JP4626637B2 - Imaging apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a suitable imaging instrumentation 置及 beauty programs in a digital still camera or a camera function such as a cellular phone.

Conventionally, in the case of a camera having an automatic focusing (AF) function, when the user wants to use it in a snap or when shooting in a situation where it is difficult to focus by the AF method, the AF function is intentionally taken as a quick shooting without failure. It is conceivable that shooting is performed as a fixed focal point having a certain depth of field without using. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)
JP 2002-090823 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to arbitrarily select the auto focus mode and the fixed focus mode by mode switching. Accordingly, it is not possible to perform quick shooting in the immediate fixed focus mode from the state in which the auto focus mode is selected, and there is a possibility that an important photo opportunity is missed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to cancel the immediate automatic focusing without executing the trouble of mode switching or the like, and to execute the shooting with the fixed focus. and to provide a an imaging instrumentation 置及 beauty program.

The invention described in claim 1 has an automatic focusing function, and is automatically set by a photographing means for photographing a subject image, an automatic exposure means for automatically setting an appropriate exposure value in the photographing means, and the automatic exposure means. In place of the appropriate exposure value, manual exposure means for manually setting an arbitrary exposure value and detection for detecting whether or not the manual exposure mode for manually setting an arbitrary exposure value is set by this manual exposure means Means, an instruction means for instructing photographing by the photographing means, and when photographing is instructed by the instruction means, if the detection means detects that the manual exposure mode is set, the photographing operates the autofocus function means, if it is set to the manual exposure mode by said detecting means does not detect, fixed focus position the focus position of the photographing means While, characterized by comprising a focus control means for controlling so as to automatically set the automatic exposure means an exposure value a certain depth of field is obtained in the fixed-focus position.

The invention according to claim 2 further comprises a focus range determination means for determining a fixed focus range where the subject image is located from a plurality of fixed focus ranges in the invention according to claim 1, wherein the focus control means comprises: and selecting the fixed-focus range obtained in the above focus range determination means when you to fixed focus position the focus position of the photographing means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the photographing unit has an automatic white balance function for adjusting a color temperature in accordance with a light source, and the focus range determining unit is configured to perform the automatic white balance. The fixed focus range where the subject image is located is determined according to the result of the color temperature adjustment by the function.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided the information processing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying a result of the focus range determining unit determining a fixed focus range where the subject image is located. To do.

The invention described in claim 5 includes an automatic focusing function and an automatic exposure function, and an image pickup apparatus having a manual exposure function for manually setting an arbitrary exposure value instead of the exposure value obtained by the automatic exposure function is incorporated. A program executed by a computer, the detection procedure for detecting whether or not the manual exposure mode for manually setting an arbitrary exposure value by the manual exposure function , and the manual exposure when the shooting is instructed. When it is detected that the mode is set, the automatic focusing function is operated, and when it is not detected that the manual exposure mode is set, the focus position is set to the fixed focus position and the fixed focus is set. characterized in that to execute a focus control step of controlling so as to automatically set by the automatic exposure function exposure values predetermined depth of field is obtained at the position

The invention described in claim 6 further includes a focus range determination procedure for determining a fixed focus range where the subject image is located from a plurality of fixed focus ranges in the invention described in claim 5, wherein the focus control procedure includes: and selecting the fixed-focus range obtained in the above focus range determination procedure when you focus position in a fixed focus position.

According to the present invention, in the state where the user's manual exposure is selected, if the aperture value is set large to obtain the pan focus effect, the exposure value set by the user will change, so that the fixed focus is not set. Without giving priority to autofocus, the user's intention to shoot can be given priority.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment when the present invention is applied to a digital still camera will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the external configuration, and here mainly shows the configuration of the front surface and the top surface.
The digital still camera 1 includes a photographing lens 2, a self-timer lamp 3, an optical viewfinder window 4, a microphone unit 5, a strobe light emitting unit 6, and a grip bar 7 on the front surface of a substantially rectangular thin plate-shaped metal exterior body. A power key 8 and a shutter key 9 are arranged on the right end side (for the user) of the upper surface.

  The photographic lens 2 has a zoom function and an AF function for steplessly changing the focal length, and is retracted into the body when the power is turned off and during reproduction in the basic mode.

  The grip bar 7 is made of a metal that is embedded so that the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger of the right hand can securely hold the housing when the user grips the digital still camera 1 with the right hand from the right side of the housing at the time of shooting. It is a band-like projection.

  The power key 8 is a key that is operated every time the power is turned on / off, and the shutter key 9 instructs the photographing timing in the photographing mode.

  Although not shown here, a mode switch, a speaker unit, a menu key, a cross key, a set key, an optical viewfinder, a strobe charge lamp, a display unit, and the like are arranged on the back of the digital still camera 1.

  Further, on the bottom surface of the digital still camera 1, although not shown, a memory card slot for attaching / detaching a memory card used as a recording medium, a serial interface connector for connecting to an external personal computer, etc., for example, a USB A (Universal Serial Bus) connector or the like is provided.

Next, the electronic circuit configuration of the digital still camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the drawing, in the photographing mode which is the basic mode, the focusing position and the aperture position are moved by driving the motor (M) 11 and arranged behind the photographing optical axis of the lens optical system 12 constituting the photographing lens 2. The CCD 13, which is the image pickup device, is scanned and driven by a timing generator (TG) 14 and a vertical driver 15, and outputs a photoelectric conversion output corresponding to a light image formed at regular intervals for one screen.

  The photoelectric conversion output is appropriately gain-adjusted for each primary color component of RGB in the state of an analog value signal, sampled and held by a sample hold circuit (S / H) 16, and digital data by an A / D converter 17. The color process circuit 18 performs color process processing including pixel interpolation processing and gamma correction processing in the color process circuit 18 to generate a digital luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cb, Cr, and a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller 19. Is output.

  The DMA controller 19 once uses the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cb and Cr output from the color process circuit 18 by using the composite synchronization signal, the memory write enable signal, and the clock signal from the color process circuit 18 once. And the DMA transfer to the DRAM 21 used as a buffer memory through the DRAM interface (I / F) 20.

  The control unit 22 includes a CPU, a ROM that fixedly stores an operation program to be executed by the CPU including processing for operation of the shutter key 9 in a shooting mode, which will be described later, and a RAM that is used as a work memory. It controls the overall operation of the digital still camera 1.

  Thus, after the DMA transfer of the luminance and color difference signals to the DRAM 21 is completed, the control unit 22 reads the luminance and color difference signals from the DRAM 21 via the DRAM interface 20 and writes them into the VRAM 24 via the VRAM controller 23.

  The digital video encoder 25 periodically reads the luminance and color difference signals from the VRAM 24 via the VRAM controller 23, generates a video signal based on these data, and outputs the video signal to the display unit 26.

  The display unit 26 is provided on the back side of the digital still camera 1 as described above, and functions as a monitor display unit (electronic finder) in the shooting mode and performs display based on the video signal from the digital video encoder 25. Thus, an image based on the image information captured from the VRAM controller 23 at that time is displayed in real time.

