JP2007006413A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device for detecting the entrance of a subject into a prescribed area in the field angle of an object to be imaged in self-photographing. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging part 240 images the subject. A detection area part 260 holds a predetermined detection area. When an area detecting part 220 detects the change of a pixel value by prescribed amount in a pixel corresponding to the detection area concerning the image photographed by the imaging part 240, an announcing part 230 announces the effect by sound and light, etc. After the announcement, the photographed image is taken into an image holding part 250 (capturing). A remote controller indication from a user can be waited before the capturing, or clocking can be performed with a timer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus that performs self-imaging, a processing method thereof, and a program that causes a computer to execute the method.

  An imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera is often equipped with a self-timer function for an imager to take an image of himself as a subject (self-photographing). This self-timer function is a function that automatically captures (captures) a captured image a predetermined time after the timer is set. Using this function, the user can perform self-photographing by fixing the imaging device on a flat place and setting the self-timer and then moving it into the angle of view.

  When self-photographing is performed using such a self-timer function, a different impression may be received between the composition assumed before imaging and the actually captured image. This is because the subject standing position assumed before imaging is different from the actual standing position. However, the actually displayed image cannot be seen from the subject, and the standing position can be determined only with a rough guide.

On the other hand, conventionally, a camera including a light emitting member indicating that a person who is a subject is located in an imaging screen has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this prior art, a light emitting member is provided in front of the camera, and the range in which blinking light emission from the light emitting member can be visually recognized is an imaging screen.
JP-A-5-53186 (FIG. 1)

  According to the above-described conventional technology, the person who is the subject can wait for the end of opening and closing of the shutter by selecting his / her standing position within a range where the flashing light emission from the light emitting member can be visually recognized. However, in this prior art, the entire imaging screen is the subject of visual recognition, and the standing position within the angle of view cannot be accurately indicated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that captures a captured image after detecting that a subject has entered a predetermined area at an angle of view of an imaging target during self-photographing.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is an imaging means for imaging an imaging target, and a detection area setting means for setting a detection area at the angle of view of the imaging target. , An area detecting means for detecting that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in the pixel value in the detection area, a notifying means for notifying when the change is detected, and an object to be imaged after the notification is made. An imaging apparatus comprising an image holding unit that captures an image as image data. This brings about the effect of capturing the captured image after notifying that the subject has entered the detection area.

  Further, in the first aspect, it is possible to further include a remote operation receiving means for receiving a remote operation. In this case, when a predetermined instruction is given as the remote operation after the notification is made, the image holding means May capture the image to be imaged. This brings about the effect of giving the user who has received the notification the opportunity to instruct image capture by remote operation.

  In addition, in the first aspect, the remote control may further include a timing unit that measures a predetermined time after a predetermined instruction is given as the remote operation. In this case, after the notification is made, When the measurement of the predetermined time is completed after the instruction is given, the image holding unit may capture the image to be captured. As a result, the user who has received the notification is given an opportunity to give another instruction to capture the image by remote control, and further has an effect of giving a predetermined time.

  In addition, in the first aspect, the information processing apparatus may further include a timing unit that measures a predetermined time after the notification is made, and the image holding is performed when the predetermined time is completed after the notification is made. The means may capture the image to be imaged. Thereby, it brings about the effect | action which gives the grace of predetermined time with respect to the user who received notification.

  In the first aspect, the region detecting unit may detect a change in luminance as the pixel value, and further detect a change in a color difference of a predetermined color component with respect to the luminance. Also good. For example, when a YUV value is assumed as the pixel value, the Y value corresponds to the former, and the U value or V value corresponds to the latter.

  In the first aspect, the notification means may notify the detection of the change by sound, or may notify the detection of the change by light. For example, sound output from a speaker corresponds to the former, and light output from a lamp corresponds to the latter.

  In the first aspect, the detection area setting means may set the detection area by designating an arbitrary area in the angle of view, or by selecting from a predetermined area. The detection area may be set. Furthermore, an area designated in the past may be held as a default area and may be selected.

