JP2003090952A - Image pick-up device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pick-up device in which the mode has been employed to pick up an image among focal detection modes, can be confirmed easily, by using a display superimposed on the focal detection area. SOLUTION: When the focal detection area is automatically selected in focusing in a single shot mode to perform photographing, the entire focal detection area which has been selected is displayed in red (a) at the time of displaying a reproduced image on the monitor. On the other hand, when the focal detection area is automatically selected in focusing in a servo mode to perform photographing, the entire focal detection area which has been selected is displayed in blue (d) at the time of displaying the reproduced image on the monitor.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention superimposes positions corresponding to a plurality of focus detection areas on a photographed image displayed on a small monitor provided in an image pickup device.
The present invention relates to an improvement of an image pickup device that informs which part in a captured image is in focus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image of a subject incident from an optical system is photographed by using an image pickup device, and an image signal obtained as a result is signal-processed and converted into image information. Various image pickup apparatuses have been proposed in which the image information is recorded in a recording means including a memory card having a built-in flash memory, a floppy (registered trademark) -disk, or a hard disk.

Among such image pickup apparatuses, there is one in which a monitor is built in the image pickup apparatus main body so that a photographed image can be reproduced on the spot, and the photographed image can be displayed or
It is possible to display a plurality of captured images on the screen.

Most of the above-mentioned image pickup apparatuses have an automatic focus adjustment function, and a method of actually selecting one focus detection area to be used for lens control from distance information of a plurality of focus detection areas. Includes an automatic selection mode in which the focus detection area is automatically selected and a manual selection mode in which the focus detection area is manually selected.

The focus detection mode is suitable for taking a picture of a stationary subject, and the focus detection is performed until the subject is in focus, and the focus detection is not performed after the taking lens reaches the in-focus position. Suitable for auto-focus mode and when shooting a moving subject, etc., repeatedly performing focus detection regardless of the focus detection result,
There is a servo auto-focus mode that predicts the position of the subject and keeps the focus in focus so that the correct focus can be obtained immediately before exposure, and a manual focus mode in which the photographer manually moves the distance ring of the lens to focus. There is.

Further, in the image pickup apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-125178, there has been proposed one in which the focus position is superimposed and displayed on the photographed image reproduced on the monitor. Also, when playing back the captured image on the monitor,
Image frame name / focal length / shutter speed / aperture value / focus mode (auto / manual) shooting information and one frame mode to display one frame of the shot image, and four frames to reduce and display four frames of the shot image There are a mode, a 9-frame mode for reducing and displaying 9 frames of a captured image, a histogram showing a luminance distribution of the captured image, and a histogram mode for displaying 1 frame of the captured image together with more shooting information than in the 1-frame mode. There is a selectable imaging device,
In the single frame mode, the focus position is superimposed on the reproduced image.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the focus position is always displayed in the same manner even if the focus detection mode is switched to the one-shot or servo autofocus mode. )
As shown in, if you accidentally shoot a running car in one-shot autofocus mode, the subject will move from the focus position between the time you press the release button and the start of exposure. It becomes an image.

However, even if the photographed image is reproduced and confirmed later, the focus area is displayed, so that the user mistakenly recognizes that the subject is in focus, and it is difficult to confirm the focus state on the monitor. In some cases, it was difficult to recognize as a failed image.

Also, one of a plurality of image reproduction modes is used.
In the frame mode, the focus position is displayed superimposed, but in the 1-frame mode, only part of the shooting information is displayed, so it is necessary to switch to another playback mode to check other shooting information. However, in that case, it becomes impossible to confirm the in-focus position, and in order to confirm the photographing information of both sides, it is necessary to switch the reproduction mode of the photographed image one by one.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, in the case of an image in which the areas of a plurality of subjects are at the in-focus position, the in-focus area can be recognized, but in which area the focus detection is performed. Since it is not known whether or not it has been performed, there may be a problem that the photographer may perceive that the subject is different from the intended subject and that the subject is focused.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is for the photographer to easily confirm in which of the focus detection modes the photographed image was photographed, by superimposing display in the focus detection area. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device capable of performing the above.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus in which a larger amount of photographing information and a focus position can be easily confirmed without switching a reproduction mode.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus which can clearly recognize a focus detection area and an in-focus area.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above first object, a first invention is an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, a display means capable of reproducing an image picked up by the image pickup means, and an image pickup. A focus detection unit that detects a focus state in each of a plurality of different focus detection areas in the screen, and a first focus detection that automatically selects a focus detection area used for focusing from the plurality of focus detection areas. Area selection mode,
Based on a second focus detection area selection mode for selecting a focus detection area to be used for focusing from the plurality of focus detection areas based on a will input of the photographer, and focus information of the selected focus detection area A lens driving means for driving the photographing lens, and a focus adjusting means for focus adjustment having a plurality of focus adjusting modes for driving the lens driving means by different driving methods according to a detection result of a focus state, In the imaging device that displays the selected focus detection area corresponding to the reproduction image together with the reproduction image displayed on the display unit, the display form of the focus detection area displayed together with the reproduction image displayed on the display unit, It is characterized by further comprising display control means for changing the focus detection area selection mode and the focus adjustment mode corresponding to the reproduced image.

