Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus having a self-timer photographing function. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-277907 discloses a camera which has a function for photographing an image of an object by recognizing skin color information of the object and detecting the entrance of the object (that is, a person) to a frame to start a counting down operation by a self-timer for photographing. 
   However, the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-277907 determines the entrance of an object based on color information, thereby a similar color leads to an error detection, and if a person other than an object is inside the frame before the object person to be photographed enters there, the person will be detected as an object in the frame. That is, the technology is only useful in a scene with a skin color of a person to be detected against a background which includes no skin color component. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention was made in view of the above problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus which starts a self photographing once a desired condition is met, for a so-called self portrait which is the type a photographer photographs himself/herself by using a self-timer, and a group portrait, and provides a satisfying successful image. 
   The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, comprising: an image pickup element for receiving a light entered through a photographing lens from an object and continuously converting the light into an image signal, and outputting the image signal; an image data converting section for converting the image signal output from the image pickup element to an image data, and outputting the image data; a record indicating section for inputting a record indication of the image data; a self photographing setting section for setting a self photographing mode; a self-timer circuit for clocking a predetermined time of period in response to a receipt of an input of the record indication at the record indicating section in the state in which the self photographing mode is set by the self photographing setting section; a shutter control section for controlling exposure of the image pickup element in response to completion of the clocking of the predetermined time of period by the self-timer circuit; a recording section for recording the image data of the image signal output from the image pickup element in response to the exposure controlled by the shutter control section; and a display section for displaying at least the image data recorded in the recording section. 
   The photographing apparatus further comprises: a face detecting section for detecting a face area of an object based on the image data output from the image data converting section, in response to a receipt of an input of the record indication at the record indicating section; and a photographing control section for controlling the self-timer circuit to clock the predetermined time of period when the face detecting section detects at least one face area. 
   According to the present invention, when at least one face area is detected, a clocking is performed by a self-timer circuit for a predetermined time of period, and in response to the completion of the clocking for the predetermined time of period, the image pickup element performs a shutter operation, so that an image data corresponding to the image signal output from the image pickup element is recorded in the recording section. 
   That is, a self photographing is effected upon a detection of a face, which prevents a photographing of a failed image which does not include a face of a person in intending photographing a person. In particular, in generating a self portrait photograph where the photographer himself/herself is the object, after the photographer is away from the photographing apparatus operation, a clocking and a shutter control are performed to be able to obtain an image having the photographer in a proper position only when the photographer properly enters in the field angle. The proper entrance of an object in a field angle facilitates an automatic exposure control and automatic focusing control. 
   In the present invention, it is preferable that the photographing apparatus further comprises a number of persons input section which receives an input of any desired number of object persons to be photographed, and wherein the photographing control section controls the self-timer circuit to clock a predetermined time of period when the face detecting section detects face areas the number of which is equal to or more than that input to the number of persons input section. 
   That is, when the number of object to be photographed is settled in advance, the number can be input to start the clocking and the shutter control only when the number of face areas are detected, thereby an image having the number of face areas at proper positions can be obtained and an exclusion of a face area from the image can be prevented. 
   The photographing control section may control, upon a detection of a plurality of face areas by the face detecting section, to execute an automatic exposure control, an automatic focusing control, and a clocking of a predetermined time of period by the self-timer circuit for each certain face area among the plurality of face areas. 
   The above configuration allows an individual automatic exposure control and automatic focusing control to be performed for each detected face area, and then a clocking and a shutter control to be achieved, and these operations are fully performed for every face area. This means optimized images for the number of objects can be obtained for each of the objects by the continuous repetition of a self photographing under the individually optimized photographing condition (exposure and focus) for each object of a group portrait. 
   In the present invention, it is also preferable that the photographing apparatus further comprises a composition specifying section which receives a specification for a composition where each of the face areas of any desired objects is disposed to have a desired size, and wherein the photographing control section controls the self-timer circuit to clock a predetermined time of period when each of the face areas detected by the face detecting section is disposed to have a desired size at each of the specified compositions specified by the composition specifying section. 
   The above configuration achieves an image having any desired composition in which each face is disposed at a desired position to have a desired size even in self photographing. Therefore, for example, an image of an upper body of each object person may be taken. 
   In the present invention, it is also preferable that the photographing apparatus further comprises a face covering frame range specifying section which receives a specification for a face covering frame range where all of the face areas of any desired objects should be accommodated, and wherein the photographing control section controls the self-timer circuit to clock a predetermined time of period when all of the face areas detected by the face detecting section are accommodated in a face covering frame range specified by the face covering frame range specifying section. 
   The above configuration allows a clocking and a shutter operation to be performed only when each of the faces are accommodated in a desired face covering frame range, and prevents a shutter operation from being performed with the photographer and other objects being out of the field angle. 
   The present invention also provides a photographing method which is used in a photographing apparatus having an image pickup element for receiving a light entered through a photographing lens from an object and continuously converting the light into an image signal, and outputting the image signal; an image data converting section for converting the image signal output from the image pickup element to an image data, and outputting the image data; a record indicating section for inputting a record indication of the image data; a self photographing setting section for setting a self photographing mode; a self-timer circuit for clocking a predetermined time of period in response to a receipt of an input of the record indication at the record indicating section in the state in which the self photographing mode is set by the self photographing setting section; a shutter control section for controlling exposure of the image pickup element in response to completion of the clocking of the predetermined time of period by the self-timer circuit; a recording section for recording the image data of the image signal output from the image pickup element in response to the exposure controlled by the shutter control section; and a display section for displaying at least the image data recorded in the recording section. 
