JP5327424B2 - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent similar images from being stored too much due to an automatic imaging function. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic camera includes: an imaging means for capturing a subject image and generating, in a time division manner, a through image to be used for confirming the subject image and a main image to be used for recording the subject image; an automatic imaging means for capturing the main image, based on information extracted from the through image generated by the imaging means, when the information is a predetermined condition; and an imaging execution condition change means for changing the predetermined condition causing the automatic imaging means to capture the main image in accordance with a degree of proceeding of automatic imaging by the automatic imaging means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera provided with an automatic imaging function that automatically captures an image when a subject reaches a specific condition.

The shape representing the facial expression of the person's subject is repeatedly extracted from the image captured by the camera, the degree of coincidence between the extracted subject shape and the predetermined shape is calculated, and the calculated degree of coincidence exceeds the predetermined value Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a camera that captures a subject when the camera is in contact with the camera.
JP 2004-294498 A

The camera described in Patent Document 1 is devised to shorten the time until automatic shooting is performed by lowering the coincidence criterion as the number of times the shape of the subject is extracted increases. However, a situation in which automatic shooting is continuously performed is not taken into consideration, and no contrivance regarding multiple times of shooting is provided.

  Further, in a camera that performs automatic imaging when a specific condition is met, every time the condition is met, images are captured one after another, and a large number of similar images are recorded on a recording medium. Further, when a large number of similar images are recorded, the erasing operation is troublesome. In view of these problems, the present invention relates to an electronic camera for suppressing a large amount of similar images from being recorded.

The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera captures a subject image and generates a through image used for confirming the subject image and a main image used for recording the subject image in a time division manner. A face extracting unit that extracts a face of the subject from the through image generated by the imaging unit, and a representative face selection that selects at least one representative face from the face of the subject extracted by the face extracting unit Means, an automatic imaging means for performing imaging of the main image when the representative face selected by the representative face selecting means is a specific expression, and the main image captured by the automatic imaging means is changed. a release condition change setting means for setting beforehand before the automatic image capturing running conditions of a mode setting means for setting the automatic photographing mode is an imaging mode by the automatic image pickup means In progress of the automatic imaging by the automatic image pickup means, based on the condition set by said release condition changing setting means, an imaging execution condition changing means for changing the face of the representative of the representative face selecting means selects Yes, and the release condition condition set by changing setting means, characterized in that it is a first predetermined number of imaging times of the main image from being set the automatic photographing mode by the mode setting unit .

Electronic camera according to claim 2, in the electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising a face registration means for registering at least one unique face data, the representative face selecting means is registered in the face registration means A face similar to the specific face data is preferentially selected as the representative face.

The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the electronic camera captures a subject image and generates a through image used when confirming the subject image and a main image used when recording the subject image in a time division manner. A face extracting means for extracting the face of the subject from the through image generated by the imaging means, a face registering means for registering unique face data, and the unique face data registered in the face registering means. Face selection means for selecting at least one representative face data, and automatic imaging means for executing imaging of the main image when the face of the subject is similar to the representative face data selected by the face selection means When the release condition change setting means for setting beforehand before the automatic image capturing running conditions for changing the main image captured by the automatic image pickup means, in photographing mode by the automatic image pickup means That the mode setting means for setting the automatic shooting mode, the progress of the automatic imaging by the automatic image pickup means, based on the condition set by said release condition changing setting means, the representative face said face selecting means selects possess an imaging execution condition changing means for changing the data, condition set by said release condition changing setting means, first by the mode setting means of said imaging count of the image from being set the automatic photographing mode The predetermined number of times is 1 .

The electronic camera according to claim 4 is the electronic camera according to claim 3 , wherein the automatic imaging unit automatically captures the main image when a face similar to the representative face data has a specific facial expression. It is characterized by performing.

The electronic camera according to claim 5 is the electronic camera according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein permission and prohibition of selecting specific face data registered in the face registration unit as a representative face are permitted. It further comprises selection switching means for switching by operation.

The electronic camera according to claim 6 is the electronic camera according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein an exposure adjustment unit that adjusts an exposure condition for capturing the main image prior to capturing the main image, and the book Prior to image capture, further comprising focusing means for performing focusing control, wherein the exposure adjusting means adjusts the exposure condition based on the vicinity of the representative face, and the focusing means detects the vicinity of the representative face. Focus control is performed based on the reference.

Electronic camera according to claim 7, in the electronic camera according to any one of claims 3-5, prior to imaging of the main image, the exposure adjustment to adjust the exposure conditions when imaging the main image And a focusing unit that performs focusing control prior to capturing the main image, and the exposure adjusting unit adjusts the exposure condition with reference to the vicinity of a face that is similar to representative face data. The focusing means performs focusing control based on the vicinity of the face similar to the representative face data.

The electronic camera according to claim 8 is the electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the first predetermined number of times is a free space of a recording medium for recording the main image and / or the electronic camera. It is determined based on the remaining battery level of the camera.

