JP2010271723A - Device and method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the location of an area where processings are to be performed, where the initial state is restored and perform more suitable area setting. <P>SOLUTION: When an AF (auto focus) frame 261 (AF area) is to be restored to the initial state, a user performs double-tap on an EVF area 221. On the basis of information showing that the user performs the double-tap, which is supplied from a touch panel, a CPU controls a display controller to restore the AF frame 261 displayed on an LCD to the initial state, and controls a camera controller to perform AF processing. The present invention is applicable to PDAs (personal digital assistants). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a program, and more particularly, to an apparatus, a method, and a program that can perform more preferable area setting.

  In recent years, small electronic devices having an imaging function represented by a digital still camera, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) having an imaging function, and the like have become widespread, and the enhancement of these imaging functions has been advanced.

  For example, these image pickup apparatuses are usually provided with a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and can display an image captured through a lens, and a user can view the displayed image by viewing the displayed image. The subject can be imaged while checking the composition.

  Also, by superimposing the touch panel on the display, the user not only confirms the composition, but also operates an autofocus function (hereinafter referred to as AF (Auto Focus)) by operating the touch panel superimposed on the display. There are also imaging devices capable of adjusting an automatic exposure function (hereinafter referred to as AE (Auto Exposure)) and the like.

  For example, when the user indicates on the display the subject of the captured image displayed on the display provided in the digital still camera, the digital still camera detects the position by the touch panel superimposed on the display, and the user Is focused on the subject at the position indicated by (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-355617 (page 5-7, FIG. 5-7)

  However, there is a problem that the user may want to return the position to the initial state after specifying the position of the area to be processed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and can return the position of a region to be processed to an initial state and perform more suitable region setting.

  The apparatus of the present invention receives a user's instruction by the first method and an instruction by the second method, and sets a position and a range of an area for performing predetermined processing on an image displayed in the display range Setting means, and when the instruction by the first method is received, the area setting means sets the center of the area position to the center position of the display range, and sets the area range to the second method. It is characterized in that it is set wider than the range of the area set by.

  The instruction by the first method is an initialization instruction for returning from setting of a state where the instruction by the second method is accepted to setting of a state where the instruction by the second method is not accepted. it can.

  The instruction according to the first method and the instruction according to the second method can be received by a touch panel stacked in the display range.

  The second method may be that the user taps the touch panel once.

  The first method may be that the user taps the touch panel twice within a predetermined time.

  The first method may be a method in which the user touches the touch panel for a predetermined time or more.

  An imaging unit that captures an image of a subject is further provided, and the region setting unit sets the region as a range to be focused on the subject by the imaging unit, or the range for performing exposure adjustment of the subject by the imaging unit. An area can be set.

  The display control means further controls display within the display range, and the display control means superimposes a frame image corresponding to a region defining a range to be focused on the subject on an image displayed within the display range. When the instruction is received by the first method, the frame image can be displayed larger than when the position of the region is set by the second method.

  The display control means displays a pointer image corresponding to an area defining a range in which exposure adjustment of the subject is performed, superimposed on an image displayed in the display range, and the exposure adjustment means is included in the area. When the subject exposure adjustment process is completed, the pointer image can be blinked for a predetermined time.

  The method of the present invention accepts an instruction by the first method and an instruction by the second method of the user, and sets the position and range of an area for performing predetermined processing on an image displayed in the display range When the setting means has received an instruction by the first method, the center of the area position is set to the center position of the display range, and the area range is set by the second method. Set wider than the range.

  The program according to the present invention allows a computer to receive an instruction according to a first method and an instruction according to a second method. When an instruction according to a first method is received, an image displayed within a display range is received. Area setting means for setting the center of the position of the area where the predetermined process is performed to the center position of the display range and setting the area range wider than the area range set by the second method It is a program to make it function.

  In the apparatus, method, and program of the present invention, the user's instruction by the first method and the instruction by the second method are accepted, and when the instruction by the first method is accepted, the instruction is displayed within the display range. The center of the area where the predetermined processing is performed on the image is set to the center position of the display range, and the area range is set wider than the area range set by the second method. The

  According to the present invention, a subject can be imaged. In particular, the focusing position can be returned to the initial state, and more suitable automatic focusing can be performed.

It is an external view showing the structural example of the front of PDA to which this invention is applied. It is an external view showing the structural example of the back surface of PDA of FIG. It is a perspective view explaining rotation and opening / closing operation | movement of the display part of PDA of FIG. It is a perspective view explaining rotation and opening / closing operation | movement of the display part of PDA of FIG. It is a perspective view explaining rotation and opening / closing operation | movement of the display part of PDA of FIG. It is a figure which shows the use condition of PDA of FIG. It is a figure which shows the use condition of PDA of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of PDA of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the camera part of PDA of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of the main screen at the time of still image shooting mode. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the EVF area of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of a setting screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other structural example of a setting screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of AF frame. 3 is a flowchart for describing an imaging process of the PDA in FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a continuous AF process of the PDA in FIG. 1. FIG. 17 is a flowchart following FIG. 16 for explaining the continuous AF processing of the PDA of FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart for describing one-shot AF processing of the PDA in FIG. 1. FIG. 19 is a flowchart following FIG. 18 for describing the one-shot AF process of the PDA of FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the further another structural example of a setting screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the pointer for spot photometry. 2 is a flowchart for explaining spot AE processing of the PDA in FIG. 1. FIG. 23 is a flowchart following FIG. 22 for explaining spot AE processing of the PDA of FIG. 1. 7 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the constant AF processing of the PDA in FIG. 1. FIG. 25 is a flowchart following FIG. 24 for explaining another example of the constant AF processing of the PDA of FIG. 1. 7 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the one-shot AF process of the PDA in FIG. 1. FIG. 27 is a flowchart following FIG. 26 for explaining another example of the one-shot AF process of the PDA of FIG. 1.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front configuration of a PDA to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the PDA 1 is divided into a display portion 11 and a main body portion 13 with a central hinge portion 12 as a boundary, and is formed to be foldable via the hinge portion 12.

  In other words, as shown in FIG. 3 to be described later, the display unit 11 is rotated about a shaft 12-1 (virtual) and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body unit 13. Further, the display unit 11 is rotatable with respect to the main body unit 13 about an axis 11-6 (virtual one) substantially perpendicular to the axis 12-1. That is, the display unit 11 is rotated in parallel with a surface 11-3 (a surface on the lower side in FIG. 3 perpendicular to the surface 11-1 on which the LCD 28 is provided) facing the hinge unit 12. Yes.

  Returning to FIG. 1, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 28 and a transparent pressure-sensitive touch panel 36 laminated on the surface of the LCD 28 are provided on almost the entire surface 11-1 of the display unit 11. That is, when the touch pen 35 is placed at an arbitrary position on the LCD 28, the coordinates are detected by the touch panel 36, and predetermined processing corresponding to the detected coordinates is performed.

  In addition, a character input area 29 for inputting characters is provided in a predetermined area of the touch panel 36 (lower area of the LCD 28 in the figure), and various soft buttons and character input are provided in the character input area 29. Area etc. are displayed. When the user operates the touch pen 35 and writes those special characters on the character input area, the special characters are input. That is, the locus of movement of the touch pen 35 is detected by the touch panel 36, and characters corresponding to the locus are input.

  Further, when the user operates the touch pen 35 and presses the soft button 43, a soft keyboard, which is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displaying a keyboard key layout, is displayed in the character input area 29. When the user operates the touch pen 35 and presses an arbitrary key on the soft keyboard, a character (or symbol or the like) corresponding to the pressed key is input. That is, the coordinates where the touch pen 35 is arranged are detected by the touch panel 36, the key corresponding to the coordinates is recognized, and the character (or symbol or the like) assigned to the recognized key is input.

  Thus, the user can input characters easily and quickly using the touch pen 35 and the character input area 29 as software. Since the touch panel 36 is stacked over the entire display surface of the LCD 28, the position of the character input area 29 with respect to the LCD 28 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 1, but is displayed as described later, for example. When the image is turned upside down, the character input area 29 is arranged at the top in FIG. 1 and displayed upside down. Even in such a case, the user can input characters as in the above-described example.

  On the right side of the figure, a power button 31 for turning on or off the PDA 1 is displayed on the hinge portion 12, and a battery (not shown) built in the PDA 1 is being charged on the left side of the hinge portion 12 when charging. LED (Light Emitting Diode) 30 that turns on and turns off when charging is completed, and a camera unit 22 composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is further adjacent to the left, and the camera unit 22 images a subject at the left end. Mechanical capture buttons 23 that are sometimes operated are provided. The camera unit 22 is fixed to a portion of the hinge unit 12 that rotates with the display unit 11 with respect to the main body unit 13, and the user opens and closes the display unit 11 with respect to the main body unit 13 as described later. Thus, the camera unit 22 can be rotated.

