JP6459329B2 - Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, a photographing method, and a program.

  Intelligent AF (Auto Focus) technology that analyzes the captured image, estimates the target object of the user's intention using image recognition technology from the brightness and color, and focuses on the estimated target object It's being used. However, the conventional intelligent AF technique has a problem that the estimated object to be photographed does not readily match the object intended by the operator, that is, the object to be photographed by the photographer.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for improving the estimation accuracy of image recognition by learning a photographed photographing object. However, even if the technique described in Patent Document 1 is used for estimation of a shooting target, although the estimation accuracy is improved to some extent, the estimated shooting target is still a shooting target that the photographer wants to shoot. There is a problem that they do not match.

JP 2010-263639 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and a program having high imaging object estimation accuracy.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention provides:
A focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus ;
Specifying means for specifying a focus adjusted imaging target by the previous SL focus adjusting means,
Setting means for setting a weight on the object to be imaged specified by the specifying means;
Priority index acquisition means for acquiring a priority index of the shooting object specified by the specifying means based on the information related to the shooting object specified by the specifying means and the weight set by the setting means;
Based on the priority index acquired by the priority index acquisition means, focus control means for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment means for subsequent shooting,
Equipped with a,
The priority index acquisition means increases the priority index of the shooting target specified by the specifying means when shooting of the shooting target specified by the specifying means is instructed.
It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the estimation accuracy of the focus target.

It is a block diagram of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the imaging part in the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating AF area. It is a figure for demonstrating how to determine the priority order of the focus object in a learning part. (A) is a learning table in which shooting objects are classified according to items such as people, dogs, cars, and flowers. (B) is a learning table classified according to different face patterns for each person. (C) is a learning table classified according to the occupation ratio of the photographing object with respect to the photographed image area. (D) is a learning table classified according to the distance to the photographing object. (E) is a learning table classified according to an AF area where an object photographed in the captured image is located. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the intelligent AF mode which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of normal AF mode. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of manual mode. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the learning table in the case of changing a learning content with the case where it image | photographed without using it, when image | photographing using the learning function. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the learning table in the case of changing learning content according to the presence or absence of mode change. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the imaging process of the intelligent AF which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the intelligent AF mode which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of estimating an imaging target object using the some learning table with the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a photographing apparatus, a photographing method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
A hardware configuration of the photographing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 1000 according to the first embodiment includes an imaging unit 1010, a control unit 1020, a display unit 1030, an operation unit 1040, an external I / F (Interface) 1050, and a storage unit 1060. And comprising.

  The imaging unit 1010 converts captured optical information into digital imaging information. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a lens 2001, an image processing unit 2002, an A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion unit 2003, and the like. And a focus adjustment unit 2004.

  A focus adjustment unit 2004 receives focus control information from a focus control unit 3004 described later, selects a focus mode, and adjusts the focus of the lens 2001. The image processing unit 2002 includes an imaging device such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, and outputs optical information captured through the lens 2001 as analog imaging information. An A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion unit 2003 converts analog imaging information into imaging information of a digital signal.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the control unit 1020 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1021, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1022, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1023. The CPU 1021 controls the entire photographing apparatus 1000 while using the RAM 1022 as a work memory according to a control program stored in the ROM 1023. In the present embodiment, the ROM 1023 stores a program for executing processing for estimating a shooting target that the user wants to set as a shooting target with high probability based on a focus adjustment history shot in the past. The CPU 1021 executes it. Details of the program will be described later.

The display unit 1030 displays imaging information and information such as a focus position and a remaining battery level. Display unit 1030 includes a liquid crystal display or the like.
The operation unit 1040 sets a shooting instruction and a focus mode. The operation unit 1040 includes a mechanical part such as a switch and a touch panel. Further, a normal AF instruction key 1041 described later is included.
The external I / F 1050 is an interface for connecting the photographing apparatus 1000 to a personal computer, an external display, or the like via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like.
The storage unit 1060 is configured by a flash memory or the like, and stores captured image information, shooting history information used for a learning function described later, and the like.

  The CPU 1021 executes the operation program stored in the ROM 1023, thereby obtaining an acquisition unit 3001, a specification unit 3002, a learning unit 3003 (a totaling unit 3005, an adoption determination unit 3006, and an information type switching unit as illustrated in FIG. 3007), a focus control unit 3004 (including a detection unit 3010, a switching unit 3011, and a control instruction unit 3012), an ROI map generation unit 3008, an ROI imaging object selection unit 3009, an adoption determination criterion setting unit 3013, It functions as an information type switching setting unit 3014, a priority setting unit 3015, and a focus mode setting unit 3016.

The acquisition unit 3001 acquires information related to an imaging target (subject) that is focused (in focus) (hereinafter, information related to focus) from the captured image input from the imaging unit 1010. Here, the information related to the focus is the image information of the shooting target, the distance to the shooting target, the contrast of the shooting image, the color of the shooting target, the shape of the shooting target, the size of the shooting target, the shooting target Various groups of information such as the moving speed of the object, the position of the object to be imaged in the captured image, and the occupation ratio of the object to be imaged in the image capturing screen. The acquisition unit 3001 receives focus control information indicating which AF area is subject to focus adjustment from the control instruction unit 3012 included in the focus control unit 3004, and the focus of the AF area to be focused is acquired. Information related to is acquired.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the AF area refers to a captured image 4000 of (E11) 4011, (E12) 4012, (E13) 4013, (E14) 4014, (E15) 4015, (E21) 4021, ( (E22) 4022, (E23) 4023, (E24) 4024, (E25) 4025, (E31) 4031, (E32) 4032, (E33) 4033, (E34) 4034, (E35) 4035, (E41) 4041, E42) 4942, (E43) 4043, (E44) 4044, (E45) 4045, (E51) 4051, (E52) 4052, (E53) 4053, (E54) 4054, (E55) 4055, 5 vertical squares, 5 horizontal The focus is adjusted in units of AF areas, which are individual areas divided into squares.