   The photographing method comprises the steps of: detecting a face area of the object based on an image data output from the image data converting section, in response to a receipt of an input of the record indication at the record indicating section; and making the self-timer circuit to clock a predetermined time of period upon a detection of at least one face area. 
   According to the present invention, a self photographing is effected upon a detection of a face, which prevents a photographing of a failed image which does not include a face of a person in intending photographing a person. In particular, in generating a self portrait photograph where the photographer himself/herself is the object, even through the photographer is away from the photographing apparatus operation, a clocking and a shutter control are performed to obtain an image having the photographer in a proper position only when the photographer properly enters in its field angle. The proper entrance of an object in a field angle facilitates an automatic exposure control and automatic focusing control. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front view showing a digital camera; 
       FIG. 2  is a back view showing a digital camera; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a digital camera; 
       FIG. 4  is a conceptual view showing a program implemented by a main CPU according to a first embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a photographing process according to a first embodiment; 
       FIGS. 6A to 6D  are views showing detections of a face area; 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a photographing process according to a second embodiment; 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are views showing detections of face areas; 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a photographing process according to a third embodiment; 
       FIGS. 10A to 10D  are views showing detections of face areas; 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a photographing process according to a fourth embodiment; 
       FIGS. 12A to 12D  are views showing detections of face areas; 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a photographing process according to the fifth embodiment; and 
       FIGS. 14A to 14D  are views showing detections of face areas. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Now, preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained below with reference the drawings. 
   First Embodiment 
     FIG. 1  is a front view showing a digital camera (hereinafter, simply referred to as camera)  100  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   The camera  100  has a lens barrel  60  on the front surface thereof, and the lens barrel  60  is provided with a built-in photographing lens  101  including a zoom lens  101   a  and a focusing lens  101   b , so that a movement of the zoom lens  101   a  in the direction of the optical axis enables a focal length adjustment, and also a movement of the focusing lens  101   b  in the direction of the optical axis enables a focus adjustment. 
   The lens barrel  60  advances and retracts between a wide angle end for the shortest focal length and a telephoto end for the longest focal length, both ends being set in advance, so as to be projected out of and housed in a camera body  180 . In  FIG. 1 , the lens barrel  60  is retracted in the camera body  180 . 
   The camera  100  is also provided with a lens cover  61  for protecting the photographing lens  101  by covering the front surface of the photographing lens  101  to shield it from the outside while the camera  100  is not operated for photographing, and for exposing the photographing lens  101  to the outside for image pickup. 
   The lens cover  61  is configured with an openable and closable mechanism for covering the front surface of the photographing lens  101  at its open position, and exposing the front surface of the photographing lens  101  to the outside at its closed position. The lens cover  61  is interlocked to a power button  121  to be opened/closed. In  FIG. 1 , the lens cover  61  is opened. 
   The camera  100  has a mode dial  123  provided with a central release button  104 , and a power button  121  on the top surface thereof, and has an electronic flash unit  105   a , an AF auxiliary light lamp  105   b , a self-timer lamp  105   c  and the like on the front surface thereof. 
     FIG. 2  is a back view showing the camera  100 . The camera  100  has a zoom switch  127  on the rear surface thereof. A continuous pressing of a telephoto (T) side of the zoom switch  127  causes the lens barrel  60  to be projected toward the telephoto side, and a continuous pressing of the other side (W) of the zoom switch  127  causes the lens barrel  60  to move toward the wide angle side. 
   The camera  100  also has an image display LCD  102 , a crosskey  124 , an information position specifying key  126  and the like on the rear surface thereof. The crosskey  124  is an operation system to set a display brightness control, a self-timer, a macro photography, and a flash photography at the top, bottom, left, and right portions thereof respectively. As explained below, a pressing of the bottom key of the crosskey  124  sets a self photographing mode in which a main CPU  20  causes a CCD image sensor  132  to operate a shutter operation after a clocking of the self-timer circuit  83  is completed. 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the camera  100  according to the first embodiment. The camera  100  is provided with an operating section  120  for various operations associated with a use of the camera  100  by a user. The operating section  120  includes a power button  121  for supplying power to operate the camera  100 , a mode dial  123  for selecting an auto photography, a manual photography or the like, a crosskey  124  for setting or selecting different menu or zooming, a flash operation button  125 , and an information position specifying key  126  for implementing or canceling the menu selected by the crosskey  124 . 
   The camera  100  is also provided with an image display LCD  102  for displaying a photographed image, reproduced image or the like, and an operation LCD display  103  for assisting the operations. 
   The camera  100  includes a release button  104 . A pressing of the release button  104  informs a main CPU  20  of a start of photographing. The camera  100  is switchable between a photographing mode and a reproducing mode by using a predetermined menu screen. The camera  100  is also provided with an AF auxiliary light lamp  105   b  having light emitting diodes (LED) for emitting a spot light to an object in a contrast AF mode, and a flash operation device having an electronic flash unit  105   a  for flashing light. 
   The camera  100  is also provided with a photographing lens  101 , an aperture  131 , and a CCD image sensor  132  (hereinafter, simply referred to as CCD  132 ) which is an image pickup element for converting the object image which is formed through the photographing lens  101  and the aperture  131  into an analog image signal. The CCD  132  generates an image signal by accumulating the charges generated by the object light incident on the CCD  132  for a variable charge storage time (exposure time). The CCD  132  sequentially outputs an image signal for each frame at a timing synchronized with the vertical synchronizing signal VD which is output from a CG section  136 . 