  That is, when the user captures an image of an object, the application software has a camera function (function of capturing an image of the object by the camera unit 22 and recording the image of the imaged object) by pressing the mechanical capture button 23 once. And the display unit 11 is rotated so that the imaging direction of the camera unit 22 is directed toward the subject. At this time, as will be described later, an image captured by the camera unit 22 (an image of the subject) is displayed on the LCD 28, so that the user confirms the position of the camera unit 22 while checking the LCD 28, and After performing various setting processes, the mechanical capture button 23 that operates as a shutter button is pressed again. As a result, an image captured by the camera unit 22 at the time when the mechanical capture button 23 is pressed is stored in the memory of the PDA 1 (RAM 133 in FIG. 8 to be described later).

  Note that the mechanical capture button 23 has two methods of “full press” for pressing to the end of the stroke and “half press” for pressing to a predetermined position in the middle of the stroke. For example, when the user “half-presses” the mechanical capture button 23, the PDA 1 performs AF processing, AE processing, etc. of the image captured by the camera unit 22, and the user “full-presses” the mechanical capture button 23 from that state. Then, the PDA 1 captures an image captured from the camera unit 22. As described above, the mechanical capture button 23 can change the corresponding processing depending on the pressing method (depth).

  If the user does not press the mechanical capture button 23 and performs “full press”, the PDA 1 performs a process corresponding to “half press” and then executes a process corresponding to “full press”. That is, in the case described above, when the user “fully presses”, the PDA 1 captures an image captured from the camera unit 22 after performing an AF process, an AE process, or the like of the image captured by the camera unit 22.

  On the surface 13-1 facing the display unit 11 when the main body unit 13 is folded, a button 32 on which symbols representing application software installed in the PDA 1 are printed is provided in the upper part of the figure. When the user presses the button 32 with his / her finger, the corresponding application software is activated.

  A scroll button 33 for scrolling the image displayed on the LCD 28 is provided at the center of the area where the button 32 on the surface 13-1 is arranged. Further, a keyboard 34 for inputting characters (including symbols and the like) is provided below the button 32 on the surface 13-1.

  A headphone jack for connecting a remote controller or an external headphone to the surface (side surface) 13-2 perpendicular to the surface 13-1 of the main body 13 and outputting sound to the connected headphone is shown above. 24, and a jog dial 25 that can be pressed and rotated slightly protrudes from the surface 13-2, and below that is for canceling the previous operation. A back button 26 is provided, and further below that, a hold switch 27 is provided for prohibiting the execution of a function corresponding to the other button being pressed by mistake.

  A connector 67 for connecting an accessory device is provided at the center of a surface (lower end surface in the drawing) 13-4 perpendicular to the surface 13-1 of the main body 13.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the back surface of the PDA 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper left portion of the hinge portion 12 in the drawing is a slot 64 in which a predetermined memory card or a function expansion module that can be inserted and removed is inserted, and lights when data in the memory card is read / written. And an infrared port 62 for communicating with other devices by infrared rays.

  For example, a memory card stores a flash memory element, which is a kind of EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), which is a nonvolatile memory that can be electrically rewritten and erased, in a small and thin plastic case. Yes, it is possible to write and read various information (data) such as images, sounds and music.

  In addition, the memory card uses a unique serial protocol that ensures compatibility with the devices used even when the specifications of the built-in flash memory change due to an increase in capacity, etc., and a maximum writing speed of 1.5 [MB / S In addition to realizing high-speed performance of a maximum reading speed of 2.45 [MB / S], a high reliability may be ensured by providing an erroneous erasure prevention switch.

  Accordingly, since the PDA 1 can insert such a memory card, data can be shared with other devices via the memory card.

  A reset button 65 for resetting the PDA 1 is provided on the left side of the central portion of the surface 13-3 on the opposite side of the surface 13-1 of the main body 13 and a sound is output below the reset button 65. A speaker 66 is provided.

  As described above, the connector 67 is provided in the central portion of the surface (lower end surface in the drawing) 13-4 perpendicular to the surfaces 13-1 and 13-3 of the main body portion 13 in the drawing. On the left side, a storage port 68 for storing the touch pen 35 is provided.

  Next, opening / closing and turning operations of the display unit 11 will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

  As FIG. 3 shows, the user can rotate the display part 11 centering on the axis | shaft 11-6. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the user turns the display unit 11 about 180 degrees around the axis 11-6 and then turns around the axis 12-1 and is shown in FIG. 5. As described above, the main body 13 can be closed. That is, the user can use the PDA 1 not only in the state shown in FIG. 1 but also in the state shown in FIG.

  For example, it is assumed that the letter “F” as shown in FIG. That is, the upper direction of the letter “F” is displayed on the surface 11-4 side (upward direction in FIG. 3) of the display unit.

  At this time, when the display unit 11 is rotated from a predetermined reference position, the PDA 1 detects a rotation angle about the axis 11-6 of the display unit 11, and the display unit 11 detects the rotation angle. Predetermined within a rotatable range (in this example, when the rotation angle when the display unit 11 is arranged as shown in FIG. 1 is 0 degree, the range is 0 degree or more and 180 degrees or less). Is included in the range (in this example, 0 degree or more and less than 180 degrees), the character “F” is displayed on the LCD 28 so that the upper direction of the image (character “F”) is the surface 11-4 side.

  On the other hand, when the rotation angle of the PDA 1 is out of the range (in this example, 180 degrees), the upward direction of the letter “F” is changed to the surface (end surface) opposite to the surface (end surface) 11-4. ) The character “F” is displayed on the LCD 28 so as to be on the 11-3 side. In other words, when the rotation angle of the display unit 11 deviates from the predetermined range, the PDA 1 displays an image when the rotation angle is included in the range (for example, the letter “F whose upper direction is the surface 11-4 side”. ”), An image obtained by inverting the top, bottom, left, and right (for example, the letter“ F ”whose upper direction is the surface 11-3 side opposite to the surface 11-3) is displayed on the LCD.

  Specifically, in the state shown in FIG. 3, since the rotation angle of the display unit 11 is less than 180 degrees (because it is included in the predetermined range described above), the letter “F” has an upward direction. It is displayed on the LCD 28 so as to be on the surface 11-4 side (upward in FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, in the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotation angle of the display unit 11 is 180 degrees (because it deviates from the predetermined range described above). -4 is displayed on the LCD 28 so as to be on the surface 11-3 side (downward in FIG. 4).

  Thus, the PDA 1 can display an image in a natural direction for the user regardless of the rotation and open / closed state of the display unit 11.

  Further, the user turns the display unit 11 around the shaft 12-1 and closes the main body unit 13 not only in the state shown in FIG. 4 but also in the state shown in FIG. be able to. That is, although the illustration is omitted, the user can protect the PDA 1 (particularly the LCD 28) by keeping the PDA 1 from being exposed to the outside as shown in FIG. 5 when carrying the PDA 1. it can.

  Further, by rotating the display unit 11 as described above, the user can change the orientation of the camera unit 22, that is, the shooting direction.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when another person 101 located on the opposite side of the user of PDA 1 is the subject (when shooting in the direction opposite to the user as viewed from PDA 1), the user places PDA 1 in FIG. With the state shown (the display unit 11 is closed with respect to the main body unit 13), the shooting direction of the camera unit 22 is opposite to the user of the PDA 1 (that is, the subject is the subject) with the LCD 28 facing the user. In the direction of others 101). Thereby, the user can image the other person 101 who is the subject located on the opposite side of the PDA 1 while confirming the captured image captured from the camera unit 22 displayed on the LCD 28 of the PDA 1.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the user 102 of the PDA 1 sets himself as a subject (when shooting the direction of the user 102 as viewed from the PDA 1), the user 102 displays the PDA 1 in the state shown in FIG. When the display unit 11 is opened with respect to the main body unit 13), the shooting direction of the camera unit 22 is set in the direction of the user 102 (that is, the direction of the subject himself / herself) with the LCD 28 facing the user 102. ). As a result, the user 102 can take an image of himself / herself, which is a subject located on the same side of the PDA 1, while checking the captured image captured from the camera unit 22 displayed on the LCD 28 of the PDA 1.

  As described above, the user can set the direction of the camera unit 22 with respect to the PDA 1, that is, the shooting direction, always confirm the captured image displayed on the LCD 28, and perform adjustment work using the touch panel 36. However, it is possible to perform shooting work.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration example of the PDA 1.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 131 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 132 or a program loaded from a storage unit 139 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 133.

  The RAM 133 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 131 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 131, ROM 132, and RAM 133 are connected to each other via a bus 134. The bus 134 is also connected with a display control unit 136 that controls an image to be displayed on the LCD 28.

