JPH114378A - Image fetching device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image fetching device in which a focal state of an image pickup optical system is precisely displayed even when remote/near objects are in existence in mixture. SOLUTION: A controller 4 obtains a focal state of an image pickup optical system 1a through arithmetic operation based on a line sensor output corresponding to a position of an object image instructed by a manual instruction device. In this case, the line sensor output is divided into pluralities of blocks and the focal state is operated for each block. A display device 5 displays an object image based on an image signal fetched when a line sensor in an image pickup device 2 is scanned mechanically and displays the focal state of each block operated by the controller 4 in a form of bar graphs 9a, 9b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image capturing device for capturing an image using a line sensor, and more particularly, to focusing of an optical system for forming an image on a line sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a camera (hereinafter, referred to as a line camera) which forms an image on a line sensor and mechanically scans the line sensor to convert and convert the image into an image signal. By using this camera, a high-quality still image or the like can be easily obtained.
In a camera using a line sensor, the focus of the imaging optical system is detected and stored by using the high-frequency component of the output signal of the line sensor to detect the best position of focus of the optical system. Displaying pin information with an LED or a meter is disclosed in JP-A-6-30320.

[0003]

When a focus signal is detected by using a high-frequency component of a line sensor, if a subject is distant from and near the electric readout direction of the line sensor, the distance and distance of the subject to be mixed are determined. Depending on the frequency component unique to the subject, there is a possibility that the in-focus display is performed at an incorrect place.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, and provides an image capturing apparatus capable of accurately displaying the focus state of an image pickup optical system even when distant subjects are mixed. The purpose is to:

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image capturing apparatus which forms a subject image and adjusts a focus, and a line for receiving the subject image formed by the photographing optical system. An imaging unit that includes a sensor and outputs a signal corresponding to a subject image by mechanically scanning in a direction orthogonal to a reading direction of the line sensor;
In the image corresponding to the subject image, instructing means for instructing a position at which the focus state is to be detected, and dividing the output of the line sensor corresponding to the position instructed by the instructing means in accordance with the area, The image processing apparatus further includes a focus state calculation unit that calculates a focus state of the photographing optical system and a display unit that displays a focus state detected by the focus state calculation unit.

In the image capturing apparatus according to the present invention, the focus state calculating means calculates a focus state for each of the divided areas, and the display means displays the focus state for each area. And Further, in the image capturing device according to the present invention, the imaging unit moves the line sensor to the position indicated by the instruction unit, and outputs a signal based on a subject image received at the movement position. The focus state calculation means calculates a focus state based on the signal.

Further, the recording medium on which the program of the present invention is recorded is an image capturing apparatus which captures a subject image received via an image capturing optical system as an image signal using an image pickup means including a line sensor capable of mechanical scanning. Recording a program for controlling an image capturing device, a function of mechanically scanning the line sensor to capture an object image as an image signal; A function of designating a position at which the system is to be focused; a function of calculating a focus state based on the image signal from the line sensor; and a function of displaying the calculated focus state. The function of calculating the state divides the image signal from the line sensor into each area, calculates the focus state for each area, and the display function calculates the focus for each area. And displaying the status.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention. A photographing optical system 1 a for forming a subject image on a camera body 1.
And an imaging device 2 including a line sensor (not shown) is arranged at a position for receiving a subject image formed by the photographing optical system 1a. The imaging device 2 has a scanning mechanism (not shown) that mechanically scans the line sensor in a direction orthogonal to the reading direction of the line sensor. The imaging device 2 is connected to a control device 4 that receives an image signal from a line sensor, and the control device 4 outputs a control signal to the imaging device 2.

The control device 4 calculates the focus state of the photographing optical system 1a based on the line sensor output corresponding to the position of the subject image specified by a manual pointing device (not shown). It is divided into a plurality of blocks, and the focus state is calculated for each block. The control device 4 has a storage medium for storing a program for executing a flow described below, and this reading device. The control device 4 is further connected to a display device 5,
Displays a subject image based on an image signal captured when a line sensor in the image pickup device 2 is mechanically scanned, and also displays a focus state for each block calculated by the control device 4. Note that the imaging device 2
Is integrally formed with the camera body 1, but the control device 4 and the display device 5 may be integrally formed with the camera body 1, or may be formed as external devices connected via communication.

