JP2013131924A - Imaging device, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device that even when there is a change in an angle of view, can acquire an image with the angle of view before the change in the angle of view.SOLUTION: An imaging device provided with a level acquires an angle of view, determines whether the angle of view acquired by angle-of-view acquisition means has varied until actual imaging execution, and when it is determined that the angle of view acquired by the angle-of-view acquisition means has varied, changes the angle of view after the variation so that the angle of view before the variation falls therewithin. Then, an image included in the angle of view before the variation is trimmed from the changed angle of view and is stored.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, a self-timer shooting function is installed in almost all cameras that a user has. In order to perform self-timer shooting, it is generally necessary to install the camera in a stable place where the camera does not move unexpectedly. When performing cell timer shooting with a camera installed in an unstable location, the installed camera may tilt from the start of the self-timer to the execution of shooting, and the image that was planned at the beginning of the self-timer may not be captured. . On the other hand, when the camera is tilted, a technique has been disclosed that uses an image rotation mechanism to keep an image to be captured horizontal even when the camera is tilted.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-257376

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, there is no mention of the angle of view and the configuration of an image captured by the camera. When the camera is tilted, the center point of the image to be captured is likely to move from the position before the camera tilts, and even if a technique for correcting the image to be captured horizontally is used, the image before the camera tilts is captured. It is difficult to capture a corner image.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of acquiring an image of an angle of view before the angle of view is changed, a control method thereof, and a program even when the angle of view is changed. .

  The imaging device of the present invention is an imaging device including a level, and is acquired by the angle-of-view acquisition unit that acquires the angle of view of the imaging device and the angle-of-view acquisition unit before performing the imaging by the imaging device. If the angle of view change determination means for determining whether or not the angle of view has changed and the angle of view change determination means determines that the angle of view acquired by the angle of view acquisition means has changed, the angle of view after the change From the angle of view changing means for changing the angle of view after change so that the angle of view before change, which is the angle of view before change, and the angle of view changed by the angle of view change means, the angle of view before change is And an image extracting means for extracting an image including the image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus capable of acquiring an image of an angle of view before the angle of view is changed, a control method thereof, and a program even when the angle of view is changed. .

The figure which shows the hardware constitutions and imaging | photography function of an imaging device in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of a function structure of the imaging device 100 in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of correction | amendment mode imaging | photography in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of imaging mode setting in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the imaging | photography mode setting screen in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the mode of a screen transition in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of a structure of a view angle information temporary storage table in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the correction condition table in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 1, the hardware configuration and imaging function of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration and imaging function of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the photographing apparatus includes a so-called digital camera, and includes a photographing lens 101, an imaging element (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 102, a camera signal processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 103, An image processing unit 104, a system controller 110, a buffer memory 111, a flash ROM 112, an interface circuit (hereinafter referred to as “I / F circuit”) 113, a card holder 114, a memory card 115, a display driver 116, and an operation unit 120 are provided. .

  The lens 101 is a lens or the like, and includes an objective lens, a zoom lens, a focus lens, and the like. The zoom lens and the focus lens are driven in the optical axis direction by a driving mechanism (not shown). The imaging element 102 is configured by a CCD image sensor that forms an image of imaging light incident from the lens 101, converts it into an electrical signal (analog signal), and outputs it.

  The camera signal processing unit (ADC) 103 has a function of performing signal processing such as digital conversion and white balance adjustment on the electric signal received from the image sensor 102 and converting it into a digital signal. The system controller 110 is connected to the image processing unit 104, buffer memory 111, flash ROM 112, I / F circuit 113, display driver 116, sound driver 118, LED driver 128, and operation unit 120.

  The image processing unit 104 includes a preprocessing unit 105, a YC processing unit 106, an electronic zoom processing unit 107, a compression unit 108, and an expansion unit 109, and generates image data from a digital signal output from the camera signal processing unit 103. Have a function of performing various image processing.

  The pre-processing unit 105 has a function of performing white balance processing for adjusting the white balance of an image based on input image data and image gamma correction processing. The white balance process is a process of adjusting the color of an image so as to be close to the actual color, or adjusting the color to an appropriate color that matches a light source (such as a fluorescent lamp or sunlight). The gamma correction process is a process for adjusting the contrast of an image. Note that the pre-processing unit 105 can also perform image processing other than white balance processing and gamma correction processing.

  The YC processor 106 separates an image based on input image data into luminance information “Y”, luminance signal and blue color difference information “Cb”, and luminance signal and red color difference information “Cr”. Have The electronic zoom processing unit 107 has a function of trimming a part of an image (for example, a central part) with a predetermined size and enlarging the trimmed image to the size of the original image by signal processing. The electronic zoom processing unit 107 can, for example, cut out a central 1024 × 768 dot image from a captured 1600 × 1200 dot image and enlarge it to a size of 1600 × 1200 dot while performing data interpolation.

