JP2012039570A - Imaging device and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately perform screening of images even if a recording instruction of a photographic image is performed immediately after a photographing preparation operation instruction in an imaging device having an image screening function.SOLUTION: An imaging device comprises: an imaging unit 12 that images light from an object; a recording unit 18 that according to an input of a first instruction for instructing a photographing preparation operation including a focus adjustment operation or an exposure control operation by the imaging unit, starts the photographing preparation operation and a photographing operation by the imaging unit, and when a second instruction for performing a recording instruction of a photographic image is input, records plural image data acquired by the imaging unit before and after the input of the second instruction; an image screening unit 10 that screens the images in the descending order of evaluation values calculated for the respective plural image data; and an evaluation value control unit 10 that when the time difference between the first instruction and the second instruction is within a predetermined time, among the plural image data recorded on the recording unit, reduces the evaluation values of the plural image data acquired in a period until a focus adjustment state becomes a predetermined focus adjustment state by the focus adjustment operation or an exposure control state becomes a predetermined exposure control state by the exposure control operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having an image selection function and an image processing program.

  Conventionally, in order to ensure that the photographer wants to obtain the desired image, when focusing with the first release that instructs the start of shooting preparation is completed, image recording is started regardless of the presence of the second release that instructs shooting. When a release is performed, an image corresponding to the second release is used as a reference image, and a predetermined number of images taken before the reference image and a predetermined number of images taken after the reference image are recorded on the memory card. There is an electronic camera (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-313865 A

  However, in the above-mentioned electronic camera, when the first release and the second release are performed substantially simultaneously, that is, when the so-called release button is pressed at once, the image before the shooting instruction is not recorded, and the image immediately after the shooting instruction is recorded. Is an image captured in a stage where focusing by automatic focus adjustment has not been completed, and is not likely to be selected as an optimal image.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus and an image processing program capable of accurately selecting an image even when an instruction to record a shot image is given immediately after an instruction for a shooting preparation operation in an image pickup apparatus having an image selection function. Is to provide.

  The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, it attaches | subjects and demonstrates the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention, but this invention is not limited to this.

  The imaging device (2) according to the present invention responds to an input of a first instruction that instructs an imaging preparation operation including a focus adjustment operation or an exposure control operation by the imaging unit, and an imaging unit (12) that images light from a subject. When the second instruction for starting the photographing preparation operation and the photographing operation by the imaging unit and inputting a recording image recording instruction is input, the plurality of images acquired by the imaging unit before and after the second instruction is input. A recording unit (18) that records the image data, an image sorting unit (10) that sorts images in descending order of evaluation values calculated for each of the plurality of image data, the first instruction, and the second instruction Among the plurality of image data recorded in the recording unit, the focus adjustment operation causes the focus adjustment state or the exposure control operation causes the exposure control state to reach a predetermined exposure control state. Na It characterized in that it comprises evaluation value control unit to reduce the evaluation value of the acquired plurality of image data in the period leading up to the (10).

  The image processing program of the present invention starts the shooting preparation operation and the shooting operation by the imaging unit in response to an input of a first instruction that instructs a shooting preparation operation including a focus adjustment operation or an exposure control operation by the imaging unit. When a second instruction for instructing recording of a captured image is input, a plurality of image data acquired by the imaging unit are recorded before and after the input of the second instruction, and the plurality of recorded image data An image processing program applied to an imaging device that performs sorting, an evaluation value calculating step for calculating an evaluation value for selecting an image for each of the plurality of image data, the first instruction, and the second instruction When the time difference is within a predetermined time, among the plurality of image data, a predetermined focus adjustment state by the focus adjustment operation or a predetermined exposure control state by the exposure control operation An evaluation value control step of reducing the evaluation value of the plurality of image data acquired in a period until the image selection step, and an image selection step of selecting an image from the plurality of image data in descending order of the evaluation value. It is characterized by including.

