JP2011055066A - Image capturing apparatus, imaging control program and imaging control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly adjust the skin of a specified person during imaging. <P>SOLUTION: In a live view image, face recognition processing is executed and the face part of a person is detected (step S501). Recording data indicating a priority order are read (step S502), and a selection order is set to a recognized face (step S503). The subject person of the selection order "first" is selected in the live view image (step S504), magnified and displayed, and the magnified image is corrected by corresponding correction data (step S505). Additional correction processing is executed continuously (step S506), and the "redness", "blueness", "greenness", "sharpness" and "contrast" of the magnified and displayed subject image are corrected. Whether imaging is instructed is determined (step S507), and when the imaging is instructed, a captured image in which the face of the specified person subject is corrected in the step S506 is recorded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a program for controlling the imaging apparatus, and an imaging control method.

  Conventionally, in a general image correction apparatus, for example, correction for beautifully copying skin, even when there are a plurality of persons in an image, the correction of the brightness and color tone of the input image is uniformly applied to the entire image. To be done. Therefore, for example, when men and women are included in the image, to make the skin of the woman white, it is necessary to lighten the entire image. It will be corrected to white.

  In view of this, an image correction apparatus capable of performing desired correction for each of a plurality of faces included in an image has been proposed. This image correction apparatus detects each face included in the input image, selects any one of the detected faces, and performs skin beautification on the selected face. Therefore, according to this image correction apparatus, it is possible to perform different skin beautifications on sequentially selected faces instead of correcting the entire image, and to each of a plurality of faces included in the image. Desired image correction can be performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

  On the other hand, a specific person such as his child is registered in advance, and the registered person is recognized in the live view image (video through image), and the recognized person is automatically focused. In addition, an image pickup apparatus that tracks is being put to practical use.

JP 2009-124231 A

  By the way, when the image correction technique described above is employed in the image pickup apparatus, the work for skin beautification must be completed by the time of shooting. In other words, if the skin beautification work is not completed within the photo opportunity when the subject person is lined up and waiting for the shutter operation, an image obtained by performing desired image correction on each of a plurality of faces included in the image is captured. I can't do it. However, if the above-described image correction technique is directly applied to the imaging apparatus, there is a problem that it is difficult to complete the skin beautification within a photo opportunity because it involves an operation of selecting a person for skin beautification adjustment.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging device, an imaging control program, and an imaging control method capable of quickly adjusting skin beautification of a specific person at the time of shooting. To do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the imaging device according to the first aspect of the invention, in the imaging device according to the first aspect of the invention, the live view image acquired by the imaging unit is displayed on the display unit. Display control means for displaying, detection means for detecting the subject of interest from the live view image based on feature data indicating the characteristics of the subject stored in advance, and correction means for correcting the subject of interest detected by the detection means; And recording control means for recording an image obtained by the imaging unit and having the subject of interest corrected by the correcting means.

  In the imaging apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the detection unit detects a plurality of objects of interest, an order setting unit that sets a selection order based on a predetermined order condition; and the order setting unit A selection unit that selects any one of the plurality of target subjects according to the selection order set by the correction unit, wherein the correction unit corrects the target subject selected by the selection unit. .

  Moreover, in the imaging device according to the invention of claim 3, the selection means includes a first selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of objects of interest, and the operation according to an operation. And second selecting means for selecting a subject of interest other than the subject of interest selected by the first selecting means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus comprising a first storage unit that stores correction data of the subject of interest, wherein the correction unit is a correction stored in the first storage unit. It is characterized in that the subject of interest is corrected based on the data.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 5 further includes setting means for setting correction data of the subject of interest, wherein the correction means is configured to select the selection based on the correction data set by the setting means. The object of interest selected by the means is corrected.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a first storage unit that stores correction data of the subject of interest, and a changing unit that changes the correction data stored in the first storage unit. The correction means corrects the subject of interest selected by the selection means based on the correction data changed by the change means.

  The image pickup apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the invention is characterized by comprising storage control means for rewriting correction data stored in the first storage means in accordance with a change result by the changing means. .

  The image pickup apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the invention further includes a second storage unit that stores the feature data, and the detection unit is based on the feature data stored in the second storage unit. , Detecting the subject of interest.

  The image pickup apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the invention further includes a third storage unit that stores the priority order of the plurality of objects of interest, and the order setting unit stores the order in the third storage unit. The selection order is set using the set priority order as the order condition.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to claim 10, the display control unit enlarges and displays the target subject selected by the selection unit on a part of the display unit that displays the live view image. It is characterized by doing.

