JP2006054803A - Digital photographing device, image display method of digital photographing device, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a digital photographing device that facilitates framing during photographing and has a strong photo opportunity, and an image display method thereof.
An image pickup device that picks up an image of a subject and converts it into an electrical signal, a zoom optical system that can optically change the image of the subject and forms an image of the subject on the image pickup device, and displays at least image data. A display device 15 having a screen; and a display control unit 14 for displaying the electrical signal on the screen. The display control unit 14 displays a captured image on the screen, and in a partial area of the screen, Of the image being picked up, the image data of the portion corresponding to the image pickup range when enlarged by the variable magnification optical system 11 at a predetermined magnification is enlarged and displayed.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital photographing apparatus equipped with a variable magnification optical system and an image display method thereof. For example, the present invention relates to a digital photographing device such as a digital video camera or a digital still camera and an image display method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, digital video cameras and digital still cameras including an optical system, an image sensor such as a CCD and a CMOS, and a display device such as a liquid crystal have been commercialized.

  Usually, these digital photographing devices form an image of a subject on an image pickup device by an optical system and convert the image into a charge signal by the image pickup device. Further, this charge signal is converted into image data, and the image data is recorded on a solid-state memory, a magnetic recording tape, a recordable disk, or the like.

  In such a digital photographing device, in order to improve the interface, for example, the photographing range before the change of the angle of view is marked on the display device so that the composition can be easily determined when the angle of view is changed to the wide angle side. There are some (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, there is a lens that moves the zoom lens and the focus lens so that the field angle is stored in advance (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-32524 JP 2001-91815 A

  However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not yet efficient because it is necessary to obtain the framing conditions by changing the angle of view several times.

  Further, in the method shown in Patent Document 2, since the lens is moved to a pre-stored position, it may be assumed that it does not achieve optimal framing during shooting.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a digital photographing apparatus capable of easily determining framing and capable of photographing without missing a photo opportunity and an image display method thereof.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the first aspect of the present invention provides:
An image sensor that captures an image of a subject and converts it into an electrical signal;
A variable magnification optical system that can optically change magnification and forms an image of the subject on the imaging element;
A display device having at least a screen for displaying image data;
A display control unit for displaying the electrical signal on the screen;
The display control unit displays a captured image on the screen, and enlarges the captured image to a partial area of the screen at a predetermined magnification with the variable magnification optical system. This is a digital photographing device that enlarges and displays a portion of image data corresponding to the imaging range.

The second aspect of the present invention
The predetermined magnification can be arbitrarily set,
In the digital photographing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the size and position of the partial area can be arbitrarily set.

The third aspect of the present invention provides
The partial area is divided into a plurality of areas,
In each of the plurality of regions, the image data is displayed at different magnifications.

The fourth invention relates to
Furthermore, an optical system controller that controls the zoom optical system;
Frame specifying means for specifying an image displayed in the partial area,
When the optical system control unit identifies an image displayed in the partial area, the optical system control unit varies the magnification optical system so that the magnification corresponds to the identified image. It is a digital photographing apparatus of any one of the third aspect of the present invention.

The fifth aspect of the present invention relates to
An image sensor that captures an image of a subject and converts it into an electrical signal;
A variable magnification optical system that can optically change magnification and forms an image of the subject on the imaging element;
A display device having a screen for displaying at least the image data converted into the electrical signal;
An imaging range designating means capable of designating an arbitrary area having the central part of the screen as a central part;
The digital imaging device includes an optical system control unit that controls the zoom optical system so that an image of the designated area is displayed on the entire screen.

The sixth invention relates to
A step of converting an image of a subject formed by a variable magnification optical system that can be optically changed into an electric signal and displaying the image on a screen of a display device;
A step of enlarging and displaying image data of a portion corresponding to an imaging range when an image displayed on the screen is enlarged at a predetermined magnification by the variable magnification optical system in a partial area of the screen. An image display method for a digital photographing device.

