JP5231759B2 - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an imaging method, and an image processing method, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an imaging method, and an image processing method that assist image capturing using image contour information. .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for assisting photographing by display on a camera monitor is known.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a digital camera in which when a contour display switch is turned on, a contour image is extracted from a monochrome image and the contour image is displayed on a monochrome liquid crystal display device. According to the digital camera described in Patent Document 1, even when it is difficult to see the subject image displayed on the display screen of the display device such as outdoor photography or indoor photography, the monochrome contour image of the subject can be obtained by turning on the contour display switch. Is displayed, and appropriate framing can be performed using a contour image that is easier to see than the subject image.

Further, Patent Document 2 describes an electronic camera that superimposes and displays a captured image at the previous fixed point shooting as a composition image with a through image of the current fixed point shooting. According to the electronic camera described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to shoot with the same composition as the previous time without taking time and effort as in the prior art.
JP 2004-179708 A JP 2002-94854 A

  However, the digital camera described in Patent Document 1 is an LCD in which a color LCD that displays a normal through image is different from a monochrome LCD that displays a contour image, and the two LCDs increase the size of the device. There were drawbacks. In addition, the electronic camera described in Patent Document 2 has a drawback in that it is difficult to understand the through image display because it displays two images in a translucent state at the same time, and is not suitable for discriminating whether the composition matches or does not match. It was. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and imaging that can obtain a desired image by assisting composition in photographing and assisting fixed point observation photographing by using image contour information. It is an object to provide an apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an imaging method, and an image processing method.

In order to achieve the object, an imaging apparatus according to claim 1, an imaging unit that converts a subject image received through an imaging lens into an image signal at a predetermined rate, and all subjects from luminance information of the image signal. A contour extracting means for extracting a contour image of the image; a synthesizing means for synthesizing the color difference information of the image signal and the contour image at a predetermined ratio; and a composite image synthesized by the synthesizing means is updated at the predetermined rate. Display means for displaying as a through image, shooting instruction means for instructing main shooting, and when the main shooting is instructed by the shooting instruction means, the image signal acquired in the main shooting performed in response to the instruction is displayed. A recording means for recording a normal photographed image other than a composite image, and means for turning on / off the composition assist function, wherein the display means has a composition assist function of O And displaying a through image based on the image signal to be F, the composition assistance function is turned ON, and displaying the combined image as a through image.

  As a result, it is possible to perform better shooting in consideration of the composition.

  Thereby, composition assistance can be performed only when necessary.

As described in claim 2, in the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, the contour extraction unit creates a contour image in which the contours of all subject images have high luminance from the luminance information of the image signal; It is characterized by comprising means for inverting the brightness of the created contour image and means for correcting the gradation in order to enhance the contour image whose brightness has been inverted.

  Thereby, an outline can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the first or second aspect , the image pickup apparatus further includes an input unit for setting the predetermined ratio.

  Thereby, an easy-to-view through image can be obtained.

In order to achieve the above object, the imaging method according to claim 4 includes an imaging step of converting a subject image received through an imaging lens into an image signal at a predetermined rate, and all subjects from luminance information of the image signal. A contour extracting step of extracting a contour image of the image, a combining step of combining the color difference information of the image signal and the contour image at a predetermined ratio, and updating the combined image combined by the combining step at the predetermined rate. When the main photographing is instructed by the display step for displaying as a through image and the photographing instruction means, the photographed image is based on the image signal acquired by the main photographing performed in response to the instruction, and other than the composite image A recording step of recording a normal photographed image in a recording unit, and the display step includes the step of displaying the image signal when the composition assist function is turned off by the unit for turning on / off the composition assist function. Through image based on Display, when composition assistance function is turned ON, and displaying the combined image as a through image.

As a result, it is possible to perform better shooting in consideration of the composition. Also, composition assistance can be performed only when necessary.

