JP4972579B2 - Electronic equipment and playback device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention detects a focused image from a plurality of image data acquired and processed by performing continuous shooting while changing the focus position (focus) in an imaging apparatus, and displaying the image data. The present invention relates to an electronic device, an imaging device, and a playback device.

  With the spread of digital cameras (imaging devices), especially the development of digital cameras with an autofocus function, it has become possible for anyone to take pictures easily. Furthermore, in recent years, the performance of autofocus (AF) of cameras has been improved. With the spread of this digital camera, the higher integration of the flash memory installed in the digital camera has progressed, and it has become possible to easily use a large-capacity recording medium and record hundreds of shot images. It has become.

  However, even if it is determined that the captured image is in focus (in-focus) by simple confirmation on the monitor after shooting, it is unexpectedly out of focus if the captured image is enlarged or played back. Because it was an image or it was in focus at a place different from the schedule, it sometimes resulted in a failed photo. This is because the display device provided in the digital camera has a small screen and a low resolution, so it is difficult to confirm a focused image on the screen of this display device. This was due to the fact that it took place in a short time between shots, and that it was not possible to check the focus after shooting.

  In addition, since a large number of captured images can be recorded on a recording medium, many inappropriate images (shake and blur) that are not intended by the user are also captured and recorded. It is an operation that requires a great amount of labor for the user to select and select such inappropriate images and appropriate images from among hundreds of photographed images.

  In Patent Document 1, a plurality of areas are set in advance in the photographing screen, and a selection process is performed in which a focus area is alternatively and sequentially selected from a plurality of areas set based on the priority order. By repeating the imaging process after performing the focusing operation using the image signal in the desired number of times, the user can perform continuous imaging for the number of images that the user wants to perform continuous imaging, and the subject is scattered. In this case, it is described that the subject is continuously imaged in the in-focus area desired by the user.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when the automatic mode is selected, a focus evaluation value is calculated for each of the number of images continuously shot while changing the focus position by focus bracket shooting, and the highest focus evaluation value is obtained. An image, that is, the best image in focus, is automatically selected as a recorded image and recorded on a recording medium. In the user selection mode, a focus evaluation value graph indicating an evaluation value of each image is displayed together with the selected image. Thus, it is described that the user can quantitatively grasp the in-focus state of each image, the selected image is changed according to the instruction from the user, and the selected image is recorded on the medium according to the recording instruction.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, when a playback mode button is operated in order to perform playback display without a sense of incongruity in the photographing apparatus, and when the auto play mode is not selected, the frame advance playback mode is entered as it is, and the zoom button The image data is read from the memory card every time the right end portion or the left end portion is operated, and the image is reproduced and displayed with the posture at the time of photographing. When the auto play mode is selected by operating from the frame advance playback mode, the image data and its additional information are read from the memory card in the shooting order at regular time intervals. It is described that a vertical posture image taken in a horizontal posture and a vertical posture without being applied is rotated and reproduced and displayed on the LCD so that the image looks upright.

  Further, in Patent Document 4, in order to perform image selection in which an inappropriate photograph is automatically omitted from a plurality of recorded images, a plurality of captured images and data related to each image are recorded. Reading means for reading together, image evaluation means for evaluating whether or not each read image satisfies a predetermined criterion, and selecting an image from a plurality of images based on this evaluation, and outputting it as a selected image to be printed An apparatus with selection decision means is described.

Furthermore, in Patent Document 5, in order to perform processing for each piece of information to be stored, to facilitate management of each piece of information, and to reduce the burden, image information is stored in association with a plurality of folders, and image information is stored. An evaluation value for determining whether or not to perform batch processing is calculated for each folder, and the evaluation value is lower than the threshold value by comparing the evaluation value with a threshold value individually set for each folder. In this case, an apparatus for collectively processing image information related to the corresponding folder is described.
JP 2006-254272 A JP 2004-135029 A JP 2007-088747 A JP 2002-010179 A JP 2006-302010 A JP 2006-109199 A

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, when there are a plurality of objects to be imaged and a plurality of subjects scattered in front and back are imaged, continuous imaging for obtaining a desired captured image is performed and the images are captured. Although the image is displayed automatically, it is necessary to select the in-focus area in advance, and when the object moves after selecting the in-focus area, focus on the area where the object does not exist. However, there is a problem that the captured image must be picked up or the in-focus position must be set again, and cannot be dealt with immediately.

  In addition, when a large number of subjects are within the angle of view, a subject different from the subject desired by the user may be in focus among subjects near the focus position designated by the user before shooting. There was a problem.

  In Patent Document 2, continuous imaging (focus bracketing) is performed while changing the in-focus position at every predetermined step, and an evaluation area is set and set for evaluating each in-focus state on a plurality of captured images. The selected evaluation area is selected as the best recorded image from the result of calculating the focus (AF) evaluation value, but the focus evaluation value is not obtained for each divided area, and the in-focus position in another area after shooting There was a problem that could not be selected.

