JP2007104235A - Imaging apparatus, control method thereof, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a configuration realizing high-quality image photographing by photographing control adaptive to a specific subject. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus is so configured as to perform photographing control adaptive to a specific subject such as the face of a person. Even if the subject temporarily disappears from a photographing picture due to obstruction such as a wall, the photographing control adapted to the specific subject such as the face of a person can be continued for a specified period. So, when the person can be photographed again, photographing can be continued with an existing control parameter. Thus, no inconsistent or blurred image is generated due to switching of control states within a short time, for stable and high-quality image photographing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging apparatus control method, and a computer program. More specifically, when shooting a subject image using an imaging device such as a video camera, an imaging device that performs control in accordance with a target subject to be shot, such as a person's face, and obtains a shot image without wobbling, The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus control method and a computer program.

  Due to recent advances in data processing technology and improvements in calculation processing capability in hardware, it has become possible to perform more advanced control even in imaging devices such as video cameras. For example, when photographing an object such as a video camera with a video camera or the like, a person's face as a subject is detected from the photographed image, and various photographing parameters and image processing parameters are controlled in accordance with the detected face image. Has been proposed to obtain high-quality image data.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a face detection method by detecting a subject of a specific color from a captured image. Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a method of performing zoom control so that a subject of a specific color such as a human face occupies a certain area of the screen.

  As a result of improved detection speed due to advances in image processing technology and hardware, it is also possible to accurately detect the face portion of the subject photographed by the imaging device and automatically track the subject having the detected image. . However, when tracking a subject, for example, if the face image specified as the tracking subject is temporarily concealed by a moving object such as a wall or a car crossing the front, the subject detection will be interrupted, and again the subject A detection process must be performed. For example, Patent Document 3 describes an object detection method in a case where a target object is concealed by a shield.

  There are the following problems when the target subject is temporarily hidden by a moving object such as a wall or a car crossing the front. Before the shielding by the shielding object occurs, for example, photographing parameters and image processing parameters that are optimal for photographing a human face image that is the target subject are set, and the photographing processing is executed under the control of the setting parameters. However, from the moment the face image of the subject is concealed by the shielding object, the setting parameter is changed from the parameter corresponding to the face image of the target subject so as to adapt to the shielding object. After that, when the face image of the target subject is not shielded, face detection is performed again. After the detection, the parameters are reset to the optimum parameters for photographing the human face image as the target subject, and control is performed. Will be filmed.

As described above, when the parameter change is executed in a short time and the control state is rapidly changed, the quality of the captured image data is adversely affected. For example, the photographed image may be low-quality image data with nonuniform wobble, such as different focus, exposure, and image quality for every several frames constituting the video image data as the photographed image.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-121332 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-217187 JP 2004-258925 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and in an imaging apparatus that identifies a target subject such as a human face and performs control according to the target subject, the target subject is primarily concealed by a shield. Even in such a case, high-quality images that do not cause variations in image and image quality between frames can be maintained within a predetermined time period without changing the camera control parameters and continuing shooting in the control state before concealment. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus, an imaging apparatus control method, and a computer program that can capture an image.

The first aspect of the present invention is:
An imaging device,
A target subject detection unit for detecting a target subject for photographing from the photographed image;
A camera control unit that inputs detection information of the target subject detection unit, calculates a control parameter adapted to the target subject, and executes camera control based on the control parameter;
A camera optical system or a camera signal processing unit that executes control based on control information of the camera control unit;
The camera control unit
When the target subject is not detected in the captured image based on the detection information of the target subject detection unit, the control using the control parameter set for the target subject is continuously executed within a predetermined time. An imaging apparatus is characterized in that the configuration is such that

  Furthermore, in one embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the camera control unit calculates at least one of exposure control, focus control, and focal length control as a control parameter adapted to the target subject, The camera optical system is controlled based on the calculated parameters.

  Furthermore, in an embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the camera control unit is configured to calculate a signal processing parameter applied to camera signal processing as a control parameter adapted to the target subject, and the camera signal processing unit Is configured to execute camera signal processing based on the signal processing parameters.

  Furthermore, in one embodiment of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the camera control unit may detect that the target object is not detected in the captured image based on the detection information of the target object detection unit when a predetermined time is reached. The control by the control parameter adapted to the target subject is stopped, and the process of switching to the normal photographing mode in which the specific target subject is not set is executed.

