Imaging apparatus, control method for imaging apparatus, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To obtain a photographing result as intended by a photographer when transition photographing is to be performed by darkening a screen by blocking a photographing lens.SOLUTION: An imaging device according to the present invention includes imaging means and AE means for performing an automatic exposure process, and the AE means stops the automatic exposure process when an object approaching the imaging device is imaged by the imaging means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method for an imaging apparatus, a program, and a storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of video sharing sites, there have been more opportunities to create video content using personally shot videos as material, with the aim of posting videos (so-called Vlogs) that express hobbies, daily events, etc., through video and audio. In video content consisting of multiple cuts, visual effects called transitions are sometimes used at the joins between the cuts. By using transitions, it is possible to make the change between cuts smoother or more impressive. There are two types of transitions: those that are applied by manipulating the subject or camera during shooting, and those that are applied after shooting using video editing software, etc.

[0003] A method of blocking the lens with an obstruction such as a hand or a subject is used as a transition to be applied during shooting. Blocking the lens with an obstruction darkens the screen, and the previous and next cuts are connected with the darkened scenes, making the transition between cuts look smooth. On the other hand, when the automatic exposure adjustment mechanism of the camera is enabled, if the lens is blocked by an obstruction, the exposure is adjusted according to the state in which the lens is blocked. As a result, the screen does not darken sufficiently even though the lens is blocked, and the video shot may not be what the photographer intended.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for controlling the start and stop of photography by determining whether or not the photographing lens is covered. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-65012 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to start or stop video shooting when the shooting lens is completely covered, but exposure control when the shooting lens is covered during shooting is not taken into consideration. Therefore, when a photographer wants to darken the screen by covering the shooting lens, he or she may not be able to obtain the intended shooting results.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to enable a photographer to obtain a photographic result as intended when performing transition photographing in which the image is darkened by blocking the photographing lens. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The imaging device of the present invention comprises an imaging means and an AE means for performing automatic exposure processing, and the AE means stops the automatic exposure processing when an object approaching the imaging device is imaged by the imaging means. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when transition shooting in which the image is darkened by blocking the photographing lens is desired, the photographing result as intended by the photographer can be obtained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera. [Diagram 3] 13 is a flowchart of a video shooting process. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart of an approach determination process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1(a) and 1(b) are external views of a digital camera 100 as an example of an imaging device to which the present invention can be applied. Figure 1(a) is a front perspective view of the digital camera 100, and Figure 1(b) is a rear perspective view of the digital camera 100.

[0012] The display unit 28 is provided on the rear surface of the digital camera 100 and displays images and various information. The touch panel 70a can detect touch operations on the display surface (touch operation surface) of the display unit 28. The outside-finder display unit 43 is provided on the top surface of the digital camera 100 and displays various settings of the digital camera 100, including the shutter speed and aperture. The shutter button 61 is an operation member for issuing shooting instructions. The mode change switch 60 is an operation member for switching between various modes. The terminal cover 40 is a cover for protecting a connector (not shown) for a connection cable or the like that connects the digital camera 100 to an external device.

[0013] The main electronic dial 71 is a rotary operation member, and by turning the main electronic dial 71, settings such as the shutter speed and aperture can be changed. The power switch 72 is an operation member that switches the power of the digital camera 100 between ON and OFF. The sub electronic dial 73 is a rotary operation member, and by turning the sub electronic dial 73, the selection frame (cursor) can be moved and images can be forwarded. The four-way key 74 is configured so that the up, down, left, and right parts can each be pressed, and processing can be performed according to the part of the four-way key 74 that is pressed. The SET button 75 is a push button, and is mainly used to confirm a selection item.

[0014] The video button 76 is used to start or stop video shooting (recording). The AE lock button 77 is a push button, and by pressing the AE lock button 77 in a shooting standby state, the exposure state can be fixed. The enlargement button 78 is an operation button for switching the enlargement mode ON and OFF in the live view display (LV display) in the shooting mode. By turning the enlargement mode ON and then operating the main electronic dial 71, the live view image (LV image) can be enlarged or reduced. In the playback mode, the enlargement button 78 functions as an operation button for enlarging the playback image or increasing its magnification ratio. The playback button 79 is an operation button for switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode. By pressing the playback button 79 during the shooting mode, the mode is switched to the playback mode, and the latest image among the images recorded in the storage medium 200 (described later) can be displayed on the display unit 28. The menu button 81 is a push button used to perform an instruction operation for displaying a menu screen, and when the menu button 81 is pressed, a menu screen on which various settings can be made is displayed on the display unit 28. The user can intuitively configure various settings using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28 and the four-way key 74 and SET button 75. By changing the settings on the menu screen, the user can change (customize) the functions assigned to the operating members (buttons, rotary operating members, etc.).

[0015] The touch bar 82 is a line-shaped touch operation member (line touch sensor) that can receive touch operations. The touch bar 82 is disposed at a position that can be touched by the thumb of the right hand when the grip portion 90 is held in the right hand (held with the little finger, ring finger, and middle finger of the right hand) so that the shutter button 61 can be pressed with the index finger of the right hand. In other words, the touch bar 82 can be operated by touching it with the thumb of the right hand when the user places his / her eye close to the eyepiece portion 16 and looks through the eyepiece viewfinder 17. Even when the user holds the camera in a position where the shutter button 61 can be pressed (shooting posture), the touch bar 82 is disposed at a position where it can be operated. The touch bar 82 is a reception unit that can receive tap operations (operation of touching and then releasing the touched position without moving it within a predetermined period of time) and left and right slide operations (operation of touching and then moving the touched position while still touching) on ​​the touch bar 82. The touch bar 82 is an operation member different from the touch panel 70a, and does not have a display function. The touch bar 82 functions as, for example, a multi-function bar (M-Fn bar) to which various functions can be assigned.

[0016] The communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal for the digital camera 100 to communicate with the lens unit 150 (described later; detachable) side. The eyepiece 16 is an eyepiece of the eyepiece finder 17 (a peer-in type finder), and the user can view an image displayed on an internal EVF 29 (described later; electronic viewfinder) through the eyepiece 16. The eyepiece detection unit 57 is an eyepiece detection sensor that detects whether or not the user (photographer) has placed his / her eye on the eyepiece 16. The cover 202 is a cover for a slot that stores a storage medium 200 (described later). The grip unit 90 is a holding unit shaped to be easily held by the right hand when the user holds the digital camera 100. The shutter button 61 and the main electronic dial 71 are located at positions that can be operated by the index finger of the right hand when the digital camera 100 is held by gripping the grip unit 90 with the little finger, ring finger, and middle finger of the right hand. In the same state, the sub electronic dial 73 and touch bar 82 are disposed at positions that can be operated with the thumb of the right hand. The thumb rest section 91 (thumb standby position) is a grip section provided at a position on the rear side of the digital camera 100 where it is easy to place the thumb of the right hand that is holding the grip section 90 when none of the operation members are being operated. The thumb rest section 91 is made of a rubber member or the like to enhance holding power (grip feeling).

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera 100. The lens unit 150 is a lens unit equipped with an interchangeable photographing lens. The lens 103 is usually composed of multiple lenses, but FIG. 2 shows only one lens for simplicity. The communication terminal 6 is a communication terminal through which the lens unit 150 communicates with the digital camera 100, and the communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal through which the digital camera 100 communicates with the lens unit 150. The lens unit 150 communicates with the system control unit 50 via these communication terminals 6 and 10. The lens unit 150 controls the aperture 1 via the aperture drive circuit 2 by the internal lens system control circuit 4. The lens unit 150 adjusts the focus by displacing the lens 103 via the AF drive circuit 3 by the lens system control circuit 4.

[0018] The shutter 101 is a focal plane shutter that can freely control the exposure time of the imaging unit 22 under the control of the system control unit 50 .

[0019] The imaging unit 22 is an imaging element (image sensor) configured with a CCD, CMOS element, or the like that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. The imaging unit 22 may have an imaging surface phase difference sensor that outputs defocus amount information to the system control unit 50. The A / D converter 23 converts the analog signal output from the imaging unit 22 into a digital signal.

[0020] The image processing unit 24 performs predetermined processing (pixel interpolation, resizing such as reduction, color conversion, etc.) on the data from the A / D converter 23 or the data from the memory control unit 15. The image processing unit 24 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the arithmetic results obtained by the image processing unit 24. This allows TTL (through-the-lens) type AF processing (autofocus control), AE (automatic exposure) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, etc. to be performed. The image processing unit 24 further performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and performs TTL type AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic results.

[0021] The memory control unit 15 controls transmission and reception of data between the A / D converter 23, the image processing unit 24, and the memory 32. Output data from the A / D converter 23 is written to the memory 32 via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15. Alternatively, the output data from the A / D converter 23 is written to the memory 32 via the memory control unit 15 without going through the image processing unit 24. The memory 32 stores image data obtained by the imaging unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 23, and image data to be displayed on the display unit 28 and the EVF 29. The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined period of video and audio.

[0022] The memory 32 also serves as a memory (video memory) for image display. The D / A converter 19 converts the image data for display stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies it to the display unit 28 or the EVF 29. In this way, the image data for display written in the memory 32 is displayed on the display unit 28 or the EVF 29 via the D / A converter 19. The display unit 28 and the EVF 29 are displays such as LCDs and organic EL displays, and perform display according to the analog signal from the D / A converter 19. The digital signal that has been A / D converted by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 is converted into an analog signal in the D / A converter 19, and the analog signal is sequentially transferred to and displayed on the display unit 28 or the EVF 29, thereby performing a live view display (LV). Hereinafter, an image displayed in the live view display is referred to as a live view image (LV image).

[0023] The system control unit 50 is a control unit consisting of at least one processor and / or at least one circuit, and controls the entire digital camera 100. The system control unit 50 is both a processor and a circuit. The system control unit 50 realizes each process described below by executing a program recorded in the non-volatile memory 56. The system control unit 50 also performs display control by controlling the memory 32, the D / A converter 19, the display unit 28, the EVF 29, etc.

[0024] The system memory 52 is, for example, a RAM, and the system control unit 50 loads constants and variables for the operation of the system control unit 50, programs read from the non-volatile memory 56, and the like into the system memory 52.

[0025] The non-volatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable and recordable memory, such as an EEPROM. Constants, programs, and the like for operating the system control unit 50 are recorded in the non-volatile memory 56. The programs referred to here are programs for executing various flowcharts described later.

[0026] The system timer 53 is a timing unit that measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock.

[0027] The communication unit 54 transmits and receives video signals and audio signals to and from an external device connected wirelessly or via a wired cable. The communication unit 54 can also connect to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The communication unit 54 can also communicate with an external device via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark). The communication unit 54 can transmit images (including LV images) captured by the imaging unit 22 and images recorded in the storage medium 200, and can receive image data and various other information from an external device.

[0028] The orientation detection unit 55 detects the orientation of the digital camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. It is possible to distinguish whether an image was taken with 100 held horizontally or vertically. The system control unit 50 can add orientation information corresponding to the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 55 to the image file of the image taken by the imaging unit 22, or rotate and record the image. An acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used as the attitude detection unit 55. It is also possible to detect the movement of the digital camera 100 (panning, tilting, lifting, whether it is stationary, etc.) by using the acceleration sensor or gyro sensor that is the attitude detection unit 55.

[0029] The eye-contact detection unit 57 is an eye-contact detection sensor that detects (approach detection) the approach (approach) and departure (away) of the eye (object) to the eyepiece unit 16 of the eyepiece finder 17 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "finder"). The system control unit 50 switches between display (display state) / non-display (non-display state) of the display unit 28 and the EVF 29 according to the state detected by the eye-contact detection unit 57. More specifically, at least in the shooting standby state and when the display destination switching setting is automatic switching, when the eye is not placed in contact with the camera, the display is turned on with the display unit 28 as the display destination and the EVF 29 is not displayed. Also, when the eye is placed in contact with the camera, the display is turned on with the EVF 29 as the display destination and the display unit 28 is not displayed. For example, an infrared proximity sensor can be used as the eye-contact detection unit 57, and it can detect the approach of some object to the eyepiece unit 16 of the eyepiece finder 17 incorporating the EVF 29. When an object approaches, infrared light projected from a light projecting section (not shown) of the eyepiece detection section 57 is reflected by the object and received by a light receiving section (not shown) of the infrared proximity sensor. The amount of infrared light received can also determine how close the object is to the eyepiece section 16 (eyepiece distance). In this way, the eyepiece detection section 57 performs eyepiece detection to detect the proximity of the object to the eyepiece section 16. When an object is detected approaching within a predetermined distance from the non-eyepiece state (non-approaching state), it is detected that the object has been placed in eye contact. When an object whose approach was detected moves away from the eyepiece state (approaching state) by a predetermined distance or more, it is detected that the object has been removed. The threshold for detecting eye contact and the threshold for detecting removal of the eye may be different, for example, by providing a hysteresis. In addition, after detecting the eye contact, the eyepiece remains in the eye contact state until removal of the eye is detected. After detecting the removal of the eye, the eyepiece remains in the non-eye contact state until removal of the eye is detected. The infrared proximity sensor is just one example, and other sensors may be used for eye proximity detection unit 57 as long as they can detect a state that can be regarded as eye proximity.

[0030] Various settings of the camera, including the shutter speed and aperture, are displayed on the outside viewfinder display section 43 via an outside viewfinder display section drive circuit 44 .

[0031] The power supply control unit 80 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching between blocks to which electricity is applied, etc., and detects whether a battery is attached, the type of battery, and the remaining battery power. The power supply control unit 80 also controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection results and instructions from the system control unit 50, and supplies the necessary voltage for the necessary period to each unit including the storage medium 200. The power supply unit 30 is composed of primary batteries such as alkaline batteries and lithium batteries, secondary batteries such as NiCd batteries, NiMH batteries, and Li batteries, an AC adapter, etc.

[0032] The storage medium I / F 18 is an interface with a storage medium 200 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The storage medium 200 is a storage medium such as a memory card for recording captured images, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

[0033] The operation unit 70 is an input unit that accepts operations from the user (user operations) and is used to input various operational instructions to the system control unit 50. As shown in Fig. 2, the operation unit 70 includes a mode changeover switch 60, a shutter button 61, a power switch 72, a touch panel 70a, and other operation members 70b. The other operation members 70b include a main electronic dial 71, a sub electronic dial 73, a four-way key 74, a SET button 75, a video button, and the like. 76, an AE lock button 77, a magnification button 78, a playback button 79, a menu button 81, a touch bar 82, and the like.

[0034] The mode changeover switch 60 changes the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to one of a still image shooting mode, a video shooting mode, a playback mode, etc. Modes included in the still image shooting mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene discrimination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and a program AE mode (P mode). In addition, there are various scene modes and custom modes that are shooting settings according to shooting scenes. The mode changeover switch 60 allows the user to directly switch to one of these modes. Alternatively, after switching to a list screen of shooting modes with the mode changeover switch 60, the user may selectively switch to one of the displayed modes using another operating member. Similarly, the video shooting mode may also include multiple modes.

[0035] The shutter button 61 includes a first shutter switch 62 and a second shutter switch 64. The first shutter switch 62 is turned on when the shutter button 61 is pressed halfway (instruction to prepare for shooting) and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. The system control unit 50 starts preparation operations for shooting such as AF processing (autofocus control), AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (pre-flash) processing in response to the first shutter switch signal SW1. The second shutter switch 64 is turned on when the shutter button 61 is pressed fully (instruction to shoot) in response to the completion of the operation of the shutter button 61 and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. The system control unit 50 starts a series of operations for shooting processing, from reading out a signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing a captured image to the storage medium 200 as an image file, in response to the second shutter switch signal SW2.

[0036] The touch panel 70a is a touch sensor that detects various touch operations on the display surface of the display unit 28 (the operation surface of the touch panel 70a). The touch panel 70a and the display unit 28 can be configured integrally. For example, the touch panel 70a is configured so that the light transmittance does not interfere with the display of the display unit 28, and is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the display unit 28. Then, input coordinates on the touch panel 70a are associated with display coordinates on the display surface of the display unit 28. This makes it possible to provide a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that makes it seem as if the user can directly operate the screen displayed on the display unit 28.

[0037] The system control unit 50 can detect the following operations or states on the touch panel 70a. A finger or pen that has not been touching the touch panel 70a touches the touch panel 70a again, that is, the start of touching (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Down). A state in which the touch panel 70a is touched with a finger or a pen (hereinafter referred to as Touch-On) A finger or a pen is moved while touching the touch panel 70a (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Move). The finger or pen that had been touching the touch panel 70a is released from the touch panel 70a, that is, the end of touch (hereinafter referred to as touch-up). A state in which nothing is touching the touch panel 70a (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Off)

[0038] When a touch down is detected, a touch on is also detected at the same time. After a touch down, a touch on is usually detected unless a touch up is detected. If a touch-on is detected, it will continue to be detected. If the touch position does not move, a touch-move will not be detected even if a touch-on is detected. After it is detected that all fingers or pens that were touching have touched up, the touch-off will occur.

[0039] These operations and states, and the position coordinates of the touch panel 70a touched by a finger or pen are notified to the system control unit 50 through the internal bus. The system control unit 50 then determines what kind of operation (touch operation) has been performed on the touch panel 70a based on the notified information. For touch moves, the direction of movement of a finger or pen moving on the touch panel 70a can also be determined for each vertical and horizontal component on the touch panel 70a based on changes in the position coordinates. If a touch move of a predetermined distance or more is detected, it is determined that a slide operation has been performed. An operation in which a finger is touched on the touch panel 70a, quickly moved a certain distance, and then released is called a flick. In other words, a flick is an operation in which a finger is quickly traced on the touch panel 70a as if flicking it. If a touch move of a predetermined distance or more at a predetermined speed or more is detected and a touch up is detected immediately, it can be determined that a flick has been performed (it can be determined that a flick has occurred following a slide operation). Furthermore, a touch operation in which multiple points (for example, two points) are touched together (multi-touch) and the touch positions are brought closer together is called pinch in, and a touch operation in which the touch positions are moved away from each other is called pinch out. Pinch out and pinch in are collectively called pinch operation (or simply pinch). The touch panel 70a may be of any of various touch panel types, such as a resistive film type, a capacitive type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared type, an electromagnetic induction type, an image recognition type, and an optical sensor type. There are types that detect a touch by contact with the touch panel, and types that detect a touch by the approach of a finger or a pen to the touch panel, and either type may be used.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the video shooting mode process performed by the digital camera 100. The process of FIG. 3 is a series of processes from when the digital camera 100 executes video shooting to when the video shooting is completed. This process is realized by the system control unit 50 expanding a program stored in the non-volatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing it. For example, when the digital camera 100 is started in the video shooting mode in response to the operation of the power switch 72, or when the mode of the digital camera 100 is switched to the video shooting mode in response to the operation of the mode change switch 60, the process of FIG. 3 starts. The process of FIG. 3 is a process for detecting the approach of an object to the digital camera 100 (the surface (lens surface) on which the lens unit 150 is attached) during video shooting and controlling the automatic exposure process (AE process). In the following, a description of processes unrelated to this process will be omitted. If an abnormal operation is performed during the process of FIG. 3, the process of FIG. 3 may be interrupted.

[0041] In S301, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not an end operation for the video shooting mode has been performed. The end operation is, for example, an operation to switch the mode of the digital camera 100 to another mode (operation of the mode change switch 60), or an operation to turn off the power of the digital camera 100 (operation of the power switch 72). If an end operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S302, and if not, the process proceeds to S304.

[0042] In S302, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not a moving image is being captured. If a moving image is being captured, the process proceeds to S303, and if not, the moving image capture mode process ends.

[0043] In S303, the system control unit 50 ends signal reading from the imaging unit 22 and performs a video shooting end process. In the video shooting end process, the system control unit 50 obtains the shot video data from the memory 32 and records it in the storage medium 200 via the storage medium I / F 18.

[0044] In S304, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the moving image button 76 has been pressed. If the moving image button 76 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S305; if not, the process proceeds to S308.

[0045] In S305, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not a moving image is being captured. If a moving image is being captured, the process proceeds to S306, and if not, the process proceeds to S307.

[0046] In S306, the system control unit 50 ends the signal readout from the imaging unit 22 and performs a process of ending moving image shooting.

[0047] In S307, the system control unit 50 starts reading signals from the imaging unit 22 and performs a process to start shooting moving images. In shooting moving images, the system control unit 50 converts data from the imaging unit 22 into digital data by the A / D converter 23, and records the converted data in the memory 32 as moving image data via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15.

[0048] In S308, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not a moving image is being captured. If a moving image is being captured, the process proceeds to S310, and if not, the process proceeds to S309.

[0049] In S309, the system control unit 50 performs AE processing based on the calculation result of the image processing unit 24. For example, the system control unit 50 determines whether the exposure of the image obtained by the imaging unit 22 is appropriate or not based on the calculation result of the image processing unit 24. If the exposure of the image is not appropriate, the system control unit 50 controls at least one of the exposure time of the imaging unit 22, the sensitivity of the imaging unit 22, and the aperture diameter of the diaphragm 1 so as to obtain an image with appropriate exposure. An image with inappropriate exposure is an image with brightness brighter or darker than a desired brightness, and an image with appropriate exposure is an image with the desired brightness.

[0050] In this embodiment, the system control unit 50 can switch between enabling and disabling the approach detection function that detects the approach of an object to the digital camera 100 in response to a user operation. In this way, the system control unit 50 can set one of a plurality of modes including a mode in which the approach detection function is enabled and a mode in which the approach detection function is disabled in response to a user operation. In S310, the system control unit 50 determines whether the approach detection function is enabled. If the approach detection function is enabled, the process proceeds to S311, and if not, the process proceeds to S309.

[0051] In S311, the system control unit 50 performs a proximity determination process to determine whether or not an object is approaching the digital camera 100 (the surface (lens surface) on which the lens unit 150 is attached). The details of the proximity determination process will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0052] In S312, the system control unit 50 determines, based on the processing result of S311, whether or not there is an object approaching the digital camera 100. If there is an approaching object, the process proceeds to S301, and if not, the process proceeds to S309.

[0053] Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the approach determination process performed by the digital camera 100 in S311 of Fig. 3. This process is realized by the system control unit 50 expanding a program stored in the non-volatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing it.

[0054] In this embodiment, the system control unit 50 uses the image processing unit 24 to perform processing to detect a specific subject (e.g., a human, a face, or an eye) from an image obtained by the imaging unit 22. There are no particular limitations on the method of detecting the specific subject, as long as the specific subject can be detected from at least a part of the imaging range of the digital camera 100. In S401, The system control unit 50 determines whether or not a specific subject has been detected. If a specific subject has been detected, the process proceeds to S402, and if not, the process proceeds to S403.

[0055] In S402, the system control unit 50 determines that there is no object approaching the digital camera 100. If a specific subject (e.g., a human, a face, or an eye) is detected in S401, the system control unit 50 determines that there is no object approaching because the object is not approaching so as to cover the imaging range.

[0056] In S403, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the autofocus process (AF process) has been successful based on the calculation result of the image processing unit 24. If the AF process has been successful (if the subject is in focus), the process proceeds to S406, and if not, the process proceeds to S404.

[0057] In this embodiment, the system control unit 50 uses the system timer 53 to measure the time during which the AF process has failed. In S404, the system control unit 50 determines whether the time during which the AF process has failed is longer than a threshold value t. The number of consecutive failures in the AF process may be used as the time during which the AF process has failed. If the time during which the AF process has failed is longer than the threshold value t, the process proceeds to S405, and if not, the process proceeds to S402. The threshold value t may be a predetermined fixed value, or may be a value that can be changed by the user.

[0058] In S405, the system control unit 50 determines that there is a subject approaching the digital camera 100. If the time during which the AF process has failed is longer than the threshold value t, the system control unit 50 determines that there is a subject approaching the digital camera 100 because an object continues to be in close proximity to the imaging range. On the other hand, if the time during which the AF process has failed is shorter than the threshold value t, the system control unit 50 determines that there is no subject approaching the digital camera 100 because the screen has not been darkened by blocking the photographing lens, but because there may be a case where AF is temporarily impossible.

[0059] In this embodiment, the system control unit 50 detects the distance between the subject (an object imaged by the imaging unit 22) and the digital camera 100. The method of detecting the distance is not particularly limited, and various known techniques can be used to detect the distance. When detecting the distance, the position of the lens unit 150 may be used as the position of the digital camera 100. In S406, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the distance between the subject and the digital camera 100 is shorter than a threshold value d1 based on the calculation result of the image processing unit 24. If the distance is shorter than the threshold value d1, the process proceeds to S410, and if not, the process proceeds to S407. The threshold value d1 may be a predetermined fixed value or a value that can be changed by the user.

[0060] In S407, the system control unit 50 determines whether the distance between the subject and the digital camera 100 is less than the threshold d2 (>threshold d1) based on the calculation result of the image processing unit 24. If the distance is less than the threshold d2, the process proceeds to S409, otherwise the process proceeds to S408. The threshold d2 may be a predetermined fixed value, or may be a value that can be changed by the user.

[0061] In S408, the system control unit 50 determines that no object is approaching the digital camera 100.

[0062] In S409, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the current distance (current calculation result) between the subject detected in S407 and the digital camera 100 is shorter than the previous distance (previous calculation result) (whether or not the distance has decreased). If the current distance is shorter than the previous distance, the process proceeds to S410; if not, the process proceeds to S408.

[0063] In S410, the system control unit 50 detects that an object is approaching the digital camera 100. It is determined that there is.

[0064] As described above, according to this embodiment, AE processing is stopped when an object approaching digital camera 100 is imaged. Then, AE processing is resumed when an object that approached digital camera 100 and was blocking the photographing lens no longer blocks the photographing lens (for example, an object that was approaching within the imaging range moves out of the imaging range and is no longer imaged, or an approaching object moves away from the photographing lens or digital camera 100). This makes it possible to obtain a suitable exposure during normal video recording, and also makes it possible to obtain a photographing result with the exposure intended by the photographer when transition shooting is performed in which the screen is darkened by bringing an object close to block the lens unit 150.

[0065] When the AE processing is stopped, the system control unit 50 may give a predetermined notification to the user. The predetermined notification is, for example, a notification that the AE processing is stopped. The notification method is not particularly limited, and for example, the predetermined notification may be the display of an icon or a character string, the output of a sound, or the lighting of a lamp.

[0066] Also, although an example in which the AE process is not stopped when a video is not being shot has been described, the execution and stop of the AE process may be switched depending on the result of the approach determination process regardless of whether a video is being shot. Even when an object approaching the digital camera 100 is imaged by the imaging unit 22, if the object approaches the digital camera 100 outside a predetermined range that is a part of the imaging range of the imaging unit 22, the AE process may not be stopped. The predetermined range is, for example, a target range of the AE process (a range that is referred to in the AE process (sampling of brightness) and is set to a proper exposure). The predetermined range may be a range specified by the user. Only the inside of the predetermined range may be referred to in S401, S403, S406, and S407. For example, in S401, it may be determined whether a specific subject has been detected inside the predetermined range. In S402, it may be determined whether the subject is in focus inside the predetermined range. In S406 and S407, the distance between the subject present inside the predetermined range and the digital camera 100 may be compared with thresholds d1 and d2.

[0067] The various controls described above as being performed by the system control unit 50 may be performed by one piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware sharing the processing. The same applies to the various controls described above as being performed by the CPU 201.

[0068] In addition, although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned embodiments merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately combined.

[0069] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital camera, but the present invention is not limited to this example and can be applied to any imaging device capable of automatic exposure control. For example, the present invention can be applied to personal computers, PDAs, mobile phone terminals, portable image viewers, printers, digital photo frames, music players, game consoles, electronic book readers, etc. In addition, the present invention can be applied to video players, display devices (including projection devices), tablet terminals, smartphones, AI speakers, home appliances, in-vehicle devices, etc.

