JP2010258904A - Imaging apparatus, and image display method of the imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus and an image display method of the imaging apparatus which allow easy and exact confirmation and quality decision of a focus on the photographed image. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes an optical system having one or more lenses, an imaging means having an imaging element for generating digital image data using a subject image imaged by the optical system, first and second display means that can respectively display an image corresponding to the image data, a focus adjusting means to perform a focus adjusting operation at a given location within an area shot by the imaging means, and a control means to control to allow the first display means to display a whole area of a shot image while allowing the second display means to display an enlarged image of an area including a location where the focus adjusting means has performed the focus adjusting operation and a periphery of the location when a confirmation mode is selected for display for assisting a confirmation operation of the photographed image by a user after the imaging means has shot the image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device that captures a predetermined visual field region and generates digital image data, and an image display method of the imaging device.

  Conventionally, in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, in order to confirm the focus after an autofocus (AF) operation, an enlarged image with an enlarged focus position and an entire image showing the entire shooting area are displayed on one screen. A technique for displaying is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique is also known in which an enlarged image and an entire image are displayed while being switched by a predetermined operation in order to confirm the focus state after the AF operation (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-11-196301 JP 2003-125269 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, since two images are displayed on one screen, an enlarged image may be difficult to see, and it is not always easy to confirm focus.

  Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2 described above, since an area to be checked for focus is displayed on the entire monitor, it is easy to check the focus, but quality determination is performed while comparing the enlarged image with the entire image. I couldn't.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus and an image display method for the imaging apparatus that can easily and accurately perform focus confirmation and pass / fail judgment of a captured image. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention provides digital image data using an optical system having one or more lenses and a subject image formed by the optical system. An imaging unit having an imaging element to be generated, first and second display units capable of displaying images corresponding to the image data, and a focus adjustment operation at a predetermined position in an area captured by the imaging unit When a confirmation mode in which a display for assisting a user to confirm a captured image is selected after the focus adjustment unit and the imaging unit capture an image, the entire area of the captured image is displayed on the first display unit. Control means for controlling the second display means to display an enlarged image in which an area including a position where the focus adjustment means performs the focus adjustment operation and a periphery of the position is displayed on the second display means. Characterized in that was.

  In the imaging device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the control unit causes the first display unit to display the captured image, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the imaging unit captures an image on the first display unit. A live view is displayed, and the enlarged image is displayed on the second display means, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, control is performed to display the entire area of the captured image.

  In the imaging device according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the control unit causes the first display unit to display the captured image and the second display unit to display the enlarged image. When a predetermined operation on the imaging device is detected before the image is captured, the first display unit displays the image captured by the imaging unit in live view, and the second display unit displays the entire area of the captured image. Control is performed.

  Moreover, the imaging device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, a touch panel is provided so as to overlap the first display means and to which the focus adjustment position is input.

  The image display method of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an optical system having one or a plurality of lenses, and an imaging device that generates digital image data using a subject image formed by the optical system. An image display method for an imaging apparatus comprising: means; first and second display means capable of displaying images corresponding to the image data; and storage means for storing image data generated by the imaging means. A focus adjustment step for performing a focus adjustment operation at a predetermined position within an area captured by the imaging unit, and a confirmation for performing display for assisting a user to confirm the captured image after the imaging unit has captured the image. When the mode is selected, the captured image is read from the storage unit, and the entire area of the captured image is displayed by the first display unit, while the second display unit displays the entire area. Characterized by comprising: a display step of displaying an enlarged image obtained by enlarging a region including the position and the periphery of the position subjected to point adjustment operation, a.