  In the first aspect, the concept of the conventional self-timer will be described. Detection by the area detection means, notification by the notification means, and capture by the image holding means are all performed during the setting of the self-timer. Can be thought of as being In the conventional self-timer, an image is automatically captured after a lapse of a certain period of time, but according to the present invention, it is detected that a subject has entered the detection area intended by the user during the setting of the self-timer. Since the image is taken in after the notification is made to the user, the image is taken with the composition desired by the user.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging means for imaging an imaging target, a detection area setting means for setting a detection area at an angle of view of the imaging target, and a detection distance for setting a distance of a subject in the detection area. Setting means; area detection means for detecting that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in the pixel value in the detection area; distance detection means for detecting that the subject has entered the set distance; and the detection area A notification means for notifying that the subject has entered the set distance when the predetermined amount of change has occurred in the pixel value in the image, and after the notification is made, An imaging apparatus comprising an image holding unit that captures an image as image data. This brings about the effect of capturing the captured image after notifying that the subject has entered the detection area and the detection distance (that is, the detection space).

  The third aspect of the present invention is a procedure for detecting that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in a pixel value in a detection region set within an angle of view of an imaging target, and to that effect when the change is detected. And a program for causing a computer to execute an image capturing method comprising: a procedure for notifying an image; and a procedure for fetching the image to be captured as image data after the notification is made. . This brings about the effect of capturing the captured image after notifying that the subject has entered the detection area.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that a captured image can be captured after detecting that a subject has entered a predetermined region at an angle of view of an imaging target during self-photographing.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The imaging apparatus 100 includes a camera unit 110, a signal processing circuit 120, a control unit 130, a display control unit 140, a medium interface 150, and a remote control light receiving unit 160. An image memory 121 is connected to the signal processing circuit 120, an operation unit 139 is connected to the control unit 130, and a display 149 is connected to the display control unit 140. Further, a recording medium 159 can be attached to and detached from the medium interface 150.

  The camera unit 110 captures a subject as a captured image and generates image data. The optical unit 111, a signal converter 112, a pre-processing circuit 113, an optical block driver 114, and a signal converter driver. 115 and a timing generation circuit 116.

  The optical block 111 includes a lens, a focus mechanism, a shutter mechanism, a diaphragm (iris) mechanism, and the like, and takes an image of a subject and supplies it to the signal converter 112. The optical block driver 114 generates a drive signal for operating the optical block 111 in accordance with the control from the control unit 130, supplies this to the optical block 111, and operates the optical block 111.

  The signal converter 112 photoelectrically converts the image from the optical block 111 and outputs it. Based on the drive signal from the signal converter driver 115 and the timing signal from the timing generation circuit 116, the signal converter 112 outputs the signal from the optical block 111. An image of the subject is captured and supplied to the preprocessing circuit 113 as an electrical signal. As such a signal converter 112, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) can be used.

  The preprocessing circuit 113 performs CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) processing and AGC (Automatic Gain Control) processing on the image information of the electrical signal supplied from the signal converter 112. The CDS process is a process for maintaining a good signal noise ratio (S / N ratio), and the AGC process is a process for controlling the gain. The preprocessing circuit 113 performs A / D (analog / digital) conversion on the signal obtained in this way, and forms image data based on the digital signal.

  The signal processing circuit 120 performs camera signal processing such as AF (Auto Focus), AE (Auto Exposure), and AWB (Auto White Balance) on the image data from the preprocessing circuit 113. Further, the signal processing circuit 120 compresses the image data adjusted in this way by a predetermined compression method, and the compressed image data is transferred to the recording medium 159 via the bus 190 and the medium interface 150. Supply. Further, the signal processing circuit 120 performs decompression processing on the compressed image data on the recording medium 159 and supplies the decompressed image data to the display control unit 140 via the bus 190. The image memory 121 is used as a data area necessary for the compression or expansion processing.

  The control unit 130 controls the entire imaging apparatus, and is configured by connecting a processing device 131, a memory 132, and a clock circuit 133 through a bus 190. Here, the memory 132 is used as a work area for temporarily storing programs executed in the processing device 131 and data necessary for processing. The former may be constituted by a flash ROM and the latter may be constituted by a RAM. Further, the clock circuit 133 has a function of providing the imaging date and time together with the image data by supplying the current date, current day, current time, and the like. The clock circuit 133 can also be used for measuring the time of the self-timer.

