JP2007052795A - Operation device of apparatus provided with screen display part, and digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation device which can be easily operated by all people in an apparatus having a screen display part, and to achieve the miniaturization of a digital camera and the enlargement of a display part by applying the operation device to the digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: A touch panel 12 is provided in front of a display part 10 formed in a digital camera 1, a location (press position) on the display part 10 which is touched when the camera is held is distinguished, and an operation button such as a shutter button 30, a zoom-up button (TELE button) 32, and a zoom-down button (WIDE button) 34 is displayed around the circumference of the press position to be superposed (overlay display) with a captured image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device for a device having a screen display unit, and more particularly to a device that is applied to a digital camera or the like and performs a desired operation via a touch panel provided on the display unit.

  A conventional digital camera has an operation unit such as a release button or a zoom lever in a housing, and the camera can be operated by operating the operation unit. In addition, it is widely known that a display unit such as a liquid crystal display is provided on the back surface of a camera and the like, and a captured image can be displayed on the display unit. As described above, the conventional digital camera has a separate operation unit and display unit. However, the configuration of the operation unit is a problem in reducing the size of the camera and the size of the display unit.

  On the other hand, in the field of television cameras, a system has been proposed in which a touch panel is provided in front of a monitor screen for displaying a camera image and the television camera is controlled by touch operation of the touch panel (Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 2, a transmissive panel input device (corresponding to a touch panel) is arranged on the front surface of a display unit of an image display device that displays images captured by a camera of a door phone with a camera, and operation keys displayed on the screen are displayed. A display operation device of a home control system that controls equipment by touching is disclosed.

In addition, a method has also been proposed in which operation items of the video camera are displayed on a display device that displays images taken by the video camera, and a touch panel is provided on the image display unit, and the operation items are touched with a finger to operate the video camera. (Patent Document 3).
JP-A-6-121219 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-212857 JP-A-9-116792

  However, even if the technique described in each of the above publications is diverted to provide a touch panel on the display unit of the digital camera to realize camera operation by screen touch, there are problems unique to the digital camera as described below. There is a problem that the technique described in the above cannot be simply applied to a digital camera.

  That is, when the operation unit (operation item) is displayed on the display unit, there is a drawback that the image of the subject is necessarily displayed in a small size. In a digital camera, the photographer must hold the display unit (screen) in order to hold the camera body. Therefore, it is difficult to provide operation keys and operation items in the grip portion, and it is necessary to devise how to avoid the grip portion. In particular, since the method of gripping the camera differs depending on the person and the size of the hand is different, it is difficult to provide a touch-type operation panel that is easy for all persons to operate.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an operation device that can be easily operated by all persons in a device having a screen display unit. In particular, the camera is downsized and the display unit is large. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera that can be realized.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a screen display unit for displaying at least character or image information, a touch panel provided in front of the screen display unit, and detection for detecting a pressed position of the touch panel. And an operation button display processing means for displaying a predetermined operation button on the screen display unit on the basis of the pressed position detected by the detecting means, with the character or image information superimposed on the periphery of the pressed position, A control unit that performs operation control according to the pressed operation button when the operation button displayed on the screen display unit by the operation button display processing unit is pressed via the touch panel. Yes.

  According to the present invention, when the screen display unit is touched, the touched position (pressed position) is detected via the touch panel and the detection means. Then, on the basis of the detected pressed position, a predetermined operation button is superimposed and displayed on the screen together with information on characters and images. When the operation button displayed in this way is pressed through the touch panel, an operation defined for the pressed operation button is executed.

  Thereby, the operation button can be displayed near the position where the operator arbitrarily touches the screen display unit, and the operation is easy for all the operators. Further, since the operation buttons are displayed so as to be superimposed on information such as characters and images, the information such as characters and images are not displayed small, and the necessary information such as images and the operation buttons can be easily seen together. Simultaneously displayed on the screen.

  Further, when a predetermined operation button is displayed based on the position (pressed position) where the screen display unit is pressed, the display area on the screen where the operation button can be displayed according to the pressed position is limited. In view of the above, the present invention further divides the area of the touch panel into a plurality of areas in advance, the operation buttons are arranged in advance for each area, and the pressed position detected by the detection means is the plurality of areas. An area determining means for determining which area belongs to, and an arrangement form changing means for displaying the operation buttons in the arrangement form of the operation buttons corresponding to the area determined by the area determining means. It is a feature.

