JP2009133979A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of making individual focus adjustment on a plurality of objects, even if there are a plurality of objects in a specific focusing detection region. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus 10 comprises an optical device 11, a focus driver 12, an image sensor 13, an image processing part 14, an image display part 15, a touch panel 16, a target object determining part 17, and a specified area focusing detector 18. An operator specifies a specific area from among a plurality of focusing detection areas on the touch panel 16, while targeting at an image display on the image display part 15. Based on the specified operation procedure, the noted object determining part 17 determines a target object from among the objects in the specific area, and the specified region focusing detector 18 detects a signal component for evaluating the focusing degree from the image signal in the specific area and computes a focusing evaluation value. The focus driver 12 sets priority to the distance adjustment of a focusing point, based on the determined result over the focusing evaluation value computed by the specified region focusing detector 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more specifically, when imaging a subject having a plurality of in-focus distances, a subject to be noted is designated based on a designation operation procedure to an in-focus area designation unit by an operator. In addition, the present invention relates to an imaging apparatus for obtaining a focused image with respect to the subject of interest after the determination.

  A technique relating to the control method of the camera and the focusing device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 below. In Patent Document 1, in a camera having autofocus means having distance measuring points corresponding to a plurality of points in a screen, the autofocus means determines first candidate points among the plurality of points. 1 determining means and second determining means for determining a second candidate point different from the first candidate point among the plurality of points, and further detecting an operation of a predetermined switch of the photographer The camera is characterized by comprising switch detection means and selection means for selectively switching the first candidate point or the second candidate point according to the detection state of the switch detection means.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 2 below, display means for displaying a subject image on a screen, and switch means provided by dividing the screen displayed on the display means into a plurality of areas and fixing each of the divided areas. And this switch means is turned on. The detection means for detecting the off state and whether the size of the focus detection area of the subject image is a standard area corresponding to a normal recording screen displayed on the display means or an area smaller than the standard area is selected. Focus detection area selection means and means for enlarging the first divided area selected by the first selection operation by the switch means when an area smaller than the standard area is selected by the focus detection area selection means When the second divided area is selected from the enlarged first divided area by the second selection operation by the switch means, the focus is based on the subject information corresponding to the second divided area. There is disclosed a technique relating to an autofocus device characterized by comprising a focus detection means for detecting a state.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-53686 Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-95136

  In recent years, in an imaging apparatus that displays a subject image to be imaged, a man-machine interface unique to an electronic display unit, which is not provided in an optical display unit according to the prior art, has been demanded from the market.

  For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, focusing on an unintended subject, which is likely to occur in multi-AF, is quickly canceled, and a higher speed can be achieved with respect to the subject targeted by the photographer. There is a description regarding a control method for a camera and a focusing device that enable focus control.

  In the method of controlling the camera and the focusing device described in Patent Document 1, a first candidate point is determined from among a plurality of points in the screen by a first release switch, and the first one of the plurality of points is determined by a second release switch. A second candidate point different from the candidate points is determined. In addition, an operation of a predetermined switch of the photographer is detected by the changeover switch, and the first candidate point or the second candidate point is selectively changed depending on the detection state of the changeover switch.

  However, this camera and focusing device control method can shoot while focusing on a plurality of subjects by selecting and switching the first candidate point or the second candidate point. When there are a plurality of subjects at the candidate points, there is a first problem that the plurality of subjects at the first candidate points cannot be individually focused.

  On the other hand, the autofocus device disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a means for enlarging the first divided area selected by the first selection operation, and a second selection from the enlarged first divided area. When the second divided area is selected by the operation, the focus state is detected based on the subject information corresponding to the second divided area.

  In this way, the autofocus device described in Patent Document 2 is enlarged for a plurality of subjects in the first divided region (first candidate point) if the first problem described above is described. Furthermore, since the second divided area can be selected, it is possible to individually focus on a plurality of subjects in the first divided area.

  However, this autofocus device needs to enlarge the first divided area when performing individual focusing on a plurality of subjects in the first divided area. In the enlarging period, there is a second problem that a part of the subject image to be captured is not displayed.

  If this autofocus apparatus is described from the viewpoint of a man-machine interface, there is a third problem that the operability when selecting the second divided area is troublesome for the photographer.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and even when there are a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection region, focus adjustment is individually performed on the plurality of subjects. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can perform the above.

  In addition, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus that does not necessarily need to expand the specific focus detection area when performing individual focus adjustment on a plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection area. With the goal.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus that is simple in operability when performing individual focus adjustment on a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection region.

