US20060139478A1 - Camera - Google Patents
Camera Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060139478A1 US20060139478A1 US11/356,164 US35616406A US2006139478A1 US 20060139478 A1 US20060139478 A1 US 20060139478A1 US 35616406 A US35616406 A US 35616406A US 2006139478 A1 US2006139478 A1 US 2006139478A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- focal point
- point detection
- image
- detection regions
- region
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/50—Constructional details
- H04N23/53—Constructional details of electronic viewfinders, e.g. rotatable or detachable
- H04N23/531—Constructional details of electronic viewfinders, e.g. rotatable or detachable being rotatable or detachable
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
- H04N23/63—Control of cameras or camera modules by using electronic viewfinders
- H04N23/633—Control of cameras or camera modules by using electronic viewfinders for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
- H04N23/635—Region indicators; Field of view indicators
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
- H04N23/67—Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
- H04N23/675—Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals comprising setting of focusing regions
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Studio Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A camera for recording an image captured using image-capturing element in a recording medium is provided with a focal point detection device for detecting a focal point adjustment state of a photographic lens in each focal point detection region of a plurality of focal point detection regions set inside an photographic field. When electronic zoom shooting is carried out, part of an imaged picture is trimmed and an image for recording in the recording medium is created. For a plurality of focal point detection regions the focal point detection regions are changed according to the trimming range of the imaged picture. Focal point adjustment of the photographic lens is carried out based on focal point detection results for focal point detection regions that have been changed.
Description
- This is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 09/767,863 filed Jan. 24, 2001. The entire disclosure of the prior application is incorporated by reference.
- The disclosures of the following priority applications are herein incorporated by reference:
- Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-017642 filed Jan. 26, 2000
- Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-0176647 filed Jan. 26, 2000
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a camera that performs focal point detection in a plurality of focal point detection regions within a photographic field.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- A camera (related art 1) being set a plurality of focal point detection regions within a photographic field, that is provided with a focal point detection device for detecting a focal point adjustment state of a photographic lens in each of the focal point detection regions, is known.
- A camera (related art 2) provided with an electronic zoom shooting mode, a pseudo wide shooting mode, and a pseudo panorama shooting mode is also known. In the electronic zoom shooting mode, central parts of an imaged picture are cut out and enlarged so that a pseudo zoomed up image that is substantially the same as a zoomed-up image taken using a zoom lens is generated. In the pseudo wide shooting mode and the pseudo panorama shooting mode, an upper part and a lower part of the imaged picture are removed and central wide range sections are enlarged so that a pseudo wide image and a pseudo panorama image that are the same as wide image and panorama image taken using a wide angled lens are generated.
- There is also known a miniaturized digital still camera (related art 3) that can take a photograph while viewing a subject image on a liquid crystal monitor screen, and that can take a photograph while looking at a subject image in an optical viewfinder.
- However, in the electronic still camera of
related art 2, for carrying out focal point detection in a plurality of focal point detection regions within a photographic field, if an electronic zoom photography or a pseudo wide/pseudo panorama photography that trims a part of an imaged picture are carried out, the focal point detection regions may be placed outside the trimming range. In particular, if the trimming range becomes narrow, a lot of the focal point detection regions will be outside the trimming range. For this reason, if the photographer inadvertently selects a focal point detection region that is no longer inside the trimming range, there is a problem that an image focused on the intended subject inside the trimming range is no longer obtained. - It has been considered to mount a focal point detection device having a plurality of focal point detection regions in the comparatively small-sized electronic still camera of the
related art 3, to improve focussing performance with respect to the main subject by carrying out focal point detection at a plurality of regions inside the photographic field. - Display of a plurality of focal point detection region marks on a liquid crystal monitor screen can be realized at low cost and without taking up any installation space. However, to display a plurality of focal point detection region marks inside an optical viewfinder requires high cost and a large installation space. This means that the requirements of the miniature electronic still camera of
related art 3 with respect to miniaturization and cost reduction are not satisfied. - A first object of the present invention is to adjust a focal point making effective use of a plurality of focal point detection regions set inside a photographic field, even in a shooting mode for trimming part of an imaged picture to create a recorded image.
- A second object of the present invention is to provide an electronic still camera capable of focal point detection in a plurality of regions inside a photographic field while maintaining a small size and low cost.
- In the present invention, the above described first object is achieved by a camera, for recording an imaged picture using image-capturing elements in a recording medium, comprising a focal point detection device for detecting a focal point adjustment state of a photographic lens in each focal point detection region of a plurality of focal point detection regions set inside a photographic field, a picture trimming section for trimming part of an imaged picture to create an image to be recorded in the recording medium, a region changing section for changing focal point detection regions in response to a trimming range of the imaged picture, and a focal point adjustment device for carrying out focal point adjustment for the photographic lens based on focal point detection results for the focal point detection regions that have been changed.
- With the region changing section, the focal point detection region corresponding to a trimming range of the imaged picture can be selected. It is also possible to change the position of the focal point detection region corresponding to the trimming range of the imaged picture. Alternatively, it is possible to change the size of the focal point detection region corresponding to the trimming range of the imaged picture.
- The image trimming section can trim central portions of the imaged picture to enlarge the image and create an electronically zoomed image. Further, the image trimming section can remove upper and lower parts of the imaged picture and trim central broad portions to create a pseudo wide image or a pseudo panorama image.
- When a manual region selection focal point adjustment mode, selecting an arbitrary focal point detection region among the plurality of focal point detection regions, that carries out focal point adjustment is set, it is possible to issue a warning when a focal point detection region that can not be selected, because it is outside the trimming range, has been selected.
- The camera of the present invention can also use silver halide film as the recording medium.
- The camera of the present invention has a focal point detection device for detecting a focal point adjustment state of a photographic lens in each focal point detection region of a plurality of focal point detection regions set inside a photographic field, an optical viewfinder, and a monitor for displaying the position of each of the focal point detection regions superimposed on a subject imaged using image-capturing elements. Then, the above described second object is achieved by further providing a region selection member for manually selecting an arbitrary focal point selection region among the plurality of focal point detection regions, a focal point adjustment device for operating in a manual region selection focal point adjustment mode for performing focal point adjustment of a photographic lens, based on focal point detection results for a focal point selection region manually selected by the region selection member, a sensing section for sensing a non-used state of the monitor, and a prohibiting member for prohibiting manual selection of a focal point detection region by the region selection member when a non-used state of the monitor is sensed. It is also possible to achieve the above described second object by providing a sensing section for sensing that photography has been performed using an optical viewfinder, and a prohibiting member for prohibiting manual selection of a focal point detection region using the region selection member if photography using the optical viewfinder is sensed.
- As well as the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode, the focal point adjustment device can also be used operating in an automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode for carrying out focal point adjustment by automatically selecting any focal point detection region among a plurality of focal point detection regions, and a central fixed focal point adjustment mode for performing focal point adjustment using focal point detection results for focal point detection regions in the center of an imaged picture. In this case, when the sensing section senses a non-used state of the monitor, or when photography using the optical viewfinder is sensed, selection of the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode is prohibited. It is preferable to provide a mode switching section for switching the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode to the central fixed focal point adjustment mode when a non-used state of the monitor is sensed or when photography using the optical viewfinder is sensed, while the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode is being selected.
- It is preferable to issue a warning in the event that the region selection member is operated when manual selection of a focal point detection region is being prohibited. When the monitor is being turned off, it is possible to decide that photography is carried out using the optical viewfinder. It is also possible to decide that photography has been carried out using the optical viewfinder as a result of sensing that the photographer is looking through the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder.
-
FIG. 1 is a rear exterior view of a camera of an embodiment when not in use. -
FIG. 2 is a rear exterior view of a camera of an embodiment when in use. -
FIG. 3 is a front exterior view of a camera of an embodiment when in use. -
FIG. 4 is a figure showing the arrangement of focal point detection regions within a photographic field. -
FIG. 5 is a figure showing area marks displayed on a monitor screen. -
FIG. 6 is a figure showing a control system of a camera of an embodiment. -
FIG. 7 is a figure showing the relationship between optical zoom position with respect to an optical zoom and an electronic zoom, and the focal length. -
FIG. 8 is a figure showing a trimming range in electronic zoom shooting mode, and focal point detection regions that can be selected. -
FIG. 9 is a figure showing a trimming range in a pseudo wide shooting mode, and focal point detection regions that can be selected. -
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing shooting mode control for a camera of a first embodiment. -
FIG. 11 is a figure showing an example of lighting display of a mark that is lit up and displayed, for prohibiting manual selection of focal point detection regions, on a monitor screen. -
FIG. 12 is a figure showing an example of focal point detection regions of which the size and position are changed in response to an electronic zoom magnification. -
FIG. 13 is a figure showing an example of focal point detection regions of which the size and position are changed in response to an electronic zoom magnification. -
FIG. 14 is a figure showing an example of focal point detection regions of which the size and position are changed in a pseudo wide shooting mode. -
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing shooting mode control for a camera of first modified example of the first embodiment. -
FIG. 16 is a figure showing an example of a focal point detection region that can be selected and is changed in response to an electronic zoom magnification. -
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing shooting mode control for a camera of second modified example of the first embodiment. -
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing focal point adjustment mode control for a camera of a second embodiment. -
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a modified example of focal point adjustment mode control for a camera of the second embodiment. -
FIG. 1 toFIG. 3 show the exterior views of an electronic still camera of a first embodiment.FIG. 1 is a rear view of the camera of when not in use,FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera when in use, andFIG. 3 is a front view of the camera when in use. - The electronic still
camera 1 of the first embodiment is constituted of a cameramain body 1 a and alens section 1 b. As shown inFIG. 2 andFIG. 3 , thelens section 1 b is connected so as to be capable of rotating to about 90 degrees with respect to the cameramain body 1 a. At the time of photography, as shown inFIG. 2 andFIG. 3 , actual photography is carried out with thelens section 1 b rotated 90 degrees. - In
FIG. 1 , amonitor 2, a zoom down (W)button 3, a zoom up (T) button 4, amenu button 5, amonitor button 6 and an area selector 7, etc., are provided on the rear surface of thecamera 1. - The
monitor 2 is a liquid crystal display that displays a photographed image. It is possible to take a picture while looking at a subject image displayed on themonitor 2, themonitor 2 functions as a viewfinder. The zoom down (W)button 3 is an operation member for causing thezoom lens 11 to change its magnification towards a wide angle side (wide side), while the zoom up (T) button 4 is an operation member for causing thezoom lens 11 to change its magnification to a telephoto side (tele side). As well as zooming thezoom lens 11, thezoom buttons 3 and 4 can also be used to move a cursor (Δ,∇) on a menu screen displayed on themonitor 2, and to change between each of the modes, etc. - The
menu button 5 is an operation member for causing display of a menu screen on themonitor 2. If themenu button 5 is operated when setting to a manual shooting mode M-REC, regular shooting mode menus, such as a focal point adjustment mode, photometry method, electronic zoom shooting mode, pseudo wide shooting mode, pseudo panorama shooting mode, etc., are displayed on themonitor 2. Image processing menus, such as sensitivity conversion, gradation correction, edge emphasis, or white balance adjustment, and special continuous shooting mode menus, such as motion-picture, multiple continuous photography, fixed exposure, BSS etc. are also displayed. Any one of these modes can be selected by moving a cursor with thezoom buttons 3 and 4. If themenu button 5 is operated when setting a playback mode PLAY, playback menus such as thumbnail images, recorded image delete, slideshow etc. are displayed on themonitor 2. Any menu can be selected by moving a cursor with thezoom buttons 3 and 4. - The
monitor button 6 is an operation member for switching between illumination of the liquid crystal display monitor 2 with all information on which the subject image and all photographic information such as a number of frames and exposure value, etc. are displayed, illumination of themonitor 2 with minimal information, that displays the subject image and the minimum photographic information, and turning-off. The area selector 7 is an operation member for the photographer to manually select an arbitrary region among a plurality of focal point selection regions set within the photographic field. - An
LCD 8, ashutter release button 9 and aselect lever 10 etc. are provided on the upper surface of the cameramain body 1. TheLCD 8 is a display panel for display of information required for taking a photograph, such as continuous photography mode, picture quality mode, remaining battery power, number of photographs, etc. Theselect lever 10 is an operation member for switching between an automatic shooting mode A-REC, a manual shooting mode M-REC, and a playback mode PLAY. If theselect lever 10 is moved from the OFF position to the A-REC position or the M-REC position, power is supplied to thecamera 1 and operation in automatic or manual shooting mode commences. If theselect lever 10 is moved from the OFF position to the PLAY position, power is supplied to thecamera 1 and operation in playback mode commences. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , azoom lens 11,strobe flash window 12 andviewfinder window 13 etc., are provided on the front surface of thelens section 1 b. With this embodiment, description will be given of an example of an electronic still camera with a zoom lens, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to an electronic still camera with a single focus lens. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , aneyepiece 14 and an eyeapproach detection sensor 15 etc., are provided on the rear surface of thelens section 1 b. This electronicstill camera 1 is provided with an optical viewfinder (not shown in the figures) and it is possible to take photographs while looking through theeyepiece 14. The eyeapproach detection sensor 15 is a sensor for detecting that the photographer is looking through theeyepiece 14, and can be a heat-wave type or acoustic sensor or the like. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , acommand dial 16 is provided on the front surface of the cameramain body 1 a. Thecommand dial 16 is an operation member for performing setting of exposure value, exposure correction value, number of photographs, date and time, etc. - This electronic
still camera 1, as shown inFIG. 4 , has a total of 5 focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25, in the center of thephotographic field 20, to the left and right of the screen, and to the top and bottom of the screen. As shown inFIG. 5 , area marks 21 a to 25 a are displayed superimposed on the subject image on themonitor screen 2 a in correspondence with each of the focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25 of thephotographic field 20. The number and arrangement of focal point detection regions are not limited to that in this embodiment. - In this electronic still
camera 1, in order to reduce cost and installation space there is no display device for displaying area marks corresponding to the focal point detection regions 21-25 superimposed on the subject image inside the optical viewfinder. -
FIG. 6 is a figure showing a control system of a camera of the first embodiment. The description of the device having the same reference numerals and described in FIG. 1 toFIG. 3 will be omitted. - A
CCD 31 is an element for capturing an image of a subject formed using thezoom lens 11, and outputs an analog signal corresponding to the brightness of the subject image for every pixel. Aninput circuit 32 performs processing such as image sensitivity conversion (gain adjustment) corresponding to the analog pixel signals from theCCD 31, then performs image processing such as recording size conversion by A/D conversion, gradation correction (gamma correction), edge emphasis, white balance adjustment etc., and outputs the result as an original image data. A compression/expansion circuit 33 compresses the original image data according to a set compression rate, and expands the compressed image data to original image data again. - With this embodiment, in addition to recording sizes of full size, VGA size and XGA size etc., there are also provided with shooting modes for trimming a part of the imaged picture to create a recorded image, such as an electronic zoom shooting mode, a pseudo wide shooting mode and a pseudo panorama shooting mode. The image is trimmed by the
input circuit 32 according to a set shooting mode. - With this embodiment, description will be given for examples of three types of image quality mode, namely a fine mode (compression ratio of about 1/4), a normal mode (compression ratio of about 1/8), and a basic mode (compression ratio of about 1/16). These image quality modes are sequentially cycled through with each operation of the image quality mode switch (not shown). The type of image quality mode is not limited to those in this embodiment.
