JP5282582B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve the easy acquisition of a main subject within an angle of field when a user shots a main subject with an imaging device even if he or she does not know in advance a range in which the main subject is positioned. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging device transmits and receives radio signals to and from a wireless device of the main subject through a radio communication module. A controller of the imaging device gradually raises the radio frequency channel of carrier waves of radio signals (S1014 and S1004) while confirming a radio signal reception notice from the wireless device (S1011). When it reaches the radio frequency (f_e) (S1015), the controller determines that the relative position of the main subject is acquired within the angle of field. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that captures a specific subject within an angle of view using wireless communication.

  For example, it takes skill to quickly capture a specific subject within the angle of view of an imaging device, such as when finding a child from many students at a school event and shooting with a still camera or video camera. . The imaging apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an infrared light sensor, detects a position where infrared light is transmitted from a specific subject to which an infrared light transmitter is attached, and calculates the position and direction of the subject. By displaying on the viewfinder, the specific subject can be easily captured within the angle of view.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-23359

  However, in the imaging apparatus described in Patent Document 1, in consideration of the directivity of infrared light, the condition that the user knows the range where a specific subject is located in many subjects in advance is not satisfied. There is a problem that a specific subject cannot be easily captured within the angle of view.

The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, an imaging unit that captures a subject, a wireless communication unit that transmits and receives a wireless signal via an antenna device between a wireless device included in the main subject, and a radio frequency of a carrier wave of the wireless signal Radio frequency switching means for switching between, and analysis means for analyzing the received radio signal received by the wireless communication means from the wireless device via the antenna device, the antenna device has a characteristic that the directivity increases when the radio frequency is increased. And when the analyzing means detects that the main subject is located in the vicinity based on the received radio signal, the radio frequency switching means is switched to raise the radio frequency, and the analyzing means is an antenna with increased directivity. the received radio signal on device detects the relative position of the main subject relative to the photographing unit, a radio frequency switching means, wireless peripheral When switching the number to a different radio frequency, and transmits a transmission radio signal for notifying another radio frequencies for wireless device.
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2 includes an image pickup device, a photographing optical system that forms a subject image on the image pickup device, a photographing unit that photographs the subject, and a specifying unit that identifies an angle of view of the photographing optical system; A wireless communication means for transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a wireless device included in the main subject, a wireless frequency switching means for switching a wireless frequency of a carrier wave of the wireless signal, and a wireless communication means from the wireless device to the antenna device. Analyzing the received radio signal received via the analyzing means, and detecting the relative position of the main subject relative to the imaging means by the received radio signal, and whether or not the relative position of the main subject is included in the field angle range of the imaging optical system Determining means for determining whether or not, a notifying means for notifying the user of the relative position of the main subject when the determining means makes an affirmative determination, and a table for associating the angle of view with the radio frequency. The antenna device has a characteristic that the directivity increases when the radio frequency is raised, and the analysis unit detects that the main subject is located in the vicinity based on the received radio signal. When the radio frequency switching means switches so as to raise the radio frequency, the analysis means detects the relative position of the main subject with respect to the imaging means based on the received radio signal via the antenna device with increased directivity, and the radio frequency switching means The radio frequency corresponding to the angle of view is acquired based on the above.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, an imaging unit that captures a subject, a wireless communication unit that transmits and receives a wireless signal via an antenna device between wireless devices included in the main subject, and a radio frequency of a carrier wave of the wireless signal Radio frequency switching means for switching between, and analysis means for analyzing the received radio signal received by the wireless communication means from the wireless device via the antenna device, the antenna device has a characteristic that the directivity increases when the radio frequency is increased. And when the analyzing means detects that the main subject is located in the vicinity based on the received radio signal, the radio frequency switching means is switched to raise the radio frequency, and the analyzing means is an antenna with increased directivity. The relative position of the main subject with respect to the photographing means is detected by the received wireless signal through the device, and the radio frequency switching means When it is determined that the electric field strength of the signal is less than a predetermined value, or when it is determined that the received radio signal is not received within a predetermined time after switching to increase the radio frequency, the radio frequency is switched to decrease. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an imaging apparatus that easily captures a specific subject within an angle of view even if the user does not know the range where the specific subject is located in advance.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an angle of view of a camera according to the present embodiment. The figure which illustrates the structure of a camera. The figure which illustrates the structure of the radio | wireless apparatus with a main to-be-photographed object. The figure which shows the list | wrist of the radio frequency for every channel which can be set to a radio | wireless communication module by radio | wireless frequency setting switching. The figure which shows an example of the correspondence table | surface of a field angle recorded on a memory, and a radio frequency. The figure which shows an example which displays the relative position of the main subject on the screen of a monitor. The figure which illustrates the reference image of a specific pattern. The figure which illustrates the highlighting of a specific pattern area | region. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a camera control device according to the present embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a main subject capturing / detecting process procedure of the camera control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-10, one Embodiment which applied the imaging device by this invention to the camera is described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the angle of view of the camera according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the angle of view of the camera 100 is φ, and the main subject 20 positioned within the range of the angle of view represented by the alternate long and short dash line can be imaged. In the example of FIG. 1, the main subject 20 is accompanied by a wireless device 200. The camera 100 has two antennas on the left and right sides of the photographing optical system, and can transmit and receive wireless signals to and from the wireless device 200. The radio frequency of the carrier wave of the radio signal transmitted and received by the two antennas is switched as will be described later. However, since the aperture of the antenna is fixed, the beam width changes according to the radio frequency. The beam widths of the two antennas are θ_l and θ_r, and the camera 100 transmits / receives a radio signal to / from the wireless device 200 located within the beam width range represented by the broken line through any antenna. Is possible.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the camera 100. The electronic camera 100 includes an operation member 101, a photographing optical system 102, an image sensor 103, a control device 104, a memory 105, a wireless communication module 106, and a monitor 17. The operation member 101 includes operation members for various inputs operated by the user, for example, a power button, a release switch, a zoom button, a multi selector, a determination button, a playback button, or a delete button.