The electronic camera according to claim 9 is the electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the first predetermined number of times is arbitrarily set by a user.

An electronic camera according to a tenth aspect is the electronic camera according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, further comprising an automatic imaging stop unit that stops imaging by the automatic imaging unit.

An electronic camera according to an eleventh aspect is the electronic camera according to the tenth aspect , in which the automatic imaging stop unit is configured such that when a second predetermined time has elapsed since the automatic imaging mode was set by the mode setting unit. The image pickup by the automatic image pickup means is stopped.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention , in the electronic camera according to the eleventh aspect , the second predetermined time is determined based on a remaining battery level of the electronic camera.

An electronic camera according to a thirteenth aspect is the electronic camera according to the eleventh aspect , wherein the second predetermined time is arbitrarily set by a user.

The electronic camera according to a fourteenth aspect is the electronic camera according to the tenth aspect , in which the automatic image capturing stop unit is configured such that the number of times the main image is captured after the automatic image capturing mode is set by the mode setting unit is second. When the predetermined number of times is exceeded, imaging by the automatic imaging means is stopped.

The electronic camera according to claim 15 is the electronic camera according to claim 14 , wherein the second predetermined number of times is based on a free space of a recording medium for recording a captured image and / or a battery remaining amount of the electronic camera. It is characterized by being determined.

An electronic camera according to a sixteenth aspect is the electronic camera according to the fourteenth aspect , wherein the second predetermined number of times is arbitrarily set by a user.

The electronic camera according to claim 17 is the electronic camera according to any one of claims 10 to 16 , wherein the automatic imaging is stopped by the automatic imaging stop unit, and then the image is captured in the automatic imaging mode. A display unit configured to display an image based on the main image; and an operation unit configured to receive a selection operation for selecting the main image to be recorded on a recording medium with respect to the main image displayed on the display unit. .

The electronic camera according to claim 18 is the electronic camera according to claim 17 , wherein the display means displays the number of the main images taken in the automatic photographing mode.

The electronic camera according to claim 19 is the electronic camera according to any one of claims 10 to 16 , wherein the automatic imaging is stopped by the automatic imaging stop unit, and then the electronic camera is imaged in the automatic imaging mode. An image evaluation unit that evaluates a main image and a recorded image selection unit that selects the main image to be recorded on a recording medium based on the evaluation by the image evaluation unit.

An electronic camera according to a twentieth aspect is characterized in that, in the electronic camera according to the nineteenth aspect , the image evaluation means performs an evaluation based on at least a facial expression of the main image.

The present invention can suppress a large amount of similar images from being recorded in an electronic camera having an automatic imaging function that performs imaging when a subject reaches a specific condition.

An embodiment of an electronic camera of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
(First embodiment)
(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back side. A power button 101 attached to the upper part of the electronic camera 100 is a button for commanding ON / OFF of the power of the electronic camera 100. The release button 102 is attached to the upper part of the electronic camera 100, and is a button for the user to instruct the start of imaging. An LCD 103 and operation units 104 to 116 for performing various settings are provided on the back of the electronic camera 100 shown in FIG. The LCD 103 is a liquid crystal panel that displays display information such as images, icons, characters, numbers, symbols, and the like. The operation units 104 to 107 are operation members for moving check marks (described later) displayed on the LCD 103 and inputting numerical values.

  The operation unit 108 is an operation member for determining the function selected by the check mark. An operation unit 109 to an operation unit 115 are operation units for selecting various shooting modes. The shooting mode of the electronic camera according to the present embodiment includes a normal release mode for performing normal shooting, a smile release mode for automatically capturing an image of a subject, It has a registered face release mode. The operation unit 109 can instruct the start of the normal shooting mode, the operation unit 110 can start the smile release mode, and the operation unit 111 can instruct the start of the registered face release mode. Further, a setting screen for smile release mode can be displayed by the operation unit 112, a setting screen for registered face release can be displayed by the operation unit 113, and a screen for other settings can be displayed by the operation unit 114, respectively. On the other setting screen, general camera settings that a normal camera has can be set. The operation unit 115 can execute a face image registration mode, which will be described later. The operation unit 116 is an operation unit used for displaying a previous screen or deleting an input value. The light information of the subject is taken in from the front side (not shown).

  Next, the internal configuration of the electronic camera 100 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The inside of the electronic camera 100 includes photographing lenses 201 and 202, an aperture 203, a shutter 204, an imaging control circuit 205, an imaging device 206, an image circuit 207, an AF control circuit 208, an aperture control circuit 209, a shutter control circuit 210, a CPU 211, and a flash. A RAM 212, a buffer memory 213, a display control unit 214, an I / O unit 215, a recording medium 216, and an operation detection unit 217 are configured.