  The compression unit 108 has a function of compressing image data in a compression format such as a JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) method. The decompression unit 109 has a function of decompressing compressed image data. For example, when compressing image data using the JPEG method, first, a discrete cosine transform process is performed (DCT process) that digitizes the ratio of high-frequency components and low-frequency components of image data. Next, a quantization process is performed for expressing the gradation or gradation of the image by a numerical value (quantization bit number). Finally, the image data is compressed by the Huffman encoding process.

  Specifically, the signal character string of the image data is segmented every certain bit, and a shorter code is given to a character string having a high appearance frequency. In the case of a system that records image data without performing compression processing, the compression unit 108 and the expansion unit 109 can be omitted. Further, the image data compression format is not limited to the JPEG format, and the same processing can be performed even in a GIF (Graphical Interchange Format) format.

  The buffer memory 111 temporarily stores image data when image processing is performed by the image processing unit 104. The flash ROM 112 stores various setting information of the photographing apparatus and user authentication information described later. The I / F circuit 113 converts the image data output from the system controller 110 into a data format that can be recorded on the memory card 115. The I / F circuit 113 converts the image data read from the memory card 115 into a data format that can be processed by the system controller 110.

  The card holder 114 includes a mechanism that allows the memory card 115 that is a recording medium to be attached to and detached from the photographing apparatus, and includes an electrical contact that enables data communication with the memory card 115. The card holder 114 has a structure corresponding to the type of recording medium used in the photographing apparatus. The memory card 115 is a card-type recording medium that incorporates a semiconductor storage element such as a flash memory and is detachable from the card holder 114. The memory card 115 can record image data captured by the imaging device.

  The display driver 116 converts the image data output from the system controller 110 into a signal that can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 117. Specifically, the display driver 116 performs processing for converting digital image data output from the system controller 110 into an analog image signal, and then sets the image size to a size suitable for the size of the displayable area of the liquid crystal display 117. Process to convert to.

  The sound driver 118 performs processing for converting the audio data output from the system controller 110 into a signal that can be sounded by the speaker 219. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) LED driver 128 controls the lamp 129 in accordance with a command output from the system controller 110.

  The operation unit 120 includes a power switch 121, a mode dial 122, a shooting button 123, a cursor key 124, a zoom button 125, and a browse (playback) button 126. The operation unit 120 receives an operation input from the user and receives a signal corresponding to the operation content. Is output to the system controller 110. The operation unit 120 includes operation buttons other than the illustrated operation buttons, but a description thereof is omitted.

  A mode dial (select button) 122 is a rotatable dial for switching the mode of the photographing operation. The user can select a plurality of shooting operation modes by operating the mode dial 122. In the embodiment of the present invention, the mode dial is described as a dial type mechanism. However, for example, a slide type button may be used instead of the dial. That is, the mechanism of the mode dial 122 is not limited to the dial, and it is essential to have a mechanism for switching the camera mode.

  The browsing button 126 is a button for switching to a browsing mode (playback mode) for browsing captured image data. When the browse button 126 is pressed, the shooting mode is changed to the browsing mode. Note that the method for switching to the viewing mode is not limited to pressing the viewing button 126, and may be a transition method using a touch panel (not shown) on the liquid crystal display 117 or the like.

  In the browsing mode, the system controller 110 reads setting information and image data from the memory card 115 attached to the card holder 114 via the I / F circuit 113. The setting information includes the number of images recorded on the currently installed memory card 115 and the capacity of the recorded image data. The read image data is, for example, image data or thumbnail data for one image. Note that the image data read from the memory card 115 is compressed in a predetermined compression format as described above.

  The image data read from the memory card 115 is input to the display driver 116 via the I / F circuit 113 and the system controller 110. The display driver 116 displays the input image data on the liquid crystal display 117.

  The cursor key 124 is a key for the user to perform a predetermined instruction or function selection to the photographing apparatus. The user can perform operation inputs such as various setting information and user authentication information with respect to the photographing apparatus using the cursor key 124. The cursor key 124 can display a menu screen on the liquid crystal display 117 or select a predetermined function of the photographing apparatus. Furthermore, the cursor key 124 can display a preview of the image data photographed by the photographing device on the liquid crystal display 117. The preview display is a function of causing the liquid crystal display 117 to display an image captured by the imaging apparatus 100 immediately after that.