The seventh invention relates to
A step of converting an image of a subject formed by a variable magnification optical system that can be optically changed into an electric signal and displaying the image on a screen of a display device;
Designating an arbitrary area centered on the center of the screen;
And a step of controlling the zoom optical system so that an image of the designated area is displayed on the entire screen.

The eighth invention relates to
A program for causing a computer to function as the display control unit for displaying the electric signal of the digital photographing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention on the screen.

The ninth invention relates to
A recording medium carrying the program of the eighth aspect of the present invention, which is a recording medium usable by a computer.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a digital photographing apparatus that can easily determine framing and can shoot without missing a photo opportunity and an image display method thereof.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital still camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The digital still camera according to the first embodiment includes a variable magnification optical system 11 that forms an image of a subject on an image sensor 12. The zoom optical system 11 has a zoom function that can optically zoom an image to be formed. Moreover, the display device 15 which has the screen which displays the imaged image etc. is provided. Also, a display control unit 14 that controls an image to be displayed on the screen of the display device 15, an optical system control unit 13 that controls the zoom optical system 11, and a frame specification that specifies a frame displayed on the screen of the display device 15. Means 16 are provided.

  Next, the operation of the digital still camera according to the first embodiment when determining a frame will be described.

  In FIG. 1, an image of a subject to be photographed is formed on an image sensor 12 by a variable magnification optical system 11. The image sensor 12 converts the information of the formed image into a charge signal and passes it to the display control unit 14. The display control unit 14 converts the charge signal into an image signal, and displays the image data of the subject to be photographed on the screen of the display device 15.

  FIG. 2 shows the display content of the screen of the display device 15.

  The variable magnification optical system 11 is in the wide-angle end state. In FIG. 2, the subject image 21 at the wide-angle end is displayed on the screen of the display device 15.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the display control unit 14 displays an image obtained by enlarging the central portion of the subject image 21 at the wide-angle end in a partial region 22 on the screen of the display device 15. The image to be displayed in the frame of the partial region 22 is an image created by the display control unit 14 performing enlargement processing from the image data of the central portion of the subject image 21 at the wide angle end.

  Here, the image to be displayed in a part of the region 22 is created so as to be an image of a part corresponding to the range to be photographed when the variable magnification optical system 11 is operated to have a predetermined magnification. . That is, when the variable magnification optical system 11 is operated so as to have a predetermined magnification, the image displayed in the partial area 22 is displayed on the entire screen of the display device 15.

  The predetermined magnification may be a magnification within a range that can be optically varied by the variable magnification optical system 11, and may be a magnification at the telephoto end or other magnification.

  The frame specifying means 16 is a means for determining an image displayed in a frame of a partial area 22 shown in FIG. The frame specifying means 16 only needs to be able to determine an image displayed in a part of the area 22, and any method such as a button or a cross key provided on the digital still camera, a touch operation on the screen of the display device 15, etc. It may be realized with.

  When the frame specifying unit 16 determines an image displayed in a frame of a part of the region 22, the display control unit 14 causes the optical system control unit 13 so that the variable magnification optical system 11 has a predetermined magnification. Give instructions. The variable magnification optical system 11 operates to achieve a predetermined magnification and performs focusing under the control of the optical system control unit 13.

  When the variable magnification optical system 11 reaches a predetermined magnification, the image portion of the range displayed in the partial area 22 in FIG. 2 is displayed on the entire screen on the screen of the display device 15. Is done.

  FIG. 3 shows another example of display contents on the screen of the display device 15 in the digital still camera of the first embodiment. The configuration block diagram is as shown in FIG. 1, and only the display content of the screen of the display device 15 is different from the case of FIG.

  In the case of FIG. 2, the frame positions of a part of the area 22 on the screen of the display device 15 are set in advance, and the image displayed there is also a predetermined magnification. The frame size and position of a part of the area and the magnification of the image displayed in the frame can be arbitrarily set.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an image obtained by enlarging the central portion of the subject image 31 at the wide-angle end is displayed in any frame of a partial region 32 on the screen of the display device 15. The image displayed in any frame of the partial region 32 is created by the display control unit 14 performing enlargement processing from the image data of the central portion of the subject image 31 at the wide-angle end.

