JP4607822B2 - Digital camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera provided with a finder for confirming a shooting range.

  2. Description of the Related Art Digital cameras that acquire a digital image data by capturing an image of a subject formed by a photographic lens with an image sensor have become widespread. This digital camera is provided with a viewfinder for confirming the shooting range. In a digital camera having a zoom lens that changes the focal length, the display range of the finder is changed in conjunction with the zoom operation of the zoom lens.

  The viewfinder is roughly classified into an optical viewfinder and an electronic viewfinder. The optical viewfinder is configured so that the subject can be viewed directly using a lens, viewfinder frame, etc., and the field of view range is changed by moving the viewfinder lens in the optical axis direction in conjunction with the zooming operation of the zoom lens. . The electronic viewfinder displays an image captured by the image sensor on a display element such as an LCD. Therefore, the photographing range changed by the zoom lens zooming operation is displayed on the display element as it is.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a holographic viewfinder in which two hologram plates are installed in a camera body, and a field frame is holographically displayed on these hologram plates. Patent Document 2 discloses a camera system having a glasses-like viewfinder device that is placed in front of a photographer's eyes. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a camera for correcting parallax, in which a rectangular finder frame is moved in conjunction with an operation of a focusing ring for adjusting the focus of a photographing lens.

In a digital camera having a zoom lens, a zoom operation is performed by operating a zoom operation member configured by a dial, an operation ring, an operation button, and the like while confirming a shooting range with a finder. Further, when the photographing range is determined, the shutter button is pressed halfway to cause the digital camera to execute the AE operation and the AF operation, and then the image is taken by fully pressing the shutter button.
JP 05-346607 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-199281 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-209701

  The conventional determination of the shooting range by zoom operation is not direct because it must be performed by operating the zoom operation member, and there is a problem that shooting is difficult for a user who is unfamiliar with the operation. In addition, it is complicated to simultaneously check the shooting range with the finder and operate the zoom operation member and the shutter button, which causes an operation error and a shooting error.

  Further, the optical viewfinder has a problem in that the positional relationship between the eyes and the viewfinder is defined and the photographing posture becomes cramped because it is necessary to check the photographing range by bringing the eyes close to the digital camera. Further, the electronic viewfinder has a problem that a time lag occurs between an actual subject and a subject displayed on the display means, and a problem that the LCD is difficult to visually recognize in bright outdoors.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention can directly perform zoom operation and shooting range, simplify operation from zoom operation to shooting, and keep eyes and viewfinder apart. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera provided with a finder that can confirm a shooting range at a certain position.

  In order to solve the above problems, a digital camera according to the present invention includes a photographic lens that forms a subject image, an imaging element that photoelectrically converts the subject image formed by the photographic lens and generates a photographic image, and a photographic lens. The camera body is provided with a shooting field angle switching means for optically changing the shooting angle of view or electronically changing the shooting angle of view by performing image processing on a captured image generated by the imaging device. A finder frame that is used to check the shooting range by looking from the back side, a camera for the shooter that is provided on the back of the camera body and shoots the face of the photographer looking into the finder frame to generate a photographer image, and shooting A face detection means for detecting the photographer's face based on the person's image and identifying the position coordinates of both eyes of the photographer with respect to the viewfinder frame, Based on the distance measurement means that measures the distance, the position coordinates of the eye closest to the finder frame of the photographer, the photographer distance, and the size of the finder frame, the photographing range that the photographer is looking through the finder frame is calculated. The photographing field angle calculating means for calculating the photographing field angle necessary for photographing the photographing range with the photographing lens and determining the focal length of the photographing lens based on the photographing field angle, and the photographing field angle calculating means. And an angle-of-view control means for controlling the photographic angle-of-view switching means based on the determined focal length.

  The face detecting means detects the open / closed state of both eyes of the photographer and the time when the eyes are closed, and inputs the detection result to the photographing angle of view calculating means. Then, when the face detection means detects that the eye on one side of the photographer is closed for a predetermined time or more, the shooting angle of view calculation means is based on the eye that is not closed and the shooting range and the shooting angle of view. Is calculated to determine the focal length of the photographic lens.

  The shooting angle of view calculation means generates an angle of view warning signal when the calculated shooting range is outside the maximum shooting angle of view that can be shot by the photographic lens, and warns the photographer based on the angle of view warning signal. An angle warning means is provided.

  Further, trimming means for trimming a captured image based on the shooting angle of view calculated by the shooting angle of view calculation means may be provided.

