JP4000176B1 - camera - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a camera capable of relatively easily registering the number of subjects to be photographed even in a state in which subjects appear to partially overlap each other.
A zoom lens 2 and an image sensor 11 for capturing an image of a subject, a registration unit 13 for registering the number of subjects to be photographed, a determination unit 32 for determining the number of people being imaged, and a determination unit determining that an image is being captured An automatic shutter mechanism 35 that is equipped with an automatic zooming mechanism 34 that drives the zoom lens so that the number of registered persons matches the registered number of persons, and that opens the release 4 based on the stop of driving of the automatic zooming mechanism 34. The registration unit 13 includes a numerical value input unit 13 that can input a selected integer value regardless of the imaging state of the imaging device 11.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a zoom lens and an image sensor for imaging a subject, registration means for registering the number of persons to be photographed, determination means for determining the number of persons being imaged, and the number of persons determined to be imaged by the determination means Relates to a camera having an automatic zooming mechanism for driving the zoom lens so as to coincide with the registered number of persons.

  As prior art document information related to this type of camera, there is Patent Document 1 shown below. In the camera described in Patent Document 1, when the auto zoom mode is set, a registration frame is displayed in the finder. When the subject is operated with the subject placed in the registration frame, the CPU specifies the subject by image analysis. To register the subject. Next, when the shutter button is half-pressed, the CPU reduces the zoom magnification when all the registered subjects are not in the finder area, and increases the zoom magnification when all the registered subjects are in the finder area. Adjust the zoom. Therefore, it is possible to automatically obtain a state in which the zoom magnification is as large as possible while maintaining the state where all the registered subjects are included in the predetermined area. Next, when the shutter is fully pressed, the image file is acquired (photographed), and the image file is transferred to the image memory and recorded.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-269153 (paragraph numbers 0027 to 0029, paragraph numbers 0033 to 0037, FIGS. 2 and 4)

  However, in the camera described in Patent Document 1, in order to register the number of subjects to be photographed, it is necessary to operate the registration button in a state where each of the corresponding subjects is put in the registration frame in the finder. So, for example, when the subject is walking around or where the subjects appear to overlap each other, it is difficult to press the registration button while the subject is in the registration frame. was difficult. In addition, of course, it was impossible to register the number of people when all the subjects to be photographed were not in the viewfinder.

  Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional camera exemplified above, the object of the present invention is that the subject is walking around, the subject seems to overlap each other, or all the subjects to be photographed are An object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can be registered relatively easily even when it is not located in the viewfinder.

A first characteristic configuration of the present invention includes a zoom lens and an image sensor for imaging a subject,
Registration means for registering the number of people to be photographed,
A determination unit that determines the number of people who are imaging, and a camera that includes an automatic zooming mechanism that drives the zoom lens so that the number of people determined to be imaging by the determination unit matches the registered number of people,
An automatic shutter mechanism for opening the shutter based on the drive stop of the automatic zooming mechanism,
Said registration means, regardless of the imaging conditions by the imaging device, Ri Do from the input possible numerical input the selected integer value,
The automatic zooming mechanism is configured so as to obtain the zoom ratio on the most telephoto side within a range in which the number of people being imaged coincides with the registered number of people and stop .

  In the camera according to the first feature configuration of the present invention, the registration operation is relatively easy even when the subject is walking around, the subject seems to overlap each other, or the subject to be photographed is not all located in the viewfinder. Easy to do. In addition, when the automatic zooming mechanism is stopped, the operation until the shutter is automatically opened and shooting is automatically completed, so the elapsed time conditions such as self-timer shooting can be used with the camera mounted on a tripod. Instead, it is possible to perform imaging state-dependent automatic shooting in which shooting is performed when a predetermined condition regarding the shooting state in the finder is obtained.

In particular, in this configuration, the automatic zooming mechanism determines and stops the zoom ratio on the most telephoto side within the range where the number of people being imaged coincides with the registered number of people, and the automatic shutter mechanism operates to take a picture.

Therefore, in the scene centered on the point where the optical axis of the camera is directed, the number of persons intended by the photographer is all included, the person not intended by the photographer is not included, and the photographer intends Photos with as many people as possible are automatically taken.

