JP2001024920A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily confirm the size of the object of a photographed image. SOLUTION: Concerning this camera, when picking up the image of the object, the distance and dimension of the object are detected by a measuring part 105 and the information of distance and dimension of the object is stored on a storage medium 104 together with picked-up image data. Besides, the distance and display direction of the object selected in the image displayed on an LCD 108 to a reference object are designated and on the basis of the information of distance and dimension of the object, the selected object is displayed after being changed into size away from the reference object just for the designated distance in the designated display direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly, to a digital camera having a distance measuring function and a dimension calculating function for a subject.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a digital camera, a technique for calculating a distance and a size of a subject has been known. For example, a digital electronic still camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-18748 has a pair of solid-state imaging devices that receive reflected light from the same subject that enters from two lens systems separated from each other by a base line, An A / D converter for converting an analog video signal obtained by performing signal processing on an output of a solid-state imaging device into a digital signal; storage means for storing the pair of A / D-converted digital video signals; LC for displaying a pair of images stored in the recording circuit
D display, a measurement point input device, and when an arbitrary position in a pair of images displayed on the LCD display is designated by the measurement point input device, an image of the video signal recording circuit corresponding to the position is displayed. The address of the object is read, the distance to the position designated point of the subject is calculated by an algorithm using triangulation, and the actual size between the two designated positions is calculated by specifying two positions in the image. And control means for controlling the display to be performed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional digital camera, information on the distance and dimensions of the subject is displayed numerically together with the subject, so that the size of the subject is checked. There is a problem of difficulty.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a digital camera that allows a user to easily confirm the size of a subject in a captured image.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image capturing apparatus for capturing an image of a subject to obtain image data, and an image capturing device for focusing on a desired subject. Focusing means, distance detecting means for detecting the distance to the subject, dimension detecting means for calculating the dimension of the subject based on the distance of the subject detected by the distance detecting means, and display for displaying the image data And display control means for changing the size of the subject in the image displayed on the display means based on the detection results of the distance detection means and the dimension detection means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject to obtain image data, a focusing means for focusing on a desired subject, and a distance detecting means for detecting a distance to the subject. A dimension detection unit for calculating the dimension of the subject; a display unit for displaying the image data; a designation unit for designating an arbitrary subject in an image displayed on the display unit; and the designation unit. A distance designation unit that designates the distance of the designated subject; and a subject designated by the designation unit, based on a detection result of the distance detection unit and the dimension detection unit, in an image displayed on the display unit. Display control means for changing the size to a size corresponding to the distance designated by the distance designating means based on another subject and displaying the changed subject.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject to obtain image data, a focusing means for focusing on a desired subject, and a distance detecting means for detecting a distance to the subject. And a dimension detection unit for calculating the size of the subject, a display unit for displaying the image data, and based on a detection result of the distance detection unit and the dimension detection unit, based on a designated image, Display control means for changing the size of another image;
It is provided with.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject to obtain image data, a focusing means for focusing on a desired subject, and a distance detecting means for detecting a distance to the subject. A dimension detecting unit for calculating the dimension of the subject; a display unit for displaying the image data; a reference image selecting unit for selecting a reference image; and an image selecting unit for selecting an image whose size is to be changed And, based on the detection results of the distance detecting means and the dimension detecting means, based on the image selected by the reference image selecting means, the image selected by the image selecting means is selected by the reference image selecting means. A combination display means for combining and displaying both images by changing the size to the same shooting distance as the image.

[0009]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a digital camera. As shown in the figure, the digital camera 100 includes a system control unit 101 that controls the entire digital camera,
An imaging unit 102 that images a subject and converts the image data into image data
An image processing unit 103 that performs image processing and the like on image data output from the imaging unit 102; a storage medium 104 that stores image data and the like; and a measurement unit 105 that calculates the distance to the subject and the dimensions of the subject And the internal storage device 106
LCD of image data processed by the image processing unit 103
The digital camera includes a display device 107 for performing display control on the digital camera 108, an LCD 108 on which an image and the like are displayed, and an operation unit 109 for a user to give an operation instruction to the digital camera.
Each part of the digital camera is connected via a bus.

