JP2011109695A - Photographing device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily check the image quality of an image of an object to be focused. <P>SOLUTION: In a digital camera 10, when a shutter key is half-pressed, focusing is performed based on a region within a focusing area frame R of image data captured by a photographing apparatus 16 to extract the feature point information of the object to be focused from the image data used for the focusing. When the image data are captured from the photographing apparatus 16 after the focusing, the position of the object to be focused is specified from the captured image data based on the extracted feature point information. When a confirmation key is pressed, an image at a position specified as a position of the object to be focused is displayed in a magnified manner on a display screen of a display device 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus and a program for enlarging and displaying an image of a subject as a focus adjustment target.

  Conventionally, in order to confirm the image quality of the subject of interest included in the scene to be photographed, the photographer has to go to the playback mode after shooting, specify the enlargement area, and follow the procedure of enlarging the image. In other words, it was not possible to easily check the image of the subject portion of interest before and after the shooting.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, Patent Literature 1 describes a photographing apparatus having a function of enlarging and displaying an image in a focus area set as a focus adjustment target by a photographer at the time of photographing.

JP 2004-242011 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since only the image of the focus area is displayed in an enlarged manner, the photographer sets the subject to be focused on in the focus area and performs the focus adjustment. When the composition is changed or the like, the subject to be adjusted out of focus is out of the focus area. Therefore, the image quality state of the portion where the subject is captured cannot be confirmed.

  An object of the present invention is to enable easy confirmation of the image quality of an image of a subject to be adjusted.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1
In an imaging device including an image acquisition unit that converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal to acquire image data,
Focus adjustment means for performing focus adjustment based on an image of a predetermined area of the image data acquired by the image acquisition means;
Feature point extraction means for extracting feature point information of a subject to be adjusted in focus included in the predetermined area from the image data used for the focus adjustment;
Subject position specifying means for specifying the position of the focus adjustment subject based on the feature point information extracted by the feature point extraction means in the image data acquired by the image acquisition means after the focus adjustment;
An enlarged display means for enlarging and displaying the image at the specified position on a display screen;
It is characterized by having.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
Shutter means for inputting a shooting instruction command;
Image recording means for recording image data acquired from the image acquisition means as a captured image when a shooting instruction command is input by the shutter means;
The subject position specifying means specifies the position of the subject to be adjusted in the image data of the captured image recorded by the image recording means;
The enlarged display means enlarges and displays the image at the specified position in the captured image recorded by the image recording means.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1,
Setting means for setting the type of the subject to be adjusted;
The subject position specifying unit is further characterized in that the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit after the focus adjustment is extracted by the type of the focus adjustment target subject set by the setting unit and the feature point extraction unit. Based on the point information, specify the position of a subject similar to the subject to be focused,
The enlarged display means sequentially enlarges and displays the image at the specified position on a display screen.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3,
Shutter means for inputting a shooting instruction command;
Image recording means for recording image data acquired from the image acquisition means as a captured image when a shooting instruction command is input by the shutter means;
The subject position specifying means specifies the position of the subject to be adjusted in focus and the position of a subject similar thereto in the image data of the captured image recorded by the image recording means;
The enlarged display means sequentially enlarges and displays the image at the specified position in the captured image recorded by the image recording means.

The invention described in claim 5
Computer
Image acquisition means for converting an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal to acquire image data;
A focus adjustment unit that performs a focus adjustment based on an image of a predetermined area of the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit;
Feature point extraction means for extracting feature point information of a subject to be adjusted in focus included in the predetermined area from the image data used for the focus adjustment;
Subject position specifying means for specifying the position of the subject to be adjusted based on the feature point information extracted by the feature point extracting means in the image data acquired by the image acquiring means after the focus adjustment;
An enlarged display means for enlarging and displaying the image at the specified position on a display screen;
It is a program for making it function as.

  According to the first and fifth aspects of the present invention, the focus adjustment is performed based on the image of the predetermined area of the image data acquired by the image acquisition means that acquires the image data by converting the optical image of the subject into an electrical signal. The feature point information of the subject to be adjusted is extracted from the image data used for the focus adjustment, and the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit after the focus adjustment is used to determine the subject of the subject to be adjusted based on the extracted feature point information. The position is specified, and the image at the specified position is enlarged and displayed on the display screen.

