JP4291408B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus such as a digital still camera having a self-timer function or an automatic photographing function.

  Conventionally, a digital camera or digital video camera equipped with a self-timer function for photographing a subject after a predetermined time has passed since the release button was pressed, an automatic photographing function for automatically photographing a subject at an arbitrary timing, etc. Many imaging devices are widely used. For example, after specifying a desired portion of a subject in a through image, an imaging device that performs imaging at a desired timing without being bound by the set time of the self-timer by starting or stopping shooting when the portion changes (Patent Document 1) or a person to be photographed is detected from the input image to the camera, and the quality of the photographing state is determined from the position state of the person to be photographed in the imaging frame of the camera. There has been proposed an automatic photographing apparatus (Patent Document 2) that performs photographing when the state is good and automatically photographs a photograph in which a photographer himself / herself has no unnatural chipping or the like.

JP 2000-196934 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-3852

  On the other hand, in an imaging device such as a digital camera, a predetermined object such as a face is detected from a through image or a pre-image captured when the release button is pressed halfway, and the detected object is detected. Thus, AE processing for determining the exposure condition and AF processing for determining the in-focus position are performed. However, when shooting with the self-timer function or the automatic shooting function as described above, it takes time until the actual exposure shooting starts after the release button is fully pressed, that is, when shooting is instructed. When the subject exposure is performed and when the AE process and the AF process are performed, for example, when the subject is photographed with the subject as a subject, the subject's situation changes. There is a risk that the focus (focus position) may be shifted.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an imaging apparatus capable of acquiring an image with appropriate brightness and in-focus position when shooting using a self-timer function or an automatic shooting function. It is for the purpose.

An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that shoots a subject and generates image data;
Object detection means for detecting a predetermined object from the image data;
Exposure determining means for determining an exposure condition according to the detection result of the object;
Focusing determining means for determining a focusing position according to the detection result of the object;
A shooting instruction unit for instructing the imaging unit to perform main exposure shooting according to the exposure condition and the focus position determined by the exposure determination unit and the focus determination unit;
A self-timer photographing means for performing the main exposure photographing after a predetermined time has elapsed since the main instruction photographing is instructed by the photographing instruction means; and / or an automatic photographing means for causing the photographing instruction means to perform the main exposure photographing at a predetermined timing; In an imaging apparatus comprising:
When performing main exposure photography using self-timer photography means or automatic photography means,
At least once or more between the time when the main exposure shooting is instructed by the shooting instruction means and the time when the main exposure shooting is performed. Alternatively, the in-focus position is determined.

  When the main exposure photographing is performed using the self-timer photographing means, the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention performs at least once after the predetermined time has passed according to the detection result of the object by the exposure determining means and the focus determining means. An exposure condition and / or a focus position may be determined.

  When the main exposure photographing is performed using the self-timer photographing means, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention responds to the detection result of the object by the exposure determining means and the focus determining means at least once during a predetermined time. Then, the exposure condition and / or the focus position may be determined.

  The image pickup apparatus according to the present invention has an exposure determination unit and / or a focus determination unit according to an instruction of the main exposure shooting by the shooting instruction unit when the main exposure shooting is performed using the self-timer shooting unit or the automatic shooting unit. Thus, the exposure condition and / or the focus position may be determined regardless of the detection result of the object by the object detection means.

  The image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is configured to perform exposure according to the detection result of the object by the exposure determination unit and the focus determination unit at a predetermined time during a predetermined time when the main exposure shooting is performed using the self-timer shooting unit. Conditions and / or focus positions may be determined.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that when a plurality of objects are detected by the object detection unit, or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the plurality of objects are detected, the exposure determination unit and / or the focus determination unit. An exposure condition and / or a focus position may be determined.

  In the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the focus determination unit determines a focus position in a region of the target object when the target detection unit detects the target object, and the target detection unit determines the predetermined target object. It is preferable to determine the in-focus position in the predetermined area when no is detected.

The image pickup apparatus of the present invention determines the first in-focus position by the in-focus determination unit before the main exposure shooting is instructed by the in-shoot instruction unit.
When a predetermined object is detected by the object detection means, a first in-focus position is determined in the area of the detected object;
When main exposure shooting is instructed by the shooting instruction means after the first in-focus position is determined,
When a predetermined object is detected by the object detection means after the first focus position is determined, the second focus position is determined by the focus determination means in the detected object area. Decide
When a predetermined object is not detected by the object detection means, it is preferable not to determine the focus position by the focus determination means.

The imaging apparatus of the present invention further includes mode selection means that can be executed by selecting a specific shooting mode,
When a specific selection mode is selected by the mode selection means and the main exposure photographing is performed using the self-timer photographing means or the automatic photographing means,
During the period from the start of the main exposure shooting is instructed by the shooting instruction means to the time of the main exposure shooting being performed, the exposure determining means and / or the focus determining means according to the detection result of the object and / or the focusing condition. The focal position may be determined.

  In the imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the specific shooting mode is a self-recording shooting mode for shooting the user himself or a face detection using shooting mode in which the object is a face.

The imaging apparatus of the present invention, when the main exposure shooting is performed using the self-timer shooting unit or the automatic shooting unit only by selecting a specific shooting mode by the mode selection unit,
The exposure condition and / or the focus position may be determined by the exposure determination unit and / or the focus determination unit in response to an instruction to start the main exposure shooting by the shooting instruction unit.

Further, the imaging apparatus of the present invention, when the main exposure shooting is performed using the self-timer shooting means or the automatic shooting means,
After the number of objects detected by the object detection unit increases, the exposure condition and / or the focus position may be determined by the exposure determination unit and / or the focus determination unit.

Further, the imaging apparatus of the present invention, when the main exposure shooting is performed using the self-timer shooting means or the automatic shooting means,
The exposure condition and / or focus position may be determined by the exposure determination means and / or the focus determination means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the number of objects detected by the target object detection means has increased.

Further, the imaging apparatus of the present invention, when the main exposure shooting is performed using the self-timer shooting means or the automatic shooting means,
Even if the number of objects detected by the object detection unit increases and the detection result of the object becomes stable, the exposure condition and / or the focus position is determined by the exposure determination unit and / or the focus determination unit. Good. In the present invention, “after the detection result of the object is stabilized” refers to a time when the amount of fluctuation of the detected object becomes smaller than a predetermined threshold.

The second imaging device of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and generates image data;
Object detection means for detecting a predetermined object from the image data;
Exposure determining means for determining an exposure condition according to the detection result of the object;
Focusing determining means for determining a focusing position according to the detection result of the object;
A shooting instruction unit for instructing the imaging unit to perform main exposure shooting according to the exposure condition and the focus position determined by the exposure determination unit and the focus determination unit;
A self-timer photographing means for performing the main exposure photographing after a predetermined time has elapsed since the main instruction photographing is instructed by the photographing instruction means; and / or an automatic photographing means for causing the photographing instruction means to perform the main exposure photographing at a predetermined timing; In an imaging apparatus comprising:
When main exposure shooting is performed using self-timer shooting means or automatic shooting means,
The user can arbitrarily set the timing for determining the exposure condition and / or the focus position according to the detection result of the object by the exposure determination means and the focus determination means.

  In the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the detection condition by the object detection means may be set to a condition for detecting any of a plurality of objects in different states and / or a plurality of objects detected by the object detection means. There may be further provided selection means for selecting any of the objects in different states.

  In the imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the setting by the setting unit or the selection by the selection unit is performed when the main exposure shooting is performed using the self-timer shooting unit or the automatic shooting unit. .

  The setting by the setting means and the selection by the selection means may be automatic or manual. For example, in the case of automatic, when a self-timer photographing or automatic photographing is selected, an object in a predetermined state is automatically detected. Or select. Further, for example, in the case of manual operation, a plurality of detection conditions may be displayed on a display screen such as a liquid crystal screen, and the user may arbitrarily select them, or a plurality of objects in different states detected by the object detection means. A frame surrounding the object may be displayed, and the user may manually select only the frame surrounding the object in an arbitrary state.