Next, the first embodiment of the present invention constructed as described above will be described.
The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when an instruction from an operation member (not shown) is received, a pre-scan for preliminarily capturing a subject image is performed, and the captured subject image is displayed on a monitor by the display device 5 (step # 1). Next, the photographer looks at the monitor screen 6 of the display device 5 for the captured image,
The position where the focus adjustment state of the optical system 1a is desired to be confirmed is designated by the operation member (step # 2). In this case, since the display of the focus state is performed on the line sensor, FIG.
The point designated as shown in (c) is represented by line 7.

Next, the controller 4 calculates the focus state for each block along the designated line 7, and displays this on the monitor screen 6 as bar graphs 9a and 9b. The calculation of the focus state uses the image signal captured at the time of the pre-scanning in step # 1 or moves the line sensor to the position specified in step # 2 and converts the newly captured image signal. Perform using If an image signal acquired at the time of pre-scan is used, it is not necessary to newly acquire an image signal, so that the time until display can be reduced. However, when the focus of the optical system 1a is changed after the pre-scan, Cannot display the correct focus state. On the other hand, in the method in which the line sensor is moved and the image signal is captured, it takes time, but the optical system 1a can be adjusted to the optimum focus position while watching the monitor screen 6. In FIG. 6 (c), the optical system 1a is the subject in front.
(Flower) is in focus, and a distant subject (house) is not in focus. Therefore, the bar graph 9a indicating the focus state is at a higher level than the bar graph 9b.

Next, an instruction from the manual operation member is confirmed as to whether or not to end the focus state display (step #).
4). If there is an end instruction, this routine is ended. On the other hand, if it is to be continued, the process proceeds to step # 5, and it is determined whether or not the focus position designation has been changed. If there is a change, the process returns to step # 3, while if there is no change, a standby loop waits for an operation instruction.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the output from the line sensor is divided for each block, and the focus state is obtained for each block.
Even when distant subjects are mixed, the focus state of the optical system 1a can be accurately displayed for each block.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a view showing the overall appearance of the image capturing device of the present embodiment. The image capturing device is a camera 1 that captures an image by mechanically scanning a line sensor.
(Hereinafter referred to as a line camera) and a PC system 20 including a personal computer 21 (hereinafter referred to as a PC) that operates the line camera 1 and captures images. The line camera 1 and the PC system 20 are connected to a detachable cable 31. Connected. Further, on the upper surface of the line camera 1, a focus switch 19 for manually operating the focus state of the photographing optical system 11 is provided. In addition,
The line camera 1 can perform focus adjustment by automatic focusing as described later in addition to manual focusing. Further, the PC system 20 includes a display 23 for displaying images and information, a PC main body 21 for performing various information processing, and an operation member 22 including a keyboard 22a and a mouse 22b. The PC 21 has a mounting portion 24a for inserting a recording medium such as a floppy disk or a compact disk (CD) storing a program for executing a flow described later. The program may be written on a hard disk in the PC 21. Although not shown, when capturing an image with the line camera 1, it is desirable to fix the line camera 1 with a tripod or the like. This is to prevent the captured image from being blurred due to vibration during the scanning of the line sensor.

Next, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. The photographing optical system 11 for forming a subject image is disposed in front of the line camera 1, and the optical system driving unit 15 is disposed at a position where the photographing optical system 11 is driven. A mirror box 12 is connected to the photographing optical system 11, and inside the mirror box 12, a movable mirror 12a that rotates by 45 degrees around the upper end, and a rotatably mounted on the back of the movable mirror 12a. A sub-mirror 12b and a screen mat 12c arranged above the mirror box 12 and on which a subject image is formed when the movable mirror 12a is lowered are provided. A finder optical system 13 is disposed above the screen mat 12c, and a photographer can observe a subject image via the finder optical system 13 when the movable mirror 12 is lowered.

When the movable mirror 12a descends, the sub-mirror 12b rotates to a position upright with respect to the movable mirror 12a, and the subject light passing through the central semi-transmissive portion of the movable mirror 12a is reflected downward. An AF unit 16 for detecting the focus state of the photographing optical system 11 is disposed on the reflected light path. The AF unit 16 includes an AF optical system for pupil-dividing the subject image and an AF sensor for converting the pupil-divided subject image into a photoelectric conversion signal.