  Accordingly, in the image data acquired by the image acquisition means after the focus adjustment, even if the position of the focus adjustment subject changes from the time of the focus adjustment, the position of the subject can be specified and enlarged and displayed. It becomes possible to easily check the image quality of the image of the subject to be adjusted.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the position of the focus adjustment subject can be specified and enlarged in the image data of the photographed image, the photographer can easily improve the image quality of the image of the focus adjustment subject after photographing. It becomes possible to confirm.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, by setting the type of the focus adjustment subject, it is possible to sequentially enlarge and display similar subjects of the same type as the focus adjustment subject. It is also possible to easily check the image quality of an image of a similar subject of the same type as the subject.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the position of the focus adjustment subject and similar subjects can be specified and enlarged in the image data of the photographed image, so that the photographer can It is possible to easily confirm the image quality of a similar subject image.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the digital camera 10 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the imaging device 16 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the main process performed by CPU11 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography mode process performed by CPU11 of FIG. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a display example in the first embodiment, where FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview display displayed on the display device 15, and FIG. (C) is a figure which shows the example of an enlarged display of a focus position. It is a figure which shows typically the process of step S17 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the digital camera 10 which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography mode process B performed by CPU11 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography mode process B performed by CPU11 of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example in the second embodiment, where (a) is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview display displayed on the display device 15, and (b) is an example in which a focus position is displayed in an identifiable manner in the preview display. (C) is a figure which shows the example of an enlarged display of a focus position.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the digital camera 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail.
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the digital camera 10. As shown in FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, an input device 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a transmission control unit 14, a display device 15, an imaging device 16, a recording device 17, and the like. Each part and each device are connected by a bus 18.

  The CPU 11 reads out a system program stored in the recording device 17, develops it in a work area formed in the RAM 13, and controls each unit according to the system program. Further, the CPU 11 reads out various processing programs such as a main processing program and a photographing mode processing program stored in the recording device 17 and develops them in a work area, and main processing (described later) is performed according to the developed programs. 3) and various processes including the shooting mode process (see FIG. 4).

  The input device 12 includes a power key, a shutter key, a cross key for instructing each direction of up, down, left, and right on the display screen to move the cursor position on the display screen of the display device 15. A determination key or the like is provided for indicating and setting the content that is arranged and selected at that time. In addition, the input device 12 includes a mode switch for switching the operation mode of the digital camera 10 such as a shooting mode, an end mode, and a playback mode, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to each key operation or switch operation by the photographer to the CPU 11. . Furthermore, the input device 12 includes a confirmation key for instructing enlargement display of the subject that is the subject of focus adjustment, and outputs an operation signal to the CPU 11 according to the operation of the confirmation key by the photographer. The shutter key is a two-step switch that is half-pressed and fully pressed. When the shutter key is fully pressed, a shooting instruction command is output to the CPU 11 (shutter means).

  The RAM 13 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the CPU 11 and data related to these programs. The RAM 13 forms a feature point information RAM 131, a focus position information RAM 132, and a final focus position image RAM 133.

  The transmission control unit 14 is connected to an external electronic device such as a personal computer via a communication cable or the like, and controls transmission / reception of image data and the like. The connection with the external device may be a wireless connection such as infrared or wireless.

  The display device 15 is configured by a monitor such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays an image to be photographed, a photographed image, and the like on a display screen in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the CPU 11.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the imaging device 16. The imaging device 16 has a function as an image acquisition unit that acquires an image data by converting an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal. Here, the imaging device 16 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The subject image that has passed through the imaging lens 21 is imaged on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 23 as an imaging device via a diaphragm mechanism 22. The imaging lens 21 and the diaphragm mechanism 22 are moved by the optical system driving unit 24 for focus adjustment (focus adjustment), and the diaphragm amount is controlled so as to achieve appropriate exposure. For the movement of the imaging lens 21 and the diaphragm mechanism 22, the detection value detected by the sensor unit 25 including a distance measuring sensor and a light quantity sensor is output to the CPU 11 via the bus 18, and the CPU 11 calculates based on the detection value. Driving is performed by outputting a signal indicating the amount of movement of the image pickup lens 21 and the amount of aperture of the aperture mechanism 22 to the optical system drive unit 24.