  According to this configuration, the display screen of the screen display unit is divided into a plurality of areas, and a button arrangement pattern (arrangement form) for displaying operation buttons for each area is determined. Then, when the screen display unit is pressed, the area determining means determines which area the pressed position belongs to, and the arrangement is changed to an arrangement according to the area to which the screen display unit belongs. Thereby, no matter where the display screen of the screen display unit is pressed, the operation buttons are appropriately arranged according to the pressed position.

  However, if the arrangement of the operation buttons is frequently changed by the arrangement form changing means when the screen display unit is touched again, it may be difficult to operate on the contrary, so in another aspect of the present invention, After the display non-change area is set in advance at the boundary portion of each area and the operation button is displayed in the first arrangement form corresponding to the first area determined by the area determining means, the detecting means further Second area determining means for determining whether or not the detected second pressing position belongs to a display unchangeable region set at a boundary portion of the first area; and the second pressing position is the first pressing position. When the second area determining means determines that the area is outside the area of 1 and belongs to the display non-change area set at the boundary of the first area, the arrangement form changing means Operation button Without changing the arrangement form, is characterized by comprising a display unchanged means for maintaining said first arrangement form.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, if the touched position (second pressing position) is within the display non-change area, the arrangement form of the operation buttons is not changed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent frequent changes in the arrangement of the operation buttons due to a slight change in the pressed position due to retouching, and it is possible to improve operability. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the above-described invention is applied to a digital camera, and an image pickup unit having at least an image pickup optical system and an image pickup element, and a signal processing for processing a video signal read from the image pickup unit A recording unit that records image data processed by the signal processing unit, a screen display unit that displays an image captured through the imaging unit, and a touch panel provided on the front surface of the screen display unit, A detection unit that detects a pressed position of the touch panel, and a predetermined operation button is arranged around the pressed position on the basis of the pressed position detected by the detection unit, and is superimposed on the image on the screen display unit. The operation button display processing means to be displayed and the operation button displayed on the screen display unit by the operation button display processing means are pressed through the touch panel. It is characterized by comprising a control unit that performs operation control corresponding to create button.

  According to the present invention, when the screen display unit is touched when the digital camera is held, the touched position (pressed position) is detected via the touch panel and the detection unit. Based on the detected pressed position, a predetermined operation button is displayed around the image on the screen. Thereafter, when the operation button is pressed through the touch panel, various operations of the camera defined for the pressed operation button are executed.

  Thereby, the operation button can be displayed near the position where the photographer arbitrarily touches the screen display unit, and the camera operation is easy for all photographers. In addition, the screen display unit and the operation unit of the camera can be integrated, and the camera can be downsized.

  As described above, according to the operation device for a device having a screen display unit according to the present invention, a touch panel is provided on the screen display unit, a position where the screen display unit is pressed is detected, and an operation button is provided around the pressed position. Since the display is made, the operator can smoothly perform a desired operation from the position of the first pressing, and the operation becomes easy. Further, since the operation buttons are displayed so as to be superimposed on information such as characters and images, the information such as characters and images are not displayed small, and the necessary information such as images and the operation buttons can be easily seen together. There is an advantage that they are displayed simultaneously on the screen.

  In addition, when the present invention is applied to a digital camera, an operation button can be displayed near the position where the photographer grasps the camera and touches the screen display unit arbitrarily, and the camera operation is easy for all photographers. It will be something. In addition, the screen display unit and the operation unit of the camera can be integrated, and the camera can be downsized. Furthermore, with such a digital camera, the camera can be operated by moving the finger from the place where the photographer grips the camera and first touches the screen display unit. There is also an advantage that a desired operation can be performed.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a device operating device having a screen display unit according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 are external views of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a front view and FIG. 2 is a rear view. As shown in these drawings, an image pickup unit 2 is provided in the upper left corner of the front of the digital camera 1, and a photographer holds the camera with the right hand in the left front portion of the camera including the image pickup unit 2. A grip portion 4 is formed so as to facilitate this. The imaging unit 2 has a photographic lens (photographic optical system), and a CCD (imaging device) (not shown) is disposed behind the photographic lens. Although the configuration of the photographing lens is not shown, for example, a rear focus type zoom lens including a zooming group and a correction group is used.