  The operation unit 139 transmits an operation input from the user to the processing device 131, and for example, a touch panel or a control key can be assumed. The control unit 130 controls an input / output operation with respect to the recording medium 159, a display operation with respect to the display 149, and the like in accordance with an operation input from the operation unit 139.

  The display control unit 140 forms an image signal for the display 149 from the image data supplied thereto, and supplies this to the display 149. As a result, an image corresponding to the image data recorded on the recording medium 159 is displayed on the display screen of the display 149. In addition, as the display 149, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) etc. can be used, for example.

  The medium interface 150 writes image data on the recording medium 159 and reads image data from the recording medium 159. As the recording medium 159, various types such as a so-called memory card using a semiconductor memory, an optical recording medium such as a recordable DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or a recordable CD (Compact Disc), a magnetic disk, or the like may be used. it can.

  The remote control light receiving unit 160 receives a remote operation signal from a remote controller (hereinafter abbreviated as “remote control”) 169. The control unit 130 controls writing of the captured image to the recording medium 159 according to the remote operation signal from the remote controller 169.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the operation reception unit 210, the region detection unit 220, the notification unit 230, the imaging unit 240, the image holding unit 250, the detection region holding unit 260, and the remote control receiving unit 280 And a timer 290. With this configuration, a detection area is set by the user at the angle of view of the imaging target, and a notification is given when a predetermined amount of change is detected in the pixel value in the detection area, and then the image of the imaging target is used as image data. It is captured.

  The imaging unit 240 images a subject. The imaging unit 240 is realized by the camera unit 110 and the signal processing circuit 120 in FIG. 1, and the captured image is displayed on the display 149 or recorded on the recording medium 159. For example, a digital still camera is often provided with a monitoring mode and a capture mode. In the monitoring mode, a captured image is displayed on the display, and in the capture mode, a recording medium is recorded.

  The operation reception unit 210 receives an operation input from the user. As an operation input in the operation reception unit 210, an operation for instructing imaging, an operation for setting a detection region at an angle of view of an imaging target, and the like are assumed. The operation receiving unit 210 can be realized by the operation unit 139 in FIG.

  The detection area holding unit 260 holds the detection area set by the operation receiving unit 210, and holds which area is set as the detection area in a two-dimensional angle of view. The detection area holding unit 260 can be realized by the memory 132 in FIG.

  The region detection unit 220 detects that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in the pixel value corresponding to the detection region held in the detection region holding unit 260 in the image picked up by the image pickup unit 240. As a pixel value in this case, for example, a YUV value can be used. The YUV value is a pixel value of luminance (Y), a first color difference (U or Cb) that is the difference between the luminance and the blue component, and a second color difference (V or V) that is the difference between the luminance and the red component. It is expressed by three of (Cr). Assuming this YUV value, the region detection unit 220 evaluates the three values of the YUV value, and can detect that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in the pixel value when each changes by a certain range or more. . The area detection unit 220 can be realized by the processing device 131 in FIG.

  The notification unit 230 notifies the user to that effect when detection by the area detection unit 220 is performed. As the notification method, for example, notification may be made by sound such as electronic sound or voice, or notification may be made by light from an LED or the like. The notification unit 230 can be realized by a speaker or a lamp (not shown) controlled by the processing device 131 in FIG.

  The remote control receiving unit 280 receives operation instructions from the remote control. As an operation instruction in the remote control receiving unit 280, an operation for instructing imaging is assumed. This remote control receiving unit 280 can be realized by the remote control light receiving unit 160 in FIG.

  The timer 290 is a timer that measures a preset time, like a so-called self-timer. However, the timer 290 does not start timing immediately after the self-timer is set like a normal self-timer, but immediately after the notification is made by the notification unit 230 described above, Alternatively, the timing is started after an operation instruction is given by the remote control receiving unit 280 triggered by the notification by the notification unit 230. The timer 290 can be realized by the clock circuit in FIG.

