JP2008236015A - Image processor, imaging apparatus and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor for performing block matching according to photographing conditions, its program and an imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A table wherein the size of a search range is recorded for each photographing scene is provided as indicated in Fig.2(b), and when the photographing scene is selected by a user, the information on the selected photographing scene is acquired (S4), the size corresponding to the acquired information of the photographing scene is acquired from the table, and the acquired size is set as the size of the search range of the block matching (S5). Thereafter, when judging that object tracking is to be started, a block matching operation is performed by the set size of the search range. Thus, the search condition of the block matching is changed according to the photographing scene as indicated in Figs.3(a) and (b). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an imaging apparatus, and a program thereof, and more particularly, to an object tracking function, that is, an image processing apparatus that detects a subject position, an imaging apparatus, and a program thereof.

In recent years, in an imaging apparatus, for example, a digital camera, an imaging apparatus having a function of following a moving subject (tracking the moving subject), that is, a function of sequentially detecting the position of the moving subject has been developed. .
As a technique for tracking the subject (a technique for tracking the subject), for example, there is a technique for detecting the position of the subject using template matching (also referred to as block matching) as described in Patent Document 1 below.

  Specifically, by searching a small image area similar to a template cut out from the previous frame image (an image area including a subject to be followed) from the search range of the current frame image, the highest similarity (correlation degree) A small image area is detected, and it is determined that the subject has moved within the detected small image area. In addition, when a new frame image is captured, the subject is moved to which position with respect to each consecutively captured frame image by repeating the above operation using the detected small image region as a template. Sequentially detects (tracks) whether they are present.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the reference block 53 (the template described above) cut out from the previous frame image 51 within the search range 54 (the entire range of the frame image in Patent Document 1) set on the current frame image 52. ) Are sequentially extracted, and among the extracted search blocks 55, the search block 55 having the highest correlation with the reference block 53 is detected.

  Here, the degree of correlation refers to the pixel value of the reference block 53 and the pixel value of the search block 55 between the pixels at the corresponding coordinate positions (for example, the pixel at the upper left in the reference block 53). The pixel at the upper left in the search block 55) is subtracted, and the sum of the squares (block evaluation value) can be obtained as the evaluation value. Then, the search block 55 having the smallest evaluation value is detected as the search block 55 having the highest degree of correlation with the reference block 53.

JP Patent Publication No. 2001-76156

  However, according to the above technique, since block matching is uniformly performed under the same search condition in any shooting situation, there is a problem that block matching suitable for each different subject cannot be performed. For example, setting a relatively wide search range for a subject with little movement increases the amount of unnecessary computation, adds excessive load to the CPU, and applies to a subject with intense movement. If a search range having a relatively narrow range is set, there is a problem that the subject moves out of the search range and the subject cannot be tracked. In addition, for example, even when a reference block having a smaller size or a larger reference block than the size of the subject is set, false detection occurs due to a decrease in the accuracy of the derived correlation degree, and the subject is tracked. Problems such as being unable to complete occur.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus, an imaging apparatus, and a program thereof that can perform block matching suitable for a shooting situation.

To achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a block matching processing unit that searches an image region corresponding to a predetermined image region of interest in a reference frame image from a search target frame image,
Acquisition means for acquiring shooting information;
Setting means for switching and setting search conditions for the image area according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition means,
The block matching processing unit searches for an image region corresponding to the target image region based on a search condition set by the setting unit.

For example, as described in claim 2, the setting unit includes:
A search range of a size according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition unit is set in the search target frame image,
The block matching processing means includes:
An image area corresponding to the target image area may be searched for the search range whose size is set by the setting means.

For example, as described in claim 3, the setting unit includes:
Set a correction coefficient map according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition means,
The block matching processing means includes:
Correlation degree deriving means for deriving the degree of correlation with the target image area for each area of the search target frame image, and each correlation degree derived by the correlation degree deriving means in the correction coefficient map set by the setting means Correlation degree correcting means for correcting based on the correlation degree corrected by the correlation degree correcting means, and searching for an image area corresponding to the target image area.

For example, as described in claim 4, the setting unit includes:
A target image area having a size corresponding to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition unit is set in the reference frame image,
The block matching processing means includes:
You may make it search the image area | region corresponding to the attention image area | region where the size was set by the said setting means.

For example, as described in claim 5, the setting unit includes:
Set a thinning interval according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition means,
The block matching processing means includes:
The reference frame image and the search target frame image in which pixels are thinned out by the pixel thinning unit, the pixel thinning unit thinning out the pixels of the reference frame image and the search target frame image at the thinning interval set by the setting unit The image area corresponding to the target image area may be searched based on the above.

Further, for example, as described in claim 6, the image processing apparatus includes a frame image acquisition unit that sequentially acquires frame images.
The block matching processing means includes:
You may make it provide the selection means which selects the said reference frame image and the said search object frame image from the frame image acquired by the said frame image acquisition means.

For example, as described in claim 7, the setting unit includes:
Set a frame rate according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition means,
The frame image acquisition means includes
You may make it acquire a frame image sequentially with the frame rate set by the said setting means.

For example, as described in claim 8, the selection unit includes:
The latest frame image acquired by the frame image acquisition means is selected as the search target frame image, and the frame image acquired immediately before the selected search target frame image is selected as the reference frame image. Also good.

Further, for example, as described in claim 9, the camera includes a shooting scene selection unit for the user to select an arbitrary shooting scene,
The acquisition means includes
The shooting scene selected by the shooting scene selection means may be acquired as shooting information.

Further, for example, as described in claim 10, a motion vector calculating unit that calculates a motion vector between the reference frame image and the search target frame image based on a search result by the block matching processing unit is provided. ,
The acquisition means includes
The motion vector calculated by the motion vector calculation means may be acquired as shooting information.

For example, as described in claim 11, the shooting information is
It may be zoom magnification information, vertical shooting information or horizontal shooting information.