  In the imaging device according to an eleventh aspect, the display control means enlarges and displays the subject of interest while being corrected by the correction means.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the display control unit displays the live view image on a display unit in a state where the subject of interest is corrected by the correction unit. And

  In the imaging device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, based on display control means for displaying the live view image acquired by the imaging unit on the display unit, and feature data indicating the characteristics of the subject stored in advance. Detecting means for detecting and identifying the target object from the live view image; correction means for correcting the target object specified by the detection means; and the target object obtained by the imaging unit and corrected by the correction means. And a recording control means for recording the image.

  In the imaging control program according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a computer included in an apparatus including an imaging unit and a display unit displays a live view image acquired by the imaging unit on the display unit. Control means; detection means for detecting a target subject from the live view image based on feature data indicating the characteristics of the subject stored in advance; correction means for correcting the target subject detected by the detection means; and the imaging And an image obtained by correcting the subject of interest by the correcting unit and functioning as a recording control unit for recording.

  In the imaging control method according to the invention described in claim 15, the display control step of displaying the live view image acquired by the imaging unit on the display unit, and the feature data indicating the characteristics of the subject stored in advance Based on the detection step for detecting the target subject from the live view image, the correction step for correcting the target subject detected by the detection step, and the image obtained by the imaging unit and corrected by the correction step. And a recording control step for recording the data.

  According to the present invention, the target subject in the live view image is detected based on the feature data indicating the feature of the subject stored in advance, and the correction is possible. The work of selecting a subject can be reduced. Therefore, the photographer can appropriately and easily complete the correction such as the skin beautification of the subject of interest within the photo opportunity, and can more reliably record the image subjected to the correction such as the skin beautification.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the target subject in the live view image is detected and specified based on the feature data indicating the feature of the subject stored in advance, the correction is possible. Even when there is a subject of interest, it is possible to reduce the work of selecting the subject of interest to perform corrections such as skin beautification during a photo opportunity. Therefore, the photographer can appropriately and easily complete the correction such as the skin beautification of the identified subject of interest within the shutter chance even when there are a plurality of subjects of interest in the live view image. It is possible to more reliably record an image subjected to correction such as skin beautification.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a recording table. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the correction | amendment imaging | photography process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the selection order setting process in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the additional correction process in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the selection change process in the embodiment. It is a display transition diagram of the same embodiment. It is a display transition diagram for every different correction data type in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the correction | amendment imaging | photography process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the additional correction process in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the selection change process in the embodiment. It is a display transition diagram of the same embodiment. It is a display transition diagram for every different correction data type in the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The imaging device 1 includes an imaging optical unit 2, an imaging unit 3, and a luminance measurement unit 4. The imaging optical unit 2 is a lens unit on which an optical member is mounted, and includes a coating lens 21, a zoom lens 22, and a focus lens 23 on the optical axis.

  The coating lens 21 is an optical member mounted on the forefront of the imaging optical unit 2 and has a special coating on the front surface in the subject direction. The zoom lens 22 is driven by a zoom lens moving unit ZM, and the zoom lens moving unit ZM includes a motor that drives the zoom lens 22. The focus lens 23 is driven by a focus lens moving unit FM, and the focus lens moving unit FM includes a motor that drives the focus lens 23.

  The imaging unit 3 captures an optical image of the subject 11 through the imaging optical unit 2. Therefore, the imaging unit 3 includes an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS that photoelectrically converts the optical image of the subject 11 to acquire a photoelectric conversion signal.

  The imaging unit 3 obtains analog data obtained by amplifying the acquired photoelectric conversion signal along with AE (automatic exposure correction) processing or the like. Therefore, the imaging unit 3 includes an A / D conversion unit (ADC) that converts the analog data into digital data. This digital data is RGB data.

  The luminance measuring unit 4 measures the luminance of the photographing light that has passed through the imaging optical unit 2. Therefore, the luminance measuring unit 4 includes a luminance sensor for measuring the luminance of the photographing light.

  The luminance measuring unit 4, the imaging unit 3, the zoom lens moving unit ZM, and the focus lens moving unit FM are connected to a bus line 12, and a timing unit 8 and a main display control unit 9 are further connected to the bus line 12. ing. The time measuring unit 8 measures the current time.

  The main display control unit 9 controls the main display unit 10 to display various images and information based on various data. When displaying a recording image, the main display unit 10 is controlled to display an image based on JPEG data, and when displaying a live view image (also referred to as a video through image) as a viewfinder image, RGB data is displayed. Based on this, the main display unit 10 is controlled to display an image. Further, the main display control unit 9 operates based on an instruction from the control unit 51 to be described later, thereby enlarging and displaying the subject of interest in the live view image displayed on the main display unit 10 or displaying a cursor. The process is also executed.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus 1 includes an information processing area 5, a recording area 6, and an operation input area 7 connected to the bus line 12. The information processing area 5 is an area in which processing units for predetermined information are combined into one, and is provided with a control unit 51, a special calculation unit 52, an image compression unit 53, an imaging processing unit 54, and the like. The control unit 51 is an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) that controls each unit of the imaging apparatus 1. In addition, this control part 51 may be comprised from the some chip | tip. The special calculation unit 52 is an MPU that performs a predetermined calculation. The special calculation unit 52 is provided exclusively for performing this predetermined calculation, and enables this calculation to be performed at high speed.

The imaging processing unit 54 generates YUV data appropriately subjected to image processing from RGB data.
The image compression unit 53 generates recording image data such as JPEG data from the YUV data generated by the imaging processing unit 54. JPEG data is image data compressed in accordance with a standard created by JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group). Here, the recording image data is JPEG data. The color standard (color space) of this JPEG data is “sRGB” (IEC international standard) based on the Exif specification.

  Note that the processing units belonging to the information processing area 5 may be configured physically or electrically independently, or may be configured in combination. One processing unit may have a plurality of processing unit functions.

  The recording area 6 is an area in which predetermined recording sections are combined into one, and is provided with an external recording mounting section 61, a storage recording apparatus 62, a temporary recording apparatus 63, and the like. The external recording mounting unit 61 is a connection unit for mounting the external recording device 64 to the imaging device 1, and preferably includes an attachment / detachment detection unit that detects the attachment / detachment state of the external recording device 64. The external recording device 64 is a non-volatile recording medium that is mounted on the external recording mounting unit 61 and can record information. Further, the external recording device 64 records the captured image data generated by the image compression unit 53. The external recording device 64 is a recording medium such as a flash memory such as an SD memory card or a USB memory. In the present embodiment, the external recording device 64 is a flash EEPROM.

  The storage recording device 62 is a non-volatile recording device for recording various programs and various settings for processing various data by the control unit 51 and the like, and the temporary recording device 63 is the control unit 51 and the like. This is a volatile recording device for temporarily recording various data to be processed in the above.

  Note that the recording units belonging to the recording area 6 may be configured physically or electrically independently, or may be configured in combination. In addition, one recording unit may have a plurality of recording unit functions.

  The operation input area 7 is an area in which input units for performing predetermined operation inputs are grouped into one, a shooting instruction unit 71, a movement operation unit 72, a determination instruction unit 73, a menu operation unit 74, a mode setting unit, a display. A setting unit 76, a power supply operation unit 77, and the like are provided. The imaging instruction unit 71 is a button having a two-stage operation stroke of a first stage operation stroke (hereinafter referred to as “half shutter”) and a second stage operation stroke (hereinafter referred to as “full shutter”). This is a shutter button composed of a type switch.

  For example, the moving operation unit 72 moves the input cursor when performing various settings on the imaging apparatus 1. Therefore, the moving operation unit 72 is composed of one of touch sensors such as button switches, lever switches, semiconductor pressure sensors, and optical position sensors that can input four directions, eight directions, and eight directions. In the present embodiment, the movement operation unit 72 is a set of buttons that can input the vertical and horizontal directions (“↑”, “↓”, “←”, “→”). The determination instruction unit 73 receives an input determination instruction from the photographer in a predetermined input state. In the present embodiment, the decision instruction unit 73 is a button-type switch that detects pressing.

  The menu operation unit 74 receives a display instruction of a menu screen described later from the photographer in a predetermined state. Here, the menu operation unit 74 is a button-type switch that detects pressing. The mode setting unit 75 receives an instruction to switch between a shooting mode and a playback mode, which will be described later, from the photographer. Here, the mode setting unit 75 is a slide type switch. The display setting unit 76 receives an instruction to switch the display state on the display unit by the photographer. Here, the display switching unit 76 is a button-type switch that detects pressing.

  The power operation unit 77 receives an instruction to turn on / off the imaging apparatus 1 by the photographer. Here, the power operation unit 77 is a button-type switch that detects pressing. In addition, when an instruction to turn off the power is given based on the pressing of the power operation unit 77, the setting state related to the current imaging device 1 is recorded in the storage recording device 62 as the last memory, and then the power is turned off. It is desirable to configure (last memory function).

  When the next power-on is instructed, it is desirable to read the last memory recorded in the storage recording device 62 and automatically reset each setting. Further, the last memory recorded in the storage / recording device 62 may be read to inquire the user whether or not to reset each setting when the power is turned on. Further, it may be configured such that the user determines in advance whether or not to read the last memory recorded in the storage recording device 62 and reset each setting.

  Note that the mode setting unit 75 may also serve as the power operation unit 77.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing recording data of the registration table 621 stored in advance in the storage recording device 62 together with various programs. The registration table 621 stores “face feature data” and “correction data” corresponding to “priority orders” 1 to 5 which are data indicating the priority order. “Face feature data” is data Ka, Kb, Kc... Indicating the facial features of each person registered in advance. For example, gender, race, facial contour (face shape), facial This is descriptive data indicating the position of the eyes with respect to the contour, or data obtained by converting these into numerical values. As “correction data”, “redness”, “blueness”, “greenness”, “sharpness”, and “contrast” are each stored as a value of “+” or “−” with “0” as a reference. Has been.