  In addition to the camera unit 22 and the LCD 28 described above, a VRAM 138 is connected to the display control unit 136 based on the control of the CPU 131. The display control unit 136 stores the image captured by the camera unit 22 in the VRAM 138, and stores the image stored in the VRAM 138 and other memory (RAM 133, storage unit 139, memory card 143 connected to the slot 64). The image stored in () is displayed on the LCD 28.

  An input / output interface 135 is also connected to the bus 134.

  The input / output interface 135 is mounted with the keyboard 34, the various buttons 22, 32, 33, the input unit 137 including the jog dial 25, the touch panel 36, the infrared communication port 62, the memory card 143, or the function expansion module 121. Slot 64, a battery (not shown) built in PDA 1, a connector 67 to which cradle 91 or the like serving as a relay device for communication with other external device 152 is connected, and remote controller 101 or headphones 153. Is connected to a headphone jack 24 as an audio output unit.

  The coordinates detected by the touch panel 36 are provided to the CPU 131 via the input / output interface 135 and the bus 134, and the CPU 131 acquires predetermined information corresponding to the provided coordinates.

  For example, as described later, when the user taps an arbitrary position on the captured image displayed on the LCD 28 at the time of shooting, the touch panel 36 detects the coordinates of the position tapped by the user and inputs the coordinate information. This is provided to the CPU 131 via the output interface 135 and the bus 134. When the CPU 131 confirms the position on the captured image based on the provided coordinate information, the CPU 131 controls each unit to execute a corresponding process such as moving an AF frame of a predetermined size to the position.

  The input / output interface 135 is also connected to a storage unit 139 including an EEPROM or a hard disk as necessary. A computer program read from a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like that is appropriately attached to the external device 152 is wirelessly transmitted via the infrared port 62 or wirelessly via a wireless LAN module (function expansion module) 121. The data is supplied to the PDA 1 as necessary by means of communication or wired communication via the cradle 91 and installed in the storage unit 139. Alternatively, a computer program read from the memory card 143 that is appropriately inserted in the slot 64 is also installed in the storage unit 139 as necessary.

  Furthermore, the input / output interface 135 is an LCD that is turned on when the display unit 11 is closed with respect to the main body unit 13 and is turned off when the display unit 11 is open with respect to the main body unit 13. An open / close switch 144 and an LCD rotation switch 145 that is turned on when the display unit 11 is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle or more are provided.

  In other words, in this example, the CPU 131 opens / closes the main body 13 of the display unit 11 based on the on / off state of the LCD open / close switch 144 and the LCD rotation switch 145 (hereinafter, LCD open / close state). And the rotation state is recognized.

  The camera unit 22 is configured as shown in FIG. Light from a subject not shown is a complementary color filter in which yellow (Ye), cyan (Cy), magenta (Mg), and green (G) color filters are arranged in a mosaic pattern on the front surface through a lens unit 201. Is incident on a CCD 202 constituted by an image pickup device using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like and photoelectrically converted.

  The CCD 202 outputs a video signal photoelectrically converted in the light receiving unit, and supplies it to an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) circuit 203. The AGC circuit 203 adjusts the gain of the video signal, and supplies the video signal with the adjusted gain to a CDS circuit (Correlated Double Sampling circuit) 204. The CDS circuit 204 performs correlated double sampling on the input video signal to remove noise, and then supplies it to an A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion circuit 205.

  The A / D conversion circuit 205 converts an input analog signal into a digital signal at a predetermined sampling frequency, and supplies the digital signal to a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 206 that processes the captured image data.

  The DSP 206 uses a program and data installed in an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read only Memory) 207 and supplies it using a built-in RAM 206A constituted by a semiconductor memory such as a built-in SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory). The generated video signal is held to generate image data of a predetermined format, and the generated image data is subjected to various digital processes such as image quality adjustment and compression processing. Then, the DSP 206 supplies the generated image data to the display control unit 136 in FIG.

  Further, the DSP 206 supplies information for controlling the lens unit 201 to the A / D conversion circuit 205 to the camera control unit 210 during digital processing of the image data.

  The camera control unit 210 controls the lens position, aperture, or mechanical shutter of the lens unit 201 via the lens unit drive circuit 211 based on the information supplied from the DSP 206 and the control information supplied from the CPU 131 in FIG. In addition, the electrical operation of the CCD 202 is controlled via the CCD drive circuit 212, and the operation timings of the AGC circuit 203, the CDS circuit 204, and the A / D conversion circuit 205 are controlled.

  The lens unit drive circuit 211 is configured by a motor or the like, and adjusts the focal position by moving the lens position of the lens unit 201 based on a control signal supplied from the camera control unit 210, and opens and closes the aperture and mechanical shutter. Adjust the exposure amount. The CCD drive circuit 212 generates a signal for driving the CCD 202 based on the timing signal supplied from the camera control unit 210 and adjusts the image capture timing and the like.

  For example, the camera control unit 210 performs autofocus processing based on a TTL (Through The Lens) contrast detection method based on a control signal supplied from the CPU 131. When the AF area is designated by the CPU 131, the camera control unit 210 detects the contrast of the designated AF area in the photographic image frame from the captured image signal supplied from the DSP 206, and the lens unit driving circuit 211 is detected. Then, the lens of the lens 201 is moved, and the lens position is adjusted so that the subject existing in the region is in focus (the contrast is the highest).

  When the user activates the camera application, each unit is controlled by the CPU 131 that has executed the camera application, and a transition is made to a still image capturing mode for capturing a still image using the camera unit 22. At that time, the CPU 131 displays a GUI as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, a main screen 220 is a GUI for accepting various operations in the still image shooting mode, and activates an EVF area 221 for displaying captured images and captured captured images, and a moving image shooting mode application. A moving image shooting application call button 222, an icon area 223 for displaying various icons, a setting screen calling button 224 for displaying a setting screen which is a GUI for performing various settings, and a GUI relating to the size and image quality of a captured image The size / image quality switching button 225 for displaying the image, the EV (Exposure Value) correction slider 226 for adjusting the exposure amount of the image to be captured, the soft capture button 227 for capturing a still image from the CCD 202, and the image data obtained by imaging Select album category to select a destination folder Column 228, a custom button 229 for executing the function set on the setting screen, a flash mode switching button 230 for switching the flash mode, a zoom button 231 for adjusting the zoom of the captured image, and the image data obtained by imaging Simple view areas 232 to 234 for displaying thumbnail images, a rotation button 235 for rotating the display of captured images displayed in the EVF area 221 by 90 degrees, a delete button 236 for deleting image data obtained by imaging, and The title bar area 237 displays various character data such as image data titles.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a detailed display example of the EVF area 221 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, an icon group for displaying various information is displayed in the EVF area 221 so as to be superimposed on the captured image. The flash mode icon 251 displays the currently set flash mode as necessary. The camera shake warning icon 252 lights up and warns when a camera shake occurs during shooting. The battery icon 253 When the remaining battery capacity is low and charging is required, the indicator lights up and the AF / AE lock indicator 254 lights up or flashes to indicate the AF or AE status, and photography is not possible. The notification icon 255 is lit when there is not enough free space in the memory for recording captured image data, and notifies that a new image cannot be captured. The shooting status mode icon 256 includes a night view mode, an indoor mode, Lights up according to the currently set mode, such as the distant view mode or the close-up mode, etc. Jitter speed icon 257 is lit during the manual setting, to display the shutter speed that is currently set.

  In addition, the EVF area 221 includes a manual focus gauge 258 that is displayed when the focal length is manually set, and a manual focus gauge pointer 259 that is a pointer indicating the current focal length. Is displayed.

  Further, the EVF area 221 displays a spot metering pointer 260 indicating the center of the area to be metered during spot metering, and an AF frame 261 indicating the range of the AF area. A user who performs shooting can move the position of the AF frame 261 or the spot metering pointer 260 by tapping on the EVF area 221 in the AF mode.

  These icons can be switched between display and non-display by setting by the user.

  In the PDA 1 as described above, three focus modes are prepared as will be described later, and the user operates the setting screen call button 224 (the setting screen call button 224 of the LCD 28) on the main screen 220 in FIG. By tapping the top etc.), a setting screen as shown in FIG. 12 is called and a plurality of prepared focus modes are switched.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the setting screen 301 displayed on the LCD 28. In FIG. 12, a setting screen 301 displays various setting items and a setting list display area 302 indicating their current state, and items that cannot be displayed at once in the setting list display area 302. A scroll bar 303 for scrolling the display contents, a down scroll button 304 for scrolling items displayed in the setting list display area 302 in the lower direction in the figure, and an item displayed in the setting list display area 302 in the upper side in the figure. Up scroll button 305 for scrolling in the direction of the screen, the screen displayed on the LCD 28 is returned to the main screen 220, the return button 306, the setting screen 301, the captured image reflecting the setting is displayed, and the user confirms the effect EVF area 311 for this purpose.

