(12) United States Patent
`Kawabe et al.
`
`USOO6327436 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,327,436 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`(54) CAMERA AND OBJECT TRACING
`MECHANISM OF CAMERA
`(75) Inventors: Koutaro Kawabe, Atsutaka Ito, both
`of Sakai; Satoshi Yokota; Kimihiko
`Nakamura, both of Toyonaka, all of
`(JP)
`(73) Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd., Osaka (JP)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/333,676
`(22) Filed:
`Jun. 16, 1999
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Jun. 16, 1998
`(JP) ................................................. 10-16828O
`(51) Int. Cl." ..................................................... G03B 13/36
`(52) U.S. Cl. ..................
`396/121; 396/147; 396/296
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 396/121, 122,
`396/123, 124, 233,234, 153, 147, 296;
`348/169, 170, 171, 172
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`10/1995 Iwasaki ................................ 396/234
`5,461,452
`5,512,974 * 4/1996 Abe et al. ............................ 396/234
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5-173242
`7/1993 (JP).
`7-38796
`2/1995 (JP).
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner W. B. Perkey
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane, Swecker &
`Mathis, LLP
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An object follow-up mechanism, installed in a camera,
`which allows the camera to follow movement of a main
`object to be photographed. The mechanism includes an
`image detection device for taking an image into a photo
`graphing Visual field and for extracting a feature of the
`image; an image recognition device for recognizing a pos
`Sible candidate region, on which the main object locates, on
`a basis of the feature, a display device for displaying the
`candidate region(s), a main object region selection device
`for Selecting at least one candidate region from the displayed
`candidate region(s) as a main object region in which the
`main object is present, and a main object region Storing
`device for Storing the feature extracted by the image detec
`tion device as a feature Standard with respect to the image in
`the main object region thus Selected.
`
`5,210,566
`
`5/1993 Nishida ................................ 396/123
`
`34 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`||
`
`||
`
`50
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 1
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 11
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 2
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 11
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`
`
`v
`
`CO
`
`OO S
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 3
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 11
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`Fig. 3
`
`
`
`
`
`50
`
`
`
`1 O
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 4
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 11
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`Fig.5
`
`
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 5
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 11
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`
`
`LENS DRIVE
`SYSTEM
`
`EMISSION
`CONTROLLER
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 6
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 11
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 7
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 11
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 8
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 11
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`
`
`(g
`
`8
`
`)? ? ‘6
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 9
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 11
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`Fig. 12
`
`58
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`32
`
`36
`
`LIGHT
`
`METRIC
`
`Cia.
`52
`LENS CPU d FF C-MOS
`CPU
`SENSOR
`
`40
`
`57
`
`56
`
`AF
`AF
`ENCODER ACTUATOR
`
`
`
`
`
`LIGHT
`EMISSION
`CONTROLLER
`
`FOCUS
`DETECTION
`MODULE
`
`
`
`10a
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 10
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 11
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`32
`
`AUXLIAR
`LIGHT
`
`C-MOS SENSOR
`(PHOTOMETRIC
`MODULE)
`
`
`
`LENS DRIVE
`SYSTEM
`
`EMISSION
`CONTROLLER
`
`10
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 11
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`
`
`32
`
`
`
`Al-AF
`
`
`
`C-MOS SENSOR
`(PHOTOMETRIC
`MODULE)
`40a
`
`57
`
`56
`
`AF
`AF
`ENCODER ACTUATOR
`
`
`
`
`
`LIGHT
`EMISSION
`CONTROLLER
`
`FOCUS
`DETECTION
`MODULE
`
`10a
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 12
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`1
`CAMERA AND OBJECT TRACING
`MECHANISM OF CAMERA
`
`This application is based on application No. 10-168280
`filed in Japan, the contents of which are hereby incorporated
`by reference.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a camera, and relates to
`an object tracing mechanism of the camera which makes it
`possible to follow up an object to be photographed.
`2. Description of the Related Arts
`Conventionally, there has been proposed an auto-focusing
`camera of a type in which its focusing area (focusing region)
`can be Switched. The auto-focusing camera of this type has
`a following problem. Namely, provided that a right-hand
`focusing area 2c, for example, of three focusing areas 2a, 2b,
`2c is selected and an object (or a Subject) M is brought into
`a focus as shown in FIG. 1(A), and provided that the object
`M is moved in the left direction as shown in FIG. 1.(B), it is
`not possible to bring the object M into the focus unless a
`photographer Switches the focusing area from the right-hand
`focusing area 2C to the left-hand focusing area 2a.