  The image holding unit 250 captures and holds an image captured by the imaging unit 240. The image may be captured in the image holding unit 250 immediately after being notified to the user by the notification unit 230, or may be after the time is measured by the timer 290 after the notification. Further, as another timing for capturing an image into the image holding unit 250, an image may be captured immediately after the operation instruction from the user is received by the remote control receiving unit 280 after notification to the user. It may be when the time is measured by the timer 290 after being received by the receiving unit 280. That is, in the concept of the conventional self-timer, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the change of the pixel value is detected in the area detection unit 220 during the setting of the self-timer, a notification is performed by the notification unit 230, and thereafter The image is captured by the image holding unit 250. The image holding unit 250 can be realized by the recording medium 159 in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the region detection unit 220 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the region detection unit 220 detects that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in the pixel value corresponding to the detection region held in the detection region holding unit 260 in the image captured by the imaging unit 240. A pixel value holding unit 221, a comparison unit 222, and a change determination unit 223.

  The pixel value holding unit 221 holds each pixel value of the captured image, and holds pixel values of pixels corresponding to the entire angle of view of the captured image at the maximum. The pixel value holding unit 221 is accessed by an address such as a row and a column in the captured image. Here, as an example of a pixel value held in the pixel value holding unit 221, a YUV value is assumed. The pixel value from the imaging unit 240 is supplied together with the address in the captured image and is written at the position indicated by the address. Further, the YUV value that has been written up to that address is output from the output side of the pixel value holding unit 221.

  The comparison unit 222 compares the old pixel value held in the pixel value holding unit 221 with the new pixel value input to the pixel value holding unit 221 to obtain the difference. Here, since the YUV value is assumed as the pixel value, the comparison unit 222 obtains respective differences for Y, U (Cb), and V (Cr).

  The change determination unit 223 determines whether or not the pixel value in the detection area defined by the detection area holding unit 260 has changed by a predetermined amount from the comparison result in the comparison unit 222. As described above, assuming a YUV value, it is possible to detect that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in the pixel value when each of the three values of the YUV value changes by a certain range or more. The determination result in the change determination unit 223 is supplied to the notification unit 230.

  In determining the change in the pixel value, for example, when most of the imaging screen changes at the same time, the imaging apparatus 100 itself may vibrate, so that the detection may not be performed. Such vibration can occur particularly when the detection area is set or when the shutter is pressed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an auto shooting mode setting screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. When a menu is called from the operation unit 139, various menus 410 are displayed at the bottom of the screen display unit 400 of the display 149. When “auto self shooting” is selected from the menu 410, a pop-up menu 420 for selecting the auto self shooting mode is displayed.

  When the user selects “ON” in the pop-up menu 420, if the state is not the automatic self-photographing mode until then, the mode shifts to the automatic self-photographing mode, and the area detection unit 220 checks the detection area. In addition to the transition to the auto self-photographing mode, the area detection unit 220 may start detection detection of the detection area after the shutter button is further pressed.

  On the other hand, when the user selects “OFF” in the pop-up menu 420, the auto self shooting mode is canceled if the auto self shooting mode has been in effect so far, and the area detection unit 220 ends the detection check of the detection area.

  When the operation unit 139 and the display 149 are integrated with a touch panel, the user can perform the above-described operation by directly touching the touch panel or using a stylus. In addition, when the operation unit 139 is configured with a cross button or the like instead of the touch panel, the user can perform an operation by displaying a menu on the display 149 by operating the cross button or the like.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a detection area setting screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. The detection area in the auto self-photographing mode can be set by the user drawing and inputting the area, or by the user selecting from among the prepared areas. FIG. 5 shows an example of drawing input by the former user. As in this example, the user can define the detection area by drawing the area 450 on the display screen.

  Assuming such a usage example, it is desirable that the operation unit 139 and the display 149 are integrated by a touch panel. Thus, the user can easily set the region 450 by directly touching the touch panel or using a stylus.

  On the other hand, when a detection area is selected from areas prepared in advance, for example, the user selects and sets from a menu indicated by an expression such as “center of screen” or “bottom left of screen”. . Also, as shown in FIG. 5, a detection area drawn by the user may be given a name and saved as a user preset, which may be called later.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, when the operation accepting unit 210 accepts an instruction to turn on the auto self photographing mode (step S911), the auto self photographing mode is turned on (step S912). Thereby, the area detection unit 220 starts checking the detection area (step S913). It should be noted that a detection area check start condition may be that the auto self shooting mode is on and the shutter button is further pressed.