  As described above, when the shutter key 9 is operated at a timing at which a still image is to be captured in a so-called through image display state in which the current image is displayed on the display unit 26 in real time as a monitor image, a trigger signal is generated. appear.

  In response to the trigger signal, the control unit 22 cancels the DMA transfer of the luminance and color difference signals for one screen captured from the CCD 13 at that time to the DRAM 21, and again the aperture value and shutter speed according to appropriate exposure conditions. Then, the CCD 13 is driven to obtain the start-up and color-difference signals for one screen and transfer them to the DRAM 21. Thereafter, this path is stopped, and the recording and storage state is entered.

  In this record storage state, the control unit 22 outputs the luminance and color difference signals for one frame written in the DRAM 21 through the DRAM interface 20 for each of Y, Cb, and Cr components of 8 pixels × 8 pixels. Are read out in units called basic blocks of the data and written in a JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) circuit 27. The JPEG circuit 27 uses an ADCT (Adaptive Discrete Cosine Transform), which is an entropy coding system. Data compression is performed by processing such as conversion.

  The obtained code data is read out from the JPEG circuit 27 as a data file of one image, and is fixedly attached to the digital still camera 1 or a memory card 28 that is detachably mounted as a recording medium of the digital still camera 1. Data is written into one of the built-in memories 29.

  Then, along with the compression processing of the luminance and color difference signals for one frame and the completion of writing of all the compressed data to the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29, the control unit 22 activates the path from the CCD 13 to the DRAM 21 again.

  In addition, a key input unit 30, an audio processing unit 31, and a strobe driving unit 32 are connected to the control unit 22.

  The key input unit 30 includes the power key 8, the shutter key 9, the mode switch, the menu key, the cross key, the set key, and the like described above, and signals associated with these key operations are sent directly to the control unit 22. The

  The sound processing unit 31 includes a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source, and digitizes a sound signal input from the microphone unit (MIC) 5 during sound recording, and a predetermined data file format such as MP3 (MPEG-1 audio layer). 3) According to the standard, the data is compressed and an audio data file is created and sent to the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29, while the audio data file sent from the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29 is compressed when playing back the sound. It is solved and converted into an analog signal, and the speaker unit (SP) 33 provided on the high-men side of the digital still camera 1 described above is driven to emit loud sounds.

  The strobe driving unit 32 charges a strobe capacitor (not shown) during still image shooting, and then drives the strobe light emitting unit 6 to flash based on control from the control unit 22.

  However, at the time of shooting a moving image instead of a still image, the still image data file memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29 in which the above-described still image data is compressed by the JPEG circuit 27 while the shutter key 9 continues to be operated. When the operation of the shutter key 9 ends or when a predetermined time limit, for example, 30 seconds elapses, the series of still image data files are collectively recorded as motion JPEG. Re-set as a data file (AVI file).

  In the playback mode, which is the basic mode, the control unit 22 selectively reads out the image data recorded in the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29, and the procedure is completely opposite to the procedure in which the data is compressed in the shooting mode by the JPEG circuit 27. The decompressed image data is decompressed, and the decompressed image data is retained in the DRAM 21 via the DRAM interface 20, and the retained content of the DRAM 21 is stored in the VRAM 24 via the VRAM controller 23. The image data is periodically read out to generate a video signal, which is reproduced and output by the display unit 26.

  If the selected image data is not a still image but a moving image, playback of the individual still image data constituting the selected moving image file is executed continuously in time, and playback of all the still image data is finished. At that time, the image is reproduced and displayed using only the still image data located at the head until the next reproduction instruction is given.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
Each process shown below is basically executed based on a program fixedly stored in advance by the control unit 22.

  In the present embodiment, the shutter key 9 is operated by a two-stage stroke operation, and the first stage stroke operation is performed as a basic operation, and an AF operation is generally performed in a state called “half-press”. Then, the in-focus state and the exposure state are locked, and then the second stage stroke operation, generally referred to as “full press”, is performed in the locked in-focus state and exposure state.

  FIG. 3 shows the processing contents in the shooting mode. At the beginning, AE processing is executed at a focal length corresponding to the zoom position of the shooting lens 2 selected at that time, and an appropriate exposure value is obtained. An aperture value and a shutter speed are set (step A01).

  In addition, the shutter speed is adjusted to a value corresponding to the frame rate in the monitor state, for example, a speed sufficiently exceeding 1/30 [second] if the frame rate is 30 frames / [second]. An image is obtained from the CCD 13 and adjusted by the color process circuit 18 so as to obtain a white balance corresponding to the color temperature of the light source by automatic white balance (AWB) processing (step A02). While the through image is displayed (step A03), it is determined whether or not the shutter key 9 of the key input unit 30 is half-pressed (step A04). Wait for the state to be reached.

  Thus, when the shutter key 9 is half-pressed, this is determined in step A04. First, the count operation of the internal counter t for counting the elapsed time from the half-pressed state is started (step A05), and then a predetermined focus. AF processing is performed so that the area is in focus and the focus position is locked (step A06). At the same time, the aperture value obtained by the AE process in the immediately preceding step A01 and the shutter speed at which proper exposure can be obtained are locked.

  By repeatedly determining whether or not the shutter key 9 has been fully pressed (step A07) and whether or not the shutter key 9 has been pressed halfway (step A08) from the state where the photographing conditions are locked. Then, while confirming that the shutter key 9 is half-pressed, it waits for the full-press operation.

  Here, if the half-press operation of the shutter key 9 is released, this is determined in step A08, the photographing condition is unlocked, and the process returns to step A01 again.

  When the shutter key 9 is fully pressed from the state where the photographing conditions are locked, this is determined in step A07, and then the count value of the internal counter t of the control unit 22 at that time is a constant value. For example, it is determined whether or not the value is equal to or less than a value corresponding to time 1 [second] (step A09). The time represented by the constant value of the internal counter t can be arbitrarily set in advance by the user.

  Here, when it is determined that the count value of the internal counter t is larger than a certain value, it is assumed that the time has elapsed until the shutter key 9 is shifted from the half-pressed state to the fully-pressed state. Now, it is assumed that rapid shooting is not required, and the state shifts to the image data recording / saving state based on the basic operation.

  That is, after obtaining image data obtained by imaging with the above photographing conditions locked (step A14), the image data obtained by photographing is filed and stored in the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29 (step A15). Thus, the processing relating to the series of photographing is finished, and the processing returns to the processing from step A01 to prepare for the next photographing again.

  If it is determined in step A09 that the count value of the internal counter t is equal to or smaller than a certain value, it is assumed that the user wants to immediately take a picture of the subject by operating the shutter key 9 and pan focus as much as possible. In order to set a state close to, a predetermined in-focus position corresponding to the zoom position of the photographing lens 2 at that time and the depth of field as deep as possible is fixedly set (step A10).

  FIG. 4 is a subroutine showing the detailed contents of the pan focus processing. Initially, the subroutine is the color temperature of the sunlight from the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance processing in the immediately preceding step A02. It is determined whether or not the digital still camera 1 is outdoors at that time depending on whether or not there is (step S01).