A second characteristic configuration of the present invention includes a zoom lens and an image sensor for imaging a subject,
Registration means for registering the number of people to be photographed,
A determination means for determining the number of persons during imaging;
A camera having an automatic zooming mechanism for driving the zoom lens so that the number of persons determined to be imaged by the determination means matches the registered number of persons,
An automatic shutter mechanism for opening the shutter based on the drive stop of the automatic zooming mechanism,
The registration means comprises a numerical value input unit capable of inputting a selected integer value regardless of the imaging state by the imaging device,
The automatic zooming mechanism is configured so as to stop after obtaining the zoom ratio on the wide-angle side in the range where the number of people being imaged coincides with the registered number of people .

In the camera according to the second characteristic configuration of the present invention, the registration operation is relatively easy even when the subject is walking around, the subject seems to overlap each other, or the subject to be photographed is not all located in the viewfinder. Easy to do. In addition, when the automatic zooming mechanism is stopped, the operation until the shutter is automatically opened and shooting is automatically completed, so the elapsed time conditions such as self-timer shooting can be used with the camera mounted on a tripod. Instead, it is possible to perform imaging state-dependent automatic shooting in which shooting is performed when a predetermined condition regarding the shooting state in the finder is obtained.

In particular, in this configuration, the automatic zooming mechanism determines and stops the zoom ratio on the wide-angle side in the range where the number of people being imaged coincides with the registered number of people, and the automatic shutter mechanism works there to perform shooting.

Therefore, in the scene centered on the point where the optical axis of the camera is directed, the number of people intended by the photographer is all included, and the person not intended by the photographer is not included, and the photographer intends In addition to the person who performs, there is a high possibility that a plurality of things located around the person (group) will be photographed more, and as a result, the added value that includes as many patterns that characterize the situation of the shooting scene as much as possible High photos are easily taken automatically.

A third characteristic configuration of the present invention includes a zoom lens and an image sensor for imaging a subject,
Registration means for registering the number of people to be photographed,
A determination means for determining the number of people during imaging; and
A camera having an automatic zooming mechanism for driving the zoom lens so that the number of persons determined to be imaged by the determination means matches the registered number of persons,
An automatic shutter mechanism for opening the shutter based on the drive stop of the automatic zooming mechanism,
The registration means comprises a numerical value input unit capable of inputting a selected integer value regardless of the imaging state by the imaging device,
The automatic zooming mechanism has one zoom position of a first zoom position on the most telephoto side in a range where the number of people being imaged matches the registered number of people and a second zoom position on the widest angle side in the range. And a reciprocal shooting mode in which the camera stops at the other of the first zoom position and the second zoom position .

In the camera according to the third characteristic configuration of the present invention, the two zoom ratios are different from each other within the assumption that the number of persons intended by the photographer is all included and the person not intended by the photographer is not included. There is a high possibility that a photograph is automatically obtained, and the user can select a higher added value from these two photographs.

  Another feature of the present invention is that it has a several-order reciprocal imaging mode in which the reciprocal imaging is repeated a plurality of times.

  With this configuration, it is possible to expect shooting in a relaxed situation where the subject (group) of the subject is not aware of the presence of the camera or shooting. In addition, it can be expected that a number of image frames in which AC scenes and the like including slightly different situations including a person's facial expression, posture, position, and the like are created during the elapse of time over an arbitrary length.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the camera according to the present invention includes a zoom lens 2 capable of imaging focal length on the front surface of the camera body 1, a strobe light emitting unit 3, and the like. And a release unit 4 on the upper surface of the camera body 1. On the rear surface of the camera body 1, a liquid crystal display unit 5, a zooming button 6, a main control button 7, and a connector 8 are provided. Further, the camera body 1 has a recording medium M insertion portion 9 on the side surface thereof, a photoelectric conversion unit 11 that guides light rays input from the zoom lens 2 into the camera body 1, and a microprocessor. And a main control unit 12 functioning as a digital camera capable of capturing a still image.

