JP4652243B2 - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof.

Some image pickup apparatuses such as a digital camera and a camera-equipped mobile phone have various shooting settings as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867. The shooting settings include, for example, “scenes” such as sports scenes suitable for fast-moving subjects, macro scenes that are close to the subject, and landscape scenes that are suitable for capturing landscapes, program auto mode and aperture There are “shooting modes” such as an exposure mode such as a priority auto mode and a shutter speed priority mode.
The imaging apparatus acquires a captured image corresponding to the shooting setting by setting values of various parameters related to shooting according to the shooting setting selected by the user.

Such an imaging apparatus is provided with various operation keys for accepting an operation by the user, and switching of the shooting setting is performed by the user operating one of the operation keys. As an operation key for switching the shooting setting, a dedicated key for selecting each shooting setting is not provided for each shooting setting, but the shooting setting is sequentially switched by continuously pressing a certain operation key. There is something.
JP 2004-120225 A

  In a conventional imaging apparatus, when a shooting setting switching operation is performed by continuously pressing a certain operation key as described above, the shooting setting is switched each time the operation key is pressed. When the shooting settings are switched, the values of various parameters are changed according to the shooting settings.Therefore, it is necessary to change the control state of each part of the imaging device. It may take about 1 to 2 seconds to complete the change of the control state. During this time, generally, even if an operation key for switching the shooting setting is pressed, the operation is not processed effectively, and the user's operation for continuously switching the shooting setting is not reflected. In addition, even if the operation key is pressed while the control state of each part is changed, the change of the control state of each part accompanying the further pressing of the operation key is started after the change of the control state of each part is completed. Therefore, it takes time to complete the switching to the shooting setting selected by the user, and the user feels uncomfortable. In addition, in an imaging apparatus having a display unit for confirming an object to be photographed, the screen of the display unit is temporarily turned off for reasons such as changing the color tone of an image displayed on the display unit depending on the change contents of parameter values. Sometimes. In such cases, the user who continues to switch the shooting setting will be greatly discomforted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to alleviate a sense of incongruity in a shooting setting switching operation by an operation unit and to improve the operational feeling.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, as a first means related to the imaging apparatus, a photographing setting switching operation for switching photographing settings is received by an operating means, and a setting changing means is switched by the photographing setting switching operation. In the imaging apparatus that performs a setting change process for changing settings related to operation control for shooting an object according to the shooting setting, the setting changing unit is configured to make the shooting setting switching operation impossible to be interrupted after the process starts. In the case of the switching operation to the shooting setting accompanied by the setting change processing, the time from when the shooting setting switching operation is received until the setting change processing is started is not interrupted after the shooting setting switching operation is started. A longer one is adopted as compared with the switching operation to the shooting setting without the setting change processing that is made possible.

  Further, as a second means related to the imaging apparatus, in the first means, the setting change means is configured to change to the shooting setting accompanied by the setting change process in which the shooting setting switching operation cannot be interrupted after the process is started. In this case, the setting change process is started when the shooting setting switching operation is not newly performed until a predetermined time elapses after the shooting setting switching operation is performed.

  As the third means related to the imaging apparatus, in the second means, the setting changing means invalidates acceptance of the photographing setting switching operation by the operating means after the predetermined time has elapsed. .

  As a fourth means related to the imaging apparatus, in the third means, the setting change means performs the shooting setting switching operation by the operation means upon completion of the setting change processing started after the lapse of the predetermined time. The one that makes the reception valid is adopted.

  As a fifth means related to the imaging apparatus, in any one of the second to fourth means, the setting change means performs a plurality of the setting change processes in accordance with the switching of the shooting setting by the shooting setting switching operation. If at least one of the plurality of setting change processes cannot be interrupted after the process starts, the setting change process that cannot be interrupted at least after the process has started What started later was adopted.

  As a sixth means related to the imaging apparatus, in the fifth means, the setting change means performs the setting change process that can be interrupted after the start of processing when there is the setting change process that can be interrupted after the process starts. What started regardless of progress of the said predetermined time was employ | adopted.