[0070] (Other embodiments) The present invention provides a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and executes the program on a computer of the system or device. The present invention can be realized by a process in which one or more processors in a computer read and execute a program, or by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0071] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following configuration, method, program, and medium. (Configuration 1) 1. An imaging device, comprising: An imaging means; AE means for performing automatic exposure processing; having The AE means stops the automatic exposure process when an object approaching the imaging device is imaged by the imaging means. 1. An imaging device comprising: (Configuration 2) The AE means stops the automatic exposure process in response to an object approaching the imaging device within an imaging range of the imaging means, and resumes the automatic exposure process after the automatic exposure process is stopped in response to the object moving out of the imaging range or the object moving away from the imaging device. 2. The imaging device according to configuration 1, (Configuration 3) The AE means stops the automatic exposure process when a distance between the object imaged by the imaging means and the imaging device is shorter than a first threshold value. 3. The imaging device according to configuration 1 or 2. (Configuration 4) The AE means stops the automatic exposure process when a distance between the object imaged by the imaging means and the imaging device is shorter than a second threshold value and the distance is decreasing. 4. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3. (Configuration 5) The AE means does not stop the automatic exposure process when the distance between the object imaged by the imaging means and the imaging device is shorter than the second threshold value but the distance has not decreased. 5. The imaging device according to configuration 4. (Configuration 6) The AE means executes the automatic exposure process when a distance between the object imaged by the imaging means and the imaging device is longer than a second threshold value. 6. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, (Configuration 7) Further, the imaging device has an AF unit for performing an autofocus process, The AE means stops the automatic exposure process when the time during which the autofocus process has failed is longer than a third threshold value. 7. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, (Configuration 8) a detection unit for detecting a specific object from an imaging range of the imaging unit; The AE means does not stop the automatic exposure process when the specific subject is detected by the detection means. 8. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, (Configuration 9) The specific subject is a face. 9. The imaging device according to configuration 8, (Configuration 10) In response to a user operation, the automatic exposure process is performed when an object approaching the imaging device is imaged. and a second mode in which the automatic exposure process is not stopped even when an object approaching the imaging device is imaged. 10. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9. (Configuration 11) The camera further includes a control unit that performs control so as to give a predetermined notification when the AE unit stops the automatic exposure process. 11. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. (Configuration 12) When the image capturing means is not capturing a moving image, the AE means does not stop the automatic exposure process. 12. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11. (Configuration 13) The AE means does not stop the automatic exposure process when an object approaching the imaging device is imaged by the imaging means and the object is approaching the imaging device outside a predetermined range that is a part of the imaging range of the imaging means. 13. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12. (Configuration 14) The predetermined range is a range that is the target of the automatic exposure process. 13. The imaging device according to configuration 12, (method) A control method for an imaging device, comprising: an imaging step of performing imaging; AE step for automatic exposure processing having The AE step stops the automatic exposure process when an object approaching the image capturing device is captured in the image capturing step. 23. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus comprising the steps of: (program) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 14. (medium) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 14. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100: Digital camera 22: Imaging unit 50: System control unit 24: Image processing unit

Claims

1. An imaging device, Imaging unit, AE means for performing automatic exposure processing and It has, The AE means stops the automatic exposure process when an object approaching the imaging device is captured by the imaging unit. An imaging device characterized by the following features.

2. The AE means stops the automatic exposure process when an object approaches the imaging device within the imaging range of the imaging unit, and resumes the automatic exposure process after stopping the automatic exposure process when the object moves out of the imaging range or moves away from the imaging device. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The AE means stops the automatic exposure process when the distance between the object being imaged by the imaging unit and the imaging device is shorter than a first threshold. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

4. The AE means stops the automatic exposure process when the distance between the object being imaged by the imaging unit and the imaging device is shorter than a second threshold and the distance is decreasing. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

5. The imaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that the AE means does not stop the automatic exposure process if the distance between the object being imaged by the imaging unit and the imaging device is shorter than the second threshold but the distance has not decreased.

6. The AE means executes the automatic exposure process if the distance between the object being imaged by the imaging unit and the imaging device is greater than a second threshold. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

7. It further has AF means for performing autofocus processing, The AE means stops the automatic exposure process if the time during which the autofocus process has failed is longer than a third threshold. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

8. The imaging unit further comprises a detection means for detecting a specific subject from the imaging range, The AE means does not stop the automatic exposure process when the detection means detects the specific subject. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

9. The aforementioned specific subject is a face. The imaging apparatus according to feature 8.

10. The system further includes setting means for setting one of a plurality of modes, including a first mode in which the automatic exposure process is stopped when an object approaching the imaging device is imaged, and a second mode in which the automatic exposure process is not stopped even when an object approaching the imaging device is imaged, in response to user operation. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

11. The system further includes a control means for controlling the AE means to issue a predetermined notification when the automatic exposure processing is stopped. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

12. If the imaging unit is not capturing video, the AE means will not stop the automatic exposure processing. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

13. The AE means does not stop the automatic exposure process even when an object approaching the imaging device is being imaged by the imaging unit, if the object is approaching the imaging device outside a predetermined range which is part of the imaging range of the imaging unit. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

14. The predetermined range is the range subject to the automatic exposure processing. The imaging apparatus according to feature 13.

15. A method for controlling an imaging device, The imaging step involves taking an image, AE step that performs automatic exposure processing and It has, In the AE step, the automatic exposure process is stopped if an object approaching the imaging device is captured in the imaging step. A control method for an imaging device, characterized by the following:

16. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of an imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of an imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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