The preset position includes the focus position as an element to be preset, and the preset reproduction means sets the element to be preset relating to the AF frame in the preset state after setting the focus position to the preset state, and autofocus means. 2. The autofocus system according to claim 1, wherein control of the focus position is started.   When the camera equipped with the imaging means is supported by a camera platform having a pan / tilt function for electrically panning and tilting the camera as the preset target, 3. The autofocus system according to claim 1 or 2, including a panning position and a tilting position.

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