  That is, the invention according to claim 1 is an imaging apparatus for designating a subject to be noticed by an operator from a plurality of subjects having a focal point distance and obtaining a focused image for the subject to be noticed. An optical means capable of adjusting a distance of the focal point when generating an optical image from the subject; a focus adjusting means for adjusting and controlling the distance of the focal point of the optical image; and Imaging means for generating an imaging signal by conversion, image processing means for performing image processing on the imaging signal to generate an image signal divided into a plurality of focus detection areas, and image display based on the image signal Image display means for performing focus area designating means for allowing the operator to designate a specific focus detection area from among the plurality of focus detection areas of the image signal while viewing the image display. , By the operator Based on a procedure for specifying the focus area designating unit, the subject of interest is determined from the plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection area, and the determination result is input to the focus adjustment unit. The target subject determination means detects a signal component for evaluating the degree of focus of the image signal from the image signal in the specific focus detection region, calculates a focus evaluation value, and outputs it. A focus evaluation unit, and the focus adjustment unit prioritizes the adjustment of the focus distance based on the determination result over the adjustment of the focus distance based on the focus evaluation value. It is characterized by doing.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein when the operator newly designates the specific focus detection area by the focus area designating means, the attention is given. The subject determining means determines the subject in front of the plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection area as the subject of interest, and the focus adjusting means temporarily determines based on the determination result. After adjusting the distance of the in-focus point to the distance of the shortest in-focus point, the distance of the in-focus point is readjusted based on the in-focus evaluation value for the foremost subject.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the in-focus detection area that is the same as the specific in-focus detection area is continuous n times (n is a natural number of 2 or more). The subject-of-interest determination means determines the n-th subject from the front of the plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection area as the subject of interest, and the focus adjustment means Determines the distance of the in-focus point of the (n−1) th subject from the front of the plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection area based on the determination result, and passes the focus adjusting means so as to pass through. After the control, the in-focus distance is readjusted based on the focus evaluation value for the n-th subject.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the target subject determination unit is arranged in the front system based on the focus evaluation value in an internal system of the target subject determination unit. Focusing determining means for executing focusing determination for each of the subject to the (n−1) -th subject, and counter means for counting the number of consecutive designations of the specific focusing detection area by the focusing area specifying means; , And the counter means grasps the (n−1) th subject from the difference between the consecutive designated number and the number of times the in-focus determination is made.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the in-focus determination unit performs the in-focus determination for the (n−1) -th subject based on the in-focus evaluation value. It is characterized by determining whether or not the subject is in focus tracking when executing.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, when the specific focus detection area is designated twice in succession by a series of operations by the operator, The subject-of-interest determining means divides the plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection area into a front subject group and a rear subject group, and determines the rear subject group as the subject of interest, If the focus adjusting unit is already in focus tracking with respect to the front subject group, the focus adjusting unit abandons the focus tracking based on the determination result, and determines the distance of the in-focus point. Is moved rearward, the distance of the in-focus point is readjusted based on the in-focus evaluation value for the rear subject group, and the focus adjusting means is still in focus with respect to the front subject group. If not, based on the determination result, First, after adjusting the in-focus distance to the shortest in-focus distance, the focus adjusting means is controlled so as to pass through the in-focus distance range of the front subject group, and the in-focus point for the rear subject group is controlled. The focus distance is readjusted based on a focus evaluation value.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the subject-of-interest determination unit includes the identification target in an internal system of the subject-of-interest determination unit based on the focus evaluation value. Focusing grouping means for grouping the plurality of subjects in the in-focus detection area into a front subject group and a rear subject group, and the specific focus is designated by the operator using the focusing area designation means. Double touch determination means for determining that the detection area has been continuously specified twice or more within a predetermined time, and the focusing grouping means has the focusing evaluation value of the distance of the focusing point. Based on the distances of the in-focus points of the plurality of subjects and the in-focus evaluation values of the plurality of subjects, the front subject group is grouped according to the change and sequentially input. It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein it is determined by the double touch determination means that the specific focus detection area is continuously designated twice or more within a predetermined time. When the focus grouping means is already in focus tracking for the front subject group, the rear subject group is grouped based on the focus evaluation value, If the front subject group is not yet in focus tracking, the grouping of the front subject group is started or continued based on the focus evaluation value to at least grasp the front subject group. Then, the rear subject group grouping is started based on the focus evaluation value.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect of the present invention, a second focus evaluation value via a low-pass filter is input to the focus grouping unit. The low-pass filter is set with a cutoff frequency so that the inflection point of the focus evaluation value for the front subject group becomes one, and the focusing grouping unit grasps at least the front subject group. After that, the cutoff frequency setting control is performed so that the second focus evaluation value is the same as the focus evaluation value.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a linear motor system according to the seventh aspect, wherein the optical means is capable of changing the variable speed when changing the distance of the focal point. The focus adjustment means is a linear driver type focus adjustment means for adjusting the distance of the focal point of the optical image by controlling and driving the linear motor, and the focusing grouping means is: Lens position information for calculating the in-focus distance is input from the optical means.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, when the operator designates the specific focus detection area by the focus area designation means, the specific focus is selected. When the detection area is pressed for a predetermined time or longer by the operator, the target object determination unit selects a target object behind the plurality of objects in the specific focus detection area. The focus adjusting means adjusts the in-focus distance once to an in-focus distance based on the determination result, and then adjusts the in-focus distance based on the focus evaluation value for the rear object. The focus distance is readjusted.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the third, sixth, and eleventh aspects, the specific focus detection area is determined by the focus area specifying means. When it is designated outside the effective area of the image display, the subject-of-interest determining means determines the plurality of subjects in the effective area of the image display as the subject of interest, and the designated-area focusing evaluation means Is characterized by calculating a weighted addition for the plurality of focus detection areas in the effective area of the image and outputting the focus evaluation value.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to any one of claims 3, 6, and 11, wherein the focus detection region further includes a detection frame, and the detection frame is A period that is superimposed on the image display and can be output and displayed on the image display unit, and the distance of the focal point is adjusted with respect to the forefront subject, and a subject behind the foreground subject In contrast, the image is displayed in different shapes and / or hues during the period in which the distance of the focal point is adjusted.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the third, sixth, and eleventh aspects, the focus detection region further includes a detection frame, and the detection frame is The focus adjustment means can be output and displayed on the image display unit, and blinking is displayed during the period in which the focus adjustment means adjusts the focus distance, thereby completing the adjustment of the focus distance. Alternatively, the display is turned on when paused.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the image display unit is provided with a plurality of transparent electrodes on the screen display. The focusing detection area is designated based on the transparent electrode that is turned off from the plurality of transparent electrodes, and the on operation of the transparent electrode is not recognized as the operation of the operator. .

  According to the present invention, even when there are a plurality of subjects in a specific in-focus detection region, there is an effect that the focus adjustment can be individually performed on the plurality of subjects.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when performing individual focus adjustment on a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection area, the specific focus detection area does not necessarily have to be enlarged. is there.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the operability when performing individual focus adjustment on a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection region is simplified.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an imaging apparatus 10 includes an optical apparatus (optical means) 11, a focus driver (focus adjustment means) 12, an image sensor (imaging means) 13, and an image processing unit (image processing means) 14. , An image display unit (image display unit) 15, a touch panel (focusing area specifying unit) 16, an attention subject determining unit (attention subject determining unit) 17, and a designated region focusing detector (designated region focusing evaluation unit). 18 and more.

  The optical device 11 generates an optical image from a subject, and the focal distance can be adjusted when generating the optical image. The focus driver 12 adjusts and controls the focal point distance (focus) of the optical image. The image sensor 13 photoelectrically converts the optical image to generate an imaging signal, and includes, for example, a CCD, a MOS type image sensor, an amorphous image sensor, a fobion type direct image sensor, and the like. The image processing unit 14 performs image processing on the imaging signal to generate an image signal.

  The image display unit 15 displays an image signal as an image, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, an organic LED monitor, a cathode ray tube, a plasma display, and the like. The touch panel (in-focus area designating means) 16 is an example of an apparatus for designating a specific in-focus detection area from a plurality of in-focus detection areas. The operator's eyes 23 display an image. The operator touches the touch panel 16 directly or indirectly with the finger 24 of the operator, the touch pen (input stick) 25, or the like. Alternatively, instead of the touch panel 16, a specific in-focus detection region may be designated by an operation unit such as a lever (selection operation), detection frame display (viewing), or a button (decision operation).

  The subject-of-interest determination unit 17 determines a subject of interest from among a plurality of subjects 21 in a specific focus detection area based on an operation procedure designated on the touch panel 16 by the operator, and the focus driver 12 The determination result is input.

  The designated area focus detector 18 detects a signal component for evaluating the degree of focus of the image signal from an image signal in a specific focus detection area, calculates a focus evaluation value, and outputs the focus evaluation value. Is. The signal component for evaluating the degree of focus is, for example, a signal based on the high frequency component of the luminance included in the image signal, and the focus evaluation value is calculated based on the detected high frequency component of the luminance. The

  In addition, the focus driver 12 gives priority to the determination result input from the attention object determination unit 17 described above over the focus evaluation value input from the designated area focus detector 18, and the optical image of the optical image. It is characterized by adjusting and controlling the distance of the focal point.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, in this imaging apparatus 10, first, in step S <b> 1, the focus evaluation value output from the designated area focus detector 18 is input to the focus driver 12, and based on this focus evaluation value. Thus, the distance of the focal point of the optical device 11 is adjusted.

  Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not a specific focus detection area has been designated by an operation of the touch panel 16 or the like by the operator. As a result, when a specific focus detection area is designated, the process proceeds to step S3, and this specific focus detection area is set and updated in the designated area focus detector 18. If the specific focus detection area is not designated, the process proceeds to step S1, and the adjustment of the focus distance of the optical device 11 is continued while the previous focus detection area is maintained. . If the previous focus detection area is not designated, the entire effective pixel area of the image sensor may be set as a default as a focus detection area in advance.

