US20090141141A1 - Imaging apparatus having focus control function - Google Patents

Imaging apparatus having focus control function Download PDF

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Publication number
US20090141141A1
US20090141141A1 US12/151,447 US15144708A US2009141141A1 US 20090141141 A1 US20090141141 A1 US 20090141141A1 US 15144708 A US15144708 A US 15144708A US 2009141141 A1 US2009141141 A1 US 2009141141A1
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Prior art keywords
section
face
focus
zoom magnification
detected
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US12/151,447
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English (en)
Inventor
Masaru Onozawa
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Casio Computer Co Ltd
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Casio Computer Co Ltd
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Assigned to CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. reassignment CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ONOZAWA, MASARU
Publication of US20090141141A1 publication Critical patent/US20090141141A1/en
Priority to US13/399,669 priority Critical patent/US8730375B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B13/00—Viewfinders; Focusing aids for cameras; Means for focusing for cameras; Autofocus systems for cameras
    • G03B13/32—Means for focusing
    • G03B13/34—Power focusing
    • G03B13/36—Autofocus systems
    • 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
    • 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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B15/00—Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor
    • 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
    • H04N23/61—Control of cameras or camera modules based on recognised objects
    • 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
    • H04N23/61—Control of cameras or camera modules based on recognised objects
    • H04N23/611—Control of cameras or camera modules based on recognised objects where the recognised objects include parts of the human body
    • 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
    • H04N23/69—Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
    • G02B7/28—Systems for automatic generation of focusing signals
    • G02B7/36—Systems for automatic generation of focusing signals using image sharpness techniques, e.g. image processing techniques for generating autofocus signals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/70—Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene
    • H04N23/745—Detection of flicker frequency or suppression of flicker wherein the flicker is caused by illumination, e.g. due to fluorescent tube illumination or pulsed LED illumination

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a focus control method that can be used for a digital camera having a focus control function.
  • Some conventional imaging apparatuses for example, some digital cameras are equipped with a pan focus (deep focus) function in addition to a standard auto focus function (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-Open (Kokai) Patent Publication No. 2005-070738).
  • This pan focus function refers to a function by which a focus lens moves to a predetermined lens position at which the possibility that a photographic subject is focused is high, and has advantages of easier control and shorter time for focusing than auto focus function.
  • the present invention has been conceived in light of the foregoing situations, and is to provide an imaging apparatus and a focus control method that substantially enhance the possibility that the photographic subject the user truly desires to focus on is focused.
  • an imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging section for imaging a photographic subject; a face detecting section for detecting a human face from an image picked up by the imaging section; a first focus control section for moving a focus lens to a first lens position when a face has been detected from an image by the face detecting section; and a second focus control section for moving a focus lens to a second lens position which is different from the first lens position when a face has not been detected from an image by the face detecting section.
  • a focus control method in an imaging apparatus including an imaging section for imaging a photographic subject, comprising: a face detecting step for detecting a human face from an image picked up by the imaging section; a first focus control step for moving a focus lens to a first lens position when a face has been detected from an image by the face detecting step; and a second focus control step for moving a focus lens to a second lens position which is different from the first lens position when a face has not been detected from an image by the face detecting step.
  • a computer-readable storage medium having a program of focus control stored thereon that is executable by a computer for controlling an imaging apparatus including an imaging section for imaging a photographic subject, comprising: a face detecting step for detecting a human face from an image picked up by the imaging section; a first focus control step for moving a focus lens to a first lens position when a face has been detected from an image by the face detecting step; and a second focus control step for moving a focus lens to a second lens position which is different from the first lens position when a face has not been detected from an image by the face detecting step.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B shows focus position tables stored in a read only memory (ROM) 21 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a digital camera according to a first embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a sub-flowchart showing an operation of determination processing of priority pan focus based on a photography scene
  • FIG. 5 shows a photographic subject distance table stored in the ROM 21 ;
  • FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing an operation of a variation example of the first embodiment
  • FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing an operation of a main photographic subject identification processing
  • FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing face detecting frames to be displayed
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of a digital camera according to a second embodiment
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of a digital camera according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of a digital camera according to the second embodiment
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of a variation example 1 of the second embodiment
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of a variation example 3 of the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of a variation example 3 of the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric schematic of a digital camera 1 which realizes an imaging apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the digital camera 1 includes an imaging lens 2 (which includes a focus lens 2 a and a zoom lens 2 b ), a motor driver circuit 3 , a shutter-aperture 4 , a vertical driver 5 , a timing generator (TG) 6 , a charge-coupled device (CCD) 7 , a sample hold circuit 8 , an analog-digital converter 9 , a color process circuit 10 , a direct memory access (DMA) controller 11 , a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) interface 12 , a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) 13 , a video random access memory (VRAM) controller 14 , a video random access memory (VRAM) 15 , a digital video encoder 16 , an image display section 17 , a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) circuit 18 , a digital signal processor (DSP)/central processing unit (CPU) 19 , a key input section 20 , a read only memory (ROM) 21 , a strobe driver section 22 , a
  • the imaging lens 2 includes the focus lens 2 a , the zoom lens 2 b and the like each of which includes a plurality of lens groups.
  • the imaging lens 2 is connected with the motor driver circuit 3 .
  • the motor driver circuit 3 includes a focus motor, a zoom motor, a focus motor driver and a zoom motor driver.
  • the focus motor and the zoom motor respectively drive the focus lens 2 a and the zoom lens 2 b in the optical axis direction.
  • the focus motor driver and the zoom motor driver respectively drive the focus lens 2 a and the zoom lens 2 b in the optical axis direction in adherence to a control signal sent from the DSP/CPU 19 .
  • the aperture refers to a mechanism that controls an amount of light that is irradiated from the imaging lens 2 .
  • the shutter refers to a mechanism that controls a period of time during which light is irradiated to the CCD 7 .
  • the period of time during which light is irradiated to the CCD 7 varies depending on a speed at which the shutter is opened and closed (that is, a shutter speed).
  • the exposure can be determined based on the aperture and the shutter speed.
  • the CCD 7 is driven for scanning by the vertical driver 5 and the TG 6 , and after photo-electrically converting the light intensity of the respective colors in the RGB value of a photographic subject image formed at a constant cycle, outputs them to the sample hold circuit 8 .
  • the CCD 7 also has a function as an electronic shutter. A shutter speed of this electronic shutter is controlled by the DSP/CPU 19 via the vertical driver 5 and the TG 6 .
  • the sample hold circuit 8 performs sampling (for example, correlated double sampling) on an analog signal sent from the CCD 7 at a frequency that is matched for the resolution of the CCD 7 , and outputs the signal to the analog-digital converter 9 .
  • sampling for example, correlated double sampling
  • AGC automatic gain control
  • the analog-digital converter 9 converts a sampled analog signal to a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the color process circuit 10 .
  • the color process circuit 10 performs color processing including white balance processing, interpolation processing, gamma correction processing and the like, and generates a luminosity color-difference signal (YUV signal) from the RGB data.