  The plurality of objects in different states are preferably objects having different directions, objects having different sizes, or objects having different inclinations.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a selection means does not select the detected target object from which the fluctuation amount is larger than a predetermined value. Here, the “variation amount” means a movement amount of the position of the object, a variation amount of the size of the object, a variation amount of the direction, and the like.

  In addition, when the main exposure photographing is performed using the self-timer photographing means, the detection by the object detection means or the selection by the selection means can be performed at a predetermined time during the elapse of a predetermined time.

  The setting by the setting unit and / or the selection by the selection unit may be arbitrarily performed by the user.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus of the present invention further includes a transmission means for transmitting to the user that the predetermined object has not been detected when the predetermined object is not detected by the object detection means. It is preferable. The transmission means can also transmit to the user that the predetermined object has been detected when the predetermined object is detected by the object detection means.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present invention preferably includes a plurality of transmission means, and one of the plurality of transmission means can be arbitrarily selected or set by the user.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, when the main exposure photographing is performed using the self-timer photographing unit or the automatic photographing unit, the main exposure photographing is performed from the time when the main exposure photographing is instructed by the photographing instruction unit. The exposure condition and / or in-focus position is determined at least once or more according to the detection result of the object by the exposure determining means and the focus determining means. When a predetermined object is detected after the instruction is issued, it is possible to determine the exposure condition and / or the focus position in the area of the detected object. Thereby, for example, even when the photographer himself is the subject, an image in which the photographer has brightness (luminance) and focus (focus position) can be acquired.

Rear perspective view of digital camera Front perspective view of digital camera Functional block diagram of digital camera The figure which shows the flowchart of a series of processes of a digital camera Figure showing a flowchart of self-timer shooting The figure which shows the flowchart of the 2nd self-timer photography (the 1) The figure which shows the flowchart of the 2nd self-timer photography (the 2) The figure which shows the flowchart of the 3rd self-timer photography (the 1) The figure which shows the flowchart of the 3rd self-timer photography (the 2) The figure which shows the flowchart of the 4th self-timer photography (the 1) The figure which shows the flowchart of the 4th self-timer photography (the 2) Figure showing a menu display example of self-timer shooting The figure which shows the flowchart of 5th self-timer photography Functional block diagram of the second digital camera The figure which shows the flowchart of the setting process of face detection conditions The figure which shows an example of a face detection result The figure which shows the flowchart of the 2nd setting process of face detection conditions. The figure which shows another example of a face detection result Figure showing another menu display example of self-timer shooting The figure which shows the flowchart of the 3rd setting process of face detection conditions. Functional block diagram of the digital camera The figure which shows the flowchart of 6th self-timer photography (the 1) The figure which shows the flowchart of the 6th self-timer photography (the 2) (A) The figure which shows an example of the face detection result when not considering the fluctuation amount, (b) The figure which shows an example of the face detection result when the fluctuation amount is considered The figure which shows the flowchart of the 7th self-timer photography (the 1) The figure which shows the flowchart of the 7th self-timer photography (the 2) Front perspective view of the fourth digital camera Functional block diagram of the fourth digital camera

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a digital camera will be described as an example of the imaging apparatus in the present invention. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, electronic imaging such as a mobile phone with a camera, a PDA with a camera, etc. The present invention can also be applied to other electronic devices having functions.

  1 and 2 show an example of a digital camera and are external views as seen from the back side and the front side, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, an operation mode switch 11, a menu / OK button 12, a zoom / up / down lever 13, a left / right button 14, Back ( A return button 15 and a display switching button 16 are provided, and a finder 17 for photographing, a monitor 18 for photographing and reproduction, a release button (photographing instruction means) 19, and a face detection button 27 are provided.

  The operation mode switch 11 is a slide switch for switching operation modes of a still image shooting mode, a moving image shooting mode, and a playback mode. Each time the menu / OK button 12 is pressed, the monitor 18 displays various menus for setting the shooting mode, flash emission mode, self-timer ON / OFF, recording pixel number, sensitivity, and the like. This is a button for determining selection / setting based on a displayed menu.

  The zoom / up / down lever 13 is tilted up and down to adjust the telephoto / wide angle during shooting, and the cursor in the menu screen displayed on the monitor 18 is moved up and down during various settings. The left / right button 14 is a button for moving and displaying the cursor in the menu screen displayed on the monitor 18 at various settings.

  The Back button 15 is a button for stopping various setting operations when pressed and displaying the previous screen on the monitor 18. The display switching button 16 is a button for switching ON / OFF of the display of the monitor 18, various guide displays, ON / OFF of character display, and the like when pressed. The viewfinder 17 is used for a user to look into the subject for composition and focus when photographing a subject. The subject image seen from the finder 17 is projected through the finder window 23 on the front surface of the main body 10. The face detection button 27 is a button for switching ON / OFF of face detection by the face detection unit 65 described later.

  The contents set by the operation of each button and lever described above can be confirmed by the display on the monitor 18, the position of the lamp in the finder 17, the position of the slide lever, and the like. The monitor 18 displays a through image for confirming the subject when photographing. As a result, the monitor 18 functions as an electronic viewfinder, displays still images and moving images after shooting, and displays various setting menus. When the user presses the release button 19 halfway, AE processing and AE processing, which will be described later, are performed. When the release button 19 is fully pressed, shooting is performed based on the data output by the AE processing and AE processing. The image displayed on the monitor 18 is recorded as a captured image.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a photographing lens 20, a lens cover 21, a power switch 22, a finder window 23, a flashlight 24, a self-timer lamp 25, and AF auxiliary light 28 are provided on the front surface of the main body 10, and are provided on the side surface. A media slot 26 is provided.

  The photographic lens 20 is for forming a subject image on a predetermined image plane (CCD or the like inside the main body 10), and includes a focus lens, a zoom lens, and the like. The lens cover 21 covers the surface of the photographic lens 20 when the power of the digital camera 1 is turned off or in the playback mode, and protects the photographic lens 20 from dirt and dust.

  The power switch 22 is a switch for switching on / off the power of the digital camera 1. The flashlight 24 is used to instantaneously irradiate the subject with light necessary for photographing while the release button 19 is pressed and the shutter inside the main body 10 is opened. The self-timer lamp 25 is used to notify the subject of the opening / closing timing of the shutter, that is, the start and end of exposure when shooting with the self-timer.

  The AF auxiliary light 28 is composed of, for example, an LED, and is intended to facilitate AF processing described later by irradiating a subject with a narrow range of light, that is, a narrowed light for a long time. The media slot 26 is a filling port for filling an external recording medium 70 such as a memory card. When the external recording medium 70 is filled, data reading / writing is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the digital camera 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation system of the digital camera 1 includes the operation mode switch 11, the menu / OK button 12, the zoom / up / down lever 13, the left / right button 14, the back button 15, the display switching button 16, the release button. The button 19, the power switch 22, and an operation system control unit 74 that is an interface for transmitting the operation contents of these switches, buttons, and levers to the CPU 75 are provided.

  Further, a focus lens 20a and a zoom lens 20b are provided as components of the photographing lens 20. Each of these lenses is step-driven by a focus lens driving unit 51 and a zoom lens driving unit 52 including a motor and a motor driver, and is configured to be movable in the optical axis direction. The focus lens driving unit 51 step-drives the focus lens 20 a based on the focus driving amount data output from the AF processing unit 62. The zoom lens driving unit 52 controls step driving of the zoom lens 20 b based on the operation amount data of the zoom / up / down lever 13.