In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the invention includes an image pickup device that photoelectrically converts a subject image;
Frame image acquisition means for sequentially acquiring frame images photoelectrically converted by the imaging device;
A selection means for selecting the latest frame image acquired by the frame image acquisition means as a search target frame image, and selecting a frame image acquired immediately before the selected search target frame image as a reference frame image;
Block matching processing means for searching the search target frame image for an image area corresponding to a predetermined image area of interest in the reference frame image;
Acquisition means for acquiring shooting information;
Setting means for switching and setting search conditions for the image area according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition means,
The block matching processing unit searches for an image region corresponding to the target image region based on a search condition set by the setting unit.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to claim 13 is stored in a computer.
A block matching process for searching the search target frame image for an image area corresponding to a predetermined target image area in the reference frame image;
Acquisition processing to acquire shooting information;
A setting process for switching and setting search conditions for the image area according to the shooting information acquired in the acquisition process;
In the block matching process, an image area corresponding to the target image area is searched based on a search condition set in the setting process.

  According to the present invention, block matching suitable for a shooting situation can be performed.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as an example applied to a digital camera.
[Embodiment]
A. Configuration of Digital Camera FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of a digital camera 1 that implements the image processing apparatus or the imaging apparatus of the present invention.
The digital camera 1 includes a photographing lens 2, a lens driving circuit 3, a diaphragm / shutter 4, a CCD 5, a driver 6, a TG (timing generator) 7, a unit circuit 8, a memory 9, a CPU 10, a DRAM 11, an image display unit 12, and a flash memory 13. A key input unit 14 and a bus 15.

The photographic lens 2 includes a focus lens, a zoom lens, and the like that are constituted by a plurality of lens groups (not shown), and a lens driving circuit 3 is connected to the focus lens and the zoom lens (not shown).
The lens driving circuit 3 includes a motor (not shown) that moves the focus lens and the zoom lens in the optical axis direction, and a motor driver (not shown) that drives the focus motor and the zoom motor in accordance with a control signal sent from the CPU 10. ).

The diaphragm 4 includes a drive circuit (not shown), and the drive circuit operates the diaphragm in accordance with a control signal sent from the CPU 10.
The diaphragm refers to a mechanism that controls the amount of light entering from the photographic lens 2, and the exposure amount of the CCD 5 varies depending on the diaphragm and the shutter speed.

  The image pickup element (CCD 5 in this case) is scanned and driven by a driver 6 and photoelectrically converts the intensity of light of each color of the RGB value of the subject image every fixed period and outputs it to the unit circuit 8 as an image pickup signal. The operation timing of the driver 6 and the unit circuit 8 is controlled by the CPU 10 via the TG 7. The CCD 5 has a Bayer color filter and also functions as an electronic shutter. The shutter speed of the electronic shutter is controlled by the CPU 10 via the driver 6 and TG7.

  A TG 7 is connected to the unit circuit 8, a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit that holds the imaging signal output from the CCD 5 by correlated double sampling, and an AGC (Automatic Gain Adjustment of the imaging signal after the sampling) An automatic gain control) circuit and an A / D converter that converts the analog image pickup signal after the automatic gain adjustment into a digital signal. The image pickup signal of the CCD 5 is sent to the CPU 10 through the unit circuit 8 as a digital signal. It is done.

The CPU 10 has a function of performing image processing such as gamma correction, interpolation processing, white balance processing, histogram generation processing, and luminance / color difference signal (YUV data) generation processing on the image data sent from the unit circuit 8. A one-chip microcomputer for controlling each part of the digital camera 1.
In particular, in the present embodiment, the CPU 10 uses the two frame images (reference frame image, search target frame image) to search the search target frame image for an image region corresponding to the target image region in the reference frame image. A block matching function, a function for acquiring shooting information, and a function for setting a search condition for block matching corresponding to the acquired shooting information, and block matching is performed under the set search condition.

  The memory 9 stores a control program and necessary data (for example, a search range table, a correction coefficient map, etc.) necessary for controlling each part of the CPU 10, and the CPU 10 operates according to the program.

The DRAM 11 is used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data sent to the CPU 10 after being imaged by the CCD 5 and also as a working memory for the CPU 10.
The image display unit 12 includes a color LCD and its drive circuit, and displays the subject imaged by the CCD 5 as a through image when in a shooting standby state, and is read out from the flash memory 13 and decompressed when a recorded image is reproduced. The recorded image is displayed.

The flash memory 13 is a recording medium that stores image data captured by the CCD 5.
The key input unit 14 (photographing scene selection means), a plurality of operation keys such as a shutter button that can be operated in two steps by half-pressing, a mode switching key, a shooting scene selection screen transition key, a menu key, a cross key, and a set key And an operation signal corresponding to the user's key operation is output to the CPU 10.

B. Operation of Digital Camera 1 In the present embodiment, block matching is performed by changing the size (width) of the search range as a search condition in block matching according to the shooting situation.

  Hereinafter, the operation when the search range in block matching is changed according to the shooting situation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the user operates the mode switching key of the key input unit 14 to set the shooting mode, in step S1, the CPU 10 images the subject with the CCD 5 at a predetermined frame rate, and sequentially obtains frame image data. The image processing is performed, the frame image data subjected to the image processing is stored in the buffer memory (DRAM 11) (frame image acquisition means), and the sequentially stored frame image data is displayed on the image display unit 12. The so-called through image display is started. At this time, the CPU 10 displays an attention image designation frame 34 for designating an image region as shown in FIG. 4A at a predetermined position (for example, the center position) on the through image.

Next, in step S2, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a shooting scene setting mode has been selected. This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the shooting scene selection screen transition key is sent from the key input unit 14.
If it is determined in step S2 that the shooting scene setting mode has been selected, the process proceeds to step S3, where the CPU 10 displays a shooting scene selection screen and determines whether a shooting scene has been selected.

Specifically, when the CPU 10 determines that the shooting scene setting mode is set, the CPU 10 displays a list of a plurality of types of shooting scenes (for example, names and images indicating scenes) as a shooting scene selection screen. Examples of the types of shooting scenes include “photograph a person”, “photograph a night view”, “photograph a sport”, “photograph a child”, and the like. Each shooting scene is associated with shooting conditions including search conditions in block matching.
The user can select one shooting scene suitable for the current shooting situation by operating the cross key and the SET key.

If it is determined in step S3 that the selection of the shooting scene has not been performed, the process remains in step S3 until it is selected. If it is determined that the selection of the shooting scene has been performed, the process proceeds to step S4, and the CPU 10 selects the selected scene. A shooting scene is acquired as shooting information (acquiring means).
Next, in step S5, the CPU 10 acquires the size (size) of the search range corresponding to the acquired shooting information (here, the shooting scene) from the search range table of the memory 9, and performs block matching on the acquired size. Is set as the size of the search range (setting means), and the process proceeds to step S6. At this time, the CPU 10 stores the size of the set search range in the search range storage area and returns to the through image display state.

In this search range table, each shooting scene (for example, a name or image indicating a scene) and the size of the search range (search condition) corresponding thereto are recorded in advance, and the state of the search range table is shown in FIG. This is illustrated in b).
As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the size of the search range (..pixel.times..pixel) is recorded for each shooting scene, and the CPU 10 responds to the acquired shooting scene (shooting information). The size of the search range is acquired and set from the search range table as shown in FIG.

  The size of the search range recorded for each shooting scene is the search range in the case of a shooting scene where the subject is expected to move widely or the subject is expected to move in a wide range (for example, shooting a sport or shooting a child). In contrast, in the case of a shooting scene (for example, shooting a night view) where the movement of the subject is expected to be small, the search range is recorded to be narrow (small).

Here, when the shooting mode is initially set, the size of the default search range in the search range storage area or the size of the search range corresponding to the last selected shooting scene in the previous shooting mode is searched in advance. When the shooting scene is selected, the storage in the search range storage area is updated accordingly.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the shooting scene setting mode has not been selected, the process proceeds directly to step S6.

In step S6, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the cross key has been operated by the user. This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the cross key is sent from the key input unit 14.
If it is determined in step S6 that the operation of the cross key has been performed, the process proceeds to step S7, and the CPU 10 changes the display position of the attention image designation frame 34 according to the operation of the cross key, and the attention image is displayed at the changed display position. The designation frame 34 is displayed and the process proceeds to step S8. That is, the attention image designation frame 34 moves according to the operation of the cross key.

For example, when the cross key “→” is operated, the display position of the attention image designation frame 34 moves to the right (the attention image designation frame 34 moves to the right), and when “←” is operated, the attention image designation is designated. The display position of the frame 34 moves to the left (the attention image designation frame 34 moves to the left). At this time, the user places the attention image designation frame 34 on the subject (main subject) to be tracked (main tracked) as the main subject to be photographed, or the main subject is within the attention image designation frame 34. As described above, the attention image designation frame 34 is moved to the main subject by operating the cross key. Note that the user adjusts the relative positional relationship between the attention image designation frame 34 and the main subject by changing the orientation of the main body of the digital camera 1 so that the attention image designation frame 34 overlaps the main subject. Alternatively, the target image designation frame 34 may be moved to the main subject so that the main subject is within the target image designation frame 34.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the cross key has not been operated, the process proceeds directly to step S8.

In step S8, the CPU 10 determines whether to start subject tracking. This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to a half-press operation of the shutter button has been sent from the key input unit 14.
At this time, subject tracking starts for the subject that overlaps the target image designation frame 34 by half-pressing the shutter button, so that the main subject that the user wants to follow overlaps the target image designation frame 34. Sometimes the shutter button is half-pressed.

  If it is determined in step S8 that subject tracking is not started, the process returns to step S2 to repeat the above-described operation. Thus, until the shutter button is half-pressed, the user can freely change the display position of the noticeable image designation frame to match the noticeable image designation frame with the main subject. It is also possible to change the selection of the corresponding shooting scene.

  If it is determined in step S8 that subject tracking starts, the process proceeds to step S9, and the CPU 10 targets the search range of the set size (the size of the search range stored in the search range storage area). The subject tracking is started by starting the block matching operation.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a search range in block matching. FIG. 3A shows a case where a relatively wide search range is set, and FIG. 3B shows the range. Indicates a case where a relatively narrow search range is set. That is, when a shooting scene that is assumed to be subject to intense movement, such as “shooting sports”, is selected, a search range having a relatively wide range as shown in FIG. 3A is set. The Also, when a shooting scene such as “photographing a night view” that is not expected to have a subject movement itself is selected, a search range having a relatively narrow range as shown in FIG. 3B is set. Is done.

  3, P (x−1) is the previous frame image data (reference frame image), P (x) is the current frame image data (search target frame image), and 23 is the previous frame image data P (x−1). ) Is set as a reference block (attention image area), 24 is a search range set in the current frame image data P (x) corresponding to the reference block 23, and 25 is a search that is sequentially extracted based on the search range 24 A block 26 is a reference coordinate position of the reference block 23 (for example, a coordinate position of the central pixel of the reference block 23), 27 is a reference coordinate position of the search range 24 (for example, a coordinate position of the central pixel in the search range 24), and 28 is extracted. The reference coordinate position of the search block 25 (for example, the coordinate position of the central pixel of the search block 25 to be extracted) is shown.

Here, the reference coordinate position 28 of the search block 25 is the representative coordinate position of the search block 25, and the reference coordinate position 26 of the reference block 23 is the representative coordinate position of the reference block 23.
Also, here, the current frame image data refers to the latest frame image data, and the previous frame image data refers to the frame image data immediately before the latest frame image data.

  Subject tracking by this block matching operation will be briefly described. When the frame image data is newly acquired after the shutter button is half-pressed, the CPU 10 acquires the frame image data (previous current frame image data P (x)) acquired previously, that is, the shutter. The frame image data displayed when the button is half-pressed is selected as the previous frame image data P (x−1) (selecting means), and the reference block 23 is set in the selected previous frame image data P (x−1). (Setting means) The setting of the reference block 23 is performed based on the position of the attention image designation frame 34 displayed when the shutter button is half-pressed.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the state of the frame image data 31 and the attention image designation frame 34 that are displayed when the shutter button is half-pressed. Based on the attention image designation frame 34, the selected previous frame image data is displayed. The reference block 23 is set to P (x−1), that is, the frame image data 31 displayed when the shutter button is half-pressed. Here, this attention image designation frame 34 is set as the reference block 23 as it is.

  Further, the newly acquired frame image data is selected as the current frame image data P (x) (selecting means), and the search range 24 is set in the acquired current frame image data P (x) (setting means). The search range 24 set at this time is such that the reference coordinate position 27 in the search range 24 is a coordinate position corresponding to the reference coordinate position 26 of the reference block 23, and the size of the search range 24 is The size is set so as to be the size of the search range stored in the search range storage area as described above.

  Then, the search block 25 in which the reference coordinate position 28 of the search block 25 is within the search range 24 is sequentially extracted from the current frame image data P (x), that is, each coordinate position in the search range 24 is represented by the representative block 25. The search block 25 having the coordinate position (reference coordinate position 28) is sequentially extracted from the current frame image data P (x), and the search having the highest correlation with the reference block 23 from the extracted search blocks 25. Block 25 (matching block 29) is detected.

  FIG. 4B shows the state of the matching block 29 detected within the search range of the current frame image data P (x). At this time, a subject tracking frame having the same size as the target image designation frame 34 is displayed based on the detected reference coordinate position 28 of the matching block 29. Here, since the attention image designation frame 34, the reference block 23, and the search block 25 have the same size, the detected matching block 29 is displayed as it is as the subject tracking frame.

  When the frame image data is newly acquired, the frame image data 32 that is the current frame image data P (x) is selected as the previous frame image data P (x−1), and the newly acquired frame image data is acquired. Frame image data is selected as current frame image data P (x). Then, the reference block 23 is set in the selected previous frame image data P (x−1). The setting of the reference block 23 is performed based on the detected reference coordinate position 28 of the matching block 29. For example, the detected matching block 29 is set as the reference block 23 as it is. That is, as shown in FIG. 4C, the detected matching block 29 is set as the new reference block 23 in the previous frame image data P (x−1).

  In this way, the subject to be tracked is sequentially detected from the sequentially acquired frame images. Further, by performing block matching in the search range 24 having a size corresponding to the shooting situation, the search block 25 having the highest degree of correlation with the reference block 22, that is, the matching block 29 can be detected efficiently.

  The degree of correlation as the evaluation value of the search block 25 that is sequentially extracted is corrected based on the position of the search block 25 within the search range and the respective evaluation values are corrected. It may be configured to detect the block 29. In other words, when the image area expressed by the reference block 23 includes an image as a background in addition to the subject to be truly tracked, or when the shape of the subject itself moves and changes, for example, the square of the difference Since only the sum of the evaluation values increases the possibility of misjudgment, the configuration may be such that, for example, each evaluation value is corrected according to the shooting scene.

  The case of deriving the degree of correlation with the reference block for each search block by correcting the difference sum of squares calculated as the evaluation value for each search block will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, calculation of the evaluation value as the sum of squared differences will be described in detail, and then correction of the evaluation value calculated as the sum of squared differences will be described in detail.

First, for example, when it is determined to start subject tracking in step S8 described above, in step S11, the CPU 10 determines the size of the search range 24 set in step S5 described above and the reference coordinate position 26 (reference coordinate position of the reference block 23). The search range 24 is set on the current frame image data P (x) based on the coordinate position on the current frame image P (x) corresponding to 26 (setting means).
That is, the set size is set so that the coordinate position in the current frame image data corresponding to the reference coordinate position (for example, the center coordinate position) 26 of the reference block 23 becomes the reference coordinate position (for example, the center coordinate position) 27. The search range 24 is set by.

  Next, in step S12, the CPU 10 sequentially extracts the search block 25 in which the reference coordinate position (for example, the center coordinate position) 28 of the search block 25 becomes the coordinate position within the set search range 24, and this A block evaluation value S of each extracted search block 25 is calculated (correlation degree deriving means).

  Here, FIG. 6A illustrates the state of the reference block 23 and the search block 25. Here, both the reference block 23 and the search block 25 are configured by 8 pixels × 8 pixels. In addition, the black pixels in FIG. 6A are set as the reference coordinate positions of the blocks (reference block 23 and search block 25).

  Note that in the case of a block composed of an even number of pixels such as 8 pixels × 8 pixels, there is no central pixel, so the reference coordinate position is the four pixels in the center of FIG. 6A. Any pixel may be used as long as there are four pixels surrounded by a thick line, but the reference coordinate position 26 of the reference block 23 and the reference coordinate position 28 of the search block 25 are the respective blocks. It is necessary to have the same coordinate position in the inner coordinate system.

  FIG. 6B shows an example of the size of the search range 24 set in step S5 of FIG. 2. The search range 24 is centered on a predetermined pixel in the current frame image data, for example. The left and right sides are each composed of 12 pixels, and the top and bottom are each composed of 8 pixels. At this time, a predetermined pixel in the current frame image data, that is, the reference coordinate position 27 (the hatched portion in FIG. 6B) of the search range 24 corresponds to the reference coordinate position 26 of the reference block in the previous frame image data. Coordinate position. In the following, the reference coordinate position 27 of the search range 24 is (x, y) = (0, 0) (however, the coordinate position is within the search range 24), and the x-axis is positive to the right and left In the following description, the direction is negative, the y-axis is upward, and the downward direction is negative.

The operation of calculating the sum of the squares of the differences between the pixel values of the search block 25 and the pixel values of the reference block 23 (block evaluation value S) is performed. It carries out with respect to each search block 25 extracted so that it may become in the range.
The block evaluation value S for each search block 25 as the sum of squares of the differences (also referred to as difference sum of squares) can be obtained by the following equation (1).

In Equation 1, k indicates the address of each pixel in the reference block 23 or the search block 25. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 6A, since the reference block 23 and the search block 25 are configured by 8 × 8 pixels, the total number of pixels is 64, and the address k is 0 to 63. .
Y1 represents the luminance value of each pixel of the search block 25, and Y2 represents the luminance value of each pixel of the reference block 23.

“ _Xy ” represents each reference coordinate position 28 as an identification number of each search block.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the search block 25 sequentially extracted from the current frame image data P (x) so that the reference coordinate position 28 of the search block 25 is within the search range 24.
As shown in the figure, when the reference coordinate position (coordinate position of a pixel painted black) 28 of the search block 25 is (x, y) = (0, 0), the range of the search block 25 to be extracted is 7 is a range such as A, and Y1 _{x = 0, y = 0} represents the luminance value of the pixel of the search block 25 in the range shown in A. Further, when the reference coordinate position 28 of the search block 25 is (x, y) = (− 12, 8), the range of the search block 25 to be extracted is a range as shown in FIG. 7B, and Y1 _{x = −12, y = 8} represents the luminance value of the pixel of the search block 25 in the range as shown in B.

Y1 _xy k represents the luminance value of each address of the search block 25 extracted when the reference coordinate position 28 of the search block 25 is (x, y), and when k = 0, The luminance value of the pixel at address 0 of the search block 29 to be extracted, and when k = 1, it represents the luminance value of the pixel at address 1 of the search block 29 to be extracted.

  Y2k represents the luminance value of the pixel at each address of the reference block 23. When k = 0, the luminance value of the pixel at address 0 of the reference block 23, and when k = 1, the reference block 23 represents the luminance value of the pixel at address 1 in FIG. Further, the pixels of the reference block 23 and the search block 25 corresponding to the address k need to be at the same position in the block. For example, when address 0 is the top left pixel of the reference block, the pixel of search block 25 corresponding to address 0 must also be top left. This is because each pixel value of the search block 25 and each pixel value of the reference block 24 are subtracted between pixels at the same position.

In other words, according to the above formula, each pixel value of the search block 25 extracted when the reference coordinate position 28 of the search block 25 is (x, y) and each pixel value of the reference block 23 correspond to each other. Pixels are subtracted from each other, and the sum of the squares is calculated as a block evaluation value S _xy of a search block having (x, y) as the reference coordinate position 28. By changing the value of (x, y), the block evaluation value S _xy can be obtained for each search block 25 having the coordinate position in the search range 24 as the reference coordinate position 28.

  FIG. 8 shows the state of the block evaluation value S calculated for each search block 25 with the coordinate position of the search range 24 as the reference coordinate position 28, and the same number as the number of pixels in the search range 24. The block evaluation value S is calculated. In FIG. 8, all the block evaluation values are displayed as S, but it does not indicate that all the block evaluation values are the same value, but merely means a block evaluation value. . The higher the block evaluation value S, the smaller the degree of correlation.

  Next, correction of the block evaluation value S for each search block 25 calculated as the sum of squared differences will be described.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 5, the size of the search range 24 set in step S5 of FIG. 2 or the correction coefficient map corresponding to the shooting scene acquired in step S4 of FIG. 2 is set (setting means), and the setting is made. Using the corrected coefficient map, the block evaluation value S calculated as described above is corrected for each search block 25 (correlation degree correction means).
In the memory 9, a size of each search range 24 or a correction coefficient map corresponding to the shooting scene is recorded in advance.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a correction coefficient map corresponding to the size of the search range 24 set in step S5 of FIG. 2 or a correction coefficient map corresponding to the shooting scene acquired in step S4 of FIG. is there.
In this correction coefficient map, a correction coefficient m for correcting the block evaluation value is recorded corresponding to the reference coordinate position 28 of the search block 25. It should be noted that the size of the search range 24 set in step S4 of FIG. 2 is equal to the size of the correction coefficient map, that is, the number of pixels in the search range 24 and the correction coefficient recorded in the correction coefficient map. Are recorded to be equal.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, when the pixels arranged in the vertical direction in the size of the search range are 17 pixels (−8 to 8) and the pixels arranged in the horizontal direction are 25 pixels (−12 to 12), As shown in FIG. 9, the correction coefficients in the correction coefficient map are also recorded with 17 (−8 to 8) correction coefficients in the vertical direction and 25 (−12 to 12) in the horizontal direction together with the corresponding coordinate positions. Has been. In this correction coefficient map, the correction coefficient m becomes closer to the coordinate position of the correction coefficient closer to (x, y) = (0, 0) (the closer to the center coordinate position as the reference coordinate position 27 of the search range 24). The correction coefficient m increases with decreasing distance and distance. Here, the minimum correction coefficient m is “64” near the center of the correction coefficient map, and the maximum correction coefficient m is “255” at the four corners of the correction coefficient map.

Then, the block evaluation value S is corrected for each search block 25 using this correction coefficient map.
Specifically, the search blocks 25 whose block evaluation values are calculated are sequentially selected. Then, for each selected search block 25, a correction coefficient recorded corresponding to the reference coordinate position 28 of the search block 25 is selected from the correction coefficient map, and this selected correction coefficient is multiplied by the block evaluation value S. Thus, the block evaluation value S is corrected. That is, by correcting the block evaluation value S, the degree of correlation between the reference block 23 and each search block 25 is corrected.

  For example, when correcting the block evaluation value S of the search block 25 whose reference coordinate position 28 is (x, y) = (0, 0), the correction coefficient is added to the block evaluation value S of the search block 25. Multiply by the correction coefficient m (m = 64) where the coordinate position in the map is (x, y) = (0, 0). For example, when correcting the block evaluation value S of the search block 25 in which the reference coordinate position 28 is (x, y) = (4, −3), the block evaluation value S of the search block 25 is changed to the block evaluation value S. Multiply by the correction coefficient m (m = 86) whose coordinate position in the correction coefficient map is (x, y) = (4, −3). Further, for example, when the block evaluation value S of the search block 25 whose reference coordinate position 28 is (x, y) = (− 12, 8) is corrected, the block evaluation value S of the search block 25 is changed to the block evaluation value S. Then, the correction coefficient m (m = 255) having the coordinate position (x, y) = (− 12, 8) in the correction coefficient map is multiplied.

  Thus, the correction coefficient recorded as the correction coefficient map increases in value as the search block 25 moves away from the reference coordinate position 27 (x, y) = (0, 0) of the search range 24. Accordingly, the value of the corrected block evaluation value S tends to increase as the distance from the reference coordinate position 27 (x, y) = (0, 0) increases (the degree of correlation tends to decrease). As a result, the block evaluation value of the search block 25 extracted in the vicinity of the coordinate position corresponding to the reference block 23 can be easily lowered (the degree of correlation can be easily increased), and coincidence with the coordinate position corresponding to the reference block 23 being emphasized. Block 29 can be detected. That is, for example, the probability of the possibility that the subject is moving can be reflected in the correlation degree for each coordinate position.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 5, when each block evaluation value S is corrected using the correction coefficient map, the process proceeds to step S <b> 14, and the CPU 10 has the smallest block evaluation value S among the corrected block evaluation values S. The search block 25 is detected. Then, the detected search block 25 is set as the search block 25 (match block 29) having the highest degree of correlation with the reference block 23.

C. As described above, in the present embodiment, block matching is performed by changing the block matching search condition (the size of the search range 24) according to the shooting scene selected by the user. Block matching can be performed.
In addition, each block evaluation value is corrected using a correction coefficient map in which the correction coefficient becomes smaller as the reference coordinate position 27 in the search range 24 becomes closer, so that the search block 25 that is closer to the coordinate position of the reference block 23. Can be preferentially detected as the search block 25 (match block 29) having the highest degree of correlation with the reference block 23, and the match block can be detected with emphasis on the center of the search range 24. That is, by reflecting the probability that the subject is moving for each coordinate position in the degree of correlation, it is possible to further reduce the occurrence of misjudgment and track the subject to be truly tracked.

[Modification]
D. The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.
(1) In the above embodiment, the size of the search range 24 (block matching search condition) is changed according to the shooting scene (acquired shooting scene) selected by the user. Instead, the size (block matching search condition) of the reference block 23 may be changed (set) (setting means). That is, the size of the reference block 23 may be changed according to the selected shooting scene. In this case, the size of the search block 25 also changes with the size of the reference block 23.
In this case, in step S5 in FIG. 2, the size of the reference block 23 corresponding to the acquired shooting scene is acquired, and the acquired size is set as the size of the reference block 23 for block matching, and the previous frame image data P (x -1) (setting means). Thereafter, in step S6, a block matching operation is started with the set size of the reference block 23.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining block matching in the reference block 23 having a set size.
FIG. 10A shows the size of the reference block 23 set by the selection of a shooting scene in which the size within the angle of view of the subject to be tracked is relatively small, for example. (B) shows the size of the reference block 23 set by selecting a shooting scene in which the size within the angle of view of the subject to be tracked is relatively large, for example.
That is, FIG. 10A shows a case where the reference block 23 and the search block are set as a relatively small range, and FIG. 10B shows the reference block 23 and the search block set as a relatively wide range. Shows the case.

  Thus, by performing block matching with the reference block 23 having a size corresponding to the shooting situation, a matching block having the highest correlation with the reference block 22 can be efficiently detected, and block matching according to the shooting situation is performed. Can be performed.

(2) In the embodiment and the modification (1), the block matching is performed using all the pixels of the reference block 23. However, the shooting scene selected by the user (acquired shooting scene) A pixel decimation interval (block matching search condition) according to the above is set (setting means), the pixels of the reference block 23 are decimation (decimation means) at the set interval, and the reference block 23 after decimation Block matching may be performed using the remaining pixels. At this time, the search block 25 is also thinned according to the thinning of the reference block 23.
In this case, in step S5 of FIG. 2, a thinning interval corresponding to the acquired shooting scene is acquired, and the acquired interval is set as a pixel thinning interval of the block of the reference block 23 (setting unit). Thereafter, in step S6, a block matching operation is started using the pixels of the reference block 23 after being thinned at the set thinning interval.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state of the set thinning interval, and the pixels remaining after the thinning are represented by hatched portions.
FIG. 11A shows a state of the pixel thinning interval of the reference block 23 set by selecting a shooting scene with relatively intense contrast of the subject, for example, FIG. The figure shows the state of the thinning-out interval of the pixels of the reference block 23 set by the selection of a shooting scene in which the contrast of the subject is relatively gentle. Here, the reference block 23 is composed of 12 pixels × 12 pixels.

That is, FIG. 11A shows a case where the number of thinned pixels is set relatively small, and FIG. 11B shows a case where the number of thinned pixels is set relatively large.
In this way, by performing block matching after thinning at a thinning interval corresponding to the shooting situation, a matching block having the highest correlation with the reference block 22 can be detected efficiently, and according to the shooting situation. Block matching can be performed.

  Note that the thinning target in the previous frame image data P (x−1) is not limited to the reference block 23 alone, and the pixel thinning is performed over the entire previous frame image data P (x−1). Also good. Further, the thinning target in the current frame image data P (x-1) is not limited to each search block 25 to be extracted, and pixel thinning is performed over the entire current frame image data P (x). It is good also as a structure.

(3) In the above embodiment, the size of the search range is changed according to the shooting scene, and the correction coefficient map is changed accordingly, but the correction is made according to the shooting scene selected by the user. Only the coefficient map may be changed (set). In this case, a correction coefficient map corresponding to each shooting scene is recorded in the memory 9.
Also, the correction coefficient map and the size or / and the thinning interval of the reference block 23 may be changed according to the shooting scene without changing the search range according to the shooting scene.

  (4) In the above embodiment, when the block evaluation value S of each search block 24 is calculated (step S12 in FIG. 5), the calculated block evaluation value S is corrected based on the correction coefficient map ( In step S13), the search block 25 having the smallest block evaluation value S among the corrected block evaluation values S is detected, and is set as a matching block having the highest degree of correlation with the reference block 23. However, when the block evaluation value S of each search block 25 is calculated, the search block 25 is set in a preset number in order from the smallest block evaluation value S without correcting the block evaluation value S. In the selected search block 25, the search block 25 whose reference coordinate position 28 is closest to the reference coordinate position 27 in the search range 24 is detected. It may be the search block 25 and the matching block 29.

The operation of this modification (4) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the detection of the block of the current frame image data having the highest degree of correlation with the reference block 23 of the previous frame image data is started, in step S21, the CPU 10 determines the size of the search range 24 set in step S5 of FIG. A search range 24 is set on the current frame image data based on the reference coordinate position 26 of the reference block 23.
That is, the search range 24 is set with the set size so that the coordinate position in the current frame image data corresponding to the reference coordinate position 26 of the reference block 23 becomes the reference coordinate position 27 of the search range 24.

Next, in step S <b> 22, the CPU 10 extracts a search block 25 from the current frame image data P (x) such that the reference coordinate position 28 of the search block 25 is within the search range 24. An evaluation value is calculated.
Also here, it is assumed that a block evaluation value S as shown in FIG. 8 is calculated.

Next, in step S23, the CPU 10 selects the search blocks 25 by a preset number in order from the smallest block evaluation value S based on the calculated block evaluation value S of each search block 25. .
Here, the search block 25 having the coordinate position surrounded by the thick square in FIG. 8 as the reference coordinate position 28 is set as the search block 25 selected in step S23.

Next, in step S <b> 24, the CPU 10 searches for the reference coordinate position 28 closest to the reference coordinate position 27 ((x, y) = (0, 0)) in the search range 24 among the plurality of selected search blocks 25. The block 25 is detected as the search block 25 (match block 29) having the highest degree of correlation with the reference block 23.
In the example of FIG. 8, the reference coordinate positions 28 of the search blocks 25 selected based on the block evaluation value S are (x, y) = (− 8, 5) and (x, y) = (−, respectively. 3, −3), (x, y) = (− 2,1), (x, y) = (5, −4), (x, y) = (6,2), so the reference coordinate position 28 Since the search block 25 that is closest to the reference coordinate position 27 of the search range 24 corresponds to (x, y) = (− 2, 1), (x, y) = (− 2, The search block 25 having 1) as the reference coordinate position 28 is detected as the search block 25 (match block 29) having the highest degree of correlation with the reference block 23.

  Thereby, without correcting the block evaluation value S, the search block 25 located in the vicinity of the position of the reference block 23 is preferentially set as the search block 25 (match block 29) having the highest correlation with the reference block 23. It is possible to facilitate the detection, and it is possible to detect the matching block 29 with an emphasis on the center of the search range 24.

(5) In the above embodiment, when the block evaluation value S of each search block 25 is corrected in step S13 of FIG. 5, the block evaluation value among the corrected block evaluation values S is the highest in step S14. The search block 25 in which the value S becomes smaller is set as the matching block 29. However, when the block evaluation value S of each search block 25 is corrected in step S13 in FIG. 5, the modification example (3) described above is used. As shown in step S23 of FIG. 12, the search block 25 is selected by a preset number in order from the smallest block evaluation value S among the corrected block evaluation values S. The search block 25 whose reference coordinate position 28 is closest to the reference coordinate position 27 ((x, y) = (0, 0)) in the search range 24 is searched for the search block having the highest correlation with the reference block 23. It may be detected as a click 25 (matching block 29).
This makes it possible to detect a matching block with an emphasis on the center of the search range 24.

(6) In the above embodiment, the amount of processing is calculated based on the shooting scene (block matching search condition corresponding to the selected shooting scene) acquired in step S4 in FIG. The frame capture rate for capturing frame image data may be changed (set) based on the calculated calculation amount (setting means). That is, the capture rate is slowed in proportion to the amount of calculation. Thereby, the rate of the acquired frame image data changes.
The capture rate proportional to the amount of calculation is, for example, when the calculated calculation amount is smaller than a predetermined value, when the frame image data is captured at a predetermined capture rate, and the calculated calculation amount is larger than the predetermined value. The capture rate is reduced according to the ratio.
Thereby, it is possible to smoothly capture the frame image. This is because when the amount of calculation is too large and the processing of the CPU 10 is not in time, the frame image is not captured smoothly.
When the captured frame image data is displayed at a display rate corresponding to the frame capture rate, and the frame capture rate is slow, the display rate is also slowed accordingly.

  (7) In the above embodiment, the search condition for block matching is set according to the shooting scene (shooting information) selected by the user. However, the search condition is not limited to the shooting scene and is selected by the user. Zoom magnification (zoom magnification when the frame image data was captured), shooting with the camera sideways (landscape shooting), shooting with the camera vertically (shooting vertically), etc. (shooting information) Depending on the block matching search condition, it may be set. Thereby, block matching according to a photography situation can be performed.

  (8) In the above embodiment, a motion vector (photographing information) is calculated based on the reference coordinate position 26 of the reference block 23 and the detected reference coordinate position 28 of the matching block 29 (motion vector calculation means). The setting of the block matching search condition may be changed according to the calculated motion vector. For example, a large search range 24 is set when a large motion vector is detected, and a small search range 24 is set when a small motion vector is detected. When a large motion vector in a predetermined direction is detected, a search range 24 having a large size in the predetermined direction is set, and when a small motion vector in the predetermined direction is detected, the predetermined direction is set. A search range 24 having a small size with respect to is set. Thereby, block matching according to a photography situation can be performed.

  (9) In the above embodiment, each correction coefficient map corresponding to the size of each shooting scene or each search range 24 is provided, but one correction coefficient map for the entire range of the frame image data is provided. Depending on the size of the search range 24, the use range of the correction coefficient map may be changed.

(10) In the above-described embodiment, the frame image (previous frame image data, current frame image data) to be subjected to block matching may be frame image data that is actually sequentially captured by the CCD 5. It may be moving image data that has been picked up by the CCD 5 and already recorded.
When block matching is performed based on frame image data actually captured by the CCD 5, block matching search conditions are set in accordance with the shooting scene or the like in which the frame image data is captured, and already recorded moving image data When performing block matching based on the above, a search condition for block matching is set according to the shooting scene when the moving image data is captured.
In addition, it is necessary to associate and record information indicating a shooting scene or the like when the moving image data is captured in association with the already recorded moving image data.

  (11) In the above embodiment, the latest frame image data is selected as the current frame image data P (x), and the previous frame image data P (x−1) is captured. The frame image data is selected and block matching is performed using the two selected frame image data. However, the frame image data to be selected does not necessarily have to be continuous. And block matching may be performed.

  (12) In the above-described embodiment, when subject tracking is performed using block matching, the search condition for block matching is changed depending on the shooting scene or the like. The present invention may also be applied to block matching used for calculation processing of motion vectors and the like. That is, also in the blur correction process and the motion vector calculation process, the block matching search condition may be changed according to the shooting scene or the like.

  (13) Further, the above (1) to (12) may be changed to an embodiment arbitrarily combined within a range where no contradiction occurs.

(14) The above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples as the best embodiments, and are described in order to better understand the principle and structure of the present invention. However, it is not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.
Therefore, it should be understood that all the various variations and modifications that can be made to the above-described embodiments of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention and protected by the appended claims.

  Finally, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to the digital camera 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the main point is to process image data. Any device that can do this is applicable.

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera 1 of embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the search range in block matching. It is a figure for demonstrating block matching. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the block matching of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mode of the reference | standard block 23 and the search block 28, and the mode of the search range. It is a figure for demonstrating a search block when the position of the center pixel 28 of the search block 25 becomes (x, y). It is a figure which shows the mode of the block evaluation value _Sxy calculated in each position of the search range 24 of the search block 25. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a correction coefficient map. It is a figure for demonstrating the block matching in the reference | standard block 23 of the magnitude | size set according to the imaging | photography scene in a modification. It is a figure which shows the mode of the thinning interval set according to the imaging | photography scene in a modification. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the block matching in a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital Camera 2 Shooting Lens 3 Lens Drive Circuit 4 Shutter / Shutter 5 CCD
6 Driver 7 TG
8 Unit circuit 9 Memory 10 CPU
11 DRAM
12 Image display unit 13 Flash memory 14 Key input unit 15 Bus

Claims (13)

Block matching processing means for searching an image area corresponding to a predetermined image area of interest in a reference frame image from a search target frame image;
Acquisition means for acquiring shooting information;
Setting means for switching and setting search conditions for the image area according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition means,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the block matching processing unit searches for an image region corresponding to the attention image region based on a search condition set by the setting unit. The setting means includes
A search range of a size according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition unit is set in the search target frame image,
The block matching processing means includes:
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image area corresponding to the target image area is searched for a search range whose size is set by the setting means. The setting means includes
Set a correction coefficient map according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition means,
The block matching processing means includes:
Correlation degree deriving means for deriving the degree of correlation with the target image area for each area of the search target frame image, and each correlation degree derived by the correlation degree deriving means in the correction coefficient map set by the setting means And a correlation degree correcting means for correcting the image area based on the correlation degree corrected by the correlation degree correcting means. 3. An image area corresponding to the target image area is searched for. The image processing apparatus described. The setting means includes
A target image area having a size corresponding to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition unit is set in the reference frame image,
The block matching processing means includes:
4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image region corresponding to the target image region whose size is set by the setting unit is searched. The setting means includes
Set a thinning interval according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition means,
The block matching processing means includes:
The reference frame image and the search target frame image in which pixels are thinned out by the pixel thinning unit, the pixel thinning unit thinning out the pixels of the reference frame image and the search target frame image at the thinning interval set by the setting unit The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image region corresponding to the target image region is searched based on the image. Frame image acquisition means for sequentially acquiring frame images;
The block matching processing means includes:
6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects the reference frame image and the search target frame image from the frame image acquired by the frame image acquisition unit. The setting means includes
Set a frame rate according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition means,
The frame image acquisition means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein frame images are sequentially acquired at a frame rate set by the setting unit. The selection means includes
The latest frame image acquired by the frame image acquisition unit is selected as the search target frame image, and the frame image acquired immediately before the selected search target frame image is selected as the reference frame image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7. A shooting scene selection means for the user to select an arbitrary shooting scene;
The acquisition means includes
9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shooting scene selected by the shooting scene selection unit is acquired as shooting information. A motion vector calculating means for calculating a motion vector between the reference frame image and the search target frame image based on a search result by the block matching processing means;
The acquisition means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motion vector calculated by the motion vector calculation unit is acquired as shooting information. The shooting information is
11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is zoom magnification information, vertical shooting information, or horizontal shooting information. An image sensor that photoelectrically converts a subject image;
Frame image acquisition means for sequentially acquiring frame images photoelectrically converted by the imaging device;
A selection means for selecting the latest frame image acquired by the frame image acquisition means as a search target frame image, and selecting a frame image acquired immediately before the selected search target frame image as a reference frame image;
Block matching processing means for searching the search target frame image for an image area corresponding to a predetermined image area of interest in the reference frame image;
Acquisition means for acquiring shooting information;
Setting means for switching and setting search conditions for the image area according to the shooting information acquired by the acquisition means,
The block matching processing unit searches for an image region corresponding to the target image region based on a search condition set by the setting unit. On the computer,
A block matching process for searching the search target frame image for an image area corresponding to a predetermined target image area in the reference frame image;
Acquisition processing to acquire shooting information;
A setting process for switching and setting search conditions for the image area according to the shooting information acquired in the acquisition process;
The block matching process searches for an image area corresponding to the target image area based on a search condition set in the setting process.

Images