JP2016071212A - Photograph device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photograph device, a control method, and a program with which it is possible for a user to easily bring a desired subject into focus.SOLUTION: Focusing begins when the photograph button 223 of a photograph device 100 is half-depressed, and a position where the focus exists is determined to be a temporary in-focus position. Then, when the half-depression of the photograph button 223 is detected again within a prescribed time, the temporarily determined in-focus position is stored as being not subject to focusing. Thereafter, by successively half-depressing the photograph button 223 at prescribed time intervals, a user determines his desired in-focus position and then executes photographing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to focusing on a subject, and more particularly to an invention for adjusting the focus of an unintended subject by an autofocus function.

  Many cameras have an automatic focusing function using autofocus (hereinafter referred to as AF).

  The determination of the in-focus position with such a camera is performed by searching for a face that is close to the multiple AF points of the dedicated AF sensor, the position where the contrast of the subject is highest on the image sensor, or the face recognition function. . Of these search methods, there is a tendency to place particular importance on face recognition, and many cameras set face recognition with priority by default values.

  Therefore, with the AF function, since focus is performed based on distance, contrast, or face recognition, a subject unintended by the photographer may be focused.

  For example, when you try to shoot the scenery of a station, you want to focus on the train that arrived at the platform, but the focus is on the face of the advertisement logo or portrait on the ceiling or pillar. Sometimes.

  In such cases, workarounds such as changing the AF point of the camera to change the focusing point of interest, canceling the face recognition setting, or pointing the camera in a direction different from the angle you want to shoot to focus on the subject However, there was a case where the photo opportunity was missed due to the time required to change the setting and the movement of the shooting angle.

  In addition, in the method of shooting by specifying a distance measuring point by touching the touch panel, there is a problem in operability such that it is difficult to touch a specific subject immediately because the small touch panel attached to the camera is touched.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a first candidate point and a second candidate point different from the first candidate point are determined from a plurality of ranging points, and the first candidate point is operated by operating a dedicated changeover switch. An idea for switching between the candidate and the second candidate is described.

JP 2005-309761 A

  However, in the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the number of candidate points for focusing is limited to two locations, and the two points are determined only by the AF of the camera. There is an impact.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus, a control method, and a program that can easily focus on a subject desired by a user.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing apparatus for sequentially focusing a plurality of subjects, focusing position acquisition means for acquiring a focus position with respect to the subject, and the focus position acquisition. A storage unit for storing out-of-focus information indicating that the position acquired by the unit is not used as a position to be used for shooting, and a focus for excluding the position stored by the storage unit and focusing on the subject And a control means.

  A second invention for solving the above-described problem is a method of controlling an imaging device that sequentially focuses a plurality of subjects, and the imaging device acquires a focus position with respect to the subject. An acquisition step, a storage step for storing out-of-focus information indicating that the position acquired by the focus position acquisition step is not used as a position to be used at the time of shooting, and excluding the position stored by the storage step, And a focus control step of focusing on the subject.

  A third invention for solving the above-described problem is a program that can be read and executed by an imaging device that sequentially focuses a plurality of subjects, and the imaging device acquires a focus position with respect to the subject. Focus position acquisition means, storage means for storing out-of-focus information indicating that the position acquired by the focus position acquisition means is not used as a position to be used at the time of shooting, and the position stored by the storage means are excluded And functioning as focus control means for focusing on the subject.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily focus on a subject desired by the user by appropriately excluding the in-focus position where the focus was on an unintended subject by the AF function. Play.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the hardware of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines the focus position performed with the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. In embodiment of this invention, it is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the information which acquired the focus position and the focus position by face recognition. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the focusing position list | wrist and face recognition presence / absence list | wrist of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the specific example 1 which concerns on embodiment to this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the specific example 1 which concerns on embodiment to this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the specific example 1 which concerns on embodiment to this invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a photographing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The photographing apparatus 100 may be an information processing apparatus such as a digital still camera or a portable terminal having a camera function.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a hardware configuration of the image capturing apparatus 100 that implements the present invention will be described.

