JPH06308598A - Camera capable of switching photographic picture frame size - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a failure that a part of an main object is missed because a photographer forgets to change a photographic picture mode by providing a picture frame size setting means and a line of sight detecting means detecting the light of sight of the photographer and switching a photographic picture frame size. CONSTITUTION:A control means 1 changing over the photographic picture frame size to a normal one, to take a photographing action, when the photographic picture frame size using a part of a normal photographic picture is set by the picture frame size setting means 9 and the position of the line of sight by the line of sight detecting means 4 and 5 is out of this set photographic picture frame size is provided. Moreover, when the position of the line of sight by the line of the sight detecting means 4 and 5 is out of the set photographic picture frame size, the photographic picture frame size is automatically switched to the normal one or the set photographic picture frame size is later automatically switched to the normal one, to take the photographing action or inhibit the photographing action itself.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a screen size setting means for switching a shooting screen size to a shooting screen size such as panorama, HD (High Definition; screen size with an aspect ratio of 16: 9) and the like. The present invention relates to an improvement in a camera that includes a visual axis detection unit that detects a visual axis and that can switch a shooting screen size.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional camera of this type, a photographer is provided on the camera in order to set the photographing screen size to a photographing screen mode using a part of a normal photographing screen such as a panorama mode and an HD mode. The configuration is performed by operating the changeover switch.

[0003]

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional camera, when an attempt is made to take a picture on the normal photographing screen after the picture is taken in the panorama mode (or HD mode), the camera is always taken away from the viewfinder of the camera. It is troublesome because it is necessary to operate the changeover switch provided on the upper surface or the like.

[0004] Also, there is a mistake in forgetting this operation (forgetting to change the shooting screen mode to a normal shooting screen size mode) and taking a picture in which a part of the main subject is missing. there were.

(Object of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to prevent the failure such that a part of the main subject is lost due to forgetting to change the photographing screen mode, and to realize this, the viewfinder of the camera is individually implemented. An object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of switching the shooting screen size, which can eliminate the troublesome operation of switching the shooting screen mode while keeping an eye on.

[0006]

According to the present invention, when the screen size setting means sets a shooting screen size using a part of a normal shooting screen, the line-of-sight position detected by the line-of-sight detecting means is set to the shooting screen size. When it is outside, a control means for switching to the normal shooting screen size to execute the shooting operation is provided, and the screen size setting means sets the shooting screen size using a part of the normal shooting screen. When
When the line-of-sight position detected by the line-of-sight detection means is outside this shooting screen size, a control means is provided for executing the shooting operation by switching between the set shooting screen size and the normal shooting screen size, and the screen size setting When the photographing screen size using a part of the normal photographing screen is set by the means, and the sight line position by the sight line detecting means is outside this photographing screen size, a control means for prohibiting the photographing operation is provided. If the line-of-sight position detected by the line-of-sight detection means is outside the set shooting screen size, the shooting screen size is automatically switched to the normal shooting screen size, or the set shooting screen size and then normal shooting is performed automatically. The screen size is switched to execute the shooting operation, or the shooting operation itself is prohibited.

Further, if the line-of-sight position is concentrated on a part of the screen where the image can be taken as a result of the detection of the line-of-sight by the line-of-sight detecting means, the image is taken by switching to the image-pickup screen size corresponding to the concentrated part. A control means for executing the operation is provided, and the image capturing operation is executed by automatically switching to the image capturing screen size corresponding to the portion where the line-of-sight position is concentrated.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a camera capable of switching a photographing screen size according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an MPU (micro processing unit), 2 is a memory, and 3 is described later. CCD and IRED drive circuit, 4 CCD which is an image sensor,
5 is an IRED group composed of a plurality of IREDs, 6 is A
A lens drive unit for performing F, 7 is an aperture drive unit, 8 is a shutter unit, and 9 is a shooting screen mode (size) setting switch.

Next, the operation of the camera having the visual axis detecting function will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the switch SW1 which is turned on by the first stroke of the release button is turned on (step 10
1), MPU1 is a series of operations for shooting (AF, AE
Etc.) routine. MP at the beginning of this series of operations
U1 detects the line of sight (step 102). This is performed by the line-of-sight detection means as follows.

First, initialization processing such as initialization of variables used for calculation is performed, and then the accumulation time is set in consideration of the presence or absence of glasses, the intensity of external light, and the like. At the same time, the position (vertical position or horizontal position) of the camera at that time is received from a position sensor (not shown), and the IRED to be turned on is selected in consideration of the presence of glasses.