  Even if a specific focus detection region is designated, it is determined in step S4 whether or not the same region as the previous time is redesignated. In the case of re-designation, the adjustment of the focal point distance of the optical device is continued while the previous focus detection area is maintained.

  Here, when the specific focus detection area is designated and the new designation is not the re-designation of the same area as the previous time, the process proceeds to step S5, and the subject-of-interest determination unit 17 It is determined that the foremost subject among the plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection area is the subject to be noted.

  As described above, when the imaging apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention captures an object having a plurality of in-focus distances, based on the designation operation procedure to the focusing area designation unit by the operator, This specifies and determines the subject of interest.

  If it is determined that the subject of interest is the foremost subject in the designated area, the process proceeds to step S6, and the focus driver 12 adjusts the distance of the focal point of the optical device 11 to the distance of the shortest focal point. Thereafter, the position of the shortest focal point distance is set as a start position, and the focal point distance of the foremost subject is searched with reference to the focus evaluation value.

  In this search method, for example, a hill-climbing method (“NHK Technology Research” Vol. 17, No. 1, p. 21 issued in 1965, while wobbling the focus lens (optical device) based on the focus evaluation value. (Ishida et al.), Moving the in-focus distance to reach the vicinity of the foremost subject, and then based on the focus evaluation value for the vicinity of the foremost subject, For example, there is a technique for readjusting the distance of the focal point with respect to the subject in more detail.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram (graph) showing how the focal length is adjusted by a general hill-climbing method.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal axis of this graph represents the distance (m) of the focal point from the near end to ∞ (the distance of the focal point is infinite), and the vertical axis of this graph represents the focus evaluation. The value (a focusing evaluation value) is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 3, even when the same subject is imaged, when there are two subjects in the in-focus detection area, the in-focus evaluation value indicates the in-focus distance (m). It will have two different peak values. In such a case, it is impossible to automatically quantitatively determine which of the subject candidate 1 (broken line a) and the subject candidate 2 (broken line b) is the subject of interest.

  For example, in FIG. 3, it is depicted that the object has converged to the subject candidate 2 by a general hill-climbing method from the focal point distance (m) farther (right side) than the broken line A, as shown in FIG. 3. The arrow indicates that wobbling is performed within a predetermined focal distance range including the broken line b.

  Or, before the hill-climbing method, the focus evaluation value from the near end to ∞ (the in-focus distance is infinite) is roughly investigated at a low sampling rate, and the peak value of the broken line b out of the two peak values In general, the specification converges to the subject candidate 2 (broken line b) after detecting that the focus evaluation value is large.

  In the case of convergence to the subject candidate 2 as described above, the subject candidate 2 is not necessarily the subject of interest in many cases. This is because the operator's intention should accompany which of the subject candidate 1 and the subject candidate 2 is the subject of interest.

  In order to solve such a problem, when the operator's intention to image is the subject candidate 1, the imaging apparatus must determine that the subject of interest is the subject candidate 1.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram (graph) illustrating an example of how the focal point distance is adjusted by the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the subject of interest is, for example, the subject candidate 1 that is the foremost subject, once the focal distance is adjusted to the near end, the focal distance adjustment by the hill-climbing method is performed. It ’s fine. This is because if the peak value reaches the broken line a by the hill-climbing method, it is adjusted without falling from the peak, and the distance of this focal point converges and wobbles at the peak value of the broken line a.

  Or, in the specifications for rough investigation of focusing evaluation from near end to ∞ (infinite focusing distance) at low sampling before hill-climbing method, the peak value is reached after reaching the peak value by broken line a. Control may be performed so that the peak of the broken line a does not fall toward the broken line b having a large value.

  Regarding the determination as to whether or not the focus distance is once adjusted to the near end, as described above with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Based on the above, it is necessary to let the attention subject determination unit 17 determine that the foremost subject is the attention subject, thereby conveying the operator's intention to the imaging apparatus.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a captured image in a case where the entire effective pixel area of the image sensor is a focus detection area for a plurality of subjects.

  In FIG. 5, it is assumed that the operator's intention of this captured image is to capture an image of a cat as a subject 31 with a V-shaped and W-shaped background. However, the V-shaped and W-shaped background has a larger focus evaluation value, so that the V-shaped and W-shaped subjects are focused. As a result, the cat that is the subject 31 of interest in this captured image In FIG. 5, a broken line indicates that is in a defocused (non-focused) state.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the focus detection area is designated by the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, for example, on the screen 30 of the screen display unit 15, the operator touches the face part of the cat, which is the subject 31 of interest, with the finger 24 while visually observing (designated as the focus detection region 32. ). By such a one-touch operation, the imaging device is informed to the imaging device that the region including the subject 31 of interest is the shaded portion shown in FIG. Note that it is not always necessary to display the hatched portion on the image display unit 15.

  At the same time, if this designation is a new designation, FIG. 6 informs the imaging apparatus that the subject 31 of interest is the foremost subject in the shaded area as the intention of the photographer. ing. In other words, the subject-of-interest determination unit 17 determines that the subject 31 of interest is the foremost subject.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image when the cat of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a subject of interest.

  FIG. 7 shows that this captured image is focused on at least the face of the cat, and the background V-shaped and W-shaped are in soft focus (semi-focused). As described above, the imaging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is particularly practical for the designation of the dynamic frontmost subject that is not necessarily stationary such as the cat or the like. In addition, the imaging apparatus is simple in operability, and can be used to specify the subject of interest through an intuitive operation while being visually observed by the operator.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when imaging a subject having a plurality of in-focus distances, based on a designation operation by the operator to the focusing area designation unit. Thus, after the subject of interest is designated and determined, a focused image for the subject of interest can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, even when there are a plurality of subjects in a specific in-focus detection region, the imaging apparatus capable of individually adjusting the focus on the plurality of subjects. Can be provided.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, when individual focus adjustment is performed on a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection area, it is not always necessary to enlarge the specific focus detection area. An apparatus can be provided.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that is simple in operability when performing individual focus adjustment on a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection region.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 8, this imaging apparatus is the forefront among a plurality of subjects in a specific in-focus detection area by one-touch operation of the operator as shown in the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. The function to make a subject as a subject of interest has been further developed and applied, and the nth subject among a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection region can be selected by n touch operations by an operator. It adds a function to make the subject of interest.

  In the second embodiment described below, the basic configuration and operation of the imaging apparatus are the same as those in the first embodiment described above. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  In FIG. 8, the imaging apparatus 40 includes an optical device (optical means) 11, a focus stepping driver (focus adjustment means) 41, an image sensor (imaging means) 13, and an image processing unit (image processing means) 14. An image display unit (image display means) 15, a touch panel (focusing area specifying means) 16, an attention subject determining section (attention subject determining means) 17a, and a specified area focusing detector (designated area focusing evaluation means). ) 18 and so on.

  The optical device 11, the image sensor 13, the image processing unit 14, the image display unit 15, the touch panel 16, and the designated area focusing detector 18 are according to the first embodiment described above. Since it is the same as that of an imaging device, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The target subject determination unit 17a includes a focus determination unit (focusing unit) that performs focus determination for each of the (n-1) th subject from the foremost subject based on the focus evaluation value in the internal system. Determination means) 42 and a counter (counter means) 43 that counts the number of continuous designations of a specific in-focus detection area by the touch panel 16. The counter 43 grasps the (n−1) -th subject from the difference between the number of consecutive designations and the number of in-focus determinations.