Behind the mirror box 12, an imaging unit 14 having a built-in line sensor and an imaging drive unit 17 for mechanically scanning the line sensor are arranged. This scanning direction is a direction orthogonal to the reading direction of the line sensor. In other words, the line sensor is arranged along the short side direction of the subject image, and the imaging drive unit 17 mechanically drives the line sensor along the long side direction of the subject image. In the present embodiment, the line sensor adopts a so-called two-line system in which G is arranged on one line and RBs are arranged on one line. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to use a three-line system in which lines are arranged one by one. Imaging unit 17
Is controlled by the CPU 18, and an image signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the subject image by the line sensor of the imaging unit 14 is sent to the CPU 18.

The above-mentioned focus switch 19 for manually instructing the focus adjustment of the photographing optical system 11 is connected to the CPU 18. Here, the focus switch 19 includes a near point switch 19a for instructing to drive the focus of the photographing optical system 11 to the closest side, a far point switch 19c for instructing to drive the focus to infinity, and AF from the AF unit 16. An AF switch 19b for instructing focus adjustment based on a signal is provided. Further, the CPU 18
It is connected to the above-described optical system drive unit 15 and sends a control signal to the optical system drive unit 15, and a signal corresponding to the drive amount is fed back to the CPU 18. The line camera 1 configured as described above is connected to the PC via the cable 31 as described above.
21, a display 21 and an operation member 22 are connected to a PC system 20. Note that the PC 21 has a built-in reading device 24b for reading the program recorded on the recording medium 24a, but the reading device 24b may be configured as an external device.

Next, the display function of the display 23 in the image capturing device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The display in FIG. 4 shows the state of the control screen after performing pre-scan for roughly capturing the subject image and setting parameters such as trimming, aperture, and integration time correction for properness. First, an image display unit 4 for displaying a prescanned image is displayed on a screen 41 of the display 23.
2 is provided, and when there is a trimming instruction, a trimming frame 43 is displayed in the image display section 42 by a broken line. Also, the setting aperture (Fno) 44 of the line camera 1
a, actual integration time 44 of the line sensor for proper exposure
b, integration time correction amount 44c, and shooting date / time information 44
d is displayed as information below the image display unit 42.
Further, a command selection section 45 is displayed on the right side of the image display 42 and can be selected by the operation member 22 such as a mouse.

Next, the state of the focus adjustment operation screen of the photographing optical system 11 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, a pre-scan command 45a is selected by an operation member such as the mouse 22 (hereinafter, referred to as a click), a subject image is pre-scanned, an image is captured, and then a focus adjustment command 45b is clicked. The screen is switched to the focus adjustment operation screen.

On this screen, an image captured by pre-scanning is displayed on the image display section 42, and a selection line 46 for displaying a focus state is displayed in this image by a broken line. Focus state display section 4 on the right side of image display section 42
7, the focus state on the selection line 46 is displayed in the form of a bar graph for each block, and the focus position of the photographing optical system 11 is displayed above the bar graph. In this embodiment, the focus state is the same color (RGB) of the line sensor.
Is indicated by the sum of absolute values (focus amount) of the difference values of adjacent pixels, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the focus amount may be displayed by a specific frequency component. If the peak display is enabled, the bar graph can be easily viewed even when the selection line 46 is moved as described later.
Is displayed in a color different from that of the surrounding image to make it easier to see.

In order to know the average focus state of a plurality of blocks, first, a plurality of blocks are selected using a mouse or the like, so that the blocks are displayed in total below the focus state display section 47. In this case, it is easy to understand that the selected block is displayed with an asterisk mark * or the color of the bar graph corresponding to the block is changed. In the display shown in FIG. 5, since only one location is selected, only the focus state of the selected block is displayed as it is.

As described above, the focus state of the line 46 selected by the photographer and the selected block is displayed as a bar graph by the focus state display unit 47. To change the selected line 46, the image display is performed. After clicking the reset command 48b located below the section 42,
Just specify the selection line again and click. next,
By clicking the focus adjustment command 48a located to the left of the reset command 48b, the focus of the photographing optical system 11 can be adjusted to the close side or infinity side. In other words, the photographing optical system 11 can be adjusted to the best focus state by looking at the focus state display unit 47 while adjusting the focus adjustment command 48a. By clicking the OK command arranged to the right of the reset command 48b, the line sensor returns to the initial position, the focus adjustment operation screen ends, and the screen returns to the initial screen shown in FIG.