  • color processing including white balance processing, interpolation processing, gamma correction processing and the like, and generates a luminosity color-difference signal (YUV signal) from the RGB data.
  • YUV signal luminosity color-difference signal
  • the DMA controller 11 without interposition of the DSP/CPU 19 , transfers data with the DRAM 13 via the color process circuit 10 and the DRAM interface 12 .
  • the DRAM interface 12 is a signal interface between the DMA controller 11 and the DRAM 13 , and a signal interface between the DRAM 13 and the bus 25 .
  • the DRAM 13 which is a type of rewritable semi conductors, is used as not only a buffer memory that temporarily stores an image data (that is, a YUV signal generated in the color process circuit 10 ) picked up by the CCD 7 but also a working memory of the DSP/CPU 19 .
  • the VRAM controller 14 is a section that controls data transfer between the VRAM 15 and the bus 25 , and data transfer between the VRAM 15 and the digital video encoder 16 . Specifically, the VRAM controller 14 is a section that controls writing of an image data to be displayed on the VRAM 15 , and reading out of the same image data from the VRAM 15 .
  • the VRAM 15 refers to a so called video RAM, which is a memory that temporarily stores an image data for a through image, a replay image or the like.
  • the digital video encoder 16 converts an image data in a form of a digital signal that has been read out from the VRAM 15 into an analog signal, and sequentially outputs the signals at a timing in accordance with the scanning method of the image display section 17 .
  • the image display section 17 displays an image of an image data in a form of an analog signal is sent from the digital video encoder 16 .
  • the JPEG circuit 18 is a section that performs compression and expansion of joint photographic experts group (JPEG).
  • JPEG joint photographic experts group
  • the JPEG circuit 18 performs JPEG compression of an image data (YUV signal) stored in the DRAM 13 in adherence to a control signal from the DSP/CPU 19 , and performs JPEG expansion of an image data recorded in the flash memory 24 .
  • the key input section 20 includes a plurality of operation keys such as a shutter button enabling both half-depression and full-depression, a mode selection key, zoom keys (a Wide key and a Tele key), a SET key, and a cursor key, and outputs operational signals that correspond to the key operations by the user to the DSP/CPU 19 .
  • operation keys such as a shutter button enabling both half-depression and full-depression, a mode selection key, zoom keys (a Wide key and a Tele key), a SET key, and a cursor key, and outputs operational signals that correspond to the key operations by the user to the DSP/CPU 19 .
  • the strobe driver section 22 drives the strobe emitting section 23 to flash in adherence to a control signal from the DSP/CPU 19 , and the strobe emitting section 23 flashes a strobe light.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 sends a control signal to the strobe driver section 22 .
  • the flash memory 24 is a recording medium that stores and records a compressed image data.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 is a one-chip microcomputer having a function that performs zoom processing, AE processing, focus processing, face detecting processing and the like, and controls each of the above-described sections of the digital camera 1 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 includes a clock circuit which clocks date and time and functions as a timer.
  • the ROM 21 stores control programs necessary for each section of the DSP/CPU 19 , that is, programs and data necessary for various controls such as the AE processing and the focus processing, and functions as the imaging apparatus of the present invention by being activated in accordance with the programs.
  • the ROM 21 stores focus position tables for pan focus.
  • the pan focus refers to acquiring a focus position (that is, a focus lens position) or a photographic subject distance without executing the auto-focus processing, and moving the focus lens 2 a to the focus position acquired or the focus position corresponding to the photographic subject distance.
  • FIG. 2A shows a focus position table which is used in the case where a face has been detected (i.e., which is used when judged that the type of the priority pan focus is the pan focus prioritizing a person (hereinafter referred to as a “person-priority pan focus”)).
  • the individual focus positions for pan focus corresponding to zoom magnifications have been set in the table.
  • FIG. 2B shows a focus position table which is used in the case where a face has not been detected (i.e., which is used when judged that the type of the priority pan focus is a pan focus prioritizing a photographic subject other than persons (hereinafter referred to as a “non-person priority pan focus”)).
  • the non-person priority pan focus is further classified into three types: a short-distance priority pan focus, a long-distance priority pan focus with full aperture, and a long-distance priority pan focus without full aperture.
  • Focus positions for pan focus corresponding to zoom magnifications and individual types of the non-person priority pan focus have been set in the focus position table which is used in the case where a face has not been detected.
  • the focus position table shown in FIG. 2B can be considered as a complex of focus position tables that is used for each type of non-person priority pan focuses. In the case where a face has not been detected, the photography scene is judged, and the focus position table for any type of non-person priority pan focus is used based on the judged result.
  • Zoom magnifications are classified into 7 stages: Zoom 1 to Zoom 7.
  • Zoom 1 indicates the state in which substantially no zooming is performed (that is, approx. 1-fold)
  • Zoom 7 indicates the state in which zooming is fully performed (that is, the state in which the zoom magnification is closed to the maximum).
  • the focus position for the pan focus is consequently determined from the tables shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B based on the zoom magnification and the type of the priority pan focus (the person-priority pan focus, the short-distance priority pan focus, the long-distance priority pan focus with full aperture, or the long-distance priority pan focus without full aperture).
  • the focus position at which the depth of field is 2. 2 to 7 m is acquired.
  • the type of the priority pan focus is the long-distance priority pan focus with full aperture and the zoom magnification is Zoom 2
  • the focus position at which the depth of field is 1. 7 to 8 m is acquired.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 When a pan focus shooting mode is set by user operation of the mode selection key in the key input section 20 , the DSP/CPU 19 starts imaging a photographic subject using the CCD 7 , and executes the AE processing with a focal length corresponding to the lens position of the current zoom lens 2 b .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 also starts image processing such as white balance processing in the color process circuit 10 (Step S 1 ).
  • the DSP/CPU 19 stores the stored image data in the VRAM 15 , and starts the processing of displaying the picked-up image data in the image display section 17 via the digital video encoder 16 . That is, the DSP/CPU 19 starts a so called through image display (Step S 2 ).
  • Step S 3 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the zoom operation has been performed by the user. This judgment is made based on whether an operational signal corresponding to the operation of the zoom key (the Wide key, the Tele key) has been sent from the key input section 20 . At this time, the user performs the operation of the Tele key when the user desires to zoom in the photographic subject, and performs the operation of the Wide key when the user desires to zoom out the photographic subject.
  • the zoom key the Wide key, the Tele key
  • Step S 4 the DSP/CPU 19 executes the zoom processing in accordance with the zoom operation, and advances to Step S 5 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 executes the zoom processing for zooming out the photographic subject when the operation of the Wide key has been performed, and executes the zoom processing for zooming out the photographic subject when the operation of the Tele key has been performed.
