JP5320808B2 - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of performing attitude detection which does not make an object in a finder and an LCD monitor hard to see, is excellent in space saving properties and power saving properties, low cost properties, and to provide an imaging method. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 1 whose focus is automatically set includes: a lens barrel unit 62 for imaging a subject; the LCD monitor 15 on which an AF target frame is displayed; and an acceleration sensor 111 detecting the inclined state of the digital camera 1 or the lens barrel unit 62. The inclined state is displayed on the LCD monitor 15 by changing the display state of the AF target frame. Thus, the attitude detection which does not make the object in the finder and the LCD monitor 15 hard to see and is excellent in space saving properties, power saving properties and low-cost properties can be performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method having a function of detecting a tilt state of an imaging apparatus and notifying a photographer.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when shooting a subject using an imaging device such as a digital still camera or a digital video camera, a photographer can monitor the posture or inclination of the imaging device with respect to the subject using a monitor (hereinafter referred to as an “LCD monitor”). ”) And the like.
For this reason, when accurate framing is required, such as shooting of buildings and panoramic shooting, shooting may be performed without noticing that the imaging device is inclined unintentionally.

  In order to solve such a problem, there has been proposed an imaging device that incorporates a posture detection device that detects the posture of the imaging device and notifies the photographer of the detection result.

For example, a focus mark and other information are displayed in an electronic viewfinder such as an LCD monitor, but the posture information of the imaging device is displayed separately from these displays, and the photographer is notified. There is something like that. For example, an external display unit is attached to a place that is easy to see on the outside of the imaging apparatus main body, posture information is displayed there, and the photographer is notified (see Patent Document 1).
In addition, an imaging apparatus has been proposed in which vibration means for transmitting mechanical vibrations to the camera body is provided and the photographer is notified of the tilt state by vibrations (see Patent Document 2).
JP-A-8-279935 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-338037

  However, if posture information is displayed in addition to the conventional display items in the viewfinder or LCD monitor, the amount of information displayed in the viewfinder or LCD monitor increases, and depending on the subject, it may be difficult to see. In addition, in order to check the posture information on the external display unit outside the imaging device body, it is necessary to keep an eye on the viewfinder and the LCD monitor, and framing cannot be performed while checking the position of the subject. . Furthermore, since a new member is provided outside, the downsizing of the imaging apparatus is hindered.

  In addition, although it is conceivable to notify the tilt state by vibration, it is necessary to provide a dedicated vibration means, so that space is required, power consumption is increased, and cost is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and does not impair the visibility of a subject displayed in a finder or an LCD monitor, and is space-saving, power-saving, and low-cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging method that can perform posture detection and are excellent.

The present invention is an imaging apparatus which focus is automatically determined, the inclination of the imaging means for imaging an object image, and focus detection frame display means the focus detection frame is displayed, the image pickup apparatus main body or the imaging device An angle detection means for detecting the state; and a display control means for changing the display state of the focus detection frame in accordance with the inclination state detected by the angle detection means. The inclination state detected by the angle detection means is the focus detection. is displayed in the frame display means, the focus detection frame, and the entire AF target frame, includes a plurality of selection areas AF target frame of each area for dividing the entire area AF target frame, the display control means, before the focus is determined Changes the display state of the entire AF target frame according to the tilt state detected by the angle detection means, and after the focus is determined, a plurality of selections are made according to the tilt state detected by the angle detection means. Changing the display state of a part of the selection area AF target frame of the area AF target frame, characterized in that.

Further, according to the present invention, the display control unit changes the display state of the entire AF target frame according to the tilt state detected by the angle detection unit after the image captured by the imaging unit is recorded. Features.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the display control means changes the display state of some selected area AF target frames among the plurality of selected area AF target frames based on the AF evaluation values for each of the plurality of areas. And

In addition, the present invention is an imaging method that is performed using an imaging apparatus that includes an imaging unit for imaging a subject image and that automatically performs focusing, and includes an imaging step for imaging the subject image, and a focus A focus detection frame display step for displaying the detection frame on the display means, an angle detection step for detecting the tilt state of the imaging means or the imaging device, and an angle display step for displaying the tilt state detected in the angle detection step on the display means; The focus detection frame includes a whole area AF target frame and a selection area AF target frame for each of a plurality of areas that divide the whole area AF target frame, and the angle display step uses an angle before the focus is determined. After changing the display state of the whole area AF target frame according to the tilt state detected in the detection step, and the focus is determined, the tilt shape detected in the angle detection step Changing the display state of a part of the selection area AF target frame among the plurality of selection areas AF target frame in accordance with, it is characterized.

  According to the present invention, an image pickup apparatus is informed of posture information of the image pickup apparatus by changing a mode of an automatic focus control (hereinafter referred to as “AF”) target display displayed in a viewfinder or an LCD monitor. The user can recognize the orientation of the imaging device without impairing the visibility of the subject image displayed in the viewfinder. In addition, since a new configuration is not added as compared with the conventional imaging device, posture detection excellent in space saving, power saving, and low cost can be performed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the appearance of a digital still camera that is an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is a digital still camera that performs shooting while confirming a subject using an LCD monitor.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A digital camera (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “camera body”) 1 has a shutter button (hereinafter referred to as a “release button”) 2 to be pressed at the time of shooting, a power button 3, and a mode dial for switching various modes. 4. A shift dial 5, a retractable flash unit 6 that pops up when necessary, and an accessory shoe 7 for attaching an external flash or an external optical finder. A photographing lens 8 is incorporated on the front side of the camera body. The “imaging lens” here is a general term for a plurality of lenses included in a lens barrel unit 62 described later. On the rear side of the camera body 1, a zoom button 9, menu cursor instruction buttons and selection instruction buttons (hereinafter referred to as “operation key units”) 10, a playback button 11, a delete / self-timer button 12, and a subject image are displayed. For example, a monitor screen 15 that is an electronic view panel such as an LCD panel for displaying or mode information, a switch button 14 that is applied to display switching processing of the monitor screen 15, focus control for the subject is completed, and focus is achieved. An in-focus confirmation / strobe charge confirmation light-emitting diode 16 is disposed which functions as a confirmation lamp for confirming that the lamp is in the charging period of the strobe. A terminal lid 17 that covers the AV terminal port and the USB terminal port (external connection terminal port) is disposed on the side surface of the camera body 1, and a battery insertion port and an image recording memory card are disposed on the bottom surface of the camera body 1. A battery lid 18 that covers the insertion opening is provided.

