Imaging control apparatus capable of selecting detected subject and method for the same

An imaging control apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect, from a captured image, subjects belonging to a plurality of types including a first type and a second type a switching unit configured to switch a type, a selection unit configured to select any subject from among a plurality of subjects belonging to the second type, and a control unit configured to perform control so as to display a first subject belonging to the first type in a first display manner and display a second subject belonging to the second type in a second display manner in a case where the type for which the predetermined processing is the first type, and display the second subject in the first display manner in response to switching to the second type by the switching unit.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to an imaging control apparatus, and, in particular, to a technique in selecting any subject from detected subjects.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, a technique for detecting a human face from a captured image is known. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-62655 discusses that a user selects a race to detect and a face is detected based on feature data about the selected race.

The method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-62655 can detect the race selected on a menu screen, but fails to allow the user to change the type of the subject while viewing the image being currently captured or switch the subject selected among subjects belonging to the changed type.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to providing an imaging control apparatus that allows a user to switch a desired subject with excellent usability when a plurality of types of subjects can be detected.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an imaging control apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect, from a captured image, subjects belonging to a plurality of types including a first type and a second type, a switching unit configured to switch a type for which predetermined processing is to be performed from any of the first type and the second type, a selection unit configured to select any subject from among a plurality of subjects belonging to the second type in the captured image and among the detected subjects, and a control unit configured to perform control so as to display a first subject belonging to the first type in a first display manner and display a second subject belonging to the second type in a second display manner in a case where the type for which the predetermined processing is to be performed is switched to the first type by the switching unit, and display the second subject in the first display manner in response to switching of the type for which the predetermined processing is to be performed from the first type to the second type by the switching unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is to be noted that the following exemplary embodiment is merely one example and can be appropriately modified or changed depending on individual constructions and various conditions of apparatuses. Thus, the present disclosure is in no way limited to the following exemplary embodiment.

FIG.1illustrates an exterior appearance of a digital camera100as an example of an apparatus to which the present disclosure can be applied. The digital camera100is an example of an imaging control apparatus, and can capture a still image and a moving image.

A display unit28is a display unit that displays an image and various kinds of information. A shutter button61is an operation unit for issuing an imaging instruction. A mode selection switch60is an operation unit for switching various modes. A connector112is used for connecting to an external apparatus, such as a personal computer and a printer, and can connect the digital camera100to a connection cable111. An operation unit70includes operation members that receive various operations from a user, such as various switches, a button, and a touch panel.

A controller wheel73, a sub electronic dial74, and a main electronic dial75are rotationally operable operation members included in the operation unit70. A multifunction button76is a pressing button included in the operation unit70. A power switch72is a pressing button for switching a power-on and a power-off. A recording medium200is a recoding medium, such as a memory card and a hard disk. A recording medium slot201is a slot for housing the recording medium200. The recording medium200housed in the recording medium slot201allows data to be recorded therein or be played back therefrom by communicating with the digital camera100. A cover202is a cover of the recording medium slot201.FIG.1illustrates the digital camera100with the cover202opened and the recording medium200partially extracted and exposed from the recording medium slot201.

FIG.2is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the digital camera100according to the present exemplary embodiment.

InFIG.2, an imaging lens103is a lens unit including a zoom lens and a focus lens. A shutter101includes a diaphragm function. An imaging unit22includes an image sensor formed by, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor that converts an optical image into an electric signal, and an automatic focus (AF) evaluation value detection unit23. In the image sensor, each of two-dimensionally arrayed pixels includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions. An image corresponding to one viewpoint is individually formed from outputs from a group of photoelectric conversion regions located at the same position in the individual pixels, and therefore a plurality of parallax images corresponding to different viewpoints can be acquired by one image sensor. A captured image that would be acquired by a normal image sensor, in which each pixel includes one photoelectric conversion region, can be acquired by adding outputs from the plurality of photoelectric conversion regions for each of the pixels at the same time.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the image sensor is configured in such a manner that each of the pixels includes two independent photoelectric conversion regions (photodiodes) A and B. Two parallax images A and B can be acquired by acquiring an output from the photoelectric conversion region A and an output from the photoelectric conversion region B as individually independent images. The normal captured image can be acquired by adding the outputs from the photoelectric conversion regions A and B for each of the pixels. The captured image can be acquired by adding and combining the signals of the photoelectric conversion regions of each of the pixels by, for example, an image processing unit24as will be described below, but may be acquired by adding and combining these signals by the imaging unit22. In this manner, the parallax images A and B and the captured image can be acquired by carrying out imaging (exposure) once.