  The photographing apparatus 100 includes a photographing lens 201, an image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 202, a camera signal processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 203, an image processing unit 204, a system controller 210, and a buffer memory. 211, a flash ROM 212, an interface circuit (hereinafter referred to as “I / F circuit”) 213, a card holder 214, a memory card 215, a display driver 216, and an operation unit 220.

  The lens 201 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 image sensor 202 is configured by a CCD image sensor that forms an image of the imaging light incident from the lens 201, converts it into an electrical signal (analog signal), and outputs the electrical signal.

  The camera signal processing unit (ADC) 203 has a function of performing signal processing such as digital conversion and white balance adjustment on the electric signal received from the image sensor 202 and converting it into a digital signal. The system controller 210 includes an image processing unit 204, a buffer memory 211, a flash ROM 212, an I / F circuit 213, a display driver 216, a sound driver 218, an LED driver 228, an operation unit 220, a magnetic sensor 231, an acceleration sensor 232, and an angular velocity sensor. Connected to 233

  The image processing unit 204 includes a preprocessing unit 205, a YC processing unit 206, an electronic zoom processing unit 207, a compression unit 208, and an expansion unit 209. The image processing unit 204 generates image data from a digital signal output from the ADC 203, and performs various image processing. It has a function to perform.

  The preprocessing unit 205 has a function of performing white balance processing for adjusting the white balance of an image based on input image data and gamma correction processing for the image. 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 preprocessing unit 205 can also perform image processing other than white balance processing and gamma correction processing.

  The YC processing unit 206 has a function of separating 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 207 has a function of trimming a part of an image (for example, the center) with a predetermined size and enlarging the trimmed image to the size of the original image by signal processing.

  For example, the electronic zoom processing unit 207 can extract a center image of 1024 × 768 dots from a captured image of 1600 × 1200 dots and enlarge the image to a size of 1600 × 1200 dots while performing data interpolation.

  The compression unit 208 has a function of compressing image data by a compression format such as a JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) method. The decompression unit 209 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. Note that in the case of a method of recording image data without performing compression processing, the compression unit 208 and the expansion unit 209 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 211 temporarily stores image data when the image processing unit 204 performs image processing. The flash ROM 212 stores various setting information of the photographing apparatus 100 and user authentication information described later. The I / F circuit 213 converts the image data output from the system controller 210 into a data format that can be recorded in the memory card 215. The I / F circuit 213 converts image data read from the memory card 215 into a data format that can be processed by the system controller 210.

  The card holder 214 includes a mechanism that allows the memory card 215 that is a recording medium to be attached to and detached from the photographing apparatus 100, and includes an electrical contact that enables data communication with the memory card 215. Further, the card holder 214 has a structure corresponding to the type of recording medium used in the photographing apparatus 100. The memory card 215 is a card-type recording medium that incorporates a semiconductor storage element such as a flash memory and is detachable from the card holder 214. The memory card 215 can record image data captured by the image capturing apparatus 100.

  The display driver 216 converts the image data output from the system controller 210 into a signal that can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 217. Specifically, the display driver 216 performs processing for converting digital image data output from the system controller 210 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 217. Process to convert to.

  The sound driver 218 performs processing for converting the audio data output from the system controller 210 into a signal that can be sounded by the speaker 219. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) driver 228 controls the lamp 229 in accordance with a command output from the system controller 210.

  The operation unit 220 includes a power switch 221, a mode dial 222, a shooting button 223, a cursor key 224, a zoom button 225, and a browse (playback) button 226. The operation unit 220 receives an operation input from the user and receives a signal corresponding to the operation content. Is output to the system controller 210. Note that the operation unit 220 includes operation buttons other than the illustrated operation buttons, but a description thereof will be omitted.

  A mode dial (select button) 222 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 222.

  Although the mode dial is described as a dial mechanism, for example, it may be a slide button instead of a dial. In other words, the mechanism of the mode dial 222 is not limited to the dial, and it is essential to have a mechanism for switching the camera mode.