  The image processing program of the present invention starts the shooting preparation operation and the shooting operation by the imaging unit in response to an input of a first instruction that instructs a shooting preparation operation including a focus adjustment operation or an exposure control operation by the imaging unit. An image processing program applied to an image processing apparatus for selecting a plurality of image data acquired and recorded by the imaging unit before and after inputting a second instruction for instructing recording of a captured image, wherein the plurality of images When the evaluation value for selecting the plurality of images added for each data and the time difference between the first instruction and the second instruction are within a predetermined time, among the plurality of image data, The evaluation values of the plurality of image data acquired in a period until a predetermined focus adjustment state by the focus adjustment operation or a predetermined exposure control state by the exposure control operation are reduced. Based on Kusuru correction coefficient, characterized in that it comprises an image selection step of selecting an image in the order the evaluation value is higher among the plurality of image data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to select an image with high accuracy even when an instruction to record a shot image is issued immediately after an instruction for a shooting preparation operation in an imaging apparatus having an image selection function.

It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the electronic camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the acquired image and evaluation value which concern on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the completion time of AE and AF when the release button which concerns on embodiment is pressed at once. It is a figure which shows the correction coefficient with respect to the evaluation value of the acquired image which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the correction coefficient with respect to the evaluation value of the acquired image which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an electronic camera as an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an electronic camera 2 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera 2 includes a control unit 10 that is configured by a microprocessor or the like and controls each part of the electronic camera 2 in an integrated manner. An imaging device 12, LCD display unit 14, buffer memory 16, program memory 17, memory card 18, and operation unit 20 are connected to the control unit 10.

  The image sensor 12 is configured by a CMOS image sensor or the like, images light from a subject via a photographing lens (not shown), and outputs an image signal to the control unit 10. The CMOS image sensor incorporates a focus detection pixel based on a pupil division phase difference method, and outputs a focus detection signal to the control unit 10.

  The LCD display unit 14 is disposed on the back side of the electronic camera 2 and displays a through image or the like based on the imaging signal from the imaging device 12. The buffer memory 16 temporarily records a plurality of frames of image data based on the imaging signal output from the imaging device 12. The program memory 17 stores a program for the control unit 10 to comprehensively control each unit of the electronic camera 2 and to perform each process such as an imaging process, a reproduction process, and an image selection process. The memory card 18 is a portable storage medium that is detachably attached to a card slot (not shown) provided in the electronic camera 2. For example, a CF card, an SD card, smart media, or the like is used.

  The operation unit 20 is turned on by fully pressing the release button, a power switch SW1 that turns on / off the power of the electronic camera 2, a half-press switch SW2 that is turned on by pressing a release button (not shown) to a half-pressed position. A full push switch SW3 is provided.

  Next, an image selection process using the image selection function of the electronic camera 2 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the power switch SW <b> 1 of the operation unit 20 is turned on, the electronic camera 2 is activated as a shooting mode for shooting a still image, and the control unit 10 starts imaging with the imaging device 12, and starts from the imaging device 12. A through image is displayed on the LCD display unit 14 based on the imaging signal read at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 30 fps). In this state, when the operator depresses the release button to the half-pressed position to instruct the shooting preparation operation, the half-press switch SW2 is turned on (S1).

  When the half-press switch SW2 is turned on, the control unit 10 starts an exposure control operation (AE) and a focus adjustment operation (AF). That is, the exposure control operation is performed based on the image pickup signal output from the image pickup device 12, and the shutter speed and the aperture value are determined so that proper exposure can be obtained. For example, when detecting the brightness (luminance) information of a subject by the average photometry method, a value obtained by averaging the signal values constituting the through image is used as the subject luminance information, and based on the luminance information of the subject. Determine the optimum exposure value and the shutter speed and aperture value. Further, the control unit 10 obtains a defocus amount by focus detection processing by pupil division using the focus detection signal read from the image sensor 12, and performs focusing of a photographing lens (not shown).

  In addition, the control unit 10 starts pre-capture of image data. That is, the control unit 10 continuously acquires a plurality of frames of image data as pre-captured image data, and records the acquired plurality of frames of image data in the buffer memory 16. Here, the number of image data of a plurality of frames to be recorded in the buffer memory 16 is determined to be, for example, 10 frames as the pre-capture setting number (see FIG. 2). Accordingly, when the number of image data recorded in the buffer memory 16 reaches 10 frames, the control unit 10 overwrites and erases the old image data in order. Thereby, the capacity of the buffer memory 16 used for pre-capture can be saved.