  When the subject is imaged on the CCD 23, charges corresponding to the amount of incident light are accumulated in the CCD 23, and these charges are sequentially read out as voltage signals by a drive pulse signal supplied from the drive circuit 26 and output to the analog processing circuit 27. Is done. The analog processing circuit 27 performs various processes such as color separation, gain adjustment, and white balance, and the processed signal is buffered as digital image data (hereinafter referred to as image data) via the A / D conversion circuit 28. 29.

  The image data stored in the buffer register 29 is converted into a luminance signal and a color difference signal by the signal processing circuit 30 based on a control signal from the CPU 11 and displayed on the display device 15. Further, the image data processed in the signal processing circuit 30 is compressed in the compression / decompression circuit 31 based on a control signal from the CPU 11 and is stored in the photographed image recording area 171 of the recording device 17 shown in FIG. To be recorded.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the recording device 17 includes a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and includes a system program corresponding to the digital camera 10, a main processing program executable on the system program, and a shooting mode processing program. Various processing programs, application programs, and data processed by these programs are recorded. The recording device 17 has a captured image recording area 171 for recording captured image data.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the CPU 11 of the digital camera 10. This process is a process realized by software processing in cooperation with the CPU 11 and the main processing program stored in the recording device 17 when the power is turned on by operating the power key of the input device 12.

  First, the current operation mode is analyzed (step S1). If the current operation mode is the shooting mode (step S2; YES), the shooting mode process shown in FIG. 4 is executed (step S3). Details of the shooting mode processing will be described later. The shooting mode processing is executed until mode switching is instructed by operating the mode switch of the input device 12 or the like. When mode switching is instructed (step S4; YES), the processing returns to step S1.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the current operation mode is not the shooting mode, it is determined whether or not the operation mode is the end mode, and if the current operation mode is not the end mode (step S5). NO), processing according to the current operation mode is executed (step S6). For example, when the current operation mode is the playback mode, a list of images recorded in the captured image recording area 171 of the recording device 17 is displayed on the display screen, and a captured image selected from the image list is reproduced and displayed. . Processing according to the operation mode is executed until mode switching is instructed by operating the mode selector switch of the input device 12, and when mode switching is instructed by operating the mode selector switch of the input device 12 (step S7; YES), the process returns to step S1.

  In step S5, when it is determined that the current operation mode is the end mode (step S5; YES), this process ends.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the shooting mode process executed by the CPU 11 of the digital camera 10 in step S3 of FIG. This process is a process realized by software processing in cooperation with the CPU 11 and the shooting mode processing program stored in the recording device 17. By executing the processing, a focus adjusting unit, a feature point extracting unit, a subject position specifying unit, an enlarged display unit, and an image recording unit are realized.

  First, each part of the imaging device 16 is initialized (step S11). Next, the imaging device 16 is controlled to start capturing (acquiring) image data every predetermined time, and the captured image is previewed on the display device 15 together with the focus adjustment area frame R (see FIG. 5A). (Step S12). In other words, the object light imaged through the imaging lens 21 and the diaphragm mechanism 22 in the CCD 23 is photoelectrically converted to accumulate charges, and the charges accumulated by the drive pulse signal given every predetermined time from the drive circuit 26 are accumulated. It is sequentially read out as a voltage signal. The read voltage signal is converted into image data via the analog processing circuit 27 and the A / D conversion circuit 28 and is taken into the buffer register 29. Then, it is displayed on the display screen of the display device 15 together with the focus adjustment area frame R. Hereinafter, displaying an image captured from the imaging device 16 together with the focus adjustment area frame R on the display device 15 for shooting reference in the shooting standby state is referred to as a preview display.

  FIG. 5A shows an example of a preview display screen displayed on the display device 15 in step S12. The focus adjustment area frame R is a frame indicating an area in which a subject to be focused (a subject to be adjusted) is arranged. In the digital camera 10, when the shutter key is pressed halfway, the focus adjustment area frame R is within the focus adjustment area frame R. Focus adjustment is performed to focus on the displayed subject.