The focus adjustment operation screen shown in FIG. 5A is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the width of division of the selected block may be made variable.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5C, the area of the selected block may be arbitrarily set with a mouse or the like. However, in this case, only one block can be selected. Further, only the focus adjustment command 48a is arranged in FIGS. 5A to 5C. However, when the photographing optical system 11 is a zoom optical system, a zoom UP / down for changing the focal length is used. An operation command may be set.

Next, the entire sequence of photographing in the image capturing apparatus according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. When the photographing flow is started (# 1101), hardware and software such as operation start positions and parameter setting values are initialized (# 1102). Next, it is determined whether or not a command has been input by the command selection unit 45 shown in FIG. 4 (# 1103). If no command has been input, a standby loop is performed. When a command is input, the process proceeds to a subroutine process corresponding to the content of the command. That is, when the composition command 45a is operated,
The flow proceeds to the composition flow routine (# 1104). If the focus command 45b is operated, the flow proceeds to the focus flow routine (# 1105), and the pre-scan command 45c.
When is operated, the flow shifts to the pre-scan flow (#
1106) When the main scan command 45d is operated, the process proceeds to the main scan flow (# 1107). When the parameter setting command 45e is operated, the process proceeds to the parameter setting flow (# 1108) and the end command 45f. Is operated, the process proceeds to the end flow (# 1).
109).

Next, when each subroutine process is completed,
It is determined whether the routine just processed is an end flow (# 1110). If it is not the end flow, # 110
3 and waits for an input command. In the case of an end flow, this routine ends (# 111).

Here, the function of the flow according to the above-mentioned command will be described. The composition flow (# 1104) is a flow for observing the subject image with the finder optical system 13 of the line camera 1, determining the composition, and adjusting the focus. The CPU 18 in the line camera 1 is mainly controlled. Perform the operation. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

In the focusing flow (# 1105), a focus position is set with respect to an arbitrary position of the image captured by the prescan, the line sensor is moved to this position, and based on the image signal from the line sensor. 5 is a flow for displaying a focus state. The photographer adjusts the focus state of the photographing optical system 11 while watching the focus state display,
It can be set to the best focus state. See Figure 8 for details
Will be described later.

In the pre-scan flow (# 1106), the movable mirror 12a is raised, the subject image that has passed through the photographing optical system 11 is converted into an image signal by a line sensor in the imaging unit 14, transmitted to the PC 21, and displayed. 2
3 is displayed on the image display unit 42. The resolution of the prescan image at this time may be such that the image can be confirmed. After the image has been captured, the movable mirror 12a is lowered, and the line sensor is returned to the initial position. Return to

The main scan flow (# 1107) is the same as the pre-scan in that the movable mirror 12a is raised, converted to an image signal by the line sensor and transmitted to the PC 21, but a parameter setting flow described below. Is different in that an image is captured according to the conditions set in. In addition, the image captured in this flow is displayed and saved.

The parameter setting flow (# 1108)
The capture area to be captured by the trimming instruction, the resolution of the capture area, the aperture value of the photographing optical system 11, the exposure correction amount, the light source type (fluorescent lamp, tungsten, sun), etc. are set.

In the end flow (# 1109), software and hardware such as initialization of various parameters and a mechanical scanning position of the line sensor are initialized. In the present embodiment, the use order of various commands is not particularly determined, but a general usage is shown as an example. First, in the composition flow (# 1104), the photographer determines the composition and roughly adjusts the focus while observing the viewfinder, then captures the image in the pre-scan flow (# 1106), and The captured image is confirmed on the display unit 42.
Next, in the focusing flow (# 1105), the best focus at an arbitrary position is adjusted while looking at the display of the focus state display unit 47. Next, the parameter setting flow (# 110
After setting the capture condition and area in 8), the image is captured, displayed, and stored in the main scan flow (# 1107). In the case of terminating all, the termination flow (# 110
Select 9).

Next, the sequence of the composition flow is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. The sequence of the composition flow shown in FIG.
8 is performed by the PC 21 shown in FIG. 6 described above.
This is the details of the composition flow (# 1104) in the photographing sequence, and both are processed in parallel. These composition flow sequences determine the composition via the finder optical system 13 and adjust the focus of the photographing optical system 11. The focus adjustment is performed by manually driving the photographing optical system based on a photographer's instruction. The photographing optical system 11 is automatically used by using the sensor output in the AF unit 16 arranged at the center of the screen.
There is a drive to the best position. Since the focusing is performed precisely by the focusing flow, it is only necessary to roughly adjust the focus in this flow.