  Here, if the lens optical system 12 constituting the photographing lens 2 is within the range of, for example, 0.4 [m] to 10 [m], the fixed focus range for near view for focusing on the subject and 1 It is assumed that each has a fixed focal range of two stages of a fixed focal range for a distant view that focuses on the subject as long as it is in the range of 0.5 [m] to infinity (∞).

  When it is determined that the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance process in step B01 is the color temperature of sunlight and the camera 1 is outdoors, the subject is also separated from the camera 1 to some extent. It is determined that the lens optical system 12 is positioned so as to be in the fixed focal range for distant view (step S02), and this pan focus setting subroutine is completed.

  Conversely, if it is determined that the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance process in step B01 is not the color temperature of sunlight and the camera 1 is not outdoors, the subject is also close to the camera 1 to some extent. The lens optical system 12 is positioned so as to be in the above-mentioned fixed focus range for near view (step S03), and this pan focus setting subroutine is finished.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in conjunction with the pan focus process in step A10, a so-called maximum exposure value obtained in the immediately preceding step A01 is set to a maximum aperture value, and the shutter speed is slowed accordingly. After performing the AE process for narrowing down (step A11), the process shifts to the immediate image data recording / saving state.

  That is, first after obtaining image data by imaging (step A12), the image data obtained by imaging is filed and stored in the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29 (step A13). The process returns to step A01 to prepare for the next shooting again.

  As described above, the automatic focusing and the fixed focus can be arbitrarily switched and selected according to the operation method of the shutter key 9 having the two-step operation stroke, and an immediate and rapid photographing operation can be executed if necessary.

  In particular, when the time from the first stage operation of the shutter key 9 to the second stage operation is equal to or less than a certain value, shooting is performed so as to achieve pan focus. Even if it is in the flow, when it is detected that the user wants to shift to rapid shooting, the camera can shift to shooting in a state in which so-called out-of-focus is difficult to occur by deliberately setting the pan focus.

  In addition, as the pan focus setting, a range corresponding to the shooting condition is determined from a plurality of, for example, two fixed focus ranges, and when the selection is switched to the fixed focus position, the determined fixed focus range is selected. As a result, it is possible to perform shooting that is more accurately focused on the subject image.

  As an example of this fixed focus range determination requirement, it is determined whether the subject image to be photographed is indoors or outdoors based on the result of color temperature adjustment for the light source by the automatic white balance function. Without being applied, it is possible to more accurately determine the fixed focus range where the subject image is located, and it is possible to perform shooting with more accurate focus.

  Note that the fixed focal range set in step S02 or S03 on the display unit 26 of the camera 1 is digitized as a factor for informing the recording result together with the shooting in step A12 and the subsequent recording and saving in step A13. It may be displayed.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a case where a fixed focus range is displayed as one of various types of shooting data for a certain period of time on the display unit 26 immediately after shooting. In the same figure, the flash emission mode a, the remaining number of shootable images c, the focus frame d, the fixed focus range e, and the exposure value (shutter speed and aperture (F) value) f are appropriately distributed and displayed on the display unit 26. .

  Of these, as the fixed focus range e, for example, as shown in the figure, the fixed focus range for a distant view is indicated by a specific numerical value, that is, “1.5 m to infinity (∞)”, thereby focusing in the captured image. By notifying the range, the user can recognize the contents, and if there is any inconvenience, the user can immediately take a picture again.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment when the present invention is applied to a digital still camera will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The external configuration is basically the same as in FIG. 1 and the electronic circuit configuration is basically the same as in FIG. 2. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
Each process shown below is basically executed based on a program fixedly stored in advance by the control unit 22.

  In the present embodiment, the shutter key 9 is operated by a two-stage stroke operation, and the first stage stroke operation is performed as a basic operation, and an AF operation is generally performed in a state called “half-press”. Then, the in-focus state and the exposure state are locked, and then the second stage stroke operation, generally referred to as “full press”, is performed in the locked in-focus state and exposure state.

  6 and 7 show the processing contents in the photographing mode, which is the basic mode automatically set after the power-on with the operation of the power key 8, and initially the power is turned on by the operation of the power key 8. It waits for the input (step B01).

  When the power is turned on by operating the power key 8, the control unit 22 determines this in step B01, and starts the counting operation of the internal counter t1 that counts the elapsed time after the power is turned on (step B02). .

  Thereafter, AE processing is executed at a focal length corresponding to the zoom position of the photographing lens 2 selected at that time, an appropriate exposure value is obtained, and an aperture value and a shutter speed are set (step B03).

  After that, the shutter speed is adjusted to a value corresponding to the frame rate in the monitor state, for example, a high speed sufficiently exceeding 1/30 [second] if the frame rate is 30 frames / [second]. An image is obtained from the CCD 13, and is adjusted by the color process circuit 18 so as to obtain a white balance corresponding to the color temperature of the light source by automatic white balance (AWB) processing (step B04), and is passed through the display unit 26. While the image is displayed (step B05), it is determined whether or not the shutter key 9 of the key input unit 30 has been half-pressed (step B06). Wait to become.

  Here, if the shutter key 9 is half-pressed, this is determined in step B05, and then the count value of the internal counter t1 of the control unit 22 at that time is equal to or smaller than a value corresponding to a time of 5 seconds, for example. It is determined whether or not (step B07). It should be noted that the time represented by the constant value of the internal counter t1 can be arbitrarily set in advance by the user.

  When the count value of the internal counter t1 is equal to or less than a certain value, not much time has passed since the power-on timing by the operation of the power key 8, and the user quickly operates the shutter key 9 and immediately subjects the subject. In order to set a state as close to the pan focus as possible, a predetermined in-focus position corresponding to the zoom position of the photographing lens 2 at that time and a depth of field as deep as possible is fixedly set. (Step B08).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, in this pan focus setting, the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance processing in the immediately preceding step B04 is determined depending on whether or not it is the color temperature of sunlight. Then, it is determined whether or not the digital still camera 1 is outdoors at that time (step S01).

  Here, if the lens optical system 12 constituting the photographing lens 2 is within the range of, for example, 0.4 [m] to 10 [m], the fixed focus range for near view for focusing on the subject and 1 It is assumed that each has a fixed focal range of two stages of a fixed focal range for a distant view that focuses on the subject as long as it is in the range of 0.5 [m] to infinity (∞).

  If the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance process in step S01 is the color temperature of sunlight, and it is determined that the camera 1 is outdoors, the subject is also separated from the camera 1 to some extent. It is determined that the lens optical system 12 is positioned so as to be in the fixed focal range for distant view (step S02), and this pan focus setting subroutine is completed.

  Conversely, if it is determined that the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance process in step S01 is not the color temperature of sunlight and the camera 1 is not outdoors, the subject is also close to the camera 1 to some extent. The lens optical system 12 is positioned so as to be in the above-mentioned fixed focus range for near view (step S03), and this pan focus setting subroutine is finished.