  An auxiliary light emitting unit 6 is disposed in the upper right corner of the front of the camera, and a power switch 8 is disposed on the upper surface of the camera. As shown in FIG. 2, a single display unit (screen display unit) 10 is provided on the entire rear surface of the camera. The display unit 10 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example, and a light-transmitting touch panel 12 is disposed on the front surface of the display unit 10.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 mainly includes an imaging unit 2, a signal processing unit 14, a built-in memory (or external memory) 16, an output memory 18, a D / A converter 20, a display unit 10, a touch panel 12, and a central processing unit (CPU). ) 22 etc. The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD via the photographing lens of the imaging unit 2 is photoelectrically converted in the CCD and sequentially read out as a video signal. Although a detailed configuration of the signal processing unit 14 is not illustrated, the signal processing unit 14 is, as is well known, an analog processing circuit such as a CDS clamp circuit or a gain adjustment circuit, an A / D converter, and a luminance signal generation circuit. , A color difference signal generation circuit, and a digital image processing circuit such as a gamma correction path. The video signal read from the imaging unit 2 is appropriately signal-processed by the signal processing unit 14 and recorded in a recording unit such as a built-in memory 16 (for example, a flash memory built in the camera) or an external memory card.

  The video signal read from the photographing unit 2 and the video signal read from the built-in memory (or external memory card) 16 are processed by the signal processing unit 14 and then output to the output memory 18. Then, the video signal is guided to the display unit 10 via the D / A converter 20, and a captured image is displayed on the display unit 10. The display unit 10 can display not only a still image taken by a shutter release operation but also a video (moving image or intermittent image) before the shutter release operation.

  The CPU 22 controls and controls each circuit of the camera. The CPU 22 determines a pressed position (touched position) of the touch panel 12 based on an input signal from the touch panel 12 (operation unit), and performs shooting such as zooming and focusing. Control of the imaging unit 2 to perform, display control on the display unit 10, writing / reading control of image data to the built-in memory 16, and the like are performed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when trying to hold the digital camera 1 with the right hand 26, the thumb 27 normally touches the display unit 10. Since how to hold the camera and the size of the hand differ depending on the person, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the place where the display unit 10 is touched is determined, and the shutter button 30 is placed around the place. In addition, operation buttons such as a zoom-up button (TELE button) 32 and a zoom-down button (WIDE button) 34 are overlaid on the captured image (overlay display).

  Next, an example of a display form of operation buttons will be described. FIG. 6 is a chart showing the correspondence between the area where the finger contacts the display unit 10 when the camera is held and the operation button layout. As shown in the figure, the screen of the display unit 10 is divided into four areas, and the arrangement form of the operation buttons is determined corresponding to each area. That is, when the area 10A of the place 1 on the right side of the center of the display unit 10 is touched, the start of focusing and metering is instructed on the left side of the area (touch determination area) 36 determined to be pressed first. An S1 button 30A and an S2 button (shutter release button) 30B for instructing execution of shooting are arranged inside the S1 button. Then, a zoom up button 32 is arranged above the touch determination area 36, and a zoom down button 34 is arranged below the touch determination area 36 (first column in FIG. 6).

  When the edge of the screen display unit 10 such as the upper side or the lower side is touched, the zoom-up button 32 and the zoom-down button 34 may not be displayed separately in the upper and lower sides. As described above, when the area 10B of the place 2 on the upper side of the display unit 10 is touched, the S1 and S2 buttons 30A and 30B are arranged on the left side of the touch determination area 36, and the lower side of the touch determination area 36 The zoom up button 32 and the zoom down button 34 are arranged side by side.

  Further, as shown in the third column of the figure, when the area 10C in the lower place 3 of the display unit 10 is touched, the S1 and S2 buttons 30A and 30B are displayed on the left side with the touch determination area 36 as a reference. The zoom up button 32 and the zoom down button 34 are arranged side by side above the touch determination area 36. Normally, the above three forms are sufficient. However, if the left end of the screen display unit 10 is touched, the S1, S2 buttons 30A, 30B may not be arranged on the left side of the touch determination area 36. When the area 10D of the place 4 on the left side of the display unit 10 is touched as shown in the fourth column of the same figure, the S1, S2 buttons 30A, 30B are arranged on the right side of the touch determination area 36 as a reference. The zoom up button 32 may be disposed above the touch determination area 36, and the zoom down button 34 may be disposed below the touch determination area 36.