  • the zoom processing may be optical zoom, electronic zoom processing, or a combination of optical zoom and electronic zoom processing.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 moves the zoom lens 2 b in accordance with the operation of the zoom key.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 moves the zoom lens toward the telescopic side when the Tele key is operated, and the DSP/CPU 19 moves the zoom lens toward the wide angle side when the Wide key is operated.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 trims away the image data to the trimming size in accordance with the operation of the zoom key, and displays the trimmed image data in an enlarged form.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 displays the trimmed image in an enlarged form by decreasing the trimming size when the Tele key is operated, and displays the trimmed image in an enlarged form by increasing the trimming size when the Wide key is operated.
  • Step S 3 when judged at Step S 3 that the zoom operation has not been performed, it advances to Step S 5 without executing any further processing.
  • Step S 5 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the shutter button has been half depressed by the user. This judgment is made based on whether an operational signal corresponding to the half-depression operation of the shutter button has been sent from the key input section 20 .
  • Step S 5 When judged at Step S 5 that the shutter button has not been half depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 returns to Step S 3 . On the other hand, when judged at Step S 5 that the shutter button has been half depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 6 .
  • Step S 6 the DSP/CPU 19 determines and locks the photographic conditions such as exposure values (that is, an aperture value, a shutter speed and an amplification factor), a white balance value and the like for the present shooting based on a through image acquired immediately before the half depression of the shutter button.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges which mode, among a compulsory flash mode, an auto-strobe mode and a flash disable mode, the strobe mode is in.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 When the strobe mode is the auto-strobe mode, the DSP/CPU 19 further judges whether a luminance component of a signal outputted from the CCD 7 (that is, the through image acquired immediately before the half depression of the shutter button) or the image picked up by a photometric circuit not shown is dark, and then judges whether to flash a strobe. Thereafter, it locks the photographic conditions such as strobe flash ON/OFF.
  • Step S 7 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the present zoom magnification.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 executes the face detecting processing based on the image data picked up immediately before or immediately after the half depression of the shutter button. In other words, the DSP/CPU 19 executes the processing of detecting whether a human face is present in the image data.
  • This face detecting processing detects a face which proportion to the whole picked-up image is not less than 10% in size. In other words, a small face which proportion to the whole picked-up image is not less than 10% in size is detected.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 can judge whether the user desires to shoot a person. This is because, for example, a photographic subject having a face which proportion to the whole image is not less than 10% in size should be located far away from the photographer, and thus such photographic subject can be considered as a mere passer-by, or an utterly unrelated person to the photographer. It is common to take a photograph such that a person the photographer desires to shoot appears with a larger face to some extent.
  • the face detecting processing is a known art, it will not be further explained in detail.
  • the face detecting processing may be a processing, for example, of detecting whether an image data of a human face is present in the picked-up image by comparing a character data of general human faces that have been stored in advance (that is, character data on eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, ears and the like), or any other processing that detects a human face.
  • Step S 9 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether a face has been detected.
  • Step S 9 When judged at Step S 9 that a face has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 judges that the true photographic subject the photographer desires to shoot is a person, and advances to Step S 10 .
  • Step S 10 the DSP/CPU 19 determines that the type of the priority pan focus is the person-priority pan focus. As a result of this, the DSP/CPU 19 acquires a focus position for the pan focus using the focus position table shown in FIG. 2A .
  • Step S 11 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires a focus position for prioritizing a person from the focus position table shown in FIG. 2A based on the zoom magnification acquired at Step S 7 , and advances to Step S 14 . That is, when a face which proportion to the whole picked-up image is not less than 10% in size has been detected, in other words, when a person is present within a predetermined distance from the photographer (that is, the digital camera 1 ), the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the pan focus position for prioritizing a person. Thereby, it is possible to acquire the focus position for the pan focus at which a person who is present within a predetermined distance from the photographer and who is the true photographic subject the photographer desires to shoot is focused, and it is possible to focus on the photographic subject quickly.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 determines that the type of the priority pan focus is the non-person priority pan focus, and advances to Step S 12 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 executes the determination processing of the type of the non-person priority pan focus based on the photography scene. Specifically, the DSP/CPU 19 judges the present photography scene, and determines the type of the non-person priority pan focus based on this photography scene. The determination processing will be described later.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 acquires a focus position using the focus position table as shown in FIG. 2B .
  • Focus positions differ depending on the types of the non-person priority pan focus (that is, whether the type of the non-person priority is the short-distance priority pan focus, the long-distance priority pan focus with full aperture, or the long-distance priority pan focus without full aperture), therefore the DSP/CPU 19 need to determine the type of the non-person priority pan focus based on the photography scene.
  • Step S 13 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the focus position for the pan focus from the focus position table shown in FIG. 2B based on the type of the non-person priority pan focus determined by the determination processing at Step S 10 and the zoom magnification acquired at Step S 7 , and advances to Step S 14 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the focus position at which the depth of field is 1.5 to 5.2 m.
  • Step S 14 it moves the focus lens 2 a to the pan focus position it has acquired by sending a control signal to the motor driver circuit 3 .
  • Step S 15 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the shutter button has been fully depressed by the user. This judgment is made based on whether an operational signal corresponding to the full-depression operation of the shutter button has been sent from the key input section 20 .
  • Step S 15 When judged at Step S 15 that the shutter button has not been fully depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 remains at Step S 15 until the shutter button is fully depressed. Then, when judged that the shutter button has been fully depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 16 .
  • Step S 16 the DSP/CPU 19 executes the still image shooting processing under the photographic conditions locked at Step S 6 , and records a still image data compressed by the JPEG circuit 18 in the flash memory 24 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges the photography scene based on the judgment on whether the shooting is with a strobe flash, whether the illumination is either one of ultra-high illumination and ultra-low illumination, whether a flicker has been detected, whether a light source is sunlight and whether an aperture is full. Then, based on this photography scene, the DSP/CPU 19 executes the determination processing on whether the type of pan focus is the short-distance priority pan focus, the long-distance priority pan focus with full aperture, or the long-distance priority pan focus without full aperture.
  • Step S 21 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the shooting is with a strobe flash. The judgment is made based on the photographic conditions locked at Step S 6 in FIG. 3 .
  • Step S 12 When judged at Step S 12 that the shooting is with a strobe flash, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 25 . On the other hand, when judged that the shooting is not with a strobe flash, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 22 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the illumination is either one of ultra-high illumination and ultra-low illumination based on the photographic conditions locked at Step S 6 in FIG. 3 (or the through image acquired when the shutter button has been half depressed). When judged that the illumination is either one of ultra-high illumination and ultra-low illumination, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 26 . On the other hand, when judged that the illumination is not ultra-high illumination or ultra-low illumination, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 23 . This judgment on ultra-high illumination and ultra-low illumination is made based on the quantity of electric charge into which light irradiated to the CCD 7 has been converted.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether a flicker has been detected in a through image acquired when the shutter button has been half depressed. When judged that a flicker has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 25 , and when judged that a flicker has not been detected, it advances to Step S 24 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether a light source is sunlight. This judgment is made based on the white balance among the photographic conditions locked at Step S 6 . Specifically, when judged that a color temperature of a light source of light acquired by the automatic white balance processing in the color process circuit 10 is the color temperature of sunlight, the light source is judged to be sunlight. On the other hand, when judged that a color temperature of a light source of light acquired by the automatic white balance processing is not the color temperature of the sunlight, the light source is judged to be other than sunlight (fluorescent lighting, incandescent lighting or the like). When judged at Step S 24 that the light source is not sunlight, it advances to Step S 25 . On the other hand, when judged that the light source is sunlight, it advances to Step S 26 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 determines that the type of the priority pan focus is the short-distance priority pan focus (Step S 25 ), when judged at Step S 21 that the shooting is with a strobe flash, when judged at Step S 23 that a flicker has been detected, or when judged at Step S 24 that a light source is not sunlight.