  As a seventh means related to the imaging apparatus, in any one of the first to sixth means, the setting switching process performed in accordance with the switching of the shooting setting by the shooting setting switching operation can be interrupted after the process starts. And determining means for determining whether or not the process can be interrupted, and the setting changing means controls the start of the setting changing process in accordance with the determination result of the determining means.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, as a first means related to the imaging apparatus control method, an operation control for accepting a photographing setting switching operation for switching photographing settings and photographing a subject according to the photographing setting switched by the photographing setting switching operation is performed. In the imaging apparatus control method for performing the setting change process for changing the setting related to the above, when the shooting setting switching operation is a switching operation to the shooting setting accompanied by the setting change process that cannot be interrupted after the process starts, Switching operation to the shooting setting without the setting change process in which the shooting setting switching operation cannot be interrupted after the process is started after the shooting setting switching operation is received. The method of lengthening compared with the case where it is is adopted.

  According to the present invention, when switching to a shooting setting accompanied by a setting change process that cannot be interrupted after the start of processing, the timing at which the setting change process is started is a setting change process that cannot be interrupted after the process starts. Since it is slower than switching to shooting settings without accompanying, when shooting settings are switched according to shooting setting switching operation by operating means, when setting change processing that can not be interrupted after starting processing, Due to the delay in the start of the setting change process, when a further shooting setting switching operation is performed thereafter, the setting changing process corresponding to the shooting setting switched by the further shooting setting switching operation is performed. This can be dealt with suitably, and the uncomfortable feeling in the switching operation of the shooting setting by the user can be alleviated.

Hereinafter, a mobile phone which is an embodiment of an imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a mobile phone A in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of the mobile phone A.
The cellular phone A includes an operation unit 1, a display unit 2, a display control unit 3, a camera unit 4, a telephone function unit 5, a storage unit 6, a main control unit 7, and a power supply unit 8.

The operation unit 1 includes a numeric keypad 1 a, a general-purpose key 1 b, a composite key 1 c, etc., and receives various operations from the user with these keys and outputs them to the main control unit 7.
The general-purpose keys 1b are provided at the left and right ends of the upper portion of the operation unit 1. When soft keys are displayed at the lower ends of the display unit 2, the general-purpose keys 1b correspond to these soft keys. The composite key 1c includes keys pointing up, down, left, and right and keys arranged in the center thereof. When a soft key is displayed at the lower center of the display unit 2, the soft key corresponds to the soft key.

The display unit 2 is provided in the casing of the mobile phone A and includes a liquid crystal panel (LCD) having a display surface. The display unit 2 is provided to the user based on an image signal input from the display control unit 3. On the other hand, various images are displayed on the display surface.
The display control unit 3 generates a control signal for an image to be displayed on the display unit 2 and outputs the control signal to the display unit 2 under the control of the main control unit 7.

The camera unit 4 is composed of, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD, an optical system such as a lens, and an image processing processor, and performs processing of image data obtained by shooting under the control of the main control unit 7. Note that the optical system such as the imaging element and the lens is disposed on the back side of the housing in which the display unit 2 is provided.
The main control unit 7 controls the camera unit 4. Various parameters define exposure, shutter speed, and the like. The values of various parameters are set for each of various shooting settings such as shooting modes and shooting scenes stored in the storage unit 6 described later.

  The telephone function unit 5 includes a microphone, a speaker, and a wireless communication unit. Under the control of the main control unit 7, the telephone function unit 5 communicates with the base station regarding calls, mail transmission / reception, and the like.

  The storage unit 6 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 6 executes various programs such as a call application, a mail application, and a camera application executed by the main control unit 7, transmission / reception mail, and ringtone data. , Phone book data, image data, etc. are stored.