  The operation button layout shown in FIG. 6 assumes that the grip part 4 of the camera is gripped with the right hand, but a mode of use in which the grip part 4 of the camera is gripped / operated with the left hand is also conceivable. An arrangement may be set. In addition, in order to be able to operate with either the right hand or the left hand, a means for detecting whether the hand is gripped with the right hand or the left hand is provided, and the button arrangement mode is switched so as to be easily operated with the hand on the gripped side. It is also possible to do.

  Furthermore, as described with reference to FIG. 6, if the operation buttons are frequently changed when the camera is re-gripped (when touched again), it may be difficult to operate. A display non-change area may be set at the boundary between 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D. For example, with respect to the area 10A of the place 1 on the right side of the center of the display unit 10 as shown in FIG. 7A, a predetermined area around the area 10A of the place 1 as shown in FIG. A display non-change area 40 is provided with a width.

  In this case, even if a region near the first touched region (for example, place 1) is touched again, if the touched position is within the display-unchangeable region 40, the operation button layout is not changed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the operation from being confused due to frequent changes in the display form due to touching again. Next, the processing procedure of the CPU related to the operation button display and operation determination of the digital camera configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the CPU 22. When the power switch 8 is turned on, first, the information on the previous pressing position of the touch panel 12 (the previous storage position) that has been recorded in the internal memory of the CPU 22 in the previous operation is deleted, and the memory is initialized. (Step 101). Next, it is determined whether or not the touch panel 12 has been pressed (step 102). The processing in step 102 is repeated until the touch panel 12 is pressed. When it is confirmed in step 102 that the touch panel 12 is pressed, the position (pressing position) where the touch panel 12 is pressed is determined based on the input signal from the touch panel 12. At the same time, it is checked whether or not the memory of the previous pressing position (previous position) exists in the memory (step 104).

  If the previous position is not stored in the memory, it is determined which area 10A to 10D belongs to all the display surfaces of the display unit 10 (step 106), and an operation is performed according to the determination result. Determine the display form of the button. That is, when it is determined in step 106 that the current pressing position belongs to the area 10A of the place 1 described in FIG. 6, each operation is performed in the display form (switch display 1) shown in the first column of FIG. Buttons (30A, 30B, 32, 34) are arranged and displayed on the screen (step 108).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the pressed position belongs to the area 10B of the place 2 described in FIG. 6, the operation buttons are arranged in the display form (switch display 2) shown in the second column of FIG. It is displayed on the screen (step 109). When it is determined that the pressed position belongs to the area 10C of the place 3 described with reference to FIG. 6, the operation buttons are arranged in the display mode (switch display 3) shown in the third column of FIG. It is displayed on the screen (step 110). When it is determined that the pressed position belongs to the area 10D of the place 4 described in FIG. 6, the operation buttons are arranged in the display form (switch display 4) shown in the fourth column of FIG. It is displayed on the screen (step 111).

  Thus, after each operation button is displayed according to the pressed position (steps 108, 109, 110, 111), the process proceeds to step 116, and the current pressed position (where the touch panel 12 is pressed) is stored in the internal memory. To remember. Next, it is determined whether or not the place where the touch panel 12 is pressed has moved (step 118). The processing of step 118 is repeated until the pressing position of the touch panel 12 moves, and after confirming that the pressing position of the touch panel 12 has moved, it is subsequently determined whether or not an operation button (switch) exists at the pressing position. A determination is made (step 120).

  If the user touches a place where no operation button exists, the process returns to step 118. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 120 that the place where the operation button exists is touched, the process defined for the operation button is executed (step 122). For example, when the S1 button 30A is pressed, focusing and photometry are started, and in the case of the zoom up button 32, the zoom is moved to the tele side. When actually shooting a still image, the thumb is moved from the position touched first, the S1 button 30A is first touched, and then the S2 button 30B at substantially the same position as the S1 button is pressed again. Become.

  After the process of step 122, it is then determined whether or not the touch panel 12 is still pressed (step 124). If the touch panel 12 is continuously pressed, the process returns to step 118, and steps 118 to 124 described above are repeated. On the other hand, if the touch on the touch panel 12 is released in step 124, the process returns to step 102. Thereafter, when it is confirmed in step 102 that the touch panel 12 has been pressed again, in the subsequent processing in step 104, since the previous pressed position is already stored in step 116, it is determined that the previous position is stored. It will be.