  When a predetermined amount of change in the pixel value is detected in the detection area (step S914), the notification unit 230 notifies the user by sound or light (step S917). After the notification, event processing to be described later is performed (step S920).

  When the operation reception unit 210 receives an instruction to turn off the auto self shooting mode (step S918), the auto self shooting mode is turned off (step S919). Thereby, the area detection unit 220 ends the detection area check.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation procedure of event processing in the embodiment of the present invention. In the event process (step S920) in FIG. 6, the captured image is finally captured (captured) and recorded in the image holding unit 250 (step S924). At that time, the following processing can be performed as a precondition.

  First, the notification to the user (step S917) may be used as a trigger until the user gives an instruction using the remote controller 169 (step S921). In this case, the imaging apparatus 100 continues to wait for instructions after notifying the user.

  Furthermore, the timer 290 may be timed as a precondition for capturing the captured image. In this case, after the timer 290 is reset (step S922), the process waits until the time measurement ends (step S923).

  These remote control instructions and timer timing may be preconditions separately, or both may be combined. That is, the captured image may be captured immediately after the remote control instruction, or the captured image may be captured when the timer is started and the time measurement is terminated after the remote control instruction. Further, without taking the remote control instruction as a premise, the captured image may be captured when the timer is started immediately after the notification and the time measurement ends.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the region detection unit 220 detects that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in the pixel value in a preset detection region, the notification unit 230 can generate sound or light. It is possible to make a notification by, for example, and then capture a captured image. In other words, the user is notified that the subject has entered the detection area, and thereafter capture (capture) is performed. It is also possible to impose preconditions such as waiting for a remote control instruction from the user and performing timer timing between notification and capture.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the detection area is set as a two-dimensional area. However, as described below, the distance from the imaging apparatus 100 is further added as a condition to capture by detection in a three-dimensional space. It can be performed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the distance detection unit 270 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The distance detection unit 270 detects that the subject has entered a predetermined distance, and is provided inside or outside the area detection unit 220 in the imaging apparatus 100. The distance detection unit 270 includes a light projecting element 271, a light receiving element 272, a distance measuring unit 273, a detection distance holding unit 274, and a comparator 275.

  The light projecting element 271 is an element that outputs light for distance measurement. For example, an infrared light emitting diode is used. The light receiving element 272 is an element that receives light projected from the light projecting element 271 and reflected on the subject, and for example, a silicon photocell (SPC) or the like is used. The distance measuring unit 273 is a circuit that measures the distance based on the time until light received from the light projecting element 271 and reflected by the subject is received by the light receiving element 272. It should be noted that these configurations can be used as those used as the autofocus function.

  The detection distance holding unit 274 holds a distance from a desired subject in advance. The comparator 275 compares the output of the distance measuring unit 273 and the output of the detection distance holding unit 274, and detects that they are within an allowable range. The detection result is supplied to the change determination unit 223 of the area detection unit 220, so that it is finally determined whether the subject is in a predetermined space.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of the operation procedure of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This procedure is obtained by adding a distance check to the procedure described in FIG. That is, after a change in the pixel value is detected in the detection area (step S934), the distance detection unit 270 performs distance detection (step S935). Then, if it matches the distance set in the detection distance holding unit 274 (step S936), a detection notification is performed (step S937). The other processes are the same as those in FIG.

  As described above, according to another example of the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to perform capture by detection in a three-dimensional space by adding a function of detecting a distance to a subject.

  The embodiment of the present invention is an example for embodying the present invention and has a corresponding relationship with the invention-specific matters in the claims as shown below, but is not limited thereto. However, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  That is, in claim 1, the imaging unit corresponds to, for example, the imaging unit 240. The detection area setting means corresponds to the operation receiving unit 210, for example. An area detection unit corresponds to the area detection unit 220, for example. The notification means corresponds to the notification unit 230, for example. An image holding unit corresponds to the image holding unit 250, for example.

  Further, in claim 2, the remote operation receiving means corresponds to, for example, the remote control receiving unit 280.

  Further, in claim 3 or 4, the time measuring means corresponds to the timer 290, for example.