  Next, when the release button is pressed down to the fully-pressed position in order to instruct recording of the photographed image, the fully-press switch SW3 is turned on (S2). Thereby, the control unit 10 starts post capture of the image data. That is, the control unit 10 continuously acquires a plurality of frames of image data as post-capture image data, and records the acquired plurality of frames of image data in the buffer memory 16. Here, the number of image data of a plurality of frames to be recorded in the buffer memory 16 is determined to be, for example, 10 frames as the post-capture setting number (see FIG. 2). In normal still image shooting, since the time interval between the shooting preparation operation instruction (S1) and the shot image recording instruction (S2) is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the pre-capture image recorded in the buffer memory 16 is The image acquired after the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) are completed.

  Next, the control unit 10 reads out the image data recorded in the buffer memory 16, that is, 10 frames of image data acquired by pre-capture and 10 frames of image data acquired by post-capture, that is, 20 frames of image data. Using the 20 frames of image data as candidate image data for image selection, image analysis is performed for each image data, and an evaluation value is calculated based on an evaluation processing item for image selection. Here, evaluation processing items for image selection include sharpness in the evaluation target image, presence / absence of “face” in the evaluation target image, maximum area of “face” in the evaluation target image, “ The degree of smile of “face”, the size of the subject in the evaluation target image, and the like. Accordingly, in the calculation of the evaluation value, the evaluation value for each evaluation processing item is calculated, and the evaluation value for each image data is calculated using the calculated evaluation value for each evaluation processing item. In calculating the evaluation value, it is not necessary to use all the evaluation processing items mentioned here, and the evaluation processing items may be selected and used as appropriate.

  In general, as shown in FIG. 2, the evaluation value of an image rises at the time of image data pre-capture, reaches a maximum value (best shot) immediately before the full-press switch SW3 is turned on (S2), and then falls. This is because, during normal shooting, a slight time lag occurs between the time when the photographer recognizes a shooting scene desired to be shot and the time when the release button is fully pressed.

  When the evaluation value is calculated for each image data, the control unit 10 selects a predetermined number (for example, 5 frames) of image data as a recorded image in descending order of the evaluation value, and uses the evaluation value as tag information for each selected image data. In addition, it is recorded on the memory card 18 in a predetermined file format such as Exif.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when the half-push switch SW2 is turned on (S1) and the full-push switch SW3 is turned on (S2) substantially simultaneously, when a so-called release button is pressed at once, Since there is no image data acquired as pre-capture image data, 10 frames of image data acquired as post-capture image data become candidate image data for image selection, and image analysis is performed on each candidate image data. An evaluation value is calculated based on an evaluation processing item for selection.

  In this case, since the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) are started by turning on the half-press switch SW2 (S1), the image data acquired as the post-capture image data is included in the image data. The first frame of image data acquired in step 1 is image data before completion of the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF). Therefore, in order to reduce the possibility that the image data acquired before the completion of the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) is selected as the image data recorded in the memory card 18, these image data A correction coefficient for the evaluation position is calculated. Here, since the exposure control operation (AE) is normally completed before the focus adjustment operation (AF) is completed, the correction coefficient for the evaluation position of the image data acquired before the focus adjustment operation (AF) is completed is calculated. do it.

  FIG. 4 is obtained before the completion of the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) when the half-push switch SW2 is turned on (S1) and the full-push switch SW3 is turned on (S2). The correction coefficient with respect to the evaluation value of the obtained image data is shown. As shown in this figure, the correction coefficient for the evaluation value of the image data acquired as the post-capture at the time when the full-press switch SW3 is turned on (S2) is 0.0, and the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment The correction coefficient for the evaluation value of the image data at the time when the operation (AF) is completed is 1.0. That is, the closer to the point (S2) when the full push switch SW3 is turned on, the smaller the correction coefficient value.