  According to the present invention, two display units are provided, the entire captured image is displayed on one display unit, and the region including the position where the focus adjustment operation is performed on the other display unit and the periphery of this position is enlarged. Since the enlarged image is displayed, the photographed image and the enlarged image can be compared. Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately perform focus confirmation and pass / fail judgment of a captured image.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing of the image display method of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of images on the first display unit and the second display unit after the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is activated. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of images on the first display unit and the second display unit after the image capturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention acquires image data by photographing. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of images on the first display unit and the second display unit after a predetermined time has elapsed from the state illustrated in FIG. 5 by the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. An image pickup apparatus 1 shown in these drawings includes an optical system 2 composed of one or more lens elements, and a lens driving mechanism 3 having an actuator that drives a part or all of the lenses of the optical system 2 along the optical axis. And a lens driving circuit 4 that outputs a driving signal to an actuator of the lens driving mechanism 3 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide) that images the light collected by the optical system 2 and converts it into an electrical signal. Image pickup device 5 such as Semiconductor), an image pickup device interface (IF) circuit 6 that generates an image data by converting an electric signal output from the image pickup device 5 into a digital signal, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an image processing circuit. A camera controller 7 configured to compress the image data generated by the imaging element IF circuit 6, and an image data processed by the camera controller 7. A memory card 8 for storing data, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 9 provided for temporarily storing various data, and a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing various programs executed by the camera controller 7 10, a USB device controller 12 connected to an external device such as a personal computer via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port 11, a camera operation switch 13 having a power switch 13a, a release button 13b for instructing a photographing operation, and the like. A battery 14 that supplies power, and a power supply circuit 15 that is a DC / DC converter that converts the output of the battery 14 into a predetermined voltage and supplies it to the power supply line of each circuit in the imaging apparatus 1.

  The imaging apparatus 1 also includes a first display unit 16 and a second display unit 17 that display images included in the image data. The first display unit 16 is driven by the first display circuit 18, and the second display unit 17 is driven by the second display circuit 19. The 1st display part 16 and the 2nd display part 17 are implement | achieved using a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or a plasma display. As shown in FIG. 2, the first display unit 16 and the second display unit 17 are provided on the back side of the imaging device 1, and the second display unit 17 can be opened and closed with respect to the main body of the imaging device 1. have. The 1st display part 16 and the 2nd display part 17 are located in a line in the state at the time of use shown in FIG.

  A touch panel 20 is provided on the first display unit 16 in an overlapping manner. The touch panel 20 is driven by a touch panel drive circuit 21. The touch panel drive circuit 21 detects a touch position on the touch panel 20 and transmits the detection result to the camera controller 7. The user selects a region on which the focus adjustment operation is performed by touching the position where the subject to be focused on is displayed on the first display unit 16 with a finger or a stylus pen.

  The imaging device 1 having the above configuration is for assisting a confirmation operation (including focus confirmation and pass / fail judgment) of a photographed image performed by a user as a kind of photographing mode in addition to a normal photographing mode and a reproduction mode. A confirmation mode for displaying can be set.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of processing of the image processing method of the imaging apparatus 1. First, when the power switch 13a is operated (step S1: Yes), the camera controller 7 performs initial operation setting (step S2), acquires image data at a predetermined frame rate, and displays the acquired image data as a first display. In addition to performing live view display control in the unit 16, control is performed to display the camera operation mode, shooting conditions (number of pixels, compression rate), and the like on the second display unit 17 (step S3). FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of images on the first display unit 16 and the second display unit 17 after the imaging apparatus 1 is activated. In FIG. 4, the first display unit 16 displays a through image 101 that is an image included in the image data immediately after being acquired by the camera controller 7, while the second display unit 17 displays a shooting condition display image 102. ing. If the power switch is not operated (step S1: No), the imaging device 1 repeats step S1.

  Thereafter, when the confirmation mode is set using a predetermined switch of the camera operation switch 13 (step S4: Yes), the camera controller 7 permits the operation in the confirmation mode (step S5). On the other hand, when the confirmation mode is not set in step S4 (step S4: No), the imaging apparatus 1 is set to the normal photographing mode or the reproduction mode. In the normal shooting mode and playback mode, only the first display unit 16 may be used, or in addition to the display on the first display unit 16, shooting conditions (when the shooting mode is set) Information on the playback image (when the playback mode is set) or the like may be displayed.

