JP2018033013A - Control device, imaging device, control method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a control device capable of appropriately controlling an operation mode of an imaging device in accordance with a photographer's intention when shooting is performed in a state where the distance between the imaging device and a photographer is large. A control device determines whether or not information corresponding to a distance to a subject has changed, and controls an operation mode according to a change in information corresponding to the distance to the subject. Control means (101). [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that automatically controls an operation mode.

  In recent years, the forms of imaging devices have become diverse, such as cameras with built-in smartphones, and the shooting style has increased accordingly. As one of the photographing styles, there is a case where photographing is performed in a state where the distance between the imaging device and the photographer is long. For example, when taking a picture from a remote location that is out of reach when taking a picture of the photographer himself as a subject, the camera is attached to the tip of a telescopic stick called a selfie stick. Also, when taking a macro shot of a flower or the like in hand, the hand is stretched to take the image pickup device as close as possible to the subject.

  As described above, when an image is to be confirmed in detail when shooting is performed in a state where the distance between the imaging device and the photographer is large, an operation for reproducing the image after the image pickup device is pulled close to the user occurs. Further, when shooting again after confirming the image, an operation to switch to the shooting mode occurs. For this reason, when there is a distance between the imaging device and the photographer, there is a desire to easily perform an operation after photographing.

  As a technique for reproducing an image after photographing, there is a conventional technique for automatically displaying a photographed image on a display of an imaging apparatus for a predetermined period after photographing so that a photographer can easily confirm the image. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for controlling display content in accordance with the distance between a subject and a display content control device.

JP 2009-223187 A

  However, the above-described conventional technology such as Patent Document 1 is not configured to perform control according to a change in a photographer's operation. For this reason, it is not possible to appropriately control the operation mode (switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode, switching the display content (display mode), etc.) in accordance with the photographer's intention at an appropriate timing.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a control device, an imaging device, and an imaging device that can appropriately control the operation mode of the imaging device in accordance with the intention of the photographer when photographing with a distance between the imaging device and the photographer being separated. Provided are a control method, a program, and a storage medium.

  The control device according to one aspect of the present invention controls the operation mode according to a change in information corresponding to the distance to the subject, a determination unit that determines whether or not the information corresponding to the distance to the subject has changed. Control means.

  An image pickup apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an image pickup element that photoelectrically converts an optical image formed through an image pickup optical system, and a determination unit that determines whether information corresponding to a distance to a subject has changed. And control means for controlling an operation mode in accordance with a change in information corresponding to the distance to the subject.

  A control method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a step of determining whether or not information corresponding to a distance to a subject has changed, and controls an operation mode according to a change in information corresponding to the distance to the subject. A step of performing.

  A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute the control method.

  A storage medium according to another aspect of the present invention stores the program.

  Other objects and features of the invention are described in the following embodiments.

  According to the present invention, a control device and an imaging device capable of appropriately controlling the operation mode of the imaging device in accordance with the intention of the photographer when photographing with a distance between the imaging device and the photographer being separated. , A control method, a program, and a storage medium can be provided.

It is a block diagram of the imaging device in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the imaging device in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the transfer determination from imaging | photography mode in this embodiment to image confirmation mode. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the transfer determination from the image confirmation mode in this embodiment to imaging | photography mode. It is explanatory drawing of the usage example of the imaging device in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a photographer's operation | movement in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the example of imaging | photography posture of the photographer in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the display screen of the imaging device in this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, with reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the imaging device in this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the imaging apparatus 100. The imaging apparatus 100 includes a system control unit 101 (control means), a ROM 102, a memory control unit 103, a memory 104, an operation unit 105, a signal processing unit 106, an imaging unit 107, and an optical system 108. In addition, the imaging apparatus 100 includes a face detection unit 110 (detection unit), a distance calculation unit 111 (calculation unit), a distance change determination unit 112 (determination unit), a display unit 117, a recording medium control unit 118, a recording medium 119, and An internal bus 120 is included.

  The system control unit 101 controls each unit (block) connected via the internal bus 120. The ROM 102 is an electrically erasable / recordable memory (storage unit), and stores constants and programs for operating the system control unit 101. The program is a program for executing various flowcharts described later in the present embodiment. The memory control unit 103 is an interface with the memory 104. The memory 104 stores image data, temporary data of the system control unit 101, and the like. The memory 104 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a moving image for a predetermined time. The operation unit 105 includes a button or the like provided on the exterior of the information terminal (imaging device 100). The photographer can transmit an instruction to the system control unit 101 by operating the operation unit 105.