After this, the process moves to the storage control step.

First, the driver circuit 3 is instructed to perform a clear mode operation. The driver circuit 3 that has received the instruction performs a clear operation to erase the charges remaining in the memory zone of the CCD 4, the charge transfer line, and the like. Then, the IRED selection signal is transmitted to the driver circuit 3 to light the selected IRED. After that, the accumulation signal is set to the high level to start the accumulation, and when the set accumulation time has elapsed, the accumulation signal is set to the low level to terminate the accumulation. Then, the IRED is turned on in synchronization with this accumulation.

Next, a process of extracting an optical image block (Purkinje image candidate) and a pupil edge candidate is performed.

First, an image signal for one line is sequentially read through the driver circuit 3, A / D converted, and the value is stored in the memory 2. Then, using this data, the optical image block (Purkinje image candidate) and the pupil edge candidate are extracted. This process is performed for the number of lines of the CCD 4.

When this process is completed for all lines, the process of selecting the Purkinje image and the pupil edge is performed. Then, the pupil center and the pupil radius are obtained using the selected pupil edge. The least squares method may be used as this method.

Thereafter, using the Purkinje image and the position of the center of the pupil, the rotation angle of the eyeball and further the individual difference correction are performed to calculate the viewpoint position on the focus plate of the camera. If this viewpoint is not within the existing range of the viewpoint position in the normal shooting size in consideration of the display in the viewfinder, the sight line detection is performed again (step 103 → 102).

When the selection of the distance measuring point by the line-of-sight detecting means is completed in this way, the setting state of the photographing screen mode setting switch 9 is read, and this is a part of a normal photographing screen such as the panorama mode or the HD mode. If the mode for shooting using is set, it is checked whether the viewpoint is outside the shooting range of the set shooting screen mode (panorama mode, HD mode) (step 103).
→ 104 → 105).

As a result, when the viewpoint is within the photographing range, the camera is controlled in the conventional sequence (steps 105 → 116 → 117 → 118).

That is, when an AF instruction is issued from this viewpoint, a point for performing focus detection, a so-called distance measuring point, and
After determining the photometric point, AF operation and AE operation are performed (step 116).

In the AF operation, first, the MPU 1 reads a signal of a portion corresponding to the AF area determined by the sensor and calculates the signal to obtain the lens driving amount. Then, the lens drive unit 6 is controlled to perform focus adjustment. In addition, the exposure constant (shutter speed, aperture value, etc.) is calculated according to the designated shooting mode based on the signal from the photometric sensor.

After that, if a release request is made (step 117), a series of operations related to release such as driving the aperture to the calculated aperture value, opening and closing the shutter, and film winding are performed (step 118). .

Note that this operation is similarly performed when the mode for shooting using a part of the normal shooting screen such as the panorama mode or the HD mode is not set, that is, in the normal shooting mode. (Step 1
04 → 116 → 117 → 118).

On the other hand, when the viewpoint is outside the photographing range, first, the photographing screen mode (panorama mode or HD mode) set by the photographer is canceled (step 1).
06). Then, the value of the internal counter CNT is incremented (step 107).

The internal counter CNT is set to zero when the photographer switches the photographing screen mode by the photographing mode setting switch 9 and when the panorama mode and the HD mode are automatically released by using the line-of-sight detection result of the camera, which will be described later. Is initialized to.

After that, a point at which focus detection is performed when an AF instruction is issued from this viewpoint, that is, a distance measuring point and a photometric point are determined. Then, if a request for AF or AE operation is made, AF operation and photometry are performed (step 108).

In the AF operation, as described above, the signal of the portion corresponding to the AF area determined by the sensor is first read and the signal is calculated to obtain the lens drive amount. Then, the lens drive unit 6 is controlled to perform focus adjustment. The exposure constant (shutter speed, shutter speed, etc.) is set according to the shooting mode specified based on the signal from the photometric sensor.
Aperture value, etc.)

Thereafter, if a release request is made (step 109), the photographer sets a series of operations related to the release such as driving the aperture to the calculated aperture value, opening and closing the shutter, and film winding. The shooting screen mode is temporarily released (step 110).

After the release-related operation is completed, the value of the internal counter CNT is compared with a predetermined constant CONST, and if "CNT≤CONST",
The photographing screen mode is returned to the mode designated by the photographer (step 111 → 115).

