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`
`US 20040189856A1
`
`(19} United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`Tanaka
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 30, 2004
`
`(54} APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMAGING,
`AND COMPUTER PROGRAM
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(75}
`
`Inventor: Kentm‘n Tanaka, Kanagawa (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCI..I£I..!AN1), MAIER 8:
`NEUSTADT, l’.C.
`1940 DUKE STREET
`AI FXANDRIA VA 22314 (US)
`‘
`'
`’
`‘
`
`(73} Assignee: Sony Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
`
`{21) Appl. No:
`
`101743360
`
`{22
`
`l’iled:
`
`Dec. 24, 2003
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(JP) .................................... 132002-3761”)
`Dee. 26, 2002
`Dec. 26, 2002 (.ll’} 1’2002-37610]
`
`
`Int. CL"
`{51)
`....... H04N 5:232
`(52) U.S. CI. 3483845
`
`(57}
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`..
`.
`.
`.
`_
`In a sttll Image shooting mode. when a user‘does not speedy
`a pnsttion of an AI" lrarne, an Al- process ls performed tor
`an AP region of a comparatively large range whose center is
`in a center of a shooting frame. When the user taps on any
`position in an L-LVF area, a touch panel superimposed on a
`displayr detects its coordinates. An AF region smaller than
`the Al“ region when the user does not specify the position 01'
`the AF frame is arranged so that a center of the AF frame is
`on the coordinates. The AF process is carried out for [he
`smallerAF region, When the user taps on the EVF area 221
`twice at a short predetermined interval, a PDA returns the
`A!" region to a state where the position of the Al: frame 261
`is not specified by the user.
`
`CAMERA
`
`D ' SPLAY
`CONTRO - 28
`secmh
`LG”
`132
`133
`
`144
`
`IREII
`CPU
`l
`I
`I
` 135
`
`LCD
`OPEN//CLOSE
`134 3””
`
`:
`
`E
`.
`5
`CONTROLLER
`:
`i ____
`.
`
`1m
`
`.
`HEADPHONE
`JACK
`
`.
`
`24
`
`SW'TCH
`
`. I NPUT/OUTPUT .l NTERFACE
`
`36
`
`
`
`eats treaties
`PORT
`62
`
`I39
`
`32
`33
`
`23
`
`93
`_RA-DLE 91
`EXP’L‘iESION —
`
`54
`
`CARD
`
`151
`
`34
`
`GEE“-
`
`152
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1015
`
`APPLE 1015
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 1 of 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.1
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 2 of 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.2
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 3 of 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.3
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 4 of 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.4
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 5 of 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.5
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 6 of 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.6
`
`101
`
`28
`
`11—1
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 7 of 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.7'
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 3 of 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`mm.muHhm
`
`VNmzozm
`
`o<m=._
`
`x044.
`
`004
`
`20_H<
`
`In:
`
`_3%ICE_3mPomww040\2m_n_o
`
`Powmun—405.200
`
`zo_»ommmEEmm
`whoswz_mmv_«VF
`
` mop
`
`
`
`hmmOHowzzoohoqm
`
`
`20_mm_Emz<m
`
`ommimu—z
`
`mm
`
`I
`
`wepzo
`
`I_
`
`
`_m_am<omgzoos
`
`mmIE25:20_szxm
`
`Fmm4n<xoum
`
`zephnm
`
`zopham
`
`
`
`mv_Fm_om<om>mz
`
`9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 9 of 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`
`
`Eommmmhow
`
`mom
`
`mar
`
`:2.
`
`m5%H3'55?
`
`
`
`.zo_wmm>zou.H.2om_o
`.:BEQ—
`
`Q}.So
`
`#5950
`
`22
`
`155.200
`
`zo_Homm.
