JP2005295448A - Imaging device and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device capable of performing photographing and image reading in a seamless manner even without performing mode setting distinguishing a photographing mode and an image reproducing mode. <P>SOLUTION: As an imaging device, a digital camera comprises a liquid crystal display 105, a cross button 107 for instructing switching of an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 105, and the like. If a camera module power source is turned on, operation is made transient to a photographing mode. If the camera module power source is not turned on and the right side (next) of the cross button 107 is pressed in the case that an image under displaying on the liquid crystal display 105 is a final image on an image list, an image of a top on the image list is displayed and if the image under displaying is the top on the image list and the left side (before) of the cross button 107 is pressed, the final image on the image list is displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus applicable to a digital camera that can electronically store a captured image and display the captured image as needed, and a control method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a digital camera has been put into practical use in which an image obtained by photographing a subject can be confirmed on the spot by storing the image as electronic data. In a digital camera that has been put into practical use, a shooting mode for shooting a subject and an image playback mode for playing back and displaying a shot image are clearly separated. A technique related to a digital camera capable of switching between these two modes is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In the shooting mode, power can be supplied to actuators and circuits necessary only for shooting, and an image can be shot and zoomed by operating a capture button for instructing image capture and a zoom button for instructing zooming. On the other hand, in the image playback mode, to save power, the power supply to the actuators and circuits required only for shooting is cut off, and images are played back and displayed in the order of the image list, or a part of the image is enlarged. Display and thumbnail display can be performed. For example, a technique related to a digital camera that does not supply power to the camera body in the playback mode is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  Recently, a digital camera capable of previewing only one image captured last time by one-button operation even in a shooting mode has been put into practical use.

JP 2004-096686 A JP 2003-224749 A

  However, in a conventional digital camera in which the shooting mode and the image playback mode are clearly separated, even when the user wants to view a plurality of images shot in the past, the operation for switching from the shooting mode to the image playback mode once. There is a problem that the operation is complicated and the operation of searching for the target image must be performed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof capable of seamlessly performing shooting and image browsing without setting a mode that distinguishes between a shooting mode and an image reproduction mode. .

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus including a display unit that displays a captured image, an operation unit that instructs switching of an image displayed on the display unit, and an imaging unit. Generating means for generating an image list of the selected images, and when the operation means instructs switching to the next image when the image currently displayed on the display means is the last of the image list, or When the image is at the head of the image list, and when switching to the previous image is instructed by the operation means, a photographing transition means for transitioning to the photographing mode is provided.

  The control method of the present invention is a control method of an imaging apparatus including a display unit that displays a captured image and an operation unit that instructs to switch an image displayed on the display unit. The operation is performed when the operation means instructs to switch to the next image when the image is the last in the image list of the photographed image, or when the displayed image is the top of the image list. When switching to the previous image is instructed by the means, the mode is shifted to the shooting mode.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an imaging apparatus including a display unit that displays a captured image and an operation unit that instructs to switch an image displayed on the display unit. A generation module for generating an image list of the selected image, and when the operation unit instructs to switch to the next image when the image displayed on the display unit is the last in the image list, or And a shooting transition module that shifts to a shooting mode when an instruction to switch to a previous image is given by the operation means when the image is at the top of the image list.

  According to the present invention, when the switching to the next image is instructed by the operation means when the displayed image is the last in the image list, or when the displayed image is the top of the image list. When switching to the previous image is instructed by the means, the mode is shifted to the shooting mode. Therefore, even if the user does not perform mode setting for distinguishing between the shooting mode and the image playback mode of the imaging device, that is, the shooting mode and the image Shooting and image browsing can be performed seamlessly without being aware of the playback mode.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera as an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the digital camera as viewed from the front side (lens arrangement side). (B) is the perspective view which looked at the digital camera from the back side (liquid crystal display arrangement | positioning side).

