Camera control device

• US 5,515,130 A
• Filed: 02/09/1995
• Issued: 05/07/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Tsukahara, Daiki, Inoue, Hideya
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, W. B.
• Application Number:
  US08/386,215
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 354/400, 354/402, 354/403, 354/163, 354/62, 354/410, 354/412
• US Class Current: 396/51
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/28 Systems for automatic generation of focusing signals
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/02 Viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2213/025 Sightline detection

Abstract

A camera control device is provided with a determination device for dividing the image frame into plural areas including a central area and determining the object distance in each of the areas; a focal length detecting device for detecting the focal length of a phototaking lens; an eye-gaze direction detecting device for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of the user, corresponding to one of the areas of the image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; a phototaking magnification calculating device for calculating the phototaking magnification in each of the areas, based on the output of the focal length detecting device and that of the determination device; and an area selecting device for selecting either the central area in case the phototaking magnification in the central area, calculated by the above-mentioned calculating device exceeds a predetermined value, or an area specified by the eye-gaze direction detecting device in case the above-mentioned predetermined value is not exceeded.

Claims

1. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas including a central area thereof and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

focal length detection means for detecting the focal length of a phototaking lens;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

phototaking magnification calculating means for calculating the phototaking magnification in each of said areas, based on the output of said focal length detection means and that of said determination means; and

area selection means for selecting either the central area in case the phototaking magnification in the central area, calculated by said phototaking magnification calculating means, exceeds a predetermined value, or an area specified by said eye-gaze direction detection means in case said phototaking magnification does not exceed said predetermined value.

2. A camera control device according to claim 1, wherein said determination means includes a distance measuring device for measuring said object distance in each of said areas.

3. A camera control device according to claim 1, wherein said phototaking magnification calculating means calculates the phototaking magnification in each of said areas when the object distance in said central area is equal to or greater than a predetermined closest object distance limit, and wherein said area selection means selects said area specified by said eye-gaze direction detection means when said object distance in said central area is less than said limit.

4. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas including a central area thereof and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means which, in case the area is not specified by said eye-gaze direction detection means, selects the central area of said image frame, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controls said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

5. A camera control device according to claim 4, wherein said determination means includes a distance measuring device for measuring said object distance in each of said areas.

6. A camera control device according to claim 4, wherein:

said eye-gaze direction detection means is adapted to detect an area specification in the image frame in response to the continuous stay of the eye-gaze of the user in said area for at least a predetermined time; and

said control means is adapted, in case a phototaking start signal is generated prior to the detection of area specification by said eye-gaze direction detection means, to select the central area of said image frame, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance and to control said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

7. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas including a central area thereof and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means for selecting either an area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects a continuous stay of the eye-gaze of the user in said area at least for a predetermined time, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, or the central area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said predetermined time in any of said areas, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

8. A camera control device according to claim 7, wherein said determination means includes a distance measuring device for measuring said object distance in each of said areas.

9. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas including a central area thereof and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means for selecting a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a predetermined time that is an accumulation of discontinuous periods in which the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

10. A camera control device according to claim 9, wherein said determination means includes a distance measuring device for measuring said object distance in each of said areas.

11. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas including a central area thereof and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means for selecting either a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in specified area at least for a predetermined time in cumulative manner, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, or the central area in case said vision line detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said predetermined time in any of said areas, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

12. A camera control device according to claim 11, wherein said determination means includes a distance measuring device for measuring said object distance in each of said areas.

13. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas including a central area thereof and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means for selecting either a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a first predetermined time, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, or a specified area in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said first predetermined time in any of the areas but has stayed in said specified area at least for a second predetermined time that is an accumulation of discontinuous periods in which the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

14. A camera control device according to claim 13, wherein said determination means includes a distance measuring device for measuring said object distance in each of said areas.

15. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas including a central area and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means for selecting either a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a first predetermined time, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, or a specified area in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said first predetermined time in any of the areas but has stayed in said specified area in cumulative manner at least for a second predetermined time, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, or the central area of said image frame in case the cumulative stay time of the eye-gaze is less than said second predetermined time in any of the areas, thereby causing the determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

16. A camera control device according to claim 15, wherein said determination means includes a distance measuring device for measuring said object distance in each of said areas.

17. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas including a central area and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

phototaking magnification calculating means for calculating the phototaking magnification in each of said areas, based on the output of said determination means; and

area selection means for selecting either the central area in case the phototaking magnification in said central area, calculated by said calculating means exceeds a predetermined value, or an area specified by said eye-gaze direction detection means in case said predetermined value is not exceeded.

18. A camera control device according to claim 17, wherein said determination means includes a distance measuring device for measuring said object distance in each of said areas.

19. A camera control device according to claim 17, wherein said phototaking magnification calculating means calculates the phototaking magnification in each of said areas when the object distance in said central area is equal to or greater than a predetermined closest object distance limit, and wherein said area selection means selects said area specified by said eye-gaze direction detection means when said object distance in said central area is less than said limit.

20. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas including a central area and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

phototaking start signal generating means for generating a phototaking start signal for initiating a phototaking operation; and

control means for selecting the central area of said image frame, in case said phototaking start signal is generated prior to the area specification by said eye-gaze direction detection means, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

21. A camera control device according to claim 20, wherein said determination means includes a distance measuring device for measuring said object distance in each of said areas.

22. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas including a central area and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

phototaking start signal generating means for generating a phototaking start signal for initiating a phototaking operation; and

control means for selecting the central area of said image frame, in case said phototaking start signal is generated prior to the lapse of a time required for the area specification by said eye-gaze direction detection means, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

23. A camera control device according to claim 22, wherein said determination means includes a distance measuring device for measuring said object distance in each of said areas.

24. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

focal length detection means for detecting the focal length of a phototaking lens;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

phototaking magnification calculating means for calculating the phototaking magnification in each of said areas, based on the output of said focal length detection means and that of said determination means; and

area selection means for selecting a predetermined area in case the phototaking magnification in the predetermined area, calculated by said phototaking magnification calculating means, exceeds a predetermined value, or an area specified by said eye-gaze direction detection means in case said phototaking magnification does not exceed said predetermined value.

35. A camera control device according to any one of claims 24-27, 29 and 31-34, wherein said predetermined area is the central area.

25. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means which, in case the area is not specified by said eye-gaze direction detection means, selects a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controls said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

26. A camera control device according to claim 25, wherein:

said eye-gaze direction detection means is adapted to detect an area specification in the image frame in response to the continuous stay of the eye-gaze of the user in said area for at least a predetermined time; and

said control means is adapted, in case a phototaking start signal is generated prior to the detection of area specification by said eye-gaze direction detection means, to select a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance and to control said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

27. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means for selecting either a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects a continuous stay of the eye-gaze of the user in said specified area at least for a predetermined time, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, or a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection, in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said predetermined time in any of said areas, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

28. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means for selecting a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a predetermined time that is an accumulation of discontinuous periods in which the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

29. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means for selecting either a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a predetermined time in cumulative manner, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, or a predetermined area that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said predetermined time in any of said areas, thereby causing said determination means to deterine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

30. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means for selecting either a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a first predetermined time, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, or a specified area in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said first predetermined time in any of the areas but has stayed in said specified area at least for a second predetermined time that is an accumulation of discontinuous periods in which the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

31. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

control means for selecting either a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a first predetermined time, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, or a specified area in case said eye-gaze direction detection means detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said first predetermined time in any of the areas but has staved in said specified area in cumulative manner at least for a second predetermined time, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, or a predetermined area of said image frame of eye-gaze direction detection in case the cumulative stay time of the eye-gaze is less than said second predetermined time in any of the areas, thereby causing the determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

32. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

phototaking magnification calculating means for calculating the phototaking magnification in each of said areas, based on the output of said determination means; and

area selection means for selecting a predetermined area in case the phototaking magnification in said predetermined area, calculated by said calculating means exceeds a predetermined value, or an area specified by said eye-gaze direction detection means in case said predetermined value is not exceeded.

33. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

phototaking start signal generating means for generating a phototaking start signal for initiating a phototaking operation; and

control means for selecting a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection, in case said phototaking start signal is generated prior to the area specification by said eye-gaze direction detection means, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

34. A camera control device comprising:

determination means for dividing an image frame into plural areas and determining the object distance in each of said areas;

lens drive means for driving a phototaking lens to an in-focus position according to the output of said determination means;

eye-gaze direction detection means for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

phototaking start signal generating means for generating a phototaking start signal for initiating a phototaking operation; and

control means for selecting a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection, in case said phototaking start signal is generated prior to the lapse of a time required for the area specification by said eye-gaze direction detection means, thereby causing said determination means to determine the object distance, and controlling said lens drive means according to the output of said determination means.

36. A camera control device comprising:

a determination device which determines information relating to object distances in plural areas on an image frame;

a focal length detector which detects the focal length of a phototaking lens;

an eye-gaze direction detector which detects the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

a phototaking magnification calculator which calculates the phototaking magnification in each of said areas, based on the output of said focal length detector and that of said determination device; and

an area selection device which selects a predetermined area in case the phototaking magnification in the predetermined area, calculated by said phototaking magnification calculator, exceeds a predetermined value, or an area specified by said eye-gaze direction detector in case said phototaking magnification does not exceed said predetermined value.

37. A camera control device comprising:

an auto-focusing device capable of automatically focusing in plural areas on an image frame;

an eye-gaze direction detector which detects the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; and

a controller which, in case the area is not specified by said eye-gaze direction detector, selects a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to said predetermined area.

38. A camera control device comprising:

an auto-focusing device capable of automatically focusing in plural areas on an image frame;

an eye-gaze direction detector which detects the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby designating a specified area of the image frame; and

a controller which selects either a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detector detects a continuous stay of the eye-gaze of the user in said specified area at least for a predetermined time, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to the specified area, or a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection, in case said eye-gaze direction detector detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said predetermined time in any of said areas, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to said predetermined area.

39. A camera control device comprising:

an auto-focusing device capable of automatically focusing in plural areas on an image frame;

an eye-gaze direction detector which detects the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby designating a specified area of the image frame; and

a controller which selects a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detector detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a predetermined time that is an accumulation of discontinuous periods in which the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to said predetermined area.

40. A camera control device comprising:

an auto-focusing device capable of automatically focusing in plural areas on an image frame;

an eye-gaze direction detector which detects the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby designating a specified area of the image frame; and

a controller which selects either a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detector detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a predetermined time in cumulative manner, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to the specified area, or a predetermined area that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection, in case said eye-gaze direction detector detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said predetermined time in any of said areas, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to said predetermined area.

41. A camera control device comprising:

an auto-focusing device capable of automatically focusing in plural areas on an image frame;

an eye-gaze direction detector which detects the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby designating a specified area of the image frame; and

a controller which selects a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detector detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a first predetermined time, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to the specified area, or in case said eye-gaze direction detector detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said first predetermined time in any of the areas but has stayed in said specified area at least for a second predetermined time that is an accumulation of discontinuous periods in which the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to said predetermined area.

42. A camera control device comprising:

an auto-focusing device capable of automatically focusing in plural areas on an image frame;

an eye-gaze direction detector which detects the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby designating a specified area of the image frame; and

a controller which selects a specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze direction detector detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a first predetermined time, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to the specified area, or in case said eye-gaze direction detector detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said first predetermined time in any of the areas but has stayed in said specified area in cumulative manner at least for a second predetermined time, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to said specified area, or which selects a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection in case the cumulative stay time of the eye-gaze is less than said second predetermined time in any of said areas, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to said predetermined area.

43. A camera control device comprising:

a determination device which determines information relating to object distances in plural areas on an image frame;

an eye-gaze direction detector which detects the position of the eye-gaze of a user corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

a phototaking magnification calculator which calculates the phototaking magnification in each of said areas, based on the output of said determination device; and

an area selector which selects a predetermined area in case the phototaking magnification in said predetermined area, calculated by said calculator exceeds a predetermined value, or an area specified by said eye-gaze direction detector in case said predetermined value is not exceeded.

44. A camera control device comprising:

an auto-focusing device capable of automatically focusing in plural areas on an image frame;

an eye-gaze direction detector which detects the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

a phototaking start signal generator which generates a phototaking start signal for initiating a phototaking operation; and

a controller which selects a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection, in case said phototaking start signal is generated prior to the area specification by said eye-gaze direction detector, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to said predetermined area.

45. A camera control device comprising:

an auto-focusing device capable of automatically focusing in plural areas on an image frame;

an eye-gaze direction detector which detects the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

a phototaking start signal generator which generates a phototaking start signal for initiating a phototaking operation; and

a controller which selects a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze direction detection, in case said phototaking start signal is generated prior to the lapse of a time required for the area specification by said eye-gaze direction detector, thereby performing an auto-focus by said auto-focusing device with respect to said predetermined area.

46. A camera control method comprising:

determining information relating to object distances in plural areas on an image frame;

detecting the focal length of a phototaking lens;

detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user, corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

calculating the phototaking magnification in each of said areas, based on said focal length detecting and said determining; and

selecting a predetermined area in case the calculated phototaking magnification in the predetermined area exceeds a predetermined value, or an area specified by said eye-gaze position detecting in case said phototaking magnification does not exceed said predetermined value.

47. A camera control method comprising:

detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user;

determining whether the detected position corresponds to one of plural areas of an image frame, thereby designating a specified area desired by the user;

selecting a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze position detecting when no specified area is designated; and

performing an auto-focus with respect to the predetermined area.

48. A camera control method comprising:

detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user relative to plural areas of an image frame to determine whether the eye-gaze position corresponds to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby designating a specified area;

selecting either the specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze detecting detects a continuous stay of the eye-gaze of the user in said specified area at least for a predetermined time, or a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze detecting, in case said eye-gaze detecting detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said predetermined time in any of said areas; and

performing an auto-focus with respect to the selected area.

49. A camera control method comprising:

detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user relative to plural areas of an image frame to determine whether the eye-gaze position corresponds to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby designating a specified area of the image frame;

selecting the specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze detecting detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a predetermined time that is an accumulation of discontinuous periods in which the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area; and

performing an auto-focus with respect to the selected area.

50. A camera control method comprising:

detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user relative to plural areas of an image frame to determine whether the eye-gaze position corresponds to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby designating a specified area of the image frame;

selecting either the specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze detecting detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a predetermined time in cumulative manner, or a predetermined area that is independent of eye-gaze position detecting, in case said eye-gaze detecting detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said predetermined time in any of said areas; and

performing an auto-focus with respect to the selected area.

51. A camera control method comprising:

detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user relative to plural areas of an image frame to determine whether the eye-gaze position corresponds to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby designating a specified area of the image frame;

selecting the specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze detecting detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a first predetermined time, or in case said eye-gaze detecting detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than the said predetermined time in any of the areas but has stayed in said specified area at least for a second predetermined time that is an accumulation of discontinuous periods in which the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area; and

performing an auto-focus with respect to the selected area.

52. A camera control method comprising:

detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user relative to plural areas of an image frame to determine whether the eye-gaze position corresponds to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby designating a specified area of the image frame;

selecting the specified area of said image frame, in case said eye-gaze detecting detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed in said specified area at least for a first predetermined time, or in case said eye-gaze detecting detects that the eye-gaze of the user has stayed less than said first predetermined time in any of the areas but has stayed in said specified area in cumulative manner at least for a second predetermined time, or selecting a predetermined area that is independent of eye-gaze position detecting in case the cumulative stay time of the eye-gaze in any of the areas is less than said second predetermined time; and

performing an auto-focus with respect to the selected area.

53. A camera control method comprising:

determining information relating to object distances in plural areas on an image frame;

detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user corresponding to one of the areas of said image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

calculating the phototaking magnification in each of said areas, based on the determined information; and

selecting a predetermined area in case the calculated phototaking magnification in said predetermined area exceeds a predetermined value, or an area specified by said eye-gaze detecting in case said predetermined value is not exceeded.

54. A camera control method comprising:

detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user corresponding to one of plural areas of an image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

generating a phototaking start signal for initiating a phototaking operation;

selecting a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze position detecting, in case said phototaking start signal is generated prior to the area specification by said eye-gaze position detecting; and

performing an auto-focus with respect to the predetermined area.

55. A camera control method comprising:

detecting the position of the eye-gaze of a user corresponding to one of plural areas of an image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user;

generating a phototaking start signal for initiating a phototaking operation;

selecting a predetermined area of said image frame that is independent of eye-gaze position detection, in case said phototaking start signal is generated prior to the lapse of a time required for the area specification by said eye-gaze position detecting; and

performing an auto-focus with respect to the predetermined area.