  The focus determination unit 42 determines whether or not the subject is in focus tracking when executing focus determination for the (n−1) th subject based on the focus evaluation value. It is.

  The focus stepping driver 41 controls, for example, a stepping motor for adjusting the focal distance, but is not necessarily limited to the stepping motor, and controls the focal distance adjustment by a stepping method (stepper control). To do.

  As shown in FIG. 8, by inputting the stepping control signal output from the focus stepping driver 41 to the target subject determination unit 17a, the target subject determination unit 17a obtains the focal point distance information of the optical device 11. Can do. Therefore, there is an advantage that the feedback circuit from the optical device 11 can be omitted when the focused object determination unit 17a described above determines the focus.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the imaging apparatus 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the flowchart of FIG. 9, the processing contents of steps S11 to S14 and steps S15 to S16 are the same as the processing contents of steps S1 to S4 and steps S5 to S6 in the flowchart of FIG. The description is omitted here.

  In FIG. 9, in the imaging apparatus 40 according to the second embodiment, in step S14, if the specific focus detection area is not designated again as the previous area, step S15 and The process proceeds to S16, and the control content follows the same flowchart as that of the imaging apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment described above. Next, in step S17, the focus distance adjustment control is started for the foremost subject in the focus detection area designated by the touch panel 16.

  Here, the difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described. When the specific focus detection area is designated again as the previous area, the first implementation is performed. According to the form, the designation is ignored without being counted. However, in step S18, the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment counts the redesignated consecutive number of times n times to determine the subject of interest. It is what is used.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in step S19, the subject-of-interest determination unit 17a determines the subject of interest as the nth subject from the front according to the counted consecutive designation n times. Based on the determination result, in step S22, the focus distance adjustment control is started on the n-th front subject in the focus detection area designated by the touch panel 16.

  At this time, if it is determined in step S20 that the (n−1) th front subject is not yet in focus tracking, the process proceeds to step S21, and after the (n−1) th front subject is grasped, the nth front subject. It is necessary to start the adjustment control of the focal point distance of the nth front subject. However, the subject need not be as accurate and detailed as in-focus tracking, but may be as long as the rough focus distance is grasped.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram (graph) showing how the focal distance is adjusted by a general hill-climbing method when a plurality of subjects are imaged without designating a specific focus detection area.

  As shown in FIG. 10, even when the same subject is imaged, when there are n subjects in the effective pixel area of the imaging, the focus evaluation value includes the focus distance (m ) Having different n peak values (four in FIG. 10 as an example). In such a case, it is impossible to automatically determine quantitatively which of the subject candidate 3 (broken line c) and the subject candidate 4 (broken line d) is the subject of interest.

  For example, in FIG. 10, it is drawn that the object has converged to the subject candidate 3 by a general hill-climbing method from the distance (m) of the shortest focal point, and the arrow shown in FIG. This indicates that wobbling is performed within a predetermined focal distance range.

  In addition, the position of the broken line c is not limited to the foremost subject, and indicates that it may be the second front subject as a result of the wobbling correction.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram (graph) showing an example of how the in-focus distance is adjusted by the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 11, it is assumed that the subject of interest is the nth forward subject (the fourth forward subject in FIG. 11). In FIG. 10, the focus tracking by wobbling is being performed on the second front subject by adjusting the focus distance by a general hill-climbing method. In FIG. 10, the operator performs this specific focus detection. It is assumed that the area has not been specified yet.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11, in order for the operator to perform an operation so as to focus on the n-th front subject that is the subject of interest, a specific focus detection region of this subject is continuously designated n times. It is sufficient to cause the subject-of-interest determination unit to determine that the subject of interest is the n-th forward subject based on the consecutive designated n counts.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image in a case where the entire effective pixel area of the image sensor is set as a focus detection area for a plurality of subjects.

  In FIG. 12, it is assumed that the operator's intention of the captured image is to capture the person's face 47 on the other side of the candle 46 stuck in the cake 45 as a subject of interest. However, since the candle 46 stuck in the cake 45 has a higher focus evaluation value, the candle 46 stuck in the cake 45 is focused, and as a result, the subject of interest in the captured image is focused. A broken line indicates that the face 47 of the person is defocused (not in focus).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of how a focus detection area is designated in the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 13, for example, on the screen of the screen display unit 15, the operator touches the face 47 of the person who is the subject of interest with the finger 24 for n times while visually observing (focus detection region). Is designated). By such a touch operation, the imaging device is informed to the imaging device that the in-focus detection region 48 including the subject of interest is the shaded portion shown in FIG. Note that it is not always necessary to display the hatched portion on the image display unit 15.

  At the same time, in FIG. 13, since this designation is a designation for the same region n times in succession, the imaging apparatus has the intention of the photographer that the subject of interest is the nth forward subject in the shaded area. To tell. In other words, the subject-of-interest determination unit 17a determines that the subject of interest is the nth forward subject.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image in a case where a person's face of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a subject of interest.

  As shown in FIG. 14, this captured image is focused on at least a person's face 47, and a broken line indicates that the candle 46 stuck in the cake 45 is in soft focus (half focus). Has been. For the designation when the subject of interest is not necessarily the forefront subject, such as the human face 47 shown in FIG. 14, the subject of interest by successive n touch operations is the nth front subject. The man-machine interface is particularly practical and easy to operate. Therefore, the imaging device 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can realize the designation of the subject of interest through an intuitive operation while the operator visually observes it.

  Here, if it is simply specified that the region including the subject of interest is the hatched portion 48 shown in FIG. 13 without the determination by the subject of interest determination unit as described above, this figure. The shaded portion 48 shown in FIG. 13 includes not only the face 47 of the person who is the subject of interest but also the candle 46 stuck in the cake 45 located in front of the person's face 47. .

  That is, by simply specifying a specific focus detection area, even if the operator performs a specific focus detection area specification operation as shown in FIG. 13, the target object shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, only a captured image that is not in focus with respect to the subject of interest can be obtained. Sometimes it is not.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when imaging a subject having a plurality of in-focus distances, based on a designation operation by the operator to the focusing area designation unit. Thus, after the subject of interest is designated and determined, a focused image for the subject of interest can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, even when there are a plurality of subjects in a specific in-focus detection region, the imaging apparatus capable of individually adjusting the focus on the plurality of subjects. Can be provided.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, when individual focus adjustment is performed on a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection area, it is not always necessary to enlarge the specific focus detection area. An apparatus can be provided.

  Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that is simple in operability when performing individual focus adjustment on a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection region.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 15, this imaging apparatus is configured such that, as shown in the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment described above, among a plurality of subjects in a specific in-focus detection region by one-touch operation by an operator. The function that makes the foremost subject the subject of interest has been further developed and applied, and a plurality of subjects in a specific in-focus detection area can be detected by a double touch operation through a series of operations by the operator. A function of combining a front subject group and a rear subject group and making the rear subject group a subject of interest is added.