  Therefore, for the evaluation value of the image data acquired before the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) are completed (correction period), the full push switch SW3 is turned on according to the correction coefficient shown in FIG. The correction coefficient corresponding to the time from the time point (S2) is multiplied, and the evaluation value of the image data is reduced for the image acquired in the correction period so that it is difficult to be selected as an image to be recorded on the memory card 18.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, normally, the closer to the point (S2) when the full-press switch SW3 is turned on, the larger the evaluation value for the image data is, but the full-press switch SW3 is multiplied by the correction coefficient. The rate of reduction of the evaluation value increases as it is closer to the time point (S2) when is turned on. Therefore, there is a high possibility that an image acquired after the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) are completed is selected as an image to be recorded on the memory card 18.

According to the electronic camera 2 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to select an image with high accuracy even when an instruction to record a shot image is issued immediately after an instruction for a shooting preparation operation in an imaging apparatus having an image selection function. As shown in FIG. 5, when the time difference between the ON of the half-press switch SW2 (S1) and the ON of the full-press switch SW3 (S2) is a short time and can be regarded as being substantially simultaneous, the so-called release When it can be considered that the button has been pressed at once, as in the case shown in FIG. 4, the half-press switch SW2 is turned on (S1) until the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) are completed. A correction coefficient for the evaluation value of the acquired image data is calculated, and the image acquired before the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) are completed (correction period). The evaluation value of the data is multiplied by a correction coefficient corresponding to the time from the point (S2) when the full push switch SW3 is turned on according to the correction coefficient shown in FIG. The evaluation value is reduced so that it is difficult to select an image to be recorded on the memory card 18.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the so-called release button is pressed at once, image data acquired before the completion of the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) is recorded in the memory card 18. In order to reduce the possibility of being selected as image data to be selected, correction coefficients for the evaluation positions of these image data are calculated, but the evaluation positions of these image data are set to 0 and recorded in the memory card 18. The image data may be excluded from the candidate image data to be processed.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the so-called release button is pressed at once, the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus during the acquisition period of 10 frames of image data, which is a predetermined number of post-capture settings. When the adjustment operation (AF) is not completed, for example, 10 frames of image data may be acquired as post-capture image data. When the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) are completed during this time, 10 frames of image data, which is a predetermined number of post capture settings, and 10 frames of post capture images acquired. The correction coefficient for the evaluation value of the image data acquired before the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) are completed, and the image to be recorded in the memory card 18 Select data. In addition, when 10 frames of image data are acquired as post-capture image data, if the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) are not completed, acquisition of post-capture image data is performed. finish.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the so-called release button is pressed at once, the correction coefficient for the evaluation value of the image data acquired before the completion of the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) And the evaluation value of the image data acquired before the completion of the first control or the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) for multiplying the evaluation value of the photographed image by the calculated correction coefficient. The second control for setting to zero makes it difficult to select an image acquired before the completion of the exposure control operation (AE) and the focus adjustment operation (AF) as an image to be recorded on the memory card 18. Alternatively, either the first control or the second control may be used depending on the shooting mode. For example, the photographic scene is analyzed based on the through image displayed on the LCD display unit, and the second control is performed when the face of the person is shown large. Further, the second control may be performed when the photographing mode is set to portrait. Furthermore, the operator may be able to select the first control or the second control by a key operation or the like.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of performing the selection process of the image captured by the electronic camera has been described as an example. However, in the image processing apparatus capable of performing the image process such as a personal computer, the image selection is performed. An image processing program for executing processing may be read and executed. That is, the image processing program for performing the image selection process starts the shooting preparation operation and the shooting operation in response to the half-press of the release button that instructs the shooting preparation operation including the focus adjustment operation or the exposure control operation of the electronic camera 2. An image processing program applied to an image processing apparatus for selecting a plurality of image data acquired and recorded before and after the release button is fully pressed when the release button for instructing to record a captured image is fully pressed. If the time difference between the evaluation value for selecting the image added for each of the plurality of image data and the half-press and full-press of the release button is within a predetermined time, among the plurality of image data, The evaluation value of the image data acquired during the period until the focus adjustment operation reaches the predetermined focus adjustment state or the exposure control operation reaches the predetermined exposure control state is reduced. Based on Kusuru correction coefficient includes an image selecting step of evaluation value is selected images in descending order from among a plurality of image data. Therefore, when an evaluation value and a correction coefficient are added to the image data, the image processing apparatus executes the image processing program, so that an instruction to record a photographed image is issued immediately after the instruction for the photographing preparation operation in the electronic camera. With respect to the image recorded when it is performed, the image can be selected with high accuracy.