`
`(mm—=20
`
`Nu
`
`10
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 10 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 Al
`
`F7
`
`I (5. 1 C)
`
`220
`
`
`
`221
`
`223
`
`227
`
`229
`
`230
`
`231
`
`23
`
`5
`
`236
`
`237
`
`222
`
`_224
`
`225
`
`225
`
`228
`
`232
`
`233
`
`234
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 11 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.11
`
`251
`
`252
`
`253
`
`254
`
`255
`
`256
`
`258
`
`259
`
`260
`
`F5. 6 125
`
`257
`
`261
`
`221
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 12 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.12
`
`301
`
`
`SHOOTING MODE p NIGHT SCENE
`WHITE BALANCE b DAYLIGHT
`
`s I ZE/OUAL I TY p 1600x1072 (3 : 2) F I NE
`
`RECORDING
`LOCATION
`
`> MS PRIORITY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`302'»—
`
`I”
`
`303
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`306
`
`7
`
`
`
`
`304
`
`305
`
`311
`
`"E
`
`
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 13 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.1_3
`
`321
`
`
`
`
`
`
` WIMW
`
`
`mm
`
`w;W
`
`
`mam
`m;}¢322
`fi-FULL—TIME AFE
`
`
`
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 14 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`pqm.
`
`Nvm
`
`ewm
`
`mwm
`
`mvmo
`
`
`
`manna—um3026
`
`maoumo_
`
`agouomm
`
`TI|I|||V
`
`EN
`
`FNN
`
`<¢F.0Hn_
`
`EN
`
`EN
`
`Owed—L
`
`15
`
`15
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 15 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 Al
`
`F7
`
`I (3.
`
`'I
`
`55
`
`START SHOOTING
`PROCESS BY PDA
`
`INITIALIzE CAMERA SECTION 3‘
`
`SETUP CAMERA SECTION
`
`32
`
`DISPLAY GUI
`
`S3
`
`DISPLAY INTAKE IMAGE
`
`S4
`
`SETUP CHANGED ?
`
`I 35
`
`
`
`SAVE NEw SETUP E
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INSTRUCTIONS TO
`CAPTURE ISSUED ?
`
`YES
`
`CAPTURE STILL IMAGE
`
`DISPLAY CAPTURED IMAGE
`
`37
`
`$10
`
`N0
`
`TERMINATE STILL IMAGE
`SHOOTING MODE ?
`
`YES
`
`END
`
`16
`
`16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 16 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.16
`
`POSITION 0
`
`FRAME SPEC--T| —>m'n
`
`321
`
`NOTIFY P
`FRAME AN
`
`0F FOCUS—UO
`
`INSTRUCTIONS TO INITIALIZE 825
`AF FRAME ISSUED ?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`'
`
`YES
`
`
`PLACE AF FRAME OF FIRST
`SIZE AT SPECIFIED POSITION
`
`
`
`NOTIFY POSITIO
`FRAME AND TERM
`OF FOCUSING PR
`
`
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 17 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.17
`
`DEPRESSED HALFWAY OR SOFT
`CAPTURE BUTTON ACTIVATED ?
`
`
`
` MECHANICAL CAPTURE BUTTON
`
`
`
`
`
`HUD
`
`ADJUST FOCUS
`
`
`NOTIFY P
`FRAME AN
`0F ADJUS
`
`
`
`18
`
`18
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 18 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.18
`
`START ONE SHOT AF
`PROCESS BY PDA
`
`.
`
`POSITION OF AF
`FRAME SPECIFIED ?
`
`YES
`
`361
`
`
`PLACE AF FRAME OF SECOND
`SIZE AT SPECIFIED POSITION
`
`ADJUST FOCUS
`
`
`
`S
`
`FIX FOCUS
`
`‘
`
`DISABLE HALF—DEPRESSION
`PROCESS
`
`19
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NOTIFY POSITION OF
`FRAME AND TERMINAT
`0F FOCUSING PROCES
`
`'AF
`ION
`
`19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 19 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.19
`
`367
`
`INSTRUCTIONS TO INITIALIZE
`AF FRAME ISSUED ?
`
`PLACE AF FRAME OF FIRST
`SIZE AT SPECIFIED POSITION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NOTIFY POSI
`FRAME AND T
`OF FOCUSING
`
`FTP-I
`
`DISA
`PROC
`
`BL
`E HALF—DEPRESSION
`ESS
`
`TERMINATE FOCUSING
`PROCESS ?
`
`373
`.