  Here, the image displayed in any frame of the partial area 32 is a portion corresponding to a range to be photographed when the variable magnification optical system 11 is operated to have an arbitrarily designated magnification. It is created to become the image of.

  In FIG. 3, three frames are shown as a part of the area 32, but this explains that it can be arbitrarily set on the screen of the display device 15, and can only be displayed at these positions. It does not indicate.

  In this way, by setting the display size and position of the frame of a part of the region 32 and the magnification of the image displayed there arbitrarily, it is possible to display the entire information so that it can be easily viewed. Can do.

  Note that the frame size and position of some of the areas 32 may be changed by any method, for example, may be operated with a cross key, or may be specified with vertical and horizontal scroll bars.

  The magnification of the image to be displayed in the frame of the partial area 32 may be designated by any method. For example, the magnification may be changed using a button for changing the magnification of the variable magnification optical system 11.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of the display content of the screen of the display device 15 in the digital still camera of the first embodiment. The configuration block diagram is as shown in FIG. 1, and only the display content of the screen of the display device 15 is different from those in FIGS. 2 and 3.

  In the case of FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame of a part of the area on the screen of the display device 15 is a single area. In the case of FIG. 4, a part of the area is a plurality of areas. The magnification displayed in the area is made different.

  FIG. 4 shows an image obtained by scaling a frame of a partial area 42 on the screen of the display device 15 to 3 times the image 41 of the subject at the wide-angle end, and an image of the subject at the wide-angle end of a frame of the partial area 43. An image scaled to 5 times 41 and an image scaled to 8 times the image 41 of the subject at the wide-angle end are displayed in the frames of some areas 44, respectively. The images displayed in the frames of these partial areas 42, 43, and 44 are created by the display control unit 14 performing enlargement processing from the image data of the central portion of the subject image 41 at the wide-angle end. .

  Here, the images displayed in the frames of some of the regions 42, 43, and 44 are images of a portion corresponding to a range to be photographed when the variable magnification optical system 11 is operated to have a predetermined magnification. Created to be

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the frame is specified in the case of the display content shown in FIG.

  One frame is selected by the frame specifying means 16 from some frames 42, 43, 44 displayed on the screen of the display device 15. The display control unit 14 controls the optical system according to the frame selected by the frame specifying unit 16 so that the image displayed in the selected frame has a magnification that is displayed on the entire screen of the display device 15. The unit 13 is instructed. Then, under the control of the optical system control unit 13, the variable magnification optical system 11 operates so as to obtain the instructed magnification.

  For example, in FIG. 5, when a frame of a part of the region 42 is selected, the variable magnification optical system 11 is controlled by the optical system control unit 13 so as to be in the state 51. Similarly, when a frame of a partial area 43 is selected, the variable magnification optical system 11 is controlled to be in a state of 52, and when a frame of a partial area 44 is selected, the variable magnification optical system 11 is selected. Is controlled to be in the 53 state.

  In this way, by displaying images in the imaging range corresponding to different magnifications at the same time, it becomes easier to set the optimum framing as compared with the cases of FIGS.

  As described above, the digital still camera according to the first embodiment cuts out a part of the wide-angle image displayed on the screen of the display device, so that the zoom lens at any zooming position of the zooming optical system. An image is displayed in a partial area of the screen of the display device, and framing can always be performed based on new image information.

  In addition, since multiple images at any zooming position of the zooming optical system can be displayed simultaneously on a partial area of the screen of the display device, it is easy to determine framing and can be taken without missing a photo opportunity. .

  Further, since the display size and display position of an image to be displayed in a partial area of the display device screen can be arbitrarily set, the image on the display device can be easily viewed.