  The photographing lens 201 is a lens for changing the imaging angle of view, and the photographing lens 202 is a lens for focusing. The subject image that has passed through the photographing lenses 201 and 202 is formed on the imaging surface of the imaging element 206 that is a photoelectric conversion element. The image sensor 206 converts the subject image formed on the imaging surface into an analog electrical signal. The imaging control circuit 205 drives the imaging device 206 to control the exposure time and output an analog electric signal from the imaging device 206 to the video circuit 207. The output analog electric signal is amplified and digitized by the video circuit 207 and output to the CPU 211. Further, the digital electrical signal is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 212 and then subjected to image processing and image compression.

  An AF control circuit 208 connected to the photographing lens 202 drives the photographing lens 202 to focus. A diaphragm control circuit 209 connected to the diaphragm 203 adjusts the amount of light that passes through the unit time by driving the diaphragm 203. A shutter control unit 210 connected to the shutter 204 controls the opening time of the shutter 204 by driving the shutter 204. A flash RAM 212 connected to the CPU 211 stores programs necessary for the operation of the CPU 211 and face database information to be described later.

The display control unit 214 displays display information output from the CPU 211 on the LCD 103. In addition, the display control unit 214 performs control such as turning on / off the LCD 103.
The operation detection unit 217 is connected to the power button 101, the release button 102, and the operation units 104 to 116. In addition, when the user performs an operation, the operation detection unit 217 transmits operation information by the user to the CPU 211.

  In the shooting preparation stage, the shutter control circuit 210 opens the shutter 204 and sequentially images the light that has passed through the shooting lenses 201 and 202 on the image sensor 206. The subject image sequentially formed on the image sensor 206 is periodically subjected to image processing by the CPU 211. The display control unit 214 displays the state of the subject on the LCD 103 as a moving image. At the same time, the CPU 211 detects the contrast of the image, and the AF control circuit 208 controls the photographing lens 202 to move the photographing lens 202 to a position where the contrast becomes the highest. Further, the CPU 211 detects the luminance level of the image, and the aperture control circuit 209 adjusts the degree of opening of the aperture 203 based on the detected luminance level.

  In the normal shooting mode, when the operation detection unit 117 detects that the release button 102 is fully pressed, the CPU 211 instructs the shutter control circuit 210, the imaging control circuit 205, and the aperture control circuit 209 to adjust the exposure conditions. Thus, the recording image is captured, and a compressed image is generated. Then, the CPU 211 records the compressed image as a recording image on the recording medium 216 via the I / O unit 215. In the following, an image captured for the above-described moving image display is referred to as a “through image”, and an image captured for recording purposes is referred to as a “main image”.

  Next, when the face image of the through image, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, has a specific expression, a smile release that performs automatic imaging, and when the face image of the through image is a specific expression of a specific person A description of the registered face release that performs automatic shooting will be described in detail below.

(Smile release mode setting)
The smile release mode setting will be described with reference to FIGS. In the smile release mode setting, details regarding the progress of automatic imaging in the smile release mode described later are set in advance.
When the CPU 211 receives the selection of “smile release setting” from the operation button 112, the input screen of FIG. 3 is displayed on the LCD 103. The user moves the check mark on the check box displayed to the left of each item using the operation units 104 to 107 and presses the operation unit 108, thereby “release condition setting” and “end condition setting”. , “Transfer method selection” or “Sleep process setting” transition to each input screen can be selected.

  First, the “release condition setting” input screen shown in FIG. 4 will be described. On this screen, select whether to change the condition (release condition) for capturing the main image based on the elapsed time from the start of the smile release mode or based on the number of imaging The change time or the number of changes can be set. In FIG. 4, numerical values can be input for items with check marks. A numerical value is input by designating an increase in a number using the operation unit 104 and designating a decrease in a number using the operation unit 105. Further, it is assumed that the operation unit 107 specifies movement of the check mark to the right item and the operation unit 106 specifies movement to the left item. The input is determined by the operation unit 108. If it is decided when “Time” is checked, the release condition is changed based on the elapsed time. If it is decided when “Number of images” is checked, the release condition is changed. Is changed based on the number of times the main image is captured. If “time” has a check mark when the input is determined, the numerical value of this item is set as a value of a change time T1 described later. Similarly, when the input is determined, if the “number of times of imaging” is checked, the value of this item is set as the value of the number of times of change M1 described later. In addition, when “automatic setting” is checked at the time of input determination, the CPU 211 estimates the possible number of times of imaging from the free capacity of the recording medium and automatically considers the number of possible times of imaging. To determine the number of changes, and set the value as the value of the number of changes M1.

  Next, the “end condition setting” input screen shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The operation is performed in the same manner as the “Release condition setting” input screen. On this screen, it is possible to select whether to end the smile release mode based on a predetermined elapsed time after the smile release mode is started or to end based on a predetermined number of times of imaging. When “time” is specified in the input determination, the numerical value of this item is set as a value of an end time T2, which will be described later. Similarly, when “number of times” is designated in the input determination, the numerical value of this item is set as the value of the number of end times M2 described later. In addition, when “automatic setting” is selected in the input determination, the CPU 211 calculates the number of possible imaging from the free capacity of the recording medium, and automatically determines the number of end times M2 in consideration of the number of possible imaging. The It is assumed that the values of T1> T2 and M1> M2 cannot be input.