  Returning to FIG. 6, in conjunction with the pan focus process in step B08, a maximum aperture value is set to a maximum value from the appropriate exposure value obtained in the previous step B03, and the shutter speed is decreased correspondingly. After executing the AE process for narrowing down (step B09), it is further repeated whether or not the shutter key 9 has been fully pressed (step B10) and whether or not the shutter key 9 has been pressed halfway (step B11). The determination waits until the shutter key 9 is fully pressed while confirming that the shutter key 9 is pressed halfway.

  Here, when the half-press operation of the shutter key 9 is released, this is determined in step B11, and the photographing condition for obtaining the pan focus state is unlocked, and the process returns to step B03 again. .

  Further, when the shutter key 9 is fully pressed from the state where the photographing conditions are locked, this is determined in step B10, and the state is shifted to the recording / saving state of the immediate image data.

  That is, after obtaining image data by imaging (step B12), the image data obtained by imaging is filed and stored in the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29 (step B13). Then, the process returns to step B03 to prepare for the next shooting.

  If the count value of the internal counter t1 that counts the elapsed time after power-on in step B07 is greater than a certain value, that time has elapsed since the power-on timing by operating the power key 8 Assuming that quick shooting is not required, the count operation of the internal counter t2 for counting the elapsed time since the shutter key 9 is pressed halfway next is started (step B14). ) AF processing is performed so as to focus on a predetermined focus area to obtain a focus position, and this is locked (step B15). At this time, at the same time, the aperture value and the shutter speed that are obtained in the AE process of the preceding step B03 and at which proper exposure is obtained are determined and locked.

  By repeatedly determining whether or not the shutter key 9 has been fully pressed (step B16) and whether or not the shutter key 9 has been pressed halfway (step B17) from the state in which the photographing conditions are locked. Then, while confirming that the shutter key 9 is half-pressed, it waits for the full-press operation.

  Here, when the half-press operation of the shutter key 9 is released, this is determined in step B17, the photographing condition is unlocked, and the process returns to step B03 again.

  Further, when the shutter key 9 is fully pressed from the state where the photographing conditions are locked, this is determined in step B16, and then the count value of the internal counter t2 of the control unit 22 at that time is a constant value. For example, it is determined whether or not the value is equal to or less than a value corresponding to time 1 [second] (step B18). Note that the time represented by the constant value of the count value of the internal counter t2 can be arbitrarily set in advance by the user.

  Here, when it is determined that the count value of the internal counter t2 is larger than a certain value, it is assumed that the time has elapsed between the half-pressing operation of the shutter key 9 and the full-pressing operation. Assuming that photographing is not requested, the state shifts to a normal recording state of image data.

  That is, after obtaining image data by imaging (step B23), the image data obtained by imaging is filed and stored in the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29 (step B24). Then, the process returns to step B03 to prepare for the next shooting.

  If the count value of the internal counter t2 is equal to or less than a certain value in step B18, not much time has elapsed between the half-pressing operation of the shutter key 9 and the full-pressing operation. Assuming that the user wants to shoot the subject immediately by operating the shutter key 9 in a hurry, the subject is set as close to the pan focus as possible as much as possible, corresponding to the zoom position of the taking lens 2 at that time. A predetermined focus position where the depth of field is deep is fixedly set (step B19).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, in this pan focus setting, the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance processing in the immediately preceding step B04 is determined depending on whether or not it is the color temperature of sunlight. Then, it is determined whether or not the digital still camera 1 is outdoors at that time (step S01).

  If the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance processing in this step S01 is the color temperature of sunlight, and it is determined that the camera 1 is outdoors, the subject is also separated from the camera 1 to some extent. It is determined that the lens optical system 12 is positioned so as to be in the fixed focal range for distant view (step S02), and this pan focus setting subroutine is completed.

  Conversely, if it is determined that the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance process in step S01 is not the color temperature of sunlight and the camera 1 is not outdoors, the subject is also close to the camera 1 to some extent. The lens optical system 12 is positioned so as to be in the above-mentioned fixed focus range for near view (step S03), and this pan focus setting subroutine is finished.

  Returning to FIG. 7, in combination with the pan focus process in step B19, the maximum aperture value is set to a maximum value from the appropriate exposure value acquired in the immediately preceding step B03, and the shutter speed is decreased correspondingly, so-called. After executing the narrowing-down AE process (step B20), the process shifts to the immediate image data recording / saving state.

  Then, after obtaining image data by imaging (step B21), the obtained image data is filed and stored in the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29 (step B22). The process returns to step B03 to prepare for the next shooting again.

  In this way, in addition to the case described in the first embodiment, shooting is performed such that pan focus is achieved by half-pressing the shutter key 9 only for a certain time immediately after the power is turned on. Therefore, this is particularly effective when the digital still camera 1 is not turned on, when the power is turned on by operating the power key 8 and shooting at a fixed focus is performed quickly, and a photo opportunity is missed. The possibility can be further reduced.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment when the present invention is applied to a digital still camera will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The external configuration is basically the same as in FIG. 1 and the electronic circuit configuration is basically the same as in FIG. 2. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
Each process shown below is basically executed based on a program fixedly stored in advance by the control unit 22.

  In the present embodiment, the shutter key 9 is operated by a two-stage stroke operation, and the first stage stroke operation is performed as a basic operation, and an AF operation is generally performed in a state called “half-press”. Then, the in-focus state and the exposure state are locked, and then the second stage stroke operation, generally referred to as “full press”, is performed in the locked in-focus state and exposure state.

  FIG. 8 shows the processing contents in the shooting mode. At the beginning, AE processing is executed at a focal length corresponding to the zoom position of the shooting lens 2 selected at that time, and an appropriate exposure value is obtained. An aperture value and a shutter speed are set (step C01).

  After that, the shutter speed is adjusted to a value corresponding to the frame rate in the monitor state, for example, a high speed sufficiently exceeding 1/30 [second] if the frame rate is 30 frames / [second]. An image is obtained from the CCD 13, and is adjusted by the color process circuit 18 so as to obtain a white balance corresponding to the color temperature of the light source by automatic white balance (AWB) processing (step BC02), and is passed through the display unit 26. While the image is displayed (step C03), it is determined whether or not the shutter key 9 of the key input unit 30 is half-pressed (step C04). Wait to become.

  Accordingly, when the shutter key 9 is half-pressed, this is determined in step C04, and AF processing is started so as to focus on a predetermined focus area (step C05). At the same time, the aperture value and the shutter speed obtained by the AE process in the immediately preceding step C01 and capable of obtaining appropriate exposure are locked.

  Immediately after the AF process is started in step C05, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the shutter key 9 has been fully pressed (step C06) and whether or not the shutter key 9 has been pressed halfway (step C07). Thus, while confirming that the shutter key 9 is half-pressed, it waits for a full-press operation.

  Here, when the half-press operation of the shutter key 9 is released, this is determined in step C07, the photographing condition is unlocked, and the process returns to step C01 again.

  When the shutter key 9 is fully depressed, this is determined in step C06, and then it is determined whether or not the AF processing started in step C05 is completed and the in-focus position is locked at that time. (Step C08).