  Also, by specifying an image displayed in a partial area of the screen of the display device, the image is displayed in a partial area of the display device screen by optically scaling and focusing in conjunction with it. It is possible to instantly optically match the same angle of view and focus position as the captured image, and to shoot with one touch without missing a photo opportunity.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 shows a configuration block diagram of the digital still camera according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  The digital still camera of the second embodiment is different from the configuration of the digital still camera of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only in that an imaging range specifying means 17 is provided instead of the frame specifying means 16.

  In the first embodiment, the frame is determined by displaying the image range when the variable magnification optical system 11 is zoomed to the telephoto side on the screen of the display device 15. In this case, the frame is determined without displaying the image range when zooming to the telephoto side on the screen of the display device 15.

  The process of displaying the subject to be imaged on the display device 15 in the second embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment. The operation of parts different from the case of Embodiment 1 will be described below.

  FIG. 7 shows the display content of the screen of the display device 15 and the state of the variable magnification optical system 11. FIG. 7 shows display contents when the variable magnification optical system 11 is in the wide-angle end state. Unlike the case of the first embodiment, the image of the subject at the wide-angle end is displayed on the screen of the display device 15. Only is displayed.

  With respect to the display content on the screen of the display device 15 of FIG. The display control unit 14 instructs the optical system control unit 13 so that the variable magnification optical system 11 operates so that the imaging range specified by the imaging range specifying unit 17 is the entire screen of the display device 15. The variable magnification optical system 11 is controlled by the optical system control unit 13 and operates so that the designated photographing range is the entire screen of the display device 15 and performs focusing.

  Shooting designation ranges 71 and 72 indicated by broken lines in FIG. 7 indicate ranges where shooting can be performed when the variable magnification optical system 11 is changed to two different magnifications.

  For example, when the imaging designation range 71 is designated by the imaging range designation means 17, the display control unit 14 issues an instruction according to the rectangular range to the optical system control unit 13, and scaling according to the instruction. The optical system 11 operates so as to be in the state 61. Similarly, when the photographing designation range 72 is designated, the variable magnification optical system 11 is controlled to be in the 62 state.

  Here, a method of specifying the shooting designation ranges 71 and 72 for the display contents of FIG. 7 will be described.

  Even if the magnification of the variable magnification optical system 11 is changed, the position of the central portion of the screen does not change. Accordingly, the photographing range when the magnification of the variable magnification optical system 11 is changed is a rectangular range such as photographing designation ranges 71 and 72 centering on the central portion with respect to the image at the wide-angle end. Therefore, one point on the screen of FIG. 7 indicates a point on one specific rectangular side. That is, if one point on the screen of FIG. 7 can be designated, the rectangle of the enlarged photographing range can be uniquely determined.

  Therefore, a specific photographing range can be designated by any method as long as it can designate one point in the wide-angle end image displayed on the screen of FIG. For example, it can be realized by a method such as designating a point on the screen of the display device 15 directly with a button or a cross key provided in the digital still camera, or with a pencil type input device or a finger.

  Further, in order to make the designated shooting range easier to understand, a rectangle may be displayed on the screen of FIG. For example, if a broken line or a colored rectangle is displayed on the wide-angle end image in FIG. 7 and the rectangle range is changed by a cross key or a cursor key, the operation can be performed more easily.

  The digital still camera of the second embodiment can arbitrarily select a partial area of the image displayed on the screen of the display device, and can perform accurate scaling and focusing according to the area, thereby accurately Since framing, zooming, and focusing can be performed at the same time, the shutter chance is enhanced.

  In each embodiment, for ease of explanation, the image displayed on the entire screen of the display device 15 is an image at the wide-angle end of the zoom optical system 11, but is an image at other zoom positions. There may be. An image at an arbitrary magnification of the variable magnification optical system 11 can be displayed on the entire screen of the display device 15, and an image with a larger magnification can be displayed on a part of the screen.

  In each embodiment, a digital still camera has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to other digital photographing devices such as a digital video camera.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described function of the display control unit of the digital photographing apparatus of the present invention, and is a program that operates in cooperation with the computer.

  The recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium carrying a program for causing a computer to execute the function of the display control unit of the above-described digital photographing apparatus of the present invention, and is readable and read by the computer. Is a recording medium used in cooperation with the computer.

  Further, one usage form of the program of the present invention may be an aspect in which the program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and operates in cooperation with the computer.

  Further, the recording medium includes a ROM and the like.

  The computer of the present invention described above is not limited to pure hardware such as a CPU, and may include firmware, an OS, and peripheral devices.

  As described above, the configuration of the present invention may be realized by software or hardware.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a digital photographing apparatus that is easy to operate and strong in photo opportunity, and an image display method thereof.

  The digital photographing device and the image display method thereof according to the present invention have the effect that framing can be easily determined and photographing can be performed without missing a photo opportunity, and digital photographing devices such as a digital video camera and a digital still camera and the image thereof. This is useful as a display method.

1 is a configuration block diagram of a digital still camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which shows the display content of the screen of the display device of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the other display content of the screen of the display device of Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the other display content of the screen of the display device of Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure explaining operation | movement of the variable magnification optical system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Configuration block diagram of a digital still camera according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention The figure explaining the display content of the screen of the display device of Embodiment 2 of this invention, and operation | movement of a variable magnification optical system

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Variable magnification optical system 12 Image pick-up element 13 Optical system control part 14 Display control part 15 Display device 16 Frame identification means 17 Imaging range designation means 21, 31, 41 Screens 22, 32, 42, 43, 44 of display device 15 Display device 15 part of screen area 51, 52, 53, 61, 62 State of variable magnification optical system 71, 72 Specified shooting range

Claims (9)

An image sensor that captures an image of a subject and converts it into an electrical signal;
A variable magnification optical system that can optically change magnification and forms an image of the subject on the imaging element;
A display device having at least a screen for displaying image data;
A display control unit for displaying the electrical signal on the screen;
The display control unit displays a captured image on the screen, and enlarges the captured image to a partial area of the screen at a predetermined magnification with the variable magnification optical system. A digital photographing device that enlarges and displays a portion of image data corresponding to the imaging range. The predetermined magnification can be arbitrarily set,
The digital photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size and a position of the partial area can be arbitrarily set. The partial area is divided into a plurality of areas,
The digital photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data is displayed at different magnifications in each of the plurality of regions. Furthermore, an optical system controller that controls the zoom optical system;
Frame specifying means for specifying an image displayed in the partial area,
The optical system control unit, when specifying an image displayed in the partial area, changes the magnification optical system so that a magnification corresponding to the specified image is obtained. 4. The digital photographing device according to any one of 3 to 3. An image sensor that captures an image of a subject and converts it into an electrical signal;
A variable magnification optical system that can optically change magnification and forms an image of the subject on the imaging element;
A display device having a screen for displaying at least the image data converted into the electrical signal;
An imaging range designating means capable of designating an arbitrary area having the central part of the screen as a central part;
A digital photographing apparatus comprising: an optical system control unit that controls the zoom optical system so that an image of the designated area is displayed on the entire screen. A step of converting an image of a subject formed by a variable magnification optical system that can be optically changed into an electric signal and displaying the image on a screen of a display device;
A step of enlarging and displaying image data of a portion corresponding to an imaging range when an image displayed on the screen is enlarged at a predetermined magnification by the variable magnification optical system in a partial area of the screen. An image display method for a digital photographing device. A step of converting an image of a subject formed by a variable magnification optical system that can be optically changed into an electric signal and displaying the image on a screen of a display device;
Designating an arbitrary area centered on the center of the screen;
Controlling the zoom optical system so that an image of the designated area is displayed on the entire screen.   The program for functioning a computer as said display control part which displays the said electrical signal of the digital imaging device of Claim 1 on the said screen. A recording medium carrying the program according to claim 8 and usable by a computer.

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