Imaging device and method for controlling imaging device

Abstract

This imaging device is provided with: a vibration imparting unit that emits ultrasound toward a region outside the imaging device to apply vibration to an object positioned in the region; an imaging means that images a subject; and a control unit that controls the vibration imparting unit so that the vibration is applied to an object positioned in a region corresponding to the relationship between a region included in the angle of view of the imaging means and an object to be imaged by the imaging means.

Description

Image capture device and control method for image capture device

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device and a control method for an imaging device.

[0002] Conventionally, imaging devices that notify the user of a subject included in the angle of view have been known. Imaging devices that notify the user of a subject included in the angle of view include those configured to display the subject included in the angle of view on a display unit provided on the rear of the imaging device. Other configurations also notify the user of the subject included in the angle of view even when the user is not positioned behind the imaging device, such as when the user is taking a selfie and the photographer is also the subject. Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device in which the display unit provided on the rear of the device is movable, such as by a vari-angle or tilt mechanism, so that the display unit can be seen even when the user is positioned in front of the device. Patent Document 2 also discloses a method of setting a focal point for ultrasonic waves generated by a vibration unit and converging the ultrasonic waves at the focal point.

[0003] JP 2021-136653 WO 2020 / 184354

[0004] Here, when a photographer takes a photograph without visually recognizing the imaging device, or when a subject photographed by the imaging device is unaware of the imaging device, the subject may not be aware of which area is included in the angle of view of the imaging device. In such cases, with the technology of Patent Document 1, even if the display unit moves, a person who does not recognize which area is included in the angle of view of the imaging device may not be able to recognize the relationship between the area included in the angle of view of the imaging device and the subject photographed by the imaging device.

[0005] The present invention aims to enable a person who does not recognize which areas are included in the angle of view of an imaging device to recognize the relationship between the areas included in the angle of view of an imaging device and the subject photographed by the imaging device.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the imaging device of the present invention includes a vibration imparting unit that emits ultrasonic waves into an area outside the device to impart vibrations to objects located in the area, an imaging means that photographs a subject, and a control unit that controls the vibration imparting unit to impart vibrations to objects located in an area corresponding to the relationship between the area included in the angle of view of the imaging means and the subject of the image captured by the imaging means.

[0007] According to the present invention, a person who does not recognize which areas are included in the angle of view of an imaging device can be made to recognize the relationship between the areas included in the angle of view of the imaging device and the subject being photographed by the imaging device.

[0008] 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an imaging device; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an imaging device; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between a voltage applied to a vibration applying unit and vibrations generated; FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of vibration control processing; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating vibration conditions and a target area outside the imaging device to which the vibration applying unit applies vibration; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating vibration conditions and a target area outside the imaging device to which the vibration applying unit applies vibration; and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of a change condition.

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. <External View of Imaging Apparatus 100> FIG. 1 illustrates the hardware configuration of the imaging apparatus 100. More specifically, FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus 100 viewed from the front side, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus 100 viewed from the rear side. The imaging apparatus 100 is a device for capturing images. An example of the imaging apparatus 100 is a digital camera. The imaging apparatus 100 includes a display unit 28, a touch panel 70a, an outside-viewfinder display unit 43, a shutter button 61, a mode selector switch 60, and a terminal cover 40. The imaging apparatus 100 also includes a main electronic dial 71, a power switch 72, a sub electronic dial 73, a four-way key 74, and a SET button 75. The imaging apparatus 100 also includes a video button 76, an AE lock button 77, a magnification button 78, a playback button 79, and a menu button 81. Furthermore, the imaging device 100 includes a communication terminal 10 , an eyepiece finder 17 , an eyepiece detection unit 57 , a slot cover 202 , a grip unit 90 , and a thumb rest unit 91 .

[0010] The display unit 28 is a display unit provided on the back surface of the imaging device 100, and displays various information such as images. The touch panel 70a detects touch operations on the display surface (touch operation surface) of the display unit 28. The outside-finder display unit 43 is a display unit provided on the top surface of the imaging device 100, and displays information such as settings of the imaging device 100, including shutter speed and aperture. The shutter button 61 is a button that accepts instructions to take a photograph. The mode selector switch 60 is a switch that accepts switching of the operating mode of the system control unit 50, which will be described later. The terminal cover 40 is a cover that protects a connector (not shown) for a connection cable or the like that connects the imaging device 100 to an external device.

[0011] The main electronic dial 71 is a component that is operated by rotation. When the user turns the main electronic dial 71, the settings of the imaging device 100, such as the shutter speed and aperture, are changed. The power switch 72 is a switch that switches the power of the imaging device 100 between ON and OFF. The sub electronic dial 73 is a component that is operated by rotation. When the user turns the sub electronic dial 73, the selection frame (cursor) displayed on the display unit 28 moves, or the image displayed on the display unit 28 changes. The four-way key 74 is a switch located at four positions (up, down, left, and right), and accepts instructions corresponding to the switch that is pressed. The SET button 75 is a button that accepts, for example, confirmation of a selected item.

[0012] The video button 76 is a button that accepts instructions to start or stop video shooting (recording). The AE lock button 77 is a button that accepts fixing of the exposure state in a shooting standby state. The enlargement button 78 is a button that accepts enlargement of the image displayed on the display unit 28. The playback button 79 is a button that accepts switching between a shooting mode and a playback mode, which will be described later. The menu button 81 is a button that accepts display on the display unit 28 of a menu screen that allows various settings to be made.

[0013] The communication terminal 10 is a terminal through which the imaging device 100 communicates with the lens unit 150 (described later). The eyepiece finder 17 is a peer-type finder and includes an eyepiece 16. The eyepiece 16 is the eyepiece portion of the eyepiece finder 17. A user can view an image displayed on an EVF 29 (Electronic Viewfinder) (described later) through the eyepiece 16. The eyepiece detection unit 57 is a sensor that detects whether the photographer is placing their eye on the eyepiece 16. The slot cover 202 is a cover for storing a recording medium 200 (described later). The grip portion 90 is shaped to correspond to the user's right hand when holding the imaging device 100 and is held by the user. The thumb rest portion 91 is held by the thumb of the user's right hand.

[0014] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the imaging device 100. The imaging device 100 includes a lens unit 150 that is detachable from the imaging device 100, and a main body 110, which is the portion of the imaging device 100 excluding the lens unit 150. The main body 110 also includes a shutter 101, an imaging unit 22, an A / D converter 23, a memory control unit 15, a memory 32, a D / A converter 19, a display unit 28, an EVF 29, and an image processing unit 24. The main body 110 also includes a system control unit 50, a system memory 52, a non-volatile memory 56, a system timer 53, a communication unit 54, an orientation detection unit 55, and an eyepiece detection unit 57. The main body 110 also includes a vibration applying unit 119, an extra-viewfinder display unit 43, an extra-viewfinder display drive circuit 44, a power control unit 80, a power supply unit 30, a recording medium I / F 18, and an operation unit 70.