  In FIG. 1, a digital camera includes a lens 101, a shutter button 102, a mode setting dial 103, optical viewfinders 104a and 104b, a liquid crystal display 105, a zoom button 106, a cross button 107, an external card slot 108, A menu button 109, a capture button 110, and other operation buttons 111 to 112 are provided.

  The lens 101 forms an optical image of a subject on an image sensor (not shown). The shutter button 102 is used for focusing (half pressing) of the lens 101 and photographing of the subject (full pressing). The mode setting dial 103 is a mode (Off) in which the system power supply (power supply for supplying power to the entire digital camera system) is turned off, a mode in which both image browsing and photographing can be performed (Rec + View), and a camera module power supply ( This dial is used to set any mode (View) to deliberately turn off the camera module (power supply for the camera module such as actuators and circuits required only for shooting) and also serves as a power On / Off switch. Yes.

  The liquid crystal display 105 displays a captured image, a setting screen (see FIG. 11), and the like. The zoom button 106 is used for instructing a zoom operation. The cross button 107 is a button that can push in the top, bottom, left, right, and center of the cross portion and incorporates five switches (corresponding to the upper, lower, left, right, and center portions, respectively). Used to instruct display switching. A memory card for storing captured images is inserted into the external card slot 108. The menu button 109 is used for instructing the setting screen display on the liquid crystal display 105. The capture button 110 is used to instruct image capture.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera.

  In FIG. 2, a digital camera includes a CPU 201, a real time clock (RTC) 202, a RAM 203, a ROM 204, a button (Key) 205, a lens 206, an imaging engine (PhotoEngine) 207, an external memory (Ext-Memory) 208, a liquid crystal display (LCD). 209 and bus 210 are provided.

  The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that controls the entire digital camera, and is based on the control program stored in the ROM 204 in the flowcharts of FIG. 4 (first embodiment) and FIG. 9 (second embodiment). The process shown is executed. The RTC 202 supplies a stable clock to the digital camera system. The RAM 203 is a memory capable of writing / reading data. A ROM 204 is a read-only memory and stores the control program, fixed data, and the like.

  A button (Key) 205 corresponds to the shutter button 102, the cross button 107, and the like in FIG. The lens 206 corresponds to the lens 101 in FIG. The imaging engine 207 performs control of a lens 206 and a shutter mechanism (not shown), photoelectric conversion for converting an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal by an imaging element (not shown), and compression / decompression of image data. The external memory 208 corresponds to a memory card inserted into the external card slot 108 in FIG. 1, and stores image data based on shooting. A liquid crystal display 209 corresponds to the liquid crystal display 105 in FIG. 1 and displays a finder screen and a captured image. The bus 210 is a signal line for exchanging information between the above components.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the main functions of the digital camera.

  In FIG. 3, the digital camera includes a power management unit 301, an event processing unit 302, an image capturing unit 303, an image development unit 304, and an image display unit 305. Note that the configuration of FIG. 3 can be realized by either hardware or software.

  The power management unit 301 controls turning on / off of the system power and camera module power of the digital camera and manages the power state. The event processing unit 302 interprets input contents based on events (operations) of buttons such as the shutter button 102 and the cross button 107. The image capturing unit 303 performs focus adjustment of the lens 101, image capture, and the like. The image expansion unit 304 expands (decodes) the image data. The image display unit 305 controls display of images on the liquid crystal display 105.

  First, when there is a state change (on / off) of the system power supply / camera module power supply of the digital camera, the power management unit 301 notifies the event processing unit 302 of the power supply state change. Accordingly, the event processing unit 302 interprets the operation content based on the event of the button such as the shutter button 102 or the cross button 107 and determines the next process. Further, the event processing unit 302 transfers the button event to the image capturing unit 303 at the time of image capturing, and to the image developing unit 304 at the time of image display. The image development unit 304 decodes the corresponding image data as necessary, and the image display unit 305 displays the decoded image on the liquid crystal display 105.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing each state of the digital camera and a transition due to an event in each state. In FIG. 4, the image capture operation is illustrated as “shooting”, the case where the right side of the cross button 107 is pressed is illustrated as “next” (instruction to switch to the next image), and the left side of the cross button 107 is pressed. This case is illustrated as “front” (instruction to switch to the previous image).