  In the preview display state, the state of the confirmation key of the input device 12 is determined, and if it is determined that the confirmation key is in the pressed state (step S13; pressed), the process proceeds to step S29. If it is determined that the confirmation key is in the open state (step S13; release), it is determined whether or not an operation of the mode switch is detected, and if it is determined that an operation of the mode switch is detected (step S14). YES), the process returns to step S1 in FIG. When it is determined that the operation of the mode switch is not detected (step S14; NO), the state of the shutter key is determined, and when it is determined that the shutter key is in the open state (step S15; open), the processing Returns to step S12.

  If it is determined in step S15 that the shutter key is in the half-pressed state (step S15; half-pressed), the focus adjustment area (the area within the focus adjustment area frame R in FIG. 5) is focused. Adjustment is performed (step S16). Specifically, while moving the imaging lens 21 in the optical axis direction of the digital camera 10, the contrast of the focus adjustment area in the image data captured from the imaging device 16 is detected, and the lens position is at a position where the contrast becomes maximum. Is adjusted. The focused focus position is fixed until the shutter key is released.

  Next, the feature point of the subject to be adjusted is extracted from the image data in the focus adjustment area of the image data used for the focus adjustment (step S17). FIG. 6 schematically shows the process of step S17. Extraction of the feature points of the subject to be adjusted is performed by, for example, performing edge detection processing from image data in the focus adjustment area and extracting feature points that are features of the contour of the subject from the detected edges. . The extracted feature point information is stored in the feature point information RAM 131 of the RAM 13 (step S18). When feature point information is already stored in the feature point information RAM 131, it is updated to new feature point information.

  Next, when new image data is captured from the imaging device 16, the image data captured on the display device 15 is displayed as a preview (step S19). Also, the feature point information is read from the feature point information RAM 131, and based on the read feature point information, the position of the focus adjustment target subject (hereinafter referred to as the focus adjustment target) in the image data captured from the imaging device 16 is described. (Referred to as “focus position”) (step S20), the position information of the specified focus position is stored in the focus position information RAM 132 (step S21), and the focus position is identified as shown in FIG. 5B. The captured image data is displayed as a preview on the display device 15 (for example, with a rectangular marker superimposed on the focus position) (step S22).

  The focus position can be specified by pattern matching, for example. For example, based on the feature point information read from the feature point information RAM 131, a contour pattern of the subject to be adjusted is created, the contour pattern is moved pixel by pixel with respect to the captured image data, and the captured image data The position of the image with the smallest difference from the contour pattern is identified as the focus position. If the focus position information in the previous image data has already been stored in the focus position information RAM 132, the focus position information is updated to new focus position information.

  Next, the state of the confirmation key is determined, and if it is determined that the confirmation key is in the pressed state (step S23; pressed), the focus position information is read from the focus position information RAM 132, and the focus position in the captured image data. Is enlarged and displayed at a predetermined magnification in the center of the display screen (step S24). The image at the focus position is preferably enlarged and displayed so as to have a screen size. FIG. 5C shows an enlarged display example of the focus position displayed in step S24. Since the image at the focus position in the image data captured from the imaging device 16 is enlarged and displayed by a simple operation of pressing the confirmation key, the photographer can easily improve the image quality of the subject portion to be adjusted before shooting. It becomes possible to confirm.

  If it is determined in step S23 that the confirmation key is in the open state (step S23; open), the state of the shutter key is determined, and if it is determined that the shutter key is open (step S25; open), the process is as follows. Return to step S12. If it is determined that the shutter key is half pressed (step S25; half pressed), the process returns to step S19. If it is determined that the shutter key has been fully pressed (step S25; full press), shooting is performed and image data of the shot image is recorded in the shot image recording area 171 of the recording device 17 (step S26). Also, the focus position is specified from the image data of the photographed image (step S27), the image data of the final focus position in the photographed image is cut out, and the image data of the cut out focus position image (referred to as the final focus position image). Is stored in the final focus position image RAM 133 (step S28), and the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG. When the final focus position image in the previous photographed image data is already stored in the final focus position image RAM 133, it is updated to a new final focus position image.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the confirmation key is pressed (step S13; NO), the image data of the final focus position image is read from the final focus position image RAM 133, and the display screen center of the display device 15 is displayed. Is enlarged and displayed at a predetermined magnification (step S29). It is preferable that the final focus position image is enlarged and displayed so as to have a screen size. The enlarged display displayed here is the same display as shown in FIG.