The system control section 101 controls the entire digital camera as described above, and controls the entire digital camera according to a program stored in the ROM, and causes the CPU to operate. And a RAM used as a work area of the CPU.

The imaging unit 102 is for imaging a subject and outputting image data as described above.
A lens (including a zoom lens) for forming a subject image, optical system components such as a lens driving motor for driving the lens, and the formed subject image are converted into electric signals (analog image data). It includes a CCD, a CCD drive circuit for driving the CCD, an A / D converter for converting analog image data output from the CCD into digital signals (digital image data), and the like.

The image processing unit 103 performs various types of image processing on the image data obtained by the imaging unit 102, and controls focusing timing, scaling, and exposure adjustment by controlling the CCD driving timing and the lens driving motor of the imaging unit 102. And so on,
The image processing apparatus further includes an image processing controller, a memory, and the like provided for performing compression / decompression of image data.

The measuring section 105 has a function of calculating the distance and the size of the photographed subject based on the focusing information and magnification information at the time of photographing of the image processing section 103, and a function of changing the size of the subject to the display device 107. It has an output function and the like, and outputs an image synthesis instruction and the like.

The display device 107 includes an image processing unit 103
Performs signal processing for displaying the image data processed by the LCD on the LCD, generates various graphic images for a user interface, and displays the graphic image on the LCD. The LCD 108 is for displaying images and displaying graphics for a user interface.

The storage medium 104 is made of, for example, a flash memory, and is configured to be detachable from the digital camera 100. Header information including compressed image data and various information related to the image is stored as an image file. Be recorded. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the format of an image file. As shown in FIG. 2, the image file includes header information 200 and image data 201. Further, the header information 200 includes information such as imaging conditions 300 such as magnification information and focus information at the time of photographing, a distance 301 to the subject, and a dimension 302 of the subject.

The operation unit 109 is for the user to give an operation instruction to the digital camera, and includes a release key for instructing photographing, a mode setting key for setting a mode of the digital camera, and the like.

Next, an outline of the photographing operation of the digital camera having the above configuration will be described. When the release button of the operation unit 109 is pressed by the user, the system control unit 101
The image processing unit 103 is set to capture an image.

The imaging unit 102 captures image data and sends it to the image processing unit 103 in accordance with control of the image processing unit 103 such as focusing and exposure adjustment. Image processing unit 1
Reference numeral 03 performs signal processing and compression processing on input image data. The measurement unit 105 calculates the distance to the subject and the size of the subject based on the magnification information and the focusing information used at the time of shooting in the image processing unit 103.
The system control unit 101 stores, as an image file, image data compressed by the image processing unit 103, and imaging information such as magnification information and focus information at the time of photographing, and header information such as a subject distance and a subject size as an image file. 1
Record at 04.

Next, an outline of the operation of reproducing an image on the LCD 108 will be described. When the user selects image reproduction using the operation unit 109, the system control unit 101 reads an image file from the storage medium 104 and transfers the compressed image data to the image processing unit 103. The image processing unit 103 expands the transferred compressed image data, and transfers the expanded image data to the display device 107. The display device 107 performs signal processing on the image data to perform L processing.
Display on CD108.

Next, an image size change display operation, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. 4 in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the image size change display operation, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific display example of the LCD 108 for the image size change display operation of FIG.

When the user selects an image size change display on the operation unit 109 and designates an image, the system control unit 101 reads a corresponding image file from the storage medium 104 and outputs the compressed image data. The information is transferred to the image processing unit 103, and the information on the distance and size of the subject in the header information is transferred to the measurement unit 105. The image processing unit 103 expands the transferred compressed image data. Then, the image processing unit 103 transfers the decompressed image data to the display device 107. The display device 107 performs signal processing on the image data and displays it on the LCD 108 (step S1).
01). For example, an image as shown in FIG.
Displayed at 108.

Next, the user operates the operation unit 109 to select a subject whose size is to be changed and displayed in the image displayed on the LCD 108 (step S10).
2). For example, as shown in FIG.
Is selected. Next, the user's operation unit 1
Through the operation 09, the distance of the selected subject is input (step S103). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4B, “7M” is selected as the distance of the subject S in “house”.