  In FIG. 4, first, it is assumed that the digital camera is currently in shooting mode and the system power of the digital camera is turned on, and the liquid crystal display 105 is in the finder screen display state (step S401). Along with the shooting, the optical image of the subject passing through the lens 101 is photoelectrically converted into an electrical signal by the imaging element of the imaging engine 207, and a real-time image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 by the image display unit 305.

  Here, when the user half-presses the shutter button 102, the image photographing unit 303 focuses the lens 101. When the user further presses the shutter button 102 down, the image is captured by the image capturing unit 303 (step S408), the image data is compressed by the imaging engine 207, and the compressed image data is stored in the external memory 208. .

  When the user presses the right or left side of the cross button 107 in the finder screen display state of the liquid crystal display 105 (step S401), the image display unit 305 performs real-time photoelectric conversion from the optical image that has passed through the lens 101 with respect to the liquid crystal display 105. The display of a simple finder image is stopped, and the image developing unit 304 generates an image list of image data obtained by shooting already stored in the external memory 208 in order of image chronological order.

  When the user presses the right side of the cross button 107 (next), the image development unit 304 decodes the top image in the image list, and when the user presses the left side of the cross button 107 (previous), the image development unit The last image in the image list is decoded by 304 (step S402), and the decoded image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 by the image display unit 305 (step S403).

  Further, in this state, when the user presses the right side of the cross button 107 (next), if the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 is not the last image in the image list (No in step S404), the image development unit The next image in the image list is decoded by 304 (step S402), and the decoded image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 by the image display unit 305.

  If the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 is the last image in the image list (Yes in step S404), the power management unit 301 checks whether the camera module power is turned on (step S405). . When the camera module power is on (Yes in step S405), the camera mode is entered, and a real-time finder image photoelectrically converted from the optical image that has passed through the lens 101 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 by the image display unit 305. (Step S401).

  On the other hand, if the camera module power supply is not turned on (No in step S405), the image display unit 305 sets the display image on the liquid crystal display 105 as the first image in the image list, and the image development unit 304 decodes the image (step step). In step S402, the decoded image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 by the image display unit 305 (step S403).

  Similarly, when the user presses the left side of the cross button 107 during image display on the liquid crystal display 105 (step S403) (previous), the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 is the first image in the image list. It is checked by the image display unit 305 whether or not there is (step S406). If the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 is not the first image in the image list (No in step S406), the image developing unit 304 decodes the previous image in the image list (step S402) and displays the image. The decoded image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 by the unit 305 (step S403).

  If the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 is the first image in the image list (Yes in step S406), the power management unit 301 checks whether the camera module power is turned on (step S407). When the camera module power is on (Yes in step S407), the camera mode is entered, and the image display unit 305 changes the display on the liquid crystal display 105 to the finder screen display.

  On the other hand, if the camera module power supply is not turned on (No in step S407), the image development unit 304 decodes the last image in the image list (step S402), and the image display unit 305 decodes the liquid crystal display 105. An image is displayed (step S403).

  In the state transition of FIG. 4, only when the finder screen is being displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 (step S401), the image capturing unit 303 permits the image capture by operating the user's shutter button 102. No operation is performed even if the button 102 is operated.

  In addition, when a transition is made from the finder screen display state (step S401) of the liquid crystal display 105 to the image decoding state (step S402), a timer (not shown) is started, and then until the liquid crystal display 105 enters the finder screen display state. When a certain time elapses (time up), the power supply management unit 301 turns off the camera module power supply.