  The optical system 108 (imaging optical system) includes a lens, a diaphragm, and the like. The imaging unit 107 is an imaging unit having an imaging element and an analog signal processing unit. The optical system 108 condenses the luminous flux to form a subject image (optical image) on the light receiving surface of the image sensor. The image sensor includes a CMOS sensor and a CCD sensor, and photoelectrically converts a subject image (optical image) formed via the optical system 108 and outputs an image signal (analog image signal). The analog signal processing unit performs signal processing such as CDS (correlated double sampling), gain adjustment, and A / D conversion on the analog image signal output from the image sensor, and the signal-processed digital image signal is processed. Transfer to the signal processing unit 106. In the present embodiment, the image capturing apparatus 100 includes the optical system 108 and the image capturing unit 107 including the image sensor, which are integrally configured. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present embodiment can also be applied to an imaging apparatus (imaging system) configured by an imaging apparatus body including an imaging element and an optical system (lens apparatus) that can be attached to and detached from the imaging apparatus body.

  The signal processing unit 106 performs processing such as white balance adjustment, interpolation, edge enhancement, gamma correction, and gradation conversion on the digital image signal obtained from the imaging unit 107, and stores the processed image in the memory 104. To be stored in the recording medium 119. The face detection unit 110 (subject detection unit) detects a human face (subject) from the imaging region based on an instruction from the system control unit 101. Further, when detecting a face, the face detection unit 110 can acquire information (subject information) such as the position, size, and orientation of the face.

  The distance calculation unit 111 calculates a distance (information corresponding to the distance) between the imaging device 100 and the subject based on an instruction from the system control unit 101. In the present embodiment, information corresponding to the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject is calculated based on the size of the subject (human face) detected by the face detection unit 110. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and information corresponding to the distance between the imaging apparatus 100 and the subject may be calculated using another method. That is, the information (depth information) indicated by the data corresponding to the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject directly represents the subject distance from the imaging device to the subject in the image, or the subject in the image. Any information that represents the relative relationship between the subject distance and the depth may be used.

  Specifically, the imaging device (imaging unit 107) is configured by converting a pair of light beams passing through mutually different pupil regions of the optical system 108 as optical images, and converting a pair of image data into a plurality of photoelectric conversion units. Can be output from. An image shift amount of each region is calculated by a correlation calculation between the paired images, and an image shift map representing a distribution of the image shift amounts is calculated. Alternatively, the image shift amount is further converted into a defocus amount, and a defocus map representing the distribution of the defocus amount (distribution on the two-dimensional plane of the captured image) is generated. When this defocus amount is converted into the subject distance based on the conditions of the optical system and the image sensor, distance map data representing the distribution of the subject distance is obtained. As described above, in the present embodiment, the distance calculation unit 111 may acquire the image shift map data, the defocus map data, or the distance map data of the subject distance converted from the defocus amount. Note that each piece of map data may be stored in units of blocks or in units of pixels. At this time, as in normal image data, the number of bits of about 8 bits may be assigned for each minimum unit, and image processing, display, recording, and the like may be performed as a distance image in the same manner as image processing.

  The distance change determination unit 112 is an imaging device calculated by the distance calculation unit 111 at two different timings (first timing and second timing different from each other for a predetermined period) based on an instruction from the system control unit 101. Compare the distance between 100 and the subject. Then, the distance change determination unit 112 determines whether or not there is a predetermined distance change (change in information corresponding to the predetermined distance) in a predetermined period based on the comparison result of the distances calculated at two timings.

  The display unit 117 includes a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays the image data processed by the signal processing unit 106. The display unit 117 has a mechanism capable of moving the display (display surface) in any direction, and can direct the display surface toward the subject. The recording medium control unit 118 is an interface with the recording medium 119. The recording medium 119 is a medium for recording captured image data (captured image), and includes a memory card, a magnetic disk, and the like. The internal bus 120 is connected to each unit (block) and transmits image data and control signals.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the image pickup apparatus 100 at the time of shooting will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the imaging apparatus 100. Each step in FIG. 2 is mainly executed by each unit based on a command from the system control unit 101.