`
`NO
`
`9 PERFORM TERMINATION PROCESS
`
`374
`
`YES
`
`END
`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 20 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.20
`
`I’r
`
`Z1600x1072(3:2)FINE
`
`
`
`}-—*352
`
`
`r'SHOOT I NG MODE 2W,Wl
`
`
`
`
`
`7
`
`-
`
`
`
`
`m,m
`
`may/gm
`WW
`
`
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 21 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`,—
`(D
`(O
`
`8N
`
`E
`
`0
`1—
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`(5
`
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`
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`
`0
`1—
`
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`
`(5
`
`LI.
`
`22
`
`22
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 22 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.22
`
`O(/32 0F AE
`
`891
`
`F SPOT
`AND
`
`-
`
`PROCESS
`YES
`
`TIONS T0 INITIALIZE
`ON ISSUED ?
`
`395
`
`23
`
`23
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 23 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.23
`
`
`
`
`
`899
`
`
`
`MECHANICAL CAPTURE BUTTON
`
`DEPRESSED HALFWAY OR SOFT
`CAPTURE BUTTON ACTIVETED ?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`'
` ION OF SPOT
`
`PERFORM AE PROCESS
`
`NTER AND
`OF AE PROCESS
`
`TERMINATE SPOT AE PROCESS‘9 S102
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`.
`
`PERFORM TERMINATION PROCESS 3103
`
`
`
`24
`
`24
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 24 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`START FULL-TIME
`
`FIG“
`
`312‘
`POSITION OF AF
`FRAME SPECIFIED ?
`
`
`EECE AF FRAME 0F SE 0
`E AT SPECIFIED PO
`
`
`P S
`
`PLACE SPOT
`CENTER OF A
`SAME PDSITI
`
`ADJUST EXPOSURE AND FOCUS 3‘25
`
`NOTIFY POSITIONS 0F AF FRAME
`.
`AND SPOT METERING POINTER AND
`TERMINATION 0F ADJUSTING PROCESS
`
`
`
`s
`
`>—"I'IZ
`
`'n—ISUIT>I:so
`
`TIONS T0 INITIALIZE 5127
`E ISSUED ?
`YES
`
`
`
`PLACE AF FRAME OF FIRST
`SIZE AT SPECIFIED POSITION
`
`
`SPOT METERING MODE ?
`
`PLACE SPOT METERING POINTER SO THAT
`CENTER OF AE REGION IS LOCATED AT THE
`SAME POSITION AS CENTER OF AF REGION
`
`
`
`
`
`ADJUST EXPOSURE AND FOCUS S131
`
`
`
`
`
`NOTIFY POSITIONS
`F
`F FRAME
`
`AND SPOT METERING POINTER AND
`
` TERMINATION OF ADJUSTING PROCESS
`
`
`
`25
`
`25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 25 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 Al
`
`F:
`
`I (3. ZZES
`
`
`
`
`
`MECHANICAL CAPTURE BUTTON
`DEPRESSED HALFWAY 0F SOFT
`CAPTURE BUTTON ACTIVATED ?
`
`3‘
`
`
`
`ADJUST EXPOSURE AND FOCUS
`
`
`
`NOTIFY POS
` ZOM—
`
`FRAME AND
`
`POINTER AN
`
`OF ADJUST!
`
`
`
`26
`
`26
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 26 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.26
`
`
`
`PLACE AF FRAME OF SECO
`SIZE AT SPECIFIED POSI
`
`
`
`SPOT METERING MODE ?
`
`S153
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PLACE SPOT METERING POINTER SO
`THAT CENTER OF AE REGION IS
`
`
`LOCATED AT THE SAME POSITION
`
`
`AS CENTER OF AF REGION
`
`
`
`NOTIFY POSITIONS OF AF FRAME
`
`AND SPOT METERING POINTER AND
`TERMINATION OF ADJUSTING PROCESS
`
`
`
`
`ADJUST EXPOSURE AND FOCUS 3‘55
`
`ADJUST EXPOSURE AND FOCUS 3157
`
`
`
`
`DISABLE HALF—DEPRESSION
`PROCESS
`
`27
`
`27
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 30, 2004 Sheet 27 0f 27
`
`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`FIG.27
`
`0
`
`INSTRUCTIONS TO INITIALIZE
`AF FRAME ISSUED ?