The specifying unit 3002 uses the information on the focus acquired by the acquisition unit 3001 to determine which category the focus-adjusted shooting target belongs to a plurality of learning classes.
Although the classification itself is arbitrary, in the present embodiment, the first classification that identifies the major classification of the types (attributes) of photographing objects such as people, animals, plants, vehicles, buildings, and scenery, and the particular major classification The second classification for specifying the small classification, the third classification for classifying the occupancy ratio of the photographing object in the imaging screen, the fourth classification for classifying the distance to the photographing object, and the focus adjustment. For the five types of classification of the AF area position, the category to which the object to be photographed belongs is specified.

Regarding the first classification, the image of the object to be imaged is recognized while referring to the distance of the object to be imaged, and the object to be imaged is a preset type such as a person, a dog, a car,. Specify which of these applies.
Regarding the second classification, when the major classification to which the object to be photographed belongs is a preset classification, it is classified into one of the minor classifications belonging to the major classification.
Regarding the third classification, the occupation rate of the object to be imaged in the imaging screen is specified, and which of the plurality of categories in which it is set belongs is specified.
For the fourth category, the distance to the object to be imaged is specified, and the category to which it belongs is specified.
For the fifth classification, the AF area whose focus is adjusted is specified.

  The identification unit 3002 performs these five types of identification processing on one captured image.

The learning unit 3003 aggregates the five types of information specified by the specifying unit 3002 into five types of learning tables (ST1 to ST5) that have been created in advance. The learning unit 3003 includes a totaling unit 3005, an adoption determining unit 3006, and an information type switching unit 3007.
The counting unit 3005 prepares five types of learning tables (ST1 to ST5) in the storage unit 1060 in advance in order to store the classification specified by the specifying unit 3002. In the present embodiment, five types of learning tables (ST1 to ST5) shown in FIGS. 5A to 5E are prepared. In the table (ST1) shown in FIG. 5A, the attributes of the object to be photographed are person, dog, car. . . It is classified into large categories such as flowers. The table (ST2) shown in FIG. 5B registers different face patterns for each person, and is classified according to the registered face patterns. The table (ST3) shown in FIG. 5C is classified according to the occupation rate of the object to be imaged with respect to the imaging screen. In the present embodiment, the occupation ratio is divided into 50% or more, 30% to 50%, 10% to 30%, and 10% or less. The table (ST4) in FIG. 5D is divided according to the distance to the object to be imaged. In this embodiment, 0 m to 3 m, 3 m to 5 m, 5 m to 10 m, 10 m to 30 m, and 30 m or more. In FIG. 5E, the table (ST5) is divided according to AF areas that have been shot with focus adjustment.

An example of processing when the learning table (ST1) in FIG. 5A is used will be described. The learning table (ST1) includes an ID number column, a person, a dog, a car,. . . A field for registering items such as flowers, a field for setting the priority ratio U, a field for the number of times A in which the number of times of photographing is added each time a subject is photographed, and a priority index indicating the priority estimated as the subject to be photographed It has a column for Y.
The priority ratio U is a coefficient for increasing the priority index Y of the object to be photographed with priority by the operator, and is appropriately set by the operator. The priority index Y is an index indicating the priority estimated as the object to be photographed, and is represented by Y = A · U + D. D is a correction constant, and the initial value is 0, for example.
For example, when the object to be imaged specified by the specifying unit 3002 is a person, 1 is added to the number of times A field for ID = 0001 registered in advance in the database. If the next object to be photographed is also a person, 1 is added to the number of times A is photographed. As described above, the number A of shootings increases as the number of shootings increases. The priority index Y increases as the number A of times of shooting increases. Therefore, the priority index Y of each learning table functions as an index indicating the operator's preference tendency. The calculation of the priority index Y using the priority ratio U is obtained by Y = priority ratio U × number of shooting times A.
In the example in which the learning table (ST2) in FIG. 5B is used, it is determined that the photographing target specified by the specifying unit 3002 is a person, and further matches the registered face pattern information. In this case, 1 is added to the number of photographing times A column of the corresponding ID. If it is determined that the object to be photographed is a person but does not match the registered face pattern information, the face pattern information of the object to be photographed is newly registered and given an ID number, and the number of photographing times A column is set to 1. And

  A method of setting the priority ratio U in the learning table will be described. In the case of using the learning table (ST1) in FIG. 5A, a person who usually takes a picture of a pet dog wants to take a picture centered on a flower when traveling, etc. In addition, by setting the flower priority ratio U to be large, the photographing apparatus 1000 functions as an intelligent AF photographing apparatus that performs focus adjustment with priority on flowers. In the case of using the learning table (ST2) in FIG. 5B, if you want to photograph your child at an athletic meet, if you set the priority ratio U other than your child to U = 0, the crowd It is possible to take a picture that automatically adjusts the focus only to your child. In this case, if the priority ratio U other than the person in the learning table (ST1) in FIG. 5A is set to U = 0, it is more difficult to automatically adjust the focus for those other than the child. be able to.

  The aggregation unit 3005 collects information and updates the learning table regardless of whether the image is captured in any of the manual focus mode and the plurality of automatic focus modes. The plurality of automatic focus modes refers to a normal AF mode for performing AF on a predetermined area in a captured image, an intelligent AF mode using a ROI (Region of Interest) function, an intelligent AF mode using a learning function, and the like. Therefore, much information can be obtained as compared with the case of learning only information captured in the manual mode. Since the learning accuracy can be increased as the amount of information used for the learning process is increased, the probability that the estimated focus target matches the operator's preference can be increased.

On the other hand, in a state where the priority index Y is small, it is expected that the probability that the photographing object estimated by the learning unit 3003 as the photographing object candidate matches the photographing object desired by the operator is low. The adoption determination unit 3006 is configured to cope with such a situation, and when the priority index Y is equal to or less than a specific value, the photographing object registered in the learning table (ST1 to ST5) is photographed. A process of excluding from candidate selection targets is performed. In addition, the adoption determination unit 3006 limits the photographic objects detected by the detection unit 3010 described later to some upper photographic target candidates having a large priority index Y in the learning table (ST1 to ST5). This is because if there are too many photographic subject candidates, the processing time for detecting the photographic subject by the detection unit 3010 becomes longer.
In response to the operation of the operation unit 1040, the information type switching unit 3007 selects a learning table used for the current focus adjustment.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the ROI map generation unit 3008 performs ROI evaluation calculation for each AF area, and generates a map in which the ROI evaluation calculation result is mapped for each AF area. In the ROI evaluation, the brightness, color, etc. of the object to be photographed are evaluated, and the degree to which a person is likely to pay attention to the image is evaluated.