  First, in step S201, when a shooting start instruction is issued by the operation of the operation unit 105 by the photographer, the system control unit 101 performs a shooting process. The imaging process is mainly performed by the memory 104, the imaging unit 107, the signal processing unit 106, the face detection unit 110, and the recording medium control unit 118 based on a command from the system control unit 101. The imaging unit 107 acquires captured image data (captured image), and outputs the image data to the signal processing unit 106. The signal processing unit 106 performs various signal processing on the image data, and stores the processed image data in the memory 104. The image data processed by the signal processing unit 106 is stored in a recording medium 119 such as an SD card via the recording medium control unit 118. Further, during the photographing process, the face detection unit 110 performs a face detection process (subject detection process), and information such as the position, size, and orientation of a human face (subject) as a result of the face detection process (subject Information).

  Subsequently, in step S202, the system control unit 101 determines whether or not a human face has been detected in step S201. If a human face can be detected, the process proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if a human face cannot be detected, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S203, the distance calculation unit 111 determines the distance between the imaging device 100 and the detected subject (detected person's face) based on the size of the person's face acquired during the shooting process in step S201. Information corresponding to the distance). The ROM 102 stores in advance a table (correspondence table) indicating the relationship between the face size and distance according to the focal length of the optical system 108 (lens). Therefore, the distance calculation unit 111 can acquire the distance using this correspondence table. It should be noted that the distance from the image capturing apparatus 100 to the subject only needs to know the approximate positional relationship from the image capturing apparatus 100. For this reason, the correspondence table held in the ROM 102 does not have to know the exact distance.

  In step S204, the system control unit 101 reproduces an image. That is, the system control unit 101 displays the image captured in step S201 on the display unit 117. The system control unit 101 sets an image confirmation mode (playback mode) for displaying an image (displaying a captured image) on the display unit 117 as an operation mode of the imaging apparatus 100. That is, the system control unit 101 switches the operation mode (display mode of the display unit 117) so as to display a captured image (confirmation image). In addition, the system control unit 101 controls the imaging apparatus 100 to end the image display (image confirmation mode) after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the image display and return to the shooting mode.

  Subsequently, in step S205, the system control unit 101 determines whether the distance from the imaging device 100 to the subject has been acquired in step S203. If the distance from the imaging device 100 to the subject can be acquired in step S203, the process proceeds to step S206. In step S <b> 206, the system control unit 101 performs a transition determination process to a mode (image confirmation mode or reproduction mode) displayed on the display unit 117 in order to confirm a captured image (image confirmation mode transition determination). Details of step S206 will be described later. On the other hand, if the distance from the image capturing apparatus 100 to the subject cannot be acquired in step S203, there is not enough information to automatically shift to the image confirmation mode, and therefore the transition determination process to the image confirmation mode is performed. This flow is finished.

  In step S207, if the system control unit 101 determines in step S206 to shift to the image confirmation mode, the process proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, when it determines with not transfering to image confirmation mode in step S206, this flow is complete | finished.

  In step S208, the system control unit 101 shifts from the shooting mode to the image confirmation mode. At this time, the system control unit 101 displays the last photographed image on the display unit 117. Subsequently, in step S209, the system control unit 101 automatically determines whether to shift from the image confirmation mode to the shooting mode (shooting mode shift determination). The detailed process of step S209 will be described later.

  Subsequently, in step S210, when the system control unit 101 determines in step S209 to shift from the image confirmation mode to the shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, if the system control unit 101 determines in step S209 that the image confirmation mode does not shift to the shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S211.

  In step S211, the system control unit 101 determines whether or not the operation unit 105 has been operated by the photographer. If the system control unit 101 determines that the operation unit 105 is operated by the photographer, the system control unit 101 proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation unit 105 is not operated by the photographer, the system control unit 101 returns to step S209. In step S212, the system control unit 101 shifts from the image confirmation mode to the shooting mode.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the transition determination of the image confirmation mode (step S206 in FIG. 2) will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of transition determination from the shooting mode to the image confirmation mode (step S206). Each step in FIG. 3 is mainly performed by each unit based on a command from the system control unit 101.

  First, in step S301, the system control unit 101 performs shooting processing. That is, in order to determine whether or not the imaging apparatus 100 is approaching the subject and perform the transition determination from the shooting mode to the image confirmation mode, the system control unit 101 controls the imaging unit 107 and the signal processing unit 106 to Acquire a captured image. Subsequently, in step S302, the face detection unit 110 detects a human face (subject) from the image acquired in step S301. The face detection unit 110 acquires the position, size, orientation, and the like of a human face as subject information. Subsequently, in step S303, the system control unit 101 determines whether or not a face has been detected in step S302. If a face can be detected, the process proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, if the face cannot be detected, the process proceeds to step S307.