Next, a control system built in the digital camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
In FIG. 3, a digital camera body 1 includes a lens barrel unit 62 having various lenses and motors, a CCD 101 built in the camera body 1, a front-end IC 102 that performs various adjustments of imaging data, and an overall camera body 1. A digital still camera processor (hereinafter also referred to as a “processor”) 104 that plays a central role in control and data processing; and an SDRAM 103 that temporarily stores image data when various processing is performed on the image data; A built-in memory 107 and a ROM 108.

The lens barrel unit 62 includes a photographing lens optical system, a lens barrel, and a plurality of motors that are pulse motors for driving the lens barrel, and performs focusing during photographing and adjustment of a diaphragm during exposure.
Specifically, the lens barrel unit 62 includes a zoom optical system 62-1 including a zoom (ZOOM) lens 62-1a and a zoom drive motor 62-1b for capturing an optical image of a subject, and a focus (FOCUS) lens 62-2a. And a focus optical system 62-2 including a focus drive motor 62-2b, an aperture unit 62-3 including an aperture 62-3a and an aperture motor 62-3b, and a mechanism including a mechanical shutter 62-4a and a mechanical shutter motor 62-4b. It has a shutter unit 42-4 and a motor driver 62-5 that controls the driving of each motor.

Then, an image captured from the lens barrel unit 62 at the time of photographing is formed on the surface of the CCD 101 that is an image pickup element built in the camera body 1. The image data converted into electrical signals (analog data) in the CCD 101 is then sent to a front end IC (“F / E-IC” in FIG. 9) 102.
The front-end IC 102 is a device for applying various adjustments to the data sent from the CCD 20, and includes a CDS 102-1 that performs correlated double sampling for image noise removal, an AGC 102-2 that performs gain adjustment, and an analog signal as a digital signal. It has A / D102-3 to convert. The front end IC 102 includes a TG (drive timing signal generator) 102-4. The TG 102-4 is supplied with a vertical synchronizing signal (hereinafter referred to as “VD”) and a horizontal synchronizing signal (hereinafter referred to as “HD”) from the CCD 1 signal processing block 104-1 in the processor 104, and the CPU block 104. -3.

  The electrical signal that has undergone various adjustments in the front-end IC 102 is then sent to the digital still camera processor 104. The digital still camera processor 104 is a device that plays a central role in data processing of a captured image file sent as an electrical signal and control of the operation of the entire camera body 1. The processor 104 performs white balance setting and gamma setting on data sent from the CCD 26 to the front end IC 102. The processor 104 includes a CCD1 signal processing block 104-1 that supplies a vertical synchronization signal VD and a horizontal synchronization signal HD, a CCD2 signal processing block 104-2 that performs conversion into luminance data and color difference data by filtering, and a camera body. CPU block 104-3 for controlling the operation of each device such as a motor built in 1, local SRAM 104-4 for temporarily storing data necessary for operation control of each unit, USB communication with an external device such as a personal computer USB block 104-5, serial block 104-6 for serial communication with external devices such as personal computers, JPEG CODEC block 104-7 for compressing and expanding JPEG files, and expanding and reducing the size of image data by interpolation processing Resizing block 104-8, A TV signal display block 104-9 for converting image data into a video signal for display on an LCD monitor (hereinafter also referred to as “monitor screen”) 15 is inserted into a memory card slot (not shown) via the LCD driver 109. The memory card controller block 104-10 that controls a memory card (not shown) that records captured image data, and the I2C block that performs serial communication between the acceleration sensor 67 and the CPU block 104-3 104-11, and data is always exchanged between these components via a bus line.

An SDRAM 103, a built-in memory 107, and a ROM 108 storing various control programs are arranged outside the processor 104, and are connected to the processor 104 by a bus line.
The SDRAM 103 temporarily stores image data when the processor 104 performs various processes on the image data. The image data to be saved is, for example, “RAW-RGB image data” in which the CCD 1 signal processing block 104-1 has taken in the white balance and gamma from the CCD 26 via the front-end IC 102. “YUV image data” in which the luminance data / color difference data conversion is performed in the CCD2 control block 104-2, JPEG
“JPEG image data” compressed by JPEG in the CODEC block 104-7.

The built-in memory 107 is a memory for storing captured image data even when no memory card is inserted in the memory card slot described above.
The ROM 108 stores a control program described by codes readable by the CPU block 104-3 in the processor 104 and parameters for control.
When the digital camera 1 is powered on, the control program is loaded into a main memory (not shown). Then, the CPU block 104-3 controls the operation of each part of the apparatus according to the control program, and temporarily stores data and the like necessary for the control in the local SRAM 104-4 in the processor 104.

Note that by using a rewritable flash ROM as the ROM 108, the control program and parameters for control can be changed, and the function can be easily upgraded.
The final image data after various processes are stored in a built-in memory 107 provided in the apparatus or a removable external recording medium inserted into a memory card slot. Saved on a memory card.