  Note that the preview display is not limited to a configuration in which only one image captured on the liquid crystal display 117 is displayed, and a plurality of images including thumbnail images may be displayed. Further, the switching of the preview display is not limited to the pressing of the cursor key 124 but may be configured to be switched using a general method such as pressing of another button. Further, the preview display screen may be configured such that the preview display image can be deleted or edited.

  The lens control unit 127 controls the lens 101 such as zoom, focus, and diaphragm. In addition, the photographing apparatus includes a photographing mode for capturing an image of a subject to obtain image data and a browsing (reproducing) mode for displaying the image data obtained in the photographing mode.

  Note that the sound can be recorded and reproduced in the same manner as the imaging apparatus by using a microphone or a speaker. Further, when recording video (moving image), normal audio recording is also performed at the same time, and video and audio are multiplexed by the compression unit 108 and the expansion unit 109.

  In addition, a photographing operation in the imaging apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user operates the power switch 121 to turn on the imaging apparatus 100. Then, power is supplied to each circuit from a battery (not shown) built in the imaging apparatus 100, and activation processing of the imaging apparatus 100 (operation control for opening the lens barrier, reset processing of the microcomputer, etc.) is performed. The imaging apparatus 100 is configured to turn on the power when the power switch 121 is pressed when the power is turned off, and to automatically enter the shooting mode. Further, when the viewing button is pressed when the power is turned off, the power is turned on and the viewing mode is automatically set.

  When the imaging apparatus 100 shifts to the imaging mode, an optical image enters the imaging apparatus via the lens 101 and forms an image on the imaging element (CCD) 102. The CCD 102 converts an incident optical image into an electric signal and outputs it to a camera signal processing unit (ADC) 103. The ADC 103 converts an input electric signal (analog signal) into a digital signal. A digital signal output from the ADC 103 is input to the image processing unit 104.

  A preprocessing unit 105 in the image processing unit 104 generates image data based on an input digital signal, and performs white balance processing, gamma correction processing, and the like. In the YC processing unit 106 in the image processing unit 104, the image data is separated into the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cr and Cb, and processing for reducing the information amount of the color difference signals Cr and Cb is performed. The information amount reduction processing for the color difference signals Cr and Cb is, for example, “4: 2: 2 downsampling processing” for thinning out color information in the main scanning direction of an image, or “4: 1” for thinning out color information in the vertical and horizontal directions of an image. : 1 downsampling process ". When image processing is performed by the pre-processing unit 105 and the YC processing unit 106, image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 111, and image processing is performed while reading the image data stored in the buffer memory 111 as needed. Is called.

  Image data (uncompressed) output from the image processing unit 104 is input to the system controller 110. The system controller 110 outputs the image data output from the image processing unit 104 to the display driver 116. The display driver 116 converts input image data (digital signal) into an analog image signal, and adjusts the size of the image based on the analog image signal to a size that can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 117.

  The display driver 116 controls the liquid crystal display 117 to display an image. At this time, the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 117 is an image (through image) generated by signal processing continuously performed by the CCD 102, the ADC 103, and the image processing unit 104.

  When the user operates the shooting button 123 at a desired timing while the through image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 117, the system controller 110 outputs a control signal to the image processing unit 104. When a control signal is input to the image processing unit 104, the compression unit 108 stores the image data processed by the preprocessing unit 105 and the YC processing unit 106 in the buffer memory 111 and performs compression processing.

  Specifically, discrete cosine transform processing (DCT processing) that digitizes the ratio of high-frequency components and low-frequency components of image data, and quantization that expresses the gradation and gradation of an image with the number of quantization bits Processing, Huffman coding processing for dividing a signal character string of image data into fixed bits and giving a shorter code to a character string having a high appearance frequency is performed. The compressed image data is displayed on the liquid crystal display 117 via the system controller 110 and the display driver 116. The compressed image data is recorded on the memory card 115 via the card holder 114.

  When the zoom button 125 is operated before the shooting button 123 is operated, the system controller 110 can execute an optical zoom process or an electronic zoom process to enlarge or reduce the size of the image. When the shooting button 123 is operated after the zoom button 125 is operated, the image data of the enlarged or reduced image is recorded in the memory card 115.

  The level 130 detects and measures the tilt of the imaging device 100. The above is the description of the hardware configuration and imaging function of the imaging apparatus that implements the present invention shown in FIG.

  Next, an example of a functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging apparatus 100 includes an angle-of-view information acquisition unit 201, an angle-of-view information temporary storage unit 202, a time determination unit 203, an angle-of-view comparison unit 204, a magnification adjustment unit 205, an image extraction unit 206, and the like. It is configured.