  In addition, with regard to an automatic exposure control unit that performs exposure control by detecting subject brightness and an automatic focus control unit that performs focus adjustment by measuring the distance to the subject, the eye on one side of the photographer is set for a predetermined time by the face detection unit. You may make it operate | mov when it detects that it was closed above.

  In addition, when the digital camera has a moving image shooting mode, the camera for shooting, the distance measuring unit, the face detecting unit, the shooting angle of view calculating unit, and the angle of view control unit are operated during shooting of the moving image. It is preferable to adjust the angle.

  Also, when adjusting the shooting angle of view during moving image shooting, there is provided a looking-off detecting means for detecting whether the photographer has looked away from the finder frame based on the detection result of the face detecting means, and this looking-off detecting means detects the looking away. In this case, it is preferable to continue shooting at the shooting angle of view immediately before the look-off is detected.

  The looking-off detection means includes a looking-away determination unit that detects whether the photographer has looked away from the finder frame based on the detection result of the face detection unit, and a storage unit that stores the detection result input from the face detection unit. The detection result input from the face detection unit is transmitted to the shooting angle-of-view calculation unit when the looking-off determination unit does not detect the looking-off, and the detection result immediately before the looking-off is detected when the looking-off determination unit detects the looking-off. Is read out from the storage unit and transmitted to the photographing angle-of-view calculating means.

  In addition, the determination of looking away by the looking away determination unit is determined to be looking away when both eyes of the photographer are opened and the distance between the left and right eyes is shorter than a predetermined interval. Is.

  Further, it is preferable that the look-off detection means includes a look-ahead warning means for generating a look-ahead warning signal when a look-a-side is detected and warning the photographer based on the look-ahead warning signal.

  Further, the finder frame may be foldable on the outer surface of the camera body. In addition, this foldable viewfinder frame prevents the viewfinder frame from being folded when the camera body is turned on, and allows the viewfinder frame to be folded when the camera body is turned off. Locking means may be provided.

  The foldable finder frame is composed of a plurality of frame members pivotally attached to the camera body, and the lock means prevents the frame member from rotating when the camera body is powered on. Thus, the viewfinder frame is prevented from being folded.

  According to the digital camera of the present invention, the zoom operation can be performed by changing the relative position between the finder frame and the photographer's face. Therefore, even a user who is not familiar with the operation of the digital camera can easily perform zoom shooting. It can be performed. In addition, since the photographing range can be confirmed without keeping an eye on the digital camera, photographing can be performed with an easy posture, and operation can be performed while viewing other operation members such as a release button. Further, since the subject is directly visually recognized, there is no time lag between the actual subject and the displayed subject unlike the electronic viewfinder, and the photographing range can be clearly confirmed even in a bright outdoor place.

  In addition, since the photographing preparation operation such as zooming, AE, and AF is performed when the photographer closes one eye, the photographing operation can be further simplified.

  Further, depending on the relative position between the finder frame and the photographer's face, the photographing range determined by the photographer may protrude from the maximum photographing angle of view of the photographing lens, and the intended photographing may not be performed. However, since a warning is issued when the calculated shooting angle of view exceeds the maximum shooting angle of view, such a problem does not occur.

  Furthermore, since the trimming means for trimming the photographed image based on the calculated photographing range is provided, an image intended by the photographer can be obtained.

  In addition, since the camera for the photographer, the distance measuring unit, the face detecting unit, the shooting angle of view calculation unit, and the angle of view control unit are operated during moving image shooting, the moving image shooting is performed while adjusting the shooting angle of view. be able to. Furthermore, even if the photographer looks away from the finder frame during moving image shooting, the moving image shooting is not affected, so that an unintended change in the shooting angle of view can be prevented. Also, since this warning is also warned, more appropriate moving image shooting can be performed.

  In addition, since the finder frame is foldable, the digital camera when not in use can be miniaturized. Further, since the lock means for preventing the finder frame from being folded when the digital camera is turned on is provided, it is possible to prevent the digital camera from being forgotten to be turned off.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in the digital camera 2 of the present invention, a large-size finder frame 4 penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in a substantially central portion of the camera body 3. As shown in FIG. 2, when shooting with the digital camera 2, the photographer 7 looks through the finder frame 4 from the back side of the camera body 3 and confirms the shooting range.

  On the front surface of the camera body 3, a photographing lens 11 that forms a subject image and a flash light emitting unit 12 that irradiates flash light toward the subject are provided. A card slot 14 into which a memory card 13 is inserted is provided on one side surface of the camera body 3, and image data acquired by photographing is stored in the memory card 13. On the upper surface of the camera body 3, a power switch 15 for turning on / off the power of the digital camera 2 and a release button 16 are provided. The digital camera 2 performs a shooting operation when the release button 16 is pressed.