(First embodiment)
Next, the operation of the imaging device 1 in the first embodiment will be described. When the user operates the power operation unit 77 to turn on the power of the imaging apparatus 1 and then sets the shooting mode in the mode setting unit 75, a live view image starts to be displayed on the main display unit 10. Further, when the user operates the menu operation unit 74 in this shooting mode, the main display unit 10 temporarily switches to the menu screen display, selects “correction shooting mode” from the menu screen, and operates the decision instruction unit 73. Then, the “correction shooting mode” setting is completed. Then, the control unit 51 switches the display state of the main display unit 10 from the menu screen to the live view image display state, and then performs the correction shooting mode process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 according to the program stored in the storage recording device 62. Run to start.

  That is, face recognition processing is executed on the live view image displayed on the main display unit 10 to detect the face portion of the person who is the subject of interest in the live view image (step S101). That is, the image data corresponding to the live view image temporarily recorded in the temporary recording device 63 is subjected to contour extraction and feature point (feature data) extraction, and has a human face shape characteristic. By calculating the similarity to the feature information, the face portion of the person in the live view image is recognized.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, when a live view image LV in which subject persons P (1) and P (2) exist is displayed on the main display unit 10, these subjects are processed by the processing in step S101. The face portions of the persons P (1) and P (2) are recognized. In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 to be described later, each person P (1), P (2), which is a plurality of subjects of interest, is simply represented by a circle corresponding to the face portion and a triangle corresponding to the body portion. ing.

  Next, recorded data, more specifically “priority” 1 to 5 indicating priority, and face feature data Ka, Kb, Kc... Corresponding thereto are read from the registration table 621 (FIG. 2). (Step S102). Further, the selection order is set for the recognized face based on the read recording data (step S103).

  FIG. 4 is a subroutine showing details of the order setting process executed in step S103. In order processing, an initial value “1” is set to a variable N for specifying the subject persons P (1) and P (2) recognized in step S101 (step S201). Next, the subject person P (N) specified by the value of the variable N is sequentially compared with the registered facial feature data Ka, Kb, Kc... Read out at the step S102 (step S102). S202).

  That is to say, since the subject person's face feature data Ka, Kb, Kc... Are registered in the registration table 621 in advance, the registered face feature data Ka, Kb, Kc,. It is possible to detect whether or not there is a subject person registered in the live view image LV by a simple process of comparing.

  Further, based on the comparison result, whether there is registered face feature data K (Ka, Kb, Kc...) That matches the extracted face feature data of the subject person P (N), or the subject person P (N ) Is determined whether there is registered face feature data K (Ka, Kb, Kc...) Having a degree of coincidence with the extracted face feature data (step S203). If there is, the “priority order” corresponding to the registered face feature data Ka, Kb, Kc... Is read and set to the subject person P (N) (step S204).

  Therefore, in the state of N = 1, the extracted face feature data of the subject person P (1) shown in FIG. 7 matches, for example, the registered face feature data Ka, or the degree of match with the registered face feature data Ka is not less than a predetermined value. If there is, the priority “1” corresponding to the registered face feature data Ka is set as the “priority” of the subject person P (1).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the above processing has been completed for all the persons extracted in step S101 (step S205). If not, the value of variable N is incremented (step S206). The processing from step S202 is repeated. Therefore, in the state of N = 2, the extracted face feature data of the subject person P (2) shown in FIG. 7 matches, for example, the registered face feature data Kd, or the degree of match with the registered face feature data Kd is not less than a predetermined value. If there is, the priority “4” corresponding to the registered face feature data Ka is set as the “priority” of the subject person P (2).

  Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 7, since only the subject persons P (1) and P (2) exist in the live view image LV, when the process at N = 2 is finished, the step is performed. The determination in S205 is YES. Therefore, the process proceeds from step S205 to step S207, and the selection order is given according to the priority order.

  In other words, in this example, the priority order of the subject person P (1) is “1” and the priority order of the subject person P (2) is “4”. ) Is given the selection order “No. 1”. For example, when the priority of the subject person P (1) is “4” and the priority of the subject person P (2) is “5”, the subject person P (1) is assigned to the subject person P (1) according to the priority order. The selection order “No. 1” is given. For example, even when the priority of the subject person P (1) is “5” and the subject person P (2) is not a registered person, the selection order “ “No. 1” is given. Of course, for example, when the priority of the subject person P (1) is “4” and the priority of the subject person P (2) is “1”, the subject person P (2) is assigned to the subject person P (2) according to the priority order. The selection order “No. 1” is given.

