IP Library Granted Patent US 12,556,798
Granted Patent B2
US 12,556,798 · App. 18/518,294 · Granted Feb 17, 2026

Imaging apparatus, control method of the same, and storage medium

Inventors: Hideyasu Hongu (Kanagawa, JP); Toshihiko Tomosada (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
H04N23/611H04N9/73H04N23/67H04N23/69H04N23/695
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,556,798
App. No.
18/518,294
Granted
Feb 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A main subject is automatically determined, and the main subject is made flexibly changeable in accordance with the intention of the user. Provided is a control method of an imaging apparatus that includes identifying a main subject in image data that is to be used for a setting of an image capturing condition, and in a case where a field angle change operation equal to or larger than a predetermined amount has been performed, performing control in such a manner as to change processing for identifying a subject, depending on whether the subject is being followed.

Claims (47)

1 . An imaging apparatus comprising:

an image sensor configured to generate image data by capturing an image of a subject;

at least one processor configured to:

set an image capturing condition;

identify a main subject in the image data that is to be used for a setting of the image capturing condition; and

in a case where a field angle change operation equal to or larger than a predetermined amount has been performed, perform control in such a manner as to change processing for identifying a subject, according to whether the main subject is being followed.

2 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image capturing condition includes information regarding at least any of exposure control, focus control, and white balance control.

3 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the field angle change operation is at least any of a pan operation, a tilt operation, and a zoom operation.

4 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the change of the processing for identifying the subject is performed by changing a region for detecting a subject that is to be used when a subject in the image data is identified.

5 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the processing for identifying the subject is processing of offsetting a region for detecting a subject that is to be used when a subject in the image data is identified, from reference coordinates.

6 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the processing for identifying the subject is processing of changing a size of the region for detecting a subject.

7 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein, in a case where a main subject is not being followed, the region for detecting a subject is reduced from a reference value.

8 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein, in a case where a determination result obtained from a determination unit indicates a state in which a main subject is being followed, the region for detecting a main subject is enlarged from a reference value.

9 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether a state is a state in which a main subject is being followed, in a case where an operation of pan tilt has been detected by a detection unit,

wherein the determination unit performs determination based on a change amount in a pan direction and a tilt direction.

10 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising a mode setting unit configured to perform a mode setting as to whether to execute subject following, when an operation of the pan tilt is performed,

wherein the determination unit performs determination in accordance with a setting of the mode setting unit.

11 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 5 ,

wherein a first state in which a main subject identified by the identification unit is followed, and a second state in which a prestored specific subject is detected and followed are included, and

wherein processing of identifying a main subject that is to be executed by the identification unit is changed between the first state and the second state.

12 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein an amount of the offset in the second state is set in such a manner as to become a larger value than that in the first state.

13 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein, in the first state, the identification unit identifies a subject near a center of the region for detecting a subject, as a first main subject.

14 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein, in the first state, in a case where the first main subject becomes nonexistent in the region for detecting a subject, the identification unit identifies a subject near a center of the region for detecting a subject, as a second main subject.

15 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein, in the first state, in a case where a zoom amount has changed by a predetermined amount or more, the identification unit identifies a subject near a center of the region for detecting a subject, as a third main subject.

16 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein, in the second state, in a case where a plurality of subjects exists, the identification unit identifies a fourth main subject from among the plurality of subjects based on a parameter for determining a main subject, and in a case where it is determined based on the parameter for determining a main subject, that the fourth main subject is not a main subject, the identification unit identifies a fifth main subject from among the plurality of subjects.

17 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein, in the second state, in a case where a determination result obtained from a determination unit does not indicate a state in which a subject is being followed, the identification unit changes the parameter for determining a main subject, to a first parameter to cause switching from the fourth main subject to the fifth main subject.

18 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein, in the second state, in a case where a determination result obtained from the determination unit indicates a state in which a subject is being followed, the identification unit changes the parameter for determining a main subject, to a second parameter to avoid occurrence of switching of the fourth main subject.

19 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 18 ,

wherein the first parameter indicates a region for selecting a main subject being a region for selecting a main subject of the region for detecting a subject, and

wherein the identification unit offsets the region for selecting a main subject, in accordance with a change amount in a pan direction and a tilt direction.

20 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 19 ,

wherein the first parameter and the second parameter indicate a switching standby time until the fourth main subject switches to the fifth main subject in a case where the fourth main subject becomes nonexistent from the region for selecting a main subject, and

wherein the identification unit sets the switching standby time indicated by the first parameter, to a time shorter than the switching standby time indicated by the second parameter.

21 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 18 ,

wherein the second parameter indicates existence or non-existence of switching control of the main subject, and

wherein the identification unit stops occurrence of switching control from the fourth main subject to a different subject.

22 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 18 ,

wherein the second parameter indicates a smallest size at which the specific subject is detectable, and

wherein the identification unit sets the smallest size as a size of the fourth main subject.

23 . A control method of an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to generate image data by capturing an image of a subject, the control method comprising:

setting an image capturing condition;

identifying a subject in the image data that is to be used for a setting of the image capturing condition; and

in a case where a field angle change operation equal to or larger than a predetermined amount has been performed, performing control in such a manner as to change processing for identifying a subject, according to whether the main subject is being followed.

24 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an imaging apparatus including an image sensor configured to generate image data by capturing an image of a subject, the control method comprising:

setting an image capturing condition;

identifying a subject in the image data that is to be used for a setting of the image capturing condition; and

in a case where a field angle change operation equal to or larger than a predetermined amount has been performed, performing control in such a manner as to change processing for identifying a subject, according to whether the main subject is being followed.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 4, 2024
From: HONGU, HIDEYASU; TOMOSADA, TOSHIHIKO
To: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 066013/0394 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2022-190750 · Nov 29, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240179393A1 · May 30, 2024
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