JP2006023553A - Image pickup device and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device and an image processor capable of improving the precision of focusing. <P>SOLUTION: A focus region selection part 25 cuts out an image corresponding to a focus region from an image shown by an image signal outputted from a camera and outputs the same to a focus value calculation part 26. The focus value calculation part 26 extracts a high frequency component from an image signal and integrates it and informs the integrated value to a main control part 21 as a focus value. Into the main control part 21, information indicating a rotational position of a focus ring is inputted from the camera. The main control part 21 outputs information indicating a graph which exhibits a correspondence relation between a focal distance and the focus value of an image pickup lens disposed on the camera and a present focal distance of the image pickup lens to a display driver 27. The display driver 27 produces display information for displaying the graph etc. and outputs the same to an external display part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus and an image processing apparatus that assist focusing in video shooting.

With regard to focusing of a conventional camcorder, there was only a method of focusing by visually observing an image with a finder. Still cameras include a camera with a built-in focus assist function that supports focusing, but a built-in phase difference type autofocus optical system cannot be applied to movies. Note that Patent Document 1 displays a relative positional relationship between a distance from infinity to the close limit that can be photographed by the imaging lens, a focusing position of the imaging lens that focuses on the subject, and a position of the imaging lens. A focus adjustment status display device is described.
JP-A-5-119385

  When an image shot by a camera is displayed on a large screen in a digital cinema system or the like, the degree of focusing becomes noticeable. In order to obtain a high-definition image suitable for a large screen, a pixel shifting method using a plurality of image sensors is often performed. As a particularly effective method, a four-plate type color separation dichroic prism is used, two CCDs are assigned to the G channel, and one CCD is assigned to each of the R and B channels. Further, the four CCDs are arranged at positions shifted by half a pixel in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. By adopting such a configuration, the same signal as a Bayer array image signal generally used in a single plate system such as a digital still camera can be obtained. This method is a four-plate pixel shifting method that can obtain a high-definition image four times as large as the CCD used. Although this method can obtain a high-definition image, since the apparent size of the image sensor becomes small, a high focusing accuracy is required. However, the method of focusing while visually observing the image with a finder has a problem that the image is often out of focus because the accuracy of focusing is not improved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and an image processing apparatus that can improve the accuracy of focusing.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The invention according to claim 1 is directed to an imaging device that generates an image signal based on an image of a subject formed through an imaging lens, and the imaging Based on the focal length of the imaging lens, the focal length of the imaging lens, and the image signal, a focal length detecting unit that detects the focal length of the lens, a focal point moving unit that changes the focal length of the imaging lens within a predetermined range, and a plurality of imaging lenses. Focusing information generating means for generating focusing information representing a correspondence relationship between the focal length of each lens and the degree of focusing at each focal distance, the focusing information, and the imaging lens detected by the focal distance detecting means An image pickup apparatus comprising display means for displaying the current focal length.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, the display unit displays a current focal length of the imaging lens in a manner superimposed on the focusing information.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the display unit further displays an allowable focusing range.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the degree of focusing is represented by a high-frequency component of the image signal. .

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the degree of focusing is represented by a contrast component of the image signal. .

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, an image pickup device that picks up an image of a subject and generates an image signal based on the image of the subject, and an in-focus region in the image based on the image signal are focused. An image processing unit that processes the image signal and a display unit that displays an image based on the image signal processed by the image processing unit so as to be distinguishable from other regions that are not in a state It is an imaging device.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the sixth aspect, the image processing means amplifies a high frequency component or a contrast component of the image signal.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the image processing means is configured to change a color of a region where a high frequency component or a contrast component of the image signal is greater than or equal to a certain value with respect to the image signal. A color conversion process for replacing with a specific color is performed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of focal lengths of the imaging lens based on an image signal based on an image of a subject formed through the imaging lens and information indicating a focal length of the imaging lens, Focusing information generating means for generating focusing information representing a correspondence relationship with the degree of focusing at each focal length, and display information for displaying the focusing information and the current focal length of the imaging lens. An image processing apparatus comprising: display information generating means for generating and outputting to display means.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the display information generating unit displays the focus information and the current state of the imaging lens on the image displayed by the display unit. The display information is generated so as to overlap with the display of the focal length.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing device according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the display information generating unit displays the focusing information and a current focal length of the imaging lens, Display information for displaying a permissible focus range is generated and output to the display means.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing device according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, the degree of focusing is expressed by a high-frequency component of the image signal. To do.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing device according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, the degree of focusing is represented by a contrast component of the image signal. To do.

  In the invention according to claim 14, in the image based on the image signal output from the image sensor that images the subject and generates an image signal based on the image of the subject, An image processing unit that processes the image signal and display information for displaying an image based on the image signal processed by the image processing unit are generated so as to be distinguishable from other regions that are not in focus. An image processing apparatus comprising display information generation means for outputting to the display means.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, the image processing unit amplifies a high frequency component or a contrast component of the image signal.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, the image processing unit is configured to provide a color of a region in which a high frequency component or a contrast component of the image signal is greater than or equal to a certain level with respect to the image signal. A color conversion process is performed to replace the color with a specific color.

  According to the present invention, the focus information indicating the correspondence between the plurality of focal lengths of the imaging lens and the degree of focusing at each focal length, and the current focal length of the imaging lens are displayed. The effect that the accuracy of focusing can be improved is obtained.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of an imaging system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, each component in the figure will be described. The camera 1 is a camera such as a SHD (Super High Definition) camera capable of shooting a movie. The camera 1 includes an image pickup device (not shown) provided with a CCD, and this image pickup device photoelectrically converts an image of a subject formed on an image pickup surface by an image pickup lens (not shown). Thus, a video signal (image signal) based on the image of the subject is generated and output to the controller 2. The focal length of the imaging lens can be changed by rotating a focus ring provided so as to surround the imaging lens. The imaging lens can be exchanged, and the movable range (range of rotatable angles) of the focus ring varies depending on the type of imaging lens.

  The lens driving unit 11 provided in the camera 1 adjusts the focal length of the imaging lens by driving and rotating the focus ring. The lens driving unit 11 is controlled by the controller 2 and outputs information indicating the rotational position of the focus ring to the controller 2. The adjustment of the focal length of the imaging lens may be automatically performed by the lens driving unit 11 or may be manually performed by a photographer (user) by manually rotating the focus ring.

  The controller 2 adjusts the focal length of the imaging lens, calculates a focus value indicating the degree of focusing, and the like. The controller 2 controls the lens driving unit 11 to adjust the focal length of the imaging lens, and based on the information output from the lens driving unit 11, the rotation of the focus ring corresponding to the focal length of the imaging lens. Detect position. Subsequently, the controller 2 calculates a focus value indicating the degree of focusing based on the image signal output from the camera 1. This focus value is a high-frequency component (contrast component) of the image indicated by the image signal, and the higher this value, the closer to the focused state (the focused state). The controller 2 generates the calculated focus value and display information for displaying the captured image, and outputs the display information to the display unit 3. The display unit 3 displays the captured image and the focus value based on the display information.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the focus value displayed on the display unit 3. The controller 2 controls the lens driving unit 11 to calculate the focus value of the photographed image at each position while changing the focal length in a predetermined range from infinity to the close limit, for example, and creates the graph shown in FIG. The horizontal axis of this graph indicates the focal length of the imaging lens corresponding to the current rotation position of the focus ring (or may be the rotation position of the focus ring). The vertical axis indicates the focus value calculated at each focal length. Reference numeral 41 denotes a focus value curve calculated in advance by the controller 2. Reference numeral 42 denotes a display of the current focal length of the imaging lens (or the current rotational position of the focus ring). The focus can be accurately adjusted by rotating the focus ring automatically or manually so that the focal length of the imaging lens matches the peak of the focus position.

  Reference numeral 43 indicates an allowable range of focusing, which is a guideline for adjusting the rotation position of the focus ring to the peak of the focus position. This allowable range is set according to the purpose of the captured video. For example, when the captured video is used in a large-screen display digital cinema system or the like, it is necessary to capture the video in a state where the focus is accurately adjusted. In this case, the allowable range is set to be smaller than usual (that is, the horizontal width of the allowable range 43 in FIG. 2 is narrowed). The allowable range may be set in advance or may be arbitrarily set by the user.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 2. Hereinafter, each component in the figure will be described. The main control unit 21 controls each unit in the controller 2 and performs information discrimination processing, calculation, and the like. The lens control unit 22 controls the in-focus position of the imaging lens. The lens control unit 22 outputs a signal for driving the focus ring to the lens driving unit 11 based on an instruction from the main control unit 21. The lens designating unit 23 includes buttons and switches operated by the user, and information regarding the conditions of the imaging lens attached to the camera 1 is input by the user. The lens specifying unit 23 outputs the input information to the main control unit 21. The main control unit 21 determines conditions such as the type of the imaging lens based on the information output from the lens specifying unit 23. Thereby, the main control unit 21 can determine the optimum rotation angle of the focus ring according to the imaging lens.

  The SW input unit 24 includes buttons, switches, and the like that are operated by the user, and inputs a focus area (an area that the user wants to focus on) displayed on the display unit 3, a focus allowable range, and the like. The When the user inputs the focus area, information such as an image frame indicating the focus area is displayed together with the video on the display unit 3, and the user inputs the focus area from the SW input unit 24 while referring to this display. do it. The SW input unit 24 outputs the input information to the main control unit 21. The main control unit 21 determines a focus area, a focus allowable range, and the like based on information output from the SW input unit 24. Further, the main control unit 21 outputs information indicating the focus area input by the user to the focus area selection unit 25.

  The focus area selection unit 25 cuts out an image corresponding to the focus area specified by the user from the image indicated by the image signal output from the camera 1, and outputs the image to the focus value calculation unit 26. The focus value calculation unit 26 has a function as a band pass filter, and extracts a frequency component in a preset range from the image signal, thereby removing a noise component and a high frequency component (contrast component) indicating the contrast of the image. To extract.

  The focus value calculation unit 26 integrates the extracted high frequency components and notifies the main control unit 21 of the value as a focus value. Information indicating the rotation position of the focus ring is input from the lens driving unit 11 to the main control unit 21. The main control unit 21 creates a graph as shown in FIG. 2 based on the obtained information and outputs the information to the display driver 27. The display driver 27 generates display information for displaying a graph or the like representing the focus value and outputs it to the display unit 3.

  Next, the operation of the imaging system according to the present embodiment will be described. First, before normal shooting, a focus ring drive range, a focus area, and a focus allowable range are set. When the user designates the conditions of the imaging lens such as the lens type via the lens designation unit 23, the lens designation unit 23 outputs the information to the main control unit 21. The main control unit 21 determines the type of the imaging lens based on the information, and based on the movable range of the focus ring corresponding to the imaging lens, the driving range of the focus ring (the focal length of the imaging lens is limited from infinity to the near limit). The range of the rotation angle of the focus ring that changes up to 2) and the step width of the rotation angle (an angle value indicating how many times the focus ring is rotated and the focus value is calculated). The focus area is set as follows. An image signal based on an image photographed by the camera 1 in the initial state is input to the display driver 27. The display driver 27 generates display information for displaying a captured image and an image frame indicating a focus area, and outputs the display information to the display unit 3. The display unit 3 displays an image based on the display information.

  While viewing the image displayed on the display unit 3, the user operates a button provided on the SW input unit 24 to select a focus area. FIG. 4 shows an example of buttons provided in the SW input unit 24. The user can move the position of the image frame in the image by operating the cursor button 241, and can change the size of the image frame by operating the size button 242. The result of the user operation is output to the main control unit 21, and the main control unit 21 outputs an instruction to change the position and size of the image frame to the display driver 27 based on the user operation result.

  Based on this instruction, the display driver 27 generates display information in which the position and size of the image frame are changed, and outputs the display information to the display unit 3. The image frame displayed on the display unit 3 reflects the designation by the user. When the user selects and determines a desired focus area (for example, by pressing a determination button indicating determination of the focus area), the main control unit 21 receives the input focus based on the information output from the SW input unit 24. The area is determined, and the information is output to the focus area selection unit 25.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the focus area. An image 51 photographed by the camera 1 and an image 52 displayed on the display unit 3 are shown. In this figure, reference numeral 53 indicates a focus area designated by the user. The focus area selection unit 25 cuts out the image of the focus area 53 from the image 52.

  The focus allowable range is set as follows. The user operates a button provided in the SW input unit 24 to input a focus allowable range. For example, when it is desired to allow the focus value to be greater than or equal to X, the numerical value X is input via the SW input unit 24. In this case, the focus may be adjusted so that the focus value is X or more. The SW input unit 24 outputs information indicating the focus allowable range designated by the user to the main control unit 21, and the main control unit 21 determines the focus allowable range based on the information.

  Following the setting of the drive range of the focus ring, the step width of the rotation angle, the focus area, and the focus allowable range, the focus value as shown in FIG. 2 is calculated. The main control unit 21 drives the focus ring so that the focal length (focus position) of the imaging lens rotates by a set step angle within a focus ring drive range set so as to change from infinity to the close limit. To output the information to the lens control unit 22. The lens control unit 22 outputs a signal for rotating the focus ring to the lens driving unit 11 based on the information output from the main control unit 21. Based on this signal, the lens driving unit 11 rotates the focus ring by a step angle within a movable range to change the focal length of the imaging lens. The lens driving unit 11 outputs information indicating the rotation position (rotation angle) of the focus ring at this time to the controller 2. This information is input to the main control unit 21.

  While the focus ring is rotated by the lens driving unit 11, an image signal based on an image captured by the camera 1 is input to the focus region selection unit 25. The focus area selection unit 25 cuts out an image of the set focus area from the image indicated by the image signal, and outputs an image signal based on the image to the focus value calculation unit 26. The focus value calculation unit 26 calculates the focus value of the image in the focus area and notifies the main control unit 21 of the calculation result.

  The main control unit 21 associates the calculated focus value with the rotation position of the focus ring at that time. When the rotation of the focus ring and the calculation of the focus value are completed, the main control unit 21 corresponds to a plurality of rotation positions of the focus ring (that is, the focal length of the imaging lens) and each rotation position based on the acquired information. Focus information indicating the correspondence with the focus value is generated. Subsequently, normal shooting starts, and the focus is adjusted by the user's manual or auto focus. At this time, the main control unit 21 monitors the state of the lens driving unit 11 at regular intervals, and detects the current rotational position of the focus ring based on information output from the lens driving unit 11.

  The main control unit 21 creates a graph as shown in FIG. 2 based on the focus information and focus allowable range information created in advance and information indicating the current rotation position of the focus ring. The main control unit 21 outputs the created graph information to the display driver 27. The display driver 27 generates display information for displaying this graph and outputs it to the display unit 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 3 displays a curve indicating the focus value, the current focal length of the imaging lens, and the focus allowable range in an overlapping manner. Even when the focal length of the imaging lens changes due to the user manually rotating the focus ring, the graph is updated by the same operation as described above and displayed on the display unit 3.

  Based on this display, the current focal length of the imaging lens coincides with the focal length at which the focus value reaches the peak value, or the current focal length of the imaging lens falls within the focus allowable range by the user's manual or autofocus. Adjust the focus so that it enters. Note that at the time of adjusting the focus, the display unit 3 may display only the graph shown in FIG. 2, or the display unit 3 may display this graph together with the image taken by the camera 1. Also good.

  Repeatedly rotating the focus ring beyond the rotation angle corresponding to the mounted imaging lens may damage the imaging lens. However, as described above, set the focus ring drive range in advance. This can prevent the imaging lens from being damaged. In addition, when creating a graph of the focus value in advance, the focus value can be calculated efficiently by presetting the step width of the rotation angle of the focus ring to an optimum value according to the imaging lens, Data necessary for calculating the graph shown in FIG. 2 can be collected at higher speed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the focusing information (information indicated by the curve 41 in FIG. 2) indicating the correspondence between the plurality of focal lengths of the imaging lens and the degree of focusing at each focal length. By displaying the current focal length of the imaging lens (focal length display 42 in FIG. 2), the current focus state can be seen at a glance. In addition, since the focal length of the imaging lens can be adjusted while referring to these displays, it is possible to improve the focusing accuracy. Furthermore, by displaying the focusing information and the current focal length of the imaging lens in an overlapping manner, the display becomes easier to understand and the accuracy of focusing can be further improved.

  Further, by displaying the focusing tolerance range (tolerable range 43 in FIG. 2), it is possible to use it as a guideline for focusing, and the display becomes easier to understand, so that the accuracy of focusing can be further improved. .

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the controller 2 according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the focus area selection unit 25 cuts out the image of the focus area selected by the user from the image captured by the camera 1, and displays the image signal based on the image together with the focus value calculation unit 26 and the display driver 27. Output to. The main control unit 21 outputs a signal (focus region instruction signal) based on information indicating the focus region determined based on the information output from the SW input unit 24 to the display driver 27, thereby determining the position of the focus region. The display driver 27 is notified.

  The display driver 27 performs an edge emphasis process on the image signal output from the focus area selection unit 25, and displays an image of the focus area notified by the main control unit 21 in the entire image captured by the camera 1. Then, the image is replaced with the image subjected to the contour emphasis process, and display information based on the processed image is output to the display unit 3. By this processing, the image displayed on the display unit 3 is an image in which the display of the focused part is emphasized in the focus area.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the display driver 27. In the figure, the contour emphasizing unit 271 performs contour emphasis processing described later on the image cut out by the focus region selecting unit 25 and outputs an image signal indicating the processed image to the selected region replacement processing unit 272. The selection region replacement processing unit 272 removes the focus region signal notified by the main control unit 21 from the image signal indicating the entire image, and outputs the image signal output from the contour emphasizing unit 271 to the removed focus region. Add. The selection area replacement processing unit 272 outputs display information for displaying an image based on the processed signal to the display unit 3.

  Next, the outline emphasis process in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 shows the principle of edge enhancement processing in this embodiment. FIG. 8A shows a circuit that extracts a contour component y from an input x. In this figure, the input x corresponds to the input of the contour emphasizing unit 271. Delay circuits 61 and 62 delay the input signal by a delay amount τ and output the delayed signal. The adder circuit 63 adds the entire input x and the output of the delay circuit 62 and outputs the result. The multiplier circuit 64 outputs the output gain of the adder circuit 63 by halving it. The subtraction circuit 65 subtracts the output of the multiplication circuit 64 from the output x ′ of the delay circuit 61 and outputs the result as an output y. Further, when an adder circuit is provided and x ′ and y are inputs to the adder circuit, the output x ′ + y corresponds to the output of the contour emphasizing unit 271.

  FIG. 8B shows a waveform diagram of x, x ', y, x' + y. The contour component of x is like y, and x ′ + y is a signal in which the contour of x is emphasized. If a coring process (a process for reducing edge enhancement at a low edge, that is, out of focus) is performed on y before adding x ′ and y, the outline is further emphasized. FIG. 9 shows the principle of the coring process. The contour level is defined as shown in FIG. 9A, and the gain for the signal to be processed is set as shown in FIG. 9B according to the contour level. Thus, when the contour level is less than or equal to the predetermined value α, the gain is 0, and when the contour level is greater than or equal to α, the gain increases according to the contour level. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the contour level is α or less, the contour component disappears, and as shown in FIG. 9D, when the contour level is α or more, The contour component becomes more emphasized and larger.

  Next, an example of an operation for performing the contour emphasis process in this embodiment and displaying the processed image will be described. Assume that a plurality of subjects 71 to 73 as shown in FIG. Further, the distance from the camera 1 to each subject has a relationship as schematically shown in FIG. 10B, and it is assumed that the user designates the entire display image (or an area close to the entire area) as the focus area. To do. The focus area selection unit 25 cuts out the image of the focus area from the entire image based on the information indicating the focus area output from the main control unit 21, and outputs an image signal based on the image to the display driver 27.

  This image signal is input to the contour emphasizing unit 271. The contour emphasizing unit 271 performs the above-described contour emphasizing process on this image signal, and outputs the processed image signal to the selection region replacement processing unit 272. The selection region replacement processing unit 272 removes the focus region signal notified by the main control unit 21 from the image signal indicating the entire image, and outputs the image signal output from the contour emphasizing unit 271 to the removed focus region. In addition, display information based on the processed signal is generated and output to the display unit 3. The display unit 3 displays an image based on the display information.

  FIG. 11 is an example of an image displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. 11A is an image when the focal position of the imaging lens is close and the subject 71 is in focus. When the subject 71 is in focus, the contour of the subject 71 is enhanced by the contour enhancement process, the contour of the subject 71 is bright, and the edge contrast is displayed. FIG. 11B is an image in the case where the focus of the imaging lens is in the middle between the close distance and the telephoto and the subject 72 is in focus. In this case, the contour of the subject 72 is emphasized. FIG. 11C is an image when the imaging lens is focused on the telephoto and the subject 73 is in focus. In this case, the contour of the subject 73 is emphasized.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the image of the portion that is substantially in focus is displayed with the outline being emphasized, and the image of the portion that is not in focus is displayed as it is without the outline being emphasized. In an image close to the in-focus state, the outline is more emphasized as the accurate in-focus state is approached. By this display, it is possible to know the current degree of focus and to easily focus.

  FIG. 12 is another example of an image displayed on the display unit 3. This is an image displayed when the user designates a partial area of the subject 71 as the focus area. FIG. 12A is an image when the focal position of the imaging lens is close and the subject 71 is in focus. When the subject 71 is in focus, a part of the contour of the subject 71 is emphasized by the contour enhancement processing. FIG. 12B is an image when the focus of the imaging lens is in the middle between the close distance and the telephoto and the subject 72 is in focus. In this case, since there is no subject in focus in the focus area designated by the user, the contour is not emphasized. FIG. 12C is an image when the imaging lens is focused on the telephoto and the subject 73 is in focus. Also in this case, since there is no subject in focus in the focus area designated by the user, the contour is not emphasized.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the image based on the image signal, the display driver 27 can distinguish the region that is substantially in focus from other regions that are not in focus. By performing the contour enhancement process that amplifies the high-frequency component or the contrast component in the image signal, the current degree of focusing can be known in an easy-to-understand manner, and the focusing accuracy can be further improved.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 2 according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from the first and second embodiments will be described. In the present embodiment, the focus value calculation unit 26 calculates a focus value for each pixel based on the image signal of the focus area output from the focus area selection unit 25. The display driver 27 performs color conversion processing for converting the color of a pixel whose focus value calculated by the focus value calculation unit 26 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the entire image captured by the camera 1 to a specific color (for example, red). The display information based on the processed image is output to the display unit 3. By this processing, the image displayed on the display unit 3 is an image in which the color of the focused part is replaced with a specific color in the focus area.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the display driver 27. In the figure, the replacement determination unit 273 determines whether to replace the color of the pixel in the focus area notified by the main control unit 21 with a specific color based on the focus value calculated by the focus value calculation unit 26. The specific color replacement unit 274 performs signal processing for replacing the pixel determined to replace the color with the specific color by the replacement determination unit 273 in the image signal indicating the entire image captured by the camera 1, after the processing. Display information based on the signal is generated and output to the display unit 3.

  Next, an example of performing color conversion processing in the present embodiment and displaying an image after processing will be described. In the present embodiment as well, as in the second embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of subjects 71 to 73 as shown in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the user designates the entire display image (or an area substantially close to the whole) as the focus area. The focus area selection unit 25 cuts out an image of the focus area from the entire image based on the information indicating the focus area output from the main control unit 21, and outputs an image signal based on the image to the focus value calculation unit 26 and the display. Output to the driver 27.

  The focus value calculation unit 26 calculates a focus value for each pixel based on the image signal of the focus area output from the focus area selection unit 25, and outputs the calculation result to the display driver 27. In the display driver 27, the replacement determination unit 273 determines whether the focus value of each pixel in the focus area notified by the main control unit 21 is greater than or equal to a certain value based on the focus value calculated by the focus value calculation unit 26. To do.

  As a result of the determination, the replacement determination unit 273 replaces the color for a pixel whose focus value is equal to or greater than a certain value and replaces the color for a pixel whose focus value is less than the certain value. Information is generated and output to the specific color replacement unit 274. Based on the replacement information output from the replacement determination unit 273, the specific color replacement unit 274 is determined to replace the color with a specific color by the replacement determination unit 273 in the image signal indicating the entire image captured by the camera 1. Signal processing for replacing the pixel with a specific color is performed, display information based on the processed signal is generated, and output to the display unit 3. The display unit 3 displays an image based on the display information.

  FIG. 15 is an example of an image displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. 15A is an image when the focal position of the imaging lens is close and the subject 71 is in focus. When the subject 71 is in focus, the contour of the subject 71 is displayed as a specific color by color conversion processing. FIG. 15B is an image when the imaging lens is in the middle between the close-up position and the telephoto position and the subject 72 is in focus. In this case, the contour of the subject 72 becomes a specific color. FIG. 15C is an image when the imaging lens is focused on the telephoto and the subject 73 is in focus. In this case, the contour of the subject 73 becomes a specific color.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the display driver 27 performs the color conversion process for converting the color of the pixel whose high frequency component or contrast component is greater than or equal to a certain value in the image signal, thereby performing the second embodiment. Similar to the form, in the image based on the image signal, it is possible to distinguish a region that is substantially in focus from other regions that are not in focus. Therefore, it is possible to know the current degree of focusing in an easy-to-understand manner, and the focusing accuracy can be further improved.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and includes design changes and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. It is. For example, the camera 1 and the controller 2 may be integrated, or the display unit 3 may be integrated.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a reference diagram illustrating a display example of a focus value in the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller 2 by 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of SW input part 24 by 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a reference diagram illustrating an example of a focus area in the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller 2 by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display driver 27 by 2nd Embodiment. It is a reference diagram for explaining the principle of the contour emphasis processing in the second embodiment. It is a reference diagram for explaining the principle of the coring process in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a reference diagram illustrating a positional relationship of subjects in the second embodiment. It is a reference diagram showing an example of a display image in the second embodiment. It is a reference figure showing other examples of a display picture in a 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller 2 by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display driver 27 by 3rd Embodiment. It is a reference figure showing an example of a display picture in a 3rd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera, 2 ... Controller, 3 ... Display part (display means), 11 ... Lens drive part (focus movement means), 21 ... Main control part (Focal distance detection means, alignment (Focus information generating means), 22 ... lens control unit, 23 ... lens designation unit, 24 ... SW input unit, 25 ... focus area selection unit, 26 ... focus value calculation unit, 27 ..Display driver (display information generating means), 241... Cursor button, 242... Size button, 271... Outline emphasis section, 272... Selection area replacement processing section, 273. 274: Specific color replacement unit.

Claims (16)

An image sensor that generates an image signal based on an image of a subject formed through an imaging lens;
A focal length detection means for detecting a focal length of the imaging lens;
A focal point moving means for changing a focal length of the imaging lens within a predetermined range;
Focusing information generating means for generating focusing information representing a correspondence relationship between a plurality of focal lengths of the imaging lens and a degree of focusing at each focal length based on the focal length of the imaging lens and the image signal; ,
Display means for displaying the focusing information and the current focal length of the imaging lens detected by the focal length detection means;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a current focal length of the imaging lens so as to overlap the focusing information.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit further displays an in-focus allowable range.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the degree of focusing is represented by a high-frequency component of the image signal.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the degree of focusing is represented by a contrast component of the image signal. An image sensor that images a subject and generates an image signal based on the image of the subject;
In the image based on the image signal, an image processing means for processing the image signal so that a region that is substantially in focus is distinguishable from other regions that are not in focus;
Display means for displaying an image based on the image signal processed by the image processing means;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image processing unit amplifies a high frequency component or a contrast component of the image signal.   The said image processing means performs the color conversion process which replaces the color of the area | region where the high frequency component or contrast component of this image signal is more than fixed to a specific color with respect to the said image signal. Imaging device. Based on the image signal based on the image of the subject imaged through the imaging lens and information indicating the focal length of the imaging lens, the plurality of focal lengths of the imaging lens and the degree of focusing at each focal length Focusing information generating means for generating focusing information representing a correspondence relationship with
Display information generating means for generating display information for displaying the in-focus information and the current focal length of the imaging lens, and outputting to the display means;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The display information generation unit generates the display information so that the display of the focusing information and the display of the current focal length of the imaging lens overlap on the image displayed by the display unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9.   The display information generation means generates the display information for displaying the focus information and the current focal length of the imaging lens, and displays the allowable range of focus, and outputs the display information to the display means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the degree of focusing is expressed by a high-frequency component of the image signal.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the degree of focusing is represented by a contrast component of the image signal. In an image based on the image signal output from an image pickup device that captures an image of a subject and generates an image signal based on the image of the subject, a region that is substantially in focus is distinguished from other regions that are not in focus. Image processing means for processing the image signal as possible,
Display information generating means for generating display information for displaying an image based on the image signal processed by the image processing means, and outputting the display information to the display means;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the image processing unit amplifies a high frequency component or a contrast component of the image signal. The said image processing means performs the color conversion process which replaces the color of the area | region where the high frequency component or contrast component of this image signal is more than fixed to a specific color with respect to the said image signal. Image processing apparatus.

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