KR20120021138A - Focusing apparatus, focusing method and medium for recording the method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a focus adjusting apparatus for informing a user of focus evaluation value information for a focus region without enlarging a focus region converging according to auto focus adjustment, a focus adjusting method, and a recording medium recording the method. The present invention allows the user to perform the focus adjustment more precisely and finely with respect to the focused focus area.

Description

Focus apparatus, focusing method and recording medium recording the method

The present invention relates to a focus adjusting device, a focus adjusting method and a recording medium recording the method.

As a result of the auto focus adjustment, manual focusing can be performed for the focused area of focus. This is called DMF (Direct (Manual Focus). The autofocus control of the contrast AF method can be used to magnify the focused focus area and to finely adjust the focus while checking the magnified image.

However, since the focus is adjusted while checking the image directly with the eyes, the user cannot exactly perform it as desired. Furthermore, since the focus adjustment is performed while checking the focus magnification image with the eyes, it is not possible to confirm whether the focus is in contrast with the remaining images other than the magnification image, and thus there is a problem that accurate focus adjustment cannot be performed.

The present invention provides a focusing apparatus, a focusing method, and a recording medium on which the method is recorded, capable of performing the focusing adjustment more precisely and finely with respect to the focusing area combined according to the automatic focusing.

According to the present invention, a focus lens, a focus lens driver for moving the focus lens in an optical axis direction, an image pickup device for converting image light incident through the focus lens into an electrical signal, and generating an image signal, and the image signal The focus lens is automatically moved to derive a first focus evaluation value according to the position of the focus lens, and the focus lens is manually moved with respect to the image signal to obtain a second focus evaluation value according to the position of the focus lens. A focus evaluation value deriving unit for deriving, a peak value deriving unit for deriving a peak value of the first focus evaluation value, a focus lens position deriving unit for deriving a position of the focus lens corresponding to the peak value, An information generation unit for generating focus evaluation value information corresponding to the two focus evaluation values, and a notification unit for notifying the focus evaluation value information; Ratio, and the second focus evaluation value provides a focusing device, it characterized in that the signal derived from the image of the focus area have been derived by the peak value.

The present invention also provides a method for generating an image signal by converting image light incident through a focus lens into an electrical signal, and automatically moving the focus lens with respect to the image signal, thereby providing a first focus according to the position of the focus lens. Deriving an evaluation value, deriving a peak value of the first focus evaluation value, deriving a position of the focus lens corresponding to the peak value, and image of a focus region from which the peak value is derived Manually moving the focus lens from a signal to derive a second focus evaluation value according to the position of the focus lens, generating focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation value, and focus focusing; It provides a focus adjustment method comprising the step of informing the value information.

In addition, the present invention provides a recording medium in which the method is recorded in a computer readable program code.

According to the present invention, it is possible to execute the focus adjustment more precisely and finely by notifying the user of the focus evaluation value information for the focus area without enlarging the focus area combined according to the auto focus adjustment. In particular, the focus evaluation value information is represented as first information corresponding to the detail part representing the difference between the focus evaluation values relatively large and second information corresponding to the grandfather representing the difference between the focus evaluation values relatively small. Accordingly, the user may finely and precisely adjust the focus by confirming the first information and the second information without enlarging the focus area.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a front surface of an interchangeable lens digital camera as an embodiment of a focusing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear surface of the interchangeable-lens digital camera shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the interchangeable-lens digital camera shown in FIG.
4 is a block diagram for explaining a compact digital camera according to another embodiment of the focusing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a camera controller in detail in the interchangeable-lens digital camera shown in FIG. 1.
6 to 9 are block diagrams for describing embodiments of the camera controller illustrated in FIG. 5.
10 is a diagram for explaining a focus area by automatically detecting the main subject area.
11 and 12 are diagrams for describing a focus area determined by a user's selection.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing a focus area including a face area recognized according to a face recognition algorithm.
14 to 30 are diagrams for describing embodiments of displaying a focus aid (FA) in a focus control apparatus and method according to the present invention.
31 to 40 are flowcharts for describing embodiments of a focus adjusting method according to the present invention.

As an embodiment of the focusing apparatus according to the present invention, a digital camera will be described in detail, for example. In the present embodiment, a digital camera is illustrated as a focus adjusting device, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the digital camera can be applied to various digital devices such as a camcorder, a PDA, a mobile phone, and the like equipped with the focusing device.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a front surface of an interchangeable lens digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a rear surface of the interchangeable lens digital camera illustrated in FIG. 1.

First, referring to FIG. 1, the interchangeable lens 100 and the body 200 are separated on the front of the interchangeable lens digital camera.

The interchangeable lens 100 includes a lens, a zoom ring for converting a focal length of the lens, and a focus ring for manual focus adjustment around the lens. do. And a mode conversion switch (AF / MF Switch) of auto focusing (AF) and manual focusing (MF).

The upper surface of the body 200 is provided with a mode dial for generating a user input signal for changing the shooting mode, such as still image shooting, video shooting. It also has a shutter release button SR that generates another user input signal in response to a half press and a full press. The auto focus adjustment may be performed in response to the half pressing, and the image may be captured in response to the full pressing. The body 200 may further include a main switch SM.

Referring to FIG. 2 with respect to the rear surface of the interchangeable-lens digital camera, a button SMV for starting video shooting is provided. In addition, a viewfinder (EVF, 202) for displaying information on the focus evaluation value when the captured image or focus is adjusted. And a display unit 206 for displaying various types of information on the captured image. In addition, a menu button SN for selecting an operation of the interchangeable-lens digital camera is provided. Conversion of the presence / absence of information on the focus evaluation value by the user input signal generated by the menu button SN, presence / absence of a captured image when focusing, selection of a mode for focusing, for example, focusing by a multi-algorithm Selection and setting of an adjustment mode, a focus adjustment mode by a selection algorithm, and the like can be made.

1 and 2, the operation of the interchangeable-lens digital camera will be described. The interchangeable-lens digital camera starts operation when the main switch SM is turned on in accordance with ON. In the present exemplary embodiment, the camera is operated by adjusting the rotational position of the main switch SM. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the camera may be turned on by various user manipulation methods such as pressing or touching the main switch. .

The interchangeable-lens digital camera displays a Live View image. The display may be displayed through the viewfinder 202 or the display unit 206. In the present embodiment, information on the focus state may be further displayed. In the present exemplary embodiment, the information on the focus state FA is displayed as an image through the viewfinder 202 or / and the display unit 206, but the present invention is not limited thereto. You can notify the user. Preferably, the user may display the information FA regarding the focus state at the time of the manual focus adjustment MF for controlling the focus adjustment.

When taking a still image, while displaying a Live View image, when the S1 state is turned on by pressing the shutter release button SR halfway, auto focusing (AF) is executed. For manual focusing MF, a user may perform manual focusing by adjusting a focus ring. .

On the other hand, when the user operates the zoom ring, the zoom lens group moves. In addition, when the focus ring is manipulated, the position of the focus ring is detected by the position detection sensor that detects the position of the focus lens group, and the lens control circuit adjusts the position of the focus lens group according to the detected signal. Can be controlled to change. In the case of auto focusing AF, the focus ring may not move by a user's manipulation.

When the user presses the shutter release button SR completely, the S2 state is turned on, and exposure for still image shooting is executed.