  In the third embodiment described below, the basic configuration and operation of the imaging apparatus are the same as those in the first and second embodiments described above. The same reference numerals are assigned to the portions, illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  In FIG. 15, the imaging device 50 includes an optical device (optical means) 11 a, a focus linear driver (focus adjustment means) 51, an image sensor (imaging means) 13, and an image processing unit (image processing means) 14. An image display unit (image display means) 15, a touch panel (focusing area specifying means) 16, an attention subject determining section (attention subject determining means) 17b, and a specified area focusing detector (designated area focusing evaluation means). ) 18 and an LPF (low-pass filter) 52.

  The image sensor 13, the image processing unit 14, the image display unit 15, the touch panel 16, and the designated area focusing detector 18 are the same as those in the imaging apparatus according to the first and second embodiments described above. The description is omitted because it is similar to the above.

  The optical device 11a is, for example, a linear motor type optical means capable of changing the variable speed (driving at high speed) when changing the distance of the focal point. Further, the optical device 11a can output lens position information for calculating a focal point distance. Or even if it is optical means other than a linear motor system, what is necessary is just to be able to output the lens position information for calculating the focal distance.

  In the internal system, the subject-of-interest determination unit 17b classifies a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection area into a front subject group and a rear subject group based on the focus evaluation value. Double that determines that a specific focus detection area is designated twice or more consecutively within a predetermined time by the grouping unit (focusing grouping means) 53 and the touch panel 16 that is the focusing area designating means. A touch determination unit (double touch determination means) 54 is further provided.

  The focusing grouping unit 53 sequentially inputs second focusing evaluation values, which will be described later, along with changes in the focusing distance calculated from the lens position information. Grouping of the front subject group is performed based on the distance and the focus evaluation values of a plurality of subjects.

  The focus linear driver 51 is, for example, a linear driver type focus adjustment unit that controls and drives a focus adjustment linear motor for adjusting the focus distance of an optical image. However, it is not necessarily limited to a linear motor, but includes those based on non-stepping control.

  The LPF 52 generates a second focus evaluation value for the focus evaluation value via the LPF 52, and the LPF 52 allows the inflection point of the focus evaluation value for the front subject group to be one. A cut-off frequency is set. Further, after at least grasping the front subject group by the focus grouping unit 53, the second focus evaluation value is set to the same value as the focus evaluation value according to the first embodiment described above. Cut-off frequency setting control may be performed.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the control content of the imaging apparatus 50 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the flowchart of FIG. 16, the processing contents of steps S31 to S33 and steps S35 to S36 are the same as the processing contents of steps S1 to S3 and steps S5 to S6 in the flowchart of FIG. Since the processing content of S37 is the same processing content as step S17 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 described above, the description thereof is omitted here.

  In FIG. 16, in the imaging apparatus 50 according to the third embodiment, in step S34, the designation of the specific focus detection area is not a double touch operation that is designated continuously twice or more within a predetermined time. In some cases, the process proceeds to steps S35 to S37, and the control contents are in accordance with the same flowchart as that of the imaging devices 10 and 40 according to the first and second embodiments described above.

  Here, the difference between the first embodiment and the third embodiment will be described. When a specific focus detection area is designated by a double touch operation, according to the first embodiment. Although there is no particular distinction between such a double touch operation and a single touch operation, in the imaging device 50 according to the third embodiment, when this double touch operation is performed, in step S38, the subject of interest Is determined as a rear subject group.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the subject-of-interest determination unit 17b according to the third embodiment moves to step S35 in accordance with the double touch determination in step S34, and moves the subject of interest to the front subject. If the operation is a double touch operation, the process proceeds to step S38 to determine the subject of interest as a rear subject group.

  At this time, if the front subject group is not yet in focus tracking in step S39, the front subject group is grasped in step S40, then passed through the rear subject group in step S41, and in step S42. It is necessary to start the adjustment control of the focal point distance of the rear subject group. However, the subject need not be as accurate and detailed as in-focus tracking, but may be as long as the rough focus distance is grasped.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram (graph) showing how the focal distance is adjusted by a general hill-climbing method when a plurality of subject groups are imaged without specifying a specific focus detection area.

  As shown in FIG. 17, even when the same subject is imaged, when there are a plurality of subject groups in the in-focus detection area, the in-focus evaluation value indicates the in-focus distance (m). It has a plurality of different peak values (in FIG. 17, two groups as an example). In such a case, it cannot be automatically determined quantitatively which subject group is the subject candidate 5 (e front subject group) or subject candidate 6 (f rear subject group).

  For example, in FIG. 17, it is drawn that the distance from the shortest focal point (m) has converged to the subject group candidate 5 by a general hill-climbing method, and the arrow shown in FIG. This shows that wobbling is performed in the range of the focal point including the group. In addition, the position of the center of wobbling is not limited to the foremost subject, and may indicate the second front subject as a result of wobbling correction.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram (graph) illustrating an example of how the in-focus distance is adjusted by the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 18, it is assumed that the target subject is a rear subject group (fourth front subject in FIG. 18). In FIG. 17, focus tracking by wobbling is being performed on the front subject group by adjusting the focus distance by a general hill-climbing method. In FIG. 17, the operator performs this specific focus detection region. Is not yet specified.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 18, in order to perform an operation to focus on a rear subject group that is an object of interest by the operator, a specific focus detection area of the subject may be double-touched. Based on this double touch operation, the target subject determination unit 17b may determine that the target subject is the rear subject group.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram (graph) showing another example of the adjustment of the focal point distance of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 19, it is assumed that the subject of interest is a rear subject group (fourth front subject in FIG. 19). FIG. 18 shows a case where it is determined that the subject of interest is the rear subject group from the state where the front subject group is in focus tracking by wobbling, but in FIG. 19, the subject tracking is focused on the front subject group. This shows a case where it is determined that the subject of interest is the rear subject group from a state that is not in the middle.

  The broken lines shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 represent the filter effect by the LPF 52 shown in FIG. Here, when attention is paid to the broken line in FIG. 18 and the broken line in FIG. 19, it can be seen that different curves are drawn. As described above, the LPF 52 is an LPF having a cutoff frequency set so that the inflection point of the focus evaluation value for the front subject group becomes one. It is possible to draw two curves.

  The broken line shown in FIG. 18 is a curve drawn when FIG. 18 is already focused on the front subject group. On the other hand, the broken line shown in FIG. 19 is a locus of the second focus evaluation value for grasping the front subject group once the focus distance is once adjusted to the shortest focus distance. For the purpose of shortening the time until the front subject group is grasped, a curve for rough adjustment with a low sampling rate may be drawn for the second focus evaluation value. As a result, the broken line shown in FIG. 19 may be distorted.

  However, if the front subject group is roughly grasped by the target subject determination unit 17b, then it only passes through the rear subject group, so that it is not necessary to know in detail the distances between the focal points of the front subject group. Even if the broken line shown in FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image in a case where the entire effective pixel area of the image sensor 13 is a focus detection area for a plurality of subjects.

  In FIG. 20, it is assumed that the operator's intention of this captured image is to image a person's face (rear subject group) 57 on the other side of the candle stuck in the cake 45 as a subject of interest. However, since the candle (front subject group) 56 stuck in the cake 45 has a higher focus evaluation value, the candle 56 stuck in the cake 45 is focused, and as a result, this imaging is performed. The broken line indicates that the face 57 of the person who is the subject of interest in the image is defocused (out of focus).