The storage unit 6 also stores images (icons) indicating various shooting settings such as the image and position of the soft keys displayed on the display unit 2 according to various operation situations, and the above-described shooting modes and shooting scenes. .
Furthermore, the storage unit 6 stores various shooting settings and various parameter settings suitable for these shooting settings. FIG. 3 is a table showing the setting contents of various parameters in each shooting scene. As shown in this figure, various shooting scenes include general-purpose standard scenes, night scenes suitable for night scene shooting, text scenes suitable for character shooting, sunset scenes suitable for shooting at dusk, etc. There are exposure, white balance, autofocus, contrast, special effects, long exposure, contour enhancement, etc.
In addition, the storage unit 6 stores a shooting mode as shooting settings other than the shooting scene, and stores various parameter settings suitable for the shooting mode. Various shooting modes include exposure modes such as program auto mode, aperture priority auto mode, and shutter speed priority mode, and shooting operation modes such as continuous shooting mode, telephoto mode, and movie mode. There are shutter speed, image area, enlargement ratio, and the like.
And about the various parameters, the memory | storage part 6 has also memorize | stored whether the process corresponding to the change of a parameter can be interrupted after a process start, or cannot be interrupted after a process start.

The main control unit 7 includes a CPU such as a microprocessor, for example, and controls the operation of the entire mobile phone A based on a predetermined control program.
The power supply unit 8 supplies power to each of the above units.

  FIG. 4 is a screen transition diagram showing switching of the screen of the display unit 2 in response to a user operation during activation of the camera application. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the mobile phone A of the present embodiment, and more specifically, a flowchart showing a shooting scene switching operation while the camera application is activated. Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile phone A will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the camera application is activated, the image control unit 3 displays an icon indicating the selected shooting mode in addition to the image to be shot under the control of the main control unit 7 based on the camera application. Is displayed in the upper left part of the screen of the display unit 2, an icon indicating a shooting scene is displayed in the upper right part of the screen of the display unit 2, and a shooting key is displayed in the center of the lower part of the screen and a menu key for displaying a function menu on both sides thereof Then, an end key for ending the camera application is displayed (FIG. 4A). Each icon on the screen shown in FIG. 4A indicates that the shooting mode is set to the auto mode and the shooting scene is set to the standard scene.
Here, the photographing key functions when the center of the composite key 1c is pressed by the user, and the menu key and the end key function when the general-purpose key 1b is pressed by the user.

When the operation unit 1 that has received an operation by the user outputs a signal indicating that the menu key is pressed to the main control unit 7, the image control unit 3 displays the display unit 2 under the control of the main control unit 1. Then, a function menu window is displayed (FIG. 4B).
At this time, the soft key that was the menu key on the previous screen is the return key to return to the previous screen, and the soft key that was the shooting key on the previous screen is a selection for selecting and determining the function menu.・ It is a decision key. Selection of the function menu functions when the user presses the portion pointing up and down of the composite key 1c, and the determination functions when the center of the composite key 1c is pressed by the user. No function is assigned on this screen to the general-purpose key 1b to which the end key has been assigned on the previous screen.

  The function menu window is used to make settings related to the operation control of the camera unit 4, and the setting items include a shooting mode, a shooting scene, a frame, a self-timer, and a special effect.

When the operation unit 1 that receives an operation by the user outputs a signal indicating that a shooting scene has been selected from the function menu to the main control unit 7, the image control unit 3 under the control of the main control unit 1 A shooting scene selection window is displayed on the display unit 2 (FIG. 4C).
At this time, the soft key at the bottom center of the screen is a selection key for selecting a shooting scene. When the operation unit 1 outputs to the main control unit 7 that the user has pressed the part pointing up and down of the composite key 1c, the main control unit 7 starts the shooting scene switching process shown in FIG.

When the operation section 1 accepts a shooting scene selection operation (step S1), the main control section 7 first causes the display control section 3 to change the icon indicating the selected shooting scene displayed on the display section 2. An instruction is given (step S2).
Next, the main control unit 7 determines whether all the parameters that need to be changed can be interrupted after the processing is started (step S3). Here, for example, when the shooting scene selection operation received by the operation unit 1 is to switch from the standard scene to the night scene, the parameters to be changed are exposure, white balance, and long exposure. Since these parameters can be interrupted after the process is started (Yes in step S3), the main control unit 7 changes the operation control state of the camera unit 4 based on the setting contents of various parameters to be changed ( (Setting change processing) is performed (step S4), and then the display control unit 3 is instructed to display an image corresponding to the switched shooting scene (here, a night scene) on the display surface of the display unit 2. Thus, the change is reflected in the display state of the image to be photographed on the display unit 2 (step S5) (FIG. 4D).

  If the shooting scene selection operation accepted by the operation unit 1 is to switch from a text scene to a sunset scene, the parameters to be changed include autofocus and special effects that cannot be interrupted after the start of processing. The main control unit 7 determines No in step S3 and advances the process to step S6. When the main controller 7 presses the upper and lower parts of the composite key 1c to switch to the shooting scene accepted in step S1 (here, when an operation for selecting a sunset scene as the shooting scene is performed). The elapsed time from (1) is checked (step S6), and when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time (1 second) (Yes in step S7), the photographing scene switching operation is invalidated (step S8). The invalidation of the shooting scene switching operation means that the user does not accept the operation section 1 even if the user performs an operation of switching the shooting scene. Then, the main control unit 7 performs processing (setting change processing) for changing the operation control state of the camera unit 4 based on the setting contents of various parameters to be changed (step S9), and subsequently the display control unit 3 In addition, by instructing the display unit 2 to display an image corresponding to the switched shooting scene (here, the sunset scene), the change is reflected in the display state of the image to be captured on the display unit 2. (Step S10). Then, the main control unit 7 returns to step 1 and validates the switching operation to the next shooting scene.

  In step S7, when one second has not elapsed since the time point where the up and down parts of the composite key 1c are pressed in order to switch to the shooting scene accepted in step S1 (No in step S7), the main control is performed. The unit 7 can accept switching to the next shooting scene (step S11), and when a plurality of parameter changing processes are performed by switching to the shooting scene received in S1, of the plurality of changing processes, A change process for parameters that can be interrupted after the start of the process is performed to reflect the change in the display state of the display unit 2 (step S12), and the process returns to step S1 to enable the process of switching to the next shooting scene.

  In the mobile phone A, as described above, when a change process of a parameter that cannot be interrupted after the start of the process is required due to a change in the shooting scene, the change process is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the switching operation of the shooting scene. Since there is a low probability that the user's operation will be hindered by the setting change process according to the shooting scene even if the user goes through a shooting scene that is not intended during the user's operation, the operation key is continuously pressed. This makes it possible to alleviate the sense of incongruity in the shooting scene switching operation, and to improve the feeling of operation.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 6, the cellular phone A allows the user to change each parameter of each shooting scene prepared in advance to a certain extent, and further changes the parameter. Can be registered as “favorite”. Registration of “favorite” will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

  First, in a state where a night scene is selected as a shooting scene and a frame is added, when the user selects a shooting scene from the function menu (FIG. 7A), the main control unit 7 displays the display control unit 3. When the user selects “YES” on the display unit 2 to display a window asking whether or not to register the current setting state as a photographing scene as a preference (FIG. 7B). Registers the current setting state as a shooting scene as a preference, and causes the display unit 2 to display a window to that effect (FIG. 7C). If the user selects “NO”, registration to preference is not performed, and a shooting scene selection window for accepting selection of an existing shooting scene is displayed (FIG. 7D).

  In addition, after the state where the frame is added to the night scene is registered as preference 2, the display state of the display unit 2 is the same as the registered content of preference 2, that is, the frame is added to the night scene. If a shooting scene is selected in the function menu (FIG. 8A), this state has already been registered as a preference, so a window asking whether to register as a preference is displayed. First, a shooting scene selection window is displayed (FIG. 8D).

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the process of changing various parameters (setting change process) according to the shooting scene switching operation has been described. However, other shooting setting switching operations such as shooting modes other than the shooting scene (shooting) The setting change process according to the setting switching operation) may be controlled similarly.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether the change process performed in response to the switching operation of the shooting scene (shooting setting) can be interrupted after the process is started or can be interrupted after the process is started. When it is determined that the process cannot be interrupted after the process starts, the configuration change processing is delayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The setting change process start timing determined based on whether or not a setting change process that cannot be interrupted after the start of the process in accordance with the switching of the shooting scene in the switching pattern is set and stored in advance. When a shooting scene switching operation is performed, the shooting scene switching pattern may be determined, and the start timing of the setting change process may be controlled according to the determination result. . This switching pattern is a pattern for switching shooting scenes such as “standard → night view”, “standard → sunset”, and “sunset → night view”.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the mobile telephone in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical schematic structure of the mobile telephone in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the setting content of various parameters in each imaging | photography scene of the mobile telephone in one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a screen transition diagram illustrating screen switching according to a user operation during activation of a camera application of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging | photography scene switching process of the mobile telephone in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the change allowable range of various parameters in each imaging | photography scene of the mobile telephone in one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a screen transition diagram illustrating screen switching according to a user operation during activation of a camera application of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a screen transition diagram illustrating screen switching according to a user operation during activation of a camera application of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS A ... Cell-phone, 1 ... Operation part, 2 ... Display part, 3 ... Display control part, 4 ... Camera part, 5 ... Telephone function part, 6 ... Memory | storage part, 7 ... Main control part, 8 ... Power supply part 1a ... Numeric keypad 1b: General purpose key 1c: Composite key

Claims (8)

A setting change process for accepting a shooting setting switching operation for switching shooting settings by the operating means, and for changing a setting related to operation control for shooting the subject in accordance with the shooting settings switched by the shooting setting switching operation by the setting changing means. In an imaging device that performs
The setting changing means receives the shooting setting switching operation after the shooting setting switching operation is a switching operation to the shooting setting accompanied by the setting changing process which is impossible to interrupt after starting the process. The time until the setting change process is started is made longer than that when the shooting setting switching operation is a switching operation to the shooting setting without the setting changing process, which cannot be interrupted after the process starts. An imaging device that is characterized.   The setting change unit is a switch operation to the shooting setting accompanied by the setting change process in which the shooting setting switching operation is not interrupted after the process starts, and is predetermined after the shooting setting switching operation is performed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting change process is started when the shooting setting switching operation is not newly performed until time elapses.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting change unit invalidates reception of the shooting setting switching operation by the operation unit after the predetermined time has elapsed.   4. The imaging according to claim 3, wherein the setting change unit returns the acceptance of the shooting setting switching operation by the operation unit to be valid upon completion of the setting change process started after the elapse of the predetermined time. apparatus.   The setting change means is a case where a plurality of the setting change processes are performed in accordance with the switching of the shooting settings by the shooting setting switching operation, and at least one of the setting change processes of the plurality of the setting change processes is started. The imaging according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the post-interruption is impossible, at least the setting change processing that cannot be interrupted after the start of the processing is started after the predetermined time has elapsed. apparatus.   The said setting change means starts the said setting change process which can be interrupted after a process start regardless of progress of the said predetermined time, when there exists the said setting change process which can be interrupted after a process start. 5. The imaging device according to 5.   A determination unit that determines whether the setting switching process performed in accordance with the switching of the shooting setting by the shooting setting switching operation can be interrupted after the process starts or cannot be interrupted after the process starts; The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit controls the start of the setting change process according to a determination result of the determination unit. In an imaging apparatus control method for accepting a shooting setting switching operation for switching a shooting setting and performing a setting change process for changing a setting related to operation control for shooting a subject according to the shooting setting switched by the shooting setting switching operation.
When the shooting setting switching operation is a switching operation to the shooting setting accompanied by the setting change process that cannot be interrupted after the process starts, until the setting change process is started after the shooting setting switching operation is accepted The imaging apparatus control method is characterized in that the time for the imaging setting is made longer than that for the switching operation to the shooting setting without the setting change process in which the shooting setting switching operation cannot be interrupted after the process starts. .

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