[0015] The lens unit 150 includes a lens 103, an aperture drive circuit 2, an AF drive circuit 3, and a lens system control circuit 4. In this embodiment, a first communication terminal 6 is provided in the lens unit 150, and a second communication terminal 10 is provided in the body 110. This allows a network connection between the lens unit 150 and the system control unit 50 in the body 110 via the first communication terminal 6 and the second communication terminal 10. The lens 103 is a replaceable lens used for photography. While FIG. 2 illustrates a single lens 103, the lens unit 150 may include multiple lenses 103. The aperture drive circuit 2 drives the aperture. The AF drive circuit 3 drives the autofocus (AF). The lens system control circuit 4 controls the entire lens unit 150. The lens system control circuit 4 controls the aperture via the aperture drive circuit 2. Furthermore, the lens system control circuit 4 adjusts the focus by displacing the position of the lens 103 via the AF drive circuit 3 .

[0016] The shutter 101 is a focal plane shutter that controls the exposure time of the imaging unit 22. The shutter 101 is controlled by the system control unit 50. The imaging unit 22 is an imaging element (image sensor) composed of 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 lens unit 150, the shutter 101, and the imaging unit 22 can also be considered as imaging means that captures an image of a subject. The A / D converter 23 converts an analog signal output from the imaging unit 22 into a digital signal. The memory control unit 15 controls the information stored in the memory 32.

[0017] The memory 32 stores images. The images stored in the memory 32 include images captured by the imaging unit 22 and converted by the A / D converter 23, and images displayed on the display unit 28 or EVF 29. The memory 32 has a storage capacity necessary to store a predetermined number of still images, a predetermined period of moving images and audio, etc. The predetermined number of images and the predetermined period of time may be any value. Note that the images output from the A / D converter 23 may be written to the memory 32 via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15, or may be written to the memory 32 via the memory control unit 15 without passing through the image processing unit 24. The memory 32 also serves as a video memory for storing images to be displayed. The D / A converter 19 converts the display images stored in the memory 32 into analog signals and outputs them to the display unit 28 or EVF 29. As a result, the display images stored in the memory 32 are displayed on the display unit 28 or EVF 29. The display unit 28 and the EVF 29 are both displays such as LCDs or organic EL displays, and display images according to the analog signals from the D / A converter 19. In this embodiment, images converted by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 are converted into analog signals by the D / A converter 19, and then sequentially transferred to and displayed on the display unit 28 or the EVF 29, thereby realizing a live view (LV) display. Hereinafter, an image displayed as a live view may be referred to as a live view image (LV image).

[0018] The image processing unit 24 performs predetermined processing on the image converted by the A / D converter 23 and the image transmitted from the memory control unit 15. Examples of predetermined processing include resizing processing such as pixel interpolation and reduction, and color conversion processing. The image processing unit 24 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the image, and performs TTL (through-the-lens) AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic results. The image processing unit 24 also recognizes specific subjects from the image by pattern matching using a person recognition function, a face recognition function, or the like. In this case, the image processing unit 24 identifies the size of the subject and the position of the subject within the area included in the angle of view.

[0019] In this embodiment, when an image is captured, the image processing unit 24 identifies the relationship between the area included in the angle of view of the imaging device 100 and the object determined as the subject of the image capture, and transmits information indicating the identified relationship to the system control unit 50. In particular, when an LV image is displayed on the display unit 28 or the EVF 29, images converted by the A / D converter 23 are sequentially transferred to the image processing unit 24. In this case, each time an image is transferred, the image processing unit 24 identifies the latest relationship between the area included in the angle of view of the imaging device 100 and the object determined as the subject of the image capture, from the transferred image, and transmits the latest information indicating the identified relationship to the system control unit 50. Hereinafter, the area included in the angle of view of the imaging device 100 may be referred to as the angle of view area. Hereinafter, the object determined as the subject of the image capture may be referred to as the subject of the image capture. An example of a subject of the image capture is a person. Furthermore, the relationship between the field of view area and the object to be photographed may be a relationship in which the object to be photographed is located in the field of view area, a relationship in which the object to be photographed is not located in the field of view area, a relationship in which the object to be photographed is in focus or out of focus when the object to be photographed is located in the field of view area, etc. Furthermore, the image processing unit 24 identifies the relationship between the field of view area and the object to be photographed by the above-mentioned method such as pattern matching.

[0020] The system control unit 50, which is an example of a control unit, is a processor that controls the entire imaging device 100. The system control unit 50 functions as at least one control circuit. The system control unit 50 may include one or more processors. In this embodiment, the system control unit 50 performs various controls by executing programs recorded in the non-volatile memory 56. The system control unit 50 also controls the display of information by controlling the memory 32, the D / A converter 19, the display unit 28, the EVF 29, etc. The system control unit 50 also controls exposure and distance measurement based on the calculation results obtained by the image processing unit 24. This enables TTL AF processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, EF (pre-flash) processing, etc. In this embodiment, when the system control unit 50 receives information indicating the relationship between the angle of view and the subject from the image processing unit 24, it controls the vibration applying unit 119 according to the relationship between the angle of view and the subject identified from the received information.

[0021] The system memory 52 is, for example, a RAM. In this embodiment, constants and variables for operation of the system control unit 50, as well as programs and the like read from the non-volatile memory 56, are loaded into the system memory 52 by the system control unit 50. The non-volatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable and electrically recordable memory, such as an EEPROM. The non-volatile memory 56 stores constants and programs for operation of the system control unit 50. These programs are programs for implementing various controls by the system control unit 50. The system timer 53 measures the time used for various controls and the time of an internal clock. The communication unit 54 transmits and receives video signals and audio signals to and from external devices connected wirelessly or via a wired cable. The network between the communication unit 54 and the external device may be any communication system as long as it is configured to enable the transmission and reception of information. The network may be any one of a LAN, a WAN, a cellular network such as LTE or 5G, a wireless network, a dedicated digital line, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Bluetooth Low Energy, or a combination of these. The communication unit 54 transmits images. Note that the images transmitted to the communication unit 54 include LV images. The communication unit 54 also receives images and various other information from external devices.

[0022] The orientation detection unit 55 detects the orientation of the imaging device 100 relative to the direction of gravity. Based on the result of this detection by the orientation detection unit 55, the system control unit 50 determines whether the image was captured when the imaging device 100 was held horizontally or vertically. The orientation detection unit 55 may be an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like. The eyepiece detection unit 57 is a sensor that detects the approach (eye-approach) and departure (eye-away) of an object, such as an eye, from the eyepiece 16 of the eyepiece finder 17. Depending on the state detected by the eyepiece detection unit 57, the system control unit 50 switches between displaying and hiding an image on the display unit 28 or the EVF 29. The eyepiece detection unit 57 may be, for example, an infrared proximity sensor. However, the sensor used as the eyepiece detection unit 57 may be a sensor other than an infrared proximity sensor, as long as it detects the approach of the eye.

[0023] The vibration imparting unit 119 radiates ultrasonic waves toward a region outside the imaging device 100, thereby vibrating an object located in the region where the ultrasonic waves are radiated. The vibration imparting unit 119 includes a piezoelectric element (not shown) and an application unit (not shown) that applies a voltage to the piezoelectric element. The application unit repeatedly switches the direction of the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element, causing the piezoelectric element to vibrate, thereby generating ultrasonic waves from the piezoelectric element. In this embodiment, the vibration imparting unit 119 is provided on the front surface (front face) of the imaging device 100 to impart vibration to an object located in the direction in which the lens 103 faces, i.e., on the front side of the imaging device 100. In other words, the vibration imparting unit 119 is provided in the imaging device 100 so that the direction of the ultrasonic waves radiated by the vibration imparting unit 119 is toward the front side of the imaging device 100. The imaging device 100 may include one or more vibration imparting units 119. Examples of the vibration imparting unit 119 include directional speakers such as a line array speaker, a plane wave speaker, and a parametric speaker. Furthermore, as the vibration applying unit 119, for example, an ultrasonic wave generating device described in Patent Document 2 may be used.

[0024] When a predetermined condition is satisfied as a relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed, the vibration applying unit 119 starts applying vibration to an object located outside the imaging device 100 by emitting ultrasonic waves. Furthermore, when a predetermined condition is satisfied as a relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed, the vibration applying unit 119 changes the mode of vibration applied to the outside of the imaging device 100 compared to when the application of vibration was started. Examples of the mode of vibration include the area of ​​the object to which vibration is applied, the intensity of vibration, the number of vibrations per unit time, and the presence or absence of vibration. Hereinafter, the predetermined conditions under which the vibration applying unit 119 starts applying vibration or the vibration applying unit 119 changes the mode of vibration may be referred to as vibration conditions. Specific details of the vibration conditions will be described in detail later. The start of application of vibration by the vibration applying unit 119 and the change in the mode of vibration by the vibration applying unit 119 are controlled by the system control unit 50.

[0025] An example of a method for changing the target area to which the vibration imparting unit 119 imparts vibration will be described. Assume that the imaging device 100 is provided with multiple directional speakers serving as the vibration imparting unit 119, each with a different ultrasonic wave emission area, including directional speakers that emit ultrasonic waves and directional speakers that do not emit ultrasonic waves. In this case, when a directional speaker that was emitting ultrasonic waves stops emitting ultrasonic waves and a directional speaker that was not emitting ultrasonic waves emits ultrasonic waves, the area from which the ultrasonic waves are emitted changes, thereby changing the target area to which vibration is imparted. Furthermore, when multiple directional speakers are arranged in the imaging device 100, the focus of the ultrasonic waves emitted from the multiple directional speakers is determined according to the ultrasonic wave emission time of each directional speaker. Therefore, by the system control unit 50 controlling the ultrasonic wave emission time of each directional speaker, the area from which the ultrasonic waves are emitted changes, thereby changing the target area to which vibration is imparted. Furthermore, the vibration imparting unit 119 may be provided on the front surface of the imaging device 100 so as to be movable above the imaging device 100, or the orientation of the vibration imparting unit 119 may be changed. In this case, the system control unit 50 controls the position and orientation of the vibration applying unit 119 to change the area from which the ultrasonic waves are emitted, and therefore the area to which vibration is applied changes.

[0026] The viewfinder display drive circuit 44 is a circuit that drives the viewfinder display 43. The power supply control unit 80 controls power supply-related matters, such as detecting whether a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery charge. The power supply unit 30 is the power supply for the image capture device 100. Examples of power sources that make up the power supply unit 30 include primary batteries such as alkaline batteries and lithium batteries, secondary batteries such as NiCd batteries, NiMH batteries, and Li batteries, and AC adapters. The recording medium I / F 18 is an interface that connects the image capture device 100 to a recording medium 200 such as a memory card or hard disk.

[0027] The operation unit 70 is an input unit that accepts user operations on the imaging device 100 and is used to input various operational instructions to the system control unit 50. The operation unit 70 includes a shutter button 61, a mode selector switch 60, a power switch 72, a touch panel 70a, and other operation members 70b. Examples of 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 76, an AE lock button 77, a magnify button 78, a playback button 79, and a menu button 81. 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, and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1 when the first shutter switch 62 is turned ON. Upon receiving the first shutter switch signal SW1, the system control unit 50 starts image capture preparation operations such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, and EF processing. The second shutter switch 64 is turned ON when the shutter button 61 is fully pressed, and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2 when the second shutter switch 64 is turned ON. When the system control unit 50 receives the second shutter switch signal SW2, it starts a series of operations for the photographing process, from reading out the signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing the captured image to the recording medium 200 as a file.

[0028] The mode selector switch 60 switches the operating mode of the system control unit 50. In this embodiment, the operating modes of the system control unit 50 include a shooting mode, which allows shooting, and a playback mode, which allows image playback. The shooting modes include a still image shooting mode, which allows shooting still images, and a video shooting mode, which allows video shooting. The still image shooting modes include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene determination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and a program AE mode (P mode). The operating modes include various scene modes, which set shooting settings for different shooting scenes, and a custom mode, which allows the user to customize the operating mode. The user switches the operating mode to one of the above modes by operating the mode selector switch 60. Although not described here, the video shooting mode may also have multiple modes. In this embodiment, when the system control unit 50 is in the shooting mode, an LV image is displayed on the display unit 28 or the EVF 29. In this case, images converted by the A / D converter 23 are sequentially transferred to the image processing unit 24.

[0029] The touch panel 70a is a touch sensor that detects a user's touch on the surface of the display unit 28. The touch panel 70a detects operations performed by the user on the surface of the display unit 28, such as contact time, contact area, swipe, and non-contact, and transmits a signal corresponding to the detected operation to the system control unit 50. A recording medium 200 is also attached to the imaging device 100. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording images, and is configured from a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

[0030] 3A to 3E are diagrams illustrating the relationship between the voltage applied to the vibration applying unit 119 and the generated vibration. In Fig. 3A to 3E, the horizontal axis represents time t, and the vertical axis represents the voltage V applied to the piezoelectric body (not shown) by an application means (not shown) in the vibration applying unit 119. In the vibration applying unit 119, the application means (not shown) applies a voltage consisting of a sine wave or the like to the piezoelectric body (not shown), causing the piezoelectric body to expand and contract and repeatedly switch the direction of expansion and contraction, thereby vibrating. In addition, as the piezoelectric body vibrates, it emits ultrasonic waves at a frequency corresponding to the vibrations, thereby vibrating an object located in the area where the ultrasonic waves are emitted.

[0031] Fig. 3A shows that no voltage is applied to the piezoelectric body of the vibration applying unit 119. In this case, the piezoelectric body is not vibrating, and the vibration applying unit 119 does not apply vibrations to the outside of the image capturing device 100. Fig. 3B shows that a voltage consisting of a sine wave is applied to the piezoelectric body of the vibration applying unit 119. In this case, the piezoelectric body vibrates and emits ultrasonic waves, causing the vibration applying unit 119 to apply vibrations to the outside of the image capturing device 100.

[0032] Fig. 3(C) shows that a voltage having a higher frequency than that in the example shown in Fig. 3(B) is applied to the piezoelectric element of the vibration applying unit 119. In this case, the number of vibrations per unit time applied from the vibration applying unit 119 to the outside of the image capturing device 100 is greater than in the example shown in Fig. 3(B). Fig. 3(D) shows that a voltage having a frequency with a larger amplitude than that in the example shown in Fig. 3(B) is applied to the piezoelectric element of the vibration applying unit 119. In this case, the vibrations applied from the vibration applying unit 119 to the outside of the image capturing device 100 are stronger than in the example shown in Fig. 3(B).

[0033] 3(E) shows that a voltage is intermittently applied to the piezoelectric body of the vibration applying unit 119. In this case, the vibration applying unit 119 applies vibrations intermittently to the outside of the image capturing device 100. In this embodiment, the system control unit 50 controls the voltage applied to the piezoelectric body of the vibration applying unit 119. The system control unit 50 controls the manner of vibrations that the vibration applying unit 119 applies to the outside of the image capturing device 100 by controlling the voltage applied to the piezoelectric body of the vibration applying unit 119. Therefore, the voltage waveforms shown in FIGS. 3(B) to 3(E) can also be regarded as waveforms of vibrations that the vibration applying unit 119 applies to the outside of the image capturing device 100.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the vibration control process. The vibration control process is a process in which the system control unit 50 controls the vibration applying unit 119. In this embodiment, when the system control unit 50 is in the shooting mode and the vibration control process is not being performed, the vibration control process is started at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time may be any time, but is, for example, one second. In this embodiment, the system control unit 50 deploys a program stored in the non-volatile memory 56 in the system memory 52 and executes it, thereby realizing each step in the vibration control process. Note that the imaging device 100 may be set so that the vibration control process is not started.

[0035] In S401, the system control unit 50 determines whether the vibration applying unit 119 is applying vibration to the outside of the image capturing device 100. The system control unit 50 determines whether the vibration applying unit 119 is applying vibration based on whether the vibration applying unit 119 is emitting ultrasonic waves to the outside of the image capturing device 100.

[0036] If the vibration applying unit 119 is not applying vibration (NO in S401), the system control unit 50 determines in S402 whether a vibration start condition is satisfied. The vibration start condition, as an example of a vibration condition, is a condition used by the system control unit 50 to determine whether to start applying vibration from the vibration applying unit 119 to the outside of the imaging device 100. When the system control unit 50 receives the latest information indicating the relationship between the angle of view and the subject of photography from the image processing unit 24, the system control unit 50 determines whether the vibration start condition is satisfied based on the relationship between the angle of view and the subject of photography identified from the received information. Specifically, when the system control unit 50 is in photography mode, images are sequentially transferred to the image processing unit 24 for LV display. In this case, each time the image processing unit 24 receives an image, the image processing unit 24 transmits the latest information indicating the relationship between the angle of view and the subject of photography identified from the received image to the system control unit 50 as information used for the system control unit 50's determination. Another example of the vibration start condition is that the entire subject of photography is included in the angle of view.

[0037] If the vibration start condition is satisfied (YES in S402), in S403, the system control unit 50 starts applying vibration to an object located in the area where the ultrasonic waves are radiated by causing the vibration applying unit 119 to radiate ultrasonic waves outside the image capturing device 100. At this time, the area where the ultrasonic waves are radiated from the vibration applying unit 119, i.e., the area of ​​the object to be vibrated by the vibration applying unit 119, may be, for example, an area where the object to be photographed is located.

[0038] After S403, or if the vibration applying unit 119 is applying vibration (YES in S401), the system control unit 50 determines in S404 whether a vibration end condition is satisfied. The vibration end condition is a condition used by the system control unit 50 to determine whether or not to end application of vibration from the vibration applying unit 119 to the outside of the image capturing device 100. An example of the vibration end condition is that the subject is not located in the angle of view area. If the vibration end condition is satisfied (YES in S404), the system control unit 50 ends application of vibration from the vibration applying unit 119 by ending emission of ultrasonic waves from the vibration applying unit 119 in S405.

[0039] If the vibration end condition is not satisfied (NO in S404), the system control unit 50 determines in S406 whether the change condition is satisfied. The change condition, which is an example of a vibration condition, is a condition used by the system control unit 50 to determine whether the area of ​​the target to which the vibration applying unit 119 applies vibration should be changed. The change condition is a relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed, which is different from the relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed that is determined as the vibration start condition. An example of the change condition is that at least a part of the object to be photographed is not included in the angle of view area.

[0040] If the change condition is satisfied (YES in S406), the system control unit 50 changes, in S407, the area of ​​the target to which vibration is applied by the vibration application unit 119 compared to when application of vibration from the vibration application unit 119 was started in S403. As described above, the relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed differs when the vibration start condition is satisfied and when the change condition is satisfied. However, the system control unit 50 controls the vibration application unit 119 to apply vibration to an object located in an area corresponding to the relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed. Furthermore, an example of an area to which the vibration application unit 119 applies vibration when the change condition is satisfied is the area where the object to be photographed is located. In other words, even though the relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed differs when the change condition is satisfied from when the vibration start condition is satisfied, the system control unit 50 changes the area to which vibration is applied so that the vibration application unit 119 applies vibration to the object to be photographed.

[0041] If a negative result is obtained in S402, after S405, if a negative result is obtained in S406, or after S407, the system control unit 50 determines in S408 whether a processing end condition is satisfied. The processing end condition is a condition used by the system control unit 50 to determine whether or not to end the vibration control processing. An example of the processing end condition is that the first shutter switch signal SW1 generated in response to half-pressing the shutter button 61 is received by the system control unit 50.

[0042] If the processing termination condition is not satisfied (NO in S408), the system control unit 50 repeats the processing from S401. If the processing termination condition is satisfied (YES in S408), the system control unit 50 terminates the vibration control processing. If the processing termination condition is satisfied while the vibration applying unit 119 is applying vibration to the outside of the image capturing device 100, the system control unit 50 terminates the emission of ultrasonic waves from the vibration applying unit 119 upon completion of the vibration control processing, thereby terminating the vibration to the outside of the image capturing device 100.

[0043] As described above, the system control unit 50 controls the vibration applying unit 119 to apply vibration to an object located in a region corresponding to the relationship between the angle of view region and the object to be photographed. In this case, a person who does not recognize which region is included in the angle of view of the image capture device 100 can be made aware of the relationship between the angle of view region and the object to be photographed. Furthermore, when the vibration applying unit 119 is applying vibration to an object located in a region outside the image capture device 100, the system control unit 50 changes the region of the object to which vibration is applied by the vibration applying unit 119 in accordance with a change in the relationship between the angle of view region and the object to be photographed. In this case, a person who does not recognize the change in the relationship between the angle of view region and the object to be photographed can be made aware of the relationship between the angle of view region and the object to be photographed after this relationship has changed.

