JP2011101429A - Imaging apparatus and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus in which a user can recognize where a photography object exists quickly even when zooming is performed, and to provide a program for the same. <P>SOLUTION: When zoom-in operation is performed by a user (Y at S3), a decision is made concerning whether a zoom lens 3 is positioned at the Wide end or not (S4), and if the zoom lens 3 is positioned at the Wide end, image data picked up by means of a CCD 5 are stored as sub-image data in a buffer memory and a sub-image 22 is displayed together with a through image (S5). Subsequently, the zoom lens 3 is moved in accordance with user's operation of a zoom key (S6). A zoom frame is displayed (S7) with a size corresponding to the zoom operation while superposing on the sub-image 22, and a zoom frame is displayed (S8) based on a position calculated at a position calculation unit 11. A decision is then made concerning whether zooming has ended or not, and the control returns back to step S6 if zooming has not yet ended. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a program thereof, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus having a zoom function and a program thereof.

In recent years, an optical zoom function built in an imaging device, for example, a digital camera, moves a zoom lens and displays an image captured by an image sensor such as a CCD, thereby recognizing an image captured by a user. can do.
However, if zooming is performed, it is impossible to confirm how much the user has expanded the entire original image, so that the enlarged image currently displayed with respect to the display range when there is no zooming. A technique has also appeared that allows a user to recognize which range is enlarged by displaying an enlarged image superimposed on enlarged range information indicating which range is (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-72206

However, as the zoom magnification increases, there is a problem that if the target object to be photographed is out of frame, it becomes impossible to search for the target object. Even if the target object is searched, it takes time, In a situation where it is desired to quickly photograph the object, there is a problem that the object cannot be photographed.
Further, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to recognize which range the enlargement range is relative to the display range without zooming, but this is insufficient to solve the above-described problems. It was technology.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and even when zooming is performed, an imaging apparatus that allows a user to quickly recognize where an imaging target exists. And to provide the program.

In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises an image pickup means for converting light of a subject into image data,
Moving image capturing control means for capturing a moving image of a subject using the imaging means;
Optical zoom means for zooming on the subject by moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction;
Zoom operation means for the user to perform zoom operations;
Zoom control means for controlling a zoom operation of the optical zoom means in response to a zoom operation performed by the zoom operation means;
When a zoom-up operation is performed by controlling the optical zoom unit by the zoom control unit, moving image data obtained by the moving image capturing control unit is displayed on the display unit, and obtained by the imaging unit at the start of the zoom-up operation. Display control means for displaying the received image data as sub-image data;
It is characterized by providing.

Further, for example, as described in claim 2, there is provided first determination means for determining whether the zoom operation performed by the zoom operation means is a zoom-up operation or a zoom-down operation,
The display control means includes
When it is determined that the zoom-up operation has been performed by the first determination unit, the image data obtained by the imaging unit at the start of the zoom-up operation may be displayed.

Further, for example, as described in claim 3, the image processing apparatus includes a storage control unit that stores the image data obtained by the imaging unit at the start of the zoom-up operation in the storage unit as sub image data,
The storage control means
When it is determined that the zoom-up operation has been performed by the first determination unit, the storage of the image data stored in the storage unit is updated,
The display control means includes
You may make it display the image data memorize | stored in the said memory | storage means on the said display means.

For example, as described in claim 4, the display control unit includes:
The sub-image data may be displayed during the zoom-up operation by the zoom control unit and / or for a certain time after the zoom-up operation is completed.

Further, for example, as described in claim 5, there is provided second determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means is completed,
The display control means includes
If it is determined by the second determination means that a predetermined time has not elapsed since the zoom-up operation has been completed, the display means can be used even when the zoom-up operation is performed again by the zoom control means. The already displayed sub image data may be displayed as it is without updating the display of the sub image data to be displayed.

Further, for example, as described in claim 6, there is provided third determination means for determining whether or not the zoom amount of the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means is a predetermined amount or more,
The display control means includes
If the third determination means determines that the zoom amount of the zoom-up operation is not greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, the sub image data already displayed without updating the display of the sub image data displayed on the display means May be displayed as it is.

Further, for example, as described in claim 7, the zoom operation means includes two zoom-up operation means,
The display control means includes
Only when the zoom-up operation is performed by one zoom-up operation means, the image data obtained by the imaging means may be displayed at the start of the zoom-up operation.

Further, for example, as described in claim 8, the display control unit includes a fourth determination unit that determines whether sub-image data is displayed,
The display control means includes
When it is determined by the fourth determination means that the sub image data is not displayed, a predetermined time has not elapsed since the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means was completed by the second determination means. And when the zoom control unit performs the zoom-up operation again, or when the third determination unit determines that the zoom amount of the zoom-up operation is not equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. The image data obtained by the imaging means at the start of the zoom-up operation may be displayed as sub image data.

For example, as described in claim 9, the display control means includes
When a predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means has been completed, the sub image data to be displayed is updated and displayed with the image data obtained by the imaging means after the predetermined time has elapsed. May be.

Further, for example, as described in claim 10, the display control means includes:
In a state where the zoom lens is at the wide end, when the zoom-up operation is performed by the control of the optical zoom unit by the zoom control unit, the moving image data obtained by the moving image capturing control unit is displayed on the display unit. At the same time, the image data obtained by the imaging means at the wide end may be displayed as sub image data.

For example, as described in claim 11, the display control unit includes:
When the angle of view of the moving image data obtained by the moving image pickup control unit by the control of the optical zoom unit by the zoom control unit reaches the angle of view of the sub image data displayed on the display unit, sub image data It is also possible to include means for prohibiting the display of.

Further, for example, as described in claim 12, the display control means includes:
Means for displaying a zoom frame indicating which range of the sub image data displayed on the display means corresponds to the zoom frame on the image of the sub image data. It may be included.

For example, as described in claim 13, the display control unit includes:
The zoom frame may be displayed with a size corresponding to the zoom operation performed by the zoom operation means.

Further, for example, as described in claim 14, a detection unit that detects a display position of the zoom frame is provided,
The display control means includes
You may make it display the said zoom frame according to the display position detected by the said detection means.

For example, as described in claim 15, the detection unit includes:
The display position may be detected by recognizing the moving image data obtained by the moving image capturing control means and the displayed sub image data.

In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to claim 16 includes a zoom lens,
First imaging means for converting light of a subject projected through the zoom lens into image data;
Zoom control means for zooming on the subject by moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction;
A second imaging means for converting the light of the subject into image data;
Display control means for causing the display means to display the image data obtained by the first imaging means and the image data obtained by the second imaging means;
With
The angle of view of the image data obtained by the second imaging means is substantially the same as the angle of view of the image data obtained by the first imaging means when the zoom lens is positioned at the wide end. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the invention described in claim 17 includes an image sensor that converts light of a subject into image data,
Moving image capturing control means for capturing a moving image of a subject using the imaging means;
Optical zoom means for zooming the subject by moving the zoom lens 3 in the optical axis direction;
Zoom operation means for the user to perform zoom operations;
Zoom control means for controlling a zoom operation of the optical zoom means in response to a zoom operation performed by the zoom operation means;
A program for executing an imaging apparatus comprising:
When the zoom-up operation is performed by the control of the optical zoom unit by the zoom control unit, the moving image data obtained by the moving image imaging control unit is displayed on the display unit, and obtained by the imaging unit at the start of the zoom-up operation. Processing to display the received image data as sub-image data;
It is characterized by including.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image pickup means for converting the light of the subject into image data, the moving image pickup control means for picking up the moving image of the subject using the image pickup means, and the zoom lens are moved in the optical axis direction. An optical zoom means for zooming the subject, a zoom operation means for a user to perform a zoom operation, and a zoom operation of the optical zoom means is controlled according to the zoom operation performed by the zoom operation means. When the zoom-up operation is performed by controlling the optical zoom unit by the zoom control unit and the zoom control unit, the moving image data obtained by the moving image imaging control unit is displayed on the display unit and at the start of the zoom-up operation Display control means for displaying the image data obtained by the imaging means as sub-image data. Were so as, even when the shooting target after zooming up is out of the frame, whether the object is present where by looking at the sub-image user can recognizes.
In addition, since the image captured before zooming up is displayed as a sub image, the user can feel as if the camera is held at the angle of view before zooming even if zooming up is performed. .

  According to a second or third aspect of the invention, there is provided first determination means for determining whether the zoom operation performed by the zoom operation means is a zoom-up operation or a zoom-down operation, and the display control means includes the first control means. When it is determined that the zoom-up operation has been performed by the first determination unit, the image data obtained by the imaging unit is displayed as sub-image data at the start of the zoom-up operation, so that the zoom-up operation is performed. Every time the sub-image to be displayed can be updated, the object to be photographed can be quickly captured even when out of frame.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the display control means displays the sub image data during the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means and / or for a certain time after the zoom-up operation ends. Even when the frame is out, the object to be photographed can be quickly captured. In addition, since the sub image data is displayed for a certain period of time, the trouble of constantly displaying the sub image data can be eliminated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided second determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means has been completed, and the display control means includes the second control means. If it is determined by the determining means that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the zoom-up operation is completed, the display means displays the zoom-up operation even when the zoom-up operation is performed again by the zoom control means. Since the sub-image data that has already been displayed is displayed as it is without updating the display of the sub-image data, zooming is often performed in small increments, so there is no need to unnecessarily update the sub-image. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of the user that the sub-image is updated in small increments.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided third determining means for determining whether or not a zoom amount of the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means is a predetermined amount or more, wherein the display control means is the third control means. If it is determined by the determining means that the zoom amount of the zoom-up operation is not equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the already displayed sub image data is displayed as it is without updating the display of the sub image data displayed on the display means. Therefore, when zoom adjustment is often performed in small increments, it is not necessary to update the sub image unnecessarily, and it is possible to eliminate the troublesomeness of the user that the sub image is updated in small increments. it can.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the zoom operation means includes two zoom-up operation means, and the display control means starts a zoom-up operation only when the zoom-up operation is performed by one zoom-up operation means. Since the image data obtained by the imaging means is sometimes displayed, the user can select whether or not to update the sub-image. That is, when the sub image is updated, the user selects one zoom-up operation unit, and when the sub-image is not desired to be updated, the user selects the sub-image update by operating the other zoom-up operation unit. can do.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the display control means further comprises fourth determination means for determining whether or not the sub image data is displayed, and the display control means is configured to execute the sub determination by the fourth determination means. When it is determined that the image data is not displayed, the second determination unit determines that a predetermined time has not elapsed since the zoom-up operation by the zoom control unit was completed, and the zoom Even when the zoom-up operation is performed again by the control means, or when the zoom amount of the zoom-up operation is determined not to be greater than or equal to a predetermined amount by the third determination means, the imaging is performed at the start of the zoom-up operation. Since the image data obtained by the means was displayed as sub image data, the zoom-up operation was performed when the sub image was not displayed Expediently, it is possible to display the sub-image.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means has ended, the display control means captures the sub image data to be displayed after the predetermined time has elapsed. Since the image data obtained by the means is updated and displayed, the sub-image data can be updated uniformly when a predetermined time has elapsed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when the zoom control is performed by the zoom control unit with the optical zoom unit being controlled while the zoom lens is at the wide end, the display control unit The moving image data obtained by the imaging control means is displayed on the display means, and the image data obtained by the imaging means is displayed as sub image data at the wide end, so that the object to be photographed is framed out after zooming up. Even in this case, the user can recognize where the object exists by looking at the sub-image.
In addition, since the image captured before zooming up is displayed as a sub image, the user can feel as if the camera is held at the angle of view before zooming even if zooming up is performed. .

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the display control means displays the angle of view of the moving image data obtained by the moving image capturing control means by the control of the optical zoom means by the zoom control means on the display means. When the angle of view of the sub image data is reached, a means for prohibiting the display of the sub image data is included, so that it is not necessary to display unnecessary sub image data.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, the display control means is a zoom indicating which range of the sub image data displayed on the display means corresponds to the moving picture data obtained by the moving picture imaging control means. Since the frame includes means for displaying the frame superimposed on the image of the sub-image data, the user can immediately recognize which range on the sub-image is currently captured, Even when the frame is out of the frame, the object to be photographed can be quickly captured.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the display control means displays the zoom frame with a size corresponding to the zoom operation performed by the zoom means. A zoom frame with the same angle of view can be displayed.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided detection means for detecting a display position of the zoom frame, and the display control means displays the zoom frame in accordance with the display position detected by the detection means. Therefore, the zoom frame can be displayed at the same position as the image being captured.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, the detection unit detects the display position by recognizing the moving image data obtained by the moving image capturing control unit and the displayed sub-image data. Therefore, it is possible to detect where on the sub-image the same image as the image being captured is located, and to set the detected position as the display position, and to set the zoom frame at the same position as the image being captured. Can be displayed.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the zoom lens, the first imaging means for converting the light of the subject projected through the zoom lens into image data, and the zoom lens are moved in the optical axis direction. Zoom control means for zooming the subject, second imaging means for converting light of the subject into image data, image data obtained by the first imaging means and the second imaging means. Display control means for displaying the received image data on the display means, and the angle of view of the image data obtained by the second imaging means is the first imaging when the zoom lens is positioned at the wide end. However, even if the object to be photographed is out of the frame after zooming up, the sub-image can be viewed. Whether the object is present where the user can recognizes.
In addition, since the image captured before zooming up is displayed as a sub image, the user can feel as if the camera is held at the angle of view before zooming even if zooming up is performed. .