A second invention for achieving the above-mentioned first object is
Image pickup means for picking up an object, display means for reproducing an image picked up by the image pickup means, focus detection means for detecting focus states in a plurality of different focus detection areas in an image pickup screen, and the plurality of focus points A first focus detection area selection mode that automatically selects a focus detection area used for focusing from the detection areas, and a focus detection area used for focusing from the plurality of focus detection areas of the photographer. A second focus detection area selection mode that is selected based on a will input,
A lens driving unit that drives the photographing lens based on the focus information of the selected focus detection area, and a first focus adjustment mode that does not perform the focus adjustment operation even if the distance to the subject changes after the focus state is detected. And a second focus adjustment mode in which the focus adjustment operation is performed when the focus is not detected even after the focus operation is detected, and a third focus adjustment mode in which the focus adjustment operation is manually performed. In the imaging device for displaying the selected focus detection area corresponding to the reproduced image together with the displayed reproduced image, the display form of the focus detection area to be displayed together with the reproduced image displayed on the display means,
It is characterized by further comprising display control means for changing the focus detection area selection mode and the focus adjustment mode corresponding to the reproduced image.

According to the first and second aspects of the invention, the display form of the focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas to be displayed together with the reproduced image displayed on the display means is the focus. Since it is configured to differ depending on the detection area selection mode and the focus adjustment mode, the superposition of the focus detection area depends on which of the focus detection area selection mode and the focus adjustment mode the captured image was taken. The pose can be easily confirmed by the photographer.

In order to achieve the second object,
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, a display means capable of reproducing the image picked up by the image pickup means, and a focus detection means for respectively detecting focus states in a plurality of different focus detection areas on the screen. A lens driving unit that drives a photographing lens based on focus information of a focus detection region selected from the plurality of focus detection regions obtained by the focus detection unit; The first playback mode that displays a part of
There is a second reproduction mode in which the captured image is displayed smaller than in the first reproduction mode and the amount of captured information is displayed more than in the first reproduction mode. When in the second reproduction mode, The focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas is superimposed and displayed.

According to the above invention, in the second reproduction mode in which the display of the captured image is smaller than that in the first reproduction mode and the display of the amount of captured information is larger than that in the first reproduction mode, the plurality of images are displayed. The focus detection area selected from among the focus detection areas is displayed so that the superimposed display of the focus detection area and other shooting information not displayed in the single frame mode are confirmed. Therefore, it is not necessary to switch to another reproduction mode as in the conventional case.

Further, in order to achieve the third object,
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, a display means for reproducing the image picked up by the image pickup means, and a focus detection means for detecting focus states in a plurality of different focus detection areas on the screen. And a lens driving unit that drives the photographing lens based on the focus information of the focus detection region selected from the plurality of focus detection regions obtained by the focus detection unit, and is displayed on the display unit. In the reproduced image, a superimposed display of a focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas is displayed in the first display form, and the focus detection area within the focusing range is displayed in the second display form. It was done at.

According to the above invention, even in the case of an image in which a plurality of subject areas are in focus, the first superimposing display of the focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas is performed. Since the focus detection area within the in-focus range is displayed in the second display mode, the area where focus detection is performed and the area in focus can be clearly recognized. .