  According to the present invention, an image capturing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an image capturing method, and an image capturing apparatus that can obtain a desired image by assisting composition during photographing and assisting fixed point observation photographing using image contour information. And an image processing method can be provided.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a first embodiment of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. The digital camera 1 includes a CPU 11, an operation unit 12, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, a display control unit 15, an image display unit 16, a buffer memory 17, a bus 18, an image recording unit 19, a memory card 20, an image signal processing unit 21, and an imaging control unit. 22, a CCD 23, an imaging optical system 24, an aperture / focus / zoom control unit 25, a contour detection unit 26, a contour information processing unit 27, and a contour information synthesis unit 28.

  The CPU 11 stores control programs stored in the ROM 13 in the RAM 14 such as input processing from the operation unit 12, signal processing in the image signal processing unit 21, display output to the image display unit 16, and data recording in the memory card 20. Read and execute sequentially.

  In the shooting standby state, the CPU 11 displays a moving image (through image) on the image display unit 16. The user (photographer) performs framing while viewing the through image displayed on the image display unit 16, confirms the subject to be photographed, confirms the image after photographing, and sets photographing conditions. In the present invention, a through image for performing composition assistance is displayed by the contour detection unit 26, the contour information processing unit 27, and the contour information synthesis unit 28. Details will be described later.

  When the release switch of the operation unit 12 is pressed in the shooting standby state, the CPU 11 performs exposure, focus, and zoom control by the aperture / focus / zoom control unit 25 to form a subject image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 23. The CCD 23 accumulates charges corresponding to the amount of light of the subject image formed on the light receiving surface, amplifies it, and converts it into a voltage signal.

  The CCD 23 outputs the charges accumulated in each pixel as a serial image signal line by line in synchronization with the vertical transfer clock and the horizontal transfer clock supplied from the imaging control unit 22. The CPU 11 controls the imaging control unit 22 to control the driving of the CCD 23.

  The charge accumulation time (exposure time) of each pixel is determined by an electronic shutter drive signal given from the imaging control unit 22. The CPU 11 instructs the image capturing control unit 22 on the charge accumulation time.

  The voltage signal output from the CCD 23 is subjected to analog processing such as correlated double sampling and amplification in the image signal processing unit 21, and then A / D converted, and converted into digital R, G, and B signals for each pixel. The Furthermore, white balance adjustment is performed by applying a digital gain according to the type of light source, gamma (gradation characteristics) processing and sharpness processing are performed to generate R, G, and B signals, and YC signal processing is further performed for luminance. A signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (YC signal) are generated, and the YC signal is stored in the buffer memory 17.

  The YC signal stored in the buffer memory 17 as described above is compressed into a predetermined format, and then recorded on the memory card 20 that is detachably attached to the digital camera 1 via the image recording unit 19.

  When the playback mode is selected by operating the operation unit 12, the image file of the last frame recorded on the memory card 20 is read via the image recording unit 19. The compressed data of the read image file is expanded into an uncompressed YC signal by the image signal processing unit 21. The expanded YC signal is output to the image display unit 16 by the display control unit 15. As a result, the image of the last frame recorded on the memory card 20 is displayed on the image display unit 16.

  Thereafter, when the forward frame advance switch of the operation unit 12 is pressed, the frame is advanced in the forward direction, and when the reverse frame advance switch is pressed, the frame is advanced in the reverse direction. Then, the frame-positioned image file at the frame position is read from the memory card 20, and the image is reproduced on the image display unit 16 in the same manner as described above.

  Next, composition assistance of the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of composition assist, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the composition assist operation.

First, when the user presses the composition assist button of the operation unit 12, the digital camera 1 is set to the composition assist mode (step S31). When the composition assist mode is set, the contour detector 26 detects contour information in the image from the luminance information of the image signal output from the CCD 23 in the photographing standby state (step S32). Contour detection uses a Sobel filter of the primary finely divided. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are diagrams showing examples of filter matrices of horizontal Sobel filters, and FIGS. 4 (c) and 4 (d) are diagrams of vertical Sobel filters. It is a figure which shows the example of a filter matrix.

Note that the contours may be synthesized after detecting the contours of each of the RGB colors. A method of detecting the contour is not limited to the Sobel filter may be used Prewitt filter of the primary finely divided, may be used a secondary fine min Laplacian filter.