  According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the image pickup apparatus of the present invention can be realized by being read by a digital camera, a personal computer, or the like.

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mode of the screen displayed on the image display part 16 before and behind zooming up. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating a modification.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as an example in which the imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital camera.
[First Embodiment]
A. Configuration of Digital Camera FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a digital camera 1 that implements the imaging apparatus of the present invention.
The digital camera 1 includes a focus lens 2, a zoom lens 3, a lens driving block 4, a CCD 5, a vertical driver 6, a TG (timing generator) 7, a unit circuit 8, a signal processing unit 9, a CPU 10, a position calculation unit 11, a DRAM 12, and a ROM 13. A flash memory 14, a key input unit 15, and an image display unit 16.

The focus lens 2 and the zoom lens 3 are composed of a plurality of lens groups (not shown), and a lens driving block 4 is connected to the focus lens 2 and the zoom lens 3.
The lens driving block 4 includes a focus motor 40a that moves the focus lens 2 in the optical axis direction, a zoom motor 40b that moves the zoom lens 3 in the optical axis direction, and a focus motor 40a according to a control signal sent from the CPU 10. And motor drivers 41a and 41b for driving the zoom motor 40b, respectively.

  The CCD 5 is scanned and driven by the vertical driver 6 and photoelectrically converts the intensity of light of each color of the RGB value of the subject image at a constant period and outputs it to the unit circuit 8 as an imaging signal (image data). The operation timings of the vertical driver 6 and unit circuit 8 are controlled by the CPU 10 via the TG 7.

  A TG 7 is connected to the unit circuit 8, a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit that holds the imaging signal output from the CCD 5 by correlated double sampling, and an AGC (Automatic Gain Adjustment of the imaging signal after the sampling) Automatic gain control) circuit, and an A / D converter that converts the analog image pickup signal after the automatic gain adjustment into a digital signal. The image pickup signal of the CCD 5 passes through the unit circuit 8 as a digital signal and is a signal processing unit. Sent to 9.

  The signal processing unit 9 performs processing such as pixel interpolation processing, γ correction, and white balance processing on the image data sent from the unit circuit 8 and generates a luminance color difference signal (YUV), and generates the generated luminance color difference. The image data of the signal is sent to the CPU 10.

The CPU 10 has a function of performing a later-described sub-image display process and zoom frame display process, image data compression / expansion (for example, compression / expansion in JPEG format or MPEG format), and the like, as well as through-image display. This is a one-chip microcomputer that controls each part of the digital camera 1. In addition, the CPU 10 includes a clock circuit, which clocks the date and time and has a function as a timer.
The ROM 13 stores a control program and necessary data necessary for control in each part of the CPU 10, and the CPU 10 operates according to the program.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the CPU 10 has a function of moving the zoom lens 3 in the direction of the optical axis in accordance with the operation of the zoom key of the key input unit 15, and the image data captured by the CCD 5 when the “T key” of the zoom key is operated. It has a function of storing as sub image data and a function of displaying an image (sub image) of the sub image data on the image display unit 16.
In addition, a zoom frame indicating which portion of the stored sub-image the currently captured image data corresponds to is displayed on the sub-image.
The display position of the zoom frame to be displayed on the sub-image is displayed according to the position calculated by the position calculation unit 11, and the size of the zoom frame to be displayed changes according to the operation of the zoom key. For example, when the “T key” is operated, the zoom frame to be displayed is small, and when the “W key” is operated, the zoom frame to be displayed is large.

The position calculation unit 11 calculates the position of a zoom frame to be displayed on a sub-image, which will be described later, and image data that is currently captured and displayed as a through image is displayed based on the calculated position of the zoom frame. It is possible to recognize which part of the image corresponds to.
This position calculation unit 11 always calculates the position of the digital camera 1 by incorporating a gyro sensor, so that the position of the digital camera 1 when the sub image data is stored and the image currently displayed as a through image are displayed. The position of the zoom frame may be calculated by comparing the position of the digital camera 1 when the data is captured, or the image of the sub image and the image data currently captured by the image recognition process. The position of the zoom frame may be calculated by recognizing and comparing.
Here, the position of the zoom frame to be displayed by image recognition is calculated. Specifically, a portion that matches the image of the currently captured image data is searched on the sub-image, and a zoom frame is displayed so as to surround the searched portion.

The DRAM 12 is used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data sent to the CPU 10 after being imaged by the CCD 5 and also as a working memory for the CPU 10.
The flash memory 14 is a recording medium that stores image data captured by the CCD 5 and compressed by the CPU 10.

The key input unit 15 includes a plurality of operation keys such as a shutter button, a mode switching key, a zoom key (“W” key, “T” key), and a cross key, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to a user key operation to the CPU 10. To do.
The image display unit 16 includes a color LCD and its drive circuit, and displays the subject imaged by the CCD 5 as a through image when in a shooting standby state, and is read out from the flash memory 14 and decompressed when a recorded image is reproduced. The recorded image is displayed.

B. Operation of Digital Camera 1 The operation of the digital camera 1 in the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
When the photographing mode is set by the user's operation of the mode switching key, the CPU 10 starts imaging by the CCD 5 and stores the image data of the luminance color difference signal generated by the signal processing unit 9 in the buffer memory. Through image display is started to display the image data of the subject on the image display unit 16 (step S1). It is assumed that the zoom lens 3 is located at the Wide end at the beginning of the shooting mode setting.

  Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a zoom operation has been performed by the user (step S2). Whether or not this zoom operation has been performed is determined by whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the zoom key (“T” key, “W” key) is sent from the key input unit 15. If the “W” key is operated while the zoom lens 3 is at the Wide end, or if the “T” key is operated while the zoom lens 3 is at the Tele end. Since the zoom lens 3 cannot be moved any further, it is not determined that the zoom operation has been performed.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the zoom operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is determined in step S2 that the zoom operation has been performed, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the zoom operation is a zoom-up operation. Perform (step S3). This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the “T” key is sent from the key input unit 15.

If it is determined in step S3 that the zoom-up operation has been performed, it is determined whether or not the zoom lens 3 is positioned at the wide end (step S4).
If it is determined in step S4 that the zoom lens 3 is positioned at the Wide end, the CPU 10 stores the image data currently captured by the CCD 5 as sub image data in the sub image storage area of the buffer memory, and the stored sub A process of displaying the image (sub-image) of the image data together with the through image on the image display unit 16 is started (step S5).