- A
buffer memory 34 is a memory for temporarily storing original image data after taking a picture and compressed image data after compression, and uses SRAM, VRAM or SDRAM, etc. Amemory card 35 is a removable recording medium, and can be, for example, flash memory. A monitorimage creation circuit 36 creates an image for display on themonitor 2. When setting a manual or automatic shooting mode, image data for display are created from original image data imaged by theCCD 31, and the image is displayed on themonitor 2. When setting a playback mode, image data for display are created by expanding compressed image data read out from thememory card 35, by the compression/expansion circuit 33, and the image is displayed on themonitor 2. - A
focal point detector 37 is an image contrast detection type or a phase difference detection type focal point detector, and detects focal point adjustment states for thezoom lens 11, in each of the focalpoint adjustment regions 21 to 25 inside the imagedpicture 20. Aphotometric device 38 sets a plurality of photometric regions (not shown in the figures) inside the imagedpicture 20 and measures luminance for each photometric region, and can perform multiple photometry, center-weighted light reading and spot photometry, etc. - A zooming
motor 39 drives a zooming lens (not shown in the figures) of thezoom lens 11 to perform zooming, and is driven by adriver 40. A focussingmotor 41 drives a focussing lens (not shown in the figures) of thezoom lens 11 to perform focussing (focal point adjustment) and is driven by adriver 42. Abuzzer 43 is used for warning signals. - A
controller 44 comprises a microcomputer and various peripheral devices, and executes various computations and sequence control for the electronic still camera. The above described circuits and devices, as well as various switches described in the following, are connected to thecontroller 44. - A manual shooting mode (M-REC) switch 10 a linked to the
select lever 10 so as to be turned on and off - An automatic shooting mode (A-REC) switch 10 b and a playback mode (PLAY) switch 10 c
- A
shutter release switch 9 a linked to theshutter release button 9 so as to be turned on and off - A
menu switch 5 a linked to themenu button 5 so as to be turned on and off - A
monitor switch 6 a linked to themonitor button 6 so as to be turned on and off - A zoom down
switch 3 a linked to the zoom downbutton 3 so as to be turned on and off - A zoom up
switch 4 a linked to the zoom up button 4 so as to be turned on and off - Command dial switches 16 a and 16 b turned on and off in response to direction of rotation and amount of rotation of the
command dial 16 - Area selector switches 7 a to 7 b turned on and off in response to direction of operation of the area selector 7
- This electronic still camera is provided with three focus modes, namely an automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode, a manual region selection focal point adjustment mode, and an OFF mode (center fixed focal point adjustment mode), and any of these modes can be selected from the menu screen. With the automatic shooting mode A-REC, the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode or the OFF mode are fixed, while with the manual shooting mode M-REC it is possible to select any mode from among the above described three types of focal point adjustment mode.
- In the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode, the focussing lens is driven based on focal point detection results for a region selected among focal point detection results detected in each of the five focal
point detection regions 21 to 25 inside the photographic field shown inFIG. 4 . For example, thecontroller 44 automatically selects a region having the maximum contrast, or a region where the closest focal point detection result is obtained. The final lens driving amount may be calculated using a predetermined algorithm, based on the focal point detection results obtained in the five focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25, and the focussing lens is then driven. An automatic focal point adjustment algorithm based on focal point detection results of the plurality of focal point detection regions is disclosed in many published documents, and since that aspect does not relate directly to the present invention a detailed description is omitted. - The monitor
image creation circuit 36 lights up only area marks corresponding to the automatically selected focal point detection region (21 a to 25 a: refer toFIG. 5 ) in red, and displays them superimposed on the subject image on themonitor 2. In the event that it is not possible to specify a focal point detection region for carrying out focal point adjustment, the off mode is automatically switched to. - On the other hand, in manual region selection focal point adjustment mode, the focussing lens is driven based on focal point detection results for a focal point detection region selected by the photographer among the five focal
point detection regions 21 to 25 using the area selector 7. The monitorimage creation circuit 36 lights up area marks corresponding to the manually selected focal point detection region (21 a to 25 a) in red, and also lights area marks corresponding to unselected regions in white, and displays these marks superimposed on the subject image on themonitor 2. - In OFF mode, focal point detection is carried out in the focal
point detection region 21 in the middle of thephotographic field 20, and the focussing lens is driven based on that focal point detection result. The monitorimage creation circuit 36 lights up only the area marks 21 a corresponding to the focal point detection region in the middle of the field, and displays it superimposed on the subject image on themonitor 2. - This electronic
still camera 1 is provided with the above described electronic zoom shooting mode, and a pseudo wide shooting mode with an aspect ration of 3:2. Themenu button 5 is operated to display a shooting menu screen on themonitor 2, and any shooting mode can be selected using thezoom buttons 3 and 4. The electronic zoom shooting mode and the pseudo wide shooting mode can only be selected when setting to the manual shooting mode M-REC. -
FIG. 7 shows the focal length f of thezoom lens 11 using an optical zoom and an electronic zoom. With an optical zoom where focal length is changed by driving thezoom lens 11, if thezoom lens 11 is driven from a wide angle end (wide end) Wo to a telephoto end (tele end) To, the focal length of thezoom lens 11 is increased. If the zoom up button 4 is kept operating for longer than a specified time, for example 2 seconds, after the optical zoom position has reached the telephoto end (tele end) To, pseudo zooming is performed by the electronic zoom, and the focal length is increased in a pseudo manner with the optical zoom position maintained constant. - When taking a photograph in electronic zoom shooting mode, as shown in
FIG. 8 , an imaged picture captured in thetrimming range 20 a in the middle of thephotographic field 20 is enlarged according to the electronic zoom magnification, and a pseudo zoomed up image that is substantially the same as an image taken using a zoom lens is created. - In this electronic zoom shooting mode, if the electronic zoom magnification becomes large, the focal
point detection regions 22 to 25 at the edges of the photographic field become outside thetrimming range 20 a of the middle of the field, and so it is necessary to change the focal point detection regions when taking a photograph using electronic zoom. Specifically, it is necessary to add a limitation to the focal point detection regions that can be selected, or to change the positions of the focal point detection regions. With the example shown inFIG. 8 , the focalpoint detection regions trimming range 20 a. - In this embodiment, when the electronic zoom shooting mode has been set focal point detection is only carried out using the middle focal
point detection region 21 among the 5 focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25 inside the photographic field, and focal point adjustment for thezoom lens 11 is carried out according to this focal point detection result. With this embodiment, in other words, when setting the electronic zoom shooting mode, the focal point detection regions that can be selected are limited to only theregion 21 in the middle of the photographic field. - On the other hand, when taking a photograph in the pseudo wide shooting mode with the aspect ration of 3:2, as shown in
FIG. 9 , awide range 20 b having the upper and lower parts of thephotographic field 20 removed is picked out, and a pseudo wide image is created. At this time, since the focalpoint detection regions trimming range 20 b, it is necessary to change the focal point detection regions in the pseudo wide shooting mode. Specifically, it is necessary to limit the focal point detection regions that can be selected to only the regions in the middle or on the left and right of the photographic field, or to change the positions of the focalpoint detection regions - In this embodiment, when the pseudo wide shooting mode has been set, as shown in
FIG. 9 , the only focal point detection regions that can be selected are the focalpoint selection regions -
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing shooting mode control for a camera of a first embodiment. Shooting mode control of the embodiment will now be described using this flowchart. - A microcomputer of the
controller 44 executes a control program when theselect lever 10 is set to the manual shooting mode M-REC. - In