  The diaphragm 54 is driven by a diaphragm driving unit 55 including a motor and a motor driver. The aperture driving unit 55 adjusts the aperture diameter of the aperture 54 based on aperture value data output from an AE (automatic exposure) / AWB (auto white balance) processing unit (exposure determining means) 63.

  The shutter 56 is a mechanical shutter and is driven by a shutter drive unit 57 including a motor and a motor driver. The shutter drive unit 57 controls the opening / closing of the shutter 56 in accordance with the pressing signal of the release button 19 and the shutter speed data output from the AE / AWB processing unit 63.

  Behind the optical system is a CCD (imaging means) 58 that is a photographing element. The CCD 58 has a photoelectric surface in which a large number of light receiving elements are arranged in a matrix, and a subject image that has passed through the optical system is formed on the photoelectric surface and subjected to photoelectric conversion. In front of the photocathode, a microlens array (not shown) for condensing light on each pixel and a color filter array (not shown) in which RGB filters are regularly arranged are arranged. Yes. The CCD 58 reads out the charges accumulated for each pixel line by line in synchronization with the vertical transfer clock signal and the horizontal transfer clock signal supplied from the CCD control unit 59 and outputs them as an image signal. The charge accumulation time (that is, exposure time) in each pixel is determined by an electronic shutter drive signal given from the CCD controller 59.

  The image signal output from the CCD 58 is input to the analog signal processing unit 60. The analog signal processing unit 60 includes a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) that removes noise from the image signal, an auto gain controller (AGC) that adjusts the gain of the image signal, and an A that converts the image signal into digital image data. / D converter (ADC). The digital image data is CCD-RAW data having RGB density values for each pixel.

  The timing generator 72 generates a timing signal. The timing signal is input to the shutter drive unit 57, the CCD control unit 59, and the analog signal processing unit 60, and the operation of the release button 19 and the opening / closing of the shutter 56 are performed. The charge capturing of the CCD 58 and the processing of the analog signal processing 60 are synchronized. The flash controller 73 controls the light emission operation of the flashlight 24.

  The image input controller 61 writes the CCD-RAW data input from the analog signal processing unit 60 in the frame memory 68. The frame memory 68 is a working memory used when various digital image processing (signal processing) to be described later is performed on the image data. For example, an SDRAM that transfers data in synchronization with a bus clock signal having a fixed period. (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory).

  The display control unit 71 is for displaying the image data stored in the frame memory 68 on the monitor 18 as a through image. For example, the display control unit 71 combines a luminance (Y) signal and a color (C) signal into one signal. Is converted to a composite signal and output to the monitor 18. Through images are acquired at predetermined time intervals and displayed on the monitor 18 while the shooting mode is selected. In addition, the display control unit 71 causes the monitor 18 to display an image based on the image data stored in the external recording medium 70 and read out by the media control unit 69.

  The face detection unit (object detection means) 65 detects the face of a person from the image data stored in the frame memory 68, that is, a through image. Specifically, an area having a facial feature included in the face (for example, having skin color, having eyes, or having a face shape) is detected as a face area, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the face detection button 27 is set to ON, face detection processing is always performed from a through image. In the present invention, the face detection unit 65 may be configured by software or may be an IC alone.

  The AF processing unit (focusing determination means) 62 detects the focal position in accordance with the face detection result detected from the image data by the face detection unit 65, and outputs focus lens drive amount data (AF processing). In the present embodiment, as a method for detecting a focus position, for example, a passive method for detecting a focus position by using a feature that a focus evaluation value (contrast value) of an image is high in a focused state is used. The method is applied.

  The AE / AWB processing unit (exposure determining unit) 63 measures the subject brightness according to the face detection result detected from the image data by the face detection unit 65, and sets the aperture value, shutter speed, and the like based on the measured subject brightness. The aperture value data and shutter speed data are output (AE process), and the white balance at the time of shooting is automatically adjusted (AWB process).

  The image processing unit 64 performs image quality correction processing such as gamma correction, sharpness correction, and contrast correction on the image data of the main image, and converts the CCD-RAW data into Y data which is a luminance signal and Cb which is a blue color difference signal. YC processing is performed for conversion into YC data comprising data and Cr data which is a red color difference signal. The main image is an image based on the image data output from the CCD 58 when the release button 19 is fully pressed and stored in the frame memory 68 via the analog signal processing unit 60 and the image input controller 61. is there.

  The upper limit of the number of pixels of the main image is determined by the number of pixels of the CCD 58. For example, the number of recorded pixels can be changed by an image quality setting (setting such as fine and normal) that can be set by the user. On the other hand, the number of pixels of the through image or the pre-image may be smaller than that of the main image. The pre-image is an image based on the image data stored in the frame memory 68 as a result of the CPU 75 having detected a half-press signal generated when the release button 19 is half-pressed and causing the CCD 58 to perform pre-photographing. is there.

  The self-timer photographing unit (self-timer photographing means) 66 elapses a predetermined waiting time (for example, 5 seconds after the release button 19 is fully pressed) from when the release button 19 is fully pressed until the main exposure shooting starts. Is provided via a timing generator 72 so that a pressing signal of the release button 19 is output to the shutter drive unit 57 when the standby time of 0 is counted. is doing. During the standby time, the self-timer lamp 25 is blinked to notify the photographer and the like of the start timing of the main exposure shooting. The ON / OFF of the self-timer by the self-timer photographing unit 66 may be selected by being displayed on the monitor 18 as described above, or a self-timer button (not shown) is provided on the back of the main body 10 of the digital camera 1. It may be arranged to set ON / OFF.

  The compression / decompression processing unit 67 performs compression processing on the image data that has been subjected to processing such as image quality correction by the image processing unit 64 in a compression format such as JPEG, and generates an image file. Additional information is added to the image file based on various data formats. The compression / decompression processing unit 67 reads a compressed image file from the external recording medium 70 in the reproduction mode, and performs decompression processing. The decompressed image data is output to the display control unit 71, and the display control unit 71 displays an image based on the image data on the monitor 18.

  The media control unit 69 corresponds to the media slot 26 in FIG. 2, and reads an image file or the like stored in the external recording medium 70 or writes an image file.

  The CPU 75 controls each part of the main body of the digital camera 1 in accordance with operations of various buttons, levers, switches, and signals from the respective function blocks. The data bus 76 is connected to the image input controller 61, various processing units 62 to 64, 67, a face detection unit 65, a self-timer photographing unit 66, a frame memory 68, various control units 69 and 71, and a CPU 75. Various signals and data are transmitted and received through the data bus 76.

  Next, processing performed at the time of shooting in the digital camera 1 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a series of processes of the digital camera 1. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 75 determines whether the operation mode is the photographing mode or the reproduction mode according to the setting of the operation mode switch 11 (step S1). In the reproduction mode (step S1; reproduction), reproduction processing is performed (step S2). This reproduction process is a process for the media control unit 69 to read an image file stored in the external recording medium 70 and display an image based on the image data included in the image file on the monitor 18. When the reproduction process is completed, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the power switch 22 of the digital camera 1 is turned off (step S9). If the power is turned off (step S9; YES), the power of the digital camera 1 is turned on. Turn off and end processing. If an off operation has not been performed (step S9; NO), the process proceeds to step S1.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that the operation mode is the shooting mode (step S1; shooting), the CPU 75 performs display control of the through image (step S3). The through image display is a process of displaying on the image data monitor 18 stored in the frame memory 68. Next, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the self-timer is ON (step S4). If the self-timer is not ON (step S4; NO), normal shooting is performed in which main exposure shooting is started when the release button 19 is pressed (step S5). When the self-timer is ON (step S4; YES), the self-timer photographing unit 66 performs self-timer photographing (step S6).