  Subsequently, an input screen for “selection of storage method” shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The user can select any one of the “selective save”, “BSS (best shot select) save”, and “all image save” saving methods. Details of each storage process will be described later. The storage method of the item with the check box when the operation unit 108 is pressed is set as the storage method in the smile release mode.

Next, an input screen for “sleep processing setting” shown in FIG. 7 will be described. Using a known technique, when there is no operation by the user for a predetermined time, the CPU 211 automatically stops part or all of the power supply of the electronic camera 100. In the present embodiment, this process is referred to as a sleep process. In the screen of FIG. 7, the user can select either the “prohibit sleep process” or the “sleep process during smile release” storage method. When “prohibit sleep process” is selected, the sleep process is not performed in the smile release mode. Further, when “sleep processing during smile release” is selected, power supply to parts other than those necessary for executing the smile release mode is stopped. Details of this processing will be described later. As for the operation method, the sleep process for the item with the check box when the operation unit 108 is pressed is set as the sleep process in the smile release mode, as in “Release condition setting” described above. The time for the “Sleep Process at Smile Release” item can be entered in the same way as the above operation method, and this item is displayed when “Sleep Process at Smile Release” is checked when input is determined. Is a value of a sleep entry time T4 described later.
Based on the details determined by the setting screen described above, a smile release mode described below is executed.

(Automatic imaging with smile release mode)
Automatic imaging in the smile release mode will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the smile release process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the operation unit 110 is pressed, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is started. In step S100, the CPU 211 initializes the elapsed time Ta, the elapsed time Tb, the elapsed time Tc, the imaging number Ma, the imaging number Mb, the total face number Nmax, the face number N, the imaging flag F, and the sleep flag S. Elapsed time Ta, elapsed time Tb and elapsed time Tc are set to 0, imaging number Ma and imaging number Mb are set to 0, total number of faces is set to Nmax, face number N is set to 1, imaging flag F is set to 0, and sleep flag S is set to 0 initialize.

  Subsequently, in step S101, the CPU 211 starts measuring elapsed times Ta, Tb, and Tc, and proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the CPU 211 instructs to capture a through image. In step S103, the CPU 211 searches for a face image from the through image and instructs the face image extraction. In step S104, when it is determined by the CPU 211 that a face image is extracted and there is no face data of the same person as the extracted face image in the temporary face database in the flash RAM 212 (in the case of a new face image). The process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if it is determined that no face image has been extracted or is not a new face image, the process proceeds to step S107. In step S105, the face image extracted in step S103 is registered in the temporary face database in the flash RAM 212 as the Nmax + 1-th face data, and the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the CPU 211 updates the total number of faces Nmax, adds 1 to the original value of Nmax, and proceeds to step S107.

  In step S107, if the CPU 211 determines that the face extracted in step S103 is the same person's face as the Nth face data, and determines that the extracted face is a smile, the process proceeds to step S108. move on. In step S108, focusing processing by the AF control circuit 208, light amount adjustment processing by the aperture control circuit 209, and opening processing of the shutter 204 by the shutter control circuit 210 are performed on the basis of the vicinity of the extracted face, and then automatically. Imaging is performed, and the captured image is temporarily stored in the buffer memory as a main image, and the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, 1 is assigned to the imaging flag F, and the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, 1 is added to the original numerical value of the imaging number Ma to update the imaging number Ma. Similarly, 1 is added to the original numerical value of the imaging number Mb to update the imaging number Mb, and the process proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, if the condition “determined that the face is the same person as the Nth face data and the extracted face is a smile” is not satisfied in step S107, imaging is not performed. Proceed to step S111. In step S <b> 111, the CPU 211 determines whether or not the condition “imaging flag F = 0 or face search of all areas of the through image has ended” is satisfied. When satisfied, it progresses to step S112, and when not satisfied, it transfers to step S103.

  Subsequently, in step S112, the CPU 211 determines whether the release condition is a setting that is changed based on the elapsed time or a setting that is changed based on the number of times of imaging. If the release condition is set to be changed based on the elapsed time, the process proceeds to step S113, and the CPU 211 determines whether or not the elapsed time Ta is greater than the change time T1. If the release condition is set to be changed based on the number of times of imaging, the process proceeds to step S114, and the CPU 211 determines whether the number of times of imaging Ma is equal to or greater than the number of times of change M1. In step S113, if the CPU 211 determines that the elapsed time Ta is greater than the change time T1, the process proceeds to step S115, and if not, the process proceeds to step S120.

  If the CPU 211 determines in step S114 that the imaging Ma is equal to or greater than the changed number M1, the process proceeds to step S115, and if not, the process proceeds to step S120.