The digital camera100will be described as being configured to acquire the two parallax images at the same time in the description of the present exemplary embodiment, but may be configured to acquire more parallax images at the same time by receiving a light flux incident near an imaging plane on a larger number of pixels (for example, 3×3 pixels). Further, the imaging unit22includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion processing function.

The AF evaluation value detection unit (a focus detection unit)23calculates an AF evaluation value (a focus state) based on contrast information acquired from a digital image signal and a phase difference acquired from the parallax images, and outputs the acquired AF evaluation value from the imaging unit22to a system control unit50.

A barrier102is a protection member provided so as to cover an imaging system including the imaging lens103, and prevents dirt and damage of the imaging system including the imaging lens103, the shutter101, and the imaging unit22.

The image processing unit24performs resizing processing, such as predetermined pixel interpolation and size reduction, and color conversion processing on image data output from the imaging unit22or data from a memory control unit15. Further, the image processing unit24can acquire distance information of a subject. More specifically, the image processing unit24can acquire the distance to the subject by detecting the phase difference from the two input parallax images, and acquire the distance information from the imaging unit22to the subject pixel by pixel. Further, the image processing unit24performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit50controls an exposure and distance measurement based on the acquired result of the calculation. Based thereon, automatic exposure (AE) processing and electronic flash (EF) (flash automatic light adjustment and emission) processing of the Through-The-Lens (TTL) method are performed under control of the system control unit50.

Further, the image processing unit24performs AF processing under control of the system control unit50, and the output of the AF evaluation value detection unit23included in the imaging unit22may be used at this time. Further, the image processing unit24performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit50performs automatic white balance (AWB) processing using the TTL method based on the acquired result of the calculation.

The image processing unit24further extracts feature data from the captured image data. A memory32stores therein master data with which feature data for each type of the subject is registered. The master data is prepared for each type of the subject, such as data for a human, data for a human pupil, data for an animal, data for an animal pupil, and data for a vehicle. Due to this preparation, the digital camera100can detect a plurality of subjects, such as a human, a human pupil, an animal, an animal pupil, and a vehicle. A nonvolatile memory56stores therein each of detection types of a main subject and a sub subject indicating types to be detected as the main subject and the sub subject. The detection type of the main subject corresponds to a first type, and the detection type of the sub subject corresponds to a second subject.

When the master data for the main subject and the master data for the sub subject are read out from the memory32under control of the memory control unit15, the system control unit50compares the extracted feature data and the read master data. As a result, the digital camera100can detect each of the main subject and the sub subject. The image processing unit24can further perform tracking processing of tracking the subject detected from the captured image data using pattern matching or the like under control of the system control unit50.

The output data of the imaging unit22is written into the memory32via the image processing unit24and the memory control unit15, or is directly written into the memory32via the memory control unit15. The memory32stores therein the image data acquired by the imaging unit22and subjected to the A/D conversion, and image data to be displayed on the display unit28.

The memory32has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images or a moving image and audio lasting for a predetermined time period. The memory32also serves as a memory for an image display (a video memory). A digital-to-analog (D/A) converter13converts the data for the image display that is stored in the memory32into an analog signal, and supplies it to the display unit28. In this manner, the image data for the display that is written in the memory32is displayed on the display unit28via the D/A converter13.

The display unit28presents a display according to the analog signal supplied from the D/A converter13on a display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The digital signal first subjected to the A/D conversion by the imaging unit22and then stored into the memory32is converted into the analog signal by the D/A converter13, and is sequentially transferred to the display unit28. As a result, the display unit28functions as an electronic viewfinder, and displays a through-the-lens image (displays a live view).

The nonvolatile memory56is a memory as an electrically erasable and recordable recording medium, and, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) is used as it. The nonvolatile memory56stores therein a constant, a program, and the like for the operation of the system control unit50. The program described here refers to a computer program for performing a flowchart that will be described below in the present exemplary embodiment.