step 1, it is confirmed whether or not the focal point adjustment mode has been set to OFF mode. When the OFF mode has been set, focal point detection is carried out using only the focalpoint detection region 21 in the middle of the photographic field, and focal point adjustment is carried out for thezoom lens 11 according to that focal point detection result. Accordingly, even when the electronic zoom shooting mode or the pseudo wide shooting mode have been set, execution of this control program is completed without the need to restrict the use of focal point detection regions or to change the position and size of the focal point detection regions. - When the focal point adjustment mode has been set to the automatic mode or the manual mode, any focal point detection region is automatically or manually selected among the five focal
point detection regions 21 to 25 inside thephotographic field 20. Accordingly, if the electronic zoom shooting mode or the pseudo wide shooting mode have been set, the focalpoint detection regions 22 to 25 at the edge of the field become outside the trimming range, and the focal point detection regions are changed according to the trimming range. Instep 2 it is confirmed whether or not the electronic zoom shooting mode has been set, and when the electronic zoom shooting mode has been set processing advances to step 3, while otherwise processing advances to step 6. - If the electronic zoom shooting mode has been set, the focal point adjustment mode is set to the OFF mode in
step 3. In the OFF mode, focal point detection is carried out using only the focalpoint detection region 21 in the middle of the photographic field, among the five focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25 inside the field, and focal point adjustment is carried out for thezoom lens 11 according to that focal point detection result. Specifically, when the electronic zoom shooting mode is set, the focal point detection regions that can be selected are limited to only theregion 21 in the middle of the field. - Next, if it is judged in step 4 that an operation for changing a focal point detection region has been performed using the area selector 7, even though the focal point adjustment mode has been switched to the OFF mode with the setting to the electronic zoom shooting mode, processing advances to step 5 and a
buzzer 43 is sounded to issue a warning. At this time, if themonitor 2 is not turned off, then as shown inFIG. 11 anarea mark 21 a in the middle of the photographic field and amark 26 of prohibiting manual selection of focal point detection regions is lit up by the monitorimage creation circuit 36 and displayed superimposed on the subject image on themonitor 2. - On the other hand, if the electronic zoom shooting mode has not been set, processing proceeds to step 6 and it is confirmed whether or not the pseudo wide shooting mode has been set. When the pseudo wide shooting mode has been set, processing proceeds to step 7 while otherwise execution of this control program terminates.
- If the pseudo wide shooting mode has been set, the focal point detection regions are changed in step 7 according to the
trimming range 20 b. That is, as shown inFIG. 9 , the focalpoint detection regions trimming range 20 b are made unselectable, and the focalpoint detection regions 21 to 23 in the middle of the field and to the right and left of the field are made selectable. - If it is judged in
step 8 that a selecting operation has been performed for either of the focalpoint detection regions buzzer 43 is sounded to issue a warning. At this time, when themonitor 2 is lit up, a mark warning that an unselectable region is being selected is lit up, as shown inFIG. 11 , and displayed superimposed on the subject image. In the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode, focal point adjustment is carried out automatically using only the focalpoint detection regions 21 to 23 in the middle and to the left and right of the field, inside thetrimming range 20 b. - In this way, with the camera of the first embodiment, when the electronic zoom shooting mode has been set focal point adjustment is carried out using only the focal
point detection region 21 in the middle of the photographic field, and when the pseudo wide shooting mode has been set focal point adjustment is carried out using only the focalpoint detection regions 21 to 23 inside thetrimming range 20 b. For that reason, in the manual shooting mode, even if the photographer inadvertently operates to select a focal point detection region that has been out of the trimming range, this region is not actually selected and it is possible to obtain an image focused on the intended subject inside the trimming range. In the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode, since focal point adjustment is carried out automatically using focal point detection regions inside the trimming range, it is possible to reliably focus on a main subject inside the trimming range. - With the above described first embodiment, when the electronic zoom shooting mode has been set, only the focal
point detection region 21 in the middle of the photographic field is made selectable, and when the pseudo wide shooting mode has been selected only the focalpoint detection regions 21 to 23 in the middle and to the left and right of the field inside thetrimming range 20 b are made selectable. However, as described in the following, it is possible to alter the position and size of the focal point detection regions in line with the trimming range of respective shooting modes. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , when the electronic zoom shooting mode is set and thezoom lens 11 is at the telephoto end (tele end) To, if the zoom button 4 is kept operating for longer than a specified period the focal point length is increased in a pseudo manner while the optical zoom position remains at the telephoto end To, and the electronic zoom magnification is increased. - With this modified example, if the electronic zoom magnification, when the optical zoom has reached at the telephoto end, is taken as 1×, the electronic zoom magnification is varied either in steps, such as 1.5×, 2×, or continuously, in response to the length of time that the zoom up button 4 is operated after switching from optical zoom to electronic zoom by operation of the zoom up button 4. The electronic zoom magnification at the time the zoom up button 4 has been disengaged is then automatically set and stored in memory (not shown in the figures). It is also possible for the electronic zoom magnification to have only a single value, for example 2×.
- When the electronic zoom shooting mode has been set, the positions of the focal point detection regions are changed according to the electronic zoom magnification. For example, with a relationship shown in
FIG. 4 between thephotographic field 20 and the respective focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25 at the time theelectronic zoom lens 11 is at the telephoto end as a reference, if the electronic zoom magnification becomes large, as shown inFIG. 12 , the position and size of each of the focal point detection regions is varied so that the relationship between thetrimming range 20 c and the respective focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25 becomes analogous to the reference relationship shown inFIG. 4 . Also, if the electronic zoom magnification becomes even larger, as shown inFIG. 13 , the position and size of the focal point detection regions is varied so that the relationship between thetrimming range 20 d and the focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25 is analogous to the reference relationship shown inFIG. 4 . - It is also possible to keep the size of the focal
point detection regions 21 to 25 at the reference size shown inFIG. 4 , even if the electronic zoom magnification becomes large, and to vary only the position of the focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25. - On the other hand, when the pseudo wide shooting mode has been set, as shown in
FIG. 9 , the focalpoint selection regions trimming range 20 b. The position of the focalpoint selection regions trimming range 20 b. As well as changing the position of the focalpoint detection regions -
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing shooting mode control for a camera of the first modified example of the first embodiment. Shooting mode control of the modified example will now be described using this flowchart. Steps that perform the same processing to the processing shown inFIG. 10 have the same step numbers, and description here will center on points of difference. - When the pseudo zoom shooting mode has been set, an electronic zoom magnification is read out from the memory in step 3A, and the focal point detection regions are then changed in step 3B according to the electronic zoom magnification. Specifically, as described above, the position and size of the focal point detection regions is varied so that the relationship between the trimming range and the focal
point detection regions 21 to 25 is analogous to the reference relationship shown inFIG. 4 . - On the other hand, when the pseudo wide shooting mode has been set, in step 7A the position of the focal
point selection regions trimming range 20 b, as described above. - With this modified example, even if the electronic zoom shooting mode or the pseudo wide shooting mode are set, the position and size of the focal point detection regions are varied without removing the focal point detection regions that are outside the trimming range. Accordingly, it is obviously possible to have focal point adjustment using the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode or the OFF mode, and it is also possible to have focal point adjustment using the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode for manually selecting any focal point detection region inside the photographic field.