  Therefore, by the processing in this step 207, among the subject persons existing in the live view image LV, the selection order “No. 1” is assigned to the person with the highest priority and the person with the highest priority and to which the skin beautification process is to be preferentially performed. Can be given.

  That is, the selection order setting process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed in step S103 in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and the person who should have the highest priority and perform the skin beautification process is identified as the selection order “No. 1”. It is. Therefore, the process of step S3 constitutes a detection means for detecting and identifying the subject of interest from the live view image based on the feature data indicating the feature of the subject stored in advance in the present invention.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, in step S104 following step S103, a subject person in the selection order “first” in the live view image LV is selected, and a cursor surrounding the selected subject person is displayed. Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the subject person P (1) in the selection order “No. 1” is selected in this example, and the main display unit 10 A cursor 101 surrounding the subject person P (1) is displayed.

  Next, the selection order “No. 1” is enlarged and displayed, and the enlarged image is corrected by the corresponding correction data (step S105). Therefore, by executing the processing in step S103, as shown in FIG. 7C, the enlarged display frame 103 is displayed in a part of the main display unit 10, and the enlarged display frame 103 is enlarged. An image 102 is displayed. At this time, if the subject person P (1) has the selection order “No. 1” and the subject person P (1) is a person corresponding to the priority “1” in the registration table 621, this person is registered. The correction data is “redness: +1”, “blueness: 0”, “greenness: 0”, “sharpness: +2”, “contrast: +2”, and the subject person P corrected by these correction data (1) is displayed as the enlarged image 102.

  Therefore, the subject person P (1) can be corrected with the preferable correction data recorded in the registration table 621 without any work by the photographer.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7D, the subject person P (2) has the selection order “No. 1”, and this subject person P (2) is a person corresponding to the priority “1” in the registration table 621. Then, the correction data registered for this person are “redness: +1”, “blueness: 0”, “greenness: 0”, “sharpness: +2”, “contrast: +2”. The subject person P (1) whose correction data has been corrected is displayed as the enlarged image 102.

  Therefore, the photographer can clearly display the correction state of the subject person in the selection order “No. 1” by the enlarged image 102 displayed on the main display unit 10, and the photographer can see the selection order “No. 1” at a glance. Can be confirmed.

  In step S106 following step S105, an additional correction process is executed. Further, it is determined whether or not a shooting instruction has been given by the shooting instruction unit 71 being operated with a full shutter (step S107), and the additional correction process in step S106 is repeated until a shooting instruction is issued.

  Furthermore, by performing the additional correction process, the photographer can properly and easily complete the correction of the beautifying skin of the subject of interest within the shutter chance, and the image subjected to the correction of the beautifying skin more reliably. It becomes possible to record.

  FIG. 5 is a subroutine showing details of the additional correction process repeatedly executed in step S106. First, it is determined whether or not there has been an instruction to change the value of correction data by operating the up / down keys (“↑” and “↓”) on the moving operation unit 72 by the photographer (step S301). Is changed (step S302).

  That is, the value is increased when the up key “↑” is operated on the movement operation unit 72, and the value is decreased when the down key “↓” is operated. Therefore, the value of the correction data can be set and changed much more easily and quickly by a one-touch operation than when a new value is input.

  In this embodiment, the correction data is composed of five types from “redness” to “contrast”. In the default state at the start of this additional correction processing, the value of “redness” in the registration table 621 is used. Is set to change state. Therefore, when there is an operation to change the value of the correction data immediately after the start of this additional correction process (step S301 → YES), the subject person (registered person) having the selection order “No. 1” in the registration table 621 The “redness” value of is changed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there has been an operation for changing the type to be corrected by pressing the display setting unit 76 by the photographer, that is, an operation for changing the type to be corrected to any of “redness” to “contrast” ( Step S303). If there is such an operation, the type of correction is changed (step S304). Therefore, the processing is repeated according to the flowchart of FIG. 5 until a shooting instruction is issued as described above, and the processing of steps S301 to S304 is repeatedly performed, so that the registered correction data “of the subject person currently displayed in an enlarged manner“ The value of “redness” to “contrast” can be freely changed and set.

  In addition, since a subject person who is registered in advance in the registration table 621 and has a high priority is automatically selected, there is no need to perform an operation for selecting a person for skin beautification. Even if there are a plurality of pre-registered subject persons in the live view image LV, the only subject person with the highest priority is automatically selected. There is no work involved. Therefore, the photographer can quickly and easily change the “redness” to “contrast” values of a specific subject person while holding the imaging device 1 within a photo opportunity, and can easily complete the skin beautification adjustment. it can.

  Next, the cursor 101 is moved by the operation of the left / right key (“←” “→”) on the movement operation unit 72 by the photographer, that is, by the operation of the left / right key (“←” “→”). Thus, it is determined whether or not there has been a selection change from the subject person surrounded by the cursor 101 and displayed in an enlarged manner to another subject person (step S305). If there is no selection change, the process advances to step S307 without performing the selection change process of step S306.