  FIG. 4A shows a state of an image captured by the CCD 5 and displayed on the image display unit 16 when the zoom-up operation is started with the zoom lens 3 positioned at the Wide end. (Here, the whole body of the subject 21 is imaged and a through image is displayed), and the displayed image data is stored in the sub image storage area of the buffer memory as sub image data.

Next, the CPU 10 moves the zoom lens 3 by sending a control signal to the lens driving block 4 according to the zoom-up operation (according to the operation signal of the “T” key sent from the key input unit 15) (step). S6).
Next, the CPU 10 displays the zoom frame on the sub-image with a size corresponding to the zoom operation (step S7) and displays the zoom frame at a position based on the position calculated by the position calculation unit 11 (step S8). ).

The size corresponding to this zoom operation has the same meaning as the size corresponding to the current zoom magnification, and the size of the angle of view of the currently captured image and the size of the angle of view within the zoom frame. Will be displayed so as to have the same size. That is, when zooming up is performed (when the “T” key of the zoom key is operated), the angle of view of the zoom frame displayed is gradually reduced in accordance with zooming up and zooming down is performed ( When the “W” key of the zoom key is operated), the angle of view of the zoom frame to be displayed is gradually increased as the zoom is reduced.
Based on the size corresponding to the zoom operation and the calculated position, the zoom frame is displayed so that the user can easily recognize which range of the sub-image the currently captured image is. be able to.

  Note that the CPU 10 causes the position calculation unit 11 to calculate the display position of the zoom frame at regular intervals while the sub image is displayed on the image display unit 16 as described later. Also, here, the position calculation unit 11 recognizes the sub-image and the currently captured image (image displayed as a through image) by image recognition processing, and calculates the display position of the zoom frame by comparing them. To.

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the zoom has been completed (step S9). The determination as to whether or not the zoom has ended is made when an operation signal corresponding to the zoom-up operation is not continuously sent from the key input unit 15 or when the zoom lens 3 reaches the Tele end. It is determined that zooming has ended.
If it is determined in step S9 that zooming has not ended, the process returns to step S6. If it is determined in step S9 that zooming has ended, the process proceeds to step S14.

FIG. 4B shows the state of the sub-image and the zoom frame that are displayed together with the through image when the zoom is completed.
The through image data of the subject imaged after zooming up (the face of the subject 21) is displayed large on the image display unit 16, and the sub image data stored in the sub image storage area of the buffer memory at the lower right. It can be seen that an image (sub-image) 22 is displayed and a zoom frame 23 is displayed over the sub-image 22.
Comparing the image in the zoom frame 23 with the image currently displayed as a through image, it can be seen that the images have substantially the same angle of view. That is, it is possible to easily know the range of image data that is currently captured by the sub image 22 and the zoom frame 23.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the zoom lens 3 is not positioned at the Wide end, the CPU 10 follows the zoom-up operation (according to the operation signal of the “T” key sent from the key input unit 15). The zoom lens 3 is moved by sending a control signal to the lens drive block 4 (step S10), and the zoom frame is placed on the sub-image based on the size corresponding to the zoom operation and the position calculated by the position calculation unit 11. It is displayed (step S11, step S12). Since the sub image is already displayed when the zoom lens 3 is not positioned at the Wide end, the zoom frame 23 is displayed corresponding to the zoom operation or the like.

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the zoom is finished (step S13). If the zoom is not finished, the CPU 10 returns to step S10, and if the zoom is finished (the operation signal corresponding to the zoom-up operation is a key). If it is not continuously sent from the input unit 15 or if the zoom lens 3 reaches the Tele end), the process proceeds to step S14.
In step S14, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the zoom lens 3 is positioned at the wide end. If it is determined that the zoom lens 3 is positioned at the wide end, the CPU 10 proceeds to step S16 and proceeds to the wide end. When determining that the zoom lens 3 is not located, the CPU 10 displays the zoom frame 23 based on the position calculated by the position calculation unit 11 (step S15), and proceeds to step S16.
In step S16, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the shutter button has been pressed by the user. This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to pressing of the shutter button is sent from the key input unit 15.
If it is determined in step S16 that the shutter button has not been pressed, the process returns to step S2.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the operation is not a zoom-up operation, it is determined that the operation is a zoom-down operation, the process proceeds to step S17 in FIG. 3, and the CPU 10 follows the zoom-down operation (from the key input unit 15). The zoom lens 3 is moved by sending a control signal to the lens driving block 4 in accordance with the operation signal corresponding to the operation of the “W” key.
Next, the CPU 10 displays the zoom frame 23 in a size corresponding to the zoom operation so as to be superimposed on the sub-image 22 (step S18), and the zoom frame 23 at a position based on the position calculated by the position calculation unit 11. It is displayed (step S19).
Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the zoom lens 3 has reached the Wide end (step S20).
If it is determined in step S20 that the zoom lens 3 has not reached the Wide end, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the zoom-down operation has ended (step S21). If the zoom-down operation has not ended, step S17 is performed. When the zoom-down operation is completed, the process proceeds to step S14 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the zoom lens 3 has reached the wide end, display of the sub image 22 and the zoom frame 23 is prohibited (step S22), and the process proceeds to step S14 in FIG. When the zoom lens 3 is at the Wide end (that is, when the size of the zoom frame 23 and the size of the sub-image 22 are the same), the angle of view of the through-image display image and the angle of view of the sub-image 22 are the same. This is because there is no point in displaying the sub-image 22.

If it is determined in step S16 that the shutter button has been pressed, the CPU 10 performs still image shooting processing, compresses still image data obtained by the shooting processing, and records it in the flash memory 14 (step S23).
When the still image shooting / recording process is performed, the CPU 10 may perform a process of moving the zoom lens 3 to the Wide end, or after acquiring the sub image data at the Wide end, the lens at the time of still image shooting again. The zoom lens 3 may be moved to the position.
Next, the CPU 10 expands the still image data recorded in the flash memory 14 and displays a preview on the image display unit 16 (step S24).

As described above, when the zoom-up operation is performed in a state where the zoom lens 3 is at the Wide end, an image captured at the Wide end is displayed as a sub image together with the through image. Further, the zoom frame 23 is displayed on the sub-image 22 at a size corresponding to the calculated display position and zoom-up operation. At this time, the size of the zoom frame 23 displayed in response to the zoom-up operation is gradually reduced.
When the zoom-down operation is performed, the zoom frame 23 is displayed on the sub-image 22 with the calculated position and the size corresponding to the zoom-down operation. At this time, the size of the zoom frame 23 displayed in response to the zoom-down operation gradually increases. When the zoom lens 3 reaches the Wide end by the zoom-down operation (when the size of the zoom frame 23 is the same as that of the sub image), the display of the sub image 22 and the zoom frame 23 is prohibited.