  • Step S 26 when judged at Step S 22 that the illumination is either one of ultra-high illumination and ultra-low illumination, or when judged at Step S 24 that the light source is sunlight.
  • Step S 26 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the aperture is full. This judgment is made based on the photographic conditions locked at Step S 6 .
  • Step S 26 When judged at Step S 26 that the aperture is full, the DSP/CPU 19 determines that the type of the priority pan focus is the long-distance priority pan focus with full aperture (Step S 27 ). On the other hand, when judged that the aperture is not full, the DSP/CPU 19 determines that the type of the priority pan focus is the long-distance priority pan focus without full aperture (Step S 28 ).
  • the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 13 in FIG. 3 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 determines the type of the priority pan focus based on the photography scene.
  • the face detecting processing and the priority pan focus determination processing based on the photography scene are executed after a half depression of the shutter button.
  • the face detecting processing may be executed periodically while the through image is being displayed before a half depression of the shutter button.
  • both the face detecting processing and the priority pan focus determination processing based on the photography scene may be executed periodically. Thereby, it is possible to execute the pan focus processing quickly after a half depression of the shutter button.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges that the true photographic subject the photographer desires to shoot is a person, and executes the pan focus processing using the focus position table for the person-priority pan focus (that is, the focus position table as shown in FIG. 2A ).
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges that the true photographic subject the photographer desires to shoot is a landscape or the like, and executes the pan focus processing using the focus position table for the background-priority pan focus (that is, the focus position table as shown in FIG. 2B ). Accordingly, it is possible to focus appropriately and quickly corresponding to the photographic subject to shoot. In addition, it is possible to substantially enhance the possibility that the true photographic subject is focused in the pan focus processing.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 verifies the zoom magnification when executing the pan focus processing. Accordingly, it is possible to execute the pan focus processing on the true photographic subject appropriately, and therefore it is possible to substantially enhance the possibility that the true photographic subject is focused in the pan focus processing.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 can detect truly desired photographic subject since the DSP/CPU 19 does not detect a face which size is less than 10% of the whole picked-up image in size. Specifically, since a small face which proportion is less than 10% in size is located far away from the photographer, and such face is not considered as the photographic subject the user truly desires to shoot but is considered as a mere passer-by who does not have any relation to the photographer, and thus such face can be considered as a part of the landscape.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 determines the type of the non-person priority pan focus based on the photography scene, and executes the pan focus processing using the focus position table for the non-person priority pan focus of the type determined. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately and quickly execute the pan focus processing corresponding to the photography scene. In addition, it is possible to execute the pan focus processing with high accuracy on a photographic subject other than a person, for example, a landscape or the like. In addition, it is possible to substantially enhance the possibility that the true photographic subject is focused in the pan focus processing.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 determines that the type of the priority pan focus is the person-priority pan focus, and acquire the focus position based on only the zoom magnification from the pan focus table for person-priority pan focus. Instead, in the present variation example, the focus position is changed based on the size of the detected face or the like.
  • the photographic subject distance table as shown in FIG. 5 has been recorded in the ROM 21 .
  • the individual photographic subject distances corresponding to the size of the face detecting frame and the zoom magnification have been set in this photographic subject distance table.
  • the face detecting frame will be described later.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 51 in FIG. 6A .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether multiple faces have been detected by the face detecting processing at Step S 6 in FIG. 3 .
  • Step S 51 When judged at Step S 51 that multiple faces have not been detected, that is, when judged that only a single face has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 52 .
  • Step S 52 the DSP/CPU 19 displays the face detecting frame based on a zone of the detected face.
  • FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are diagrams showing the face detecting frames that are displayed.
  • FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a face detecting frame 31 that is displayed when a single face has been detected.
  • This face detecting frame 31 is displayed in a size corresponding to the zone of the detected face. That is, when the zone of the detected face is small, the face detecting frame 31 is displayed in a small size, and when the zone of the detected face is large, the face detecting frame 31 is displayed in a large size.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the photographic subject distance from the photographic subject distance table based on the size of the face detecting frame 31 displayed corresponding to the zone of the detected face (face size) and the zoom magnification it has acquired, and advances to Step S 57 .
  • the size of the face detecting frame 31 is determined corresponding to the zone of the detected face, and thus the photographic subject distances corresponding to the size of the face detecting frame 31 recorded in the photographic subject distance table and the zoom magnification should be the photographic subject distances recorded corresponding to the size of the detected face and the zoom magnification. This is because the distances from the faces to the photographer (the digital camera 1 ) differs depending on the size of the detected face and the zoom magnification.
  • the photographic subject distance when the size of the face detecting frame 31 is large is compared to the photographic subject distance when the size thereof is small, the photographic subject distance when the size thereof is large should be shorter.
  • the photographic subject distance when the zoom magnification is large is compared to the photographic subject distance when it is small, the photographic subject distance when the zoom magnification is small should be shorter.
  • the individual photographic subject distances are set corresponding to the size of the face detecting frame 31 and the zoom magnification.
  • the photographic subject distances may be set corresponding to the size of the face and the zoom magnification.
  • the photographic subject distance is set in the photographic subject distance table in this embodiment.
  • the focus positions may be set as in the first embodiment described above.
  • Step S 54 the DSP/CPU 19 executes main photographic subject identification processing of identifying a face which serves as the main photographic subject among the multiple faces detected.
  • the main photographic subject identification processing will be described later. Briefly, the main photographic subject identification processing identifies the main photographic subject through comprehensive comparison of the distance from the center of the field angle to the face, the area of the face, and face-likeness.
  • Step S 55 the DSP/CPU 19 displays the individual face detecting frames 31 based on the zones of the detected faces and distinctly displays the main photographic subject identified by the main photographic subject identification processing. Also in this case, the face detecting frames 31 are displayed in the sizes corresponding to the zones of the detected faces.
  • FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the face detecting frames that are displayed when multiple faces are detected and the main photographic subject distinctly displayed.
  • the face detecting frames 31 are displayed on the detected multiple faces (a face of a person 32 , a face of a person 33 and a face of a person 34 ) in the displayed (picked-up) image.
  • the face of the person 33 is identified as the main photographic subject, and the main photographic subject is displayed such that it is differentiated from the other photographic subjects. (That is, the face detecting frame 31 is displayed with the thick frame).
  • the main photographic subject is distinctly displayed by displaying the face detecting frame 32 with a thick frame.
