PHOTOGRAPHING DEVICE

Abstract

A photographing device for photographing an object in a photographing area has a detection processor, and first and second determination processors. The detection processor conducts repetitive detection processes for detecting a specific area where a specific object appears in the photographing area. The first determination processor determines the detected specific area to be a designated area. The second determination processor re-determines a substitute area including the detected specific area that has been latest detected by the detection processor to be the designated area if the specific area is not detected in the detection process.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera in an embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows on a monitor of the digital camera in portrait mode; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the routine in portrait mode.

Claims

1. A photographing device for photographing an object in a photographing area, comprising: a detection processor that conducts repetitive detection processes for detecting a specific area where a specific object appears in said photographing area;a first determination processor that determines the detected specific area to be a designated area; anda second determination processor that re-determines a substitute area including said detected specific area that has been latest detected by said detection processor to be said designated area if said specific area is not detected in each successive detection process.

2. A device according to claim 1, comprising: an imaging device that successively captures images corresponding to said object;a display device;a first display processor that displays said successively captured images on said display device as a through image; anda second display processor that indicates a position in said designated area of said through image.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said second display processor displays a frame bordering said designated area on said display device so as to indicate said position.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said second determination processor stops re-determining if said specific area is not detected for a predetermined period in the state where said detection processor repeats said detection processes.

5. A device according to claim 1, comprising: an imaging device that captures an image corresponding to said object as a still image in the state where an object in said designated area is in focus, or in the state where an exposure value of said imaging device is adjusted according to a photometering value of said designated area.

6. A device according to claim 1, comprising: an imaging device that captures an image corresponding to said object as a still image in the state where an object in one of a plurality of points in said photographing area is in focus, or in the state where an exposure value of said imaging device is adjusted according to a photometering values of said plurality of points, when said detected specific area or said substitute area are not determined or re-determined to be said designated area.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of points are positioned in a part of said photographing area which includes said detected specific area that has been latest detected by said detection processor and which is larger than said designated area.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said substitute area is larger than said detected specific area that has been latest detected by said detection processor.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said substitute area is the same as said detected specific area that has been latest detected by said detection processor.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein said specific object is a human face.

11. A method of determining a designated area for photographing an object in a photographing area, comprising steps of: repeating detection processes for detecting a specific area where a specific object appears in said photographing area,determining the detected specific area to be a designated area, andre-determining a substitute area including said detected specific area that has been latest detected in said detection processes to be said designated area if said specific area is not detected in each successive detection process.