Patent ID: 8477993
Filing Date: 2013-07-02
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image taking apparatus having an imaging section for sequentially obtaining image data by photoelectrically converting a subject image, said image taking apparatus storing on a recording medium said image data obtained when an image-taking start signal being input, said image taking apparatus comprising: a number setting section for setting the number of specific objects to be contained in said subject image; an object detecting section for detecting one or more said specific objects contained in said subject image based on said image data, and counting the number of said detected specific objects; a number matching section for judging whether said number of said specific objects set by said number setting section and said number of said specific objects detected by said object detecting section match each other; a motion area detecting section for detecting one or more motion areas within said imaging section by dividing said imaging section into a plurality of blocks and judging whether each of said blocks has motion components; an object judging section for judging whether one or more said specific objects are being detected in each of said motion areas; a motion judging section for judging whether said specific objects being detected in each of said motion areas are motionless; a preparatory processing section for performing a preparatory process which includes at least one of focus adjustment and exposure adjustment; and a control section for outputting said image-taking start signal; wherein if said motion areas are not detected or said specific objects are not detected in said motion areas, said control section outputs said image-taking start signal after a predetermined time lapses from when both of said numbers match each other and said preparatory process is performed, and wherein if both of said numbers match each other and one or more said specific objects are detected in said motion areas, said control section outputs said image-taking start signal after said specific objects being detected in each of said motion areas are judged being motionless and said preparatory process is performed.