Further, a display direction of the selected subject (a front direction (Near) or a rear direction (Far) with respect to the reference image) is selected by the user operating the operation unit 109 (step S104). In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the “backward direction (Far)” is selected.

Then, the measuring section 105 changes the selected subject to a size which is separated by a selected distance in a designated display direction with respect to the unselected subject based on the dimension of the subject, and displays the selected subject. The size of the selected subject is changed via the device 107 and displayed on the LCD 108 (step S105). For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the selected subject S is displayed at a size “7M” ahead (back side) based on a non-selected subject (house on the left side).

In the operation example described above, the case where there are two subjects has been described. However, in the case where there are three or more subjects, the reference subject and the subject whose size is to be changed may be selected.

As described above, according to the above-described operation example, when capturing an image of a subject, the distance and size of the subject are detected, and information on the distance and size of the subject is stored in the storage medium 104 along with the captured image data. When the size of the subject is changed and displayed, the LCD 10
8. Select an arbitrary subject in the image displayed in step 8 and specify the distance and display direction of the selected subject with respect to the reference subject. Based on the information on the distance and dimensions of the subject, the selected subject is compared with the reference subject. Since the size is changed in the specified display direction to the size separated by the specified distance, it is possible to change the size of the specified subject to the specified distance and direction with respect to the reference subject. The actual size of the subject when the distance is changed arbitrarily can be confirmed on the LCD 108, and the usability of the operator is improved.

Next, the operation of synthesizing and displaying an image, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the image composite display operation, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific display example of the LCD 108 in the image composite display operation of FIG.

When the user selects the composite display of the image on the operation unit 109 and selects the reference image, the system control unit 101 reads the corresponding image file from the storage medium 104 and converts the compressed image data into an image. Processing unit 1
03, and the information of the distance and the size of the subject in the header information is transferred to the measuring unit 105. The image processing unit 103 expands the transferred compressed image data. Then, the image processing unit 103 transfers the decompressed image data to the display device 107. The display device 107 performs signal processing on the image data and displays it on the LCD 108 (step S2).
01). For example, an image as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed on the LCD 108 as a reference image.

Next, when the designated image is selected by the operation of the operation unit 109 by the user, the system control unit 101
Reads the corresponding image file from the storage medium 104, transfers the compressed image data to the image processing unit 103, and transfers the information of the subject distance 301 and the dimension 302 of the header information 200 to the measurement unit 105. The image processing unit 103 expands the transferred compressed image data. Then, the image processing unit 103 transfers the decompressed image data to the display device 107. The display device 107 performs signal processing on the image data and displays it on the LCD 108 (step S202). For example, an image as shown in FIG. 6B is displayed on the LCD 108 as a designated image.

The measuring unit 105 determines the size of the designated image at the same shooting distance as the reference image based on the information on the distance and size of the subject in the reference image and the information on the distance and size of the subject in the designated image. The display device 107 combines the designated image with the changed size at the designated position of the reference image and displays the combined image on the LCD 108 (step S20).
3). For example, as shown in FIG.
The designated image changed to the size at the same shooting distance as the reference image is combined and displayed. In FIG. 6, for example, when the actual size is 5M in the height of the house of the reference image and the tree of the designated image is 2M, even if the two images are viewed, the actual size is not known. Even if the size is displayed, the relative size cannot be determined from the two images even if the tree of the designated image is planted in the house of the reference image.
Therefore, if the size of the designated image can be accurately changed based on the size of the reference image as in the present invention, it is effective for applications such as layout.

In the present invention, for example, when the layout of a room is desired, the entire arrangement can be confirmed by photographing the room as a reference subject and photographing furniture to be placed such as a bed. By changing the layout of the room and the reference subject to the town, it is possible to perform a simulation of the town and the like.

As described above, according to the above-described operation example, when capturing an image of a subject, the distance and size of the subject are detected, and information on the distance and size of the subject is stored in the storage medium 104 together with the captured image data. In addition, when combining and displaying images, the designated image is changed to the size at the same shooting distance as the reference image based on information on the distance and dimensions of the subject, and both images are combined. LCD108
, It is possible to display objects having different photographing distances in the same size as when the photographing distance is the same, which is useful when considering a layout or the like, thereby improving the usability of the operator.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be appropriately modified without changing the gist of the invention.