First, the composition flow (P
To describe C), when the composition flow is entered in # 1104 of FIG. 6, first, it is detected whether or not a new command is clicked in the command selection unit 45 (see FIG. 4) (# 12).
31). Next, the detection result is sent to the CPU of the line camera 1.
18 (# 1233) and return (# 1233).
1234). When a new command is clicked, the flow in the CPU 18 ends in # 1221 described later, and the PC 21 executes a flow based on the newly selected command.

A composition flow (camera) executed by the CPU 18 of the line camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, communication is performed with the PC 21 (# 1201), a command set in the PC 21 is input, and it is determined whether a command other than the composition flow (PC) is newly set. When a new command is input, the composition flow is performed in order to perform various processes on the PC 21 as described above.
The (camera) routine is terminated (# 1221). On the other hand, if a new command has not been input, the photographing optical system 1
Steps # 1203 and subsequent steps are executed in order to perform focusing of 1.

In step # 1203, the line camera 1
Then, it is determined whether or not the focus switch 19 provided in the is operated. If the focus switch 19 has not been operated, the process returns to step # 1201, and unless a command is input to the PC 21, the steps # 1201 to # 1202 are not performed.
The loop from # 1203 to # 1201 is repeated. When the focus switch 19 is operated, it is determined in steps # 1204 to # 1206 whether the operated switch is the far point switch 19c, the AF switch 19b, or the near point switch 19a. When the far point switch 19c is operated,
The focus of the photographing optical system 11 is driven to the far point side by the optical system driving unit 15 (# 1211), and the far point switch 19 is driven.
It is determined whether or not c has been turned off (# 1212). If it has been turned off, the driving of the imaging optical system 11 is stopped, and the flow returns to # 1201. Therefore, as long as the photographer operates the far point switch 19c, the photographing optical system 11 continues to be driven to the far point side,
When the hand is released from the far point switch 19c, the driving stops.

Next, at step # 1204, the far-point switch 1
If it is determined that the switch 9c is off, the AF switch 19
It is determined whether or not b is on, and if it is on, A
The defocus amount of the photographing optical system 11 is detected based on the output of the AF sensor in the F unit 16 (# 1213), and the photographing optical system 11 is focused by the optical system drive unit 15 based on the defocus amount. (# 121
4). Then, it is determined whether the AF switch 19b has been turned off (# 1215). If the AF switch 19b is off, the process returns to # 1201. Next, when the AF switch 19b is turned off in # 1206, the near point switch 19a is detected, and when it is off, the process returns to # 1201. On the other hand, when it is on, the near point switch 19a is turned on. , That is, as long as it is being operated by the photographer, the photographing optical system 11 is driven to the near point side.

Next, details of the focusing flow shown in # 1105 of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, this flow adjusts the focus of the photographing optical system 11 at an arbitrary position with high accuracy based on an image captured by a prescan or the like, and is displayed in the form shown in FIG. Therefore, the photographer can operate the photographing optical system while watching the peak value of the focus amount of the image.

When the focusing flow process is started (# 130)
0) First, a command to raise the movable mirror 12a is output to the CPU 18 in the line camera 1 (# 1301). Thus, the line sensor in the imaging unit 14 can receive the subject image. Next, it is determined whether or not the focus state confirmation (OK) command 48c shown in FIG. 5A has been clicked (# 1302). If OK, the routine ends. This is to terminate the routine when it is desired to exit from this sequence immediately after entering the focusing flow sequence.

If the confirmation (OK) command 48c has not been clicked, the portion of the prescanned subject image displayed on the image display section 42 where the focus state is to be displayed, ie, the focus block Click. At this time, a selection line 46 corresponding to the focus block is displayed on the image display unit 42. The CPU of the line camera 1 moves the line sensor to a position (selected line) corresponding to the focus block set here.
18 (# 1304). Next, a signal read from the line sensor is received via the CPU 18 (# 1305), and a focus amount is calculated for each block based on the received signal of the line sensor (# 1306).
As shown in FIG. 5A, the focus state display unit 47 is provided for each block.
The graph is displayed on.