- In this way, with the camera of the first modified example of the first embodiment, when the electronic zoom shooting mode has been set the positions and size of the focal point detection regions are changed according to that electronic zoom magnification, and when the pseudo wide shooting mode has been set the positions of the focal point detection regions at the top and bottom of the photographic field are moved closer to the center of the field so that they are placed inside the trimming range. Accordingly, even when setting the electronic zoom shooting mode and setting the pseudo wide shooting mode, it is possible to carry out focal point adjustment in the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode or the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode using a plurality of focal point detection regions set in advance inside the photographic field, with the same sense as when setting normal shooting mode. As a result, it is possible to reliable focus on a main subject present in a wide range of the photographic field or the subject intended by the photographer.
- With the above described the first embodiment and the first modified example of the first embodiment, when the electronic zoom shooting mode has been set, only the focal
point detection region 21 in the middle of the photographic field is fixed, or the position and size of the focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25 is varied according to the electronic zoom magnification. However, without varying the position and size of the focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25 when thezoom lens 11 is at the telephoto end To, it is also possible to restrict the selectable focal point detection regions to only regions inside the trimming range when the electronic zoom magnification becomes large and the trimming range is made to be narrow. A description of this will be given in the following. - For example, when the electronic zoom magnification is small, as shown in
FIG. 8 selectable focal point detection regions are restricted to the focalpoint detection regions trimming range 20 a, and focal point adjustment is carried out using these focalpoint detection regions FIG. 16 selectable focal point detection regions are restricted to only the focalpoint detection regions 21 in the middle of the field inside thetrimming range 20 e, and focal point adjustment is carried out using this focalpoint detection region 21. -
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing shooting mode control for this second modified example of the first embodiment. Shooting mode control of the modified example will now be described using this flowchart. Steps that perform the same processing to the processing shown inFIG. 10 andFIG. 15 have the same step numbers, and description here will center on points of difference. - When the pseudo zoom shooting mode has been set, an electronic zoom magnification is read out from the memory in step 3A, and processing advances to step 3C. In step 3C, focal point detection regions that are inside the trimming range corresponding to the electronic zoom magnification are extracted from among the five focal
point detection regions 21 to 25 inside thephotographic field 20, and these regions are made focal point detection regions that can be selected in the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode or the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode. - Next, if it is judged in step 4A that an operation for selecting a region has been performed using the area selector 7, even though that region is outside the trimming range and has been made unselectable, a warning is issued using the
buzzer 43 instep 5. After that, processing advances to step 6 inFIG. 10 orFIG. 15 , and the above described processing for the pseudo wide shooting mode is carried out. - In this way, with the camera of the second modified example, when the electronic zoom shooting mode has been set, focal point detection regions, among the plurality of focal
point detection regions 21 to 25 set in advance inside the photographic field, that have become outside the trimming range corresponding to the electronic zoom magnification are made unselectable, and focal point adjustment is carried out using only focal point detection regions that are inside the trimming range. Accordingly, in the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode, even if the photographer inadvertently performs a selecting operation for a focal point detection region that has been out of the trimming range, this region is not actually selected and it is possible to obtain an image focused on the intended subject inside the trimming range. In the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode, since focal point adjustment is carried out automatically using focal point detection regions inside the trimming range, it is possible to reliably focus on a main subject inside the trimming range. - With the above described the first embodiment and the first and second modified examples of that embodiment, description has been given for examples of the electronic zoom shooting mode and the pseudo wide shooting mode, but the present invention can also be applied to a pseudo panorama shooting mode for making the aspect ratio even larger to create a pseudo panoramic image. In this case, similarly to the pseudo wide shooting mode, focal point detection regions that can be selected are limited, or the positions and size of the focal point detection regions are varied, according to the trimming range.
- The present invention can also be applied in the case where an arbitrary range is trimmed from any position inside an imaged picture to create an image to be stored in a recording medium. The arbitrary range can be set, for example, by designating any position and size on the monitor. In this case also, focal point detection regions are changed corresponding to a trimming range of the imaged picture. Specifically, for a plurality of focal point detection regions set in advance inside the photographic field, the number, position and size of the focal point detection regions are changed according to the trimming range of the imaged picture. Here, changing the number of focal point detection regions corresponds to limiting the selectable regions among the plurality of focal point detection regions, as described above. When performing this change for the focal point detection regions, it is possible to change the number, position or size independently of each other, or to change the number and position, the number and size, or the position and size or even to change the number, position and size at the same time.
- The present invention can also be applied to a camera using silver halide film as the recording medium. For example, in a silver halide film camera capable of changing the aspect ratio of a photographic field for printing, such as by switching between whole field photography and panorama format photography, part of a whole field capable of being photographed is trimmed, and this trimmed range is designated as the photographic field for printing.
-
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a focal point adjustment mode control program for a camera of the second embodiment. With the camera of this second embodiment, it is possible to take photographs while looking at a subject image through an optical viewfinder or on a monitor. When taking a picture with the monitor in a non-use state or using the optical viewfinder, with the camera of the second embodiment focal point adjustment is carried out as described in the following. - A microcomputer of the
controller 44 executes a control program when theselect lever 10 is set to the automatic shooting mode A-REC or the manual shooting mode M-REC. - In step 101, it is confirmed whether or not a photograph is taken using the optical viewfinder. When the
monitor 2 is turned off using themonitor button 6, or when it is detected, by the eye approach detection sensor or aviewfinder sensor 15, that the photographer is looking through the viewfinder, it is determined that the photographer is taking a picture using the optical viewfinder while looking through the eyepiece or aviewfinder window 14. When taking a picture using the optical viewfinder, processing proceeds to step 102, while otherwise execution of the focal point adjustment mode control terminates. - When taking a picture using the optical viewfinder, in
step 102 it is confirmed whether or not the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode has been set. In the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode, an arbitrary focal point detection region is selected using the area selector 7, from among the five focalpoint detection regions 21 to 25 inside thephotographic field 20. If it has been determined that the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode has been set, the OFF mode is switched to in step 103. Specifically, when taking a picture using the optical viewfinder, the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode, for selecting an arbitrary focal point detection region, is prohibited, and the OFF mode is switched to so as to carry out focal point adjustment using only the focalpoint detection region 21 in the middle of the field. - On the other hand, other than the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode, when the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode or the OFF mode are set, this focal point adjustment mode control program terminates. Specifically, when the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode is set, focal point adjustment is carried out using the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode as it is, and when the OFF mode is set, focal point adjustment is carried using the OFF mode as it is.
- If it is determined, in step 104 after switching the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode to the OFF mode, that the area selector 7 has been operated, even though manual selection of focal point detection regions has been prohibited, processing proceeds to step 105 and a warning is issued using the
buzzer 43. At this time, if themonitor 2 is not turned off, then as shown inFIG. 11 anarea mark 21 a in the middle of the photographic field and amark 26 of prohibiting manual selection of focal point detection regions are lit up and displayed superimposed on the subject image on themonitor 2. - In this way, with the camera of the second embodiment, it is detected that pictures are being taken using the optical viewfinder. When it is detected that a picture is being taken using the optical viewfinder, the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode, for manually selecting an arbitrary focal point detection region from among the plurality of focal point detection regions and carrying out focal point adjustment, is prohibited, and a switch is made to the OFF mode for carrying out focal point adjustment using only the focal point detection region in the middle of the photographic field. Accordingly, even if an area mark indicating which focal point detection region has been manually selected is not displayed in the optical viewfinder, this will not cause any confusion to the photographer when taking photographs using the optical viewfinder. On the other hand, when taking photographs using the monitor, area mark indicating selected region is displayed on the monitor. Accordingly, it is possible to ascertain which region is being selected from among the plurality of focal point detection regions, and it is possible to reliably acquire and focus on a subject intended by the photographer using the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode. As a result, it is possible for an electronic still camera to additionally have a function for performing focal point detection in a plurality of regions inside a photographic field while maintaining a small size and low cost, and it is possible to improve focussing performance with respect to the photographer's intended subject in a small sized, low cost electronic still camera.