  The ROI shooting target selection unit 3009 selects a shooting target existing in an AF area having the highest ROI evaluation in the ROI map as a shooting target.

  The focus control unit 3004 includes a detection unit 3010, a switching unit 3011, and a control instruction unit 3012, and is detected by the detection unit 3010 based on the priority index Y of the learning table stored in the storage unit 1060 by the learning unit 3003. The focus adjustment unit 2004 is controlled so that focus adjustment is performed on the object to be imaged.

  From the imaging information sent from the imaging unit 1010, the detection unit 3010 selects the imaging target candidates in descending order of the priority index Y in the learning table (ST1 to ST5) stored in the storage unit 1060 from the learning unit 3003. The object to be photographed is detected. For example, when the learning table (ST1) in the state of FIG. 5A is used as a learning result by the counting unit 3005, the priority order is (person → flower → dog → car). The focus target is detected in the order of (person → flower → dog → car). This detection method has high detection efficiency because it detects the shooting object from the picked-up images in descending order of priority.

  The switching unit 3011 selects which of the imaging object detected by the detection unit 3010 using the learning table and the imaging object determined using the ROI imaging object selection unit 3009 is to be preferentially applied. The priority setting unit sets which is to be preferentially applied in accordance with an input from the operation unit 1040, and switches the switching unit 3011 according to the setting. By providing this function, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in selecting and shooting a function that meets the shooting conditions. In the present embodiment, the imaging object detected by the detection unit 3010 is preferentially selected.

  The control instruction unit 3012 outputs focus control information for adjusting the focus on the imaging target existing in the AF area specified by the detection unit 3010 or the ROI imaging target selection unit 3009 to the focus adjustment unit 2004.

  The adoption determination criterion setting unit 3013 sets a threshold value used in the above-described adoption determination unit 3006 for processing to exclude the focus target from being selected. The threshold value is input from the operation unit 1040.

The information type switching setting unit 3014 sets learning tables (ST1 to ST5) to be used in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 1040.
In accordance with the operation of the operation unit 1040, the priority setting unit 3015 sets which of the imaging target candidates detected by the detection unit 3010 and the imaging target candidates selected by the ROI imaging object selection unit 3009 is prioritized by the switching unit 3010. .
A focus mode setting unit 3016 sets a focus mode of manual focus mode, normal AF mode, and intelligent AF mode.

  Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus 1000 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the case of intelligent AF mode shooting, when the operator selects which learning table from the learning tables shown in FIGS. 5A to 5E by using the operation unit 1040, the information type The switching unit 3007 switches to the learning table (any one of ST1 to ST5) set by the information type switching setting unit 3014. Further, the priority ratio U of each learning table (ST1 to ST5) is set in advance to a desired numerical value by the priority setting unit 3015 in response to an input from the operation unit 1040. Furthermore, in order to limit the target to be detected as the imaging target in accordance with the input from the operation unit 1040, the adoption determination unit 3006 sets the threshold of the priority index Y to the threshold set by the employment determination criterion setting unit 3013. Judgment is made based on this.
The focus mode is set to the intelligent AF mode by the focus mode setting unit 3016 in accordance with the input of the operation unit 1040 by the operator, and the imaging unit 1010 starts imaging in response to an instruction from the control instruction unit 3012 and displays image information. Supply to the control unit 1020 is started. The captured image is displayed on the display unit 1030.
Further, the control unit 1020 starts the process shown in FIG.
As a result, the detection unit 3010 includes detection targets (items in FIG. 5A, patterns in (b), patterns (c), registered in the learning tables (ST1 to ST5) selected by the information type switching unit 3007. Occupancy rate, (d) the distance to the object to be photographed, and (e) the AF area), the adoption determination unit 3006 determines that the priority index Y is equal to or greater than the threshold set by the employment determination criterion setting unit 3013. Only what has been provided is provided.
For example, if the learning table (ST1) shown in FIG. 5A is selected by the information type switching unit 3007 and 80 is set as the reference value of the priority index Y in the adoption determining unit 3006, priority is given. The item “person” having the index “87” is supplied to the detection unit 3010.
Further, for example, if the learning table (ST3) shown in FIG. 5C is selected by the information type switching unit 3007 and 40 is set as the threshold value of the priority index Y by the adoption determination criterion setting unit 3013. Occupancy ratios “50 or more”, “30-50”, “10-30” having priority indices “45”, “63”, “40” are supplied to the detection unit 3010 by the adoption determination unit 3006.
On the other hand, the acquisition unit 3001 (control unit 1020) inputs imaging information (captured image) from the imaging unit 1010 (step S6000).
As described above, the detection unit 3010 uses the learning table selected by the information type switching unit 3007 from the learning unit 3003 and has a priority index Y equal to or higher than the reference value determined by the adoption determination unit 3006. (Step S6001).

Next, the detection unit 3010 detects whether or not there is an imaging target corresponding to the detection target input from the detection unit 3010 in the imaging information output from the imaging unit 1010 (step S6002). The detection unit 3010 repeatedly detects the shooting target objects stored in the learning table in descending order of the priority index Y.
For example, if the learning table (ST1) of FIG. 5A is selected and 80 is set as the reference value of the priority index Y, and the priority index “87” is the maximum. The corresponding item “person” is detected in the captured image. If there are other items having a priority index Y of the reference value 80 or more, the items are sequentially detected in the captured image in descending order of the priority index Y. Similarly, if the learning table (ST3) of FIG. 5C is selected and 40 is set as the reference value of the priority index Y, the priority index Y occupies the maximum value “63”. An object to be photographed with a rate of “30 to 50” is detected, and then an object to be photographed with an occupation ratio of “50 or more” and “10 to 30” is sequentially detected. In addition, the detection part 3010 stops the subsequent detection, when the applicable imaging | photography object can be detected in a captured image.

  When there is a shooting target in the captured image (step S6003: Yes), the switching unit 3011 identifies the shooting target detected by the detection unit 3010 as a focus target (step S6004).

  On the other hand, in parallel with the processing in steps S6001 to S6004, the ROI map generation unit 3008 performs ROI map generation processing (step S6005), and the ROI imaging target selection unit 3009 specifies the AF area for focus adjustment, A subject to be photographed located in the AF area is selected as a focus target candidate (step S6006).