  Further, in Patent Document 4, inappropriate photographs (out of focus, camera shake, underexposure, etc.) can be automatically omitted from a plurality of recorded images. However, regardless of the user's intention, In order to automatically select and omit the photographed image, there is a possibility that the image is omitted from the automatic processing against the intention of the user.

  Furthermore, in Patent Document 5, when data is stored for a certain period of time for OA devices (copiers and scanners), deletion is automatically performed, and necessary images and unnecessary images are classified. However, since classification is performed only with image information, processing is performed in the same folder regardless of necessity or necessity.

  The present invention is directed to solving the problems of the prior art, and in a plurality of image data continuously shot while changing the focus position, an area selected by the user from the plurality of image data is recorded. It is possible to obtain image data focused on the object to be imaged, and further to distribute and manage images according to the degree of focus within a selected area from a large amount of image data already captured. It is an object to provide an electronic device, an imaging device, and a playback device that can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an imaging optical system having a movable focus lens, and incident light via the imaging optical system as image data of an electrical signal. An image sensor to be converted, an image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the image data, and a screen of the image data are divided into a plurality of areas, and an AF evaluation value that is a value indicating a degree of focus is calculated for each of the areas. An AF evaluation unit, a recording unit that records information on the divided areas and an AF evaluation value calculated by the AF evaluation unit on a recording medium together with image data after image processing, and designates an arbitrary area in the image data screen Area specifying means and image detecting means for detecting image data based on the AF evaluation value of the area specified by the area specifying means from among a plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium , And display means for displaying the detected image data, the imaging optical system successively shooting a plurality of image data while changing the position of the focus lens, a recording medium by the recording means all image data obtained by continuous shooting It is characterized by recording.

  Further, in the electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in the electronic device according to claim 1, the image detection unit detects image data having the highest AF evaluation value in the region designated by the region designation unit, or Detecting image data in which the AF evaluation value of the area specified by the area specifying means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, or the AF evaluation value of the area specified by the area specifying means detected by the image detecting means is predetermined Means for distributing image data that is less than or equal to the threshold value, and collectively managing the distributed image data.

  Further, in the electronic device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in the electronic device according to claim 4, the image data of the AF evaluation value that is equal to or less than the threshold value subjected to the distribution process is collectively deleted or processed by the image detection unit. In all image data, when the AF evaluation value is equal to or lower than the threshold value, the processing of the image detection unit is performed again using the threshold value reduced by a predetermined value, and further, the reprocessing is performed by reducing the threshold value of the image detection unit by a predetermined value. When the threshold value lowered by a predetermined value becomes the lower limit value, the image detection means performs processing using AF evaluation values of a plurality of areas located around the area designated by the area designation means.

  Further, in the electronic device according to claims 8 and 9, in the processing of the image detection means of the electronic device according to claims 3 to 7, the threshold value to be compared with the AF evaluation value can be arbitrarily set. A plurality of pieces of image data detected by the image detection unit in the electronic device according to Item 3 are continuously displayed by the display unit in descending order of the AF evaluation value of the image data.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reproducing apparatus including an imaging optical system having a movable focus lens, an imaging element that converts incident light through the imaging optical system into image data of an electrical signal, and a predetermined amount of image data. The image processing means for performing image processing, the AF evaluation means for calculating the AF evaluation value of the value indicating the focus degree of each area by dividing the screen of the image data into a plurality of areas, and the image data after the image processing are divided together Recording means for recording area information and AF evaluation values on a recording medium, the imaging optical system continuously shoots a plurality of image data while changing the position of the focus lens, and records all the continuously taken image data a reproducing apparatus for reproducing image data recorded on the recording medium by an imaging apparatus for recording on a recording medium by means, area designating means for designating an arbitrary area on the screen of the image data, the serial Image detecting means for detecting image data based on an AF evaluation value of an area specified by the area specifying means from among a plurality of image data recorded on the medium, and display means for displaying the detected image data It is characterized by having.

Further, in the reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13 , in the reproducing apparatus according to claim 10 , the image detecting means detects image data having the highest AF evaluation value of the area specified by the area specifying means, or Detecting the image data in which the AF evaluation value of the area designated by the area designating means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold; and further, the AF evaluation value of the area designated by the area designating means detected by the image detecting means is predetermined. Means for distributing image data that is less than or equal to the threshold value, and collectively managing the distributed image data.

In addition, in the reproducing device according to any one of claims 14 to 16 , in the reproducing device according to claim 13 , image data having an AF evaluation value that is equal to or less than the threshold value subjected to the distribution process is deleted at once, or processed by the image detecting means. In all the image data, when the AF evaluation value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the processing of the image detection unit is performed again using the threshold value lowered by a predetermined value, or the threshold value of the image detection unit is set in the playback device of claim 15. In the reprocessing performed by lowering the predetermined value, when the threshold lowered by the predetermined value becomes the lower limit value, the image detecting unit performs processing using AF evaluation values of a plurality of areas located around the area specified by the area specifying unit. It is characterized by that.