`
`'
`
`S159
`
`
`
`PL
`SI
`
`ACE AF FRAME OF
`FIRST
`ZE AT SPECIFIED
`POSITION
`
`
`
`
`SPOT METERING MODE ?
`
`S
`
`T T
`
`
`
`PLACE SPOT METERING P0
`THAT CENTER OF AE REGI
`LOCATED AF THE SAME PO
`
`AS CENTER OF AF REGION
`
`
`
`ADJUST EXPOSURE AND FOCUS 3‘53
`
`ESY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IN ER 80
`ON IS
`
`ION
`SI
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NOTIFY POSITIONS OF AF FRAME
`
`AND SPOT METERING POINTER AND
`
`TERMINATION OF ADJUSTING PROCESS
`
`
`
`
`FIX EXPOSURE AND FOCUS
`
`DISABLE HALF-DEPRESSION
`PROCESS
`
`
`
`
`NO
`
`9
`
`TERMINATE FOCUSING PROCESS '2
`YES
`PERFORM TERMINATION PROCESS
`
`8167
`
`3‘53
`
`28
`
`28
`
`

`

`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`Sep. 30, 2004
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMAGING, AND
`COMPUTER PROGRAM
`
`CROSS REFERENCES 'I'() REIAFED
`APPLICAFIONS
`
`[0001] The present invention claims priority to its priority
`documents No. 2002-376100 and 2002-37610], both filed in
`the Japanese Patent Office on Dec. 26, 2002,
`the entire
`contents of which being incorporated by reference herein.
`
`BACKGROUND ()I: THE INVEN'I‘ION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus and
`method for imaging and a computer program, and specifi-
`cally, to an apparatus and method for imaging and a com-
`puter program that allows execution of more suitable auto—
`matic focusing.
`
`[0004]
`
`2. Related Art
`
`In recent years, small electric devices having an
`[0005]
`imaging function, as typified by a digital still camera and a
`PDA(Personat Digital Assistants) having the imaging func-
`tion, have been spreading, and enhanced imaging functions
`thereof have also been developed.
`
`[0006] For example, these imaging apparatuses typically
`include a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
`to allow display of an image taken in through a lens. so that
`a user may take an image of a subject
`to be imaged
`(hereafter, referred to as photographic subject) while observ-
`ing the displayed image and checking its image composi—
`tion.
`
`[000?] There is also an imaging apparatus that allows to
`adjust an automatic focusing function (hereinafter referred
`to as AF (Auto Focus», automatic exposure control (here-
`inafter referred to asAE (Auto Exposure», etc, by overlying
`a touch panel on the display, as well as allowing the user to
`not only check the picture composition but also Operate the
`touch panel overlaid on the display.
`
`[0008] For example, if the user selects a photographic
`subject of an intake image displayed on a display provided
`in a digital still camera, the digital still camera detects its
`position by means of the touch panel overlaid on the display,
`and focuses on the photographic subject
`in the position
`selected by the user (see Patent document 1, for example).
`
`[0009]
`
`[Patent Document 1]
`
`Japanese Patent Application Laid Open JP H11-
`[0010]
`355617 (pp 5-7, and FIGS. 5—7).
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`If the user does not specify a position to be focused
`[0011]
`on, AF is directed to a region near a center within a range of
`image that is converted into an image signal by an imaging
`device (hereafter referred to as a shooting frame). In this
`case, however, it
`is more preferable to render the region
`somewhat larger than the imaging frame, in order to avoid
`an unfocused object phenomenon in which a region subject
`to AP may be away from the photographic subject desired by
`the user because a size of the photographic subject etc. could
`not be specified.
`
`it
`If the user specifies a position to be focused,
`[0012]
`means that the user usually specifies the photographic sub-
`ject desired by the user or a specific portion of the photo—
`graphic subject. Accordingly, it is preferable that a region
`subject to Ali is smaller than that of the case where the
`position to be focused is not specified so as that other
`photographic subjects (positions which are not desired by
`the user) may not be in focus.