  When the detection unit 3012 cannot detect the shooting target in the captured image (step S6003: No), the switching unit 3011 specifies the shooting target selected by the ROI shooting target selection unit 3009 as a focus target candidate. (Step S6007).

  In addition, the switching unit 3011 selects which of the focus target candidates detected by the detection unit 3010 and the focus target candidates detected by the ROI imaging target selection unit 3009 is to be given priority (step S6008). In the present embodiment, the focus target candidate detected by the detection unit 3010 is preferentially selected as the focus target candidate.

  Since the focus photographing target candidate has been determined through the processing up to step S6008, the control instruction unit 3012 instructs the focus adjustment unit 2004 to adjust the focus to the determined focus target candidate (step S6009).

When the confirmed shooting target candidate matches the shooting target desired by the operator and the shutter of the operation unit 1040 is pressed and a shooting operation is performed (step S6010: Yes), the imaging unit 1010 performs shooting. Processing is performed (step S6011). The control unit 1020 stores the captured image in the storage unit 1060.
The counting unit 3005 captures the corresponding ID in the selected learning table to reflect that the learning process is appropriate because the estimated photographing target candidate matches the photographing target desired by the operator. A learning process for increasing the number of times A by 1 and increasing the priority index Y of the object to be photographed is performed (step S6012), and the process returns to step S6001.

  On the other hand, when the photographing operation is not performed only by performing the focus adjustment (step S6010: No), and there is a change in the photographing mode (step S6013: Yes), the counting unit 3005 before changing the focus mode A learning process for automatically lowering the priority index Y of the photographing target candidate whose focus has been adjusted to is performed (step S6014). This is because the photographing target candidate estimated based on the learning function is inconsistent with the photographing target desired by the operator, so that the contents of the learning table are corrected. Although the method for lowering the priority index Y is arbitrary, for example, there is a method for setting the constant D to a value smaller than a certain value. Then, the control unit 3012 performs focus mode change processing (step S6015), and ends the intelligent AF mode.

  Note that the processing in step S6014 and the processing in step S6015 may be performed in parallel, or the processing in step S6014 may be performed after the mode is changed.

  If there is no change in the shooting mode (step S6013: No) and there is an end operation (step S6016: Yes), the control unit 1020 performs an end process (step S6017) and ends. If there is no end operation (step S6016: No) and there is no change in the captured image (step S6018: No), the process returns to step S6010. If there is a change in the captured image (step S6018: YES), the process returns to step S6000.

  The operation in the intelligent AF mode has been described above. Next, the operation in the normal AF mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The focus mode is set to the normal AF mode by the focus mode setting unit 3016 according to the input of the operation unit 1040 by the operator, and the imaging unit 1010 starts imaging in response to an instruction from the control instruction unit 3012, and the control unit 1020 Inputs imaging information from the imaging unit 1010 as needed (step S9000). When there is no AF instruction operation such as a half shutter operation in the normal AF mode (step S9001: No), the standby state is continued. When an AF instruction operation is performed in the normal AF mode (step S9001: Yes), the focus control unit 3004 outputs control information indicating that control is performed in the normal AF mode. Then, in accordance with the control information output from the focus control unit 3004, the focus adjustment unit 2004 adjusts the focus to a specific position set in the captured image in the normal AF mode (step S9002).

  The acquisition unit 3001 acquires information related to the object whose focus has been adjusted, and the specifying unit 3002 specifies the shooting object whose focus has been adjusted (step S9003).

  When there is a photographing instruction operation (step S9004: Yes), the imaging unit 1010 performs a photographing process (step S9005). Since the shooting target is a shooting target desired by the operator, the counting unit 3005 increments the shooting count A of the shooting target by +1 if the shooting target is already stored in the learning table (ST1 to ST5). If it is not stored, a learning process for adding a new ID and storing it is performed (step S9006).

  On the other hand, when the shooting instruction operation has not been performed (step S9004: No), and when the focus mode has been changed (step S9007: Yes), the shooting target that has undergone focus adjustment with normal AF is desired by the operator. That is, it was inconsistent with the object to be photographed. In this case, the totalization unit 3005 performs a learning process for reducing the priority index Y of the object to be imaged whose focus has been adjusted in the normal AF mode (step S9008). Here, similarly to step S9006, when the object to be photographed is not stored in the learning table (ST1 to ST5), a learning process is performed in which an ID is newly added and stored.

  When the counting unit 3005 finishes the learning process, the focus control unit 3004 shifts to the designated focus mode (step S9009) and ends.

  If there is no mode change operation (step S9007: No) and an end operation is performed (step S9010: Yes), the control unit 1020 performs an end process and ends the shooting process (step S9011). If there is no mode change (step S9007: No) and no end operation is performed (step S9010: No), the control unit 1020 returns to the state of step S9000.

  Next, processing in the manual mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The focus mode is set to the manual focus mode by the focus mode setting unit 3016 according to the input of the operation unit 1040 by the operator, and the imaging unit 1010 starts imaging in accordance with an instruction from the control instruction unit 3012 and performs control. The unit 1020 inputs imaging information from the imaging unit 1010 as needed (step S1000). When focus adjustment by the focus adjustment unit 2004 is not manually performed (step S1001: No), the focus adjustment waiting state continues. When manual focus adjustment of the focus adjustment unit 2004 has been performed (step S1001: Yes), the acquisition unit 3001 acquires information related to the focus-adjusted shooting target, and the specifying unit 3002 selects the focus-adjusted shooting target. Specify (step S1002).

  When there is a photographing instruction operation (step S1003: Yes), the imaging unit 1010 performs a photographing process (step S1004). Since the shooting target is a shooting target desired by the operator, the counting unit 3005 performs a learning process of incrementing the number of shootings A by one so that the priority index Y of the shooting target increases (step S1005). Thereafter, the process returns to step S1001.

  When the shooting instruction operation is not performed (step S1003: No), and when the focus mode is changed (step S1006: Yes), the focus control unit 3004 shifts to the designated focus mode (step S1007). ),finish. Here, even if the object to be photographed is not stored in the learning table, a learning process for newly adding an ID and storing it is not performed.