  In step S304, the distance calculation unit 111 calculates the distance (information corresponding to the distance) between the imaging device 100 and the subject based on the face size (size information) acquired in step S302. The method for calculating the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject from the size of the face is the same as the method described in step S203 in FIG.

  Subsequently, in step S305, the distance change determination unit 112 determines a change in distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject. First, the distance change determination unit 112 calculates the difference between the distance at the time of shooting (or immediately after shooting) acquired at step S203 and the distance acquired at step S304. The distance at the time of shooting (or immediately after shooting) acquired in step S203 is the first distance acquired at the first timing (information corresponding to the first distance). The distance acquired in step S304 is the second distance (information corresponding to the second distance) acquired at the second timing. Next, the distance change determination unit 112 reads a distance change threshold stored in the ROM 102 in advance, and compares the difference between the first distance and the second distance with the threshold stored in the ROM 102. To do. Based on the comparison result, the distance change determination unit 112 determines whether the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject has approached a predetermined distance (information corresponding to the predetermined distance) or more.

  Subsequently, in step S306, the system control unit 101 acquires the result (distance change determination result) determined by the distance change determination unit 112 in step S305. If the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject approaches a predetermined distance or more, the system control unit 101 proceeds to step S308. On the other hand, if the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject has not approached the predetermined distance or more, the process proceeds to step S307.

  In step S307, the system control unit 101 determines whether or not the period from the first photographing time point in step S301 to the current time, that is, the transition determination period to the image confirmation mode has passed a predetermined period (first period). To do. If the predetermined period has not elapsed, the process returns to step S301, and the system control unit 101 determines again whether to shift to the image confirmation mode. On the other hand, when the predetermined period has elapsed, the system control unit 101 proceeds to step S309.

  In step S308, the system control unit 101 determines to shift to the image confirmation mode, and ends this flow. On the other hand, in step S309, the system control unit 101 determines that the mode does not shift to the image confirmation mode because the photographer has not performed an operation for confirming the captured image for a predetermined period, and ends this flow. As described above, when the distance to the subject changes and it is determined that the distance is smaller than the predetermined distance, the system control unit 101 switches the shooting mode to the image confirmation mode as the operation mode.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the shooting mode transition determination (step S209 in FIG. 2) will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of transition determination from the image confirmation mode to the shooting mode (step S209). Each step in FIG. 4 is mainly performed by each unit based on a command from the system control unit 101.

  Steps S401 to S404 in FIG. 4 are the same as steps S301 to S304 in FIG. Subsequently, in step S405, as in step S305, the distance change determination unit 112 determines a distance change between the imaging device 100 and the subject. First, the distance change determination unit 112 calculates the difference between the distance immediately after shooting acquired in step S203 and the distance acquired in step S404. The distance immediately after shooting acquired in step S203 is the third distance (information corresponding to the third distance) acquired at the third timing. The distance acquired in step S404 is the fourth distance (information corresponding to the fourth distance) acquired at the fourth timing. Next, the distance change determination unit 112 reads a distance change threshold stored in the ROM 102 in advance, and compares the difference between the third distance and the fourth distance with the threshold stored in the ROM 102. To do. Then, the distance change determination unit 112 determines whether or not the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject has been more than a predetermined distance based on the comparison result.

  Subsequently, in step S406, the system control unit 101 acquires the result (distance change determination result) determined by the distance change determination unit 112 in step S405. If the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject has been increased by a predetermined distance or more, the system control unit 101 proceeds to step S408. On the other hand, if the distance between the imaging apparatus 100 and the subject is not far from the predetermined distance, the process proceeds to step S407.

  In step S407, the system control unit 101 determines whether or not the period from the first capturing time point in step S401 to the current time, that is, whether the transition determination period to the capturing mode has passed a predetermined period (second period). . Note that the second period may be the same as or different from the first period. If the predetermined period has not elapsed, the process returns to step S401, and the system control unit 101 performs a determination process as to whether or not to shift to the shooting mode again. On the other hand, when the predetermined period has elapsed, the system control unit 101 proceeds to step S409.

  In step S408, the system control unit 101 determines to shift to the shooting mode, and ends this flow. On the other hand, in step S409, the system control unit 101 determines not to shift to the shooting mode because the photographer has not performed an operation for shooting for a predetermined period of time, and ends this flow. As described above, when the distance to the subject changes and it is determined that the distance is larger than the predetermined distance, the system control unit 101 switches from the image confirmation mode to the shooting mode as the operation mode.