  A camera 20 for the photographer for photographing the face 19 of the photographer 7 is provided on the upper right of the back surface of the camera body 3. Below that, a mode switch 21 for switching the digital camera 2 between a still image shooting mode and a moving image shooting mode is arranged. A distance sensor (distance measuring means) 22 for measuring the distance from the camera body 3 to the face 19 is provided at the top of the finder frame 4. Further, on the upper left of the back surface of the camera body 3, a light emitting unit (field angle warning) that emits a warning when the shooting range determined by the finder frame 4 is larger than the maximum shooting field angle that can be shot by the shooting lens 11. Means and warning means).

  As shown in FIG. 3, each part of the digital camera 10 is controlled by the CPU 25. A ROM 27 connected to the CPU 25 via the data bus 26 stores control programs and various setting data. The CPU 25 controls each unit according to the steps described in the control program based on operation signals input from the power switch 15, the release button 16, the mode switch 21, and the like.

  The photographing lens 11 includes a zoom lens 11a and a focus lens 11b. The zoom lens 11a constitutes a photographing field angle switching unit that optically changes the photographing field angle. These lenses 11a and 11b are moved in the optical axis direction by drive mechanisms 30 and 31 including a motor. A diaphragm mechanism 32 for switching the diaphragm is incorporated between the zoom lens 11a and the focus lens 11b. This diaphragm mechanism 32 is also driven by a drive mechanism 34 including a motor. The motors of the drive mechanisms 30, 34, and 31 are controlled by a lens drive unit 25 a provided in the CPU 25 via motor drivers 36 to 38. The lens driving unit 25a constitutes a shooting angle switching unit, that is, a field angle control unit that controls the zoom lens 11a.

  A CCD 42, which is an image sensor, is disposed behind the focus lens 11b. As is well known, the CCD 42 has a light receiving surface in which a large number of light receiving elements are arranged in a matrix, and photoelectrically converts subject light imaged by the photographing lens 11. The CCD 42 is driven by a CCD driver 45. In place of the CCD 42, a CMOS type image sensor may be used.

  The imaging signal output from the CCD 42 is input to an analog front end circuit (AFE) 48. The AFE circuit 48 includes a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 49, an auto gain control circuit (AGC) 50, and an A / D converter (A / D) 51. The CDS 49 removes noise from the imaging signal input from the CCD 42. The AGC 50 amplifies the imaging signal based on the set amplification factor. The A / D 51 digitally converts the amplified imaging signal to generate image data. A timing pulse generator (TG) 54 generates a reference pulse and supplies it to the CCD driver 45, the AFE circuit 48, and the like.

  The image input controller 57 is connected to the CPU 25 via the data bus 26 and reads and writes image data in accordance with a control command from the CPU 25. The image input controller 57 reads out image data from the AFE circuit 48 according to an instruction from the CPU 25 and stores it in the SDRAM 58. Further, the image data read from the SDRAM 58 is input to the image signal processing circuit 59.

  The image signal processing circuit 59 performs various image processing such as gradation conversion, white balance correction, and γ correction processing and YC conversion processing on the input image data. The image data converted into the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cr and Cb by the YC conversion process is input to the compression processing circuit 60. When the YC converted image data is recorded on the memory card 13, the compression processing circuit 60 performs compression processing in a predetermined compression format, for example, JPEG format. The media controller 61 writes and reads image data to and from the memory card 13.

  The flash light emitting unit 12 is an electronic flash using a xenon tube, and light emission is controlled by a flash control circuit 64. The flash control circuit 64 includes a light emitting circuit that emits light by supplying a high voltage current to the xenon tube, and main light emission that is light emission at the time of photographing, dimming light emission that emits minute light at the AE operation before this main light emission, and the like The light emission control is performed.

  The AF detection circuit 67 integrates high frequency components of the spatial frequency of the image data recorded in the SDRAM 58. The CPU 25 controls the motor driver 38 so that the integrated value of the high-frequency component obtained by the AF detection circuit 67 during the AF operation is maximized, thereby moving the focus lens 11b forward and backward in the optical axis direction to perform focus adjustment.

  The AE / AWB detection circuit 70 detects the subject brightness from the brightness signal Y, and calculates an appropriate exposure based on the subject brightness. Further, from the calculated appropriate exposure, the shutter speed, aperture value, photographing sensitivity, presence / absence of flash emission, etc. that match the appropriate exposure are determined and input to the CPU 25. The CPU 25 controls the CCD driver 45, the aperture mechanism 32, the AGC 50, the flash control circuit 64, and the like based on the input data.