Further, the reproducing apparatus according to claim 17, in the processing of the image detection means of the reproducing apparatus according to claim 12 to 16, the value of the threshold to be compared with the AF evaluation value that can be arbitrarily set, or, wherein at the reproducing apparatus of claim 12, the plurality of image data detected by the image detection means, AF evaluation value of the image data and displaying the display means in succession to a higher order.

  According to the above configuration, the area information obtained by dividing the screen and the AF evaluation value calculated for each area together with a plurality of image data continuously photographed while changing the in-focus position is recorded in pairs, and the divided area of the recorded image data By detecting the image data based on the AF evaluation value in the area selected by the user, it is possible to obtain image data focused on the subject desired by the user, and determining whether the image data is necessary or not Can manage.

  According to the present invention, the area information obtained by dividing the screen and the AF evaluation value calculated for each area are recorded in pairs together with a plurality of image data continuously photographed while changing the focus position, and the divided area of the recorded image data By detecting the image data based on the AF evaluation value in the area selected by the user, image data focused on the subject desired by the user can be obtained, and the area information and the AF evaluation value together with the plurality of image data Since a plurality of recorded image data are selected, it is possible to obtain image data focused on a subject in that area even if a different area is selected. Among these, there is an effect that images according to the degree of focus in the selected area can be distributed and managed collectively.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1A is a top view, FIG. 1B is a rear view, and FIG. 1C is a front view showing the external appearance of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram showing an outline of the system configuration inside the digital camera. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, a release key 1, a mode switching dial 2, and a power key 3 are disposed on the top surface of the digital camera body. An LCD monitor 4, a cross key 5, and an optical viewfinder 6 are provided on the back of the digital camera body. In addition, an optical viewfinder 6, a photographing lens 7, and a flash 8 are provided on the front surface of the digital camera body.

  Since the function and operation of each member of the digital camera are known, the description thereof will be omitted, and the internal system configuration of the camera will be described with reference to FIG. 1 based on FIG.

  The photographing lens 7 (zoom lens 7a, focus lens 7b) and mechanical shutter 1c are driven by a motor driver 10. The motor driver 10 is controlled by a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 111 included in the signal processing IC 11.

  The imaging unit 12 includes a light receiving sensor 121, a timing signal generator (hereinafter referred to as TG) 122 that drives the light receiving sensor 121, and an A / D converter 123 that converts an output electric signal (analog image data) of the light receiving sensor 121 into a digital signal. It is composed of

  An oscillator (not shown) supplies the system clock of the signal processing IC 11 including the CPU 111 and a clock to the TG 122. The TG 122 receives the clock of the oscillator and supplies a pixel clock for pixel synchronization to the sensor I / F unit 112 in the signal processing IC 11. Further, each drive signal is supplied from the TG 122 to the light receiving sensor 121. A digital signal input from the image pickup unit 12 to the signal processing IC 11 is transmitted to the SDRAM 13 which is a frame memory of the image storage unit by the memory controller 115 via the sensor I / F unit 112, the division block 113, and the focus evaluation block 114. It is temporarily stored as data (RAW-RGB).

  The signal processing IC 11 includes a sensor I / F unit 112, a display I / F unit 116 that controls display output, a JPEG codec unit (compression unit 117), a media I / F 118 having a card controller unit with the memory card 20, an image A developing unit (YUV conversion unit 119), an A / D conversion unit (ADC), a D / A conversion unit (DAC), and a CPU 111 that performs system control are included.

  The sensor I / F unit 112 outputs a screen horizontal synchronization signal (HD) and a screen vertical synchronization signal (VD), and outputs a digital (RGB) signal input from the A / D converter 123 according to the synchronization signal. Then, RGB data is written to the SDRAM 13 via the memory controller 115.

  The image development unit converts the RGB data temporarily stored in the SDRAM 13 into luminance Y and color difference CbCr data (YUV data) based on the image development processing parameters set by the CPU 111 serving as the control unit, and writes back to the SDRAM 13.

  The display I / F unit 116 sends display data written in the SDRAM 13 to the display device, and displays the captured image. This display device can be displayed on the LCD monitor 4 incorporated in the digital camera, or can be output as a TV video signal and displayed on the television as an external display device.

  The display data referred to here is OSD (on-screen display) data for displaying a natural image YCbCr, a shooting mode icon, and the like, both of which are read by the memory controller 115 and displayed on the SDRAM 13. The data is sent to the I / F unit 116, and the data synthesized by the display I / F unit 116 is output as video data.

  The JPEG codec unit compresses YCbCr data written in the SDRAM 13 during recording and outputs JPEG-encoded data. During reproduction, the JPEG codec decompresses the read JPEG-encoded data into YCbCr data and outputs the data.

  The card controller unit (media I / F unit 118) reads data in the memory card 20 to the SDRAM 13 or writes data on the SDRAM 13 to the memory card 20 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 111.

  Further, the CPU 111 which is a control unit that controls the overall operation loads a program and control data stored in the ROM 30 to, for example, the SDRAM 13 at the time of activation, and controls the overall operation based on the program code.