  Next, the contour information processing unit 27 inverts the brightness of the contour information detected by the contour detection unit 26 (step S33), further performs gradation correction to emphasize the contour, and generates a contour image (step S34). . In order to correct the gradation, a calculation formula may be used, or a lookup table may be used. Thus, in order to display the high-luminance contour information detected using the Sobel filter in black so that it can be easily viewed, the contour information is inverted. Also, gradation correction is performed to generate a contour image. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an image output from the CCD 23, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a contour image output from the contour information processing unit 27 with respect to the image signal in FIG.

  Next, the contour information synthesizing unit 28 sets the color difference information between the contour image output from the contour information processing unit 27 and the image signal output from the CCD 23 (the original signal of the signal output from the contour information processing unit 27) at a predetermined ratio. Synthesis (step S35). That is, assuming that the ratio of the color difference information is α and the ratio of the contour image is β, the composition processing is performed as shown in (Equation 1).

(Equation 1)
Composite image = α × color difference information + β × contour image (where α + β = 1)
7 is a diagram showing the color difference information of the image signal output from the CCD 23. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contour information output by the contour information processing unit 27 shown in FIG. 6 and the color difference information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the synthesized image which synthesize | combined. The composition ratio may be stored in advance in the ROM 13 or may be freely set by the user through the operation unit 12.

  Then, the composite image synthesized by the contour information synthesis unit 28 is displayed on the image display unit 16 as a through image by the display control unit 15 (step S36). Depending on the composition ratio, it is possible to use only the contour information. However, since the situation of the shooting scene may be difficult to grasp, the color difference information of the lower image can be displayed in an overlapping manner.

  It is again determined whether or not the composition assist button of the operation unit 12 has been pressed (step S37). If not, the process returns to step S32 and the same process is repeated. The user can determine the composition while viewing this through image, and press the release switch of the operation unit 12 to perform the main photographing.

  When the composition assist button is pressed, the composition assist mode is terminated. Note that this composition assist mode may be configured to be canceled after the actual photographing is performed or when a certain time has elapsed even when the composition assist button is not pressed again.

  In this manner, by combining the through image and displaying the contour information, the photographer can perform better shooting while being aware of the composition. Further, by combining and displaying not only the contour information but also the color difference information, it becomes possible to easily grasp the situation of the shooting scene.

  In addition, when performing contour detection by detecting and synthesizing each RGB single color contour, a display for appropriately detecting the contour and making the composition conscious of the primary color subject existing in the shooting scene is displayed. It can be carried out.

<Second Embodiment>
A digital camera 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. The digital camera 1 according to the second embodiment performs fixed point observation assist.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera 1. 1 is different from the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 in that an outline information storage unit 29 is provided.

  FIG. 10 is a functional diagram of the fixed point observation assist, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 1 in the fixed point observation assist preparation stage. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, a captured image is selected (step S111). Similar to the above-described playback mode, by operating the operation unit 12 and selecting the outline storage mode, it is possible to read out an image recorded on the memory card 20 and display it on the image display unit 16. The user selects an image to be used in the fixed point observation assist mode, that is, an image having a composition to be fixed point shooting from the images recorded in the memory card 20 using the operation unit 12.

  When the user selects an image, the contour detection unit 26 detects the contour of the selected image (step S32), the contour information processing unit 27 inverts the brightness of the detected contour information (step S33), and further corrects the gradation. And an outline image is generated (step S34). The contour image generated in this way is stored in the contour information storage unit 29 (step S112).

  As described above, in the digital camera 1 according to the second embodiment, the contour information storage unit 29 stores the contour image used for the fixed point observation assist in advance.

  Next, the operation in the fixed point observation assist mode will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fixed point observation assist mode of the digital camera 1. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, the user sets the digital camera 1 to the fixed point observation assist mode using the operation unit 12 (step S121). When the fixed point observation assist mode is set, the contour image stored in the contour information storage unit 29 in the contour storage mode shown in FIG. 9 is read (step S122). When a plurality of contour images are stored, the user uses the operation unit 12 to select a desired contour image. Further, instead of storing the contour image in advance in the contour storage mode, an image may be selected at this time, and a contour image may be generated and stored.