  • the main photographic subject may be distinctly displayed by changing the type of lines (such as dotted line, dashed line), the color or the like of the face detecting frame 31 .
  • the information that the photographic subject is the main photographic subject may be displayed separately from the face detecting frame 31 .
  • Step S 56 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the photographic subject distance from the photographic subject distance table based on the size of the face detecting frame 31 displayed corresponding to the zone of the face (the face size) identified as the main photographic subject and the zoom magnification acquired, and advances to Step S 57 .
  • Step S 57 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the focus position corresponding to the photographic subject distance acquired using a photographic subject distance/focus position conversion table not shown, and moves the focus lens 2 a to the focus position acquired. Then, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 15 in FIG. 3 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the photographic subject distance (focus position) based on the size of the detected face and the zoom magnification. Thereby, it is possible to quickly focus on a person with high accuracy, and the possibility that the true photographic subject is focused in the pan focus processing is substantially enhanced.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 identifies the face which serves as the main photographic subject and acquires the photographic subject distance based on the size of the face identified as the main photographic subject and the zoom magnification. Thereby, it is possible to quickly focus on the main photographic subject with high accuracy, and the possibility that the true photographic subject is focused in the pan focus processing is substantially enhanced.
  • Step S 71 in FIG. 6B the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the distance D 0 from the center of the field angle to the diagonal points. This distance D 0 from the center of the field angle to the diagonal points is determined depending on the size of the image to be picked up.
  • Step S 72 the DSP/CPU 19 calculates the distance Df from the center of the field angle of each detected face.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 calculates the area S of the zone of each detected face.
  • the area S may be an area of the face detecting frame 31 of each face. This is because the face detecting frame 31 has a size corresponding to the zone of the face.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 calculates the face-likeness amount F of each detected face.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 detects a face, for example, through comparison of general character data of a human face (the character data on eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, ears and the like) with the image data, and when the face-likeness amount is within a predetermined error range, determines a face as the true face. Therefore, the smaller the error is, the larger the face-likeness amount F should be.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 calculates the evaluation value T for each face based on D 0 , Df, S, F that have been acquired and calculated at Step S 71 to Step S 74 .
  • the calculation can be made using the following calculating formula:
  • a is a distance weighing coefficient
  • B is an area weighing coefficient
  • ⁇ is a face-likeness weighing coefficient
  • the evaluation value T should be larger, the closer to the center of the field angle the face is, the larger the area of the face is, and the more face-likeness the face has. This is because the photographic subject the photographer desires to shoot tends to be close to the center of the field angle and to be picked up with a larger face. In addition, since a photographic subject with low face-likeness is not likely a face or is likely a face of a photographic subject located far away, the photographic subject can be judged as not the photographic subject the photographer truly desires to shoot.
  • Step S 76 the DSP/CPU 19 identifies the face with the highest evaluation value T of all calculated evaluation values T as the main photographic subject, and advances to Step S 55 in FIG. 6A .
  • the distance from the center of the field angle to the face, the area of the face, and the face-likeness are compared comprehensively. Therefore, it is possible to quickly identify the face which serves as the main photographic subject, that is, the photographic subject the photographer truly shot from the multiple faces detected, and thus it is possible to quickly focus on the photographic subject the photographer truly shot.
  • the main photographic subject is identified through comprehensive comparison of the distance from the center of the angle of field to the face, the area of the face, and the face-likeness so as to quickly and easily focus on the true photographic subject.
  • the example variation identifies the main photographic subject verifying the closeness from the center of the angle of field and the face size.
  • the variation example also identifies the main photographic subject verifying face-likeness.
  • the pan focus processing is executed when the pan focus shooting mode is set by the user.
  • the pan focus processing is executed when the shutter button is fully depressed without stopping in the auto focus shooting mode. In the case where the shutter button has been fully depressed without stopping, it is likely that the user truly desires to shoot. Accordingly, the pan focus processing is executed to reduce the focus processing time.
  • the second embodiment realizes the imaging apparatus according to the present invention also through use of the digital camera 1 having a similar structure as the structure shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the optical zoom is used to execute the zoom processing.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 When the auto focus shooting mode is set by user operation of the mode selection key in the key input section 20 , the DSP/CPU 19 starts imaging a photographic subject using the CCD 7 , and executes the AE processing with a focal length corresponding to the lens position of the current zoom lens 2 b . the DSP/CPU 19 also starts the processing on the images such as the white balance processing in the color process circuit 10 (Step S 101 ).
  • the DSP/CPU 19 sets exposure, white balance and the like, and then starts a so called through image display.
  • the through image display after storing an image data picked up by the CCD 7 in the DRAM 13 , the DSP/CPU 19 stores the stored image data in the VRAM 15 , and display the image data picked up in the image display section 17 via the digital video encoder 16 (Step S 102 ).
  • the DSP/CPU 19 starts the face detecting processing of sequentially detecting whether a face of a human is present in the picked-up image data.
  • the face detecting processing detects a face which proportion to the whole picked-up image is not less than 10% in size.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 starts the processing of overlapping the face detecting frame 31 on the detected face in the through image.
  • the face detecting frame 31 is displayed based on the zone of the detected face, and when a face is not detected, the face detecting frame 31 is not displayed.
  • the face detecting frame 31 is displayed in the size corresponding to the zone of the detected face.
  • Step S 105 the DSP/CPU 19 judges at Step S 105 whether the zoom operation has been performed by the user.
  • Step S 106 the DSP/CPU 19 executes the zoom processing in accordance with the operation, and advances to Step S 107 .
  • Step S 105 when judged at Step S 105 that the zoom operation has not been performed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 107 without executing any further processing.
  • Step S 107 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether multiple faces have been detected by the face detecting processing.
  • Step S 107 When judged at Step S 107 that multiple faces have been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 108 .
  • Step S 108 the DSP/CPU 19 executes the main photographic subject identification processing of identifying the face which serves as the main photographic subject among the detected multiple faces. As explained in the above-described first embodiment, the main photographic subject identification processing executes the operation as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6B .
  • Step S 109 the DSP/CPU 19 distinctly displays the face of the identified main photographic subject, and advances to Step S 110 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 distinctly displays the face by displaying the face detecting frame 31 with a thick frame.
  • the face may be distinctly displayed in other methods.
  • Step S 107 when judged that multiple faces have not been detected at Step S 107 (including when no face has been detected), the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 110 without executing any further processing.
  • Step S 110 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the shutter button has been half depressed by the user.
  • Step S 110 When judged at Step S 110 that the shutter button has not been half depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 returns to Step S 105 . On the other hand, when judged at Step S 110 that the shutter button has been half depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 111 .