The processor 104 is connected to an acceleration sensor 111 that is a device for detecting acceleration. The acceleration sensor 111 is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), and outputs biaxial X, Y and temperature T data. The tilt of the camera body 1 is calculated from the data and displayed on the LCD monitor (15) or the like.
The acceleration data detected by the acceleration sensor 111 is transmitted to the I2C block 104-11 and converted into a serial signal that can be recognized by the CPU block 104-3. A serial signal including acceleration data generated in the I2C block 104-11 is sent to the CPU block 104-3, whereby serial communication is performed between the acceleration sensor 111 and the CPU block 104-11.

  It should be noted that the mounting position of the acceleration sensor 111 in this embodiment may be the lens barrel unit 62 or may be on the same substrate as the processor 104. When the acceleration sensor 111 is attached to the lens barrel unit 62, the posture of the camera body 1 is indirectly detected by detecting the posture of the lens barrel unit 62. Further, when the processor 104 is on the same substrate, the posture of the camera body 1 can be directly detected.

  Based on the acceleration data, the CPU block 104-3 performs arithmetic processing using a threshold and a calculation formula stored in the ROM 108, which will be described later, and an instruction for controlling the operation of the motor driver 62-5, which will be described later. Generate a signal. By transmitting this instruction signal to the motor driver 62-5, the operation control of the motor driver 62-5 is performed.

  The motor driver 62-5 is a device for controlling each motor in the lens barrel unit 62. Each motor is a pulse motor whose momentum is controlled by current pulses. The output (torque) of the pulse motor increases as the current and voltage applied to the motor increase, and decreases as the pulse rate increases. Therefore, the torque of these motors can be controlled by adjusting the current, voltage, and pulse rate.

  In the embodiment of the digital camera according to the present invention having such a configuration, the posture information of the digital camera 1 sensed by the acceleration sensor 111 (hereinafter also referred to as “angle information”) is obtained when the photographer takes a picture of the subject. This is provided to the photographer without making the field of view of the LCD monitor 15 to be viewed bothersome.

  Hereinafter, provision of posture information, which is a feature of the imaging apparatus and imaging method according to the present invention, will be described for each embodiment. The imaging apparatus according to the embodiment is a digital camera, but is not limited to a digital camera and can be applied to an imaging apparatus in general.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the acceleration sensor output in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, first, the power source of the acceleration sensor 111 is turned on. This may be performed simultaneously with turning on the power of the digital camera 1 or may be performed when a photographing mode using the acceleration sensor 111 is selected by the photographer.
Next, the acceleration sensor data is acquired by the CPU block 104-3 via the I2C block 104-11, and the angle (θ) is calculated. After calculating the angle, after a time of 50 ms, the process returns to the data acquisition step of the acceleration sensor again, and the above operation is repeated.

Here, the angle calculation is performed as follows based on data obtained from the acceleration sensor periodically obtained.
When the X axis output of the acceleration sensor is x, the Y axis output is y, and the temperature output is t, the output g (t) at zero gravity, the gravity ratio R of X and Y, and the detection angle θ are as follows. It can be obtained by the formula.
g (t) = 2048 + 0.4 * t
R (x, y, t) = (y−g (t)) / (x−g (t))
θ = 180 / π * arctan (R (x, y, t)) − θ0
Since two candidates appear in the range of 0 <θ <360, it is determined whether x−g (t) is positive or negative, and θ is determined. If θ is near +90 degrees, use θ90 instead of θ0,
θ = 180 / π * arctan (R (x, y, t)) − θ90
Recalculate θ with the following formula. If θ is near -90 degrees, use θ270 instead of θ0,
θ = 180 / π * arctan (R (x, y, t)) − θ270
Recalculate θ using the following equation.
Here, θ0 is the relative roll angle between the CCD and the acceleration (G) sensor at the camera horizontal (0 degree). Θ90 is a relative roll angle between the CCD and the G sensor in the vertical direction of the camera (+ 90 °: upward). Θ270 is a relative roll angle between the CCD and the acceleration (G) sensor in the vertical direction of the camera (−90 °: downward).

Next, the display of the AF target frame is changed based on the calculated angle.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing horizontality display control in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an example of an AF display frame in various embodiments of the present invention and the tilt display of the camera body 1 using this display frame. Various aspects are shown.

  In the flow shown in FIG. 5, first, display update determination is performed, and it is determined whether 0.2 seconds have elapsed since the previous posture information was displayed. When 0.2 seconds have elapsed, the angle is determined from the angle (θ) periodically detected in the output signal processing flow of the acceleration sensor shown in FIG.

When the detected angle (θ) is θ ≦ −0.5 °, the right frame portion of the AF target display is displayed in red (see FIG. 8 (1) -b). FIG. 8A shows an example in which L-shaped figures are displayed as AF target frames at the four corners of the AF effective range in the finder field of view or on the LCD monitor screen to clearly indicate the effective range of AF.
When the detected angle (θ) is θ ≧ + 0.5 °, the left frame portion of the AF target display is displayed in red (see FIG. 8 (1) -c).
When the detection angle (θ) is −0.5 ° <θ <+ 0.5 °, the entire AF target display frame is displayed in green (see FIG. 8 (1) -a).
The operations shown in FIG. 8 (1) -ac are repeated at intervals of 0.2 seconds.

In this embodiment, when the detection angle (θ) is θ ≦ −0.5 °, the right frame portion of the AF target frame is displayed in red, but the left frame portion is displayed in red, and similarly, the detection angle When (θ) is θ ≧ + 0.5 °, the right frame portion may be displayed in red.
In this embodiment, the posture information of the digital camera 1 is shown by changing the color of the AF target frame. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the posture information may be shown by blinking the AF target frame. Hereinafter, a display method of posture information for blinking the AF target frame will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another aspect of the horizontality display control according to the first embodiment of the present invention. First, in the display update determination, it is determined whether 0.2 seconds have elapsed since the last posture information was displayed. If 0.2 seconds have elapsed, the angle is determined from the angle (θ) periodically detected in the acceleration sensor flow of FIG.