As the S2 state turns on, a still image obtained by performing exposure can be recorded and stored in a memory card or the like. In addition, the still image may be played back in the viewfinder 202 or / and the display unit 206.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the interchangeable-lens digital camera shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the interchangeable lens 100 and the main body 200 are included. The interchangeable lens 100 has a focus detection function, and the main body 200 has a function of driving the focus lens 102 of the interchangeable lens 100.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 3, the interchangeable lens 100 includes an imaging optical system 101 including a zoom lens 102 for zoom control, a focus lens 104 for adjusting a focus position, and a zoom lens position detection sensor. 103, a focus lens driver 105, a focus lens position sensor 106, an aperture 107, an aperture driver 108, a lens controller 110, and a lens mount 109.

The zoom lens 102 and the focus lens 104 may be formed as a lens group combining a plurality of lenses.

The zoom lens position sensor 103 and the focus lens position sensor 106 detect the positions of the zoom lens 102 and the focus lens 104, respectively. The timing for detecting the position of the focus lens 104 may be set by the lens controller 110 or the camera controller 209 described later. For example, the timing for detecting the position of the focus lens 104 may be a timing for performing focus detection from an image signal.

The focus lens driver 105 and the aperture driver 108 may be controlled by the lens controller 110 to drive the focus lens 104 and the aperture 107, respectively. In particular, the focus lens driver 105 drives the focus lens 104 in the optical axis direction.

The lens controller 110 includes a first timer 111 for time measurement. In addition, the lens control unit 110 transmits the detected position information of the focus lens 104 to the main body unit 200. When there is a change in the position of the focus lens 104 or when there is a request for the position information of the focus lens 104 from the camera controller 209, the lens controller 110 detects the position of the detected focus lens 104. Information can be sent to the body unit 200. In addition, the first timer 111 may be reset by a reset signal from the main body 200, and the time of the lens 100 and the main body 200 may be synchronized by the reset operation.

The lens mount 109 includes a lens-side communication pin, and meshes with a camera-side communication pin, which will be described later, to be used as a transmission path for data and control signals.

Next, the configuration of the main body 200 will be described.

The main body 200 includes a viewfinder (EVF) 202, a shutter 203, an imaging device 204, an imaging device control unit 205, a display unit 206, an operation unit 207, a camera control unit 209, and It may include a camera mount 208.

The viewfinder 202 has a liquid crystal display (LCD) as an electronic viewfinder and can display captured images in real time.

The shutter 203 determines the time that light is applied to the imaging device 204, that is, the exposure time.

The imaging element 204 captures the image light passing through the imaging optical system 101 of the interchangeable lens 100 to generate an image signal. The imaging device 204 may include a plurality of photoelectric conversion units arranged in a matrix form, and a horizontal transmission path for deriving an image signal by transferring charges from the photoelectric conversion unit. As the imaging device 204, a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, or the like may be used.

The imaging device control unit 205 generates a timing signal and controls the imaging device 204 to capture an image in synchronization with the timing signal. In addition, the imaging element controller 205 sequentially derives a horizontal video signal after charge accumulation to each scan line is completed. The derived horizontal image signal is used for focus detection by the camera controller 209.

The display unit 206 displays various images and information. In the present embodiment, the OLED is illustrated as the display unit 206, but the present invention is not limited thereto and various display devices such as an LCD may be used.

The operation unit 207 is a portion for inputting various commands from the user for the operation of the interchangeable-lens digital camera 1. The operation unit 207 may include various buttons such as a shutter release button, a main switch, a mode dial, and a menu button. In the present exemplary embodiment, members such as buttons and dials are exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may include a touch panel mounted inside or outside the display unit.

The camera controller 209 performs focus detection on the image signal generated by the imaging device 204 to calculate a focus evaluation value. In addition, the focus evaluation value is stored at every focus detection time by the timing signal generated by the imaging device controller 205, and the focus position is calculated using the lens position information transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100 and the stored focus evaluation value. do. The calculation result of the focal position is transmitted to the interchange lens 100. The camera controller 209 may include a second timer 228 for time measurement, and is reset at the same time as the first timer 111 so that the interchangeable lens 100 and the main body 200 can measure the same time. To help.

Camera mount 208 has a camera side communication pin.

Hereinafter, schematic operations of the interchangeable lens 100 and the main body 200 will be described.

When photographing a subject, the main switch included in the operation unit 207 is operated to start the operation of the interchangeable lens digital camera 1. The interchangeable-lens digital camera 1 once performs live view display as follows.

Image light of the subject passing through the imaging optical system 101 is incident on the imaging device 204. At this time, the shutter 203 is in an open state. The imaging device 204 converts incident subject image light into an electrical signal to generate an image signal. The imaging device 204 operates by the timing signal generated by the imaging device control unit 205. The generated image signal is converted into data that can be displayed by the camera controller 209 and output to the viewfinder 202 and the display unit 206. This operation is a live view display, and the live view video displayed by the live view display can be continuously displayed as a moving picture.

After the live view display is performed, when the shutter release button which is one of the operation units 207 is pressed halfway, the interchangeable lens digital camera 1 starts the AF operation. An AF operation is performed using the image signal generated by the image pickup device 204. In contrast AF, a position of a focus lens is derived from a focus evaluation value corresponding to a contrast value, and a focus is obtained according to the derived position of the focus lens. The lens 104 is driven. The focus evaluation value is calculated by the camera control unit 209. The camera controller 209 calculates information for the control of the focus lens 104 from the focus evaluation value, and converts the information into a lens controller (for example, a communication pin provided in the lens mount 109 and the camera mount 208). 110).

The lens controller 110 controls the focus lens driver 105 based on the received information, and according to the control, the focus lens driver 105 drives the focus lens 104 in the optical axis direction to perform AF. . The position of the focus lens 104 is monitored by the focus lens position sensor 106 to perform feedback control.

When the zoom lens 102 is manipulated by a user and zoomed, the position of the zoom lens 102 is detected by the zoom lens position detecting sensor 103, and the position of the detected zoom lens 102 is determined by the lens controller 110. It can be used for the AF control of the focus lens 104, or for other control.

When the focus of the subject image is in focus, the shutter release button is fully pressed to the S2 state, and the interchangeable-lens digital camera 1 performs exposure. At this time, the camera control unit 209 completely closes the shutter and transmits the metering information thus far obtained to the lens control unit 110 as the aperture control information. The lens controller 110 controls the aperture driver 108 based on the aperture control information and adjusts the value of the aperture 107. The camera controller 209 controls the shutter 203 based on the metering information, opens the shutter 204 for an appropriate exposure time, and captures an image of a photographed subject.

The captured image is subjected to image signal processing and compression processing and stored in the memory card. In addition, the captured image may be displayed in the viewfinder 202 and the display unit 206. In addition to playing in the playback mode, displaying immediately after shooting is called a quick view mode, and an image displayed in the wet view mode is called a quick view image.