   When the used image pickup element is the CCD  132 , an optical lowpass filter  132   a  is provided thereto which removes unnecessary high frequency components in an incident light in order to prevent generation of a color error signal, moire fringe or the like. Also, an infrared cut filter  132   b  is provided for absorbing or reflecting the infrared rays of the incident light to correct the sensitivity characteristics inherent to the CCD sensor  132  which has a high sensitivity to a longer wavelength range. The optical lowpass filter  132   a  and infrared cut filter  132   b  may be arranged in any manner without being limited to any particular aspect. 
   The camera  100  is also provided with a white balance and γ processing section  133  which includes an amplifier where amplification factor is variable, for adjusting the white balance of the object image represented by the analog image signal from the CCD sensor  132 , controlling the slope (γ) of the straight line in the gradient characteristics of the object image, and amplifying the analog image signal. 
   The camera  100  is also provided with an A/D converting section  134  for A/D converting the analog signal from the white balance and γ processing section  133  into digital R, G, and B image data, and a buffer memory  135  for storing the R, G, and B image data from the A/D converting section  134 . 
   The R, G, and B image data obtained by the A/D converting section  134  is also input to an AF detecting section  150 . The AF detecting section  150  integrates and averages the R, G, and B image data on the basis of a predetermined divided area in one screen and a color component of the screen, and further calculates the integral average values Ir, Ig, and Ib of the R, G, and B image data for the entire areas for each frame. The integral average values Ir, Ig, and Ib are the received amounts of visible light in R, G, and B, respectively. 
   However, the received amounts Ir, Ig, and Ib of visible light in R, G, and B can also be detected by an optical sensor (not shown) other than CCD  132  which has sensitivities for each visible light in R, G, B. 
   The camera  100  is also provided with the CG (clock generator) section  136 , a CPU for metering/focusing CPU  137  a charging and flashing control section  138 , a communication control section  139 , a YC processing section  140 , and a power supply battery  68 . 
   The CG section  136  outputs vertical synchronizing signals VD for driving the CCD  132 , driving signals including a high speed output pulse P, control signals for controlling the white balance and γ processing section  133  and the A/D converting section  134 , and control signals for controlling the communication control section  139 . The CG section  136  receives control signals which are input by a metering/focusing CPU  137 . 
   The metering/focusing CPU  137  controls a zoom motor  110 , a focus motor  111 , and an aperture motor for aperture adjustment  112  to drive the zoom lens  101   a , focusing lens  101   b , aperture  131  respectively, so that the distance to the object is calculated (focusing), and the CG section  136  and the charging and flashing control section  138  are controlled. The driving of the zoom motor  110 , the focus motor  111 , and the aperture motor  112  is controlled by a motor driver  62 , control command for motor driver  62  is sent from the metering/focusing CPU  137  or the main CPU  20 . 
   The driving source of the zoom lens  101   a , the focusing lens  101   b , the aperture  131 , and the AF auxiliary light lamp  105  is not necessarily limited to various motors such as the zoom motor  110 , the focus motor  111 , and the aperture motor  112 , and may be an actuator for example. 
   The metering/focusing CPU  137  measures the brightness of the object (calculation of EV value) based on the image data (through image) periodically obtained (every 1/30 seconds to 1/60 seconds) by the CCD  132  when the release button  104  is half pressed (S 1  is on). 
   That is, an AE operation processing section  151  integrates the R, G, and B image signals output from the A/D converting section  134 , and provides the resultant integrated value to the metering/focusing CPU  137 . The metering/focusing CPU  137  detects an average brightness of the object (object luminance) based on the integrated value input from the AE operation processing section  151 , and calculates an exposure value (EV value) which is appropriate to photographing. 
   Then, the metering/focusing CPU  137  determines an exposure value including an aperture value (F value) of the aperture  131  and an electronic shutter (shutter speed) of the CCD  132  based on the obtained EV value and according to a predetermined program diagram (AE operation). 
   A full pressing of the release button  104  (S 2  is on) causes the metering/focusing CPU  137  to drive the aperture  131  based on the determined aperture value, control the diameter of the aperture  131 , and control the charge storage time at the CCD  132  via the CG  136  based on the determined shutter speed. 
   The AE operation includes aperture priority AE, shutter speed priority AE, program AE, and the like, and either operation is controlled to pickup image with a proper exposure, by measuring an object luminance and photographing with an exposure value, that is, a combination of an aperture value and a shutter speed, which is determined based on the measured value of the object luminance. This achieves an elimination of the troublesome process to determine an exposure. 
   The AF detecting section  150  extracts an image data, which corresponds to the detecting range selected by the metering/focusing CPU  137 , from the A/D converting section  134 . A focal position is detected using the characteristics of a high frequency component in the image data which has the maximum amplitude at the focused point. The AF detecting section  150  integrates the high frequency components in the extracted image data for one field so as to calculate an amplitude value. The AF detecting section  150  serially performs the calculation of the amplitude value while the metering/focusing CPU  137  controls the focus motor  111  to drive the zoom lens  101   a  to move within the movable range, that is between an infinite side (INF point) and a near side end (NEAR point), and sends the detected value to the metering/focusing CPU  137  when the maximum amplitude is detected. 
   The metering/focusing CPU  137 , after obtaining the detected value, issues a command to the focus motor  111  to cause the focusing lens  101   b  to move to the focused position corresponding to the detected value. The focus motor  111  causes the focusing lens  101   b  to move to the focused position, in response to the command issued by the metering/focusing CPU  137  (AF operation). 
   The metering/focusing CPU  137  is connected to the release button  104  by way of the communication with the main CPU  20 , and when a user presses the release button  104  halfway, the detection of a focused position is performed. The metering/focusing CPU  137  is connected to the zoom motor  110 , so that when the main CPU  20  acquires a command for a zooming in the TELE direction or WIDE direction by the zoom switch  127  from a user, a driving of the zoom motor  110  allows the zoom lens  101   a  to move between the WIDE end and the TELE end. 
