WO2007116977A1

WO2007116977A1 - Camera

Info

Publication number: WO2007116977A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/057787
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hitoshi Aoki
Original assignee: Nikon Corporation
Priority date: 2006-04-06
Filing date: 2007-04-06
Publication date: 2007-10-18
Also published as: JP2009158989A

Abstract

A camera is provided with a display having a touch panel arranged thereon; a detector for detecting positions of the fingers of a user on the touch panel when the user grasps the camera, based on output from the touch panel; a display layout determining section for determining display layout of display elements to be displayed on the display, based on the detection results from the detector; a display control section for displaying the display element on the display, in accordance with the display layout determined by the display layout determining section; and a registering section for registering information relating to at least the display layout determined by the display layout determining section or the positions of the fingers detected by the detector, as registered information.

Description

Specification

The camera

Technical field

The present invention relates to a camera for taking a subject image and obtaining an image.

Background art

[0002] A device operating device having the following screen display unit is known from Patent Document 1! In this device, a pressed position on a touch panel provided on the screen is detected, and operation buttons are arranged around the detected position.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11 164175

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, in the conventional apparatus, when the position where the touch panel is pressed is changed, the position of the operation button is updated to a position corresponding to the position after the change and used in the past. It was difficult to reproduce the button layout.

Means for solving the problem

[0005] The camera according to the present invention detects the position of the user's finger on the touch panel when the user grips the camera based on the display on which the touch panel is arranged and the output from the touch panel! Based on the detector, the display layout determination unit for determining the display layout of the display element to be displayed on the display unit based on the detection result by the detector, and the display element on the display unit according to the display layout determined by the display layout determination unit A display control unit for displaying, and a registration unit for registering, as registration information, information relating to at least one of the display layout determined by the display layout determining unit and the position of the finger detected by the detector. The display element of this camera includes an operation area indicating the operation position of the touch panel. In addition, the registration unit preferably registers multiple registration information.

In the camera according to the present invention including an imaging device that captures a subject image input through a lens, the display element includes a subject image display area for displaying the subject image captured by the imaging device. In the camera according to the present invention, further comprising: an image acquisition unit that captures a subject image input through the lens to generate image data; and a recording control unit that records the image data in the storage medium. It includes a playback display area for playing back and displaying images of image data recorded in the.

The camera as described above preferably further includes a warning unit that warns when the position of the user's finger detected by the detector is outside a predetermined range on the touch panel.

The camera according to the present invention may further include a determination unit that determines a determination result by the display layout determination unit based on an operation by a user. The registration unit of the camera registers information regarding at least one of the display layout determined by the determination unit and the finger position detected by the detector as registration information. The confirming unit can confirm based on the operation of the release button by the user.

The camera according to the present invention may further include a correction unit that corrects the display layout determined by the display layout determination unit based on an operation by a user.

The camera according to the present invention may further include a timing instruction unit that instructs determination timing by the display layout determination unit. The display layout determination unit of this camera displays a predetermined display layout when it is determined that there is no detection information of the position of the user's finger by the detector when the timing instruction unit force determination timing is instructed. It is preferable to determine the display layout of the element.

In the camera according to the present invention, the detector detects the position of the finger on the touch panel when the user holds the camera so that the camera is in the first position as the first detection position. The position of the finger on the touch panel when the user holds the camera so that the posture becomes the second posture is detected as the second detection position. In this camera, the display layout determination unit determines the first display layout based on the first detection position detected by the detector, and determines the second display based on the second detection position detected by the detector. The display layout can be determined. The registration unit of the camera preferably registers the registration information corresponding to the first display layout determined by the display layout determination unit and the registration information corresponding to the second display layout in association with each other. The camera according to the present invention may further include a reading unit that reads registration information registered by the registration unit. The display control unit of this camera can display the display elements on the display unit based on the registration information read by the reading unit. In this camera, when a plurality of pieces of registration information are registered in the registration unit, the reading unit can select and read one of the plurality of registration information. In addition, this camera can further include a posture detector that detects the posture of the camera. When the registration information includes the first registration information and the second registration information corresponding to the posture of the camera, the reading unit determines whether the first registration information or the second registration is based on the detection result by the posture detector. Read information.

An imaging device that captures a subject image input through a lens and generates image data, a recording control unit that records the image data in a storage medium, and a shooting mode that displays the subject image captured by the imaging device in a subject image display area And a mode switching unit that switches between a playback mode in which an image of the image data recorded in the storage medium is played back and displayed in the playback display area. In the camera according to the present invention, the mode switching unit operates the touch panel in the playback mode. You can switch to shooting mode based on.

A camera according to another aspect of the present invention determines a display layout of a display element including a display device having a touch panel and an operation area indicating an operation position of the touch panel displayed on the display device in a shooting mode of the camera. The display layout determining unit, the shooting mode !, and the display control unit for displaying display elements on the display according to the display layout determined by the display layout determining unit, and the registration information on the display layout determined by the display layout determining unit A registration unit for registering a plurality of.

The camera according to another aspect of the present invention may further include a reading unit that selects and reads one of a plurality of registration information registered by the registration unit. The display control unit of the camera preferably displays the display element on the display based on the registration information read by the reading unit.

A camera according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a display device including a touch panel, a display layout determining unit that determines a display layout of a display element including an operation area indicating an operation position of the touch panel displayed on the display device, and a display layout. A registration unit for registering registration information related to the display layout determined by the determination unit in association with the camera posture, and a camera posture. Display element according to the display layout based on the registration information read out by the orientation detector, the readout unit that reads out registration information according to the orientation of the camera detected by the orientation detector from the registration information, and the readout unit A display control unit for displaying on the display.

The invention's effect

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily reproduce a layout used in the past based on registration information.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0007] Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of a camera (digital camera), (a) is a rear perspective view, and (b) is a front perspective view.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the camera 10. FIG.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a method of detecting the pressed position by the touch panel, (a) is an enlarged view of the motor, (b) is a diagram in which the touch panel is visualized, and (c) is a diagram. It is a figure which shows the specific example when a touch panel is pressed with the finger | toe.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example when the user holds the camera sideways in order to operate the release button.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a finger position on the monitor and an example of arrangement of display elements when the camera is in the horizontal position.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example when the user holds the camera vertically in order to operate the release button.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen display example when the user is instructed of the thumb position when the camera is in the horizontal position.

FIG. 8 is a diagram specifically illustrating a method for detecting a thumb range.

[Fig. 9] A diagram showing a specific example of the display layout determined when the camera posture is in the horizontal position. (A) shows the case where the user's finger is placed on the upper side. (B) Indicates the case where the user's finger is placed on the lower side.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display when the user is instructed of the thumb position when the camera is in the vertical position.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of a display layout determined when the camera posture is a vertical position. is there.