When the detected angle (θ) is θ ≦ −0.5 °, the right frame portion of the AF target display is displayed in a blinking manner (see FIG. 8 (3) -b).
When the detected angle (θ) is θ ≧ + 0.5 °, the left frame portion of the AF target display is displayed in a blinking manner (see (3) -c in FIG. 8).
When the detected angle (θ) is −0.5 ° <θ <+ 0.5 °, the entire AF target display frame is displayed in a lighted display (see FIG. 8 (3) -a).
The operations of FIG. 8 (2) -ac are repeated at 0.2 second intervals.
When the detection angle (θ) is θ ≦ −0.5 °, the right frame portion of the AF target portion is blinked, but the left frame portion is blinked. Similarly, the detection angle (θ) is θ In the case of ≧ + 0.5 °, the right frame part may be blinked.

Next, the entire imaging operation using the above-described AF target frame display change will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating control of the entire imaging operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. First, in the release half-press determination, it is determined whether or not the release is half-pressed. If the release is half pressed, AE processing is performed. Here, based on the photometric result, the shutter speed, aperture opening, and ISO sensitivity value used during image recording are determined.

Next, AF processing is performed. Here, for example, a hill-climbing CCD-AF is performed. The focus lens is moved so that the AF evaluation value indicating the contrast of the image signal output from the CCD on which the subject image is formed via the photographing lens is maximized.
After the AF process, an angle detection regular process is started. Here, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the acceleration sensor is turned on, the acceleration sensor data is periodically acquired, and the angle is calculated.

Next, an AF target display update process is performed. Here, as described with reference to FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the AF target frame display is periodically updated according to the calculated angle result.
Next, a release full press determination is performed. When the release button 2 is further depressed from the half-pressed state and is fully depressed, the angle detection periodic processing is stopped and the power supply to the acceleration sensor 111 is also stopped. Then, a recording process is executed.

  In the release full-press determination, if it is not fully pressed, a release half-press determination is performed to determine whether or not the release half-press is continued. When the release half-press is released (OFF), the angle detection periodic process is stopped and the power supply to the acceleration sensor is also stopped. If the release half-press is continued, the process returns to the AF target display update process and the subsequent operation is continued.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the photographer is notified of the posture of the digital camera by changing the display of the AF target frame displayed in the LCD monitor during the AF operation of the conventional digital camera.
Therefore, it is not necessary to add a new display in the LCD monitor, and the visibility of the subject displayed on the monitor is not impaired. Further, since the tilt or posture of the camera body can be recognized by the display in the LCD monitor or viewfinder, the user does not need to take his eyes off the subject displayed on the monitor or viewfinder at the time of shooting. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide a new member outside, it does not hinder downsizing of the digital camera. In addition, since a driving unit such as a motor is not added, power consumption and manufacturing cost can be kept low.

  In the second embodiment, the posture information of the digital camera is notified by voice. Thereby, it is not necessary to add a new display in the LCD monitor, and the visibility of the subject is not impaired. The photographer can know the posture information without taking his eyes off the LCD monitor or viewfinder. Furthermore, by notifying by voice, posture information can be obtained even when a display member is not used. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  First, the power source of the acceleration sensor 111 is turned on in the same manner as the operation described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. Next, the acceleration sensor data is acquired, and the angle (θ) is calculated. After calculating the angle, the data acquisition of the acceleration sensor 111 is performed again after a time of 50 ms.

Next, based on the data acquired from the acceleration sensor 111, posture information of the digital camera 1 is notified to the photographer by a notification sound. The notification sound control will be described below.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing notification sound control in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

First, in the notification interval determination, it is determined whether 0.5 second has elapsed since the previous notification. If 0.5 second has elapsed, angle determination is performed based on the angle (θ) periodically detected in the acceleration sensor flow of FIG.
When the detected angle (θ) is −0.5 ° <θ <+ 0.5 °, the sound data for the notification sound is output from the sound block 104-12 and the notification sound is emitted. In the case of a detection angle (θ) other than the above, no notification sound is emitted. This series of operations is repeated at intervals of 0.5 seconds.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the angle is determined every predetermined time, and the photographer is notified of the posture information of the digital camera based on the result. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a new display in the LCD monitor, and the visibility of the subject is not impaired. Also, the operator can know the posture information of the digital camera without taking his eyes off the LCD monitor or viewfinder.

  In the third embodiment, when notification of posture information is performed by voice, notification sounds having different sound volumes are assigned to a plurality of angle ranges. Specifically, the notification sound is notified at intervals of 0.5 seconds, and the volume of the notification sound is divided into four levels from the top: “large”, “medium 1”, “medium 2”, and “small”. Yes. Then, the volume is switched according to the detection angle. Note that these volume data are stored in the built-in memory 107.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing notification sound control in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. First, as in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not 0.5 seconds have elapsed in the notification interval determination. After 0.5 seconds, the angle is determined from the angle (θ) periodically detected by the acceleration sensor flow shown in FIG.

When the detection angle (θ) is −0.5 ° <θ <+ 0.5 °, the volume of the voice data for notification sound is set to “high”, and the volume data is output from the voice block 104-12. Notification at a volume level of “high” is executed.
When the detection angle (θ) is −2 ° <θ <+ 2 °, the volume of the sound data for the notification sound is set to “medium 1”, and the sound volume data is output from the sound block 104-12. "Is executed at a volume of"".

When the detected angle (θ) is −5 ° <θ <+ 5 °, the volume of the sound data for the notification sound is set to “medium 2”, and the sound volume data is output from the sound block 104-12. "Is executed at a volume of"".
When the detected angle (θ) is −10 ° <θ <+ 10 °, the volume of the sound data for notification sound is set to “low”, the volume data is output from the sound block 104-12, and “low” is set. Volume notification is executed.
When the detection angle (θ) is −10 ° or less or + 10 ° or more, the notification is not executed.

  As described above, in the third modification, the posture information is notified by changing the notification volume. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a new display in the LCD monitor, and the visibility of the subject is not impaired. In addition, the photographer can easily determine the inclination and the degree of the posture of the digital camera 1 without taking his eyes off the LCD monitor or viewfinder.

  The fourth embodiment is an example in which the voice notification is performed by changing the frequency as shown in FIG. 11 instead of the voice notification being performed by changing the volume in the third embodiment. Since it is the same as that of Example 3 except a frequency being changed, only the kind of frequency is demonstrated here.

  In Example 4 shown in FIG. 11, the frequency of the notification sound is divided into four stages, and control is performed to switch the frequency according to the detection angle. From the top, “high”, “medium 1”, “medium 2”, and “low” are prepared as frequencies. Also, audio data of each frequency is stored in the built-in memory 107 in advance.

When the detected angle (θ) is −0.5 ° <θ <+ 0.5 °, audio data having a “high” frequency is output from the audio block (104-12), and notification is executed.
When the detected angle (θ) is −2 ° <θ <+ 2 °, audio data having a frequency of “medium 1” is output from the audio block (104-12), and notification is executed.
When the detected angle (θ) is −5 ° <θ <+ 5 °, audio data having a frequency of “medium 2” is output from the audio block (104-12), and notification is executed.
When the detected angle (θ) is −10 ° <θ <+ 10 °, audio data of “low” frequency is output from the audio block (104-12), and notification is executed.
When the detection angle (θ) is −10 ° or less or + 10 ° or more, notification is not performed.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the posture information of the camera is notified by changing the frequency of the notification sound. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a new display in the LCD monitor, and the visibility of the subject is not impaired. In addition, the photographer can easily determine the inclination and the degree of the posture of the digital camera 1 without taking his eyes off the LCD monitor or viewfinder.

The fifth embodiment is an example in which the interval for generating the notification sound is changed according to the attitude of the digital camera 1.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing notification sound control in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, the notification interval of the notification sound is divided into four stages, and control for switching the notification interval according to the detection angle is performed.

First, as in the first embodiment, the angle is determined from the angle (θ) periodically detected in the acceleration sensor flow of FIG.
When the detection angle (θ) is −0.5 ° <θ <+ 0.5 °, the notification interval of the notification sound is 0.25 seconds, and after 0.25 seconds, the sound data for the notification sound is an audio block. The information is output from 104-12 and the notification is executed.

When the detection angle (θ) is −2 ° <θ <+ 2 °, the notification interval of the notification sound is 0.5 seconds, and after 0.5 seconds, the sound data for the notification sound is transmitted from the audio block 104-12. Is output and a notification is executed.
When the detected angle (θ) is −5 ° <θ <+ 5 °, the notification interval of the notification sound is 0.75 seconds, and after 0.75 seconds have elapsed, the sound data for the notification sound is transmitted from the audio block 104-12. Is output and a notification sound is executed.

When the detected angle (θ) is −10 ° <θ <+ 10 °, the notification interval of the notification sound is 1 second, and after 1 second, the sound data for the notification sound is output from the audio block 104-12 and notified. Is executed.
When the detection angle (θ) is −10 ° or less or + 10 ° or more, notification is not performed.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the posture information is notified by changing the interval of the notification sound. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a new display in the LCD monitor, and the visibility of the subject is not impaired. In addition, the photographer can easily determine the inclination and the degree of the posture of the digital camera 1 without taking his eyes off the LCD monitor or viewfinder.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the angle range that is a reference for notifying the photographer of the posture information of the digital camera 1 is set in advance and cannot be changed by the photographer. In the sixth embodiment, the photographer can select a reference angle range from a plurality of preset candidates. Example 6 will be described below.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an allowable inclination angle selection screen according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

First, the operation key unit 10 is operated to display the allowable tilt angle selection screen shown in FIG. 13 on the monitor 15 of the camera.
Next, the operation key unit 10 is operated to select and set an allowable inclination angle. The selected angle is displayed in a different color from the other angles. In this example, selectable angles are 5 degrees / 10 degrees / 30 degrees / 60 degrees. When OFF is selected, the sound notification itself is not performed. The allowable inclination angle selected in FIG. 13 is 5 degrees.

Using the allowable inclination angle set here, the notification sound is controlled as described below.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing notification sound control in Embodiment 6 of the present invention and Embodiment 7 described later. Here, the reference angle (β) is 0 ° which is horizontal. First, the allowable inclination angle selected on the allowable inclination angle selection screen is determined. If the selected allowable inclination angle is OFF, this flow is terminated without performing sound notification itself. If the selected allowable inclination angle is other than OFF, this is set as the allowable inclination angle (α).

Next, as in the above-described embodiments, angle determination is performed based on the angle (θ) periodically detected in the acceleration sensor flow of FIG.
Detection angle (θ) is -α <θ <+ α
Otherwise, the sound data for the notification sound is output from the sound block 104-12, and the notification sound output is executed.

Next, in the notification interval determination, it is determined whether 1 second has elapsed since the last notification sound output. After 1 second has elapsed, the determination as to whether the detected angle is within the allowable inclination angle is repeated.
When the reference angle (β) is other than 0 °, the angle determination formula is −α <θ− | β | <+ α
It becomes.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, posture information is notified by voice. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a new display in the LCD monitor, and the visibility of the subject is not impaired. In addition, the photographer can easily determine the inclination and the degree of the posture of the digital camera 1 without taking his eyes off the LCD monitor or viewfinder.
In this embodiment, the notification sound output interval is 1 second. However, the notification sound output interval is not limited to this, and may be another time.