  In step S307, the enlarged image 102 is corrected based on the correction data value additionally corrected by the processing in steps S301 to S304. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8A-1, in the state where the subject person P (1) is surrounded by the cursor 101 and enlarged and displayed, in order to whiten the face of the subject person, for example, redness: − When the correction data value is changed to 1, blueness: -1 and greenness: -1, the face portion of the enlarged image 102 of the subject person P (1) is corrected to white and displayed as shown in the figure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B-1, in the state where the subject person P (1) is surrounded and enlarged by the cursor 101, the correction data of the subject person's face is increased in order to increase the contrast of the subject person's face. When the value of “contrast” is increased, the contrast of the face portion in the enlarged image 102 of the subject person P (1) is corrected and displayed as shown in the figure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8C-1, in the state where the subject person P (1) is surrounded by the cursor 101 and enlarged and displayed, the correction data of the subject person is increased in order to increase the sharpness of the subject person's face. When the “sharpness” value is increased, the sharpness of the face portion in the enlarged image 102 of the subject person P (1) is corrected and displayed as shown in the figure.

  Therefore, the photographer can freely correct the selected subject person. In addition, if the photographer changes the value of the correction data, the enlarged image 102 is corrected and displayed accordingly, so that the photographer affects how the change of the correction data value affects the image. It can be confirmed clearly at a glance.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7C, the cursor 101 surrounding the subject person P (1) is moved to surround the subject person P (2) as shown in FIG. When the change operation is performed, the selection of the subject person has been changed, and the determination in step S305 is YES. Accordingly, the process proceeds from step S305 to step S306 to execute selection change processing.

  That is, by moving the cursor 101 by operating the left and right keys (“←” and “→”) with the movement operation unit 72, another object person (subject person P (1)) selected by default can be easily changed to another one. It can be changed to a subject person.

  FIG. 6 is a subroutine showing details of the selection change process (step S306). First, the correction on the enlarged display at the present time is reflected in the live view image LV (step S401). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8A-1, if the subject person is changed in a state where the face portion of the enlarged image 102 of the subject person P (1) is corrected to white and displayed, As shown in FIG. (A-2), this is reflected in the subject person P (1) in the live view image LV, and the face of the subject person P (1) is corrected to white.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 8B-1, when the subject person is changed in a state where the face portion of the enlarged image 102 of the subject person P (1) is displayed with the contrast corrected. As shown in FIG. 5B-2, this is reflected in the subject person P (1) in the live view image LV, and the contrast of the face of the subject person P (1) is corrected. Further, as shown in FIG. 8C-1, when the subject person is changed in a state where the face portion in the enlarged image 102 of the subject person P (1) is displayed with the contrast corrected. As shown in FIG. 6C-2, this is reflected in the subject person P (1) in the live view image LV, and the sharpness of the face of the subject person P (1) is corrected.

  Accordingly, the photographer visually recognizes the live view image LV in which the corrected subject person P (1) is present, so that the subject person P (1) is related to the background color, the color of another subject person, and the like. It is possible to confirm whether or not the correction for is appropriate.

  Next, the enlarged display is terminated (step S402). As a result, the enlarged image 102 in FIGS. 8A-2, B-2, and C-2 is deleted. In FIG. 8A-2, the subject person P (2) and the face are white. The live view image LV in which the corrected subject person P (1) exists, in the case of FIG. 8B-2, the subject person P (2) and the face contrast are corrected, and the subject person P (1) The live view image LV exists, and in the case of FIG. 8C-2, the subject person P (2) is switched to the live view image LV in which the sharpness of the face is corrected and the subject person P (1) exists.

  Subsequently, an image in the instructed order, that is, the subject person who has been surrounded by the cursor 101 this time is enlarged and displayed (step S403). Also, it is determined whether there is registration data of the subject person selected this time in the registration table 621 (step S404). If registration data exists, the enlarged display (enlarged image 102) is corrected based on the registered correction data. Thereafter, the above-described additional correction process (step S106) is repeated until a shooting instruction is issued, that is, until the determination in step S107 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is YES.

  When the photographer performs a full shutter operation at the photographing instruction unit 71, the determination in step S107 is YES. Accordingly, the process proceeds from step S107 to step S108, and photographing and recording processing are executed. In this shooting and recording process, the correction data stored in the registration table 621 and the correction data added and corrected by the additional correction process are corrected based on the correction instruction stored in the temporary recording device 63. After the image compression unit 53 compresses the corrected live view image LV at the time of shooting instruction, the image is recorded in the external recording mounting unit 61. As a result, it is possible to record an image obtained by performing skin beautification on the face of a specific subject person.

  Subsequently, a confirmation image display process is performed, and the image recorded in the external recording mounting unit 61 is displayed on the main display unit 10 for a predetermined number of seconds (step S109). Further, it is determined whether or not an instruction to end the “correction shooting mode” which is the present mode is given (step S110). Then, as long as the “corrected shooting mode” is continued, the processing from step S101 is repeated, and when the end of the “corrected shooting mode” is instructed, the processing according to this flow is ended.

  Note that when the correction data value is changed in step S302 described above, the value stored in the registration table 621 may be rewritten as described above, but the value stored in the registration table 621 is used as it is. May not be rewritten, and only the correction data used for the enlarged image and the correction used for shooting and recording (step S108) may be changed.

  When the value itself stored in the registration table 621 is rewritten as in the former case, there is a merit that the correction value of this time can be used when shooting at a later date. In addition, when only the correction data used for correcting the enlarged image and the correction used for photographing and recording (step S108) are changed without rewriting the value stored in the registration table 621 as in the latter case, the registration is performed. While the values stored in the table 621 are stored as reference data, an image reflecting the current correction can be taken and recorded.

  In the present embodiment, when the selection of the subject person is changed and the determination in step S305 is YES, the correction on the enlarged display is reflected in the live view image in step S401. However, even if the selection of the subject person is changed, the correction on the enlarged display is reflected on the live view image on the condition that the determination instruction unit 73 is operated without reflecting the correction on the enlarged display on the live view image. You may do it. As a result, the photographer can determine whether or not to add the additional correction to the live view image based on his / her own judgment.

(Second Embodiment)
9 to 13 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment described above, the subject of interest is corrected without performing enlarged display of the image. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the correction shooting mode processing in the present embodiment. In this flowchart, the processes of S501 to S504 and steps 506 to S510 excluding step 505 are the same as the processes of S101 to S104 and steps 106 to S110 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 described above.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 12A, when a live view image LV in which subject persons P (1) and P (2) are present is displayed on the main display unit 10, these subjects are processed by the processing in step S501. The face portions of the persons P (1) and P (2) are recognized. In FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 to be described later, each person P (1), P (2), which is a plurality of subjects of interest, is simply represented by a circle corresponding to the face part and a triangle corresponding to the body part. ing.

  The detailed procedure of the order setting process executed in step S503 is also the same as that in the first embodiment, and is executed according to the subroutine shown in FIG. In step S504 subsequent to step S503, the subject person with the selection order “first” in the live view image LV is selected, and a cursor surrounding the selected subject person is displayed. Accordingly, in the present example, as shown in FIG. 12B, the subject person P (1) in the selection order “No. 1” is selected by the processing in step S504, and the main display unit 10 A cursor 101 surrounding the subject person P (1) is displayed.

  Next, the image of the selection order “No. 1” is corrected with the corresponding correction data (step S505). At this time, if the subject person P (1) has the selection order “No. 1” and the subject person P (1) is a person corresponding to the priority “1” in the registration table 621, this person is registered. Since the correction data is “redness: +1”, “blueness: 0”, “greenness: 0”, “sharpness: +2”, “contrast: +2”, the subject person P surrounded by the cursor 101 (1) is displayed after being corrected by these correction data. In step S506 following step S505, an additional correction process is executed.

  FIG. 10 is a subroutine showing details of the additional correction process repeatedly executed in step 506. In this subroutine, the processing of steps 601 to S606, excluding step S607, is the same as the processing of steps S301 to S306 shown in FIG. Then, in the only different step S607, the image (subject person) surrounded by the cursor 101 is corrected by the value of the correction data additionally corrected by the processing in steps S601 to S604. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13A-1, in the state where the subject person P (1) is surrounded by the cursor 101, in order to make the subject person's face white, for example, redness: -1, blueness When the correction data value is changed to: −1 and greenness: −1, the face portion of the subject person P (1) is corrected to white and displayed as shown in the figure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13B-1, in the state where the subject person P (1) is surrounded by the cursor 101, the “contrast” of the correction data is set to increase the contrast of the face of the subject person. When the value is increased, the contrast of the face portion of the subject person P (1) is corrected and displayed as shown in the figure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13C-1, in the state where the subject person P (1) is surrounded by the cursor 101, the “sharpness” of the correction data is set to increase the sharpness of the face of the subject person. When the value is increased, the sharpness of the face portion of the subject person P (1) is corrected and displayed as shown in the figure.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12C, the cursor 101 surrounding the subject person P (1) is moved to surround the subject person P (2) as shown in FIG. When the change operation is performed, the selection of the subject person is changed, and the determination in step S605 is YES. Therefore, the process proceeds from step S605 to step S606, and selection change processing is executed.

  That is, by moving the cursor 101 by operating the left and right keys (“←” and “→”) with the movement operation unit 72, another object person (subject person P (1)) selected by default can be easily changed to another one. It can be changed to a subject person.