`
`[0013] However, such methods may pose a problem such
`that only a position of the region subject to AI” may be
`controlled and, sometime, a focusing is made at a position
`different from the one at which the user would like to focus.
`
`In view of such situations, it is desirable to provide
`[0014]
`more suitable automatic focusing.
`
`[0015] According to an embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, an imaging apparatus is provided. The imaging appa-
`ratus includes: imaging means for imaging a subject to be
`imaged and taking in a moving image and a still image ofthe
`subject; focusing means for adjusting a focal length and
`focusing on the subject which is included in a first prede-
`termined region within an imaging range of the imaging
`means; reception means for receiving a designation regard-
`ing a position in the first region within the imaging range, the
`designation being inputted by a user; and position setting
`means for setting the first region at a position within the
`imaging range, based on the position designation received
`by the reception means.
`
`[0016] According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, an imaging method is provided. The imaging
`method includes: imaging a subject and taking in a moving
`image and a still image of the subject; adjusting a focal
`length and focusing on the subject which is included in a first
`predetermined region within an imaging range of the imag-
`ing means; receiving a designation regarding a position in
`the first region within the imaging range, the designation
`being inputted by a user; and setting the first region at a
`position within the imaging range, based on the position
`designation received.
`
`[0017] According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a program for causing a computer to perform an
`imaging process is provided. The imaging process includes:
`a imaging step for imaging a subject to be imaged and taking
`in a moving image and a still image of the subject; a focusing
`step for adjusting a focal length and focusing on the subject
`which is included in a first predetermined region within an
`imaging range of the imaging means; a reception step for
`receiving a designation regarding a position in the first
`region within the imaging range,
`the designation being
`inputted by a user; and a position setting step for setting the
`first region at a position within the imaging range, based on
`the posilion designation received by the reception means.
`
`In another embodiment of present invention there
`[0018]
`is provided an imaging apparatus that
`includes:
`imaging
`means for imaging a photographic subject and taking in a
`moving image and a still image of the photographic subject;
`focusing means for adjusting a focal length and focusing on
`the photographic subject which is included in a first predew
`tcrmined region within an imaging range of the imaging
`means; reception means for receiving a designation regard—
`ing a position of the first region within the imaging range,
`the designation being inputted by a user; position setting
`
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`
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`
`means for setting the first region at a position within the
`imaging range, based on the designation received by the
`reception means; and range setting means for setting up a
`range of the first region according to the position set up by
`the position setting means.
`
`[0019] When the position designation is not received by
`the reception means, the position setting means may set up
`the position of the first region so that a center of the first
`region may be located at a center of: the imaging range.
`
`[0020] When the position designation is received by the
`reception means, the position setting means may set up the
`position of the first region so that the center of the first region
`may be located at coordinates specified by the user.
`
`[0021] When the position designation is received by the
`reception means, the range setting means may set up the
`range of the first region so as to be smaller than the range of
`the first
`region in case the position designation is not
`received.
`
`[0022] The imaging apparatus of the present embodiment
`may further include display means for displaying the mov-
`ing image obtained by imaging the photographic subject by
`the imaging means, in which the reception means is con«
`figured to include a touch panel overlaid. on the display
`means, detect the coordinates inputted by a first method
`while allowing the user to check the moving image dis-
`played on the display means, and receive the coordinates as
`the position designation.
`
`[0023] The first method may be such that the user taps on
`the touch panel once.
`
`[0024] The imaging apparatus of the present embodiment
`may further include initialization means for initializing the
`setup of the first region and returning the setup from a state
`where the position designation is received by the reception
`means to a state where the position designation is not
`received, in which the reception means further receives an
`instruction to initialize the setup of the first region inputted
`by the user with a second method, so that the initialization
`means may initialize the setup of the first region, based on
`the instruction received by the reception means.
`
`[0025] The second method may be such that the user taps
`on the touch panel twice within a predetermined time period.
`
`[0026] The second method may be such that the user taps
`on the touch panel so as to be in contact therewith for more
`than a predetermined period of time period.
`
`[0027] When the focusing means focuses on the photo-
`graphic subject that is included in the first region, the display
`means may superimpose an outer frame of the first region on
`the moving image and cause it
`to blink a predetermined
`number of times.