  An angle-of-view information acquisition unit 201 identifies and acquires information about an angle of view that is a range captured by the imaging apparatus. The view angle information temporary storage unit 202 temporarily stores the obtained view angle information. The angle of view information here refers to information that is temporarily stored in the angle of view information temporary storage table 700 of FIG. The view angle information temporary storage table 700 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 7, an example of the configuration of the view angle information temporary storage table in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the view angle information temporary storage table in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The view angle information temporary storage table 700 is stored in a storage medium such as the flash ROM 112 or the memory card 115 of the imaging apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the view angle information temporary storage table 700 is composed of an up-down direction angle 701, a direction 702, an image rotation angle 703, a recognition frame coordinate 704, and the like.

  The vertical angle is an angle indicating whether the lens of the imaging apparatus 100 is facing upward or downward with respect to the front. Here, it is assumed that the angle increases with the imaging device facing upward, with the imaging device taking the normal position as a reference.

  That is, when the imaging device 100 is facing the front, the vertical angle is 0 °, when it is facing directly upward, the vertical angle is 90 °, and when it is upside down, the vertical angle is 180 °. In addition, when facing directly below, the vertical angle is 240 °.

  A direction 702 indicates in which direction the lens of the imaging apparatus 100 is directed. In other words, the angle is the left-right direction angle indicating whether the imaging device is facing left or right. Here, it is assumed that the value of the angle increases as the angle is changed clockwise with reference to true north. That is, the direction of true north = 0 °, the direction of true east = 90 °, the direction of true south = 180 °, and the direction of true west = 240 °.

  The image rotation angle 703 indicates how much the lens is rotated horizontally with respect to the lens surface with respect to the lens surface of the imaging apparatus 100. Assume that the lens angle of the imaging device 100 at the normal position is a reference value (0 °), and the angle value increases as the lens rotates clockwise.

  That is, the image rotation angle = 0 ° when the upper part of the imaging device is facing directly upward. When the upper part of the imaging device is facing right, the image rotation angle is 90 °. When the upper part of the imaging device is directly below, the image rotation angle is 180 °. When the upper part of the image pickup device is directed to the left, the image rotation angle = 240 °.

  Further, when a subject to be imaged is projected by the imaging apparatus, the angle of view information may be obtained by using the positional relationship of the subject. In other words, the angle of view information may be a composition of three humans as subjects, recognizing the faces of the three humans, and the positional relationship of the recognized faces on the screen.

  A recognition frame coordinate 704 is a coordinate on the screen of a recognition frame indicating that the imaging apparatus 100 recognizes the subject. The recognition frame is, for example, a rectangle displayed so as to surround the face on the display screen when the imaging apparatus recognizes a human face.

  The angle of view can be identified by the recognition frame coordinates 704, that is, the arrangement of the subject on the image. The above is an explanation of an example of the configuration of the view angle information temporary storage table in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The time determination unit 203 determines whether the time from the start of the self-timer to the shooting has elapsed, or the acquisition of an angle of view for comparison with the angle of view at the start of the self-timer from the start of the self-timer. It is a determination part which determines whether time passed.

  The angle-of-view comparison unit 204 performs the angle-of-view change determination, which is a determination of whether or not the angle of view acquired at the start of the self-timer and the angle of view acquired from the start of the self-timer to the time of shooting has been changed. It is a comparison unit that compares two angles of view.

  For example, using the level 130, the angle of view acquired at the start of the ruf timer is compared with the angle of view acquired from the start of the self-timer to the time of shooting.

  Further, for example, when there is a change in the recognition frame coordinates 704 within the angle of view acquired at the start of the self-timer and the recognition frame coordinates 704 within the angle of view acquired after the start of the self-timer until shooting, the two It is determined that a change has occurred between the angles of view.

  The criterion for determining whether or not there is a change in the angle of view based on the coordinates is not necessarily based on comparison between the recognition frame coordinates. For example, the presence or absence of a change in the angle of view may be determined based on whether or not there is a change in the distance between the outer frame of the angle of view and the recognition frame coordinates 704.

  The magnification adjustment unit 205 compares the angle of view by the angle of view comparison unit 204 and, if it is determined that the angle of view has changed, the post-change angle of view, which is the angle of view after the change, It is an adjustment unit that adjusts the image magnification of the imaging apparatus 100 so that the angle of view before change that is a corner can be included.

  The image extraction unit 206 is an extraction unit that extracts (trims) an image included in the pre-change angle of view from images captured at the post-change angle of view. The above is an example of the functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the flow of the correction mode shooting process in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of correction mode imaging processing in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The imaging apparatus 100 receives an instruction from the user (step S301), and determines whether the received instruction is an instruction to press the shooting button 123 (step S302). If it is determined that the received instruction is not an instruction to press the shooting button 123 (NO in step S302), the process ends.