  Next, the contour detection unit 26 detects the contour of the image signal output from the CCD 23 (step S32), the contour information processing unit 27 inverts the brightness of the detected contour information (step S33), and further corrects the gradation. And an outline image is generated (step S34). The contour information synthesis unit 28 synthesizes the contour image extracted in this way and the read contour image at a predetermined ratio (step S123). The composition ratio may be stored in advance in the ROM 13 or may be freely set by the user through the operation unit 12.

  The synthesized image synthesized by the contour information synthesizing unit 28 is displayed as a through image on the image display unit 16 via the display control unit 15 (step S36).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the fixed point observation assist mode has been canceled (step S124). If not canceled, the process returns to step S122, and the same processing is repeated. If canceled, the fixed point observation assist process is terminated.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the display of the image display unit 16 in the fixed point observation assist mode. FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a case where the contour image read from the contour information storage unit 29 and the contour image extracted from the through image do not match. While viewing the composite image of each displayed contour image, the user performs pan operation, tilt operation, and the like so that the contour image extracted from the through image matches the contour image read from the contour information storage unit 29. And zoom operation. FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a case where the respective contour images match. Then, after confirming that the contour images match each other and pressing the release switch of the operation unit 12 to perform the main photographing, it is possible to obtain fixed-point photographing and obtain an image with the same composition.

  The fixed point observation assist mode is configured to be canceled when the operation unit 12 is operated or when a predetermined time has elapsed. Alternatively, it may be canceled after the actual shooting is completed.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an image obtained by performing fixed-point shooting using the fixed-point observation assist mode of the present invention and observing fixed points in the four seasons. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an image obtained by performing fixed-point imaging using the fixed-point observation assist mode of the present invention and observing plant growth at a fixed point. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an image obtained by photographing a similar composition of a road and a track using the fixed point observation assist mode of the present invention.

  With this configuration, it is possible to easily take a fixed point observation photograph or a similar composition photograph. In addition, it is possible to prepare the same composition photographing during the building maintenance work. In addition, when requesting shooting, the intention of the composition can be clearly communicated.

  In this embodiment, the contour information combining unit 28 combines the contour image of the image signal output from the CCD 23 and the contour image read from the contour information storage unit 29 at a predetermined ratio. Different colors may be combined. Moreover, you may make the color which matches also a different color. With this configuration, it is easy to see whether or not the respective contours match.

  Simultaneously with these contour images, color difference information extracted from an image signal output from the CCD 23 may be combined. You may comprise so that a user can designate which information is combined with the read outline information.

<Third Embodiment>
A digital camera 1 according to a third embodiment will be described. The digital camera 1 according to the third embodiment performs fixed-point observation assistance by displaying a fixed-point observation assist indicator together with the contour image.

  The internal configuration of the digital camera 1 of the third embodiment is the same as the internal configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. The functional diagram of fixed point observation is the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fixed point observation assist mode of the digital camera 1. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, the digital camera 1 is set to the fixed point observation assist mode (step S121). When the fixed point observation assist mode is set, the contour image initially stored in the contour information storage unit 29 is read out as in the second embodiment (step S122). Next, the contour detection unit 26 detects the contour of the image signal output from the CCD 23 (step S32), the contour information processing unit 27 inverts the brightness of the detected contour information (step S33), and further corrects the gradation. And an outline image is generated (step S34).

  Next, the contour information composition unit 28 calculates the displacement direction and the amount of displacement between the contour image extracted as described above and the read contour image (step S241). In the calculation of the shift direction and the shift amount, a subject existing at a predetermined position in the read contour image is detected from the contour image extracted from the image signal of the CCD 23, and the shift direction and the shift amount of the subject are calculated. By doing. In the present embodiment, the shift direction and the shift amount at each position are calculated at five positions in the image. Note that the shift direction and the shift amount may be calculated by performing a correlation operation between the two contour images.