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of self-timer shooting. First, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the face detection button 27 is ON (step S21). If the face detection button 27 is not set to ON (step S21; NO), the center of the subject is set as the in-focus area, that is, the AF area, the process proceeds to step S25, and the face detection button 27 is turned ON. If it has been set (step S21; YES), the face detection unit 65 always performs face detection processing from the image data stored in the frame memory 68 in parallel with the flow of self-timer shooting in FIG. .

  Next, the CPU 75 determines whether or not a face is detected (step S22). If a face is detected (step S22; YES), the face area is set as an AF area, and no face is detected. In the case (step S22; NO), the center of the subject is set as the AF area.

  Next, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the release button 19 has been half-pressed (step S25). If not half-pressed (step S25; NO), the CPU 75 proceeds to step S21. If half-pressed (step S25; YES), the AE / AWB processing unit 63 detects the face. AE processing is performed based on the determination result of whether or not there is (step 26). At this time, the AE process may be performed based on the same area as the AF area determined in step S23 or step S24, but is not limited thereto. Then, the AF processing unit 62 performs AF processing based on the AF area determined in step S23 or step S24 (step S27).

  Next, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the release button 19 has been fully pressed (step S28). If it is not fully pressed (step S28; NO), the CPU 75 determines whether or not the release button 19 is half-pressed (step S29). If not half-pressed (step S29; NO), the CPU 75 proceeds to step S21. If half-pressed (step S29; YES), the CPU 75 proceeds to step S28. If it is fully pressed (step S28; YES), the timer unit of the self-timer photographing unit 66 starts to count, that is, counts down a predetermined waiting time that is set until the main exposure photographing is started (step S30). ).

  Then, the CPU 75 determines whether the standby time is 0, that is, whether the count is 0 (step S31). When the count is not 0 (step S31; NO), the CPU 75 shifts the process to step S30, and when the count becomes 0 (step S31; YES), the CPU 75 determines whether or not a face is detected. It discriminate | determines (step S32).

  If a face is detected (step S32; YES), the face area is set as an AF area (step S33). If a face is not detected (step S32; NO), the face is detected in the previous AF area. It is determined whether or not an area has been set, that is, whether or not the face area has been set as an AF area in step S23 (step S35). If the face area has not been set in the AF area in step S23 (step S35; NO) ), The center of the subject is set as the AF area. When an AF area is set in step S33 or step S36, AF processing is performed based on the set AF area (step S34), and main exposure shooting is started (step S37). If the face area is set as the AF area in step S23 (step S35; YES), the main exposure shooting is started without performing the AF process (step S37).

  In the present embodiment, only the AF process (step S34) is performed immediately before the main exposure shooting. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the AE process may be performed before step S34.

  Whether or not a face is detected by the CPU 75 in step S32 is determined only when the face detection button 27 is set to ON in step S21 (step S21; YES). Is set to OFF (step S21; NO), when the release button 19 is half-pressed in step S25 (step S25; YES), AF processing is performed using the center of the subject as the AF area, and step S31. If the count reaches 0 (step S30; YES), the main exposure shooting is performed without performing the AF process (step S37). At this time, the AF processing in which the center of the subject is the AF area is not limited to when the release button 19 is half-pressed, and may be, for example, when the count becomes 0 in step S31.

  When the main exposure shooting is performed (step S37), as shown in FIG. 4, the image processing unit 64 performs image processing on the main image acquired by the main exposure shooting (step S7). At this time, the compression / decompression processing unit 67 may further perform compression processing on the main image data subjected to image processing to generate an image file.

  Next, the CPU 75 performs processing for displaying the main image subjected to the image processing on the monitor 18 and records it on the external recording medium 70 (step 8). Then, the CPU 75 determines whether or not an off operation has been performed by the power switch 22 (step S9). If the off operation has been performed (step S9; YES), the power of the digital camera 1 is turned off, and the process ends. If the off operation has not been performed (step S9; NO), the process proceeds to step S1, and the processes after step S1 are repeated. In this way, photographing with the digital camera 1 is performed.

本実施形態のＡＦ処理は、図５に示し説明した上述のように、表１における１、２、３−１及び４−１のようにＡＦエリアを設定して行うものであるが、本発明はこれに限られるものではなく、図５のステップＳ２７で顔領域をＡＦエリアとしてＡＦ処理を行った場合にステップＳ３２にて顔が検出されていなかったときには、例えば３−１のように再ＡＦ処理を行わないのではなく、３−２に示す如く、被写体の中央をＡＦエリアに設定して再ＡＦ処理を行っても良い。また図５のステップＳ２７で被写体の中央をＡＦエリアとしてＡＦ処理を行った場合にステップＳ３２にて顔が検出されていなかったときには、例えば４−１のように被写体の中央をＡＦエリアに設定して再ＡＦ処理を行うのではなく、４−２に示す如く、再ＡＦ処理を行わなくても良い。 Here, Table 1 and Table 2 show an example of AF processing.

As described above with reference to FIG. 5, the AF processing of this embodiment is performed by setting AF areas as indicated by 1, 2, 3-1, and 4-1 in Table 1. Is not limited to this. When AF processing is performed with the face area as the AF area in step S27 in FIG. 5, if no face is detected in step S32, re-AF is performed as in 3-1, for example. Instead of performing the process, as shown in 3-2, the center of the subject may be set as the AF area and the re-AF process may be performed. If AF processing is performed with the center of the subject as the AF area in step S27 in FIG. 5 and no face is detected in step S32, the center of the subject is set as the AF area as in 4-1, for example. Instead of performing the re-AF process, it is not necessary to perform the re-AF process as shown in 4-2.

  Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, the AF processing of the present embodiment is performed when the release button 19 is half-pressed and immediately before the main exposure shooting. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the AF process may be performed only immediately before the main exposure shooting. In this case, as shown in Table 2, if the CPU 75 determines that a face is detected immediately before the main exposure shooting, AF processing is performed using the detected face area as an AF area, and no face is detected. Is determined, AF processing is performed with the center of the subject as the AF area. Note that “immediately before main exposure shooting (immediately before exposure)” refers to the time when the release button 19 is fully pressed and the time from when the release button 19 is fully pressed until the main exposure shooting is performed.

  Further, the AE process and / or the AF process of the present embodiment are performed at the timing described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the process is performed after the number of objects (faces) increases. May be. In self-timer shooting, in general, the photographer himself is often the subject. In this case, the photographer cannot enter the field of view when the release button 19 is fully pressed, but before the main exposure, You can get inside.

  Accordingly, the number of faces detected by the face detection unit 65 is always checked, and when the number of faces increases, for example, it is determined that the photographer himself has entered the field of view as a subject, and AE processing and / or AF processing is performed. To do. Here, FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the self-timer shooting when the AE process and / or the AF process is performed after the number of faces is increased. Since FIG. 6A is the same as the processing up to step S29 in FIG. 5, it is denoted by the same step number and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the release button 19 is fully pressed in step S28 (step S28), as shown in FIG. 6B, the CPU 75 confirms the number A of faces detected by the face detection unit 65 (step S121). Next, the timer unit of the self-timer photographing unit 66 starts counting down (step S122).

  Then, after the countdown is started, the CPU 75 confirms the number B of faces detected by the face detection unit 65 (step S123). Then, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the number of faces has increased before and after the start of the countdown, that is, whether or not B> A (step S124).

  If the number of faces has increased (step S124; YES), a face to which shooting conditions such as AF are aimed is determined, this face area is set as an AF area (step S125), and the set AF area AF processing is performed based on (step S126). Next, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the count has become 0 (step S127). When the count becomes 0 (step S127; YES), the main exposure shooting is performed based on the data output by the AF processing unit 62 in step S126. This is performed (step S128).

  On the other hand, if the count is not 0 (step S127; NO), the CPU 75 continues to count down until the count reaches 0 (step S129). When the count reaches 0, the process proceeds to step S128 to perform main exposure photography ( Step S128).

  If the number of faces has not increased in step S124 (step S124; NO), the same processing as the processing from step S31 to step S36 in FIG. 5 is performed to perform main exposure photography (step S128).