  Next, a usage example of the imaging apparatus 100 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a usage example of the imaging apparatus 100. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes a self-portrait stick. The self-shooting stick 501 has a structure that can be expanded and contracted, and can fix the imaging device 100 at the tip thereof. The imaging device 100 is fixed to the tip of the selfie stick 501 in the direction shown in FIG. 5, and the photographer shoots while holding the opposite end (the other end) to the tip for fixing the imaging device 100 with the selfie stick 501 extended. By doing so, the photographer can take a selfie. The display unit 117 is movable, and as shown in FIG. 5, it can be confirmed whether or not it is within the angle of view at the time of shooting by facing the photographer. The self-shooting stick 501 can be connected (wireless communication) with the imaging apparatus 100 by BlueTooth (registered trademark) or the like. For this reason, the photographer can operate the operation button 504 provided on the selfie stick 501 to release the shutter while holding the selfie stick 501.

  Next, the operation of the photographer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example of the photographer. As shown in FIG. 6A, the photographer 601 takes a picture of himself / herself from a position away from the self-taking stick 501. As shown in FIG. 6A, when shooting is performed with the imaging apparatus 100, there is a distance between the imaging apparatus 100 and the photographer. For this reason, it is difficult for the photographer to check details such as facial expressions, and it is necessary to check the image by pulling the imaging device 100 closer to the hand. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the photographer changes the position of the hand holding the selfie stick 501 and brings the imaging device 100 closer to the photographer to check the image.

  At this time, the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment detects a change in the distance between the imaging apparatus 100 and the photographer, and automatically displays an image (confirmation image) on the display unit 117 (from the photographing mode to the image confirmation mode). Transition). In addition, when the imaging apparatus 100 returns the imaging apparatus 100 to the imaging position as shown in FIG. 6A to capture again after confirming the image, the imaging apparatus 100 detects the change in distance and automatically returns to the imaging mode. (Transition from image confirmation mode to shooting mode).

  In the present embodiment, the case has been described in which the imaging device 100 is fixed to the tip of the self-shooting stick 501 and the photographer himself is the subject. For example, when the photographer 601 is holding and performs macro shooting of a shooting target such as a flower 701, in order to enlarge the shooting target, the user can take a picture with the arm extended and the imaging apparatus 100 close to the subject as shown in FIG. is there. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the photographing posture of the photographer. At this time, the photographer bends the arm extended to confirm the image after photographing and performs an operation for confirming the image. However, the photographer can detect a change in the distance between the imaging device 100 and the photographer. If possible, the shooting mode can be automatically switched to the image confirmation mode. Such a method is performed by an electronic device having another imaging device (second imaging device) on the opposite side to the imaging device (first imaging device) provided on the subject imaging side, such as a smartphone. It is feasible. That is, a change in the distance to the photographer is detected by photographing the photographer using the second imaging device while photographing a subject (such as a flower) other than the photographer using the first imaging device. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, as a distance calculation method by the distance calculation unit 111, a method of calculating the distance between the imaging apparatus 100 and the subject based on the size of the face has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. is not. For example, the distance may be calculated using a focus detection device used in an AF process of a general imaging device 100 or the like.

  Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the example which displays on the display part 117 the image image | photographed last, when the imaging device 100 is pulled near after imaging | photography, the content displayed on the display part 117 is limited to this. It is not a thing. There may be a case where the purpose of attracting the imaging device 100 to his / her hand is not to confirm the image but to change the setting at the time of shooting. In such a case, instead of shifting to the image confirmation mode, a menu (operation menu) may be displayed on the display unit 117 (menu display mode). That is, the system control unit 101 can switch the operation mode (display mode of the display unit 117) so as to display the operation menu. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen of the imaging apparatus 100 (display unit 117). For example, as shown as the image confirmation 801 and the shooting setting 802 in FIG. 8, a function frequently used by the photographer immediately after shooting is set to a menu configuration that is easy for the photographer to select.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, it has been described that the change in the distance between the imaging apparatus 100 and the subject is detected after the image reproduction immediately after shooting is finished. However, the photographer pulls the imaging apparatus 100 closer to the user during the image reproduction. Cases are also conceivable. Therefore, the system control unit 101 may perform control so as to detect a change in distance even during image reproduction. At this time, the system control unit 101 performs control so that the image is continuously reproduced even when the predetermined period displayed in step S <b> 204 has elapsed when the imaging apparatus 100 is pulled close to the user during the image reproduction.