  In the setting list display area 302, various items relating to shooting such as shooting mode, white balance, size / quality, spot metering, recording destination, self-timer, and focus mode are displayed. The user operates the scroll bar 303, the down scroll button 304, the up scroll button 305, or rotates the jog dial 25 to display items to be set in the setting list display area 302. Then, by tapping a portion where the item is displayed or rotating the jog dial 25, the anchor is moved to the item to be set.

  Then, the user instructs to change the item where the anchor is located by tapping a portion where the setting content on the right side of the item where the anchor is located is displayed or pressing the jog dial 25. For example, in FIG. 12, the anchor is positioned in the focus mode. In this state, when the part displayed as “always AF” is tapped or the jog dial 25 is pressed, the user sets the focus mode. Can be changed.

  When the user designates the anchor in the focus mode as shown in FIG. 12, the setting content selection as shown in FIG. 13 is superimposed on the setting screen 301 shown in FIG. A screen is displayed.

  In FIG. 13, items other than the item focus mode selected by the user in the setting list display area 302 of the setting screen 301 are displayed darkly. On the right side of the item 321 selected by the user, a setting content selection screen 322 displaying a list of corresponding settings is displayed. In FIG. 13, the setting content selection screen 322 displays three modes of “manual focus”, “always-on AF”, and “one-shot AF” as settings corresponding to the focus mode. Mark is displayed in the active mode (in the case of FIG. 13, “always AF”). In the setting content selection screen 322, an anchor is displayed in the currently selected mode (“one-shot AF” in FIG. 13).

  The user selects from the list displayed on the setting content selection screen 322 shown in FIG. 13 by tapping the mode portion to be selected or rotating the jog dial 25 to move the anchor and pressing it. Specify the mode and set the mode.

  Next, the focus “manual focus mode”, “always AF mode”, and “one-shot AF mode” will be described.

  The manual focus mode is a mode in which the user manually sets the focal length. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the manual focus gauge 258 and the manual focus gauge pointer 259 are displayed in the EVF area 221. The user moves the manual focus gauge pointer 259 to a desired position on the manual focus gauge 258 by tapping the target distance portion once or rotating the jog dial 25 according to the manual focus gauge 258. And set the focal length.

  The camera control unit 210 in FIG. 9 uses the lens unit driving circuit 211 to focus the lens position of the lens unit 201 so as to focus on the focal length specified by the user based on the control signal supplied from the CPU 131 in FIG. To control.

  When the user wants to return the manual focus gauge pointer 259 to the initial value (the initial position before the user moves the manual focus gauge pointer 259), the user continuously displays the LCD 28 twice during a predetermined short time. Tap (hereinafter referred to as double tap). When the CPU 131 acquires information indicating that the user has double-tapped from the touch panel 36, the CPU 131 controls the display control unit 136 to return the manual focus gauge pointer 259 displayed on the LCD 28 to the initial value.

  The constant AF mode is a mode in which the camera unit 22 performs AF processing on a subject in the AF area using a TTL contrast detection method. In the constant AF mode, the position of the AF area is arbitrarily determined by the user within the photographic image frame. The AF process is performed when the user moves the AF area, when the user taps on the soft capture button 227 on the main screen 220, or when the user “half-presses” the mechanical capture button 23 in FIG. Executed. Further, in the constant AF mode, as shown in FIG. 14A, an AF frame 261 indicating the range of the AF area is displayed in the EVF area 221.

  In an initial state (a state where the user has not moved the position of the AF area), the center of the AF frame 261 is arranged at the center of the EVF area 221. At this time, the AF area shown in the AF frame 261 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 14A in order to suppress a so-called “missing” in which a subject deviated from the center of the photographic image frame deviates from the AF area. Furthermore, the size of the EVF area 221 is 320 dots × 240 dots, whereas it is set relatively wide as 108 dots × 60 dots.

  At this time, when the user operates the soft capture button 227 of FIG. 10 or presses the mechanical capture button 23 (full press), the camera control unit 210 is based on the position information of the AF frame 261 supplied from the CPU 131. Then, after performing adjustment processing such as AF processing by the TTL contrast detection method for the AF area surrounded by the AF frame 261, image capture processing is performed. If the mechanical capture button 23 is half-pressed, only adjustment processing such as AF processing is performed. Accordingly, the user can obtain an image focused on the subject simply by moving the PDA 1 so that the subject is positioned near the center of the EVF area 221 and operating the soft capture button 227 or the mechanical capture button 23. .

  Further, the position of the AF frame 261 can be arbitrarily designated by the user as long as it is within the EVF area 221. That is, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the user taps the EVF area 221 once using the touch pen 35 or the like, the CPU 131 detects the position tapped by the user based on the position information supplied from the touch panel 36. The AF frame 261 is moved so that becomes the center of the AF area.

  In this case, since the user usually taps the subject to be focused on, the possibility of the so-called “missing” phenomenon is low. On the other hand, if the AF area is unnecessarily wide, the possibility of focusing on a subject different from the subject specified by the user in the AF area increases. Therefore, when the user designates the position of the AF frame 261 in this way, the AF area is as shown in FIG. 14A as shown in FIG. 14B (when the user does not designate the position of the AF frame 261). ) Is set to a narrower range (30 dots × 30 dots) than the AF area (108 dots × 60 dots).

  At this time, the camera control unit 210 performs AF processing based on the TTL contrast detection method on the AF area surrounded by the AF frame 261 based on the position information of the AF frame 261 supplied from the CPU 131. When in focus, the CPU 131 causes the AF frame 261 displayed in the EVF area 221 to blink for a predetermined time as shown in FIG. 14C in order to notify the user.

  When the user operates the soft capture button 227 in FIG. 10 or presses the mechanical capture button 23 (full press), the camera control unit 210 is based on the position information of the AF frame 261 supplied from the CPU 131. Then, an auto-focus process using the TTL contrast detection method is performed on the area surrounded by the AF frame 261, and then an image capture process is performed. Note that when the mechanism capture button 23 is half-pressed “half-press”, only the autofocus process is performed. As described above, the user can easily obtain an image focused on the subject regardless of where the subject is located in the EVF area 221.

  When the user wants to return the AF frame 261 (AF area) to the initial state (the state shown in FIG. 14A), the user performs a double tap on the EVF area 221. The CPU 131 controls the display control unit 136 based on the information supplied from the touch panel 36 and indicating that the user has double-tapped, and returns the AF frame 261 displayed on the LCD 28 to the initial state. The controller 210 is controlled to execute AF processing.

  As shown in FIG. 14D, the EVF area 221 may be provided with a plurality of vertical and horizontal grid lines, and the coordinates of the center of the AF frame 261 may be located at the intersection of those grid lines. . In FIG. 14D, vertical grid lines 331 to 338 and horizontal grid lines 341 to 345 in the figure are set in the EVF area 221 at predetermined intervals. When the user taps once on the EVF area 221, the CPU 131 acquires the position information of the position tapped by the user from the touch panel 36, calculates the intersection of the grid lines at the nearest position, and the coordinates of the intersection are the AF area. The AF frame 261 is moved so as to be at the center of the image, and the camera control unit 210 is caused to execute AF processing.

  By doing so, the position of the AF frame 261 can be limited to some extent, so that the user can move the AF frame 261 to the same position more accurately.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14D, the EVF area 221 has been described as having eight vertical grid lines in the drawing and five horizontal grid lines in the drawing. However, the grid lines provided in the EVF area 221 have been described. The number of can be any number. Further, the interval between the grid lines may be constant or may be different for each grid line. Further, each grid line may not be displayed on the LCD 28.

  In the above, the size of the EVF area 221 is 320 dots × 240 dots, the size of the AF area (AF frame 261) in the initial state is 108 dots × 60 dots, and the user sets the AF area (AF frame 261). ), The size of the AF area (AF frame 261) has been described as being 30 dots × 30 dots. However, these sizes are not limited to this, and any size is possible. May be.

  In addition, the AF frame 261 indicating the range of the AF area is not displayed on the LCD 28 in a normal state, and is set at a set position as shown in FIG. 14C when indicating the focus after the AF processing is performed. May blink for a predetermined time.

  Furthermore, although it has been described that the notification of in-focus is performed by blinking of the AF frame 261 as shown in FIG. 14C, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another notification such as the AF / AE lock indicator 254 of FIG. It may be performed by an indicator.

  The one-shot AF mode is a mode in which the camera unit 22 performs AF processing on the subject in the AF area by the TTL contrast detection method, as in the normal AF mode. Also in the one-shot AF mode, as shown in FIG. 14A, an AF frame 261 indicating the range of the AF area is displayed in the EVF area 221, and the position of the AF area (AF frame 261) is within the captured image frame. It is arbitrarily determined by the user.