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a top view of a digital camera showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera of FIG. In FIGS. 1 and 2, 100 is a camera body, and 200 is a photographic lens that is replaceable with respect to the camera body 100 via a body mount (not shown). Reference numeral 112 is an AE (automatic exposure) lock button, and 113 is a position corresponding to positions of focus detection area display patterns 51 to 89 in the finder field of FIG.
It is a focus detection area selection button for switching the area of a location. Reference numeral 114 denotes a release button for performing a shooting operation, and 115 is a main electronic dial for inputting a numerical value to the camera and switching a shooting mode, in combination with other operation buttons. is there.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 116 is a sub electronic dial having the same function as the main electronic dial 115 for selecting photographing conditions and the like of this digital camera. Reference numeral 117 is a shooting mode selection button, 118 is an AF mode selection button, and 119 is a photometry mode selection button, which also serves as a light adjustment correction button. An external display device 127 is a liquid crystal display device having an external display function for displaying shooting conditions and the like.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 120 denotes an LCD monitor (liquid crystal display) as a display means for displaying a photographed image. Reference numeral 121 is a monitor switch for turning on / off the LCD monitor 120. Since the LCD monitor 120 according to this embodiment is a transmissive type,
The image cannot be visually recognized only by driving the monitor 120, and a backlight illumination device (not shown) is necessarily required on the back surface thereof. The LCD monitor 120 and a backlight illumination device (not shown) constitute a display means.

Reference numeral 111 is an eyepiece window for finder observation, 1
Reference numeral 22 is a dial lock switch that locks the input function of the sub electronic dial 116, and 123 is a main switch that prohibits all operations of the digital camera.

Reference numeral 124 is a menu button for selecting a mode when displaying an image on the LCD monitor 120 or when initializing the camera. When selecting each mode, the sub electronic device is held while pressing the menu button 124. Rotate dial 116 to select the desired mode. When the desired mode is selected, release the menu button 124 to complete the selection. 125 is an LCD monitor 1 for the photographed image
20 is an image reproduction button for displaying an image on 20. 126
Is a select button for selecting an image reproduction mode (1 frame, 4 frames, 9 frames, histogram display) described later, and an image to be reproduced on the LCD monitor 120 from a plurality of photographed images. While holding down the select button, rotate the sub electronic dial 116 to select a desired image.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the digital camera system showing the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the digital camera system according to the present embodiment includes a camera body 100 that constitutes a digital camera body, a plurality of photographing lenses 200, a photographing optical system including the photographing lenses 200, etc. , A photographic lens 2 or a photographic optical system), a driving means for driving the photographic lens 2 or a photographic optical system, and a light quantity limiting means for adjusting an incident light quantity of a light flux passing through the photographic lens 200. The taking lens barrel is detachably attached to the camera body 100.

The camera body 100 in this digital camera system is constructed as follows. The camera body 100 includes a shutter 13 that adjusts the exposure time to the image sensor 24, and a shutter control circuit 14 that drives the shutter 13 under the control of the system controller 3.
A mirror 15 for directing the light flux from the photographing lens 200 to an observation optical system for allowing the photographer to observe, a mirror drive circuit 16 for driving and controlling the mirror 15, and a focus plate 3.
2 and a transmissive liquid crystal plate 31 for changing the finder field ratio according to the image pickup size.

Further, a pentaprism 33, a photometric mirror 34 formed of a half mirror for directing a part of the light emitted from the pentaprism 33 to the photometric system, and a photometric sensor 36 are used to form a subject image. Photometric lens 35
A photometric sensor 36, and a photometric circuit 37 for A / D converting the output from the photometric sensor 36 and controlling the photometric sensor 36 according to an instruction from the system controller 3.

Further, an eyepiece lens 42 for allowing the photographer to observe, a posture detection sensor 22 for detecting the posture of the camera body 100, a distance measuring sensor 17, and a distance measuring circuit 18 for driving the distance measuring sensor 17. An image pickup device 2 including a CCD for receiving a subject image formed by a photographing optical system of a photographing lens barrel mounted at a predetermined position of the photographing device, and photoelectrically converting the subject image into an electric signal to generate an image signal representing a still image.
4, an electronic image pickup means, a colorimetric sensor 10 for measuring the color of the external light in order to adjust the white balance of the captured image, and a white balance A / D for A / D converting the output of the colorimetric sensor 10. It has a D circuit 11 and a white balance control circuit 12 which receives an output from the white balance A / D circuit 11 and sends a white balance correction value to the system controller 3.

Further, a correction value from the white balance control circuit 12 is received via the system controller 3 for the image signal generated by the electronic image pickup means including the image pickup device 24 and the like, and white balance correction and other An image pickup circuit 25 that performs predetermined image processing,
An A / D conversion circuit 26 for converting an image signal (analog signal) output from the image pickup circuit 25 into a digital signal;
It has a memory 30 such as a buffer memory composed of a DRAM or the like for temporarily storing various data such as a digital image signal and a white balance correction value.

A liquid crystal display device for displaying an image (hereinafter referred to as LCD monitor 120) and the LC
While controlling the D monitor 120, it also receives a digital image signal temporarily stored in the memory 30, converts it into an analog signal of a form suitable for displaying as an image, and transmits it to the LCD monitor 120. , L for controlling the transmissive liquid crystal plate 31 to control the finder field ratio
A recording medium 27 including a CD control circuit 40 and a memory card or the like for recording an image signal as image data of a predetermined form.
An image processing circuit 29 which is an image processing means for receiving a digital image signal temporarily stored in the memory 30 and performing a predetermined image processing, and an output signal from the image processing circuit 29, and a recording medium 27. The image data recorded in the compressed form on the recording medium 27 is read out and various image processes are performed on the compressed image data while performing the compression process and the like so as to obtain the image data in the optimum form for recording. It has a compression / decompression circuit 28 which performs decompression processing so as to obtain an image signal of a form that can be applied.

Further, the system controller 3 which is a control means for controlling the electric circuit of the entire digital camera system including the camera body 100 and the taking lens barrel (details will be described later), the camera body 100 and external equipment (not shown). ) And an external interface (I / F) 38 for controlling the control signals and the like between the camera body 100 and an external device to transfer data. , A plurality of input switches (first release switch (SW1) 5 and second release switch (SW2)) that generate predetermined instruction signals in conjunction with the operation of various operation buttons provided on the exterior of the camera body 100.
6. Shooting mode selection switch (SW) 7, AF mode selection switch (SW) 8, Photometric mode selection switch (S
W) 9 etc.) and a switch sense circuit 4 for receiving a command signal from these input switches (SW) and commanding a predetermined command to the system controller 3.

The drive circuit 21 for controlling various driving means provided inside the taking lens barrel and various information relating to the taking optical system stored in the storage means provided inside the taking lens barrel are stored. Interface (I / F) means 20 for controlling so that it can be received, and camera body 10
0 and the photographing lens barrel are electrically connected to each other, and an output signal from the storage means of the photographing lens barrel is input to the camera body 100 side, or a control signal from the system controller 3 And the like are constituted by various constituent members such as electric contacts 1a and 1b, which are contact members serving as signal paths for outputting to the predetermined members of the taking lens barrel.

On the other hand, the taking lens barrel is constructed as follows. That is, the main taking lens barrel is composed of various optical lenses constituting the taking optical system, that is, the zoom lens 43 group which is a variable power optical system, the focus lens 45 group which is a focusing optical system, and the like by the taking optical system. A diaphragm unit 44, which is a light amount limiting unit that limits the amount of incident light of a light flux from a subject to be illuminated (hereinafter referred to as a subject light flux), and a zoom lens 43 group are moved in a direction along the optical axis O of the photographing optical system. Zoom motor 46, which is a drive unit for doubling, and focus lens 4
An AF motor 48 that is a focusing drive unit that moves the fifth lens group in a direction along the optical axis O of the photographing optical system, a diaphragm actuator 47 that drives the diaphragm unit 44, and a photographing lens 200 specific to the photographing lens barrel. Storage means 49 such as a ROM in which various information such as image circle information and shading correction information are stored in advance.
Etc.

Then, at a predetermined position on the rear end surface of the main taking lens barrel, the digital camera body 1 and the taking lens barrel are contacted by contacting the electrical contacts 1a and 1b provided on the front surface of the camera body 100 side. Are electrically connected to each other to output predetermined information from the storage means 49 of the main photographing lens barrel to the digital camera body 1 side and to receive a control signal from the system controller 3 of the camera body 100. 2b is provided.

As described above, the camera body 100 and the taking lens barrel constituting the present digital camera system are separately configured.
The taking lens barrel can be mechanically attached to 0. When the two are mechanically connected in this way, the electrical contacts 1a.
b and the electrical contacts 2a and 2b are in contact with each other, whereby an electrical connection between the two is established. The lens attachment / detachment detection means 23 is provided with a photographing lens attachment detection pin (not shown) provided on a part of the front surface of a camera side mount portion (not shown), and is attached when the photography lens 200 is attached. The detection pin is pushed in, and a mounting confirmation signal is transmitted to the system controller 3 of the camera body 100. In this connected state, the system controller 3 provided inside the camera body 100 is electrically connected to various electric circuits inside the camera body 100 as well as various electric circuits inside the photographing lens barrel. Therefore, the system controller 3 serves as a control means for controlling the entire digital camera system.