  Here, when it is determined that the AF process is completed and the in-focus position is locked, it is sufficient to execute the AF process before the shutter key 9 is shifted from the half-pressed state to the fully-pressed state. Assuming that a sufficient amount of time has passed, and that rapid shooting is not required, the process shifts to the image data recording / saving state based on the basic operation.

  That is, after obtaining image data obtained by imaging based on the locked imaging condition (step C13), the image data obtained by imaging is filed and stored in the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29 (step C14). The process related to the series of shooting is finished as described above, and the process returns to step C01 to prepare for the next shooting again.

  If it is determined in step C08 that the in-focus position has not been locked yet and the AF process has not been completed, the user urgently operates the shutter key 9 to immediately photograph the subject. In order to set a state as close to the pan focus as possible, a predetermined in-focus position corresponding to the zoom position of the photographing lens 2 at that time and having a depth of field as deep as possible is fixedly set (step C09). .

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, in this pan focus setting, the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance processing in the immediately preceding step C01 is determined by whether or not it is the color temperature of sunlight. Then, it is determined whether or not the digital still camera 1 is outdoors at that time (step S01).

  Here, if the lens optical system 12 constituting the photographing lens 2 is within the range of, for example, 0.4 [m] to 10 [m], the fixed focus range for near view for focusing on the subject and 1 It is assumed that each has a fixed focal range of two stages of a fixed focal range for a distant view that focuses on the subject as long as it is in the range of 0.5 [m] to infinity (∞).

  When it is determined that the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance process in step S01 is the color temperature of sunlight and the camera 1 is outside, the subject is also separated from the camera 1 to some extent. It is determined that the lens optical system 12 is positioned so as to be in the fixed focal range for distant view (step S02), and this pan focus setting subroutine is completed.

  Conversely, if it is determined that the color temperature of the light source obtained by the automatic white balance process in step S01 is not the color temperature of sunlight and the camera 1 is not outdoors, the subject is also close to the camera 1 to some extent. The lens optical system 12 is positioned so as to be in the above-mentioned fixed focus range for near view (step S03), and this pan focus setting subroutine is finished.

  Returning to FIG. 8, in conjunction with the pan focus process in step C09, the maximum aperture value is set to a maximum value from the appropriate exposure value obtained in the previous step C01, and the shutter speed is decreased correspondingly, so-called. After performing the AE process for narrowing down (step C10), the process shifts to a recording / saving state of immediate image data.

  That is, after obtaining image data by imaging (step C11), the obtained image data is converted into a file and recorded and stored in the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29 (step C12). Then, the process returns to step C01 to prepare for the next shooting again.

  In this way, when the AF operation is started by half-pressing the shutter key 9 and the shutter key 9 is fully pressed as soon as it is completed, the immediate pan focus is not performed without continuing the AF operation. Since shooting is performed by switching to this setting, it is possible to quickly perform shooting in the pan focus state based on the user's intention to operate, and to further reduce the possibility of missing a photo opportunity.

  In the first to third embodiments, the fixed range is described as two for the near view and the far view, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the lens constituting the photographing lens 2 Depending on the optical characteristics of the optical system 12 and the characteristics of how it is used as a camera that is required in designing the digital still camera 1, it may have only one in-focus range. Alternatively, it may have three or more in-focus focal ranges.

  In the first to third embodiments, it is assumed that there are a plurality of fixed focus ranges, and the factor for determining in which fixed focus range the subject image is located is the automatic white balance adjustment. Although the present invention has been described as being obtained based on the color temperature of the obtained light source, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the light source has periodic flicker (flicker), the fluorescent lamp is the light source. Therefore, it is determined that the camera is in the room, or one of a plurality of fixed focus ranges is set, such as distinguishing the room from the outdoor based on the flash mode set at that time or the selected scene program. Various methods can be devised.

(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment when the present invention is applied to a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) type mobile phone with a camera function will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B show an external configuration of the mobile phone 40 according to the fourth embodiment, in which two casings 42 and 43 are in a certain angular range with a hinge 41 interposed therebetween. The inner surface of FIG. 9 (A) is fully opened, and the inner surface of FIG. 9 (B) is mainly folded. Shows the exterior.

As shown in FIG. 9A, a speaker 44 serving as a receiver and a main display unit 45 are provided on the inner surface of the upper housing 42.
On the other hand, the inner surface of the lower housing 43 is provided with various keys 46 including dial keys and a microphone 47 serving as a transmitter.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, a camera unit 48, a photographing light 49, and a sub display unit 50 are provided on the outer surface of the upper housing 42. Further, an antenna 51 that extends also in the lower housing 43 is formed to protrude outward from the hinge portion 41.

Here, it is assumed that the camera unit 48 has a zoom function and an AF function that change the focal length steplessly.
The various keys 46 include a dial key, power key, line connection, line disconnection, and other keys, a camera key 46a for setting a camera mode, and a set (SET) key 46b that also functions as a shutter key. A ring key 46d located around the set key 46b for instructing the zoom, exposure value, etc. of the shutter key 46c and the camera unit 48 is provided on the side end surface of the unit 41 where the antenna 51 is not provided.

  FIG. 10 shows a circuit configuration of the mobile phone 40. In the figure, the antenna 51 performs CDMA communication with the nearest base station, and an RF unit 61 is connected to the antenna 51.

  The RF unit 61 separates the signal input from the antenna 51 at the time of reception from the frequency axis with a duplexer, mixes it with a local oscillation signal of a predetermined frequency output from the PLL synthesizer, and converts the frequency into an IF signal. Only the reception frequency channel is extracted by the broadband BPF, and the signal level of the desired reception wave is made constant by the AGC amplifier, and then output to the modulation / demodulation unit 62 at the next stage.

  On the other hand, the RF unit 61 performs transmission power control on an OQPSK (Offset Quadri-Phase Shift Keying) modulation signal sent from the modulation / demodulation unit 62 by an AGC amplifier based on control from the control unit 65 described later during transmission. The signal is mixed with a local oscillation signal of a predetermined frequency output from the PLL synthesizer, frequency-converted to an RF band, amplified to a large power by a PA (Power Amplifier), and radiated from the antenna 51 via the duplexer.

  The modulation / demodulation unit 62 separates the IF signal from the RF unit 61 into a baseband IQ (In-phase / Quadrature-phase) signal by a quadrature detector at the time of reception, digitizes it, and outputs it to the CDMA unit 63.

  On the other hand, at the time of transmission, the modem unit 62 converts the digital I / Q signal sent from the CDMA unit 63 into an analog signal, then OQPSK-modulates it with a quadrature modulator and sends it to the RF unit 61.

  The CDMA unit 63 inputs the digital signal from the modulation / demodulation unit 62 during reception to a PN (Pseudo Noise) code timing extraction circuit and a plurality of demodulation circuits that perform despreading and demodulation in accordance with instructions from the timing circuit. A plurality of demodulated symbols output from the above are synchronized, synthesized by a synthesizer, and output to the audio processing unit 64.