When there is no mode change operation (step S1006: No), and when an end operation is performed (step S1008: Yes), the control unit 1020 performs an end process and ends the photographing process (step S1009).
If there is no mode change (step S1006: No) and no end operation is performed (step S1008: No), the control unit 1020 returns to the state of step S1000.

  As described above, since the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention estimates the imaging target based on the learning table (ST1 to ST5), the estimated imaging object and the imaging target desired by the operator are desired. The probability of matching with an object can be increased. In addition, by having a large number of learning tables, it is possible to estimate an object to be photographed that matches the operator's intention to photograph.

(Application examples)
In the above embodiment, when the learning function is used (FIG. 6, Yes in step S6003) and when the learning function is not used (when no determination is made in FIG. 6, step S6003, the normal AF mode or the manual mode). Similarly, the number A of times of shooting is incremented by one, but it is possible to change the learning correspondence between when the learning function is used and when the learning function is not used.
Such a case will be described. In this example, the configuration of the learning table (ST1 to ST5) has the configuration shown in FIG.

  In this learning table, a weighting coefficient b of the number B of times of photographing target candidates using the learning function is provided with respect to the weighting coefficient a for the number A of times of photographing without using the learning function. By setting a <b, the degree of increase in the priority index Y when the candidate for photographing estimated using the learning function is photographed is higher than the degree of increase in the priority index Y when photographing without using the learning function. Can also be enlarged. The priority index Y in this case is obtained by calculating Y = {(a × A) + (b × B)} × U.

  Next, a modified example of the process of step S6014 will be described. The fact that the focus mode has been changed despite the focus adjustment once means that the object to be imaged that was focus-adjusted before changing the focus mode was not the object desired by the operator. The process of step S6014 performs a learning process for lowering the priority index Y of the object to be photographed that has been automatically focused before the focus mode is changed in order to perform the learning process for the information “disagreement”. Yes.

  The contents processed by the counting unit 3005 to execute this process will be described with reference to FIG. In the learning table shown in FIG. 10, a “mode change present” column is added to the learning table shown in FIG. Once the focus is adjusted, the number of mode changes is C, and the rate at which the priority index Y is lowered from the learning information so far is the deletion coefficient c. In order to perform a learning process for lowering the priority index Y of the object to be photographed whose focus mode has been changed after the focus has been adjusted once, the counting unit 3005 performs a process of adding 1 to the number of times C. The priority index Y in this case is obtained by calculating Y = {(a × A) + (b × B) − (c × C)} × U.

  If the deletion coefficient c is set to be large, the photographing target candidates estimated by the totaling unit 3005 can be quickly followed by changes in the operator's preference tendency.

  Note that the learning process for lowering the priority index Y is limited to the case where there is a discrepancy between the subject whose focus has been adjusted before changing the focus mode and the subject whose focus has been adjusted after changing the focus mode. Learning processing may be performed.

(Embodiment 2)
Processing of the photographing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The apparatus configuration may be the same as in the first embodiment.

  The feature of this embodiment is that the information of the photographing object used as the learning process target is limited to the information of the photographing object photographed after the focus mode is changed. The object to be photographed in the focus mode desired by the operator after the operator consciously changes the focus mode can be said to be information on the object to be photographed more reflecting the operator's preference tendency. Therefore, by performing the learning process only on this information, it can be expected that the probability that the imaging object estimated by the learning process matches the imaging object desired by the operator will be improved.

  The learning unit 3003 obtains information indicating that the focus mode has been changed from the focus control unit 3004, and then performs the learning process by limiting to the information of the first shooting target specified by the specifying unit 3002. Other processes may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the photographing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The focus control unit 3004 monitors the focus mode setting unit 3016 in order to obtain information on the presence / absence of a focus mode change instruction (step S1101). If there is an instruction to change the focus mode (step S1101: Yes), the focus control unit 3004 monitors the input from the operation unit 1040 in order to obtain information on the imaging instruction in the focus mode after the change (step S1101: Yes). S1102).

  When there is a shooting instruction (step S1102: Yes), the imaging unit 1010 performs a shooting process (step S1103). When the shooting instruction is the first shooting after changing the focus mode (step S1104: Yes), the information of the shooting target obtained from the specifying unit 3002 is learned (step S1105). After the learning process, the process returns to step S1101. If the shooting instruction is not the first shooting instruction after changing the focus mode (step S1104: No), the learning process is not performed, and the state returns to the state of monitoring whether or not the focus mode is changed (step S1101).

  When there is no change operation of the focus mode (step S1101: No), there is no change in the state of the focus mode setting unit 3016. The focus control unit 3004 continues the focus control in the focus mode specified by the focus mode setting unit 3016 (step S1107). The operation in each shooting mode is as described above.

  If an end operation has been performed (step S1108: Yes), the control unit 1020 performs an end process and ends the shooting process (step S1109). When the end operation is not performed (step S1108: No), the focus control unit 3004 continuously monitors whether or not the focus mode is changed (step S1101). If there is a focus mode change operation (step S1101: Yes) and there is no shooting operation in the changed focus mode (step S1102: No), the focus control unit 3004 monitors the presence or absence of an end operation (step S1108). .

  As described above, the photographing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention performs the learning process only on the photographing information immediately after the focus mode is switched, so that the photographing object estimated by the learning process and the operator's It can be expected that the probability of matching with a desired object to be photographed is improved.

(Embodiment 3)
A configuration of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The apparatus configuration may be the same as in the first embodiment.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the operation unit 1040 is provided with a normal AF instruction key 1041 for performing focus adjustment by normal AF while maintaining the intelligent AF mode. In order to change the mode from the intelligent AF mode to the normal AF by the operation of the normal AF instruction key 1041 by the user, the mode change setting performed by returning to the focus mode selection screen is not required, and only the operation of this instruction unit is performed. Focus adjustment in the normal AF mode can be performed while the intelligent AF mode is maintained. Accordingly, since the operation for changing the mode to the normal AF mode can be simplified, the focus adjustment method can be easily changed while viewing the captured image.