  The above-described camera 20 for photographer and distance sensor 22 are connected to the CPU 25. The warning LED 75 that emits light in the light emitting unit 23 is connected to the CPU 25 via the LED driver 76. The camera 20 for the photographer includes a photographing lens that forms an image of the face 19 of the photographer 7, an image pickup device such as a CCD that photoelectrically converts an image formed by the photographing lens, an AFE circuit similar to the AFE circuit 48, and the like. 4 and FIG. 5, the photographer 7's face 19 is photographed to produce a photographer image, which is input to a connected face detection circuit (face detection means) 79.

  The distance sensor 22 is, for example, a photoelectric distance sensor, which irradiates measurement light toward the photographer 7 and measures the reflection time thereof to measure the photographer distance L. The photographer distance L is input to the photographing field angle calculation circuit (photographing field angle calculation means) 80 as photographer distance information. In FIG. 4, it seems that the distance sensor 22 measures the distance to the right eye 19 a of the photographer 7, but when the photographer 7 is looking into the finder frame 4 as shown in FIG. Since the forehead 19c of the photographer 7 faces the sensor 22, the distance sensor 22 measures the distance from the camera body 3 to the forehead 19c of the photographer 7.

  The face detection circuit 79 detects the position coordinates of both eyes 19a and 19b of the photographer 7 with respect to the center of the finder frame 4 and the open / closed state of the eyes 19a and 19b from the photographer image input from the photographer camera 20. This is input to the photographing angle-of-view calculation circuit 80 as both-eye position information and both-eye opening / closing information. In addition, the information on the time when the eyes are closed is included in the both-eyes opening / closing information.

  For example, the face detection circuit 79 divides the photographer image in a grid pattern (for example, 16 × 16), and determines the skin color estimated to be skin from the signal levels of the R, G, and B color signals included in each divided region. A divided area including many pixels is selected and the face of the photographer 7 is detected. Further, from the detected face of the photographer 7, an area having white pixels estimated as white eyes and an area having black pixels estimated as pupils are selected, and the area of the photographer 7 on the image is selected from these areas. The position coordinates of both eyes 19a and 19b are obtained. Further, when the pixels in the areas detected as the eyes 19a and 19b change from white and black to skin color, it is detected that the eyes are closed.

  In the photographing angle-of-view calculation circuit 80, the face detection circuit 79 has closed the eye on one side of the photographer 7 (for example, the eye farther from the finder frame 4 (hereinafter referred to as non-observing eye) 19b) for a predetermined time. Operates when detected. Similarly, the AF detection circuit 67 and the AE / AWB detection circuit 70 described above operate when one eye of the photographer 7 is closed for a predetermined time or more. Thereby, instead of the half-press operation of the release button used in the conventional digital camera, the digital camera 2 can be made to perform the shooting preparation operation with the kind of closing the non-observation eye 19b. Can be made easier.

  The shooting angle-of-view calculation circuit 80 includes the position coordinates of the open eye of the photographer 7 (for example, the eye closer to the finder frame 4 (hereinafter referred to as the observation eye) 19a), the photographer distance L, From the opening sizes W and H of the finder frame 4, the photographing range that the photographer 7 is looking through the finder frame 4 is calculated. This imaging range is determined by the angular dimensions of θR and θL in the horizontal direction and θU and θD in the vertical direction around the optical axis S connecting the observation eye 19a of the photographer 7 and the center of the finder frame 4. The width W and the height H of the finder frame 4 may be stored in advance by providing a storage unit in the shooting angle-of-view calculation circuit 80, or may be appropriately read from the ROM 27 or the like.

  The shooting angle of view calculation circuit 80 calculates a shooting angle of view necessary for shooting the shooting ranges θR, θL, θU, and θD with the shooting lens 11. This shooting angle of view is obtained by angle dimensions of θR1, θL1, θU1, and θD1 with the optical axis S1 as the center. The shooting angle of view is a size that includes the shooting ranges θR, θL, θU, and θD, and satisfies θR1> θR, θL1> θL, θU1> θU, and θD1> θD.

  Further, the photographing field angle calculation circuit 80 determines the focal length P of the photographing lens 11 necessary for obtaining the calculated photographing field angles θR1, θL1, θU1, and θD1. The determination of the focal length P is performed, for example, by referring to a table or the like in which the focal length of the photographing lens 11 is associated with the photographing field angle. The focal length P is input to the lens driving unit 25a as focal length information, and the lens driving unit 25a moves the zoom lens 11a based on the input focal length P.