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of specifying a focus detection area of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 21 shows a state where, for example, the operator performs a double touch operation with a finger on the face 57 of the person who is the subject of interest on the screen of the screen display unit 15 while viewing the face 57 of the person. By such a double touch operation, the imaging device is informed to the imaging device that the area including the subject of interest is the hatched portion 58 shown in FIG. It is not always necessary to display the shaded portion 58 on the image display portion 15.

  At the same time, FIG. 21 shows to the imaging apparatus that the subject of interest is the rear subject group 57 in the shaded portion 58 as the intention of the photographer by this double touch operation. In other words, the subject-of-interest determination unit 17b determines that the subject of interest is the rear subject group 57.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image when the face of a person in the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the subject of interest.

  As shown in FIG. 22, this captured image is focused on at least a person's face 57, and the broken line indicates that the candle 56 stuck in the cake 45 is in soft focus (semi-focused). Has been. For the designation when the subject of interest is not necessarily the front subject group, such as the person's face 57 shown in FIG. 22, a man-machine interface that assumes that the subject of interest by the double touch operation is the rear subject group. The imaging device 50 according to the third embodiment of the present invention realizes designation of a subject of interest through an intuitive operation while being visually observed by the operator, since the face is particularly practical and easy to operate. To get.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when imaging a subject having a plurality of in-focus distances, the operator can touch the touch panel 16 that is a focusing area designation unit. After the subject of interest is designated and determined based on the designation operation, a focused image for the subject of interest can be obtained.

  Thus, according to the third embodiment, an imaging apparatus capable of individually adjusting the focus for a plurality of subjects even when there are a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection region. Can be provided.

  Further, according to the third embodiment, when individual focus adjustment is performed on a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection area, it is not always necessary to enlarge the specific focus detection area. An apparatus can be provided.

  Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that is simple in operability when performing individual focus adjustment on a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection region.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 23, this imaging apparatus has a plurality of subjects in a specific in-focus detection area by one-touch operation of the operator as shown in the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment described above. The function that makes the foremost subject the subject of interest has been further developed and applied, and attention is paid to the rear subject among multiple subjects in a specific focus detection area by a long press operation by the operator. A function to make the subject to be added is added.

  Note that in the fourth embodiment described below, the basic configuration and operation of the imaging apparatus are the same as those in the first to third embodiments described above. The same reference numerals are assigned to the portions, and illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  In FIG. 23, the imaging device 60 includes an optical device (optical means) 11, a focus driver (focus adjustment means) 12, an image sensor (imaging means) 13, and an image processing unit (image processing means) 14. , An image display unit (image display means) 15, a touch panel (focusing area specifying means) 16, an attention subject determining part (attention subject determining means) 17c, and a designated area focusing detector (designated area focusing evaluation means). 18 and more.

  The optical device 11, the focus driver 12, the image sensor 13, the image processing unit 14, the image display unit 15, the touch panel 16, and the designated area focusing detector 18 are described above. Since it is the same as that of the imaging device according to the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  When the operator designates a specific focus detection region on the touch panel in the internal system of the target subject determination unit 17c, the target subject determination unit 17c determines the specific focus detection region by the operator. A long press determination unit (long press) that determines a subject behind from among a plurality of subjects within a specific focus detection area as a subject of interest when pressed for a predetermined time or longer (long contact) (Judgment means) 61 is further provided. In addition, about this predetermined time, since the optimal time changes with an operator's habit, it is good also as a specification which an operator can set.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the control content of the imaging apparatus 60 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Note that the processing contents of steps S51 to S53 and steps S55 to S56 in the flowchart of FIG. 24 are the same as the processing contents of steps S1 to S3 and steps S5 to S6 in the flowchart of FIG. Since the processing content of S57 is the same processing content as step S17 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 described above, the description is omitted here.

  In FIG. 24, the image pickup apparatus 60 according to the fourth embodiment is the case where, in step S54, the designation of the specific focus detection area has not been pressed for a predetermined time or longer by the operator. The process proceeds to steps S55 to S57, and the control contents are in accordance with the same flowchart as that of the imaging device 40 according to the second embodiment described above.

  Here, the difference between the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment will be described. In the case where the designation of a specific focus detection area is pressed for a predetermined time or longer, the first embodiment is changed to the first embodiment. According to the fourth embodiment, the distinction between the one-touch operation and the long press operation is not particularly provided. However, in the imaging device 60 according to the fourth embodiment, when this long press operation is performed, in step S58, The subject of interest is determined as the rear subject.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the subject-of-interest determination unit 17c according to the fourth embodiment proceeds to step S55 when the long press determination is not made according to the determination of the long press determination unit 61 in step S54. When the subject is determined to be the forefront subject group and the long press determination is made, the process proceeds to step S58 to determine the subject of interest as the rear subject. In step S59, the focus driver 12 adjusts the focal distance of the optical device 11 to infinity, and then in step S60, adjustment control of the focal distance is started toward the rear subject.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image in a case where the entire effective pixel area of the image sensor is used as a focus detection area for a plurality of subjects.

  In FIG. 25, it is assumed that the operator's intention of this captured image is to capture the person's face (rear subject) 65 on the other side of the candle 46 stuck in the cake 45 as a subject of interest. However, since the in-focus evaluation value of the candle (front subject) 46 stuck in the cake 45 is larger, the candle 46 stuck in the cake 45 is focused, and as a result, this captured image The broken line indicates that the face 65 of the person who is the subject of interest is defocused (out of focus).

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of how a focus detection area is designated in the imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 26, for example, on the screen of the screen display unit 15, the face 65 of the person who is the subject of interest is long-pressed (ON operation) for a predetermined time or more with the finger 24 while being visually observed by the operator. Thereafter, it is shown that it is released (OFF operation). By such a long press operation, the imaging device is informed to the imaging device that the area 66 including the subject of interest is the hatched portion shown in FIG. Note that it is not always necessary to display the hatched portion on the image display unit 15.

  At the same time, FIG. 26 indicates to the imaging device 60 that the subject of interest is a rear subject in the shaded area as the intention of the photographer by this long press operation. In other words, the subject-of-interest determination unit 17c determines that the subject of interest is a rear subject. This determination is made by the long press determination unit 61 provided in the internal system of the subject-of-interest determination unit 17c.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image in a case where the face of a person in the imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is a subject of interest.

  As shown in FIG. 27, this captured image is focused on at least a person's face 65, and the broken line indicates that the candle 46 stuck in the cake 45 is in soft focus (half-focus). Has been. For the designation when the subject of interest is not necessarily the front subject, such as the face 65 of the person shown in FIG. 27, a man-machine interface that assumes that the subject of interest by the long press operation is the rear subject is In particular, it is practical and easy to use, and the subject of interest can be specified by an intuitive operation while the operator visually observes it.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when imaging a subject having a plurality of in-focus distances, the operator can touch the touch panel 16 that is a focusing area designation unit. After the subject of interest is designated and determined based on the designation operation, a focused image for the subject of interest can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, even when a plurality of subjects exist in a specific focus detection region, the imaging apparatus capable of individually adjusting the focus on the plurality of subjects. Can be provided.

  Further, according to the fourth embodiment, when individual focus adjustment is performed on a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection area, it is not always necessary to enlarge the specific focus detection area. An apparatus can be provided.

  Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that is simple in operability when performing individual focus adjustment on a plurality of subjects in a specific focus detection region.

  Next, the focusing area of the imaging apparatus according to the first to fourth embodiments described above will be described.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a focus detection region is designated by the imaging device according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the subject of interest has moved away from a specific focus detection region designated by the operator.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example when the focus detection area is designated as an effective area for image display.

Subject 74 of interest shown in FIG. 28 is a dynamic object, as shown by an arrow B ₁ in FIG. 29, it may deviate from the specific focus detection area 73 designated by the operator. In this case, the broken line indicates that the subject 74 of interest is defocused (not in focus) as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30, when a specific focus detection area 73 is designated as a part 72 other than the effective area of the image display on the touch panel 72, the target subject determination unit 17 (17 a to 17 c) After determining that the effective area 71 of the display is the subject of interest, the designated area focus detector 18 calculates a focus addition by calculating a weighted addition for a plurality of focus detection areas 73 in the effective area 71 of the image. Output the value. The weighted addition is the sum of the plurality of in-focus detection areas 73 multiplied by a weighted coefficient.

Thus, the operator can designate the focus detection area 73 as the effective area 71 of the image by designating the specific focus detection area 73 as the portion 72 other than the effective area of the image display. Te, as shown in FIG. 30, also with respect to the target object is a dynamic object in which the operation is not in the intention of the operator, by framing (image frame alignment) with respect to the dynamic object in an arrow B ₂ direction In this way, it becomes possible to focus in an instant.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of the focus detection region by the imaging apparatus according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention, in which the detection frame is superimposed on the image display and output.

  32 and 33 show this detection frame during a period in which the distance of the focal point is adjusted with respect to the subject behind the forefront subject by the imaging apparatus according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example displayed by the shape and / or hue which differ.

  The detection frame 67 shown in FIG. 31 is focused on the candle 46 which is the foremost subject, and is shown to be displayed with a normal solid line frame. Further, the detection frame 67 shown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33 is displayed as a double line frame when the distance of the focal point is adjusted behind the candle 46 which is the foremost subject. It has been shown.

  In the display of the detection frame 67, a blinking display is performed while the focus driver is adjusting the in-focus distance, and it is lit when the adjustment of the in-focus distance is completed or paused. The specification may be displayed.

  For example, if it is an imaging situation in which the candle 46 that is the foremost subject is in focus and the adjustment of the focal distance has already been completed, the detection frame 67 shown in FIG. You may be made to do. For example, if the focus distance is adjusted behind the foremost subject and the focus is not yet reached, the detection frame 67 is double as shown in FIG. You may make it blink with a line.

  Further, in the case where the adjustment of the in-focus distance has already been completed and the in-focus has been obtained for the object behind the foremost object, as shown in FIG. 67 may be lit with a double line.

  As described above, the display of the detection frame 67 can be combined with various shapes, and / or hues, and blinking / lighting displays, thereby combining the imaging apparatuses according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention. It is possible to make the operator visually check which flow in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9, 16, and 24 is in the focus detection area, and to make it easy for the operator to make an intuitive determination. It is done.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the operator has designated a wrong area with respect to designation of the focus detection area by the imaging apparatus according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the designation of the focus detection area is corrected with respect to the erroneous designation of the focus detection area illustrated in FIG.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image obtained when the in-focus detection region designation is corrected in FIG.

  34 to 36, in the image display unit 15 shown in FIGS. 34 to 36, the touch panel (a plurality of transparent electrodes) 16 is installed on the screen display unit 15 as described above. The specific focus detection area 32 is designated based on the transparent electrode turned off from the plurality of transparent electrodes.

  At this time, even if the in-focus detection area 32 of the subject not noticed by the operator is erroneously designated by making the specification so that the on operation of the transparent electrode is not recognized as the operation of the operator, If the operator's finger 24 is swung on the touch panel 16 and the finger 24 does not move away from the touch panel 16, this erroneous specification is avoided and the correction of the specification of the focus detection area 32 is simple. Is done.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  Further, the above-described embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be extracted as an invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the imaging device by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure (graph) which shows the mode of the distance adjustment of the focal point by a general hill-climbing system. It is a figure (graph) which shows an example of the mode of the distance adjustment of the focal point of the imaging device by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the picked-up image at the time of making the whole effective pixel area | region of an image sensor into a focus detection area | region with respect to several to-be-photographed objects. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of designation | designated of the focus detection area | region of the imaging device by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the captured image at the time of setting the cat of the imaging device by the 1st Embodiment of this invention as the subject to which attention is paid. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging device by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the imaging device by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure (graph) which shows the mode of the distance adjustment of a focal point by the general hill-climbing method at the time of imaging several subjects, without designating a specific focus detection area | region. It is a figure (graph) which shows an example of the mode of focus distance adjustment of the imaging device by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the captured image at the time of making the whole effective pixel area | region of an image sensor into a focus detection area | region with respect to several subjects. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of designation | designated of the focus detection area | region of the imaging device by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the captured image at the time of making into a to-be-photographed object the person's face of the imaging device by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging device by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the imaging device by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure (graph) which shows the mode of focus distance adjustment by the general hill-climbing method at the time of imaging a several to-be-photographed object group without designation | designated of a specific focus detection area. It is a figure (graph) which shows an example of the mode of the distance adjustment of the focal point of the imaging device by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure (graph) which shows another example of the mode of the distance adjustment of the focal point of the imaging device by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the captured image at the time of making the whole effective pixel area | region of an image sensor into a focus detection area | region with respect to several subjects. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the designation | designated of the focus detection area | region of the imaging device by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the picked-up image at the time of making into a to-be-photographed object the person's face of the imaging device by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging device by the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the imaging device by the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the captured image at the time of making the whole effective pixel area | region of an image sensor into a focus detection area | region with respect to several subjects. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the designation | designated of the focus detection area | region of the imaging device by the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the captured image at the time of making into a to-be-photographed object the person's face of the imaging device by the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a mode that the focus detection area | region by the imaging device which concerns on the 1st thru | or 4th embodiment of this invention was designated. It is a figure which shows an example of a mode that the to-be-photographed object moved and remove | deviated from the specific focus detection area | region designated by the operator. It is a figure which shows an example at the time of designating a focusing detection area | region as the effective area | region of an image display. It is a figure which shows an example which made it output by superimposing the detection frame on the image display about the focus detection area | region by the imaging device which concerns on the 2nd thru | or 4th embodiment of this invention. The detection frame has a different shape and / or during a period in which the distance of the focal point is adjusted with respect to the subject behind the forefront subject by the imaging device according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example displayed with a hue. The detection frame has a different shape and / or during a period in which the distance of the focal point is adjusted with respect to the subject behind the forefront subject by the imaging device according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example displayed with a hue. It is a figure which shows an example which the operator has specified to the incorrect area | region regarding the designation | designated of the focus detection area | region by the imaging device which concerns on the 1st thru | or 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a mode that the designation | designated of the focus detection area | region was corrected with respect to the incorrect designation | designated of the focus detection area | region shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the captured image obtained when designation | designated of the focus detection area | region was corrected by FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 40, 50, 60 ... Imaging device 11, 11a ... Optical device, 12 ... Focus driver, 13 ... Image sensor, 14 ... Image processing part, 15 ... Image display part, 16 ... Touch panel, 17, 17a, 17b, 17c, a subject of interest determination unit, 18: a designated area focusing detector, 21 ... a plurality of subjects, 23 ... eyes, 24 ... finger, 25 ... touch pen, 30 ... screen, 31 ... subject, 32 ... focus detection area, 41 ... focus stepping driver, 42 ... focus determination unit, 43 ... counter, 45 ... cake, 46 ... candle, 47 ... face, 48 ... focus detection area (hatched area), 51 ... focus linear driver, 53 ... focus group Dividing unit, 54... Double touch determining unit, 61.