  With this process, the user can seamlessly perform shooting and image browsing without setting a mode that distinguishes between the shooting mode and the image playback mode of the digital camera. In addition, when the camera module power is turned off, an operation specialized for image reproduction can be performed, and when the camera module power is turned on, an image of adding a new image to the end of the image list. Thus, the viewfinder screen can be displayed for shooting.

  The flow of image display when the user presses the right and left sides of the cross button 107 in the above state transition will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of image display in response to the operation of the cross button 107 when the camera module power is on. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of image display in response to the operation of the cross button 107 when the camera module power is off. These are figures which show the flow of the image display with respect to operation of the cross button after capture.

  The example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is an example in which, for example, four images are stored in the external memory 208, and each of the images 1 to 4 is sequentially arranged as an image list. The example shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which an image 5 is added to the images 1 to 4.

  5 to 7, the left-pointing arrow corresponds to the case where the left side of the cross button 107 is pressed (front), and the right-pointing arrow corresponds to the case where the right side of the cross button 107 is pressed (next). That is, as shown in FIG. 5, every time the user presses the right side of the cross button 107 from the finder screen display state of the liquid crystal display 105 (step S505), the display on the liquid crystal display 105 is displayed as image 1 (step S501) and image 2. Following (Step S502) and Image 3 (Step S503), the image 4 (Step S504) is followed by a finder screen (Step S505), which changes to a ring shape.

  When the camera module power is turned off, the image list is excluded from the viewfinder screen as shown in FIG. 6, and image 1 (step S601), image 2 (step S602), image 3 (step S603), image 4 (step A transition is made in a ring shape between S604).

  Further, when an image is captured by the image capturing unit 303 in the finder screen display state of the liquid crystal display 105 (step S401), as shown in FIG. 7, the image 5 (step S705) becomes the image 4 (step S704) and the finder. Added during the screen (step S706). That is, the image list is displayed between image 1 (step S701), image 2 (step S702), image 3 (step S703), image 4 (step S704), image 5 (step S705), and viewfinder screen (step S706). Transition to a ring.

  It has already been described that the timer is started when the viewfinder screen display state in step S401 in FIG. 4 transitions to the image decoding state in step S402, and that the camera module power is turned off when the timer expires. The user may be able to set the time to be up.

  5 to 7, the example in which the display of the image list completely transitions in a ring shape has been described. However, the display of the image list may not be transitioned in a ring shape.

  In addition, when the right side of the cross button 107 is pressed (next) or when the left side is pressed (previous) from the finder screen display state (shooting mode) in step S401 in FIG. The display mode may be shifted to the playback mode and fixedly displayed at the last image in the image list. Thereby, it is possible to unify the entry points for shifting from the shooting mode to the image reproduction mode, and to prevent misunderstanding for the user.

  In addition, when the right side of the cross button 107 is pressed (next) or when the left side is pressed (previous) from the finder screen display state (shooting mode) in step S401 in FIG. The display mode may be shifted to the playback mode and fixedly displayed at the top image in the image list. Thereby, it is possible to unify the entry points for shifting from the shooting mode to the image reproduction mode, and to prevent misunderstanding for the user.

  Further, the displayed image may be erased in the image display state in step S403 of FIG. Furthermore, in the image display state in step S403, the zoom display 106 may be pressed so that enlarged display or reduced display can be performed. In the case of enlarged display, the cross button 107 can be used as a button for scrolling, and therefore cannot be used for display switching of the next image or the previous image.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user does not perform mode setting that distinguishes between the shooting mode and the image playback mode of the digital camera, that is, without being aware of the shooting mode and the image playback mode. Shooting and viewing of images can be performed seamlessly.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment described above in the following points. Since the other elements of the present embodiment are the same as the corresponding ones of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3) described above, description thereof is omitted.