When the digital camera 2 is tilted with respect to the face 19 of the photographer 7, the photographer 7 confirms the photographing range through the tilted finder frame 4, and thus the photographing ranges θR, θL, θU, θD. However, the maximum photographing field angles θR _MAX , θL _MAX , θU _MAX , θD _MAX that can be photographed by the photographing lens 11 may be exceeded. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the shooting range θR protrudes from the maximum shooting field angle θR _MAX by the hatched area, and this portion cannot be shot.

  The shooting angle of view calculation circuit 80 compares the calculated shooting angle of view with the maximum shooting angle of view, and inputs the angle of view warning signal to the CPU 25 when the calculated shooting angle of view is larger than the maximum shooting angle of view. When the angle-of-view warning signal is input, the CPU 25 controls the LED driver 76 to turn on the warning LED 75 and warn the photographer 7.

  Next, the still image shooting mode of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When shooting a still image, the power switch 15 is operated to turn on the power of the digital camera 2 and the mode switch 21 is operated to set the still image shooting mode, as in a conventional digital camera.

  The CPU 25 operates the camera 20 for the photographer and the distance sensor 22 to photograph the face 19 of the photographer 7 and measures the photographer distance L to the face 19. The photographer image generated by the photographer camera 20 is input to the face detection circuit 79. The photographer distance L measured by the distance sensor 22 is input to the photographing field angle calculation circuit 80 as photographer distance information. The photographing and distance measurement of the photographer 7 may be performed at regular intervals, or may be stopped when the face 19 of the photographer 7 is not detected for a predetermined time or longer.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the photographer 7 looks through the finder frame 4 from behind and confirms the photographing range. At this time, since the range that can be seen from the finder frame 4 changes according to the relative position and distance between the photographer 7 and the digital camera 2, wide-angle shooting and telephoto shooting can be performed by adjusting the position of the digital camera 2. . When the photographing range is fixed, the photographer 7 closes the non-observation eye 19b far from the finder frame 4 for a predetermined time or more, for example.

  The face detection circuit 79 detects the face 19 of the photographer 7 based on the inputted photographer image, and detects the position coordinates of both eyes 19 a and 19 b and the open / closed state from the image of the face 19. This detection result is input to the photographing field angle calculation circuit 80 as both-eye position information and both-eye opening / closing information. The eye opening / closing information includes the time during which the eyes 19a and 19b are closed.

  The shooting angle-of-view calculation circuit 80 starts to operate when the non-observation eye 19b is closed for a predetermined time or more based on the binocular opening / closing information input from the face detection circuit 79. The photographing angle-of-view calculating circuit 80 captures the photographing ranges θR and θL that the photographer 7 is looking through the finder frame 4 from the position coordinates of the observation eye 19a, the photographer distance L, and the opening sizes W and L of the finder frame 4. , ΘU, θD are calculated. Next, photographing field angles θR1, θL1, θU1, and θD1 necessary for photographing the photographing ranges θR, θL, θU, and θD with the photographing lens 11 are calculated.

  The shooting angle of view calculation circuit 80 compares the calculated shooting angle of view with the maximum shooting angle of view obtained by the shooting lens 11. If the calculated shooting angle of view is larger than the maximum shooting angle of view and the shooting range is beyond the maximum shooting angle of view as shown in FIG. 6, an angle-of-view warning signal is input to the CPU 25. The CPU 25 controls the LED driver 76 to cause the warning LED 75 to emit light, and warns the photographer 7 that a part of the photographing range determined is not photographed.

  If there is no problem in comparing the calculated shooting angle of view with the maximum shooting angle of view, the shooting angle of view calculation circuit 80 has a focal length of the shooting lens 11 necessary to obtain the shooting angle of view θR1, θL1, θU1, θD1. P is determined. This focal length P is input to the lens driving unit 25a as focal length information. The lens driving unit 25a moves the zoom lens 11a based on the input focal length information and sets it to a position where the focal length P is obtained.

  After adjusting the focal length, automatic exposure control and automatic focus adjustment are performed by the AF detection circuit 67 and the AE / AWB detection circuit 70. When the photographer 7 presses the release button 16, still image shooting is performed by the CCD 42, and image data processed by the AFE circuit 48, the image signal processing circuit 59, the compression processing circuit 60, and the like is transferred to the memory card 13 by the media controller 61. Written.