   The charging and flashing control section  138  charges a flashing capacitor (not shown) for flashing the electronic flash unit  105   a  when powered by a power battery  68 , and controls the flashing of the electronic flash unit  105   a.    
   The charging and flashing control section  138  controls the power supply to the self-timer lamp (tally lamp)  105   c  and the AF auxiliary light lamp  105   b  so that a desired light amount can be obtained at a desired timing, in response to the start of the charge of the power battery  68  and the receipt of various signals including the half pressed/fully pressed operation signal of the release button  104  and the signals showing the light amount and flashing timing from the main CPU  20  and the metering/focusing CPU  137 . 
   The self-timer lamp  105   c  may use LEDs and the LEDs may be common to those used in the AF auxiliary light lamp  105   b.    
   The main CPU  20  is connected to the self-timer circuit  83 . When a self photographing mode is set, the main CPU  20  performs a clocking based on a fully pressed signal of the release button  104 . During the clocking, the main CPU  20  causes the self-timer lamp  105   c  to blink with the blinking speed being increased as the remained time decreases, through the metering/focusing CPU  137 . The self-timer circuit  83  inputs a clocking completion signal to the main CPU  20  upon the completion of the clocking. Then the main CPU  20  causes the CCD  132  to perform a shutter operation based on the clocking completion signal. 
   The communication control section  139  is provided with a communication port  107 . The communication control section  139  functions to perform a data communication with the external apparatus by outputting an image signal of the object photographed by the camera  100  to the external apparatus such as a personal computer having a USB terminal and allowing such an external apparatus to input an image signal to the camera  100 . The camera  100  has a function which is mimic to the switching function of a standard camera for photographing onto a roll of a film to switch between ISO film speeds 80, 100, 200, 400, 1600, and when a film speed of ISO 400 or more is selected, the amplification factor of an amplifier included in the white balance and γ processing section  133  switches to a high sensitivity mode in which the amplification factor is set to be higher than a predetermined amplification factor. The communication control section  139  disconnects the communication with an external apparatus during the photographing in a high sensitivity mode. 
   The camera  100  is further provided with a compressing/expanding/ID extracting -section  143  and an I/F section  144 . The compressing/expanding/ID extracting section  143  reads out an image data stored in the buffer memory  135  through a bus line  142  and compresses the image data, which is stored in the memory card  200  via the I/F section  144 . The compressing/expanding/ID extracting section  143  also extracts an identification number (ID) unique to the memory card  200  when it reads out an image data stored in the memory card  200 , so that the compressing/expanding/ID extracting section  143  reads out the image data stored in the memory card  200 , and expands and stores it in the buffer memory  135 . 
   A Y/C signal stored in the buffer memory  135  is compressed by the compressing/expanding/ID extracting section  143  according to a predetermined format, and then is recorded to a removable medium such as the memory card  200  or built-in high-capacity storage media such as a hard disk (HDD)  75  via the I/F section  144  in a predetermined format (for example, Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) file). A recording of a data to the hard disk (HDD)  75  or a reading of a data from the hard disk (HDD)  75  is controlled by the hard disk controller  74  in response to a command issued by the main CPU  20 . 
   The camera  100  is also provided with the main CPU  20 , an EEPROM  146 , a YC/RGB conversion section  147 , and a display driver  148 . The main CPU  20  provides overall controls of the camera  100 . The EEPROM  146  stores individual data and programs unique to the camera  100 . The YC/RGB conversion section  147  converts a color video signal YC generated at the YC processing section  140  into a three-color RGB signal, and outputs the converted signal to the image display LCD  102  via the display driver  148 . 
   The camera  100  has an AC adapter  48  and a power battery  68  removably attached thereto for an electric power supply from an AC power source. The power battery  68  may be a rechargeable secondary battery such as a Nickel-Cadmium battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, or a lithium ion battery. Alternatively, the power battery  68  may be a single use primary battery such as a lithium battery or an alkaline battery. The power battery  68  is mounted in a battery housing chamber (not shown) to be electrically connected to each circuit of the camera  100 . 
   When the AC adapter  48  is mounted to the camera  100  for an electric power supply from the AC power source to the camera  100  via the AC adapter  48 , even if the power battery  68  is mounted to the battery housing chamber, the electric power output from the AC adapter  48  has the priority to be supplied to each section of the camera  100  as a driving electric power. When the AC adapter  48  is not mounted to the camera  100  and the power battery  68  is mounted to the battery housing chamber, the electric power output from the power battery  68  is supplied to each section of the camera  100  as a driving electric power. 
   Although not shown, the camera  100  is provided with a backup battery other than the power battery  68  which is mounted to the battery housing chamber. The built-in backup battery may be a dedicated secondary battery which is charged by the power battery  68 , for example. The backup battery supplies power to the basic functions of the camera  100  when the power battery  68  is not mounted to the battery housing chamber for its replacement or removal. 
   That is, a stoppage of power supply from the power battery  68  or the AC adapter  48  causes a switching circuit (not shown) to connect the backup battery to a RTC  15  for a power supply to the circuits. This enables a continuous power supply to the basic functions including the RTC  15  until the end of the useful life of the backup battery  29 . 
   The RTC (Real Time Clock)  15  is a dedicated chip for clocking, and remains in continuous operation with the electric power supply from the backup battery even while a power supply from the power battery  68  or the AC adapter  48  is stopped. 
   The image display LCD  102  is provided with a back light  70  which illuminates a transmissive or semi-transmissive liquid crystal panel  71  from its rear surface side, and in a power saving mode, the main CPU  20  controls the brightness (luminance) of the back light  70  via a backlight driver  72 , so that the power consumption by the back light  70  can be reduced. The power saving mode can be turned on/off when the information position specifying key  126  of the operation section  120  is pressed to cause the image display LCD  102  to display a menu screen and a predetermined operation is executed on the menu screen. 
     FIG. 4  is a block diagram conceptually showing a program according to a first embodiment, which is implemented by the main CPU  20 . The main CPU  20  reads out the face detecting section  20   a , the photographing control section  20   b , and the display control section  20   c  which are the programs stored in a computer readable storage medium such as an EEPROM  146  or a hard disk  75  into the RAM  145  and executes them. These sections may be simply referred to a program. 
   The face detecting section  20   a  detects a face area including the face part of a person from the through image which is sequentially stored in the buffer memory  135  or an image from memory card  200 . The detection of the face area may be performed by using the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-101579 filed by the assignee of the present invention. 
   In the technology, it is determined if the color tone of each pixel in the photographed image is within the skin color range or not so that a skin color region and a non skin color region of the image are divided, and an edge in the image is detected so that every point of the image is categorized into an edge part or a non-edge part. Then, a region which locates in the skin color region, is consisted of the pixels categorized as the non-edge part, and is surrounded by the pixels determined to be the edge part is extracted as a face candidate region, and then it is determined if the extracted face candidate region corresponds to the face of the person or not, thereby a region is detected as a face area based on the determined result. Alternatively, a face area may be detected by using the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-209683 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-199221. 
   The photographing control section  20   b  executes a photographing process which will be explained below. 
   The display control section  20   c  sends a command to a built-in OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  in the driver  148  to generate a signal to display character and symbol information including shutter speed, aperture value, maximum number of photographs that can be taken, date and time of photographing, warning message, and graphical user interface (GUI). Then, the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  outputs a signal which is mixed with the image signal from a YC/RGB converting section  147  as needed to be supplied to the liquid crystal panel  71 . This allows a combined image which includes a through image or reproduced image on which the characters and the like are superimposed thereto to be displayed. 
   Now, with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 , the flow of the photographing process executed by the CPU  20  will be explained below. 
   At S 0 , while the through image is displayed on the LCD  102  in response to the “Photographing Mode” setting, in accordance with the activation of “Face Search Function” by the operating section  120 , the display control section  20   c  controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon I 1  (see  FIG. 6A ) which shows the Face Search Function setting on the through image. The term “Face Search Function” as used herein is a function to detect a face from a through image by the face detecting section  20   a.    
   At S 1 , the photographing control section  20   b  sets a predetermined clock time T 0  (for example, for 10 seconds) to the self-timer circuit  83 , in response to the self photographing mode setting by the operating section  120 . The display control section  20   c , in response to the self photographing mode setting, controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon I 2  (see  FIG. 6B ) which shows the self photographing mode setting on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 2 , the photographing control section  20   b  detects a fully pressed signal (or half pressed signal) of the release button  104 , and the process goes to S 3  in response to the detection. 
   At S 3 , the face detecting section  20   a  detects a face area based on the through image. The display control section  20   c  controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon  13  (see  FIG. 6C ) which shows that a face detection is being performed on the through image to be combined thereto. Until a face is detected, the icon I 1  or I 3  may be blinked. 
   At S 4 , the face detecting section  20   a  determines if at least one face area is detected from the through image or not. When at least one face area is detected, the process goes to S 5 . When no face area is detected, the process goes back to S 3  to continue the face detection. However, if no face area is still detected after face detection for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds), the photographing process may be ended. When at least one face area is detected, supply of the video signal of the icon I 1  or I 3  may be stopped. 
   At S 5 , the self-timer circuit  83  clocks a predetermined waiting time T 0 . During the clocking, the self-timer circuit  83  causes a self-timer lamp  105   c  to blink in a blinking pattern in which the blinking speed is increased as the remained amount of the predetermined waiting time decreases, via the metering/focusing CPU  137 . The blinking pattern informs the object that the clocking is started upon the detection of the object&#39;s face, so that the object can prepare for the shutter operation after the clocking. 
   At S 6 , during the clocking of the predetermined waiting time T 0  by the self-timer circuit  83 , the face detecting section  20   a  monitors if no face area is detected from the through image at all. When the face detecting section  20   a  determines that no face area is detected from the through image, the self-timer circuit  83  stops the clocking of the waiting time, and the process goes back to S 3  to resume the face detection. This avoids a recording of a failed image in which the object&#39;s face is out of the field angle, during the waiting time. 
   At S 7 , the self-timer circuit  83  determines if the clocking of the predetermined waiting time T 0  is completed or not, and repeats S 5  to S 7  until the clocking is completed. Upon the completion of the clocking, the self-timer circuit  83  outputs a clocking completion signal to the main CPU  20 , and the process goes to S 8 . 
   At S 8 , the main CPU  20  performs an AF/AE/AWB (Auto White Balance) adjusting operation and the like for the face area detected by the face detecting section  20   a , and locks the focal position and the exposure value which are obtained by the operation. The display control section  20   c  may control the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon I 4  (see  FIG. 6D ) which shows that the focal position of the face area detected by the face detecting section  20   a  is locked on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 9 , after the completion of the AF and AE operation, the main CPU  20  immediately causes the CCD  132  to perform the shutter operation so as to acquire an image for recording. The acquired image data is stored in a memory card  200  (or HDD  75 ). When the image acquisition is completed, the self-timer lamp  105   c  may be set to blink in a unique pattern which is different from that for clocking to inform a success of the photographing. Alternatively, a sounding chime may be used to inform a success of a photographing. 
   The process at S 8  may be performed during the processes at S 5  to S 7 . However, as shown in  FIG. 5 , it is preferred to perform the AF and AE operation after the completion of the clocking of a predetermined waiting time T 0 , that is, just before a photographing. During the photographing process, if the power button  121  is pressed or the process is cancelled by using the information position specifying key  126 , the photographing process may be stopped. 
   According to the above described processes, during a photographing using a self-timer, the clocking of predetermined waiting time T 0  is started only when a face of a person is detected. Therefore, even when a photographer himself/herself is an object, a self photographing can be achieved without fail with the face being in the field angle. Even when the face goes out of the field angle during the clocking, the clocking will be resumed after the detection of the face, resulting in that the photographer who is the object does not have to worry that the self photographing might be performed without knowing whether his/her face is in the field angle or not. 
   Second Embodiment 
     FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a photographing process according to a preferred second embodiment of the present invention. 
   At S 11 , in accordance with the activation of “Face Search Function” by the operating section  120 , an icon I 1  is displayed. 
   At S 12 , the photographing control section  20   b , in response to the self photographing mode setting, sets a predetermined clock time T 0  (for example, for 10 seconds) to the self-timer circuit  83 . The display control section  20   c , in response to the self photographing mode setting, controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon I 2  (see  FIG. 8A ) which shows the self photographing mode setting on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 13 , the photographing control section  20   b  receives an input of the number of objects to be photographed from the operating section  120 . The display control section  20   c  controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon I 5  (see  FIG. 8A ) which shows the input number of persons on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 14 , the photographing control section  20   b  detects a fully pressed signal (or half pressed signal) of the release button  104 , and the process goes to S 15  in response to the detection. 
   At S 15 , the face detecting section  20   a  detects the face areas of the input number of persons based on the through image. 
   At S 16 , the face detecting section  20   a  determines if the face areas of the input number of persons are detected from the through image or not. When the face areas of the number of persons are detected, the process goes to S 17 . When the face areas of the number of persons are not detected at all, the process goes back to S 15  to continue the face detection. However, if the face areas of the number of persons are not still detected after detection for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds), the detection process may be ended. 
   At S 17 , the self-timer circuit  83  clocks a predetermined waiting time T 0 . During the clocking, the self-timer circuit  83  causes a self-timer lamp  105   c  to blink in a blinking pattern in which the blinking speed is increased as the remained amount of the predetermined waiting time decreases, via the metering/focusing CPU  137 . 
   At S 18 , during the clocking of the predetermined waiting time T 0  by the self-timer circuit  83 , the face detecting section  20   a  monitors whether no face area is detected from the through image. When the face detecting section  20   a  determines that no face area of the number of persons is detected from the through image, the self-timer circuit  83  stops the clocking of the waiting time, and the process goes back to S 15  to resume the face detection. 
   At S 19 , the self-timer circuit  83  determines if the clocking of the predetermined waiting time T 0  is completed or not, and repeats S 17  to S 19  until the clocking is completed. Upon the completion of the clocking, the self-timer circuit  83  outputs a clocking completion signal to the main CPU  20 , and the process goes to S 20 . 
   At S 20 , the main CPU  20  performs an AF and AE operation on a face area which has the highest priority among the face areas detected by the main CPU  20  (for example, the face area having the largest surface area, the face area detected with the utmost accuracy, or the face area arranged at a position which is optionally specified for a face area having the highest priority by the operating section  120 , such as the center of the field angle), and locks the focal position and the exposure value obtained by the operation. The display control section  20   c  may control the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon J (see  FIG. 8B ) which shows the face area detected by the face detecting section  20   a  on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 21 , upon the completion of the AF and AE operation, the main CPU  20  causes the CCD  132  to perform a shutter operation so as to acquire an image for recording. The acquired image data is stored in the memory card  200  (or HDD  75 ). 
   According to the above described processes, during photographing using a self-timer, the clocking of predetermined waiting time To is started only when the optionally specified number of faces are detected. Therefore, a self photographing can be achieved without fail with the number of faces being in the field angle, and particularly when a photographer is the object, an exclusion of the photographer out of the field angle can be prevented. Even when the face goes out of the field angle during the clocking, the clocking will be resumed after the detection of the face, therefore, the photographer does not have to set self timer mode again and again. 
   Third Embodiment 
     FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a photographing process according to a preferred third embodiment of the present invention. 
   At S 31 , in accordance with the activation of “Face Search Function” by the operating section  120 , the icon I 1  is displayed. 
   At S 32 , the photographing control section  20   b , in response to the self photographing mode setting, sets a predetermined clock time T 0  (for example, for 10 seconds) to the self-timer circuit  83 . The display control section  20   c , in response to the self photographing mode setting, controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon I 2  (see  FIG. 10A ) which shows the self photographing mode setting on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 33 , the display control section  20   c , in accordance with the activation of “Face Continuous Shooting Function” by the operating section  120 , controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon  16  (see  FIG. 10A ) which shows the face continuous shooting function setting on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 34 , the photographing control section  20   b  detects a fully pressed signal (or half pressed signal) of the release button  104 , and the process goes to S 35  in response to the detection. 
   At S 35 , face detecting section  20   a  detects the face areas of the input number of persons based on the through image. 
   At S 36 , the face detecting section  20   a  determines if the face areas are detected from the through image or not. When the face areas are detected, the process goes to S 37 . When the face areas are not detected, the process goes back to S 35  to continue the face detection. However, if the face areas are not still detected after detection for a predetermined time (for example, for 10 seconds), the detection process may be ended. 
   S 37  to S 44  are a unit process which is repeated for the detected face area, and S 39  to S 43  are repeated for all the detected face areas. 
