JP2008046354A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (10)

Imaging means for capturing an image of a subject by an imaging optical system and generating image information;
Focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the imaging optical system with respect to the subject;
A subject tracking apparatus comprising: tracking means for setting reference information for tracking a target in the subject image based on the image information and the focus adjustment state, and tracking the target. The subject tracking device according to claim 1,
The subject tracking device, wherein the reference information is a range of an image including the target in the image information. The subject tracking device according to claim 1 or 2,
The subject tracking device, wherein the tracking means updates the reference information according to a change in the focus adjustment state. The subject tracking device according to claim 3,
Determination means for determining whether the object approaches or moves away from the camera based on the focus adjustment state;
The subject tracking device, wherein the tracking unit changes the reference information based on a determination result of the determination unit. The subject tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The subject tracking device, wherein the tracking means performs tracking using at least one of color information and luminance of the image information. In the subject tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The subject tracking apparatus, wherein the tracking unit selects the target candidate from the image information based on a hue value included in the reference information. The subject tracking device according to claim 6,
The tracking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tracking unit determines the target based on the focus adjustment state from the selected target candidates. The subject tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The subject tracking device, wherein the focus detection unit includes a phase difference AF sensor module. The subject tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The tracking means extracts the same defocus amount range in which the difference between the target and the defocus amount is within a predetermined value, extracts the same hue region highly correlated with the target hue, and extracts the same defocus amount range and the A subject tracking device, wherein a predetermined range including a range where the same hue region overlaps is set as the reference information. A camera comprising the subject tracking device according to claim 1.