C. As described above, in the first embodiment, when zooming up is performed in a state where the zoom lens 3 is at the wide end, the image data captured at the wide end is stored as sub image data, and the storage is performed. Since the sub-image 22 is displayed together with the through image, the user can recognize where the target object exists by looking at the sub-image 22 even when the object to be photographed is out of the frame after zooming up. it can.
In addition, since the zoom frame 23 is displayed on the sub-image 22, the user can recognize which range is currently zoomed.
In addition, since the image captured at the Wide end is displayed as the sub image 22, the user can feel as if the camera is being held at the angle of view at the Wide end even when zooming is performed.
Further, when the zoom lens 3 is positioned at the Wide end, the display of the sub image 22 and the zoom frame 23 is prohibited, so that it is not necessary to display unnecessary sub images and the like, and the sub image is constantly displayed. Can be avoided.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the first embodiment, when zoom-up operation is performed when the zoom lens 3 is at the Wide end, the image data obtained at the Wide end is displayed as sub image data. In the embodiment, as a general rule, the sub-image to be displayed is updated each time the zoom is increased.

D. Operation of Digital Camera 1 The second embodiment also implements the imaging device of the present invention by using the digital camera 1 having the same configuration as that shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6.

  When the photographing mode is set by the user's operation of the mode switching key, the CPU 10 causes the CCD 5 to start imaging, stores the luminance / chrominance signal image data generated by the signal processing unit 9 in the buffer memory (DRAM 12), Through image display is started in which the stored image data of the subject is displayed on the image display unit 16 (step S51).

  Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the zoom operation has been performed by the user (step S52). Whether or not this zoom operation has been performed is determined by whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the zoom key (“T” key, “W” key) is sent from the key input unit 15. If the “W” key is operated while the zoom lens 3 is at the Wide end, or if the “T” key is operated while the zoom lens 3 is at the Tele end. Further, since the zoom lens 3 cannot be moved, it is not determined that the zoom operation has been performed.

If it is determined in step S52 that the zoom operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S61. If it is determined in step S52 that the zoom operation has been performed, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the zoom operation is a zoom-up operation. This is performed (step S53). This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the “T” key is sent from the key input unit 15.
If it is determined in step S53 that the zoom is up, the CPU 10 stores the image data currently captured by the CCD 5 as sub image data in the sub image storage area of the buffer memory, and passes through the image of the stored sub image data. A process of displaying the image on the image display unit 16 together with the image is started (step S54).
If sub image data has already been stored in the sub image storage area, the newly captured image data (sub image data) is overwritten and stored.

Next, the CPU 10 sends the control signal to the lens driving block 4 in accordance with the zoom-up operation (according to the operation signal corresponding to the operation of the “T” key sent from the key input unit 15), thereby moving the zoom lens 3. Move (step S55).
Next, the CPU 10 displays the zoom frame 23 in a size corresponding to the zoom operation so as to be superimposed on the sub-image 22 (step S56), and also displays the zoom frame 23 at a position based on the position calculated by the position calculation unit 11. It is displayed (step S57).

  Note that the CPU 11 causes the position calculation unit 11 to calculate the display position of the zoom frame at regular intervals while the sub-image 22 is displayed on the image display unit 16. Here, the position calculation unit 11 recognizes the sub-image 22 and the currently captured image (image displayed as a through image) by image recognition processing, and calculates the display position of the zoom frame by comparing them. Like that.

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the zoom has been completed (step S58). The determination as to whether or not the zoom has ended is made when an operation signal corresponding to the zoom-up operation is not continuously sent from the key input unit 15 or when the zoom lens 3 reaches the Tele end. It is determined that zooming has ended.
If it is determined in step S58 that zooming has not ended, the process returns to step S55. If it is determined in step S58 that zooming has ended, the CPU 10 starts a timer (step S59).
Next, the CPU 10 displays the zoom frame 23 based on the display position of the zoom frame calculated by the position calculation unit 11 based on the currently captured image data (step S60), and proceeds to step S61. As a result, the user can recognize which part of the sub-image 22 corresponds to the currently captured image.

In step S61, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the shutter button has been pressed by the user. This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to pressing of the shutter button is sent from the key input unit 15.
If it is determined in step S61 that the shutter button has not been pressed, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a zoom operation has been performed by the user (step S62).

If it is determined in step S62 that the zoom operation is not performed, it is determined whether or not the current sub image 22 is displayed on the image display unit 16 (step S63), and the current sub image 22 is displayed on the image display unit 16. If the sub image 22 is not displayed, the process returns to step S61.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S62 that the zoom operation has been performed, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the sub-image 22 is currently displayed (step S64).

If it is determined in step S64 that the sub-image 22 is displayed, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed based on the timing of the timer (step S65).
If it is determined in step S64 that the sub-image 22 is not displayed, or if it is determined in step S65 that a predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to step S53 to determine whether or not the zoom-up operation is performed. If it is determined that, the above operation is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S65 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the zoom operation is a zoom-up operation (step S66). If it is determined that the zoom operation is a zoom-up operation, the process proceeds to step S55. Returning, the zoom lens 3 is moved according to the zoom operation, and the above-described operation of displaying the zoom frame 23 at the size corresponding to the zoom operation and the calculated display position (steps S56 and 57) is repeated. That is, when the zoom-up operation is performed before the predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up is completed, the sub-image 22 to be displayed is displayed as it is without being newly stored (without being updated).

The user usually zooms in on the subject to be photographed roughly to some extent, and then finely adjusts the zoom, and the sub-image 22 is displayed each time zooming is performed even during the fine adjustment. In order to reduce the necessity for updating and to feel annoyance, the sub-image 22 is not updated when the zoom-up is performed before a predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up is completed.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S53 or step S66 that it is not a zoom-up operation, it is determined that the operation is a zoom-down operation, and the process proceeds to step S67 in the flowchart of FIG. It is determined whether or not it is displayed.
If it is determined in step S67 that the sub image 22 is not currently displayed on the image display unit 16, the CPU 10 performs an operation corresponding to the operation of the “W” key sent from the key input unit 15 according to the zoom-down operation. In accordance with the signal, the zoom lens 3 is moved by sending a control signal to the lens driving block 4 (step S68).