`
`[0028] The focusing means may adjust the focal length
`and focus on the photographic subject, when the imaging
`means take in the still image and when the position setting
`means set up the position of the first region.
`
`[0029] The imaging apparatus of the present embodiment
`may further include prohibition means for prohibiting an
`adjusting process by the focusing means in case the imaging
`means takes in the still image and when the focusing means
`focuses on the photographic subject
`included in the first
`region,
`
`[0030] The imaging apparatus of the present embodiment
`may further include exposure adjustment means for adjust-
`ing an exposure for a second predetermined region within
`the imaging range, in which the position setting means may
`further set up the position of the second region so that a
`center of the second region may be located at a center of the
`first region that is set at the arbitrary position within the
`imaging range, based on the position designation received
`by the reception means.
`
`In another embodiment of present invention, there
`[0031]
`is provided an imaging method that
`includes: an intake
`control step of controlling intake of a moving image and a
`still image of a photographic subject imaged in an imaging
`section; a focusing step of adjusting a focal length of the
`imaging section and focusing on the photographic subject
`included in a first predetermined region within an imaging
`range of the imaging section; a reception control step of
`controlling a reception of a designation with respect to a
`position of the first region within the imaging range, the
`designation being inputted by a user; a position setting step
`of setting the first region at an arbitrary position within the
`imaging range, based on the position designation received
`and controlled by a process of the reception control step; and
`a range setting step of setting up a range of the first region
`according to the position set by a process of the position
`setting step.
`
`In another embodiment of present invention, there
`[0032]
`is provided a computer program for causing a computer to
`execute: an intake control step of controlling intake of a
`moving image and a still image of a photographic subject
`imaged in an imaging section; a focusing step of adjusting
`a focal length of the imaging section and focusing on the
`photographic subject
`included in a
`first predetermined
`region within an imaging range of the imaging section; a
`reception control step of controlling a reception of a desig-
`nation with respect to a position of the first region within the
`imaging range, the designation being inputted by a user; a
`position setting step of setting the first region at an arbitrary
`position within the imaging range, based on the designation
`received and controlled by a process of the reception control
`step; and a range setting step of setting up a range of the first
`region according to the position set by a process of the
`position setting step.
`
`[0033] According to still another embodiment of the
`present invention, an imaging apparatus is provided. The
`imaging apparatus includes: imaging means for imaging a
`subject to be imaged and taking in a moving image and a still
`image of the subject; focusing means for adjusting a focal
`length and focusing on the subject which is included in a first
`predetermined region within an imaging range of the imag-
`ing means; reception means for receiving a designation
`regarding a position at the first region within the imaging
`range, the designation being inputted by a user; position
`setting means for setting the first region at a position within
`the imaging range, based on the position designation
`received by the reception means; range setting means for
`setting up a range of the first region in accordance with the
`position set up by the position setting means; and prohibition
`means for prohibiting adjustment of the focal length by the
`focusing means; wherein the focusing means adjust the focal
`length and focus on the subject if the imaging means take in
`the stiti image and if the position setting means set up the
`position of the first
`region; and the prohibition means
`
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`US 2004/0189856 A1
`
`Sep. 30, 2004
`
`prohibit the adjustment ofthe focusing meansifthe focusing
`means focus on the subject that is included in the first region
`and if the imaging means takes in the still image.
`
`[0034] According to still another embodiment of the
`present invention, an imaging apparatus is provided. The
`imaging apparatus includes: an imaging section for imaging
`a subject to be imaged and taking in a moving image and a
`still image of the subject; a focusing section for adjusting a
`focal length and foeusingon the subject which is included in
`a first predetermined region within an imaging range of the
`imaging section; a reception section for receiving a desig—
`nation regarding a position in the first region within the
`imaging range, the designation being inputted by a user; and
`a position setting section for setting the first region at a
`position within the imaging range, based on the position
`designation received by the reception section.
`
`In the apparatus and method for imaging and the
`[0035]
`computer program according to the embodiments of the
`present invention, the photographic subject is imaged; the
`moving image and the still
`image of the photographic
`subject are taken in; the focal length is adjusted; the pho-
`tographic subject included in the first predetermined region
`within the imaging range is focused; the designation, input-
`ted by the user, of the position of the first region within the
`imaging range is received; and the first region is set at the
`arbitrary position within the imaging range, based on the
`designation.