  In addition, when the evaluation value and the correction coefficient can be calculated from the image data of the selection candidate, for example, information on whether or not the so-called release button is pressed on the image data, the exposure control operation (AE), and the focus adjustment. When information indicating whether or not the operation (AF) is completed is added, the image processing apparatus calculates an evaluation value and a correction coefficient, and performs image selection using the above-described image processing program. Also good.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Electronic camera, 10 ... Control part, 12 ... Image sensor, 14 ... LCD display part, 16 ... Buffer memory, 17 ... Program memory, 18 ... Memory card, 20 ... Operation part

Claims (7)

An imaging unit for imaging light from a subject;
In response to an input of a first instruction for instructing a shooting preparation operation including a focus adjustment operation or an exposure control operation by the imaging unit, the imaging preparation operation and the imaging operation by the imaging unit are started and an instruction to record a captured image is issued. A recording unit that records a plurality of image data acquired by the imaging unit before and after the input of the second instruction when a second instruction is input;
An image sorting unit that sorts images in descending order of evaluation values calculated for each of the plurality of image data;
When a time difference between the first instruction and the second instruction is within a predetermined time, a predetermined focus adjustment state or a state of the plurality of image data recorded in the recording unit by the focus adjustment operation. An imaging apparatus comprising: an evaluation value control unit configured to reduce the evaluation values of the plurality of image data acquired during a period until a predetermined exposure control state is achieved by an exposure control operation.   The evaluation value control unit calculates a correction coefficient for the evaluation values of the plurality of image data acquired in a period until a predetermined focus adjustment state by the focus adjustment operation or a predetermined exposure control state by the exposure control operation. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction coefficient calculation unit for calculating.   The correction coefficient calculation unit calculates a correction coefficient according to a time from the input of the first instruction until a predetermined focus adjustment state by the focus adjustment operation or a predetermined exposure control state by the exposure control operation. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the correction coefficient calculation unit calculates a correction coefficient that decreases the evaluation value for the image data acquired when the input is closer to the input of the first instruction.   The evaluation value control unit is configured to evaluate the image data acquired during a period from the input of the first instruction to a predetermined focus adjustment state by the focus adjustment operation or a predetermined exposure control state by the exposure control operation. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the value is set to 0. A second instruction for instructing recording of a captured image by starting the imaging preparation operation and the imaging operation by the imaging unit in response to an input of a first instruction for instructing an imaging preparation operation including a focus adjustment operation or an exposure control operation by the imaging unit; An image applied to an imaging apparatus that records a plurality of image data acquired by the imaging unit before and after the input of the second instruction and selects the plurality of recorded image data when an instruction is input A processing program,
An evaluation value calculating step for calculating an evaluation value for selecting an image for each of the plurality of image data;
When a time difference between the first instruction and the second instruction is within a predetermined time, a predetermined exposure control is performed by a predetermined focus adjustment state by the focus adjustment operation or by an exposure control operation in the plurality of image data. An evaluation value control step of reducing the evaluation value of the plurality of image data acquired in a period until the state is reached, and an image selection step of selecting an image from the plurality of image data in descending order of the evaluation value;
An image processing program comprising: A second instruction for instructing recording of a captured image by starting the imaging preparation operation and the imaging operation by the imaging unit in response to an input of a first instruction for instructing an imaging preparation operation including a focus adjustment operation or an exposure control operation by the imaging unit; An image processing program applied to an image processing apparatus that selects a plurality of image data acquired and recorded by the imaging unit before and after inputting an instruction,
When the evaluation value for selecting the plurality of images added for each of the plurality of image data and the time difference between the first instruction and the second instruction are within a predetermined time, the plurality of image data Based on a correction coefficient for reducing the evaluation value of the plurality of image data acquired during a period until the focus adjustment operation is performed in a predetermined focus adjustment state or the exposure control operation is performed in a predetermined exposure control state. An image processing program comprising an image selection step of selecting an image from the plurality of image data in descending order of the evaluation value.

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