The system control unit50is a control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire digital camera100. The system control unit50realizes each processing procedure in the present exemplary embodiment that will be described below by executing the above-described program recorded in the nonvolatile memory56. For example, a random access memory (RAM) is used as a system memory52. The constant and the variable for the operation of the system control unit50, the program read out from the nonvolatile memory56, and the like are loaded into the system memory52. The system control unit50also performs display control by controlling the memory32, the D/A converter13, the display unit28, and the like.

A system timer53is a time measurement unit that measures a time for use in various controls, and a time of a built-in clock. The mode selection switch60, the shutter button61, and the operation unit70are operation units for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit50. The mode selection switch60switches the operation mode of the system control unit50to any of a still image recording mode, a moving image capturing mode, a playback mode, and the like.

Modes contained in the still image recording mode include an automatic imaging mode, an automatic scene determination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (an aperture value (Av) mode), and a shutter speed priority mode (a time value (Tv) mode). The modes contained in the still image recording mode further includes various scene modes, each of which corresponds to imaging settings prepared for each imaging scene, a program AE mode, a custom mode, and the like. The operation mode is directly switched to any of these modes using the mode selection switch60. Alternatively, the digital camera100may be configured in such a manner that any of a plurality of displayed modes is selected, and the operation mode is switched using another operation member after the screen is first switched to a screen indicating a list of imaging modes using the mode selection switch60. Similarly, the moving image capturing mode can also include a plurality of modes.

A first shutter switch62is switched on halfway through the operation of the shutter button61provided on the digital camera100, i.e., upon a half-press of the shutter button61(an imaging preparation instruction), and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. In response to the first shutter switch signal SW1, the system control unit50starts operations such as the AF processing, the AE processing, the AWB processing, and the EF (flash preliminary emission) processing.

A second shutter switch64is switched on SW2upon completion of the operation of the shutter button61, i.e., upon a full-press of the shutter button61(an imaging instruction), and generates a second shutter switch signal. In response to the second shutter switch signal SW2, the system control unit50starts a series of imaging processing operations from reading out the signal from the imaging unit22to writing the image data into the recording medium200.

Each of the operation members in operation unit70is appropriately assigned to the corresponding function for each scene and is caused to work as various functional buttons, with, for example, an operation of selecting various functional icons displayed on the display unit28. Examples of the functional buttons include a menu button, an end button, a return button, an image jump button, a jump button, a depth-of-field preview button, and an attribute change button. For example, when the menu button is pressed, a menu screen, on which various settings can be made, is displayed on the display unit28. The user can intuitively configure the various settings using the menu screen displayed on the display unit28, an up, down, left, and right four-direction button, and a SET button.

The controller wheel73, the sub electronic dial74, and the main electronic dial75are rotationally operable operation members included in the operation unit70and are used when, for example, a selection item is specified together with the direction button. When the controller wheel73, the sub electronic dial74, or the main electronic dial75is rotationally operated, an electric pulse signal is generated according to the operation amount, and the system control unit50controls each of the units of the digital camera100based on this pulse signal. The system control unit50determines the angle by which the controller wheel73, the sub electronic dial74, or the main electronic dial75is rotationally operated, how many times it is rotated and the like based on this pulse signal.

Each of the controller wheel73, the sub electronic dial74, and the main electronic dial75may be any operation member with which a rotational operation can be detected. For example, any of the controller wheel73, the sub electronic dial74, and the main electronic dial75may be a dial operation member that the controller wheel73, the sub electronic dial74, or the main electronic dial75itself is rotated according to the user's rotational operation and generates the pulse signal. Any of the controller wheel73, the sub electronic dial74, and the main electronic dial75can be an operation member realized using a touch sensor and be an operation member that the controller wheel73, the sub electronic dial74, or the main electronic dial75itself is not rotated and detects, for example, a movement of the user's finger on the controller wheel73, the sub electronic dial74, or the main electronic dial75.