The recording medium 27 for recording the image signal in the camera body 100 and various image information associated therewith as an image data file is, for example, detachably arranged and has a card shape or a stick shape. Semiconductor memories, magnetic recording media 27 such as floppy (registered trademark) disks, small hard disks, magnetic tapes, MO (Magneto-Optical) disks, MD (Mi
A magneto-optical recording medium 27 such as a Ni disk), a fixed semiconductor memory fixed inside the camera body 100, and the like are used.

The plurality of input switches are for giving various instruction signals to the system controller 3 via the switch sense circuit 4 as described above. Then, the system controller 3 receives an instruction signal from the input switch transmitted via the switch sense circuit 4, controls a predetermined component member, and executes a predetermined operation according to the input instruction signal. This digital camera system is controlled as described above.

As various switches constituting this input switch, for example, a first release (SW1) corresponding to the release button 114 shown in FIG. 1 for generating a predetermined instruction signal for executing a photographing preparation operation such as photometry and AF is performed. )
5, a second release switch (SW2) 6 for generating a predetermined instruction signal for executing a shooting operation or the like corresponding to the release operation member, a shooting mode selection button 117, an AF mode selection button 118, a photometry mode selection button 119. The shooting mode selection switch 7 and the AF mode selection switch 7 which generate an instruction signal for switching the mode by pressing the button.
8 and a metering mode selection switch 9 and the like.

The storage means 49 stores various kinds of information regarding the photographing optical system that constitutes the photographing lens barrel as described above, that is, information such as lens distortion and image circles. Range information of the image circle in the system, the amount of reduction of the peripheral light amount (dimming rate) in a predetermined area within this image circle, etc.
Various information is stored in advance.

The taking lens barrel is the camera body 10.
0 for electrical contacts 2a and 2b and electrical contacts 2a and 2b
Thus, the system controller 3 on the camera body 100 side can read necessary information from the storage means 49 via the I / F means 20 as needed.

Next, the photographing operation of the digital camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an outline of the photographing operation of the digital camera of this embodiment.

In step S300, the power of the camera is turned on because the main switch 123 of the camera body 100 is turned on, and the operation is started from step S301.

First, in step S301, the focus detection mode, the focus detection area selection mode, and the like are switched and the setting values are switched based on the information of the switch sense circuit 4, and the process proceeds to step 302.

In the next step S302, when the first stroke of the release button 114 is pushed down and the first release switch (SW1) 5 is turned on, step S
In 303, the photometric circuit 37 is operated to capture the reflected light from the subject and A / D convert it to obtain photometric information. Then, the exposure condition (aperture, shutter speed) is calculated, and the process proceeds to step 304.

Next, in step S304, it is determined whether the focus detection mode is the autofocus mode (AF) or the manual focus mode (MF). If MF, the process proceeds to step S306, and if AF, step S30.
Go to 5.

In step S305, the distance measuring sensor 1 is used to detect the focus of a plurality of areas by using the distance measuring circuit 18.
7, the sensor output is fetched, and the focus information for each focus detection area is calculated from the A / D converted value. Then, based on these focus detection results, a defocus amount calculation calculation is performed by an existing algorithm, the lens drive amount is calculated based on the focus detection result of a predetermined area, and then the lens drive amount is sent to the drive circuit 21 so as to focus. To communicate and drive the lens to bring it into focus.

Further, in step S306, step S3
The focus detection mode and focus detection area selection mode set at 01, the focus detection area used for the lens drive amount calculation performed at step S304, and the focus state of each focus detection area after lens drive (within the focus range) Or not) is stored in the memory 30.

Then, in the next step S307,
It is determined whether or not the camera is in a state in which release is permitted. For example, when the AF mode is the "one-shot mode", the release is permitted if the result of the distance measurement in step S305 is in focus, and the process proceeds to step S308. If the focus is not in focus, the process returns to step S301.

After returning to step S301 as described above, similarly to the above, the mode and the like are set as necessary, and the process proceeds to step S302. Then, when the first stroke of the release button 114 is pushed down and the first release switch (SW1) 5 is turned on, photometry and MF are performed again.
/ AF discrimination and distance measurement are performed to store focus information (S303 → S304 → S305 → S306)
After that, it is again determined whether or not the state of the camera is the state in which the release is permitted (S307).