  Furthermore, in an embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the camera control unit corresponds to a specific target subject on a monitor screen that displays a photographed image during control by a control parameter set corresponding to the target subject. It is the structure which performs the control state display process which shows that control to perform is being performed.

  Furthermore, in an embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the target subject detection unit is configured to execute a process of detecting a human face image as a shooting target subject from a captured image, and the camera control unit includes the target subject The control parameter adapted to the person's face is calculated, and camera control based on the control parameter is executed.

Furthermore, the second aspect of the present invention provides
An imaging device control method,
A target object detection step for detecting a shooting target object from the captured image;
A control parameter calculation step of inputting detection information in the target subject detection step and calculating a control parameter adapted to the target subject;
A camera control step of controlling at least one of a camera optical system and a camera signal processing unit based on the control parameter;
The camera control step includes
When the target subject is not detected in the captured image based on the detection information in the target subject detection step, the control using the control parameter set for the target subject is continuously executed within a predetermined time. The imaging apparatus control method is characterized in that:

  Furthermore, in one embodiment of the imaging apparatus control method of the present invention, the control parameter calculation step includes at least one of exposure control, focus control, and focal length control as a control parameter adapted to the target subject. The camera control step is a step of executing control of the camera optical system based on the calculation parameter.

  Furthermore, in an embodiment of the imaging apparatus control method of the present invention, the control parameter calculating step is a step of calculating a signal processing parameter applied to camera signal processing as a control parameter adapted to the target subject, The control step is a step of executing camera signal processing based on the signal processing parameters.

  Furthermore, in an embodiment of the imaging device control method of the present invention, the imaging device control method further includes a pre-defined rule that a target subject is not detected in a captured image based on detection information of the target subject detection unit. When the time has been reached, the method has a step of executing a process of stopping the control by the control parameter adapted to the target subject and switching to the normal photographing mode in which the specific target subject is not set.

  Furthermore, in an embodiment of the imaging apparatus control method of the present invention, the imaging apparatus control method further includes a monitor screen for displaying a captured image during control by a control parameter set corresponding to the target subject. The method includes a step of executing a control state display process indicating that the control corresponding to the specific target subject is being executed.

  Furthermore, in one embodiment of the imaging apparatus control method of the present invention, the target subject detection step is a step of executing processing for detecting a human face image as a shooting target subject from the captured image, and the control parameter calculating step is And a step of calculating a control parameter adapted to the face of the person as the target subject.

Furthermore, the third aspect of the present invention provides
A computer program for executing an imaging device control process in an imaging device,
A target object detection step for detecting a shooting target object from the captured image;
A control parameter calculation step of inputting detection information in the target subject detection step and calculating a control parameter adapted to the target subject;
A camera control step of controlling at least one of a camera optical system or a camera signal processing unit based on the control parameter;
The camera control step includes
When the target subject is not detected in the captured image based on the detection information in the target subject detection step, the control using the control parameter set for the target subject is continuously executed within a predetermined time. A computer program characterized by

  The computer program of the present invention is, for example, a storage medium or communication medium provided in a computer-readable format to a general-purpose computer system capable of executing various program codes, such as a CD, FD, MO, etc. Or a computer program that can be provided by a communication medium such as a network. By providing such a program in a computer-readable format, processing corresponding to the program is realized on the computer system.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a more detailed description based on embodiments of the present invention described later and the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the system is a logical set configuration of a plurality of devices, and is not limited to one in which the devices of each configuration are in the same casing.

  According to the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, in an imaging apparatus that executes shooting control adapted to a specific shooting target subject such as a human face, the shooting target subject is temporarily shot by a shield such as a wall. Even if it disappears from the image, the shooting control adapted to the specific shooting target subject such as the person's face is configured to continue for a certain period of time. It is possible to continue shooting with this control parameter, and stable high-quality image shooting can be realized without generating a nonuniform and non-uniform image by switching the control state in a short time.

  Hereinafter, details of an imaging apparatus, an imaging apparatus control method, and a computer program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a configuration example of the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A subject image incident through an optical system 20 composed of a lens or the like is input to an image sensor 22 such as a CCD as incident light that has been subjected to appropriate exposure control by an exposure driving unit 21.