  In claim 12, the imaging unit corresponds to, for example, the imaging unit 240. Further, the detection area setting unit and the detection distance setting unit correspond to the operation receiving unit 210, for example. An area detection unit corresponds to the area detection unit 220, for example. The distance detection unit corresponds to the distance detection unit 270, for example. The notification means corresponds to the notification unit 230, for example. An image holding unit corresponds to the image holding unit 250, for example.

  Further, in claim 13 or 14, a procedure for detecting that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in the pixel value in the detection region set within the angle of view of the imaging target corresponds to, for example, step S913. Further, a procedure for notifying that when a change is detected corresponds to, for example, step S917. Further, the procedure for taking the image to be imaged as image data after the notification is made corresponds to, for example, step S924.

  The processing procedure described in the embodiment of the present invention may be regarded as a method having a series of these procedures, and a program for causing a computer to execute these series of procedures or a recording medium storing the program May be taken as

It is a figure showing an example of 1 composition of imaging device 100 in an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the imaging device 100 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows one structural example of the area | region detection part 220 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen of the auto imaging | photography mode in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen of the detection area | region in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation | movement procedure of the imaging device 100 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation | movement procedure of the event process in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows one structural example of the distance detection part 270 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the operation | movement procedure of the imaging device 100 in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image pick-up device 110 Camera part 111 Optical block 112 Signal converter 113 Pre-processing circuit 114 Optical block driver 115 Signal converter driver 116 Timing generation circuit 120 Signal processing circuit 121 Image memory 130 Control part 131 Processing unit 132 Memory 133 Clock circuit 139 Operation unit 140 Display control unit 149 Display 150 Medium interface 159 Recording medium 160 Remote control light receiving unit 169 Remote control 190 Bus 210 Operation reception unit 220 Area detection unit 221 Pixel value holding unit 222 Comparison unit 223 Change determination unit 230 Notification unit 240 Imaging unit 250 Image Holding unit 260 Detection region holding unit 270 Distance detection unit 271 Light emitting element 272 Light receiving element 273 Distance measuring unit 274 Detection distance holding unit 275 Comparator 280 Rimo Down reception section 290 timer

Claims (14)

Imaging means for imaging an imaging target;
Detection area setting means for setting a detection area at the angle of view of the imaging target;
Area detecting means for detecting that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in the pixel value in the detection area;
A notification means for notifying the change when the change is detected;
An image capturing apparatus comprising: an image holding unit that captures the image to be captured as image data after the notification is made. A remote operation receiving means for receiving a remote operation;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image holding unit captures an image of the imaging target when a predetermined instruction is given as the remote operation after the notification is made. It further comprises a time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time after a predetermined instruction is given as the remote operation,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image holding unit captures the image of the imaging target when the predetermined time is measured after the predetermined instruction is given as the remote operation after the notification is made. . It further comprises a time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time after the notification is made,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image holding unit captures the image of the imaging target when the measurement of the predetermined time is completed after the notification is made.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area detection unit detects a change in luminance as the pixel value.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the area detection unit further detects a change in a color difference of a predetermined color component with respect to the luminance as the pixel value.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification means notifies the detection of the change by sound.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the detection of the change by light.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection area setting unit sets the detection area by designating an arbitrary area in the angle of view.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection area setting unit sets the detection area by selecting from a predetermined area.   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection by the area detection unit, the notification by the notification unit, and the capture by the image holding unit are performed during setting of a self-timer. Imaging means for imaging an imaging target;
Detection area setting means for setting a detection area at the angle of view of the imaging target;
Detection distance setting means for setting the distance of the subject in the detection area;
Area detecting means for detecting that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in the pixel value in the detection area;
Distance detecting means for detecting that the subject has entered the set distance;
A notifying means for notifying the fact that the subject has entered the set distance when the predetermined amount of change occurs in the pixel value in the detection area;
An image capturing apparatus comprising: an image holding unit that captures the image to be captured as image data after the notification is made. A procedure for detecting that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in a pixel value in a detection region set within an angle of view of an imaging target;
A procedure for notifying when the change is detected;
And a procedure for capturing the image to be imaged as image data after the notification has been made. A procedure for detecting that a predetermined amount of change has occurred in a pixel value in a detection region set within an angle of view of an imaging target;
A procedure for notifying when the change is detected;
A program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for capturing the image to be imaged as image data after the notification is made.

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