A power supply control unit41includes a battery detection circuit, a direct-current-to-direct-current (DC-DC) converter, and a switch circuit that switches a block to which power is supplied. The power supply control unit41detects whether a battery is mounted, the type of the battery, and the remaining battery level. The power supply control unit41controls the DC-DC converter based on a result of this detection and an instruction from the system control unit50, and supplies a required voltage to each of the units including the recording medium200for a required time period.

A power supply unit40includes a primary battery, such as an alkaline battery and a lithium battery, a secondary battery, such as a nickel—cadmium (NiCd) battery, a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, and a lithium (Li) battery, and an alternating-current (AC) adapter. A recording medium interface (I/F)18is an interface with the recording medium200, such as a memory card and a hard disk. The recording medium200is a recording medium for recording the captured image, such as a memory card, and is formed by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

A detection unit55includes a gyroscope sensor and another sensor, and acquires, for example, angular speed information and orientation information about the digital camera100. The angular speed information includes information about an angular speed and an angular acceleration at the time of panning imaging by the digital camera100. The orientation information includes information about, for example, an inclination of the digital camera100with respect to the horizontal direction.

Next, an example of processing performed by the digital camera100according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated inFIG.3. Each process in the flowchart illustrated inFIG.3is realized by the system control unit50loading the program stored in the nonvolatile memory56into the system memory52to execute the program and controlling each of the functional blocks. The present processing is started when the digital camera100is powered on and becomes ready to present the live view display on the display unit28.

In step S301, the system control unit50reads out the types set as the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject from the nonvolatile memory56. By this readout, the master data corresponding to the types set as the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject is read out to the image processing unit24. The master data is stored in the memory32and is used by being read out to the image processing unit24under the control of the memory control unit15, but detecting many types of subjects at the same time may make the processing time-consuming because the detection processing takes a long time. Thus, the types settable as the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject are assumed to be one type for each of them in the present exemplary embodiment but do not have to be one type for each of them.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the human and the vehicle are set as the detection type of the main subject and the detection type of the sub subject, respectively, and the master data for the human and the master data for the vehicle are read out.

In step S302, the system control unit50detects each of the main subject and the sub subject according to the types read out in step S301. The system control unit50then displays a main subject frame on the subject detected as the main subject and displays a sub subject frame on the subject detected as the sub subject on the display unit28.

FIG.5Aillustrates a state in which the main subject frame and the sub subject frame are displayed. A live view image501is displayed on the display unit28. A sub subject frame502is displayed on the subject detected as the sub subject. A main subject frame503is displayed on the subject detected as the main subject. The main subject frame corresponds to a first display item, and the sub subject frame corresponds to a second display item.

InFIG.5A, the main subject frame503is displayed on the right-side person, and the sub subject frame502is displayed on the vehicle. If no subject corresponding to the types of the main subject and the sub subject read out in step S301is detected, the main subject frame503and the sub subject frame502are not displayed. Even if a plurality of subjects is detected as the main subject in step S302(for example, the right-side person and the left-side person inFIG.5A), the target on which the main subject frame is displayed is one subject. Similarly, even if a plurality of subjects is detected as the sub subject in step S302, the target on which the sub subject frame is displayed is one subject. However, the detection of the subject is conducted for both the main subject and the sub subject.

Further, the main subject frame and the sub subject frame are displayed in visually different manners to be distinguishable from each other. The main subject frame503is displayed in black and the sub subject frame502is displayed in gray in the present exemplary embodiment. The display manners of the main subject frame503and the sub subject frame502are not limited thereto and the main subject frame503and the sub subject frame502may be displayed in other manners such as being displayed as a solid line and a dotted line, being displayed in different colors such as red and black, and being displayed in such a manner that one of the frames is blinked. The main subject frame503and the sub subject frame502may be displayed in any manner as long as they are displayed distinguishably.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the system control unit50performs predetermined processing, such as the AF processing, the AE processing, and the tracking processing, on the subject with the main subject frame displayed thereon. More specifically, a subject with a main subject frame of a tracking AF target displayed thereon is targeted for the tracking AF while the tracking AF is set, and the AF processing is performed on the subject with the main subject frame displayed thereon according to an AF instruction while the single-point AF is set. The system control unit50functions as a control unit. For example, the predetermined processing, i.e., the AF processing, is performed on the right-side person with the main subject frame503displayed thereon inFIG.5A. By contrast, the AF processing is not performed on the subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon although the sub subject frame is displayed thereon. Different processing from the processing for the main subject may also be performed on the subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon. For example, only distance measurement and light metering are carried out on the subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon.