  The browse button 226 is a button for switching to a browse mode (playback mode) for browsing captured image data. When the browse button 226 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 226, and may be a transition method using a touch panel (not shown) on the liquid crystal display 217.

  In the browsing mode, the system controller 210 reads setting information and image data from the memory card 215 mounted on the card holder 114 via the I / F circuit 213. The setting information includes the number of images recorded on the currently installed memory card 215 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 215 is compressed in a predetermined compression format as described above.

  The image data read from the memory card 215 is input to the display driver 216 via the I / F circuit 213 and the system controller 210. The display driver 216 displays the input image data on the liquid crystal display 217.

  The cursor key 224 is a key for the user to perform a predetermined instruction or function selection for the photographing apparatus 100. The user can perform operation inputs such as various setting information and user authentication information for the photographing apparatus 100 with the cursor keys 224.

  The cursor key 224 can also be used to display a menu screen or a screen for setting various setting information for the photographing apparatus 100 on the liquid crystal display 217, or to select a function for tracking the subject in the present invention. Furthermore, it is possible to select another predetermined function that the photographing apparatus 100 has.

  Further, the cursor key 224 can display a preview of the image data captured by the image capturing apparatus 100 on the liquid crystal display 217. The preview display is a function for causing the liquid crystal display 217 to display an image photographed by the photographing apparatus 100 immediately after that.

  Note that the preview display is not limited to a configuration in which only one image taken on the liquid crystal display 217 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 224, 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 227 controls zoom, focus, aperture, and the like for the lens of the lens 201. In addition, the photographing apparatus 100 includes a photographing mode in which a subject is imaged to obtain image data, and a browsing (reproduction) mode in which image data obtained in the photographing mode is displayed.

  Note that the sound can be recorded and reproduced in the same manner as the photographing apparatus 100 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 208 and the expansion unit 209.

  In addition, a photographing operation in the photographing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user operates the power switch 221 to turn on the photographing apparatus 100. Then, power is supplied to each circuit from a battery (not shown) built in the photographing apparatus 100, and activation processing of the photographing apparatus 100 (operation control for opening the lens barrier, reset processing of the microcomputer, etc.) is performed.

  The photographing apparatus 100 is configured such that when the power switch 221 is pressed when the power is turned off, the power is turned on and the photographing mode is automatically set. 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 photographing apparatus 100 shifts to the photographing mode, an optical image enters the photographing apparatus 100 through the lens 201 and is formed on the image sensor (CCD) 202. The CCD 202 converts the incident optical image into an electrical signal and outputs it to the camera signal processing unit (ADC) 203. The ADC 203 converts an input electric signal (analog signal) into a digital signal. A digital signal output from the ADC 203 is input to the image processing unit 204.

  A preprocessing unit 205 in the image processing unit 204 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 206 in the image processing unit 204, 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 preprocessing unit 205 and the YC processing unit 206, image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 211, and image processing is performed while reading the image data stored in the buffer memory 211 as needed. Is called.

  Image data (uncompressed) output from the image processing unit 204 is input to the system controller 210. The system controller 210 outputs the image data output from the image processing unit 204 to the display driver 216.

  The display driver 216 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 217.

  The display driver 216 controls the liquid crystal display 217 to display an image. At this time, the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 217 is an image (through image) generated by signal processing continuously performed by the CCD 202, the ADC 203, and the image processing unit 204.

  When the user operates the shooting button 223 at a desired timing while the through image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 217, the system controller 210 outputs a control signal to the image processing unit 204. When a control signal is input to the image processing unit 204, the compression unit 208 stores the image data image-processed by the preprocessing unit 205 and the YC processing unit 206 in the buffer memory 211, 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 217 via the system controller 210 and the display driver 216. The compressed image data is recorded on the memory card 215 via the card holder 214.

  Further, by setting the shooting button 223 half-pressed, the lens controller 227 can be controlled via the system controller 210 to automatically obtain the in-focus position with respect to the subject. It is.