`
`the photo-
`invention,
`[0036] According to the present
`graphic subject can be imaged, specifically, more suitable
`automatic focusing may be carried out.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0037] FIG. I is a perspective view showing an example
`of structure of a PDA to which the present invention is
`applied;
`
`[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective back view showing a back
`of the PDA of FIG. 1;
`
`[0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a
`swivel and switching operation of a display section of the
`PDA of FIG. 1;
`
`[0040] FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the
`swivel and switching operation of the display section of the
`FDA of FIG. 1;
`
`[0041] FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the
`swivel and switching operation of the display section of the
`PDA of FIG. 1;
`
`[0042] FIG. 6 is a view showing a condition in use ofthe
`PDA of FIG. I;
`
`[0043] FIG. '7 is a view showing another condition in use
`of the PDA of FIG. 1;
`
`[0044] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of
`structure inside the PDA of FIG. 1;
`
`[0045] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of
`structure inside a camera section of the PDA of FIG. 24;
`
`[0046] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an appear—
`ance of a main screen at the time of a still image shooting
`mode;
`
`[0047] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an example
`of display of an EVF area of FIG. 10;
`
`[0048] FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an example
`of structure of a setup screen;
`
`[0049] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing another
`example of structure of the setup screen;
`
`[0050] FIGS. 14A to 14!) are schematic views showing
`examples of display of an AF frame;
`
`[0051] FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining an imaging
`process of the FDA of FIG. 1;
`
`[0052] FIG. 16 is a flow chart for explaining a full-time
`AF process of the PDA of FIG. I;
`
`[0053] FIG. 17 is a flow chart following FIG. 16 for
`explaining the full—time AF process of the PDA of FIG. I;
`
`[0054] FIG. 18 is a flow chart for explaining a one shot AF
`process of the PDA of FIG. I;
`
`flow chart following FIG. 18 for
`[0055] FIG. 19 is a
`explaining the one shot AF process of the PDA of FIG. 1;
`
`[0056] FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing another
`example of structure of the setup screen;
`
`[0057] FIGS. 21A to 21!) are schematic views showing
`examples of display of a spot metering pointer;
`
`[0058] FIG. 22 is a flow chart for explaining a spot AE
`process of the PDA of FIG. 1;
`
`[0059] FIG. 23 is a flow chart following FIG. 22 for
`explaining the spot Ali process of the PDA of FIG. 1;
`
`[0060] FIG. 24 is a flow chart for explaining another
`example of the full-time Al-C process of the PDA of FIG. 1;
`
`flow chart following FIG. 24 for
`[0061] FIG. 25 is a
`explaining another example of the full-time AF process of
`the PDA of FIG. 1;
`
`[0062] FIG. 26 is a flow chart for explaining another
`example of the one shot AF process of the PDA of FIG. 1;
`and
`
`flow chart following FIG. 26 for
`[0063] FIG. 27 is a
`explaining another example of the one shot AF process of
`the PDA of FIG. 1.
`
`DESCRIPTION ()1: THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0064] FIG. I is a perspective view showing an example
`of structure of a PDA to which the present
`invention is
`applied.
`
`[0065] As shown in FIG. 1, the FDA 1 is divided at a
`central hinge part 12 into a display section 11 and a main
`body part 13 so as. to be foldable at the central hinge part 12.
`
`In other words, as shown in FIG. 3 as will be
`[0066]
`described later, the display section 11 is adapted to swivel
`about an axis 12-1 (hypothetical axis). and be opened or
`closed with respect to a main body part 13. Further,
`the
`display section 11 is adapted to swivel about the main body
`part 13 and about an axis 11—6 (hypothetical axis) substan—
`tially perpendicular to the axis 12—1. That
`is, the display
`section 11 is adapted to swivel in parallel with a face 11-3
`(face which is perpendicular to a face ll-l where an LCD 28
`
`31
`
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`

`US 2004/(1189856 A1
`
`Sep. 30, 2004
`
`is provided and is located at its lower part as shown in FIG.