In the next step S308, when the second release switch (SW2) 6 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S309 to perform the photographing operation.

In step S309, step S303.
Exposure conditions (aperture, shutter speed) calculated in
The image sensor 24 is exposed at, and the process proceeds to step S310.

Then, in step S310, after the subject image recorded in the image pickup device 24 is read out and temporarily stored in the memory 30, the focus detection area used in the lens drive amount calculation stored in step S306 and after the lens drive. Along with the focus state of each focus detection area, the image signal is recorded in a recording medium 27 such as a memory card for recording image data of a predetermined form, and the photographing is finished.

Next, the reproduction operation of the photographed image will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the reproduction operation of the photographed image, and step S400 is step S400.
As in the case of 300, when the power of the camera is turned on due to the main switch of the camera being turned on or the like, and the image reproduction button 125 is pressed, first, in step S401, the image reproduction mode is set.

If the select button 126 is pressed here, the process proceeds to the setting mode of step S402, and if the image reproduction button 125 is pressed again, step S403.
To each.

In step S402, the LCD monitor 1
The image reproduction mode to be displayed on 20 is set, and a single reproduction mode for displaying one image, a multi-reproduction mode for displaying four and nine images, and a histogram representing the brightness distribution of the captured image and one frame of the captured image are displayed. It is possible to select four types of histogram modes to be performed.

The photographer rotates the sub electronic dial 116 while pressing the select button 126 to select the desired mode, releases the select button 126 to set the image reproduction mode, and proceeds to step S403. The image reproduction mode is initially set to the single reproduction mode.

In step S403, the image is recorded on the recording medium 2.
7. If the image exists on the recording medium 27, the process proceeds to step S405, the image is displayed on the LCD monitor 120, and if the image does not exist on the recording medium 27, the process proceeds to step S404. Monitor 120
A warning is displayed on.

The reproduction operation of the photographed image is completed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram when all the focus detection areas are displayed. The focus detection areas are 51, 52, 53, ... From the upper left end.
・ The numbers 89 and 89 are used for description. In this notation, for example, the central focus detection area is represented as 70, and the second row from the top and the fourth focus detection area from the left are represented as 61.

Next, an example of superimposing display of the focus detection area on the reproduced image will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram when the photographed images 130a to 130d are reproduced on the LCD monitor 120.
6A shows a state in which the image 130a photographed by the existing algorithm is reproduced in the state where the focus detection area selection is set to the automatic selection mode in the one-shot autofocus mode, and in the focus detection area shown in FIG. The focus detection areas (61, 62, 69, 70, 71, 78, 79) within the in-focus range are superimposed and displayed in red.

FIG. 7B shows a state in which the image 130b photographed by the existing algorithm is reproduced with the focus detection area selection set to the automatic selection mode in the servo autofocus mode. The focus detection shown in FIG. Focus detection area (51 ~ 57,58,65,66,74,75,82,8) on the outer periphery of the area
3 to 89) are displayed in superimpose in red.

FIG. 7C shows a state in which the photographer manually reproduces the image 130c photographed in the state where the distance ring of the lens is moved to perform focusing, and the superimposed display of the focus detection area is displayed. Is not done.

FIG. 7 (d) is a diagram showing another embodiment in the case of photographing by the existing algorithm in the state where the focus detection area selection is set to the automatic selection mode in the servo auto focus mode. Focus detection area within the in-focus range among the focus detection areas shown (69,77,78,84,85,86)
Is displayed in a different color (for example, blue) from the display color in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E shows the focus detection area selection in the one-shot autofocus mode in the manual selection mode.
The image 130d taken by the existing algorithm is reproduced with (69) selected from the focus detection areas shown in 6, and the focus detection area (69) is superimposed in red. . Further, when the same image is taken in the servo auto focus mode, the superimposed display is performed in a color (for example, blue) different from the color of the superimposed display in the one-shot auto focus mode.

By performing such a superimposed display of the focus detection area, the photographer can easily confirm in which of the focus detection modes the photographed image was photographed.

(Second Embodiment) The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 shows the captured image 13 on the LCD monitor 120 in the histogram mode as the reproduction mode of the captured image.
It is a figure which shows the display state when 0e is reproduced.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 130e denotes an image reproduced on the LCD monitor 120, which is an image photographed by an existing algorithm in a state where the focus detection area selection is set to the automatic selection mode in the one-shot autofocus mode, Of the focus detection areas shown in FIG. 6, the focus detection areas (62, 63, 70, 71, 72, 79, 80) within the in-focus range are superimposed and displayed in red.