  While the confirmation key is being pressed, the final focus position image of the previous photographing is enlarged and displayed, and if it is determined that the confirmation key is in an opened state (step S30; released), the process goes to the preview display state in step S12. Return.

  That is, if the confirmation key is pressed during preview display when the shutter key is not pressed, the final focus position image of the previous shooting is enlarged and the display returns to preview display when the confirmation key is released. Thus, it is possible to check the image quality of the subject portion to be adjusted in the previous captured image with a simple operation without shifting to the playback mode.

  As described above, according to the digital camera 10 of the first embodiment, when the shutter key is half-pressed, the focus adjustment is performed based on the area within the focus adjustment area frame R of the image data captured by the imaging device 16. The feature point information of the subject to be adjusted is extracted from the image data used for the focus adjustment. When the image data is captured from the imaging device 16 after the focus adjustment, the position of the subject to be focused is specified from the captured image data based on the extracted feature point information, and when the confirmation key is pressed, the focus adjustment is performed. The image at the position specified as the position of the target subject is enlarged and displayed on the display screen of the display device 15.

  Further, when captured image data is captured in response to a full press of the shutter key, the position of the subject to be adjusted is specified from the captured image data, and is extracted, and the extracted image data (image data of the final focus position image) is obtained. When the confirmation key is pressed in the preview display state before the shutter operation for the next shooting, the final focus position image stored in the final focus position image RAM 133 is read and enlarged and displayed. The

  Therefore, in the image data and the captured image data captured by the imaging device 16 after the focus adjustment, even if the position of the subject to be adjusted changes from the time of the focus adjustment, the position of the subject is specified and the confirmation key is pressed. Therefore, it is possible to easily check the image quality of the focus adjustment subject, such as whether or not the image of the focus adjustment subject is out of focus before or after shooting.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment, the shooting mode process executed in step S3 of the main process described in FIG. 3 is different from that described in the first embodiment. The configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that described with reference to FIGS. The shooting mode processing B program is stored. In addition to the feature point information RAM 131, the focus position information RAM 132, and the final focus position image RAM 133, the RAM 13 includes a similar image position information RAM 134 and a final similar image RAM 135 as shown in FIG. The input device 12 has a subject setting key and a next candidate key. Other configurations are the same as those described with reference to FIGS. The main process executed when the power is turned on in the digital camera 10 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, the shooting mode processing B in the second embodiment will be described.

  8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the shooting mode process B executed by the CPU 11 of the digital camera 10 in step S3 of FIG. This processing is realized by software processing in cooperation with the CPU 11 and the shooting mode processing B program stored in the recording device 17. By executing the processing, a setting unit, a focus adjustment unit, a feature point extraction unit, a subject position specifying unit, an enlarged display unit, and an image recording unit are realized.

  First, each part of the imaging device 16 is initialized (step S41). Next, the imaging device 16 is controlled to start capturing image data every predetermined time, and the captured image is previewed on the display device 15 together with the focus adjustment area frame R (see FIG. 10A) (steps). S42).

  FIG. 10A shows an example of a preview display screen displayed on the display device 15 in step S42. The focus adjustment area frame R is a frame indicating an area in which a subject to be focused is arranged. In the digital camera 10, when the shutter key is pressed halfway, the subject displayed in the focus adjustment area frame R is displayed. On the other hand, focus adjustment is performed so as to adjust the focus.

  In the preview display state, the state of the subject setting key of the input device 12 is determined, and when it is determined that the subject setting key is pressed (step S43; pressed), a subject setting screen (not shown) is displayed on the display device 15. Then, an operation on the subject setting screen of the input device 12 sets the subject to be noticed in the shooting target scene, that is, the focus adjustment target subject and the types of subjects similar to the subject (for example, human face, landscape, object, etc.). Then (step S44), the process returns to step S42.

  When it is determined in the preview display state that the subject setting key of the input device 12 is in the open state (step S43; release), the state of the confirmation key is determined, and when it is determined that the confirmation key is in the pressed state (step S43). Step S45; pressed), the process proceeds to Step S70. If it is determined that the confirmation key is in the open state (step S45; open), it is determined whether or not an operation of the mode switch is detected, and if it is determined that an operation of the mode switch is detected (step S46). YES), the process returns to step S1 in FIG. When it is determined that the operation of the mode switch is not detected (step S46; NO), the state of the shutter key is determined, and when it is determined that the shutter key is in the open state (step S47; release), the processing Returns to step S42.