  In the first embodiment described above, the method of disconnecting the camera module power supply during image browsing is a method that cannot be disconnected unless a certain period of time elapses after entering the image browsing state. In the case of a digital camera having a retractable lens, there is a high possibility of accidents such as touching the lens during operation.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a description will be given of control of a camera module power supply (a method of obviously cutting off the camera module power supply) in order to realize power saving and to eliminate unnecessary operations by the user.

  FIG. 8 is a top view showing an arrangement state of the mode setting dial 103 of the digital camera according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, “Off” indicated by 805, “Rec + View” indicated by 806, and “View” indicated by 807 are engraved on the upper surface of the housing 100 of the digital camera. Further, a mark 804 for indicating the setting mode is engraved on the upper surface of the mode setting dial 103 that also serves as the power On / Off switch. As described above, the mode setting dial 103 is used to turn off the system power supply (Off), the mode that allows both image browsing and shooting (Rec + View), and the mode that turns off the camera module power supply (View). It can be set to any of the following.

  In a steady state of the digital camera, either a mode in which the system power is turned off (Off) or a mode in which both image browsing and photographing can be performed (Rec + View) is selected. When the user moves the mark 804 of the mode setting dial 103 to the position of “View” 807 and releases the hand, the mark 804 returns to the position of “Rec + View” 806 by a spring mechanism. At this time, the power management unit 301 turns off the camera module power.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that no action is taken even if the user moves the mark 804 of the mode setting dial 103 to “View” 807 which is the camera module power-off position in the finder screen display state in step S401 of FIG. However, when the user moves the mark 804 of the mode setting dial 103 to “View” 807 while the finder screen is displayed, the last image or the first image in the image list is displayed and the camera module power is turned off. Also good. Thereby, useless energization to the camera module can be avoided, which can contribute to power saving.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing each state of the digital camera and a transition due to an event in each state.

  In FIG. 9, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that a path P909 returning to step S401 is added to step S403, and the rest is the same. That is, while the image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 (step S403), when the user presses the capture button 110, the display on the liquid crystal display 105 is shifted to the finder screen display state. At this time, if the camera module power is not turned on, the camera module power is turned on by the power management unit 301 to shift the digital camera to the shooting mode (shootable state). If the camera module power is on, the digital camera is shifted to the shooting mode as it is.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, even when the left and right operations of the cross button 107 of the digital camera cannot be used to shift to the shooting mode (when the transition is made between the images 1 to 4 in a ring shape), the user can By turning on the camera module power by pressing 110, the digital camera can be shifted to the shooting mode.

  Further, even when the user presses the capture button 110 while the image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 105, the setting of the mode setting dial 103 may prevent the camera module from being turned on and shifted to the shooting mode. This can be realized by a hardware switch or a software switch. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a shift to the shooting mode due to a user's erroneous operation and to suppress wasteful power consumption.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the camera module power supply is automatically turned off when it is not necessary, thereby realizing power saving and automatically turning on the camera module power supply when necessary. By doing so, useless operations by the user can be omitted.

[Third Embodiment]
The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the above-described first embodiment in the following points. Since the other elements of the present embodiment are the same as the corresponding ones of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3) described above, description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment described above, for example, while the image 2 is displayed in FIG. 6 (step S602) (image reproduction mode), when the user presses the capture button 110, the liquid crystal display 105 is displayed in the finder screen display state in FIG. (Step S401) When the process proceeds to (shooting mode) and the user presses the left (front) or right (next) buttons of the cross button 107, the last image or the first image in the image list is displayed.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the user presses the left side (front) of the cross button 107, the image that was previously displayed in the image list (the image that was displayed before shifting to the shooting mode) is displayed. When the user presses the right side (next) of the cross button 107 from the finder screen display state, the last image in the image list is displayed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of image display in response to operation of the cross button 107 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 10, during browsing of image 1 (step S1001) and image 2 (step S1002), shooting is performed by switching to the finder screen display state (step S1005), and after the shooting is finished, the display returns to image 2 (step S1002). Image 3 (step S1003) and image 4 (step S1004) can be browsed. Further, it is possible to browse the image 4 (step S1004) from the finder screen display state (step S1005).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user interrupts while browsing the image on the liquid crystal display 105 of the digital camera, performs a new shooting for a moment, and displays the interrupted image display before the shooting. By returning to this state, it is possible to resume browsing of images.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The fourth embodiment of the present invention differs from the above-described first embodiment in the following points. Since the other elements of the present embodiment are the same as the corresponding ones of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3) described above, description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a user sets desired items using a setting screen for setting operation of a digital camera in advance.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a setting screen of the digital camera according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 11, when the user presses the menu button 109 (see FIG. 1) of the digital camera, the liquid crystal display 105 displays a setting screen 1100. In the present embodiment, there are the following setting items of the digital camera.