In step S303, the system control unit50determines whether an operation for switching the types set as the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject is performed. If the system control unit50determines that the operation for changing the types is performed (YES in step S303), the processing proceeds to step S304. If the system control unit50determines that the operation for changing the types is not performed (NO in step S303), the processing proceeds to step S306.

The operation for changing the types set as the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject will be described in detail with reference toFIG.4. In a case where the types set as the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject are changed, the system control unit50displays a menu screen401for changing the settings of the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject on the display unit28. An item list402, which indicates a combination of the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject to which the settings can be changed (the main subject/the sub subject), is displayed on the menu screen401.

Combinations “human face/human pupil”, “human face/animal”, “human face/vehicle”, and “animal/vehicle” are displayed as the main subject/the sub subject in the item list402inFIG.4. A cursor403indicates the selected combination of the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject. This menu screen401can be called from inside a menu selection screen and can also be called by operating the controller wheel73.

After the menu screen401is displayed on the display unit28, the user moves the cursor403by operating the controller wheel73and selects one combination among the combinations of the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject displayed in the item list402. By this selection, the user can change the types set as the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject. The digital camera100is assumed to cause the user to select the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject from the preset combinations in the present exemplary embodiment, but may be configured to cause the user to select the detection type of the main subject and the detection type of the sub subject individually.

In step S304, the system control unit50switches the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject stored in the nonvolatile memory56in accordance with the operation for switching the types set as the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject. In the present exemplary embodiment, the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject are changed from the human/vehicle to the human/animal, and therefore the detection type of the sub subject is changed from the vehicle to the animal.

In step S305, the system control unit50changes the master data set to the image processing unit24based on the detection types of the main subject and the sub subject switched in step S304. In the present exemplary embodiment, the system control unit50reads out the master data for the animal from the memory32, and changes the master data of the sub subject from the master data for the vehicle to the master data for the animal.

FIG.5Eillustrates a state in which the processing returns to step S302and the main subject frame and the sub subject frame are displayed after the master data is changed in step S305from the state illustrated inFIG.5A. A main subject frame509displayed on the right-side person remains unchanged while a sub subject frame510, which has been displayed on the vehicle, is moved to the lower-side animal and displayed thereon. In this manner, when the detection type of the sub subject is changed, the sub subject frame is displayed on the subject belonging to the type after the change (the animal in the present example). Similarly, when the detection type of the main subject is changed, the main subject frame is displayed on the subject belonging to the type after the change.

In step S306, the system control unit50determines whether an operation for switching the type set as the detection type of the main subject and the type set as the detection type of the sub subject (hereinafter referred to as an operation for switching the main subject and the sub subject) is performed. The operation for switching the main subject and the sub subject is performed by pressing the multifunction button76in the present exemplary embodiment, but may be performed by operating any operation member assigned to this function or may be even a touch operation. If the system control unit50determines that the operation for switching the main subject and the sub subject is performed (YES in step S306), the processing proceeds to step S307. If the system control unit50determines that the operation for switching the main subject and the sub subject is not performed (NO in step S306), the processing proceeds to step S308.

In step S307, the system control unit50changes the subject targeted for the predetermined processing, such as the AF processing and the AE processing, to the subject on which the sub subject frame has been displayed thereon before the switching. More specifically, while the tracking AF is set, the subject targeted for the tracking AF is changed to the subject on which the sub subject frame has been displayed (selected from among the sub subjects) before the switching. While the single-point AF is set, the AF processing is performed in accordance with the AF instruction on the subject on which the sub subject frame has been displayed (selected among the sub subjects) before the switching. In the case where the digital camera100is set so as to perform different processing from the predetermined processing, such as the AF processing and the AE processing, on the subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon, the system control unit50performs the above-described set processing on the subject on which the main subject frame has been displayed before the switching.

When the processing returns to step S302after step S307, the system control unit50displays the sub subject frame on the subject on which the main subject frame has been displayed before the switching, and displays the main subject frame on the subject on which the sub subject frame has been displayed before the switching.