  If it is determined that the received instruction is an instruction to press the shooting button 123 (YES in step S302), the process proceeds to step S303, and it is determined whether the self-timer has been set (step S303).

  If it is determined that the self-timer has not been set (NO in step S303), the process proceeds to step S312 and the photographing process is executed (step S312). If it is determined that the self-timer has been set (YES in step S303), the self-timer is started (step S304).

  The imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the shooting mode is the angle of view correction mode (step S305). The angle-of-view correction mode is an image of an angle of view that approximates the image of the angle of view before the change even when the angle of view of the imaging apparatus 100 changes from the start of the self-timer to the execution of shooting. This is a shooting mode for acquisition.

  Specifically, the zoom magnification is changed, for example, by reducing the zoom magnification of the imaging apparatus 100, the angle of view after the change is changed so that the angle of view before the change is included (angle of view change), and By extracting an image of a part corresponding to the angle of view before the change from an image taken at the angle of view after the change, an image similar to the image of the angle of view before the change can be obtained. Details of setting of the shooting mode will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the flow of processing for setting the shooting mode in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for setting the shooting mode in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The imaging apparatus 100 receives an instruction from the user (step S401), and determines whether the received instruction is a shooting mode setting instruction (step S402). Here, if it is determined that the received instruction is not a shooting mode setting instruction (NO in step S402), the process is terminated.

  When the imaging apparatus 100 determines that the received instruction is a shooting mode setting instruction (YES in step S402), a screen such as the shooting mode setting screen 500 of FIG. 5 is displayed on the display screen of the imaging apparatus 100. (Step S403). The shooting mode setting screen 500 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of the configuration of the shooting mode setting screen in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the shooting mode setting screen in the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the shooting mode setting screen 500 includes a shooting mode setting selection receiving unit 501, an angle of view acquisition timing selection receiving unit 502, an angle of view acquisition timing input receiving unit 503, an up and down direction angle condition 504, a direction condition 505, an image. A rotation angle condition 506, a combination condition selection receiving unit 507, a recognition frame coordinate condition 508, an “OK” button 509, and the like are included.

  The shooting mode setting selection receiving unit 501 is a receiving unit that receives a selection of a shooting mode. Hereinafter, setting of the view angle correction mode will be described. An angle-of-view acquisition timing selection reception unit 502 is a reception unit that receives a selection of a timing for acquiring an angle of view to be compared for confirming whether or not the angle of view acquired at the start of the self-timer has changed.

  For example, when the view angle acquisition timing selection reception unit 502 = AUTO, the imaging device 100 acquires the view angle information with a constant feeling (for example, every second) from the start of the self-timer to the execution of shooting, Compare with the angle of view information at the start of the self-timer.

  When the angle of view acquisition timing selection receiving unit 502 = 2 seconds before shooting, the angle of view to be compared is acquired 2 seconds before the shooting execution time. The view angle acquisition timing input reception unit 503 is a reception unit that receives input of the number of seconds and a numerical value so that the user can determine the timing of acquisition of the comparison view angle.

  The up-down direction angle condition 504, the direction angle condition 505, and the image rotation angle condition 506 determine whether or not the angle of view of the imaging apparatus 100 has changed from the start of the self-timer to the comparison with the angle of view of the comparison target. This is the reference value to be used. The three condition values can be freely changed by a numerical input instruction from the user.

  The vertical angle condition 504 determines that the angle of view has changed when there is a difference in the vertical angle between the angle of view at the start of the self-timer and the angle of view to be compared. This is the condition value of the criterion.

  The direction condition 505 is a criterion for determining how much the angle of view is different from the angle of view between the angle of view at the start of the self-timer and the angle of view to be compared. Is the condition value.

  The image rotation angle condition 506 determines that there is a change in the angle of view when there is a difference in the image rotation angle between the angle of view at the start of the self-timer and the angle of view to be compared. This is the condition value of the criterion.

  The combination condition selection receiving unit 507 determines whether to change the angle of view using the up / down direction angle condition 504, the direction angle condition 505, and the image rotation angle condition 506 as the and conditions, or whether to determine the angle of view change as the or condition. It is a selection reception part which receives selection.

  The determination of the change in the angle of view under the “and” condition means that the angle of view of the comparison target satisfies the above-described vertical angle condition 504, direction angle condition 505, and image rotation angle condition 506. It is to judge that the angle has changed.