- An automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode, for calculating a final lens drive amount based on focal point detection results for the plurality of focal point detection regions, is also not prohibited when taking a picture using the optical viewfinder. Therefore, even if a picture is taken using the optical viewfinder with a filed angle such that the main subject is positioned outside the center of the screen, it is also possible to reliably focus on the main subject using the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode.
- With the camera of the second embodiment described above, when taking a picture using the optical viewfinder, the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode, for selecting an arbitrary focal point detection region, is prohibited, while the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode is allowed. However, it is also possible to prohibit both the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode and the automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode when taking a picture using the optical viewfinder, and to switch to the OFF mode when these other two modes are set, for carrying out focal point adjustment based on only the focal point detection result for the focal
point detection region 21 in the middle of the photographic field. -
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing focal point adjustment mode control for the above described modified example. Steps that perform the same processing as the flowchart shown inFIG. 18 have the same step numbers, and description here will center on points of difference. - When it is detected in step 101 that a picture is being taken using the optical viewfinder, processing proceeds to step 103 and the OFF mode is set. Specifically, when the manual or automatic region selection focal point adjustment mode is set, the OFF mode is switched to, and when OFF mode is set, it is left as it is. As described above, a warning is issued if the area selector 7 is operated even though the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode is prohibited at the time of taking a picture using the optical viewfinder.
- In this way, focal point adjustment is carried out using only a focal point adjustment region in the middle of the photographic field when taking a picture using the optical viewfinder. Accordingly, when taking photographs using the optical viewfinder, the means of focal point adjustment is simplified and even if an area mark indicating which focal point detection region has been manually selected is not displayed in the optical viewfinder, this will not cause any confusion to the photographer. Obviously, since area marks indicating selection regions are displayed on the monitor, it is possible to select an arbitrary region from among the plurality of focal point detection regions using the manual region selection focal point adjustment mode, and it is possible to reliably acquire and focus on the photographer's intended subject. As a result, it is possible for an electronic still camera to additionally have a function for performing focal point detection in a plurality of regions inside a photographic field while maintaining a small size and low cost, and it is possible to improve focussing performance with respect to the photographer's intended subject in a small sized, low cost electronic still camera.
Claims (12)
1. A multi-point auto-focus digital camera, comprising:
an image-capturing element that receives an image through a photographic lens and outputs an image signal corresponding to the image;
a focal point detection device that detects a focal point adjustment state of the photographic lens in each focal point detection region of a plurality of focal point detection regions set inside a photographic field based on the image signal outputted from the image-capturing element;
an image trimming section that trims part of the image signal to create a trimmed image signal;
a display device that displays the image signal outputted from the image-capturing element and the trimmed image signal created by the image trimming section;
a region changing section that changes the plurality of focal point detection regions according to a trimming range of the trimmed image signal; and
a focal point adjustment device that carries out focal point adjustment of the photographic lens based on focal point detection results for the focal point detection regions that have been changed,
wherein the region changing section selects focal point detection regions according to the trimming range of the trimmed image signal.
2. The multi-point auto-focus digital camera according to claim 1 , wherein the region changing section changes positions of focal point detection regions according to the trimming range of the trimmed image signal.
3. The multi-point auto-focus digital camera according to claim 1 , wherein the region changing section changes the size of focal point detection regions according to the trimming range of the trimmed image signal.
4. The multi-point auto-focus digital camera according to claim 1 , wherein the image trimming section trims and enlarges central portions of an imaged picture, and creates an electronically zoomed image.
5. The multi-point auto-focus digital camera according to claim 1 , wherein the image trimming section removes upper and lower parts of the imaged picture and trims central broad portions to create a pseudo wide image or a pseudo panorama image.
6. The multi-point auto-focus digital camera according to claim 1 , wherein when a manual region selection focal point adjustment mode that selects an arbitrary focal point detection region among the plurality of focal point detection regions so as to carry out focal point adjustment is set, a warning is issued if a focal point detection region that can not be selected, because it is outside the trimming range, has been selected.
7. A multi-point auto-focus digital camera, comprising:
an image-capturing element that receives an image through a photographic lens and outputs an image signal corresponding to the image;
a focal point detection device that detects a focal point adjustment state of the photographic lens in each focal point detection region of a plurality of focal point detection regions set inside a photographic field based on the image signal outputted from the image-capturing element;
an image trimming section that trims part of the image signal to create a trimmed image signal;
a display device that displays the image signal outputted from the image-capturing element and the trimmed image signal created by the image trimming section;
a region changing section that changes the plurality of focal point detection regions according to a trimming range of the trimmed image signal; and
a focal point adjustment device that carries out focal point adjustment of the photographic lens based on focal point detection results for the focal point detection regions that have been changed,
wherein the region changing section changes the size of focal point detection regions according to the trimming range of the trimmed signal.
8. The multi-point auto-focus digital camera according to claim 7 , wherein the region changing section selects focal point detection regions according to the trimming range of the trimmed image signal.
9. The multi-point auto-focus digital camera according to claim 7 , wherein the region changing section changes the position of focal point detection regions according to the trimming range of the trimmed image signal.
10. The multi-point auto-focus digital camera according to claim 7 , wherein the image trimming section trims and enlarges central portions of an imaged picture, and creates an electronically zoomed image.
11. The multi-point auto-focus digital camera according to claim 7 , wherein the image trimming section removes upper and lower parts of the imaged picture and trims central broad portions to create a pseudo wide image or a pseudo panorama image.
