U.S. patent application number 12/616590 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-04 for image pickup device with zoom function.
This patent application is currently assigned to Casio Computer Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yoshinori ABE, Keiichi IMAMURA, Kazunori YANAGI.
Application Number | 20100053365 12/616590 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36581505 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100053365 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ABE; Yoshinori ; et
al. |
March 4, 2010 |
IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE WITH ZOOM FUNCTION
Abstract
When continuous-zoom-photographing mode is selected, the through
image of a subject and first and second
continuous-zoom-photographing frames are produced on an
image-display section. When a user operates a cross key, recorded
information about the trimming position of each of the first and
second continuous-zoom-photographing frames is updated according to
the cross-key operation and the first and second
continuous-zoom-photographing frames are produced at the updated
trimming position recorded after the update. After a shutter button
is pressed down, still-image photographing is started and image
data obtained thereby is stored in a buffer memory. On the basis of
the obtained image data, image data is generated for each of the
first and second continuous-zoom-photographing frames through
trimming processing and stored in the buffer memory. The obtained
image data and the generated image data are stored in a flash
memory.
Inventors: |
ABE; Yoshinori;
(Akishima-shi, JP) ; YANAGI; Kazunori;
(Akishima-shi, JP) ; IMAMURA; Keiichi;
(Hamura-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRISHAUF, HOLTZ, GOODMAN & CHICK, PC
220 Fifth Avenue, 16TH Floor
NEW YORK
NY
10001-7708
US
|
Assignee: |
Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
36581505 |
Appl. No.: |
12/616590 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11339274 |
Jan 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
12616590 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/222.1 ;
348/345; 348/E5.031; 348/E5.045 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/23293 20130101;
H04N 5/232123 20180801; H04N 5/2628 20130101; H04N 5/232945
20180801; H04N 5/23212 20130101; H04N 1/3875 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/222.1 ;
348/345; 348/E05.045; 348/E05.031 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/228 20060101
H04N005/228; H04N 5/232 20060101 H04N005/232 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 31, 2005 |
JP |
2005-023015 |
Claims
1. An image pickup device comprising: image pickup means for
imaging a subject; photograph control means for controlling the
image pickup means to perform still-image photographing of the
subject; generation means for generating trimmed-image data based
on photographed-image data obtained by the photograph control
means; and record control means for recording the
photographed-image data obtained by the photograph control means
and the trimmed-image data generated by the generation means.
2. The image pickup device according to claim 1, further
comprising: group-image-generation means for generating group-image
data corresponding to a single image by grouping the
photographed-image data and the trimmed-image data, wherein the
record control means includes first record control means for
recording the group-image data.
3. The image pickup device according to claim further comprising:
group-image-generation means for generating group-image data
corresponding to a single image by grouping the photographed-image
data and the trimmed-image data; and record-mode-selection means
for selecting at least one predetermined record mode from among
various types of record modes, wherein the record control means
includes: first record control means for recording the group-image
data; and second record control means for recording each of the
photographed-image data and the trimmed-image data as independent
image data, wherein at least one of the first record control means
and the second record control means performs record control
according to the record mode selected by the record-mode-selection
means.
4. The image pickup device according to claim 1, further comprising
display control means for making display means produce a through
image of the subject when the through image is imaged by the image
pickup means.
5. The image pickup device according to claim 4, wherein the
display control means makes the display means produce at least one
trimming-range frame which shows a range of at least one image for
which the generation means generates the trimmed-image data.
6. The image pickup device according to claim 5, further
comprising: focus control means for bringing the subject into focus
automatically, wherein the display control means makes the display
means produce the at least one trimming-range frame so that at
least one focus point which is brought into focus automatically by
the focus control means agrees with a center of the at least one
trimming-range frame.
7. The image pickup device according to claim 6, further
comprising: specification means for specifying at least one focus
point which is brought into focus automatically by the focus
control means, said specification means being operable by a user,
wherein when the focus point is specified by the specification
means, the display control means makes the display means produce
the at least one trimming-range frame so that the specified focus
point agrees with the center of the at least one trimming-range
frame.
8. The image pickup device according to claim 6, wherein if a
portion of the at least one trimming-range frame produced on the
display means lies off a range corresponding to a viewing angle of
the subject image picked up by the image pickup means, the display
control means makes the display means produce the at least one
trimming-range frame so that the at least one trimming-range frame
fits into the viewing-angle range.
9. The image pickup device according to claim 1, further
comprising: set means for setting a size of at least one image to
be obtained by the photograph-control means; and
trimming-information-acquisition means for acquiring information
about a trimming range and/or information about a number of at
least one image for trimming based on the image size set by the set
means, wherein the generation means generates the trimmed-image
data from which at least one trimmed image is generated, wherein
the range and/or number of the trimmed image corresponds to the
acquired trimming-range information and/or the acquired number
information.
10. The image pickup device according to claim 9, further
comprising: focus control means for bringing the subject into focus
automatically; and change means for changing at least one trimming
position according to at least one focus point which is brought
into focus automatically by the focus control means, wherein the
generation means generates the trimmed-image data from which at
least one trimmed image is generated, wherein the range and/or
number of the trimmed image agrees with the acquired trimming-range
information and/or the acquired number information and wherein the
trimmed image is produced at the changed trimming position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a Continuation Application of
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/339,274 filed Jan. 25, 2006, which is
based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior
Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-023015, filed Jan. 31, 2005,
the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image pickup device and
an image pickup method with a zoom function, where the image pickup
device and the image pickup method can be used for a digital
camera.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the past, an image pickup device, such as a digital
camera has an optical-zooming function so that the image pickup
device can zoom in on a subject and photograph the subject.
Further, there have been proposed digital cameras that can bracket
a focal length and photograph a subject.
[0006] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. P2000-69345
discloses a camera with a zoom function. More specifically, if a
release key is not pressed down by two stages and a wide-key top
and/or a telescopic-key top of a zoom key is pressed down when the
camera with the zoom function is in an automatic-zoom-photographing
mode, photographing operations and recording operations are
repetitively performed while a focal length is changed step by
step. Subsequently, at least two photographed images with different
viewing angles can be obtained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is
provided an image pickup device comprising, an image pickup means
for imaging a subject; a photograph control means for controlling
the image pickup means that performs still-image photographing for
the subject; a generation means for generating trimmed-image data
on the basis of photographed-image data obtained by the photograph
control means; and a record control means for recording the
photographed-image data obtained by the photograph control means
and the trimmed-image data obtained by the generation means in
record means.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an image pickup method comprising the steps of, a
photographing step of picking up a subject and obtaining
photographed-image data; a generating step of generating
trimmed-image data on the basis of the photographed-image data
obtained by the photographing step; and a recording step of
recording the photographed-image data obtained by the photographing
step and the trimmed-image data obtained by the generating step
onto recording medium.
[0009] In accordance with still another aspect of the invention,
there is provided a program enabling a computer to execute each
processing, including, a picking up processing for imaging a
subject; a photograph control processing for controlling the image
pickup processing that performs still-image photographing for the
subject; a generation processing for generating trimmed-image data
on the basis of photographed-image data obtained by the photograph
control processing; and a record control processing for recording
the photographed-image data obtained by the photograph control
processing and the trimmed-image data obtained by the generation
processing in recording medium.
[0010] The above and further objects and novel features of the
present invention will more fully appear from the following
detailed description when the same is read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however,
that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are
not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to
the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a trimming-size table stored in a memory 9;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20
produced on an image display section 12;
[0014] FIG. 4 shows the state where the display positions of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 produced on the image
display section 12 is changed;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the digital
camera according to the first embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating other operations of the
digital camera according to the first embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating other operations of the
digital camera according to the first embodiment;
[0018] FIGS. 8A to 8C show an image recorded by performing
photographing processing in a continuous-zoom-photographing
mode;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a digital
camera according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIGS. 10A to 10F show at least one
continuous-zoom-photographing frame produced on the image display
section 12, where the continuous-zoom-photographing frame is
indicated by a focus point;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating operations of an example
modified digital camera;
[0022] FIG. 12 shows the images corresponding to generated
group-image data; and
[0023] FIGS. 13A and 13B show the at least one
continuous-zoom-photographing frame produced on the image-display
section 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the attached
drawings, where a digital camera is used in each of the
embodiments.
A. First Embodiment
A-1. The Configuration of Digital Camera
[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the
electrical configuration of a digital camera 1 achieving an image
pickup device of the present invention.
[0026] The digital camera 1 includes a photographic lens 2, a
lens-drive block 3, a shutter/aperture 4, a charge-coupled device
(CCD) 5, a timing generator (TG) 6, a unit circuit 7, a dynamic
random access memory (DRAM) 8, a memory 9, a CPU 10, a flash memory
11, an image display section 12, a key-input section 13, a speech
processing section 14, a strobe drive section 15, a
strobe-light-emission section 16, and a card interface (I/F) 17. A
memory card 18 inserted in a card slot (not shown) of a main body
of the digital camera 1 in a removable manner is connected to the
card I/F 17.
[0027] The lens-drive block 3 is connected to the photographic lens
2 including a focus lens and a zoom lens (that are not shown). The
lens-drive block 3 includes a motor configured to drive the
above-described focus lens in the optical-axis direction and a
motor configured to drive the above-described zoom lens in the
optical-axis direction. Further, the lens-drive block 3 includes a
focus-motor driver and a zoom-motor driver that are configured to
drive the focus motor and the zoom motor in the optical-axis
direction, respectively, according to a control signal transmitted
from the CPU 10.
[0028] The shutter/aperture 4 which includes an un-shown drive
circuit in which the un-shown drive circuit operates the
shutter/aperture according to a control signal transmitted from CPU
10. The shutter/aperture 4 functions, as an aperture and a
shutter.
[0029] The aperture denotes a mechanism configured to control the
amount of light entering through the photographic lens 2. The
shutter denotes a mechanism configured to control the length of a
time period over which the CCD 5 is irradiated with light. The time
period over which the CCD 5 is irradiated with light changes
according to the speed of opening and closing the shutter (the
shutter speed). An exposure can be determined according to the
aperture and the shutter speed.
[0030] The CCD 5 converts the light of a subject image projected
via the photographic lens 2 and the shutter/aperture 4 into an
electric signal and transmits the electric signal to the unit
circuit 7 as an imaging signal. Further, the CCD 5 operates
according to a timing signal with a predetermined frequency
generated by the TG 6. The unit circuit 7 is connected to the TG
6.
[0031] The unit circuit 7 includes a correlated-double-sampling
(CDS) circuit configured to perform correlated-double sampling for
the imaging signal transmitted from the CCD 5 and maintain the
imaging signal, an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit configured
to perform automatic-gain control for the sampled imaging signal,
and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to convert an
analog imaging signal that had been subjected to the automatic-gain
control into a digital signal. The imaging signal transmitted from
the CCD 5 is transmitted to the CPU 10 via the unit circuit 7 as a
digital signal.
[0032] The CPU 10 is a single-chip microcomputer which controls
each section of digital camera 1 while having the function of
performing image processing for image data transmitted from the
unit circuit 7 (pixel interpolation, gamma correction, generation
of a brightness-color-difference signal, white-balance processing,
exposure correction, and so forth) and performing compression
and/or decompression of image data (image-data compression and/or
decompression according to the joint-photographic-experts-group
(JPEG) system and/or the motion-picture-experts-group (MPEG)
system).
[0033] The DRAM 8 is used as a working memory of CPU 10 as well as
a buffer memory configured to temporarily store image data
transmitted to the CPU 10 after imaging by CCD 5.
[0034] The flash memory 11 and the memory card 18 are recording
mediums which store data on an image picked up by the CCD 5 for
example. Further, in the first embodiment, writing (recording) of
image data is performed only by using the flash memory 11. However,
a user can select between recording image data on the flash memory
11 or recording image data on the memory card 18 by operating the
key-input section 13. The flash memory 11 and the memory card 18
function as a record means of the present invention.
[0035] The image display section 12 includes a color liquid-crystal
display (LCD) and its driving circuit. In photographing standby
state, the image display section 12 displays a subject image
picturized by the CCD 5 as a through image. When a recorded image
is played back, the recorded image is read from the flash memory 11
and/or the memory card 18 that are provided for storing image data
and decompressed so that the image display section 12 produces the
decompressed recorded image. The image display section 12
corresponds to a display means of the present invention.
[0036] The key-input section 13 includes a plurality of operation
keys including a shutter button, a continuous-zoom-photographing
key, a cross key, a SET key, and so forth, and is configured to
transmit the operation signal corresponding to a key operation
performed by the user to the CPU 10. The key-input section 13
functions as an indication means, a selection means, a change
means, a specification means, and a switch means of the present
invention.
[0037] The speech processing section 14 includes an internal
microphone, an amplifier, an A/D converter, a digital-to-analog
(D/A) converter, an amplifier, an internal speaker, and so forth.
When an image with speech is being filmed, speech transmitted to
the internal microphone is converted into a digital signal and
transmitted to the CPU 10. The CPU 10 stores the transmitted speech
data sequentially into a buffer memory (the DRAM 8) and stores the
speech data and image data picturized by the CCD 5 into the flash
memory 11 and/or the memory card 18.
[0038] Further, when the image with speech is played back, the
speech processing section 14 emits speech on the basis of speech
data attached to each image-data item from the internal
speaker.
[0039] A strobe-drive section 15 drives a strobe-light-emission
section 16 according to a control signal transmitted from the CPU
10 so that a strobe of the strobe-light-emission section 16
flashes. The CPU 10 determines whether or not a scene to be
photographed is dark by a signal transmitted from the CCD 5 or a
metering circuit (not shown). When the CPU 10 determines that the
scene to be photographed is dark and photographing shall be taken
(when the shutter button is pressed down), the CPU 10 transmits a
control signal to the strobe-drive section 15.
A-2. The Functions of Components of Digital Cameras
[0040] Next, the function of each of the components of the digital
camera 1 according to the present invention will be described.
[0041] When the user operates the key-input section 13 so that the
power of the digital camera 1 is turned on, the CPU 10 makes the
CCD 5 start picturizing a subject image, performs image processing
for data on the subject image picturized by the CCD 5, stores the
image data in the buffer memory (the DRAM 8), and starts performing
so-called through-image display so that the image corresponding to
the stored image data is produced (Here, "produce" has the same
meaning as "display".) on the image display section 12 (a display
control means). At that time, a focus frame which indicates a focus
point is also produced on the image display section 12.
[0042] After the through-image display is started, the CPU 10
determines whether or not the user performed the operations to set
the size of the image corresponding to image data recorded by
performing still-image photographing. If it is determined that the
user performed the image-data-size-setting operations, the CPU 10
sets the image-data size set by the user (a setting means).
[0043] After performing the through-image display, the CPU 10
determines whether or not continuous-zoom-photographing mode is
selected. By performing the above-described determination, the CPU
10 determines whether or not an operation signal is transmitted,
where the operation signal corresponds to the user's operation of
the continuous-zoom-photographing key of the key-input section 13.
If the operation signal is transmitted, the CPU 10 determines that
the continuous-zoom-photographing mode is selected.
[0044] When it is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing
mode is selected, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the
currently set image size is a size of 680.times.480 dots (pixels)
(a determination unit). If it is determined that the currently-set
image size is the 680.times.480-dot (pixel) size, the CPU 10
returns to ordinary a still-image-photographing mode. This is
because when trimming is performed for image data of the
680.times.480-dot (pixel) size, an obtained image becomes
significantly small in size and has poor quality.
[0045] If the CPU 10 determines that the set image size is not the
680.times.480-dot (pixel) size, the CPU 10 acquires information
about the zoom magnification of a continuous-zoom-photographing
frame showing the range of an image trimmed from an image of the
currently set size from a trimming-size table stored in memory 9 (a
frame information acquisition means).
[0046] FIG. 2 shows the details on the trimming-size table stored
in the memory 9.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, if the currently set image size is a
size of 3072.times.2304 dots (pixels), the size of an image for
trimming becomes a size of 2048.times.1536 dots (pixels) or
1600.times.1200 dots (pixels) and the zoom magnification of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame becomes 1.5.times. or
1.92.times., respectively.
[0048] Further, when the set image size is a size of
2560.times.1920 dots (pixels), the size of an image for trimming
becomes the 1600.times.1200-dot (pixel) size or the
1280.times.960-dot (pixel) size and the zoom magnification of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame becomes 1.6.times. or
2.0.times., respectively.
[0049] Further, when the set image size is a size of
2048.times.1536 dots (pixels), the size of an image for trimming
becomes the 1280.times.960-dot (pixel) size or the
1024.times.768-dot (pixel) size and the zoom magnification of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame becomes 1.6.times. or
2.0.times., respectively.
[0050] Further, when the set image size is the 1600.times.1200-dot
(pixel) size, the size of an image for trimming becomes the
1024.times.768 dot (pixel) size or the 640.times.480-dot (pixel)
size and the zoom magnification of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame becomes 1.56.times. or
2.5.times., respectively.
[0051] Here, the size and zoom magnification are determined for
each of the large and small trimmed images corresponding to the
size of an image that is being picked up so that two trimmed images
are generated on the basis of data on the picturized image. The
memory 9 functions as a correspondence-table-recording means of the
present invention.
[0052] Further, after acquiring the zoom-magnification information
of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame, the CPU 10 makes the
image display section 12 produce the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame on the basis of the zoom-magnification information acquired
from the memory 9 and information about a trimming position (the
position where the continuous-zoom-photographing frame is produced)
recorded onto a trimming-position-recording area of the memory 9 (a
display control means).
[0053] When the continuous-zoom-photographing frame is produced on
the basis of the acquired zoom-magnification information, the
viewing angle of the produced continuous-zoom-photographing frame
corresponds to the zoom-magnification information acquired for the
viewing angle of an image currently being picturized. For example,
when the currently set image size is the 3072.times.2304-dot
(pixel) size, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame is produced
so that the viewing angle thereof corresponds to the zoom
magnification of 1.5.times. or 1.92.times. with reference to the
viewing angle of an image being picturized.
[0054] Further, when the continuous-zoom-photographing frame is
produced on the basis of the trimming-position information recorded
onto the trimming-position-recording area of the memory 9, the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame is produced at a display
position on the image display section 12, where the display
position corresponds to the trimming-position information recorded
onto the trimming-position-recording area. At that time, first,
trimming-position information used for producing the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame at the center part of the image
display section 12 is recorded onto the trimming-position-recording
area. However, when the trimming position is changed, as will be
described later, information about the changed trimming position is
recorded onto the trimming-position-recording area. Further, at
that time, a focus frame is produced on the center part of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame. This is because the center
part of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame is brought into
focus automatically by performing autofocus (AF) processing that
will be described later.
[0055] FIG. 3 shows the continuous-zoom-photographing frame
produced on the image display section 12 when the trimming position
is not yet changed.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, an image of a girl (the subject), where
the image is picturized by the CCD 5, a
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20a, and a
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20b, is produced. The
continuous-zoom-photographing frames 20a and 20b are produced at
the center of a picked-up image (a through image). Further, for
example, if a set image size is the 3072.times.2304-dot (pixel)
size, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20a is produced so
that the viewing angle thereof corresponds to the zoom
magnification of 1.5.times. and the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20b is produced so that the viewing angle thereof corresponds
to the zoom magnification of 1.92.times..
[0057] Further, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the user
operated the SET key. The determination is made according to
whether or not the operation signal corresponding to the operation
of the SET key was transmitted from the key-input section 13. If
the operation signal was transmitted, the CPU 10 determines that
the user operated the SET key.
[0058] After determining that the user operated the SET key, the
CPU 10 determines whether or not the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20 (hereinafter, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20a
and the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20b are collectively
referred to as the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20) is
currently produced. If it is determined that the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is currently produced, the
CPU 10 stops producing the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20.
If it is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20
is not currently produced, the CPU 10 produces the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 on the basis of the
zoom-magnification information acquired from the memory 9 and the
trimming-position information recorded onto the
trimming-position-recording area of the memory 9.
[0059] Further, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the cross key
was operated while the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
produced. The above-described determination is made according to
whether or not an operation signal is transmitted from the
key-input section 13, where the operation signal corresponds to the
cross-key operation. If it is determined that the operation signal
was transmitted, the CPU 10 determines that the cross key was
operated.
[0060] If it is determined that the cross key was operated while
the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced, the CPU 10
calculates a new trimming position according to the cross-key
operation performed by the user, records information about the new
trimming position onto the trimming-position-recording area (last
memory), and makes the image display section 12 produce the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 at the display position
corresponding to the recorded trimming-position information. Since
the trimming-position information is recorded, when photographing
is performed in the continuous-zoom-photographing mode, the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced again at the
position where the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 was
produced last time by selecting the continuous-zoom-photographing
mode. The above-described function adapted to record the
trimming-position information corresponds to a
trimming-position-record-control unit of the present invention.
[0061] FIG. 4 shows the display positions where the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced, where the
display position is updated according to the cross-key operation
performed by the user.
[0062] For example, if the user keeps pressing down a predetermined
part designated by the symbol ".uparw." of the cross key while an
image is shown, as in display position (A) (when the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced at the center),
the display position of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20
is gradually moved upward. When the upper edge of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 reaches the upper end of the
image-display section 12, as shown in display position (B), the
movement is stopped. That is to say, the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is not shown at a position
higher than the upper end of the image-display section 20. If the
user keeps pressing down a predetermined part designated by the
symbol ".rarw." of the cross key when an image is shown, as in
display position (A), the display position of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is gradually moved to the
left. When the left edge of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame
20 reaches the left end of the image display section 12, as shown
in display position (C), the movement is stopped. That is to say,
the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is not shown to the left
of the left end of the image-display section 20.
[0063] Further, on the contrary, when the user keeps pressing down
a predetermined part designated by the symbol ".dwnarw." of the
cross key when an image is shown, as in display position (A), the
display position of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
gradually moved downward. When the lower edge of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 reaches the lower end of the
image-display section 12, as shown in display position (D), the
movement is stopped. Further, if the user keeps pressing down a
predetermined part designated by the symbol ".fwdarw." of the cross
key when an image is shown, as in display position (A), the display
position of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is gradually
moved to the right. When the right edge of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 reaches the right end of the
image display section 12, as shown in display position (B), the
movement is stopped.
[0064] Thus, the CPU 10 updates the recorded trimming-position
information according to the cross-key operation performed by the
user and makes the image display section 12 produce the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20. Subsequently, the user can
move the display position of the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20 to a desired position. Thus, the user can fit the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 into an area the user wants
to trim. Further, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20a and
the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20b move as a single piece
according to the cross-key operation.
[0065] Further, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the shutter
button is pressed down. The above-described determination is made
according to whether or not the operation signal corresponding to
the pressing down of the shutter button of the key-input section 13
is transmitted.
[0066] If it is determined that the shutter button is pressed down,
the CPU 10 performs the AF processing. At that time, the center
part of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is brought into
focus automatically (an autofocus control means). That is to say, a
focus lens is driven so that the center part of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 comes into focus. This is
because it can be expected that an image that falls within the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 will correspond to a subject
the user wants to photograph.
[0067] After performing the AF processing, the CPU 10 starts the
still-image photographing process (a photograph-control means) and
performs image processing for the image data obtained by the
still-image photographing process (photographed-image data), that
is, thinning-out processing or the like, so as to become an image
of the currently set size, and stores the image data into the
buffer memory.
[0068] Further, the CPU 10 reads the trimming-position information
stored in the memory 9 and the image-for-trimming-size information
corresponding to the currently set image size (a size-acquisition
means and a trimming-position-acquisition means), selects image
data that falls within the area corresponding to the read
trimming-position information and trimmed-image-size information
from among photographed-image data stored in the buffer memory and
copies the selected image data into the buffer memory (hereinafter,
the copied image data is referred to as trimmed-image data).
Further, the CPU 10 may perform pixel-interpolation processing for
the copied trimmed-image data, so as to obtain an image of the
currently set size, and store the trimmed-image data into the
buffer memory. The above-described function of generating the
trimmed-image data from the photographed-image data corresponds to
a generation unit of the present invention.
[0069] Further, the CPU 10 makes the image display section 12
produce the photographed-image data and the trimmed-image data
corresponding to two images that are stored in the buffer memory as
a review-display image (a photograph-review-display-control means).
For producing the above-described review-display image, the three
images corresponding to the recorded image data may be produced one
by one at predetermined time periods. Further, the produced image
data may be changed at the time where the user operates the
key-input section 13.
[0070] Then, the CPU 10 compresses the photographed-image data and
trimmed-image data that are stored in the buffer memory and stores
the compressed data into the flash memory 11 (a record control
means).
[0071] The memory 9 stores programs required of the CPU 10 to
control the sections of the digital camera 1 and data (the
trimming-size table or the like) required to control the sections.
The CPU 10 functions as the image pickup device of the present
invention by performing processing according to the above-described
programs. The memory 9 functions as a record unit of the present
invention.
[0072] The digital camera 1 of the first embodiment is set so that
the digital camera can zoom in on the subject by an optical system
even though the digital camera 1 cannot perform electronic zooming
when the continuous-zoom-photographing mode is selected.
A-3. Operations of Digital Camera 1
[0073] Operations of the digital camera 1 of the first embodiment
will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to
7.
[0074] First, the user operates the key-input section 13 so that
the power of the digital camera 1 is turned on. Then, the CCD 5
starts picturizing an image of the subject and the image display
section 12 produces (Here, "produce" has the same meaning as
"display". Hereafter, although "produce" is used in the
specification, it is meant as "display".) the picturized subject
image. That is to say, a through-image display is started (step
S1). At that time, the focus frame showing the focus point is also
produced on the image display section 12.
[0075] Next, it is determined whether or not the
continuous-zoom-photographing mode is selected by the user (step
S2). The above-described determination is made according to whether
or not an operation signal is transmitted from the key-input
section 13 to the CPU 10, where the operation signal corresponds to
the continuous-zoom-photographing-key operation.
[0076] If it is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing
mode is not selected at step S2, the flow proceeds to step S3 where
it is determined whether or not the shutter button is pressed
down.
[0077] If it is determined that the shutter button is not pressed
down at step S3, it is determined whether or not image-size-setting
operations are performed by the user. The above-described
determination is made according to whether or not an operation
signal is transmitted from the key-input section 13, where the
operation signal corresponds to the image-size-setting operations.
If the operation signal is transmitted, it is determined that the
setting operations are performed.
[0078] If it is determined that the image-size-setting operations
are performed at step S4, the flow proceeds to step S5 so that the
image-size setting is performed according to the setting
operations. Then, the flow returns to step S2. If it is determined
that the image-size-setting operations are not performed at step
S4, the flow returns to step S2.
[0079] On the other hand, if it is determined that the shutter
button is pressed down at step S3, the flow proceeds to step S6 so
that the AF processing and the still-image-photographing processing
are performed and image data obtained thereby is stored in the
flash memory 11. At that time, if settings are made so that the
review display is performed, image data obtained by performing the
photographing processing is produced on the image display section
12 as a review-display image before the image data obtained by the
still-image-photographing processing is stored in the flash memory
11.
[0080] Then, the image data is stored in the flash memory 11 and
the flow returns to step S1.
[0081] On the other hand, if it is determined that the
continuous-zoom-photographing mode is selected at step S2, the flow
proceeds to step S7 shown in FIG. 6 so as to determine whether or
not the currently set image size corresponds to 680.times.480 dots
(pixels). If it is determined that the currently set image size
corresponds to 680.times.480 dots (pixels), the digital camera 1
returns to the ordinary still-image-photographing mode, that is,
step S2. If it is determined that the currently set image size does
not correspond to 680.times.480 dots (pixels), the flow proceeds to
step S8. This is because when trimming is performed while the set
image size corresponds to 680.times.480 dots (pixels), an obtained
image becomes significantly small in size and has poor quality.
[0082] When the flow proceeds to step S8, information about the
zoom magnification of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20
produced on the image display section 12 is acquired from the
trimming-size table stored in the memory 9 on the basis of the
currently set image size. Here, when the currently set image size
corresponds to 3072.times.2304 dots (pixels), the acquired zoom
magnification of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 can be
1.5.times. and 1.92.times..
[0083] Next, at step S9, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20
is produced on the image display section 12 on the basis of the
acquired information about the zoom magnification of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 and the trimming-position
information recorded onto the trimming-position-recording area of
the memory 9. First, trimming-position information used for
producing the continuous-zoom-photographing frame at the center
part of the image-display section 12 is recorded onto the
trimming-position-recording area. However, when the trimming
position is changed, as will be described later, information about
the changed trimming position is recorded onto the
trimming-position-recording area.
[0084] FIG. 3 shows the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20
produced on the image display section 12 when the trimming position
is not yet changed. Here, since the acquired zoom-magnification
information shows that the zoom magnification of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is 1.5.times. and
1.92.times., the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20a shown in
FIG. 3 is produced so that the size thereof corresponds to the
viewing angle which makes the zoom magnification 1.5.times. for the
viewing angle of an image that is being picturized.
[0085] Further, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20b is
produced so that the size thereof corresponds to the viewing angle
which makes the zoom magnification 1.92.times. for the viewing
angle of the image that is being picturized.
[0086] After the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced
on the image display section 12, it is determined whether or not
the user operates the SET key at step S10. The above-described
determination is made by determining whether or not the operation
signal corresponding to the SET-key operation is transmitted from
the key-input section 13.
[0087] If it is determined that the SET key is operated at step
S10, it is determined whether or not the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is currently produced at
step S11.
[0088] If it is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20 is not produced at step S11, the flow proceeds to step S12
so that the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced on
the basis of the acquired information about the zoom-magnification
of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 and the
trimming-position information recorded onto the
trimming-position-recording area, and then proceeds to step S14. If
it is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
produced at step S11, the flow proceeds to step S13 so that the
production of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
stopped, and then proceeds to step S14.
[0089] On the other hand, if it is determined that the SET key is
not operated at step S10, the flow proceeds to step S14.
[0090] When the flow proceeds to step S14, it is determined whether
or not the user operates the cross key. The above-described
determination is made by determining whether or not the operation
signal corresponding to the cross-key operation is transmitted from
the key-input section 13.
[0091] If it is determined that the cross key is operated at step
S14, the flow proceeds to step S15 so that it is determined whether
or not the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is currently
produced. If it is determined that the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced, the flow
proceeds to step S16 so that a new trimming position is calculated
according to the cross-key operation and information about the
calculated trimming position is recorded (last memory). That is to
say, the trimming-position information recorded onto the
trimming-position-record area is updated.
[0092] Next, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 and the
focus frame are produced on the image display section 12 on the
basis of the acquired information about the zoom-magnification of
the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 and the new
trimming-position information recorded onto the
trimming-position-record area, and then proceeds to step S18.
[0093] On the other hand, if it is determined that the cross key is
not operated at step S14, and if the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20 is not produced at step S15, the flow proceeds to step
S18.
[0094] When the flow proceeds to step S18, it is determined whether
or not the user presses down the shutter button. The
above-described determination is made according to whether or not
the operation signal corresponding to the pressed-down shutter
button is transmitted from the key-input section 13.
[0095] If it is determined that the shutter button is not pressed
down at step S18, the flow proceeds to step S19 so that it is
determined whether or not the user performs image-size-setting
operations.
[0096] If it is determined that the image-size-setting operations
are performed at step S19, the flow proceeds to step S20 so that it
is determined whether or not the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20 is currently produced.
[0097] If it is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20 is not produced at step S20, the flow proceeds to step S21
so that the image-size setting is performed according to the
setting operations performed by the user. Then, the flow returns to
step S7.
[0098] On the other hand, if it is determined that the
image-size-setting operations are not performed at step S19 and if
it is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
currently produced at step S20, the flow returns to step S10.
[0099] On the other hand, if it is determined that the shutter
button is pressed down at step S18, the flow proceeds to step S22
shown in FIG. 7 so that the AF processing is performed. At that
time, the center part (focus point) of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is brought into focus
automatically. Here, a contrast-detection system is used as a
system used for performing the AF processing. Therefore, the focus
lens is moved to a predetermined position where the image contrast
becomes hardest on the center part of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20.
[0100] After performing the AF processing,
still-image-photographing processing is performed for the subject
at step S23 and image processing is performed for image data
(photographed-image data) of the 3072.times.2304-dot (pixel) size,
where the image data is obtained by the photographing processing.
That is to say, thinning-out processing including simple
thinning-out, interpolation thinning-out, and so forth is performed
for the image data so that the size of the image data agrees with
the currently set image size. Then, the image data is stored in the
buffer memory. That is to say, when the currently set image size
corresponds to 3072.times.2304 dots (pixels), the thinning-out
processing is not performed. Here, the user presses down the
shutter button and performs the still-image-photographing
processing while a subject image, the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20, and the focus frame are produced on the image display
section 12 as shown in FIG. 3.
[0101] Next, the trimming-image data is generated from the obtained
photographed-image data at step S24. More specifically, the
trimming position information recorded onto the
trimming-position-record area and the trimmed-image size
corresponding to the currently set image size are read, the range
of an image for trimming on the photographed image data stored in
the buffer memory is specified by using the read trimming position
and trimmed-image size, and the image data corresponding to the
specified range is copied and stored in the buffer memory. Here,
the pixel-interpolation processing may be performed for the copied
image data so that the size of an image generated from the copied
image data agrees with the currently set image size. Then, the
copied image data may be stored in the buffer memory.
[0102] That is to say, in the case of an image of the
photographed-image data obtained by the still-image-photographing
processing as shown in FIG. 3, data on an image shown in the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20a (hereinafter referred to as
image data a) and data on an image shown in the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20b (hereinafter referred to as
image data b) are copied and stored in the buffer memory. Further,
when the pixel-interpolation processing is performed, so as to
obtain an image of which size agrees with the currently set image
size, the pixel-interpolation processing is performed for the
copied image data a and image data b. Then, the copied image data a
and image data b are stored in the buffer memory. Since the image
size is set to the 3072.times.2304-dot (pixel) size, the
pixel-interpolation processing is performed so as to achieve the
3072.times.2304-dot (pixel) size. The trimmed-image data is
generated irrespective of whether or not the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced.
[0103] Next, it is determined whether or not image data that shall
be stored, namely, the photographed-image data and the
trimmed-image data corresponding two images (the copied image data
a and image data b) are produced on the image-display section 12 as
a review-display image. The above-described determination is made
according to whether or not settings are made in advance, for
example, in setting mode or the like, so that review display is
performed.
[0104] If it is determined that the review display is performed at
step S25, the image corresponding to the photographed-image data
and the two images corresponding to the trimmed-image data, where
the photographed-image data and the trimmed-image data are stored
in the buffer memory, are produced on the image-display section 12
at step S26, and the flow proceeds to step S27. For producing the
above-described data, the three images corresponding to the
recorded image data may be produced one by one at predetermined
time periods. Further, the produced image data may be changed at
the time where the user operates the key-input section 13 or the
three images corresponding to the above-described data may be
produced at the same time.
[0105] On the other hand, if it is determined that the review
display is not performed at step S25, the flow proceeds to step
S27.
[0106] When the flow proceeds to step S27, the photographed-image
data and the trimmed-image data corresponding to the two images
that are stored in the buffer memory are compressed and stored in
the flash memory 11.
[0107] Each of FIGS. 8A to 8C show the image corresponding to the
image data stored in the flash memory 11. FIG. 8A shows the image
corresponding to the image data obtained by the
still-image-photographing processing, FIG. 8B shows the image
corresponding to the image data generated by the trimming
processing, and FIG. 8C also shows the image corresponding to the
image data generated by the trimming processing. The image data
corresponding to the image shown in FIG. 8B is the image data
corresponding to the image shown in the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20a. Further, the image data
corresponding to the image shown in FIG. 8C is the image data
corresponding to the image shown in the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20b.
[0108] Further, the currently set image size corresponds to
3072.times.2304 dots (pixels) as described above. Therefore, in the
case of the image data corresponding to the image shown in FIG. 8B,
the viewing angle is determined so that the zoom magnification of
1.5.times. can be attained with reference to the viewing angle of
the image corresponding to the photographed-image data. Namely, the
image data on the image shown in FIG. 8B is the image data
corresponding to 2048.times.1536 dots (pixels). Further, in the
case of the image data on the image shown in FIG. 8C, the viewing
angle is determined so that the zoom magnification of 1.92.times.
can be attained with reference to the viewing angle of the image
corresponding to the photographed-image data. Namely, the image
data on the image shown in FIG. 8C is the image data corresponding
to 1600.times.1200 dots (pixels).
[0109] When a comparison of FIG. 3 and FIGS. 8A to 8C is made, it
becomes clear that the entire image of FIG. 3 corresponds to the
image of FIG. 8A, the image of the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20a shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the image of FIG. 8B, and
the image of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20b shown in
FIG. 3 corresponds to the image of FIG. 80. That is to say, the
data on three images with different zoom magnifications (viewing
angles) can be obtained by performing a single photographing
operation.
[0110] After storing the photographed-image data or the like in the
flash memory 11, image production is started at step S28 so that
only the through image of the subject and the focus frame are
produced even though the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
not produced. Then, the flow returns to step S10 as shown in FIG.
6.
[0111] Thus, in the continuous-zoom-photographing mode, the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced and adjusted by
operating the cross key so that the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20 surrounds the subject the user wants to photograph. When
the user presses down the shutter button, the
still-image-photographing processing is performed, the image data
corresponding to the image shown in the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20a and the image data
corresponding to the image shown in the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20b are generated from the
image data obtained through the still-image-photographing
processing. Further, the image data obtained through the
still-image-photographing processing and the image data
corresponding to the two images obtained by the trimming processing
are stored in the flash memory 11.
A-4. Advantages
[0112] Thus, according to the first embodiment, the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced on the image
display section 12. Therefore, the user can identify the range of
an image for cutting by performing the trimming processing.
[0113] Further, the trimming position shown in the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 representing the size of a
produced image for trimming can be adjusted by operating the cross
key. Therefore, it becomes possible to adjust the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 so that the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 matches with a subject on
which the user wants to zoom in. Subsequently, a zoomed image can
be obtained.
[0114] Further, when the still-image-photographing processing is
performed, data on the image shown in the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is generated from the image
data obtained through the photographing processing by performing
the trimming processing, and the image data obtained by the
photographing processing and the generated image data are stored in
the flash memory 11. Subsequently, a plurality of images with
different magnifications (viewing angles) can be obtained at one
time.
[0115] Further, according to the first embodiment, the trimming
position shown in the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 can be
changed only when the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
produced on the image display section 12. However, it may be
configured that the trimming position shown in the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 can be changed even though
the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is not produced on the
image display section 12.
[0116] Further, even though it is configured that the
continuous-zoom-photographing frames 20a and 20b move as a single
frame, each of the continuous-zoom-photographing frames 20a and 20b
may be moved independently as shown in FIG. 13B. In that case, two
focus points are provided.
B. Second Embodiment
[0117] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be
described.
[0118] According to the first embodiment, the center of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 corresponds to the focus
point. However, according to the second embodiment, the position of
the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is determined on the
basis of the focus-point position.
B-1. Operations of Digital Camera 1
[0119] According to the second embodiment, the image pickup device
of the present invention is also achieved by using the digital
camera 1 having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1.
Hereinafter, operations of the digital camera 1 of the second
embodiment will be described.
[0120] In the second embodiment, the same operations of the digital
camera 1 as those in the first embodiment will not be described.
The digital camera 1 of the second embodiment performs operations
shown in a flowchart of FIG. 9 in place of the operations shown in
the flowchart of FIG. 6.
[0121] First, if it is determined that the
continuous-zoom-photographing mode is selected (branched off like a
letter Y, at step S2 shown in FIG. 5), the flow proceeds to step
S51 shown in FIG. 9 so that initial settings on the focus point
(position) and the trimming position shown in the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 are made. According to the
above-described initial settings, the focus point is provided at
the center of a picked up image and information about the trimming
position is recorded onto the trimming-position-record area of the
memory 9, where the trimming position is determined so that the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 corresponds to the center
part of the picked-up image. At that time, the focus point and the
center of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 are at the
same position.
[0122] Next, at step S52, it is determined whether or not the
currently set image size corresponds to 640.times.480 dots
(pixels).
[0123] If it is determined that the currently set image size
corresponds to 640.times.480 dots (pixels) at step S52, the digital
camera 1 returns to the ordinary still-image-photographing mode,
namely, step S2. If it is determined that the currently set image
size does not correspond to 640.times.480 dots (pixels), the flow
proceeds to step S53.
[0124] When the flow proceeds to step S53, information about the
zoom magnification of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
acquired from the trimming-size table stored in the memory 9 on the
basis of the currently set image size.
[0125] Next, at step S54, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame
20 is produced on the image display section 12 on the basis of the
acquired information about the zoom magnification of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 and the trimming-position
information recorded onto the trimming-position-record area of the
memory 9.
[0126] Next, it is determined whether or not the user operates the
SET key at step S55.
[0127] If it is determined that the user operates the SET key at
step S55, the flow proceeds to step S56 so that it is determined
whether or not the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
currently produced.
[0128] If it is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20 is not produced at step S56, the flow proceeds to step S57
so that the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced on
the basis of the acquired information about the zoom-magnification
of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 and the
trimming-position information recorded onto the
trimming-position-record area. Then, the flow proceeds to step S59.
If it is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20
is produced at step S56, the flow proceeds to step S58 so that the
production of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
stopped, and then proceeds to step S59.
[0129] On the other hand, if it is determined that the user does
not operate the SET key at step S55, the flow proceeds to step
S59.
[0130] When the flow proceeds to step S59, it is determined whether
or not the user operates the cross key.
[0131] If it is determined that the cross key is not operated at
step S59, the flow proceeds to the step S65. If it is determined
that the cross key is operated, the flow proceeds to the step S60
so that a new focus point is designated according to the cross-key
operation performed by the user. In that case, first, the center of
the image produced on the image-display section 12 is designated as
the focus point at step S51. When the user operates the part
designated by the symbol ".fwdarw." of the cross key, the
designated focus point moves to the right. When the user operates
the part designated by the symbol ".rarw." of the cross key, the
designated focus point moves to the left. Further, when the user
operates the part designated by the symbol ".uparw." of the cross
key, the designated focus point moves upward, and when user
operates the part designated by the symbol ".dwnarw." of the cross
key, the designated focus point moves downward.
[0132] After the focus point is designated at step S60, the flow
proceeds to step S61 so that the trimming position of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is calculated according to
the designated focus point and information about the calculated
trimming position is recorded onto the trimming-position-record
area. That is to say, the trimming-position information recorded
onto the trimming-position-record area is updated. The
above-described function of updating the trimming position
according to the focus position corresponds to a change unit of the
present invention.
[0133] Here, the trimming position determined according to the
designated focus point denotes the trimming position of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20, where the center of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 produced on the image
display section 12 corresponds to the designated focus point.
[0134] However, when the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20
lies off a range defined by the viewing angle of a picked up image
due to the designated focus point, the trimming position of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is recalculated so that the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 falls within the range
defined by the viewing angle of the picked-up image.
[0135] For example, if an upper part of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 lies off a range defined by
the viewing angle of a picturized image due to a focus point shown
in FIG. 10A, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is moved
downward by as much as the upper part that lies off, as shown FIG.
10B, and information about the trimming position of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is recorded. A focus frame
21 denotes the currently used focus point.
[0136] Further, if a right part of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 lies off the range defined
by the viewing angle of the picturized image due to a focus point
shown in FIG. 10C, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
moved to the left by as much as the right part that lies off, as
shown FIG. 10D, and information about the trimming position of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is recorded.
[0137] Further, if a left and lower part of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 lies off the range defined
by the viewing angle of the picturized image due to a focus point
shown in FIG. 10E, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
moved to the right and upward by as much as the left and lower part
that lies off, as shown FIG. 10F, and information about the
trimming position of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
recorded.
[0138] When the recorded information about the trimming position
determined according to a designated focus point is updated at step
S61, the flow proceeds to step S62 so that it is determined whether
or not the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is currently
produced.
[0139] If it is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20 is produced at step S62, the flow proceeds to step S63 so
that the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is produced on the
image-display section 12 on the basis of the information about the
zoom magnification of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20,
the zoom-magnification information having been acquired at step
S53, and the new trimming-position information recorded onto the
trimming-position-record area. Further, the focus frame 21 is
produced at the focus point designated at step S60. Then, the flow
proceeds to step S65.
[0140] On the other hand, if it is determined that the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is not produced at step S62,
the flow proceeds to step S64 so that the focus frame 21 is
produced on the basis of the focus point designated at step S60,
and the flow proceeds to step S65.
[0141] When the flow proceeds to step S65, it is determined whether
or not the user presses down the shutter button. If it is
determined that the shutter button is not pressed down, the flow
proceeds to step S66 so that it is determined whether or not the
user performs image-size-setting operations.
[0142] If it is determined that the image-size settings are made at
step S66, the flow proceeds to step S67 so that it is determined
whether or not the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
currently produced.
[0143] If it is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing
frame 20 is not produced at step S67, the flow proceeds to step S68
so that the image-size settings are made according to the setting
operations performed by the user. Then, the flow returns to step
S52.
[0144] On the other hand, if it is determined that the user does
not perform the image-size-setting operations at step S66 and if it
is determined that the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
currently produced at step S67, the flow returns to step S55.
[0145] On the other hand, if it is determined that the shutter
button is pressed down at step S64, the flow proceeds to step S21.
Since the processing performed thereafter is the same as that of
the first embodiment, the description thereof is not provided. The
photographed-image data and the trimmed-image data are stored at
step S26 shown in FIG. 7 and the production only of the though
image of the subject and the focus frame is started at step S27.
Then, the flow returns to step S55 ad shown in FIG. 9.
B-2. Advantages
[0146] Thus, according to the second embodiment, the trimming
position of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
determined according to the focus point. Therefore, it becomes
possible to bring a subject the user wants to photograph into focus
and obtain a plurality of correctly-focused images with different
magnifications (viewing angles).
[0147] Further, if the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 lies
off a range defined by the viewing angle of a picturized image due
to a designated focus point, the trimming position of the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is adjusted so that the
continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 falls within the range
defined by the viewing angle of the picturized image. Therefore, it
becomes possible to obtain the data on a fine trimmed image having
no white space (an area showing no subject).
[0148] Although the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 is
produced in the second embodiment, only the focus frame 21 may be
produced. Namely, the continuous-zoom-photographing frame 20 may
not be produced.
C. Example Modifications
[0149] The first and second embodiments may be modified as
below.
[0150] In the first and second embodiments, each of the image data
obtained through the still-image-photographing processing and the
trimmed-image data generated from the image data obtained through
the still-image-photographing processing is recorded as a single
image-data item. However, according to a third embodiment of the
present invention, a single group-image-data item is generated on
the basis of the image data obtained through the
still-image-photographing processing and the generated
trimmed-image data. Then, the single group-image-data item is
recorded.
[0151] The third embodiment will be described in detail with
reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 11. First, in setting mode,
the user selects any one of first mode, second mode, and third mode
by operating the key-input section 13. Then, the trimmed-image data
is generated on the basis of the image data obtained through the
photographing processing at step S24 shown in FIG. 7. Subsequently,
the flow proceeds to step S101 so as to determine whether or not
the user selects the first mode.
[0152] If it is determined that the first mode is selected at step
S101, the flow proceeds to step S25 as shown in FIG. 7. If it is
determined that the first mode is not selected, the flow proceeds
to step S102 so as to determine whether or not the user selects the
second mode.
[0153] If it is determined that the second mode is selected at step
S102, the flow proceeds to step S103 so that the image data
obtained through the photographing processing and the trimmed-image
data generated through the trimming processing are grouped, where
the trimmed-image data corresponds to two images. Subsequently, the
group-image data corresponding to a single image is generated as
shown in FIG. 12. The image corresponding to the group-image data
is not limited to an example image shown in FIG. 12 but can be
presented as an image referred to as a picture-in-picture
image.
[0154] Next, the flow proceeds to step S104 so that only the image
corresponding to the generated group-image data is shown as a
review-display image and only the generated group-image data is
stored in the flash memory 11 at step S105.
[0155] On the other hand, if it is determined that the second mode
is not selected at step S102, it is determined that the user
selects the third mode and the flow proceeds to step S106 so that
the image data obtained through the photographing processing and
the trimmed-image data that is generated through the trimming
processing and that corresponds to the two images are grouped.
Subsequently, the group-image data corresponding to a single image
is generated.
[0156] Next, the image data obtained through the photographing
processing (photographed-image data), the trimmed-image data
generated through the trimming processing, and the generated
group-image data are produced on the image display section 12 as a
review-display image at step S107. For producing the review-display
image, the images corresponding to the photographed-image data, the
trimmed-image data, and the group-image data may be produced one by
one at predetermined time periods, or the image corresponding to
the image data to be produced may be changed when the user operates
the key-input section 13, or the images corresponding to the
photographed-image data, the trimmed-image data, and the
group-image data may be produced at the same time.
[0157] Next, the photographed-image data obtained through the
photographing processing, the trimmed-image data corresponding to
the two images, and the group-image data are stored in the flash
memory 11 at step S108.
D. Effect
[0158] Thus, according to the above-described example
modifications, the group-image data corresponding to a single image
is generated on the basis of image data obtained through
photographing processing and image data generated through trimming
processing. Therefore, it becomes possible to enjoy an overhead
view showing the background and circumstances surrounding a subject
and a tight close-up at the same time. Further, the single image
can be enjoyed as a fashionable photograph.
[0159] Further, group-image-generation mode may be provided. In
that case, the photographed-image data and the image data generated
on the basis of the photographed-image data by performing the
trimming processing, where the trimmed-image data corresponds to
two images, are stored in association with each other at step S27
as shown in FIG. 7.
[0160] Then, in the group-image-generation mode, one of the images
corresponding to the photographed-image data and/or the image data
generated through the trimming processing may be selected, the new
group-image data corresponding to a single image may be generated
from the photographed-image data stored in association with the
selected image data, for example, and the generated group-image
data may be stored in the flash memory 11.
[0161] Further, the first, second, and third modes may not be
provided. Namely, it may be configured that the same processing as
that performed in the above-described second mode is performed
forcefully when the continuous-zoom-photographing mode is selected.
Further, it may be configured that the same processing as that
performed in the above-described third mode is performed
forcefully.
[0162] Further, according to each of the embodiments, the two
continuous-zoom-photographing frames 20a and 20b are produced.
However, the number of the continuous-zoom-photographing frame may
be one, or three or more as shown in FIG. 13A.
[0163] Further, information about the number of trimmed images to
be generated is automatically acquired from the trimming-size table
on the basis of the currently-set image size. However, it may be
configured that the user can arbitrarily determine the number of
images of the image data generated through the trimming processing.
In that case, a predetermined number of
continuous-zoom-photographing frames of different sizes are
produced, where the predetermined number corresponding to the image
number of the image data generated through the trimming processing
is determined by the user.
[0164] Further, although the fixed trimming-size table is used, the
size (zoom magnification) and/or number of an image for trimming
may be arbitrarily set for each image size. That is to say, it may
be configured that the user can change the details on the
trimming-size table.
[0165] Further, the number of images for trimming is not changed
irrespective of which image size is set. However, the number of
images for trimming may be changed according to the image size. For
example, it may be configured that the number of images for
trimming increases every time the set image size increases.
[0166] Further, the size information of an image for trimming and
the zoom-magnification information are automatically acquired from
the trimming-size table on the basis of the currently set image
size. However, it may be configured that the user can arbitrarily
select the size and/or the zoom magnification of an image for
trimming. In that case, when the user selects the zoom
magnification, the size of the image for trimming corresponding to
the selected zoom magnification is automatically determined. When
the user selects the size of the image for trimming, the zoom
magnification corresponding to the size of the image for trimming
is automatically determined. This is because if the user can select
each of the size of the image for trimming and the zoom
magnification separately, the viewing angle of an image shown in
the continuous-zoom-photographing frame produced on the
image-display section 12 becomes different from that of an image
which is actually generated. In that case, a
continuous-zoom-photographing frame of the size corresponding to
the zoom magnification designated by the user is produced and
trimmed-image data is generated and recorded, where the size of an
image generated from the trimmed-image data is designated by the
user.
[0167] Further, an electronic-zoom (digital zoom) function may be
provided, so as to zoom in on a subject the user wants to
photograph by using the electronic-zoom function and generate data
on an image shown in the continuous-zoom-photographing frame by
performing trimming processing on the basis of the image data
obtained through the electronic zooming. Since the subject image
obtained through the electronic zooming can also be used as image
data generated through the trimming processing, image data recorded
through photographing processing denotes image data generated
through the trimming processing. In that case, the size (zoom
magnification) and/or number of images for trimming are set
according to the electronic-zoom magnification. Further, in that
case, the image data subjected to the electronic zooming is
recorded after being subjected to pixel-interpolation processing so
that the size of the image corresponding to the image data agrees
with the currently set image size. Still further, the trimmed-image
data obtained by performing trimming processing for the image data
obtained through the electronic zooming is recorded, as it is,
without being subjected to pixel-interpolation processing.
Otherwise, the trimmed-image data is recorded after being subjected
to the pixel-interpolation processing so that the size of the image
corresponding to the trimmed-image data agrees with the currently
set image size.
[0168] The trimming-size table stores information about the size
and zoom magnification of an image for trimming in advance.
However, the trimming-size table may store either the size
information or the zoom-magnification information. If the
trimming-size table stores the size information alone, the zoom
magnification is calculated on the basis of the size of an image
for setting and the image-for-trimming size corresponding to the
image-for-setting size. Further, if the trimming-size table stores
the zoom-magnification information alone, the image-for-trimming
size is calculated on the basis of the image-for-setting size and
the zoom magnification corresponding thereto.
[0169] Further, even though the photographed-image data, the
trimmed-image data, and the group-image data are stored in the
flash memory 11 as they are, it may be configured that image data
the user wants to record is selected from among the image data
stored in the buffer memory 11 and only the selected image data is
stored in the flash memory 11 or the like.
[0170] Further, without being limited to the above-described
embodiments, the above-described digital camera 1 may be a mobile
phone with a camera, a personal digital assistant (PDA) with a
camera, a personal computer with a camera, an integrated-circuit
(IC) recorder with a camera, a digital-video camera, and so forth.
Namely, it is essential only that the digital camera 1 can
photograph a subject.
[0171] An imaging program for an image pickup device in one
embodiment of the present invention is stored to a memory (e.g.,
ROM, etc.) of the image pickup device. However, the imaging program
should be also protected when this imaging program is stored to a
memory medium and only the program is manufactured, sold, etc. In a
protecting mode of this case, the program is protected in the mode
of the recording medium storing the imaging program.
[0172] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the preferred embodiments, it is intended that the
invention be not limited by any of the details of the description
therein but includes all the embodiments which fall within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *