JPH11239291A - Image pickup controller and image pickup control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup controller for setting plural detection areas and accurately adjusting image pickup by simple constitution. SOLUTION: Image pickup signals outputted from an image pickup part 12 are inputted to an AF integration block 26 and a common integration block 28, and in the common integration block 28, either input (AE/AWB) 110, the input AFa or the input AFb is selected for each field of the image pickup signals and an evaluation value for image pickup adjustment is integrated in a time division manner for each field. A control section 20 controls exposure adjustment, focus adjustment and white balance adjustment based on an integrated value corresponding to the detection area for detecting the evaluation value and makes picked-up images be accurately processed and recorded in an information recording medium 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup control device and an image pickup control method for performing image pickup control using an image pickup signal obtained by an image pickup device, for example, automatic focus adjustment, automatic exposure adjustment, white balance adjustment and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to an imaging control device and an imaging control method suitable for being applied to a digital camera or the like that captures and outputs a still image or a moving image, and the like. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a movie camera and a still camera have been known in which an image of an object scene is captured by an image sensor, and the captured moving image or still image is processed and recorded on an information recording medium such as a memory card or a magnetic tape. ing.

Such a camera is provided with an automatic exposure function for adjusting a signal level of an image pickup signal, that is, brightness, and an automatic focus adjustment function for adjusting focus, and these functions are used to automate complicated image pickup adjustment. .

For example, a triangulation method based on an active and a passive method has been conventionally used in various cameras for an automatic focus adjustment function. However, in a camera using an image sensor, an optimum focus is obtained based on the contrast of an image signal. A contrast detection method for finding a position can be employed. For example, a hill-climbing control method is applied to position control of the imaging lens by the contrast detection method. This control method extracts the high-frequency components of the scene video according to the position of the imaging lens, controls the taking lens at the position where this evaluation value is maximum, and forms the subject image on the imaging surface of the imaging device. It is a method to make it.

In such imaging adjustments such as exposure adjustment and focus adjustment, a predetermined area of the imaging screen is set as a photometry area and a focus area, and an imaging signal in the area is detected, and a shutter speed, an aperture value, and an aperture value are set. It adjusts the imaging signal level and the like, and controls the focal position of the imaging lens.

The detection area for performing the imaging adjustment includes a method of detecting an imaging signal of the entire screen, and a detection area provided in a predetermined portion such as a central portion of the screen to adjust the imaging according to the subject at the center of the screen. There was something to do, but the position of these detection areas was fixed.

[0007]

However, in the conventional imaging adjustment method, the detection area for imaging adjustment is a single area, and therefore, fine adjustment cannot be performed. In order to perform appropriate photographing in accordance with a subject present at a desired position, for example, it is necessary to use an exposure and focus lock function and perform framing again before photographing. Therefore, it is not possible to select a specific portion of an image and perform imaging control based on the selected area, and to enable appropriate imaging adjustment regardless of the image of the subject of any pattern. Was difficult.

For example, it is conceivable to provide a plurality of focus areas in a screen so as to focus on an arbitrary area. However, such a configuration requires a plurality of circuits corresponding to each detection area. Thus, a circuit for adjusting the imaging cannot be realized with a simple configuration. Specifically, for example, in the case of performing automatic focus adjustment, it is necessary to provide a buffer for storing contrast information of an object scene corresponding to each of the plurality of regions even if only a plurality of detection regions are set. There was a problem that the scale became large.

In addition, when image pickup adjustment such as automatic exposure and white balance adjustment is performed using image pickup signals corresponding to a plurality of detection areas, a plurality of circuits corresponding to each function are required. In addition, there is a problem that the circuit scale is further increased.

As described above, conventionally, when various imaging adjustments are performed using an imaging signal, a plurality of circuits for adjusting the imaging are required, so that it is difficult to configure the adjustment circuit with a simple configuration. Met.

Further, even if a plurality of regions are provided and detection is performed in those regions, the regions are not necessarily the regions desired by the photographer, and depending on the pattern of the scene,
There also arises a problem that focus, brightness, and the like at a desired position are not always automatically adjusted. For example, if detection areas for autofocus are provided on the left and right sides of the screen, focus detection cannot be performed in the absence of the detection areas, for example, at the center of the screen. There is a problem that a hollow area occurs in which a distant background is focused without focusing on a subject.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and sets a plurality of detection areas for performing the imaging adjustment with a small-sized and simple configuration, thereby enabling an imaging control capable of accurately performing the imaging adjustment. It is an object to provide an apparatus and an imaging control method.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image pickup control unit for controlling an image pickup process for an image pickup processing means for picking up an object field and processing a generated image pickup signal. In the apparatus, the apparatus includes: an evaluation value calculation unit configured to generate an evaluation value for controlling an imaging process based on an imaging signal; and a control unit configured to control the imaging process based on the evaluation value. Are connected to outputs of a plurality of generating means for processing an imaging signal and respectively generating an evaluation value for controlling a plurality of imaging processing functions at the time of imaging, and Selecting means for selecting and outputting any of the outputs for each unit time according to the imaging signal, and setting and selecting a common integration area shared by a plurality of imaging processing functions in an image range formed by the imaging signal for the unit time; And a integrator for integrating the evaluation values of timing corresponding to the common integrating region of the output stage,
The control means inputs the integrated value based on the outputs of the plurality of generating means from the integrating means, and controls the imaging processing according to the integrated value corresponding to the imaging processing function.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging control method for controlling an imaging process for an imaging processing unit for imaging a scene and processing a generated imaging signal. Includes an evaluation value calculation step of generating an evaluation value for controlling the imaging processing based on the imaging signal, and a control step of controlling the imaging processing based on the evaluation value. Processing, generating a plurality of evaluation values for controlling a plurality of imaging processing functions at the time of performing the imaging, and generating one of the plurality of evaluation values generated in the plurality of generation steps by an imaging signal A selection step of selecting and outputting for each unit time according to the above, and a common integration area shared by a plurality of imaging processing functions in an image range formed by an imaging signal of a unit time, and a common integration area of a plurality of evaluation values is set. In the area An integration step of integrating the evaluation values at corresponding timings.The control step inputs the integrated values integrated by the plurality of generation steps from the integration means, and converts the imaging processing corresponding to the imaging processing function into the integrated value. Therefore, it is characterized by controlling.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a digital camera according to the present embodiment. The digital camera 10 is an imaging device that processes an imaging signal captured by an imaging unit 12 and records the processed signal on a recording medium 14 such as a memory card. In particular, the camera 10 is used to
Taking an image with appropriate photometry and distance measurement based on the output signal of 12, the image pickup signal is compression-encoded, for example,
Output to 14 mag. In the following description, portions not directly related to the present invention are not shown and described, and reference numerals of signals are represented by reference numerals of connection lines in which they appear.

The imaging unit 10 transfers an optical unit composed of an imaging lens, an aperture, an optical filter, and a solid-state imaging device, a driving circuit for driving the solid-state imaging device, and an imaging lens and an aperture to desired positions. (Not shown). The imaging unit 10 converts an object image formed on the imaging surface of the imaging device into an electric signal, and converts this into an imaging signal.
This is an imaging block that outputs as 100.

The solid-state imaging device is, for example, a CCD (Charge Cou
(pled Device) An image sensor is applied.
1280 pixels each in the (H) direction, each in the vertical (V) direction
This is a two-dimensional image sensor with approximately 1.3 million effective pixels that can capture high-resolution images of 1024 pixels. On the image pickup surface, a color filter in which micro filters of three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are arranged for each pixel is arranged. In this color filter, G pixels are arranged in a checkered pattern, R pixels and B pixels are alternately arranged therebetween, and R, G,
G stripes in the order of B, G, R, G, B, G,... Are applied. As a result, the same number of G component signals are output from the output of the image sensor in each field. With such a filter configuration, an evaluation value calculation operation described later is equivalently performed for each field. RGB image signal output from the image sensor in dot sequence
100 is input to the analog signal processing circuit 16. The drive mechanism has components such as a motor that adjusts the position of each lens in the imaging lens and the aperture of the stop according to a drive signal 102 supplied from a drive unit 18 described later.

A driving unit 18 connected to the imaging unit 12 includes a control unit
In response to a control signal 104 supplied from 20, a drive signal 102 for adjusting the focal position of the imaging lens is generated. In particular, when performing automatic focusing (AF) operation, the focus range of the imaging lens is scanned once from the near distance position to the infinity position to change the focus position, and the imaging signal 10 captured during that time is changed.
0, automatic exposure adjustment, automatic focus adjustment,
Control such as automatic white balance adjustment is performed.

The drive section 18 generates a drive signal for controlling the size of the aperture in response to a control signal 104 supplied from the control section 20, and further generates a drive signal for driving the solid-state image sensor. I do. These drive signals 102 control, for example, the electronic shutter speed and readout pixels of the image sensor. The drive unit 18 also has a zoom control function of receiving a control signal 104 according to the operation state and generating a drive signal 102 for adjusting the focal length of the imaging lens.

The analog signal processing unit 16 is a processing unit that clamps and amplifies the RGB image signal 100 output from the image pickup unit 12 to a predetermined reference level, and performs white clipping, white compression (knee) processing, and the like. . Signal processing unit 16
When amplifying the imaging signal, the white balance control for adjusting the level of each color component in the state of an analog signal in response to the white balance control signal 106 supplied from the control unit 20 may be performed.

An analog / digital (A / D) conversion processing unit 22 connected to the output 108 of the analog signal processing unit 16 converts the input RGB image signal 108 into a digital image signal of 10 bits each for RGB. This is a processing unit that outputs. A /
The output 110 of the D conversion processing unit 22 is
And the AF integration block 26 and the common integration block 28, respectively.

The digital signal processing unit 24 performs signal processing such as gamma processing, white balance adjustment and zoom processing on the input digital image signal 110, and processes the processed image signal in the recording / reproducing processing unit 30 and D / D A Output to the conversion processing unit 32. Further, the digital signal processing unit 24 has a function of inputting an image signal reproduced by the recording / reproduction processing unit 30 and outputting the image signal to the digital / analog conversion processing unit 32. The digital signal processing unit 24 has a function of inputting and outputting a digital image signal 112 to and from an external device such as another image processing apparatus. When the data transfer mode is set by the control unit 20, the digital signal processing unit 24 is connected to the input 112. Image data in a data format corresponding to the external device to be transferred.

The recording / reproducing processing unit 30 converts the image signal photographed by the camera 10 into an information recording medium 14 such as a memory card.
And a read-out unit which reads out an image signal recorded on the information recording medium 14 and outputs it to the digital signal processing unit 24. As the information recording medium 14, a cartridge-type memory card having a semiconductor memory such as an SRAM or a flash memory, a recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk in which information is stored by magnetism and / or light, and the like are applied. The recording / reproducing processing unit 30 has a function of compressing and encoding and decoding / reproducing an input image signal. For example, the recording / reproducing processing unit 30 transmits data encoded by a compression method and a compression ratio set by the control unit 20 to an information recording medium. Store it in 14. Further, the recording / reproducing processing unit 30 converts the image signal input to the input 112 into an NTSC
The signal is converted into a video signal 114 of a system or the like and output. For example, a general-purpose video device such as a television monitor device or a video printer is connected to the video signal output 114 to display a color image represented by an image signal or to print on a recording sheet.

A digital / analog (D / A) conversion processing unit 32 connected to the output of the digital signal processing unit 24 converts the output of the digital signal processing circuit 24 into an analog signal.
The display unit 34 and the recording / reproducing processing unit 30 connected to the output 112
Is a processing unit that outputs the data to The display 34 displays the input signal 11
A monitor device 36 for visually displaying a color image corresponding to 2;
And an operation unit 38 that detects operation information for the camera 10 and notifies the control unit 20 of the operation information. Monitor device 36 in the present embodiment
A color liquid crystal panel is applied, and functions as a finder that displays a video before shooting, a shot image, and an image read from the information recording medium 14. Monitor device
36 further includes various information 114 such as a menu for selecting a function, a cursor for specifying an area, and a frame image representing an area such as a focus area supplied from the control unit 20.
Is superimposed on the captured image and displayed.

The operation unit 38 is an input device that detects an operation state of the operator and notifies the control unit 20 of the operation. In this embodiment, a touch panel is advantageously used. The touch panel is superimposed on the above-described color liquid crystal panel, and allows a color image to be displayed to be transmitted therethrough and visually recognized by an operator. Further, when a desired location is pressed, the touch panel detects the position coordinates, and outputs coordinate data 116 corresponding to the detected coordinates to the control unit 20.

As a configuration for designating the position coordinates, an input device such as a joystick or a four-direction or eight-direction designation button may be used in addition to the touch panel. Further, even when a touch panel is used, the touch panel does not need to be particularly superimposed on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel. For example, the touch panel may be configured as a removable card that can be used alone. The display unit 34
Is configured by a computer system that is provided in the camera 10 main body and supplies necessary information to the control unit 20 through a network including a communication cable and a transmission path. Is also good. In this case, the monitor device constituting the computer system corresponds to the color liquid crystal panel in the present embodiment. In this case, the operation of the camera 10 is controlled using an input device such as a mouse or a tablet for specifying the position coordinates. can do.

The input switch 40 is an operation switch that detects an operation for a basic function of the camera 10 and notifies the control unit 20 of the operation. The switch 40 includes various switches such as a power switch, a release switch, a selection switch for setting the operation mode and function of the camera, and a zoom switch for increasing or decreasing the focal length of the imaging lens.

An autofocus (AF) integration block 26 connected to the output 110 of the A / D conversion processing section 22 calculates an evaluation value for performing automatic focus adjustment, and further evaluates the evaluation value in the basic mode of the camera 10. It has a function of integrating values.
The AF integration block 26 calculates a contrast evaluation value indicating the contrast of the image signal 110 in the detection area 42 shown in FIG. This detection area 42 forms a fixed focus area, and performs automatic focus adjustment based on the integrated value 118 of the evaluation value generated by the AF integration block 26 during automatic focus adjustment in the basic mode of the camera 10. Do.
In this embodiment, thereafter, the operation by the operator and the camera 10
Transition to the extended mode according to the setting of. In this extended mode, the evaluation values AFa and AFb calculated in the AF
Is supplied to a common integration block 28 described later, and automatic focusing is performed based on the integrated value 120 integrated in the common integration block 28.

The detailed configuration of the AF integration block 26 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The pre-gamma circuit 50 includes an A / D conversion processing unit.
This is a circuit for receiving a 10-bit parallel digital image signal 110 output from 22 (FIG. 1) and correcting the gamma of the image signal to an appropriate value using, for example, a look-up table. The output 200 of the pre-gamma circuit 50 is connected to G data sampling circuits 52 and 54, respectively.
This is a circuit for sampling component data. One of the data sampling circuits 52 has a zero interpolation function of inserting a value “0” at the output timing of the R and B components. The output 202 of the sampling circuit 52 is connected to a low-pass filter (LPF) 56, and the LPF 56 limits the bandwidth of the G component data to one half of the sampling frequency fs to remove sampling noise.

The output 204 of the LPF 56 is supplied to the horizontal integration circuit 58.
Are connected to the integrating circuit 58a and the integrating circuit 58b, respectively.
These integrating circuits 58a and 58b are provided with filter circuits a and b having different pass bands, respectively, and an evaluation value for calculating a contrast evaluation value of the detection area by integrating respective values of the outputs AFa and AFb corresponding to the detection area 42. And an integrating circuit. With such a configuration, an evaluation value in the detection area 42 shown in FIG. 6 is calculated, and imaging adjustment such as automatic focus adjustment is performed based on the evaluation value. Further, in this embodiment, particularly, the evaluation value AF output from each of the filter circuits a and b is used.
a, AFb are also supplied to the common integration block 28, and the common integration block 28 is also configured to be able to integrate the evaluation value of the predetermined area, which will be described later.

The internal configuration of the integrating circuits 58a and 58b will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The integrating circuit 58a includes a high-pass filter (HPF) 60a for passing a high-frequency component of the image signal 204, and an HPF 6
Absolute value circuit (ABS) 6 that generates an absolute value signal 302 that unifies the high frequency component 300 extracted by 0a into a positive polarity.
2a and a coring circuit 64a for performing a coring process on the absolute value signal 302 according to a coring value 304. These constitute a filter circuit a that outputs an evaluation value indicating the contrast information of the image signal to the output AFa.
The integration circuit 58b may also have the same configuration as the integration circuit 58a to form a filter circuit b. In this embodiment, the characteristics of the HPF 60b are set to a higher frequency than the HPF 60a in the integration circuit 58a, and the filter of the integration circuits 58a and 58b is set. The characteristics are set differently. As a result, it is possible to select an evaluation value used to focus on various pictures. The outputs AFa and AFb that output these evaluation values are
An evaluation value integration circuit 66a for integrating the evaluation value corresponding to 42;
It is connected to a common integrating block 28.

The evaluation value integration circuits 66a and 66b are operation circuits for setting a window corresponding to the detection area 42, integrating the contrast evaluation values in this window, and outputting the integration result for each field. Evaluation value integration circuit 66a, 66
b output 118a, 118b are connected to the control unit 20, respectively.
The control unit 20 controls the focal position of the imaging lens to a position where the evaluation value indicating the contrast of the captured image is maximized so that the image in the detection area 42 is in focus based on the integrated value 118.

Returning to FIG. 2, the output 206 of the other G data sampling circuit 54 is connected to the vertical integration circuit 56, and the vertical integration circuit 56 outputs the output 206 of the sampling circuit 54 as shown in FIG. 1H delay circuit 70 for delaying the output by one horizontal scan (1H) period, a subtraction circuit 72 for calculating the difference between the output 206 of the sampling circuit 54 and the output 400 of the 1H delay circuit 70, and an operation result 402 of the subtraction circuit 72. , And an absolute value circuit (ABS) 74 for calculating the absolute value. Further, the vertical integration circuit 56 is provided with the output signal 40 of the absolute value circuit 74.
4, a coring circuit 76 for performing coring processing in accordance with a predetermined coring value, and a one-horizontal evaluation value integrating circuit 78 for integrating the signal 406 for one horizontal scanning period subjected to coring processing.
And a peak hold circuit for holding the maximum value of each horizontal scan output 408 of the evaluation value integrating circuit 78 for each of a plurality of horizontal scan periods set by the peak hold section setting circuit 80
And 82. Further, the vertical direction integration circuit 56 includes an evaluation value integration circuit 54 that integrates the value 410 held by the peak hold circuit 82 and outputs the integration result as an evaluation value 118c representing contrast information in the vertical direction. This integrating circuit 54
Similarly, a window corresponding to the detection area 42 is set in the same manner as the integration circuit 66, and a contrast evaluation value in the vertical direction in the detection area 42 is generated.

The output 118c of the evaluation value integrating circuit 84 is connected to the control unit 20, and the control unit 20 performs focusing control based on the evaluation value representing the vertical contrast in the detection area 42.
Also in this control, as in the case of the detection area in the horizontal direction, the output of the integrating circuit that generates an appropriate evaluation value according to the pattern or setting is selected and used. When the integrated values held in each of the evaluation value calculating circuits 58a, 58b, 84 of the AF integrating block 26 are output, they are deleted by the integrated memory clear signal 122 supplied from the control unit 20 for each field.

Returning to FIG. 1, the common integrating block 28 generates an evaluation value for image adjustment such as automatic exposure adjustment (AE), automatic white balance adjustment (AWB) and automatic focus adjustment (AF). This is a common accumulation block for AWB and AF. The common integration block 28 in the present embodiment is configured to generate these evaluation values by sharing them in a time-division manner for each field, thereby preventing an increase in circuit scale.
Further, the common integration block 28 has a function of setting a detection area for calculating an evaluation value to a desired position on the imaging screen, and an evaluation corresponding to a pattern of the captured image or a position arbitrarily selected according to an operator's request. The control unit 20 obtains the value and performs desired imaging adjustment. Specifically, the common accumulation block 28 sets a detection area for detecting an evaluation value in a plurality of blocks at an arbitrary position, and divides and uses these detection areas for each field by each imaging adjustment function.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed configuration of the common integrating block 28.
The high luminance suppressing circuit 86 connected to the output 110 of the A / D conversion processing unit 22 (FIG. 1)
B is a circuit having a knee characteristic for compressing the level of the high luminance component of the image signal by, for example, table conversion. The high luminance suppression circuit 86 outputs 10-bit image data as 8-bit data with high luminance suppressed to the output AE / AWB to which the input data switching circuit 88 is connected.

The inputs of the input data switching circuit 88 include the output AE / AWB of the high luminance suppression circuit 86 and the outputs AFa,
AFb are connected to each other. Input data switching circuit
Reference numeral 88 denotes a selector circuit for selecting any one of the plurality of inputs and connecting to the output 90. Input data switching circuit 88
Is a switching signal for the field signal supplied from the control unit 20.
124, and input data is selected, for example, in units of one field. The switching circuit 88 supplies the data of each selected field to the evaluation value integration / integration memory control circuit 92 connected to the output 500.

This switching pattern is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, input from the first field # 1 sequentially
AE, AFa, AFb,... Are sequentially and repeatedly selected, or the input AE, AFa, AFb, AFa, AFb,. In addition, as shown in FIG.
AE, AFa, AFa, ...
If the in-focus state is not sufficiently detected in this state, for example, input AE, AFb, AFb, ... are selected repeatedly in succession, and the filter characteristics are switched halfway to obtain an appropriate in-focus state. To get. When the exposure and the in-focus state are obtained by the input switching, for example, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), the input AE is selected in the field #n, and the subsequent input is performed using the data input thereto. The white balance of the field is adjusted (AWB), and the image signal with the adjusted white balance is recorded on the information recording medium 14. The processing field for the white balance adjustment is not limited to the field just before the recording, but also before the field for calculating the evaluation value for performing the automatic focus adjustment, for example, as shown in FIG. May be inserted. in this way,
The input data switching circuit 88 is used to perform each imaging adjustment.
The input data is switched so that the signal of each field is shared on a time division basis for each function. In addition,
Such switching of the input data may be performed under the control of the control unit 20, and in this case, the operator may designate the switching order.

Register 94 connected to evaluation value integration / integration memory control circuit 92 (hereinafter referred to as evaluation value integration circuit 92).
Is a storage circuit that sets an evaluation value detection area in the imaging screen and further stores and holds a set value for dividing the detection area. The register 94 in the present embodiment has a function of storing and holding a set value for defining an integration block that divides the common integration area by an equal pixel area. The register 94 stores setting values indicating a horizontal (H) direction start position and a vertical (V) direction start position for setting a common integration area in the imaging screen, and sets a horizontal and vertical direction integration area start position, respectively. I do. Also, the register 94
A set value indicating the H direction area data width and the V direction area data width of the integration block divided by the common integration area is stored, and the horizontal and vertical integration area widths for equally dividing the common integration area are set. . In this embodiment, eight integration blocks are set in each of the horizontal and vertical directions in the common integration area.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, in the initial state, the start positions in the horizontal and vertical directions are each set to 0, the data width is set to 128 pixels in the horizontal and 160 pixels in the vertical, A total of 64 integration blocks 602, 8 × 8 blocks vertically and horizontally, are formed over the entire 600. As described above, the number of blocks is set to an appropriate value according to the start position of the common integration area 604 and the size of the integration block. In addition to this, a control signal 502 from the control unit 20 described later is added.
, A common accumulation area 604 and an accumulation block 602 corresponding to the range designated by the operator may be set. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a common integration area 702 can be set at an arbitrary position in the screen 700, and each integration block 704 can be set to a size of 60 to 80 pixels in length and width, for example.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of common integration areas 800a, 800
b can also be set. Further, as shown in FIG.
A common integration area 900 for dividing the entire screen into four parts or a common integration area 1000 as shown in FIG.

As described above, in this embodiment, the detection area for detecting the evaluation value of the desired portion is set according to the value stored and held in the register 94, and the integrated value in the integrating block within that range is obtained. This makes it possible to set various evaluation value detection areas according to the control by the control unit 20 and perform imaging adjustment with a high degree of freedom.

In this embodiment, as described above, the screen 60
By setting a plurality of integration blocks 602 of equal size with the entirety as the common integration area 604, the imaging adjustment is performed based on the desired integration value of the integration block 602 among the integration values in each integration block 602. Advantageously, a plurality of desired integration blocks 602 for integrating the evaluation values are selected by the operator's selection, and the imaging is adjusted based on the evaluation values of the selected integration blocks 602, thereby selecting the desired ones. Appropriate imaging adjustment according to the area.

Returning to FIG. 5, the evaluation value integration circuit 92 divides the storage area in the integration memory 96 based on the set value stored and held in the register 94, and corresponds to each integration block in the common integration area. By generating addresses, a plurality of types of evaluation values for automatic exposure adjustment, white balance adjustment, and automatic focus adjustment are generated in a time-division manner in each integration block.

More specifically, the evaluation value integrating circuit 92 has a function of controlling writing and reading of the integrated value to and from the integration memory 96 to set a common integrated area. Specifically, the evaluation value integration circuit 92 reads the value stored in each integration block of the integration memory 96, adds the next evaluation value to the value corresponding to the block, and updates the storage value of the integration memory 96. By repeating this, an arithmetic circuit for calculating integrated values for one field is included. For this purpose, the evaluation value accumulating circuit 92 supplies an accumulating memory 96 with a memory address, a write control signal, and a read control signal for the accumulating memory 96, and reads and writes data of an accumulating block assigned to a desired memory address. Has control function. This accumulation memory
Reference numeral 96 denotes a storage circuit for storing evaluation values sequentially integrated by the evaluation value integration circuit 92.

The evaluation value accumulation circuit 92 divides these storage areas into 64 areas of 8 blocks in length and width, and assigns storage addresses so that writing and reading can be performed for each integration block. As shown in the example of FIG. 6, the storage addresses are sequentially set to 00 from the upper left of the common integration area 604 set by the area start position, the area width, and the number of vertical and horizontal integration blocks.
Addresses from to 3F are assigned to each integration block.

The evaluation value accumulating circuit 92 accesses each accumulating block of the storage address corresponding to the start position and the data width set by the register 94 based on the address sent from the control unit 20. Thus, the evaluation value integrating circuit 92
Sets a common integration area in a predetermined portion of the screen as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 and reads out evaluation values individually stored in each integration block based on an address supplied from the control unit 20. . In this way, the evaluation value integration circuit 92 is configured to individually access each of the integration blocks specified by the control unit 20, accumulate and read out the integration value obtained by integrating the evaluation values of the specified integration block. I have. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the evaluation value integration circuit 92 may be configured to store the integration value in each of the integration blocks and read out only the integration value of the integration block specified by the control unit 20. Good.

At the timing of the field where the input AE / AWB is selected by the data switching circuit 88, the evaluation value integrating circuit 92 generates a luminance component from the input RGB signal of each color component and integrates the value. Then, a luminance evaluation value for automatic exposure adjustment is generated. Also, the evaluation value integrating circuit 96
At the timing of the field where / AWB is selected, each color component value is integrated to generate a white balance evaluation value for performing white balance adjustment. Further, the evaluation value accumulating circuit 92 accumulates the evaluation value for automatic focus adjustment at the timing of the field where the input AFa or the input AFb is selected by the data switching circuit 88. The evaluation value calculation circuit 96 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (5), each evaluation value integrated in each field is read from the integration memory 96 between the fields and output to the control unit 20. When the integrated evaluation value is output, the evaluation value integration circuit 92 erases the storage information of the integration memory 96 in accordance with the integration memory clear signal 122 supplied from the control unit 20, and starts the evaluation value integration processing of the subsequent fields. I do.

As described above, the evaluation value integrating circuit 92 in this embodiment is configured so that each integrating block of the common integrating area is shared by each function. Further, a plurality of different set values for each function may be stored in the register 94, and a different common integration area may be set for each field assigned to each function. It is possible to use integrated values calculated in different common integration areas and integration blocks.

Returning to FIG. 1, the control section 20 is a functional section for integrally controlling the entire operation of the camera 10 and photographing the scene. First, the control unit 20 has a function of detecting the on / off state of the operation unit 38 and the switch 40 and recognizing the operation by the operator. The control unit 20 performs automatic focus adjustment and actual shooting control in response to an operation on a release switch. For example, the control unit 20 includes a switch 40 and an operation unit 38.
The power of the camera 10 is turned on in accordance with the operation state detected in, and one of the operation modes of the photographing mode, the reproduction mode, the data transfer mode, and the recorded image editing mode is set. The control unit 20 causes the monitor device 36 to display an operation menu corresponding to the operation mode, and recognizes whether to perform the imaging adjustment only in the basic mode or in the extended mode when, for example, the imaging mode is set. In the basic mode in the present embodiment, the automatic focus adjustment is performed based on the integrated value of the evaluation value generated in the AF integration block 26.
After the processing in the basic mode, the evaluation value generated in the AF integration block 26 is integrated in the common integration block 28, and automatic focus adjustment is performed based on the integrated evaluation value. At this time, the control unit 20 recognizes the position coordinates specified by the operation unit 38 as a detection area for adjusting imaging, and associates the detection area with each integration block of the common integration area. The evaluation values for automatic exposure adjustment and white balance adjustment are
Common accumulation block 28 for both basic mode and extended mode
The integrated value of the evaluation value generated by is used.

In the extended mode, the control unit 20
Then, the range represented by the coordinate data is converted into an address corresponding to each integration block in the common integration area in the common integration block 28. The control unit 20 recognizes the integration block designated according to the operation as a focus area and an exposure detection area, and causes the monitor device 36 to display an image representing the area. The control unit 20 inputs the evaluation value for each shooting adjustment in the recognized integration block from the common integration block 28, and calculates by using each evaluation value and the number of integration blocks designated according to the operation. For example, a value obtained by summing the evaluation values of the designated integration blocks is converted into a value of the integration block unit or a value of the common integration area unit and normalized. As a result, the normalized integrated value can be used regardless of the size of the common integrated block or the specified number of integrated blocks.

The control unit 20 performs various imaging adjustments based on the normalized evaluation value supplied from the common integration block 28. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the control unit 20 inputs a luminance evaluation value generated in a field of a timing for performing automatic exposure adjustment (AE), based on the value, the electronic shutter speed and the aperture value are set. Is generated based on the exposure adjustment priority mode and the exposure correction value, and further generates a control signal for causing a strobe (not shown) to emit light in accordance with the evaluation value and supplies the control signal to the drive unit 18. Control unit
20 generates a zoom control signal for controlling the focal length of the imaging lens according to the operation state of the input switch 40.

When the control unit 20 inputs the contrast evaluation value generated in the field of the timing for performing the automatic focus adjustment over the entire detection area 42 or the integrated area specified according to the above operation, During scanning of the imaging lens, the position of the imaging lens in the field where the evaluation value is maximized is recognized, and a control signal for moving the imaging lens to that position is generated and supplied to the drive unit 18.
As a result, the focal position of the imaging lens is adjusted so that the desired subject is in focus.

When the in-focus state is obtained, the control unit 20 adjusts the level of each color component based on the white balance evaluation value generated by the common integration block 28 so that the captured image has a desired color temperature. A control signal is generated and supplied to the digital signal processing unit 24 or the analog signal processing unit 16. When the balance of each color component is adjusted, the control unit 20 causes the image signal of the next two fields to be processed by each unit, and causes the processed image signal to be recorded on the information recording medium 14 loaded in the recording and reproduction processing unit 14. Generate control signals.

As described above, the control unit 20 generates an integrated value read signal and an integrated memory clear signal and supplies them to the AF integrating block 26 and the common integrating block 28 in order to perform accurate imaging adjustment. The designated block designation signal is supplied to the common integration block 28. Further, the control unit 20 supplies a basic clock, which is a reference for the operation of the camera 10, to each unit and a switching signal 12 for each field.
4 is supplied to the input data switching circuit 88 of the common integration block 28, thereby causing the common integration block 28 to generate an evaluation value for imaging adjustment in the extended mode.

Further, the control unit 20 transmits a recording control signal for recording the picked-up image to the information recording medium
For example, the compression ratio and the compression method of the image are set according to the recording mode, and the image data of the image is recorded on the information recording medium 14 for each frame of the image.

The operation of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described. The power is turned on by the switch 40, and the operation mode is recognized by the control unit 20. Here, when the shooting mode is recognized, the imaging unit 12 is driven, and the imaging signal photoelectrically converted by the imaging element is read out and output for each field. This imaging signal 100 is
The image data is processed by the analog signal processing unit 16, the A / D conversion processing unit 22, and the digital signal processing unit 24, and the processed image data is converted by the D / A conversion processing unit 32 into an analog image signal for display. You. The converted image signal 112 is displayed on the display unit.
The captured image is input to the monitor device 36 and the captured image is displayed on the screen. On the other hand, the output 110 of the A / D conversion processing unit 22 is input to the common integration block 28 and the AF integration block 26, respectively. In the basic mode, the luminance evaluation value for adjusting the brightness is The gain for the image signal in the subsequent fields is adjusted by the analog signal processing unit 16 based on this. In addition, the contrast evaluation value for automatic focus adjustment is based on the image signal of each field and the AF integration block
Generated at 26.

The contrast evaluation value generated in such a state is input to the control unit 20, and the imaging lens is controlled to the lens position when the imaging signal for generating the maximum value is obtained. Then, when the release switch is fully pressed, white balance adjustment is performed based on the white balance evaluation value generated in the common integration block 28 using the image signals of the subsequent fields, and the image signals of the next two fields are further processed. The image data compressed and encoded by the recording / reproducing processing unit 30 and the associated photographing data are stored in an information recording medium.
Recorded at 14.

As described above, in the basic mode in this embodiment, the exposure adjustment and the white balance adjustment are performed based on the output 120 of the common integration block 28, and the automatic focus adjustment is performed.
This is performed based on the output 118 of the AF integration block 28. The automatic focus adjustment in the basic mode first requires the horizontal integration circuit.
Focus adjustment is performed using the output AFa of the filter circuit a in 58. If the maximum value of the evaluation value cannot be properly recognized at this time, the focus control is performed by using the output AFb of the filter circuit b. If focusing control cannot be performed accurately even by using the filter circuits a and b, the focusing control is performed using the vertical evaluation value 118c output from the vertical integration circuit 56.

During operation in such a basic mode, the operation unit
When an operation for designating an evaluation value detection area for performing photometry and distance measurement is performed on 38, in the present embodiment, the mode shifts to the extended mode, and the evaluation value is calculated according to the designated evaluation value detection area. I do. Specifically, the control unit 20 detects the position coordinate data corresponding to the operation, and recognizes the corresponding integration block in the common integration area. In this embodiment, the common integration area 604 is divided into 64 integration blocks 602, and the address of the integration block corresponding to the specified evaluation value detection area is output from the control unit 20.

In the common integrating block 28, the image signal input to the input 110 and the evaluation values input to the inputs AFa and AFb are switched in units of fields as shown in FIG. Evaluation values for white balance adjustment are sequentially generated, and the evaluation value integration circuit 92 outputs the evaluation value of the integration block corresponding to the address supplied from the control unit 20 from the integration memory 96 to the retrace period between each field. To the control unit 20.

In the control unit 20, in which the evaluation value 120 for each photographing adjustment is input from the common integration block 28, the input AE / AWB of the input data switching circuit 88 is the luminance evaluation value calculated in the selected field. Then, the luminance evaluation value of the integration block corresponding to the evaluation value detection area is input from the common integration block 28, and this luminance evaluation value is converted into an exposure value to determine an electronic shutter speed value and an aperture value. Based on these determined values, the control unit 20 controls the charge accumulation time of the solid-state imaging device in the imaging unit 12 and supplies a control signal for adjusting the aperture of the aperture to the driving unit 18. As a result, the object scene is imaged with the electronic shutter speed and the aperture value adjusted, and the image signal is output from the imaging unit 12.

Next, the control unit 20 controls the input data switching circuit 88
Is the contrast evaluation value calculated in the selected field, and the contrast evaluation value of the integration block corresponding to the evaluation value detection area is stored in the common integration block 28.
, And the position of the imaging lens corresponding to the field where the evaluation value is maximum is stored and held. Similarly, a contrast evaluation value when the input AFa of the input data switching circuit 88 is selected is input from the common integration block 28,
The position of the imaging lens corresponding to the field where the evaluation value becomes the maximum is updated and stored. When the maximum value is recognized by the control unit 20 based on the contrast evaluation value at each lens position of the imaging lens, for example, among the evaluation values when the input AFa or the input AFb of the switching circuit 88 is selected, the value is used. Is larger, and the control unit 20 determines the focal position of the imaging lens corresponding to the evaluation value. In accordance with the result of the determination, a control signal 108 for controlling the imaging lens to be at the focal position is supplied from the control unit 20 to the driving unit 18 to adjust the focal position of the imaging lens.

When the brightness adjustment and the focus adjustment performed based on the evaluation value corresponding to the specified evaluation value detection area are completed, the input AE / AWB of the input data switching circuit 88 is selected. The white balance evaluation value calculated in the field is input from the common integration block 28, and the level of each color component of the image pickup signal is adjusted based on the evaluation value to obtain white balance.

When the white balance adjustment is completed, the image signals of the subsequent two fields are input to the recording / reproducing processing unit 30 in a state where the luminance has been adjusted and the white balance has been adjusted in the same manner as described above. Being
The processed encoded data is written to the information recording medium 14 in a predetermined recording format together with the photographed data. The image data at this time is repeatedly sent from the digital signal processing unit 24 to the D / A conversion processing unit 32, and while the data is being written to the information recording medium, the image is displayed on the monitor device 36 and the data is being written. Is shown.

The photographing data recorded on the information recording medium 14 includes photographing information such as a photographing date and time, a shutter speed and an aperture value, an exposure correction value and the presence or absence of a strobe light, a compression encoding method, a compression ratio and an encoding. Although recording information such as a data length is included, the photographing data in the present embodiment further includes information for specifying a set common integration area, a specified integration block, and the like. Such photographing data is read from the information recording medium 14, and is used for image display during reproduction, image processing by an image processing device such as a computer, and file management.

As described above, in the common integration block 28 of the above embodiment, the luminance evaluation value for automatic exposure adjustment,
The contrast evaluation value for automatic focus adjustment and the white balance evaluation value for white balance adjustment are switched in a time-division manner for each field, and these evaluation values are integrated and stored in units of fields, and stored in a register 94. The integrated value corresponding to the integrated block designated by the control unit 20 is read out of the common integrated area set by the
To supply. Therefore, the control unit 20 can perform imaging adjustment of a plurality of functions such as exposure adjustment, focus adjustment, and color balance adjustment based on the integrated value corresponding to the evaluation value detection area set according to the operation.

As described above, since the common integration block 28 is used in a time-division manner for each function in order to realize the imaging adjustment of a plurality of functions, it is necessary to separately provide an integration circuit or the like configured for each function. Therefore, an increase in circuit scale is prevented.
Therefore, even in the case where the common integration block 28 is mounted in addition to the imaging adjustment circuit used in the conventional apparatus, high-performance imaging with good operability can be performed while avoiding an unnecessary increase in the circuit scale. An imaging adjustment device for performing the adjustment is provided. In this case, the AF integration block 26 including a filter for extracting contrast information for performing focus adjustment, etc.
And can be shared. Further, in the above embodiment, since the evaluation value detection area is specified by the input device such as the touch panel, the imaging adjustment based on the desired area selected as the area can be performed with good operability.

In the above embodiment, an arbitrary evaluation value detection area is designated by the touch panel. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an optical finder for visually recognizing the imaging range is provided. In such a case, a so-called line-of-sight input method may be adopted in which the direction of the pupil looking into the field of view in the viewfinder is detected according to the reflectance, and the position coordinates within the imaging range are selected. In this case, for example, it is recognized according to the position of the pupil whether or not one or a plurality of regions are designated among the 64 accumulated blocks, and an address for designating the accumulated block corresponding to the recognized region is provided. Generated by the control unit 20.

In the case where a plurality of unit areas are set, such as a block of integrated blocks or a plurality of common integrated blocks, the maximum evaluation value obtained in each area corresponds to each area. If the maximum value of such evaluation values is two or more for each predetermined unit area, the focal position of the imaging lens may be controlled to correspond to those maximum values, for example, to the middle or near distance side. It is preferable to adopt an evaluation value generated in a larger unit area size for imaging adjustment.

In the above embodiment, the input of the input data switching circuit 88 is selected for each field in response to the field signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
When the imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device is a frame signal, any of a plurality of inputs may be selected in frame units. Further, the input data switching circuit 88 is not limited to the input switching in the field unit or the frame unit, but is configured to divide a predetermined area in the imaging screen and switch the input at the boundary. Is also good. In this case, for example, the upper half and the lower half in the screen can be divided, and the common integration block 28 can be used for each of these half screens. With such a configuration, it is possible to share the common integration block in a time-sharing manner and generate an evaluation value or the like for controlling the imaging adjustment at each of the divided timings.

When a plurality of evaluation values are recognized by a plurality of imaging adjustment circuits, the captured images adjusted in different states of the imaging adjustment values are respectively stored in the information recording medium 14. It may be recorded. For example, according to the above-described embodiment, in response to one release operation, the input AFa is selected, shooting and recording are performed based on the generated evaluation value, and the input AFb is selected and generated. Photographing and recording may be performed based on the evaluation value obtained, and the captured image adjusted for imaging based on the evaluation value in the vertical direction may be recorded on the information recording medium 14 as occasion demands.

In the above-described embodiment, when performing automatic focus adjustment, the basic mode using the integrated value generated in the AF integrating block 26, and the common integrating block 28 in addition to this basic mode. Although the camera 10 including the extended mode using the integrated value described above has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.For example, the outputs AFa and AFb of the AF integrating block 26 may be used without using the integrated value generated in the AF integrating block 28. , An integrated value for focusing control may be generated in the common integrating block 28, and this integrated value may be used. In this case, for example,
By setting a common integration area constituting the detection area 42 shown in FIG. 12 and first performing focus adjustment based on the evaluation value in that area, the same as the case where the evaluation value integrated in the AF integration block 26 is used. Can be adjusted. In this case as well, the common integration area may be divided into a plurality of integration blocks, and the data of all the integration blocks may be used. It may be configured to calculate the converted evaluation value.

Alternatively, the entire common integration area may be set as the detection area 42, and various evaluation values may be generated based on the imaging signals of the entire imaging screen. When an evaluation value for automatic focus adjustment is generated in this way, focus adjustment is once performed based on contrast information of the entire screen, and a captured image in a state where focus is adjusted by the evaluation value is checked. The area can be designated and the focus can be readjusted so that the desired area is in focus.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of evaluation values corresponding to the imaging processing functions are respectively generated, the generated evaluation values are selected for each unit time, and the integrated value is obtained by time division. Various imaging adjustments can be performed based on the calculated integrated values. In this case, a plurality of detection areas necessary for the imaging adjustment are secured, and an integrated value corresponding to the detection areas is integrated by a common circuit in each imaging function, thereby obtaining an image with a high-precision and small-scale circuit configuration. It is possible to realize detection of an evaluation value for performing adjustment, and further, to perform fine-grained imaging adjustment suitable for the preference of the operator and the shooting situation. In addition, since it can be realized with a simple configuration, there is no burden even if it is used in addition to the conventional method, and multifunctional imaging adjustment such as exposure adjustment, automatic focus adjustment, and white balance adjustment Can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an AF integration block shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the horizontal direction integration circuit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a vertical integration block shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a common integration block shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a common integration area and an integration block.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a common integration area and an integration block.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a common integration area and an integration block.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of a common integration area and an integration block.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a common integration area and an integration block.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing generation of an integrated value and its readout timing.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a detection area by an AF integration block.

13 is a diagram showing an example in which input switching and imaging adjustment of the input data switching circuit shown in FIG. 5 are performed in field units.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Digital camera 12 Imaging unit 16 Analog signal processing unit 24 Digital signal processing unit 20 Control unit 26 AF integration block 28 Common integration block 34 Display unit 36 Monitor unit 38 Operation unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04N 5/335 G02B 7/11 D 9/04 G03B 3/00 A

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. An imaging control device for performing imaging control on imaging processing means for imaging an object field and processing a generated imaging signal, wherein the imaging control unit performs the imaging processing based on the imaging signal. An evaluation value calculation unit that generates an evaluation value for controlling the control unit, and a control unit that controls the imaging process based on the evaluation value, wherein the evaluation value calculation unit processes the imaging signal, A plurality of generating means for respectively generating evaluation values for controlling a plurality of imaging processing functions at the time of performing imaging; and a plurality of output means connected to outputs of the plurality of generating means, respectively, and any one of the plurality of outputs is supplied to the imaging signal Selecting means for selecting and outputting for each unit time according to: and setting a common integration area shared by the plurality of imaging processing functions in an image range formed by the imaging signal of the unit time; Integrating means for integrating the evaluation value of the timing corresponding to the common integration area in the output of the control means, wherein the control means inputs the integrated value based on the outputs of the plurality of generating means from the integrating means, and An imaging control device for controlling an imaging process according to an integrated value corresponding to a processing function. 2. The imaging control device according to claim 1, wherein the integration means divides the common integration area into a plurality of integration blocks, and sets each integration block as a detection area for the imaging processing. Outputting the integrated value in the detection area for each unit time, wherein the control means specifies the integrated block, and controls the imaging process based on the integrated value of the specified integrated block. Imaging control device. 3. The imaging control device according to claim 2, wherein the integration means includes: a register configured to store a set value for setting the detection area; an integration memory configured to calculate and store the integrated value; An integration control means for controlling the integration memory to generate the integrated value and reading out the integrated value of the integration block designated by the control means, wherein the integration control means performs the common integration based on the set value. Setting an area and the integrating block, integrating outputs of the generating means corresponding to the integrating block, and reading an integrated value of the integrating block specified by the control means; An imaging block designating an integration block corresponding to an operation among the integration blocks, and controlling the imaging processing based on the integration value read by the integration control means. Control device. 4. The imaging control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the imaging processing according to an integrated value generated for each imaging processing function based on the imaging signal. And an image pickup adjustment device that outputs an image pickup signal adjusted and picked up by the image pickup processing from the image pickup processing means. 5. The imaging control device according to claim 4, wherein the imaging processing includes a focus adjustment processing that adjusts a focus on the object scene based on the integrated value. Contrast evaluation value generating means for generating a contrast evaluation value representing the contrast of the object scene for performing focus adjustment based on the image pickup signal, wherein the control means is configured to perform the control based on an integrated value of the contrast evaluation values. An imaging control apparatus, which generates a control signal for controlling focus adjustment, and wherein the imaging processing means includes a driving means for performing the focus adjustment according to the control signal. 6. The imaging control device according to claim 5, wherein said contrast evaluation value generation means includes a plurality of filter means for extracting a contrast of said imaging signal, said plurality of filter means having different extraction characteristics. The selection means selects the output of the plurality of filter means for each unit time and outputs the selected output to the integration means, and the control means determines at least one of the integrated values respectively generated by the plurality of filter means. An imaging control device, wherein the focus adjustment is controlled based on an integrated value by three filter means. 7. The imaging control device according to claim 4, wherein the imaging processing adjusts an exposure defined by an aperture and a shutter speed of the imaging device based on the integrated value. An exposure adjustment process, wherein the plurality of generation units include a brightness evaluation value generation unit that generates a brightness evaluation value representing a brightness of a field for performing the exposure adjustment, and the control unit includes the brightness evaluation value. Based on the integrated value of
An imaging control apparatus, which generates a control signal for controlling the exposure adjustment, and wherein the imaging processing unit includes a driving unit for performing the exposure adjustment according to the control signal. 8. The imaging control device according to claim 4, wherein the imaging processing includes a signal level adjustment processing for adjusting a level of each color component signal of the imaging signal based on the integrated value. The plurality of generation units include a signal level evaluation value output unit that outputs a level evaluation value corresponding to each color component level of the imaging signal, and the control unit, based on an integrated value of the level evaluation values, An imaging control apparatus, which generates a control signal for controlling a level adjustment for an imaging signal, and wherein the imaging processing unit includes a signal processing unit for performing the level adjustment according to the control signal. 9. The imaging control device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit generates a control signal for adjusting a white balance of the imaging signal. 10. The imaging control device according to claim 8, wherein the control means controls the focus adjustment after controlling the exposure adjustment, and a desired focus state is set by the imaging processing means. An imaging adjustment device for generating an obtained imaging signal. 11. The imaging control device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit controls the focus adjustment to adjust a white balance with respect to the imaging signal when a desired in-focus state is obtained. An imaging control device, wherein an imaging signal whose white balance is adjusted by a processing unit is generated. 12. The imaging control device according to claim 2, wherein the device includes input means for detecting a detection area for the imaging processing in accordance with an operation, and wherein the control means includes: An imaging control device for designating an integration block according to a detection area to be detected. 13. The imaging control device according to claim 12, wherein the device includes a display unit that displays the scene image, and the input unit includes a display unit that displays the scene image on the display unit. An imaging control device, wherein the detection region is detected in response to the detection. 14. An imaging control method for performing imaging control on imaging processing means for imaging an object scene and processing a generated imaging signal, the method comprising: An evaluation value calculation step of generating an evaluation value for controlling the control step, and a control step of controlling the imaging process based on the evaluation value, wherein the evaluation value calculation step processes the imaging signal, and A plurality of generation steps for respectively generating evaluation values for controlling a plurality of imaging processing functions at the time of imaging, and any one of a plurality of evaluation values generated in the plurality of generation steps according to the imaging signal A selection step of selecting and outputting every unit time, and setting a common integration area shared by the plurality of imaging processing functions in an image range formed by the imaging signal of the unit time, and Both An integration step of integrating an evaluation value of a timing corresponding to a communication integration area, wherein the control step inputs the integration values integrated by the plurality of generation steps from the integration means, respectively, and An imaging control method, wherein a corresponding imaging process is controlled according to the integrated value. 15. The imaging control method according to claim 14, wherein, in the integration step, the common integration area is divided into a plurality of integration blocks, and each integration block is set as a detection area for the imaging processing. Outputting an integrated value in the detection area for each unit time, wherein the control step specifies the integrated block, and controls the imaging process based on the integrated value of the specified integrated block. Imaging control method. 16. The imaging control method according to claim 15, wherein in the integrating step, the common integrating area and the integrating block are stored in an integrating memory based on a set value stored in a register for setting the detection area. Setting, accumulating the evaluation value generated in the generation step corresponding to the accumulation block, storing the accumulated value in the accumulation memory, and reading out the accumulation value of the designated accumulation block from the accumulation memory. Wherein the control step specifies an integration block according to an operation among the plurality of integration blocks, and controls the imaging processing based on an integration value read in the integration control step. Control method. 17. The imaging control method according to claim 14, wherein the control step includes the step of controlling the imaging processing according to an integrated value generated for each imaging processing function based on the imaging signal. And adjusting the image processing so as to output an image signal adjusted and imaged by the image processing from the image processing unit. 18. The imaging control method according to claim 17, wherein the imaging processing includes a focus adjustment processing of adjusting a focus on the object scene based on the integrated value. A contrast evaluation value representing the contrast of the object scene for performing the focus adjustment is generated based on the imaging signal, and the control step controls the focus adjustment based on an integrated value of the contrast evaluation values. And controlling the focus adjustment in the imaging processing means. 19. The imaging control method according to claim 18, wherein, in the plurality of generation steps, the contrast of the imaging signal is respectively extracted by a plurality of filter units having different extraction characteristics. Selecting and outputting the outputs of the plurality of filter means for each unit time, wherein the controlling step comprises: selecting, based on an integrated value of at least one of the integrated values respectively generated by the plurality of filter means, An imaging control method comprising controlling focus adjustment. 20. The imaging control method according to claim 17, wherein the imaging process adjusts an exposure defined by an aperture and a shutter speed of the imaging device based on the integrated value. Including an exposure adjustment process, wherein the plurality of generation steps generate a luminance evaluation value representing the luminance of the object scene for performing the exposure adjustment based on the imaging signal; and the control step includes: Based on the integrated value,
An imaging control method, comprising: generating a control signal for controlling the exposure adjustment to control the exposure adjustment in the imaging processing means. 21. The imaging control method according to claim 17, wherein the imaging processing includes a signal level adjustment processing for adjusting a level of each color component signal of the imaging signal based on the integrated value. The plurality of generation steps output a level evaluation value corresponding to each color component level of the imaging signal based on the imaging signal; and the control step includes generating the imaging signal based on an integrated value of the level evaluation values. An imaging control method comprising: generating a control signal for controlling a level adjustment for the image processing unit; and controlling a level adjustment in the imaging processing unit. 22. The imaging control method according to claim 21, wherein the control step adjusts a white balance of the imaging signal as the level adjustment. 23. The imaging control method according to claim 21, wherein the control step controls the focus adjustment after controlling the exposure adjustment, so that a desired in-focus state is determined by the imaging processing unit. An imaging adjustment method, comprising: generating an obtained imaging signal. 24. The imaging control method according to claim 23, wherein, when a desired in-focus state is obtained by controlling the focus adjustment, the control step adjusts a white balance with respect to the imaging signal and performs the imaging. An imaging control method, wherein an imaging signal whose white balance is adjusted by a processing unit is generated. 25. The imaging control method according to claim 15, wherein the method includes an input step of detecting a detection area for the imaging processing in accordance with an operation, and the control step includes: An imaging control method, wherein an integration block according to a detection area to be detected is specified. 26. The imaging control method according to claim 25, wherein the method includes a display step of displaying the object scene image, and the input step includes an object scene image displayed in the display step. An imaging control method, wherein the detection area is detected according to the following.