  When the zoom button 225 is operated before the shooting button 223 is operated, the system controller 210 can execute an optical zoom process or an electronic zoom process to enlarge or reduce the size of the image. When the shooting button 223 is operated after the zoom button 225 is operated, the image data of the enlarged or reduced image is recorded in the memory card 215.

  The writing unit 230 writes the image data using the setting information input by the cursor key 224. For example, write editing is performed on an exchangeable image file format (Exif) in which the model name of the digital camera, shooting date, exposure information, shooting position, and the like are input.

  The magnetic sensor 231 is a sensor that measures the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field, and outputs the result to the system controller 210. It is used to measure the azimuth angle (described later) of the imaging apparatus 100.

  The acceleration sensor 232 is a sensor that measures the acceleration of the photographing apparatus 100 and outputs the result to the system controller 210. It is used to measure the inclination and altitude of the photographing apparatus 100 with respect to a horizontal line (horizontal line with respect to the ground, hereinafter the same), and to correct a moving speed indicated by an angular velocity (described later).

  The angular velocity sensor 233 is a sensor that measures the angular velocity of the imaging apparatus 100 and outputs the result to the system controller 210. It is used to measure the moving speed of the photographing apparatus 100 and correct the tilt and altitude.

  Next, a process for determining a focus position in the present invention using the photographing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed under the control of the system controller 210.

  In step S101, it is detected whether or not a touch operation is performed by a user operation on the touch panel of the liquid crystal display 217. When the touch operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S102, and when the touch operation is not detected, The process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S102, the area around the touched position is narrowed down as an area to be focused. When the touch operation is not detected, the entire liquid crystal display 217 is the focus target area.

  In step S103, when it is detected that the shooting button 223 is half-pressed by a user operation, focusing is started in step S104.

  In step S105, focus processing is performed. If the in-focus position excluded in step S113, which will be described later, or the face recognition area is excluded in step S114, focus processing is performed on an area that does not match the out-of-target focus position list in step S115, and the focus processing is performed. If this is true, the focus position is provisionally determined in step S106.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the in-focus position described here changes the distance between the photographic lens and the imaging surface by focusing, and is in focus when the imaging surface is in focus. However, the amount of movement from the reference point of the photographic lens at that time is used, and further, information on whether or not the focus is adjusted using the face recognition technology for focusing (if it is ON, it is not ON) In this case, OFF) is acquired.

  Further, after this step, when the focus area is narrowed down in step S102, focus processing is performed within the narrowed range.

  In step S107, display is performed so that the user can visually confirm the area in which the liquid crystal display 217 is in focus.

  In step S108, it is detected whether or not the half-pressed shooting button 223 has been pressed by a user operation. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S117. When the half-pressed shooting button 223 is not depressed by a user operation and the finger is released, the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, it is detected that the user has released the half-pressed photographing button 223 without being depressed, that is, the half-pressing of the photographing button 223 has been released.

  In step S110, if it is detected again by the user operation that the shooting button 223 is half-pressed again, if it is within a predetermined time (for example, within 0.2 seconds) after the half-press release is detected in step S109, step S111 is performed. If not within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S119.

  In step S111, the current in-focus position is regarded as out of target. In step S112, it is determined in step S111 whether or not the out-of-target in-focus position is due to face recognition. If not, the process proceeds to step S113. If it is determined that the result is face recognition, the process proceeds to step S114.

  In step S113, the corresponding in-focus position is excluded from the focus target. In step S114, face recognition is excluded from the focus position determining elements.

  However, in the face recognition presence / absence list shown in the lower part of FIG. 5, NO is determined when face recognition is excluded from the focus position determining elements, and YES is determined otherwise. In the present embodiment, since NO is set, face recognition is excluded from the focus position determining elements.

  In step S115, the object excluded in step S113 and step S114 is stored in the in-focus position list.

  The out-of-target focus position list is the list shown in the upper part of FIG. 5. The index indicates an ID for identifying a focus position excluded from the focus target, the focus position, and the out-of-target list. Face recognition flag indicating whether or not the in-focus position is due to face recognition (when it is ON, it indicates that it is due to face recognition, and when it is OFF, it is not based on face recognition) Is shown).

  In step S116, it is checked whether an area that does not match the out-of-target focus position list remains in the liquid crystal display 217. If the target area remains, the process returns to step S104 to focus again, and the target area remains. If not, the process proceeds to step S119.

  In step S117, the in-focus position temporarily determined in step S106 described above is determined, and in step S118, shooting is executed using the in-focus position determined in step S117.

  In step S119, the in-focus position list and the face recognition presence / absence list (see the lower part of FIG. 5) indicating whether or not the face-recognized position is excluded are cleared.

  The reason for clearing the out-of-focus focus value list and the face recognition presence / absence list is that, in the case of the processing from step S110, the predetermined time has passed since the half-press release was detected in step S109. In this case, clear the unfocused focus position list and the face recognition presence / absence list that were memorized until then, but this is a quick liquid crystal display considering the ease of use when the target subject is difficult to focus on. This is because all areas in the display 217 can be retargeted.

  Second, in the case of the processing from step S116, if all the edges are excluded in the liquid crystal display 217, it is impossible to continue focusing, so that the object stored so far The outside focus position list and the presence / absence of face recognition exclusion are cleared in step S119, and focusing is performed again from step S104 for all areas in the liquid crystal display 217.

Thirdly, in the case of the processing from step S118, even when shooting is performed, in preparation for the next shooting, the in-focus position list and the presence / absence of face recognition exclusion, which have been stored so far, Clear and take a new shot.
(Specific example 1)
Next, the specific example 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown below.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in 301, the position where the user originally wants to focus is set as the front part of the train. However, by using the AF function, the user can focus on an unintended subject like 302. (Steps S106 and S107).

  Therefore, as shown at 303, the user releases his / her finger from the half-pressed shooting button 223 (steps S108 and S109), and when the shooting button 223 is half-pressed again (step S110), the user is in focus. The in-focus position is excluded from the focus target (steps S111 to S113).

  Then, after storing this in-focus position in the non-target in-focus position list (step S115), it is determined that the target area remains (step S116), and focusing is performed again.

  Again, as shown at 304, when a new object that is not the target is in focus (steps S106 and S107), as shown at 305, the user releases the half-pressed shooting button 223 (step S106). (S108, S109) The shooting button 223 is half-pressed again (step S110), and the in-focus position where the focus is achieved is excluded from the focus target (steps S111 to S113).

  Then, as described above, after storing this in-focus position in the non-target in-focus position list (step S115), it is determined that the target area remains (step S116), and focusing is performed again. Do.

When such processing is repeated and the target subject is originally focused, as shown at 306, the half-pressed shooting button 223 is pressed (step S108), and the focused position is determined as the in-focus position. (Step S117) and photographing is performed (step S118).
(Specific example 2)
Next, specific example 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown below.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in 401, the user originally uses the animal in the cage as the position where the user wants to focus. However, by using the AF function, an undesired subject (檻) such as 402 is used. Is in focus (steps S106 and S107).

  Accordingly, as shown at 403, the user releases his / her finger from the half-pressed shooting button 223 (steps S108 and S109), and when the shooting button 223 is half-pressed again (step S110), the user is in focus. The in-focus position is excluded from the focus target (steps S111 to S113).

  Then, after storing this in-focus position in the non-target in-focus position list (step S115), it is determined that the target area remains (step S116), and focusing is performed again.

By repeating this process, as shown at 404, it is possible to focus on the animal to be focused. If the focus position that you do not want to focus on cannot be excluded from focus, as in the case of the present invention, as shown in 405, 406 and 406 repeatedly The user is out of focus, and the user cannot perform desired shooting.
(Specific example 3)
Next, Specific Example 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown below.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in 501, the user originally sets the focus position as an animal in the cage, but by touching the liquid crystal display 217, the user can focus on the operation position. When an attempt is made to execute a hit function (steps S101 and S102), an unintended subject (檻) is focused as in 502 (steps S106 and S107).