  The CPU 111 controls the imaging operation and the image developing process in the image developing unit in accordance with an instruction by the button key of the operation unit 9, an external operation instruction from a remote controller (not shown), or a communication operation instruction by communication from an external terminal such as a personal computer. Perform parameter setting, memory control, display control, etc.

  The operation unit 9 is used by the photographer to instruct the operation of the digital camera. A two-stage release key for instructing photographing, a zoom key (wide, tele) for setting the optical zoom and the electronic zoom magnification, and an exposure mode. Button keys are provided for performing various other settings such as selection from the outside.

  Next, a series of flows related to the photographing operation in the digital camera will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  When the operation unit 9 detects that the power key of the digital camera is turned on, the CPU 111 detects the light receiving sensor 121, the oscillator (not shown), the TG 122, the sensor I / F unit 112, the image developing unit (YUV converting unit 119), Predetermined settings are performed on the display I / F unit 116, a video amplifier (not shown), and the like. With this setting, the optical image incident through the lens unit (photographing lens 7) is photoelectrically converted by the light receiving sensor 121, and this analog signal is converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 123 and output to the signal processing IC 11. The

  The digital signal input to the signal processing IC 11 is input to the sensor I / F unit 112. The sensor I / F unit 112 performs processing such as black level adjustment on the photoelectrically converted analog signal and temporarily stores it in the SDRAM 13. The “RAW-RGB” image data stored in the SDRAM 13 is read out to the image development unit, and subjected to gamma conversion processing, white balance processing, edge enhancement processing, and YUV conversion processing, and is written into the SDRAM 13 as “YUV” image data. Returned.

  The “YUV” image data is read out to the display I / F unit 116. For example, if the output destination is a TV of the NTSC system, horizontal / vertical scaling processing according to the system is performed and output to the TV. By performing this process for each VD, monitoring which is a display for confirmation before still photographing is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the photographing operation of the digital camera in this embodiment. The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the power key 3 of the digital camera is pressed to turn on the power, and the continuous shooting mode is selected by the mode switching dial 2 (S1). When the continuous shooting mode is selected in the digital camera, the focus lens 7b automatically moves to a predetermined position and enters a shooting standby state (S2).

  The subject desired by the user is placed within the angle of view of the digital camera (S3), and the release key 1 is pressed halfway (S4), thereby locking the current exposure condition (AE lock) (S5). By locking the AE, it is possible to prevent a change in luminance during continuous shooting (a difference in luminance between image data at the start of shooting and image data at the end of shooting). Note that when the release key 1 is half-pressed, the AE lock is released. Further, when the release key 1 is fully pressed (S6), shooting in the continuous shooting mode is started with the conditions such as AWB when fully pressed (S7).

  The photographing is performed by driving the focus lens 7b from a predetermined position (S8), moving the in-focus position from the nearest position to infinity or vice versa, and taking the image while gradually shifting the in-focus position until a predetermined number described later is reached. Go (S9). For example, photographing similar to control called a focus bracket performed in a preset section described in Patent Document 2 is performed.

  Further, the photographed image data is divided into n × m as shown in FIG. 4A, for example, by a dividing block 113 that divides the image (S10), and is divided as shown in FIG. 4B. For each area of the image data, an AF evaluation value is calculated by the focus evaluation block 114 (S11). The calculation of the AF evaluation value of the divided area is performed for each image data and simultaneously with the process of storing the image data from the sensor I / F unit 112 to the SDRAM 13.

  Also, the AF evaluation value is calculated by applying a horizontal bandpass filter to each line in the divided image data, and selecting and selecting the bandpass filter output signal having the largest absolute value for each line. Integrate the signal in the vertical direction. By this calculation, it is possible to obtain an AF evaluation value that is a signal that has the largest value in the in-focus state and decreases in the de-focus state.

  It is confirmed that the number of photographed image data has reached a predetermined number, and the above-described processing S8 to S11 are repeated until the predetermined number of images is reached (S12). When the predetermined number is reached, the image data stored in the SDRAM 13 is read and image processing such as gamma conversion processing, white balance processing, edge enhancement processing, YUV conversion processing is performed (S13).

  The image data subjected to the image processing is written back to the SDRAM 13. At this time, together with the image data, the AF evaluation value calculated for each divided area is, for example, the header information of the Exif header part (individual area for each manufacturer) shown in FIG. 5 standardized by JEIDA (Japan Electronics Industry Promotion Association). The information is written and stored together with information such as the camera model, shooting date and time, aperture, and shutter speed (S14).

  The captured image data is a predetermined number of image data captured in the continuous shooting mode (continuous shooting 1-2.jpg, continuous shooting 1) as defined in the DCF (Camera File System Standard) directory shown in FIG. -3.jpg, continuous shooting 1-4.jpg,... Are collectively stored in a folder of “continuous shooting 1”, and image data at the start of shooting (continuous shooting 1-1.jpg) is displayed on the playback screen as a representative image. To do. The storage destination is not limited to the SDRAM 13 and may be a recording medium such as the memory card 20.

  As described above, the image data captured in the continuous shooting mode is displayed on the LCD monitor 4 of the digital camera as a pair of the AF evaluation value in the tag information and the image data, so that the divided area information and the AF of the area are displayed. By using the evaluation value to obtain the maximum AF evaluation value in the image area selected by the user, the focused area can be selected even after shooting, and the image data of the in-focus area desired by the user can be selected. Obtainable.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation of image data obtained by continuously shooting a predetermined number of images in this embodiment.

  As described above, the operation of reproducing image data continuously shot from a predetermined number stored in the SDRAM of the digital camera will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the digital camera shown in FIG. 1, the playback mode is selected by the mode switching dial 2 (S21). By selecting this reproduction mode, the photographing lens 7 is retracted from the predetermined position in the photographing standby state to the retracted position, and the photographing lens 7 is protected (S22).

  Thereafter, the photographed image data is displayed on the LCD monitor 4 (S23). At this time, for a plurality of continuously captured image data (continuous shot images), not all of the images are displayed but, for example, image data at the start of continuous shooting is displayed as a representative image. Further, in order to distinguish this representative image from normal images other than continuous shot images, the images are overlapped or surrounded by a color frame, for example, as shown in FIG. Different shooting is displayed.

  Now, when selecting an image displayed on the LCD monitor 4 of the digital camera, the representative image is displayed on the LCD monitor 4 and can be arbitrarily selected by the user with the cross key 5 or touch pen (S24). Here, when the normal image displayed in FIG. 8 (for example, “Single Shot 1” in FIG. 8) is selected (No in step S24), the image is displayed on the LCD monitor 4 ( S25).

  In addition, when a continuous image (for example, “continuous shooting 1” in FIG. 8) is selected (Yes in process S24), an image of region selection for selecting a focal point of the representative image (see FIG. 9). Is displayed (S26), and the user can arbitrarily select the in-focus position with the cross key 5 or the touch pen. By selecting this representative image, it is possible to link to a folder of images taken by continuous shooting shown in FIG. 6 (“continuous shooting 1”) and display an image shot by continuous shooting in the folder. it can.

  When a continuous shot image is selected, it is displayed on the LCD monitor 4. The representative image as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed with dividing lines (for example, dotted lines and color lines) drawn in a grid pattern, and an area divided by the dividing lines is selected. Note that the position at which the dividing line is displayed, that is, the number of divisions, is determined by the information of the area recorded as tag information together with the image data based on the divided n × m in the divided block 113 for dividing the image data.

  Further, the area selected with the cross key 5 or the touch pen is displayed with a thick area frame or a color is added to the area frame so that the selected area is easily visible. Then, after the selection, the selected area is determined by the area determination key. The area determination key is the OK key in FIG. 1B (the function may be replaced by another button key), or when using a touch pen, the OK button key is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. The area may be determined by displaying it or by double-clicking the selected part.

  Then, when an in-focus location is selected from the grid-divided area on the screen shown in FIG. 9 (S27), AF evaluation values of the selected area are acquired for all the images shot by continuous shooting (S27). In S28, the evaluation value comparison unit 110 compares the acquired AF evaluation value with a threshold value or more (S29). When there is an AF evaluation value equal to or greater than the threshold value (Yes in step S29), an image having an AF evaluation value equal to or greater than the threshold value is displayed on the LCD monitor 4.

  If there is no AF evaluation value greater than or equal to the threshold value in the selected area (No in process S29), the threshold values to be compared are sequentially lowered (S30). When the AF evaluation value lower than the threshold value of the lower limit of the AF value, which is generally not in focus even by anyone looking at it, becomes a blurred image, is repeatedly checked (S31), and no AF evaluation value greater than this threshold value is found Displays “There is no in-focus location” (S32), and returns to S26 so that another region can be selected.

  The threshold value is set in advance. For example, in the case of 8-bit data, it is possible to set the threshold value such that 200 or more is excellent, 199 to 150 is good, 150 to 100 is acceptable, and 99 to is out of focus. If the selected area does not have an AF evaluation value “excellent”, the threshold value is reduced to “good”, and if it is not “good”, the threshold is lowered. “There is no place”. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which is divided | segmented further finely similarly and displays the threshold value as 10 steps | paragraphs which are generally easy to understand, and 5 steps | paragraphs of evaluation.

  Further, in the process S29, when there is an AF evaluation value equal to or greater than the threshold value (Yes) and an image having an AF evaluation value equal to or greater than the threshold value is displayed on the LCD monitor 4, the AF evaluation values of the corresponding images are compared. (S33) For example, the AF evaluation values are displayed in descending order or the image with the highest AF evaluation value is displayed (S25).

  Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the display selection operation of the present embodiment. In the AF evaluation value comparison in the process S33 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of images obtained by the threshold comparison in the process S29 are displayed and selected. This shows the playback operation when

  First, an image having the highest AF evaluation value in the determined selection area is displayed (S35). After that, frame advance playback is automatically performed in the order of the highest AF evaluation value (for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the display screen is displayed sequentially from left to right or from top to bottom, or a plurality of images are displayed in order). Is displayed on the LCD monitor 4 (S36).