`3) which faces the hinge part 12.
`[0067] Now returning to FIG. 1, disposed at substantially
`the whole surface of the face 11—1 of the display section 11
`are the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 28 and a transparent
`and pressure-sensitive touch panel 36 laminated to the
`surface of the LCD 28. In other words, when a touch pen 35
`is placed in an arbitrary position on the LCD 28,
`its
`coordinates are detected by means of the touch panel 36, and
`a predetermined process associated with the detected coorv
`dinates is carried out.
`
`[0068] A character input area 29 for inputting a character
`is provided in a predetermined region (region at the lower
`part of the LCD 28 as shown in the figure) of a touch panel
`36, and various software buttons, a character input area, etc.
`are displayed on the character input area 29. If the user
`operates the touch pen 35 and writes special characters on
`the character input area, the special character are inputted.
`That is, a trajectory along which the touch pen 35 has moved
`is detected by means of the touch panel 36, so that the
`character corresponding to the trajectory is inputted.
`[0069] Further, when the user operates the touch pen 35
`and depresses the software button 43, a software keyboard,
`which is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) and has displayed
`a key layout of a keyboard, is displayed on the character
`input area 29. When the user operates the touch pen 35 and
`touches an arbitrary key on the software keyboard, a char-
`acter (or sign etc.) corresponding to the touched key is
`inputted. In other words, the coordinates at which the touch
`pen 35 is placed are detected by means of the touch panel 36,
`so that the key corresponding to the coordinates is recog-
`niiaed and the character (or sign etc.) assigned to the recog-
`nized key is inputted.
`[0070]
`In this way, the user can input the character easily
`and quickly by using the touch pen 35 and the character
`input area 29 as software functions. In addition, since the
`touch panel 36 is laminated over the whole display surface
`of the LCD 28, the position of the character input area 29
`with respect to the LCD 23 may not be limited to the position
`as shown in FIG. 1. For example, as will be described later,
`if the displayed image is reversed upside down and left to
`right, the character input area 29 may be disposed at an
`upper part of the display section 11 in FIG. 1 with upside
`down display. Accordingly, even in such a case, the user can
`input the character like the example as described above.
`[0071] A power button 31, which turns a power supply of
`the PDAI on or oll‘, is provided at the hinge part 12 on the
`right hand side as shown in FIG. 1. Disposed on the left
`hand side of the hinge part 12 is an LED {Light Emitting
`Diode) 30 which is lit when a battery (not shown) built in the
`PDA 1 is charging and turned off after completion of the
`charging. In addition, disposed on the left had side of the
`LED 30 is a camera section 22 including a CCD (Charge
`Coupled Device). Disposed on the left edge is a mechanical
`capture button 23, which is operated to image the photo-
`graphic subject by the camera section 22. The camera
`section 22 is fixed to a portion, of the hinge part 12, which
`swivels together with the display section 11 with respect to
`the main body part 13, so that the user may turn the camera
`section 22 by openingclosing the display section 11 with
`respect to the main body part 13 as will be described later.
`[0072]
`In other words, when imaging the photographic
`subject, the user depresses the mechanical capture button 23
`
`once to initiate application software which has a camera
`function {function which images the photographic subject by
`the camera section 22, and records the captured image of the
`photographic subject), and turns the display section 11 to
`swivel so that an imaging direction of the camera section 22
`may be turned to the photographic subject. At
`this time,
`since the image (image of the photographic subject) being
`captured by the camera section 22 is displayed on the LCD
`28 as will be described, the user adjusts the position of the
`camera section 22, while checking the LCD 28. Further,
`after completion of various kinds of setup processes, the user
`depresses again the mechanical capture button 23 which
`operates as a shutter button, whereby the image captured by
`the camera section 22 at
`the time when the mechanical
`
`capture button 23 is depressed is stored in a memory (such
`as a RAM 133 of FIG. 8 as will be described tater) of the
`PDA 1.
`
`the mechanical capture
`It should be noted that
`[0073]
`button 23 can be operated, as ways for the depression, “full
`depression" which is to mean depressing to the end of its
`stroke, and “halfdepression”