Claims (15)

An imaging apparatus for obtaining a focused image with respect to a subject of interest by designating a subject of interest from among a plurality of subjects having a focal point distance,
Optical means capable of adjusting the distance of the focal point when generating an optical image from the subject;
Focus adjusting means for adjusting and controlling the distance of the focal point of the optical image;
Imaging means for photoelectrically converting the optical image to generate an imaging signal;
Image processing means for performing image processing on the imaging signal and generating an image signal divided into a plurality of focus detection regions;
Image display means for displaying an image based on the image signal;
Focusing area designating means capable of designating a specific focusing detection area from the plurality of focusing detection areas of the image signal while the operator visually observes the image display;
Based on a designation operation procedure by the operator to the focusing area designation unit, the subject of interest is determined from the plurality of subjects in the specific focusing detection area, and the determination is performed by the focus adjustment unit. A subject of interest determination means for inputting a result;
A designated area focus evaluation means for detecting a signal component for evaluating the degree of focus of the image signal from the image signal in the specific focus detection area, calculating a focus evaluation value, and outputting it;
Comprising
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the focus adjustment unit prioritizes the adjustment of the focus distance based on the determination result over the adjustment of the focus distance based on the focus evaluation value. When the operator newly designates the specific focus detection area by the focus area designation means,
The subject-of-interest determining means determines the subject in front of the plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection area as the subject of interest,
The focus adjustment means adjusts the focus distance to the shortest focus distance once based on the determination result, and then adjusts the focus distance based on the focus evaluation value for the forefront subject. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup device is readjusted. When the focus detection area that is the same as the specific focus detection area is designated continuously n times (n is a natural number of 2 or more),
The subject-of-interest determining means determines the nth subject from the front of the plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection region as the subject of interest,
The focus adjusting unit grasps the distance of the focal point of the (n−1) th subject from the front of the plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection region based on the determination result, and passes through the focal point adjusting unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after the focus adjusting unit is controlled, the distance of the in-focus point is readjusted based on the focus evaluation value for the n-th subject. The subject-of-interest determination unit executes in-focus determination for each of the subject from the foremost subject to the (n−1) -th subject based on the focus evaluation value in the internal system of the target subject determination unit. A focus determination means; and a counter means for counting the number of continuous designations of the specific focus detection area by the focus area designation means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the counter unit grasps the (n−1) -th subject from a difference between the continuous designated number of times and the number of times the focus determination is performed.   The focus determination unit determines whether or not the subject is in focus tracking when executing the focus determination for the (n−1) -th subject based on the focus evaluation value. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4. When the specific focus detection area is designated twice in succession in a series of operations by the operator,
The target subject determination unit divides the plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection area into a front subject group and a rear subject group, and determines the rear subject group as the subject of interest. ,
The focusing means is
If the focus adjustment means is already in focus tracking for the front subject group, the focus tracking is abandoned and the distance of the focus is moved backward based on the determination result. Then, the focus distance is readjusted based on the focus evaluation value for the rear subject group,
If the focus adjusting means is not yet in focus with respect to the front subject group, based on the determination result, after adjusting the focus distance to the shortest focus distance, Controlling the focus adjusting means so as to pass through the range of the focal point of the front subject group, and readjusting the distance of the focal point based on the focus evaluation value for the rear subject group. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The subject-of-interest determination unit includes a plurality of subjects within the specific focus detection area based on the focus evaluation value in an internal system of the subject-of-interest determination unit. A focus grouping means for grouping into groups, and a double touch for determining that the operator has designated the specific focus detection area at least twice within a predetermined time by the focus area designating means. And a determination means.
The in-focus grouping unit sequentially inputs the in-focus evaluation value in response to a change in the in-focus distance, the in-focus distances of the plurality of subjects, and the in-focus subjects. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein grouping of the front subject group is performed based on each focus evaluation value. When it is determined by the double touch determination means that the specific focus detection area has been continuously designated twice or more within a predetermined time,
The focusing grouping means includes
If the front subject group is already in focus tracking, grouping of the rear subject group is started based on the focus evaluation value,
If the front subject group is not yet in focus tracking, the grouping of the front subject group is started or continued based on the focus evaluation value to at least grasp the front subject group. Then, based on the focus evaluation value, grouping of the rear subject group is started. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7. In the focusing grouping means, a second focusing evaluation value through a low-pass filter is input to the focusing evaluation value,
The low-pass filter is set with a cutoff frequency so that the inflection point of the focus evaluation value for the front subject group becomes one, and after the focus grouping means grasps at least the front subject group 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cutoff frequency setting control is performed so that the second focus evaluation value is the same as the focus evaluation value. The optical means is a linear motor type optical means capable of changing the variable speed when changing the distance of the focal point,
The focus adjusting means is a linear driver type focus adjusting means for controlling and driving the linear motor to adjust the distance of the focal point of the optical image,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the focusing grouping unit receives lens position information for calculating a distance of the focusing point from the optical unit. When the operator specifies the specific focus detection area by the focus area specifying means,
When the specific focus detection area is pressed for a predetermined time or longer by the operator,
The subject-of-interest determining means determines a subject behind from among the plurality of subjects in the specific focus detection region as the subject of interest,
The focus adjusting means adjusts the focus distance to an in-focus distance once infinite based on the determination result, and then re-adjusts the focus distance based on the focus evaluation value for the rear subject. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging apparatus is adjusted. When the specific focus detection area is designated other than the effective area of the image display by the focus area designation means,
The subject-of-interest determining means determines the plurality of subjects in the effective area of the image display as the subject of interest,
The said designated area | region focus evaluation means calculates a weighted addition with respect to these several focus detection area | regions in the effective area | region of the said image, The said focus evaluation value is output, The Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The imaging device according to any one of claims 6 and 11. The focus detection area further includes a detection frame;
The detection frame is superimposed on the image display and can be output and displayed on the image display unit, and a period during which the distance of the focal point is adjusted with respect to the foremost subject, and more than the foremost subject. Displayed in a different shape and / or hue in a period in which the distance of the focal point is adjusted with respect to a subject behind. The imaging device according to any one of the above. The focus detection area further includes a detection frame;
The detection frame is superimposed on the image display and can be output and displayed on the image display unit, and is blinked during the period in which the focus adjusting unit adjusts the in-focus distance, and the in-focus distance is displayed. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 3, 6, and 11, which is lit up when the adjustment of is completed or paused. In the image display unit, a plurality of transparent electrodes are installed on the screen display,
The focusing detection area designating unit is configured to designate the focusing detection area based on a transparent electrode that is turned off from the plurality of transparent electrodes, and to turn on the transparent electrode. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging apparatus is not recognized as.

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