  FIG. 11 is a subroutine showing details of the selection change process (step S606). It is determined whether there is registration data of the subject person selected this time in the registration table 621 (step S701). If there is registered data, the image surrounded by the cursor 101 is corrected based on the registered correction data. Thereafter, the above-described additional correction process (step S506) is repeated until a photographing instruction is given, that is, until the determination in step S507 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is YES.

  When the photographer performs a full shutter operation at the photographing instruction unit 71, the determination in step S507 is YES. Accordingly, the process proceeds from step S507 to step S508 to execute photographing and recording processing. In this shooting and recording process, the correction data stored in the registration table 621 and the correction data added and corrected by the additional correction process are corrected based on the correction instruction stored in the temporary recording device 63. After the image compression unit 53 compresses the corrected live view image LV at the time of shooting instruction, the image is recorded in the external recording mounting unit 61. As a result, it is possible to record an image obtained by performing skin beautification on the face of a specific subject person.

  Subsequently, a confirmation image display process is performed, and the image recorded in the external recording mounting unit 61 is displayed on the main display unit 10 for a predetermined number of seconds (step S509). Further, it is determined whether or not an instruction to end the “correction shooting mode” which is the present mode is given (step S510). Then, as long as the “corrected shooting mode” is continued, the processing from step S501 is repeated, and when the end of the “corrected shooting mode” is instructed, the processing according to this flow is ended.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 2 Imaging optical part 3 Imaging part 5 Information processing area 6 Recording area 7 Operation input area 10 Main display part 51 Control part 53 Image compression part 54 Imaging processing part 61 External recording mounting part 62 Storage recording apparatus 63 Temporary recording apparatus 64 External recording device 71 Shooting instruction section 72 Movement operation section 73 Determination instruction section 74 Menu operation section 75 Mode setting section 76 Display switching section 76 Display setting section 77 Power supply operation section 101 Cursor 102 Enlarged image 103 Enlarged display frame 621 Registration table

Claims (15)

Display control means for displaying the live view image acquired by the imaging unit on the display unit;
Detecting means for detecting a subject of interest from the live view image based on feature data indicating the characteristics of the subject stored in advance;
Correction means for correcting the subject of interest detected by the detection means;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a recording control unit for recording an image acquired by the image pickup unit and having the subject of interest corrected by the correction unit. An order setting means for setting a selection order based on a predetermined order condition when the detection means detects a plurality of objects of interest;
In accordance with the selection order set by the order setting means, the selecting means for selecting any one of the plurality of objects of interest,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit corrects the subject of interest selected by the selection unit. The selection means includes a first selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of objects of interest;
A second selection unit that selects a subject of interest other than the subject of interest selected by the first selection unit according to an operation;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: First storage means for storing correction data of the subject of interest;
4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correcting unit corrects the subject of interest based on correction data stored in the first storage unit. Setting means for setting correction data of the subject of interest;
4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit corrects the subject of interest selected by the selection unit based on correction data set by the setting unit. First storage means for storing correction data of the subject of interest;
Changing means for changing the correction data stored in the first storage means,
4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correcting unit corrects the subject of interest selected by the selecting unit based on the correction data changed by the changing unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a storage control unit that rewrites correction data stored in the first storage unit according to a change result by the change unit. Second storage means for storing the feature data;
4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the subject of interest based on feature data stored in the second storage unit. A third storage means for storing the priority order of the plurality of subjects of interest;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the order setting unit sets the selection order using the priority order stored in the third storage unit as the order condition.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit enlarges and displays the target subject selected by the selection unit on a part of a display unit that displays the live view image. .   The imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the display control unit enlarges and displays the target subject in a state corrected by the correction unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the live view image on a display unit in a state in which the subject of interest is corrected by the correction unit. Display control means for displaying the live view image acquired by the imaging unit on the display unit;
Detecting means for detecting and identifying a subject of interest from the live view image based on feature data indicating the characteristics of the subject stored in advance;
Correction means for correcting the subject of interest specified by the detection means;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a recording control unit for recording an image acquired by the image pickup unit and having the subject of interest corrected by the correction unit. A computer having a device including an imaging unit and a display unit,
Display control means for displaying a live view image acquired by the imaging unit on a display unit;
Detecting means for detecting a subject of interest from the live view image based on feature data indicating the characteristics of the subject stored in advance;
Correction means for correcting the subject of interest detected by the detection means;
An imaging control program that functions as recording control means for recording an image acquired by the imaging unit and whose subject of interest is corrected by the correcting means. A display control step of displaying the live view image acquired by the imaging unit on the display unit;
A detection step of detecting a subject of interest from the live view image based on feature data indicating a feature of the subject stored in advance;
A correction step of correcting the subject of interest detected by the detection step;
And a recording control step for recording an image obtained by the imaging unit and having the subject of interest corrected by the correcting step.

Images