  If it is determined in step S47 that the shutter key is in the half-pressed state (step S47; half-pressed), the above-described focus adjustment area (region in the focus adjustment area frame R in FIG. 10A) is focused. Thus, focus adjustment is performed (step S48). Specifically, the contrast of the focus adjustment area in the image data captured from the imaging device 16 is detected while moving the imaging lens 21 in the optical axis direction of the digital camera 10, and the lens position is at a position where the contrast becomes maximum. Adjusted. The focused focus position is fixed until the shutter key is released.

  Next, feature point extraction of the subject to be adjusted from the image data in the focus adjustment area of the image data used for the focus adjustment is performed (step S49). The feature point of the subject to be adjusted is extracted by, for example, edge detection processing from image data in the focus adjustment area, and feature points that are features of the contour of the subject are extracted from the detected edge. Here, the feature point extraction is performed by referring to the set subject type and extracting the feature point based on the set subject type. For example, when the type of the subject of interest is set to be a person's face, out of the areas delimited by the detected edges in the focus adjustment area, it is a skin-colored, circular or elliptical area, eyes, nose The region where the mouth shape is recognized is recognized as the subject region, and the feature points that are the features of the contour of the subject are extracted from the edges of the recognized region. The extracted feature point information is stored in the feature point information RAM 131 of the RAM 13 (step S50). When feature point information is already stored in the feature point information RAM 131, it is updated to new feature point information.

  Next, when new image data is captured from the imaging device 16, a preview of the captured image is displayed on the display device 15 (step S51). Also, the feature point information is read from the feature point information RAM 131, and based on the read feature point information, the position of the focus adjustment target subject that is the focus adjustment target in the image data captured from the imaging device 16 (ie, the focus adjustment target subject). , The focus position) is specified (step S52), and the position information of the specified focus position is stored in the focus position information RAM 132 as data P0 (step S53). The focus position can be specified by, for example, the same method as described in the first embodiment. When the focus position information is already stored in the focus position information RAM 132, it is updated to new data P0. Further, based on the type and feature point information of the subject set in step S44, the position of an image of a subject (hereinafter referred to as a similar image) similar to the subject to be adjusted in the image data captured from the imaging device 16 is determined. The specified position information (similar image position information) is stored in the similar image position information RAM 134 as data P1 to Pn (n is a positive integer) (step S55). When the position information is already stored in the similar image position information RAM 134, it is updated to new data P1 to Pn. For example, when the type of the subject of interest is set to be a face, the shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth is determined from the captured image data in the skin color and circular or elliptical area. Is recognized as a face area, the size of the face area specified from the feature point information at the focus position is acquired, and a face area having a size substantially the same as this size (for example, specified from the feature point information) The position of the face area whose difference in the number of pixels from the face area is within a predetermined number is specified as the similar image position. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the focus position and the similar image position can be identified on the preview display screen (for example, rectangular markers of different colors or different line types are superimposed on the focus position and the similar image position. Are displayed (step S56).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the confirmation key has been pressed. If it is determined that the confirmation key has not been pressed and is in an open state (step S57; release), the process proceeds to step S64. If it is determined that the confirmation key has been pressed (step S57; pressed), the counter m is initialized to 0 (step S58), and the focus position information as data P0 is read from the focus position information RAM 132 and loaded. The image at the focus position in the image data is enlarged and displayed at a predetermined magnification at the center of the display screen (step S59).

  FIG. 10C shows an enlarged display example of the focus position image displayed in step S59. Since the image at the focus position in the image data captured from the image pickup device 16 can be enlarged and displayed by a simple operation of pressing the confirmation key, the photographer can easily improve the image quality of the subject portion to be focused before shooting. It becomes possible to confirm. The image at the focus position is preferably enlarged and displayed so as to have a screen size.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the next candidate key has been pressed. If it is determined that the next candidate key has been pressed (step S60; pressed), it is determined whether or not the counter m ≧ n. If it is determined that there is not (step S61; NO), the counter m is incremented by 1 (step S62), the process returns to step S59, and the similar image position information as data Pm is read from the similar image position information RAM 134. An image at a similar image position of the data Pm in the captured image data is enlarged and displayed at a predetermined magnification at the center of the display screen. The image at the similar image position is preferably enlarged and displayed so as to have a screen size. If it is determined that the counter m ≧ n (step S61; YES), the process returns to step S58, the counter m is reset to 0, and the focus position image is enlarged and displayed. If it is determined that the next candidate key has not been pressed and is in an open state (step S60; release), it is determined whether or not a confirmation key has been pressed, and it is determined that the confirmation key has not been pressed and is in an open state. Then (step S63; release), the process returns to step S59. If it is determined that the confirmation key has been pressed (step S63; pressed), the process returns to step S51, and the processes after step S51 are executed for the newly captured image.