  The photographing optical system 102 is, for example, one or a plurality of optical lens groups. The image sensor 103 is, for example, a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, and captures an image formed by the photographing optical system 102. An image is acquired by outputting image data captured by the image sensor 103 to the control device 104 as image data.

  The memory 105 is, for example, a flash memory of a nonvolatile storage medium, and temporarily stores image data acquired from an image captured by the image sensor 103 and image data read through a memory card slot (not shown). Used as a buffer memory for recording. The memory card slot is a slot for inserting a memory card as a nonvolatile recording medium for recording image data, and enables data writing to the memory card and data reading from the memory card. The memory 105 stores a control program for operating the electronic camera 100, a reference image of a specific pattern shown in FIG. 7, an ID (identifier) of a wireless device external to the camera 100, and an angle of view and a radio frequency shown in FIG. Are further recorded.

  The wireless communication module 106 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from wireless devices outside the camera 100. FIG. 2 shows that the wireless communication module 106 has two antennas.

  The monitor 107 is a display panel mounted on the electronic camera 100, and the control device 104, which will be described later, sends an image acquired from an image captured by the image sensor 103 and an image based on image data read from a memory card to the monitor 107. Output and display. A setting menu for the electronic camera 100 is also displayed on the monitor 107.

  The control device 104 includes a CPU, a memory, and other peripheral circuits, and executes processing according to instructions from the user via the operation member 101. As described above, the control device 104 acquires an image acquired from the image captured by the image sensor 103 or an image based on the image data read from the memory card, and outputs the image to the monitor 107 for display. The control device 104 controls transmission / reception of radio signals and switching of radio frequency channels by the radio communication module 106, and executes processing shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 so that the main subject 20 is captured within the angle of view. Each process described above is executed by the control device 104 operating according to a control program read from the memory 105.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless device 200 with the main subject 20. The wireless device 200 includes a control device 204, a memory 205, and a wireless communication module 206.

  The memory 205 is, for example, a flash memory of a nonvolatile storage medium, and records a control program for operating the wireless device 200 and the ID of the wireless device 200. The wireless communication module 206 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from the camera 100.

  The control device 204 is configured by a CPU, a memory, and other peripheral circuits. The control device 204 controls transmission / reception of radio signals and switching of radio frequency channels by the radio communication module 206 based on autonomous control or control by the camera 100. The control is executed by the control device 204 operating according to a control program read from the memory 205.

  The wireless device 200 broadcasts a wireless signal (beacon) including its own ID data at a constant period. When unicast communication is started with the camera 100 that has received the beacon and the radio frequency channel is notified from the camera 100, a radio signal of the notified radio frequency is transmitted to the camera 100 at a constant period. Thereafter, when the radio frequency channel is notified again from the camera 100, the notified radio signal of the new radio frequency is transmitted to the camera 100 at a constant cycle. When the radio signal from the camera 100 is not received for a predetermined time, the radio signal is switched back to the default radio frequency channel, and a beacon including its own ID data is broadcast again at a fixed period.

  9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the control device 104 of the camera 100 according to the present embodiment. A control program for the control device 104 to execute the processing procedure represented by the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is recorded in the memory 105. It is assumed that the camera 100 is activated at the start of this processing procedure, and the control device 104 acquires an image captured by the image sensor 103 in time series and outputs it as a video frame to the monitor 107. On the monitor 107, each frame is output as a video by being output in time series at predetermined time intervals.

  In step S <b> 901, it is determined whether or not there is a user input for designating the main subject 20 via the operation member 101. In the case of negative determination, the determination in step S901 is repeated. If the determination is affirmative, in step S902, the ID of the wireless device 200 of the designated main subject 20 is accessed and specified.

  In step S903, the wireless channel group f_0 is set in the wireless communication module 106 as a candidate for a radio frequency channel for performing wireless communication first, and in step S904, the wireless communication module 106 is set in the scan mode.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a list of radio frequency channels for each radio channel group that can be set in the radio communication module 106 by radio frequency channel setting switching. It is assumed that the list is set in the wireless communication module 160 in advance. The radio channel group f_0 used in the initial state includes n radio frequency channels from a channel f_0_1 (7.25 GHz) to f_0_n (7.70 GHz).

  When the control device 104 sets the scan mode in the initial state, the radio frequency channel setting of the radio communication module 160 is switched to each radio channel belonging to the radio channel group f_0 set in the radio communication module 106 at regular intervals. A search for a frequency channel of a radio carrier that carries a beacon periodically transmitted by the radio device 200 is performed. When there is a notification that the beacon has been received, the frequency channel of the carrier wave is specified as a communication channel. Subsequently, when the scan mode setting is canceled, a radio signal is transmitted / received to / from the wireless device 200 through the specified communication channel.

  When there is an instruction to set a wireless channel group from the control device 104 to the wireless communication module 160, the setting is switched from the wireless channel group to which the communication channel with the wireless device 200 at that time belongs to the wireless channel group f_k in one step. When there is a scan mode setting instruction from the control device 104 to the wireless communication module 160, the channels are switched to channels f_k_1 to f_k_n at regular intervals, and radio frequency channels (empty channels) that are not used for wireless communication by other devices Search is performed. When there is a notification that an empty channel has been specified, the empty channel is specified as the next communication channel. Subsequently, when the scan mode setting is canceled, the wireless communication module 160 transmits a wireless signal to the wireless device 200 through the original communication channel. As a result, the wireless device 200 is notified that the identified empty channel is used as a communication channel. Thereafter, radio signals are transmitted and received through the new communication channel.

  Returning to FIG. 9, in step S <b> 905, it is determined whether or not the wireless communication module 160 has notified that a beacon has been received. In the case of negative determination, the determination in step S905 is repeated. If the determination is affirmative, it is determined in step S906 whether or not the received beacon includes a specific ID corresponding to the wireless device 200. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S905. If the determination is affirmative, the radio frequency channel when the beacon including the specific ID is received is stored in step S907. In step S908, the scan mode setting for the wireless communication module 160 is canceled. In step S909, the radio frequency channel stored in step S907 is set in the radio communication module 160 as a communication channel with the radio device 200.

  In step S910, the capturing process described later in the description of FIG. 10 is executed. In step S911, it is determined whether or not there has been a release instruction from the user via the operation member 101. In the case of negative determination, in step S921, it is determined whether or not a specific pattern region or a region similar to the specific pattern is detected in the video output on the screen of the monitor 107. If the determination in step S921 is affirmative, in step S922, the specific pattern region or a region similar to the specific pattern is highlighted in the video output on the screen of the monitor 107, and the process returns to step S911.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a reference image of a specific pattern used in step S921. A part of the main subject 20, for example, a badge is used as a specific pattern, and five types of reference images 1 to 5 are recorded in advance in the memory 105 as reference images including the specific pattern.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the highlighted display of the specific pattern area in step S922. Four corners of a region that matches or is similar to one of the five reference images described above are highlighted, and a message “matched with a specific pattern” is also displayed. When the user who has viewed the highlight display gives a release instruction via the operation member 101, it is expected that an image including the main subject 20 is acquired and recorded.

  If a negative determination is made in step S921, the process proceeds to step S1041, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the determination in step S911 is affirmative, in step S912, an image captured by the image sensor 103 is acquired and recorded in the memory 105, and this processing procedure ends.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a main subject capturing / detecting process procedure of the camera control apparatus according to the present embodiment. In step S1001 following step S909, the angle of view φ currently set in the camera 100 is specified. In step S1002, the radio frequency f_e corresponding to the view angle φ specified in step S1001 is specified based on the view angle and radio frequency correspondence table recorded in the memory 105.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence table between the angle of view and the radio frequency recorded in the memory 105. As described with reference to FIG. 1, when the main subject 20 is positioned within the beam widths θ_l and θ_r corresponding to the radio frequency f_e, the camera 100 can transmit and receive a radio signal to and from the radio device 200. it can. When the main subject 20 is positioned within the range of the angle of view φ, the camera 100 can capture an image of the main subject.

  Therefore, when the camera 100 receives a radio signal from the radio device 200 by the carrier wave of the radio frequency f_e, the main subject 20 is determined if the beam widths θ_l and θ_r corresponding to the radio frequency f_e are within the range of the angle of view φ. It can be determined that the position is within the range of the angle of view φ. This is because the beam widths θ_l and θ_r change according to the radio frequency f_e as described above. Increasing the radio frequency f_e decreases the beam widths θ_l and θ_r, and decreasing the radio frequency f_e increases the beam widths θ_l and θ_r. In this way, since the correspondence table between the angle of view φ and the radio frequency f_e shown in FIG. 5 is obtained, it is assumed that the correspondence table is recorded in the memory 105 in advance.

  In step S1004, the control apparatus 104 sets 1 to k in the radio channel group f_k handled in the next step. This is because the processing procedure shown in and after step S1004 is repeatedly executed while incrementing k so that the communication channel is raised until it reaches the radio frequency f_e. In step S1004, the control device 104 sets the wireless channel group f_k in the wireless communication module 106.

  In step S1005, the wireless communication module 106 is set to the scan mode. In step S1006, radio signal detection is monitored at regular intervals in each frequency channel, and an empty channel that does not detect a radio signal is searched. That is, the presence / absence of an empty channel is determined. If the determination is negative, the determination in step S1006 is repeated. If the determination is affirmative, the empty channel is specified in step S1007, and the scan mode setting for the wireless communication module 160 is canceled in step S1008. At this time, the wireless communication module 106 resets the communication channel set before the scan mode is set.

  In step S1009, the specified empty channel is notified as a new communication channel to the wireless device 200 that accompanies the main subject 20 and corresponds to the specific ID specified in step S906 by wireless signal transmission. In step S1010, the control device 104 sets the wireless communication module 106 as the new communication channel.

  In step S <b> 1011, it is determined whether or not the wireless signal from the wireless device 200 has been received through the new communication channel. If the determination is affirmative, it is determined in step S1012 whether or not the relative position of the main subject 20 with the wireless device 200 has been detected. In step S1012, in the case of negative determination, immediately in the case of positive determination, in step S1013, the relative position of the main subject 20 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 107 as shown in FIG. Proceed to S1014. In step S1012, in the case of a negative determination, if k is immediately incremented to raise the communication channel, the wireless signal from the wireless device 200 cannot be received, and a negative determination may be made in step S1007. Therefore, in the case of a negative determination in step S1012, the processing may be returned to step S1001 as in the case of a negative determination in step S1042 described later.

  In the processing in step S1012, the relative position of the main subject 20 with the wireless device 200 is based on, for example, the electric field strength difference or phase difference of the wireless signal received from the wireless device 200 at the two antennas in the wireless communication module 106. Detected. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when these two antennas are provided at the left and right ends of the front side of the camera 100, when the electric field strength of the right antenna is larger than that on the left side, the main subject 20 is , It is detected as being located to the right of the front of the camera 100, and as shown in FIG. When either one or two of the two antennas has a radio signal received from the radio device 200 or the electric field strength of the carrier of the radio signal is less than a predetermined value, the main subject 20 with the radio device 200 is It is determined that it is not located within the range of the beam width.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying the relative position of the main subject 20 on the screen of the monitor 107 in step S1009. The monitor 107 notifies the user by a message displayed on the screen that the main subject 20 is located in the right direction with respect to the direction in which the camera 100 is currently facing. The user notified of the message is expected to change the direction of the camera 100 to the right.

  Returning to FIG. 10, after the control device 104 sets a new communication channel in the wireless communication module 106 in step S1010, the wireless device 200 transmits the wireless signal from the wireless device 200 to the new communication even after a predetermined time has elapsed. If it is not received on the service channel, a negative determination is made in step S1011. In this case, it is recognized that the main subject 20 is not located within the beam width range, and the process returns to step S903 via step S1061 described later. Thereby, the wireless channel group set in the wireless communication module 106 is lowered to f_0, and the process of determining whether or not there is a beacon reception notification from the wireless device 200 is executed again.

  In step S1014, the control device 104 increments k. In step S1015, it is determined whether or not the radio frequency of the communication channel is equal to or higher than the radio frequency f_e specified in step S1002. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S1004, and the series of processes is repeated until an affirmative determination is obtained. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S911.

  In step S <b> 1041 subsequent to step S <b> 921, it is determined whether a wireless signal from the wireless device 200 has been received. In the case of an affirmative determination, it is highly likely that the main subject 20 is captured in the range of the angle of view. If it is determined in step S1042 whether or not the relative position of the main subject 20 with the wireless device 200 has been detected, it is normal. Is affirmative. If the determination in step S1042 is affirmative, in step S1043, as shown in FIG. 6, the relative position of the main subject 20 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 107, and the process returns to step S911.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1041, it is recognized that the main subject 20 is not located within the beam width range, and in step S1061, a failure to capture the main subject 20 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 107, and the process is stepped. Return to S903. Thereby, the wireless channel group set in the wireless communication module 106 is lowered to f_0, and the process of determining whether or not there is a beacon reception notification from the wireless device 200 is executed again.

  As described above, an affirmative determination is usually made in step S1042, but, for example, a sudden change in the orientation of the camera 100 by the user or a major change in a short time immediately after reception of the wireless signal from the wireless device 200 in step S1041 When the subject 20 moves rapidly, the main subject 20 is not captured within the range of the angle of view. In that case, a negative determination is made in step S1042, but it is highly likely that the main subject 20 is still located in the vicinity of the imaging range, and the radio channel group set in the radio communication module 106 is lowered to f_0 to reduce the beam width. If the range is expanded to the maximum, it is estimated that transmission / reception processing of a wireless signal with the wireless device 200 is possible. Therefore, the process of determining whether or not there is a beacon reception notification from the wireless device 200 is omitted, and the process returns to step S1001 to perform the above-described empty channel search and new communication channel notification to the wireless device 200.

The camera 100 according to the present embodiment described above has the following operational effects.
(1) When the control device 104 detects that the main subject 20 is located in the vicinity of the imaging range based on the reception notification of the radio signal, the control device 104 switches to raise the radio frequency channel, and the beam width The relative position of the main subject 20 is detected by a radio signal received through an antenna with a small value. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to specify the position of the main subject 20 by trial and error.

(2) Since the relative position of the subject 20 detected by the control device 104 is notified to the user by a message displayed on the screen of the monitor 107, the user adjusts the direction in which the camera 100 is held according to the display content. Thus, the main subject 20 can be captured within the range of the angle of view.

(3) The control device 104 determines whether or not the relative position of the main subject 20 is included in the range of the angle of view of the photographing optical system 102. When the determination is affirmative, the control device 104 notifies the user of the relative position of the main subject 20 I tried to do it. Therefore, even if the user himself / herself has not found the main subject 20, the user can photograph the main subject 20 by operating the operation member 101.

(4) When the control device 104 raises the radio frequency channel, the control device 104 notifies the wireless device 200 accompanied by the main subject 20 of a new communication channel by wireless signal transmission. There is no need to change the radio frequency setting.

(5) When the predetermined time has elapsed without receiving a radio signal from the wireless device 200 that has notified the new communication channel, the control device 104 or any one or two of the two antennas In both cases, when the electric field strength of the radio signal received from the radio device 200 or the carrier wave of the radio signal is less than a predetermined value, the radio channel group set in the radio communication module 106 is lowered to f_0. Therefore, when the capture of the main subject 20 fails, the capture process can be automatically retried immediately.

(6) The control device 104 obtains an image captured in time series by the image sensor 103 and outputs it as a video frame to the monitor 107, so that the main subject included in the reference image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 107. An area that matches or resembles a specific pattern that is a part of 20 is detected. On the screen of the monitor 107, an area that matches or resembles the specific pattern is highlighted, and a message “Matched the specific pattern” is also displayed. Therefore, the user can specify the main subject 20 in the video only by visually recognizing the display.

(7) When the control device 104 pulls up the communication channel, the control device 104 sets the scan mode for the wireless communication module 106 in advance to search for an empty channel, so that a wireless signal from a device other than the wireless device 200 is received. The possibility of receiving is low.

---- Modified example ---
The above-described embodiment of the present invention can be modified as follows.
(1) In steps S1012 and S1042 in FIG. 10 described above, the relative position of the main subject 20 is detected using two antennas, but is detected using one rotating antenna. Also good. Alternatively, detection may be performed using one transmission stationary antenna and two reception stationary antennas.

(2) In step S902 and step S906 in FIG. 9 described above, the ID for specifying the wireless device 200 accompanied by the main subject 20 is used, but other data may be used. For example, if a wireless signal transmitted and received between the wireless communication modules 106 and 206 is a wireless LAN standard (IEEE standard 802.11 or 802.16), a MAC (Media Access Control) address may be used.

(3) In the above description of the present embodiment, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the camera 100 has been described. However, the present invention is applied to a video camera or an electronic device with a camera function in addition to a still camera. May be.

  The above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined.

  As long as the characteristic functions of the present invention are not impaired, the present invention is not limited to the device configuration in the above-described embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Main subject 100 Camera 101 Operation member 102 Image pick-up optical system 103 Image pick-up element 104 Control apparatus 105 Memory 106 Wireless communication module 107 Monitor 200 Wireless apparatus 204 Control apparatus 205 Memory 206 Wireless communication module

Claims (7)

Photographing means for photographing the subject;
Wireless communication means for transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a wireless device included in a main subject via an antenna device;
Radio frequency switching means for switching a radio frequency of a carrier wave of the radio signal;
Analyzing means for analyzing a received wireless signal received by the wireless communication means from the wireless device via the antenna device;
The antenna device has a characteristic that directivity increases when the radio frequency is raised, and when the analysis unit detects that the main subject is located in the vicinity based on the received radio signal, The radio frequency switching means switches so as to raise the radio frequency, and the analysis means detects the relative position of the main subject with respect to the imaging means by the received radio signal through the antenna device with increased directivity ,
The radio frequency switching means, when switching the radio frequency to another radio frequency, transmits a transmission radio signal for notifying the radio device of the other radio frequency . An imaging device that includes an imaging device and an imaging optical system that forms a subject image on the imaging device;
Specifying means for specifying an angle of view of the photographing optical system;
Wireless communication means for transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a wireless device included in a main subject via an antenna device;
Radio frequency switching means for switching a radio frequency of a carrier wave of the radio signal;
Analysis means for analyzing a reception wireless signal received by the wireless communication means from the wireless device via the antenna device, and detecting a relative position of the main subject with respect to the photographing means by the reception wireless signal;
Determination means for determining whether the relative position of the main subject is included in the range of the angle of view of the photographing optical system;
A notification means for notifying a user of the relative position of the main subject when the determination means makes a positive determination;
Storage means for storing in advance a table associating the angle of view with the radio frequency;
The antenna device has a characteristic that directivity increases when the radio frequency is raised, and when the analysis unit detects that the main subject is located in the vicinity based on the received radio signal, The radio frequency switching means switches so as to raise the radio frequency, and the analysis means detects the relative position of the main subject with respect to the imaging means by the received radio signal through the antenna device with increased directivity,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radio frequency switching means acquires the radio frequency corresponding to the angle of view based on the table. Photographing means for photographing the subject;
Wireless communication means for transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a wireless device included in a main subject via an antenna device;
Radio frequency switching means for switching a radio frequency of a carrier wave of the radio signal;
Analyzing means for analyzing a received wireless signal received by the wireless communication means from the wireless device via the antenna device;
The antenna device has a characteristic that directivity increases when the radio frequency is raised, and when the analysis unit detects that the main subject is located in the vicinity based on the received radio signal, The radio frequency switching means switches so as to raise the radio frequency, and the analysis means detects the relative position of the main subject with respect to the imaging means by the received radio signal through the antenna device with increased directivity,
The radio frequency switching means has not received the received radio signal within a predetermined time after determining that the electric field strength of the received radio signal is less than a predetermined value or switching the radio frequency to be raised. And switching so as to lower the radio frequency. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An imaging apparatus, further comprising notification means for notifying a user of the relative position of the subject detected by the analysis means. In the imaging device according to claim 1 or 3,
The photographing means includes an imaging element and a photographing optical system that forms a subject image on the imaging element,
Determination means for determining whether the relative position of the main subject is included in the range of the angle of view of the photographing optical system;
An image pickup apparatus, further comprising: an informing unit that informs a user of a relative position of the main subject when the determination unit makes an affirmative determination. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The antenna device includes a first antenna and a second antenna,
The analyzing means detects a relative position of the subject based on output data when the wireless communication means receives the received wireless signal via the first antenna and the second antenna. An imaging device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5,
Storage means for storing in advance a reference image including a characteristic part of the main subject;
A specifying unit that specifies the characteristic portion included in the reference image from a range of an output image from the imaging element;
The notifying unit displays the output image and a display indicating that the characteristic part has been specified by the specifying unit when notifying a user of the relative position of the main subject by display. Imaging device.

Images