  In FIG. 6B, the face detection by the face detection unit 65 and the countdown by the self-timer photographing unit 66 are operated from step S122 to step 128, that is, in parallel with the processing of S ′ in FIG. 6B. Also, in S ′ in FIG. 6B, when the count reaches 0 before the AF processing in step S126 or step S34 is completed, the countdown is terminated, and the AF processing unit 62 performs the previous AF processing, that is, in step S27. The main exposure shooting (step S128) may be performed based on the output data.

  In the present embodiment, only the AF process is performed in step S126 or step S34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the AE process may be performed before the AF process.

  By performing the main exposure shooting by self-timer shooting in this way, for example, when the photographer himself is the subject, AF processing is performed after the face is increased, that is, after the photographer enters the shooting field of view. A photographed image in which the photographer himself / herself is focused on a photographing condition such as AF can be acquired. When AF processing is performed after the count reaches 0, a slight time lag occurs between the timing when the count reaches 0 and the main exposure. However, before the count reaches 0 as in the present embodiment. By performing AF processing and / or AE processing when the number of faces increases, it is possible to reduce the time required from when the count reaches zero until the main exposure shooting is performed. Can be prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, for example, when the photographer himself / herself becomes a subject, when the photographer himself enters the field of view, the photographer's face is detected before going to the standing position intended by the photographer, and AF processing is performed. There is a risk that it will be performed, which may cause the photographed image to be out of focus.

  Therefore, the number of faces detected by the face detector 65 is always checked, and after a predetermined time M has elapsed since the number of faces has increased, for example, the photographer himself enters the field of view as a subject and the photographer himself It is determined that the movement to the intended standing position is completed, and the AE process and / or the AF process are performed. Here, FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the self-timer imaging when the AE process and / or the AF process is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the number of faces increased. In FIG. 7, the same processing as in FIG. 6 is indicated by the same step number, and the description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, in step S124, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the number of faces has increased before and after the start of the countdown, that is, whether or not B> A (step S124). In addition to the timer unit of the photographing unit 66, k is set to 0 to measure the predetermined time M (step S130). Note that the value of the predetermined time M may be arbitrarily set by the user.

  Then, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the predetermined time M has passed, that is, whether or not k> M (step S131). If k> M (step S131; YES), shooting conditions such as AF are determined. The face to be aimed at is determined, this face area is set as an AF area (step S132), and AF processing is performed based on the set AF area (step S126).

  On the other hand, if k> M is not satisfied in step S131 (step S131; NO), the CPU 75 determines whether or not the count by the timer unit of the self-timer photographing unit 66 has become 0 (step S133), and the count is 0. In the case of (Step S133; YES), the process proceeds to Step S132. If the count is not 0 (step S133; NO), the CPU 75 adds 1 to k (step S134), and proceeds to step S131.

  By performing the main exposure shooting by self-timer shooting in this manner, for example, when the photographer himself becomes a subject, after a predetermined time M has elapsed since the face increased, that is, after the photographer entered the field of view. Since the AF process and / or the AE process are performed after the movement to the standing position intended by the photographer is completed, a focused photographed image in which the aim of the photographing condition such as AF is surely matched to the photographer himself is obtained. Can be acquired.

  In addition, by performing AF processing and / or AE processing after a predetermined time has elapsed since the number of faces increased before the count reaches 0, the main exposure shooting is performed after the count reaches 0 as described above. Since the time required until the time can be reduced, the occurrence of the time lag can be prevented.

  Further, for example, the photographer himself / herself photographed as a subject after the number of faces has increased and the detection result of the face has stabilized, not after a predetermined time M has elapsed since the number of faces has increased as in the above embodiment. AE processing and / or AF processing may be performed after determining that the movement of the standing position intended by the photographer himself / herself has been completed. Here, FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of self-timer imaging when the number of faces increases and the AE processing and / or AF processing is performed after the face detection result is stabilized. In FIG. 8, the same processes as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same step numbers, and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, in step S124, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the number of faces has increased before and after the start of the countdown, that is, whether or not B> A (step S124). The amount of change of each face is confirmed from the face detection history by the unit 65 (step S140). Here, the “variation amount” is the movement amount of the face position, but may be a variation amount of the face size, a change amount of the face direction or inclination, or the like.

  Then, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the variation amount of each face is stable (step S141). When the variation amount is stable, that is, when the face detection result is stable (step S141; YES), AF is performed. A face to which the shooting conditions such as the above are aimed is determined, this face area is set as an AF area (step S142), and AF processing is performed based on the set AF area (step S126). The “face variation amount” is determined to be that the variation amount, that is, the face detection result is stable when it is determined that the subject is substantially stationary when the variation amount is smaller than a preset threshold value.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation amount is not stable in step S141 (step S141; NO), the CPU 75 determines whether or not the count by the timer unit of the self-timer photographing unit 66 has become 0 (step S143) and counts. Is 0 (step S143; YES), the process proceeds to step S142. If the count is not 0 (step S143; NO), the CPU 75 proceeds to step S140.

  By performing the main exposure shooting by self-timer shooting in this way, for example, when the photographer himself is a subject, the number of faces increases and the amount of variation of the face stabilizes, that is, the photographer is within the field of view. Since the AF process is performed after the movement to the standing position intended by the photographer is completed after entering, a photographed image in focus with the aim of the photographing condition such as AF surely aligned with the photographer himself as described above Can be obtained.

  The AE process and / or AF process of the above-described embodiment is performed at the timing described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the user can arbitrarily select or set the timing. It is good. FIG. 9 shows an example of menu display for self-timer shooting. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the self-timer 92 is selected on the menu screen 91, the timing 93 for performing the AE process and the AF process is individually set, for example, immediately before the exposure when the release button is pressed halfway. Select ON / OFF94. If all of them are set to OFF at this time, “please turn ON one or more” is displayed on the monitor 18.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the timing 93 for performing the AE process and the AF process is selected 95 from a plurality of timings such as immediately before the exposure when the release button is pressed halfway. There may be.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the self-timer 92 is selected on the menu screen 91, it may be selected 96 whether or not it is self-portrait. In this case, for example, when self-portrait is selected, it is possible to perform AE processing and AF processing immediately before exposure, and when other than self-portrait, it is possible to perform AE processing and AF processing when the release button is pressed halfway. . “Self-portrait” refers to a shooting method in which the photographer himself participates as a subject.

  By doing so, it is possible to acquire an image in which the photographer has brightness (luminance) and focus (focus position) when photographing the photographer himself as a subject.

  As described above, according to the digital camera described above, when the main exposure shooting is performed using the self-timer shooting unit 66, the AE / AWB is performed after the release button 19 is fully pressed until the main exposure shooting is performed. Since the processing unit 63 and the AF processing unit 62 perform AE processing and / or AF processing according to the face detection result, when a face is detected after the release button 19 is fully pressed, the detected face AE processing and / or AF processing can be performed in the region. Thereby, for example, even when the photographer himself is the subject, an image in which the photographer has brightness (luminance) and focus (focus position) can be acquired.

  Next, a digital camera according to another embodiment will be described as an imaging apparatus of the present invention. Since the digital camera of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the digital camera 1 of the above-described embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted, and only the flow of self-timer shooting that is a different part will be described. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of self-timer shooting according to this embodiment. In the self-timer photographing according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the flow until the countdown is started (step S49) is the same as that in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the countdown is started (step S49), the CPU 75 determines whether or not the standby time, that is, the count has reached a predetermined time N (step S50). When the count is not N (step S50; NO), the CPU 75 shifts the process to step S49, and when the count is N (step S50; YES), the CPU 75 determines whether or not a face is detected. It discriminate | determines (step S51).

  If a face is detected (step S51; YES), the face area is set as an AF area (step S52). If no face is detected (step S51; NO), the face is detected in the previous AF area. It is determined whether or not the area is set, that is, whether or not the face area is set as the AF area in step S42 (step S54). If the face area is not set as the AF area in step S42 (step S54; NO) ), The center of the subject is set as the AF area.

  When an AF area is set in step S52 or step S55, AF processing is performed based on the set AF area (step S53), and then the CPU 75 determines whether or not the count is zero (step S53). Step S56). When the count reaches 0 (step S56; YES), the main exposure shooting is performed based on the data output from the AF processing unit 62 in step S53 (step S57).

  On the other hand, if the count is not 0 (step S56; NO), the CPU 75 continues to count down until the count reaches 0 (step S58). When the count reaches 0, the process proceeds to step S57 to perform main exposure photography (step S57). Step S57).

If the face area is set as the AF area in step S42 (step S54; YES), the process proceeds to step S56 without performing the AF process, and when the count reaches 0, the AF processing unit 62 in step S46. Based on the data output by the main exposure photographing (step S57).
By performing the main exposure shooting by self-timer shooting in this manner, the CPU 75 determines whether or not a face has been detected before the count reaches 0, and AF processing and processing are performed according to the determination result. Since the AE process is performed, it is possible to reduce the time required from when the count reaches 0 until the main exposure shooting is performed. The count N described above may be arbitrarily set by the user.

  Also, in FIG. 10, if the count reaches 0 before completing the AF process (step S53) from step S50 to step 56, that is, S ′ in FIG. 10, the AF process (step S53). ) Is completed, the main exposure shooting is performed (step S57). Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and when the count reaches 0 before the AF process (step S53) is completed, for example, the AF process in step S53 is forcibly terminated and the count is reset to 0. Then, the main exposure shooting (step S57) may be performed based on the previous AF processing, that is, the data output from the AF processing unit 62 in step S46.

  Whether or not a face is detected by the CPU 75 in step S51 is determined only when the face detection button 27 is set to ON in step S40 (step S40; YES). Is set to OFF (step S40; NO), when the release button 19 is half-pressed in step S44 (step S44; YES), AF processing is performed with the center of the subject as the AF area, and thereafter AF processing is not performed, and when the count reaches 0 in step S56 (step S56; YES), main exposure photography is performed (step S37). At this time, the AF processing in which the center of the subject is the AF area is not limited to when the release button 19 is half-pressed, and may be, for example, when the count becomes 0 in step S56.

  Next, a digital camera 1-2 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the digital camera 1-2. As shown in FIG. 11, the digital camera 1-2 according to the present embodiment further includes a setting unit 77 in addition to the configuration of the digital camera 1 according to the above-described embodiment, and the face detection unit 65 ′ according to the present embodiment includes, for example, A plurality of faces in different states such as a front face and a side face can be detected. In FIG. 11, the same parts as those in FIG.

  The setting unit 77 sets the face detection condition by the face detection unit 65 ′ to a condition for detecting any of a plurality of faces in different states. In this embodiment, when the self-timer shooting is turned on. Set as above.

  Hereinafter, setting of detection conditions for the face detected by the face detection unit 65 ′ will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the face detection condition setting process, and FIG. 13 is an example of a face detection result in the digital camera 1-2 subjected to the setting process of FIG.

  For example, when a plurality of faces are detected by the face detection unit 65 ′, the photographer himself / herself is set as a subject by self-timer shooting with the digital camera 1-2 controlled to set the AF area in the face area from the center. When taking a picture, the photographer normally presses the release button 19 and stands in front of the taking lens 20, so the photographer does not know the exact position where his face is shown, that is, his face is Since it is not known whether or not it is near the center, it cannot be confirmed whether or not its own face area is set as the AF area. Therefore, when performing self-timer shooting in a shooting environment in which there are faces other than yourself, it is necessary to ensure that shooting conditions such as AF are aimed at the user.

  In general, during self-timer shooting, the face of a person who is the main subject is often facing the front of the taking lens 20. However, when the face detection unit 65 ′ detects, for example, a side face and a front face as faces in different states, as shown in FIG. 13A, a side face that is a subject unintended by the photographer near the center of the shooting field of view. When photographing a main subject intended by the photographer (for example, the photographer himself / herself) in a photographing environment in which F1 exists, the face detection unit 65 ′ detects the side face F1 and the front face F2 that is the main subject. Since F1 is located closer to the center, the face area of the side face F1 is set as the AF area.

  Therefore, in the digital camera 1-2 of the present embodiment, the face detection condition is set so that only the front face is detected during self-timer shooting.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 75 first determines whether or not the self-timer is set to ON (step S60). When the self-timer is set to ON (step S60; YES), the setting unit 77 sets the face detection condition by the face detection unit 65 ′ so as to detect only the front face and not the side face. (Step S61).

  On the other hand, when the self-timer is not set to ON (step S60; NO), the setting unit 77 sets the face detection condition by the face detection unit 65 ′ to detect both the front face and the side face. (Step S62).

  In this way, when the self-timer shooting is turned on, the setting unit 77 controls the face detection unit 65 ′ to detect only the front face by setting the face detection condition by limiting the face direction. Therefore, the face detection unit 65 ′ detects only the front face F2 ′ of the main subject as shown in FIG. 13B even under the same shooting environment as that shown in FIG. Therefore, for example, the shooting condition such as AF can be surely aimed at the front face of the main subject such as the photographer himself.

  In this embodiment, the setting unit 77 sets the face detection condition so as not to detect the side face. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the setting unit 77 is set not to detect an upward face, a downward face, an inclined face, or the like. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the setting unit 77 restricts the face direction as the face detection condition. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the face size is restricted. Good. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of face detection condition setting processing according to another embodiment, and FIG. 15 shows an example of face detection results in the digital camera 1-3 subjected to the setting processing of FIG.

  When the face detection unit 65 ′ detects faces of various sizes, large and small, as faces in different states, as shown in FIG. 15 (a), the subject is not intended by the photographer. When photographing a main subject intended by the photographer (for example, the photographer himself / herself) in a photographing environment where the small face F3 exists, the face detection unit 65 ′ detects the small face F3 and the large face F4 (F4>) as the main subject. F3) is detected, but the face area of the small face F3 is set as the AF area because the small face F3 is located closer to the center.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the size of the face to be detected at the time of self-timer shooting is, for example, only 1 / M or more of the short side of the image, only 1 / N or less of the short side of the image, and the short side of the image. The face detection condition is set so that only a predetermined range of size, such as 1 / M to 1 / N, is detected.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 75 first determines whether or not the self-timer is set to ON (step S70). When the self-timer is set to ON (step S70; YES), the setting unit 77 detects only the face within the predetermined range as the face detection condition by the face detection unit 65 ′. Set (step S71).

  On the other hand, when the self-timer is not set to ON (step S70; NO), the setting unit 77 detects the face detection condition by the face detection unit 65 ′ without limiting the size of the face. Set (step S72).

  In this way, when the self-timer shooting is turned on, the setting unit 77 sets the face detection condition by limiting the size of the face, so that the face detection unit 65 ′ only has a face within a predetermined range. Therefore, even under the same shooting environment as that shown in FIG. 15A, the face detection unit 65 ′ can be controlled within a predetermined range as shown in FIG. 15B. Since only the large face F4 ′ of the main subject can be detected, for example, the shooting condition such as AF can be reliably aimed at the face of the main subject such as the photographer himself.

  In this embodiment, the setting unit 77 automatically sets the face detection condition when the self-timer is set to ON as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user's manual operation is not limited to this. It may be set by. FIG. 16 shows an example of menu display for self-timer shooting.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when the user selects the self-timer 92 on the menu screen 91, in the face detection setting 97, the user individually selects the face state to be detected by ON / OFF. For example, when the front face is always the detection target, as shown in FIG. 16A, the setting unit 77 sets the face detection condition by selecting whether or not the side face is the detection target by ON / OFF 98. Set.

