JP6102103B2 - Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for using an autofocus function in an imaging apparatus.

  Conventionally, as a photographing method using an autofocus function in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, for example, the following technique is described in Patent Document 1 below.

  That is, in Patent Document 1 below, a group of pressing switches having a one-to-one relationship with a plurality of focus areas is provided, and a focus area in which the same number as the number of any pressed switch is displayed is a focusing target area. A technique is described in which the user arbitrarily selects and focuses on the subject displayed in the selected focus area at the time of shooting.

JP 2006-39189 A

  However, the above technique merely allows the designation of a focus area to be used as a focus target area at the time of one shooting, and the focus target area can be arbitrarily and easily set when shooting a plurality of times. There was a problem that I could not.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and provides an imaging apparatus, a photographing method, and a program capable of arbitrarily and easily setting a focusing target area when performing autofocus photographing a plurality of times. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, in an imaging apparatus having an autofocus function , a position setting operation to an arbitrary position of a user prior to a shooting operation in response to a release operation, the autofocus function being according to the position setting operation is performed without operating the focus area setting means for setting a plurality of focus area a to the position of the arbitrary, each of the plurality of focus areas set by said focus area setting means, the focus area Shooting control means for executing shooting processing for performing autofocus shooting while switching as a focus area at the time of shooting operation after setting by the setting means, and the focus area setting means is used when a plurality of focus areas to be set overlap. Even if there is, position setting to the arbitrary position According create, it sets the plurality of focus areas at arbitrary positions, characterized in that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to arbitrarily and easily set a focus target area when performing autofocus shooting multiple times.

It is a block diagram which shows the digital camera common to each embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing process in a focus bank mode according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the change of the display screen during the focus area setting common to each embodiment. It is a figure which shows the change of the display screen according to half-press operation of the release button common to each embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating imaging processing in a focus bank mode according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating imaging processing in a focus bank mode according to the third embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electrical configuration of a digital camera 1 exemplified as an imaging apparatus of the present invention.

  The digital camera 1 has general functions such as AE (Auto Exposure), AF (Auto Focus), and AWB (Auto white balance), and mainly includes the following parts.

  That is, the digital camera 1 has a lens block 2 and an image sensor 3. The lens block 2 includes a lens group including a focus lens, a diaphragm, a lens motor that drives the lens group, and an actuator that opens and closes the diaphragm. When the lens motor and the actuator are driven by the optical system driving unit 4, The focal position and the amount of light received by the image sensor 3 are adjusted.

  The image sensor 3 is driven by a drive circuit 5 and photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject collected in the lens block 2 and outputs it as an image signal to an AFE 6 (Analog Front End) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS ( It is a solid-state image sensor such as Complementary Meta10 Oxide Semiconductor).

  The AFE 6 includes a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit, a PGA (Programmable Gain Amp), an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter), and the like. The AFE 6 performs predetermined analog processing on the imaging signal output from the imaging device 3, converts the imaging signal after the analog processing into a digital signal, and then outputs the converted image data to the image processing unit 7.

  The image processing unit 7 includes a buffer memory that temporarily stores the pixel data input from the AFE 6, an image processing circuit that performs various image processes on the temporarily stored pixel data, and the like. Image processing performed by the image processing unit 7 includes gamma correction, white balance adjustment, generation of R, G, and B color component data for each pixel, YUV conversion that generates YUV data from the generated RGB data, and the like.

  The image processing unit 7 supplies the generated YUV data for one frame to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 8 in a shooting standby state, and a CODEC (Coder & Decoder) 9 in shooting. To supply. The YUV data supplied to the CPU 8 in the shooting standby state is supplied to the display unit 10 and displayed as a live view image on the display unit 10.

  The display unit 10 has a display screen that functions as a touch panel, and includes a color liquid crystal display panel 101 with a backlight, and a capacitive type touch sensor integrally provided on the surface of the color liquid crystal display panel 101. 102. Although not shown, the display unit 10 includes a driving circuit for the color liquid crystal display panel 101 and the touch sensor 102, and a display processing circuit for displaying information based on OSD (On Screen Display) data on the color liquid crystal display panel.