Next, it is determined whether or not the far-point switch of the focus adjustment command 48a displayed on the screen 42 has been clicked.
Is commanded to drive the photographing optical system 11 to the far point side by a predetermined amount (# 1321). After driving a predetermined amount,
It is determined whether the far point switch is still clicked (# 13)
22) If the click is released, it is determined whether the setting has been reset (# 1312). On the other hand, if the button is still clicked, the process returns to # 1305, where the signal of the line sensor is read again, and the focus amount is calculated and displayed for each block. Accordingly, the focus state can be confirmed even when the focus position of the imaging optical system 11 is changed. Similarly, when the near point switch of the focus adjustment command 48c is clicked, the photographing optical system 11 is driven to the nearest side by a predetermined amount (# 1310). In this state, the near point switch is clicked. Performs the calculation for calculating the focus amount again.

Next, if the far-point and near-point switches of the focus adjustment command 48c have not been clicked, it is determined whether the reset command 48b has been clicked (# 1312). If this command has been clicked, the flow returns to # 1303, and the focus block can be reset using the mouse or the like, and the above flow is repeated. If the reset command 48b has not been clicked, it is determined whether or not the confirmation (OK) command 48c has been clicked (# 1313). If not, the process returns to # 1305 to calculate and display the focus amount again. I do. On the other hand, if clicked, a command is issued to the CPU 18 of the line camera 1 to return the line sensor to the initial position and lower the movable mirror 12a (#
1314), returning to the main routine (# 132)
3).

As described above, in this embodiment, the line sensor is moved to a position designated by the photographer to be in focus, and the subject image received at this position is photoelectrically converted based on the output of the line sensor. Since the focus state is calculated and displayed, the focus state of the photographing lens can be displayed in real time, the focus can be easily adjusted, and the focus can be adjusted with high accuracy.

Further, in the present embodiment, even in the case where distant and distant subjects are mixed in the electrical reading direction of the line sensor, the output of the line sensor is divided into a plurality of pieces, and information on focus is divided for each divided block. Since it is displayed, the focus can be easily adjusted.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, even if the line camera does not have an AF function, the present display mode is possible. Also, the present invention can be applied to a mechanism in which focusing of a photographing lens is performed by a manual source.

The block division of the line sensor can be performed by a method other than the method shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C. Alternatively, the width of the block may be changed by an integral multiple of the predetermined block. In addition, the initial position of the line sensor in the case of focus adjustment may be located at the center of the screen.

Further, the display of the focus state is performed by a bar graph in the present embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the focus state is represented by a digital numerical value for each block, or green when the object is in focus. , Red when out of focus,
In the case of an intermediate color, an intermediate color between red and green may be used.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the selection line 46 is set while viewing the pre-scanned image during the focusing flow. However, if the subject image is not particularly required, the pre-scan is performed in advance. You don't have to.

According to the above embodiment of the present invention,
The following configuration is obtained. (1) An imaging optical system capable of adjusting the focus for imaging a subject, imaging means for converting a light flux of the imaging optical system into an electric signal by a line sensor, and a focus amount based on respective outputs of a plurality of regions of the line sensor. The image capturing device includes: a focus amount calculating unit that calculates the focus amount; and a display unit that displays the focus amount of the focus amount calculating unit for each of a plurality of regions of the line sensor.

In the image capturing device described in (1), the imaging optical system has an adjusting function of forming a subject image on the scanning surface of the line sensor, and the focus amount calculating means operates the focus amount for each of a plurality of regions. And the display means displays the focus amount calculated by the focus amount calculation means for each area.

According to the image capturing device described in (1),
By displaying the amount of focus from the signal of the line sensor for imaging corresponding to one or more divided areas on the line, it is possible to focus on the subject you want to focus on even if the subject is far or near. become. (2) a focus-adjustable imaging optical system for imaging a subject, imaging means for converting a light beam of the imaging optical system into an electric signal by a line sensor, moving means for moving the line sensor, and the imaging optical system Position indicating means for indicating a position on the image at which the focus state is desired to be detected, and a focus amount for calculating a focus amount based on an output from a line sensor area corresponding to the position indicated by the position indicating means An image capturing device comprising: a calculation unit; and a display unit that displays a focus amount of the focus amount calculation unit.