FIG.5Billustrates a state in which the processing returns to step S302and the main subject frame and the sub subject frame are displayed after the main subject and the sub subject are switched in step S307from the state illustrated inFIG.5A. As seen fromFIGS.5A and5B, the subject with the main subject frame displayed thereon and the subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon are switched around. More specifically, before the switching, the sub subject frame502is displayed on the vehicle and the main subject frame503is displayed on the right-side person as illustrated inFIG.5A. When the switching operation is performed by pressing the multifunction button76in this state, a main subject frame504is displayed on the vehicle and a sub subject frame505is displayed on the right-side person as illustrated inFIG.5B.

In this manner, the user can easily switch around the main subject and the sub subject with a one-touch operation while viewing the live view image. Thus, the user can easily change the AF target in such a manner that the human is kept in focus until the vehicle approaches and then the vehicle is brought into focus when the approaching vehicle is in close proximity. Since the sub subject is selected in advance, when being able to switch the next AF target with one touch, the user can save an operation for selecting the next subject, thus quickly proceeding to the next imaging.

In step S308, the system control unit50determines whether an operation for switching the main subject is performed. The operation for switching the main subject refers to an operation for switching the subject with the main subject frame displayed thereon to another subject belonging to the detection type of the main subject when a plurality of main subjects is detected. The operation for switching the main subject is performed by rotationally operating the main electronic dial75, but may be any operation as long as it is an operation on the operation member assigned to this function. For example, the subject with the main subject frame displayed thereon may be switched directly by a touch operation on the touch panel.

If the system control unit50determines that the main electronic dial75is rotationally operated and the operation for switching the main subject is performed (YES in step S308), the processing proceeds to step S309. If the system control unit50determines that the operation for switching the main subject is not performed (NO in step S308), the processing proceeds to step S310.

In step S309, the system control unit50changes the subject targeted for the predetermined processing such as the AF processing and the AE processing to another subject belonging to the detection type of the main subject in accordance with the operation in step S308. After step S309, the processing returns to step S302, in which the system control unit50displays the main subject frame after moving it to the other subject belonging to the detection type of the main subject according to the operation in step S308. The subject with the main subject frame displayed thereon after the movement is targeted for the predetermined processing.

FIG.5Fillustrates a state in which the processing returns to step S302and the main subject frame and the sub subject frame are displayed after the operation for switching the main subject is performed in step S309from the state illustrated inFIG.5E. As seen fromFIGS.5E and5F, the subject with the main subject frame displayed thereon is switched.

More specifically, before the operation for switching the main subject is performed, the main subject frame509is displayed on the right-side person and the sub subject frame510is displayed on the lower-side animal as illustrated inFIG.5E. In a case where the operation for switching the main subject is performed by the main electronic dial75being rotationally operated in this state, the sub subject frame510displayed on the lower-side animal remains unchanged while a main subject frame511is moved from the right-side person to the left-side person and displayed thereon as illustrated inFIG.5F.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the subject with the main subject frame displayed thereon is sequentially switched in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction in accordance with the order in which the subjects belonging to the detection type of the main subject are laid out according to the direction in which the main electronic dial75is rotated (in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction) and the amount by which the main electronic dial75is operated. The subject with the main subject frame displayed thereon may be sequentially switched in a predetermined direction, such as the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, in accordance with the order in which the subjects belonging to the detection type of the main subject are laid out based on the number of times that the button operation is performed.

In this manner, the user can easily change the main subject within the same type with an intuitive operation while viewing the live view image.

In step S310, the system control unit50determines whether an operation for switching the sub subject is performed. The operation for switching the sub subject refers to an operation for switching the subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon to another subject belonging to the detection type of the sub subject when a plurality of sub subjects is detected. The operation for switching the sub subject is performed by rotationally operating the sub electronic dial74, but may be any operation as long as it is an operation on the operation member assigned to this function. For example, the subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon may be switched directly by a touch operation on the touch panel.

If the system control unit50determines that the sub electronic dial74is rotationally operated and the operation for switching the sub subject is performed (YES in step S310), the processing proceeds to step S311. If the system control unit50determines that the operation for switching the sub subject is not performed (NO in step S310), the processing proceeds to step S312.