  The image sensor 22 performs a photoelectric conversion process for converting an optical signal based on the subject image into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal. An electrical signal generated by photoelectric conversion in the image sensor 22 is input to the camera signal processing unit 23. The camera signal processing unit 23 executes signal processing based on various processing parameters to generate an image signal.

  For example, the camera signal processing unit 23 performs processing such as linear matrix processing, white balance processing, and γ correction processing on the electrical signal generated by photoelectric conversion in the image sensor 22 to generate an image signal. A specific configuration of the signal processing unit will be described later with reference to FIG. The image signal generated in the camera signal processing unit 23 is input to the image processing unit 25 via the buffer memory 24. The image processing unit 25 executes image processing according to the purpose such as image processing such as tone correction and luminance correction, generation of a video signal, or encoding processing, and then outputs to a monitor (EVF: Electric View Finder), Alternatively, storage processing in the storage unit is performed.

  The camera signal processing unit 23 further outputs information necessary for camera control to the camera control unit 26. The camera control unit 26 drives the motors 28 and 29 via the lens driver 27 based on the information input from the camera signal processing unit 23, and executes focus control and focal length control by lens position control. Further, the camera control unit 26 controls the exposure driving unit 21 based on information input from the camera signal processing unit 23 to perform exposure control.

  A detailed configuration example of the camera signal processing unit 23 is shown in FIG. An electric signal generated by photoelectric conversion in the image sensor 22 shown in FIG. 1 is input to the I / F circuit 231 of the camera signal processing unit 23, and the input signal is signal-processed in the bus-coupled camera image signal processing circuit 233. Is executed. The camera image signal processing circuit 233 performs camera signal processing such as linear matrix processing, white balance processing, and γ correction processing on the electrical signal generated by photoelectric conversion in the image sensor 22.

  An electrical signal generated by photoelectric conversion in the image sensor 22 and input via the I / F circuit 231 of the camera signal processing unit 23 is also input to the detection circuit 232. The detection circuit 232 performs detection processing of the input signal, and outputs a detection result via the I / F circuit 236 to the camera control unit 26 shown in FIG.

  The camera control unit 26 performs arithmetic processing for calculating camera control parameters such as a focus control parameter and a focus control parameter based on the detection result input from the detection circuit 232, and based on the control parameter determined as a result of the arithmetic processing. Execute control.

  The face detection circuit 234 executes face detection processing based on the image signal output as the result data of the camera image signal processing in the camera image signal processing circuit 233. The detection result is output to the camera control unit 26 via the I / F circuit 236. Note that face detection based on image data in the face detection circuit 234 is performed by an existing technique such as color determination processing of a captured image. The face detection circuit 234 determines whether or not a face has been detected for each captured image frame, and the frame-corresponding face detection state information indicating whether or not a face has been detected is controlled by the camera via the I / F circuit 236. Is output to the unit 26 and recorded in the memory 262 (see FIG. 3) in the camera control unit 26.

  The configuration and processing of the camera control unit 26 will be described with reference to FIG. The camera control unit 26 includes an I / F circuit 261 that inputs and outputs data with the camera signal processing unit 23, a memory 262 that stores face detection state information and a processing program, and a control unit that performs data processing control in the camera control unit 26. 263, an I / F circuit 264 for outputting a control signal to the camera optical system, an optical system parameter calculation unit 265 that calculates an optical system parameter, a signal processing parameter calculation unit 266 that calculates a signal processing parameter, a process from a face detection frame A timer 267 for measuring time is included.

  The camera control unit 26 inputs face detection information from the face detection circuit 234 of the camera signal processing unit 23 via the I / F circuit 261. Frame-related face detection state information indicating whether or not a face has been detected is recorded in the memory 262.

  Furthermore, the optical system control parameter calculation unit 265 sets the detected face as a photographing target subject, and calculates focus control, exposure control, and focal length control parameters when the face image is the subject. The control unit 263 outputs focus control, exposure control, and focal length control information based on the calculated parameters to the camera optical system via the I / F circuit 264, and executes control processing.