On the contrary, if "CNT>CONST", the photographing screen mode designated by the photographer is released to the normal photographing screen size mode, and the value of the counter CNT is cleared to zero (step 111 → 112). → 113). Then, a display for notifying the photographer of the child is displayed (step 114).

In this case, subsequent photographing is performed in the normal photographing screen mode until the photographer operates the photographing screen mode setting switch 9 to specify the panorama mode and the HD mode again.

In the first embodiment, the viewpoint on the focus plate of the photographer is outside the photographing range of the panorama mode (or HD mode) and within the photographing range of the normal photographing mode, and the panorama mode (or If the release is instructed by the photographer when (HD mode) is set, the normal shooting screen mode is used for shooting, and after shooting is completed, the shooting screen mode is returned to the panorama mode or (HD mode). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a failure in which a part of the main subject is missing due to forgetting to change the shooting screen mode.

Further, this eliminates the need for a troublesome operation such as taking an eye from the viewfinder of the camera and switching the shooting screen mode.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the camera capable of switching the photographing screen size in the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the circuit configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1, it is omitted here, and the same reference numerals are used for the parts corresponding to this circuit description.

Similar to the first embodiment, when the switch SW1 which is turned on by the first stroke of the release button is turned on (step 201), the MPU 1 routine for a series of operations (AF, AE, etc.) for photographing. to go into. At the beginning of this series of operations, the MPU 1 detects the line of sight (step 202). This is performed by the line-of-sight detection means as follows.

First, initialization processing such as initialization of variables used in the calculation is performed, and then the accumulation time is set with or without glasses.
This is done in consideration of the intensity of outside light. At the same time, the position (vertical position or horizontal position) of the camera at that time is received from a position sensor (not shown), and the IRED to be turned on is selected in consideration of the presence of glasses.

After that, the process proceeds to the storage control step, and first, the driver circuit 3 is instructed to perform the operation in the clear mode.
Do against. The driver circuit 3 that has received the instruction performs a clear operation to erase the charges remaining in the memory zone of the CCD 4, the charge transfer line, and the like. Then the selected IR
An IRED selection signal is sent to the driver circuit 3 to turn on the ED. After that, the accumulation signal is set to the high level to start the accumulation, and when the set accumulation time has elapsed, the accumulation signal is set to the low level to terminate the accumulation. Then, the IRED is turned on in synchronization with this accumulation.

Then, a process of extracting an optical image block (Purkinje image candidate) and a pupil edge candidate is performed. That is, the image signal for one line is sequentially read through the driver circuit 3, A / D converted, and the value is stored in the memory 2. Then, using this data, the optical image block (Purkinje image candidate) and the pupil edge candidate are extracted. This process is performed for the number of lines of the CCD 4. When this process is completed for all lines, Purkinje image,
A process of selecting a pupil edge is performed. Then, the pupil center and the pupil radius are obtained using the selected pupil edge.

After that, the rotation angle of the eyeball, the individual difference correction, and the like are performed using the Purkinje image and the position of the center of the pupil, and the viewpoint position on the focus plate of the camera is calculated. If this viewpoint is not within the existing range of the viewpoint position in the normal shooting size in consideration of the display in the viewfinder, the sight line detection is performed again (step 203 → 202).

If the line-of-sight detection is successful in this way, the camera size is not changed and the camera is controlled in the conventional sequence.

That is, when an AF instruction is given from this viewpoint, a point for performing focus detection, a so-called distance measuring point, and
After determining the photometric point, AF operation and AE operation are performed (step 204).

In the AF operation, first, the MPU 1 reads a signal of a portion corresponding to the AF area determined by the sensor and calculates the signal to obtain the lens driving amount. Then, the lens drive unit 6 is controlled to perform focus adjustment. In addition, the exposure constant (shutter speed, aperture value, etc.) is calculated according to the designated shooting mode based on the signal from the photometric sensor.

After that, when a release request is made (step 205), a series of operations related to the release such as driving the aperture to the calculated aperture value, opening and closing the shutter, and film winding are performed (step 206). .

Next, the MPU 1 reads the setting state of the photographing screen mode setting switch 9, and if the mode is set to perform photographing using a part of the normal photographing screen such as the panorama mode or the HD mode, Set shooting screen mode (panorama mode, HD mode)
It is checked whether or not there is a viewpoint outside the photographing range (step 206 → 207 → 208).