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the zoom has been completed (step S69). The determination as to whether or not the zoom has ended is made when an operation signal corresponding to the zoom-down operation is not continuously sent from the key input unit 15 or when the zoom lens 3 reaches the Wide end. It is determined that zooming has ended.
If it is determined in step S69 that zooming has not ended, the process returns to step S68. If it is determined that zooming has ended, the process proceeds to step S61 in FIG. 5 to determine whether the shutter button has been pressed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S67 that the sub-image 22 is currently displayed on the image display unit 16, the CPU 10 moves the zoom lens 3 by sending a control signal to the lens driving block 4 according to the zoom-down operation. (Step S70).
Next, the CPU 10 displays the zoom frame at a position based on the position calculated by the position calculation unit 11 while displaying the zoom frame 23 on the sub-image 22 in a size corresponding to the zoom operation (step S71). (Step S72).

Here, since the zoom-down operation (operation of the “W” key) is performed, the size of the angle of view of the zoom frame 23 to be displayed gradually increases according to the zoom-down operation.
The size corresponding to this zoom operation has the same meaning as the size corresponding to the current zoom magnification, and the size of the angle of view of the currently captured image and the size of the angle of view within the zoom frame. Will be displayed so as to have the same size. That is, when the zoom-down is performed (when the “W” key of the zoom key is operated), the size of the angle of view of the zoom frame is increased and displayed on the sub-image 22 in accordance with the zoom-down. .

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the angle of view of the zoom frame 23 is the same as the angle of view of the sub image 22, that is, whether or not the display frame of the sub image 22 and the zoom frame 23 have overlapped (step). S73).
If it is determined in step S73 that the angle of view of the zoom frame 23 is the same as the angle of view of the sub image 22, the CPU 10 prohibits display of the sub image 22 and the zoom frame 23 (step S75), and proceeds to step S69. . When the angle of view of the zoom frame 23 and the angle of view of the sub-image 22 match, the angle of view of the currently displayed image is the same as the angle of view of the sub-image 22. Therefore, there is no need to display the sub image 22 and the zoom frame 23. In this case, display of the sub image 22 and the zoom frame 23 is prohibited.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S73 that the angle of view of the zoom frame 23 and the angle of view of the sub-image 22 are not the same, the CPU 10 determines whether or not zooming has ended (step S74). The determination as to whether or not the zoom has ended is made when an operation signal corresponding to the zoom-down operation is not continuously sent from the key input unit 15 or when the zoom lens 3 reaches the Wide end. It is determined that zooming has ended.

If it is determined in step S74 that zooming has not ended, the process returns to step S70. If it is determined in step S74 that zooming has ended, the process proceeds to step S61 in FIG. 5 to determine whether the shutter button has been pressed.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S61 that the shutter button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S76 in FIG. 6, and the CPU 10 performs still image shooting processing, compresses still image data obtained by the shooting processing, and flash memory 14. To record.
Next, the CPU 10 decompresses the still image data recorded in the flash memory 14 and displays the preview on the image display unit 16 (step S77).

  As described above, in principle, the sub-image 22 is updated each time the zoom-up operation is performed, and the sub-image 22 is displayed on the image display unit 16, and the calculated display position and the size according to the zoom operation are used. The zoom frame 23 is displayed on the displayed sub-image 22. At this time, the size of the zoom frame 23 displayed according to the zoom-up operation is gradually reduced.

  Even when the zoom-up operation is performed, if the zoom-up operation is performed before the predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up operation is completed, it is determined that the user is performing fine zoom adjustment. The zoom frame 23 is displayed on the sub image 22 with the calculated display position and the size corresponding to the zoom operation without updating the sub image 22.

  When the zoom-down operation is performed, the zoom frame 23 is displayed on the sub-image 22 at the calculated position and the size according to the zoom-down operation, that is, displayed according to the zoom-down operation. The zoom frame 23 becomes larger gradually, and when the angle of view of the zoom frame 23 and the angle of view of the sub image 22 become equal, display of the sub image 22 and the zoom frame 23 is prohibited. At this time, the angle of view of the sub-image 22 and the image displayed as a through image are equal, so there is no point in displaying the sub-image 22.

D. As described above, in the second embodiment, each time zoom-in is performed, the image data captured at that time is stored as sub image data, and the stored sub image 22 is displayed together with the through image. Therefore, even when the object to be photographed is out of the frame after zooming up, the user can recognize where the object exists by looking at the sub-image 22.
In addition, since the zoom frame 23 is displayed on the sub-image 22, the user can recognize which range is currently zoomed.

In addition, since the image captured before zooming up is displayed as the sub image 22, the user can feel as if the camera is held at the angle of view before zooming even if zooming up is performed. it can.
In addition, if the zoom-up is performed again before a predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up, the sub-image 22 is not updated. Therefore, when the zoom adjustment is often performed in small increments, an unnecessary update of the sub-image 22 is performed. It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of the user that the sub-image 22 is updated in small increments.

  In each of the above embodiments, the size of the zoom frame 23 to be displayed is determined according to the operation of the zoom key, but the image of the through image displayed and the image of the sub image 22 are recognized by the image recognition process. However, the size of the zoom frame 23 may be determined by comparison. That is, an image displayed as a through image is recognized, and the size of the zoom frame 23 is set so that the image of the same portion of the sub image 22 as the recognized image is exactly contained.

  In each of the above embodiments, the zoom frame 23 is displayed on the sub-image 22, but the zoom frame 23 may not be displayed on the sub-image 22. This is because even if the zoom frame 23 is not displayed, the user can recognize which part of the sub-image 22 is currently zoomed.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the image data captured immediately after the zoom-up operation ("T" key operation) is displayed as the sub image 22, but the image data is captured immediately before the zoom-up operation. The image data may be displayed as the sub image 22, or the image data captured during the zoom-up operation may be displayed as the sub image 22.

  In each of the above embodiments, the sub image 22 and the zoom frame 23 are displayed during the through image display. However, the sub image 22 and the zoom frame 23 of the present invention can be displayed even during the recording of the moving image. The zoom frame 23 may be displayed.

In the second embodiment, after the zoom-up operation is completed, if the zoom-up operation is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed, the sub-image 22 to be displayed is updated, and the zoom-up operation is performed before the predetermined time has elapsed. Although the sub-image 22 is not updated when it is performed, the sub-image 22 may be updated whenever a zoom-up operation is performed.
In the second embodiment, after the zoom-up operation is completed, if the zoom-up operation is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed, the sub-image 22 to be displayed is updated, and the zoom-up operation is performed before the predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, the sub-image 22 is not updated. However, two types of (two) zoom keys are provided, and when the zoom-up is performed by one zoom key, the sub-image 22 to be displayed is updated. If the other zoom key is used to zoom up, the sub-image 22 may not be updated. In this case, when the other zoom key is used to zoom up and the sub-image 22 is displayed, only the size and position of the zoom frame 23 are changed.