Further, as shooting information, shutter speed (1/250) 131, aperture value (F.6) 132, exposure correction amount (+1) 133, shooting mode (AV priority) 134, metering mode 135, ISO sensitivity ( 200) 136, white balance mode (AWB) 137, shooting date / time (01 /
02/20 08:30) 138, file number 139, recording image quality 140, and histogram 141 are displayed on the LCD monitor 120 together with the captured image.

Here, the histogram will be described.
The histogram is a graph in which the horizontal axis is the brightness and the vertical axis is the number of pixels of the brightness. Histogram 141
The pixel on the left of becomes a dark pixel, and the pixel on the right of a becomes a bright pixel. By looking at this histogram, it is possible to determine how bright the captured image is. If the image is biased to the dark side, the exposure correction is corrected to be positive, and if it is biased to the bright side, it is subtracted. An image with good results can be obtained by correcting and re-shooting.

As described above, since the superimposed image of the focus detection area and the histogram are displayed in the same reproduction mode on the reproduced image, it is possible to easily confirm the quality of the photographed image. (Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 shows the captured image 13 on the LCD monitor 120 in the histogram mode as the reproduction mode of the captured image.
It is a figure which shows the display state when 0f is reproduced.

In FIG. 9, the one-shot autofocus mode is the state where the focus detection area selection is set to the automatic selection mode, and the photographed image 130f photographed by the existing algorithm is reproduced, and the focus detection shown in FIG. The focus detection area (69) used for the defocus amount calculation calculation, that is, the focus adjustment in the area is displayed in red in a superimposed manner, and the focus detection area (6) in the other in-focus range is displayed.
1, 62, 70, 71, 78, 79, 83, 84) are superimpose-displayed in a color (for example, black) different from the focus detection area (69).

By performing superimposing display of such a focus detection area, it can be seen that the baby's face has been focused, so that it is not recognized as an image taken by erroneous focus detection.

In each of the above embodiments,
As a focus adjustment mode, a configuration having a one-shot autofocus mode that is a first focus adjustment mode, a servo autofocus mode that is a second focus adjustment mode, and a manual operation mode that is a third focus adjustment mode However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have, for example, a first focus adjustment mode and a second focus adjustment mode.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the display form of the focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas displayed together with the reproduced image displayed on the display means is made different depending on the focus detection area selection mode and the focus adjustment mode, The photographer can easily confirm in which of the focus detection area selection mode and the focus adjustment mode the captured image was captured by superimposing display of the focus detection area.

In the second reproduction mode in which the photographed image is displayed smaller than in the first reproduction mode and the photographed information amount is displayed more than in the first reproduction mode, a plurality of focus detection areas are selected. Since the selected focus detection area is superimposed, the focus detection area is superimposed and other playback modes are displayed in order to check other shooting information that is not displayed in single frame mode. There is no need to switch to.

Further, even in the case of an image in which a plurality of subject areas are in focus, a superimpose display of the focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas is displayed in the first display form. However, since the focus detection area within the in-focus range is displayed in the second display mode,
The area where focus detection is performed and the area in focus can be clearly recognized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view of a digital camera showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of a digital camera system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a photographing operation of the digital camera of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a reproducing operation of an image taken by the digital camera of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing all focus detection areas of the digital camera of the present invention.

7A to 7E are diagrams when a captured image is reproduced on the LCD monitor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram when a captured image is reproduced in a histogram mode on the LCD monitor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram when a captured image is reproduced on an LCD monitor according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram when a captured image is reproduced on an LCD monitor in a conventional imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 ... System controller 18: Distance measuring circuit 24 ... Image sensor 27 ... Recording medium 30 ... Memory 40 ... LCD control circuit 51-89 ... Focus detection area 100 ... Camera body 113 ... AF point selection button 115 ... Main electronic dial 116 ... Sub electronic dial 118 ... AF mode selection button 120 ... LCD monitor 121 ... Monitor switch 125 ... Image playback button 126 ... Select button 130 ... Captured image 141 ... Histogram 200 ... Shooting lens