  In the present embodiment, the control device includes a determination unit (distance change determination unit 112) and a control unit (system control unit 101). The determination unit determines whether or not the distance to the subject (information corresponding to the distance) has changed. The control means controls the operation mode according to a change in the distance to the subject. Preferably, the control means switches the operation mode when it is determined that the distance of the subject has changed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the distance of the subject has not changed, the operation mode is maintained.

  Preferably, the determination unit determines that the distance to the subject has changed when the amount of change in distance within a predetermined period is greater than the predetermined amount of change. More preferably, the control device includes a calculation unit (distance calculation unit 111) that calculates a distance to the subject. The calculating means calculates the first distance at the first timing as the distance to the subject, and at the second timing within a predetermined period (first period or second period) from the first timing. 2 distances are calculated. The determination unit determines whether the distance to the subject has changed based on the difference between the first distance and the second distance. More preferably, the first timing is imaging timing (timing at the time of imaging or immediately after imaging). Preferably, the control device includes a detection unit (face detection unit 110) for detecting a face. The determination means determines whether the distance to the subject has changed based on the change in the size of the face.

  In this way, a change in the distance between the imaging apparatus 100 and the photographer is detected, and the operation mode (setting of the shooting mode or image confirmation mode, setting of the display screen (display mode) associated therewith, etc.) is automatically switched. Accordingly, the operation mode can be easily switched even when shooting in a situation where the distance between the imaging device 100 and the photographer is long.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  According to the present embodiment, a control device that can appropriately control the operation mode of the imaging device in accordance with the intention of the photographer when imaging is performed in a state where the distance between the imaging device and the photographer is large, and imaging An apparatus, a control method, a program, and a storage medium can be provided.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

101 System control unit (control means)
112 Distance change determination unit (determination means)

Claims (16)

Determining means for determining whether or not the information corresponding to the distance to the subject has changed;
And a control unit that controls an operation mode according to a change in information corresponding to the distance to the subject. The control means includes
When it is determined that the information corresponding to the distance has changed, the operation mode is switched,
The control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation mode is maintained when it is determined that the information corresponding to the distance has not changed.   The determination means determines that the information corresponding to the distance has changed when the change amount of the information corresponding to the distance within a predetermined period is larger than the predetermined change amount. 2. The control device according to 2. A calculation means for calculating information corresponding to the distance to the subject;
The calculation means calculates information corresponding to the first distance at a first timing as information corresponding to the distance, and a second timing at a second timing within the predetermined period from the first timing. Calculate the information corresponding to the distance,
The determination means determines whether or not the information corresponding to the distance has changed based on a difference between information corresponding to the first distance and information corresponding to the second distance. The control device according to claim 3.   The control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first timing is an imaging timing. It further has detection means for detecting a face,
6. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether information corresponding to the distance to the subject has changed based on a change in the size of the face. The control device described in 1.   7. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the information corresponding to the distance to the subject has changed, the control unit switches between a photographing mode and an image confirmation mode as the operation mode. The control device according to claim 1.   When the information corresponding to the distance to the subject changes and it is determined that the information corresponding to the distance is smaller than the information corresponding to a predetermined distance, the control means changes from the shooting mode to the image confirmation mode. The control device according to claim 7, wherein the control device is switched to.   When the information corresponding to the distance to the subject changes and it is determined that the information corresponding to the distance is greater than the information corresponding to a predetermined distance, the control means changes from the image confirmation mode to the shooting mode. The control device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein   10. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the information corresponding to the distance to the subject has changed, the control unit switches a display mode of a display unit as the operation mode. The control device described in 1.   The control means displays the captured image when the information corresponding to the distance to the subject changes and it is determined that the information corresponding to the distance is smaller than the information corresponding to the predetermined distance. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the display mode is switched.   When the information corresponding to the distance to the subject changes and it is determined that the information corresponding to the distance is smaller than the information corresponding to a predetermined distance, the control means displays the operation menu. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the display mode is switched. An image sensor that photoelectrically converts an optical image formed via the imaging optical system;
Determining means for determining whether or not the information corresponding to the distance to the subject has changed;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: control means for controlling an operation mode in accordance with a change in information corresponding to the distance to the subject. Determining whether the information corresponding to the distance to the subject has changed;
And a step of controlling an operation mode according to a change in information corresponding to the distance to the subject. Determining whether the information corresponding to the distance to the subject has changed;
A program for causing a computer to execute a step of controlling an operation mode according to a change in information corresponding to a distance to the subject.   A storage medium storing the program according to claim 15.