  This is because, when the user performs a touch operation on the liquid crystal display 217, the user cannot touch the animal reflected behind the cage and touches the cage in front of the animal, such as 503 to 505. End up.

  Therefore, as shown in specific example 1 and specific example 2, as shown in 506, the user releases his / her finger from the half-pressed shooting button 223 (steps S108 and S109), and the shooting button 223 is half-pressed again. If it is determined (step S110), the in-focus position where the focus is achieved is excluded from the focus target (steps S111 to S113).

  Then, after storing this in-focus position in the non-target in-focus position list (step S115), it is determined that the target area remains (step S116), and focusing is performed again.

  By repeating this process, as shown at 507, it becomes possible to focus on the animal to be focused.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily focus on a subject desired by the user by appropriately excluding the in-focus position on the subject that was not intended by the AF function. it can.

  Further, according to the present invention, when an unintended subject is focused by AF, it is possible to quickly narrow down the in-focus positions to be focused in the liquid crystal display 217 one after another.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the subject is intended by the photographer by visually confirming by the photographer, and a complicated algorithm is not required.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the shooting button 223 is half-pressed, there is no need to newly install a dedicated switch in hardware, and it is possible to concentrate on shooting while looking at the liquid crystal display 217.

  The program according to the present invention is a program that allows a computer to execute (read) each processing method, and the storage medium according to the present invention stores a program that allows the computer to execute each processing method.

  The program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each device.

  As described above, the recording medium on which the program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the apparatus reads and executes the program stored on the recording medium. However, it goes without saying that the object of the present invention is 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 computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS or the like operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing or It goes without saying that the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by performing all of the above processing is also 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 the 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 using a communication program, the 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.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image pick-up device 201 Lens 202 Image pick-up element 203 Camera signal processing part 204 Image processing part 205 Pre-processing part 206 YC processing part 207 Electronic zoom processing part 208 Compression part 209 Expansion part 210 System controller 211 Buffer memory 212 Flash memory 213 I / F circuit 214 Card holder 215 Memory card 216 Display driver 217 Display 218 Sound driver 219 Speaker 220 Operation unit 221 Power switch 222 Mode dial 223 Shooting button 224 Cursor key 225 Zoom button 226 View button 227 Lens control unit 228 LED driver 229 Lamp 230 Writing unit 231 Magnetic sensor 232 Acceleration sensor 233 Angular velocity sensor

Claims (6)

An imaging device that sequentially focuses on a plurality of subjects,
Focus position acquisition means for acquiring a focus position with respect to the subject;
Storage means for storing out-of-focus information indicating that the position acquired by the focus position acquisition means is not used as a position to be used at the time of shooting;
A focus control means for focusing on the subject excluding the position stored by the storage means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: Detection means for detecting pressing of the shooting button;
The storage means detects that the photographing button is half-pressed by the detecting means, and then, when the photographing button is half-pressed again within a predetermined time after the half-press is released, The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the focus position that is focused on is stored as out-of-focus information.   3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the position acquired by the focus position acquisition unit is a position based on face recognition, the storage unit stores the position as out-of-focus information. A focus position range specifying means for specifying a range for acquiring the focus position;
4. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the focus position acquisition unit acquires a focus position within a range specified by the focus position range specification unit. 5. A method for controlling a photographing apparatus that sequentially focuses on a plurality of subjects,
The imaging device
A focus position acquisition step for acquiring a focus position with respect to the subject;
A storage step of storing out-of-focus information indicating that the position acquired by the focus position acquisition step is not used as a position to be used at the time of shooting;
A focus control step of excluding the position stored by the storage step and focusing on the subject;
The control method of the imaging device characterized by performing. There is a program that can be read and executed by a photographing device that sequentially focuses on a plurality of subjects,
The imaging device;
Focus position acquisition means for acquiring a focus position with respect to the subject;
Storage means for storing out-of-focus information indicating that the position acquired by the focus position acquisition means is not used as a position to be used at the time of shooting;
A focus control means for focusing on the subject excluding the position stored by the storage means;
A program characterized by making it function.

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