[0044] 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining vibration conditions and a target region outside the imaging device 100 to which the vibration applying unit 119 applies vibration. The mode of vibration applied by the vibration applying unit 119 to the outside of the imaging device 100 may be referred to as a vibration mode hereinafter. The target region outside the imaging device 100 to which the vibration applying unit 119 applies vibration may be referred to as a vibration region hereinafter. In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the subject to be photographed is a person 300. The vibration condition may be any of the first to fourth vibration conditions described below. The vibration mode may be any of the first to seventh vibration modes described below.

[0045] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a first vibration condition and a first vibration mode. The first vibration condition is that the entire object to be photographed is included in the angle-of-view area A. In the illustrated example, the entire person 300 is included in the angle-of-view area A, so the first vibration condition is satisfied. Furthermore, the first vibration mode is a vibration mode in which the area of ​​the angle-of-view area A where the person 300 is located is defined as a vibration area R. When the first vibration condition is satisfied, the position of the person 300 in the angle-of-view area A is identified by the image processing unit 24. In this case, the system control unit 50 causes the vibration applying unit 119 to emit ultrasonic waves toward the area identified by the image processing unit 24 as the position of the person 300, thereby realizing vibration in the first vibration mode.

[0046] FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a second vibration mode. The second vibration mode is a vibration mode in which the strength of the vibration applied to the person 300 varies depending on the position of the person 300 in the field of view A. More specifically, in the second vibration mode, the area defined as the vibration area R is composed of a first vibration area r1, a second vibration area r2, and a third vibration area r3. The first vibration area r1 is a central area in the field of view A. The second vibration area r2 is an area outside the first vibration area r1 in the field of view A. The third vibration area r3 is an area outside the second vibration area r2 in the field of view A. The system control unit 50 controls the vibration applying unit 119 so that the vibration applied to the person 300 is stronger when the person 300 is located in the second vibration area r2 than when the person 300 is located in the third vibration area r3. Furthermore, the system control unit 50 controls the vibration applying unit 119 so that the vibration applied to the person 300 is stronger when the person 300 is located in the first vibration area r1 than when the person 300 is located in the second vibration area r2. In the illustrated example, since the person 300 is located in the first vibration area r1, the system control unit 50 controls the vibration applying unit 119 so that the vibration applied to the person 300 is stronger than when the person 300 is located in the second vibration area r2 or the third vibration area r3.

[0047] When the person 300 is located in the angle-of-view region A, the position of the person 300 in the angle-of-view region A is identified by the image processing unit 24. In this case, the system control unit 50 identifies which of the first to third vibration regions r1 to r3 the region in which the person 300 is located is. The system control unit 50 then applies a voltage corresponding to the identification result to the vibration applying unit 119 and controls the vibration applying unit 119 so that ultrasonic waves are emitted toward the region identified by the image processing unit 24 as the position of the person 300, thereby realizing vibration in the second vibration mode. Note that the person 300 may be located across multiple regions among the first to third vibration regions r1 to r3. In this case, the system control unit 50 may identify the region among the first to third vibration regions r1 to r3 that overlaps the person 300 the most as the region in which the person 300 is located.

[0048] FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a third vibration mode. The third vibration mode is a vibration mode in which the entire angle-of-view region A is defined as the vibration region R. The system control unit 50 radiates ultrasonic waves to the entire angle-of-view region A, thereby realizing the vibration mode according to the third vibration mode. Alternatively, the imaging device 100 may be provided with multiple vibration imparting units 119 each having a different ultrasonic wave radiation region, and each of the multiple vibration imparting units 119 may radiate ultrasonic waves to a different region of the angle-of-view region A, thereby realizing the vibration mode according to the third vibration mode. In this case, the intensity of the vibration generated at each position in the angle-of-view region A is more likely to be uniform than when vibration according to the third vibration mode is realized by only radiating ultrasonic waves from a single vibration imparting unit 119. In the illustrated example, since the person 300 is located in the angle-of-view region A, vibration is imparted to the person 300 by the vibration imparting unit 119.

[0049] FIG. 5D is a diagram illustrating a fourth vibration mode. In the fourth vibration mode, the entire field of view A is defined as a vibration region R, and the intensity of the vibration applied to the person 300 varies depending on the position of the person 300 in the field of view A. In the fourth vibration mode, the region defined as the vibration region R is composed of a first vibration region r1, a second vibration region r2, and a third vibration region r3. In the fourth vibration mode, the positional relationship between the field of view A and the first to third vibration regions r1 to r3, and the relationship between the region in which the person 300 is located and the intensity of the vibration applied to the person 300, are the same as those in the second vibration mode. In the illustrated example, because the person 300 is located in the first vibration region r1, the person 300 is applied with stronger vibrations from the vibration applying unit 119 than when the person 300 is located in the second vibration region r2 or the third vibration region r3.

[0050] An example of a method by which the system control unit 50 realizes vibration in the fourth vibration mode will be described. The system control unit 50 sets the entire field of view A as the ultrasound radiation region, and causes the vibration applying unit 119 to radiate ultrasound waves so that the first vibration region r1 is at the center of the radiation region. In this case, the ultrasound waves are most concentrated in the first vibration region r1, resulting in the strongest vibration in the first vibration region r1 of the field of view A and the weakest vibration in the third vibration region r3 of the field of view A, thereby realizing vibration in the fourth vibration mode.

[0051] FIG. 6E is a diagram illustrating the second vibration condition and the fifth vibration mode. The second vibration condition is that at least a portion of the object to be photographed is located in a region predetermined as the center of the angle-of-view region A. The region predetermined as the center of the angle-of-view region A may be the same region as the first vibration region r1 in the second vibration mode and the fourth vibration mode. In the illustrated example, a portion of the person 300 is located in the region predetermined as the center of the angle-of-view region A, so the second vibration condition is satisfied. The fifth vibration mode is a vibration mode in which the center of the angle-of-view region A is defined as the vibration region R. That is, the vibration region R in the fifth vibration mode is the same region as the region defined as the second vibration condition. In the illustrated example, the right half of the person 300 is located in the vibration region R, so this right half is subjected to vibration from the vibration applying unit 119. The area determined as the second vibration condition may be any area that is a part of the angle-of-view area A, and is not limited to the center of the angle-of-view area A.

[0052] FIG. 6F is a diagram illustrating the third vibration condition and the sixth vibration mode. The third vibration condition is that at least a portion of the object to be photographed is located in a region defined as the outer edge of the angle-of-view region A. The outer edge of the angle-of-view region A defined as the third vibration condition is a region outside the angle-of-view region A. In the illustrated example, a portion of the person 300 is located in the region defined as the outer edge of the angle-of-view region A, so the third vibration condition is satisfied. Furthermore, the sixth vibration mode is a vibration mode in which the inside of the angle-of-view region A is not defined as the vibration region R, but the outer edge of the angle-of-view region A is defined as the vibration region R. In other words, the vibration region R in the sixth vibration mode is the same region as the region defined as the third vibration condition. In the illustrated example, the head of the person 300 is located in the vibration region R, so the head is subjected to vibration from the vibration applying unit 119.

[0053] An example of a method by which the system control unit 50 realizes vibration in the sixth vibration mode will be described. The imaging device 100 is provided with multiple vibration imparting units 119, each with a different ultrasound emission region, and the system control unit 50 causes the multiple vibration imparting units 119 to emit ultrasound waves to different regions of the outer edge of the angle of view A, thereby realizing vibration in the sixth vibration mode. The system control unit 50 may also cause the vibration imparting units 119 to impart vibration to only a portion of the region corresponding to the outer edge of the angle of view A. For example, if a subject is located both inside and outside the angle of view A, the position of the subject inside the angle of view A is identified by the image processing unit 24. In this case, the system control unit 50 causes the vibration imparting units 119 to emit ultrasound waves only to the outer edge of the angle of view A adjacent to the region identified by the image processing unit 24 as the position of the person 300, thereby imparting vibration to only a portion of the region corresponding to the outer edge of the angle of view A. This eliminates the need to provide multiple vibration imparting units 119 in the imaging device 100 in order to impart vibrations to the outer edge of the angle-of-view area A. Note that when at least a portion of the object to be photographed is not included in the angle-of-view area, the condition for the vibration imparting unit 119 to be able to impart vibrations to the object to be photographed is that the object to be photographed is located within a range in which the vibration imparting unit 119 can emit ultrasonic waves.

[0054] As described above, the system control unit 50 controls the vibration applying unit 119 to apply vibration to an object located in an area not included in the angle of view, depending on the relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed. In this case, even if the object to be vibrated is located in an area not included in the angle of view of the imaging device 100, a person who does not recognize which areas are included in the angle of view can be made aware of the relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed.

[0055] FIG. 6G is a diagram illustrating the fourth vibration condition and the seventh vibration mode. The fourth vibration condition is that at least a portion of the object to be photographed is located in a region defined as the periphery of the angle-of-view region A. The periphery of the angle-of-view region A defined as the fourth vibration condition is a region inside the angle-of-view region A. In the illustrated example, a portion of the person 300 is located in the region defined as the periphery of the angle-of-view region A, so the fourth vibration condition is satisfied. Furthermore, the seventh vibration mode is a vibration mode in which the center of the angle-of-view region A is not defined as the vibration region R, but the periphery of the angle-of-view region A is defined as the vibration region R. In other words, the vibration region R in the seventh vibration mode is the same region as the region defined as the fourth vibration condition. Note that the method by which the system control unit 50 realizes vibration in the seventh vibration mode is the same as the method by which the system control unit 50 realizes vibration in the sixth vibration mode.

[0056] As described above, the system control unit 50 controls the vibration applying unit 119 to apply vibration depending on whether at least a part of the object to be photographed is located on the periphery of the angle of view area or whether at least a part of the object to be photographed is not located in the angle of view area. In this case, a person who does not recognize which area is included in the angle of view of the imaging device 100 can be made to recognize that the object to be photographed is located on the periphery of the angle of view area or that the object to be photographed is not included in the angle of view area.

[0057] Although the first to fourth vibration conditions have been described above, any of the first to fourth vibration conditions may be set as the vibration start condition and the change condition. Also, although the first to seventh vibration modes have been described above, the vibration mode when the vibration start condition is satisfied and the vibration mode when the change condition is satisfied may be any of the first to seventh vibration modes.

[0058] For example, a first vibration condition (see FIG. 5A) may be defined as the vibration start condition, and the vibration mode when the vibration start condition is satisfied may be the first vibration mode (see FIG. 5A) or the third vibration mode (see FIG. 5C). A second vibration condition (see FIG. 6E) may be defined as the change condition, and the vibration mode when the change condition is satisfied may be the fifth vibration mode (see FIG. 6E). In this case, the system control unit 50 may control the vibration applying unit 119 so that the intensity of the vibration applied by the vibration applying unit 119, the number of vibrations per unit time, the presence or absence of intermittent vibration, and the like are different between when the vibration start condition is satisfied and when the change condition is satisfied. In this case, the object to be photographed can be made to recognize that it has moved from the area defined as the first vibration condition to the area defined as the second vibration condition.

[0059] Furthermore, for example, the first vibration condition or the second vibration condition may be defined as a vibration start condition, and the vibration mode when the vibration start condition is satisfied may be any one of the first vibration mode to the fourth vibration mode. Furthermore, the third vibration condition (see FIG. 6F) may be defined as a change condition, and the vibration mode when the change condition is satisfied may be the sixth vibration mode (see FIG. 6F). In this case, the vibration applying unit 119 may be controlled so that the intensity of the vibration applied by the vibration applying unit 119, the number of vibrations per unit time, the presence or absence of intermittent vibrations, etc., differ between when the vibration start condition is satisfied and when the change condition is satisfied. In this case, the subject to be photographed can be made to recognize that it has moved and is now outside the angle of view.

[0060] Furthermore, for example, the first vibration condition or the second vibration condition may be defined as a vibration start condition, and the vibration mode when the vibration start condition is satisfied may be any one of the first vibration mode to the fourth vibration mode. Furthermore, the fourth vibration condition (see FIG. 6(G)) may be defined as a change condition, and the vibration mode when the change condition is satisfied may be the seventh vibration mode (see FIG. 6(G)). In this case, the vibration applying unit 119 may be controlled so that the intensity of the vibration applied by the vibration applying unit 119, the number of vibrations per unit time, the presence or absence of intermittent vibrations, etc., differ between when the vibration start condition is satisfied and when the change condition is satisfied. In this case, the subject of photography can be made to recognize that it has moved and is now located at the periphery of the angle of view.

[0061] Furthermore, for example, the third vibration condition (see FIG. 6(F)) may be defined as the vibration start condition, and the vibration mode when the vibration start condition is satisfied may be the sixth vibration mode (see FIG. 6(F)). Furthermore, any one of the first vibration condition, the second vibration condition, and the fourth vibration condition may be defined as the change condition, and the vibration mode when the change condition is satisfied may be any one of the first vibration mode to the fourth vibration mode and the seventh vibration mode. In this case, the vibration applying unit 119 may be controlled so that the intensity of the vibration applied by the vibration applying unit 119, the number of vibrations per unit time, the presence or absence of intermittent vibration, and the like differ between when the vibration start condition is satisfied and when the change condition is satisfied. In this case, the subject to be photographed can be made to recognize that it has moved and is now located inside the angle of view.