  The normal AF instruction key 1041 is an operation function on a push button switch or a touch panel included in the operation unit 1040. In response to the operation, the focus mode setting unit 3016 performs the operation when the focus mode is the intelligent AF mode. An instruction is given to the focus control unit 3004 to give priority to adjusting the focus to a specific focus position in the captured image, rather than controlling the focus on the imaging candidate target estimated by the learning unit or the ROI imaging object selection unit 3009. . The focus adjustment process is the same as steps S9001 and S9002 in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the photographing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Processing different from the flowchart illustrated in the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 is processing in steps S1219 to S1221.

  Despite the determination of the focus object and the focus adjustment performed on the object to be photographed (step S1209), the photographing operation is not performed (step S1210: No), and the focus mode is not changed (step S1213: No), the end operation is not performed (step S1216: No), and there is no change in the captured image (step S1218: No), the normal AF operation is not selected (the normal AF instruction key 1041 is not operated). In such a case (step S1219: No), the control unit 1020 returns to step S1210, which is waiting for a shooting operation.

  When the normal AF operation is selected (step S1219: Yes), the focus adjustment unit 2004 controls the focus to a specific focus position in the captured image according to the control information output from the focus control unit 3004 (step S1220). .

  The acquisition unit 3001 acquires information related to the focused shooting target. The identifying unit 3002 performs a process of identifying an object to be photographed (step S1221), and the control unit 1020 returns to step S1210, which is in a shooting waiting state.

  Other processes may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As described above, the photographing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention has instruction means for performing focus adjustment in the normal AF mode while maintaining the intelligent AF mode, and therefore changes the mode to the normal AF mode. Operation can be simplified, and a focus method change instruction can be given while viewing the captured image.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a selection example of a focus target using information related to a plurality of focuses in the counting unit of the photographing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  A case where the imaging information input from the imaging unit 1010 is the captured image of FIG. 13 will be described. In the captured image, a person nearby, a flower, and a person behind the flower are imaged. From the learning table (ST1) of FIG. 5 (a) using items as information relating to the focus, a person is selected as the focus target instead of a flower. However, the person remains in focus at two places, the person who is near (E34) 4034 and the person behind the flower (E22) 4022, and cannot conclude which person to focus on.

  Next, a table (ST5) in FIG. 5E showing the preference tendency of the operator's composition is referred to. In this table, there is a tendency to prefer a composition that captures an object to be photographed from the center to the lower right of the captured image.

  When the counting unit 3005 selects a focus target using the two types of learning tables of FIGS. 5A, 5 </ b> E, and 5 </ b> E, ST <b> 5 has priority over E <b> 22, 4022. The ranking becomes higher, and the focus target can be narrowed down to the person at the lower right of the image.

  Focus information can be created in a wide variety of categories. By combining the plurality of categories and estimating the object to be focused, the probability that the focus object estimated by intelligent AF matches the focus object desired by the operator can be further increased.

  Note that the information regarding the focus may be acquired only at the time of the half shutter in the manual mode. Further, information focused during normal AF may be included. Information focused in the intelligent AF mode may be included.

  Note that the information relating to the focus may include the contrast of the shooting target, the color of the shooting target, and the shape of the shooting target. The size of the object to be photographed that can be calculated from the dimensions in the monitor (which may be converted by the number of pixels) and the focal length may be used as information. Moreover, the moving distance within the unit time of the object to be imaged may be calculated from a plurality of pieces of imaging information with time, and the moving speed may be processed as information.

  In the above description, the case where the present invention is applied to a photographing apparatus such as a camera or a video apparatus has been described. However, by focusing on an object whose shape and moving speed are not registered in the learning processing table, the manufacturing process can be used. It can also be used as a photographing device for detecting foreign matter.