  Further, the contour information synthesis unit 28 synthesizes the fixed point observation assist index generated from the deviation direction and the deviation amount at the calculated five positions at a predetermined ratio (step S123). The composition ratio may be stored in advance in the ROM 13 or may be freely set by the user through the operation unit 12.

  The synthesized image synthesized by the contour information synthesizing unit 28 is displayed as a through image on the image display unit 16 via the display control unit 15 (step S36).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the fixed point observation assist mode has been canceled (step S124). If not canceled, the process returns to step S122, and the same processing is repeated. If canceled, the fixed point observation assist process is terminated.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the display on the image display unit 16 in the fixed point observation assist mode of the present embodiment. Reference numerals 41a to 41e are fixed point observation assist indexes, and arrows corresponding to the deviation directions and deviation amounts calculated at the five positions are displayed at the positions. The user performs a pan operation, a tilt operation, and a zoom operation on the digital camera 1 so that the two contour images coincide with each other while looking at the arrow that is the fixed point observation assist index together with the two contour images. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a case where the respective contour images match. The fixed-point observation assist index is displayed as a circle when there is no longer the amount of deviation at that position. In FIG. 26, circles are displayed at all five positions 42a to 42e, indicating that the images match. The user confirms the display of the circle and presses the release switch of the operation unit 12 to perform the main shooting, thereby obtaining a fixed-point shooting and obtaining an image with the same composition.

  The fixed point observation assist mode is configured to be canceled when the operation unit 12 is operated or when a predetermined time has elapsed. Alternatively, it may be canceled after the actual shooting is completed.

  If the arrows and circles that are fixed point observation assist indicators are displayed in different colors, the user can easily recognize them. Further, the fixed-point observation assist index is not limited to five points, and may be any number.

  Simultaneously with these contour images, color difference information extracted from an image signal output from the CCD 23 may be combined. You may comprise so that a user can designate which information is combined with the read outline information.

<Fourth embodiment>
A digital camera 1 according to a fourth embodiment will be described. The digital camera 1 of the fourth embodiment performs fixed-point observation assistance as in the second embodiment, but the correlation value between the pre-stored contour image and the contour image of the current shooting scene is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. Then, the main shooting is automatically performed.

  FIG. 17 is a functional diagram of the self-fixed point observation assist, and FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the self-fixed point observation assist mode. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in the flowchart shown in FIG.3 and FIG.12, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, the user uses the operation unit 12 to set the self-fixed point observation assist mode (step S181). When the self-fixed point observation assist mode is set, the contour information synthesis unit 28 calls the contour image stored in advance in the contour information storage unit 29 as in the second embodiment (step S122). Note that a desired image may be selected at this time, and a contour image may be generated for the selected image.

  Next, the contour detection unit 26 detects the contour information in the image from the luminance information of the image signal output from the CCD 23, and the contour information processing unit 27 inverts the luminance of the contour information detected by the contour detection unit 26. Then, the gradation is corrected and enhanced to generate a contour image (step S182).

  The contour information synthesis unit 28 synthesizes the image signal of the CCD 23, the contour image generated from the image signal of the CCD 23, and the contour image read from the contour information storage unit 29 at a predetermined ratio (step S183). It is displayed (step S36). The composition ratio may be stored in advance in the ROM 13 or may be freely set by the user through the operation unit 12. Further, when the contour image generated from the image signal of the CCD 23 and the contour image read from the contour information storage unit 29 are displayed in different colors, it becomes easy to see whether or not the respective contours match.

  At this time, the contour information synthesis unit 28 calculates a correlation value between the contour image generated from the image signal of the CCD 23 and the contour image read from the contour information storage unit 29 (step S184), and compares it with a predetermined threshold value. This is performed (step S185). If the correlation value of the contour image is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the fixed point observation composition matches, and the actual photographing is performed (step S186). If the correlation value of the contour image is smaller than the predetermined threshold, it is determined that framing is being performed, and it is determined whether or not the self-fixed point observation mode is continued (step S187). If the self-fixed point observation mode is ongoing, the process returns to step S122 and the same processing is performed. If the self-fixed point observation mode is cancelled, the process ends. The self-fixed point observation assist mode is configured to be canceled when the operation unit 12 is operated or when a certain time has elapsed. Alternatively, it may be canceled after the actual shooting is completed.