(1) Image confirmation time (2) Automatic camera Off
(3) Camera power supply during image viewing (4) Date (5) Time (6) Operation sound (7) Shutter sound (8) Self-timer From the setting item display state of the setting screen 1100 of the liquid crystal display 105, the user can select a menu button. When 109 is pressed, the state before the menu button 109 is pressed is restored. In the setting screen 1100, an item 1101 whose background is grayed out, for example, is the currently selected item, and “camera power when viewing images (camera module power)” is selected. Here, when the user presses the center of the cross button 107 (set state), the options of the selected item are displayed as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state in which setting items are being selected on the setting screen.

  In FIG. 12, “camera power when viewing images (camera module power)” on the setting screen 1200 is currently “off”. That is, as soon as the shooting mode is switched to the image reproduction mode (image browsing mode for displaying an already shot image) (when the process proceeds from step S401 to step S402 in FIG. 4), the camera module power supply is used for power saving. It is a setting to disconnect. In this case, when the digital camera is started up by the user pressing the capture button 110, the power management unit 301 always turns on the camera module power. In the case of a digital camera having a retractable lens, since the lens is moved, it takes time until a standby for shooting, but power consumption can be suppressed.

  Options for “camera power supply during camera viewing (camera module power supply)” include “automatic” and “on” in addition to the above “off”. When “automatic” is selected, the timer starts when the process transits from step S401 to step S402 in FIG. 4, and the finder screen display state (shootable state) in step S401 is reached within a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes). If it does not return, the power supply management unit 301 cuts off the camera module power, and if it is a retractable lens, it sinks the lens.

  When “ON” is selected, the camera module power is turned on even in the image reproduction mode (image browsing mode). This selection is switched by pressing the left or right side of the cross button 107, and the corresponding option is set (set) by pressing the center of the cross button 107.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to seamlessly perform shooting and image browsing without being conscious of the shooting mode and the image playback mode of the digital camera according to the user's preference. The desired control method (“automatic”, “off”, “on”) of the camera module power supply can be selected.

[Other embodiments]
In the first to fourth embodiments, the cross button 107 that can be pushed in up, down, left, right, and center is exemplified as an operation means for switching the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 of the digital camera. The form and structure are not limited as long as the operation means has the same function as the cross button 107.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the case where the imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a digital video camera. .

  The present invention supplies a software program (flowcharts in FIGS. 4 and 9) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a computer or CPU, and the computer or CPU reads and executes the supplied program. Can be achieved.

  In this case, the program is directly supplied from a storage medium storing the program, or downloaded from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like. Supplied.

  The form of the program may be in the form of object code, program code executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system), and the like.

  The present invention also supplies a computer or CPU with a storage medium storing a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the computer or CPU reads and executes the program stored in the storage medium. Can also be achieved.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, ROM, RAM, NV-RAM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk (registered trademark), magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, CD -RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, etc.