  In step S64, the state of the shutter key is determined. If it is determined that the shutter key is released (step S64; released), the process returns to step S42. If it is determined that the shutter key is half pressed (step S64; half pressed), the process returns to step S51. If it is determined that the shutter key is fully pressed (step S64; full press), shooting is performed, and image data of the shot image is recorded in the shot image recording area 171 of the recording device 17 (step S65). Further, the focus position is specified from the image data of the captured image (step S66), the image data of the focus position is extracted from the captured image, and the image data of the extracted focus position image (final focus position image) is the final data G0. The image is stored in the focus position image RAM 133 (step S67). When image data has already been stored in the final focus position image RAM 133, it is updated to new data G0. Furthermore, a similar image position is specified from the photographed image (step S68), image data at the similar image position is cut out from the photographed image, and the cut out image data (image data of the final similar image) is data G1 to GN (N is Is stored in the final similar image RAM 135 as a positive integer) (step S69), and the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG. When the image data is already stored in the final similar image RAM 135, it is updated to new data G1 to GN.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S45 that the confirmation key has been pressed (step S45; pressed), the counter m is initialized to 0 (step S70), and the last acquired from the final focus position image RAM 133 at the time of the previous shooting. The image data G0 of the focus position image is read out and enlarged and displayed at a predetermined magnification at the center of the display screen of the display device 15 (step S71).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the next candidate key has been pressed. If it is determined that the next candidate key has been pressed (step S72; pressed), it is determined whether or not the counter m ≧ N. If it is determined that there is not (step S73; NO), the counter m is incremented by 1 (step S74), the process proceeds to step S71, a similar image as data Gm is read from the final similar image RAM 135, and the display screen is displayed. The image is enlarged and displayed at a predetermined magnification in the center. If it is determined that the counter m ≧ N (step S73; YES), the process returns to step S70, the counter m is reset to 0, and the focus position image is enlarged and displayed. If it is determined that the next candidate key has not been pressed and is in an open state (step S72; open), it is determined whether or not a confirmation key has been pressed, and it is determined that the confirmation key has not been pressed and is in an open state. Then (step S75; release), the process returns to step S71. If it is determined that the confirmation key has been pressed (step S75; pressed), the process returns to the preview display state of step S42.

  As described above, according to the digital camera 10 of the second embodiment, when the type of the subject of interest is set and the shutter key is pressed halfway, the focus adjustment area frame R of the image data captured by the imaging device 16 is set. Focus adjustment is performed based on the image in the image, and feature point information of the subject to be adjusted is extracted from the image data used for the focus adjustment. When the image data is captured from the imaging device 16 after the focus adjustment, the focus adjustment target subject and similar subject positions are determined from the captured image data based on the extracted feature point information and the set type of the subject of interest. When (similar image position) is specified and the confirmation key is pressed, the image at the position specified as the position of the subject to be adjusted is enlarged and displayed on the display screen of the display device 15, and then the next candidate key is pressed. Then, the images at the positions specified as the similar image positions are sequentially enlarged and displayed on the display screen of the display device 15.

  When captured image data is captured in response to a full press of the shutter key, the position of the subject to be adjusted is specified from the captured image data, cut out, stored in the final focus position image RAM 133, and from the captured image data. When the similar image position is identified and cut out, stored in the final similar image RAM 135, and the confirmation key is pressed in the preview display state before the shutter operation for the next shooting, the final focus position stored in the final focus position image RAM 133 When an image is read out and enlarged and the next candidate key is pressed, similar images stored in the final similar image RAM 135 are sequentially enlarged and displayed on the display screen of the display device 15.