  Further, for example, when the face state that is always a detection target is not determined, the setting unit 77 is selected by the user individually selecting the face state with ON / OFF 99 as shown in FIG. Set the detection conditions. FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of the face detection condition setting process shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the self-timer is set to ON (step S80). If the self-timer is set to ON (step S80; YES), the setting unit 77 is set to the user. Confirmation of the setting is performed (step S81).

  The setting unit 77 first determines whether or not the front is turned on (step S82). If it is turned on (step S82; YES), the front face is set as a detection target (step S83). If it is not turned on (step S82; NO), the front face is not detected (step S84).

  Next, the setting unit 77 determines whether or not the landscape orientation is turned on (step S85). If it is turned on (step S85; YES), the landscape face is set as a detection target (step S86). If it is not turned ON (step S85; NO), the sideways face is not detected (step S87).

  Next, the setting unit 77 determines whether or not upward is turned on (step S88). If it is turned on (step S88; YES), the upward face is set as a detection target (step S89). If it is not turned on (step S88; NO), the upward face is not detected (step S90).

  Next, the setting unit 77 determines whether or not downward is turned on (step S91). If it is turned on (step S91; YES), the downward face is set as a detection target (step S92). If it is not turned on (step S91; NO), the downward face is not detected (step S93).

  Further, the setting unit 77 determines whether or not all ON / OFF 99 in FIG. 16B are OFF, that is, whether all faces are excluded from detection targets (step S94), and all are excluded from detection targets. In such a case (step S94; YES), for example, a warning is displayed on the monitor 18 to turn on one (step S95), and the CPU 75 proceeds to step S81. On the other hand, when not all of them are excluded from the detection target (step S94; NO), the detection target determined by the processing of step S82 to step S83 is set as the face detection condition.

  If the self-timer is not turned on in step S80 (step S80; NO), face detection conditions are set for all faces as detection targets (step S96). Thus, the setting unit 77 may set the face detection condition manually by the user.

  In this embodiment, the face state is set to face, sideways, upward, downward, etc., but the face inclination may be set similarly.

  As described above, in the digital camera 1-2 according to the present embodiment, the setting unit 77 sets the face detection condition by the face detection unit 65 ′ to one of a plurality of conditions for detecting faces in different states. However, the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a digital camera 1-3 according to another embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the digital camera 1-3 according to the present embodiment selects any of a plurality of faces in different states detected by the face detection unit 65 ′ instead of the setting unit 77 of the digital camera 1-2. A selection unit 78 is provided.

  The selection unit 78 sets the selection conditions in substantially the same manner as the face detection condition setting process (see FIGS. 12 and 14) by the setting unit 77 of the digital camera 1-2 described above. For example, FIG. As shown, when the side face F1 and the front face F2 are detected, the side face F1 is not selected and only the front face F2 ′ is selected as shown in FIG. 13B, and the selected front face F2 ′ is selected. Aim the shooting conditions such as AF.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 15A, when a small face F3 and a large face F4 having a predetermined range are detected, the small face F3 is not selected and is predetermined as shown in FIG. 15B. Only the large face F4 ′ that is the size of the range is selected, and shooting conditions such as AF are aimed at the selected large face F4 ′.

  After a plurality of faces in different states are detected by the face detection unit 65 ′ in this way, by selecting one of them and aiming the shooting conditions such as AF, the face of the main subject is detected as in the above embodiment. It is possible to aim the shooting conditions with certainty.

  The selection unit 78 may be set so as not to select a face whose variation amount is larger than a predetermined value from the faces detected by the face detection unit 65 '. Here, FIG. 19 is a flowchart of self-timer shooting considering the amount of variation in the face, FIG. 20A shows an example of the face detection result when the amount of variation is not considered, and FIG. An example of the face detection result is shown respectively. In FIG. 19, the same processes as those in FIG.

  When the digital camera 1-3 is controlled so as to set the AF area in the face area from the center when a plurality of faces are detected by the face detection unit 65 ′, the main subject is generally used during self-timer shooting. Therefore, the selection unit 78 does not select a face with a large amount of variation so that shooting conditions such as AF are not aimed at a face with a large amount of variation.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19B, when a face is detected in step S32 (step S32; YES), the selection unit 78 confirms the amount of variation of each face from the detection history (step S100), and the variation is detected. Faces with a large amount are not selected because they are not targeted for shooting conditions (step S101).

  Then, the CPU 75 determines whether or not there is a face that is a target for aiming shooting conditions such as AF (step S102), and when there is a face that is a target for aiming shooting conditions (step S102; YES), This face is determined as a face aiming at AF (step S103), and this face area is set as an AF area (step S104).

  On the other hand, in step S102, when there is no face targeted for the shooting conditions (step S102; NO), the CPU 75 proceeds to step S35.

  For example, as shown in the left diagrams of FIGS. 20A and 20B, the main object intended by the photographer (for example, the photographer himself) is on the left side of the field of view at time t1 when the face detection unit 65 ′ is present. The face A of the person P1 and the face B of the person P2, which is a subject unintended by the photographer, are detected on the right end side, and at the time t2 when the time elapses from the time t1, they are substantially in the same position in the shooting field of view. When the face A ′ of the person P1 whose movement amount is smaller than a predetermined value and the face B ′ of the person P2 who moved from the right end side to the center, that is, the face B ′ of the person P2 whose movement amount is larger than the predetermined value, are detected. If not, at time t1 in the left diagram of FIG. 20 (a), the face A located at the center of the two faces A and B is the target for which the shooting condition is aimed, At time t2 when time has passed, as shown in the right figure, More central face B 'located More, becomes a target of imaging condition is aiming.

  On the other hand, by performing the processing in consideration of the variation amount as described above, the selection unit 78 targets the face B ′ of the person P2 having a large movement amount as the target of the shooting condition as shown in the right diagram of FIG. Since the face A ′ of the person P1 having a small amount of variation is a target to which the shooting condition is aimed, for example, the shooting condition such as AF is surely aimed at the face of the main subject such as the photographer himself. It becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, the amount of movement of the face position has been described as an example of the amount of variation, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the amount of variation in face size, the amount of change in face orientation and inclination Etc.

  Next, a digital camera according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the digital camera of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the digital camera 1-3 of the above-described embodiment, description thereof will be omitted, and only the flow of self-timer shooting that is a different part will be described. FIG. 21 shows a flowchart of self-timer shooting according to this embodiment. In FIG. 21, the same processes as those in FIG.

  In the above embodiment, after the count reaches 0 in step S31 of FIG. 19, the selection unit 78 performs the processing from step S100 to step S104, that is, the confirmation of the variation amount to the setting of the AF area, and the AE processing and / or AF. Since the process is performed, a slight time lag occurs between the time when the count reaches 0 and the time when the main exposure process is performed.

  Thus, in the self-timer shooting of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21B, when the countdown is started (step S30), the CPU 75 determines whether or not the standby time, that is, the count has reached a predetermined time N (step S110). If the count is not N (step S110; NO), the CPU 75 proceeds to step S30, and if the count is N (step S110; YES), the CPU 75 determines whether or not a face is detected. If it is determined (step S32) and a face is detected (step S32; YES), the processing from step S100 to step S104 described above, that is, from the confirmation of the fluctuation amount to the setting of the AF area, is performed, and the AF processing unit 62 AF processing is performed based on the AF area in which is set (step S34).

  Next, the CPU 75 determines whether or not the count has reached 0 (step S111). When the count has reached 0 (step S111; YES), the main exposure is performed based on the data output by the AF processing unit 62 in step S34. Photographing is performed (step S37).