In the image capturing apparatus described in (2), the imaging optical system has an adjusting function of forming an image of a subject on the scanning surface of the line sensor, and the position indicating means determines the position of the subject to be focused. Instruct, the moving means moves the line sensor to the instructed position, and the focus amount calculating means repeatedly reads the subject signal from the imaging means while the focus detection instruction is issued, and calculates the focus amount, The display means always displays the latest information on the focus amount calculated by the focus amount calculation means during the period.

According to the image capturing device described in (2),
By displaying the focus amount from the signal of the imaging line sensor at the designated position, the focus amount can be confirmed at the time of adjusting the focus of the photographing optical system, so that highly accurate focusing can be performed. (3) an imaging optical system capable of adjusting the focus for imaging a subject, imaging means for converting a light beam of the imaging optical system into an electric signal by a line sensor, focus instructing means for setting a line to be focused, and Moving means for moving the line sensor to the position of the focus instructing means, focus amount calculating means for calculating a focus amount based on respective outputs of a plurality of regions of the line sensor, and a line sensor for determining the focus amount of the focus amount calculating means. (4) an image-capturing optical system capable of adjusting the focus for capturing an image of a subject, and an electric signal representing the luminous flux of the image-capturing optical system by a line sensor. Imaging means for converting the image data into focus, focus instructing means for setting one or more positions on a line to be focused, and a line for the line instructing means. Moving means for moving to the position, first focus amount calculating means for calculating the focus amount based on the respective outputs of the plurality of areas of the line sensor, and the focus amount at one or more selected positions. An image capturing apparatus comprising: a second focus amount calculating means for calculating by the first focus calculating means; and a display means for displaying the focus amounts of the first and second focus amount calculating means.

According to the image capturing device described in the above (4),
In addition to displaying the focus amount for each of multiple areas on the line sensor, the average focus amount for multiple selected areas can also be displayed, which is convenient when the subject to be focused on spans multiple areas. It is. (5) In the image reading device according to any one of (1) to (4), the focus amount calculation means always calculates while the focus detection instruction is issued, and the display means calculates the focus amount by the focus amount calculation means. It is characterized in that the latest focus amount is always displayed during the period. (6) In the image capturing device according to any one of (1) to (5), the display means displays the selected line and block. (7) In the image capturing device according to any one of (1) to (6), a plurality of regions calculated by the focus amount calculating unit are set in advance. (8) In the image capturing device according to any one of (1) to (7), a plurality of areas calculated by the focus amount calculation unit are variable. (9) In the image capturing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8), a plurality of regions calculated by the focus amount calculation unit are set in advance, and one region is determined based on a change in focus amount for each region. It is characterized by automatically setting one area. (10) A photographing optical system that forms a subject image and can adjust the focus, and includes a line sensor that receives the subject image formed by the photographing optical system, and is orthogonal to the direction of the sensor array of the line sensor. Imaging means for outputting a signal corresponding to a subject image by mechanically scanning in the direction; instruction means for instructing the position of an image whose focus state is to be detected; and corresponding to the position instructed by the instruction means Focus state calculating means for dividing the output of the line sensor according to the area, calculating the focus state of the photographing optical system for the divided area, and display means for displaying the focus state detected by the focus state calculating means And an image capturing device. (11) The focus state calculation means calculates a focus state for each of the plurality of divided areas, and the display means displays the calculated focus state for each area. apparatus. (12) The display means displays a focus state for each of the regions in accordance with the position of the captured subject image (1).
The image capturing device according to 1). (13) Moving means for moving the line sensor to a position instructed by the instructing means, wherein the focus state calculating means calculates the focus state based on an output of the line sensor taken at the moving position. The image capturing device according to (10). (14) A recording medium that records a program for controlling an image capturing device that captures a subject image received via an imaging optical system as an image signal using an imaging unit including a mechanically scannable line sensor. A function of mechanically scanning the line sensor to capture a subject image; a function of specifying a position where the photographing optical system is to be focused on the captured subject image; A function of moving the line sensor to the moved position, a function of receiving a signal from the moved line sensor and calculating a focus state, and a function of displaying the calculated focus state. A recording medium in which a control program for an image reading device is recorded. (15) The function of calculating the focus state divides the signal from the line sensor into each area and calculates the focus state for each area. The control program for the image reading device according to (14) is recorded. Recording medium. (16) A recording medium that records a program for controlling an image capturing device that captures a subject image received via an imaging optical system as an image signal using an imaging unit that includes a mechanically scannable line sensor. When the line sensor mechanically scans, a function of capturing a signal from the line sensor and a position at which the imaging optical system focuses on a subject image based on the captured signal. A function of designating, a function of calculating a focus state based on a signal from the captured line sensor, and a function of displaying the calculated focus state, and a function of calculating the focus state, The signal from the line sensor is divided for each region, a focus state is calculated for each region, and the display function displays the focus state for each region. A recording medium on which a program is recorded. (17) The device having a function of moving the line sensor to the position designated by the designated function.
A recording medium recording the control program for an image reading device according to (16). (18) A camera used in combination with an image processing device, comprising: a photographing optical system that forms a subject image and is capable of adjusting a focus; and a line sensor that receives the subject image formed by the photographing optical system. Imaging means for outputting a photoelectric conversion signal corresponding to a subject image by mechanically scanning in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the sensor array of the line sensor, and an image to be detected from the image processing apparatus, the focus state of which is to be detected And a control means for receiving the position of (i), moving the line sensor to the received position, and sending a photoelectric conversion signal at this position to the image processing apparatus.