  The determination of the change in the angle of view under the or condition is that the angle of view to be compared satisfies at least one of the vertical angle condition 504, the direction condition 505, and the image rotation angle condition 506. In this case, it is determined that the angle of view has changed.

  The combination condition selection receiving unit 507 switches the setting from “and” to “or” and vice versa by receiving a pressing instruction from the user.

  The recognition frame coordinate condition 508 indicates that the angle of view changes when there is a difference between the recognition frame coordinates 704 within the angle of view at the start of the self-timer and the recognition frame coordinates 704 of the comparison target. This is the condition value of the criterion for determining whether or not

  That is, when the recognition frame coordinates 704 to be compared are moved from the recognition frame coordinates 704 within the angle of view at the start of the self-timer by 50 pixels or more, or when moving beyond 50 pixels, Assume that the angle of view has changed.

  Here, it is assumed that the conditions in which the designation is received in the vertical angle condition 504 to the combination condition selection receiving unit 507 and the recognition frame coordinate condition 508 are combined as an or condition.

  That is, the angle of view of the comparison target satisfies all the conditions of the vertical angle condition 504, the direction angle condition 505, and the image rotation angle condition 506, or satisfies any one of the conditions, or the recognition frame. When the condition for accepting the designation in the coordinate condition 508 is satisfied, it is determined that the angle of view has changed.

  Settings input to each item on the shooting mode setting screen 500 are stored in a table such as the correction condition table 800 in FIG. 8 and stored in the flash ROM 112, the memory card 115, and the like of the imaging apparatus 100.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 8, an example of the configuration of the correction condition table in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the correction condition table in the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the correction condition table 800 includes an angle-of-view acquisition timing 801, a vertical angle condition 802, a direction condition 803, an image rotation angle condition 804, a combination condition 805, a recognition frame coordinate condition 806, a process 807, and the like. ing.

  The view angle acquisition timing 801 reflects the contents received by the view angle acquisition timing selection receiving unit 502 and the view angle acquisition timing input receiving unit 503. The content received in the vertical angle condition 504 is reflected in the vertical angle condition 802.

  The direction condition 803 reflects the contents received in the direction condition 505. The image rotation angle condition 804 reflects the content received in the image rotation angle condition 506. The combination condition 805 reflects the contents received by the combination condition selection receiving unit 507.

The contents received in the recognition frame coordinate condition 508 are reflected in the recognition frame coordinate condition 806.
The processing 807 is set to the subsequent processing of the imaging apparatus 100 when the view angle acquisition timing 801, the vertical angle condition 802, the direction condition 803, the image rotation angle condition 804, and the combination condition 805 are satisfied. The above is an explanation of an example of the configuration of the correction condition table in the embodiment of the present invention in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. An “OK” button 509 is a button for ending the shooting mode setting on the shooting mode setting screen 500. After the instruction to press the “OK” button is received, the display screen of the imaging apparatus 100 is shifted to, for example, a menu screen (not shown) before the shooting mode setting screen 500 is displayed or a shooting screen. The above is the description of an example of the configuration of the shooting mode setting screen in the embodiment of the present invention of FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The imaging apparatus 100 receives an instruction from the user in step S404 (step S404), and determines whether the received instruction is an input instruction for each item on the shooting mode setting screen 500 (step S405). Each item here refers to an item other than the “OK” button 509.

  If the imaging apparatus 100 determines that the received instruction is an input / selection instruction for each item on the shooting mode setting screen 500 (YES in step S405), the correction condition table 800 corresponding to the item for which the input / selection instruction has been received. The item is updated (step S407), and the process returns to step S404.

  If it is determined that the received instruction is not an input / selection instruction for each item on the shooting mode setting screen 500 (NO in step S405), it is determined whether the received instruction is an instruction to end the shooting mode setting screen 500 (step S406). ).

  Here, the instruction to end the shooting mode setting screen 500 indicates an instruction to press the “OK” button 509. If it is determined that the received instruction is not an instruction to end the shooting mode setting screen 500 (NO in step S406), for example, if a pull-down button is pressed, the process returns to step S404.

  If it is determined that the received instruction is an instruction to end the shooting mode setting screen 500 (YES in step S406), the shooting mode setting screen 500 is ended. The above is the description of the flow of processing for setting the shooting mode in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. If it is determined that the shooting mode is not the angle of view correction mode (NO in step S305), the imaging apparatus 100 proceeds to step S311 and determines whether it is a shooting time that is a shooting execution time (step S311). ), And shifts to the shooting process. That is, the process shifts to normal self-timer shooting.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the shooting mode is the angle of view correction mode (YES in step S305), the imaging apparatus 100 acquires the angle of view information and temporarily stores it in the angle of view information temporary storage table 700 (step S306). Here, the information temporarily stored in the view angle information temporary storage table 700 is referred to as view angle information. That is, in step S306, the imaging apparatus 100 performs identification frame coordinate identification that identifies the imaging apparatus or information representing the angle of view of the imaging apparatus, and identifies the coordinates of the recognition frame within the angle of view.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the self-timer (acquisition of the first view angle information) (step S307). In other words, when the angle of view acquisition timing selection reception unit 502 is not AUTO, but when a value indicating 2 seconds is set in the angle of view acquisition timing input reception unit 503, the time has elapsed until 2 seconds before the execution of shooting. It is determined whether or not.