As a result, if the viewpoint is within the shooting range, this series of sequences is terminated and the process moves to the next camera operation control sequence.

On the contrary, when the viewpoint is outside the photographing range, the photographing screen mode (panorama mode, HD mode) set by the photographer is first canceled (step 2).
09). Then, the value of the internal counter CNT is counted up (step 210).

The internal counter CNT is zero when the photographer switches the photographing screen mode by the photographing mode setting switch 9 and when the panorama mode and the HD mode are automatically released by using the line-of-sight detection result of the camera, which will be described later. Is initialized to.

Thereafter, a series of operations related to the release, such as driving the diaphragm to the calculated diaphragm value, opening and closing the shutter, and winding up the film, is temporarily released from the photographing screen mode set by the photographer. In other words, the normal shooting screen size is used (step 211).

After the release-related operation is completed, the value of the internal counter CNT is compared with a predetermined constant CONST, and if "CNT≤CONST",
The photographing screen mode is returned to the mode designated by the photographer (step 212 → 216).

On the contrary, if "CNT>CONST", the photographing screen mode designated by the photographer is released to the normal photographing screen size mode, and the value of the counter CNT is cleared to zero (step 212 → 213). → 214). Then, a display is made to inform the photographer of this (step 215).

In this case, subsequent photographing is performed in the normal photographing screen mode until the photographer operates the photographing screen mode setting switch 9 to specify the panorama mode and the HD mode again.

In the second embodiment, the viewpoint on the focus plate of the photographer is outside the photographing range of the panorama mode (or HD mode) and within the photographing range of the normal photographing mode, and the panorama mode (or When HD mode) is set,
When the release is instructed by the photographer, shooting is performed in both the normal shooting screen mode and the panorama mode (or HD mode), and the panorama mode (or HD
Since the shooting screen mode is returned to the (mode), it is possible to prevent a failure such as a partial loss of the main subject due to forgetting to change the shooting screen mode, as in the first embodiment. In addition, this eliminates the need for troublesome operations such as taking an eye from the viewfinder of the camera and switching the shooting screen mode.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the camera capable of switching the photographing screen size in the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the circuit configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1, it is omitted here, and the same reference numerals are used for the parts corresponding to this circuit description.

Similar to the first and second embodiments, the switch SW turned on by the first stroke of the release button.
When 1 is turned on (step 301), the MPU 1 enters a routine of a series of operations (AF, AE, etc.) for photographing. At the beginning of this series of operations, the MPU 1 detects the line of sight (step 302). This is performed by the line-of-sight detection means as follows.

First, initialization processing such as initialization of variables used in the calculation is performed, and then the accumulation time is set in consideration of the presence or absence of glasses, the intensity of external light, and the like. At the same time, the position (vertical position or horizontal position) of the camera at that time is received from a position sensor (not shown), and the IRED to be turned on is selected in consideration of the presence of glasses.

After that, the process proceeds to the storage control step, and the driver circuit 3 first gives an instruction for performing the clear mode operation.
Do against. The driver circuit 3 that has received the instruction performs a clear operation to erase the charges remaining in the memory zone of the CCD 4, the charge transfer line, and the like. Then the selected IR
An IRED selection signal is sent to the driver circuit 3 to turn on the ED. After that, the accumulation signal is set to the high level to start the accumulation, and when the set accumulation time has elapsed, the accumulation signal is set to the low level to terminate the accumulation. Then, the IRED is turned on in synchronization with this accumulation.

Next, a process of extracting a light image block (Purkinje image candidate) and a pupil edge candidate is performed. That is, first, the image signal for one line is sequentially read through the driver circuit 3, A / D converted, and the value is stored in the memory 2. Then, using this data, the optical image block (Purkinje image candidate) and the pupil edge candidate are extracted. This process is performed for the number of lines of the CCD 4. When this process is completed for all lines, the process of selecting the Purkinje image and the pupil edge is performed. Then, the pupil center and the pupil radius are obtained using the selected pupil edge.

After that, the rotation angle of the eyeball, the individual difference correction, and the like are performed using the Purkinje image and the position of the center of the pupil, and the viewpoint position on the focus plate of the camera is calculated. If this viewpoint is not within the existing range of the viewpoint position in the normal shooting size in consideration of the display in the viewfinder, the sight line detection is performed again (step 303 → 302).

When the selection of the distance measuring point by the line-of-sight detecting means is completed in this way, the setting state of the photographing screen mode setting switch 9 is read, and this is a part of a normal photographing screen such as the panorama mode or the HD mode. If the mode for shooting using is set, it is checked whether the viewpoint is outside the shooting range of the set shooting screen mode (panorama mode, HD mode) (step 303).
→ 304 → 305).

As a result, when the viewpoint is within the shooting range, the camera is controlled in the conventional sequence (steps 305 → 314 → 315 → 316).

That is, when an AF instruction is given from this viewpoint, a point for performing focus detection, a so-called distance measuring point, and
After determining the photometric point, AF operation and AE operation are performed (step 314).

In the AF operation, first, the MPU 1 reads a signal of a portion corresponding to the AF area determined by the sensor and calculates the signal to obtain the lens driving amount. Then, the lens drive unit 6 is controlled to perform focus adjustment. In addition, the exposure constant (shutter speed, aperture value, etc.) is calculated according to the designated shooting mode based on the signal from the photometric sensor.

After that, when a release request is made (step 315), a series of operations related to release such as driving the aperture to the calculated aperture value, opening and closing the shutter, and film winding are performed (step 316). .

On the other hand, when the viewpoint is outside the photographing range, first, the release operation is prohibited (step 306). For example, while confirming the release prohibition period with a flag or the like, even if the ON signal of the switch SW2 that is turned on by the second stroke of the release button is input to the MPU 1, it is necessary not to output the release signal to the shutter unit 8 or the like. Good. Then, the value of the internal counter CNT is counted up (step 307). The counter CNT is initialized to zero when the photographing screen mode is switched by the photographing mode setting switch 9 by the photographer, and when the panorama mode and the HD mode are automatically released using the line-of-sight detection result of the camera, which will be described later. .

When the switch SW1 is turned off (step 308), the value of the internal counter CNT is compared with a predetermined constant CONST, and "CNT> C
If it is "ONST", the photographing screen mode designated by the photographer is released to the normal photographing screen size mode (step 310), and the value of the internal counter CNT is cleared to zero (step 311). Then, a display is made to inform the photographer of this (step 312).

In this case, subsequent photographing is performed in the normal photographing screen mode until the photographer operates the photographing mode setting switch 9 to specify the panorama mode or the HD mode again.

Thereafter, the release prohibition state is released (step 313).

In the third embodiment, the viewpoint on the focus plate of the photographer is outside the photographing range of the panorama mode (or HD mode) and within the photographing range of the normal photographing mode, and the panorama mode ( Alternatively, when the release mode is set, the release is prohibited even if the release instruction is given by the photographer, so that the same effect as that of the first and second embodiments can be obtained. (Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the camera capable of switching the photographing screen size in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Since the circuit configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1, it is omitted here, and the same reference numerals are used for the parts corresponding to this circuit description.

The main switch of the camera is turned on,
When a request for line-of-sight detection is made by turning on the switch SW1 (step 401), the MPU 1 shifts control to the line-of-sight detection routine and performs line-of-sight detection as follows (step 402).

First, after performing initialization processing such as initialization of variables used for calculation, the MPU 1 sets the accumulation time in consideration of the presence / absence of glasses, the intensity of external light, and the like. At the same time, the position (vertical position or horizontal position) of the camera at that time is received from a position sensor (not shown), and the IRED to be turned on is selected in consideration of the presence of glasses.

After that, the process proceeds to the storage control step, and the driver circuit 3 is instructed to perform the clear mode operation. The driver circuit 3 that has received the instruction performs a clear operation to erase the charges remaining in the memory zone of the CCD 4, the charge transfer line, and the like. Then the selected IRED
The IRED selection signal is transmitted to the driver circuit 3 in order to turn on. After that, the accumulation signal is set to the high level to start the accumulation, and when the set accumulation time has elapsed, the accumulation signal is set to the low level to terminate the accumulation. Then, the IRED is turned on in synchronization with this accumulation.

Next, a process of extracting an optical image block (Purkinje image candidate) and a pupil edge candidate is performed. That is, the image signal for one line is sequentially read through the driver circuit 3, A / D converted, and the value is stored in the memory 2. Then, using this data, the optical image block (Purkinje image candidate) and the pupil edge candidate are extracted. This process is performed for the number of lines of the CCD 4. When this process is completed for all lines, Purkinje image,
A process of selecting a pupil edge is performed. Then, the pupil center and the pupil radius are obtained using the selected pupil edge. After that, the rotation angle of the eyeball is corrected by using the Purkinje image and the position of the center of the pupil, the individual difference is corrected, and the viewpoint position on the focus plate of the camera is calculated (step 403).