  In this way, when the correlation value of the contour image exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the composition is matched, and automatic shooting is performed, so that a fixed-point observation photograph or a similar composition photograph can be easily taken. It becomes possible.

  In this embodiment, the image is automatically shot when the correlation value of each contour image is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, but the amount of deviation of each contour image is calculated as in the third embodiment. However, the image may be automatically taken when the amount of deviation is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.

  In the present embodiment, the contour information combining unit 28 combines and displays the image signal of the CCD 23, the contour image extracted from the image signal of the CCD 23, and the contour image read from the contour information storage unit 29 at a predetermined ratio. The color difference information of the image signal of the CCD 23, the contour image extracted from the image signal of the CCD 23, and the contour image read from the contour information storage unit 29 may be combined and displayed at a predetermined ratio. You may comprise so that a user can designate which information is combined with the outline image read from the outline information storage unit 29 and displayed.

<Fifth embodiment>
A digital camera 1 according to a fifth embodiment will be described. The digital camera 1 according to the fifth embodiment performs composition assistance by extracting a primitive shape from a composition during framing and displaying it with a through image.

  FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the digital camera 1 according to the fifth embodiment. 1 differs from the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 in that a primitive shape detection unit 30 is provided.

  FIG. 20 is a functional diagram of primitive composition assist, and FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing operations of primitive composition assist. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, the user sets the digital camera 1 to the primitive composition assist mode using the operation unit 12 (step S211). When the primitive composition assist mode is set, the contour detection unit 26 detects contour information in the image from the luminance information of the image signal output from the CCD 23 (step S212).

  Next, the primitive shape detection unit 30 detects a primitive shape from the contour information detected by the contour detection unit 26 using Hough transform (step S213). The contour information synthesis unit 28 synthesizes the image signal output from the CCD 23 and the primitive shape information detected by the primitive shape detection unit 30 at a predetermined ratio (step S214). The composition ratio may be stored in advance in the ROM 13 or may be freely set by the user through the operation unit 12. Then, based on the image signal synthesized by the contour information synthesis unit 28, the display control unit 15 displays a through image on the image display unit 16 (step S36). Note that when the primitive shape information is displayed in a conspicuous color such as red, the composition is easily conscious.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the primitive composition assist mode is continued (step S215). If the primitive composition assist mode is continuing, the process returns to step S212 and the same processing is performed. The user can determine the composition while viewing this through image, and press the release switch of the operation unit 12 to perform the main photographing.

  If the primitive composition assist mode is cancelled, the process ends. The primitive composition assist mode is configured to be canceled when the operation unit 12 is operated or when a predetermined time has elapsed. Alternatively, it may be canceled after the actual shooting is performed.

  In this way, by detecting the primitive shape from the contour information and displaying the detected primitive shape, the photographer can perform better shooting while being aware of the composition.

<Sixth Embodiment>
A digital camera 1 according to a sixth embodiment will be described. The digital camera 1 of the sixth embodiment generates an image similar to that of the first embodiment for the image read from the memory card 20 and stores it in the memory card 20. FIG. 22 is a functional diagram of the image processing mode, and FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing mode.

  First, the user operates the operation unit 12 to select an image to be processed from photographed images stored in the memory card 20 (step S231). When the user selects an image, the contour detection unit 26 detects contour information in the image from the luminance information of the read image (step S232). Next, the contour information processing unit 27 inverts the brightness of the contour information detected by the contour detection unit 26 (step S33), further performs gradation correction to emphasize the contour, and generates a contour image (step S34). .

  Next, the contour information combining unit 28 combines the contour image output from the contour information processing unit 27 with the color difference information of the image read from the memory card at a predetermined ratio (step S233). The composition ratio may be stored in advance in the ROM 13 or may be freely set by the user through the operation unit 12.