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) // H04N 101: 00 G03B 3/00 AF term (reference) 2H011 AA03 BB04 CA22 CA25 CA27 DA05 2H051 AA00 DA03 DA07 DA31 EA03 EA04 EA28 EB20 FA29 GA01 GA02 GA10 GA12 GA17 GA18 2H102 AA33 AA66 AA71 BB01 BB08 BB22 CA01 5C022 AA13 AB02 AB28 AC03 AC22 AC32 AC42 AC54 AC74 AC78

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject, a display unit for reproducing an image picked up by the image pickup unit, and a focus detection unit for detecting focus states in a plurality of different focus detection areas in an image pickup screen. A first focus detection area selection mode for automatically selecting a focus detection area used for focusing from the plurality of focus detection areas, and focus detection used for focusing from the plurality of focus detection areas A second focus detection area selection mode for selecting an area based on the will input of the photographer, a lens driving means for driving the photographing lens based on the focus information of the selected focus detection area, and a focus state detection result. A focus adjustment means for focus adjustment having a plurality of focus adjustment modes for driving the lens drive means by different drive methods according to the above, together with the reproduced image displayed on the display means. In the imaging device for displaying the selected focus detection area corresponding to the reproduced image, the display form of the focus detection area displayed together with the reproduced image displayed on the display unit is the focus detection area corresponding to the reproduced image. An image pickup apparatus, comprising: a display control unit that makes different depending on a selection mode and the focus adjustment mode. 2. An image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, a display means for reproducing an image picked up by the image pickup means, and a focus detection means for respectively detecting focus states in a plurality of different focus detection areas in an image pickup screen. A first focus detection area selection mode for automatically selecting a focus detection area used for focusing from the plurality of focus detection areas, and focus detection used for focusing from the plurality of focus detection areas A second focus detection area selection mode for selecting an area based on a will input of a photographer, a lens driving unit for driving a photographing lens based on focus information of the selected focus detection area, and a focus state detected The first focus adjustment mode in which the focus adjustment operation is not performed even if the distance of the subject changes thereafter, and the second focus adjustment mode in which the focus adjustment operation is performed when the subject is out of focus even after the focus operation is detected. And a third focus adjustment mode in which a focus adjustment operation is performed manually, and an image pickup apparatus that displays the reproduced image displayed on the display unit and the selected focus detection area corresponding to the reproduced image. A display control unit for changing the display form of the focus detection region displayed together with the reproduced image displayed on the display unit according to the focus detection region selection mode and the focus adjustment mode corresponding to the reproduced image. A characteristic imaging device. 3. The focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas is recorded as image data together with the image captured by the image capturing means. Imaging device. 4. The first focus adjustment mode in the first focus adjustment mode.
In the second focus detection area selection mode, the focus detection area within the in-focus range is displayed, and in the second focus detection area selection mode, the selected focus detection area is displayed to display the second focus. In the adjustment mode, in the first focus detection area selection mode, all focus detection areas located on the end side of the selectable focus detection area are displayed, and in the second focus detection area selection mode, The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selected focus detection area is displayed, and the focus detection area is not displayed in the third focus adjustment mode. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the focus detection area is displayed by superimposing a reproduced image. 6. The first focus adjustment mode and the second focus adjustment mode.
6. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display color of the focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas is changed depending on the focus adjustment mode. 7. An image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, a display means for reproducing the image picked up by the image pickup means, and a focus detection for detecting a focus state in each of a plurality of different focus detection areas in an image pickup screen. Means, a lens drive means for driving a photographing lens based on focus information of a focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas obtained by the focus detection means, and a photographed image on the display means. A first reproduction mode in which a part of the information is displayed together, and a second reproduction mode in which the display of the captured image is smaller than that in the first reproduction mode and the amount of captured information is larger than that in the first reproduction mode. An imaging apparatus having a reproduction mode, wherein in the second reproduction mode, a focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas is superimposed and displayed. 8. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second reproduction mode includes a histogram that displays a luminance distribution of a captured image. 9. An image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, a display means for reproducing the image picked up by the image pickup means, and a focus detection for detecting focus states in a plurality of different focus detection areas in an image pickup screen, respectively. Means and a lens driving means for driving a photographing lens based on focus information of a focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas obtained by the focus detection means, and displayed on the display means. The superimposed image of the focus detection area selected from the plurality of focus detection areas is first displayed on the reproduced image.
The display device according to the second display mode, and the focus detection area within the in-focus range is displayed in the second display mode. 10. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second display forms change display colors.