  If it is determined that a certain time has not elapsed since the start of the self-timer (NO in step S307), the process returns to step S307, and if it is determined that a certain time has elapsed since the start of the self-timer (step S307). The process proceeds to step S308, and the angle of view information is acquired (step S308).

  The imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not there is a change in the view angle information acquired in step S306 and the view angle information acquired in step S308 (step S309). When it is determined that there is a change in the view angle information (YES in step S309), the zoom magnification is reduced (step S310) in order to change the view angle after the change to include the view angle before the change. ), And the process proceeds to step S311.

  If it is determined that there is no change in the angle of view information (NO in step S309), the process proceeds to step S311. The imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the shooting time has come in step S311 (step S311). If it is determined that the shooting time has not come (NO in step S311), the process returns to step S311 and the shooting is performed. If it is determined that the time has come (YES in step S311), shooting is performed (step S312).

  The imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not it has been determined in step S309 that there has been a change in the angle of view information (step S313), and determines that it has been determined that there has been a change in the angle of view information (YES in step S313). The image portion based on the angle of view acquired in step S306 is trimmed from the captured image (step S314), and stored in a storage medium such as the memory card 115. The state of the display screen of the imaging apparatus 100 during the processing from step S306 to step S314 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the state of screen transition in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen transition in the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the display screen of the imaging apparatus 100 transitions to a view angle acquisition screen 610, a view angle shift occurrence screen 620, and a shooting screen 630. An angle-of-view acquisition screen 610 is a screen when the imaging apparatus 100 acquires an angle of view in step S306 in FIG. That is, the angle of view acquired by the imaging apparatus 100 in step S306 is shown.

  The screen 620 when the angle of view is generated is a screen when the imaging apparatus 100 determines that there is a change in the angle of view information in step S309 in FIG. 3, that is, a screen when the angle of view deviates from the angle of view acquired in step S306. It is.

  The shooting screen 630 is a screen when the imaging apparatus 100 reduces the zoom magnification in step S310 of FIG. 3 and executes shooting in step S312.

  The shooting mode name display section on the view angle acquisition screen 610 is a display section that displays the name of the current shooting mode. The remaining time display unit 612 is a time display unit that indicates the remaining time until execution of shooting in self-timer shooting.

  The magnification display unit 613 is a display unit that displays the magnification of the current image. The in-execution process display unit 614 is a display unit that displays the contents of the process being executed. A subject recognition frame 615 is a recognition frame indicating that the imaging apparatus 100 recognizes a subject.

  The part in the image recognized by the recognition frame is assumed to be a part serving as a reference for focus processing by the imaging apparatus 100, for example. In this description, it is assumed that the subject recognition frame 615 recognizes a human face as a subject. Note that the part recognized by the imaging apparatus 100 is not limited to a human face. For example, an animal face may be recognized, or a non-living object may be recognized.

  For example, when the image rotation angle of the imaging device 100 is shifted to the left by several degrees during the self-timer, the display screen of the imaging device 100 is a screen like the screen 620 when the angle of view shift occurs. A subject recognition frame 621 on the screen 620 when the angle of view is generated indicates the position of the subject recognized on the screen 610 when the angle of view is acquired (when the angle of view is acquired in step S306). That is, this shows a state in which the angle of view has shifted from the time when the display screen of the imaging apparatus 100 is in the state of the angle-of-view acquisition screen 610.

  The shooting screen 630 is displayed when the zoom screen is reduced in step S310 in FIG. 3 and the shooting process is executed after the display screen of the imaging apparatus 100 changes from the screen 610 when the angle of view is acquired to the screen 620 when the angle of view is generated. The state of the display screen is shown.

The magnification display unit 631 is a display unit that displays the zoom magnification. Here, the zoom magnification is reduced from “4 ×” indicated by the magnification display unit 613 of the view angle acquisition screen 610 to “2 ×” in the magnification display unit 631.
The subject recognition frame 632 is a recognition frame indicating that the imaging apparatus 100 recognizes a subject.