  As described above, in the digital camera 2 of the present embodiment, the shooting range can be changed from the wide angle to the telephoto by appropriately changing the distance between the photographer and the digital camera 2 without operating the operation member. Even a user unfamiliar with the operation of the digital camera can easily perform the shooting operation. In addition, since the photographing range can be confirmed and the photographing operation can be performed at a position where the face 19 of the photographer 7 is separated from the digital camera 2, the operation can be performed while confirming each part of the digital camera 2. Furthermore, since the subject is confirmed through the finder frame, display delay does not occur unlike LCDs and the like, and it can be easily visually recognized even in bright outdoors.

  Next, the operation when shooting a moving image from the digital camera 2 of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When shooting a moving image, the mode switch 21 is operated to set the moving image shooting mode in the same manner as the still image shooting described above.

  The CPU 25 operates the photographer's camera 20 and the distance sensor 22 to photograph the face 19 of the photographer 7 and measures the photographer distance L to the face 19 as in the case of still image photographing. When the non-observation eye 19b of the photographer 7 is closed for a predetermined time or more, the photographing field angle calculation circuit 80 calculates the photographing range, the photographing field angle, and the focal length P, and the zoom lens 11a is moved based on the photographing range. .

  The digital camera 2 starts moving image shooting by pressing the release button 16 and continues moving image shooting while the release button 16 is pressed. During the moving image shooting, the shooting angle of view adjustment shown in FIG. 9 is executed at a constant cycle. This shooting angle adjustment is performed before the start of shooting, shooting the face 19 of the photographer 7, measuring the photographer distance L, detecting the position and open / closed state of both eyes, calculating the shooting range and shooting angle, It consists of determining the distance P, moving the zoom lens 11a, and AE and AF operations. Thus, even if the relative position between the digital camera 2 and the photographer 7 changes during moving image shooting, the shooting angle of view can be adjusted in accordance with the change.

  In the digital camera of the present invention, if the photographer looks away from the viewfinder during moving image shooting, a change in the shooting angle of view unintended by the photographer occurs. For this reason, it is preferable that the moving image shooting is continued without detecting this while looking away during the moving image shooting. As shown in FIG. 10, in another embodiment of the present invention, in order not to detect looking away during moving image shooting, a looking away detection circuit (looking away) is provided between the face detection circuit 79 and the shooting angle of view calculation circuit 80. Detection means) 85 is provided. The looking-away detection circuit 85 includes a memory (storage unit) 86, a looking-away determination unit 87, and a selector 88. In FIG. 10, only the configuration related to the finder is drawn to prevent the drawing from becoming complicated. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the looking-off detection circuit 85 operates when adjusting the shooting angle of view in the moving image shooting mode. The binocular position information and the binocular opening / closing information detected by the face detection circuit 79 are input to the looking-off detection circuit 85. The memory 86 stores information input during moving image shooting. The looking-away determination unit 87 opens the eyes 19a and 19b of the photographer 7 during the moving image shooting based on the input opening / closing information of the eyes and the reference interval in which the distance between the eyes 19a and 19b of the photographer 7 is set in advance. When it becomes narrower than it is determined to look away. This is because the photographer 7 opens both eyes 19 a and 19 b when looking in a direction other than the viewfinder frame 4. In the photographer image photographed by the photographer camera 20, the photographer 7 is lateral to the viewfinder frame 4. Note that the positions of the eyes 19a and 19b are close when facing the camera.

  Accordingly, when the photographer 7 opens the non-observation eye 19b or moves the face while the non-observation eye 19b is closed, it is not detected as looking away, so that the angle of view can be adjusted appropriately during moving image shooting. . The reference interval is a narrow interval that allows the photographer 7 to determine that he / she is looking away, not adjusting the shooting range, and may be stored in the memory 86 or may be stored in the ROM 27 and detected. Sometimes it may be read.

  The selector 88 inputs the binocular position information and the binocular opening / closing information input from the face detection circuit 79 to the shooting angle-of-view calculation circuit 80 when the looking-away determination unit 87 does not detect the looking away. Further, when looking away is detected by the looking away determination unit 87, the binocular position information and the binocular opening / closing information immediately before the looking away is read from the memory 86 and input to the photographing field angle calculation circuit 80. As a result, it is possible to perform moving image shooting without being affected by the short-term look away of the photographer 7.