   At S 38 , the self-timer circuit  83  clocks a predetermined waiting time T 0 . During the clocking, the self-timer circuit  83  causes a self-timer lamp  105   c  to blink in a blinking pattern (clock blinking pattern) in which the blinking speed is increased as the remained amount of the predetermined waiting time decreases, via the metering/focusing CPU  137 . 
   At S 39 , during the clocking of the predetermined waiting time To by the self-timer circuit  83 , the face detecting section  20   a  monitors if no face area of the number of persons is detected from the through image. When the face detecting section  20   a  determines that no face area is detected from the through image, the self-timer circuit  83  stops the clocking of the waiting time, and the process goes back to S 35  to resume the face detection. 
   At S 40 , the self-timer circuit  83  determines if the clocking of the predetermined waiting time T 0  is completed or not, and repeats S 39  until the clocking is completed. Upon the completion of the clocking, the self-timer circuit  83  outputs a clocking completion signal to the main CPU  20 , and the process goes to S 41 . 
   At S 41 , the main CPU  20  performs an AF and AE operation on a certain face area defined in the predetermined order, among the face areas detected by the face detecting section  20   a , (for example, the face area which is specified from the left side to the right side of the field angle one by one), and locks the focal position and the exposure value obtained by the operation. The display control section  20   c  controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to change the attributes (line width, color, dashed line pitch, and the like) of a video signal of the icon which shows a certain face area the focus of which is locked among the icons I 7 - 1 , I 7 - 2 , I 7 - 3  . . . (see  FIGS. 10B to 10D ) showing the face areas detected by the face detecting section  20   a.    
   In  FIGS. 10B to 10D , the attributes of the icons I 7 - 1 , I 7 - 2 , and I 7 - 3  are changed respectively. 
   At S 42 , upon the completion of the AF and AE operation, the main CPU  20  causes the CCD  132  to perform a shutter operation so as to acquire an image for recording. The acquired image data is stored in the memory card  200  (or HDD  75 ). 
   At S 43 , the process waits for a predetermined waiting time T 1  (for example, for 5 seconds), and goes to S 44  after the waiting time T 1  has passed. 
   At S 44 , it is determined if the unit process from S 38  to S 42  is performed on every face area or not, and if not yet, the process goes back to S 38  to repeat the processes from S 38  to S 42  for the next face area. If the unit process has been performed already for every face area, the photographing process ends. 
   According to the above described processes, a photographing is repeated under an optimized condition for each of the plurality of objects in the field angle, which enables a continuous photographing of images under an optimized condition for each of the objects for the number of objects whose faces are detected without troubling a photographer. 
   Fourth Embodiment 
     FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a photographing process according to a preferred fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
   At S 51 , an icon I 1  is displayed in accordance with the activation of “Face Search Function” by the operating section  120 . 
   At S 52 , the photographing control section  20   b , in response to the self photographing mode setting, sets a predetermined clock time T 0  (for example, 10 seconds) to the self-timer circuit  83 . The display control section  20   c , in response to the self photographing mode setting, controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon I 2  (see  FIG. 12A ) which shows the self photographing mode setting on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 53 , the photographing control section  20   b  receives a specification of the desired composition of one or more objects to be photographed (i.e. a size and a position for the face area of each object) from the operating section  120 . The display control section  20   c  controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display video signals of icons I 8 - 1 , I 8 - 2  . . . (see  FIG. 12A ) which shows the specified desired composition on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 54 , the photographing control section  20   b  detects a fully pressed signal (or half pressed signal) of the release button  104 , and the process goes to S 55  in response to the detection. 
   At S 55 , the face detecting section  20   a  detects a face area based on the through image. The display control section  20   c  may control the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to change the attributes such as color, line width, and dashed line pitch of the icons I 8 - 1 , I 8 - 2  . . . (see  FIG. 12A ) so as to show that a face detection is being performed. 
   At S 56 , the face detecting section  20   a  determines if the size and position of each of the face areas detected from the through image fits with each of the specified compositions or not. When each face area fits with each composition, the process goes to S 57 . When one of the face areas does not fit with the composition, or if the same number of face areas as those of the compositions cannot be detected, the process goes back to S 55  to continue the face detection. However, if a face area is still not detected after detection for a predetermined time (for example, for 10 seconds) or if the face areas does not fit with the compositions, the detection process may be ended. 
   The display control section  20   c  may control the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to change the attributes such as color, line width, and dashed line pitch of the icons I 8 - 1 , I 8 - 2  . . . (see  FIG. 12A ) so as to show that a detected face area fits or does not fit with a corresponding composition. 
   For example, it is assumed that a composition having an upper body of an object therein as shown in  FIG. 12A  is specified. The icons I 8 - 1 , I 8 - 2  . . . show the following states by the changed line widths respectively: in  FIG. 12B , none of the face areas of an object M 1  on the left side and an object M 2  on the right side fit with the composition; in  FIG. 12C , the face area of an object M 1  on the left side fits with the composition (i.e. the upper body of the object M 1  is positioned in the frame) and the face area of an object M 2  on the right side does not fit with the composition; and in  FIG. 12D , both of the face areas of an object M 1  on the left side and an object M 2  on the right side fit with the composition (i.e. the upper bodies of the object M 1  on the left side and the object M 2  on the right side are positioned in the frame). 
   At S 57 , the self-timer circuit  83  clocks a predetermined waiting time T 0 . During the clocking, the self-timer circuit  83  causes a self-timer lamp  105   c  to blink in a blinking pattern (clock blinking pattern) in which the blinking speed is increased as the remained amount of the predetermined waiting time decreases, via the metering/focusing CPU  137 . 