  • Step S 111 the DSP/CPU 19 determines and locks the photographic conditions such as the exposure values (the aperture value, the shutter speed and the amplification factor), the white balance value and the like for the present shooting based on the through image acquired immediately before the half depression of the shutter button.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges which mode, among the compulsory flash mode, the auto-strobe mode and the flash disable mode, the strobe mode is in.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 When the strobe mode is the auto-strobe mode, the DSP/CPU 19 further judges whether a luminance component of a signal outputted from the CCD 7 (that is, the through image acquired immediately before the half depression of the shutter button) or the image picked up by a photometric circuit not shown is dark. Then, after judging whether to flash a strobe, the DSP/CPU 19 locks the photographic conditions such as strobe flash ON/OFF.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges at Step S 112 whether a face has been detected immediately before the half depression of the shutter button.
  • Step S 112 When judged at Step S 112 that a face has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 113 , where the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether multiple faces have been detected.
  • Step S 114 the DSP/CPU 19 sets the AF area at the position of the face identified as the main photographic subject immediately before the half depression of the shutter button, and after starting the AF processing according to the contrast detection method based on the image data of the AF area set, advances to Step S 117 in FIG. 9 .
  • the AF processing according to the contrast detection method refers to the AF processing as follows: A control signal is sent to the motor driver circuit 3 so that the search movement of the focus lens 2 a from one lens end to the other lens end is performed within a range in which the lens can be driven, and when the lens position at which the contrast of the image data in the AF area has a peak value is detected, the search movement is completed and the focus lens 2 a is moved to the detected lens position with the peak contrast for focusing.
  • Step S 113 when judged at Step S 113 that multiple faces have not been detected, that is, when judged that a single face has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 115 .
  • Step S 115 the DSP/CPU 19 sets the AF area at the position of the detected face, and after starting the AF processing according to the contrast detection method based on the image data set, advances to Step S 117 in FIG. 9 .
  • Step S 112 when judged at Step S 112 that a face has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 116 .
  • Step S 116 the DSP/CPU 19 sets the AF area at the center of the field angle, and after starting the AF processing according to the contrast detection method based on the image data of the AF area set, advances to Step S 117 in FIG. 9 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the AF processing has been completed. It should be understood that the AF processing is judged to be completed when the focus lens 2 a has been moved to the lens position at which the detected contrast has a peak value, and when the lens position at which a contrast has a peak value has not been detected and the search movement of the focus lens 2 a from one lens end to the other lens end has been completed.
  • Step S 117 When judged at Step S 117 that the AF processing has not been completed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 118 , where the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the shutter button has been fully depressed by the user.
  • Step S 118 When judged at Step S 118 that the shutter button has not been fully depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 returns to Step S 117 .
  • Step S 118 when judged at Step S 118 that the shutter button has been fully depressed before the judging at Step S 117 that the AF processing has been completed, the DSP/CPU 19 judges that the user is requesting the quick shooting, and advances to Step S 119 to judge whether to execute the pan focus processing.
  • the cases where the shutter button is fully depressed before the AF processing is completed includes the case where the shutter button has been fully depressed without stopping by the user, and the like.
  • Step S 119 The AF processing continues even when advanced to Step S 119 .
  • Step S 119 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the zoom magnification for the present optical zoom.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges at Step S 120 whether the zoom magnification for the present optical zoom acquired is within the range from 1-fold (that is, the magnification on the Wide side) to a predetermined magnification.
  • Step S 120 When judged at Step S 120 that the present zoom magnification is not within the range from 1-fold to a predetermined magnification, that is, when judged that the present zoom magnification is larger than a predetermined magnification, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 121 .
  • Step S 121 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the AF processing has been completed. When judged that the AF processing has not been completed, the DSP/CPU 19 remains at Step S 121 until judged that the AF has been completed.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 executes the AF processing without executing the pan focus processing although the quick shooting is being requested. This is because, when the zoom magnification of the optical zoom is larger than a predetermined magnification, the depth of field is reduced, and the photographic subject is likely to be out of focus if the pan focus processing is executed. Therefore, when the zoom magnification is larger than a predetermined magnification, shooting is suspended until the AF processing is completed although it takes a long time for the focus processing. As a result of this, it is possible to focus on the true photographic subject appropriately.
  • Step S 121 When judged at Step S 121 that the AF processing has been completed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 122 , where the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the AF processing has failed.
  • the AF processing is judged as the failure in the case where the DSP/CPU 19 fails to detect the lens position where the contrast has a peak value before the search movement from one lens end to the other lens end of the focus lens 2 a is completed. That is, the DSP/CPU 19 judges as the failure in the case where the DSP/CPU 19 fails to detect the focusing lens position.
  • Step S 129 the DSP/CPU 19 executes the still image shooting processing under the photographic conditions locked at Step S 111 , and records the still image data compressed by the JPEG circuit 18 in the flash memory 24 .
  • Step S 122 when judged at Step S 122 that the AF processing has failed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 123 to move to the pan focus processing.
  • Step S 120 when judged at Step S 120 that the present zoom magnification is within the range from 1-fold to a predetermined magnification, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 123 to move to the pan focus processing. At this time, the DSP/CPU 19 may forcibly terminate the AF processing according to the contrast detection method.
  • Step S 123 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether a face has been detected immediately before the half depression of the shutter button.
  • Step S 123 When judged at Step S 123 that a face has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 124 , where the DSP/CPU 19 determines the type of the priority pan focus as the person-priority pan focus. As a result of this, the DSP/CPU 19 acquires a focus position for the pan focus using the focus position table shown in FIG. 2A .
  • Step S 125 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires a focus position for prioritizing a person from the focus position table shown in FIG. 2A based on the zoom magnification acquired at Step S 119 , and advances to Step S 128 .
  • Step S 123 when judged at Step S 123 that a face has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 126 , where the DSP/CPU 19 executes the determination processing of the type of the priority pan focus based on the photography scene.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 performs the operation as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 , as explained in the above-described first embodiment.
  • Step S 127 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the focus position for the pan focus from the focus position table shown in FIG. 2B based on the type of the priority pan focus determined by the determination processing and the zoom magnification acquired at Step S 119 , and advances to Step S 128 .
  • Step S 128 the DSP/CPU 19 sends a control signal to the motor driver circuit 3 to move the focus lens 2 a to the pan focus position acquired.
  • Step S 129 the DSP/CPU 19 executes the still image shooting processing under the photographic conditions locked at Step S 111 , and records the still image data compressed by the JPEG circuit 18 in the flash memory 24 .
  • Step S 117 when judged at Step S 117 that the AF processing has been completed before the full depression of the shutter button at Step S 118 , the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 130 in FIG. 10 .
  • Step S 130 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the AF processing has failed.
  • Step S 130 When judged at Step S 130 that the AF processing has failed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 131 , where the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the zoom magnification for the present optical zoom.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges at Step S 132 whether a face has been detected immediately before the half depression of the shutter button.
  • Step S 132 When judged at Step S 132 that a face has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 133 , where the DSP/CPU 19 determines the type of the priority pan focus as the person-priority pan focus. As a result of this, the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the focus position for the pan focus, using the focus position table shown in FIG. 2A .
  • Step S 134 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the focus position for prioritizing a person from the focus position table shown in FIG. 2A based on the zoom magnification acquired at Step S 131 , and advances to Step S 137 .