As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiment which concerns, This invention includes the invention described in the claim, and its equivalent range It is. The invention described in the scope of the claims of the present invention will be added below.
(Appendix 1)
A focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus;
Acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the focus adjusted by the focus adjustment means when shooting is instructed;
A specifying unit for specifying a photographing object based on information on the focus acquired by the acquiring unit;
Learning means for storing, in a storage unit, information related to the photographing object specified by the specifying means;
A focus control unit that controls automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment unit with respect to subsequent shooting based on information related to the shooting target stored in the storage unit;
An imaging device comprising:
(Appendix 2)
The focus control means controls the focus adjustment means so as to increase the priority of automatic focus adjustment to the object to be imaged specified by the specifying means instructed to shoot;
The imaging apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:
(Appendix 3)
The acquisition unit acquires information related to the focus adjusted by the focus adjustment unit when shooting is instructed regardless of whether the focus adjustment by the focus adjustment unit is automatic or manual.
The imaging apparatus according to appendix 1 or 2, characterized in that:
(Appendix 4)
The focus control means includes
Based on the information relating to the photographing object stored by the learning means, the detecting means for detecting the photographing object from within the captured image,
Controlling the focus adjustment means so as to adjust the focus on the object to be photographed detected by the detection means;
The imaging apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that:
(Appendix 5)
The learning means includes
As the information relating to the focus, the type of the focus object when the shooting is instructed, the focus distance, the position of the focus object in the captured image, and the area occupied by the focus object in the captured image Storing information including at least one of
The imaging apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that:
(Appendix 6)
One of the focus adjustments automatically performed by the focus adjustment means is based on an automatic focus adjustment method that automatically detects an object to be photographed by analyzing a captured image and adjusts the focus.
The focus control means includes
Controlling the focus adjustment means to give priority to the focus adjustment based on the information relating to the photographing object stored by the learning means over the focus adjustment by the automatic focus adjustment method;
The imaging apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, characterized in that:
(Appendix 7)
When the photographing is instructed and the focus is adjusted to the photographing object detected by the automatic focus adjustment method, the specifying means is configured to store the photographing object in the learning means. As specified,
The imaging apparatus according to appendix 6, wherein:
(Appendix 8)
The specifying unit specifies a photographing object whose focus is adjusted by automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjusting unit before the change instruction when a change instruction of the focus adjustment method is performed;
The learning means stores information relating to the photographing object before the change instruction specified by the specifying means,
The focus control unit controls the focus adjustment unit so as to exclude the photographing object before the change instruction from the focus based on the information related to the photographing object before the change instruction stored by the learning unit. ,
The imaging device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7, characterized in that:
(Appendix 9)
A focus adjustment means for adjusting the focus in one focus adjustment mode selected from a plurality of focus adjustment modes;
Obtaining means for obtaining information relating to the focus adjusted by the focus adjusting means when an instruction to change the focus adjustment mode is given;
A specifying unit for specifying a photographing object based on information on the focus acquired by the acquiring unit;
Learning means for storing, in a storage unit, information related to the photographing object specified by the specifying means;
A focus control unit that controls automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment unit with respect to subsequent shooting based on information related to the shooting target stored in the storage unit;
An imaging device comprising:
(Appendix 10)
The focus control unit controls the focus adjustment unit so as to lower the priority of automatically performing the focus adjustment on the photographing target specified by the specifying unit when an instruction to change the focus adjustment mode is given;
The imaging apparatus according to Supplementary Note 9, wherein
(Appendix 11)
An imaging device having a focus adjustment function by intelligent autofocus that automatically detects an object by analyzing a captured image and performs focus control,
In the mode of performing the focus adjustment by the intelligent autofocus, an instruction unit that gives an instruction to perform the focus adjustment to a specific position in the captured image in preference to the focus adjustment by the intelligent autofocus,
An imaging device provided.
(Appendix 12)
A photographing method in a photographing apparatus,
Focus adjustment processing for adjusting the focus,
An acquisition process for acquiring information related to the focus adjusted by the focus adjustment process when shooting is instructed;
Based on the information related to the focus acquired by the acquisition process, a specifying process for specifying a photographing object;
A learning process for storing in the storage unit information related to the object to be imaged identified by the identifying process;
A focus control process for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment process with respect to subsequent shooting based on information related to the shooting object stored in the storage unit;
Including shooting method.
(Appendix 13)
On the computer,
Focus adjustment function to adjust the focus,
An acquisition function for acquiring information related to the focus adjusted by the focus adjustment function when shooting is instructed;
A specific function for identifying a subject to be photographed based on the information relating to the focus acquired by the acquisition function;
A learning function for storing in the storage unit information related to the object to be photographed identified by the identifying function;
A focus control function for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment function for subsequent shooting based on information related to the shooting target stored in the storage unit;
A program characterized by realizing.
(Appendix 14)
A photographing method in a photographing apparatus,
A focus adjustment process for adjusting the focus in one focus adjustment mode selected from a plurality of focus adjustment modes;
An acquisition process for acquiring information relating to the focus adjusted by the focus adjustment process when an instruction to change the focus adjustment mode is given;
Based on the information related to the focus acquired by the acquisition process, a specifying process for specifying a photographing object;
A learning process for storing in the storage unit information related to the object to be imaged identified by the identifying process;
A focus control process for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment process with respect to subsequent shooting based on information related to the shooting object stored in the storage unit;
Including shooting method.
(Appendix 15)
On the computer,
A focus adjustment function that adjusts the focus in one focus adjustment mode selected from multiple focus adjustment modes,
An acquisition function for acquiring information related to the focus adjusted by the focus adjustment function when an instruction to change the focus adjustment mode is given;
A specific function for identifying a subject to be photographed based on the information relating to the focus acquired by the acquisition function;
A learning function for storing in the storage unit information related to the object to be photographed identified by the identifying function;
A focus control function for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment function for subsequent shooting based on information related to the shooting target stored in the storage unit;
A program characterized by realizing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1000 ... Imaging device, 1010 ... Imaging part, 1020 ... Control part, 1021 ... CPU, 1022 ... RAM, 1023 ... ROM, 1030 ... Display part, 1040 ... Operation part, 1041 ... Normal AF instruction key, 1050 ... External I / F DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1060 ... Memory | storage part, 2001 ... Lens, 2002 ... Image processing part, 2003 ... A / D conversion part, 2004 ... Focus adjustment part, 4000 ... Captured image, 4011-4055 ... AF area, ST1-ST5 ... Learning table, 3001 ... acquisition unit, 3002 ... identification unit, 3003 ... learning unit, 3004 ... focus control unit, 3005 ... aggregation unit, 3006 ... adoption determination unit, 3007 ... information type switching unit, 3008 ... ROI map generation unit, 3009 ... ROI imaging target Object sorting unit, 3010 ... detection unit, 3011 ... switching unit, 3012 ... control instruction unit, 3013 Adopted criterion setting unit, 3014 ... information type switch setting portion, 3015 ... priority setting unit, 3016 ... focus mode setting unit

Claims (15)

A focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus ;
Specifying means for specifying a focus adjusted imaging target by the previous SL focus adjusting means,
Setting means for setting a weight on the object to be imaged specified by the specifying means;
Priority index acquisition means for acquiring a priority index of the shooting object specified by the specifying means based on the information related to the shooting object specified by the specifying means and the weight set by the setting means;
Based on the priority index acquired by the priority index acquisition means, focus control means for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment means for subsequent shooting,
Equipped with a,
The priority index acquisition means increases the priority index of the shooting target specified by the specifying means when shooting of the shooting target specified by the specifying means is instructed.
An imaging apparatus characterized by that . A focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus;
A specifying unit that specifies a shooting target focused by the focus adjusting unit when shooting is instructed;
Setting means for setting a weight on the object to be imaged specified by the specifying means;
Priority index acquisition means for acquiring a priority index based on the information relating to the object to be photographed specified by the specifying means and the weight set by the setting means;
Based on the priority index acquired by the priority index acquisition means, focus control means for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment means for subsequent shooting,
With
The priority index acquisition means decreases the priority index of the shooting object specified by the specifying means when shooting of the shooting object specified by the specifying means is not instructed.
An imaging apparatus characterized by that. A focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus;
A specifying unit that specifies a shooting target focused by the focus adjusting unit when shooting is instructed;
Setting means for setting a weight on the object to be imaged specified by the specifying means;
Priority index acquisition means for acquiring a priority index based on the information relating to the object to be photographed specified by the specifying means and the weight set by the setting means;
Based on the priority index acquired by the priority index acquisition means, focus control means for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment means for subsequent shooting,
With
The specifying means is:
A focus information acquisition unit that acquires information on the focus adjusted by the focus adjustment unit from a captured image acquired when the shooting is instructed;
The focus information acquisition unit acquires information related to the focus adjusted by the focus adjustment unit when the photographing is instructed regardless of whether the focus adjustment by the focus adjustment unit is automatic or manual. To
An imaging apparatus characterized by that. A focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus;
A specifying unit that specifies a shooting target focused by the focus adjusting unit when shooting is instructed;
Setting means for setting a weight on the object to be imaged specified by the specifying means;
Priority index acquisition means for acquiring a priority index based on the information relating to the object to be photographed specified by the specifying means and the weight set by the setting means;
Based on the priority index acquired by the priority index acquisition means, focus control means for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment means for subsequent shooting,
With
One of the focus adjustments automatically performed by the focus adjustment means is based on an automatic focus adjustment method that automatically detects a photographing object by analyzing a captured image and adjusts the focus.
The focus control means includes
Controlling the focus adjustment means to prioritize focus adjustment based on the priority index acquired by the priority index acquisition means over focus adjustment by the automatic focus adjustment method;
An imaging apparatus characterized by that. A focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus;
A specifying unit that specifies a shooting target focused by the focus adjusting unit when shooting is instructed;
Setting means for setting a weight on the object to be imaged specified by the specifying means;
Priority index acquisition means for acquiring a priority index based on the information relating to the object to be photographed specified by the specifying means and the weight set by the setting means;
Based on the priority index acquired by the priority index acquisition means, focus control means for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment means for subsequent shooting,
With
The specifying unit specifies a photographing object whose focus is adjusted by automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjusting unit before the change instruction when a change instruction of the focus adjustment method is performed;
The priority index acquisition means acquires a priority index of the photographing object before the change instruction specified by the specifying means,
The focus control means includes: the focus adjusting means so as to exclude the imaging object before the change instruction from focus based on the priority index of the imaging object before the change instruction acquired by the priority index acquisition means. Control,
An imaging apparatus characterized by that. The priority index acquisition means sequentially stores information relating to the photographing object specified by the specifying means;
Imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that. The focus control means includes
Based on the priority index acquired by the priority index acquisition means, comprising a detection means for detecting a shooting object from within the captured image,
Controlling the focus adjustment means so as to adjust the focus on the object to be photographed detected by the detection means;
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein The priority index acquiring means, before SL when the shooting of the identified shooting target has not been instructed by the identification unit, to reduce the priority index of the object to be shot, which is specified by the specifying means,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: As the information relating to the focus, the type of the focus object when the shooting is instructed, the focus distance, the position of the focus object in the captured image, and the area occupied by the focus object in the captured image At least one of
The imaging device according to claim 3 . When the photographing unit is instructed, the specifying unit obtains a priority index by the priority index acquisition unit when the focus is adjusted to the photographing target detected by the automatic focus adjustment method. Identify the subject to be photographed,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein: A focus adjustment means for adjusting the focus in one focus adjustment mode selected from a plurality of focus adjustment modes;
Obtaining means for obtaining information relating to the focus adjusted by the focus adjusting means when an instruction to change the focus adjustment mode is given;
A specifying unit for specifying a photographing object based on information on the focus acquired by the acquiring unit;
Learning means for storing, in a storage unit, information related to the photographing object specified by the specifying means;
A focus control unit that controls automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment unit with respect to subsequent shooting based on information related to the shooting target stored in the storage unit;
Equipped with a,
The focus control unit controls the focus adjustment unit so as to lower the priority of automatically performing the focus adjustment on the photographing target specified by the specifying unit when an instruction to change the focus adjustment mode is given;
An imaging apparatus characterized by that . A photographing method in a photographing apparatus,
Focus adjustment processing for adjusting the focus ,
A specifying process for specifying a focus adjusted imaging target by the previous SL focus adjustment process,
A setting process for setting a weight on the object to be imaged specified by the specifying process;
A priority index acquisition process for acquiring a priority index of the shooting target specified by the specifying process based on the information related to the shooting target specified by the specifying process and the weight set by the setting process;
Based on the priority index acquired by the priority index acquisition process, a focus control process for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment process for subsequent shooting, and
Only including,
The priority index acquisition process increases the priority index of the shooting target specified by the specifying process when the shooting of the shooting target specified by the specifying process is instructed.
An imaging method characterized by the above . On the computer,
Focus adjustment function to adjust the focus ,
Specifying function for specifying the focus adjusted imaging target by the previous SL focus adjustment function,
A setting function for setting a weight on the object to be imaged specified by the specific function;
A priority index acquisition function for acquiring a priority index of a shooting target specified by the specific function based on information related to the shooting target specified by the specific function and a weight set by the setting function;
A focus control function for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment function for subsequent shooting based on the priority index acquired by the priority index acquisition function;
Realized ,
The priority index acquisition function increases the priority index of the shooting target specified by the specific function when the shooting of the shooting target specified by the specific function is instructed.
A program characterized by that. A photographing method in a photographing apparatus,
A focus adjustment process for adjusting the focus in one focus adjustment mode selected from a plurality of focus adjustment modes;
An acquisition process for acquiring information relating to the focus adjusted by the focus adjustment process when an instruction to change the focus adjustment mode is given;
Based on the information related to the focus acquired by the acquisition process, a specifying process for specifying a photographing object;
A learning process for storing in the storage unit information related to the object to be imaged identified by the identifying process;
A focus control process for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment process with respect to subsequent shooting based on information related to the shooting object stored in the storage unit;
Only including,
The focus control process controls the focus adjustment process so as to lower the priority for automatically performing the focus adjustment on the shooting target specified by the specifying process when an instruction to change the focus adjustment mode is given.
An imaging method characterized by the above . On the computer,
A focus adjustment function that adjusts the focus in one focus adjustment mode selected from multiple focus adjustment modes,
An acquisition function for acquiring information related to the focus adjusted by the focus adjustment function when an instruction to change the focus adjustment mode is given;
A specific function for identifying a subject to be photographed based on the information relating to the focus acquired by the acquisition function;
A learning function for storing in the storage unit information related to the object to be photographed identified by the identifying function;
A focus control function for controlling automatic focus adjustment of the focus adjustment function for subsequent shooting based on information related to the shooting target stored in the storage unit;
Realized ,
The focus control function controls the focus adjustment function so as to lower the priority of automatically performing the focus adjustment on the shooting target specified by the specific function when an instruction to change the focus adjustment mode is given.
A program characterized by that.

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