  Note that the display order of this frame advance playback may be automatically performed at regular time intervals, or may be displayed in order by any key operation of the digital camera by the user.

  The automatic frame advance speed can be arbitrarily set. For example, if the default value is one frame per second (sheets / second), the “frame advance / return key” and “frame advance / return key” are displayed. By pressing, the frame feed speed can be adjusted (2 sheets / 1 second, 3 sheets / 1 second, 1 sheet / 2 seconds, 1 sheet / 3 seconds, etc.). The “frame advance / reverse key” and “frame advance / reverse key” may incorporate functions by replacing existing button keys (for example, a wide key and a tele key) provided in the digital camera.

  In order to make the frame-by-frame playback situation easy to understand, the current playback number and the total playback number (for example, 5/12: current display number / total playback number) are displayed (see FIG. 12).

  In order to select an image desired by the user during the automatic frame advance operation described above, for example, by pressing the stop key during automatic frame advance, the automatic frame advance can be stopped at any time, and the image is focused. It can be confirmed (S37).

  Stopped (Yes in process S37) In order to make it easy to visually recognize the in-focus portion of the image to be selected, as described in Patent Document 6, the in-focus portion is displayed with a marker or the like, or easily perceived. The AF evaluation values (for example, the above-mentioned “excellent”, “good”, “possible”, and the AF evaluation values displayed in 10 steps and 5 steps) are displayed on the LCD monitor 4 (S39).

  While automatic frame advance is stopped, it is confirmed whether or not to save the displayed image (S40). For example, when the save recording key is pressed (Yes in process S40), the currently displayed image is displayed in the card memory or the like. (S41). If the save key is not stored, the cancel key is input (No in process S40), and the process returns to process S37 to resume frame advance. The image for which automatic frame advance is resumed is reproduced again by frame advance from the currently selected image.

  Further, when the selected currently displayed image is “continuous shooting 1-3.jpg” in the “continuous shooting 1” folder shown in FIG. 1. Save the file with a new image data file name “jpg”.

  In the above-described process S37, when the stop key is not pressed and an image is not selected after a predetermined time has elapsed (No in process S37), a predetermined number (image data equal to or greater than a threshold value) is set in automatic frame advance. ) It is confirmed whether all frame feeds have been completed (S38). When the number is not the predetermined number (No in process S38), frame advance for displaying image data equal to or greater than the next threshold is performed. When the predetermined number is reached (Yes in process S38), the first AF evaluation value displayed is one. Returning to the highest image display, frame advance is resumed in the order of the highest AF evaluation value and automatic reproduction is performed again.

  In addition, when there is no user-desired image and the process of displaying and selecting a plurality of images obtained by comparison with the threshold value is to be stopped, the process is stopped after the process of confirming the display of a predetermined number of sheets in the above-described process S38. The presence or absence is confirmed with the user (S42).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain image data in an optimum in-focus state desired by the user from among a plurality of image data continuously photographed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a batch management operation of image data obtained by continuously shooting a predetermined number of images according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  The collective management of the image data stored in the SDRAM of the digital camera described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 based on the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the same reference numerals are given to the components that perform the same processing corresponding to the configuration requirements described in the flowchart of FIG. 7 described above.

  First, the playback mode is selected by the mode switching dial 2 of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 (S21). When this reproduction mode is selected, the photographing lens 7 is retracted from the predetermined position in the photographing standby state to the retracted position, and the photographing lens 7 is protected (S22).

  Thereafter, the photographed image data is displayed on the LCD monitor 4 (S23). At this time, for a plurality of continuously captured image data (continuous shot images), not all the images are displayed, but the image data at the start of continuous shooting is displayed as a representative image.

  The representative image displayed on the LCD monitor 4 of the digital camera can be arbitrarily selected by the user using the cross key 5 or a touch pen (S24). Here, when the normal image displayed in FIG. 8 (for example, “Single Shot 1” in FIG. 8) is selected (No in step S24), the image is displayed on the LCD monitor 4 ( S25).

  If the continuous shot image “Burst 1” is selected (Yes in step S24), a representative image is displayed on the LCD monitor 4 (S26). The representative image as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed with division lines drawn in a lattice shape based on n × m divided by the division block 113 that divides the image data. Then, the user can easily select the area frame divided by the dividing line as an in-focus position by using the cross key 5 or the touch pen described above.

  It is possible to prevent the grid-like dividing lines from being displayed on the LCD monitor 4. In this case, the closest selected area including the arbitrarily selected place is selected. After this area is selected, the processing is the same as when a dividing line is displayed.

  Then, when an in-focus location is selected from the grid-divided area on the screen shown in FIG. 9 (S27), AF evaluation values of the selected area are acquired for all the images shot by continuous shooting (S27). In S28, the evaluation value comparison unit 110 compares the acquired AF evaluation value with a threshold value or more (S29).