  • Step S 132 when judged at Step S 132 that a face has not been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 135 .
  • Step S 135 the DSP/CPU 19 executes the determination processing of the type of the priority pan focus based on the photography scene. As explained in the above-described first embodiment, the determination processing performs the operation as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 .
  • Step S 136 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the focus position for the pan focus from the focus position table shown in FIG. 2B based on the type of the priority pan focus determined by the determination processing and the zoom magnification acquired at Step S 131 , and advances to Step S 137 .
  • Step S 137 the DSP/CPU 19 sends a control signal to the motor driver circuit 3 to move the focus lens 2 a to the pan focus position acquired, and advances to Step S 138 .
  • Step S 130 when judged at Step S 130 that the AF processing has not failed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 138 without executing any further processing.
  • Step S 138 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the shutter button has been fully depressed by the user.
  • Step S 138 When judged at Step S 138 that the shutter button has not been fully depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 remains at Step S 138 until the shutter button is fully depressed. Then, when judged that the shutter button has been fully depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 139 .
  • Step S 139 the DSP/CPU 19 executes the still image shooting processing under the photographic conditions locked at Step S 111 , and records the still image data compressed by the JPEG circuit 18 in the flash memory 24 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 determines that the photographic subject the user truly desires to shoot is a person, and executes the pan focus processing using the focus position table for person-priority pan focus (that is, the focus position table as shown in FIG. 2A ).
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges that the true photographic subject the photographer desires to shoot is a photographic subject other than a person such as a landscape, and executes the pan focus processing using the focus position table for non-person priority pan focus (that is, the focus position table as shown in FIG. 2B ). Accordingly, it is possible to focus appropriately and quickly corresponding to the photographic subject to shoot. In addition, it is possible to substantially enhance the possibility that the true photographic subject is focused in the pan focus processing.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 executes the auto-focus processing on the face.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 executes the auto-focus processing on the center of the angle of field. Accordingly, it is possible to focus on the photographic subject the user truly desires to shoot with high accuracy.
  • the depth of field is reduced.
  • the photographic subject is likely to be out of focus if the pan focus processing is executed in such cases. Executing the auto-focus processing enables focusing on the photographic subject the user truly desires to shoot with high accuracy.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 when determined that the type of the priority pan focus is the person-priority pan focus, acquires the focus position corresponding only to the zoom magnification from the focus position table for person-priority pan focus.
  • the focus position is changed based on the size of the detected face or the like, as explained in the above-described variation example of the first embodiment.
  • the photographic subject distance table as shown in FIG. 5 has been recorded in the present variation example.
  • Step S 124 in FIG. 9 or at Step S 133 in FIG. 10 the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 151 in FIG. 11 .
  • Step S 151 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether multiple faces have been detected immediately before the half depression of the shutter button.
  • Step S 151 When judged at Step S 151 that multiple faces have not been detected, that is, when judged that a single face has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 152 .
  • Step S 152 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the photographic subject distance from the photographic subject distance table based on the size of the face detecting frame 31 displayed corresponding to the zone of the detected face (the face size) and the zoom magnification acquired, and advances to Step S 154 .
  • the individual photographic subject distances are set corresponding to the size of the face detecting frame 31 and the zoom magnification in the photographic subject distance table.
  • the photographic subject distances may be set corresponding to the size of the face and the zoom magnification.
  • the photographic subject distance is set in this embodiment. It should be understood that the focus position may be set in place of this.
  • Step S 151 when judged at Step S 151 that multiple faces have been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 153 .
  • Step S 153 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the photographic subject distance from the photographic subject distance table based on the size of the face detecting frame 31 displayed corresponding to the zone of the face (the face size) identified as the main photographic subject immediately before the half depression of the shutter button and the zoom magnification acquired, and advances to Step S 154 .
  • Step S 154 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the focus position corresponding to the photographic subject distance acquired using the photographic subject distance/focus position conversion table not shown, and after moving the focus lens 2 a to the focus position acquired, advances to Step S 129 in FIG. 9 and Step S 138 in FIG. 10 .
  • the photographic subject distance (the focus position) is acquired based on the size of the detected face and the zoom magnification. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly focus on a person with high accuracy. In addition, it is possible to substantially enhance the possibility that the true photographic subject is focused in the pan focus processing.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 identifies the face which serves as the main photographic subject, and acquires the photographic subject distance based on the size of the face identified as the main photographic subject and the zoom magnification. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly focus on a main photographic subject with high accuracy. In addition, it is possible to substantially enhance the possibility that the true photographic subject is focused in the pan focus processing.
  • the optical zoom is used to execute the zoom processing.
  • both the optical zoom and the electrical zoom may be used to execute the zoom processing.
  • the judgment at Step S 120 in FIG. 9 is made based on whether the zoom magnification in the optical zoom is larger than a predetermined magnification.
  • the electronic zoom in place of the optical zoom, may be used to execute the zoom processing.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 completes the AF processing according to the contrast detection method, and after acquiring the electronic zoom magnification at Step S 119 , subsequently advances to Step S 123 without executing any further processing.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 should start the AF processing when the shutter button is half depressed, (Step S 114 to Step S 116 in FIG. 8 ).
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges that the shutter button has been fully depressed without stopping, that is, that the user is requesting the quick shooting.
  • the judgment on whether the shutter button has been fully depressed without stopping may be made according to the following operation.
  • Step S 111 the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 201 in FIG. 12 , where the DSP/CPU 19 starts the timer.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 which includes the clock circuit, also has a function as the timer.
  • Step S 202 the DSP/CPU 19 judges at Step S 202 whether time is out. This judgment is made based on whether the timer has passed a predetermined period of time (for example, 0.05 second).
  • Step S 202 When judged at Step S 202 that time is not out, that is, that the timer has not passed a predetermined period of time, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 203 .
  • Step S 203 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the shutter button has been fully depressed by the user.
  • Step S 203 When judged at Step S 203 that the shutter button has not been fully depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 returns to Step S 202 .
  • Step S 203 when judged at Step S 203 that the shutter button has been fully depressed before a predetermined period of time has passed, the DSP/CPU 19 judges that the shutter button has been fully depressed without stopping, and thus advances to Step S 204 .
  • Step S 204 the DSP/CPU 19 acquires the zoom magnification for the present optical zoom.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 judges at Step S 205 whether the zoom magnification of the optical zoom is within a range from 1-fold to a predetermined magnification.
  • Step S 205 When judged at Step S 205 that the zoom magnification of the optical zoom is within a range from 1-fold to a predetermined magnification, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 123 in FIG. 9 . As a result of this, the pan focus processing is executed corresponding to whether or not a face has been detected.
  • Step S 202 when judged at Step S 202 that time is out before the shutter button is fully depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 judges that the shutter button has been half depressed rather than fully depressed without stopping, and advances to Step S 206 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 206 also when judged at Step S 205 that the zoom magnification of the optical zoom is not within a range from 1-fold to a predetermined magnification. The reason for this is the same as that explained in the second embodiment as described above.