  In step S115, the CPU 211 determines whether or not the face number N is the total face number Nmax. If the face number N is not the total face number Nmax, the process proceeds to step S116, and the CPU 211 adds 1 to the original value of the face number N, updates the value of the face number N, and proceeds to step S118. On the other hand, if the face number N is the total face number Nmax, the process proceeds to step S117, and the CPU 211 initializes the face number N to 1, and proceeds to step S118. In step S118, the elapsed time Ta and the imaging number Ma are initialized to 0 by the CPU 211, and the process proceeds to step S119. In step S119, the CPU 211 starts again counting the elapsed time Ta.

  Next, in step S120, the CPU 211 determines whether the end condition of the release mode is set as a condition based on the elapsed time or as a condition based on the number of times of imaging. In step S120, when the end condition is set as a condition based on the elapsed time, the process proceeds to step S121. On the other hand, when the end condition is set as a condition based on the number of imaging, the process proceeds to step S122. . If the elapsed time Tb is larger than the end time T2 in step S121, the process proceeds to step S123 and proceeds to a recording process described later. If the elapsed time Tb is not greater than the end time T2, the process proceeds to step S124 and proceeds to a sleep process described later. In step S122, when the CPU 211 determines that the number of times of imaging Mb is equal to or greater than the number of times of termination M2, the process proceeds to step S123 and proceeds to a recording process described later. On the other hand, when the number of times of imaging Mb is smaller than the number of times of imaging M2, the process proceeds to step S124 and proceeds to the sleep process.

(Recording process)
Next, the smile release mode recording process will be described. As described above, the user can select “selective save”, “BSS save”, or “all image save” as the save method.

  “Selective storage” is a storage method of selecting a main image to be stored in the recording medium 216 from a series of main image groups captured in one smile release mode. As shown in FIG. 9, a series of main images taken in one smile release mode is displayed on the LCD 211. The user can select a main image to be stored by checking a check box at the lower right of each main image. The display screen shown in FIG. 9 displays the current screen order among the previous screen numbers. Further, the order of the currently selected image among the total number of images obtained by a series of imaging is displayed.

“BSS storage” is a method of evaluating the main image based on the hand shake degree and the smile degree and storing the main image having the highest evaluation value in the recording medium 216.
“Save all images” saves a series of main images captured in one smile release mode to the recording medium 216.

Next, the recording process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. If “selective save” is selected as the storage method in step S201, the process proceeds to step S203, and if “selective save” is not selected, the process proceeds to step S202.
In step S202, if “BSS storage” is selected as the storage method by the CPU 211, the process proceeds to step S207. If “BSS storage” is not selected (when all images are stored), the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S203, the display control unit 214 causes the LCD to display the input screen of FIG. 9, which is a screen for the user to select a stored image. In step S <b> 204, the CPU 211 receives input from the operation unit by the user by the operation detection unit 217. In step S205, if the CPU 211 determines that “page switching” has been selected, the process proceeds to step S206. If “page switching” is not selected, the process proceeds to step S210. In step S206, the display control unit 214 displays the updated input screen on the LCD, and proceeds to step S210. In step S210, it is determined whether or not “completed” has been made by the CPU 211. If it is determined that the selection has been completed, the process proceeds to step S211. If it is determined that the selection has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S211. The process proceeds to S204.

In step S207, the CPU 211 evaluates the main image, determines the evaluation value of each main image, and proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the CPU 211 selects the main image having the highest evaluation, and proceeds to step S211.
In step S208, all the series of main images picked up by the CPU 211 are selected, and the process proceeds to step S211.
In step S211, the CPU 211 stores the selected main image in the storage recording medium 216 via the I / O unit 215, ends this processing, and returns to the main flow.

(Sleep processing)
Next, the sleep process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S301, the CPU 211 determines whether or not “prohibit sleep processing” is set in the sleep processing setting. When “prohibition of sleep processing” is not set, the process proceeds to step S302, and when “prohibition of sleep processing” is set, this processing is terminated. In step S302, the CPU determines whether or not the sleep flag S is zero. The sleep flag S is a flag for determining whether or not the current state is the sleep state. If the sleep state, S = 1, and if it is not the sleep state, S = 0. When the sleep flag S is 0, the process proceeds to step S303, and when the sleep flag S is 1, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S303, the CPU 211 determines whether or not “no operation by the user and the imaging flag F is 0” is satisfied. If it is determined that the image is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S305 and is not satisfied. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S311. In step S305, the CPU 211 determines whether or not the elapsed time Tc is greater than the sleep entry time T4. If it is determined that the elapsed time Tc is greater than the sleep entry time T4, the process proceeds to step S306. If it is determined that the elapsed time Tc is not greater, the process ends. In step S306, the power supply of a part of the electronic camera is stopped by a command from the CPU. Here, a part of the electronic camera refers to, for example, a backlight necessary for displaying the LCD, and power supply to a portion necessary for executing the smile release mode is not stopped. In step S307, the CPU 211 assigns 1 to the sleep flag S and proceeds to step S310.