[0062] Furthermore, for example, the fourth vibration condition (see FIG. 6(G)) may be defined as the vibration start condition, and the vibration mode when the vibration start condition is satisfied may be the seventh vibration mode (see FIG. 6(G)). Furthermore, either the first vibration condition or the second vibration condition may be defined as the change condition, and the vibration mode when the change condition is satisfied may be any one of the first to fourth vibration modes. In this case, the vibration applying unit 119 may be controlled so that the intensity of the vibration applied by the vibration applying unit 119, the number of vibrations per unit time, the presence or absence of intermittent vibrations, etc., differ between when the vibration start condition is satisfied and when the change condition is satisfied. In this case, the subject to be photographed can be made to recognize that it has moved and is now located inside the angle of view.

[0063] As described above, the system control unit 50 controls the vibration applying unit 119 to apply vibration to the object to be photographed in a manner that corresponds to the relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed that is located within the range of ultrasound emission by the vibration applying unit 119. In this case, even if the object to be photographed does not recognize which area is included in the angle of view of the imaging device 100, it is possible to make the object to be photographed recognize the relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed.

[0064] In the above example, the relationship between the angle of view area where the vibration condition is satisfied and the object to be photographed is different between the vibration start condition and the change condition. However, the relationship between the angle of view area where the vibration condition is satisfied and the object to be photographed may be the same between the vibration start condition and the change condition. For example, the vibration start condition and the change condition may both be the first vibration condition, and the vibration mode when the vibration condition is satisfied may be the second vibration mode (see FIG. 5B) or the fourth vibration mode (see FIG. 5D). Even in this case, vibration is applied to the object to be photographed in a vibration mode that corresponds to the relationship between the angle of view area and the object to be photographed.

[0065] The first vibration condition is not limited to the above example. For example, the first vibration condition may be that the subject is in focus in the field of view. Alternatively, one of the following conditions may be determined as the vibration start condition: that the subject is in focus in the field of view; or that the subject is located in the field of view but is out of focus; and the other may be determined as the change condition. When the subject is in focus, vibration may be applied to only a part of the subject, such as the face, and when the subject is out of focus, vibration may be applied to the entire subject or the entire field of view.

[0066] Furthermore, any of the first to fourth vibration conditions may be determined as the vibration condition under which vibration in the sixth vibration mode (see FIG. 6F ) is generated. That is, the system control unit 50 may control the vibration applying unit 119 to apply vibration to an object located in an area not included in the angle of view, depending on the relationship between the angle of view and the object to be photographed. In this way, even if the object to which vibration is applied is located in an area not included in the angle of view of the imaging device 100, a person who does not recognize which areas are included in the angle of view of the imaging device 100 can be made to recognize the relationship between the angle of view and the object to be photographed.

[0067] In the present embodiment, in the second vibration mode (see FIG. 5B ) and the fourth vibration mode (see FIG. 5D ), the vibrations applied to the object to be photographed are strongest when the object is located in the first vibration region r1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The second vibration mode and the fourth vibration mode may be modes in which the vibrations applied to the object to be photographed are stronger when the object is located in the second vibration region r2 than when the object is located in the first vibration region r1. Furthermore, the second vibration mode and the fourth vibration mode may be modes in which the vibrations applied to the object to be photographed are stronger when the object is located in the third vibration region r3 than when the object is located in the second vibration region r2.

[0068] In the fourth vibration mode, the system control unit 50 may cause the vibration applying unit 119 to radiate ultrasonic waves radially, with the entire angle of view being the ultrasonic wave radiation region and the third vibration region r3 being the center of the radiation region. In this case, the vibration is strongest in the third vibration region r3 of the angle of view and weakest in the first vibration region r1 of the angle of view. Alternatively, the imaging device 100 may be provided with multiple vibration applying units 119, each with a different ultrasonic wave radiation region. Each of the multiple vibration applying units 119 may then radiate ultrasonic waves to a different region of the third vibration region r3, thereby achieving a vibration mode in which the vibration is strongest in the third vibration region r3 of the angle of view A. In this case, the strength of the generated vibration is more likely to be uniform across the separated vibration regions.

[0069] In the second vibration mode (see FIG. 5B) and the fourth vibration mode (see FIG. 5D), the vibration mode that differs for each of the first to third vibration regions r1 to r3 is not limited to the vibration intensity. In the second and fourth vibration modes, the vibration mode may differ for each of the first to third vibration regions r1 to r3 by varying the number of vibrations per unit time or the frequency at which vibration is not applied in the intermittent vibration.

[0070] (Variations of Vibration Conditions) Next, variations of the vibration conditions will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining variations of the vibration conditions. As shown in Fig. 7(A), a person 300, who is the subject to be photographed, is located in a field of view A. At this time, the distance between the position of the person 300 and a center point C of the field of view A is a distance D1. Furthermore, in the example shown in Fig. 7(A), the vibration start condition is satisfied, and the vibration applying unit 119 applies vibration to the person 300.

[0071] Next, as shown in Fig. 7B, person 300 moves closer to center point C in field of view A. At this time, the distance between the position of person 300 and center point C in field of view A is distance D2, which is shorter than distance D1. In this case, the system control unit 50 controls the vibration applying unit 119 so that the vibration applied to person 300 is different in intensity, number of vibrations per unit time, presence or absence of intermittent vibrations, and other vibration aspects from when person 300 was located in Fig. 7A. That is, in the modified example shown in Fig. 7, a change in the distance between center point C in field of view A and the object to be photographed is defined as a vibration condition.

[0072] As described above, when at least a portion of the object to be photographed is located within the angle of view region, the system control unit 50 identifies the relationship between the position of the object to be photographed at a first timing and the position of the object to be photographed at a second timing that is later than the first timing. The system control unit 50 then controls the vibration applying unit 119 to apply vibrations in accordance with the identified relationship. In this case, a person who does not recognize which regions are included in the angle of view of the imaging device 100 can recognize the relationship between the angle of view region and the object to be photographed over time.

[0073] The vibration condition may be determined as the distance between the center point C in the angle of view A and the object to be photographed decreasing, or as the distance between the center point C in the angle of view A and the object to be photographed increasing. Furthermore, both the distance between the center point C in the angle of view A and the object to be photographed decreasing and the distance between the center point C in the angle of view A and the object to be photographed increasing may be determined as the vibration condition. In this case, the system control unit 50 may control the vibration applying unit 119 so that the vibration intensity, the number of vibrations per unit time, the presence or absence of intermittent vibrations, and other vibration characteristics applied to the object to be photographed are different depending on whether the distance between the center point C and the object to be photographed decreases or increases. A change in the distance between the center point C in the angle of view A and the object to be photographed may be either a vibration start condition or a vibration change condition. This allows the object to be aware that its position has changed.

[0074] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the vibration control process can be started when the system control unit 50 is in the shooting mode. However, this is not limiting. For example, the vibration control process can be started when the image processing unit 24 identifies that a subject is located in the field of view. Alternatively, the vibration control process can be started when an image for LV display is transmitted to the image processing unit 24. Alternatively, the vibration control process can be started when the power of the imaging device 100 is turned on. Alternatively, the vibration control process can be performed during shooting. For example, the vibration control process can be started when video shooting starts and ended when video shooting ends.