According to the camera described in the above (18), the line sensor can be moved in accordance with an instruction from the image device, so that the photoelectric conversion signal of the line sensor at a position required by the image processing device can be obtained. Can be sent. (19) Receiving means for receiving the image signal from a line camera for converting a subject image received through a photographic optical system into an image signal by a line sensor, and outputting the output of one line of the line sensor for each area. And a focus state calculating means for calculating a focus state of the photographing optical system with respect to the divided area; and a display means for displaying a focus state detected by the focus state calculating means. Image processing device.

According to the image processing apparatus described in the above (19),
Based on the image signal input from the line camera, it is easy to confirm the focus state of each of the subjects even if the subjects are near and far. (20) Receiving means for receiving the image signal from a line camera that converts a subject image received via a photographing optical system into an image signal by a line sensor, and an image for detecting a focus state of the photographing optical system. Instructing means for instructing a position, transmitting means for transmitting an output of the line sensor corresponding to the position instructed by the instructing means to the line camera, based on an output of the line sensor at the instructed position, An image processing apparatus comprising: a focus state calculation unit that calculates a focus state of a photographing optical system; and a display unit that displays a focus state detected by the focus state calculation unit.

According to the image processing apparatus described in the above (20),
The focus state can be detected at an arbitrary position in the image.

[0058]

According to the present invention, the focus can be easily adjusted even if the subject is far or near in the electrical reading direction of the line sensor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 (a) is a block diagram showing a configuration of the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 1C is a flowchart showing the operation, and FIG. 1C is a display screen on a display device.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a use state according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a display screen when set as a control screen in a display according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a display screen when a focus adjustment screen is set on a display according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5B and 5C are modified examples. Is shown.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 (a) is a flowchart of the CPU 18 in the line camera 1, and FIG.
It is a flowchart figure of C21.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 line camera, 2 imaging device 5 display device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An imaging optical system that forms a subject image and is capable of adjusting a focus, and a line sensor that receives the subject image formed by the imaging optical system, and is orthogonal to a reading direction of the line sensor. Imaging means for outputting a signal corresponding to the subject image by mechanically scanning in the direction; instruction means for indicating a position at which the focus state is to be detected in the image corresponding to the subject image; The output of the line sensor corresponding to the position designated by the above is divided according to the area, and the focus state calculating means for calculating the focus state of the photographing optical system for the divided area is detected by the focus state calculating means. Display means for displaying a focused state. 2. The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein said focus state calculation means calculates a focus state for each of said divided areas, and said display means displays a focus state for each of said areas. 3. The image pickup means moves the line sensor to the position indicated by the instruction means, and outputs a signal based on a subject image received at the movement position. The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein a focus state is calculated based on the signal. 4. A recording medium for recording a program for controlling an image capturing device that captures a subject image received via an image capturing optical system as an image signal by using an image capturing unit including a mechanically scannable line sensor. A function of mechanically scanning the line sensor to capture a subject image as an image signal; and a function of designating a position where the captured optical system is to be focused on the captured subject image. And a function of calculating a focus state based on the image signal from the line sensor; and a function of displaying the calculated focus state. The function of calculating the focus state is based on the line sensor The image signal is divided for each region, and a focus state is calculated for each region, and the display function displays the focus state for each region. Recording medium on which a control program for recording is recorded.