  On the other hand, if the count is not 0 (step S111; NO), the CPU 75 continues to count down until the count reaches 0 (step S112). When the count reaches 0, the process proceeds to step S37 to perform main exposure photography (step S37). Step S37).

  If the face area is set as the AF area in step S23 (step S35; YES), the process proceeds to step S111 without performing the AF process, and when the count reaches 0, the AF processing unit 62 in step S27. The main exposure shooting is performed based on the data output by (step S37).

  By performing the main exposure shooting using the self-timer shooting in this way, before the count reaches 0, the selection unit 78 performs the processing from step S100 to step S104, that is, the confirmation of the fluctuation amount to the setting of the AF area. Since the process and / or the AE process are performed, the time required until the main exposure shooting is performed after the count reaches 0, that is, the time lag can be reduced. The count N described above may be arbitrarily set by the user.

  In FIG. 21B, when the count reaches 0 before the AF process (step S34) is completed during the period from step S110 to step 111, that is, S ′ in FIG. 21B, the AF process (step S34). ) Is completed, the main exposure shooting is performed (step S37). The present invention is not limited to this. When the count reaches 0 before the AF process (step S34) is completed, for example, the AF process in step S34 is forcibly terminated and the count is set to 0. Then, the main exposure shooting (step S37) may be performed based on the previous AF processing, that is, the data output from the AF processing unit 62 in step S27.

  In the digital camera according to the above-described embodiment, the face appears before the release button 19 is half-pressed (steps S25 and S44) in FIGS. 5, 6A, 7A, 8A, 10, 19A, and 21A. The presence or absence (steps S22, S41) is determined and the AF area is set (steps S23, S24, S42, S43). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the release button 19 is half-pressed. (Steps S25 and S44) This may be performed later.

  In the above-described embodiment, the predetermined object is a face, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be an object other than the face. In the above-described embodiment, when the face is not detected, the center of the subject is set as the AF area. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other positions other than the center of the subject. It may be.

  In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, when a face is not detected by the above-described self-timer shooting until the main exposure shooting, no face is detected for the photographer and / or the person to be photographed. You may further provide the transmission means which transmits this. At this time, the transmission means can transmit that the face has been detected. Here, FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of a digital camera 1-4 provided with a transmission means, and FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the digital camera 1-4.

  Usually, during the face detection by the face detection units 65 and 65 ', the photographer looks at the detection frame surrounding the detected face displayed on the monitor 18 (see FIG. 1) on the back of the digital camera, and the face is detected. It is possible to confirm whether or not it has been detected.

  However, when the photographer himself / herself becomes a subject in self-timer photography or the like, the photographer must move to the front side of the digital camera, so it is difficult to confirm as described above. Therefore, a transmission means is provided for transmitting to the subject whether or not a face has been detected during self-timer shooting.

  In the digital camera 1-4 of the present embodiment, as a transmission means, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, an information transmission unit 79 and an information display unit 18 ′ such as a liquid crystal monitor for displaying information transmitted by the information transmission unit 79 are provided. 22 is provided in front of the digital camera, and the information transmitting unit 79 displays a circle mark “◯” on the information display unit 18 ′, for example, if a face is detected, and a cross mark “ “×” is displayed.

  This makes it possible to check whether a face is detected even when the photographer himself is the main subject in self-timer shooting. For example, when the photographer is not within the field of view. In addition, the photographer can confirm that he / she is not within the field of view and can move to be within the field of view. This can prevent the shooting from failing.

  Note that the information transmission unit 79 may display the number of detected faces when the face is detected, for example, on the information display unit 18 ′, or the same as the monitor 18 on the back (see FIG. 3). A detection frame may be displayed. Further, when it is confirmed whether or not the number of faces detected by the face detection units 65 and 65 ′ has increased, it may be displayed when the number of detected faces increases.

  Note that the information transmitting unit 79 may transmit whether or not a face has been detected by turning on / off the light emitting element instead of displaying characters, marks, or the like as described above. In this case, it is possible to use the AF auxiliary light 28 on the front of the digital camera, for example, as shown in FIG. 22 without newly providing the information display section 18 '. When the AF auxiliary light 28 is used, the light may be emitted by a method different from the method of emitting light as the normal AF auxiliary light 28, for example, flashing light emission. Furthermore, the information transmitting unit 79 may transmit sound information such as sound and sound to the subject instead of transmission by visual information.

  For example, a plurality of various types of transmission means may be prepared, and one of these may be arbitrarily selected or set by the user.

  The digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, instead of the self-timer photographing unit 66 or newly, an automatic photographing unit that outputs a pressing signal of the release button 19 at a predetermined timing and starts main exposure photographing. A digital camera that includes (automatic photographing means) and performs automatic photographing is also one embodiment of the present invention. In this case, whether or not the object has been detected at least once when the release button 19 outputs a pressing signal and between the time when the release button 19 outputs the pressing signal and when the main exposure shooting is performed. AE processing and / or AF processing is performed according to the determination result.

  The imaging apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the digital camera of the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed in design without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 Digital camera (imaging device)
18 monitor 18 'information display part (transmission means)
19 Release button (shooting instruction means)
25 Self-timer lamp 27 Face detection button 28 AF auxiliary light 62 AF processing unit (focusing determining means)
63 AE / AWB processing unit (exposure determining means)
65, 65 'face detection unit (object detection means)
66 Self-timer photographing unit (self-timer photographing means)
77 Setting section (setting means)
78 Selection part (selection means)
79 Information transmitter (transmission means)

Claims (6)

An imaging means for capturing a subject and generating image data;
Face area detecting means for detecting a human face area from the image data;
Exposure determining means for determining an exposure condition;
A focus determining means for determining a focus position;
Photographing instruction means for instructing main exposure photographing;
In an imaging apparatus comprising: a self-timer photographing unit that measures a predetermined time in response to a main exposure photographing instruction by the photographing instruction unit and performs the main exposure photographing after the predetermined time has elapsed.
When performing the main exposure shooting using the self-timer shooting means,
The face region detecting means performs detection of the face area, a count of the detected face area as the number of the first face area before the start of the time measurement,
The face area detection means detects the face area at least once during the period from the start of the time measurement until the main exposure shooting is performed, and the number of the detected face areas is determined as the second face area. And comparing the number of the first face area and the number of the second face area,
Based on the result of the comparison, it is determined whether or not the number of the face regions has increased between the start of the timing and the lapse of the predetermined time,
An imaging apparatus, further comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit to the photographer and / or the photographee that the predetermined number of face areas has not increased when the number of face areas has not increased. apparatus. An imaging means for capturing a subject and generating image data;
Face area detecting means for detecting a predetermined face area from the image data;
Exposure determining means for determining an exposure condition;
A focus determining means for determining a focus position;
Photographing instruction means for instructing main exposure photographing;
In an imaging apparatus comprising: a self-timer photographing unit that measures a predetermined time in response to a main exposure photographing instruction by the photographing instruction unit and performs the main exposure photographing after the predetermined time has elapsed.
When performing the main exposure shooting using the self-timer shooting means,
The face region detecting means performs detection of the face area, a count of the detected face area as the number of the first face area before the start of the time measurement,
The face area detection means detects the face area at least once during the period from the start of the time measurement until the main exposure shooting is performed, and the number of the detected face areas is determined as the second face area. And comparing the number of the first face area and the number of the second face area,
Based on the result of the comparison, it is determined whether or not the number of the face regions has increased between the start of the timing and the lapse of the predetermined time,
An imaging apparatus, further comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit to the photographer and / or the photographee that the number of the predetermined face areas has increased when the number of face areas has increased .   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit performs at least one of display of characters and / or marks, control of light emitting elements, and voice transmission.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the transmission units, wherein one of the plurality of transmission units can be arbitrarily selected or set by a user. .   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the light emitting element controls AF auxiliary light.   6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control of the AF auxiliary light includes blinking emission of the AF auxiliary light.

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