In the second embodiment, when the zoom-in is performed before the predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up is completed, it is determined that the zoom is finely adjusted. However, if the zoom amount for zooming up is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, it is determined that fine adjustment of the zoom is being performed, and only the size and position of the zoom frame 23 are changed without updating the sub-image 22. When the zoom amount for zooming up is a predetermined amount or more, the size and position of the zoom frame 23 may be changed by updating the sub-image 22.
In the second embodiment, the sub-image 22 may be displayed only for a predetermined time after the zoom-up is completed.

  In the second embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up is completed, the image data captured after the predetermined time has elapsed may be displayed as the sub image 22. .

[Modification]
Each of the above embodiments can be modified as follows.
(1) In the following modification, when zooming up is started, the zoom center position is stored, and when the stored position protrudes from the through image, the user is informed where the marked portion is located. It is.

In step S5 of FIG. 2 or in step S54 of FIG. 5, the currently captured image data is stored as sub image data in the sub image storage area of the buffer memory, and the stored sub image 22 is displayed on the image display unit 16. At the same time, a mark is attached to the subject at the center of the image when zoomed up.
FIG. 7A shows the situation at that time, and it can be seen that the mark 24 is located at the center of the image, here the center of the face.

Then, in step S8, step S12, step S15 in FIG. 2, step S19 in FIG. 3, step S57 in FIG. 5, and step S60, the zoom frame is displayed based on the position calculated in step S72 in FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not the marked part is present in the through-image displayed image (captured by the CCD 5).
This determination is based on the position calculated by the position calculation unit 11 and the operation of the zoom key, and determines whether or not the marked portion exists in the image displayed as a through image. That is, the determination is made based on whether or not the position of the sub-image 22 corresponding to the marked position is within the zoom frame 23 on the sub-image.

Next, when it is determined that the marked part does not exist in the image displayed in the through image, information (for example, an arrow, a sentence, etc.) indicating the marked direction is displayed on the through image and displayed. Step S9, Step S13, Step S16, Step S20 in FIG. 3, Step S58 in FIG. 5, Step S61, and Step S73 in FIG.
FIG. 7B shows a state of the image display unit 16 when it is determined that the marked portion does not exist in the image displayed as a through image.

As can be seen from FIG. 7B, since the portion where the marks 24 are combined is on the upper side, it can be seen that the upward arrow is displayed together with the through image.
Thus, even if the subject (part) to be photographed protrudes from the through image, the direction of the subject is taught, so that the location of the subject to be photographed can be easily understood.
Even when the sub image 22 is not displayed on the image display unit 16, when the subject to be photographed protrudes from the through image, information indicating the direction of the subject may be displayed. .
In addition, the mark is attached to the subject at the center of the image when zoomed up, but the user may be able to select the portion to be marked.

(2) In the following, the modified example is to generate a single image data with a large angle of view using a plurality of image data captured at the time of displaying a through image and display it as a sub image 22. is there.
When the through image display is started (in this case, the zoom lens 3 is at the wide end), the CPU 10 generates a single image data having a large angle of view using a plurality of image data picked up by the CCD 5 for a predetermined time. To do.
Then, the synthesized image data is stored as a sub image 22 and the sub image 22 is displayed together with the through image of the subject. At this time, the zoom frame 23 is displayed on the sub-image 22 by the same method as in the above embodiment.

FIG. 8A shows the state of the image displayed on the image display unit 16 at that time.
Then, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the cross key is operated by the user, and when operated, the CPU 10 scrolls the sub-image 22 to be displayed according to the operation.
FIG. 8B shows the state when the user operates the “→” key of the cross key in the state shown in FIG. 8A, and the displayed sub-image 22 is scrolled to the right. I understand. Also at this time, the zoom frame 23 is displayed by the same method as in the above embodiment.

(3) In the following, the modified example described is to notify the user of the captured range by displaying the portion on the sub-image 22 corresponding to the image on which the still image capturing process has been performed by gray reversal.
In the state shown in FIG. 9A, the still image data obtained by the still image shooting process when the shutter button is pressed is recorded in the flash memory 14, and the display returns to the through image display state, and the sub image data is displayed. Then, the CPU 10 determines whether there is an image of the same part as the image of the still image data obtained by the still image shooting process on the sub-image 22 by the image recognition process. In some cases, the portion is displayed in reverse gray.

FIG. 9B shows the situation at that time, and it can be seen that an image in the same range as the image photographed on the sub-image 22 is displayed in gray.
In addition, when the still image shooting process is performed, the same portion of the image as the still image data obtained by the shooting process is displayed in gray inverted display. There are many more parts.

Although it is determined whether or not there is an image of the same part as the image of the still image data on the sub-image 22 by the image recognition process, it is calculated by the position calculation unit 11 when the still image shooting process is performed. The position and size for gray-reversed display may be determined based on the position that has been displayed and the lens position of the zoom lens 3 at that time. In other words, any method may be used as long as the image in the zoom frame 23 displayed at the time of shooting is displayed in gray.
In addition, the captured range is not displayed in gray, but the point is that the user can recognize the captured location so that the captured location is the captured range. The range may be displayed with a mark.

(4) In the following, a modified example is to display a through image captured by the CCD 5 as a sub image 22 during still image reproduction.
When the recorded still image data is displayed in step S23 of FIG. 2 and step S76 of FIG. 6, the zoom lens 3 is placed at the Wide end, that is, at a lens position at which the zoom magnification becomes 1 ×. The recorded still image data is displayed while being moved (steps S24 and S77).

  Then, imaging by the CCD 5 is started, and the captured image data (through image data) is displayed as the sub image 22. That is, in the above embodiment, the displayed sub image 22 is a still image, but here, a moving image is displayed. In other words, with reference to FIG. 4B, the image displayed on the image display unit 16 is a still image, and the sub-image 22 is a moving image.

Then, a zoom frame 23 indicating which portion of the sub-image 22 is the reproduced and displayed still image is displayed. The size of the angle of view of the zoom frame 23 at this time is determined based on the zoom magnification at the time of taking the still image, and the display position of the zoom frame 23 is the position calculated by the position calculating unit 11 at the time of still image shooting. It is determined based on.
Further, when the through image of the subject is displayed as the sub-image 22 during the still image reproduction, and the shutter button is pressed during the still image reproduction, the zoom lens 3 when the still image currently reproduced and displayed is captured is displayed. The zoom lens 3 may be moved to a position to perform still image shooting processing. That is, an image corresponding to the image in the zoom frame 23 is taken.
Note that the still image shooting process may be performed by moving the zoom lens 3 to the position of the zoom lens 3 set immediately before the still image reproduction (the position immediately before moving the zoom lens 3 to the Wide end).