  In step S304, the CPU 211 determines whether or not “there is an operation by the user or the imaging flag F is 1” is satisfied. If satisfied, the process proceeds to step S308. In this case, this process is terminated and the process returns to the main flow. In step S308, the CPU 211 restarts the power supply to a part of the electronic camera that has stopped the power supply, and proceeds to step S309. In step S309, the sleep flag S is initialized to 0 by the CPU, and the process proceeds to step S310. In step S310, the elapsed time Td is initialized by the CPU 211, and the process proceeds to step S311. The CPU 211 starts again the elapsed time Td and returns to the main flow. The contents described above are the processes related to the execution of the smile release.

(Face registration)
Next, items related to the registered face release will be described. The electronic camera 100 has a face registration mode for registering a person's face. In the registered face release mode, automatic imaging is performed when it is determined that the face extracted from the through image is the same person's face as the face data registered in the face registration mode and that it is a smile. The Details will be described later.

First, the face registration processing procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12 and FIG. When the operation detection unit 217 detects the operation of the operation unit 115, the face registration mode is started by an instruction from the CPU. In step S401, the display control unit 214 causes the LCD 103 to display the display screen illustrated in FIG. In step S402, capturing of a through image is started by an instruction from the CPU 211, a face image is searched from the through image, and the process proceeds to step S403. In step S403, it is determined whether or not a face image is extracted by the CPU 211. If a face image is extracted, the process proceeds to step S404. If a face image is not extracted, the process proceeds to step S402.
It is assumed that the figure on the display screen is displayed over the through image. This figure is a figure for urging the user to register the eyes of the person registered in the ellipse on the display screen so that the nose is in the vertically long rectangle and the mouth is in the horizontally long rectangle.

  In step S404, the display control unit 214 displays a message “Do you want to register? OK or CLEAR” on the LCD 103 to ask the user whether or not to register the face image extracted in step S403. Proceed to S405. In step S405, the CPU 211 determines whether or not the input is “OK”. If it is “OK”, the process proceeds to step S406, and if it is “CLEAR”, the process proceeds to step S407. In step S406, the face image is stored in the face database area of the flash RAM 212 by the CPU 211, and the process proceeds to step S407. In step S407, the display control unit 214 displays a message “Exiting OK or CLEAR” on the LCD 103 asking the user whether or not to end this mode, and then proceeds to step S408. In step S408, the CPU determines whether or not the user's input is “OK”. If it is determined that the input is “OK”, the face registration mode ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the user's input is “CLEAR”, the process proceeds to step S402, and imaging of the through image is repeated again.

(Registered face release setting)
Next, the registered face release setting will be described with reference to the input screens shown in FIGS. When the CPU 211 receives the selection of “registered face release setting” from the operation button 113, the input screen of FIG. 14 is displayed on the LCD 103. The user moves the check mark on the check box displayed to the left of each item using the operation units 104 to 107 and presses the operation unit 108, thereby performing “registered face setting” and “release condition setting”. ”,“ End condition setting ”,“ Save method selection ”, or“ Sleep process setting ”transition to the input screen can be selected. Note that “end condition setting”, “save method selection”, and “sleep processing setting” are the same settings as in the above-described smile release setting, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  First, the “registered face setting” input screen shown in FIG. 15 will be described. The input screen of FIG. 15 is a screen for selecting whether or not the face data registered by the “face registration” is used as a release condition in step S504 described later. The check mark can be selected by moving the check mark on the check box using the operation units 104 to 107 and pressing the operation unit 108. Further, it is assumed that the setting is completed by moving the check mark to the check box next to “Setting” and pressing the operation unit 108. Here, the number of selected faces is defined as the number of effective faces Ny.

  Next, the “release condition setting” input screen shown in FIG. 16 will be described. In this screen, the input screen in FIG. 15 can determine the time for using the registered face data as a release condition described later. In addition, it is possible to determine how many times the number of imaging times reaches the registered face data as a release condition. Furthermore, the order in which each face data is used as the release condition is determined by designating the priority of each face.

  The number of seconds in the time line indicates the time used as the release condition, and this value is set as the change time T (N). In addition, the numerical value in the row of the number of times of imaging indicates how many times the number of times of imaging reaches the release condition, and this value is set as the number of times of change M (N). N indicates a priority value.

  When the check mark is moved to “Time” and the operation unit 108 is pressed, the release condition is changed based on T (N) in the registered face photographing. In addition, when the check mark is moved to “number of times of imaging” and the operation unit 108 is pressed, the release condition is changed based on the number of times of change M (N) in the registered face shooting.

  In addition, when “automatic setting” is selected, the CPU 211 calculates the possible number of times of imaging from the free space of the recording medium 216, and automatically changes the number of changes M (N based on the number of possible images and the number of effective faces Ny. ) Shall be determined. The following registered face release mode is executed based on the above settings.

(Registered face release mode)
Next, the registered face release mode process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 17, the steps given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 8 are steps for performing the same processing as in the smile release mode. Description of the steps given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 8 is omitted. This mode is started when the operation detection unit detects an operation of the operation unit 111.

  In step S500, the CPU 211 initializes the elapsed time Ta, the elapsed time Tb, the elapsed time Tc, the imaging number Ma, the imaging number Mb, the maximum face number Nmax, the face number N, the imaging flag F, and the sleep flag S. The elapsed time Ta, the elapsed time Tb and the elapsed time Tc are 0, the imaging number Ma and the imaging number Mb are 0, the face number N is 1, the maximum face number Nmax is the effective registration number Ny, the imaging flag F is 0, and the sleep flag S is set. Initialize to 0. Subsequently, since steps S101 to S103 are the same processing as in the smile release mode, description thereof is omitted. In step S504, whether or not the CPU 211 satisfies the condition that “the face image is extracted and the face of the same person as the Nth registered face data and the extracted face is a smile” If it is determined that the image is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S108, and automatic imaging of the main image is started. On the other hand, in step S504, if the condition that “a face image has been extracted, the face of the same person as the Nth registered face data, and the extracted face is a smile” is not satisfied. The process proceeds to step S111 without imaging. Hereinafter, since it is the same as the above-mentioned description, it abbreviate | omits. The above is the description of the processing related to the registered face release.

(Second Embodiment)
A registered face priority mode that combines a part of the processing of the smile release mode and the registered face release mode will be described. In the registered face priority mode, the recording process step is omitted from the flow of the registered face release mode described in the first embodiment, and the captured image is stored in the buffer memory 213. Then, the smile release mode is started immediately after the end of the registered face release mode. Before the smile release ends, an image recording process is collectively performed on the image captured in the registered release mode and the main image captured in the smile release.
With this mode described above, it is possible to preferentially automatically image a person whose face is registered.

(Supplement)
In the description of “BSS preservation” of the present embodiment, it is described that the image is evaluated based on the hand shake degree and the smile degree. However, for example, when a blinking face is included, another evaluation such as a low evaluation is performed. A reference may be provided and is not limited to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the image having the highest image evaluation value is stored in the recording medium 216. However, a plurality of images having a high evaluation value may be stored.

In the registered face release mode of this embodiment, the release condition is that the registered face is a smile, but the release condition may be that the same person as the registered face is detected.
The release condition may be changed by combining the elapsed time and the number of imaging. Similarly, the end condition may be set by combining the elapsed time and the number of imaging.
In addition, when “automatic setting” is selected on the release condition setting screen, the number of changes is determined based on the free capacity of the recording medium. However, the change time may be determined based on the free capacity of the recording medium. good. In addition, the number of changes or the change time described above may be determined based on the remaining battery capacity of the electronic camera, or may be determined based on both the free capacity and remaining battery capacity of the recording medium.

  Similarly, when “automatic setting” is selected on the end condition setting screen, the end count is determined based on the free space of the recording medium, but the end time is determined based on the free space of the recording medium. Also good. In addition, the number of times or the end time described above may be determined based on the remaining battery capacity of the electronic camera, or may be determined based on both the free capacity and remaining battery capacity of the recording medium.

Further, although it has been described that the image captured in the process of “automatic imaging in the smile release mode” is temporarily stored in the buffer memory, it may be stored in the recording medium 215. In this case, the same effect can be obtained by erasing an image not selected in the recording process flow from the recording medium 215.
In addition, automatic imaging in the smile release mode is performed with a smile as a trigger, but the present invention is not limited to smiling because it can be applied to any camera that automatically performs imaging with a specific pattern.

In addition, the above description is an example to the last, and when interpreting invention, it is not limited or restrained at all by the correspondence of the description matter of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the description matter of a claim.

As described above in detail, the present invention can be used greatly in the field of electronic cameras.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the electronic camera to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the electronic camera shown in FIG. It is an input screen displayed on LCD. It is an input screen displayed on LCD. It is an input screen displayed on LCD. It is an input screen displayed on LCD. It is an input screen displayed on LCD. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process of smile release mode. It is an input screen displayed on LCD. It is a flowchart which shows a recording process. It is a flowchart which shows a sleep process. It is a flowchart which shows the process of face registration. This is a screen displayed on the LCD. It is an input screen displayed on LCD. It is an input screen displayed on LCD. It is an input screen displayed on LCD. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process of a registration face release mode.

Explanation of symbols

100 Electronic Camera 101 Power Button 102 Release Button 103 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
104 operation unit 105 operation unit 106 operation unit 107 operation unit 108 operation unit 109 operation unit 110 operation unit 111 operation unit 112 operation unit 113 operation unit 114 operation unit 115 operation unit 116 operation unit 201 photographic lens 202 photographic lens 203 diaphragm 204 shutter 205 Imaging control circuit 206 Imaging element 207 Video circuit 208 AF control circuit 209 Aperture control circuit 210 Shutter control circuit 211 CPU
212 Flash RAM
213 Buffer memory 214 Display control unit 215 I / O unit 216 Recording medium 217 Operation detection unit

Claims (20)

An imaging means for capturing a subject image and generating a through image used when confirming the subject image and a main image used when recording the subject image in a time-sharing manner;
Face extraction means for extracting the face of the subject from the through image generated by the imaging means;
Representative face selection means for selecting at least one representative face from the face of the subject extracted by the face extraction means;
Automatic imaging means for performing imaging of the main image when the representative face selected by the representative face selection means has a specific expression;
Release condition change setting means for presetting conditions for changing the main image picked up by the automatic image pickup means before execution of automatic image pickup ;
Mode setting means for setting an automatic shooting mode which is a shooting mode by the automatic imaging means;
An imaging execution condition changing unit for changing the representative face selected by the representative face selection unit based on a condition set by the release condition change setting unit during automatic imaging by the automatic imaging unit; And
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the condition set by the release condition change setting means is a first predetermined number of times of capturing the main image after the automatic photographing mode is set by the mode setting means . The electronic camera according to claim 1,
Face registration means for registering at least one unique face data;
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the representative face selection unit preferentially selects a face similar to the unique face data registered in the face registration unit as the representative face. An imaging means for capturing a subject image and generating a through image used when confirming the subject image and a main image used when recording the subject image in a time-sharing manner;
Face extraction means for extracting the face of the subject from the through image generated by the imaging means;
Face registration means for registering unique face data;
Face selection means for selecting at least one representative face data from the unique face data registered in the face registration means;
Automatic imaging means for capturing the main image when the face of the subject is similar to the representative face data selected by the face selection means;
Release condition change setting means for presetting conditions for changing the main image picked up by the automatic image pickup means before execution of automatic image pickup ;
Mode setting means for setting an automatic shooting mode which is a shooting mode by the automatic imaging means;
An imaging execution condition changing unit for changing the representative face data selected by the face selection unit based on a condition set by the release condition change setting unit during automatic imaging by the automatic imaging unit; And
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the condition set by the release condition change setting means is a first predetermined number of times of capturing the main image after the automatic photographing mode is set by the mode setting means . The electronic camera according to claim 3.
The electronic camera, wherein the automatic image capturing unit automatically captures the main image when a face similar to the representative face data has a specific expression. The electronic camera according to claim 3 or 4,
An electronic camera further comprising selection switching means for switching permission and prohibition of selecting unique face data registered in the face registration means as a representative face by a user operation. The electronic camera according to claim 1 or 2,
Prior to capturing the main image, exposure adjusting means for adjusting an exposure condition when capturing the main image;
Prior to imaging of the main image, further comprising focusing means for performing focusing control,
The exposure adjusting means adjusts the exposure condition based on the vicinity of the representative face,
The electronic camera characterized in that the focusing means performs focusing control with reference to the vicinity of the representative face. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
Prior to capturing the main image, exposure adjusting means for adjusting an exposure condition when capturing the main image;
Prior to imaging of the main image, further comprising focusing means for performing focusing control,
The exposure adjusting means adjusts the exposure condition based on the vicinity of a face similar to representative face data,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the focusing means performs focusing control based on a vicinity of a face similar to the representative face data. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined number of times is determined based on a free space of a recording medium for recording the main image and / or a battery remaining amount of the electronic camera. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined number of times is arbitrarily set by a user. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
An electronic camera , further comprising: an automatic imaging stop unit that stops imaging by the automatic imaging unit . The electronic camera according to claim 10 .
The electronic imaging stop unit stops imaging by the automatic imaging unit when a second predetermined time elapses from the time when the automatic imaging mode is set by the mode setting unit . The electronic camera according to claim 11 ,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the second predetermined time is determined based on a remaining battery level of the electronic camera. The electronic camera according to claim 11 ,
2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the second predetermined time is arbitrarily set by a user. The electronic camera according to claim 10 .
The automatic imaging stop unit stops imaging by the automatic imaging unit when the number of times the main image has been captured exceeds a second predetermined number after the automatic shooting mode is set by the mode setting unit. And an electronic camera. The electronic camera according to claim 14 ,
2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the second predetermined number of times is determined based on a free space of a recording medium for recording a captured image and / or a battery remaining amount of the electronic camera. The electronic camera according to claim 14 ,
The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein the second predetermined number of times is arbitrarily set by a user. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 10 to 16 ,
Display means for displaying an image based on the main image picked up in the automatic photographing mode after stopping automatic photographing by the automatic photographing stopping means;
An electronic camera comprising: an operation unit that receives a selection operation for selecting the main image to be recorded on a recording medium with respect to the main image displayed on the display unit . The electronic camera according to claim 17 ,
The electronic camera characterized in that the display means displays the number of the main images picked up in the automatic photographing mode . The electronic camera according to any one of claims 10 to 16 ,
Image evaluation means for evaluating the main image taken in the automatic shooting mode after stopping automatic imaging by the automatic imaging stop means;
An electronic camera comprising: a recorded image selecting unit that selects the main image to be recorded on a recording medium based on the evaluation by the image evaluating unit . The electronic camera according to claim 19 , wherein
The electronic camera is characterized in that the image evaluation means performs evaluation based on at least a facial expression of the main image .

Images