  On the other hand, at the time of transmission, the CDMA unit 63 spreads the output symbol from the voice processing unit 64 and then limits the band with a digital filter to form an I / Q signal, which is sent to the modem unit 62.

  The voice processing unit 64 deinterleaves the output symbols from the CDMA unit 63 at the time of reception, and after performing error correction processing by a Viterbi demodulator, the digital signal is compressed from a digital signal compressed by a voice processing DSP (Digital Signal Processor). This is expanded into a digital audio signal, converted into an analog signal, and the speaker (SP) 44 is driven to speak out.

  On the other hand, at the time of transmission, the audio processing unit 74 digitizes the analog audio signal input from the microphone (MIC) 47, compresses the data amount by the audio processing DSP, and then performs error correction encoding by the convolutional encoder. Are interleaved and the output symbols are sent to the CDMA unit 63.

  Then, a control unit 65 is connected to the RF unit 61, the modem unit 62, the CDMA unit 63, and the audio processing unit 64, and a GPS receiver 66, an image capturing unit 67, an image processing unit 68, The main display unit 45, the sub display unit 50, the memory card 69, the vibrator unit 70, and the LED driving unit 71 are connected.

  Here, the control unit 65 is composed of a CPU, a ROM in which an operation program including a shooting operation in a camera mode, which will be described later, is fixedly stored, a RAM used as a work memory, and the like. To control the operation.

  The GPS receiver 66 calculates the latitude, longitude and altitude of the current position and the accurate current time based on the positioning information from the plurality of GPS satellites received by the GPS antenna 72 and outputs the calculated current time to the control unit 65.

  The image photographing unit 67 performs photographing with the CCD 75 disposed behind the photographing optical axis of the optical lens system 74 that is driven by the motor (M) 73 and that constitutes the camera unit 48 under the control of the control unit 65. The operation is controlled, and image data obtained by photographing is digitized and output.

  The image processing unit 68 compresses the image data obtained from the image photographing unit 67 based on, for example, the JPEG method, while decompressing the received image data by decompressing the original image data in the bitmap format. obtain.

  The memory card 69 is detachably provided in the cellular phone 40, and stores image data photographed by itself, image data obtained by reception, and the like.

  The vibrator unit 70 vibrates with a vibration pattern and vibration intensity set in advance when an incoming call is received.

  The LED driving unit 71 is a driving circuit for a high-intensity white LED that constitutes the photographing light 49, and emits auxiliary light toward the subject that is to be photographed by the camera unit 48 as necessary.

  Each of the main display unit 45 and the sub display unit 50 is composed of a reflective / transmissive color liquid crystal panel with a backlight and its driving circuit, and can display as a transmissive liquid crystal by turning on the backlight. On the other hand, it is possible to display as a reflective liquid crystal using external light with the backlight turned off, although the visibility is somewhat reduced.

  Although not shown, the hinge portion 41 has a mechanism for detecting the expanded state and the folded state of the upper housing 42 and the lower housing 43. With the information from this detection mechanism, the main display unit 45 is shown in FIG. 9A in the camera mode in which the camera unit 46a of the various keys 46 is operated to shift the camera unit 48 in order to capture an image. In the unfolded state in which the upper housing 42 and the lower housing 43 are opened as described above, it is determined that the user of the mobile phone 40 is about to perform “other party photographing” to photograph other people than himself / herself, The display on the sub display unit 50 is stopped, and the monitor image on the camera unit 48 is displayed on the main display unit 45. At this time, even if any one of the set key 46b and the shutter key 46c of the various keys 46 is operated, an image is taken.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, in the folded state in which the upper housing 42 and the lower housing 43 are closed, the user of the mobile phone 40 performs “selfie” to photograph himself. The main display unit 45 is stopped and the monitor image is displayed on the camera unit 48 on the sub display unit 50. At this time, an image is taken by operating the shutter key 46c.

  Note that this mobile phone 40 can record and reproduce not only still images but also moving images, as in the digital still camera 1 of the first to third embodiments.

  In that case, both still image data and moving image data obtained by shooting are stored in the memory card 69, and the content stored in the memory card 69 is arbitrarily reproduced and output on the main display unit 45 in response to a selection instruction under the reproduction mode. It is possible to transmit to a communication partner by selecting and setting as an attached file of an electronic mail as appropriate.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
Here, it is assumed that the set key 46b and the shutter key 46c of the various keys 46 perform immediate shooting by one-step stroke operation.

Each process shown below is basically executed by the control unit 65 based on a program fixedly stored in advance.
FIG. 11 shows the processing contents at the time of still image shooting in a state where the camera mode 46a of the various keys 46 is operated to set the camera mode. Initially, AE processing is executed at a focal length corresponding to the zoom position of the camera unit 48 selected at that time (step D01), an appropriate exposure value is obtained, and an aperture value and shutter speed are set. Based on them, an image is obtained from the CCD 75, and whether or not the set key 46b or the shutter key 46c of the various keys 46 is pressed while displaying a through image on the main display unit 45 or the sub display unit 50 (step D02). By repeatedly executing the determination (step D03), it waits for the set key 46b or the shutter key 46c to be operated.

  Accordingly, when the set key 46b or the shutter key 46c is operated, this is determined in step D03, and the appropriate exposure value (EV value) obtained in the AE process in the immediately preceding step D01 is set to the preset exposure. It is determined whether or not the appropriate exposure value at that time is a content having sufficient luminance depending on whether or not it is larger than the threshold value (EVth) (step D04).

  Here, when it is determined that the appropriate exposure value is larger than the preset exposure threshold value and has sufficient luminance, the photographing lens at that time point is set to set the state as close to the pan focus as possible. A predetermined in-focus position corresponding to the zoom position 2 where the depth of field is as deep as possible is fixedly set (step D05), and the maximum aperture value is determined from the appropriate exposure value obtained in the preceding step D01. After performing a so-called narrowing AE process in which the shutter speed is slowed down correspondingly and set correspondingly (step D06), the process proceeds to a recording and storing state of image data.

  That is, after obtaining image data by imaging (step D09), the image data obtained by imaging is filed by the image processing unit 68 and recorded and stored in the memory card 69 (step D10). Then, the process returns to step D01 to prepare for the next shooting again.

  If it is determined in step D04 that the appropriate exposure value is less than or equal to the preset exposure threshold value and there is not enough luminance, the image is dark when narrowing down to obtain pan focus. Therefore, the AF processing is performed so as to focus on a predetermined focus area to obtain the in-focus position (step D07), and at the same time, the appropriate exposure obtained by the AE processing in the immediately preceding step D01 is obtained. The determined aperture value and shutter speed are determined (step D08), and a transition is made to the image data recording and storage state.

  That is, after obtaining image data by imaging (step D09), the image data obtained by imaging is filed by the image processing unit 68 and recorded and stored in the memory card 69 (step D10). Then, the process returns to step D01 to prepare for the next shooting again.