(5) In each of the above embodiments, a single image display unit 16 displays a through image or a reproduced image and a sub image 22. However, two image display units are provided, A through image or a still image may be displayed on the image display unit, and the sub image 22 (and the zoom frame 23) may be displayed on the other image display unit.
(6) In each of the above-described embodiments, a single photographing lens (focus lens 2, zoom lens 3, etc.) and the CCD 5 are used. However, a wide-angle photographing lens and a CCD (wide-angle photographing unit) are used. ) May also be provided.
This wide-angle shooting unit does not have a zoom function, and when the zoom lens 3 is positioned at the Wide end, the angle of view of the image data captured by the CCD 5 and the image of the image data captured by the shooting unit The angle of view is set to be the same.
Then, the through image captured by the CCD 5 is displayed, and the through image captured by the wide-angle photographing unit is displayed as a sub image. Also at this time, the zoom frame 23 is displayed over the sub-image.
Note that the through image captured by the wide-angle imaging unit may be displayed as a sub image only when the zoom lens 3 is not at the Wide end position.
As a result, the entire image and the zoomed-up image can be recognized in real time.

  Finally, the digital camera 1 in each of the above embodiments is not limited to each of the above embodiments, but a mobile phone with a camera, a PDA with a camera, a personal computer with a camera, an IC recorder with a camera, or a digital video camera In short, any device having an optical zoom function may be used.

1 Digital Camera 2 Focus Lens 3 Zoom Lens 4 Lens Drive Block 5 CCD
6 Vertical driver 7 TG
8 Unit circuit 9 Signal processor 10 CPU
11 Position Calculation Unit 12 DRAM
13 ROM
14 Flash memory 15 Key input section 16 Image display section

Claims (17)

Imaging means for converting the light of the subject into image data;
Moving image capturing control means for capturing a moving image of a subject using the imaging means;
Optical zoom means for zooming on the subject by moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction;
Zoom operation means for the user to perform zoom operations;
Zoom control means for controlling a zoom operation of the optical zoom means in response to a zoom operation performed by the zoom operation means;
When a zoom-up operation is performed by controlling the optical zoom unit by the zoom control unit, moving image data obtained by the moving image capturing control unit is displayed on the display unit, and obtained by the imaging unit at the start of the zoom-up operation. Display control means for displaying the received image data as sub-image data;
An imaging apparatus comprising: First determination means for determining whether the zoom operation performed by the zoom operation means is a zoom-up operation or a zoom-down operation;
The display control means includes
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that a zoom-up operation has been performed by the first determination unit, image data obtained by the imaging unit is displayed when a zoom-up operation is started. Storage control means for storing image data obtained by the imaging means at the start of a zoom-up operation in the storage means as sub-image data;
The storage control means
When it is determined that the zoom-up operation has been performed by the first determination unit, the storage of the image data stored in the storage unit is updated,
The display control means includes
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image data stored in the storage unit is displayed on the display unit. The display control means includes
4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sub-image data is displayed during a zoom-up operation by the zoom control unit and / or for a predetermined time after the zoom-up operation is completed. Second determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means has been completed;
The display control means includes
If it is determined by the second determination means that a predetermined time has not elapsed since the zoom-up operation has been completed, the display means can be used even when the zoom-up operation is performed again by the zoom control means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sub-image data that is already displayed is displayed as it is without updating the display of the sub-image data to be displayed on the imaging apparatus. Third determining means for determining whether or not the zoom amount of the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount;
The display control means includes
If the third determination means determines that the zoom amount of the zoom-up operation is not greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, the sub image data already displayed without updating the display of the sub image data displayed on the display means The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed as it is. The zoom operation means includes two zoom-up operation means,
The display control means includes
5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data obtained by the image pickup unit is displayed at the start of the zoom-up operation only when the zoom-up operation is performed by one zoom-up operation unit. . A fourth determination means for determining whether or not sub-image data is displayed on the display control means;
The display control means includes
When it is determined by the fourth determination means that the sub image data is not displayed, a predetermined time has not elapsed since the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means was completed by the second determination means. And when the zoom control unit performs the zoom-up operation again, or when the third determination unit determines that the zoom amount of the zoom-up operation is not equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the image data obtained by the image pickup means is displayed as sub image data at the start of a zoom-up operation. The display control means includes
When a predetermined time has elapsed after the zoom-up operation by the zoom control means has ended, the sub image data to be displayed is updated and displayed with the image data obtained by the imaging means after the predetermined time has elapsed. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is an image pickup apparatus. The display control means includes
In a state where the zoom lens is at the wide end, when the zoom-up operation is performed by the control of the optical zoom unit by the zoom control unit, the moving image data obtained by the moving image capturing control unit is displayed on the display unit. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data obtained by the image pickup means at the wide end is displayed as sub image data. The display control means includes
When the angle of view of the moving image data obtained by the moving image pickup control unit by the control of the optical zoom unit by the zoom control unit reaches the angle of view of the sub image data displayed on the display unit, sub image data The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that prohibits display of the image. The display control means includes
Means for displaying a zoom frame indicating which range of the sub image data displayed on the display means corresponds to the zoom frame on the image of the sub image data. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The display control means includes
13. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the zoom frame is displayed in a size corresponding to a zoom operation performed by the zoom operation means. Detecting means for detecting a display position of the zoom frame;
The display control means includes
The imaging apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the zoom frame is displayed in accordance with a display position detected by the detection means. The detection means includes
15. The imaging apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the display position is detected by recognizing the moving image data obtained by the moving image capturing control means and the displayed sub image data. A zoom lens,
First imaging means for converting light of a subject projected through the zoom lens into image data;
Zoom control means for zooming on the subject by moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction;
A second imaging means for converting the light of the subject into image data;
Display control means for causing the display means to display the image data obtained by the first imaging means and the image data obtained by the second imaging means;
With
The angle of view of the image data obtained by the second imaging means is substantially the same as the angle of view of the image data obtained by the first imaging means when the zoom lens is positioned at the wide end. An imaging device. Imaging means for converting the light of the subject into image data;
Moving image capturing control means for capturing a moving image of a subject using the imaging means;
Optical zoom means for zooming on the subject by moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction;
Zoom operation means for the user to perform zoom operations;
Zoom control means for controlling a zoom operation of the optical zoom means in response to a zoom operation performed by the zoom operation means;
A program for executing an imaging apparatus comprising:
When the zoom-up operation is performed by the control of the optical zoom unit by the zoom control unit, the moving image data obtained by the moving image imaging control unit is displayed on the display unit, and obtained by the imaging unit at the start of the zoom-up operation. Processing to display the received image data as sub-image data;
The program characterized by including.

Images