  Further, since the finder frame 4 and the photographing lens 11 are provided at different positions, as shown in FIG. 12, the photographing range 91 (θR, θL, θU, θD) calculated by the photographing field angle calculation circuit 80 is provided. As a result, a deviation occurs in the photographing field angle 92 (θR1, θL1, θU1, θD1) of the photographing lens 11, and the image data obtained after photographing is the same image as the photographing field angle 92. For this reason, the portion where the deviation occurs, that is, the shaded portion 93 may be trimmed by image processing, and the image data obtained after photographing may be the same image as the photographing range 91.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the image input controller 57 causes the image data generated by the AFE circuit 48 to be input to a trimming circuit (trimming means) 96 that is newly provided. Further, the photographing range calculated by the photographing angle-of-view calculation circuit 80 is input to the trimming circuit 96 as photographing range information. Then, the trimming circuit 96 compares the input image data with the photographing range information, and deletes data corresponding to the hatched portion 93 in FIG. 12 from the image data. The trimmed image data is stored in the memory card 13 via the image signal processing circuit 59, the compression processing circuit 60, and the media controller 61. In FIG. 13, only the configuration related to the viewfinder and the image processing is drawn to prevent the drawing from becoming complicated. Moreover, about the same structure as 1st and 2nd embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the finder frame is provided on the camera body has been described. However, a foldable finder frame may be attached to the outer surface of the camera body. Hereinafter, an example in which a foldable finder frame is provided in the camera body will be described. However, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  For example, in the digital camera 100 shown in FIG. 14, the finder frame 102 is formed by three frame members 101 a to 101 c that are bent in a U-shaped cross section, and is foldably provided on the side surface of the vertically long camera body 103. . Each frame member 101a to 101c is pivotally supported at its ends by pivotal portions 103a and 103b, and the ends of the frame members 101a and 101c at both ends are pivoted to the side surfaces of the camera body 104. It is pivotally attached by 103d. Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the use state in which the camera body 104 protrudes from the side surface and is used as the finder frame 102, and as shown in FIG. The storage unit 104a is rotated and is movable between a storage state stored in a storage unit 104a provided on a side surface of the camera body 104. According to this, the digital camera when not in use can be reduced in size, and portability is improved. Although not shown in detail, it is preferable to provide a locking mechanism for fixing the finder frame 102 between the use state and the storage state.

  Further, the foldable finder frame 102 may be locked in a use state in accordance with, for example, turning on / off the power of the digital camera 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a solenoid 107 is incorporated into the camera main body 104, and the slider 107 a of the solenoid 107 is inserted into and removed from the finder frame 102 from the side surface of the camera main body 104. An insertion hole 108 into which the mover 107a of the solenoid 107 is inserted is provided inside the upper frame member 101a of the finder frame 102. When the power switch 15 is operated and the power of the digital camera 100 is turned on, the CPU 25 controls the driver 109 of the solenoid 107 to cause the slider 107a to protrude and insert into the insertion hole 108. As a result, when the power of the digital camera 100 is turned on, the finder frame 102 cannot be folded by being blocked by the moving element 107a, so that it is possible to prevent the digital camera 100 from being forgotten to be turned off.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the shooting angle of view is optically changed using a zoom lens as the shooting angle of view switching means. However, the digital zoom for electronically changing the shooting angle of view by processing the shot image. May be used. In this case, it is preferable to provide an image processing circuit that performs digital zoom processing as the photographing angle-of-view switching means and the angle-of-view control means. In each of the above embodiments, the shooting range is calculated based on the eye closer to the finder frame. However, if the eye opened at the time of shooting is the eye far from the finder frame, The shooting range is calculated based on the eye.

  Furthermore, although the shooting angle of view was changed by changing the relative position of the viewfinder frame and the photographer's face, it was configured so that the size of the viewfinder frame could be changed, and the shooting angle of view was changed according to the displacement of this size. It may be changed. Furthermore, panoramic photography or the like may be performed by changing the shape of the viewfinder. In the above embodiment, the digital still camera has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a video camera, a silver salt camera, and the like.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance shape of the digital camera which implemented this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the imaging | photography state of a digital camera. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a digital camera. It is a top view which shows the confirmation state of the imaging | photography range by a finder frame. It is a side view which shows the confirmation state of the imaging | photography range by a finder frame. It is a top view which shows the confirmation state of the imaging | photography range when a digital camera inclines with respect to a photographer. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of still image photography. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of video recording. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the imaging | photography angle of view adjustment during video recording. It is a block diagram which shows the example which provided the look detection circuit with the digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a look-off detection during video recording. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between an imaging | photography range and an imaging | photography angle of view. It is a block diagram which shows the example which provided the trimming circuit in the digital camera. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance shape of the digital camera which provided the folding-type finder frame. It is sectional drawing which shows the mechanism which locks a foldable finder frame.