   At S 58 , during the clocking of the predetermined waiting time T 0  by the self-timer circuit  83 , the face detecting section  20   a  monitors if there is any face area detected from the through image which does not fit with the composition. When it is determined that there is a face area which does not fit with the composition, the self-timer circuit  83  stops the clocking of the waiting time, and the process goes back to S 55  to resume the face detection. 
   At S 59 , the self-timer circuit  83  determines if the clocking of the predetermined waiting time T 0  is completed or not, and repeats the processes at S 57  to S 59  until the clocking is completed. Upon the completion of the clocking, the self-timer circuit  83  outputs a clocking completion signal to the main CPU  20 , and the process goes to S 60 . 
   At S 60 , the main CPU  20  performs an AF and AE operation on the face area detected by the face detecting section  20   a , and locks the focal position and the exposure value obtained by the operation. The display control section  20   c  controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display video signals of an icon which shows the face area detected by the face detecting section  20   a  and an icon  16  (see  FIG. 8B ) which shows a certain face area the focus of which is locked on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 61 , upon the completion of the AF and AE operation, the main CPU  20  causes the CCD  132  to perform a shutter operation so as to acquire an image for recording. The acquired image data is stored in the memory card  200  (or HDD  75 ). 
   According to the above described processes, during photographing using a self-timer, a clocking of the predetermined waiting time T 0  is started only when the detected face is fitted with the optionally specified composition. Therefore, a self photographing can be achieved without fail with the face of an object to be photographed being fitted in an optionally specified composition. 
   Fifth Embodiment 
     FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a photographing process according to a preferred fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
   At S 71 , an icon I 1  is displayed in accordance with the activation of “Face Search Function” by the operating section  120 . 
   At S 72 , the photographing control section  20   b , in response to the self photographing mode setting, sets a predetermined clock time T 0  (for example, 10 seconds) to the self-timer circuit  83 . The display control section  20   c , in response to the self photographing mode setting, controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon I 2  (see  FIG. 14A ) which shows the self photographing mode setting on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 73 , the photographing control section  20   b  receives a specification of a frame range into which one or more objects to be photographed are accommodated from the operating section  120 . The display control section  20   c  controls the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to display a video signal of an icon I 9  (see  FIG. 14B ) which shows the specified desired frame range on the through image to be combined thereto. 
   At S 74 , the photographing control section  20   b  detects a fully pressed signal (or half pressed signal) of the release button  104 , and the process goes to S 75  in response to the detection. 
   At S 75 , the face detecting section  20   a  detects a face area based on the through image. The display control section  20   c  may control the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to change the attributes such as color, line width, and dashed line pitch of the icon I 9  so as to show that face detection is being performed. 
   At S 76 , the face detecting section  20   a  determines if the face areas detected from the through image are accommodated in the specified frame range or not. When every face area is accommodated in the specified frame range, the process goes to S 77 . When at least one of the face areas is not accommodated in the specified frame range, or if no face area is detected, the process goes back to S 74  to continue the face detection. However, if any of face areas is not accommodated in the specified frame range or if a face is still not detected after detection for a predetermined time (for example, for 10 seconds), the detection process may be ended. 
   The display control section  20   c  may control the OSD signal generating circuit  148   a  to change the attributes such as color, line width, and dashed line pitch of the icon I 9  so as to show that a detected face area is or is not accommodated in a specified frame range. 
   For example, the icon  19  shows the following states by the changed line widths respectively: in  FIG. 14B , the face areas of three objects M 1  to M 3  who stand in front of the camera  100  are accommodated in the specified frame range, but the face area of a photographer M 0  who is going to be a new object is not accommodated in the specified frame range; in  FIG. 14C , the face areas of the object M 0  on the left side and the object M 3  on the right side are not accommodated in the specified frame range; and in  FIG. 14D , all of the face areas of the objects M 1  to M 4  are accommodated in the specified frame range. 
   At S 77 , the self-timer circuit  83  clocks a predetermined waiting time T 0 . During the clocking, the self-timer circuit  83  causes a self-timer lamp  105   c  to blink in a blinking pattern (clock blinking pattern) in which the blinking speed is increased as the remained amount of the predetermined waiting time decreases, via the metering/focusing CPU  137 . 
   At S 78 , during the clocking of predetermined waiting time T 0  by the self-timer circuit  83 , the face detecting section  20   a  monitors if there is any face area detected from the through image which goes out of the specified frame range. When it is determined that there is a face area which goes out of the specified frame range, the self-timer circuit  83  stops the clocking of the waiting time, and the process goes back to S 75  to resume the face detection. 
   At S 79 , the self-timer circuit  83  determines if the clocking of the predetermined waiting time T 0  is completed or not, and upon the completion of the clocking, the self-timer circuit  83  outputs a clocking completion signal to the main CPU  20 , and the process goes to S 80 . 
   At S 80 , main CPU  20  performs an AF and AB operation on the face area detected by the face detecting section  20   a , and locks the focal position and the exposure value obtained by the operation. 
   At S 81 , upon the completion of the AF and AE operation, the main CPU  20  causes the CCD  132  to perform a shutter operation so as to acquire an image for recording. The acquired image data is stored in the memory card  200  (or HDD  75 ). 
   According to the above described processes, during photographing using a self-timer, the clocking of the predetermined waiting time T 0  is started only when all of the faces detected are accommodated in the optionally specified frame range. Therefore, a self photographing can be achieved without fail with the faces of objects desired to be photographed being accommodated in the optionally specified frame range, and an exclusion of a part of the objects out of the frame range can be prevented particularly when a photographer is the object.

Technology Category: 5