  However, in the one-shot AF mode, AF processing is performed only when the user moves the AF area, and when the user taps the soft capture button 227 on the main screen 220 or when the user captures the mechanical capture shown in FIG. It is not executed when the button 23 is “half-pressed”. That is, in the one-shot AF mode, regardless of whether the user operates the mechanical capture button 23 or the soft capture button 227, only the capture processing instruction is input, and the adjustment processing instruction such as AF is not input. As described above, the CPU 131 controls each unit.

  Since the configuration and operation of the size and position of the AF frame 261, the control method of the AF frame 261, and the like are the same as those in the above-described normal AF mode, description thereof is omitted.

  Conventionally, when shooting with a so-called `` place pin '' where the focal length after AF processing is fixed, the user presses the shutter button halfway to perform AF processing, then the half-pressed state And when it was time to shoot, it was necessary to perform complicated work such as instructing capture by fully pressing the shutter button from that state, but by setting the one-shot AF mode as described above, Since the AF process immediately before capture can be omitted, the user can easily shoot “placement pins”.

  Next, processing related to shooting in the above-described constant AF mode will be specifically described.

  When the user operates the PDA 1 to instruct a still image shooting mode, the PDA 1 shifts to the still image shooting mode and starts an imaging process. The imaging process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the CPU 131 of the PDA 1 controls the camera control unit 210 of the camera unit 22 to activate the camera unit 22 and perform initialization processing of the camera unit 22, and stores it in the RAM 133, the storage unit 139, etc. in step S 2. The setting information related to the camera unit 22 is read, the read setting information is supplied to the camera control unit 210 of the camera unit 22, and the setting process of the camera unit 22 is performed. Further, in step S3, the CPU 131 controls the display control unit 136 to display a still image shooting mode GUI such as the main screen 220 shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 4, the DSP 206 of the camera unit 22 supplies the captured image data input from the lens unit 201 and captured by the CCD 202 to the display control unit 136, and the display control unit 136 displays the captured image on the LCD 28. .

  In step S <b> 5, the CPU 131 controls each button of the touch panel 36 and the input unit 137 to determine whether a new input regarding the setting has been performed by the user and the current setting has been changed. When determining that the setting has been changed, the CPU 131 stores the new setting in the RAM 133, the storage unit 139, and the like, and advances the processing to step S7.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the setting has not been changed, the CPU 131 skips step S6 and proceeds to step S7.

  In step S <b> 7, the CPU 131 monitors the touch panel 36 and the input unit 137 and determines whether or not a user has instructed capture of a still image. If it is determined that the instruction has been issued, the CPU 131 instructs the camera control unit 210 of the camera unit 22 to capture an image, and the camera control unit 210 controls each unit of the camera unit 22 based on the instruction to obtain a still image. To capture.

  The DSP 206 performs image processing on the image data of the captured image, and then supplies the image data to the display control unit 136. In step S9, the display control unit 136 synthesizes the captured image with the EVF area 221 of the GUI. And displayed on the LCD 28. When the captured image is displayed, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S10.

  If it is determined in step S7 that capture is not instructed, the CPU 131 skips steps S8 and S9 and proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the CPU 131 determines whether or not to end the still image shooting mode. If it is determined to end, the imaging process ends.

  If it is determined not to end the still image shooting mode, the CPU 131 returns the process to step S4 and repeats the subsequent processes.

  As described above, the PDA 1 executes the imaging process in the still image shooting mode.

  Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17, the constant AF process that is the AF process in the constant AF mode will be described. As described above with reference to FIG. 14A, in the initial state of the constant AF mode (the state in which the user does not designate the position of the AF frame 261), the EVF area 221 shows the first AF area that indicates the range of the wider AF area. The size of the AF frame 261 is provided so that its center is located at the center of the EVF area 221.

  In step S21, the CPU 131 controls the touch panel 36 and determines whether or not the position of the AF frame 261 is designated by the user as shown in FIG. 14B. When the user taps once on the EVF area 221 of the LCD 28, the touch panel 36 detects this and supplies the CPU 131 with the position information.

  When the position information of the tapped position is supplied from the touch panel 36 and it is determined that the position of the AF frame 261 is designated, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S22, and the first size based on the supplied position information. A smaller second size AF frame is placed at the specified position.

  Then, the CPU 131 supplies the position information of the AF frame 261 to the camera control unit 210 of the camera unit 22 in step S23. Based on the position information, the camera control unit 210 adjusts the focus for the AF area surrounded by the arranged AF frame 261 by the TTL contrast detection method.

  When the focus is adjusted by the focus adjustment process, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S24, controls the display control unit 136 to notify the end of the AF process and the position of the AF frame, and is displayed on the LCD 28. The existing AF frame 261 blinks for a predetermined time. When the blinking ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S25.

  In step S21, when it is determined that the position information is not supplied from the touch panel 36 and the position of the AF frame 261 is not designated, the CPU 131 skips steps S22 to S24 and proceeds to step S25. .

  In step S25, the touch panel 36 is controlled to determine whether or not the user has instructed initialization of the AF frame 261. When the user double taps on the EVF area 221 of the LCD 28, the touch panel 36 detects this and supplies the information to the CPU 131.

  When it is determined that the double tap information is supplied from the touch panel 36 and the initialization of the AF frame 261 is instructed, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S26 and arranges the first size AF frame at the initial position. That is, the CPU 131 arranges the AF frame 261 at a position where the center of the AF area comes to the center of the EVF area 221.

  Then, the CPU 131 supplies the position information of the AF frame 261 to the camera control unit 210 of the camera unit 22 in step S27. Based on the position information, the camera control unit 210 adjusts the focus for the AF area surrounded by the arranged AF frame 261 by the TTL contrast detection method.

  When the focus is adjusted by the focus adjustment process, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S28, controls the display control unit 136 so as to notify the end of the AF frame and the end of the focus process, and is displayed on the LCD 28. The existing AF frame 261 blinks for a predetermined time. When the blinking ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S29 in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S25 that the user has not instructed initialization of the AF frame 261, the CPU 131 skips steps S26 to S28 and proceeds to step S29 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 29, the CPU 131 monitors the touch panel 36 and the input unit 137 and determines whether the mechanical capture button 23 has been pressed halfway by the user or the soft capture button 227 on the main screen 220 has been operated.

  If it is determined that the mechanical capture button 23 has been pressed halfway or the soft capture button 227 on the main screen 220 has been operated, the CPU 131 determines the TTL contrast for the AF area surrounded by the AF frame 261 in step S30. Adjust the focus according to the detection method.

  When the focus is adjusted by the focus adjustment process, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S31, controls the display control unit 136 to notify the position of the AF frame and the end of the focus process, and is displayed on the LCD 28. The existing AF frame 261 blinks for a predetermined time. When the blinking ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S32.

  If it is determined in step S29 that the mechanical capture button 23 has not been pressed halfway and the soft capture button 227 on the main screen 220 has not been operated, the CPU 131 omits steps S30 and S31. Then, the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, the CPU 131 determines whether or not to end the focus process based on a user instruction or the like. If it is determined not to end, the CPU 131 returns the processing to step S21 in FIG. 16 and repeats the subsequent processing.

  If it is determined in step S32 that the focus process is to be ended, the CPU 131 performs the end process in step S33 and then always ends the AF process.

  With the continuous AF mode as described above, the user can easily obtain a still image subjected to a more suitable AF process regardless of the image configuration.

  Next, the one-shot AF process which is an AF process in the one-shot AF mode will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. As described above, even in the initial state of the one-shot AF mode (the state in which the user does not designate the position of the AF frame 261), as in the case of the constant AF mode, as shown in FIG. 14A, the EVF area 221 Are provided with a first size AF frame 261 indicating the range of a wider AF area so that the center thereof is located at the center of the EVF area 221.

  In step S61, the CPU 131 controls the touch panel 36 to determine whether or not the position of the AF frame 261 has been designated by the user as shown in FIG. 14B. When the user taps once on the EVF area 221 of the LCD 28, the touch panel 36 detects this and supplies the CPU 131 with the position information.

  When the position information of the tapped position is supplied from the touch panel 36 and the CPU 131 determines that the position of the AF frame 261 is designated, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S62, and the first size is based on the supplied position information. A smaller second size AF frame is placed at the specified position.

  In step S63, the CPU 131 supplies the position information of the AF frame 261 to the camera control unit 210 of the camera unit 22, and the camera control unit 210 is surrounded by the arranged AF frame 261 based on the position information. For the selected AF area, adjust the focus using the TTL contrast detection method.

  When the focus is adjusted by the focus adjustment process, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S64, controls the display control unit 136 to notify the position of the AF frame and the end of the focus process, and is displayed on the LCD 28. The existing AF frame 261 blinks for a predetermined time.

  The CPU 131 controls the camera control unit 210 to fix the lens position of the lens unit 201 when focused in step S65. In step S66, the CPU 131 half-presses by operating the mechanical capture button 23 and the soft capture button 227. Disable processing.