  The threshold value is set in advance as described above with reference to FIG. 7. For example, in the case of 8-bit data, 200 or more is excellent, 199 to 150 is good, 150 to 100 is acceptable, and 99 to 99 is acceptable. If the selected area does not have an AF evaluation value “excellent”, the threshold is lowered to “good”, and if there is no “good”, the threshold is lowered. If it is 99 or less, “No focus” is displayed. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which is divided | segmented further finely similarly and displays the threshold value as 10 steps | paragraphs which are generally easy to understand, and 5 steps | paragraphs of evaluation.

  If there is no AF evaluation value greater than or equal to the threshold value in the selected area (No in process S29), the threshold values to be compared are sequentially lowered (S30). In general, confirmation is repeated with the threshold value of the AF evaluation value at the lower limit of the lower limit that results in a blurred image that is not in focus by anyone (S31), and the process returns to step S29.

  Even if the threshold value of the AF evaluation value is lowered to the lower limit by the processes S29 to S31, if an AF evaluation value equal to or higher than the threshold value is not found (Yes in process S31), the selected area frame (see FIG. 14) is adjacent. Each AF evaluation value of the area frame (adjacent area frame located around the corresponding area frame shown in FIG. 15) is compared with the threshold value (S44). At this time, the threshold value is returned to the value before being lowered in step S30. In addition, when an area for comparing AF evaluation values spreads in the adjacent area frame, it is desirable that the area frame to be evaluated does not spread too much and is not too far from the area frame selected by the user first.

It is compared whether the AF evaluation value acquired from the adjacent area frame is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S45). If there is no AF evaluation value even in the adjacent area frame (No in S45), the threshold is lowered (S46), and the confirmation is repeated by lowering the threshold of the AF evaluation value at the lower limit (S47).
When an AF evaluation value equal to or greater than the threshold value is not found (Yes in process S47), a message informing the user such as “no in-focus portion” is displayed, and the process returns to process S26 so that another area can be selected. Further, the threshold used here is as described above.

  As a result of the comparison between the AF evaluation value and the threshold value in the process S45 and the above-described process S29, a captured image with an AF evaluation value equal to or greater than the threshold value becomes a captured image candidate to be saved, and an AF evaluation value (unsuitable image) equal to or less than the threshold value is captured. The image becomes a deletion candidate image.

  When there is an AF evaluation value equal to or greater than the threshold value (Yes in steps S29 and S45), an image having an AF evaluation value equal to or greater than the threshold value is displayed on the LCD monitor 4. Further, an image having an AF evaluation value equal to or smaller than the threshold value is stored in the deletion folder (S49). A plurality of images can be selected from the displayed images (S50) and stored (S51). If there is no image to be stored (No in process S51), the process returns to process S26 to select another area.

  In the case of saving (Yes in process S51), the captured image whose AF evaluation value is equal to or greater than the threshold and not selected by the user is stored in the deletion folder (S52). The photographed images in the deletion folder are collectively managed, and if the user selects deletion (S53) when deletion is selected (Yes in process S53), the photographed images in the deletion folder are collectively deleted (S54). If you do not choose to delete, the shot image remains in the deletion folder.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain image data in an optimum in-focus state desired by the user from a plurality of image data continuously shot, and further batch-process (delete) unnecessary images. Work can be shortened.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging apparatus has been described as an example, but a plurality of image data continuously shot while changing the focus position is divided into arbitrary plural areas, and AF evaluation values are calculated for each divided area, The area information and AF evaluation value divided together with each image data are recorded, and when reproducing the recorded image data, an arbitrary area is selected from the divided areas, and based on the AF evaluation value in this area By selecting the detected image data, it is possible to obtain an electronic device that can obtain optimum image data focused on a certain area of the subject desired by the user, and the above-described plurality of image data (continuous shot images). A combination of an imaging device capable of reproducing a continuous-shot image via a recording medium on which a continuous-shot image obtained by the imaging device is recorded may be used.

  The electronic apparatus, the imaging apparatus, and the playback apparatus according to the present invention record the area information obtained by dividing the screen and the AF evaluation value calculated for each area together with a plurality of pieces of image data continuously captured while changing the focus position. By detecting the image data based on the AF evaluation value in the area selected by the user from the divided areas of the image data, it is possible to obtain image data focused on the subject desired by the user, together with a plurality of image data Since area information and AF evaluation values are recorded in pairs, it is possible to obtain image data focused on a subject in that area even if another area is selected from the recorded image data As a continuous shooting function, in particular, continuous shooting was performed while changing the in-focus position, and image data was acquired and focused in an arbitrary area from the processed multiple image data. Useful for the detection of the image data.

1A is a top view, FIG. 2B is a rear view, and FIG. 2C is a front view showing the appearance of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. Block circuit diagram showing the outline of the system configuration inside the digital camera Flow chart showing the shooting operation of the digital camera (A) of photographed image data is an area divided into blocks, and (b) is an AF evaluation value calculated for each divided area. The figure explaining the tag information of the header part of Exif The figure which shows the tree structure of the file by which the directory definition of DCF is defined A flowchart showing the reproduction operation of image data continuously shot from a predetermined number The figure which shows the example of a display of normal imaging | photography and continuous shooting of LCD monitor The figure which shows the area | region selection screen which selects the focus location of a representative image A flowchart showing an operation of displaying and selecting a plurality of images obtained by threshold comparison The figure explaining the image displayed on an LCD monitor The figure which shows the example displayed on the image on the LCD monitor Flow chart showing batch management operation of image data continuously shot for a predetermined number The figure which shows the area frame which chooses the in-focus part The figure which shows the adjacent area frame adjacent to the area frame which selects a focus location

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Release key 2 Mode switching dial 3 Power key 4 LCD monitor 5 Cross key 6 Optical viewfinder 7 Shooting lens 7a Zoom lens 7b Focus lens 7c Mechanical shutter 8 Flash 10 Motor driver 11 Signal processing IC
12 Imaging unit 13 SDRAM
20 Memory card 30 ROM
110 Evaluation Value Comparison Unit 111 CPU
112 sensor I / F unit 113 division block 114 focusing evaluation block 115 memory controller 116 display I / F unit 117 compression unit 118 media I / F unit 119 YUV conversion unit 121 light receiving sensor 122 TG
123 A / D converter

Claims (18)

An imaging optical system having a movable focus lens; an imaging device that converts incident light that has passed through the imaging optical system into image data of an electrical signal; image processing means that performs predetermined image processing on the image data; The image data screen is divided into a plurality of areas, and AF evaluation means for calculating an AF evaluation value, which is a value indicating the degree of focus for each of the areas, and information on the divided areas and the AF evaluation means are calculated. A recording means for recording the AF evaluation value together with the image data after the image processing on a recording medium, an area designating means for designating an arbitrary area in the screen of the image data, and a plurality of recordings recorded on the recording medium. Image detection means for detecting image data based on the AF evaluation value of the area designated by the area designation means from among the image data, and the detected image data And a Shimesuru display means,
An electronic apparatus, wherein the imaging optical system continuously captures a plurality of image data while changing the position of the focus lens, and records all the continuously captured image data on the recording medium by the recording means. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image detection unit detects image data having the highest AF evaluation value in the region designated by the region designation unit. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image detection unit detects image data in which an AF evaluation value of an area designated by the area designation unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. A unit for distributing image data detected by the image detection unit and having an AF evaluation value of an area specified by the region specifying unit being equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and collectively managing the distributed image data; the electronic device according to claim 1,. 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein image data having an AF evaluation value that is equal to or less than the threshold value subjected to the sorting process is collectively deleted. 5. The process according to claim 4 , wherein in all the image data processed by the image detection unit, when the AF evaluation value is equal to or less than a threshold value, the process of the image detection unit is performed again using a threshold value reduced by a predetermined value. Electronics. In the reprocessing performed by lowering the threshold value of the image detection means by a predetermined value, when the threshold value lowered by the predetermined value becomes a lower limit value, AF evaluation values of a plurality of areas located around the area designated by the area designation means are used. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the processing of the image detection unit is performed. 8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a threshold value to be compared with an AF evaluation value can be arbitrarily set in the processing of the image detection unit.   4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of image data detected by the image detection means are displayed on the display means successively in order of the AF evaluation value of the image data. An imaging optical system having a movable focus lens; an imaging device that converts incident light that has passed through the imaging optical system into image data of an electrical signal; image processing means that performs predetermined image processing on the image data; AF evaluation means for dividing an image data screen into a plurality of areas and calculating an AF evaluation value indicating the degree of focus of each area; information on the divided areas and AF evaluation values together with the image data after the image processing; Recording means for recording a plurality of image data while the imaging optical system changes the position of the focus lens, and the recording means records all the image data that has been continuously shot. A reproducing apparatus for reproducing image data recorded on a recording medium by an imaging apparatus for recording on the recording medium;
Area designation means for designating an arbitrary area on the screen of the image data, and image data based on an AF evaluation value of the area designated by the area designation means from among a plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium And a display means for displaying the detected image data. 11. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the image detection unit detects image data having the highest AF evaluation value in the region designated by the region designation unit . 11. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image detecting unit detects image data in which an AF evaluation value of an area designated by the area designating unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value . A unit for distributing image data detected by the image detection unit and having an AF evaluation value of an area specified by the region specifying unit being equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and collectively managing the distributed image data; The playback apparatus according to claim 10 . 14. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein image data having an AF evaluation value that is equal to or less than the threshold value subjected to the sorting process is collectively deleted . 14. The image detection unit according to claim 13, wherein in all image data processed by the image detection unit , when the AF evaluation value is equal to or less than a threshold value, the process of the image detection unit is performed again using a threshold value that is decreased by a predetermined value . Playback device. In the reprocessing performed by lowering the threshold value of the image detection means by a predetermined value, when the threshold value lowered by the predetermined value becomes a lower limit value, AF evaluation values of a plurality of areas located around the area designated by the area designation means are used. The reproduction apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the processing of the image detection means is performed . The reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein a threshold value to be compared with the AF evaluation value can be arbitrarily set in the processing of the image detection means. 13. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein a plurality of image data detected by the image detection means are displayed by the display means successively in order from the highest AF evaluation value of the image data .

Images