4 is a block diagram for explaining a compact digital camera according to another embodiment of the focusing apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, unlike the interchangeable-lens digital camera of Figure 3 illustrates a digital camera that the lens is not removable. This embodiment focuses on the differences from the interchangeable-lens digital camera of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, the compact digital camera 2 includes a lens part 100 ′ and a main body part 200 ′, and thus, the lens part 100 ′ may not be replaced. In addition, since the lens unit 100 'and the main body unit 200' are integrated, the lens mount 109 and the camera mount 208 are not provided. Therefore, the camera controller 209 'directly controls the lens driver 105', the aperture driver 108, and the like. In the present exemplary embodiment, the lens driver 105 ′ may drive the imaging optical system 101 under the control of the camera controller 209 ′. The imaging optical system 101 may include a zoom lens 102 and a focus lens 104. In addition, the aperture driver 108 may also drive the aperture 107 under the control of the camera controller 209 ′. In addition, the camera controller 209 ′ directly receives position information from the zoom lens position sensor 103 and the focus lens position sensor 106. That is, in the present embodiment, the camera controller 209 also performs the role of the lens controller 110 in FIG. 3. In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, the focus evaluation value and the lens position may be synchronized using the second timer 228 '.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a camera controller in detail in the interchangeable-lens digital camera shown in FIG. 3. In the present embodiment, the camera control unit of the interchangeable-lens digital camera shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to the camera control unit of the compact digital camera shown in FIG. 4. However, the camera controller shown in FIG. 4 further includes a lens controller.

Referring to FIG. 5, the camera controller 209 may include a preprocessor 220, a signal processor 221, a compression stretcher 222, a display controller 223, a CPU 224, a memory controller 225, and an audio controller. 226, a card controller 227, a second timer 228, a main bus 230, and the like.

The camera controller 209 transmits various instructions and data to each component through the main bus 230.

The preprocessing unit 220 receives an image signal generated by the image pickup device 204 and calculates an AWB evaluation value 220a for calculating an auto white balance (AWB) value for adjusting white balance, and an AE for exposure control. AE evaluation value deriving unit 220b for calculating an auto exposure evaluation value, and a focus evaluation value deriving unit 220c for calculating a focus evaluation value for focus adjustment.

The signal processor 221 performs a series of image signal processing such as gamma correction to generate a live view image or a capture-image displayable on the display unit 202.

The compression decompression unit 222 compresses and decompresses an image signal on which image signal processing has been performed. In the case of compression, for example, a video signal is compressed in a compression format such as JPEG compression format or H.264 compression format. An image file including the image data generated by the compression process is stored in the memory card 212.

The display controller 223 controls the image output with the viewfinder 202 or the display unit 206.

The CPU 224 controls the operation of each part as a whole. In the case of the compact digital camera according to FIG. 4, the CPU 224 communicates with the lens 110.

The memory controller 225 controls the memory 210 to temporarily store data such as captured captured image or association information, and the audio controller 226 controls the microphone or the speaker 211. The card controller 227 also controls the memory card 212 that records the captured image.

The second timer 228 is reset at the same time as the first timer 111 to measure the time.

Hereinafter, the schematic operation of the camera control unit 209 will be described.

When an operation signal is input from the operation unit 207 to the CPU 224, the CPU 224 operates the imaging element control unit 205. The imaging device controller 205 outputs a timing signal to operate the imaging device 204. When an image signal is input from the imaging device 204 to the preprocessor 220, AWB and AE operations are performed. The results of the AWB and AE operations are fed back to the imaging device controller 205 to obtain an image signal of the appropriate color output and appropriate exposure from the imaging device 204.

On the other hand, when the operation of the digital camera is started and the live view display is performed, the camera controller 209 inputs an image signal photographed at an appropriate exposure to the preprocessing unit 220 to input the AE evaluation value, AWB evaluation value, focus evaluation value, and the like. To calculate. The image signal for displaying the live view may be directly applied to the signal processor 221 without passing through the main bus 230, and may perform image signal processing such as interpolation of pixels. The image signal on which the image signal processing is performed is displayed on the viewfinder 202, the display unit 206, etc. via the main bus 230 and the display controller 223. The live view display can be updated at a cycle of 60 fps (frame per second) by default, but is not limited to this and can be updated at a cycle of 120 fps, 180 fps, or 240 fps. The update rate may be set by the CPU 224 based on a metering result, an AF condition, or the like, and may be adjusted according to a timing signal from the imaging device controller 205.

When the shutter release button is pressed halfway, the CPU 224 detects the S1 signal corresponding to half pressing and performs AF operation on the lens control unit 110 via the communication pins provided in the camera mount 208 and the lens mount 109. Initiation of driving of the focus lens 104 is indicated. Alternatively, when the CPU 224 detects the S1 signal corresponding to the half-press signal, the CPU 224 controls the driving of the focus lens 104 for the AF operation. That is, the CPU 224 may be an example of the main controller.

In addition, the CPU 224 acquires an image signal from the imaging device 204, and the focus evaluation value deriving unit 220c of the preprocessor 220 calculates the focus evaluation value. The focus evaluation value is calculated according to the movement of the focus lens 104. From the change of the focus evaluation value, the position of the focus lens 104 with the maximum contrast of the subject image is derived, and the focus lens 104 is moved to the derived position. For example, the position of the focus lens 104 may be a position at which the focus evaluation value is maximized. Since the series of operations is an auto focusing operation, display of the live view image may be continuously performed even during the AF operation. The video signal used for the live view image and the video signal used for calculating the focus evaluation value may be the same video signal.

On the other hand, in the case of the digital photographing apparatus 1 using the interchangeable lens 100 as shown in FIG. 3, the interchangeable lens 100 is formed by using communication pins provided on the camera mount 208 and the lens mount 109 during the AF operation. ) And the main body 200 may be performed. The communication pin operates by serial communication in order to send lens information or control information normally. In such serial communication, a time delay occurs. However, accurate AF adjustment cannot be made unless the positional information of the focus lens 104 with respect to the focus evaluation value is recorded without time delay. In order to inform the interchangeable lens 100 of the timing at which the main body 200 acquires the focus evaluation value, or to reduce the time for transmitting the position of the focus lens 104 from the lens 100 to the main body 200, the time is reduced. It is necessary to make the delay extremely short compared to the speed at which the focus lens 104 moves. However, it is unrealistic to extremely short the time delay of serial communication. Therefore, communication pins can be installed for synchronization. However, having the communication pins used only for synchronizing increases the number of the communication pins, which increases the size of the camera mount 208 and the lens mount 109, and also increases the cost. Therefore, the present exemplary embodiment includes a timer function for synchronizing the interchangeable lens 100 with the main body 200. In addition, a specific communication pin is initially set to operate in real time communication, and after the timer function in the lens 100 is reset by real time communication, the communication pin is set to operate in serial communication instead of real time communication. .

Meanwhile, the peak position of the focus evaluation value may be derived by the change of the trajectory and the focus evaluation value of the position of the focus lens 104 in which the imaging device acquires the image signal.

6 to 10 are block diagrams for describing embodiments of the camera controller illustrated in FIG. 5.

As an example, referring to FIG. 6, a focus evaluation value is derived for an image signal input from the focus evaluation value deriving unit 220c. First, in the AF mode, the focus lens may be automatically moved to derive a first focus evaluation value according to the position of the focus lens.

The CPU 224a derives a peak value deriving unit 224a-1 for deriving a peak value of the first focus evaluation value and a focus lens position deriving for deriving a focus lens position as a focusing position corresponding to the derived peak value. The part 224a-2 is provided. The CPU 224a also includes an information generating unit 224a-3 for generating focus evaluation value information generated from the focus evaluation value. The focus evaluation value information is for a second focus evaluation value derived from an image signal obtained by a user manually operating a focus ring. In the present embodiment, the focus evaluation value deriving unit 220c also manually moves the focus lens with respect to the input image signal to derive a second focus evaluation value according to the position of the focus lens. The second focus evaluation value is derived from an image signal of a focus area from which the peak value is derived. The information generator 224a-3 generates focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation value.

The focus evaluation value information is informed to the user from the notification unit. The focus evaluation value information of the second focus evaluation value may be notified when the focus area is not enlarged. In the present exemplary embodiment, an audio controller 226 and a speaker / microphone 211 are provided as the notification unit, and the user may be notified of the focus evaluation value information by sound. Alternatively, the notification unit may include a display controller 223 and display units 202 and 206, and display the focus evaluation value information as an image to inform the user. Focus evaluation value information of the second focus evaluation value may be expressed as a bar image, a block image, an arrow image, and the like.

The focus evaluation value information may include first information indicating a large difference between the second focus evaluation values and second information indicating a small difference. As an example, the first information may be a mantissa part of the second focus evaluation value, and the second information may be an exponent part of the second focus evaluation value. Alternatively, the first information may be a linear operation value of the mantissa part of the second focus evaluation value, and the second information may be a linear operation value of the exponent part of the second focus evaluation value. As another example, as another example, the first information may be a significant digit of a binary number of the second focus evaluation value, and the second information may be a binary shift value of the second focus evaluation value.

For example, the second focus evaluation value may have a value of more than 0 and millions or less, and may have a value of more than 100 and millions or less even without noise components. When the focus evaluation value is an exponential expression, it may be expressed as A * N ^B. Where A is a mantissa, N is a radix and B is an exponent. For example, in the case of 100, N = 10 If 1 * is the 10 ^2, it can be expressed as A = 1, B = 2. In the case of 5 million, when N = 10, it becomes 5 * 10 <^6> , and A = 5 and B = 6. This is an example of decimal number. If binary number, N = 2. For example, in the case of 100, when N = 2 is a 1.5625 * ^26, and the A = 1.5625, B = 6. If only 500, when N = 2, is a 1.192 * ^222, and the A = 1.1921, B = 22. Here, in the FA display, the exponent portion 22 and the mantissa portion can be the numerical value 19 of the decimal point or less. By setting the exponent part 25 and the mantissa part 99 as the maximum expression, i.e., determining the range of the maximum scale, it can be divided into the exponent part and the mantissa part so that the user can more easily check.

When the second focus evaluation value is 5 million, when N = 10, it is 5 * 10 ⁶ , and A = 5 and B = 6. The mantissa part A is first information showing a large difference between the focus evaluation values, that is, a fine detail showing in detail, and the exponent part B may be referred to as a grandfather as the second information representing a small difference between the focus evaluation values. have.

As another example, it is defined as C = (B-2) * 10. This can prevent the case where a small number is displayed in a graphic larger than a large value by using the exponent and mantissa as it is and displaying the sum of A and B graphically.

Since the range of A is 1 to 10 and the range of B is 0 to 6, the range of C is 0 to 40. When the maximum scale of the whole is set to 50, the evaluation values in the range of 1 million to 10 million can be displayed by the values of A and C. At this time, the minimum value is set to 100 because the numerical value of 0-100 is not very reliable in consideration of the influence of image noise. The larger the size of the focus evaluation value is to inform the user as a correspondingly larger information.

As another embodiment, in the case of binary representation, that is, when N = 2, for example, if the significant digits are defined as the upper six bits, the numerical value of the upper six bits of the second focus evaluation value is derived in the CPU. Until it does, it shifts the value to the right. The upper 6 bits mean that the significant digits are 0 to 63 in decimal representation, and the right shift count means the exponent of 2. For example, when until the effective value of the 63 confirmed, that the shift to the right 15 times, it is called that the first 2 63X2 ¹⁵ focus evaluation value at the time. At this time, 63 is the first information of fine detail and 15 is grandfather. This representation is also possible.

The information generator 224a-3 may generate peak hold value information indicating peak values up to a predetermined time before the second focus evaluation values, and the notification unit may further inform the peak hold value information. For example, the peak value may be held by displaying a peak value of the second focus evaluation values derived so far for a predetermined time. The peak value may be generated as the above-described first information and the second information and informed as peak hold value information.

The notification unit may notify the change of the focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation values according to the position of the focus lens. For example, it can be notified in the same manner as in FIG.

As another embodiment of the camera control unit, referring to FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the CPU 224b includes the focus area setting unit 224b-1, the peak value deriving unit 224b-2, and a focus lens position deriving unit ( 224b-3) and information generating unit 224b-4. 6 further includes a focus area setting unit 224b-1. The focus area setting unit 224b-1 sets a focus area for deriving the first focus evaluation value. The focus area setting of the focus area setting unit 224-1 may be set by a user's selection through an operation unit. Alternatively, the subject area recognized by the subject recognizing unit 222a may be automatically set as the focus area. For example, the subject recognizing unit may automatically set the face region recognized through the face algorism described with reference to FIG. 36 as the focus region, or after deriving the focus evaluation values for the plurality of blocks. The peak value may be found and the block from which the peak value is derived may be set as the focus area. That is, the main subject area may be automatically determined and the main subject area may be set as the focus area. It can also be set automatically by the multi-algorism shown in FIG. In other words, it is possible to set one of the selected focusing areas to perform auto focus adjustment from the multi-focus focusing areas. Other components are as described with reference to FIG. 6.

As another embodiment, referring to FIG. 8, the CPU 224c includes a peak value deriving unit 224c-2, a focus lens position deriving unit 224c-3, and an information generating unit 224c-5. The apparatus further includes a proximity determining unit 224c-4 to determine whether is located in the proximity region. In addition, when the information generator 224c-5 is located in the proximity area, proximity information may be further generated. The proximity information may be output from the display units 202 & 206 and / or the speaker / microphone 211 as a notification unit.

Also, the CPU 224c may further include the focus area setting unit 224c-1 described with reference to FIG. 7.

As another embodiment, referring to FIG. 9, the CPU 224d generates focus evaluation value information for the peak value deriving unit 224d-2, the focus lens position deriving unit 224d-3, and the second focus evaluation value. And an image enlargement determining unit 224d-4 which determines whether to enlarge an image corresponding to the image signal. In addition, when the display units 202 & 206 and / or the speaker / microphone 211 are enlarged, they may not notify the focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation value.

Also, the CPU 224c may further include the focus area setting unit 224c-1 described with reference to FIG. 7.

Hereinafter, the focus area setting will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

10 is a diagram for explaining a focus area by automatically detecting the main subject area. Referring to FIG. 10, a region in which the main subject is located is determined by dividing into 15 regions, and the determined region is set as a focus region. Determining the area of the main subject can be determined by analyzing the distribution of the focus evaluation values for each area. An area from which peak values of the focus evaluation values are derived may be set as a focus area.

11 and 12 are diagrams for describing a focus area determined by a user's selection.

The user can set a specific area in the imaging screen as the focus area through the operation unit. In addition, the user can adjust the size of the specific area, and thus the size as well as the position of the focus area to be set can be changed. Also, by selecting a plurality of regions, a plurality of focus regions can be set.

11 illustrates setting a focus area A1 by selecting a person area. 12 illustrates setting the focal region A2 by selecting the flower region.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing a focus area including a face area recognized according to a face recognition algorithm. An object recognition algorithm, for example, a face recognition algorithm, may detect a portion having a face and indicate the detected area as a dashed border. The detected face area can be set as a focus area.

Although the face recognition algorithm has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the focus area may be set using various subject recognition algorithms such as animals, plants, objects, and scenes as well as face recognition.

According to the image information of the focus area thus set, information on a focus state (Focus aid) may be derived, and the user may be notified of the FA. By checking the FA, the user can perform more precise focusing. For example, the FA may serve as useful information to the user when the user wants to change the shooting screen finely, when the subject moves, or when the user wants to change the focused position finely from the shooting intention.

In addition, when the above cases occur in the AF mode, in order to quickly perform the focusing mode, the FA is more effective when the user performs manual focusing only by operating the focus ring without changing the mode. Focus adjustment can be performed.

Hereinafter, the focus evaluation value FA will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 14 to 28. The focus evaluation value information is information of a second focus evaluation value derived for an image of a focus area that is combined according to auto focus adjustment. That is, information on the second focus evaluation value according to the position of the focus lens which is manually adjusted with respect to the image of the focused focus region.

Referring to FIG. 14, the first information corresponding to the detail of the second focus evaluation value derived for the focus area A and the second information corresponding to the grandfather may be represented as a bar image. . The first information may be displayed on the display unit as a light bar image Lb1 and the second information may be displayed as a dark bar image Mb1. Arrow D1 indicates that the bar display moves up and down. That is, the bar images Lb1 and Mb1 increase and decrease according to the size of the second focus evaluation value.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the bar images Lb1 and Mb1 are displayed vertically on the left side of the display screen of the display unit as the first information and the second information. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be disposed on the right side.

Further, a thin line image P is displayed on the upper end of the bar image Lb1 which is the first information indicating the detail part. The line image P is peak hold value information. That is, information corresponding to the largest value among the second focus evaluation values thus far obtained. The line image P as the peak hold value information may be continuously displayed together with the first information and the second information, or may be updated. Or it may be displayed for a certain time or periodically. Therefore, the user can check the focus state more easily by checking the peak hold value information as well as the change in the magnitude of the second focus evaluation value.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining an example of notifying how the second focus evaluation value is changed by operating the focus ring of the focus lens by dividing the first information of the detail part and the second information of the grandfather part.

Referring to FIG. 15, the vertical axis represents a contrast value, which is a focus evaluation value, and each bar image is divided into three regions. The first information A is displayed on a bar image display, and the second information C is displayed in the equation C = (B-2) * 10 below the bar image. In addition, A is a mantissa part of a focus evaluation value, B is an exponent part of a focus evaluation value. In FIG. 15, A may be Lb7, and C may be Mb7. When the focus ring is operated, the position of the maximum value A is displayed for a predetermined time. The maximum value up to a predetermined time may be viewed as a peak value, and peak hold value information corresponding to the peak value may be generated and displayed for a predetermined time. That is, the display P of the peak hold can be further displayed.

If only the bar image display of the position of the current focus lens is displayed in the graph of FIG. 15, it is the bar image shown in FIG. The first information and the second information Lb 1 and Mb 1 may be expressed in the same form and color to inform the user as one piece of information. For example, the first information and the second information may be displayed as one information.

As another example, referring to FIG. 17, the first information may be displayed as a light bar image Lb2 and the second information may be displayed as a dark bar image Mb2 at the bottom of the display unit. According to the present embodiment, an arrow D2 indicating that the display of the bar image is moved left and right may be displayed together at the bottom. In the present exemplary embodiment, the line image P may be further displayed as peak hold value information indicating peak values of the second focus evaluation values.

18 exemplarily shows a FA display as a block image. That is, the first information and the second information may be displayed as a block image. The first information may be represented by a light block image Lk1 and the second information may be represented by a dark block image Mk1. In addition, the arrow D may indicate that the block is vertically up and down. 18 is a view showing an example of display of the second maximum focus evaluation value.

18 to 20 are diagrams for describing other focus evaluation value information derived as a user manipulates a focus ring.

In detail, referring to FIG. 19, first and second information corresponding to a second focus evaluation value derived by a user by operating a focus ring are represented as block images Lk2 and Mk2. FIG. 18 illustrates block images Lk2 and Mk2 that are smaller than the block images Lk1 and Mk1 of FIG. 18. At this time, since the second focus evaluation value of FIG. 18 is larger than the second focus evaluation value of FIG. 19, the peak hold value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation value of FIG. 18 is also displayed as P as a peak hold. do. For example, you can peak hold for 2 seconds.

Referring to FIG. 20, block images Lk3 and Mk3 smaller than the block images Lk2 and Mk2 of FIG. 19 are illustrated. Therefore, since the focus evaluation value corresponding to the image shown in FIG. 20 is smaller than the second focus evaluation value of FIG. 19, it may be confirmed that the focus is not in focus.

According to FIGS. 18 to 20, when the user manipulates the focus ring to display finely different focus evaluation values, the user may be notified of the first information, which is a fine part, to make a significant difference. Can be confirmed easily and accurately.

21 is a diagram for explaining another example of displaying a second focus evaluation value. Referring to FIG. 21, the first information of the detail part is vertically stretched and decremented on the outside of the captured image, and the second information of the grandfather is displayed as a bar image Mb3.

22 illustrates an example of displaying the second focus evaluation value by arrows Ab1 and Ab2 in the vicinity of the focus area A. As illustrated in FIG. For example, a bar image for FA display is displayed in the diagonal direction (D). The first information representing the detail may be represented by the light portion Ab2 of the arrow, and the second information representing the grandfather may be represented by the dark portion Ab1 of the arrow.

FIG. 23 illustrates another example of displaying a second focus evaluation value, wherein the maximum value of the first information and the maximum value of the second information are displayed in a bar image, and the first information indicating the detail part in response to the current focus evaluation value; And adjust the boundary position of the second information indicating the grandfather to the left and right (D1), and adjust the arrow (P) to the left and right (D2) at a position corresponding to the current second focus evaluation value.

24 and 25 may be represented by a thin line image as first information indicating a mantissa, as another example of FA display of a second focus evaluation value for a focus area A positioned at the center, and second information indicating an exponent portion. May be represented by a thick line image. The peak hold value information may be represented by o (P).

First, referring to FIG. 24, the first and second pieces of information are represented as thin line images Lb5 and thick line images Mb5 as the focus evaluation value information for the second focus evaluation values.

Referring to FIG. 25, each of the first information and the second information on the second focus evaluation value derived by manipulating the focus ring is represented by a thin line image Lb6 and a thick line image Mb6. A peak hold of the peak value of the second focus evaluation value is illustrated, and o (p) is also shown as peak hold value information corresponding to the first peak value.

26 is a diagram illustrating an example in which proximity information is further displayed. Referring to FIG. 25, the object distance included in the focus area A may be checked to determine whether the subject is located in the proximity area. Although the subject distance may be directly determined by using infrared rays or the like, it may be determined whether the position of the focus lens related to the subject distance is in the position range of the focus lens corresponding to the proximity region. In the present exemplary embodiment, a close-up flower subject image is included as a focus area for deriving a second focus evaluation value.

When located in the proximity region, a "NEAR" image may be displayed as proximity information. The proximity information may be displayed together with the light colored block image Lk4 representing the first information and the dark colored block image Mk4 representing the second information. In the present exemplary embodiment, the image P corresponding to the peak hold value information is also displayed.

FIG. 27 illustrates a dotted line ((N2) on the outside of the captured image as another embodiment of displaying proximity information. In the present exemplary embodiment, the display is performed together with the block images Lk5 and Mk5 indicating the first information and the second information and the image P indicating the peak hold value information.

If the subject is in the proximity, the exact peak value cannot be displayed. When at the end of the focus lens, even if the peak value is derived, it cannot be determined as the correct peak value. There is a possibility that more accurate peak values exist. In other words, if the digital camera approaches the subject, the actual peak value may be derived. Therefore, when the focus lens is located in the end region corresponding to the proximity region, it is desirable to notify the user by displaying the proximity information.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the proximity information is displayed together with the first information and / or the second information. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. When the subject is located in the proximity area, that is, the position of the focus lens is in proximity. When located in a range of a focus lens corresponding to an area, notification of the peak hold value information may be removed.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a case in which the first information and the second information are not informed when the image is enlarged. Referring to FIG. 28, when the image is enlarged around the human subject, the notification of the first information and the second information may be removed as the focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second point evaluation value. In case of enlarging, the FA mark can be removed to focus on checking the focus state by directly checking the image of the focus area. On the other hand, FA display can be continued.

FIG. 29 illustrates an example of displaying a location of an enlarged area when an area other than the center of the image is enlarged.

30 is another embodiment of an FA representation. In the present embodiment, the current focus lens position is further displayed instead of the peak hold value information display in the graph of FIG. 15. The second focus evaluation value for the position of the focus lens that is changed by manipulating the focus ring in the first direction is sequentially displayed, the detection evaluation value by the operation of the focus ring is sequentially displayed, and the focus ring is moved in the second direction. Since the operation has already derived the focus evaluation value, only the position R of the current focus lens can be further displayed.

That is, in this embodiment, by showing the distribution of the second focus evaluation value, the user can more easily check the focus state according to the position of the focus lens.

In the above embodiments, a method of informing a user by displaying the first information and the second information as an image is illustrated. The type of the image is an example, and is not limited thereto, and may be represented by various designs, colors, and arrangements. Alternatively, the numerical value can be displayed directly. In addition, as a method of informing the user of the first information and the second information as the focus evaluation value information, various forms such as audio as well as an image may be used.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a focus adjusting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 39.

First, referring to FIG. 31, auto focusing AF is executed (S11). Therefore, while automatically shifting the position of the focus lens, a first focus evaluation value is derived for the focus area, a peak value is derived, and the position of the focus lens from which the peak value is derived is found. Deriving the peak value and / or deriving the position of the focus lens is confocal with respect to the focus area.

A focus area from which the first focus evaluation value is derived is determined as an area for manual focus adjustment (S12).

After focusing, manual focusing is performed on the focus area. The user may manipulate the focus ring (S13) and derive focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation value with respect to the focus area. Then, the focus evaluation value information is notified to the user (S14).

32 is a flowchart for describing operation A1 of the digital camera.

Referring to FIG. 32, when the main switch SM of the digital camera is turned ON, the digital camera is activated to detect key operation as an operation unit (S101). Not only keys but also various operation members such as a mode dial can be used to detect an input user's operation signal.

In response to the key operation, the mode of the digital camera is set (S102). For example, a still image shooting mode, a video shooting mode, and the like can also be set. The present invention can be performed not only in the still image shooting mode but also in the moving picture shooting mode.

In the case of the interchangeable-lens digital camera, the lens information necessary for the digital camera operation is received and input from the interchangeable lens, and the drive permission name for manual focus adjustment by the operation of the focus ring is transmitted (S103). For example, information necessary for AF, AE, AWB, and image quality control, which are lens-specific parameters recorded in the lens memory in the lens control circuit, are input. In the case of the interchangeable-lens digital camera, the setting state of the AF / MF is input from the lens, but in the case of the lens integrated digital camera as shown in Fig. 3, the setting information of the AF / MF can be obtained from the key operation. From the AF / MF setting information, you can set the digital camera's auto focus mode or manual focus mode. While auto focusing starts AF by pressing the shutter release button halfway, manual focusing can initiate focusing by operating the focus ring.

As will be described in detail later, information regarding manual focusing can be obtained as to whether the focus lens is located in the proximity region.

The imaging is started periodically by the imaging device (S104).

Photometry is performed to calculate AE, and AWB is calculated (S105). Then determine whether the focus ring is operated. That is, it is determined whether an operation for manual focus adjustment is performed (S106).

If it is operated, the focus evaluation value is derived from the periodically picked-up image signal (S107). The focus evaluation value here is for the focus area previously determined by the auto focus adjustment.

If not, skip to step S109.

Then, a FA (Focus #Aid) display including at least one of the first information and the second information is performed (S108). The FA may include not only the first information and the second information but also peak hold value information, proximity information, magnification information, and the like.

In operation S109, a live view image is displayed. The live view image and the FA display may be actually displayed together.

It is determined whether the main switch SM is turned off (S110). If not turned off, the above steps are repeated, and if turned off, the operation of the digital camera is stopped (S111). Then, operation A1 of the digital camera ends.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart for explaining an example of FA (Focus_Aid) display processing in FIG. 32.

Referring to FIG. 33, current position information of the focus lens is obtained (S201).

Then, it is determined whether the FA display is set (S202). This information is set in advance in the menu. If the FA display is not set, the flow returns to FIG. 30 again.

If the FA display is set, it is determined whether or not the AF mode (S203).

If the AF mode, the focus evaluation value for the set focus area is derived (S204). The focus area may be set by a user's selection, or may be set as a focus area by automatically extracting a subject area, or a subject area (face area) recognized by a subject recognition algorithm, for example, a face recognition algorithm. ) Can be set automatically to the focus area.

If not in the auto focus mode, the default center area is determined as the focus area and a focus evaluation value is derived for the center area (S205). In addition, even when the subject area is not automatically derived during AF, the center area set as a default may be set as the focus area.

The derived focus evaluation value is generated by being divided into first information corresponding to the detail part and second information corresponding to the grandfather (S206). In the present invention, the detail part is information representing a large difference between the focus evaluation values, and may include, for example, a mantissa part. In addition, the grandfather is information indicating a small difference between the focus evaluation values, for example, may include an index portion.

The distribution of the focus evaluation value according to the position of the focus lens is displayed as at least one of the distribution of the first information and the distribution of the second information (S207). In this case, when the focus lens is moved in one direction and the direction is changed, the previously derived focus evaluation value may be used, and thus the current position information may be further displayed on the distribution. And return to FIG.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart for explaining another embodiment of the FA (Focus #Aid) display process in FIG. 32.

Referring to FIG. 34, it is determined whether an image is enlarged by a user's manipulation or the like (S301).

When the image is enlarged, the enlarged image is displayed (S302). For example, the image can be enlarged for 5 seconds. Each time this process passes, 5 seconds are reset. In other words, if the manual focusing operation continues, the magnification is continued, and when 5 seconds elapse without the manual focusing operation, the magnification is terminated.

If the image is not enlarged, it is determined whether the FA display is set (S303).

If the FA display is set, it is determined whether the reference time has elapsed (S304). The reference time may be, for example, 50 ms, and is an update period of the FA display. This is also the sensitivity of FA.

When the reference time elapses, it is determined whether the auto focusing mode is performed (S305).

In the auto focus control mode, the focus evaluation value is displayed for the focus area set by the user or automatically (S306).

If not in the auto focus mode, the focus evaluation value is displayed for the focus area of the default area, for example, the center area (S307).

Specifically, the focus evaluation value may inform the user of at least one of the first information of the detail part and the second information of the grandfather. In this embodiment, the information is displayed as an image as a method of notifying the user. The first information and the second information may be distinguished and displayed, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first information and the second information may not be distinguished and displayed. Alternatively, any one of the first information and the second information may be displayed. The smaller the difference between the focus evaluation values, the at least the first information about the detail unit may be displayed.

In addition to the focus evaluation value, the highest value of the focus evaluation values for a certain time in the past, for example, 1 second, is continuously displayed. That is, the conventional peak value for the past 1 second is displayed. This is called peak hold. Peak hold value information corresponding to the peak value is displayed (S308). The focus evaluation value and the peak hold value information may be sequentially displayed and may be simultaneously displayed.

After the image is enlarged or when the FA display is not set in step S303 or when the reference time has not elapsed in step S304, it is determined whether the subject is located in the proximity region (S309). Or, if the reference time has not elapsed in step S304, the process proceeds to the step of whether to display the proximity area in order not to perform the FA display update. This is a process for preventing the display from changing frequently, to perform stable display and to facilitate operation of the focus ring.

In operation S309, it is determined whether the subject is located in the proximity region. This may correspond to determining whether the focus lens is located in the proximal end region.

In the case of being located in the proximity area, the proximity information is displayed (S310). In case of not being located in the proximity area, the proximity information may not be displayed (S311).

And again it can go back to FIG.

35 is a diagram for explaining the digital camera operation A2 in the S1 state of pressing the shutter release button halfway.

Referring to Fig. 35, operation A2 in the S1 state is started.

First, it is determined whether or not the auto focus mode (S401). If not in the auto focus mode, that is, in the manual focus mode, the operation returns to operation A1 of FIG. 30.

In the auto focus control mode, the lens information is input from the focus lens and a manual adjustment prohibition command is issued during auto focus adjustment (S402). The imaging timing signal is input to start a scan operation for detecting the peak value of the contrast value which is the focus evaluation value (S403). The imaging timing signal is a timing at which AF detection is started and can be generated in accordance with the focusing position setting.

The AF line of the focus region is detected by the focus evaluation value derivation unit of the preprocessing unit in the camera control circuit from the imaging device (S404).

In operation S405, the focus area setting mode is determined. For example, if the focus area is a face mode including the face area, a face recognition algorithm is performed (S407).

The face recognition algorithm will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 36.

Referring to FIG. 36, face detection is performed (S501). Here, the face detection always detects face information according to the image information input by the subject processing unit (221 of FIG. 5), so that the latest information can be obtained. Of course, past face information can also be used. It is also possible to detect a plurality of faces.

In operation S502, it is determined whether a face exists. If not present, a multi-algorithm is performed (S503). If the face exists, the face area is displayed (S504). Inner range of detected face can be displayed.

At least a portion of the face area may be selected as the focus area. When a plurality of faces are detected, the face size may be selected to be the largest. This is to focus on the face close to the digital camera.

Referring back to FIG. 35, if it is not the face mode, it is determined whether the user selects the focus area in the spot mode (S406). In the spot mode, the user selects a focus area (S409).

If not in the spot mode, a multi algorithm (Multi algorism) is performed (S408).

The multi algorithm is described in more detail with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 37, it is first determined whether a magnification of a central region of a captured image is obtained (S601). When the magnification is obtained, it is determined whether the magnification is 1/60 or more (greater than) (S602). If so, the center region is selected as the focus region (S603). If the magnification is less than 1/60 (less than or equal to), the nearest region is selected as the focus region (S604).

The selected focus area is set, and the flow returns to FIG. 35.

Referring back to FIG. 35, the derived focus area may be set and stored, the focus lens may be driven (S410), and in the case of focusing, the focus area may be displayed with a different color, for example, a green border ( S411).

32, operation A1 is returned to repeat the display of the live view image. Since manual focus adjustment is possible in operation A1, manual focus adjustment after auto focus adjustment may be possible.

38 is a flowchart for explaining operation A3 of the digital camera in the S2 state of fully pressing the shutter release button.

In the present embodiment, after the AF is completed or when the live view image is displayed in the MF_mode, the shutter release button is fully pressed to the S2 'state (ON), and the A3 operation of the digital camera is executed.

When the S2 state is reached, a manual focus adjustment (MF) driving prohibition command is issued to the focus lens (S701). This is to prevent the state of the image from changing during still image capture.

It is determined whether it is the AF 'mode (S702).

In the AF mode, if S2 is turned on before the focusing is completed, it waits until the focus lens is focused, and then captures still images after the focus lens is completed (S703). If not in the AF mode, that is, in the MF_ mode, the process skips from step S702 to step S704. In other words, a still image is captured (S704).

After the captured image is displayed for a predetermined time (S705), the operation returns to operation A1 of the digital camera of FIG. 34, and the live view image display is repeated.

39 is a flowchart for explaining the case of moving picture photographing.

Referring to Fig. 39, when the SMV 'switch, which is a video shooting button, is turned on (ON), the video shooting operation A4 is executed.

First, a drive stop command of the focus lens is transmitted to the focus lens (S801). AF driving can be stopped until the start of motion picture recording.

In operation S802, video capture is started.

After the start of motion picture shooting, the focus lens is commanded to permit manual focus adjustment (MF) (S803). The driving of manual focusing allows the user (photographer) to view and manipulate the timing when it is necessary to adjust the focus during video exposure.

It is determined whether there is an operation of the manual focus adjustment (MF) (S804). If it is operated, the focus evaluation value according to the operation is derived, and the derived focus evaluation value is calculated and divided into a mantissa part and an index part (S805). First information indicating the mantissa part and second information indicating the exponent part are displayed, that is, FA display is performed (S806). FA display is as described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 29.

In operation S807, it is determined whether a video recording end signal is input. It is determined whether the SMV 'switch is turned on or off, and when it is turned off, video capturing ends (S808). If it is on, it is determined whether the MF operation is detected continuously (S804). If the MF operation is not detected, it is determined whether a video shooting end signal is input (S807).

Although not described in the present embodiment, the live view video display may be repeated while performing AE and AWB in the video capture.

40 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the interchangeable lens for the digital camera operation.

Referring to FIG. 40, when the driving operation of the interchangeable lens is started, lens information is output from the interchangeable lens to the digital camera body (S901). The lens information is information required for the camera body to use the interchangeable lens, and may include AF, AE, AWB, information necessary for image quality control, and the like.

In addition, information on driving the focus lens is input (S902). For example, driving information of a focus lens for allowing manual focusing operation, disallowing command, or auto focusing may be included.

In operation S903, it is determined whether the focus ring is operated. When operated, a pulse signal is generated. The operation may be determined based on the pulse signal.

If it is operated, it is determined whether manual focus adjustment (MF) is permitted from the camera body (S906).

If the MF is allowed, the rotation direction of the focus ring is determined (S907). It may be determined whether the focus ring is rotated in the first direction. For example, it may be determined whether to rotate to the right. When rotating in the first direction, that is, to the right, the focus lens is driven forward (S908). When rotating in the second direction, that is, to the left, the focus lens is driven backward (S909).

When the focus lens is operated in the forward direction, it is determined whether the focus lens is in the proximal region (S910).

Information about the position of the focus lens in the proximity area is transmitted to the camera body (S911). The process then returns to step S902.

If the MF is not permitted in step S906 or if the focus ring manipulation is not detected in step S903, it is determined whether a lens driving for auto focus adjustment is requested from the camera (S904).

If there is a driving request, the focus lens is driven to the target position (S905). If there is no drive request, the flow returns to step S902. The driving of the focus lens includes a search drive for Contrast AF and a focus drive at the focus detection position. These drives can drive the focus lens to the target position.

The driving operation of the focus lens may be forcibly terminated when power from the camera is not supplied or the lens is detached.

On the other hand, the above-described focusing method of the present invention can be implemented in a computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored.

Examples of computer-readable recording media include flash memory.

The device according to the present invention may include a processor, a memory for storing and executing program data, a communication port for communicating with an external device, a user interface device such as a touch panel, a key, a button, and the like.

The methods of the present invention implemented as a software module or algorithm may be stored on a computer readable recording medium as computer readable codes or program instructions executable on the processor. The computer-readable recording medium may be a magnetic storage medium. The computer readable recording medium can be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. The medium is readable by a computer, stored in the flash memory, and executed by the processor.

All documents including publications, patent applications, patents, etc. cited in the present invention can be incorporated into the present invention in the same manner as each cited document individually and concretely, .

For the purpose of understanding the present invention, reference numerals have been set forth in the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific terms are used to describe the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the specific terms, and the present invention It may include all components conventionally conceivable to those skilled in the art.

The invention can be represented by functional block configurations and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be implemented in various numbers of hardware or / and software configurations that perform particular functions. For example, the present invention relates to integrated circuit configurations such as memory, processing, logic, look-up table, etc., which may execute various functions by the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. It can be adopted. Similar to the components of the present invention that may be implemented with software programming or software components, the present invention may be implemented as a combination of C, C ++, and C ++, including various algorithms implemented with data structures, processes, routines, , Java (Java), assembler, and the like. The functional aspects may be implemented with an algorithm running on one or more processors. In addition, the present invention may employ the prior art for electronic environment setting, signal processing, and / or data processing. Terms such as "mechanism", "element", "means", "configuration" and the like can be used broadly and are not limited to mechanical and physical configurations. The term may include the meaning of a series of routines of software in conjunction with a processor or the like.

The specific acts described in the present invention are, by way of example, not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. For brevity of description, descriptions of conventional electronic configurations, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of the systems may be omitted. Also, the connections or connecting members of the lines between the components shown in the figures are illustrative of functional connections and / or physical or circuit connections, which may be replaced or additionally provided by a variety of functional connections, physical Connection, or circuit connections. In addition, unless otherwise specified, such as "essential", "important" may not be a necessary component for the application of the present invention.

In the specification (particularly in the claims) of the present invention, the use of the term “above” and the similar indicating term may be used in the singular and the plural. In addition, in the present invention, when a range is described, it includes the invention to which the individual values belonging to the above range are applied (unless there is contradiction thereto), and each individual value constituting the above range is described in the detailed description of the invention The same. Finally, the steps may be performed in any suitable order, unless explicitly stated or contrary to the description of the steps constituting the method according to the invention. The present invention is not necessarily limited to the order of description of the above steps. The use of all examples or exemplary language (e.g., etc.) in this invention is for the purpose of describing the invention in detail and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the invention, It is not. In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications, combinations and changes can be made depending on design conditions and factors within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof.

Claims (31)

Focus lens;
A focus lens driver for moving the focus lens in an optical axis direction;
An imaging device configured to generate an image signal by converting image light incident through the focus lens into an electrical signal;
Automatically moving the focus lens with respect to the image signal to derive a first focus evaluation value according to the position of the focus lens, and manually moving the focus lens with respect to the image signal to adjust the focus lens according to the position of the focus lens. A focus evaluation value deriving unit for deriving a focus evaluation value;
A peak value deriving unit for deriving a peak value of the first focus evaluation value;
A focus lens position deriving unit for deriving a position of the focus lens corresponding to the peak value;
An information generator for generating focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation value;
And a notification unit for notifying the focus evaluation value information.
And the second focus evaluation value is derived from an image signal of a focus area from which the peak value is derived. The focus adjusting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the focus evaluation value information of the second focus evaluation value without expanding the focus area. The focus adjusting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a focus area setting unit configured to set a focus area for deriving the first focus evaluation value. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the focus area setting unit sets a center area of the image as a focus area. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising an operation unit configured to generate a user input signal specifying the focus area.
And the focus area setting unit sets the focus area by designating by the user input signal. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a subject recognizing unit configured to recognize a subject region with respect to the image signal.
And the focus area setting unit sets a focus area including at least a part of the recognized subject area. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the subject recognizing unit recognizes a face region with respect to the image signal. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the focus area setting unit sets a focus area according to an auto focus area derivation algorithm for the image signal. 4. The focus adjusting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the focus area setting unit sets any one of the focus areas selected to perform auto focus adjustment from the multiple focus detection areas. The method of claim 1, wherein the information generating unit generates peak hold value information indicating a peak value up to a predetermined time before the second focus evaluation value,
And the notification unit further informs the peak hold value information. The focus adjusting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies changes of focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation values according to the position of the focus lens. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a proximity determiner configured to determine whether the subject is located in the proximity region.
The information generation unit generates proximity information when located in a proximity area,
And the notification unit further informs the proximity information. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an image enlargement determining unit configured to determine whether to enlarge an image corresponding to the image signal,
And the notification unit does not notify focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation value when the notification unit is enlarged. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the notification unit comprises a display unit. 15. The focus adjusting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation value is represented by one of a bar image, a block image, and an arrow image. Generating an image signal by converting the image light incident through the focus lens into an electrical signal;
Automatically moving the focus lens with respect to the image signal to derive a first focus evaluation value according to the position of the focus lens;
Deriving a peak value of the first focus evaluation value;
Deriving a position of the focus lens corresponding to the peak value;
Deriving a second focus evaluation value according to the position of the focus lens by manually moving the focus lens from the image signal of the focus region from which the peak value is derived; And
Generating focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation value;
And informing the focus evaluation value information. The method of claim 16, wherein informing the focus evaluation value information,
And informing focus evaluation value information of the second focus evaluation value in a state where the focus area is not enlarged. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising setting a focus area for deriving the first focus evaluation value. The method of claim 18, wherein the focus area setting step,
And a center region of the image as a focus region. The method of claim 18, wherein the focus area setting step,
And setting a focus area corresponding to the user input signal. The method of claim 18, wherein the focus area setting step,
Recognizing a subject area with respect to the image signal;
And setting a focus area including at least a part of the recognized subject area. The method of claim 21, wherein the recognizing the subject area comprises:
And recognizing a face area with respect to the image signal. The method of claim 18, wherein the focus area setting step,
And setting a focus area according to an auto focus area derivation algorithm for the image signal. The method of claim 18, wherein the focus area setting step,
And setting any one of the focusing areas selected to perform auto focusing on the image signals from the multiple focusing detection areas. The method of claim 16, further comprising: generating peak hold value information representing a peak value up to a predetermined time before the second focus evaluation value;
And informing the peak hold value information. The method of claim 16, wherein informing focus evaluation value information of the second focus evaluation value comprises:
And notifying change of focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation values according to the position of the focus lens. The method of claim 16, further comprising: determining whether a subject is located in a proximate region;
Generating proximity information when located in the proximity area;
And informing the proximity information. The method of claim 16, further comprising: determining whether to magnify an image corresponding to the image signal;
And when zooming in, not providing the focus evaluation value information corresponding to the second focus evaluation value. The method of claim 16, wherein informing focus evaluation value information of the second focus evaluation value comprises:
And displaying the focus evaluation value information. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the information corresponding to the second focus evaluation value is any one of a bar image, a block image, and an arrow image. A recording medium in which the method according to any one of claims 16 to 30 is recorded in a computer readable program code.

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