Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and computer-readable recording medium

• US 10,459,190 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2018
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Suzuki, Takeshi, Kunishige, Keiji, Yukitake, Akira, Kawawa, Takeshi, Okumura, Yoichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Segura, Cynthia
• Application Number:
  US15/992,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20180348470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/09 adapted for automatic focusing or varying magnification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/36 using image sharpness techniques , e.g. image processing techniques for generating autofocus signals image data processing per se G06T; in cameras having a solid state image sensor H04N23/67
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/11 Region-based segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/255 Detecting or recognising potential candidate objects based on visual cues, e.g. shapes
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/10 Terrestrial scenes scenes under surveillance with static cameras G06V20/52; scenes perceived from the exterior of a vehicle G06V20/56; scenes perceived from the interior of a vehicle G06V20/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/611 where the recognised objects include parts of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/635 Region indicators; Field of view indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/667 Camera operation mode switching, e.g. between still and video, sport and normal or high- and low-resolution modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/675 comprising setting of focusing regions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/80 Camera processing pipelines; Components thereof

Abstract

An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit; an image clipping unit configured to clip a predetermined area from each of images; an analyzing unit configured to analyze the sequentially clipped predetermined areas and generate an analysis result indicating an identified subject; an autofocus (AF) target determination unit configured to determine an AF target in the images based on the analysis result; an AF mode determination unit configured to select and determine an optimal AF mode based on the analysis result and a determination result; a touch panel; an input detection unit; and an imaging control unit configured to repeat control of moving a position of the predetermined area, causing the analyzing unit to analyze the predetermined area of a latest image, causing the AF target determination unit to determine the AF target, and causing the AF mode determination unit to select and determine the optimal AF mode.

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an image sensor configured to successively image a subject and sequentially generate image data;

a control circuit configured to clip a predetermined area that is set in advance from each of images corresponding to the image data sequentially generated by the image sensor,

analyze the predetermined areas sequentially clipped and generate an analysis result indicating an identified subject,

determine an AF target in the images based on the analysis result generated, and

select and determine an optimal AF mode from among a plurality of AF modes set in advance, based on the analysis result generated and a determination result of determination performed; and

a touch panel configured to detect a touch position of an external object and output a coordinate signal indicating the touch position, wherein the control circuit is further configured to

output an operation signal that is obtained by converting the coordinate signal output by the touch panel to a relative coordinate with an origin at the predetermined area, and

repeat, every time the touch panel outputs the coordinate signal in accordance with a change in the touch position, control of moving a position of the predetermined area to be clipped from the images by the image clipping unit based on the operation signal output, and thereafter, analyze the predetermined area of a latest image corresponding to latest image data generated by the image sensor, to determine the AF target, and to select and determine the optimal AF mode.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first display panel configured to display the images, wherein the control circuit is further configured to synthesize a focus frame that is based on the AF mode and the AF target with the images, and display the focus frame and the images on the first display panel.

3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control circuit is further configured to switch any one or more of a size, a shape, and a color of the focus frame based on the AF mode and the AF target, and display the changed focus frame on the first display panel.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising:

a detection sensor arranged in a vicinity of the first display panel and configured to detect an externally approaching user; and

a second display panel including a larger display area than a display area of the first display panel and configured to display the images, wherein

the touch panel is superimposed on the display area of the second display panel,

the first display panel includes a display panel that displays the images and an enlarging optical system that enlarges the images displayed on the display panel, and

the control circuit displays the images on the first display panel when the detection sensor detects the user, and displays the images on the second display panel when the detection sensor does not detect the user.

5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one switch configured to receive input of a setting signal for inhibiting the control performed by the control circuit, wherein

the control circuit inhibits the control when the setting signal is input from the at least one switch and if the touch panel outputs the coordinate signal in accordance with a change in the touch position.

6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one switch configured to receive input of a cancel signal for cancelling the AF target and the AF mode after the control circuit has performed the control, wherein

when the control circuit outputs the operation signal and performs the control, and if the cancel signal is input from the at least one switch, returns the AF target and the AF mode to an AF target and an AF mode that have been used before the control has been performed.

7. An imaging method implemented by an imaging apparatus, the imaging method comprising:

successively imaging a subject and sequentially generating image data;

detecting a touch position of an external object and outputting a coordinate signal indicating the touch position;

clipping a predetermined area that is set in advance from each of images corresponding to the image data sequentially generated at the imaging;

analyzing the predetermined areas sequentially clipped at the clipping and generating an analysis result indicating an identified subject;

determining an autofocus (AF) target based on the analysis result generated at the generating;

selecting and determining an optimal AF mode from among a plurality of AF modes set in advance, based on the analysis result generated at the generating and a determination result obtained at the determining;

outputting an operation signal, which is obtained by converting the coordinate signal to a relative coordinate with an origin at a center of the predetermined area, when the coordinate signal is output at the outputting; and

repeatedly performing switching control of moving a position of the predetermined area to be clipped from the images at the clipping based on the operation signal output at the outputting, and thereafter, analyzing the predetermined area of a latest image corresponding to latest image data generated at the generating, determining the AF target, and selecting and determining the optimal AF mode, every time the image data is generated at the generating.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium on which an executable program is recorded, the program instructing a processor included in an imaging apparatus to execute:

successively imaging a subject and sequentially generating image data;

detecting a touch position of an external object and outputting a coordinate signal indicating the touch position;

clipping a predetermined area that is set in advance from each of images corresponding to the sequentially generated image data;

analyzing the sequentially clipped predetermined areas and generating an analysis result indicating an identified subject;

determining an autofocus (AF) target based on the analysis result;

selecting and determining an optimal AF mode from among a plurality of AF modes set in advance, based on the analysis result and a determination result obtained at the determining;

outputting an operation signal, which is obtained by converting the coordinate signal to a relative coordinate with an origin at a center of the predetermined area, when the coordinate signal is output; and

repeatedly performing switching control of moving a position of the predetermined area to be clipped from the images based on the operation signal, and thereafter, analyzing the predetermined area of a latest image corresponding to latest image data generated at the generating, determining the AF target, and selecting and determining the optimal AF mode, every time the image data is generated.