  • Step S 206 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether a face has been detected immediately before the half depression of the shutter button.
  • Step S 206 When judged at Step S 206 that a face has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 207 .
  • Step S 207 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether multiple faces have been detected.
  • Step S 208 the DSP/CPU 19 sets the AF area at the position of the face identified as the main photographic subject immediately before the half depression of the shutter button, and after staring the AF processing according to the contrast detection method based on the image data of the AF area it has set, advances to Step S 211 .
  • Step S 207 when judged that multiple faces have not been detected at Step S 207 , that is, when judged that a single face has been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 209 .
  • Step S 209 the DSP/CPU 19 sets the AF area at the position of the detected face, and after staring the AF processing according to the contrast detection method based on the image data of the AF area it has set, advances to Step S 211 .
  • Step S 210 the DSP/CPU 19 sets the AF area at the center of the field angle, and after staring the AF processing according to the contrast detection method based on the image data of the AF area it has set, advances to Step S 211 .
  • Step S 211 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the AF processing has been completed.
  • Step S 211 When judged at Step S 211 that the AF processing has not been completed, the DSP/CPU 19 remains at Step S 211 until judged that AF processing has been completed. Then, when judged that the AF processing has been completed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 212 .
  • Step S 212 the DSP/CPU 19 judges at Step S 202 whether the AF processing has been executed after time out.
  • Step S 211 When judged at Step S 211 that the AF processing has been executed after time out, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 130 in FIG. 10 .
  • Step S 211 when judged at Step S 211 that the AF processing has been executed after time out, in other words, that the DSP/CPU 19 has executed the AF processing at Step S 205 after judging that the zoom magnification is not within a range from 1-fold to a predetermined magnification, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 122 in FIG. 9 .
  • the operations in the flowchart of FIG. 13 refers to the operations for judging whether the shutter button has been fully depressed without stopping, in the case where it is set such that an operational signal corresponding to a half depression of the shutter button is not detected unless the half-depression state of the shutter button is maintained for at least a predetermined period of time.
  • the flowchart of FIG. 13 is created by partially modifying the flowchart of FIG. 12 , and it will be explained referring to the operations shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 .
  • Step S 109 in FIG. 8 When the face of the main photographic subject identified at Step S 109 in FIG. 8 is distinctly displayed, or when judged at Step S 107 that multiple faces have not been detected, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 251 in FIG. 13 .
  • Step S 251 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the shutter button has been half depressed by the user.
  • Step S 251 When judged at Step S 251 that the shutter button has not been half depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 252 .
  • Step S 252 the DSP/CPU 19 judges whether the shutter button has been fully depressed by the user.
  • Step S 252 When judged at Step S 252 that the shutter button has not been fully depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 returns to Step S 105 in FIG. 8 .
  • Step S 252 when judged that the shutter button has been, not half depressed, but fully depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 253 .
  • Step S 253 the DSP/CPU 19 locks the photographic conditions such as the exposure value, the white balance value, and strobe flash ON/OFF, and advances to Step S 204 in FIG. 12 .
  • Step S 251 when judged at Step S 251 that the shutter button has been half depressed, the DSP/CPU 19 judges that the shutter button has been, not fully depressed without stopping, but half depressed, and advances to Step S 254 .
  • Step S 254 the DSP/CPU 19 locks the photographic conditions such as the exposure value, the white balance value, and the strobe flash ON/OFF, and advances to Step S 206 in FIG. 12 .
  • Step S 212 in FIG. 12 the judgment at Step S 212 in FIG. 12 is made on whether the AF processing is executed after the shutter button is half depressed.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 130 in FIG. 10 .
  • the DSP/CPU 19 advances to Step S 122 in FIG. 9 .
  • the shutter button is a button having a 2-stage stroke enabling the half-depression operation and the full-depression operation.
  • the button may be a button enabling the operation of only one stage. (a button that does not have a 2-stage stroke, that is, a button that enables depression only).
  • a touch sensor for detecting if a finger touches the touch sensor is provided at the upper section of the shutter button. The DSP/CPU 19 judges that the shutter button has been half depressed when a finger touches the touch sensor, and judges that the shutter button has been fully depressed when the shutter button is pressed down.
  • the DSP/CPU 19 determines that the type of the priority pan focus is the person-priority pan focus and execute the pan focus processing (at Steps S 124 , S 125 , S 128 in FIG. 9 , or Step S 151 to Step S 154 in FIG. 11 ).
  • the DSP/CPU 19 determines that the type of the priority pan focus is the non-person priority pan focus, and executes the pan focus processing (Steps S 126 , S 127 , S 128 in FIG. 9 ).
  • the auto-focus processing may be executed, or no focus processing may or need be executed. In this case, it is possible to provide a person shooting mode, and to execute the focus processing when the person shooting mode has been set.
  • the focus positions and the photographic subject distances are set corresponding to the zoom magnification in the focus position tables shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B and in the photographic subject distance table shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the focus position and the photographic subject distance are set corresponding only to the reference magnification (for example, Zoom 1), and the focus position and the photographic subject distance that have been set are modified in accordance with the present zoom magnification.
  • the focus positions and the photographic subject distances are calculated using the calculating formula, instead of using the focus position table and the photographic subject distance table.
  • zoom magnification need not be verified for the focus position.
  • pan focus processing is executed only when the zoom magnification of the optical zoom is within a range from 1-fold to a predetermined magnification, and the auto-focus processing is executed when the zoom magnification of the optical zoom is larger than a predetermined magnification.
  • the focus processing is executed corresponding to the zoom magnification of the optical zoom, regardless of whether the shutter button has been fully depressed without stopping.
  • multiple types of the priority pan focus (the person-priority pan focus, the short-distance priority pan focus, the long-distance priority pan focus with full aperture, and the long-distance priority pan focus without full aperture) are provided and the pan focus processing is executed corresponding to the determined type of the priority pan focus.
  • the pan focus processing is executed in all cases regardless of the zoom magnification of the optical zoom.
  • the pan focus processing is executed even in the case where the zoom magnification of the optical zoom is larger than a predetermined magnification, the photographic subject is likely to be out of focus and therefore appropriate pan focus processing cannot be executed.
  • Executing the pan focus processing only in the case where the zoom magnification of the optical zoom is within a range from 1-fold to a predetermined magnification enables focusing on the true photographic subject quickly and appropriately.
  • executing the auto-focus processing enables appropriately focusing on the true photographic subject although it takes some time for focusing.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, the present invention may be applied to and any apparatus as long as it can focus on the photographic subject.
  • processing program of the imaging apparatus which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention is stored in the memory (for example, ROM, etc.) of the imaging apparatus
  • this processing program is stored thereon a computer-readable medium and should also be protected in the case of manufacturing, selling, etc. of only the program.
  • the method of protecting the program with a patent will be realized by the form of the computer-readable medium on which the processing program is stored.

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Effective date: 20080611

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

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