  The trimming frame 633 indicates the angle of view (the angle of view indicated by the view angle acquisition screen 610) acquired by the imaging apparatus 100 in step S306 in FIG. 3, and the angle of view acquired in step S306 is the screen at the time of shooting. It is shown that it is included in the screen 630 at the time of shooting.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus 100 captures an image at the angle of view indicated by the shooting screen 630, then trims the image included in the trimming frame 633 from the captured image and stores the trimmed image in a storage medium such as the memory card 115. The above is an explanation of an example of screen transition in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. If the image capturing apparatus 100 determines in step S313 that it has been determined in step S309 that the angle of view information has changed (NO in step S313), the image capturing apparatus 100 stores the image data in the memory without performing the trimming process in step S314. The data is stored in a storage medium such as the card 115, and the process ends. The above is the description of the flow of correction mode imaging processing in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when the angle of view is changed, an image of the angle of view before the angle of view is changed can be acquired.

  Further, the present invention can take the form of, for example, a system, apparatus, method, or program. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  The program in the present invention is a program that can be executed by a computer as an imaging apparatus according to the processing of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, and the recording medium of the present invention can execute the processing method in FIGS. The program is memorized. Note that the program in the present invention may be a separate independent program for each processing method of each apparatus in FIGS.

  Also, a recording medium that records a program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved. In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the imaging apparatus, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer is actually executed based on the instructions of the program. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing a part or all of the process and the process is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

  In addition, each process realized by the above-described software can be realized as firmware or hardware configuration, and each process can be realized as each means. The technical scope of the present invention is realized by such firmware or hardware configuration. Is also included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Imaging device 201 Angle-of-view information acquisition part 202 Angle-of-view information temporary storage part 203 Time determination part 204 Angle-of-view comparison part 205 Magnification adjustment part 206 Image extraction part

Claims (6)

An imaging device comprising a level,
An angle of view acquisition means for acquiring an angle of view of the imaging device;
An angle-of-view change determination unit that determines whether or not the angle of view acquired by the angle-of-view acquisition unit has changed before execution of imaging by the imaging device;
When the angle-of-view change determination unit determines that the angle of view acquired by the angle-of-view acquisition unit has changed, the angle of view after change that is the angle of view after change is changed to the angle of view before change that is the angle of view before change. An angle-of-view changing means for changing the angle of view so as to fit;
Image extraction means for extracting an image included in the pre-change angle of view from the angle of view changed by the angle of view change means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: It further includes an inclination detection means for detecting the inclination of the angle of view,
The angle-of-view change determining unit determines whether or not the angle of view acquired by the angle-of-view acquiring unit has changed using information on the tilt detected by the tilt detecting unit. The imaging device described. A recognition frame coordinate specifying means for specifying a recognition frame coordinate which is a coordinate of the recognition frame on the image to be imaged;
The angle-of-view change determining means determines whether or not the view frame coordinates specified by the recognition frame coordinate specifying means have changed, or whether the relationship between the recognition frame coordinates and the angle of view has changed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the angle of view acquired by the angle acquisition unit has changed. Zoom magnification changing means for changing the zoom magnification, and
When the zoom magnification changing means determines that the angle of view acquired by the angle of view acquisition means has been changed by the angle of view change determining means, the angle of view after change is adjusted so that the angle of view before change is within the range. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the zoom magnification is changed. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus including a level,
An angle-of-view acquisition step in which an angle-of-view acquisition unit acquires the angle of view of the imaging device;
An angle-of-view change determination step for determining whether or not the angle of view acquired in the angle-of-view acquisition step has changed before execution of imaging by the imaging device;
If the angle of view changing means determines that the angle of view acquired in the angle of view acquisition step has changed in the angle of view change determination step, the angle of view after change that is the angle of view after the change is changed. An angle-of-view changing process for changing the angle of view before the change to be within the angle of view;
An image extracting step for extracting an image included in the pre-change angle of view from the angle of view changed by the angle of view changing step;
A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: A program that can be executed by an imaging device including a level,
The imaging device;
An angle of view acquisition means for acquiring an angle of view of the imaging device;
An angle-of-view change determination unit that determines whether or not the angle of view acquired by the angle-of-view acquisition unit has changed before execution of imaging by the imaging device;
When the angle-of-view change determination unit determines that the angle of view acquired by the angle-of-view acquisition unit has changed, the angle of view after change that is the angle of view after change is changed to the angle of view before change that is the angle of view before change. An angle-of-view changing means for changing the angle of view so as to fit;
A program for an imaging apparatus, which causes an image extracting unit to extract an image included in the pre-change angle of view from an angle of view changed by the angle of view changing unit.

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