  In this case, the fact that the image was captured and recorded by the AF process is displayed in the center of the screen of the main display unit 45 or the sub display unit 50 by, for example, a character string “AF” or “autofocus”, so that the user can On the other hand, it was intended to shoot with pan focus, but it is possible to notify that shooting has been executed with auto focus.

  As described above, when it is determined by the AE process that the image has low luminance, if the aperture value is set large to obtain a fixed focus, the corresponding decrease in the amount of light can be compensated for by lowering the shutter speed. Since the image is inevitably darkened and the image is inevitably darkened, it is possible to avoid shooting failure by preferentially executing the AF processing with appropriate exposure.

(Fifth embodiment)
A fifth embodiment when the present invention is applied to a CDMA mobile phone with a camera function will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The external configuration is basically the same as in FIG. 9 and the electronic circuit configuration is basically the same as in FIG. 10. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
Here, it is assumed that the set key 46b and the shutter key 46c of the various keys 46 perform immediate shooting by one-step stroke operation.

Each process shown below is basically executed by the control unit 65 based on a program fixedly stored in advance.
FIG. 12 shows the processing contents at the time of still image shooting in a state where the camera mode 46a of the various keys 46 is operated to set the camera mode. Initially, AE processing is executed at a focal length corresponding to the zoom position of the camera unit 48 selected at that time (step E01), an appropriate exposure value is obtained, and an aperture value and shutter speed are set. Based on these, an image is obtained from the CCD 75, and whether or not the set key 46b or the shutter key 46c of the various keys 46 is pressed while displaying a through image on the main display unit 45 or the sub display unit 50 (step E02) ( Step E03), and repeatedly determining whether or not the movement of the zoom position by the optical lens system 74 is instructed by the “△” key or “▽” key of the ring key 46d of the various keys 46 (Step E04). By executing, the set key 46b or the shutter key 46c is operated, or the “△” key of the ring key 46d or ▽ "key is waiting to be operated.

  If the “△” key or the “▽” key of the ring key 46d is operated, this is determined in step E04, and the motor 73 drives the optical lens system 74 according to the operated content to zoom up or After zooming down (step E05), the process returns to step E01 again.

  Accordingly, when the set key 46b or the shutter key 46c is operated, this is determined in step E03, and the focal length (f) corresponding to the zoom position at that time is set to a preset focal length threshold ( fth), it is determined whether or not a pan focus effect can be obtained from the point of depth of field (step E06).

  Here, when it is determined that the focal length at that time is smaller than a preset focal length threshold, and the depth of field can be set sufficiently deep to obtain a substantially pan-focus effect, In order to set the state as close to the pan focus as possible, a predetermined in-focus position corresponding to the zoom position of the photographing lens 2 at that time and the depth of field as deep as possible is fixedly set (step E07). Then, after performing the so-called narrowing AE process (step E08) in which the maximum aperture value is set to a maximum value from the appropriate exposure value obtained in the previous step E01 and the shutter speed is slowed correspondingly (step E08). Moves to the record storage state.

  That is, after obtaining image data by imaging (step E11), the image data obtained by imaging is filed by the image processing unit 68 and recorded and stored in the memory card 69 (step E12). The process returns to the process from step E01 to prepare for the next shooting again.

  Also, when it is determined in step E06 that the focal length at that time is equal to or greater than a preset focal length threshold and the depth of field cannot be set deep to obtain the pan focus effect. Is a focus value obtained by performing the AF process so as to focus on a predetermined focus area to obtain an in-focus position (step E09) and at the same time obtained by the AE process in the immediately preceding step E01. And the shutter speed are determined (step E10), and the image data recording / saving state is entered.

  That is, after obtaining image data by imaging (step E11), the image data obtained by imaging is filed by the image processing unit 68 and recorded and stored in the memory card 69 (step E12). The process returns to the process from step E01 to prepare for the next shooting again.

  In this case, the fact that the image was captured and recorded by the AF process is displayed in the center of the screen of the main display unit 45 or the sub display unit 50 by, for example, a character string “AF” or “autofocus”, so that the user can On the other hand, it was intended to shoot with pan focus, but it is possible to notify that shooting has been executed with auto focus.

  As described above, when it is determined that the focal length is large and the lens is on the telephoto side, since the depth of field is narrow even if the aperture is narrowed down, it is difficult to obtain the pan focus effect. By prioritizing, shooting failures can be avoided.

(Sixth embodiment)
A sixth embodiment when the present invention is applied to a CDMA mobile phone with a camera function will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The external configuration is basically the same as in FIG. 9 and the electronic circuit configuration is basically the same as in FIG. 10. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
Here, it is assumed that the set key 46b and the shutter key 46c of the various keys 46 perform immediate shooting by one-step stroke operation.

Each process shown below is basically executed by the control unit 65 based on a program fixedly stored in advance.
FIG. 13 shows the processing contents during still image shooting in a state where the camera mode 46a of the various keys 46 is operated to set the camera mode. Initially, it is first determined whether or not the manual exposure mode is set by the user's mode setting (step F01). If it is set, the exposure according to the manual operation by the ring keys 46d of the various keys 46 of the user is set. While the value is set (step F02), if the manual exposure mode is not set, the AE process is executed with the focal length corresponding to the zoom position of the camera unit 48 selected at that time (step F03).

  Then, an image is obtained from the CCD 75 based on the aperture value and shutter speed corresponding to the exposure state, and a through image is displayed on the main display unit 45 or the sub display unit 50 (step F04), while the set key 46b of the various keys 46 is set. Alternatively, by repeatedly determining whether or not the shutter key 46c has been pressed (step F05) and further whether or not a setting change operation related to exposure has been performed (step F06), the set key 46b or the shutter is determined. It waits until the key 46c is operated or an exposure change setting operation is performed.

  If an exposure change setting operation is performed, this is determined in step F06, and an appropriate exposure setting corresponding to the operated content is included, including processing such as changing the exposure mode to one of AE and manual exposure. (Step F07), the process returns to step F01.

  Accordingly, when the set key 46b or the shutter key 46c is operated, this is determined in step F05, and it is then determined whether or not the manual exposure mode is set by the user mode setting at that time (step F08). .

  Here, when it is determined that the manual exposure mode is not set and the AE process is executed in the immediately preceding step F03, the photographing lens 2 at that time is set to set the state as close to the pan focus as possible. A predetermined in-focus position corresponding to the zoom position at which the depth of field is as deep as possible is fixedly set (step F11), and the maximum aperture value is increased from the appropriate exposure value obtained in the preceding step E01. After performing the so-called narrowing down AE process that sets and slows down the shutter speed correspondingly (step F12), the process proceeds to the image data recording and storage state.

  That is, after obtaining image data by imaging (step F13), the image data obtained by imaging is filed by the image processing unit 68 and recorded and stored in the memory card 69 (step F14). Then, the process returns to step F01 to prepare for the next shooting.

  If it is determined in step F08 that the manual exposure mode is set at that time and the user arbitrarily sets the exposure condition, the user performs a narrowing operation to obtain a pan focus effect. Since the exposure conditions set in (1) change, AF processing is performed so as to focus on a predetermined focus area to obtain a focus position (step F09), and at the same time, the manual exposure processing in the immediately preceding step F02 is set. After confirming the aperture value and the shutter speed that have been set (step FE10), the process proceeds to the image data recording and storage state.