  Further, the signal processing parameter calculation unit 266 of the camera control unit 26 is based on the face detection information from the face detection circuit 234, parameters applied to the signal processing in the camera image signal processing circuit 233, for example, color balance processing, Parameters applied to camera signal processing such as linear matrix processing, white balance processing, and γ correction processing are calculated as processing parameters suitable for the face image included in the captured image, and the control unit 263 calculates the calculated signal processing parameters as I The signal is input to the camera image signal processing circuit 233 of the camera signal processing unit 23 via the / F circuit 261.

  The camera image signal processing circuit 233 of the camera signal processing unit 23 performs camera signal processing such as color balance processing, linear matrix processing, white balance processing, and γ correction processing based on the parameters calculated by the camera control unit 26. Do. The signal processing result in the camera image signal processing circuit 233 is stored in the buffer memory 25 shown in FIG. 1 via the memory I / F circuit 235, and the image processing unit 25 executes image processing.

  The imaging processing sequence of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a shooting sequence in a face detection mode in which a target subject is a person and a control parameter optimal for shooting a person's face image is set to execute shooting, and the camera shown in FIG. This processing is executed by the program recorded in the memory 262 in the control unit 263 of the control unit 26.

  The control parameters are control parameters applied to camera optical system control such as exposure control, focus control, and focal length control, and camera signal processing in the camera image signal processing circuit 233 shown in FIG. 2, for example, color balance. This includes both parameters applied to camera signal processing such as processing, linear matrix processing, white balance processing, and γ correction processing.

  Note that the flow shown in FIG. 4 shows processing that is repeatedly executed for each captured image frame. When the imaging apparatus is set to the face detection mode, face detection mode processing is started. For example, when a human face 301 is included in the captured image frame 300 as in the example of the captured image frame 300 in FIG. 5A, detection of this face image is executed. This face detection process is executed in the face detection circuit 234 of the camera signal processing circuit 23 shown in FIG. 2 by applying, for example, an image color determination process.

  In step S101 in the flow shown in FIG. 4, when the face detection circuit 234 successfully detects the face area from the photographed image, in step S102, the target photographing target is set to the face, and camera control processing according to the face is executed. To do.

  That is, the face detection circuit 234 described with reference to FIG. 2 performs face detection processing based on the image signal output as the result data of the camera image signal processing in the camera image signal processing circuit 233, and performs face detection. If successful, the detection information is output to the camera control unit 26 via the I / F circuit 236, and the optical system control parameter calculation unit 265 of the camera control unit 26 sets the face included in the captured image as the target subject. The controller 263 calculates parameters such as exposure control, focus control, and focal length control, and outputs control signals based on these parameters to the kameka optical system via the I / F circuit 264 to execute control. That is, optimal control parameters for the face image are calculated, and controls such as exposure control, focus control, and focal length control are executed based on the calculated parameters.

  Further, the signal processing parameter calculation unit 266 of the camera control unit 26 uses, based on the face detection information from the face detection circuit 234, a parameter to be applied to signal processing in the camera image signal processing circuit 233 as a face image included in the captured image. The control unit 263 inputs the calculated signal processing parameter to the camera image signal processing circuit 233 of the camera signal sub-processing unit 23 via the I / F circuit 261. The camera image signal processing circuit 233 is based on the parameters calculated by the signal processing parameter calculation unit 266 of the camera control unit 26, for example, camera signal processing such as color balance processing, linear matrix processing, white balance processing, and γ correction processing. I do.

  In step S103, a face detection state indicating whether or not a face has been detected in the current captured image frame is stored in the memory 262 of the camera control unit 26, and the process proceeds to the next frame.

  On the other hand, in step S101, if the face detection circuit 234 has not successfully detected the face area from the photographed image, for example, as shown in the image frame 310 shown in FIG. When 311 is concealed and the detection of the face area from the photographed image is not successful, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, it is determined whether face detection has been performed in the past frame. Face detection state information corresponding to the past frame is acquired from the memory 262, and it is determined whether or not face detection has been performed in the past frame. Note that the memory 262 records the face detection state as to whether or not a face has been detected for at least the previous frame as frame-corresponding data. In step S104, the face detection state recorded in the memory 262 is referred to as a step. In S104, that is, it is determined whether face detection has been performed in the past frame.