  The CODEC 9 encodes the image data (YUV data) supplied from the image processing unit 7 at the time of shooting by the JPEG method, and decodes any encoded image data. Image data compression-encoded in JPEG format at CODEC 9 at the time of shooting is added to the image memory 11 as still image data (still image file) after being added with various shooting information such as date information and image size by the CPU 8. The

  The image memory 11 is, for example, a memory card that is detachably attached to the main body of the digital camera 1. Still image data recorded in the image memory 11 is appropriately read out by the CPU 8 at the time of reproduction, decoded by the CODEC 9, and then sent to the display unit 10 to be reproduced as a still image.

  In addition, an operation unit 12, a RAM (Random Access memory) 13, and a program memory 14 are connected to the CPU 8. A RAM 13 is a working memory of the CPU 8.

  The operation unit 12 is used to set a power button, a release button, a mode switching button used for switching between a shooting mode and a playback mode, which are basic operation modes of the digital camera 1, settings of each operation content of the digital camera 1, and the like. It consists of a plurality of operation switches including other operation buttons to be used. Note that the release button is configured to be capable of two-stage operation including a half-press operation and a full-press operation.

  The program memory 14 is, for example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) in which stored data can be rewritten. The program memory 14 stores a control program for causing the CPU 8 to control the entire operation of the digital camera 1, various data associated with the control program, and the like.

  The control program stored in the program memory 14 includes programs for causing the CPU 8 to perform AE control, AF control, and AWB control. In the present embodiment, the control program is shown in FIG. A program for performing processing is included.

  The digital camera 1 having the above-described configuration is provided with a specific shooting mode for performing autofocus shooting a plurality of times while switching the focus area in an arbitrary order as a lower operation mode in the shooting mode. Hereinafter, the specific photographing mode is referred to as a focus bank mode. Here, the focus bank mode in the present embodiment allows the user to perform a shooting instruction operation by pressing the release button fully a plurality of times.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 1 when the focus bank mode is set as the shooting mode by the user will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a photographing process executed by the CPU 8 in the focus bank mode.

  When starting the shooting process in the focus bank mode, the CPU 8 drives the image sensor 3 to start displaying a live view image on the display unit 10 (step SA1).

  Next, the CPU 8 sets a plurality of focus areas to be used in autofocus shooting by causing the user to perform a predetermined setting operation.

  That is, the CPU 8 detects whether or not the touch panel (display screen of the display unit 10) has been touched by the user using the touch sensor 102, and if the touch on the touch panel can be detected (step SA2: YES), the CPU 8 determines the touch position. The touched order is stored (step SA3).

  Next, the CPU 8 causes the OSD function to display a focus area corresponding to the touch position on the display screen of the display unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as display screen G) (step SA4). In the present embodiment, the focus area corresponding to the touch position is a rectangular area having a predetermined size centered on the touch position. However, when the touch position is close to the outer periphery of the display screen G, it is a rectangular area having a predetermined size in contact with the outer periphery including the touch position. Note that the shape and size of the focus area are not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate.

  Thereafter, the CPU 8 repeats the processes of Step SA2 to Step SA4 until the touch operation on the display screen G reaches the predetermined number of times (n times) determined in advance by the user (Step SA5: NO). A plurality of touch operations performed by the user during this period are focus area setting operations.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a change in the display screen G while the processes in steps SA2 to SA4 are repeated, and is an example in the case where the predetermined number of times described above is three. In the following description, it is assumed that the predetermined number of times is three.

  FIG. 3A shows the first focus area A1 displayed with the first touch operation, and FIG. 3B shows the second focus area displayed with the second touch operation. FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating A2, and FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating a third focus area A3 displayed in association with the third touch operation.

  Further, in the process of step SA4, when the new focus area is displayed, the CPU 8 changes the colors of the new focus area and all focus areas displayed before that.

  In other words, by changing the color between the latest focus area (for example, A3 in FIG. 3C) and the other focus areas (for example, A1 and A2 in FIG. 3C), the CPU 8 determines which focus area. Specify to the user whether it has been newly added.

  Thereafter, when the number of touches on the display screen G reaches the predetermined number and all the focus areas A1 to A3 are displayed on the display screen G in such a manner that the setting order can be identified (step SA5: YES), proceed to the following process.

  First, the CPU 8 confirms whether or not the release button is half-pressed, waits until the half-press is performed (step SA6: NO), and if there is a half-press (step SA6: YES), displays on the display screen G. After erasing all the focus area displays (step SA7), the number of half-press operations is added (step SA8).

  The process of step SA8 is a process for specifying a focus area to be used in AF control to be described later, and the CPU 8 continues the focus area according to the number of half-press operations among the previously set three focus areas. Is specified and set as a focus area at the time of shooting (step SA9). That is, when the number of half-press operations is the first time, the CPU 8 sets the first focus area designated first by the focus area setting operation by the user as described above as the focus area at the time of shooting.

  Next, after displaying the set focus area on the display screen G (step SA10), the CPU 8 performs AF processing using the currently displayed focus area and focuses on the subject in the focus area (step SA11).

  Subsequently, the CPU 8 waits until the release button is fully pressed (step SA12: NO). When the release button is fully pressed (step SA12: YES), the photographing process is performed (step SA13). That is, the CPU 8 acquires an image for recording by the image sensor 3 and stores the acquired image, that is, a captured image in the image memory 11.

  Thereafter, the CPU 8 returns to the process of step SA6 and repeats the above-described process until the predetermined number of times of photographing is completed (step SA14: NO). Here, it is assumed that the predetermined number of times of photographing is three times corresponding to the number of focus areas that can be set by the user by the focus area setting operation described above.

  Then, the CPU 8 switches the focus area used in the AF process to the second focus area and the third focus area in order every time the release button is pressed halfway while repeating the processes after step SA6. After this is displayed on the display screen G, AF processing and photographing processing are executed in response to a full press operation of the release button.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a focus area displayed on the display screen G every time the release button is half-pressed. 4A shows the first focus area A1 displayed in response to the first half-press operation, and FIG. 4B is displayed in response to the second half-press operation. FIG. 4C shows the second focus area A2, and FIG. 4C shows the third focus area A3 displayed in response to the third half-press operation.

  That is, in the second shooting, the CPU 8 sets the second focus area designated second by the focus area setting operation by the user as described above as the focus area at the time of shooting, and in the third shooting. Then, the third focus area designated third by the focus area setting operation by the user described above is set as the focus area at the time of shooting.

  Then, the CPU 8 performs the shooting process in the focus bank mode at the time when the third shooting process is completed in accordance with the shooting instruction operation (continuous half-press and full-press operation of the release button) by the user (step SA14: YES). Complete.

  As described above, in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, by using the focus bank mode, the position within the display screen G, that is, the position within the angle of view, before actually performing a plurality of autofocus shootings. A plurality of focus areas having different values can be arbitrarily set. Moreover, at the time of shooting, shooting can be performed immediately by designating one of the preset focus areas at high speed. Therefore, the focus target area can be arbitrarily and easily set when performing autofocus shooting a plurality of times.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the focus area to be actually used can be switched in a preset order by simply performing a shooting operation with the release button at the time of shooting.

  In addition, when a shooting instruction is issued by continuously pressing the release button halfway and pressing it fully, the focus area to be used depends on the number of operations counted (added) when the release button is half-pressed, that is, the number of shootings. Therefore, auto-focus shooting using a desired focus area can be reliably performed by a full-press operation subsequent to a half-press operation of the release button.

  For this reason, for example, when shooting a moving body (a moving subject), a plurality of focus areas are set in advance according to the expected movement of the moving body, and a release button is set according to the movement of the moving body during shooting. (Continuous half-press operation and full-press operation) and by switching the focus area in order, even if the moving object moves within the angle of view, the moving object is focused without missing the shooting timing. Photography can be performed easily. In addition, as a moving body, for example, there is a train that has left a station.

  Further, the position and order of the focus areas can be set simply by touching the touch panel, and a plurality of focus area setting operations can be easily performed.

  Further, during setting of a plurality of focus areas, the set focus area is displayed on the display screen G every time the focus area is set. Therefore, the setting content can be easily confirmed during and after the focus area setting.

  Furthermore, since each focus area is displayed on the display screen G so that the setting order can be identified, the setting order of the set focus areas can be easily confirmed. As a result, a plurality of focus area setting operations can be performed very easily.

  In addition, when performing autofocus shooting multiple times, the focus area (set as specified for use) that is used for each shooting is displayed on the display screen G. As a result, it is possible to perform each time of photographing more appropriately.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the description has been given of the case where a plurality of focus areas can be set at arbitrary locations in the display screen G desired by the user. However, the focus area that can be set may be a predetermined fixed area.

  More specifically, all or some of the plurality of focus areas that can be set may be fixed areas. As for the fixed area, for example, the display screen G can be divided into a plurality of parts regardless of whether the display screen G is equally divided or not equally divided.

  By setting the focus area that can be set as a fixed area, for example, when a specific subject that moves within the angle of view enters the desired background area among multiple background areas (fixed areas) within the angle of view Autofocus shooting with the subject as the main subject can be performed easily and reliably.

  In the present embodiment, the description has been given of the case where an arbitrary place in the display screen G is set as the focus area. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a specific subject moving within the angle of view, that is, a moving body is used as the focus area. It is good also as composition which can be set up.

  In that case, the digital camera 1 is configured to track the moving body in the sequentially captured images after setting the focus area, and corresponds to the moving body being tracked when the release button is half-pressed at the time of shooting, for example. The area to be used may be set as the focus area, and autofocus shooting may be performed.

  By securing such a configuration, for example, if a desired specific moving body among a plurality of moving bodies that move within the angle of view is set in advance as a focus area, it is within the angle of view together with other moving bodies. Autofocus shooting that focuses on a specific moving body that moves as a main subject can be easily and reliably performed.

  As a specific method for tracking a moving object, for example, during display of a live view image, one or a plurality of moving objects set as a focus area for a captured image of each frame are subjected to pattern matching. There is a method of repeatedly detecting using a known image recognition technique such as the above. When the moving body is a person's face, a known face recognition technique including subject identification can also be used for tracking the moving body.

  In the present embodiment, the AF operation is performed when the release button is half-pressed during the shooting operation. However, the following configuration may be used. For example, when setting a plurality of focus areas, an AF operation is performed when the display screen G is touched to obtain a focus position (position of the focus lens), which is stored together with the touch position and the touch order, and then stored in advance at the time of shooting. A configuration may be adopted in which focusing is performed using the in-focus position.

  According to such a configuration, since each focus area can be focused instantly at the time of each shooting in response to the shooting operation, each shooting can be performed at a more appropriate timing.

  In this embodiment, the focus area is switched according to the half-press operation of the release button during continuous shooting. However, the focus area is switched other than the half-press operation of the release button. You may make it perform according to button operation.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment relates to a digital camera having the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment. Also in the digital camera of the present embodiment, a focus bank mode is provided as a lower operation mode in the shooting mode. However, the focus bank mode in the present embodiment allows the user to perform the shooting instruction operation with the release button only once.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a photographing process executed by the CPU 8 when the focus bank mode is set in the present embodiment.

  Also in the present embodiment, when starting the photographing process in the focus bank mode, the CPU 8 drives the imaging device 3 to start displaying a live view image on the display unit 10 (step SB1).

  Next, the CPU 8 performs processing similar to that in steps SA2 to SA5 (see FIG. 2) described in the first embodiment (step SB2 to step SB5), and causes the user to perform a predetermined setting operation. Set multiple focus areas to be used for autofocus shooting. In the following description, it is assumed that there are three focus areas that can be set.

  Then, after setting a plurality (three) of focus areas, the CPU 8 confirms whether or not the release button is half-pressed, and waits until there is a half-press (step SB6: NO). If there is (step SB6: YES), the display of all focus areas being displayed on the display screen G is erased (step SB7). The processing so far is the same as in the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the display of all the focus areas is erased, the CPU 8 immediately sets the first focus area designated first by the focus area setting operation described above as the focus area at the time of shooting. (Step SB8).

  Next, after displaying the set focus area on the display screen G (step SB9), the CPU 8 performs an AF process using the currently displayed focus area, and focuses on the subject in the first focus area (step SB9). SB10).

  The CPU 8 waits until the release button is fully pressed (step SB11: NO). When the release button is fully pressed (step SB11: YES), the CPU 8 performs shooting processing and stores the shot image in the image memory 11. (Step SB12).

  Next, the CPU 8 confirms whether or not the number of photographing has reached the predetermined number (step SB13). Here, it is assumed that the predetermined number of times of photographing is three times corresponding to the number of focus areas that can be set by the user by the focus area setting operation described above. Immediately after the first shooting, since the number of shootings has not reached the predetermined number (step SB13: NO), the CPU 8 continues to perform the following processing.

  First, after adding the number of times of shooting (step SB14), the CPU 8 newly sets a focus area corresponding to the number of times of shooting after the addition, that is, the second focus area as a focus area at the time of shooting (step SB15).

  Next, after displaying the second focus area on the display screen G (step SB16), the CPU 8 performs AF processing using the second focus area and focuses on the subject in the second focus area ( Step SB17). Thereafter, the CPU 8 returns to the process of step SB12 and performs the second photographing process.

  Immediately after the second shooting process is performed, the number of shootings has not reached the predetermined number (step SB13: NO), so the CPU 8 continues to repeat the process of step SB14 to step SB17 and then performs the third shooting. (Step SB12).

  Accordingly, since the number of times of photographing reaches a predetermined number, the CPU 8 completes the photographing process in the focus bank mode when the third photographing is finished (step SB13: YES).

  Although omitted in FIG. 5, the CPU 8 waits for a certain period of time after displaying the new focus area in step SB16 after the first shooting and before performing the AF process in step SB17. The certain time is a predetermined time. Therefore, if the predetermined time is, for example, 1/3 second, continuous shooting is performed at intervals of about 1/3 second.

  As described above, in the digital camera of the present embodiment as well, in the same way as in the first embodiment, by using the focus bank mode, the display screen G can be displayed in a stage before actually performing a plurality of autofocus shootings. A plurality of focus areas having different positions can be set arbitrarily. In addition, at the time of shooting, any of the previously set focus areas can be set at high speed and shooting can be performed immediately. Therefore, the focus target area can be arbitrarily and easily set when performing autofocus shooting a plurality of times.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, continuous shooting (continuous shooting) in which the focus area that is actually used is automatically switched in a preset order can be performed by performing only one operation with the release button during shooting.

  Therefore, unlike general focus bracketing shooting, where continuous shooting is performed while switching the focus position, bracketing shooting is easy because the main subject position is different and multiple main shot images can be acquired. Can be done.

  Therefore, for example, when shooting a moving body with a specific movement using a tripod or the like, by setting a plurality of focus areas at different locations on the moving path of the moving body within the angle of view, By simply pressing the release button, it is very easy to perform continuous shooting focusing on a moving body at a different position. In addition, as a moving body that performs a specific movement, for example, a moving body having a relatively fast movement within an angle of view, such as a running train or a racing car, can be considered.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the position and order of the focus areas can be set simply by touching the touch panel, and a plurality of focus area setting operations can be easily performed.

  Further, during setting of a plurality of focus areas, the set focus area is displayed on the display screen G every time the focus area is set. Therefore, the setting content can be easily confirmed during and after the focus area setting.

  Furthermore, since each focus area is displayed on the display screen G so that the setting order can be identified, the setting order of the set focus areas can be easily confirmed. As a result, a plurality of focus area setting operations can be performed very easily.

  In addition, when performing autofocus shooting a plurality of times, the focus area used for each shooting (specified as an object to be used) is displayed on the display screen G. When the is relatively long, the focus area at the time of each photographing can be confirmed, which is convenient.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the case where the number of autofocus shootings in the focus bank mode is the same as the number of focus areas set in advance has been described. However, the number of times of photographing may be different from the number of focus areas, and the number of times of photographing may be set freely by the user.

  If the number of set focus areas is less than the number of shots, the first focus area is used again when the number of shots exceeds the number of focus areas. Thereafter, the order of use of the focus areas to be used may be circulated.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment relates to a digital camera having the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment. Also in the digital camera of the present embodiment, a focus bank mode is provided as a lower operation mode in the shooting mode. However, in the focus bank mode in the present embodiment, the half-press operation can be performed a plurality of times before the release button is fully pressed.

  Hereinafter, the photographing process executed by the CPU 8 when the focus bank mode is set in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that there are three focus areas that can be set.

  Similar to the first and second embodiments, the CPU 8 starts displaying the live view image at the start of the photographing process, and the first focus area to the third focus area according to the setting operation by the user described above. Is set, the release button is half-pressed (steps SC1 to SC6).

  Thereafter, when the release button is half-pressed (step SC6: YES), the CPU 8 erases the display of all focus areas displayed on the display screen G (step SC7), and then adds the number of half-press operations. (Step SC8).

  Subsequently, the CPU 8 identifies a focus area corresponding to the number of half-press operations among a plurality of previously set focus areas and sets it as a focus area at the time of shooting (step SC9). Since the number of half-press operations immediately after the start of processing is one, here, the first focus area designated first by the focus area setting operation is set as the focus area at the time of shooting.

  Thereafter, after displaying the first focus area on the display screen (step SC10), the CPU 8 performs AF processing using the first focus area, and focuses on the subject in the first focus area (step SC10). SC11). The processing so far is the same as in the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, after performing the AF process in step SC11, the CPU 8 checks whether or not the release button has been fully pressed. If the release button has not been fully pressed (step SC12: NO), the process proceeds to step SC6. Returning to the process of step SC6, the process of steps SC6 to SC11 is repeated.

  At this time, since the number of half-press operations is two, the second focus area is set as the focus area at the time of shooting, and the second focus area is set in the second focus area by the AF processing using the second focus area. Focusing on the subject is performed.

  Thereafter, similarly, until the release button is fully pressed by the user, the CPU 8 releases the half-pressed state once every time the release button is half-pressed, that is, half-presses again. Each time the process is performed, the process from step SC6 to step SC11 is repeated.

  Although omitted in FIG. 6, the CPU 8 repeats the processing from step SC6 to step SC11 when the number of half-press operations of the release button exceeds the set number of focus areas (three). The first focus area in the order of use (touch order at the time of setting) is set again as the focus area to be used for shooting, and thereafter, the order of use of the focus areas to be used is circulated.

  Thereafter, when the release button that has been half-pressed is fully pressed without releasing the half-pressed state (step SC12: YES), the CPU 8 performs a shooting process and stores the shot image in the image memory 11 ( Step SC13). This completes the photographing process in the focus bank mode.

  As described above, in the digital camera of the present embodiment as well, in the same way as in the first embodiment, by using the focus bank mode, the display screen G can be displayed in a stage before actually performing a plurality of autofocus shootings. A plurality of focus areas having different positions can be set arbitrarily. In addition, at the time of shooting, any one of the preset focus areas can be designated at high speed and shooting can be performed immediately. Therefore, the focus target area can be arbitrarily and easily set when performing autofocus shooting a plurality of times.

  In particular, at the time of shooting in the focus bank mode according to the present embodiment, before the release button is fully pressed, every time the release button is pressed halfway, the focus area used for shooting switches in order.

  For this reason, the user can reliably perform autofocus shooting using a desired focus area only by repeating the half-press operation of the release button as necessary before pressing the release button fully.

  For this reason, for example, when shooting a moving body (a moving subject), if the moving body moves in an unintended direction within the angle of view, the release area is pressed halfway to switch the focus area. It is possible to easily perform shooting while focusing on the moving body without missing the camera.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the position and order of the focus areas can be set by simply touching the touch panel, and a plurality of focus area setting operations can be easily performed.

  Further, during setting of a plurality of focus areas, the set focus area is displayed on the display screen G every time the focus area is set. Therefore, the setting content can be easily confirmed during and after the focus area setting.

  Furthermore, since each focus area is displayed on the display screen G so that the setting order can be identified, the setting order of the set focus areas can be easily confirmed. As a result, a plurality of focus area setting operations can be performed very easily.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the CPU 8 completes the processing in the focus bank mode every time one image is taken. However, the CPU 8 may perform the following processing.

  For example, the CPU 8 performs the photographing process in response to the full-press operation of the release button, and then performs the above-described processes after step SC6 again, and when the number of photographing reaches a predetermined number, the focus bank A process for completing the process in the mode may be performed. By causing the CPU 8 to perform such processing, it is possible to easily perform a plurality of autofocus shootings while switching the focus area in an arbitrary order.

  Further, regardless of the number of times of shooting, the CPU 8 repeats the processing from step SC6 to step SC13 until the user operates a predetermined operation button other than the release button or an arbitrary operation button. Also good.

  Further, the setting order of the focus area and the shooting order by the release operation may be different.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, a digital camera is shown as the imaging apparatus of the present invention. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to a general digital camera, and a mobile phone terminal including a smartphone. The present invention can also be applied to an imaging device incorporated in another device.

  As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention and its modification were demonstrated, if these are in the range in which the effect of this invention is acquired, it can change suitably, and embodiment after change is also a claim. It is included in the scope of the invention described in the scope of the invention and the invention equivalent to the invention.

The invention described in the scope of the claims of the present application will be appended below.
[Claim 1]
In an imaging apparatus having an autofocus function, a focus area setting unit that arbitrarily sets a plurality of focus area positions according to a user position setting operation prior to a shooting operation in response to a release operation, and the focus area setting unit sets the focus area setting unit. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging control unit that executes an imaging process for performing autofocus imaging while switching each of the plurality of focus areas as a focus area during an imaging operation after setting by the focus area setting unit.
[Claim 2]
The photographing control means executes photographing processing for performing autofocus photographing while switching the plurality of focus areas set by the focus area setting means as a focus area at the time of photographing operation in an arbitrary order. The imaging device according to claim 1.
[Claim 3]
The focus area setting means sets the use order of the plurality of focus areas together with the positions, and the imaging control means sets the plurality of focus areas set by the focus area setting means in the set use order. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an imaging process for performing autofocus imaging while switching as a focus area during an imaging operation is executed.
[Claim 4]
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging control unit executes an imaging process for performing autofocus imaging in which a focus area is sequentially switched every time a release operation is performed by a user.
[Claim 5]
In response to the release operation by the user, the shooting control unit performs each autofocus shooting while switching all the plurality of focus areas set by the focus area setting unit as the focus areas at the time of each shooting operation in the order of use. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein imaging processing is executed.
[Claim 6]
The release operation includes a half-press operation of the release button and a full-press operation of the release button. The number of times the half-press operation is continuously performed immediately before the full-press operation is added, and the plurality of focus areas are added. Further comprising specifying means for sequentially specifying a focus area to which a use order corresponding to the number of times is assigned, wherein the photographing control means responds to the full-press operation following the continuous half-press operation, and the focus area The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an imaging process for performing autofocus imaging by switching to a focus area specified by the specifying unit is performed.
[Claim 7]
The display device further includes a display unit having a display screen functioning as a touch panel, and the focus area setting unit sets an arbitrary plurality of areas corresponding to a plurality of locations on the display screen touched by a user as the plurality of focus areas. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the touch order of the plurality of places is set as the use order of each focus area.
[Claim 8]
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the focus area set by the focus area setting unit is a fixed area determined in advance.
[Claim 9]
The focus area setting means sets the position of a specific subject to move together with the order of use as the plurality of focus areas, and tracks a moving body set as a focus area by the focus area setting means in sequentially captured images. And a tracking unit that controls the position of the moving body tracked by the tracking unit when the focus area at the time of the shooting operation switched in the order of use is the moving body. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an imaging process for performing autofocus imaging with a corresponding area as a focus area is executed.
[Claim 10]
A first display control unit configured to display the order of use of the set focus areas in a distinguishable manner on a display unit that displays a captured image during setting of a plurality of focus areas by the focus area setting unit; The imaging device according to claim 7, 8, or 9.
[Claim 11]
The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising second display control means for causing the focus area specified by the specifying means to be displayed in a distinguishable manner on a display means for displaying a captured image.
[Claim 12]
The second display control means, in response to a display operation by a user, causes the focus area specified by the specifying means to be displayed in a distinguishable manner on a display means for displaying a captured image. Item 12. The imaging device according to Item 11.
[Claim 13]
The focus area setting unit acquires an in-focus position by performing an autofocus operation for the set focus area each time a plurality of focus areas and the order of use of the focus areas are set. The position is set together with the order of use of each focus area, and the shooting control unit corresponds to each of the focus positions of the plurality of focus areas set by the focus area setting unit as a focus position during the shooting operation. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein imaging processing for performing autofocus imaging is performed while switching in an order corresponding to the use order of focus areas.
[Claim 14]
A shooting method in an imaging apparatus having an autofocus function, wherein a step of arbitrarily setting a plurality of focus area positions according to a user position setting operation prior to a shooting operation in response to a release operation, and a plurality of set focus And a step of executing autofocus shooting processing while switching each area as a focus area at the time of shooting operation after setting by the focus area setting means.
[Claim 15]
A focus area setting unit that arbitrarily sets a plurality of focus area positions in accordance with a user position setting operation prior to a shooting operation in response to a release operation on a computer included in an imaging apparatus having an autofocus function; and the focus area setting unit Each of the plurality of focus areas set by the function is made to function as a shooting control unit that executes shooting processing for performing autofocus shooting while switching as a focus area at the time of shooting operation after setting by the focus area setting unit. program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Lens block 3 Image pick-up element 4 Optical system drive part 5 Drive circuit 6 AFE
7 Image processing unit 8 CPU
9 CODEC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display part 101 Color liquid crystal display panel 102 Touch sensor 11 Image memory 12 Operation part 13 RAM
14 Program memory A1 to A3 Focus area G Display screen

Claims (13)

In an imaging device with an autofocus function,
A position setting operation to any position of the user prior to photographing operation responding to the release operation, in accordance with the position setting operation is performed without operating the auto focus function, a plurality of focus area A to the position of the arbitrary Focus area setting means to be set;
Shooting control means for executing shooting processing for performing autofocus shooting while switching each of the plurality of focus areas set by the focus area setting means as a focus area at the time of shooting after setting by the focus area setting means; ,
The focus area setting means sets the plurality of focus areas to arbitrary positions in accordance with the position setting operation to the arbitrary positions even when the plurality of focus areas to be set overlap.
An imaging apparatus characterized by that.   The photographing control means executes photographing processing for performing autofocus photographing while switching the plurality of focus areas set by the focus area setting means as a focus area at the time of photographing operation in an arbitrary order. The imaging device according to claim 1. The focus area setting means sets the use order of the plurality of focus areas together with the position of the focus area,
The photographing control means executes photographing processing for performing autofocus photographing while switching the plurality of focus areas set by the focus area setting means as the focus areas at the time of photographing operation in the set order of use. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2. The imaging control unit executes an imaging process of performing autofocus imaging while sequentially switching a plurality of focus areas set by the focus area setting unit every time a release operation is performed by a user. The imaging device according to any one of 1 to 3.   In response to the release operation by the user, the shooting control unit performs each autofocus shooting while switching all the plurality of focus areas set by the focus area setting unit as the focus areas at the time of each shooting operation in the order of use. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein imaging processing is executed. The release operation consists of half-pressing the release button and full-pressing the release button.
A specifying unit that sequentially adds the number of times the half-pressing operation has been performed immediately before the full-pressing operation, and sequentially identifies a focus area to which a use order corresponding to the number of times is assigned from the plurality of focus areas. Further comprising
In response to the full-pressing operation following the continuous half-pressing operation, the imaging control unit performs an imaging process for performing autofocus imaging by switching the focus area to the focus area specified by the specifying unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: A touch panel,
The focus area setting means sets the arbitrary plural areas corresponding to the touched any plurality of locations on the touch panel by the user as the plurality of focus areas, the touch order of the plurality of arbitrary locations each The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the imaging apparatus is set as a use order of the focus areas. The focus area setting means sets the position of a specific subject to move along with the order of use as the plurality of focus areas,
In the sequentially captured images, the image processing apparatus further includes a tracking unit that tracks the moving body set as the focus area by the focus area setting unit.
When the focus area at the time of the shooting operation switched in the order according to the order of use is the moving body, the shooting control means sets the area corresponding to the position of the moving body tracked by the tracking means as the focus area. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, 6 or 7, wherein an imaging process for performing autofocus imaging is performed. A first display control means for displaying the order of use of the set focus areas in a distinguishable manner on the display means for displaying the captured image during the setting of the plurality of focus areas by the focus area setting means; The imaging apparatus according to claim 3 or 5, 6, 7, or 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a second display control unit configured to display the focus area specified by the specifying unit on a display unit that displays a captured image in an identifiable manner.   The second display control means, in response to a display operation by a user, causes the focus area specified by the specifying means to be displayed in a distinguishable manner on a display means for displaying a captured image. Item 13. The imaging device according to Item 10. An imaging method in an imaging apparatus having an autofocus function,
Prior to the photographing operation in response to a shutter release operation, a position setting operation to any location of the user, the according to the position setting operation to be performed without operating the auto-focus function, the position of the arbitrary multiple focus area A Process to set to
Each of the plurality of focus areas set, we saw including a process for performing auto-focus imaging processing while switching the focus area at the time of photographing operation after the setting by said process,
In the focus area setting process, even if overlap occurs in the plurality of focus areas to be set, the plurality of focus areas are set at arbitrary positions according to the position setting operation to the arbitrary positions.
An imaging method characterized by the above. In the computer that the imaging device with the autofocus function has,
A position setting operation to any position of the user prior to photographing operation responding to the release operation, in accordance with the position setting operation is performed without operating the auto focus function, a plurality of focus area A to the position of the arbitrary Focus area setting function to be set,
Realizing a shooting control function that executes shooting processing that performs autofocus shooting while switching each of the plurality of focus areas set by the focus area setting function as a focus area at the time of shooting after setting by the focus area setting function ,
The focus area setting function sets the plurality of focus areas to arbitrary positions in accordance with the position setting operation to the arbitrary positions even when the plurality of focus areas to be set overlap.
A program characterized by that .

Images