In the above-described sixth embodiment, the photographer can select a reference angle range from a plurality of preset candidates. In Example 7 below, the photographer can arbitrarily set the candidates.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an arbitrary allowable inclination angle setting screen according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

  The operator operates the operation key unit 10 to display an arbitrary allowable tilt angle setting screen on the monitor 15 of the camera. Then, the operation key unit 10 is operated to set an allowable inclination angle. In this case, the angle can be selected in increments of 1 degree from OFF to 90 degrees. When OFF is selected, notification by sound itself is not performed. The allowable inclination angle selected in FIG. 15 is 8 degrees.

As described above, in the seventh embodiment, posture information is notified by voice. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a new display in the LCD monitor, and it is not difficult to see the subject. The photographer can easily determine the inclination and the degree of the posture of the digital camera 1 without taking his eyes off the LCD monitor.
In this embodiment, the allowable inclination angle can be selected in increments of 1 degree. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be in increments of 2 degrees, 5 degrees, or 10 degrees.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the reference angle (β) is set to 0 °, which is horizontal, but in Embodiment 8, this can be changed.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a camera posture angle selection screen serving as a reference angle according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
First, the photographer operates the operation key unit 10 to display a camera posture angle setting screen of the photographer's target, which is the reference angle, on the camera monitor 15.

  Next, the operation key unit 10 is operated to set the camera posture angle. The selectable angles are horizontal and vertical. Then, based on the selected camera posture angle, as described below, the detection of the tilt state and the notification by voice are performed.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the tilt state notification sound control in the eighth embodiment of the present invention. First, the allowable tilt angle selected in FIG. 15 is determined. If the selected allowable tilt angle is OFF, the flow is terminated without performing the tilt state notification itself by voice output.

If the selected allowable inclination angle is other than OFF, this is set as the allowable inclination angle (α). Next, the camera posture angle selected using the camera posture angle selection screen in FIG. 16 is determined. When the selected camera posture angle is horizontal, (β) is set to 0 degree, and when the selected camera posture angle is horizontal, (β) is set to −90 °.
Then, the angle determination is performed based on the angle (θ) periodically detected in the acceleration sensor flow of FIG. When the camera posture angle is selected horizontally, (β) is 0 °, so that the detection angle (θ) is −α <θ <+ α.
If not, the sound output for inclining state notification is executed.

When the camera posture angle is selected vertically, (β) is −90 °, so that the detection angle (θ) is −α <θ + 90 ° <+ α.
If not, the sound output for inclining state notification is executed.
Next, in the notification interval determination, it is determined whether 1 second has elapsed since the last notification sound output. After 1 second has elapsed, the determination as to whether the detected angle is within the allowable inclination angle is repeated.

  As described above, in the eighth embodiment, notification of posture information is performed by voice. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a new display in the LCD monitor, and the visibility of the subject is not impaired. The photographer can easily determine the inclination and the degree of the posture of the digital camera 1 without taking his eyes off the LCD monitor.

In this embodiment, the audio output interval is 1 second. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any audio output interval can be used.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the posture information is notified by voice, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As in the first embodiment described above, it may be performed using visual means such as changing the display state of the AF target frame.

  In the embodiment described above, the notification of the inclination information is performed at the time of shooting. However, in the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be performed after the end of photographing as in the ninth embodiment described below.

  First, the digital camera 1 is activated so that the subject can be photographed. Then, the subject is displayed on the display unit. Here, the processor 104 performs automatic exposure (AE) processing for controlling TG and AGC so that the luminance signal level becomes a constant value from the luminance signal from the CCD2 control block 104-2. Further, automatic white balance processing (AWB) is also performed using the color difference signal from the CCD2 control block 104-2.

Next, photographing and storage of image data and posture information in the ninth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing photographing and storage of image data and angle information according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. First, when the release button 1 is half-pressed (first release), the operation of the flow of FIG. 18 is started.

Next, the aforementioned AE process is performed. Then, while driving the focus lens 62-2a, the focus detection signal obtained by applying the digital high-pass filter to the luminance signal is sampled, and the lens is moved to the focus position of the sampling point where the focus detection signal is the largest and stopped. Focus control (AF) is performed. Subsequently, AWB (auto white balance) processing is performed.
When a series of operations of AE, AF, and AWB is completed, the subject is photographed by pressing the release button to the final stage to perform the second release. At the same time as the second release is performed, integration of angle information that is regularly calculated is started.

Then, the mechanical shutter 62-4a is closed and the CCD image data is stored in the SDRAM 103 as RAW RGB image data. When this imaging process is completed, the integration of angle information is stopped, and the average angle is calculated by dividing by the sampled number.
The RAW RGB image data described above is stored in the SDRAM 103 through YUV conversion and signal processing for JPEG compression.

  The data file processing is performed by storing the JPEG compressed data and the average angle information in the same file format. In the storage process, the DOS information of the filed data is updated and stored in the built-in memory 107 or an external memory (not shown) attached to the camera as the imaging device.

Next, the recorded and saved image file is reproduced.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing how the angle information is displayed while reproducing and displaying the image file recorded and stored in the ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 shows an indicator showing average angle information in the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 19, first, when the playback button 11 is operated, a reproducible image file stored in the memory is searched based on the DOS information. Next, when there is a reproducible file, the image data is JPEG decompressed, and an image reproduction process for displaying on the LCD monitor 15 is performed and displayed.
At that time, if there is average angle information in the file, the angle is also displayed on the LCD monitor 15. The angle display may be a numerical value or an indicator display as shown in FIG. In FIG. 20, the scale indicates an angle, and the angle information is indicated by a point.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the captured image data is reproduced on the monitor by the reproduction operation of the photographer, the angle information at the time of photographing is simultaneously displayed on the monitor. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a new display in the LCD monitor at the time of shooting, and the visibility of the subject is not impaired.

In Embodiment 9 described above, after shooting, the image data is reproduced and displayed on the LCD monitor by the photographer's reproduction operation, and at the same time, the angle information is reproduced on the LCD monitor. On the other hand, in Example 10 described below, an image is automatically reproduced immediately after shooting and angle information is displayed.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing how the angle information is displayed while displaying the image file taken in the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

First, since the first release is the same as the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 18 in the ninth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.
Next, when the second release operation is performed and the file conversion process is performed, the image data remaining in the SDRAM is automatically displayed on the LCD monitor 15 for a certain period of time. At this time, average angle information is also displayed on the LCD monitor 15 at the same time.

The photographed image data is stored, and when a certain time has elapsed, the photographing operation ends.
As described above, in this embodiment, when the captured image data is reproduced on the monitor by the reproduction operation of the photographer, the angle information at the time of photographing is simultaneously displayed on the monitor. This makes it possible to display angle information to the photographer without impairing the visibility of the subject displayed on the monitor or the like during photographing.

  The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the ninth and tenth embodiments, the angle information may be displayed on the LCD monitor 15 and the voice information may be output at the same time to notify the angle information.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing audio output control when audio output is used together in the ninth and tenth embodiments of the present invention.

In the angle display processing of the ninth and tenth embodiments (see FIGS. 19 and 21), as shown in FIG. 22, the sound data for the notification sound is output from the sound block 104-12 within ± 0.5 degrees as shown in FIG. A beep sound (continuous sound) is generated. If it is larger than ± 0.5 degrees, a beeping sound (intermittent sound) is generated.
This makes it possible to display angle information to the photographer without making it difficult to see the subject during shooting.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the captured image is displayed immediately after shooting, and the angle information is displayed together with the image. However, without displaying this image, only the sound is output and the angle information is notified. Is good,
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing another aspect of the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 23, the processing when the first release and the second release are performed is the same. However, without displaying an image after file creation, a beep sound (continuous sound) is generated if the average angle information is within ± 0.5 degrees, and a beep sound (intermittent sound) is generated if the average angle information is greater than ± 0.5 degrees. .
Thereby, angle information can be displayed to the photographer without impairing the visibility of the subject image displayed on the monitor or the like during photographing.

In the present embodiment, the notification of the angle information due to the display change, such as changing the display color of the AF target frame, is used only in the first embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification of angle information based on the display change of the AF target frame may be used at the time of shooting in another embodiment.
By doing so, it is possible to display angle information to the photographer without degrading the visibility of the subject image on a monitor or the like during photographing.

  Next, an imaging device and an imaging method according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The eleventh embodiment is characterized in that a plurality of areas are set in the field of view of the finder, the display area of the monitor, and the like, and multi-focus detection means for detecting the focus for each area is provided. Further, the display method by the tilt state display unit before the focus detection operation by the multi-focus detection unit is different from the display method by the tilt state display unit after the focus detection operation by the multi-focus detection unit. It has one feature.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the overall control procedure of the eleventh embodiment and corresponds to the control procedure shown in FIGS. This control procedure is characterized in that angle detection periodic processing is started before the photographing operation. Hereinafter, the control operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the angle detection regular processing is started before the photographing operation. As described with reference to FIG. 4, the angle detection process is performed by turning on the power of the acceleration sensor, periodically acquiring data of the acceleration sensor, and calculating the angle. Next, the update process of the whole area AF target display is performed. This update process is to update the frame display of the entire AF target according to the periodic calculation angle result.

  Next, the process proceeds to the release half-press determination step to determine whether the release has been half-pressed (first release). If the release is not half-pressed, the process returns to the previous step, and the update process of the whole area AF target display is periodically performed based on the angle information. If the release button is pressed halfway, AE processing is performed. Here, based on the photometric result, the shutter speed, aperture opening, and ISO sensitivity value used during recording are determined.

  Next, AF processing is performed. Here, the hill-climbing CCD-AF is used, and the focus lens is moved so that the AF evaluation value indicating the contrast of the image signal output from the CCD on which the subject image is formed via the photographing lens is maximized. For example, there are nine areas in which the AF evaluation value is obtained by dividing the entire AF area into nine equal parts, and among the AF evaluation values of each area, the nearest area is selected as the selected area and set as the final focus lens position. Next, the selected area AF target display is updated. The frame display of the selected area AF target is updated according to the periodic angle calculation result. FIGS. 8 (2) and 8 (4) show display examples of the AF target frame in the finder field of view or the monitor display area of the imaging apparatus provided with the multi-focus detection means. A specific example of the tilt state display of the image pickup apparatus using the AF target frame will be described later.

  Next, a release full press (second release) determination is performed. When the release is fully pressed, an image recording process is executed, and the AF target display is switched to the entire area. If it is determined that the release has not been fully pressed, it is determined whether the release has been half-pressed. When the release half-press is released (OFF), the AF target display is switched to the entire area. When the release half-press is continued, the selection area AF target display update process is continued.

  Thus, according to the eleventh embodiment, the display method by the tilt state display unit before the focus detection operation by the multi-focus detection unit is the display method by the selected AF target frame, and the focus detection operation by the multi-focus detection unit. The later display method by the tilt state display means is a display method by the whole area AF target, and the display method is different before and after the focus detection operation by the multi-focus detection means.

Next, a display example of the AF target frame in the finder field of view or the monitor display area of the imaging apparatus including the multi-focus detection unit shown in FIGS. 8 (2) and (4) will be described. 8 (2) and 8 (4), the right and left center AF targets selected from the whole area AF target and the AF target corresponding to the multi-focus detection means (hereinafter referred to as “multi-AF target”). An example of displaying is shown. The multi-AF target in this example is composed of nine targets obtained by dividing the AF target for the whole area into three equal parts in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. 8 (2) and 8 (4), only the right center of the multi-AF target in the vertical direction is shown, and the tilt state is displayed using this target.
One of the multi-AF targets is composed of a right frame and a left frame of the focus detection area. Only the right frame is displayed in red or blinks, or only the left frame is displayed in red or blinks. The tilt state of the imaging device is displayed depending on whether it is displayed in green or in full display. Hereinafter, each example will be described more specifically.