  The zoom lens 2 includes a diaphragm for adjusting the amount of light, a shutter that is opened by the release unit 4, and an automatic focusing mechanism (not shown). In the normal shooting mode, the zoom lens 2 performs zooming (focal length adjustment) based on the operation of the zooming button 6, and converts the image of a subject located near the center of the finder or the liquid crystal display unit 5 described later to the photoelectric conversion unit 11. An auto-focusing operation is performed in which a focusing mechanism is operated so as to form an image on the photoelectric conversion surface.

  The photoelectric conversion unit 11 has an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and acquires the light amount information and the focusing information of the subject acquired by the image sensor to obtain a main control unit. 12, the image signal from the image sensor is obtained by photoelectric conversion at the time of shooting, and A / D conversion is performed, and an image in the bitmap format of the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue) The data is output to the main control unit 12.

  The recording medium M is composed of a compact flash (registered trademark) or other flash memory, but may be a disk-type medium such as a CD-R or MO. In particular, the digital camera of the present invention does not necessarily have a structure in which the recording medium M can be separated from the camera body 1. In this case, image data is sent out via the connector 8 to perform image processing or print processing.

  The main control unit 12 feeds back information acquired from the photoelectric conversion unit 11 to the zoom lens 2 to realize focusing control and light amount control, and also realizes image processing of image data acquired from the photoelectric conversion unit 11. . The main control unit 12 includes an operation information input system from the release unit 4, zooming button 6, and main control button 7. In the normal shooting mode described later, the release unit 4 is operated at a timing. Then, the aperture value of the zoom lens 2 and the shutter opening time are controlled based on the brightness of the subject to perform auto exposure shooting, and the zoom lens 2 is zoomed based on the operation of the zoom button 6.

  The main control unit 12 also includes a display processing system that displays information on the liquid crystal display unit 5 via the LCD driver 15, and exchanges data such as image data with the recording medium M via the card interface 17. A signal access system for performing access is provided. The main control unit 12 operates the main control button 7 to execute processing for displaying necessary information on the liquid crystal display unit 5, image data already taken, and the like.

  Further, the main control unit 12 is provided with an input signal system that accepts elapsed time information from the timepiece unit 18, and a communication system that is connected to the connector 8 via the communication interface 19. The connector 8 is connected to a computer (not shown) via a communication cable C, thereby realizing access to the recording medium M, and printing processing can be realized in a printer (not shown) connected to the computer. ing.

  Furthermore, in the camera according to the present invention, an auto zoom setting button 13 for using the camera in an auto zoom mode to be described later is provided on the rear surface of the camera body 1. The auto zoom setting button 13 is a slide-type button for switching the camera shooting mode between normal shooting (Nm), auto zoom-in shooting (Zi), and auto zoom-out shooting (Zo). Yes.

  When the auto zoom setting button 13 is set to the auto zoom in mode or auto zoom out mode, the user manually displays the number of persons (Nr) of the person who wants to shoot in the auto zoom mode on the liquid crystal display unit 5 as illustrated in FIG. The number registration screen 5a for setting in is automatically displayed. The characters and frames displayed on the number registration screen 5a are translucent images, and are shown in a superimposed state (superimpose) with the monitor image being captured by the zoom lens 2 and the photoelectric conversion unit 11. Unless the auto zoom setting button 13 is switched, the number registration screen 5a is continuously displayed. The number registration operation on the number registration screen 5 a is performed by operating the main control button 7. The number registration screen may be displayed in the finder.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the camera according to the present invention, the main control unit 12 includes a shooting control unit 30, which controls the automatic shooting operation of the camera in the auto zoom-in mode and the auto zoom-out mode. An auto zoom photographing processing module 31 is provided.
The auto-zoom shooting processing module 31 extracts a person's face from the image data being picked up by the photoelectric conversion unit 11, and the image being picked up from the face determination result extracted by the face extraction processing portion. In the determination results of the number comparison determination unit 33 and the number comparison determination unit 32 for determining whether or not the number of identified persons (Ni) matches the registered number (Nr) registered on the number registration screen 5a. A power zoom drive unit 34 that drives the zoom lens 2 on the basis thereof, and a release operation unit 35 (an example of an automatic shutter mechanism) that opens the shutter in response to the stop of the power zoom drive unit 34 are provided.
The process of extracting a person's face from image data is realized by a known technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 8-63597 and 2000-48184.

[Shooting form in normal shooting mode]
In this digital camera, the image data from the photoelectric conversion unit 11 is displayed in live view on the liquid crystal display unit 5, and in the normal shooting mode, when the user half-presses the button of the release unit 4, the main control unit 12 The zoom lens 2 is automatically focused, and an appropriate aperture value and shutter speed (shutter opening time) value based on auto exposure according to the brightness of the subject are set.

  Furthermore, when the user continues to press the button of the release unit 4 halfway and then fully, the main control unit 12 operates the shutter. When this shutter is operated, the photoelectric conversion unit 11 converts the image of the subject formed on the photoelectric conversion surface into image data in the bitmap format of the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue). And output to the main control unit 12. When the brightness of the subject is insufficient at the time of shooting, the strobe light emitting unit 3 emits light based on the control of the strobe control unit 16 to compensate for the insufficient light quantity.

  Thus, the image data output to the main control unit 12 is subjected to gamma correction, color correction for each of the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue), white balance correction, and the like. Are automatically compressed in JPEG format and recorded on the recording medium M. The image data storage format is not limited to the JPEG format, but may be a TIFF format or a GIF format. In particular, the processing mode may be set so that the raw data without image data compression processing or automatic correction processing is stored in the recording medium M.

[Photographing mode using auto zoom mode]
The camera operation in the auto zoom-in mode and the auto zoom-out mode will be described assuming a shooting scene as illustrated in FIG. 5 and assuming that the number of registered people is 3 (Nr = 3). Assume that the camera is fixed by a tripod, a pan head, or the like so that the optical axis of the zoom lens 2 is directed from the upper half of the three subjects P1, P2, and P3 in FIG.
When the camera is turned on, the zoom rate of the zoom lens 2 is restored to a standard value as a default value (a zoom rate corresponding to a 50 mm lens which is a general standard lens in a 35 mm film camera).

In the auto zoom-in mode or auto zoom-out mode, the main control unit 12 performs auto-focusing of the zoom lens 2 when the user presses the button of the release unit 4 halfway.
Next, the automatic shooting operation of the camera when the user presses the button of the release unit 4 halfway and then fully presses will be described below for each of the auto zoom in mode and auto zoom out mode.

(Auto zoom in mode)
In the auto zoom-in mode, when the user presses the button of the release unit 4 from halfway down to full press, automatic shooting is performed along the steps illustrated in FIG.

<1-1> The number comparison / determination unit 32 compares the number of persons (Ni) being imaged by the photoelectric conversion unit 11 with the number of registered persons (Nr) (# 01). The number of people (Ni) during imaging is derived by the face extraction processing unit 32 based on the image data sequentially written in the memory 40.
<1-2> If the release button 4 is fully pressed and the scene being imaged is in the state of the frame F3 in FIG. 5, the number of people matches (Ni = Nr, ie, # 01: “yes”). Therefore, the power zoom unit 33 finely adjusts the zoom lens 2 to the telephoto side (# 02). (# 02) is repeated until the next (# 03) is “yes” determination. Here, the fine adjustment operation is a zoom operation that is one-tenth or one-tenth of a one-step zoom-in described later.

  <1-3> As a result of the zoom-in operation of # 02, when it is determined that the number of people being captured (Ni) is less than the registered number of people (Nr) by operating slightly closer to the telephoto side than the state in the frame F2 ( Ni <Nr, ie, # 03: “yes”), by finely adjusting the zoom lens 2 to return to the wide angle side (# 04), the state in the frame F2 is acquired, and the zoom lens 2 is stopped.

  <1-4> Subsequently, the auto release operation (# 05) is performed. In the auto release operation, an appropriate aperture value and shutter speed value are set based on auto exposure according to the brightness of the subject, and the shutter is opened for an appropriate time length.

  <1-5> On the other hand, if the scene being imaged is in the frame F1 when fully pressed, it is determined that the number of people being captured (Ni) does not match the registered number (Nr) (Ni ≠ Nr, that is, # 01: “no”), the process proceeds to determination of whether the number of persons is insufficient or excessive (# 06).

  <1-6> If the state is within the frame F1, it is determined that the number of people being captured (Ni) is less than the registered number of people (Nr) (Ni <Nr, ie, # 06: “yes”), and the zoom lens 2 is 1. Operated to the wide-angle side. (# 07) is repeated until the next (# 08) is “yes” determination.

  <1-7> If it is determined that the number of people being captured (Ni) matches the registered number of people (Nr) as a result of the zoom-out operation of # 07 (Ni = Nr, ie, # 08: “yes”), the zoom lens 2 Is stopped and the state in the frame F2 is acquired.

  <1-8> Subsequently, the auto release operation (# 05) is performed.

  <1-9> In determining whether the number of persons is insufficient or excessive (# 06), if the state is within the frame F5 including the fourth person P4, the number of persons being captured (Ni) is the number of registered persons (Nr). ) (Ni> Nr, ie, # 06: “no”), and in this case, the zoom lens 2 is operated to the first telephoto side (# 9). (# 9) is repeated until # 01 at the beginning becomes (Ni = Nr, that is, # 01: “yes”), and when # 01 becomes “yes”, it passes through # 02 to # 05 and is within the frame F2. Shooting in the state is performed.

  In this way, regardless of the number of people in the initial imaging scene, the number of people being photographed (Ni) matches the registered number of people (Nr), and photography is performed in a state within the frame F2, which is the most telephoto side imaging state. To be implemented.

(Auto zoom out mode)
In the auto zoom-out mode, automatic shooting is performed along the steps illustrated in FIG. 7 when the user presses the release button 4 halfway down to full press.

<2-1> The number comparison / determination unit 32 compares the number of persons (Ni) being imaged by the photoelectric conversion unit 11 with the number of registered persons (Nr) (# 11).
<2-2> If the scene being captured is in a state within the frame F3 in FIG. 5 when it is fully pressed, the number of people matches (Ni = Nr, that is, # 11: “yes”). The zoom unit 33 finely operates the zoom lens 2 to the wide angle side (# 12). (# 12) is repeated until the next (# 13) is “yes” determination.

  <2-3> As a result of the zoom-out operation of # 12, if it is determined that the number of people being captured (Ni) exceeds the registered number of people (Nr) by operating to the wide angle side from the state in the frame F4 (Ni > Nr, i.e., # 13: “yes”), by finely adjusting the zoom lens 2 to return to the telephoto side (# 14), the state in the frame F4 is acquired and the zoom lens 2 is stopped.

  <2-4> Subsequently, the auto release operation (# 15) is performed. In the auto release operation, an appropriate aperture value and shutter speed value are set based on auto exposure according to the brightness of the subject, and the shutter is opened for an appropriate time length.

  <2-5> However, as a result of the zoom-out operation of # 12, even if the number of people being imaged (Ni) does not exceed the registered number of people (Nr), the smallest imaged face among the people being imaged When the size (Li) matches the predetermined minimum face size value (Ln) (Li ≦ Ln, ie, # 16: “yes”), further zoom-out is stopped and auto release operation (# 15) is performed. Migrate to

  <2-6> On the other hand, if the scene that is being imaged when the fully-pressed operation is performed is in the frame F5 including the fourth person P4, the number of people being captured (Ni) is the registered number ( Nr) does not match (Ni ≠ Nr, ie, # 11 “no”), and the process proceeds to determination of whether the number of persons is insufficient or excessive (# 17).

  <2-7> If the state is within the frame F5 including the fourth person P4, it is determined that the number of persons being captured (Ni) exceeds the registered number of persons (Nr) (Ni> Nr, that is, # 17: “yes” ]), The zoom lens 2 is operated to the first telephoto side (# 18). (# 18) is repeated until the next (# 19) is “yes” determination.

  <2-8> If it is determined that the number of people being captured (Ni) matches the registered number of people (Nr) as a result of the zoom-in operation of # 18 (Ni = Nr, ie, # 19: “yes”), the zoom lens 2 is It is stopped and the state in frame F4 is acquired.

  <2-9> Subsequently, the auto release operation (# 15) is performed.

  <2-10> Whether the number of persons is insufficient or excessive (# 17). If the number is within the frame F1, it is determined that the number of persons being captured (Ni) is less than the registered number (Nr) (Ni <Nr, ie, # 17: “no”), in this case, the zoom lens 2 is operated to the first wide-angle side (# 20). (# 20) is repeated until the beginning # 11 is determined to be (Ni = Nr, ie, # 11: “yes”). When # 11 is determined to be “yes”, the frame F4 is subjected to the steps # 12 to # 15. Shooting in the state is performed.

  In this way, regardless of the number of people in the initial imaging scene, the number of people being photographed (Ni) matches the registered number of people (Nr), and photographing is performed in a state within the frame F4 that is the imaging state on the wide-angle side. To be implemented.

  As described above, when shooting is performed based on the opening of the shutter in the auto zoom-in mode or the auto zoom-out mode, the main control unit 12 uses the automatic correction unit 21 to store the image data acquired from the photoelectric conversion unit 11. Correction processing such as gamma correction, color correction, and white balance correction described above is performed, and the image data after this correction processing is compressed into the JPEG format by the compression processing unit 22.

  The JPEG format image data generated in this way is converted into the above-described image data file in the file generation unit 25. Thereafter, the image data file is written into the recording medium M via the card interface 17 by processing in the file access unit 26.

[Another embodiment]
<1> The automatic zooming mechanism may be provided with a mode in which the zooming ratio on the wide-angle side is determined and stopped in a range where the number of people being imaged matches the registered number of people and a predetermined backlight condition does not occur. In this mode, it is possible to prevent a light source such as the sun or a high-intensity lamp from entering the imaging range and causing significant flare or ghost in the photograph.
As a specific form, the average number of outputs output from all the photoelectric conversion elements constituting the photoelectric conversion unit 11 that is in the process of zooming down step by step within a range in which the number of people being imaged matches the registered number of people is changed. What is necessary is just to comprise that it determines with the backlight condition having generate | occur | produced when the rate exceeded a predetermined gradient, and it image | photographs with the zoom rate which zoomed up only one step.

<2> A reciprocal shooting mode may be provided in which one frame is shot in the above-described auto zoom-in mode from the initial zoom ratio and then one frame is shot in the auto zoom-out mode.

<3> A several-order reciprocal imaging mode in which the above-described reciprocal imaging is automatically repeated a plurality of times may be provided. In this case, the user can freely change the setting of the number of times of reciprocating shooting. Further, the reciprocal shooting may be automatically repeated a plurality of times while leaving a certain time interval based on the elapsed time information from the clock unit 18. More specifically, in this several-order reciprocal shooting mode, shooting is performed at the telephoto zoom position, then at the wide-angle zoom position, again at the telephoto zoom position, and subsequently at the wide-angle zoom position. In such a manner, the photographing can be repeated many times, and the repetition of the photographing can be continued for a predetermined period. In particular, a mode in which the user can input “how many minutes” or “how many reciprocations” the reciprocal imaging is preferable.

<4> The camera of the present invention is not a digital camera that acquires final shooting as a digital data file, but a zoom lens for forming an image of a subject on a silver salt film and a corresponding image. You may implement as a film camera provided with the image pick-up element.

<5> The automatic zooming mechanism has the zoom ratio on the most telephoto side in a range including a region where the number of people being imaged coincides with the number of registered people and the change rate of the average value of luminance of all the photoelectric conversion elements greatly changes. A mode may be provided in which the camera stops in search and performs shooting. However, a change rate smaller than the change rate determined as the backlight condition described above is set. With this configuration, there is a high possibility that at least one thing other than a person will be imaged under the condition that the number of people being imaged matches the registered number. If the thing tells the feature of the shooting scene, a high-value-added photo is automatically taken.

<6> In the embodiment described above, the number of subjects is input by the main control button 7, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a camera that includes a microphone that captures sound and a voice recognition processing unit that recognizes a numerical value represented by the sound by analyzing the sound indicates the number of people who want to shoot from a photographer or a subject such as a subject. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a zooming operation is performed based on audio.
Alternatively, an image recognition processing unit is provided in the imaging device and a pattern image indicating a numerical value is registered, a predetermined image is captured from the imaging unit of the imaging device, and the image recognition processing unit refers to the pattern image for the image. By performing recognition processing, a numerical value represented by the image may be input as the number of subjects. Specifically, an image of a human hand in which the number of fingers extended represents the number of people is registered as a pattern image, and for example, one of the subjects stands an index finger, a middle finger, and a ring finger against the imaging unit of the imaging device. When the hand is turned, an image of this hand is taken into the imaging apparatus and the recognition process is performed by the image recognition processing unit, so that “3” persons can be input as the number of subjects.

<7> In addition to the above-described technique for extracting a human face from image data, under the condition that there is a technique for extracting a whole body image including the extracted face from the image data together with the extracted face, the optical axis of the camera is If properly oriented, the zoom control will automatically take two types of photos: a photo that does not contain body parts other than the face as much as possible, and a photo that contains the whole body image extracted by the technique together with the face. A mode may be provided.

External perspective view of a camera according to the present invention Block diagram of control system Block diagram showing the configuration for auto zoom shooting processing Front view showing an example of the number of people registration screen An example of a shooting scene Flow chart showing camera operation in auto zoom-in mode Flow chart showing camera operation in auto zoom-out mode

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera body 2 Zoom lens 4 Release unit 5 Liquid crystal display part 5a Number registration screen 11 Photoelectric conversion unit 12 Main control unit 30 Shooting control unit 31 Auto zoom shooting processing module 32 Face extraction processing part 33 Number comparison judgment part 34 Power zoom drive part 35 Release control unit (automatic shutter mechanism)

Claims (4)

A zoom lens and an image sensor for imaging a subject,
Registration means for registering the number of people to be photographed,
A determination unit that determines the number of people who are imaging, and a camera that includes an automatic zooming mechanism that drives the zoom lens so that the number of people determined to be imaging by the determination unit matches the registered number of people,
An automatic shutter mechanism for opening the shutter based on the drive stop of the automatic zooming mechanism,
Said registration means, regardless of the imaging conditions by the imaging device, Ri Do from the input possible numerical input the selected integer value,
The automatic zooming mechanism is a camera configured to obtain a zoom ratio on the most telephoto side and stop in a range where the number of people being imaged coincides with the registered number of people . A zoom lens and an image sensor for imaging a subject,
Registration means for registering the number of people to be photographed,
A determination means for determining the number of people during imaging; and
A camera having an automatic zooming mechanism for driving the zoom lens so that the number of persons determined to be imaged by the determination means matches the registered number of persons,
An automatic shutter mechanism for opening the shutter based on the drive stop of the automatic zooming mechanism,
The registration means comprises a numerical value input unit capable of inputting a selected integer value regardless of the imaging state by the imaging device,
The automatic zooming mechanism is a camera configured to obtain and stop at the wide-angle side zoom ratio within a range in which the number of people being imaged coincides with the registered number of people. A zoom lens and an image sensor for imaging a subject,
Registration means for registering the number of people to be photographed,
A determination means for determining the number of people during imaging; and
A camera having an automatic zooming mechanism for driving the zoom lens so that the number of persons determined to be imaged by the determination means matches the registered number of persons,
An automatic shutter mechanism for opening the shutter based on the drive stop of the automatic zooming mechanism,
The registration means comprises a numerical value input unit capable of inputting a selected integer value regardless of the imaging state by the imaging device,
The automatic zooming mechanism has one zoom position of a first zoom position on the most telephoto side in a range where the number of people being imaged matches the registered number of people and a second zoom position on the widest angle side in the range. The camera has a reciprocal shooting mode that stops at the second zoom position and then stops at the other of the first zoom position and the second zoom position . The camera according to claim 3 , further comprising a several-order reciprocal imaging mode in which the reciprocal imaging is repeated a plurality of times.

Images