The MPU 1 repeats the above operation until the release is instructed (the switch SW2 is turned on), and the detected viewpoint is panorama mode, HD every time the line of sight is detected.
It is checked whether or not it is within the shooting range of the normal mode and the normal mode (step 404 → 402 → 403 → 40).
4 → 403 ……).

That is, within the shooting range corresponding to the panorama mode shown in FIG. 6, within the shooting range corresponding to the HD mode, and outside the shooting range corresponding to the HD mode, within the range corresponding to the normal shooting range mode. Every time the line-of-sight detection is performed, it is checked which one of them belongs, and the result is stored in the memory 2. For example, “1” is stored in the shaded portion of FIG. 6, “2” is stored in the vertical portion of FIG. 6, and “3” is stored in the other portion of FIG. 6 in the memory 2. Then, when the number of times exceeds a predetermined number of times, the result at that time is overwritten on the oldest one of the already stored memory 2. In this way, it is possible to regard only the existing range of the viewpoints for a predetermined number of recent times as valid and store it in the memory 2.

As a result, it is possible to eliminate the adverse effect that unnecessary viewpoint information is used in the final calculation due to the long-term line-of-sight detection.

The line-of-sight existence range corresponding to each photographing range mode shown in FIG. 6 is set slightly inside the respective photographing range.

If a release request is made,
The shooting range mode is selected from the partial data of the viewpoint stored in the memory 2 (step 404 → 405).

First, "2" stored in the memory 2,
Count the number of "3". If the number of "3" is n or more (n is set by a predetermined number of times such as valid), the photographing screen size is set to the normal photographing screen size mode (step 405). → 406),
If the total number of “3” and “2” is n or more, the HD mode is set (steps 405 → 407 → 40).
8). In other cases, the panorama mode is set (steps 405 → 407 → 409). Then, the photographing screen size is set to the selected mode (step 410).

Then, in order to inform the photographer that the photographing screen size has been set, a display is made in the viewfinder or the like (step 411).

If the photographer determines that this setting is appropriate (for example, if the switch SW2 is still on), the release sequence is proceeded (YES in step 412).

When the photographer determines that this setting is inappropriate (for example, when the switch SW2 is turned off),
Change the shooting screen size (step 412 → 41)
3). If the panorama mode or the normal shooting size is designated, the mode is changed to the HD mode. Then, in the HD mode, the existence range of the viewpoint stored in the memory 2 is checked, and if there is “3”, the normal shooting size is set,
If there is no "3", change to panorama mode. When the setting of the changed shooting screen is completed, a display for notifying the user of that is displayed, and the release instruction is waited (steps 413 → 410 → 411 → 412).

According to the fourth embodiment described above, line-of-sight detection is repeatedly performed until a release request is made, and the line-of-sight at this time is in each of the panorama mode, HD mode, and normal photographing screen mode regions (predetermined). ), The shooting screen size is set according to the result, and the shooting screen size is displayed to the photographer and a warning sound is given to inform the photographer of the suitability. Since the shooting screen size is automatically switched when the user makes a prompt and the photographer makes a negative decision, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first to third embodiments.

According to each of the above embodiments, as a result of the line-of-sight detection, the viewpoint of the photographer on the focus plate is outside the photographing range of the panorama mode (or HD mode) and within the photographing range of the normal photographing mode. , And panorama mode (also HD mode)
If is set by, and the release is instructed by the photographer, 1) perform shooting in the normal shooting screen mode, and after shooting,
The shooting screen mode is returned to the panorama mode (or HD mode) (first embodiment).

2) Shooting is performed in both the normal shooting screen mode and the panorama mode (or HD mode), and after the shooting is completed, the shooting screen mode is returned to the panorama mode (or HD mode) (second embodiment).

3) The release is prohibited (third embodiment).

4) The line of sight is repeatedly detected until the release request is made, and the line of sight at this time is the panorama mode, HD.
Check the number of times each mode and the normal shooting screen mode are included in each area, set the shooting screen size according to the result, and display the shooting screen size to the photographer, inform by a warning sound, etc. If the photographer makes a negative decision, the photographing screen size is automatically switched (fourth embodiment). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a shooting failure such that a part of the main subject is missing due to forgetting to change the shooting screen mode.