Explanation of symbols

2 Digital Camera 3 Camera Body 4,102 Viewfinder Frame 7 Photographer 11 Shooting Lens 19 Face 19a, 19b Both Eyes 20 Camera for Photographer 22 Distance Sensor 23 Light Emitting Unit 25 CPU
25a Lens drive unit 75 Warning LED
79 Face detection circuit 80 Shooting angle of view calculation circuit 85 Looking away detection circuit 96 Trimming circuit 101a to 101c Frame member 107 Solenoid

Claims (14)

A taking lens that forms a subject image;
An image sensor that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the photographing lens to generate a photographed image;
A photographing field angle switching unit that optically changes a photographing field angle by the photographing lens or electronically changes a photographing field angle by processing a photographed image generated by the imaging element;
A finder frame provided in the camera body and used for checking the shooting range by looking from the back side of the camera body,
A camera for a photographer that is provided on the back surface of the camera body and shoots the face of the photographer looking into the finder frame to generate a photographer image;
Face detection means for detecting a photographer's face based on the photographer image and identifying position coordinates of both eyes of the photographer relative to a finder frame;
Distance measuring means for measuring a photographer distance which is a distance from the camera body to the photographer's face;
Based on the position coordinates of the photographer's eyes, the distance to the photographer, and the size of the finder frame, a photographing range that the photographer is looking through the finder frame is calculated, and the photographing range is photographed by the photographing lens. A shooting angle of view calculating means for calculating a shooting angle of view necessary for performing, and determining a focal length of the shooting lens based on the shooting angle of view;
A digital camera comprising an angle-of-view control means for controlling the imaging angle-of-view switching means based on a focal length determined by the imaging angle-of-view calculating means.   2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the face detection means detects the open / closed state of both eyes of the photographer and the time during which the eyes are closed, and inputs the detection result to the photographing angle of view calculation means. .   The photographing angle of view calculating means determines the photographing range and angle of view based on the eye that is not closed when the face detecting means detects that one eye of the photographer is closed for a predetermined time or more. 3. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the focal length of the photographing lens is determined by calculation.   The shooting angle-of-view calculating means generates an angle-of-view warning signal when the calculated shooting range protrudes from the maximum shooting angle of view that can be shot by the shooting lens, and warns the photographer based on the angle-of-view warning signal. 4. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising an angle-of-view warning unit.   5. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising trimming means for trimming a shot image based on the shooting angle of view calculated by the shooting angle of view calculation means.   There are automatic exposure control means for detecting subject brightness and performing exposure control, and automatic focus adjustment means for measuring the distance to the subject and performing focus adjustment, and these automatic exposure control means and automatic focus adjustment means are: 3. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the digital camera operates when it is detected by the face detection means that one eye of the photographer is closed for a predetermined time or more. It has a still image shooting mode for shooting still images and a movie shooting mode for shooting movies,
7. The shooting angle of view is adjusted by operating a camera for a photographer, a distance measurement unit, a face detection unit, a shooting angle of view calculation unit, and an angle of view control unit during the moving image shooting. Any one of the digital cameras.   At the time of adjusting the shooting angle of view, a look away detecting means is provided for detecting whether or not the photographer has looked away from the finder frame based on the detection result of the face detecting means, and when the look away detecting means detects looking away, 8. The digital camera according to claim 7, wherein shooting is performed at a shooting angle of view immediately before a look away is detected. The looking-off detection means detects whether the photographer has looked away from the finder frame based on the detection result of the face detection means,
A storage unit for storing a detection result input from the face detection unit;
When the look-ahead determination unit does not detect a look away, the detection result input from the face detection unit is transmitted to the shooting angle-of-view calculation unit. The digital camera according to claim 8, further comprising a selector that reads a result from the storage unit and transmits the result to a photographing field angle calculation unit.   10. The look-ahead determination unit determines that the user is looking away when both eyes of the photographer are opened and the interval between the left and right eyes is shorter than a predetermined interval set in advance. The digital camera described.   11. The look-ahead warning means is provided with a look-ahead warning means for generating a look-ahead warning signal when a look-a-side is detected and warning a photographer based on the look-ahead warning signal. The digital camera described.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the finder frame is foldably provided on an outer surface of the camera body.   Locking means for preventing the viewfinder frame from being folded when the camera body is turned on and allowing the viewfinder frame to be folded when the camera body is turned off is provided. The digital camera according to claim 12.   The finder frame is composed of a plurality of frame members pivotally attached to the camera body, and the locking means prevents the frame member from rotating when the camera body is powered on. The digital camera according to claim 13, wherein the frame is prevented from being folded.

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