  Then, the composite image synthesized by the contour information synthesis unit 28 is displayed on the image display unit 16 by the display control unit 15 (step S234). Further, the composite image is stored in the memory card 20 (step S235).

  In this way, by synthesizing the generated contour image and color difference information for the image read from the memory card 20 and storing it again in the memory card 20, it is possible to create and store an image that is interesting to the user. This image may be printed out and used for coloring or the like.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a first embodiment of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of composition assistance. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the composition assist operation. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a filter matrix of the Sobel filter. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image output from the CCD 23. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a contour image generated by the contour information processing unit 27 for the image signal of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the color difference information of the image output from the CCD 23. 8 is a diagram illustrating an image obtained by combining the contour information output from the contour information processing unit 27 illustrated in FIG. 6 and the formula difference information illustrated in FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera 1. FIG. 10 is a functional diagram of composition assistance. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 1 at the fixed stage observation assist preparation stage. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation in the fixed point observation assist mode. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the display of the image display unit 16. FIG. 14 is a view showing an image obtained by taking a fixed-point observation of changes in the four seasons with the digital camera 1 of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an image obtained by taking a fixed-point observation of plant growth with the digital camera 1 of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a view showing an image obtained by photographing a similar composition of a road and a track by the digital camera 1 of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a functional diagram of the self-fixed point observation assist. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation in the self-fixed point observation assist mode. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera 1. FIG. 20 is a functional diagram of primitive composition assist. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation in the primitive composition assist mode. FIG. 22 is a functional diagram of the image processing mode. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation in the image processing mode. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the operation in the fixed point observation assist mode. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing fixed point observation assist indicator display when the contour images do not match. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a fixed point observation assist indicator display when the contour images match each other.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Operation part, 13 ... ROM, 15 ... Display control part, 16 ... Image display part, 17 ... Buffer memory, 19 ... Image recording part, 20 ... Memory card, 21 ... Image signal Processing unit 23 ... CCD, 26 ... contour detection unit, 27 ... contour information processing unit, 28 ... contour information synthesis unit, 29 ... contour information storage unit, 30 ... primitive shape detection unit, 41a to 41e ... fixed point in case of mismatch Observation assist index, 42a-42e ... Fixed-point observation assist index in case of coincidence

Claims (4)

Imaging means for converting a subject image received through the imaging lens into an image signal at a predetermined rate ;
Contour extracting means for extracting contour images of all subject images from the luminance information of the image signal;
Synthesis means for synthesizing the color difference information of the image signal and the contour image at a predetermined ratio;
Display means for updating the synthesized image synthesized by the synthesizing means at the predetermined rate and displaying as a through image;
Photographing instruction means for instructing the main photographing;
A recording unit for recording a normal captured image other than a composite image, which is a captured image based on an image signal acquired by the actual photographing performed in response to the instruction when the photographing instruction is instructed by the photographing instruction unit; ,
Means for turning on / off the composition assist function;
With
The display device displays a through image based on the image signal when the composition assist function is turned off, and displays the composite image as a through image when the composition assist function is turned on. . The contour extracting means includes
Means for creating a contour image in which the contours of all subject images have high brightness from the brightness information of the image signal;
Means for inverting the brightness of the created contour image;
Means for correcting gradation to enhance the contour image with the luminance inverted,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit configured to set the predetermined ratio. An imaging process for converting a subject image received through an imaging lens into an image signal at a predetermined rate ;
A contour extracting step of extracting contour images of all subject images from the luminance information of the image signal;
A combining step of combining the color difference information of the image signal and the contour image at a predetermined ratio;
A display step of updating the synthesized image synthesized at the synthesis step at the predetermined rate and displaying it as a through image;
When the photographing instruction is instructed by the photographing instruction means, a recording that is a photographed image based on the image signal acquired in the main photographing performed in response to the instruction and records a normal photographed image other than the composite image in the recording means. Process,
With
The display step displays a through image based on the image signal when the composition assist function is turned off by means for turning on / off the composition assist function, and displays the composite image as a through image when the composition assist function is turned on. As an imaging method.

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