JP2003259163A - Digital camera and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera which can easily and efficiently display photographic information that a user desires. <P>SOLUTION: The user previously selects a desired display style of displaying photographic information from a plurality of display styles through an operation part 45. A photographic information display setting part 32 sets the display style the user desires as setting information 33a to a photographic information image generating part 33. When a switching button 13 for switching the display contents of an LCD 5 is pressed during live view display, etc., a display switching signal generating part 31 generates a switching signal and the photographic image generating part 33 refers to the setting information 33a in response to the switching signal, selects the display style that the user desires from the plurality of display styles, and generates and displays a photographic information image on the LCD 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera and a program executable in the digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a digital camera equipped with a display unit for displaying an image, a user is required to set a shooting condition such as a shutter speed (exposure time) during live view display and a grid scale for assisting a user's framing operation. On the other hand, a function of superimposing shooting information, which assists in shooting, on a live view image to be displayed is realized.

In such a digital camera, the user can switch the display content of the photographing information displayed on the display screen by operating a predetermined operation member, and the operation of the operation member is repeated. As a result, a live view display in which the shooting information desired by the user is displayed can be obtained.

[0004]

However, with the multifunctionalization of digital cameras in recent years, the combinations for displaying a plurality of pieces of shooting information are diversifying, and by switching the screen display, each shooting information can be displayed. In order to display the photographing information desired by the user on the display screen among all the display modes for displaying, there is a problem that the number of times the operation member is operated increases. Therefore, when the display screen is changed at the shooting site, it takes a lot of time to display desired shooting information, and it is not possible to perform a quick shooting operation.

Further, as one of the combinations for displaying the photographing information, a scale display for assisting a framing operation by a user and an AF frame for displaying an AF evaluation area during automatic focusing (AF) are provided. It may be possible to display them together, but in that case, it is desired to display which part of the image corresponds to the AF evaluation area in a state where it is easy to visually recognize.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object thereof is to realize a digital camera capable of easily and efficiently displaying photographing information desired by a user. A second object is to realize a digital camera capable of easily identifying the scale display and the predetermined frame display when they are displayed.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a digital camera, and a display means capable of displaying a plurality of photographing information including a photographing condition, and the plurality of photographing means. Setting means for setting valid or invalid for each of a plurality of display formats for displaying the photographing information on the display means, and signal generating means for generating a switching signal for switching the display content on the display means. Display control means for selecting the display format set as valid and updating the display content of the display means in response to the switching signal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera, which is capable of displaying a photographed image and a grid scale which is an auxiliary display at the time of framing and a frame for showing a predetermined image area. And a display control means for invalidating and displaying the image component of the grid scale located in the image area when the grid scale is located in the image area indicated by the frame. To be done.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera capable of displaying, simultaneously with a photographed image, a grid scale which is an auxiliary display when performing framing and a frame for showing a predetermined image area. Display means, shooting condition setting means for setting shooting conditions, and display control means for changing the display form of the grid scale and the frame based on the shooting conditions set by the shooting condition setting means. It is equipped with.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program executable in a microcomputer incorporated in a digital camera having a display unit capable of displaying an image, the program being executed by the microcomputer. The digital camera generates setting means for setting valid or invalid for each of a plurality of display formats for displaying a plurality of shooting information on the display means, and a switching signal for switching display contents on the display means. A function as a signal generation unit and a display control unit that selects the display format set as valid and updates the display content of the display unit in response to the switching signal is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program executable in a microcomputer incorporated in a digital camera having display means capable of displaying an image, the program being executed by the microcomputer, In the digital camera, on the display means, simultaneously with the captured image, a grid scale that is an auxiliary display when performing framing and a frame for indicating a predetermined image area are displayed, and within the image area indicated by the frame. When the grid scale is located, a function of invalidating and displaying the image component of the grid scale located in the image area is provided.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<1. First Embodiment> FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are views showing an external configuration of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a top view,
FIG. 3 corresponds to a rear view. These drawings do not necessarily follow the trigonometric projection method, and the main purpose is to exemplify the appearance of the digital camera 1.

A taking lens 2 is provided on the front side of the digital camera 1. The photographing lens 2 has a zoom function and is configured so that the photographing magnification can be changed by manually rotating the zoom ring 2a.

Further, the grip portion 1a of the digital camera 1
A shutter button (release button) 9 is provided on the upper part of the shutter button 9. The shutter button 9 is a two-step push-down switch that can detect a half-pressed state and a full-pressed state by the user, thereby automatically focusing. When the mode is set, the automatic focusing control is started in the half-pressed state, and the main shooting operation for shooting the recording image is started in the full-pressed state.

In addition, two forward and reverse two are provided on the upper portion of the grip portion 1a.
A dial operation unit 10 that is rotatable in a direction (that is, left-right bidirectional) is provided, and it is easy for the user to perform a rotation operation of the dial operation unit 10 even when the user holds the digital camera 1.

Further, on the upper surface of the digital camera 1, there is provided a mode switching dial 3 for switching and setting the "shooting mode" and the "playback mode". The photographing mode is a mode in which a subject is photographed and image data is generated.
The reproduction mode is a mode in which the image data recorded in the memory card 90 is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit (hereinafter, referred to as LCD) 5 provided on the back side of the digital camera 1.

On the rear surface of the digital camera 1, an LCD 5 for performing live view display and playback display of recorded images before the main photographing operation, and an electronic viewfinder (hereinafter referred to as EV).
It is called F. ) 4 and are provided. A color image is displayed on each of the LCD 5 and the EVF 4.
In the following description, the LCD 5 is 320 × 240.
An example will be described in which the number of display pixels is 1.

A menu button 6 is provided on the back surface of the digital camera 1. For example, when the menu button 6 is pressed in the shooting mode, various menu screens for setting various shooting conditions are displayed on the LCD 5. To be done.
Further, on the back surface of the digital camera 1, there is provided a control button 7 including cross cursor buttons 7a to 7d for moving the display cursor on the LCD 5 in four directions and an enter button 7e provided at the center of the cross cursor button. It is provided. Various shooting parameter setting operations are performed using the menu button 6 and the control button 7. The setting states of various shooting parameters are displayed on the data panel 8 arranged on the upper surface side of the digital camera 1. Further, on the back surface of the digital camera 1, a switching button 13 for switching the display content (particularly the display state of the shooting information) displayed on the LCD 5 during live view display is provided.

Further, on the side surface of the digital camera 1, there is provided a function operation section 11 for performing an operation relating to the setting state of the digital camera 1. The function operation unit 11 is configured to include a function button 11a provided at the center and a function dial 11b provided so as to be rotatable. Further, a focus mode switching button 12 for switching the focus mode between the automatic focus mode and the manual focus mode is provided below the function operation unit 11.

On the side surface of the digital camera 1, there is provided an inserting / mounting portion for a memory card 90, which is a removable recording medium, and image data obtained by actual photographing is set in this inserting / mounting portion. It is recorded on the card 90.

Next, the internal structure of the digital camera 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal functions of the digital camera 1.

The taking lens 2 is driven by a lens driving unit 41 and is configured to change the focus state of the image formed on the CCD image pickup device 20. When the automatic focusing is set, the overall control unit 30 automatically determines the lens driving amount of the photographing lens 2 from the image, and the photographing lens 2 is driven based on this lens driving amount. When the focus (manual focus) is set, the lens drive amount is determined according to the operation amount of the control button 7 by the user, and the taking lens 2 is driven based on this lens drive amount.

The CCD image pickup device 20 functions as an image pickup means for photographing a subject image and generating an electronic image signal, and has, for example, 2560 × 1920 pixels,
An optical image of a subject formed by the taking lens 2 is image signal of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components for each pixel (from a signal sequence of pixel signals received by each pixel). Signal)
Photoelectrically converted to and output. Timing generator 42
Generates various timing pulses for controlling the driving of the CCD image pickup device 20.

The image signal obtained from the CCD image pickup device 20 is given to the signal processing circuit 21, and the signal processing circuit 21 subjects the image signal (analog signal) to predetermined analog signal processing. The signal processing circuit 21 has a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) and an automatic gain control circuit (AGC). The correlated double sampling circuit performs noise reduction processing on the image signal, and the automatic gain control circuit adjusts the gain. By adjusting, the level of the image signal is adjusted.

The A / D converter 22 converts each pixel signal of the image signal into a 12-bit digital signal.
The A / D converter 22 receives the A input from the overall control unit 30.
Each pixel signal (analog signal) is converted into a 12-bit digital signal based on the clock for / D conversion.

The WB (white balance) circuit 23 is
The level conversion of each color component of R, G, B is performed.
The WB circuit 23 uses the level conversion table stored in the overall control unit 30 to convert the levels of the R, G, and B color components. It should be noted that the parameters (gradients of characteristics) of each color component of the level conversion table are set by the overall control unit 30 automatically or manually for each captured image. The γ correction circuit 24 corrects the gradation of pixel data.

The color correction unit 25 performs color correction on the image data input from the γ correction circuit 24 based on the color correction parameters set by the user.
The color information expressed in the RGB color space is converted into the color information expressed in the YCrCb color space. By this color system conversion, the luminance component value Y is obtained for all pixels.

The resolution conversion section 26 includes a CCD image pickup device 20.
The predetermined resolution conversion is performed on the image data obtained from.

For example, during live view display, the resolution conversion unit 16 performs a predetermined resolution conversion on the image data acquired from the CCD image pickup device 20, and the image data of an image size (320 × 24
0 pixel), that is, a live view image is generated. Also, when focusing automatically, unlike in live view display,
The image component corresponding to the AF evaluation area is extracted. Note that the resolution conversion unit 26 outputs the image data obtained from the color correction unit 25 to the overall control unit 30 as it is without performing the resolution conversion process during the actual shooting. Then, the image data obtained at the time of actual photographing is stored in the image memory 44 via the overall control unit 30.

During live view display, the resolution converter 2
The image data subjected to the predetermined resolution conversion by 6 is
It is given to the image synthesizing unit 43 via the overall control unit 30, and L
The live view image is displayed on the CD 5 and the EVF 4, and is also given to the photometric calculation unit 28 to calculate an evaluation value for automatic exposure (AE) control. On the other hand, during the automatic focusing control, the image component corresponding to the AF evaluation area designated by the overall control unit 30 is extracted, and the image data of the image component is given to the AF evaluation value calculation unit 27 to perform the automatic focusing. An evaluation value for (AF) control is calculated.

The AF evaluation value calculation unit 27 functions when the shutter button 9 is half-pressed by the user, and performs an evaluation value calculation operation for performing contrast type automatic focusing control. Here, the sum of absolute difference values between two pixels adjacent in the horizontal direction for the image component corresponding to the AF evaluation area is calculated as the AF evaluation value. And A
The AF evaluation value calculated by the F evaluation value calculation unit 27 is output to the overall control unit 30 to realize automatic focusing control.

The photometric calculator 28 divides the image data output from the resolution converter 26 into a plurality of blocks, and calculates an AE evaluation value based on the representative brightness value of each block. The AE evaluation value calculated by the photometric calculation unit 28 is output to the overall control unit 30 and used for automatic exposure control in the overall control unit 30.

The image memory 44 is a memory for temporarily storing the image data acquired by the CCD image pickup device 20 at the time of actual photographing and subjected to the above image processing. Image memory 44
Has a storage capacity of at least one frame.
When the after-view of the image is performed after the main photographing, the image data is given from the image memory 44 to the image combining unit 43, and the image display for confirming the photographed image is performed. When a recording instruction is given by the user, the image data is transferred from the image memory 44 to the memory card 90, and the image data is recorded and saved.

Card interface (card I / F) 4
Reference numeral 7 denotes an interface for writing / reading image data to / from the memory card 90 attached to the insertion / attachment portion on the side surface of the digital camera 1. At the time of reading / writing image data from / to the memory card 90, the compression / decompression unit 46 performs image data compression processing or decompression processing by, for example, the JPEG method. The external connection interface (external connection I / F) 48 is an interface for enabling communication with the external computer 91 via a communication cable or the like, and is realized by, for example, a communication interface compliant with the USB standard. These card I / F4
7. Through the external connection I / F 48, the control program recorded in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM set in the memory card 90 or the external computer 91 is loaded into the overall control unit 3
0 in the RAM 30a or ROM 30b. Then, by executing the program in the overall control unit 30, various functions described later are realized.

The operation unit 45 is an operation unit including the menu button 6, the control button 7, the shutter button 9, the function operation unit 11, the focus mode switching button 12, the switching button 13 and the like described above. It is used when changing the setting state of, and when performing a shooting operation.

The overall control unit 30 is constituted by a microcomputer having a RAM 30a and a ROM 30b inside, and the microcomputer executes a predetermined program to function as a control means for controlling the above-mentioned units in a centralized manner. The ROM 30b is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory.

In the photographing mode, the overall control section 30 commands the timing generator to drive the CCD image pickup device 20. In particular, when the user does not operate the shutter button 9, the overall control unit 30 commands the timing generator to repeat the shooting operation by the CCD image pickup device 20 in order to obtain the live view image. As a result, the CCD image sensor 20 acquires a captured image for live view display (live view image).

The overall control unit 30 is configured to display, when the user prepares for shooting such as framing operation, shooting information desired by the user for assisting shooting together with the live view image.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main functions of the overall control unit 30 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the overall control unit 30 functions as a display switching signal generation unit 31, a shooting information display setting unit 32, a shooting information image generation unit 33, a histogram calculation unit 34, and a live view image update unit 35. Of these, the display switching signal generation unit 31, the shooting information image generation unit 33, the histogram calculation unit 34, and the live view image update unit 35 function during live view display in the shooting mode, and together with the live view image, the user's request The photographing information to be displayed is displayed on the LCD 5. In addition, the shooting information display setting unit 32 has a function of registering shooting information selected in advance from a plurality of shooting information as setting information.

The photographing information is auxiliary information for making it possible to confirm the photographing state only by visually recognizing the display screen of the LCD 5 when the user performs a photographing operation. By displaying the shooting information on the LCD 5, when the user performs a shooting operation using the digital camera 1, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the shot image desired by the user can be appropriately shot. become.

The shooting information displayed on the LCD 5 includes, for example, various setting parameters relating to shooting conditions (image size, resolution, etc.), scale display for assisting framing operation, AF evaluation area in the automatic focusing mode,
There is a plurality of pieces of shooting information such as a histogram display for confirming the subject brightness and the like.

First, the operation when the photographing information display setting unit 32 registers the setting information will be described.

When the digital camera 1 is in the photographing mode, the user operates the menu button 6 and further operates the menu screen, whereby the photographing information displayed during the live view display can be selected and set.

The photographic information display setting unit 32 displays a photographic information display setting screen on the LCD 5 based on the operation of the operation unit 45, and the photographic information image generating unit 33 receives the setting information 33a.
To register.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the photographing information display setting screen G1. On the shooting information display setting screen G1, an item (“display all”) for displaying all of a plurality of shooting information,
Items for displaying the AF evaluation area in the automatic focusing mode (“AF frame”), items for displaying the histogram display for checking the subject brightness, etc. (“histogram”), and a scale for assisting the framing operation. There is an item for displaying the display (“scale”) and an item for displaying only the live view image on the LCD 5 without displaying the shooting information (“display off”).

Check box displays CB1 to CB1 for each item
CB5 is associated with each other, and check boxes (CB1, CB2, C) are displayed on the check box displays CB1 to CB5 when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 45.
(See B4). In other words, the shooting information display setting unit 32 displays the shooting information display setting screen G1 displayed on the LCD 5 based on the operation of the operation unit 45 by the user.
Is changed, and the setting information 33a in the photographing information image generating unit 33 is updated based on the changed contents. The check mark means that the item is valid.

In the photographing information display setting screen G1 shown in FIG. 6, among the display forms relating to a plurality of photographing information, "display all",
It shows a state in which three items of “AF frame” and “scale” are selected.

When "Display all" is selected, the LC
As the live view display in D5, for example, a display image DG1 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Display image DG1
In, the various setting parameters relating to the shooting conditions are displayed in the four corners of the screen, and the frame display FG corresponding to the AF evaluation area, the histogram image HG of the shot image (live view image LVG), and the grid scale SG1 are displayed. It By displaying this display screen DG1 on the LCD 5, the user can visually recognize all the shooting information in one screen.

When "AF frame" is selected, a display image DG2 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed as a live view display on the LCD 5. In the display image DG2, various setting parameters relating to shooting conditions are displayed at the four corners of the screen, and a frame display FG corresponding to the AF evaluation area is displayed.

When "histogram" is selected, a display image DG3 as shown in FIG. 9, for example, is displayed as a live view display on the LCD 5. In the display image DG3, various setting parameters relating to the shooting conditions are displayed at the four corners of the screen, and the histogram image HG of the shot image is displayed.

When "scale" is selected,
As a live view display on the LCD 5, for example, FIG.
The display image DG4 as shown in 0 or the display image DG5 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. When a grid scale as shown in FIG. 11 is adopted as the scale display, it becomes difficult for the user to visually recognize which part the in-focus state is achieved in the automatic in-focus mode. for that reason,
If the grid scale is used as the scale display and the automatic focusing mode is set,
While the display image DG4 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the LCD 5 and the manual focusing mode is set, the display image DG4 shown in FIG.
The display image DG5 shown in is displayed on the LCD 5.

That is, in this embodiment, even when the "scale" item is selected in the automatic focusing mode, the frame display FG corresponding to the AF evaluation area is displayed together with the scale display SG. It has been done. Further, in that case, it is configured to display the display image DG4 by invalidating the image component of the grid scale located on the inner side of the frame display FG, and the visibility of the captured image (live view image) in the frame display FG. Is improving.

On the other hand, when the "scale" item is selected in the manual focusing mode, the display image DG5 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed, and all the image components constituting the grid scale are effectively displayed. .

Further, the digital camera 1 of this embodiment
Is configured such that the display form when the scale display is performed as the imaging information can be selected from a grid scale and a cross scale.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the scale selection screen G2 for setting the display form of the scale display. The scale selection screen G2 includes “grid” and “cross” as the scale display types, and the user operates the operation unit 45.
Select either one by operating. For example, from the shooting information display setting screen G1 in FIG.
When the check box display CB4 of the item is set to the ON state, the scale selection screen G2 is displayed, and the user selects and operates the scale display form desired.
FIG. 12 shows a state in which the cross scale is selected.

13 and 14 are views showing the display images DG6 and DG7 displayed on the LCD 5 as the live view display when the cross scale is selected, and FIG. 13 shows the display image DG6 in the automatic focusing mode. FIG. 14 shows a display image DG7 in the manual focusing mode.

That is, even when the "scale" item is selected in the automatic focusing mode, the scale display S
Frame display F corresponding to the AF evaluation area together with G2
It is configured to display G. On the other hand, when the “scale” item is selected in the manual focusing mode, the cross scale SG2 is displayed as shown in FIG.
Only validly displayed.

By performing such a scale display, the user can appropriately set the posture of the digital camera 1 with respect to the subject during the framing operation.

Next, when "display off" is selected on the photographing information display setting screen G1 in FIG. 6, a display image DG8 as shown in FIG. 15, for example, is displayed as a live view display on the LCD 5. In the display image DG8, the shooting information is not displayed, and only the shooting image (live view image) is displayed on the LCD 5.

As described above, in the digital camera 1, a plurality of display forms are prepared as the display form of the shooting information during the live view display, and the user refers to the shooting information display setting screen G1 and operates the operation unit 45. Is operated to select at least one display form.

Then, the photographing information display setting section 32 determines valid / invalid (that is, on / off) of each photographing information based on the user's selection operation, and further, the photographing information display setting screen G1 is set to the photographing information image. When there is a predetermined operation (for example, the operation of the enter button 7e in the center of the control button 7) to be reflected in the generation unit 33, the setting information 33a is registered or updated in the photographing information image generation unit 33. Is composed of.

However, the photographing information display setting unit 32 has a function of prohibiting all selection items from being set in an invalid state (that is, an OFF state). Specifically, all the check boxes CB on the shooting information display setting screen G1 in FIG.
The user operation such that the check marks are removed from 1 to CB5 is configured to be ignored.

Since the "display off" item in the photographing information display setting screen G1 of FIG. 6 is a display mode for displaying only the photographed image, all the selections are made by clearing the check marks from all the check boxes CB1 to CB5. When the item is turned off, the LCD is displayed during live view display.
Nothing will be displayed in 5. Therefore, in order to avoid such a situation, in this embodiment, the shooting information display setting unit 32 is configured to have a function of prohibiting setting of all selection items to be invalid, and an appropriate live view display is provided. Is realized as is done.

16 and 17 are flowcharts showing the operation of the photographing information display setting unit 32 in response to the operation of the operation unit 45. FIG. 17 shows the operation when there is a check box ON operation, and FIG. The operation when there is a box-off operation is shown.

First, a case where the user performs a check box on operation will be described. When the check box is turned on, the photographing information display setting unit 32 determines whether the check box CB4 for scale display is turned on (step S101). If the operation is not for the scale display, the process proceeds to step S104, and the shooting information whose check box is turned on is registered in the shooting information image generation unit 33 as the setting information 33a so that the shooting information can be displayed during live view display. To do.

On the other hand, if the check box on operation is the operation for the scale display, step S
In step 102, the scale selection screen G2 is displayed on the LCD 5. Then, the display form of the scale display is set from the grid scale and the cross scale according to the user's scale selection operation (step S103). After that, the process proceeds to step S104, and the shooting information image generation unit 33 uses the setting information 33a as the setting information 33a so that the shooting information (in this case, the scale display) for which the check box is turned on can be displayed during live view display. register.

Thus, the operation when the check box is turned on is completed. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16, the display form of the scale display can be selected from a grid scale and a cross scale.

Next, a case where the user performs a check box off operation will be described. When the check box off operation is performed, the photographing information display setting unit 32 determines whether or not all the check boxes CB1 to CB5 are off (step S111).

When all the check boxes are turned off, the process proceeds to step S112, and the photographing information display setting section 32 recognizes the check box off operation as an invalid operation and performs registration or update processing for the setting information 33a. End the operation without.

On the other hand, if all the check boxes are not turned off, the process proceeds to step S113, and the photographing information display setting section 32 recognizes the check box off operation as a valid operation. Then, the shooting information whose check box is cleared is deleted from the setting information 33a, and the setting information 33a is updated.

Thus, the operation when the check box is turned off is completed. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17, the shooting information display setting unit 32 prohibits all the check boxes CB1 to CB5 from being turned off, and realizes an appropriate live view display during live view display. To be done.

Next, the operation of the overall control unit 30 during live view display will be described.

In FIG. 5, the display switching signal generator 31 is
Each time the user operates the switching button 13 during live view display, a switching signal is generated and given to the photographic information image generating unit 33.

The photographing information image generator 33 stores the setting information 33.
a is stored, and the setting information 33a stores the shooting information designated by the user in advance from among the plurality of shooting information as described above. Upon receiving the switching signal, the shooting information image generation unit 33 refers to the setting information 33a at that timing and switches the display content of the live view display. That is, in response to the switching signal, the shooting information image generation unit 33 selects one display form from the display forms set as valid in the setting information 33a, and the image of the shooting information corresponding to the display form ( It is configured to generate a (photographed information image) and output it to the image synthesis unit 43.

Therefore, the photographing information image generator 33
It has a function of generating an image of various setting parameters, a frame display FG, a scale display SG, and a histogram image HG, which are display images related to shooting information displayed on the LCD 5.

However, when a histogram is displayed as shooting information, the shooting information image generating section 33 causes the histogram calculating section 34 to function. Then, the histogram calculation unit 34 is configured to obtain a histogram showing the luminance distribution characteristics from the live view images (captured images) LVG that are sequentially obtained during live view display, and provide the histogram to the capture information image generation unit 33. Then, the shooting information image generation unit 33 generates a histogram image HG based on the histogram obtained from the histogram calculation unit 34, and outputs it to the image synthesis unit 43.

The live-view image updating unit 35 is configured to sequentially give the live-view images LVG, which are sequentially input during the live-view display, to the image synthesizing unit 43.

The image synthesizing unit 43 also inputs the live view image LVG input from the live view image updating unit 35,
The display image relating to the shooting information input from the shooting information image generation unit 33 is combined with the image, and the combined image is displayed on the LCD 5. By this synthesizing process, the display images DG1 to DG8 shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 and 13 to 15 are displayed.
The display image designated by the user is the LCD 5
Will be displayed in.

18 and 19 are flowcharts showing the operation in the overall control unit 30 for switching the display state of the photographing information. When the digital camera 1 is switched to the shooting mode, in the overall control unit 30, first, the shooting information image generating unit 33 functions, and referring to the setting information 33a, whether or not the "display all" item is set to the ON state. It is determined (step S200). If the "display all" item is selected and set to the ON state, all the shooting information display screens (that is, the display image DG in FIG. 7) are displayed.
Live view display is performed in 1) (step S201).
Then, until the switching button 13 is operated, the live view display in that state (step S201) is continued.
When the switch button 13 is operated by the user,
In order to switch the display mode of the shooting information, step S21
The process proceeds to 0 (step S202). Note that step S20
When it is determined that the "display all" item is not set to the ON state in 0, the process also proceeds to step S210.

Next, the photographing information image generating section 33 refers to the setting information 33a and judges whether or not the "AF frame" item is set to the ON state (step S21).
0). When the "AF frame" item is selectively set to the ON state, the photographic information image generation unit 33 determines whether the current focusing mode is the automatic focusing mode (step S211). Then, in the automatic focusing mode, live view display is performed on the AF frame display screen (that is, the display image DG2 in FIG. 8) (step S21).
2). The live view display in that state (step S212) is continued until the switching button 13 is operated. When the switch button 13 is operated by the user, the process proceeds to step S220 to switch the display mode of the shooting information (step S213). If it is determined in step S210 that the “AF frame” item is not set to the ON state, and in step S211
Even when it is determined in the manual focusing mode in step S220, the process proceeds to step S220.

Next, the photographing information image generating section 33 refers to the setting information 33a and judges whether or not the "histogram" item is set to the ON state (step S22).
0). When the "histogram" item is selected and set to the ON state, live view display is performed on the histogram display screen (that is, the display image DG3 in FIG. 9) (step S221). The live view display in that state (step S221) is continued until the switch button 13 is operated. When the switch button 13 is operated by the user, the process proceeds to step S230 to switch the display mode of the shooting information (step S222). If it is determined in step S220 that the "histogram" item is not set to the ON state, the process also proceeds to step S230.

19, the photographing information image generator 33 refers to the setting information 33a,
It is determined whether or not the "scale" item is set to the on state (step S230). When the "scale" item is selectively set to the ON state, the imaging information image generating unit 33 determines whether the current focus mode is the automatic focus mode (step S231). If it is the automatic focusing mode, the process proceeds to step S232, and if it is the manual focusing mode, the process proceeds to step S234.

When in the automatic focusing mode, the photographing information image generating section 33 displays the first scale display screen (that is, the display image DG in FIG. 10) applied in the automatic focusing mode.
4 or the display image DG6 of FIG. 13) is displayed live (step S232). The live view display in that state (step S232) is continued until the switch button 13 is operated. When the switch button 13 is operated by the user, the process proceeds to step S240 to switch the display mode of the shooting information (step S2).
33).

On the other hand, in the case of the manual focusing mode, the photographing information image generating section 33 displays the second scale display screen (that is, the display image DG5 of FIG. 11 or the image of FIG. 14) applied in the manual focusing mode. The live view display is performed on the display image DG7) (step S234). And switch button 1
Until 3 is operated, the live view display in that state (step S234) is continued. When the switch button 13 is operated by the user, the process proceeds to step S240 to switch the display mode of the shooting information (step S235).

Next, the photographing information image generating section 33 refers to the setting information 33a and judges whether or not the "display off" item is set to the on state (step S240).
When the “display off” item is selected and set to the on state, the display screen that does not display the shooting information (that is, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, live view display is performed on the display image DG8) for displaying only the captured image (live view image) (step S241). Then, until the switching button 13 is operated, the live view display in that state (step S241) is continued. Switch button 1 by user
3 is operated, the process returns to step S200 to switch the display mode of the shooting information (step S24).
2). Even if it is determined in step S240 that the "display off" item is not set to the on state, the process returns to step S200 (FIG. 18).

As described above, during live view display, the photographing information is displayed based on the setting information 33a set by the user performing the setting operation in advance. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the user has previously set the “display all” item, the “AF frame” item, and the “scale” item to the ON state, the steps in the above flowchart are performed. S20
In each processing of 0, S210, and S230, it is determined to be “YES”, and the user repeatedly operates the switching button 13, so that the display image DG1 of FIG. 7, the display image DG2 of FIG. 8, and the display image of FIG. The DG 4 etc. will be displayed on the LCD 5.

As described above, in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the user can switch the display mode of the shooting information only by operating the switching button 13 during live view display. Moreover, in the present embodiment, not all of the plurality of display forms that can be displayed by the digital camera 1 are the switching targets, but only the display forms designated by the user in advance from the plurality of display forms are the switching targets. . Therefore, during live view display, it is possible to easily and efficiently display the shooting information image desired by the user on the LCD 5 of the digital camera 1.

A plurality of display forms that can be displayed on the digital camera 1 include a display form for displaying only the captured image (live view image), and the user can select and set the display form in advance. Since it is configured to prohibit all display modes from being set to the off state (invalid state) when performing, it is possible to avoid a situation in which no image is displayed on the LCD 5 during live view display. Is possible.

Further, the digital camera 1 of this embodiment
Is configured so that it can be switched between automatic focus mode and manual focus mode, which is one of the shooting conditions, and when live view is displayed, the focus mode can be either the automatic focus mode or the manual focus mode. It is determined whether or not there is, and the display mode of the shooting information is changed according to each focusing mode. That is, when the photographing information image generation unit 33 determines the display mode in response to the switching signal, the operation for selecting the display mode is performed based on the photographing condition set by the user. Therefore, when the photographing information is displayed, it is possible to always display the appropriate photographing information, and it is possible to favorably assist the photographing operation of the user.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the frame display FG corresponding to the AF evaluation area is displayed together with the scale display (particularly grid scale) SG, the scale display located in the image area of the frame display FG is displayed. Since the image display is invalidated and displayed, the scale display is not performed in the frame display. Therefore, when the scale display SG and the frame display FG are displayed, they can be easily identified. Realized as possible.

<2. Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, in the digital camera 1 described above, A in the automatic focusing mode is set.
What can move the F evaluation area to a position desired by the user will be described. However, the basic configuration of the digital camera 1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, when the automatic focusing mode is set in the digital camera 1,
When the frame display FG corresponding to the AF evaluation area is performed, the frame display FG is displayed as in the display image DG9 shown in FIG.
At the same time, a cross-shaped position display PG indicating the center position of the AF focus evaluation is performed. The display position of the position display PG can be moved at a predetermined pitch by the user operating the control button 7. That is, in this embodiment, the focus point of the captured image can be set to a position desired by the user in the automatic focus mode, and in response to the user operation, which part of the current image is focused on the focus point. The position display PG is configured to be displayed to the user as to whether or not it is designated as.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the overall control unit 30 in this embodiment. The overall control unit 30 functions as a shooting information image generation unit 33, a live view image update unit 35, and a movement signal generation unit 36.
However, the overall control unit 30 can also realize the other functions described in the first embodiment, and at least the position display PG regarding the AF evaluation area is displayed as an auxiliary display on the LCD 5.

The movement signal generator 36 generates a movement signal in response to the operation of the control button 7 (see FIG. 3) by the user. For example, when the user operates the rightward button 7d of the control button 7 once, the position display PG
Generates a movement signal for moving the rightward one step. Then, the movement signal is given from the movement signal generation unit 36 to the photographing information image generation unit 33.

Moving pitch information 33b is stored in the photographing information image generating section 33. The movement pitch information 33b is
It has information about a pixel pitch (that is, a moving pixel unit) P2 when the position display PG is moved on the screen of the LCD 5. The pixel pitch P2 is predetermined according to the size of the AF evaluation area.

Upon receipt of the movement signal from the movement signal generation section 36, the photographing information image generation section 33 refers to the movement pitch information 33b and displays the display position of the position display PG on the LCD.
The photographing information image moved in the display screen of No. 5 is generated and output to the image synthesizing unit 43.

Further, the live view images LVG sequentially obtained from the CCD image pickup device 20 during the live view display are given to the image synthesizing section 43 via the live view image updating section 35.

Then, the image synthesizing unit 43, and the live view image LVG obtained from the live view image updating unit 35,
A live view display is performed on the LCD 5 by synthesizing with the shooting information image in which the position of the position display PG has moved according to the operation of the control button 7.

By the way, as described in the first embodiment, when the grid scale and the display regarding the AF evaluation area are displayed together on the LCD 5, the position display PG is moved at the predetermined pitch P2 as described above. Considering this, when the pixel pitch (that is, the repeating pixel unit) P1 in which the same pattern of the grid scale is repeated is slightly different from the movement pitch of the position display PG, L
Grid scale and position display PG displayed on CD5
Since they overlap with each other when they are out of alignment, the visibility is deteriorated, and it is expected that the user may have trouble in performing the operation of designating the focus point.

For example, when the grid pattern repeat pitch P1 is 70 pixels and the movement pitch P2 of the position display PG is 65 pixels, the display image DG10 of the LCD 5 when the user performs the operation of moving the focus point.
Is as shown in FIG. That is, the position display PG indicating the focus point moves in the order of PG1 → PG2 → PG3 → PG4 every time the user operates the control button 7. In such a display form, the position display PG cannot be positioned at the grid point of the grid scale SG, and the visibility becomes poor.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the grid scale SG is displayed, the pixel pitch P1 of the repeating pattern forming the grid scale is determined according to the movement pitch P2 of the position display PG. . More specifically, the relationship between the moving pitch P2 of the position display PG and the repeating pixel pitch P1 of the grid scale SG is P1 = k
-It is determined to be P2 (where k is an arbitrary integer). Then, by setting the repeating pixel pitch P1 of the grid scale to an integral multiple of the moving pitch P2 of the position display PG, the above-mentioned problem of deterioration of visibility is solved.

For example, when P1 = P2 (that is, k = 1) is set, the movement pitch P2 of the position display PG is set to 6
If the number of pixels is 5, the grid pattern repeat pitch P1 is also 65 pixels, and the display image DG11 on the LCD 5 when the user performs an operation of moving the focus point
Is as shown in FIG. That is, the position display PG indicating the focus point moves in the order of PG5 → PG6 → PG7 → PG8 every time the user operates the control button 7, and the position display PG and the grid scale SG are moved at each moving position. Therefore, good visibility is ensured by matching the grid points of.

Even when k is an integer other than 1, if the user operates the control button 7 k times in the same direction, the position display PG and the grid points of the grid scale SG will always match. Even in that case, good visibility is ensured.

Therefore, the photographic information image generating section 33 shown in FIG. 21, when performing scale display on a grid scale,
A shooting information image of a grid pattern that is repeated at an integral multiple of the moving pitch P2 indicated by the moving pitch information 33b is generated and output to the image synthesizing unit 43.

As a result, even if the position display PG is moved within the screen of the LCD 5, it is possible to perform live view display with good visibility.

Further, in this embodiment, when the photographed information image generator 33 moves the position display PG based on the user operation, whether or not the grid points of the grid scale SG and the position display PG are at the same position. If it is determined that the positions are the same, the display color or display shape of at least one of the scale display SG and the position display PG is deformed,
It is configured to generate an image related to shooting information.

In the display image DG11 shown in FIG. 23, the position displays PG6 and PG overlapping the grid points of the grid scale SG.
7, the case where the display color and display shape of PG8 are changed is illustrated.

In this way, the position display PG6, PG7, PG
When 8 overlaps with a grid point of the grid scale SG, it is possible to prevent the visibility of the position display or the like from being deteriorated by deforming the display color or the display shape of at least one of the scale display SG and the position display PG. Will be possible.

In this embodiment, the position display PG
Shows the case where the center position of the AF evaluation area is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the center position of the AF evaluation area may be shown, and an arbitrary specific position such as designation of an AE point or trimming may be shown.

Further, although the case where the scale display is a grid scale is illustrated in this embodiment, the present invention can be similarly applied to any scale display, and the scale display and the position display PG are slightly different. It is possible to set the scale display pattern so that the display is not shifted. As a result, it is possible to prevent deterioration of visibility such as position display.

<3. Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, the digital camera 1 can hold only one type of setting information 33a. Therefore, when the user wants to add or change the shooting information to be switched when the user operates the switch button 13 to switch the display of the shooting information, the shooting information display as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed each time. Display the setting screen G1 and check boxes CB1 to CB.
It is necessary to perform the operation for 5.

However, in general, when a person is photographed, the histogram display and the scale display are often switched cyclically, so that the display items of the photographing information are set to the ON state. In many cases, the histogram display is not necessary when photographing a landscape, and in some cases only the frame display may be used as the photographing information. In such a case, performing the setting operation by displaying the shooting information display setting screen G1 as shown in FIG. 6 every time the shooting scene changes may cause poor operability and may miss a photo opportunity.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of types of setting information preset in the digital camera 1 according to the user's wishes are registered, and the registered setting information is easily called according to the shooting scene or the like. A configuration that can be set by the following will be described. Also in this embodiment, the basic configuration of the digital camera 1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the main functions of the overall control unit 30 in this embodiment, and the portion different from the configuration of FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment is the ROM 30.
b has a plurality of setting information (that is, the first setting information 39a,
The second setting information 39b and the third setting information 39c) are stored.

When the photographing information display setting section 32 detects that a predetermined operation is performed on the operation section 45 while the photographing information display setting screen G1 (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the LCD 5, It has a function of registering the current setting state on the photographing information display setting screen G1 in any of the first setting information 39a to the third setting information 39c of the ROM 30b.
When the photographing information display setting unit 32 detects that a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 45 while the photographing information display setting screen G1 (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the LCD 5, the ROM 30b. It has a function of calling the setting contents registered in any of the first setting information 39a to the third setting information 39c and reflecting the setting contents on the current photographing information display setting screen G1. Further, the photographing information display setting unit 32 also has a function of updating the setting information 33a of the photographing information image generating unit 33, as in the first embodiment.

Therefore, the user of the digital camera 1
If setting operations suitable for different shooting scenes are registered as the first to third setting information 39a to 39c, the setting information 39a to 39c suitable for each shooting scene is stored in the digital camera 1. Will be.

Then, the user is required to change the shooting scene and set information 39a to 39c registered in the ROM 30b.
Setting information 33 can be easily done by performing the operation to call
It becomes possible to set a. That is, when the shooting scene changes, it is not necessary to operate the check boxes CB1 to CB5 of the shooting information display setting screen G1. Therefore, it is possible to quickly respond to the change of the shooting scene and to provide a shutter opportunity. It also becomes possible to reduce the miss.

Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the specific operation performed by the user on the digital camera 1 and the LCD
The display screen in 5 will be described.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing details of the function operating section 11. The function dial 11b of the function operation unit 11 is provided with a plurality of setting points such as image quality, image size, white balance, and sensitivity, and one of the plurality of setting points is the ROM 30b.
It becomes a registration / calling point 110 for registering or calling the first to third setting information 39a to 39c stored in. Then, by rotating the function dial 11b to match the positions of the registration / call point 110 and the selection point 120 as shown in FIG. 25, the registration operation and the call operation of the setting information 39a to 39b can be performed in the digital camera 1. It becomes possible.

26 and 27 are state transition diagrams showing changes in the display state of the LCD 5 in this embodiment.
The initial display state of the LCD 5 is the state ST10 shown in FIG.
The display state is similar to that of the shooting information display setting screen G1 shown in FIG.

In state ST10, the user sets the function dial 11b to the state shown in FIG.
Operation of pressing the function button 11a in the center of the function operation unit 11 (operation OP
By performing 1), the display state of the LCD 5 shifts to the state ST11.

While the user continues to press the function button 11a, that is, in the state ST11, the call menu screen is displayed by being overlaid on the photographing information display setting screen G1, and the four items ("1 , “2”, “3”, “registration”) are all displayed as non-selected states. In this embodiment, the display color of the selected item is changed.

In this state ST11, when the user performs an operation (operation OP4) of rotating the dial operating portion 10 (see FIG. 1) rightward by one step, the display state of the LCD 5 shifts to the state ST12.

In state ST12, the item "1" on the call menu screen is selected. The item "1" corresponds to the first setting information 39a stored in the ROM 30b, and the item "2" corresponds to the second setting information 39b. The item “3” corresponds to the third setting information 39c. Therefore, if these items are selected, the ROM
Each setting information 39a to 39c stored in 30b is accessible.

Then, in the state ST12, when the user repeatedly performs the operation of further rotating the dial operation portion 10 to the right by one step (operation OP4), the LCD
The display state of 5 is the item "2" on the call menu screen.
Are sequentially switched to a state ST13 in which is selected, a state ST14 in which the item "3" is selected in the calling menu screen, and a state ST15 in which the item "register" is selected in the calling menu screen. Further, in state ST15, when the user further operates the dial operation unit 10 to the right by one step (operation OP4), the display state of LCD 5 is a state in which all items are in the non-selected state ST1.
I will return to 1.

On the other hand, when the user performs an operation (operation (OP3)) of rotating the dial operation portion 10 to the left, the display state of the LCD 5 sequentially shifts in the opposite direction to the above.

Further, in the state ST12, when the user releases the pressing operation of the function button 11a (operation OP2), the photographing information display setting unit 32 is in the ROM.
The first setting information 39a stored in 39b is read, and the display state of the shooting information display setting screen G1 is updated based on the first setting information 39a. This state is state ST16
Is. Further, in the state ST16, the setting information 33 in the shooting information image generation unit 33 is based on the content of the shooting information display setting screen G1 updated based on the first setting information 39a.
Update of a is also performed.

Similarly, in the states ST13 and ST14, even when the user cancels the pressing operation of the function button 11a (operation OP2), the photographing information display setting section 32 causes the second setting information 39b or the second setting information 39b stored in the ROM 39b. The 3rd setting information 39c is read, and the display state of the photographing information display setting screen G1 is updated based on the 2nd setting information 39b or the 3rd setting information 39c. These states are states ST17 and ST18. Moreover, the state ST1
7, ST18, the shooting information display setting screen G updated based on the second setting information 39b or the third setting information 39c.
The setting information 33a in the photographing information image generating unit 33 is also updated based on the content of 1.

As described above, in this embodiment, the ROM 3
The setting information 39a to 39c stored in 0b can be called by a simple operation, and the photographing information image generating unit 33
It is possible to set the setting information that has been called.

In the state ST15, when the user releases the pressing operation of the function button 11a (operation OP2), the photographing information display setting unit 32 is in the ROM.
For 39b, the process proceeds to a process for registering setting information based on the current display state of the shooting information display setting screen G1.

When the process shifts to the registration process, the display state of the LCD 5 shifts to the state ST20 (see FIG. 27).

In the state ST20, the registration menu screen is displayed overlaid on the photographing information display setting screen G1. On this registration menu screen, all three items (“1”, “2”, “3”) that are selection items are displayed in a non-selected state.

In this state ST20, when the user performs an operation (operation OP4) of rotating the dial operating portion 10 rightward by one step, the display state of the LCD 5 shifts to the state ST21.

In the state ST21, the item "1" on the registration menu screen is selected. And state ST21
In step ST22, when the user further repeatedly performs an operation (operation OP4) of rotating the dial operation portion 10 rightward by one step, the display state of the LCD 5 is the state ST22 in which the item “2” in the registration menu screen is selected. , The state where item “3” on the registration menu screen is selected ST
It switches to 23 and so on. Further, in the state ST23, when the user further performs an operation (operation OP4) of rotating the dial operation portion 10 to the right by one step,
The display state of the LCD 5 returns to the state ST20 in which all selection items are in the non-selected state.

On the other hand, when the user performs an operation (operation (OP3)) of rotating the dial operation portion 10 to the left, the display state of the LCD 5 sequentially shifts in the opposite direction.

In the non-selected state of the state ST20,
The user presses the enter button 7e (operation O
When P5) is performed, the process for registration is stopped and the original shooting information display setting screen G1 is displayed (state ST24).

On the other hand, in the state ST21, the user depresses the enter button 7e (operation OP
When step 5) is performed, the photographing information display setting unit 32 is in the ROM 30b.
Is accessed, and the setting information is registered as the first setting information 39a based on the current display state of the shooting information display setting screen G1. After that, the display state of the LCD 5 shifts to the state ST24, and the original photographing information display setting screen G1 is displayed.

Similarly, in the states ST22 and ST23, when the user presses the decision button 7e (operation OP5), the photographing information display setting unit 32 is in the ROM.
30b is accessed and the setting information is registered as the second setting information 39b or the third setting information 39c based on the current display state of the shooting information display setting screen G1. After that, the display state of the LCD 5 shifts to the state ST24, and the original photographing information display setting screen G1 is displayed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the setting information 39a to 39c can be stored in the ROM 30b by a simple operation. Then, by the above-mentioned reading procedure, it is possible to perform the setting operation of the display form which becomes the auxiliary information of the photographing by a simple operation during the photographing.

As described above, in the digital camera of this embodiment, in response to the operation of the operation unit 45, the L
On the setting screen displayed on the CD 5, a state in which one of the plurality of items is selected and a state in which all of the plurality of items are not selected can be switched and displayed. More specifically, in response to the rotation operation of the dial operation unit 10, on the call menu screen or the like, any one of a call item selected state, a registered item selected state, a call item and a registered item is displayed. It is possible to sequentially switch and display the state in which nothing is selected.

Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a "cancel" item for canceling the call menu screen,
When the call menu screen is displayed due to an erroneous operation by the user, it is possible to easily return to the original shooting information display setting screen G1.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 28, it is conceivable to provide a "cancel" item on the call menu screen or the like, but the screen size of the LCD 5 provided in the digital camera is generally small, and the selection item Increasing the number of items causes deterioration of visibility of each item and deterioration of operability. Therefore, as described in the present embodiment, by treating the state in which all of the plurality of items are not selected as the same as the “cancel” item, it is possible to reduce the problem such as deterioration in visibility. , A more preferable form.

Further, when the setting screen is displayed on the LCD 5, the state in which all of the plurality of items are not selected is set as the initial display state, so that even if the user displays the setting screen by an erroneous operation, it is easy. In addition, it is possible to quickly return to the original shooting information display setting screen G1.

The procedure of setting information registration and calling described in this embodiment can be applied to other than screen display switching. For example, it is needless to say that it can be applied to various setting operations other than the selection operation for displaying the shooting information as the auxiliary information.

<4. Modifications> Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above description.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, the operation and the like during live view display have been mainly described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Further, the above-mentioned contents include the following inventive concept.

(1) In the digital camera as set forth in claim 1, the plurality of display formats include a display format for displaying only a photographed image, and the setting means includes all of the plurality of display formats. A digital camera, which is prohibited from being set to be invalid.

As a result, an appropriate live view display is always realized.

(2) The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: shooting condition setting means for setting shooting conditions, wherein the display control means selects the display format in response to the switching signal. A digital camera, characterized by performing a selection operation based on the photographing condition set by the photographing condition setting means.

As a result, it is possible to display the photographing information according to the setting condition of the photographing condition such as the focusing mode.

(3) A digital camera capable of displaying a scaled display in which the same pattern is repeated for each first pixel unit and a position display for indicating a specific position of the captured image, together with the captured image Means, an operation means operated by a user to move the display position of the position display within a display screen of the display means, and an operation input from the operation means while controlling display contents on the display means. Display control means for moving the display position of the position display within the display screen according to the amount, and the display control means moves the display position of the position display within the display screen in units of second pixels. A digital camera, wherein the digital camera is moved, and the first pixel unit is set to an integral multiple of the second pixel unit for display.

As a result, even if the position display is moved within the screen of the display means, it can be displayed with good visibility.

(4) Display means for displaying the scale of the digital camera, which is an auxiliary display for framing, and a position display for indicating a specific position of the captured image, together with the captured image. A state in which the display color or display shape of at least one of the scale display and the position display is deformed when the scale display and the position display are displayed at the same position on the screen of the display means. A digital camera provided with a display control means for displaying by.

As a result, even when the scale display and the position display are displayed at the same position on the screen of the display means, it is possible to prevent the visibility from decreasing.

(5) In a digital camera, storage means for storing various setting states, calling items for calling the setting states stored in the storage means, and storing the setting states in the storage means Registration means, a display means capable of displaying a setting screen, an operating means for switching the selection state of items displayed on the setting screen, and the setting means in response to the operation of the operating means. Display control means for sequentially switching and displaying, on the screen, a state in which the call item is selected, a state in which the registered item is selected, and a state in which neither the call item nor the registered item is selected. And a digital camera equipped with.

As a result, even if the screen display is switched due to an erroneous operation by the user, it is possible to easily return to the original screen. Further, the visibility of the display means is not reduced.

(6) In the digital camera of the above (5), when the display control means displays the setting screen on the display means, a state in which neither the call item nor the registered item is selected is set. A digital camera characterized by an initial display state.

As a result, even when the screen display is switched due to an erroneous operation by the user, it is possible to easily and quickly return to the original screen.

(7) In the digital cameras described in (5) and (6) above, the storage means is configured to store a plurality of setting states, and the calling item calls each of the plurality of setting states. A digital camera characterized by including a plurality of items for.

As a result, it becomes unnecessary to set a plurality of setting states each time, and the operability of the digital camera is improved.

(8) A program executable in a microcomputer incorporated in a digital camera having display means capable of displaying an image, which is executed by the microcomputer to display the display in the digital camera. At the same time as the captured image, the means displays a grid scale that is an auxiliary display when performing framing, and a frame for indicating a predetermined image area,
Make it function as a shooting condition setting means to set shooting conditions,
A program that functions as display control means for changing the display form of the grid scale and the frame based on the shooting condition set by the shooting condition setting means.

As a result, a digital camera capable of easily distinguishing the grid scale and the frame is realized.

[0165]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, valid or invalid is set for each of a plurality of display formats for displaying a plurality of pieces of photographing information on the display means. Every time, in response to the switching signal for switching the display content of the display means, the display format set as valid is selected and the display content of the display means is updated, so that the photographing information desired by the user is obtained. Can be displayed easily and efficiently.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the grid scale is located within the image area indicated by the frame,
Since the image component of the grid scale located in the image area is invalidated and displayed, the image component in the image area of the frame can be satisfactorily identified when the grid scale is located in the image area indicated by the frame. become.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the display form of the grid scale and the frame displayed on the display means is changed based on the photographing condition set by the photographing condition setting means. Therefore, it is possible to easily distinguish the grid scale and the frame.

According to the invention described in claim 4, a digital camera capable of easily and efficiently displaying the photographing information desired by the user is realized.

According to the invention described in claim 5, a digital camera capable of satisfactorily discriminating the image component in the image area of the frame when the grid scale is located in the image area indicated by the frame is realized. It

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external configuration of a digital camera.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing an external configuration of a digital camera.

FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the external configuration of the digital camera.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing internal functions of a digital camera.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main functions of the overall control unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a shooting information display setting screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing one display form of shooting information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing one display form of shooting information.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing one display form of shooting information.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one display form of shooting information.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing one display form of shooting information.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a scale selection screen.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing one display form of shooting information.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing one display form of shooting information.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a case where only captured images are displayed.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation of a shooting information display setting unit in an operation when a check box is turned on.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the photographing information display setting unit in the operation when there is a check box off operation.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation for switching the display state of shooting information.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation for switching the display state of shooting information.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing one display form when position display is performed.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an overall control unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing one movement state of the position display.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a moving state of the position display according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the main functions of the overall control unit according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing details of a function operation unit.

FIG. 26 is a state transition diagram showing a change in display state according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a state transition diagram showing changes in the display state of in the third embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a cancel item is displayed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 digital camera 5 Liquid crystal display (LCD) (display means) 7 control buttons 10 Dial operation part 11 Function operation part 13 Switch button 20 CCD image sensor 30 Overall control unit (control means) 30b ROM (storage means) 31 Display switching signal generator 32 Shooting information display setting section 33 Photographing information image generator 33a Setting information 33b Moving pitch information 34 Histogram calculator 35 Live view image update section 36 Movement signal generator 39a-39c Setting information 43 Image synthesizer 45 Operation part DG1 to DG11 display image

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Makoto Arioka             2-3-3 Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture               Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koji Yasuda             2-3-3 Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture               Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2H102 AA41 BA12 BB08 BB22 CA11                 5C022 AA13 AB02 AB20 AB22 AC03                       AC13 AC22 AC32 AC34 AC42                       AC74

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A digital camera, comprising: a display unit capable of displaying a plurality of pieces of shooting information including shooting conditions; and a plurality of display formats for displaying the plurality of pieces of shooting information on the display unit. Setting means for setting valid or invalid, a signal generating means for generating a switching signal for switching the display content in the display means, in response to the switching signal, select the display format set as valid, And a display control unit that updates the display content of the display unit. 2. A digital camera, a display unit capable of displaying a grid scale that is an auxiliary display when performing framing and a frame for indicating a predetermined image area, at the same time as the captured image, And a display control means for invalidating and displaying the image component of the grid scale located in the image area when the grid scale is located in the image area. 3. A digital camera, a display means capable of displaying a grid scale which is an auxiliary display at the time of framing and a frame for showing a predetermined image area at the same time as the captured image, and the capturing conditions. A digital camera comprising: shooting condition setting means to be set; and display control means to change a display form of the grid scale and the frame based on the shooting condition set by the shooting condition setting means. 4. A program executable in a microcomputer incorporated in a digital camera equipped with a display unit capable of displaying an image, wherein the program is executed by the microcomputer to cause the digital camera to perform a plurality of photographing operations. For each of a plurality of display formats for displaying information on the display means, a setting means for setting valid or invalid, a signal generating means for generating a switching signal for switching display contents on the display means, and A program having a function as display control means for selecting the display format set as valid and updating the display content of the display means in response to a switching signal. 5. A program executable in a microcomputer incorporated in a digital camera having display means capable of displaying an image, wherein the program is executed by the microcomputer to cause the digital camera to display the display means. At the same time as the captured image, a grid scale that is an auxiliary display when performing framing and a frame for displaying a predetermined image area are displayed, and the grid scale is located in the image area indicated by the frame. Is a program having a function of invalidating and displaying the image component of the grid scale located in the image area.