[FIG. 12] A diagram showing a specific example of a method for reading registration information. (A) shows a case where a number corresponding to a registration number is printed on the camera body, and (b) shows a list of registration numbers. Indicates the case.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing registration information registration processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing display layout determination processing.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing registration information reading processing and display element display control processing.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a specific example when display elements corresponding to operation buttons are arranged in an arc shape.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the case where display element disposition impossible range 8d is used as a mode switching switch, (a) shows a case where each display element does not overlap, and (b) corresponds to a display area. A case where a display element corresponding to an operation button overlaps the display element is shown.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of a camera (digital camera) in the present embodiment. Fig. 1 (a) shows the camera 10 with the back LCD (back) viewed from the diagonal top (top), and Fig. 1 (b) shows the camera 10 with the lens (front) diagonal. The figure seen from is shown.

The camera 10 includes a release button 11 and a power button 12 on the top surface. In addition, a motor 13 and a non-slip 14 are provided on the back, and a lens 16 and a strobe light emitting unit 17 are provided on the front.

[0010] The release button 11 is a button to be pressed when the user instructs to take an image. In the present invention, when the display layout of the display elements in the monitor 13 is determined as described later, the release button 11 is used. Also used. The power button 12 is a button for turning the camera 10 on and off.

The monitor 13 is a horizontally long liquid crystal monitor with an aspect ratio of 16: 9, for example, and is mounted over almost the entire back surface of the camera 10 as shown in FIG. 1 (a). At this time, the monitor 13 considers the gripping position of the camera 10 by the user from the space 10b on the left side of the monitor 13. Is also attached to the camera 10 so that the space 10a on the right side is wider. The monitor 13 is provided with a touch panel, and the user can input an operation signal for operating the camera 10 by pressing the surface of the monitor 13 with a finger.

[0012] The anti-slip 14 is provided at a position corresponding to the base of the thumb when the user grips the camera 10 to operate the release button 11, and when the user grips the camera 10, The hand is not slipping. Specifically, the anti-slip 14 is positioned so that the base of the thumb hits when the user grips the camera sideways, that is, when the user holds the camera 10 with the arrow A pointing up. Is provided.

[0013] The lens 16 is provided on the side opposite to the grip position when the user grips the camera 10 to operate the release button 11, so that the user's hand does not overlap the lens 16 during shooting. ing. In addition, the aperture of the lens 16 is provided with a Noria blade. The lens 16 is designed to be protected from fingerprints and scratches by covering the aperture with a barrier blade except during shooting. The strobe light emitting unit 17 is arranged so as to irradiate the strobe light with the upper force of the lens 16 when the user holds the camera in either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the camera 10 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the description of the components described in FIG. 1 is omitted. The camera 10 includes a release button 11, a power button 12, a monitor 13, a lens 16, an image sensor 16 a, a strobe light emitting unit 17, a control device 18, a memory 19, a memory card slot 20, and a posture sensor 21.

The image sensor 16 a is, for example, a CCD, images a subject image input through the lens 16, and outputs an image signal to the control device 18. The image signal output from the image sensor 16a is temporarily recorded in the memory 19, and then subjected to various image processing by the control device 18 to generate image data. The generated image data is recorded and stored in the memory card inserted into the memory card slot 20.

[0016] The touch panel 13a detects a pressing position of the touch panel 13a by the user, and outputs an input signal corresponding to the pressing position to the control device 18. The detection of the pressed position by the touch panel 13a will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Figure 3 (a) shows an enlarged view of the monitor 13. FIG. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), since the touch panel 13a installed on the monitor 13 is transparent, the display on the monitor 13 is not obstructed by the installation of the touch panel 13a.

FIG. 3 (b) shows an example in which the touch panel 13 a installed on the monitor 13 is visualized in a pseudo manner for explanation. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the touch panel 13a has a fine input area partitioned in a grid pattern on the display range, and when the user presses the touch panel 13a with the touch pen. The input area at the pressed position is turned on. The touch panel 13a outputs information for specifying the position of the input area on the touch panel 13a, for example, a coordinate value, to the control device 18 as an operation signal of the touch panel 13a. In the present embodiment, the input area of the touch panel 13a may be a force S for explaining an example in which the input area is partitioned in a grid pattern, and the arrangement of the input area may be another arrangement such as a staggered arrangement.

FIG. 3 (c) is a diagram showing a specific example when the touch panel 13a is pressed by the user's finger. The position of the finger in FIG. 3 (c) indicates the position of the master finger on the touch panel 13a when the user holds the camera 10 sideways to operate the release button 11 as shown in FIG. . As described above, when the monitor 13 is mounted over almost the entire rear surface as in the camera 10 in the present embodiment, the user grasps the camera 10 to operate the release button 11 and moves the thumb 3a. On monitor 13.

For this reason, the user simply presses the touch panel 13a with the thumb 3a holding the back surface only by holding the camera 10 in order to operate the release button 11. When the touch panel 13a is pressed by the user, the input area existing at the pressed position is turned on as described above. In FIG. 3 (c), when the user presses the touch panel 13a with the master finger 3a holding the camera 10, the input area existing in the range 3b on the touch panel 13a is turned on! Show me an example!

The attitude sensor 21 is a sensor for detecting the orientation of the camera 10 with respect to the direction of gravity, and a detection signal is output to the control device 18. The control device 18 includes a CPU and other peripheral circuits, and functionally includes a finger position detection unit 18a, a layout determination unit 18b, a registration unit 18c, a reading unit 18d, and a display control unit 18e. [0021] The finger position detection unit 18a identifies the pressing range 3b on the touch panel 13a when the user holds the camera 100 to operate the release button 11 based on the operation signal output from the touch panel 13a. . Based on the specified pressing range 3b, the position of the user's finger on the touch panel 13a is detected. That is, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), when the user presses the touch panel 13a with the fingertip, the pressing range 3b does not represent the entire thumb of the user but represents the vicinity of the center of the user's fingertip. It is a range. Therefore, based on the pressing pressure range 3b, the user's finger position is detected by estimating a range corresponding to the entire finger of the user who is striking the touch panel 13a.

The layout determining unit 18b determines the arrangement positions of various display elements to be displayed on the motor 13, that is, the display layout, according to the finger position detection result by the finger position detecting unit 18a. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the layout determining unit 18b does not overlap the user's finger position on the touch panel 13a with the arrangement positions of the display elements indicated by reference numerals 5a to 5j. Determine the display layout.

[0023] Note that the display elements include display elements 5a to 5i corresponding to operation buttons as areas indicating the operation position of the touch panel and display elements ¾ corresponding to display areas for displaying images. Display elements ¾ include a subject image display area for displaying a subject image captured by the CCD 16a and a playback for displaying and displaying image data recorded on a memory card in the memory card slot 20. There is a display area. When the camera 10 mode is the shooting mode, the subject image display area is arranged on the monitor 13 as the display element 5 j. When the camera 10 mode is the playback mode, the monitor 13 On the top, a playback display area is arranged as a display element ¾.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, a display element example corresponding to a display area is displayed at a position where a general digital camera includes a liquid crystal monitor. A zoom function is assigned to each of the display elements 5a and 5b arranged above the user's thumb. For example, the display element 5a corresponds to a zoom wide button and the display element 5b corresponds to a zoom tele button. A display element 5g, a display element 5h, and a display element 5i are arranged below the user's finger. The display element 5g is a display element corresponding to a menu button for displaying a menu screen on the display element ¾. Display element 5h also plays back camera 10 shooting mode power It is a display element corresponding to a playback button for switching to the mode and playing back and displaying an image recorded in the memory 19 in the display area (playback display area) 5j. The display element 5i is a display element corresponding to a delete button for instructing deletion of an image displayed in the display element example.

[0025] Furthermore, display elements 5c to 5f are arranged in a cross key shape below the display element 5j, and functions for operating the camera 10 are assigned to the display elements 5c to 5f, respectively. Display element 5c is a display element corresponding to the left button. Display element 5d is a display element corresponding to the up button. The display element 5e is a display element corresponding to the down button. Display element 5f is a display element corresponding to the right button. The user can operate the camera 10 via the touch panel 13a by pressing these operation buttons 5a to 5i displayed on the monitor 13. Note that the arrangement positions of the display areas and the functions assigned to the display areas are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0026] Here, when the user grips the camera 10 to operate the release button 11, the camera can be operated only by holding the camera 10 sideways and operating the release button 11 as shown in FIG. It is also conceivable to operate release button 11 with 10 held vertically. Therefore, as the pressing range 3b when the user holds the camera 10 to operate the release button 11, the pressing range 3b other than the pressing range 3b when the posture of the camera 10 described above in FIG. In some cases, the pressing range 3b when the posture of the camera 10 is in the vertical position as shown in FIG. Then, the layout determining unit 18b does not make the arrangement positions of the user's finger 3a and the display elements 5a to 5j overlap on the touch panel 13a as shown in FIG. 6 even when the posture of the camera 10 is vertical. Determine the display layout.

[0027] The registration unit 18c prompts the user to hold the camera 10 sideways, and as a result, displays the display elements when the posture of the camera 10 determined by the layout determination unit 18b is in the horizontal position. Get the layout (horizontal layout). Next, the user is prompted to hold the camera 10 vertically, and as a result, the display layout of the display element (vertical position) when the posture of the camera 10 determined by the layout determination unit 18b is vertical. Layout). Then, registration information in which the information on the horizontal position layout and the information on the vertical position layout obtained in this way are associated is registered in the memory 19. [0028] The registration unit 18c can register a plurality of registration information. In this embodiment, when there are a plurality of users of the camera 10, an example of registering registration information obtained for each user is described. explain. Hereinafter, registration information registration processing by the finger position detection unit 18a, the layout determination unit 18b, and the registration unit 18c will be described in detail.

First, when the registration instruction of registration information is instructed by the user, the registration unit 18c prompts the user to specify a registration number to be added to registration information to be registered. This registration number is a number for identifying each registered information when a plurality of registered information is registered. For example, the registration unit 18c displays a selectable registration number on the monitor 13, and allows the user to select an arbitrary number from the list. The registration unit 18c may automatically add an arbitrary number such as a serial number without prompting the user to specify the registration number.

[0030] When the registration number is specified by the user, the registration unit 18c displays a message such as "Register registration information in the horizontal position" on the monitor 13 for use. Notify the user that registration of information about the horizontal position layout (registration information of the horizontal position) will start. Thereafter, the user is urged to hold the camera 10 sideways and press the release button 11 halfway.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a message such as “Please hold the camera sideways and press halfway” is displayed on the monitor 13. At this time, the posture of the camera 10 when the user operates the release button 11 is in the horizontal position shown in FIG. 5, and the position of the user's finger on the touch panel is within a predetermined range. Give instructions to fit. Specifically, the registration unit 18c sets a thumb placement area 7a that can be visually recognized within a predetermined range on the monitor 13, and within the thumb placement area 7a, `` Put your thumb here! / A message such as “,” is displayed.

[0032] The user grasps the camera 10 according to the message, and holds the camera 10 so that the posture of the camera 10 is in the horizontal position while the thumb 3a presses the inside of the thumb placement area 7a on the touch panel 13a. It can be gripped. When the finger position detection unit 18a detects that the user half-presses the release button 11 in accordance with the message on the monitor 13, the finger position detection unit 18a detects the user on the touch panel 13a based on the output signal from the touch panel 13a at that time. Parents The pressing range 3b by the finger 3a is specified. As a result, when it is detected that the specified pressing range 3b protrudes from the thumb placement area 7a, the registration unit 18c warns the user to move the position of the thumb 3a into the thumb placement area 7a. To do.

On the other hand, when it is detected that the specified pressing range 3b is within the thumb placement area 7a, the above-described finger position of the user is detected based on the pressing range 3b at that time. First, as shown in FIG. 8, the finger position detection unit 18a detects four points, that is, both ends 30b and 30d of the major axis of the pressing range 3b that are substantially oval and both ends 30a and 30c of the minor axis. A straight line connecting 30b and 30d (a straight line passing through the center of the minor axis) is determined as the center line 31d. Next, the finger position detection unit 18a sets two straight lines 31a and 31b having a predetermined angle Θ with respect to the center line 31d through the both ends 30a and 30c of the short diameter. Furthermore, a circular arc 31c having a radius passing through the major axis 30b on the side corresponding to the fingertip and touching the two straight lines 31a and 31b is set.

[0034] The inside of the range 31 surrounded by the straight lines 31a and 31b and the arc 31c set in this way is the range of the thumb on the touch panel 13a that is estimated as the pressing range 3b corresponding to the fingertip of the user's thumb. It corresponds to (virtual thumb range). Here, as described above, the pressing range 3b is a range that represents the vicinity of the center of the user's fingertip. Therefore, the range of the thumb that is actually exerted on the touch panel 13a is greater than the virtual thumb range 31. Wide range. Therefore, the finger position detection unit 18a sets a range 32 that is offset by a predetermined distance D of several millimeters outside the virtual thumb range 31, and the user's thumb is pressed on the touch panel 13a. The finger position of the user is detected by estimating it as the range (thumb range).

[0035] The layout determining unit 18b is configured so that the thumb range 32 set by the finger position detecting unit 18a and the various display elements 5a to 5j described above do not overlap! / Decide. That is, since the thumb range 32 is a range of the thumb that is applied to the touch panel 13a as described above, when a display element such as an operation button is arranged within this range, the operation button is hidden behind the thumb and is difficult to see. Or the operator presses the operation button under the thumb by mistake.