[0075] Furthermore, the vibration end condition is not limited to the above-described example. The vibration end condition may be, for example, the elapse of a predetermined time since the vibration application unit 119 started applying vibration to the object to be photographed as a result of the vibration start condition or change condition being satisfied. The predetermined time may be any time, for example, three seconds. The vibration end condition may also be the object to be photographed being out of focus. The end condition of the vibration control process is not limited to the above-described example. The vibration end condition may be, for example, the second shutter switch signal SW2 generated when the shutter button 61 is fully pressed being received by the system control unit 50.

[0076] Furthermore, multiple change conditions may be defined in stages. For example, a fourth vibration condition (see FIG. 6(G)) may be defined as the first of two change conditions, and a third vibration condition (see FIG. 6(F)) may be defined as the second of the two change conditions. The system control unit 50 may then vary the vibration intensity, the number of vibrations per unit time, and the presence or absence of intermittent vibrations applied to the object when the first change condition is satisfied from the vibration when the second change condition is satisfied. In this case, when the first change condition is satisfied, the object can be made to recognize that it is located at the periphery of the angle of view. Furthermore, when the second change condition is subsequently satisfied, the object can be made to recognize that it has moved outside the angle of view.

[0077] Furthermore, when the change condition is satisfied, the system control unit 50 may prevent the vibration applying unit 119 from emitting ultrasonic waves. In this case, the vibration applying unit 119 no longer applies vibration to the object to be photographed, thereby making it possible for the object to recognize that it has moved to an area where the change condition is satisfied.

[0078] Furthermore, while a change condition may be defined as a vibration condition, a vibration start condition may not be defined. In this case, the system control unit 50 may set the vibration mode of the vibration applying unit 119 to any one of the first vibration mode to the seventh vibration mode upon start of the vibration control process (see FIG. 4 ), regardless of the position of the subject. Thereafter, the system control unit 50 may change the vibration mode in response to the satisfaction of the change condition.

[0079] Furthermore, the vibration end condition is not limited to the above-described example. For example, the vibration end condition may be determined to be that the image processing unit 24 has not determined that the object to be photographed is located within the range of ultrasound emitted by the vibration applying unit 119. Alternatively, for example, the vibration end condition may be determined to be that the first shutter switch signal SW1 generated in response to half-pressing the shutter button 61 has been received by the system control unit 50.

[0080] Although the present embodiment has been described with reference to a single person as the subject of the image capture, the present invention is not limited to this. The subject of the image capture may be multiple people. Furthermore, the subject of the image capture may be an object other than a person. Even in this case, a person near the object to which the vibration applying unit 119 applies vibrations may recognize the vibration of the object, thereby enabling the person to recognize the relationship between the angle of view area and the subject of the image capture. Furthermore, the subject of the image capture may be, for example, the object that is first focused in the image capture mode. Furthermore, the user of the image capture device 100 may operate the image capture device 100 to determine the object to be used as the subject of the image capture. Furthermore, the subject of the image capture may be a specific object, such as a specific person, that is predetermined in the image capture device 100.

[0081] Furthermore, vibration conditions to be applied as vibration start conditions and change conditions may be determined by a user of the imaging device 100 operating the imaging device 100. Furthermore, vibration conditions to be applied as vibration start conditions and change conditions may be determined depending on the type of object being photographed.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the system control unit 50 controls the vibration applying unit 119 to apply vibrations to the subject to be photographed in accordance with the relationship between the angle of view and the subject to be photographed. However, this is not limiting. The system control unit 50 may control the vibration applying unit 119 to apply vibrations in any of the first to seventh vibration modes during photographing. In this case, the system control unit 50 may limit notifications of photographing, such as a shutter sound, a countdown sound when photographing using a self-timer, or a flash. This allows the subject to be aware that photographing is about to occur even in an environment where sound and light need to be reduced. However, when photographing using the imaging unit 22, the vibration applying unit 119 may apply vibrations and also notify the subject to be photographed, such as a shutter sound, a countdown sound when photographing using a self-timer, or a flash. An example of a photographing event is when the shutter button 61 is pressed.

[0083] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example in which the imaging device 100 is a digital camera has been described, but this is not limiting. The imaging device 100 may be a mobile-mounted camera mounted on a mobile object such as a car or a drone. The imaging device 100 may also be a wearable camera mounted on an object worn by a person, such as an HMD (Head Mounted Display) or smart glasses. In this case, even if the imaging device 100 moves, the person can be made aware of the relationship between the angle of view and the object being photographed. The imaging device 100 may also be a surveillance camera. In this case, even if the person being photographed is unaware of the imaging device 100, the person can be made aware of the relationship between the angle of view and the object being photographed.

[0084] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0085] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-022552, filed February 19, 2024. The contents of the above Japanese patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. An imaging device comprising: a vibration applying unit that emits ultrasonic waves into an area outside the device to vibrate an object located in said area; an imaging means that photographs a subject; and a control unit that controls the vibration applying unit to vibrate an object located in an area corresponding to the relationship between an area included in the angle of view of said imaging means and a subject imaged by said imaging means.

2. The imaging device described in claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the area to which the vibration is applied from the vibration applying unit in accordance with a change in the relationship when the vibration applying unit is applying vibration to an object located in an area outside the device.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the vibration applying unit in accordance with the relationship so as to apply vibration to an object located in an area not included in the angle of view.

4. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the vibration applying unit to apply vibration depending on whether at least a portion of the object is located on the periphery of the area included in the angle of view, or whether at least a portion of the object is not located in the area included in the angle of view.

5. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the vibration applying unit to apply vibration when at least a portion of the object is located in an area included in the angle of view, depending on the relationship between the position of the object at a first timing and the position of the object at a second timing that is later than the first timing.

6. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the vibration imparting unit to impart vibration to the object in a vibration pattern that corresponds to the position of the object when the object is located within the range of ultrasound emitted by the vibration imparting unit.

7. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user that an image will be captured when the imaging means captures the image, and wherein the control unit limits the notification by the notification unit when vibration is applied from the vibration application unit when the image is captured.

8. An imaging device comprising: a vibration imparting unit that radiates ultrasonic waves to an object to vibrate the object; imaging means that photographs the subject; and a control unit that controls the vibration imparting unit to impart vibration to the object in a vibration mode that corresponds to the relationship between an area included in the angle of view of the imaging means and the object located within the range of ultrasound radiation from the vibration imparting unit.

9. A control method for an imaging device that includes a vibration applying unit that emits ultrasonic waves into an area outside the device to vibrate objects located in the area, and an imaging means that photographs a subject, the control method for an imaging device comprising a step of controlling the vibration applying unit to apply vibration to objects located in an area corresponding to the relationship between the area included in the angle of view of the imaging means and the subject of the image captured by the imaging means.

Images