Further, as a result, it is not necessary to take a look at the viewfinder of the camera and operate the operation member for changing the photographing screen size (corresponding to the photographing mode setting switch 9 in the embodiment) one by one, which is convenient. It can be a good camera.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention,
If the line-of-sight position detected by the line-of-sight detection unit is outside this image-pickup screen size when the image-size setting unit uses the image-pickup screen size that uses a portion of the normal image-pickup screen, the normal image-pickup screen size is set. A control means for switching and executing the shooting operation, a control means for executing the shooting operation by switching between the set shooting screen size and the normal shooting screen size, or a control means for prohibiting the shooting operation is provided. , If the line-of-sight position by the line-of-sight detection means is outside the set shooting screen size, the normal shooting screen size is automatically switched to execute the shooting operation,
The set shooting screen size and then the normal shooting screen size are automatically switched to perform both shooting operations, or the shooting operation itself is prohibited.

Further, if the line-of-sight position is concentrated on a part of the image-capable screen as a result of the line-of-sight detection performed by the line-of-sight detecting means, the image is switched to the image-capturing screen size corresponding to the concentrated part. A control means for executing the operation is provided, and the image capturing operation is executed by automatically switching to the image capturing screen size corresponding to the portion where the line-of-sight position is concentrated.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the failure such that a part of the main subject is missing due to forgetting to change the shooting screen mode, and to realize this, keep an eye on the viewfinder of the camera and change the shooting screen mode. It is possible to eliminate troublesome operations such as switching operations.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a camera capable of switching a shooting screen size according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the distribution of the line of sight and the selection of the shooting screen size in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 MPU 2 memory 4 CCD 5 IRED group 9 shooting mode setting switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G03B 13/02 9120-2K

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A camera capable of switching a shooting screen size, comprising a screen size setting unit for switching a shooting screen size and a line-of-sight detecting unit for detecting the line of sight of a photographer. When the line-of-sight position by the line-of-sight detecting means is outside the size of the image-pickup screen when the image-pickup screen size is set to use a part of the image-pickup screen, the image-pickup operation is executed by switching to the normal image-pickup screen size. A camera capable of switching a photographing screen size, which is provided with a control means. 2. A camera capable of switching a shooting screen size, comprising a screen size setting unit for switching a shooting screen size and a line-of-sight detecting unit for detecting the line of sight of a photographer. If the line-of-sight position by the line-of-sight detecting means is outside this shooting screen size when the shooting screen size that uses a part of the shooting screen is set, the set shooting screen size and the normal shooting screen size are set. A camera capable of switching a shooting screen size, which is provided with a control means for executing a switching shooting operation. 3. The photographing screen size switching according to claim 1, wherein the control means is means for restoring the photographing screen size set by the screen size setting means after executing the photographing operation. Possible camera. 4. The control means performs a shooting operation and then restores the shooting screen size set by the screen size setting means. If this operation continues for a predetermined number of times or more, the shooting screen thereafter. 3. The camera capable of switching the shooting screen size according to claim 1 or 2, which is a means for switching the shooting screen size to a normal shooting screen size. 5. A camera capable of switching a shooting screen size, comprising a screen size setting means for switching a shooting screen size and a visual axis detecting means for detecting a visual line of a photographer, wherein the screen size setting means is a normal camera. When a shooting screen size using a part of the shooting screen is set, and if the line-of-sight position by the line-of-sight detecting means is outside the shooting screen size, a control means for prohibiting the shooting operation is provided. A camera whose shooting screen size can be switched. 6. A camera capable of switching a photographing screen size, comprising a screen size setting means for changing the photographing screen size and a visual axis detecting means for detecting the visual axis of a photographer, wherein the visual axis is detected by the visual axis detecting means a plurality of times. As a result of the detection,
When the line-of-sight position is concentrated on a part of the screen where the image can be captured, a control means is provided for switching to a shooting screen size corresponding to the concentrated part and performing a shooting operation. Switchable camera. 7. The control means switches to this photographing size when the visual axis position is concentrated within the photographing screen size using a part of the normal photographing screen as a result of the visual line detection by the visual line detecting means a plurality of times. 7. The camera capable of switching a shooting screen size according to claim 6, wherein the camera is a means for performing a shooting operation.