In step S311, the system control unit50changes the subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon to another subject within the detection type of the sub subject based on the operation in step S310. After step S311, the processing returns to step S302, in which the system control unit50displays the sub subject frame after moving it to the other subject belonging to the detection type of the sub subject based on the operation in step S310. This means that the AF processing is performed on the subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon after the movement when the operation for switching the main subject and the sub subject is performed in step S306.

FIG.5Dillustrates a state in which the processing returns to step S302and the main subject frame and the sub subject frame are displayed after the operation for switching the sub subject is performed in step S311from a state illustrated inFIG.5C.FIG.5Hillustrates a state in which the processing returns to step S302and the main subject frame and the sub subject frame are displayed after the operation for switching the sub subject is performed in step S311from a state illustrated inFIG.5G. As seen fromFIGS.5C and5DandFIGS.5G and5H, the subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon is switched.

More specifically, before the operation for switching the sub subject is performed, a main subject frame507is displayed on the lower-side animal and a sub subject frame506is displayed on the right-side person as illustrated inFIG.5C. In a case where the operation for switching the sub subject is performed by the sub electronic dial74being rotationally operated in this state, the main subject frame507displayed on the lower-side animal remains unchanged while a sub subject frame508is moved from the right-side person to the left-side person and displayed thereon as illustrated inFIG.5D.

As another example, before the operation for switching the sub subject is performed, a main subject frame513is displayed on the left-side person and a sub subject frame512is displayed on the pupil of the left-side person as illustrated inFIG.5G. In a case where the operation for switching the sub subject is performed by the sub electronic dial74being rotationally operated in this state, the main subject frame513displayed on the left-side person remains unchanged while a sub subject frame514is moved from the pupil of the left-side person to the pupil of the right-side person and displayed thereon as illustrated inFIG.5H.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon is sequentially switched in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction in accordance with the order in which the detected sub subjects are laid out in accordance with the direction in which the sub electronic dial74is rotated (in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction) and the amount by which the sub electronic dial74is operated. The subject with the sub subject frame displayed thereon may be sequentially switched in a predetermined direction such as the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction in accordance with the order in which the subjects belonging to the detection type of the sub subject are laid out based on the number of times that the button operation is performed.

In this manner, the user can easily change the sub subject within the same type with an intuitive operation while viewing the live view image.

In step S312, the system control unit50determines whether to end the selection of the main subject and the sub subject. If the system control unit50determines to continue the selection of the main subject and the sub subject (NO in step S312), the processing proceeds to step S302. If the system control unit50determines to end the selection of the main subject and the sub subject (YES in step S312), the series of processes illustrated in the flowchart is ended.

According to the digital camera100of the present exemplary embodiment configured in this manner, the desired subject can be switched with excellent usability on the imaging control apparatus capable of detecting a plurality of types of subjects.

Regarding the above-described various controls that have been described assuming that the system control unit50performs them, a single hardware device may perform them, or a plurality of hardware devices may control the entire apparatus by dividing the processing among them. Having described the present disclosure in detail based on the representative exemplary embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific exemplary embodiments, and also covers various embodiments within a range that does not depart from the spirit of the present disclosure. Further, each of the above-described exemplary embodiments merely indicates one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and each of the exemplary embodiments can also be combined as appropriate.

The present disclosure has been described referring to the example in which the present disclosure is applied to the digital camera100in the above-described exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to this example and can be applied to any apparatus including an imaging unit. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone terminal, a mobile image viewer, a printer apparatus including a display, a digital photo frame, a music player, a game machine, an electronic book reader, a tablet terminal, a smart-phone, a projector, and home electronics and an in-vehicle apparatus including a display.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

The present disclosure can also be realized by processing that supplies a program capable of fulfilling one or more functions of the above-described exemplary embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and causes one or more processors in a computer of this system or apparatus to read out and execute the program. The present disclosure can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) capable of fulfilling one or more functions.

According to the present disclosure, the desired subject can be switched with excellent usability when a plurality of types of subjects can be detected.

Other Embodiments

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-016217, filed Feb. 3, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.