[0036] Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the layout determining unit 18b determines the display layout of the display element so that the thumb range 32 and each display element do not overlap as follows. To do. First, the layout determining unit 18b sets a horizontal straight line 8a in contact with a point located at the upper end of the thumb range 32, and sets a vertical straight line 8b in contact with a point located at the left end of the thumb range 32. Further, a straight line 8c constituting the thumb range 32 existing below the point located at the left end of the thumb range 32 is extracted. Then, the layout determining unit 18b sets the range surrounded by the set straight lines 8a and 8b and the extracted straight line 8c as the display element disabling range 8d, and displays the display element so as not to be placed within this range. Determine the layout.

[0037] For example, the layout determining unit 18b determines whether or not the display element 5j can be displayed on the monitor 13 with the maximum size that is preliminarily set by considering the display element disposition impossible range 8d. As a result, when it is determined that the display element ¾ cannot be displayed at the maximum size, the display element ¾ is reduced while maintaining the aspect ratio according to the size of the display element disposition impossible range 8d, and the display element ¾ is monitored. 13 is placed at a predetermined position. On the other hand, when it is determined that the display element ¾ can be displayed in the maximum size, the layout determining unit 18b arranges the display element ¾ having the maximum size at a predetermined position on the monitor 13.

[0038] Then, the layout determining unit 18b arranges the other display elements 5a to 5i in an empty space outside the display element disposition impossible range 8d and in which the display element 5j is not arranged. At this time, the layout determining unit 18b adjusts the size and position of each display element so that the display elements do not overlap each other. Thus, the layout determining unit 18b can determine the display layout of the display elements so that the display elements do not overlap outside the display element disposition impossible range 8d.

[0039] Note that the display elements 5a to 5i, that is, the display elements corresponding to the operation buttons, are assigned the function for operating the camera 10 as described above. The appropriate arrangement position is determined with the operability of the camera 10 in mind. Therefore, the layout determination unit 18b adjusts the size and position of the display elements so that all the display elements are arranged outside the display element non-placeable range 8d while maintaining the positional relationship between the display elements. To determine the display layout.

FIG. 9 shows a setting example of the display element disabling range 8d corresponding to the thumb range 32, and a display element arrangement example. Fig. 9 (a) shows a specific example of the display element disposition impossible range 8d set when the user holds the camera 10 with the thumb placed above the thumb placement region 7a. FIG. 9 (b) shows a specific example of the display element non-placement range 8d set when the user holds the camera 10 with the thumb placed below the thumb placement area 7a. . As described above, in the case of FIG. 9 (a) and FIG. 9 (b), the position of the display element non-placeable range 8d also changes depending on the position of the thumb range 32 on the touch panel 13a. I can tell you.

That is, in FIG. 9 (a), as the thumb range 32 is detected upward, the lower space in which the upper space of the display element disabling range 8d is narrow on the monitor 13 is narrowed. The service is getting wider. For this reason, the layout determining unit 18b reduces the size of the display elements 5a and 5b arranged above the display element non-placeable range 8d, and the arrangement positions of the display elements 5a and 5b are close to the outer frame of the monitor 13. The display layout is determined so that it is positioned. In addition, the display elements 5g to 5i arranged below the display element disposition impossible range 8d are larger in size than the display elements 5a and 5b.

On the other hand, in FIG. 9 (b), the space above the display element disabling range 8d is widened on the monitor 13 because the thumb range 32 is detected downward. The side space is narrow. Therefore, the layout determining unit 18b increases the size of the display elements 5a and 5b arranged above the display element arrangement impossible range 8d as compared with the case of FIG. 9 (a) and moves the arrangement position downward. Yes. By arranging the display elements 5a and 5b near the user's thumb in this way, the user can easily operate the operation buttons. In addition, the size of display elements 5g to 5i to be placed below display element disposition range 8d is smaller than display elements 5a and 5b, and the placement position is on the left side compared to the case of Fig. 9 (a). It is shifted to.

[0043] The display control unit 18e arranges and displays the display elements 5a to ¾ on the monitor 13 in accordance with the display layout determined by the layout determination unit 18d. Then, the registration unit 18c displays a message for confirming whether or not to determine the display layout currently displayed to the user. For example, in the present embodiment, the display layout is determined when the release button 11 is fully pressed by the user. The registration unit 18c displays a confirmation message on the monitor 13 such as “Please fully press this display layout! /”.

[0044] When the user changes the display layout that is currently displayed, it is displayed and displayed. By dragging each display element with a fingertip, the position of each display element is finely adjusted. This You can. Also, if the user changes the position of the thumb when holding the camera 10 and wants to change the display layout from scratch, change the position of the thumb on the touch panel 13a and move the camera 10 Grasp and press release button 11 halfway again.

Thereby, the finger position detecting unit 18a and the layout determining unit 18b execute the above-described processing based on the changed thumb position, and the display control unit 18e is newly determined by the layout determining unit 18b. The display elements are arranged on the monitor 13 in accordance with the displayed display layout. On the other hand, when the release button 11 is fully pressed by the user and the display layout is instructed, the layout determining unit 18b determines the display layout displayed on the monitor 13.

[0046] The registration unit 18c stores in the memory 19 information on the display layout determined by the layout determination unit 18b and information on the position of the user's thumb detected by the finger position detection unit 18a as lateral position registration information. To record. As the information about the display layout, for example, information (coordinate values) indicating the display position of each display element on the monitor 13 and the display size of each display element are registered. Further, as the information regarding the position of the user's thumb, information indicating the position (coordinates) and length on the monitor 13 of the straight lines 8a to 8c constituting the thumb range 32 described above is recorded.

[0047] As described above, when registration of the display layout when the posture of the camera 10 is in the horizontal position is completed, the registration unit 18c instructs the user to register, for example, "registration information of the vertical position. A message such as “Masa” is displayed on the monitor 13 to notify the user that registration of information on the vertical layout (vertical registration information) is to be started. Thereafter, the user is urged to hold the force camera 10 vertically and press the release button 11 halfway.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the registration unit 18c causes the display control unit 18e to display a message such as “Please hold the camera vertically and press halfway” on the monitor 13. At this time, as in the case of the horizontal position described above with reference to FIG. 7, the registration unit 18c displays the thumb placement area 7a on the monitor 13 so that the thumb position on the touch panel of the user falls within a predetermined range. And the display control unit 18e displays a message such as “Put your thumb here” in the thumb placement area 7a.

[0049] It should be noted that the thumb placement region 7a when the posture of the camera 10 is the vertical position is The electronic flash unit 17 is set to be positioned above the lens 16 when the posture is held in the vertical direction. As described above, the strobe light emitting unit 17 is arranged so that the strobe light is emitted from the upper side of the lens 16 when the user holds the camera in either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. However, when the user holds the camera 10 in the vertical direction and holds it, the direction in which the camera 10 is held is not clear as in the horizontal direction, so the user mistakenly puts the flash unit 17 under the lens 16. There is a possibility of holding the camera 10 so that it is positioned.

[0050] Therefore, by setting the thumb placement area 7a so that the strobe light emitting unit 17 is positioned above the lens 16, the user can be prevented from gripping the camera 10 in the reverse direction. On the other hand, the holding direction of the camera 10 can be guided so that the strobe light is always irradiated with the upper force of the lens 16.

[0051] When the finger position detection unit 18a detects that the release button 11 is half-pressed, the finger position detection unit 18a determines whether or not the user is pressing the touch panel 13a. Then, when the touch panel 13a is pressed by the user, the pressing range 3b is specified, and it is detected whether or not the specified pressing range 3b is positioned within the thumb placement region 7a. As a result, when it is detected that the specified pressing range 3b protrudes from the thumb placement area 7a, the registration unit 18c warns the user to move the position of the thumb 3a into the thumb placement area 7a. .

[0052] On the other hand, when it is detected that the specified pressing range 3b is included in the thumb placement area 7a, the finger position of the user is detected as in the case of the horizontal position described above. . Then, based on the detected finger position, that is, the thumb range 32, the layout determining unit 18b sets straight lines 8a to 8c as shown in FIG. Then, the display layout is determined so that the display element is arranged outside the set display element disabling range 8d. Thereafter, the display control unit 18e displays each display element on the monitor 13 according to the determined display layout.

On the other hand, when it is detected that the release button 11 is half-pressed and the touch panel 13a is not pressed by the user, the finger position detection unit 18a does not perform the finger position detection process. In this case, the display control unit 18e takes note of the recorded lateral position registration information. Read from the list 19 and display each display element according to the display layout based on the registration information of the horizontal position. At this time, for example, if there are characters written in the display element, such as operation buttons, it is used by rotating the direction of the character 90 degrees from the case of the horizontal position. When a person holds the camera 10 vertically, the characters can be read correctly.

[0054] When the display element is displayed on the monitor 13 by the display control unit 18e, the registration unit 18c determines whether the display layout currently displayed to the user is the same as in the horizontal position. A message for confirming, for example, “Please press the button fully if this display layout is acceptable” is displayed on the monitor 13 by the display control unit 18e. Here, the user can also finely adjust each display element by dragging in the same manner as in the case of the horizontal position described above, and press the release button 11 halfway again to determine the display layout based on the new finger position. Can also

When the release button 11 is fully pressed by the user, the layout determining unit 18b determines the display layout displayed on the monitor 13. Then, the registration unit 18c records, in the memory 19, information on the display layout determined by the layout determination unit 18b and information on the user's thumb position detected by the finger position detection unit 18a as vertical position registration information. . Then, the registration unit 18c adds the registration number initially specified by the user to the registration information of the horizontal position and the registration information of the vertical position recorded by the above-described processing, and registers it in the registration area provided in the memory 19 To do. Accordingly, the registration unit 18c can register the registration information of the horizontal position and the registration information of the vertical position in association with each other using the same registration number.

[0056] The user can recall and use the registered information once registered. In other words, the user can follow the display layout included in the registered information for calling the display layout of the display element displayed on the monitor 13 the next time the camera 10 is used. . In this embodiment, as described above, since a plurality of pieces of registration information can be registered for each user, the user can register registration information registered for his own use from among the registered registration information. Need to select and read.

In the camera 11 according to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), a number corresponding to the registration number is printed on the camera body at the top of the monitor 13, and the user is printed. The By turning on the camera 10 while pressing the touch panel 13a located below the registration number, the registration number to be read can be designated. That is, the reading unit 18d detects the pressing position on the touch panel 13a when the power of the camera 10 is turned on, and determines which registration number is pressed by the user. Thus, the registration number designated by the user is specified. Then, the reading unit 18d reads the registration information of the specified registration number from the memory 19.

[0058] The display control unit 18e arranges the display elements at the respective display positions based on the information regarding the display layout included in the registration information read by the reading unit 18d and displays the display elements on the monitor 13. That is, the display control unit 18e determines whether the current posture of the camera 10 is the horizontal position or the vertical position based on the output from the posture sensor 21. Information on the display layout corresponding to the current posture of the camera 10 is extracted from the registration information read by the reading unit 18d, and the display elements 5a to 5j are displayed on the monitor 13 according to the extracted display layout. Deploy.

[0059] This allows the user to select registered registration information when the camera 10 is turned on, and displays the information according to the display layout that matches the user's previously registered thumb position (thumb range 32). The displayed display element can be used to operate the camera 10. In addition, the display control unit 18e extracts registration information corresponding to the output from the medium force posture sensor 21 of the horizontal position registration information and the vertical position registration information included in the registration information, and displays the display elements on the monitor 13. It was arranged. As a result, the user can use the camera 10 with an optimal screen layout according to the direction in which the camera 10 is held, and the convenience for the user is improved.

[0060] The user incorrectly entered the registration number specified when the power was turned on! In case of a mistake, the registration number designation can be changed. Specifically, when the display element (menu button) 5g corresponding to the user's menu button is operated to instruct to read the registration number, the display control unit 18e displays the display element ¾ in FIG. 12 (b). List registration numbers as shown. The user can instruct re-reading of the registration number by selecting and touching an arbitrary registration number from the list.

[0061] When any registration number is pressed by the user, the reading unit 18d reads the registration information of the pressed registration number from the memory 19. The display control unit 18e is provided with an attitude sensor 21 Based on the output of force, it is determined whether the current posture of the camera 10 is the horizontal position or the vertical position. Then, information related to the display layout corresponding to the current posture of the camera 10 is extracted from the registration information read by the reading unit 18d, and the display elements 5a to 5j are arranged on the monitor 13 according to the extracted display layout. To do.

[0062] After that, when the display control unit 18e determines that the posture of the camera 10 has been changed based on the output from the attitude sensor 21, the display control unit 18e includes the registration information read by the reading unit 18d. Then, information on the display layout corresponding to the posture of the camera 10 after the change is extracted, and the display elements 5a to ¾ are arranged on the monitor 13 according to the extracted display layout. At this time, if there is a display element displaying characters on the monitor 13, the display control device 18e also changes the direction of the characters according to the direction of the camera.

[0063] For example, when the menu button 5g is displayed with the word "menu" and the letter "!", When the camera 10 is in the horizontal position, the user holds the camera 10 sideways. Change the orientation of the characters so that they can be read in the correct orientation. Similarly, when the camera 10 is in the vertical position, when the user holds the camera 10 in the vertical direction, the characters can be read in the correct direction. When changing the direction of characters, the direction of characters may be changed instantaneously, or animation may be displayed so that the direction of characters gradually changes.

[0064] As described above, the display layout based on the registration information of the horizontal position and the display layout based on the registration information of the vertical position are switched according to the change in the posture of the camera 10, so that the user can Even when the orientation in which the camera 10 is held is changed, the display content on the monitor 13 can be made in accordance with the orientation of the camera, which improves the convenience for the user.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the registration information registration process described above in the present embodiment. The process in FIG. 13 is executed by the control device 18 as a process to be started when the registration instruction of registration information is instructed by the user.

[0066] In step S10, the registration unit 18c outputs a message for prompting the user to specify a registration number to be added to the registration information to be registered, and proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the registration unit 18c determines whether or not the registration number is designated by the user. If it is determined that the registration number is designated, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, For example, the recording unit 18c displays a message such as “Register lateral position registration information” on the monitor 13 to notify the user that registration of the lateral position registration information is started. Then go to step S40.

[0067] In step S40, as described above with reference to FIG. 7, the registration unit 18c sets the thumb placement region 7a when the posture of the camera 10 is in the horizontal position, and displays a line indicating the range of the region on the monitor 13. indicate. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S50, and the registration unit 18c displays a message such as “Please hold the camera sideways and press halfway” on the monitor 13 to prompt the user to press halfway. At the same time, a message such as “Place your thumb here” is displayed in the thumb placement area 7a. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S60.

[0068] In step S60, the finger position detector 18a determines whether or not the release button 11 is half-pressed by the user. If it is determined that the release button 11 has been half-pressed, the process proceeds to step S70, where the finger position detection unit 18a and the layout determination unit 18b execute a display layout determination process described later with reference to FIG. That is, the finger position detection unit 18a specifies the pressing range 3b of the user when the posture of the camera 10 is in the horizontal position, and the layout determination unit 18b determines the display layout of the display element when in the horizontal position based on the pressing range 3b. decide.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S80, and the display control unit 18e arranges and displays each display element on the monitor 13 in accordance with the display layout determined by the layout determination unit 18b. After that, the process proceeds to step S90, and the registration unit 18c outputs a message confirming whether or not the user is able to determine the display layout currently displayed to the user to the monitor 13 and proceeds to step S100. In step S100, the registration unit 18c determines whether or not the release button 11 is fully pressed by the user. If it is determined that the release button 11 has been fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, the registration unit 18c determines whether or not the display layout has been corrected by dragging the display element on the touch panel 13a by the user as described above. If it is determined that the display layout has not been modified, the process proceeds to step S 121 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the display layout has been modified, the process proceeds to step S120, where the layout determining unit 18c changes the display layout in accordance with the touch panel operation by the user, and proceeds to step S121. In step S121, it is determined whether or not the release button 11 is half-pressed by the user. If it is determined that the half-press is released by the user, the process returns to step S60 and repeats the process. On the other hand, if it is determined by the user that the half-press has not been released, the process returns to step S100 and the process is repeated.

[0072] If it is determined in step S100 that the release button 11 has been fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S130, and the registration unit 18c receives information on the display layout displayed on the monitor 13 and the finger position detection unit 18a. Information on the detected user's thumb position is recorded in the memory 19 as lateral position registration information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S140, and the registration unit 18c determines whether or not both the horizontal position registration information and the vertical position registration have been recorded. If it is determined that both have been completed, the process proceeds to step S210 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that only recording of the registration information in the horizontal position has been completed, the process proceeds to step S150.

[0073] In step S150, the registration unit 18c displays a message such as "Register vertical position registration information" on the monitor 13, and starts registration of vertical position registration information for the user. Notify you. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S160, and the registration unit 18c sets the thumb placement area 7a when the posture of the camera 10 is the vertical position and sets a line indicating the range of the area on the monitor 13 as described above with reference to FIG. Display and go to step S170. In step S 170, the registration unit 18 c displays a message such as “Please hold the camera vertically and press it halfway” on the monitor 13 to prompt the user to press it halfway. At the same time, a message such as “Place your thumb here” is displayed in the thumb placement area 7a. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S180.

In step S180, the finger position detection unit 18a determines whether or not the release button 11 has been pressed halfway by the user. If it is determined that the release button 11 has been pressed halfway, the process proceeds to step S190. In step S190, the finger position detection unit 18a determines whether or not the user is pressing on the touch panel 13a. If it is determined that the user presses on the touch panel 13a, the process returns to step S70.

In step S70, the finger position detection unit 18a and the layout determination unit 18b execute a display layout determination process described later with reference to FIG. That is, the finger position detection unit 18a specifies the pressing range 3b of the user when the posture of the camera 10 is the vertical position, and the layout determination unit 18b Based on range 3b, the display layout of the display element in the vertical position is determined.

[0076] On the other hand, if it is determined that the user's touch panel 13a is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S200. In step S200, the display control unit 18e reads the recorded lateral position registration information from the memory 19, and displays each display element in accordance with the display layout based on the lateral position registration information. Thereafter, the process returns to step S90 to continue the processing.

[0077] In step S210, the registration unit 18c adds the registration number designated by the user in step S20 to the horizontal position registration information and the vertical position registration information recorded in the memory 19 by the above-described processing. And register it in memory 19. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S220, a message notifying registration completion of registration information is output to the monitor 13, and the process ends.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the display layout determination process executed in step S70. In step S71, the finger position detection unit 18a specifies the pressing range 3b by the user's thumb 3a on the touch panel 13a based on the signal from the touch panel 13a. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S72, and the finger position detection unit 18a determines whether or not the specified pressing range 3b is within the thumb placement area 7a. If it is determined that the pressing range 3b is not within the thumb placement area 7a, the process proceeds to step S73, and the registration unit 18c warns the user to move the position of the thumb 3a into the thumb placement area 7a. The message is displayed on the display control unit 18e, and the process returns to step S71. The warning may be given by voice.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the pressing range 3b is within the thumb placement region 7a, the process proceeds to step S74, and the finger position detection unit 18a performs virtual processing based on the pressing range 3b as described above with reference to FIG. Estimate parent range 31. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S75, and the finger position detection unit 18a detects the thumb range 32 by adding the offset D to the estimated virtual thumb range 31, and proceeds to step S76.

In step S76, as shown in FIG. 9, the layout determining unit 18b sets the display element disabling range 8d on the monitor 13 based on the thumb range 32, and proceeds to step S77. In step S77, the layout determining unit 18b determines the display layout of each display element so that the display element is arranged outside the display element disposition impossible range 8d. Then, the process ends.

FIG. 15 shows the registration information read processing and display element display in the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a control process. The process shown in FIG. 15 is executed by the control device 18 as a program that starts when the power of the camera 10 is turned on.

In step S310, the reading unit 18d detects the registration number designated on the touch panel 13a when the power is turned on by the user as shown in FIG. If there is no user input, it is determined that registration number 1 is specified. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S320, where the reading unit 18d reads the registration information of the registration number designated by the user from the memory 19, and proceeds to step S330. In step S330, the display control unit 18e determines the current posture of the camera 10 based on the output from the posture sensor 21, and extracts information related to the display layout according to the current posture of the camera 10. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S340, the display elements 5a to 5j are arranged on the monitor 13 according to the extracted display layout, and the process proceeds to step S350.

In step S350, the display control unit 18e determines whether the posture of the camera 10 has changed based on the output from the posture sensor 21. If it is determined that the posture of the camera 10 has changed, the process returns to step S330, and the display control unit 18e extracts information relating to the display layout corresponding to the posture of the camera 10 after the change. On the other hand, if it is determined that the posture of the camera 10 has not changed, the process proceeds to step S360.

[0084] In step S360, the reading unit 18d determines whether or not the user has operated the menu button 5g to instruct the change of the registration number. If it is determined that the registration number change is instructed, the process returns to step S310, and the reading unit 18d detects the registration number re-designated by the user based on the output of the touch panel 13a. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is instructed to change the registration number, the process proceeds to step S370.

In step S370, the control device 18 determines whether the power button 12 is pressed by the user and the power of the force camera 10 is turned off. If it is determined that the power is not turned off, the process returns to step S350 and the process is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the power has been turned off, the process is terminated.

[0086] According to the present embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.

(1) The monitor 13 with the touch panel 13a is mounted on the camera 10 mounted on almost the entire rear surface. て When the user grips the camera 10, specify the range where the thumb covers the monitor 13 and set the display layout of the display element so that buttons and other display elements are not placed in the range where the thumb works. I decided to decide. As a result, when the user holds the camera 10, it is possible to solve problems such as the operation buttons hidden behind the thumb and difficult to see, or the operation buttons under the thumb being pressed by mistake.

[0087] (2) Based on the pressing range 3b where the user pressed the touch panel 13a, the thumb range (virtual thumb range) applied on the touch panel 13a is estimated, and the offset D is set outside the virtual thumb range. The detected area is detected as the thumb range 32. As a result, since the pressing range 3b is a range that represents the vicinity of the center of the user's fingertip, the thumb range 32 actually on the touch panel 13a is the virtual thumb range estimated based on the pressing range 3b. Taking into account that the range is wider than 31, the thumb range 32 can be detected with high accuracy.

(3) Based on the detected thumb range 32, the display element disposition impossible range 8d is set on the touch panel 13a, and no display element is disposed in the display element disposition disallowable range 8d. As a result, it is possible to prevent the display element from being arranged in a range where the thumb on the touch panel 13a is applied.

[0089] (4) When disposing display elements outside the display element disposition range 8d, as shown in Fig. 9, the display is arranged according to the space of the monitor 13 around the display element disposition range 8d. The display layout was determined by adjusting the size and position of elements. Accordingly, it is possible to determine an optimal display layout according to the position of the thumb when the user power S camera 10 is held.

[0090] (5) The thumb placement area 7a when the posture of the camera 10 is in the vertical position is such that when the user-powered camera 10 is gripped so that the posture of the user-powered camera 10 is in the vertical direction, It was set to be positioned on the upper side. This prevents the user from gripping the camera 10 in the opposite direction, and the orientation of the camera 10 is adjusted so that the strobe light always irradiates the upper force of the lens 16 to the user. Can be guided.

(6) Information on the determined display layout and information on the detected user's thumb position are registered as registration information. When the camera 10 is turned on next time, the registered information is called up. The display element can be arranged. With this, once the table Once the display layout has been determined and the registration information has been registered, the display elements can be displayed on the monitor 13 using the registered display layout from the next time, and the process for determining the display layout again. You don't have to.

(7) As registration information, registration information when the posture of the camera 10 is in the horizontal position and registration information when the camera 10 is in the vertical position can be registered in association with each other by a registration number. As a result, when the camera 10 is held sideways and when it is held vertically, the range of the master finger exerted on the touch panel 13a is different, so registration information can be registered according to each case. This improves user convenience.

(8) The camera 10 is equipped with a posture sensor 21, and when it is detected that the posture of the camera 10 has changed based on the output from the posture sensor 21, the posture of the camera 10 after the change is changed. The corresponding registration information is extracted and the display elements are displayed in a layout according to the posture of the camera 10. As a result, even when the user holds the camera 10 while changing the orientation, it is possible to provide the user with a screen display according to the orientation.

(9) Since a plurality of registration information can be registered, the registration information for each user can be recorded even when a plurality of user-powered cameras 10 are used.

[0095] (10) The user can modify the display layout by dragging the display elements displayed on the monitor 13 in accordance with the determined display layout. As a result, the user can arrange the display elements in a desired layout, and the convenience for the user is improved.

[0096] One variation 1

The camera according to the above-described embodiment can be modified as follows. (1) In the above-described embodiment, the registration unit 18c uses the finger position detection unit 18a to display information related to the display layout determined by the layout determination unit 18b in both the vertical position and the horizontal position of the camera 10. Information about the detected user's thumb position is registered as registration information in a registration area provided in the memory 19. However, the registration unit 18c may register either the information relating to the display layout or the information relating to the position of the user's thumb as registration information.

[0097] At this time, when only information related to the thumb position is registered as registration information, When the recording information is read out and the display element is arranged, the layout determination unit 18b determines the display layout of the display element based on the information on the thumb position read out by the reading unit 18d, and performs display control. The unit 18e may display the display elements on the monitor according to the display layout determined by the layout determining unit 18b. In other words, the layout determination unit 18b determines the display element V based on the thumb range 32 included in the registration information every time the registration information is read out by the reading unit 18d and whenever the posture of the camera 10 changes. Just decide the display layout!

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the display layout is determined assuming that the display element corresponding to the operation button is a rectangle as shown in FIG. However, the display elements corresponding to the operation buttons may have other shapes. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the layout determining unit 18b obtains the rotation center of the user's thumb based on the thumb range 32, and estimates the movable locus of the fingertip according to the angle of the thumb range 32 with respect to the rotation center. To do. Then, each display element corresponding to the operation button may be arranged in an arc along the movable locus of the user's fingertip.

(3) In the embodiment described above, the user operates the display element 5h corresponding to the playback button to switch between the shooting mode and the playback mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the playback mode is set, if the inside of the display element disabling range 8d is pressed, the mode may be automatically switched to the shooting mode. In other words, the area corresponding to the display element disabling range 8d may be used as an operation button (switch) for instructing mode switching.

[0100] For example, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), when an image is being reproduced in the monitor 13 in the reproduction mode, it is detected that the user has pressed the display element non-placeable range 8d. The control device 18 may switch the mode of the camera 10 from the playback mode to the shooting mode. Further, when the camera 10 is in the playback mode, the size of the playback display element ¾ may be changed depending on whether the aspect ratio of the image to be played is 4: 3 or 16: 9. For example, when the aspect ratio of the image to be played is 4: 3, the size of the playback display element 5j is adjusted so that the aspect ratio of the playback display element 5j is 4: 3 as shown in FIG. When the aspect ratio is 16: 9, the aspect ratio of the playback display element 5j is as shown in Fig. 17 (b). Also, adjust the size to 16: 9!

(4) In the embodiment described above, the layout determining unit 18b determines the display layout so that the display elements do not overlap. However, as shown in Fig. 17 (b), the display layout may be determined so that the display elements corresponding to the operation buttons overlap the display elements corresponding to the display area. This makes it possible to arrange necessary operation buttons while ensuring the maximum size of the display area for displaying an image.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the registration unit 18c has described the example in which the registration information is recorded in the order of the horizontal position → the vertical position, but the registration information is recorded in the order of the vertical position → the horizontal position. You can do it.

(6) In the embodiment described above, the registration number is added to the registration information, and the user reads the registration information according to the registration number printed on the main unit when the power is turned on. The example which presses was demonstrated. However, the registration information for each user may be registered by adding information related to the biometric authentication of the user. For example, the camera 10 is equipped with a fingerprint sensor for reading the user's fingerprint, and the user's fingerprint is read and registered as identification information before registration information is registered. Try to keep it. When the camera 10 is turned on, the user may hold the finger over the fingerprint sensor to perform authentication, and the reading unit 18d may read registration information corresponding to the authenticated fingerprint information. The biometric authentication method is not limited to fingerprint authentication, and other authentication methods such as vein authentication may be used.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the monitor 13 including the touch panel 13a is mounted on almost the entire back surface of the camera 10 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied even if the monitor is not mounted on the entire rear surface, as long as the camera is such that when the user grips the camera 10 the thumb is applied to the monitor having the touch panel. Also, the finger on the monitor 13 may be another finger that is removed by the thumb.

[0105] While various embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these contents. Other forms conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0106] The disclosure of the following priority application is incorporated herein by reference. Japanese patent application No. 105365 in 2006 (filed on April 6, 2006)

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A display with a touch panel,

A detector for detecting the position of the user's finger on the touch panel when the user holds the camera based on the output of the touch panel force;

A display layout determining unit that determines a display layout of display elements to be displayed on the display based on a detection result by the detector;

In accordance with the display layout determined by the display layout determination unit, a display control unit that displays the display element on the display device,

A camera comprising: a registration unit that registers, as registration information, information related to at least one of the display layout determined by the display layout determination unit and a finger position detected by the detector.

[2] In the camera according to claim 1,

The display element is a camera including an operation area indicating an operation position of the touch panel.

[3] In the camera according to claim 1,

The camera further includes an imaging device that captures a subject image input through a lens, and the display element includes a subject image display area for displaying the subject image captured by the imaging device.

[4] In the camera according to claim 1,

An image acquisition unit that captures a subject image input through a lens and generates image data;

A recording control unit for recording the image data in a storage medium;

The display element includes a reproduction display area for reproducing and displaying an image of the image data recorded in the storage medium.

[5] The camera according to claim 1,

A camera further comprising a warning unit that warns when the position of the user's finger detected by the detector is outside a predetermined range on the touch panel.

[6] In the camera according to claim 1,

The registration unit is a camera that registers a plurality of the registration information.

[7] The camera according to claim 1,

A decision unit that decides a determination result by the display layout determination unit based on an operation by a user;

The registration unit is a camera that registers, as the registration information, information related to at least one of the display layout determined by the determination unit and a finger position detected by the detector.

[8] The camera according to claim 7,

The confirmation unit is a camera that confirms the determination result based on a release button operation by a user.

[9] The camera according to claim 1,

A camera further comprising a correction unit that corrects the display layout determined by the display layout determination unit based on an operation by a user.

[10] In the camera of claim 1,

A timing instructing unit for instructing a determination timing by the display layout determining unit;

The display layout determining unit determines a predetermined display layout when it is determined that there is no detection information of the position of the user's finger by the detector when the determination timing is instructed. Camera determined as a display layout of the display element

[11] The camera according to claim 1,

The detector detects the position of a finger on the touch panel when the user-powered camera is gripped so that the camera posture is the first posture as the first detection position, and the camera posture is the second posture. The user's force so that the posture becomes the S position of the finger on the touch panel when the camera is gripped is detected as the second detection position,

The display layout determining unit determines a first display layout based on the first detection position detected by the detector and based on the second detection position detected by the detector. To determine the second display layout.

[12] The camera of claim 11, The registration unit is a camera that associates and registers the registration information according to the first display layout determined by the display layout determination unit and the registration information according to the second display layout.

[13] The camera according to claim 1,

The camera further includes a reading unit that reads the registration information registered by the registration unit, and the display control unit displays the display element on the display unit based on the registration information read by the reading unit.

[14] The camera of claim 13,

When a plurality of pieces of registration information are registered in the registration unit, the reading unit selects and reads one of the plurality of registration information.

[15] The camera according to claim 13,

A posture detector for detecting the posture of the camera;

When the registration information includes first registration information and second registration information corresponding to the posture of the camera, the reading unit is configured to detect the first registration information or the first registration information based on a detection result by the posture detector. A camera that reads the second registration information.

[16] The camera according to claim 1,

An imaging device that captures a subject image input through a lens and generates image data; a recording control unit that records the image data in a storage medium;

Mode switching for switching between a shooting mode in which the subject image captured by the imaging device is displayed in a subject image display area and a playback mode in which an image of the image data recorded in the storage medium is displayed in a playback display area And further comprising

The mode switching unit is a camera that switches to the shooting mode based on an operation of the touch panel in the playback mode.

[17] An indicator with a touch panel,

A display layout determining unit for determining a display layout of a display element including an operation area indicating an operation position of the touch panel to be displayed on the display unit in a shooting mode of the camera;

The display layout determined by the display layout determining unit in the shooting mode According to the display control unit for displaying the display element on the display,

A camera comprising: a registration unit that registers a plurality of registration information related to the display layout determined by the display layout determination unit.

[18] The camera of claim 17,

A reading unit that further selects and reads one of the plurality of registration information registered by the registration unit;

The display control unit is a camera that displays the display element on the display based on the registration information read by the reading unit.

[19] An indicator with a touch panel,

A display layout determining unit for determining a display layout of a display element including an operation area indicating an operation position of the touch panel to be displayed on the display;

A registration unit for registering registration information related to the display layout determined by the display layout determination unit in association with a camera posture;

An attitude detector for detecting the attitude of the camera;

A reading unit that reads out the registration information corresponding to the posture of the camera detected by the posture detector from the registration information;

A camera comprising: a display control unit configured to display the display element on the display according to a display layout based on the registration information read by the reading unit.