  Subsequent to step S5, when a focus adjustment region selection operation is performed by the touch panel 20 (step S6: Yes), the camera controller 7 detects the touch position of the touch panel 20, and performs focus adjustment based on the detected touch position. An area is set (step S7). On the other hand, when the focus adjustment region selection operation is not performed by the touch panel 20 following Step S5 (Step S6: No), the imaging apparatus 1 proceeds to Step S8 described later.

  When the release operation is performed subsequent to step S7 (step S8: Yes), when the focus adjustment area has been set (step S9: Yes), the camera controller 7 corresponds to the set focus adjustment area. A contrast-type focus adjustment operation is performed to set the positions of some or all of the lenses of the optical system 2 so that the contrast of the image data is maximized (step S10). In this sense, the camera controller 7 has a function as focus adjusting means. If the release operation is not performed in step S8 (step S8: No), the imaging device 1 repeats step S8.

  On the other hand, when the release operation is performed subsequent to step S7 (step S8: Yes), when the focus adjustment area has not been set (step S9: No), the camera controller 7 performs the subject for focus adjustment. Is detected by a predetermined image recognition method, the vicinity of the detected subject is set as a focus adjustment region (step S11), and the process proceeds to step S10. For example, when the subject includes a person, the area near the face of the person is set as the focus adjustment area. When the camera controller 7 detects a subject, any of various conventionally known image recognition methods may be applied.

  After step S10, the camera controller 7 sets exposure conditions (lens aperture value, shutter speed) when acquiring a still image (step S12).

  Thereafter, the first display unit 16 and the second display unit 17 are displayed in blackout (step S13), and the image sensor 5 is exposed based on the exposure conditions set in step S12 (step S14).

  After the exposure operation is completed, the camera controller 7 acquires image data, converts the acquired image data into a file of a predetermined format such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), and stores it in the memory card 8 (step S15). ). In this sense, the memory card 8 has a function as a storage unit.

  Thereafter, the camera controller 7 controls the first display unit 16 to display the entire area of the photographed image, while causing the second display unit 17 to enlarge and display a predetermined area (step S16). In this sense, the camera controller 7 has a function as control means. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of images on the first display unit 16 and the second display unit 17 in step S16. In FIG. 5, the first display unit 16 displays a captured image 103. In the captured image 103, a focus adjustment area D1 and an enlarged area D2 are displayed by a broken line and a solid line, respectively. The enlarged area D2 is set as an area having a predetermined size including the focus adjustment area D1 and the periphery of the focus adjustment area D1. On the other hand, the second display unit 17 displays the enlarged image 104 in which the enlarged region D2 is displayed on the full screen. Note that the range of the enlarged region D2 may be set automatically by the imaging device 1, or may be set by the user. In addition, the user may be able to set whether or not to display the focus adjustment area D1 and the enlargement area D2 on the first display unit 16.

  When a predetermined time has elapsed after starting the display in step S16 (step S17: Yes), the first display unit 16 shifts to the live view display and displays a through image, while the second display unit 17 immediately before that. The captured image displayed by the first display unit 16 is displayed (step S18). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of images on the first display unit 16 and the second display unit 17 in step S18. In FIG. 6, the first display unit 16 displays a through image 105. Further, the second display unit 17 displays the same captured image 106 as the captured image 103. Note that the focus adjustment area D1 and the enlargement area D2 are not displayed in the captured image 106.

  When the predetermined time has not elapsed since the display in step S16 was started (step S17: No), when a predetermined switch included in the camera operation switch 13 is operated (step S19: Yes), the imaging device 1 Control goes to step S18. On the other hand, when the predetermined operation switch is not operated (step S19: No), the imaging device 1 repeats step S17.

  After step S18, when the power is turned off by the power switch 13a (step S20: Yes), the imaging device 1 ends a series of processes.