[0035]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the distance detecting means detects the distance to the subject, the dimension calculating means calculates the dimension of the subject, and the display control means Since the size of the subject in the image displayed on the display is changed based on the detection results of the distance detecting means and the dimension detecting means, the user can easily confirm the size of the subject in the captured image. And the usability is improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the distance detecting means detects the distance to the subject, the dimension detecting means calculates the size of the subject, and the specifying means determines whether the image is displayed on the display means. An arbitrary subject is designated, the distance designation means designates the distance of the subject designated by the designation means, and the display control means designates the subject designated by the designation means based on the detection results of the distance detection means and the dimension detection means. The distance between the subjects is arbitrarily changed because the size is changed to the size corresponding to the distance designated by the distance designation unit with reference to another subject in the image displayed on the display unit. In this case, the actual size of the subject can be confirmed on the display means, and the usability of the operator is improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the distance detecting means detects the distance to the subject, the dimension detecting means calculates the dimension of the subject, and the display control means controls the distance detecting means and the dimension detecting means. Based on the detection result, the size of the other image is changed based on the designated image, so that the user can easily confirm the size of the subject in the captured image, which is easy to use. Will be better.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the distance detecting means detects the distance to the subject, the dimension detecting means detects the dimension of the subject, the reference image selecting means selects a reference image, The image selection means selects an image whose size is to be changed, and the composite display means is selected by the image selection means based on the detection results of the distance detection means and the dimension detection means, based on the image selected by the reference image selection means. Was changed to the size at the same shooting distance as the image selected by the reference image selection means, and the two images were combined and displayed, so that subjects having different shooting distances were set to the same shooting distance. It can be displayed in the size of the case, which is useful when considering the layout and the like, and the usability of the operator is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of an image file.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an image size change display operation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific display example of an image size change display operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an image composite display operation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific display example of an image composite display operation.

[Description of Signs] 100 Digital camera 101 System control unit 102 Imaging unit 103 Image processing unit 104 Storage media 105 Measurement unit 106 Internal storage device 107 Display device 108 Internal storage device 109 Operation unit

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Claims (4)

[Claims] An imaging unit that captures an image of a subject to obtain image data; a focusing unit that focuses on a desired subject; a distance detection unit that detects a distance from the subject; and a size of the subject is calculated. Detecting means for displaying the image data; and changing the size of the subject of the image displayed on the display means based on the detection results of the distance detecting means and the dimension detecting means. A digital camera, comprising: display control means. 2. An image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject to obtain image data; a focusing means for focusing on a desired subject; a distance detecting means for detecting a distance from the subject; and calculating a dimension of the subject. Dimension detecting means for performing the processing, display means for displaying the image data, designating means for designating an arbitrary subject in the image displayed on the display means, and designating the distance to the subject designated by the designating means Distance specifying means, based on the detection results of the distance detecting means and the dimension detecting means, the subject specified by the specifying means, with reference to other objects in the image displayed on the display means,
Display control means for changing and displaying the size corresponding to the distance designated by the distance designation means. 3. An image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject to obtain image data; a focusing means for focusing on a desired subject; a distance detecting means for detecting a distance from the subject; and calculating a size of the subject. Dimension detecting means, display means for displaying the image data, and, based on detection results of the distance detecting means and the dimensional detecting means, changing the size of another image based on a designated image. A digital camera, comprising: 4. An image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject to obtain image data; a focusing means for focusing on a desired subject; a distance detecting means for detecting a distance from the subject; and calculating a size of the subject. Size detecting means, display means for displaying the image data, reference image selecting means for selecting a reference image, image selecting means for selecting an image whose size is to be changed, the distance detecting means and Based on the detection result of the dimension detection unit, based on the image selected by the reference image selection unit, the image selected by the image selection unit has the same shooting distance as the image selected by the reference image selection unit. A digital camera, comprising: a display unit that displays both images by changing the size of the digital image to a composite image.