  The function of the above-described embodiment is not only by executing the program code read from the computer, but the OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Can also be realized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The external appearance of the digital camera as an imaging device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is the perspective view which looked at the digital camera from the front side, (b) is the digital camera from the back side. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a digital camera. It is a functional block diagram which shows the main functions of a digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the transition by the event in each state and each state of a digital camera. It is a figure which shows the flow of the image display with respect to operation of the cross button at the time of camera module power supply On. It is a figure which shows the flow of the image display with respect to operation of the cross button at the time of camera module power supply Off. It is a figure which shows the flow of the image display with respect to operation of the cross button after a capture. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the mode setting dial of the digital camera which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the transition by the event in each state and each state of a digital camera. It is a figure which shows the flow of the image display with respect to operation of the cross button which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of the digital camera which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state during the setting item selection in a setting screen.

Explanation of symbols

103 Mode setting dial (corresponding to the third operation means)
105 Liquid crystal display (corresponding to display means)
107 Arrow pad (corresponds to the operation means)
110 Capture button (corresponds to the second operation means)
301 Power management unit (corresponds to power control means and power confirmation means)
303 Image photographing unit (corresponding to photographing transition means)
304 Image development unit (corresponding to generation means)

Claims (10)

An imaging apparatus having a display means for displaying a captured image,
Operation means for instructing switching of an image to be displayed on the display means;
Generating means for generating an image list of captured images;
When the switching to the next image is instructed by the operation means when the image being displayed on the display means is the last in the image list, or when the image being displayed is at the top of the image list An imaging apparatus comprising: a shooting transition unit that shifts to a shooting mode when switching to a previous image is instructed by the operation unit. A power control means for cutting off the power supply for photographing when a fixed time has elapsed before the display means is in an image display state;
When the switching to the next image is instructed by the operation means when the image being displayed on the display means is the last in the image list, or when the image being displayed is at the top of the image list A power confirmation means for confirming the state of the photographing power supply when switching to the previous image is instructed by the operation means;
When the photographing power is turned on, the photographing transition means shifts to the photographing mode,
When the photographing power is not turned on, and when the switching to the next image is instructed by the operation means when the displayed image is the last in the image list, the first image in the image list Is displayed, and when the switch to the previous image is instructed by the operation means when the displayed image is at the top of the image list, the last image in the image list is displayed. The imaging device according to claim 1. A second operating means for instructing image capture;
When image capture is instructed by the second operation means during image display on the display means, if the photographing power is not turned on, the photographing power is turned on by the power control means and the photographing power is turned on. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the photographing power is turned on by the photographing transition means and the photographing power is turned on, the photographing transition means causes the photographing mode to shift to the photographing mode.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a prevention unit that prevents the photographing power from being turned on and a transition to a photographing mode even when an image capture is instructed by the second operation unit while the display unit displays an image. 3. The imaging device according to 3.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the prevention unit is realized by a hardware switch or a software switch.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising third operation means for instructing to turn off the imaging power source during image display by the display means.   In the shooting mode, both when the switching to the previous image is instructed by the operation means and when the switching to the next image is instructed, the mode is changed to the image reproduction mode, and the last image or the first image in the image list is changed. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is displayed.   When image capture is instructed by the second operation means in the image playback mode, the mode is shifted to the shooting mode, and when switching to the previous image is instructed by the operation means, the image is displayed before shifting to the shooting mode. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image that has been displayed is displayed. A control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: a display unit that displays a captured image; and an operation unit that instructs to switch an image displayed on the display unit.
When the operation unit instructs to switch to the next image when the image displayed on the display unit is the last in the image list of the photographed image, or the displayed image is at the top of the image list A control method characterized by causing a transition to a photographing mode when switching to a previous image is instructed by the operation means. A program that causes a computer to execute a control method of an imaging apparatus that includes a display unit that displays a captured image and an operation unit that instructs switching of an image displayed on the display unit,
A generation module that generates an image list of captured images, and when the operation unit instructs to switch to the next image when the image currently displayed on the display unit is the last in the image list, or during display And a shooting transition module that shifts to a shooting mode when an instruction to switch to the previous image is given by the operation means when the image is at the top of the image list.

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