  That is, the CPU 131 prevents the focus adjustment process from being performed even if the user presses the mechanical capture button 23 halfway, and when the user presses the mechanical capture button 23 fully and when the user presses the soft capture button 227. When is operated, only the still image is captured without performing the focus adjustment process.

  The CPU 131 having invalidated the half-press process advances the process to step S67 in FIG.

  In step S61 in FIG. 18, when it is determined that the position information is not supplied from the touch panel 36 and the position of the AF frame 261 is not designated, the CPU 131 omits the processes in steps S62 to S66, and performs the process in FIG. The process proceeds to step S67.

  In step S <b> 67 of FIG. 19, the CPU 131 controls the touch panel 36 and determines whether or not the user has instructed initialization of the AF frame 261. When the user double taps on the EVF area 221 of the LCD 28, the touch panel 36 detects this and supplies the information to the CPU 131.

  If it is determined that the double tap information is supplied from the touch panel 36 and the initialization of the AF frame 261 is instructed, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S68 to place the first size AF frame at the initial position. That is, the CPU 131 arranges the AF frame 261 at a position where the center of the AF area comes to the center of the EVF area 221.

  In step S69, the camera control unit 210 adjusts the focus for the AF area surrounded by the arranged AF frame 261 by the TTL contrast detection method.

  When the focus is adjusted by the focus adjustment process, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S70, controls the display control unit 136 so as to notify the end of the AF frame and the end of the focus process, and is displayed on the LCD 28. The existing AF frame 261 blinks for a predetermined time.

  As in the case of steps S65 and S66, the CPU 131 controls the camera control unit 210 to fix the lens position of the lens unit 201 at the time of focusing in step S71, and in step S72, the mechanical capture button 23 In addition, the half-press process by operating the soft capture button 227 is invalidated. Then, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S73.

  If it is determined in step S67 that the user has not instructed initialization of the AF frame 261, the CPU 131 skips steps S68 to S72 and proceeds to step S73.

  In step S73, the CPU 131 determines whether or not to end the focus process based on a user instruction or the like. If it is determined not to end, the CPU 131 returns the process to step S61 in FIG. 18 and repeats the subsequent processes.

  If it is determined in step S73 that the focus process is to be ended, the CPU 131 performs the end process in step S74 and then ends the one-shot AF process.

  With the above-described one-shot AF mode, the user can easily obtain a still image that has been subjected to a more suitable AF process even when shooting a so-called “place pin”.

  In the above, the AF process has been described, but not only the center of the shooting image frame but also the above-described AF area at the time of spot metering that performs photometry on a narrow area during exposure adjustment (AE process). The user may be able to specify the position.

  When the user designates the anchor by positioning it in spot metering on the setting screen 301 shown in FIG. 12, the setting is as shown in FIG. 20 superimposed on the setting screen 301 shown in FIG. The content selection screen is displayed.

  In FIG. 20, items other than the item spot metering selected by the user in the setting list display area 302 of the setting screen 301 are displayed darkly. A setting content selection screen 352 displaying a list of corresponding settings is displayed on the right side of the item 351 selected by the user, and two modes of “OFF” and “ON” are displayed as settings corresponding to spot metering. Is done. A mark is displayed on the currently set “OFF”, and an anchor is displayed on the currently selected “ON”.

  The user taps the “ON” portion from the list displayed on the setting content selection screen 352 shown in FIG. 20 or moves the anchor by rotating the jog dial 25 and pressing it. The spot metering mode can be instructed.

  As shown in FIG. 21A, the normal AE process is performed on an AE area 361 that is almost the entire area of the EVF area 221 (shooting image frame). In FIG. 20, when the user sets the spot metering mode, the AE area 361 becomes narrower than in the case of FIG. 21A, as shown in FIG. 21B, and the AE process indicating the center of the AE area includes the narrow AE area 361. It is done as a target.

  In the spot metering mode, a spot metering pointer 260 indicating the center of the AE area 361 is displayed in the EVF area 221.

  In this initial state (when the user does not specify the position of the AE area 361), the center of the AE area 361 is located at the center of the EVF area 221 (shooting image frame).

  At this time, when the user operates the soft capture button 227 of FIG. 10 or presses down (full press) the mechanical capture button 23, the camera control unit 210 performs adjustment processing such as AE processing on this AE area. After performing the above, an image capture process is performed. When the mechanical capture button 23 is pressed halfway, only adjustment processing such as AE processing is performed. Further, when the AE processing is completed, the spot photometry pointer 260 may blink, or a predetermined confirmation sound may be emitted.

  As a result, the user simply operates the soft capture button 227 or the mechanical capture button 23, and an effect is obtained in which the exposure amount is adjusted only near the center of the photographed image frame (for example, the subject in the center is raised). Image).

  Further, the position of the AE frame 361 can be arbitrarily designated by the user as long as it is within the EVF area 221. That is, as shown in FIG. 21C, when the user taps on the EVF area 221 once using the touch pen 35 or the like, the CPU 131 detects the position tapped by the user based on the position information supplied from the touch panel 36. Is moved to the center of the AE area 361, and the camera unit 22 is caused to execute AE processing for the AE area 361.

  When it is desired to return the AE region 361 to the initial state (the state shown in FIG. 21A), the user performs a double tap on the EVF area 221. The CPU 131 initializes the AE area based on the information supplied from the touch panel 36 and indicating that the user has double-tapped, and controls the display control unit 136 to perform spot photometry displayed on the LCD 28. The pointer 260 is returned to the initial state, and the camera control unit 210 is controlled to execute the AE process.

  As shown in FIG. 21D, when the user moves the AF frame 261 in the above-described constant AF mode or one-shot AF mode, the spot metering pointer 260 is positioned at the center of the AF area. The AE area 361 may be moved in the same manner.

  Furthermore, although illustration is omitted, as in the case of FIG. 14D, a plurality of grid lines are set in the EVF area 221 at predetermined intervals, and when the user taps once on the EVF area 221, the CPU 131 The position information of the position tapped by the user is acquired from the touch panel 36, the intersection of the grid lines at the nearest position is calculated, and the spot photometry pointer 260 is moved so that the coordinates of the intersection are the center of the AE area 361. The camera control unit 210 may execute the AE process.

  In the above, the area of the AE area 361 may be any area as long as the area of the normal AE area 361 is wider than the area at the time of spot metering. Further, the AE area 361 and the spot photometry pointer 260 may be displayed in the EVF area 221 or may not be displayed.

  Next, the AE process in the spot photometry mode described above will be specifically described. When the user selects “ON” in the spot metering item 351 on the setting screen 301 in FIG. 20, the mode shifts to the spot metering mode, and the AE area changes from the state in FIG. 21A to the state in FIG. 21B. Then, the PDA 1 starts spot AE processing.

  The spot AE process in the spot photometry mode will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. As described above with reference to FIG. 21B, in the initial state of the spot metering mode (the state in which the user does not designate the position of the AE area 361), the EVF area 221 has a narrow AE area at the center. The spot metering pointer 260 is displayed at the center of the EVF area 221. The spot metering pointer 260 is displayed at the center of the EVF area 221.

  In step S91, the CPU 131 controls the touch panel 36 to determine whether or not the position of the AE area has been designated by the user as shown in FIG. 21C. When the user taps once on the EVF area 221 of the LCD 28, the touch panel 36 detects this and supplies the CPU 131 with the position information.

  When the position information of the tapped position is supplied from the touch panel 36 and the CPU 131 determines that the position of the AE area 361 is designated, the CPU 131 proceeds to step S92, and based on the supplied position information, the spot photometry pointer 260 is placed at the specified position. That is, the CPU 131 sets the AE area 361 so that the position designated by the user is the center.

  In step S93, the camera control unit 210 adjusts the exposure of the set AE area 361 based on the position information of the AE area supplied from the CPU 131, and performs AE processing.

  When the AE process is completed, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S94, controls the display control unit 136 to notify the position of the spot metering pointer 260 and the end of the AE process, and is displayed on the LCD 28. The spot metering pointer 260 is blinked for a predetermined time. When the blinking ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S95.

  In step S91, when it is determined that the position information is not supplied from the touch panel 36 and the position of the AE area 361 is not designated, the CPU 131 omits the processes of steps S92 to S94 and proceeds to step S95. .

  In step S95, the touch panel 36 is controlled to determine whether or not the user has instructed initialization of the AE area 361. When the user double taps on the EVF area 221 of the LCD 28, the touch panel 36 detects this and supplies the information to the CPU 131.

  When it is determined that the double tap information is supplied from the touch panel 36 and the initialization of the AE area 361 is instructed, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S96 to place the spot photometry pointer 260 at the initial position. That is, the CPU 131 arranges the spot metering pointer 260 at a position where the center of the AE area is at the center of the EVF area 221.