  If it is determined in step S104 that face detection has not been performed in the past frame, the process proceeds to step S107, and camera control processing in a predetermined normal state that is not the face detection mode is performed. That is, the process shifts to a normal photographing process in which the target subject is not set as a person's face. Thereafter, in step S103, processing for recording face detection state information corresponding to the frame in the memory 262 is performed, and processing for the next frame is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that face detection has been performed in the past frame, the process proceeds to step S105, and whether or not a predetermined threshold time (for example, several seconds) has elapsed is determined by measuring the timer 267. If the threshold time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S106. A hold process is executed in which the control parameters are applied as they are to the control parameters corresponding to the photographing of the human face. Further, in step S103, a process of recording the face detection state information corresponding to the frame in the memory 262 is performed, and the process of the next frame is performed.

  In step S104, it is determined that face detection has been performed in the past frame. If it is determined in step S105 that a predetermined threshold time (for example, several seconds) has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S107. The mode in which the control parameters are set corresponding to the photographing of the person's face is terminated, and camera control processing in a predetermined normal state that is not the face detection mode is performed. That is, the process shifts to a normal photographing process in which the target subject is not set as a person's face, and in step S103, frame-corresponding face detection state information is recorded in the memory 262, and the next frame is processed.

  Note that the camera control unit 26 performs control corresponding to the specific target subject (person's face) on the monitor screen that displays the captured image during the control using the control parameters set corresponding to the person's face as the target subject. It is good also as a structure which performs the display process which shows that is being performed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, an icon 321 indicating a person's face is superimposed and displayed on a captured image displayed on the monitor screen. This control is executed by the control unit 263 of the camera control unit 26. The control unit 263 outputs an icon display command to the image processing unit 25 via the camera signal processing circuit 23, or directly outputs an icon display processing command to the image processing unit 25. By this icon display process, the user who is performing the shooting process can know the state of the setting mode.

  As described above, in the imaging apparatus of the present invention, for example, in the imaging apparatus that specifies a human face as a target subject and performs control according to the target subject, even when the target subject is primarily concealed by a shield, The camera is configured to continue photographing before the concealment without changing the camera control parameter within a predetermined time. With this configuration, it is possible to capture an image between frames and a high-quality image that does not cause variations in image quality.

  The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make modifications and substitutions of the embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention. In other words, the present invention has been disclosed in the form of exemplification, and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims should be taken into consideration.

  The series of processes described in the specification can be executed by hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both. When executing processing by software, the program recording the processing sequence is installed in a memory in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware and executed, or the program is executed on a general-purpose computer capable of executing various processing. It can be installed and run.

  For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or ROM (Read Only Memory) as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program is temporarily or permanently stored on a removable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto optical) disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory. It can be stored (recorded). Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software.

  The program is installed on the computer from the removable recording medium as described above, or is wirelessly transferred from the download site to the computer, or is wired to the computer via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The computer can receive the program transferred in this manner and install it on a recording medium such as a built-in hard disk.

  Note that the various processes described in the specification are not only executed in time series according to the description, but may be executed in parallel or individually according to the processing capability of the apparatus that executes the processes or as necessary. Further, in this specification, the system is a logical set configuration of a plurality of devices, and the devices of each configuration are not limited to being in the same casing.

  As described above, according to the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, in an imaging apparatus that executes shooting control adapted to a specific shooting target subject such as a human face, the shooting target subject is shielded from a wall or the like. Even if the object temporarily disappears from the shot image, the shooting control adapted to the specific shooting target subject such as the person's face is configured to continue for a certain period of time, so that the person can be shot again In this case, it is possible to continue shooting with the control parameters as they are, and stable high-quality images can be captured without generating a non-uniform and staggered image by switching the control state in a short time. Is realized.