  The example shown in FIG. 8 (2) is as follows. When the detection angle (θ) is θ ≦ −0.5 °, the right frame of the selected AF target display is displayed in red (see FIG. 8 (2) -b). When the detected angle (θ) is θ ≧ + 0.5 °, the left frame portion of the selected AF target display is displayed in red (see FIG. 8 (2) -c). When the detection angle (θ) is −0.5 ° <θ <+ 0.5 °, the entire frame of the selected AF target display is displayed in, for example, green (see FIG. 8 (2) -a). The display color of the AF target is not limited to red and green, and can be set arbitrarily.

  The example shown in FIG. 8 (4) is as follows. When the detected angle (θ) is θ ≦ −0.5 °, the right frame of the selected AF target display is blinked (see FIG. 8 (4) -b). When the detected angle (θ) is θ ≧ + 0.5 °, the left frame portion of the selected AF target display is blinked (see FIG. 8 (4) -c). The blinking period can be set appropriately. When the detected angle (θ) is −0.5 ° <θ <+ 0.5 °, the entire frame of the selected AF target display is fully displayed (see FIG. 8 (2) -a). The full display in this case includes the case where all the left and right frames are blinked and the case where they are continuously lit.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described by taking the digital still camera as an example to display the subject and the AF target frame on the LCD monitor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a number of imaging devices that check a subject and an AF target frame through an electronic viewfinder.

  The present invention can be used for an imaging apparatus such as a digital video camera as well as a digital still camera.

1 is a front perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a rear perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of the control system incorporated in the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a control flowchart of the acceleration sensor which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the horizontality display control in Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another aspect of the horizontal degree display control of Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows control of the whole imaging which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a model figure which shows the various examples of the inclination state display by AF display frame applicable to this invention. It is a flowchart which shows notification sound control in Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows notification sound control in Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows notification sound control in Example 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows notification sound control in Example 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the allowable inclination angle selection screen in Example 6 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows notification sound control in Example 6 and Example 7 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the allowable inclination angle arbitrary setting screen in Example 7 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the camera attitude angle selection screen used as the reference | standard angle in Example 8 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the inclination state notification sound control in Example 8 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows imaging | photography and the preservation | save of image data and angle information in Example 9 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a mode that angle information is displayed while reproducing | regenerating and displaying the image file recorded and preserve | saved in Example 9 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the indicator which shows the average angle information in Example 9 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a mode that it displays the angle information while displaying the image file image | photographed in Example 10 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows audio | voice output control in case the audio | voice output is used together in Example 9 and 10 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another aspect of Example 10 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1. Digital camera (camera body)
2. Shutter button (release button)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 ... Shooting lens 9 ... Zoom button 15 ... Monitor screen 24 ... Tilt detection part 26 ... Image sensor 51 ... Large circle 52, 53 ... Small circle 62 ... Lens barrel unit 62-1 ... ZOOM optical system 62-1a ... ZOOM lens 62 -1b ... ZOOM motor 62-2 ... FOCUS optical system 62-2a ... FOCUS lens 62-2b ... FOCUS motor 62-5 ... motor driver 63 ... main circuit board 64 ... imaging element circuit board 65 ... tilt detection wiring board 66 ... signal Electrical component 67 for processing ... Tilt detection sensor (acceleration sensor)
102 ... Front-end IC
103 ... SDRAM
104 ... Digital still camera processor (processor)
104-3 ... CPU block 104-11 ... I2C block 107 ... Built-in memory 108 ... ROM

Claims (4)

An imaging device that is automatically focused,
Imaging means for capturing a subject image;
A focus detection frame display means for displaying a focus detection frame;
An angle detection means for detecting the tilt state of the imaging apparatus body or the imaging means;
Display control means for changing the display state of the focus detection frame according to the tilt state detected by the angle detection means;
With
The tilt state detected by the angle detection means is displayed on the focus detection frame display means ,
The focus detection frame includes a whole area AF target frame and a selection area AF target frame for each of a plurality of areas dividing the whole area AF target frame.
The display control means includes
Before the focus is determined, the display state of the entire AF target frame is changed according to the tilt state detected by the angle detection means,
After the focus is determined, the display state of a part of the selection area AF target frames among the plurality of selection area AF target frames is changed according to the tilt state detected by the angle detection unit.
Imaging device. The display control means changes the display state of the entire AF target frame according to the tilt state detected by the angle detection means after the image picked up by the image pickup means is recorded.
The imaging device according to claim 1. The display control means changes a display state of some selected area AF target frames among the plurality of selected area AF target frames based on the AF evaluation values for the plurality of areas.
The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2. An imaging method that is performed using an imaging device that includes an imaging unit for capturing a subject image and that automatically performs focusing,
An imaging step for imaging a subject image;
A focus detection frame display step for displaying the focus detection frame on the display means;
An angle detecting step for detecting an inclination state of the imaging means or the imaging device;
An angle display step of displaying the tilt state detected in the angle detection step on the display means;
Equipped with a,
The focus detection frame includes a whole area AF target frame and a selection area AF target frame for each of a plurality of areas dividing the whole area AF target frame.
The angle display step includes
Before the focus is determined, the display state of the entire AF target frame is changed according to the tilt state detected in the angle detection step,
After the focus is determined, the display state of a part of the selection area AF target frames among the plurality of selection area AF target frames is changed according to the tilt state detected in the angle detection step.
Imaging method.

Images