  In step S97, the camera control unit 210 adjusts the exposure for the set AE area 361 based on the position information of the AE area 361 supplied to the CPU 131, and performs AE processing.

  When the AE process ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S98, controls the display control unit 136 to notify the position of the spot metering pointer and the end of the AE process, and is displayed on the LCD 28. The spot metering pointer 260 is blinked for a predetermined time. When the blinking ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S99 in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S95 that the user has not instructed initialization of the AE area 361, the CPU 131 skips steps S96 to S98 and proceeds to step S99 in FIG.

  In step S99 in FIG. 23, the CPU 131 monitors the touch panel 36 and the input unit 137, and determines whether the mechanical capture button 23 is pressed halfway by the user or the soft capture button 227 on the main screen 220 is operated. judge.

  When it is determined that the mechanical capture button 23 has been pressed halfway or the soft capture button 227 on the main screen 220 has been operated, the CPU 131 executes AE processing for the AE area 361 in step S100.

  When the AE process ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S101, controls the display control unit 136 to notify the position of the spot photometry pointer 260 and the end of the AE process, and is displayed on the LCD 28. The spot metering pointer 260 is blinked for a predetermined time. When the blinking ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S102.

  If it is determined in step S99 that the mechanical capture button 23 has not been pressed halfway and the soft capture button 227 on the main screen 220 has not been operated, the CPU 131 omits steps S100 and S101. Then, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the CPU 131 determines whether or not to end the spot AE process based on a user instruction or the like. If it is determined not to end, the CPU 131 returns the processing to step S91 in FIG. 22 and repeats the subsequent processing.

  If it is determined in step S102 that the spot AE process is to be ended, the CPU 131 completes the spot AE process after performing the end process in step S103.

  With the spot photometry mode as described above, the user can easily obtain a still image that has been subjected to the spot AE process for an arbitrary position in the captured image frame.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 21D, AF processing and AE processing in the case where the spot photometry pointer 260 is always placed at the center of the AE frame 261 will be described.

  First, the constant AF process executed in the constant AF mode in the case described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In this case as well, as in the case of the constant AF mode described above, in the initial state (the state where the user has not designated the position of the AF frame 261), the EVF area 221 shows the first AF area that indicates the range of the wider AF area. The size of the AF frame 261 is arranged so that its center is located at the center of the EVF area 221. In the spot metering mode, a spot metering pointer 260 is arranged at the center of the EVF area 221 as shown in FIG. 21B.

  In step S121, the CPU 131 controls the touch panel 36 to determine whether or not the position of the AF frame 261 has been designated by the user as shown in FIG. 21D. When the user taps once on the EVF area 221 of the LCD 28, the touch panel 36 detects this and supplies the CPU 131 with the position information.

  When the position information of the tapped position is supplied from the touch panel 36 and it is determined that the position of the AF frame 261 is designated, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S122, and the first size is based on the supplied position information. A smaller second size AF frame is placed at the specified position.

  In step S123, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the AE mode is the spot photometry mode. If the CPU 131 determines that the AE mode is the spot photometry mode, in step S124, the center of the AE area 361 is the center of the AF area. The spot metering pointer 260 is arranged so as to be at the same position. The CPU 131 having the spot metering pointer 260 advances the process to step S125.

  If it is determined in step S123 that the mode is not the spot photometry mode, the CPU 131 omits the process of step S124 and advances the process to step S125.

  In step S <b> 125, the camera control unit 210 focuses on the AF area surrounded by the arranged AF frame 261 based on the position information of the AF area and the AE area 361 supplied from the CPU 131 by the TTL contrast detection method. At the same time, the exposure is adjusted for the arranged AE region 361.

  When the focus adjustment and the exposure adjustment are completed, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S126, and controls the display control unit 136 to notify the positions of the AF frame 261 and the spot metering pointer 260 and the end of the adjustment process. Then, the AF frame 261 and the spot photometry pointer 260 displayed on the LCD 28 are blinked for a predetermined time. When the blinking ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S127.

  In step S121, when it is determined that the position information is not supplied from the touch panel 36 and the position of the AF frame 261 is not designated, the CPU 131 skips the processing of steps S122 to S126 and proceeds to step S127. .

  In step S127, the CPU 131 controls the touch panel 36 to determine whether or not the user has instructed initialization of the AF frame 261. When the user double taps on the EVF area 221 of the LCD 28, the touch panel 36 detects this and supplies the information to the CPU 131.

  When it is determined that the double tap information is supplied from the touch panel 36 and the initialization of the AF frame 261 is instructed, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S128 and arranges the first size AF frame 261 at the initial position. .

  In step S129, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the AE mode is the spot photometry mode. If the CPU 131 determines that the AE mode is the spot photometry mode, in step S130, the center of the AE area 361 is the center of the AF area. The spot metering pointer 260 is arranged so as to be at the same position. The CPU 131 on which the spot photometry pointer 260 is arranged advances the processing to step S131.

  If it is determined in step S129 that the mode is not the spot photometry mode, the CPU 131 omits the process of step S130 and advances the process to step S131.

  In step S131, the camera control unit 210 uses the TTL contrast detection method for the AF area surrounded by the arranged AF frame 261 based on the position information of the AF frame 261 and the spot metering pointer 260 supplied from the CPU 131. In addition to adjusting the focus, exposure adjustment for the AE region 361 is performed.

  When these adjustment processes are completed, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S132, and controls the display control unit 136 to notify the positions of the AF frame 261 and the spot metering pointer 260 and the end of the adjustment process. Then, the AF frame 261 and the spot photometry pointer 260 displayed on the LCD 28 are blinked for a predetermined time. When the blinking ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S133 in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S127 that the user has not instructed the initialization of the AF frame 261, the CPU 131 skips steps S128 to S132 and proceeds to step S133 in FIG.

  In step S133 of FIG. 25, the CPU 131 monitors the touch panel 36 and the input unit 137, and determines whether the mechanical capture button 23 is pressed halfway by the user or the soft capture button 227 on the main screen 220 is operated. judge.

  If it is determined that the mechanical capture button 23 has been pressed halfway or the soft capture button 227 on the main screen 220 has been operated, the CPU 131 determines the TTL contrast for the AF area surrounded by the AF frame 261 in step S134. The focus is adjusted by the detection method, and the exposure for the AE region 361 is adjusted.

  When the adjustment process ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S135 to control the display control unit 136 so as to notify the position of the AF frame 261 and the spot metering pointer 260 and the end of the adjustment process, The AF frame 261 and the spot photometry pointer 260 displayed on the LCD 28 are blinked for a predetermined time. When the blinking ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S136.

  If it is determined in step S133 that the mechanical capture button 23 has not been pressed halfway and the soft capture button 227 on the main screen 220 has not been operated, the CPU 131 omits steps S134 and S135. Then, the process proceeds to step S136.

  In step S136, the CPU 131 determines whether or not to end the focus process based on a user instruction or the like. If it is determined not to end, the CPU 131 returns the processing to step S121 in FIG. 24 and repeats the subsequent processing.

  If it is determined in step S136 that the focus process is to be terminated, the CPU 131 performs the termination process in step S137 and then always terminates the AF process.

  With the continuous AF mode as described above, the user can easily obtain a still image that has been subjected to a more suitable AF process and a more effective AE process regardless of the image configuration.

  Next, the one-shot AF process, which is the AF process in the one-shot AF mode, in the above-described case will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. As described above, even in the initial state of the one-shot AF mode (the state where the user does not specify the position of the AF frame 261), as in the case of the constant AF mode, as shown in FIG. 21B, the EVF area 221 Are provided with a first size AF frame 261 indicating the range of a wider AF area so that the center thereof is located at the center of the EVF area 221. In the spot metering mode, a spot metering pointer 260 is arranged at the center of the EVF area 221 as shown in FIG. 21B.

  In step S151, the CPU 131 controls the touch panel 36 to determine whether or not the position of the AF frame 261 has been designated by the user as shown in FIG. 21D. When the user taps once on the EVF area 221 of the LCD 28, the touch panel 36 detects this and supplies the CPU 131 with the position information.

  When the position information of the tapped position is supplied from the touch panel 36 and it is determined that the position of the AF frame 261 is designated, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S152 and, based on the supplied position information, the first size. A smaller second size AF frame is placed at the specified position.

  In step S153, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the AE mode is the spot photometry mode. If it is determined that the AE mode is the spot photometry mode, in step S154, the center of the AE area 361 is the same position as the center of the AF area. The spot metering pointer 260 is arranged so that The CPU 131 having the spot metering pointer 260 advances the process to step S155.

  If it is determined in step S153 that the mode is not the spot photometry mode, the CPU 131 omits the process of step S154 and proceeds to step S155.