  Therefore, in the image data and the captured image data captured by the imaging device 16 after the focus adjustment, even if the position of the subject subject to focus adjustment has changed since the time of focus adjustment, the subject position is specified and the confirmation key is pressed. Since the image can be enlarged, the photographer can easily check the image quality of the image of the focus adjustment subject, for example, whether or not the image of the subject of focus adjustment is out of focus before or after shooting. In addition, it is possible to easily check the image quality of an image of a subject similar to the subject to be adjusted. For example, when taking a group photo, if a person's face is set as the type of subject to be noticed, a face image having a size similar to the face image targeted for focus adjustment can be sequentially enlarged and displayed. Each person who is the subject of the group photo, except for the person whose face size is completely different from the subject to be adjusted, which was included in the background even though it was not the subject of the group photo For example, it is possible to easily check the image quality, such as whether or not the image is out of focus or whether or not the eyes are closed.

  Note that the description in the first and second embodiments is a preferred example of the digital camera 10 according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, an image of a focus adjustment subject or a subject similar thereto may be stored as position information, or an image at a position specified from image data may be cut out and stored. Further, the image data of the final focus position image and the final similar image may be stored in the recording device 17 without being overwritten, and may be confirmed at any time when it is desired to confirm at the time of shooting.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of the digital camera 10 can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

10 Digital camera 11 CPU
12 Input device 13 RAM
131 Feature point information RAM
132 Focus position information RAM
133 Final focus position image RAM
134 Similar image position information RAM
135 Final Similar Image RAM
Reference Signs List 14 Transmission Control Unit 15 Display Device 16 Imaging Device 17 Recording Device 171 Captured Image Recording Area 18 Bus 21 Imaging Lens 22 Aperture Mechanism 23 CCD
24 optical system drive unit 25 sensor unit 26 drive circuit 27 analog processing circuit 28 A / D conversion circuit 29 buffer register 30 signal processing circuit 31 compression / decompression circuit

Claims (5)

In an imaging device including an image acquisition unit that converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal to acquire image data,
Focus adjustment means for performing focus adjustment based on an image of a predetermined area of the image data acquired by the image acquisition means;
Feature point extraction means for extracting feature point information of a subject to be adjusted in focus included in the predetermined area from the image data used for the focus adjustment;
Subject position specifying means for specifying the position of the focus adjustment subject based on the feature point information extracted by the feature point extraction means in the image data acquired by the image acquisition means after the focus adjustment;
An enlarged display means for enlarging and displaying the image at the specified position on a display screen;
An imaging apparatus comprising: Shutter means for inputting a shooting instruction command;
Image recording means for recording image data acquired from the image acquisition means as a captured image when a shooting instruction command is input by the shutter means;
The subject position specifying means specifies the position of the subject to be adjusted in the image data of the captured image recorded by the image recording means;
2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enlarged display means enlarges and displays the image at the specified position in the photographed image recorded by the image recording means. Setting means for setting the type of the subject to be adjusted;
The subject position specifying unit is further characterized in that the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit after the focus adjustment is extracted by the type of the focus adjustment target subject set by the setting unit and the feature point extraction unit. Based on the point information, specify the position of a subject similar to the subject to be focused,
The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enlargement display unit sequentially enlarges and displays the image at the specified position on a display screen. Shutter means for inputting a shooting instruction command;
Image recording means for recording image data acquired from the image acquisition means as a captured image when a shooting instruction command is input by the shutter means;
The subject position specifying means specifies the position of the subject to be adjusted in focus and the position of a subject similar thereto in the image data of the captured image recorded by the image recording means;
4. The photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the enlarged display means sequentially enlarges and displays the image at the specified position in the photographed image recorded by the image recording means. Computer
Image acquisition means for converting an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal to acquire image data;
A focus adjustment unit that performs a focus adjustment based on an image of a predetermined area of the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit;
Feature point extraction means for extracting feature point information of a subject to be adjusted in focus included in the predetermined area from the image data used for the focus adjustment;
Subject position specifying means for specifying the position of the subject to be adjusted based on the feature point information extracted by the feature point extracting means in the image data acquired by the image acquiring means after the focus adjustment;
An enlarged display means for enlarging and displaying the image at the specified position on a display screen;
Program to function as.

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