12. The multi-point auto-focus digital camera according to claim 8 , wherein when a manual region selection focal point adjustment mode that selects an arbitrary focal point detection region among the plurality of focal point detection regions so as to carry out focal point adjustment is set, a warning is issued if a focal point detection region that can not be selected, because it is outside the trimming range, has been selected.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/356,164 US20060139478A1 (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2006-02-17 | Camera |
US12/912,693 US8558941B2 (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2010-10-26 | Digital camera having trimming and focusing ability |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000-017642 | 2000-01-26 | ||
JP2000017642A JP2001208960A (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2000-01-26 | Camera |
JP2000017647A JP2001208961A (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2000-01-26 | Camera |
JP2000-0176647 | 2000-01-26 | ||
US09/767,863 US7046290B2 (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2001-05-01 | Multi-point auto-focus digital camera including electronic zoom |
US11/356,164 US20060139478A1 (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2006-02-17 | Camera |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/767,863 Division US7046290B2 (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2001-05-01 | Multi-point auto-focus digital camera including electronic zoom |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/912,693 Continuation US8558941B2 (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2010-10-26 | Digital camera having trimming and focusing ability |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060139478A1 true US20060139478A1 (en) | 2006-06-29 |
Family
ID=26584215
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/767,863 Expired - Lifetime US7046290B2 (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2001-05-01 | Multi-point auto-focus digital camera including electronic zoom |
US11/356,164 Abandoned US20060139478A1 (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2006-02-17 | Camera |
US12/912,693 Expired - Fee Related US8558941B2 (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2010-10-26 | Digital camera having trimming and focusing ability |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/767,863 Expired - Lifetime US7046290B2 (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2001-05-01 | Multi-point auto-focus digital camera including electronic zoom |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/912,693 Expired - Fee Related US8558941B2 (en) | 2000-01-26 | 2010-10-26 | Digital camera having trimming and focusing ability |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US7046290B2 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050007486A1 (en) * | 2003-07-08 | 2005-01-13 | Konica Minolta Camera, Inc. | Image capturing apparatus |
US20060092293A1 (en) * | 2001-04-11 | 2006-05-04 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Printer system and image processing system having image correcting function |
US20070047939A1 (en) * | 2005-08-31 | 2007-03-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus detecting device and camera system using the same device |
US20110037890A1 (en) * | 2000-01-26 | 2011-02-17 | Nikon Corporation | Digital camera having trimming and focusing ability |
US20110194018A1 (en) * | 2010-02-08 | 2011-08-11 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image capturing apparatus and control method therefor |
US9621797B2 (en) | 2013-08-21 | 2017-04-11 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus, control method for same, and program |
US10686979B2 (en) | 2016-02-01 | 2020-06-16 | Sony Corporation | Control apparatus and control method |
Families Citing this family (33)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030011700A1 (en) * | 2001-07-13 | 2003-01-16 | Bean Heather Noel | User selectable focus regions in an image capturing device |
JP3970046B2 (en) * | 2002-02-19 | 2007-09-05 | オリンパス株式会社 | camera |
US7773129B2 (en) * | 2002-08-02 | 2010-08-10 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup device, imaging apparatus containing the same, and control method thereof |
JP4250437B2 (en) * | 2003-03-04 | 2009-04-08 | キヤノン株式会社 | Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, and program |
JP4398669B2 (en) * | 2003-05-08 | 2010-01-13 | シャープ株式会社 | Mobile phone equipment |
JP2005033508A (en) * | 2003-07-14 | 2005-02-03 | Minolta Co Ltd | Imaging device |
JP4467958B2 (en) * | 2003-11-19 | 2010-05-26 | キヤノン株式会社 | Imaging device and focus control method of imaging device |
JP2005159856A (en) * | 2003-11-27 | 2005-06-16 | Nikon Corp | Digital camera |
JP2005249959A (en) * | 2004-03-02 | 2005-09-15 | Casio Comput Co Ltd | Imaging device, luminescence control method used for the same, and program |
US7637313B2 (en) * | 2004-04-14 | 2009-12-29 | Panasonic Corporation | Heat exchanger and its manufacturing method |
JP3923056B2 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2007-05-30 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Camera phone |
JP4443361B2 (en) * | 2004-09-22 | 2010-03-31 | 株式会社リコー | Imaging device and camera |
JP4624065B2 (en) * | 2004-10-13 | 2011-02-02 | オリンパス株式会社 | Imaging device |
JP3868446B2 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2007-01-17 | オリンパス株式会社 | Imaging device |
JP3829144B2 (en) * | 2004-11-25 | 2006-10-04 | シャープ株式会社 | Mobile device with focusing area adjustment camera |
JP4379728B2 (en) * | 2005-01-31 | 2009-12-09 | カシオ計算機株式会社 | Imaging apparatus and program thereof |
JP4452853B2 (en) * | 2005-08-31 | 2010-04-21 | ソニー株式会社 | Imaging device |
JP4298710B2 (en) * | 2006-02-10 | 2009-07-22 | キヤノン株式会社 | Imaging device |
US20080018774A1 (en) * | 2006-07-21 | 2008-01-24 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Image capture device |
WO2008040026A2 (en) | 2006-09-28 | 2008-04-03 | University Of Rochester | Compact ocular fundus camera |
US8155478B2 (en) * | 2006-10-26 | 2012-04-10 | Broadcom Corporation | Image creation with software controllable depth of field |
US7720371B2 (en) * | 2007-01-18 | 2010-05-18 | Nikon Corporation | Depth layer extraction and image synthesis from focus varied multiple images |
US9131140B2 (en) * | 2007-08-10 | 2015-09-08 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup apparatus and image pickup method |
JP5499432B2 (en) * | 2007-10-05 | 2014-05-21 | ソニー株式会社 | Imaging device |
JP2010122251A (en) * | 2008-11-17 | 2010-06-03 | Toshiba Corp | Image display device and method |
JP2010183564A (en) * | 2009-01-09 | 2010-08-19 | Canon Inc | Image recording apparatus and method of controlling the same, and program |
JP5432664B2 (en) * | 2009-10-22 | 2014-03-05 | キヤノン株式会社 | Imaging device |
JP2013218297A (en) * | 2012-03-16 | 2013-10-24 | Canon Inc | Focus adjustment device and focus adjustment method |
US10136046B2 (en) | 2012-06-27 | 2018-11-20 | Nokia Technologies Oy | Imaging and sensing during an auto-focus procedure |
CN104641275B (en) * | 2012-09-11 | 2017-12-12 | 索尼公司 | The control method that imaging control apparatus, imaging device and imaging control apparatus perform |
JP6091228B2 (en) * | 2013-01-30 | 2017-03-08 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image processing apparatus and imaging apparatus |
US10419658B1 (en) | 2014-07-20 | 2019-09-17 | Promanthan Brains LLC, Series Point only | Camera optimizing for several directions of interest |
JP6655984B2 (en) * | 2015-12-22 | 2020-03-04 | キヤノン株式会社 | Focus adjusting device, control method therefor, and imaging device |
Citations (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4873576A (en) * | 1987-08-03 | 1989-10-10 | Konica Corporation | Camera equipped with a television set |
US5258799A (en) * | 1991-03-12 | 1993-11-02 | Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha | Auto focus camera with pseudo focal length mode |
US5264889A (en) * | 1990-04-17 | 1993-11-23 | Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus having an automatic focus detecting device |
US5307111A (en) * | 1991-04-09 | 1994-04-26 | Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Object distance measuring apparatus of camera |
US5365302A (en) * | 1992-05-01 | 1994-11-15 | Olympus Optical Company, Ltd. | Focus area setting apparatus of camera |
US5581323A (en) * | 1993-11-29 | 1996-12-03 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Optical apparatus for controlling operations based on a user's visual axis |
US5699115A (en) * | 1994-05-10 | 1997-12-16 | Sony Corporation | Electronic viewfinder having means for turning off a display device |
US5787314A (en) * | 1995-12-07 | 1998-07-28 | Nikon Corporation | Automatic focusing device |
US5812189A (en) * | 1992-06-23 | 1998-09-22 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Video camera apparatus |
US5838370A (en) * | 1994-09-20 | 1998-11-17 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup apparatus |
US5861917A (en) * | 1992-10-19 | 1999-01-19 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus detection using an image signal extracted before digital signal processing |