`On the other hand, conventionally, there has been pro
`posed a camera of another type in which a focusing area is
`automatically determined by foreseeing a movement of the
`object from its change of contrast for example, So as to
`execute the focusing operation. According to this type of
`camera, however, in case that a plurality of objects M1 to
`M8, to be photographed, move as shown in FIG. 2, a
`photographer cannot voluntarily select a main object (or a
`main Subject), to be photographed, out of the whole objects.
`Therefore, which object should be followed, or traced, to be
`focused on, depends upon the camera itself, namely, the
`photographer cannot Select a particular main object to be
`focused on.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide a camera with an object tracing mechanism which
`can follow a movement of a main Subject, even if the main
`Subject moves.
`In order to achieve the above object, according to one
`aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera
`comprising: a detector for Sensing an image of an object, for
`extracting a first characteristic of the image, and for output
`ting data of the first characteristic extracted; a Selector for
`Selecting a particular region within a visual field; and a
`memory for Storing the data of the first characteristic,
`extracted by the detector, of the image which corresponds to
`the particular region Selected by the Selector, as character
`istic reference data.
`In the mechanism, the visual field, for example, can be a
`visual field within a finder of the camera.
`The camera, for example, may be constructed as follows.
`That is, the detector may further Sense the image of the
`object, extract a Second characteristic of the image, and
`output data of the Second characteristic extracted, after the
`Selector Selects the particular region within the visual field,
`wherein the Selector compares the data of the Second char
`acteristic with the characteristic reference data which is
`Stored in the memory, So that a region generally coincident
`between the data of the Second characteristic and the char
`acteristic reference data is Selected as a renewed particular
`region within the visual field.
`
`2
`According to the mechanism, the particular region which
`has once been Selected by the Selector, is renewed into the
`renewed particular region which is generally coincident
`mutually between the data of the Second characteristic and
`the characteristic reference data, namely the region gener
`ally common both to the data of the Second characteristic
`and to the characteristic reference data, within the Visual
`field. Therefore, the object is followed up, or traced, within
`the visual field of the camera, when the object moves.
`In order to achieve the above object, according to another
`aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera
`comprising: a detector for Sensing an image of at least one
`object, for extracting a first characteristic of the image, and
`for outputting data of the first characteristic extracted; a
`recognition means for recognizing at least one candidate
`region on which the image of a main object of the at least
`one object can locate, on a basis of the data of the first
`characteristic extracted by the detector; a display part for
`displaying the at least one candidate region which is recog
`nized by the recognition means, a Selection means for
`Selecting one of the at least one candidate region, wherein
`the image of the main object is in the one thereof, and a
`memory for Storing the data of the first characteristic,
`extracted by the detector, of the image which corresponds to
`the one, Selected by the Selection means, of the at least one
`candidate region, as characteristic reference data.
`According to the mechanism, there is provided the
`memory for Storing the data of the first characteristic of the
`image as characteristic reference data. Therefore, by using
`the characteristic reference data, the object is possible to be
`followed up, or traced, within the visual field of the camera
`when the object moves.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`This and other objects and features of the present inven
`tion will become clear from the following description taken
`in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof with
`reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIGS. 1(A), 1(B) and 1(C) are explanatory views of one
`type of conventional camera, showing a situation in which
`an object (or a Subject) to be photographed moves;
`FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of another type of conven
`tional camera, showing a situation in which many objects (or
`Subjects) to be photographed are present;
`FIG. 3 is a front view showing a camera with an object
`tracing mechanism according to a first embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the camera of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a multidirectional
`Switch of the camera of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a finder (or finder
`window) of the camera of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a construction of
`the camera of FIG. 3;
`FIGS. 8(A), 8(B) and 8(C) are explanatory views for
`explaining a Scope;
`FIGS. 9(A), 9(B) and 9(C) are explanatory views for
`explaining a determination of photographing condition;
`FIGS. 10(A), 10(B) and 10(C) are explanatory views for
`explaining the determination thereof;
`FIGS. 11(A), 11(B), 11(C), 11(D) and 11(E) are explana
`tory views showing the camera with the object tracing
`mechanism according to a Second embodiment of the
`present invention;
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 13
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 12 shows a construction of the camera with the
`object tracing mechanism according to a modification of the
`embodiment;
`FIG. 13 shows a construction of the camera with the
`object tracing mechanism according to another modification
`of the embodiment; and
`FIG. 14 shows a construction of the camera with the
`object tracing mechanism according to Still another modi
`fication of the embodiment.
`
`4
`photographed. The focus detection module 38 detects a
`focusing condition of an optical System 54 in an inter
`changeable lens 50. The C-MOS sensor 40 is so positioned
`as to pick up, or Sense, an image formation position within
`a finder window 12 included in a finder optical System, in
`which the C-MOS sensor 40 takes in an image within a
`photographing region or area of the camera, processes the
`image at a high Speed, and outputs to the control microcom
`puter 30 an image information upon a configuration, or
`outline, of the image and upon its movement (i.e. direction,
`and amount of movement). The C-MOS sensor 40 is con
`stituted as a single element which is constituted by a MOS
`type of light receiving cell capable of reading data at a
`higher speed than a CCD (i.e. charge-coupled device) and by
`a processing part for extracting a characteristic, or a feature,
`thereof by processing the data read by the light receiving
`cell, at a high Speed. The control microcomputer 30 pro
`ceSSes a Small amount of the data after the characteristic, or
`feature, thereof is extracted; therefore, the control micro
`computer 30 is able to execute its control operation at a high
`Speed.
`The AF encoder 42 detects an amount of operation of the
`AF actuator 44. The AF actuator 44 drives a focusing lens in
`the optical system 54 of the interchangeable lens 50 through
`a lens drive system of the interchangeable lens 50.
`The interchangeable lens 50 has a lens microcomputer 52
`in addition to the optical system 54. The lens microcomputer
`52 is connected with the control microcomputer 30 of the
`camera body 10 so that both the lens microcomputer 52 and
`the control microcomputer 30 communicate with each other.
`Next, referring to FIGS. 8(A), 8(B), 8(C), FIGS. 9(A),
`9(B), 9(C), and FIGS. 10(A), 10(B), 10(C), it is explained
`below about an operation of the camera.
`First, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 8(A), the multidirec
`tional switch 20 (see FIG. 5) is manipulated to move the
`scope “S” displayed on the finder window 12, so that the
`Scope “S” is Superimposed, or overlapped, over a desired
`region (or area) of an object “M” where the desired region
`is the region that is desired to be followed, or traced, as
`shown in FIG. 8(B).
`Then, the selection Switch 24 is pressed. Thereby, the
`desired region over which the Scope “S” is Superimposed, is
`Set as a main object region (or a main Subject region). At this
`time, the control microcomputer 30 stores in the memory its
`image information (or image characteristic), extracted by the
`C-MOS sensor 40, upon the main object region, as a
`reference of the character.
`Then, after the main object region is Set, the control
`microcomputer 30 compares new image information (or
`image character), extracted by the C-MOS sensor 40, upon
`image in the photographing region, with the reference of the
`character which has been Stored in the memory.
`Then, when a part, or piece, of the new image information
`which is generally coincident with the reference of the
`character is detected, the control microcomputer 30 updates
`the part, or piece, as the main object region.
`Then, as shown in FIG. 8(C), the microcomputer 30
`moves the Scope “S” to the updated main object region. In
`this manner, the scope “S” is moved to follow, or trace, the
`movement of the object “M”.
`A photographing condition is determined on a basis of the
`main object region.
`That is, for example, when the main object region is Set
`by Superimposing the scope “S” over the object “M”,
`focusing areas (or focusing regions) 2c, 2b, and 2a over
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`Before a description of the preferred embodiments of the
`present invention proceeds, it is to be noted that like or
`corresponding parts are designated by like reference numer
`als throughout the accompanying drawings.
`Referring to FIGS. 3 through 14, a detailed description is
`made below on a camera with an object tracing mechanism
`according to a first embodiment of the present invention and
`on the camera with the object tracing mechanism according
`to a Second embodiment thereof.
`First, referring to FIGS. 3 through 10, the description is
`made below on the camera with the object tracing mecha
`nism according to the first embodiment thereof.
`As shown in FIG. 3 which is a front view of the camera
`with the object tracing mechanism, and as shown in FIG. 4
`which is a rear view thereof, the camera with the object
`tracing mechanism is a Single-lens refleX camera which has
`a camera body 10 and an interchangeable lens 50 mounted
`thereto. The camera of the first embodiment has a construc
`tion generally similar to a construction of a conventional
`camera in appearance; however, the former camera is dif
`ferent from the latter in a display within a finder window 12,
`in a multidirectional Switch 20 which is provided on a rear
`surface of the camera body 10, and in a selection button 24
`which is also provided thereon.
`That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a scope “S” is
`displayed on the finder window 12. The scope “S” moves in
`any direction “a” to “h” in compliance with a push, or press,
`against a desired location of a peripheral portion 22 of the
`multidirectional Switch 20.
`The Selection button 24 is positioned at a central portion
`of the multidirectional Switch 20. AS will be described in
`detail later, when the selection button 24 is pushed or
`pressed, a characteristic, or a feature, of an image within a
`region corresponding to the Scope “S” is Stored, or memo
`rized.
`Next, referring to FIG. 7, a main internal construction of
`the camera is described below.
`The camera body 10 has a control microcomputer 30, an
`auxiliary light emitting part 32 connected to the control
`microcomputer 30, a light emission controller 34 connected
`thereto, a photometric module 36 connected thereto, a focus
`detection module 38 connected thereto, a C-MOS sensor 40
`connected thereto, an AF encoder 42 connected thereto, and
`an AF actuator 44 connected thereto. The control micro
`computer 30 includes a CPU and a memory, and the control
`microcomputer 30 executes a general control over operation
`of the camera.
`More specifically, the auxiliary light emitting part 32
`emits an auxiliary light which is used for detecting a focus.
`The light emission controller 34 controls emission of the
`auxiliary light which is emitted from the auxiliary light
`emitting part 32. The photometric module 36 measures a
`luminance, or brightness, of an object (or a Subject) to be
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 14
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`25
`
`35
`
`15
`
`S
`which the scope “S” Superimposes following the movement
`of the object “M”, are selected sequentially as shown in
`FIGS. 9(A), 9(B) and 9(C), and the object “M” is brought
`into the focus (or is focused) in each of the focusing areas
`2c, 2b, and 2a.
`Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 10(A), 10(B) and 10(C),
`photometric cells 4e, 4th, 4i; 4e, 4g, 4i; and 4d, 4f 4i over
`which the Scope “S” Superimposes are Sequentially Selected
`from a plurality of photometric cells 4a to 4n which are
`included in the photometric module 36 and which are
`arranged in a shape of honeycomb, in accordance with the
`movement of the object “M”. An exposure of the camera is
`determined on a basis of the Selected photometric cells 4e,
`4h, 4.j; 4e, 4g, 4i; and 4d, 4f 4i.
`Next, referring to FIGS. 11(A) through 11(E), the descrip
`tion is made below on the camera with the object tracing
`mechanism according to the Second embodiment.
`The camera with the object tracing mechanism of the
`Second embodiment is similar to the camera of the first
`embodiment in construction; however, the former camera is
`different from the latter in manner of Setting the main object
`region.
`That is, when there exist a plurality of objects, to be
`photographed, within a photographing region as shown in
`FIG. 11(A), the control microcomputer 30 recognizes out
`lines of the objects, on a basis of image information (or
`image characteristic), extracted by the C-MOS sensor 40,
`upon the image within the photographing region, as shown
`in FIG.11(B). And, the control microcomputer 30 seeks for
`the outline(s) of the object(s) which Superimpose(s), or
`overlap(S), any one(s) of six focusing regions 3a to 3f, as
`shown in FIG. 11(C).
`Then, as shown in FIG.11(D), the control microcomputer
`30 determines a center position of the outline of each of the
`object(s) which Superimpose(s) any one(s) thereof. And, the
`control microcomputer 30 makes each of Scopes T0 to T3,
`located at each center position, be displayed on the finder
`window 12, respectively. At an initial Setting, for example,
`one scope T0 which is centrally positioned with respect to
`the scopes T0 to T3, is so displayed as to be the most
`conspicuous of all as shown in FIG. 11(E), in order to
`indicate that the particular object region which the Scope T0
`Superimposes, or is positioned on, has been Selected as a
`main object region. Then, Similarly to the first embodiment,
`following the movement of the Selected main object, the
`Scope T0 moves, and a photographing condition is Set on
`basis of the main object region.
`Similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to Switch, or
`move, the above main object region to the object region
`which any one of the other scopes T1 to T3 Superimposes,
`by operating the multidirectional Switch 20 and the selection
`Switch 24.
`The camera of the first and Second embodiments can
`follow the movement of the main object when it moves.
`The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned
`embodiments and modifications.
`For example, as shown in FIG. 12, an interchangeable
`lens 50a may accommodate therein a mechanism to control
`driving the interchangeable lens 50a; namely, the inter
`60
`changeable lens 50a may accommodate therein an AF
`actuator 56 which drives a focusing lens in the optical
`system 54, an AF encoder 57 for detecting the driving
`amount of the AF actuator 56, a PF encoder 58 for detecting
`the position of the focus lens, and a termination Switch 59 for
`detecting extremities of movement of the focusing lens. And
`in the construction, the focus lens of the optical System may
`
`6
`be driven by a communication between the lens microcom
`puter 52 installed in the interchangeable lens 50a and the
`control microcomputer 30 installed in the camera body 10a.
`Alternatively, instead of employing the constructions
`shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, a C-MOS sensor 4.0a may have a
`function of the photometric module 36 as shown in FIGS. 13
`and 14.
`Although the present invention has been fully described in
`connection with the preferred embodiments and modifica
`tions thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings,
`it is to be noted that other various changes and modifications
`are also apparent to those skilled in the art.
`Such changes and modifications are to be understood as
`included within the Scope of the present invention as defined
`by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A camera comprising:
`a detector for Sensing an image of an object, for extracting
`a first characteristic of the image, and for outputting
`data of the first characteristic extracted;
`a display part for designating a particular region within a
`visual field;
`a Selector for Selecting a position of the particular region
`designated by the display part within the visual field;
`and
`a memory for Storing the data of the first characteristic,
`extracted by the detector, of the image which corre
`sponds to the particular region Selected by the Selector,
`as characteristic reference data,
`wherein the particular region which is designated by the
`display part and which is Selected by the Selector, is
`moved to follow movement of the object based upon
`the characteristic reference data.
`2. The camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are
`provided a plurality of regions within the Visual field, and
`wherein the Selector is operated manually So that the
`particular region is Selected from the plurality of
`regions.
`3. The camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Selector
`and the memory are constituted by a controller which
`controls an operation of the camera.
`4. The camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detector
`further Senses the image of the object, extracts a Second
`characteristic of the image, and outputs data of the Second
`characteristic extracted, after the Selector Selects the particu
`lar region within the Visual field, and
`wherein the Selector compares the data of the Second
`characteristic with the characteristic reference data
`which is Stored in the memory, So that a region gener
`ally coincident between the data of the Second charac
`teristic and the characteristic reference data is Selected
`as a renewed particular region within the visual field.
`5. The camera as claimed in claim 4, wherein the renewed
`particular region is displayed within the Visual field when
`the Selector Selects the renewed particular region.
`6. The camera as claimed in claim 4, wherein a photo
`graphing condition is determined on a basis of the image of
`the object which corresponds to the particular region
`Selected by the Selector, and
`wherein the photographing condition is renewed in
`response to the renewed particular region Selected by
`the Selector.
`7. The camera as claimed in claim 4, wherein the char
`acteristic reference data is renewed in response to the
`renewed particular region Selected by the Selector.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 15
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`

`

`7
`8. The camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data is
`of information upon a contour of the object.
`9. The camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data is
`of information upon movement of the object.
`10. The camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data is
`of information upon an area which is Surrounded by a
`contour of the object.
`11. A camera comprising:
`a detector for Sensing an image of plural objects, for
`extracting a first characteristic of the image, and for
`outputting data of the first characteristic extracted;
`a recognition means for recognizing plural candidate
`regions on which the image of a main object can be
`located, on a basis of the data of the first characteristic
`extracted by the detector;
`a Selector for Selecting one of the plural candidate regions,
`wherein the image of the main object is located; and
`a memory for Storing the data of the first characteristic,
`extracted by the detector, of the image which corre
`sponds to the Selected one candidate region, Selected by
`the Selector, as characteristic reference data.
`12. The camera as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
`Selector is operated manually.
`13. The camera as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
`recognition means and the Selector are constituted by a
`controller which controls an operation of the camera.
`14. The camera as claimed in claim 11, which further
`comprises:
`an outputting means for Sensing the image of the at least
`one object, for extracting a Second characteristic of the
`image, and for Outputting data of the Second charac
`teristic extracted, after the one of the at least one
`candidate region is Selected by the Selector; and
`a renewing means for comparing the data of the Second
`characteristic being extracted by the outputting means,
`with the characteristic reference data Stored in the
`memory, and for Selecting a region which is generally
`common to the data of the Second characteristic and to
`the characteristic reference data, as a renewal region.
`15. The camera as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
`display part displays the renewal region when the renewing
`means Selects the renewal region.
`16. The camera as claimed in claim 14, wherein a pho
`tographing condition is determined on a basis of the image
`of the main object which is in the one, selected by the
`Selector, of the at least one candidate region, and
`wherein the photographing condition is renewed when the
`renewing means Selects the renewal region.
`17. The camera as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
`characteristic reference data is renewed when the renewing
`means Selects the renewal region.
`18. The camera as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
`outputting means is composed of the detector.
`19. The camera as claimed in claim 11, wherein the data
`is of information upon a contour of the at least one object.
`20. The camera as claimed in claim 11, wherein the data
`is of information upon movement of the at least one object.
`21. The camera as claimed in claim 11, wherein the data
`is of information upon an area which is Surrounded by a
`contour of the at least one object.
`22. A camera comprising:
`
`1O
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`US 6,327,436 B2
`
`8
`a detector for Sensing an image of at least one object, for
`extracting a first characteristic of the image, and for
`outputting data of the first characteristic extracted;
`a recognition means for recognizing at least one candidate
`region on which the image of a main object of the at
`least one object can be located, on a basis of the data
`of the first characteristic extracted by the detector;
`a display part for designating each candidate region which
`is recognized by the recognition means,
`a Selector for Selecting one candidate region designated by
`the display part, wherein the image of the main object
`is in the Selected region; and
`a memory for Storing the data of the first characteristic,
`extracted by the detector, of the image which corre
`sponds to the Selected candidate region, as character
`istic reference data.
`23. The camera as claimed in claim 22, wherein the
`Selector is operated manually.
`24. The camera as claimed in claim 22, wherein the
`recognition means and the Selector are constituted by a
`controller which controls an operation of the camera.
`25. The camera as claimed in claim 22, which further
`comprises:
`an outputting means for Sensing the image of the at least
`one object, for extracting a Second characteristic of the
`image, and for outputting data of the Second charac
`teristic extracted, after the one of the at least one
`candidate region is Selected by the Selector; and
`a renewing means for comparing the data of the Second
`characteristic being extracted by the outputting means,
`with the characteristic reference data Stored in the
`memory, and for Selecting a region which is generally
`common to the data of the second characteristic and to
`the characteristic reference data, as a renewal region.
`26. The camera as claimed in claim 25, wherein the
`display part displays the renewal region when the renewing
`means Selects the renewal region.
`27. The camera as claimed in claim 25, wherein a pho
`tographing condition is determined on a basis of the image
`of the main object which is in the one, selected by the
`Selector, of the at least one candidate region, and
`wherein the photographing condition is renewed when the
`renewing means Selects the renewal region.
`28. The camera as claimed in claim 25, wherein the
`characteristic reference data is renewed when the renewing
`means Selects the renewal region.
`29. The camera as claimed in claim 25, wherein the
`outputting means is composed of the detector.
`30. The camera as claimed in claim 22, wherein the data
`is of information upon a contour of the at least one object.
`31. The camera as claimed in claim 22, wherein the data
`is of information upon movement of the at least one object.
`32. The camera as claimed in claim 22, wherein the data
`is of information upon an area which is Surrounded by a
`contour of the at least one object.
`33. The camera as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
`a finder window displaying the Visual field, and the display
`part displayed on the finder window.
`34. The camera as claimed in claim 33, wherein the
`display part is movable within the finder window.
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2011, p. 16
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01278
`
`