It is a figure explaining the structural example of the imaging device which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the camera signal processing part of the imaging device which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the camera control part of the imaging device which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining the imaging | photography process sequence in the imaging device which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the example of the image data which the imaging device which concerns on one Example of this invention image | photographs. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the icon which shows a person's face on the monitor screen in the imaging device which concerns on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Optical system 21 Exposure drive part 22 Image pick-up element 23 Camera signal processing part 24 Buffer memory 25 Image processing part 26 Camera control part 27 Lens driver 28, 29 Motor 231 I / F circuit 232 Detection circuit 233 Camera image signal processing circuit 234 Face detection Circuit 235 Memory I / F circuit 236 I / F circuit 261 I / F circuit 262 Memory 263 Control unit 264 I / F circuit 265 Optical system parameter calculation unit 266 Signal processing parameter calculation unit 267 Timer

Claims (13)

An imaging device,
A target subject detection unit for detecting a target subject for photographing from the photographed image;
A camera control unit that inputs detection information of the target subject detection unit, calculates a control parameter adapted to the target subject, and executes camera control based on the control parameter;
A camera optical system or a camera signal processing unit that executes control based on control information of the camera control unit;
The camera control unit
When the target subject is not detected in the captured image based on the detection information of the target subject detection unit, the control using the control parameter set for the target subject is continuously executed within a predetermined time. An imaging apparatus characterized by having a configuration to perform. The camera control unit
As a control parameter adapted to the target subject, at least one of exposure control, focus control, and focal length control is calculated, and control of the camera optical system is executed based on the calculated parameter. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. The camera control unit
As a control parameter adapted to the target subject, a signal processing parameter applied to camera signal processing is calculated,
The camera signal processor is
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured to execute camera signal processing based on the signal processing parameters. The camera control unit
Based on the detection information of the target subject detection unit, when the state in which the target subject is not detected in the captured image reaches a predetermined time, control by the control parameter adapted to the target subject is stopped, and the specific target subject is stopped. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured to execute a process of switching to a normal shooting mode in which no image is set. The camera control unit
During the control by the control parameter set corresponding to the target subject, the control state display process is executed to indicate that the control corresponding to the specific target subject is being executed on the monitor screen displaying the photographed image. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is provided. The target subject detection unit
It is a configuration that executes processing for detecting a human face image as a shooting target subject from a shot image,
The camera control unit
6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a control parameter adapted to a human face as a target subject is calculated and camera control is executed based on the control parameter. An imaging device control method,
A target object detection step for detecting a shooting target object from the captured image;
A control parameter calculation step of inputting detection information in the target subject detection step and calculating a control parameter adapted to the target subject;
A camera control step of controlling at least one of a camera optical system and a camera signal processing unit based on the control parameter;
The camera control step includes
When the target subject is not detected in the captured image based on the detection information in the target subject detection step, the control using the control parameter set for the target subject is continuously executed within a predetermined specified time. An imaging apparatus control method comprising: The control parameter calculation step includes:
Calculating at least one of exposure control, focus control, and focal length control as a control parameter adapted to the target subject,
The camera control step includes
The imaging apparatus control method according to claim 7, wherein the control of the camera optical system is executed based on the calculated parameter. The control parameter calculation step includes:
Calculating a signal processing parameter applied to camera signal processing as a control parameter adapted to the target subject;
The camera control step includes
The imaging apparatus control method according to claim 7, wherein the imaging apparatus control process is a step of executing camera signal processing based on the signal processing parameters. The imaging apparatus control method further includes:
Based on the detection information of the target subject detection unit, when the state in which the target subject is not detected in the captured image reaches a predetermined time, control by the control parameter adapted to the target subject is stopped, and the specific target subject is stopped. The imaging apparatus control method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of executing a process of switching to a normal shooting mode in which no image is set. The imaging apparatus control method further includes:
During the control by the control parameter set corresponding to the target subject, a step of executing a control state display process indicating that the control corresponding to the specific target subject is being executed on the monitor screen displaying the photographed image. The imaging apparatus control method according to claim 7, further comprising: The target subject detection step includes
A step of executing a process of detecting a human face image as a shooting target subject from a shot image;
The control parameter calculation step includes:
12. The imaging apparatus control method according to claim 7, wherein the control parameter is a step of calculating a control parameter adapted to a human face as a target subject. A computer program for executing an imaging device control process in an imaging device,
A target object detection step for detecting a shooting target object from the captured image;
A control parameter calculation step of inputting detection information in the target subject detection step and calculating a control parameter adapted to the target subject;
A camera control step of controlling at least one of a camera optical system or a camera signal processing unit based on the control parameter;
The camera control step includes
When the target subject is not detected in the captured image based on the detection information in the target subject detection step, the control using the control parameter set for the target subject is continuously executed within a predetermined time. A computer program characterized by:

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