US5978016A (en) * | 1997-02-20 | 1999-11-02 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic camera with internal fixed album memory |
US6091450A (en) * | 1996-06-14 | 2000-07-18 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup apparatus having function of detecting proximity of eye |
US6144804A (en) * | 1992-10-30 | 2000-11-07 | Nikon Corporation | Camera with visual line detection capability |
US6192198B1 (en) * | 1992-12-25 | 2001-02-20 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Camera capable of print format selection |
US6359650B1 (en) * | 1994-12-28 | 2002-03-19 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic camera having a tilt detection function |
US6522360B1 (en) * | 1993-10-04 | 2003-02-18 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup apparatus performing autofocus processing and image enlargement in a common selected image plane region |
US6633336B2 (en) * | 1994-12-16 | 2003-10-14 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic apparatus and pointing device for imaging |
US6670992B2 (en) * | 1997-05-12 | 2003-12-30 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Camera having light measuring device operable based on focus detecting device |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2522260B2 (en) | 1986-10-08 | 1996-08-07 | キヤノン株式会社 | Camera controller |
US5629735A (en) * | 1989-08-20 | 1997-05-13 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image sensing device having a selectable detecting area |
JPH0519158A (en) * | 1991-07-10 | 1993-01-29 | Minolta Camera Co Ltd | Camera |
JPH0694976A (en) * | 1992-09-11 | 1994-04-08 | Olympus Optical Co Ltd | Range-finding device for camera |
TW247985B (en) * | 1993-04-22 | 1995-05-21 | Canon Kk | Image-taking apparatus |
JPH07220671A (en) | 1994-01-28 | 1995-08-18 | Sony Corp | Ion implantation method |
JPH07270671A (en) | 1994-03-31 | 1995-10-20 | Nikon Corp | Automatic focusing camera |
JPH0946571A (en) | 1995-07-26 | 1997-02-14 | Canon Inc | Image pickup device |
US6943839B1 (en) * | 1997-05-16 | 2005-09-13 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Photographic method at time of self-photography, and image sensing apparatus thereof |
JPH1138471A (en) | 1997-05-22 | 1999-02-12 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Camera |
JP3774308B2 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 2006-05-10 | 京セラ株式会社 | Digital camera |
JPH11352389A (en) | 1998-06-05 | 1999-12-24 | Konica Corp | Electronic finder camera |
JP2000013675A (en) | 1998-06-24 | 2000-01-14 | Seiko Epson Corp | Digital camera |
US7046290B2 (en) * | 2000-01-26 | 2006-05-16 | Nikon Corporation | Multi-point auto-focus digital camera including electronic zoom |
-
2001
- 2001-05-01 US US09/767,863 patent/US7046290B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2006
- 2006-02-17 US US11/356,164 patent/US20060139478A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2010
- 2010-10-26 US US12/912,693 patent/US8558941B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4873576A (en) * | 1987-08-03 | 1989-10-10 | Konica Corporation | Camera equipped with a television set |
US5264889A (en) * | 1990-04-17 | 1993-11-23 | Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus having an automatic focus detecting device |
US5258799A (en) * | 1991-03-12 | 1993-11-02 | Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha | Auto focus camera with pseudo focal length mode |
US5307111A (en) * | 1991-04-09 | 1994-04-26 | Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Object distance measuring apparatus of camera |
US5365302A (en) * | 1992-05-01 | 1994-11-15 | Olympus Optical Company, Ltd. | Focus area setting apparatus of camera |
US5812189A (en) * | 1992-06-23 | 1998-09-22 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Video camera apparatus |
US5861917A (en) * | 1992-10-19 | 1999-01-19 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus detection using an image signal extracted before digital signal processing |
US6144804A (en) * | 1992-10-30 | 2000-11-07 | Nikon Corporation | Camera with visual line detection capability |
US6192198B1 (en) * | 1992-12-25 | 2001-02-20 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Camera capable of print format selection |
US6522360B1 (en) * | 1993-10-04 | 2003-02-18 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup apparatus performing autofocus processing and image enlargement in a common selected image plane region |
US5581323A (en) * | 1993-11-29 | 1996-12-03 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Optical apparatus for controlling operations based on a user's visual axis |
US5699115A (en) * | 1994-05-10 | 1997-12-16 | Sony Corporation | Electronic viewfinder having means for turning off a display device |
US5838370A (en) * | 1994-09-20 | 1998-11-17 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup apparatus |
US6633336B2 (en) * | 1994-12-16 | 2003-10-14 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic apparatus and pointing device for imaging |
US6359650B1 (en) * | 1994-12-28 | 2002-03-19 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic camera having a tilt detection function |
US5787314A (en) * | 1995-12-07 | 1998-07-28 | Nikon Corporation | Automatic focusing device |
US6091450A (en) * | 1996-06-14 | 2000-07-18 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup apparatus having function of detecting proximity of eye |
US5978016A (en) * | 1997-02-20 | 1999-11-02 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic camera with internal fixed album memory |
US6670992B2 (en) * | 1997-05-12 | 2003-12-30 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Camera having light measuring device operable based on focus detecting device |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8558941B2 (en) * | 2000-01-26 | 2013-10-15 | Nikon Corporation | Digital camera having trimming and focusing ability |
US20110037890A1 (en) * | 2000-01-26 | 2011-02-17 | Nikon Corporation | Digital camera having trimming and focusing ability |
US20060092293A1 (en) * | 2001-04-11 | 2006-05-04 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Printer system and image processing system having image correcting function |
US7626615B2 (en) * | 2001-04-11 | 2009-12-01 | Fujifilm Corporation | Printer system and image processing system having image correcting function |
US20050007486A1 (en) * | 2003-07-08 | 2005-01-13 | Konica Minolta Camera, Inc. | Image capturing apparatus |
US20070047939A1 (en) * | 2005-08-31 | 2007-03-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus detecting device and camera system using the same device |
US7577349B2 (en) * | 2005-08-31 | 2009-08-18 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus detecting device and camera system using the same device |
US20110194018A1 (en) * | 2010-02-08 | 2011-08-11 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image capturing apparatus and control method therefor |
US8525921B2 (en) * | 2010-02-08 | 2013-09-03 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image capturing apparatus and control method therefor |
US8670064B2 (en) * | 2010-02-08 | 2014-03-11 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image capturing apparatus and control method therefor |
US9621797B2 (en) | 2013-08-21 | 2017-04-11 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus, control method for same, and program |
US10109036B2 (en) | 2013-08-21 | 2018-10-23 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus, control method for same, and program that performs image processing for image data having a focus state that is changeable |
US10686979B2 (en) | 2016-02-01 | 2020-06-16 | Sony Corporation | Control apparatus and control method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20110037890A1 (en) | 2011-02-17 |
US20010022626A1 (en) | 2001-09-20 |
US7046290B2 (en) | 2006-05-16 |
US8558941B2 (en) | 2013-10-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8558941B2 (en) | Digital camera having trimming and focusing ability | |
US8085333B2 (en) | Digital camera | |
US20080252753A1 (en) | Image-capturing apparatus | |
US7057651B2 (en) | Digital camera having an electronic zoom function | |
JP2006101466A (en) | Digital still camera | |
US7598995B2 (en) | Digital camera having a mode-selecting screen | |
US7551218B2 (en) | Digital camera with a mode selectable structure | |
JP2001208961A (en) | Camera | |
JP2001159730A (en) | Electronic camera | |
JP2002158919A (en) | Imaging device and image acquisition step | |
JP4941141B2 (en) | Imaging device | |
JP4274665B2 (en) | Electronic camera with electronic viewfinder | |
JP4935559B2 (en) | Imaging device | |
JP4481185B2 (en) | Image display device | |
JP2007074402A (en) | Display device, display operation device, processor, photographing device, and display method | |
JP2001208960A (en) | Camera | |
JP2001211354A (en) | Electronic camera | |
JP2000231149A (en) | Camera | |
JP2003029137A (en) | Automatic focusing detector | |
JPH09189934A (en) | Image pickup device | |
JP2003189160A (en) | Digital camera | |
JP2003319234A (en) | Digital camera | |
JP2006323078A (en) | Camera with consecutive photographing mode | |
JP2003060970A (en) | Digital camera | |
JP2001157158A (en) | Electronic camera |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |