[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a display method and a display device for displaying a set value of an electronic device when there are a plurality of set values, such as a set value of a shutter speed and an aperture in a digital camera, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a device such as a digital camera or a video camera having a display panel for displaying a captured (captured) video, the display panel can superimpose the captured video and display various setting states. Has been done.
[0003]
For example, in the case of a digital camera that records a photographed image as digital data on a memory card having a built-in semiconductor memory, there is a type that displays a shutter speed value at the time of photographing, an aperture value, and the like. There are cases where these values can be set freely by user operation and cases where they are automatically set by the camera. In any case, the setting status according to the shooting situation at that time is displayed. By displaying the information on the panel, it is convenient for the person who performs the shooting operation to be notified.
[0004]
In addition, some setting states such as a shooting mode are simultaneously displayed on the display panel.
[0005]
Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional display example when an operation mode or the like is displayed on a display panel.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-163103
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when there are a plurality of values and modes that can be set, if only the currently set values and modes are displayed on the display panel, it is not easy to understand what other values and modes can be set. There's a problem. For this reason, it is conceivable that not only the currently set value and mode but also other settable values and mode are simultaneously displayed on the display panel.
[0008]
In the case of the processing described in Patent Document 1, a mode display area is set in a ring shape, and different operation modes are displayed in individual mode display areas arranged in the ring shape. Mode (menu) that can be selected is displayed in the center. However, in the annular mode display described in Patent Document 1, the operation mode (menu) is displayed only in a part of the display area arranged on the near side, and characters and the like are displayed in the other display areas. If the user does not perform any key operation or the like to rotate the ring-shaped display, there is a problem that cannot be understood.
[0009]
In particular, as for the values that need to be changed at any time during photographing, such as the shutter speed value and the aperture value in the case of the digital camera described above, it is better to easily find other values that can be set. For this reason, instead of the annular mode display described in Patent Literature 1, it is conceivable to adopt a display mode in which a list of all values is always displayed. In this manner, a list of all values is constantly displayed. Then, a large number of numbers and characters are displayed on the display panel, resulting in a display form that is very difficult to see.
[0010]
In addition, as for the setting state such as the shutter speed value and the aperture value, it is preferable that it is easy to see from the display which area is selected in the selectable range, but in the conventional display mode, I didn't know that. For example, when a display area is prepared in a ring shape as described in Patent Literature 1, and a shutter speed value, an aperture value, and the like are arranged in each display area, it is possible to determine which position has the highest shutter speed. In order to make a determination, an operation of rotating a ring-shaped display or the like is required, and there has been a problem that it is not possible to quickly determine a setting situation.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic apparatus such as a digital camera capable of displaying a setting state and the like satisfactorily.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, when displaying a setting state of an electronic device, values or items of a state that can be selected in a plurality of stages are displayed in a predetermined order along a partial range of a circle or an ellipse virtually set on a display panel. With the arrangement and the predetermined order maintained, the selected value or item is displayed at a predetermined position of a virtually set circle or ellipse, and for the selected value or item, other values are displayed. It is displayed in a manner that can be distinguished from the value or the item.
[0013]
By doing so, the values or items in a selectable state are arranged and displayed in a part of the virtually set circle or ellipse, and the value or item selected from the display at a predetermined position can be determined. Not only that, the value or item other than the selected value or item can be easily determined from the arrangement state of each value or item. Further, it is possible to easily determine the approximate range of the selected value or item within the selectable range.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0015]
In this example, the present invention is applied to an electronic apparatus called a digital camera that captures (takes) a still image or a moving image and stores the obtained image data in a storage unit (or a recording unit) such as a semiconductor memory. Here is an example. The digital camera according to the present embodiment is configured so that a captured image is displayed on a display unit including a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and the image can be captured while checking the image displayed on the display panel.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a digital camera. Image light formed on an imaging surface of an imaging device 13 such as a CCD imaging device via an optical system such as a lens 11 is read out as an electric signal and supplied to an imaging processing unit 14. In this case, an iris mechanism 12 is arranged on the optical path where the lens 11 and the like are arranged, and the aperture value can be set under the control of the control unit 18 described later. The aperture value is selected from a plurality of preset values. Further, the image sensor 13 has a so-called electronic shutter function, and controls the shutter speed in a plurality of steps from imaging with a high-speed shutter to imaging with a low-speed shutter, for example, by controlling the time during which light is received by a light-receiving element included in the image sensor 13. There is a variable configuration. When the shutter speed is simply described in the following description, it is the speed of the electronic shutter.
[0017]
The aperture value and the shutter speed may be set freely by a user's operation, or may be automatically set according to the shooting conditions at that time. However, since the aperture value and the shutter speed are values that are interrelated at the time of photographing, it is general that when one of them is set by a user operation, the other is automatically set to an appropriate value.
[0018]
The imaging processing unit 14 performs an imaging process of converting an imaging signal read from the imaging element 13 into an image signal (video signal) of a predetermined format, and converts the image signal output by the imaging processing unit 14 into an image processing unit 15. To perform various image processing. The image processing unit 15 also performs image processing for superimposing various characters, numerals, figures, and the like on a display image signal described later. In addition, when superimposing characters, figures, figures, and the like, it may be necessary to change the size, inclination, and the like of displayed characters from a normal display state in order to perform display as described below. The image processing unit 15 also performs arithmetic processing necessary for performing such special display.
[0019]
The display image signal processed by the image processing unit 15 is supplied to the display unit 19 and causes the display panel of the display unit 19 to display the captured image. As the display panel, for example, a liquid crystal display panel is used. Further, the built-in memory 16 and the memory card 17 are connected to the image processing unit 15, and an image signal captured at a predetermined timing can be stored in the built-in memory 16 or the memory card 17. The memory card 17 is a storage medium that is detachably attached to the camera body.
[0020]
The imaging by the imaging element 13, the signal processing by the imaging processing unit 14 and the image processing unit 15, the display processing by the display unit 19, and the storage processing of the image signal in the built-in memory 16 or the memory card 17 are performed by the control unit 18. It is executed under the control of. The control unit 18 is connected to an operation unit 20 including operation keys, a dial, and the like. The control unit 18 controls a shooting operation based on an operation on the operation unit 20. Further, it is configured such that setting of various modes relating to photographing can be performed by control of the control unit 18 based on operation of the operation unit 20.
[0021]
When photographing is performed with the digital camera of this embodiment configured as described above, a setting state related to photographing is displayed in characters, numerals, figures, and the like on a display panel constituting the display unit 19. The display of characters, numerals, figures, and the like is performed by image processing that is superimposed on an image signal for display by the image processing unit 15 under the control of the control unit 18.
[0022]
In the following, display processing on the display panel in the digital camera of the present example will be described. During normal shooting, for example, a display as shown in FIG. 4 is performed. That is, in a state in which the captured image is displayed on the background and the image is superimposed on the image, the shutter speed value display 101 and the aperture value display 102 set at that time are displayed on the right end of the screen by numbers and characters. It is done in. Regarding the shutter speed value, for example, when the shutter speed is 1/125 second, only 125 of the denominator is displayed. Regarding the aperture value, F is displayed at the head. At the upper end of the screen, a graphic display 103 indicating the remaining battery level, a photographable time display 104, and a photographing mode display 105 are respectively displayed. Further, in the center of the screen, a frame 106 indicating a range in which focus is automatically set is displayed.
[0023]
In this state, when a mode for selecting a shutter speed value or an aperture value is selected by operating the operation unit 20, the control unit 18 displays the shutter speed value display 101 and the aperture value display 102 shown in FIG. , And other values that can be selected are displayed at the same time. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the display change processing executed under the control of the control unit 18. First, when a mode for selecting a shutter speed value or an aperture value is selected, a display for gradually moving the current shutter speed value display and the aperture value display to the center of the screen is performed (step S11). Then, the values set before and after the currently set shutter speed value and the aperture value moved to the center thereof are displayed in the vertical direction with the display of the current set value as a center and displayed (step S12). Then, the currently set shutter speed value and aperture value are enlarged and displayed in such a manner as to appear forward (step S13).
[0024]
FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 are diagrams showing examples of the display transition processing state of steps S11 to S13. First, from the state where the shutter speed value display 101 and the aperture value display 102 shown in FIG. 4 are performed, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the shutter speed value display 111 and the aperture value display 112 move to the center of the screen. . Finally, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the currently set shutter speed value display 121 is performed on the left end of the focus frame display 106, and the shutter speed value display 121 is displayed on the right end of the focus frame display 106 at that time. The set aperture value display 124 is performed.
[0025]
With the shutter speed value display 121 and the aperture value display 124 shown in FIG. 6 being performed, a shutter speed value that can be set higher than the currently set shutter speed value (1/160 in the example of FIG. 6). Is displayed so as to gradually spread upward from the current shutter speed value display 121. In addition, the display 123 of the shutter speed value that can be set lower than the shutter speed value currently being set is displayed so as to gradually spread downward from the current shutter speed value display 121.
[0026]
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, the aperture value display 125 that can be set to the open side from the currently set aperture value (F4.0 in the example of FIG. 6) gradually increases from the current aperture value display 124. It is displayed so that it spreads out. Further, an aperture value display 126 that can be set to a smaller aperture value than the currently set aperture value is displayed so as to gradually spread downward from the current aperture value display 124.
[0027]
When the shutter speed value and aperture value that can be set other than the value currently being set are displayed in a wide range, these values should be spread along the arc of a circle that is virtually set three-dimensionally on the screen. is there. The circle that is virtually set three-dimensionally on this screen is a circle that is arranged on a plane having a predetermined angle with the display surface of the display panel, but the display surface and the circle of the display panel are arranged. The angle between the plane and the plane is slightly smaller than 90 ° which is an orthogonal angle.
[0028]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a shutter speed value and an aperture value that can be set to values other than the value currently being set are further displayed from the state shown in FIG. A display 122 ′ of a shutter speed value that can be set higher than the currently set shutter speed value is displayed so as to extend upward from the current shutter speed value display 121 along an arc of a circle. Also, a display 123 ′ of a shutter speed value that can be set to be lower than the shutter speed value currently being set is displayed so as to extend downward along the arc of the circle from the current shutter speed value display 121.
[0029]
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7, an aperture value display 125 'that can be set to an open side from the aperture value currently being set is displayed so as to extend upward from the current aperture value display 124 along the arc of a circle. Is done. Also, an aperture value display 126 'that can be set to a smaller aperture value than the currently set aperture value is displayed so as to extend downward from the current aperture value display 124 along a circular arc.
[0030]
FIG. 8 shows an example of a completely spread state. A shutter speed value display 122 ″ that can be set higher than the currently set shutter speed value is displayed so as to extend upward from the current shutter speed value display 121 along an arc of a circle. A display 123 ″ of the shutter speed value that can be set lower than the middle shutter speed value is displayed so as to extend downward from the current shutter speed value display 121 along the arc of the circle.
[0031]
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, the display 125 ″ of the aperture value that can be set to be more open than the currently set aperture value is displayed so as to extend upward along the arc of the circle from the current aperture value display 124. Also, an aperture value display 126 ″ that can be set to a smaller aperture value than the currently set aperture value is displayed so as to extend downward from the current aperture value display 124 along an arc of a circle. Further, as shown in step S13 of the flowchart in FIG. 2, in the state where the display is made as shown in FIG. 8, the current shutter speed value display 121 and the current aperture value display 124 are enlarged by large numbers and characters. It is displayed. The transition of the display from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. 8 is performed in a relatively short time, for example, about several seconds.
[0032]
In this example, finally, as shown in FIG. 8, the values 121 and 124 of the currently set values and the values 122 ", 123", 125 "and 126" of the values before and after the values are virtually set. Along the arc of the circle, they are arranged at substantially constant angular ranges of the virtually set circle. Also, the displayed numbers and characters are gradually inclined along the arc of the circle that is virtually set, and the size of the characters becomes smaller as the value and the value are further away from the currently set value. However, in the case of the present example, the circles are arranged using only a part of the virtually set circle, and the values are not arranged evenly by 360 °. In addition, there is no problem when all the arranged values can be displayed only in the range of 180 ° on the front side of the virtually set circle, but the value is also set in the 180 ° range behind the virtually set circle. If it is necessary to arrange the numbers and characters, the numbers and characters are inverted and displayed here.
[0033]
In this way, there is a display transition in the operation mode shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, and the display as shown in FIG. 8 allows the shutter speed and aperture to be selected by the user operation. By operating a predetermined key or the like of the operation unit 20 in this selectable state, the set shutter speed and aperture are changed.
[0034]
The flowchart of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of display change processing when selecting the shutter speed and aperture. When there is a selection operation, the display of the value is rotated along a circle that is virtually set so that the value selected at that time is displayed at the center of the screen (step S21). Then, the current set value at the center of the screen is enlarged and displayed (step S22).
[0035]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where the selection operation is performed as described above. Here, an example is shown in which the shutter speed is changed from 1/160 second shown in FIG. 8 to 1/500 second. With this change, the display 131 of the current set value at the center of the screen is displayed as 500. In this case, the arrangement order of the other settable values displayed along the virtually set circle does not change, and the value displayed on the shutter speed value display 132 that can be set higher than the set shutter speed value Is less. Conversely, the values displayed as the shutter speed values 133 and 134 that can be set lower than the set shutter speed value increase.
[0036]
In the example of FIG. 9, an example is shown in which the displayed value is increased so that the value is also arranged in a range of 180 ° behind the virtually set circle. With regard to 134, the characters are inverted so that it is easy to see that it is the back.
[0037]
By changing the shutter speed, the aperture value to be set also changes, and in the example of FIG. 9, it is assumed that the aperture value has changed to F2.5. At this time, the display 135 of the current set value in the center of the screen is displayed as F2.5, and the value displayed on the display 136 of the aperture value that can be set to the open side decreases. Conversely, the values displayed as the aperture value displays 137 and 138 that can be set to be smaller than the aperture value to be set are increased, and the display 138 at the rear end may be reversed with the characters reversed. It is easy to understand.
[0038]
After the selection operation is completed in this manner, a display transition process reverse to the display change from FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 is performed, and a process of returning to the display form as shown in FIG. 4 is executed again.
[0039]
Here, an example in which the shutter speed is changed by a user operation is described, but the display can be similarly changed when the aperture value is changed by a user operation.
[0040]
As described above, the display at the time of the operation is performed, so that not only the value selected from the display at the center can be known but also the value other than the selected value can be easily determined from the arrangement state of each value. become able to. In addition, it is possible to easily determine the approximate range of the selected value within the selectable range. Furthermore, characters and numbers displayed behind the circle to be virtually set are also displayed in an inverted manner, for example, when the fastest shutter value among the selectable values is selected. Also, all the shutter values that can be selected on the low speed side can be determined from the display. As described above, by performing the display processing of this example, the display form becomes almost the same as the case where the shutter value and the aperture value are printed on the physical dial button and displayed, and the display form is very easy to understand. Become.
[0041]
When no selection operation is performed, as shown in FIG. 4, only the currently set value is merely displayed in a small size on the screen. Therefore, during normal shooting, numerals and characters are displayed. It does not disturb the captured image.
[0042]
In the display examples shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, the circles virtually set on the screen are arranged such that the values are arranged vertically, but may be arranged as circles in which the values are arranged horizontally. good. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a display 141 of a set shutter speed value and a display 144 of a set aperture value are displayed almost at the center of the screen, and values 142, 143, 145, before and after the display are displayed. The 146 may be arranged at substantially equal intervals on an ellipse extending in the lateral direction. In the example of FIG. 10, the circle virtually set on the screen is not set so that the entire 360 ° is on the screen, and only a partial range is displayed.
[0043]
In addition, as the circle to be virtually set, the plane formed by the circle is a three-dimensional circle having a predetermined angle with the display surface of the display panel, but the same plane as the display surface of the display panel is used. Characters and numbers may be arranged in a circle that is virtually set. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example in this case, in which a display 151 of a set shutter speed value and a display 154 of a set aperture value are displayed almost at the center of the screen, and the values before and after the display are displayed. The displays 152, 153, 155, and 156 are performed at substantially constant angle intervals. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 11, the size of characters and numbers is the same for displaying values other than the current set value.
[0044]
In the above description, an example in which the shutter speed and the aperture value are selected has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to a process in which other values that can be adjusted in a plurality of stages are selected. Also, the display modes and displayed values are only examples in the above-described drawings, and other display modes may be used. For example, in the above-described example, the currently set value is displayed in an enlarged manner. However, if the value is displayed in a form that can be distinguished from other displays, other display forms may be used. As for the value, the display color may be changed from other values.
[0045]
In the example described so far, a circle is virtually set as a display form and values and the like are arranged along the circle. However, an ellipse is virtually set and values and the like are arranged along the ellipse. You may do it.
[0046]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0047]
Also in this example, the present invention is applied to an electronic device called a digital camera that captures (takes an image of) a still image or a moving image and stores the obtained image data in a storage unit (or a recording unit) such as a semiconductor memory. In this example, the captured video is displayed on a display unit including a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and the user can shoot while checking the video displayed on the display panel.
[0048]
For the configuration of the entire digital camera, for example, the same configuration as that of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment can be applied. In this example, the menu screen displayed on the display unit 19 under the control of the control unit 18 is performed as in the display example shown in FIG. The hour is displayed.
[0049]
The display example of FIG. 12 will be described. In this example, as shown in FIG. 12A, for example, a setting item display 210 and a numerical display 230 selectable for the item selected in the display 210 are displayed on the screen, respectively. This is performed by using only a partial range of a circle virtually set at a predetermined angle with the display surface of the screen. That is, using only a partial range on a circle (ellipse) virtually set on the screen as the setting item display 210, a character or graphic (icon) indicating each setting item for each even angle range Is displayed. FIG. 12A shows a state in which a display 211 indicating “ISO” which is a character indicating the photographing sensitivity is displayed at the front of the selected position. In this example, the setting item “ISO” is displayed in relatively large characters in a state where only the front display 211 slightly protrudes from the virtual setting circle, and the other display on the circle is The setting items are displayed as icons in a relatively small figure on the virtually set circle. In addition, a display 221 of the selected “ISO” as a graphic represented by a three-dimensional icon is displayed slightly above the center of the circle formed by the setting item display 210. The three-dimensional display 221 is displayed using a three-dimensional polygon model.
[0050]
Then, for the setting item selected in the setting item display 210 (here, “ISO”), the numerical value display 230 of the selectable value is displayed only on a partial range on a circle (ellipse) virtually set on the screen. The numbers indicating the respective numerical values are displayed for each even angle range. Here, the numerical value “200” shown in the front position display 231 indicates the photographing sensitivity set at that time, and other values or items that can be selected, such as “400” and “100”. , "Auto" are arranged at a constant angular interval on a circle before and after the display 231 of "200". In this example, the selected numerical value “200” is displayed in a manner that can be distinguished from the display of numerical values at other positions. In this example, the display colors are changed to distinguish them, but other display modes such as the character size may be changed.
[0051]
The setting item display 210 and the numerical value display 230 are arranged in the same manner as in the display example described in the first embodiment described above. The arrangement order of numerical values (or characters) is the same in any display state, so that the one displayed at the front position is selected. Then, when it is necessary to display a value, an item, and the like in a range of 180 ° behind the virtually set circle, similarly to the display example described in the above-described first embodiment, Numbers, characters, and figures are inverted and displayed in the opposite direction.
[0052]
In the display of FIG. 12A, the setting item display 210 is shown as a circle (ellipse) arranged horizontally in the screen, and the numerical value display 230 is displayed as a circle (ellipse) arranged vertically in the screen. ), And the circle virtually set on the setting item display 210 and the circle virtually set on the numerical value display 230 are shown in a substantially orthogonal state.
[0053]
In the case of such a display mode, for example, four keys that can individually indicate four directions, up, down, left, and right, are used as the operation unit 20, and the position of the front of the setting item display 210 is operated by operating the left key or the right key, for example. Is changed in order to the left or right, and by operating the up key or the down key, the numerical value (or character) in front of the numerical value displayed on the numerical display 230 is sequentially changed upward or downward. The operation and display can be linked.
[0054]
Alternatively, three keys such as a key for performing an operation in one direction such as a left key, a key for performing an operation in the other direction such as a right key, and a key for performing a confirming operation are used first. The user selects an item in the setting item display 210 based on the operation of the keys in the two directions, and after the confirmation operation, uses the keys indicating the same two directions to display the numerical value displayed in the numerical display 230. May be selected. Instead of such selection using a plurality of keys, a similar input operation may be performed using a rotary operation means called a so-called jog dial.
[0055]
Then, when another item in the setting item display 210 is selected in the display mode shown in FIG. 12A, the numerical value display 230 changes to a numerical value display for another item (the item in front at that time). However, if the item on the front is an item for selecting a state other than a numerical value, the numerical display is a display indicating an item other than the numerical value.
[0056]
FIG. 12B is an example in which the setting item display 210 is changed from the state in which the display 211 shown in FIG. 12A is in front to the next display 212 in the right direction to be in front. However, in the display state of FIG. 12B, the display 212 is not completely in front, and the display 212 is in front in the state shown in FIG. 12C. In the non-front state, the display 212 is displayed as an iconized figure, but when the position is completely front, the “screen size” is displayed in characters as shown in FIG. 12C. become. In addition, the display 211 of “ISO” whose position has changed from the front to the side has changed from a character to an iconized figure.
[0057]
The display 212 facing the front in this example is a graphic (icon) indicating the screen size. When the setting item display 210 is changed in this way, immediately after the change, as shown in FIG. 12B, the numerical value is displayed as the numerical value of the screen size at that time (here, “1280 × 960”). Only the display 241 is displayed.
[0058]
From the state shown in FIG. 12B, as shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D, numerical display 240 ′ and 240 ″ of another screen size gradually spread above and below display 241 of the numerical value of the screen size. A numerical display 240 shown in FIG. 12E is displayed, in which numerical values of all screen sizes that can be selected are arranged vertically in a ring.
[0059]
Further, in the present example, three-dimensional icon displays 222a and 222b indicating the screen size are continuously formed on the setting item display 210 as shown in FIGS. 12D and 12E, following the spread of the numerical value display 240. Is gradually spread at a position slightly above the center of the image.
[0060]
The display of the menu screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed so as to be superimposed on an image being photographed (or photographed) by the digital camera. May be displayed.
[0061]
An example of display control processing by the control unit 18 when performing display in the display mode as shown in FIG. 12 is shown in a flowchart of FIG. Here, the display by the setting item display 210 is shown as the first hierarchical display, and the numerical display of the item selected in the setting item display is shown as the second hierarchical display. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 13, when the display mode of the present example is set (that is, the mode for displaying the menu screen of the digital camera), the processing for displaying the first layer (step S31) and the second layer (Step S32) and a process (step S33) for displaying a 3D icon (displays 222a and 222b in FIGS. 12D and 12E) are performed in a manner corresponding to the setting state at that time. Is
[0062]
Thereafter, if there is any key input related to the setting change (step S34), it is determined whether or not the key input changes the item of the first hierarchy (step S35). Is rotated (step S36), and the second hierarchical display is switched to a numerical display for the item displayed at the front position at that time (step S37). Further, a 3D icon is displayed for the item displayed at the front position at that time (step S38). In the setting item display 210 which is the display of the first hierarchy, only the display items on the front are switched from the iconized graphic display to the character display.
[0063]
Thereafter, the control unit 18 determines whether or not there is an operation for ending the display of the menu screen (step S41), and if there is such an operation, ends the display of the menu screen. If there is no operation to end the display of the menu screen, the process waits until there is a key input in step S34.
[0064]
If it is determined in step S35 that the input is not an input for changing the first hierarchy, it is determined whether the input is a key input for changing the display of the second hierarchy (step S39), and the display of the second hierarchy is changed. If it is determined that the input is a key input to turn on, the display of the second hierarchy is rotated, and the control unit 18 sets the corresponding item to a state indicated by a numerical value or a character displayed at a position facing the front at that time. A mode setting process is performed (step S40). Thereafter, the process proceeds to the determination in step S41. If it is determined in step S39 that the input is not a key input for changing the display of the second hierarchy, the process proceeds to step S41.
[0065]
By performing the display control process in this manner, based on the circular display at two levels (however, the circles are not connected in a ring), the adjustable items and the adjustment value for each item are displayed. An easy-to-understand menu screen is displayed, and as a result, the operability of a device such as a digital camera is improved. Particularly, as shown in this example, circles displayed in two layers are displayed in a substantially orthogonal state as shown in FIG. 12, so that it is easy to understand the correspondence between adjustment items and numerical values of each item. (1) A display mode in which menu selection of many items can be favorably performed in one screen.
[0066]
In the example shown in FIG. 12, the display 210 of the first hierarchy and the display 230 of the second hierarchy are arranged such that the circles virtually formed on the screen in the respective displays are orthogonal to each other. However, circles formed on the screen at each level may be arranged. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a first-layer circle display 310 and a second-layer circle display 320 may be displayed vertically. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, a display form in which a first-layer circle display 410 and a second-layer circle display 420 are arranged on the left and right may be adopted. However, in the examples of FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, for ease of explanation, the circles are connected in a ring shape, but as in the example of FIG. Icons and numerical values may be arranged only in the area. Alternatively, for one of the layers (for example, the first layer), a circular display in which the two layers are connected in a ring as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 may be used. May be.
[0067]
Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a circle display 510 of the first hierarchy, a circle display 520 of the second hierarchy, and a circle display 530 of the third hierarchy may be simultaneously performed. In this case, in FIG. 16, three layers are arranged on the left and right. For example, the circle display 510 of the first layer is displayed as a horizontal circle perpendicular to the circle displays 520 and 530 of the other two layers. May be. In the display example of FIG. 16 as well, for ease of explanation, the circles are connected in a ring shape, but as in the example of FIG. Icons and numerical values may be arranged only in the area.
[0068]
In the above description, a digital camera, which is an electronic device capable of capturing (capturing) a still image or a moving image, has been described as an example of the device to which the processing of the present invention is applied. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to various electronic devices other than the digital camera as long as the device has a display means capable of performing the above operations.
[0069]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first invention, the values or items in a selectable state are arranged and displayed in a part of a circle or an ellipse to be virtually set, and only the selected values or items are known from the display at a predetermined position. Instead, for example, when a value is displayed, a value other than the selected value can be easily determined from the arrangement state of each value. In addition, it is possible to easily determine the approximate range of the selected value within the selectable range.
[0070]
In this case, the circle or ellipse virtually set on the display panel is a circle or ellipse set three-dimensionally at a predetermined angle with the display surface of the display panel. By displaying the values arranged along with letters or numbers inclined along the arc of the circle, the selected value or item and other values or items will be displayed three-dimensionally, A good display form that is easy to understand is obtained.
[0071]
In addition, among the values or items other than the selected value or item, the values or items arranged behind the virtually set circle or ellipse are displayed in inverted characters or numbers, so that The values and items to be arranged can be easily determined from the display.
[0072]
When a mode for selecting a value or an item is set, only the value or the item selected on the display panel is displayed, and the selected value or the item is selected along the virtually set circle or ellipse at that time. The display of the value or item other than the value or item that is displayed is expanded and changed to the state of being displayed in the predetermined order, so that whether or not the mode for selecting is on the display panel. Can be easily determined based on the display of.
[0073]
In addition, the selected value or item is displayed in a character or number that is larger than other values or items, and is displayed in a distinguishable manner, so that the display form can be more easily understood.
[0074]
According to the second invention, characters, numerals, icons, and the like are arranged and displayed in a part of a virtually set circle or ellipse for each of a plurality of layers, and are displayed at predetermined positions for each of the layers. For example, an adjustable item and an adjustment value for each item are displayed simultaneously in an easy-to-understand manner, and a very easy-to-understand menu screen can be displayed.
[0075]
In this case, each circle or ellipse virtually set on the display panel is a circle or ellipse that is virtually set three-dimensionally at a predetermined angle with the display surface of the display panel, and the virtually set circle or ellipse is Values arranged along the ellipse are displayed as letters or numbers inclined along the arc of the circle, so that the selected value or item and other values or items are displayed three-dimensionally. And a good display form that is easy to understand.
[0076]
In addition, among values or items other than the selected value or item displayed along each circle or ellipse, values or items arranged behind the virtually set circle or ellipse are inverted. By displaying characters or numbers, it is possible to easily determine the values and items arranged at the positions from the display.
[0077]
When a mode for selecting a value or an item is set, only the selected value or item on the display panel is displayed, and then, along a circle or an ellipse virtually set, The display of the value or item other than the selected value or item is expanded and changed to the state of being displayed in the predetermined order, so that whether or not the mode for selecting is displayed It can be easily determined from the display on the panel.
[0078]
In addition, by displaying the selected value or item in a form that can be distinguished from other values or items, a more easily understandable display mode is provided.
[0079]
In addition, a value that can be selected for an item selected from items arranged along the first circle or ellipse is displayed along the two circles or ellipse by arranging the value along the second circle or ellipse. The displayed items and numerical values are related to each other and are easy to understand.
[0080]
Also, a figure or a character indicating an item selected from items arranged along the first or second circle or ellipse is defined as a position on the display panel along the first and second circles or ellipse. By displaying the selected item at a different position, the selected item becomes easier to understand.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a display change at the time of an operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a display change example at the time of a selection operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example (an example of a normal mode) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example (an example of a transition to an operation mode) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example (an example of a transition to an operation mode) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example (an example of a transition to an operation mode) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example (an example in an operation mode) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example (an example in a case where settings are changed) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the display according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing still another modification of the display according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a display process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the display according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing still another modified example of the display according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing still another modified example of the display according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Lens, 12 ... Iris, 13 ... Imaging element, 14 ... Imaging processing part, 15 ... Image processing part, 16 ... Built-in memory, 17 ... Memory card, 18 ... Control part, 19 ... Display means, 20 ... Operation means