  In step S155, the CPU 133 supplies the position information of the AF frame 261 to the camera control unit 210 of the camera unit 22, and the camera control unit 210 performs AF surrounded by the arranged AF frame 261 based on the position information. For the area, the focus is adjusted by the TTL contrast detection method, and the AE process is performed on the AE area 361 to adjust the exposure.

  When the adjustment process ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S156, controls the display control unit 136 to notify the positions of the AF frame 261 and the spot photometry pointer 260, and the end of the adjustment process, The AF frame 261 and the spot photometry pointer 260 displayed on the LCD 28 are blinked for a predetermined time.

  In step S157, when the adjustment process is completed, the CPU 131 controls the camera control unit 210 to fix the aperture and lens position of the lens unit 201, and to fix the exposure and focus. Further, in step S158, the CPU 131 invalidates the half-press process by operating the mechanical capture button 23 and the soft capture button 227.

  The CPU 131 having invalidated the half-press process advances the process to step S159 in FIG.

  In step S151 in FIG. 26, when it is determined that the position information is not supplied from the touch panel 36 and the position of the AF frame 261 is not designated, the CPU 131 omits the processes in steps S152 to S158 and performs the process in FIG. The process proceeds to step S159.

  In step S159 of FIG. 27, the CPU 131 controls the touch panel 36 to determine whether or not the user has instructed initialization of the AF frame 261. When the user double taps on the EVF area 221 of the LCD 28, the touch panel 36 detects this and supplies the information to the CPU 131.

  When it is determined that the double tap information is supplied from the touch panel 36 and the initialization of the AF frame 261 is instructed, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S160 and arranges the first size AF frame at the initial position.

  In step S161, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the AE mode is the spot photometry mode. If the CPU 131 determines that the AE mode is the spot photometry mode, in step S162, the center of the AE area 361 is the same position as the center of the AF area. The spot metering pointer 260 is arranged so that The CPU 131 having the spot metering pointer 260 advances the process to step S163.

  If it is determined in step S161 that the mode is not the spot photometry mode, the CPU 131 omits the process of step S162 and advances the process to step S163.

  In step S163, the camera control unit 210 adjusts the focus of the AF area surrounded by the arranged AF frame 261 by the TTL contrast detection method, performs AE processing on the AE area 361, and performs exposure. Adjust.

  When the adjustment process ends, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S164, controls the display control unit 136 to notify the position of the AF frame 261 and the spot metering pointer 260, and the end of the adjustment process, to the LCD 28. The displayed AF frame 261 and spot metering pointer 260 are blinked for a predetermined time.

  As in the case of steps S157 and S158, the CPU 131 controls the camera control unit 210 to fix the aperture and the lens position of the lens unit 201 at the time when the adjustment process is completed in step S165, and to adjust the exposure and focus positions. In step S166, the half-press process by the operation of the mechanical capture button 23 and the soft capture button 227 is invalidated. Then, the CPU 131 advances the process to step S167.

  If it is determined in step S159 that the user has not instructed initialization of the AF frame 261, the CPU 131 skips steps S160 to S166 and proceeds to step S167.

  In step S167, the CPU 131 determines whether to end the focus process based on a user instruction or the like. If it is determined not to end, the CPU 131 returns the process to step S151 in FIG. 26 and repeats the subsequent processes.

  If it is determined in step S167 that the focus process is to be ended, the CPU 131 performs the end process in step S168 and then ends the one-shot AF process.

  With the one-shot AF mode as described above, the user can easily obtain a still image that has been subjected to more suitable AF processing and more effective AE processing even in so-called “place pin” shooting. .

  In the above, it has been described that the AF processing is performed using the TTL contrast detection method, but the AF processing method may be other than this, for example, the distance to the subject by outputting infrared rays or ultrasonic waves. Various active methods to be measured, a TTL phase difference detection method in which the light passing through the photographing lens is divided into two and the amount and direction of the deviation are detected to detect the focus position may be used.

  Further, the end of the adjustment process such as the AF process and the AE process has been described so as to notify the user by blinking the AF frame 261 and the spot metering pointer 260. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other indicators may be used. Alternatively, a confirmation sound may be output, or a plurality of methods may be combined.

  Further, the confirmation sound may be output every time other processing is performed, for example, when the focus mode is switched or a still image is captured. At that time, the content of the confirmation sound may be changed by processing corresponding to the confirmation sound.

  In addition, although the specification of the position of the AF area or the AE area by the user has been described as being at the center of each area, the position is not limited to this. It may be. Further, the AF area and the AE area may be moved so that the coordinates designated by the user are located outside the area.

  In addition, it has been described that the user designates the position of the AF area or the AE area when the user double-taps on the EVF area 221. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be initialized when tapping on the EVF area 221 for a long time, may be initialized when a still image is captured, or in any of these cases It may be initialized.

  In the above, description was made using a PDA with an imaging function, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, with an imaging function including an AF function and an AE function, such as a digital still camera or a mobile phone having an imaging function Further, any electronic device including a display for displaying the obtained image may be used.

  Accordingly, an input unit that can freely move the position of the AF frame 261 or the spot metering pointer, such as a cross key, for example, even if the touch panel is not superimposed on the display as in the above-described example. However, in particular, in the case of a PDA or notebook personal computer having an imaging function with a touch panel superimposed on the display, the AF frame 261 and the spot metering pointer can be operated more easily. Can do.

  In the above description, the camera 22, the LCD 28, and the like have been described as being configured as a single PDA. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and each part of the PDA 1 described above may be configured separately.

  In the above-described example, the memory mounted in the slot 64 is the memory card 143. However, the memory card 143 is not limited as long as the recording medium can accommodate the slot 64. For example, although not shown, other semiconductor memories, magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, etc. may be used.

  The above processing can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in the PDA 1 from a network or a recording medium. However, the recording medium is not only directly attached to the PDA 1, but may be attached to another device as necessary. In this case, the program is installed in the PDA 1 when the other device and the PDA 1 communicate with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 8, this recording medium is distributed not only for the apparatus main body but also for the semiconductor memory such as the memory stick 143 storing the program, which is distributed to supply the program to the user, and is not shown. Includes, for example, a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk), an optical disk (including a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), a DVD (digital versatile disk)), or a magneto-optical disk (MD (mini-disk)). ) And the like. Furthermore, it is configured by a ROM 132 storing a program and a storage unit 139 as an EEPROM or a hard disk, which is supplied to the user in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance.

  In the above, the processing shown in each flowchart is executed by the CPU 131 of FIG. 8 by software. However, the processing is executed by hardware by preparing hardware for executing each processing. Of course, it is possible.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  22 camera, 23 mechanical capture button, 28 LCD, 131 CPU, 136 display control unit, 201 lens unit, 202 CCD, 210 camera control unit, 211 lens unit drive circuit, 221 EVF area, 227 soft capture button, 260 for spot metering Pointer, 261 AF frame, 361 AE area

Claims (11)

An area setting unit that receives an instruction by the first method and an instruction by the second method of the user and sets a position and a range of an area for performing predetermined processing on the image displayed in the display range;
When the area setting unit receives an instruction by the first method, the area setting means sets the center of the area position to the center position of the display range, and the area range is set by the second method. The apparatus is set wider than the range of the region. The instruction by the first method is an initialization instruction for returning from the setting of the state where the instruction by the second method is accepted to the setting of the state where the instruction by the second method is not accepted. The apparatus of claim 1 characterized in that: The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the instruction by the first method and the instruction by the second method are received by a touch panel stacked in the display range. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second method is that the user taps the touch panel once. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first method is that the user taps the touch panel twice within a predetermined time. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first method is a method in which the user touches the touch panel for a predetermined time or more. It further comprises imaging means for capturing an image of the subject,
The area setting means sets the area as a range in which the subject is focused on by the imaging means, or sets the area as a range on which exposure adjustment of the subject is performed by the imaging means. The apparatus according to 1. Further comprising display control means for controlling display within the display range;
The display control means displays a frame image corresponding to a region defining a range to be focused on the subject superimposed on an image displayed within the display range;
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the instruction is accepted by the first method, the frame image is displayed larger than when the position of the region is set by the second method. The display control means displays a pointer image corresponding to an area that defines a range in which exposure adjustment of the subject is performed, superimposed on an image displayed within the display range, and the exposure adjustment means is included in the area. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the exposure adjustment process for the subject is completed, the pointer image blinks for a predetermined time. Area setting means for accepting an instruction by the user in the first method and an instruction by the second method and setting a position and a range of an area for performing predetermined processing on an image displayed in the display range; When the instruction by the method 1 is accepted, the center of the area position is set to the center position of the display range, and the area range is set wider than the area range set by the second method. how to. Computer
When the user's instruction by the first method and the instruction by the second method are accepted and the instruction by the first method is accepted, the position of the area where the predetermined processing is performed on the image displayed within the display range A program for functioning as an area setting unit that sets a center at a center position of the display range and sets the area range wider than the area range set by the second method.

Images