  After step S18, when the power is not turned off by the power switch 13a (step S20: No), when the mode switching signal is input (step S21: Yes), the imaging device 1 shifts to another mode. On the other hand, when the power is not turned off by the power switch 13a (step S20: No), when the mode switching signal is not input (step S21: No), the imaging device 1 returns to step S6.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the first display unit 16 and the second display unit 17 are provided, the entire display image is displayed on the first display unit 16, and the focus adjustment is performed on the second display unit 17. Since an enlarged image obtained by enlarging an area including the position where the operation is performed and the periphery of this position is displayed, the captured image and the enlarged image can be compared. Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately perform focus confirmation and pass / fail judgment of a captured image.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the first display unit 16 displays a captured image and shifts to a live view display after a predetermined time has elapsed, while the second display unit 17 displays an enlarged image and a predetermined time elapses. After that, since the entire image is displayed, the user can refer to the previous image when the next image is captured.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, a predetermined operation on the imaging device 1 is performed before a predetermined time elapses in a state where a captured image is displayed on the first display unit 16 and an enlarged image is displayed on the second display unit 17. If detected, the first display unit 16 is set to live view display, while the entire area of the captured image is displayed on the second display unit 17, so that the user can move to the next shooting operation at an appropriate timing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 2 Optical system 3 Lens drive mechanism 4 Lens drive circuit 5 Image sensor 6 Image sensor IF circuit 7 Camera controller 8 Memory card 11 USB port 12 USB device controller 13 Camera operation switch 13a Power switch 13b Release button 14 Battery 15 Power circuit 16 First display unit 17 Second display unit 18 First display circuit 19 Second display circuit 20 Touch panel 21 Touch panel drive circuit 101, 105 Through image 102 Shooting condition display image 103, 106 Captured image 104 Enlarged image D1 Focus adjustment area D2 Enlarged region

Claims (5)

An imaging unit having an optical system having one or a plurality of lenses, and an imaging device that generates digital image data using a subject image formed by the optical system;
First and second display means capable of respectively displaying images corresponding to the image data;
A focus adjustment unit that performs a focus adjustment operation at a predetermined position in a region where the imaging unit captures an image;
When a confirmation mode is selected for performing a display for assisting a user to confirm a captured image after the image capturing unit captures an image, the entire area of the captured image is displayed on the first display unit, Control means for controlling the second display means to display an enlarged image in which an area including the position where the focus adjusting means has performed the focus adjustment operation and the periphery of the position is enlarged;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The control means includes
After the predetermined time has elapsed after displaying the captured image on the first display unit, the image captured by the imaging unit is displayed on the first display unit in live view,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the predetermined time has elapsed after the enlarged image is displayed on the second display unit, control is performed to display the entire area of the captured image. The control means includes
When a predetermined operation on the imaging apparatus is detected before a predetermined time elapses in a state where the captured image is displayed on the first display unit and the enlarged image is displayed on the second display unit, the first display 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus picks up an image picked up by the image pickup means in a live view display and controls the second display means to display the entire area of the photographed image.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a touch panel that is provided to overlap the first display unit and to which the focus adjustment position is input. An image pickup means having an optical system having one or a plurality of lenses and an image sensor for generating digital image data using a subject image formed by the optical system, and an image corresponding to the image data can be displayed. An image display method for an imaging apparatus comprising first and second display means, and storage means for storing image data generated by the imaging means,
A focus adjustment step of performing a focus adjustment operation at a predetermined position in a region where the imaging means captures;
When the confirmation mode for performing display for assisting the confirmation operation of the captured image by the user is selected after the image capturing unit captures the image, the captured image is read from the storage unit, and the first display unit A display step of displaying an enlarged image in which an area including the position where the focus adjustment operation is performed by the second display unit and the periphery of the position is displayed while displaying the entire area of the captured image;
An image display method for an imaging apparatus, comprising:

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