  That is, after obtaining image data by imaging (step E11), the image data obtained by imaging is filed by the image processing unit 68 and recorded and stored in the memory card 69 (step E12). The process returns to the process from step E01 to prepare for the next shooting again.

  In this case, the fact that the image was captured and recorded by the AF process is displayed in the center of the screen of the main display unit 45 or the sub display unit 50 by, for example, a character string “AF” or “autofocus”, so that the user can On the other hand, it was intended to shoot with pan focus, but it is possible to notify that shooting has been executed with auto focus.

  In this way, when the manual exposure is set by the user, if the aperture value is set large to obtain the pan focus effect, the exposure value set by the user may change. By executing the automatic focusing process without doing so, priority can be given without changing the user's photographing intention.

  The first to third embodiments have been described for the case where the present invention is applied to a digital still camera, and the fourth to sixth embodiments all describe the present invention as a camera. The present invention has been described with reference to a case where the present invention is applied to a CDMA mobile phone with a function. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and other PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) and mobile computers with a camera function may be used. The present invention can also be applied to a video movie camera that can shoot still images and a (still) camera using a silver salt film.

  Further, it is naturally possible to apply the first to third embodiments to a CDMA mobile phone with a camera function, and to apply the fourth to sixth embodiments to a digital camera.

  For example, when the set key 46b or shutter key 46c of a CDMA mobile phone with a camera function can be operated by a two-step stroke operation and the camera mode is set, “half-press” “all” is set in the same manner as a digital camera. If “press” is determined, the first to third embodiments can be applied to a CDMA mobile phone with a camera function.

  If the determination of the shutter key operation (step D03, step E03, step F05) of the CDMA mobile phone with a camera function is the determination of the shutter key fully pressed in the digital camera, the above fourth to sixth steps are performed. Embodiments can be applied to a digital camera.

  Further, in the first to third embodiments, it is determined that one of the two fixed focus ranges for near view and for far view is determined, but in the fourth to sixth embodiments, it is determined. Each of them may similarly have a plurality of fixed focal ranges, and in addition, the determination method is not particularly limited.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, at least one of the problems described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and described in the column of the effect of the invention. In a case where at least one of the obtained effects can be obtained, a configuration in which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a digital still camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the electronic circuit according to the embodiment. FIG. The flowchart which shows the processing content in the imaging | photography mode which concerns on the same embodiment. The flowchart which shows the processing content of the subroutine of a pan focus setting of the embodiment (thru | or 3rd Embodiment). The figure which illustrates the data display state after imaging | photography at the time of the pan focus setting concerning the embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing processing contents of power-on and shooting modes in a digital still camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing processing details of a shooting mode in the digital still camera according to the embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing processing details of a shooting mode in a digital still camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the mobile telephone which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the electronic circuit according to the embodiment. FIG. The flowchart which shows the processing content in the camera mode which concerns on the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the processing content of the camera mode in the mobile telephone which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the processing content of the camera mode in the mobile telephone which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital still camera, 2 ... Shooting lens, 3 ... Self-timer lamp, 4 ... Optical finder window, 5 ... Microphone part (MIC), 6 ... Strobe light emission part, 7 ... Grip bar, 8 ... Power key, 9 ... Shutter Key 11, motor (M), 12 lens optical system, 13 CCD, 14 timing generator (TG), 15 vertical driver, 16 sample hold circuit (S / H), 17 A / D conversion 18 ... color process circuit, 19 ... DMA controller, 20 ... DRAM interface (I / F), 21 ... DRAM, 22 ... control unit, 23 ... VRAM controller, 24 ... VRAM, 25 ... digital video encoder, 26 ... display 27: JPEG circuit, 28 ... Memory card, 29 ... Built-in memory, 30 ... Key input unit, 31 ... Audio processing unit, 32 ... S Robot drive unit, 33 ... Speaker unit (SP), 40 ... Mobile phone, 41 ... Hinge unit, 42 ... Upper housing, 43 ... Lower housing, 44 ... Speaker, 45 ... Main display unit, 46 ... Various keys, 46a ... Camera key, 46b ... Set (SET) key, 46c ... Shutter key, 46d ... Ring key, 47 ... Microphone, 48 ... Camera part, 49 ... Shooting light, 50 ... Sub display part, 51 ... Antenna, 61 ... RF part , 62 ... modulation / demodulation part, 63 ... CDMA part, 64 ... sound processing part, 65 ... control part, 66 ... GPS receiver, 67 ... image photographing part, 68 ... image processing part, 69 ... memory card, 70 ... vibrator part, 71 ... LED drive unit, 72 ... GPS antenna, 73 ... motor (M), 74 ... optical lens system, 75 ... CCD.

Claims (6)

A photographing means having an automatic focusing function and photographing a subject image;
Automatic exposure means for automatically setting an appropriate exposure value in the photographing means;
In place of the appropriate exposure value automatically set by the automatic exposure means, manual exposure means for manually setting an arbitrary exposure value;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the manual exposure mode for manually setting an arbitrary exposure value by the manual exposure means;
Instruction means for instructing photographing by the photographing means;
When it is detected that the manual exposure mode is set by the detection means when the photographing is instructed by the instruction means, the automatic focusing function of the photographing means is operated, and the manual exposure mode is detected by the detection means. If it is not detected that the focus position is set to the fixed focus position, the automatic exposure means automatically sets an exposure value at which a fixed depth of field is obtained at the fixed focus position. An imaging apparatus comprising: a focus control means for controlling. A focus range determination means for determining a fixed focus range where the subject image is located from a plurality of fixed focus ranges;
Said focus control means, the image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selecting the fixed-focus range obtained in the above focus range determination means when you to fixed focus position the focus position of the photographing means. The photographing means has an automatic white balance function for adjusting the color temperature according to the light source,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the focus range determination unit determines a fixed focus range in which a subject image is located according to a result of color temperature adjustment by the automatic white balance function.   4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising notification means for notifying a result of determining the fixed focus range where the subject image is located by the focus range determination means. A program that is executed by a computer that includes an automatic focusing function and an automatic exposure function, and that includes a manual exposure function that manually sets an arbitrary exposure value instead of the exposure value obtained by the automatic exposure function. ,
A detection procedure for detecting whether or not a manual exposure mode for manually setting an arbitrary exposure value by the manual exposure function is set ;
When it is detected that the manual exposure mode is set when shooting is instructed, the autofocus function is operated, and when the manual exposure mode is not detected, the focal position is detected. And a focus control procedure for controlling to automatically set an exposure value for obtaining a fixed depth of field at the fixed focus position by an automatic exposure function . A focus range determination procedure for determining a fixed focus range where the subject image is located from a plurality of fixed focus ranges;
The focus control procedure, according to claim 5, wherein the program and selects the fixed-focus range obtained in the above focus range determination procedure when you focus position in a fixed focus position.

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