Patent ID: 7995106
Filing Date: 2011-08-09
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An imaging apparatus, comprising: imaging means for generating image data representing a scene by photography of the scene; recording means for recording the image data generated by the imaging means in a predetermined recording medium; human extraction means for carrying out extraction of an image region or image regions representing a human figure or human figures by analyzing the image data generated by the imaging means; voice analysis means for carrying out detection of a predetermined characteristic related to a voice by analysis of an inputted voice; composition judgment means for carrying out judgment as to whether composition of the image data is appropriate, based on a result of the extraction by the human extraction means and a result of the detection by the voice analysis means; and recording timing determination means for determining a timing of recording the image data, based on a result of the judgment by the composition judgment means, wherein the human extraction means carries out a human face search in the image data, and outputs information representing a number of human faces detected through the search and a position and a size of each of the human faces, as the result of the extraction, wherein the recording means records the result of the extraction by the human extraction means and the result of the detection by the voice analysis means together with the image data in the recording medium, wherein the composition judgment means evaluates a balance of arrangement based on whether a mass center of the human figures is within a predetermined region in a center portion of an image or outside the predetermined region, wherein, in a case the balance of arrangement is appropriate, the composition judgment means judges whether a facial expression of the human figures comprises a specific facial expression or whether facial expression has been changed, based on a facial expression information supplied by the human extraction, means; and wherein, in a case that the facial expression comprises the specific facial expression or has been changed, the composition judgment means outputs a judgment result representing an appropriate composition.