Patent ID: 9025070
Filing Date: 2015-05-05
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image capture apparatus comprising: an optical unit configured to direct light from an object to generate an object image; an imaging unit configured to obtain image data from the object image; a user operation input unit configured to provide both an object specifying unit configured to designate a first object in the image data responsive to a first user input and to designate a second object in the image data responsive to a second user input, and a time setting unit configured to set, based on a third user input, an image capture time interval between the first object and the second object; a shutter release unit configured to invoke an image capture operation by the imaging unit; and an imaging control unit configured to 1) perform, responsive to the invocation of the image capture operation by the shutter release unit, a first image capture operation in which a focusing point of the optical unit is set to a first focusing point corresponding to the first object and in which an exposure value of the imaging unit is set to an exposure value appropriate for the first object, and 2) perform, responsive to the elapse of the image capture time interval following the first image capture operation, a second image capture operation in which the focusing point of the optical unit is set to a second focusing point corresponding to the second object and in which the exposure value of the imaging unit is set to an exposure value appropriate for the second object, 3) determine whether or not it is possible to change the focusing point of the optical unit from the first focusing point to the second focusing point within the image capture time interval, and 4) responsive to a determination that it is not possible to change the focusing point of the optical unit from the first focusing point to the second focusing point within the image capture time interval, causes the focusing point of the optical unit during the second image capture operation to be set to a focusing point which can be reached within the image capture time interval and which is closest to the second focusing point.