  In this case, subsequently, it is determined whether or not the current pressing position belongs to the display unchanged area 40 described with reference to FIG. 7 (step 105). Without changing the display form of the operation buttons, the operation buttons (30A, 30B, 32, 34) are displayed on the screen in the same display form (switch display) as the previous time (step 114). This prevents frequent changes in the display form due to touching again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 105 that the current pressing position belongs to an area other than the display non-change area 40, the process proceeds to step 106, and as described above, according to the areas 10A to 10D to which the pressing position belongs. The operation button is displayed (steps 108, 109, 110, 111). Thus, after each operation button is displayed (steps 114, 108, 109, 110, and 111), the process proceeds to step 116, and the storage position information is rewritten and updated to the current pressed position information. Thereafter, as described above, the process returns from step 118 to step 124 to step 102, and a series of processes is repeated.

  Next, some specific examples of means (overlay circuit) for displaying operation buttons in an overlapping manner on the screen of the display unit 10 will be described. FIG. 9 shows a first example of the overlay circuit. In the overlay circuit shown in the figure, a changeover switch 52 is provided between a luminance signal (Y signal) bus sent from the signal processing unit 14 described in FIG. 3 and a memory 50 for recording the luminance signal. A changeover switch 56 is provided between the color signal (C signal) bus sent from the processing unit 14 and the memory 54 for recording the color signal. The contacts of the changeover switches 52 and 56 are configured to be switched by a control signal from the CPU 22.

  In the figure, the Y signal and the C signal are shown by a single line. However, each signal is a bus in which video signals are bundled. The C signal can be switched to a signal corresponding to the ground (GND) level of the video signal by the changeover switch 56.

  The CPU 22 compares the address of the video signal sent from the signal processing unit 14 with the address of the overlay image 58 stored in the internal memory, and when the two match, the contact piece 52A of each of the changeover switches 52 and 56, Control to tilt 56A downward is performed. Thereby, in the video of the display unit 10, only the overlay portion can be displayed in white or black.

  If the video signal sent to the memories 50 and 52 is not a Y / C signal, that is, if it is an RGB signal, as shown in FIG. 10, a Y signal synthesis circuit 60 and a C signal synthesis circuit are used. By combining the Y signal and the C signal from the RGB signal using 62, the same processing as in the example described in FIG. 9 is possible. In FIG. 10, the same or similar members as those in the example shown in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the case where the Y / C signal is handled as the display unit memory has been described. However, the RGB signal can also be handled directly. In this case, the circuit shown in FIG. It becomes a composition. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 60 ′ is a Y signal synthesis circuit, 62 is an R signal recording memory, 63 is a G signal recording memory, 64 is a B signal recording memory, and 66, 67, and 68 are contact switching controlled by the CPU 22. It is a changeover switch.

  In this case, an accurate Y signal (0.3 R + 0.59G + 0.11B) may be synthesized in the Y signal synthesis circuit 60 ', but the synthesis ratio is set to 0.25R + 0.5G + 0.25B, 0.33R + 0.33G + 0.33B, or the like. It is also possible to simplify the processing. Furthermore, the composition may be performed using only the upper 2 bits of each color (RGB). This is because only the most significant bit of the synthesized signal is used, so that it is not necessary to generate an accurate Y signal.

  In addition to displaying the operation buttons in white or black on the screen, it is also possible to display the operation buttons with shading on the screen. FIG. 12 shows an example of an overlay circuit that displays operation buttons with shades on the screen. The point that the contacts of the changeover switches 52 and 56 are switched by the control signal from the CPU 22 at the time of video output to switch the video signal guided to the memories 50 and 54 is the same as the example shown in FIGS.

  In the circuit of FIG. 12, instead of a configuration in which the inverted output of the most significant bit of the Y signal is given to all bits, the entire Y signal is data shifted by the data shift circuit 70. Depending on the shift direction at this time, if the shift is made to the MSB (most significant bit) side, the overlay portion is displayed brightly, and if the shift is made to the LSB (least significant bit) side, the overlay portion is displayed darkly. Employing such a circuit has an advantage that the subject displayed on the display unit 10 is not impaired as compared with the forms (FIGS. 9 to 11) in which the diagrams representing the operation buttons are displayed in an overlay manner.

  In the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 12, the color signal of the overlay portion is set so that only that portion is not colored. However, as shown in FIG. 13, the color signal is not changed, or the data shift circuit 70 ' It may be controlled by the CPU 22 to control the data shift itself of the Y signal. Note that the color signal may also be shifted.

  14A and 14B show a configuration example of the data shift circuit 70 'shown in FIG. When the structure shown in FIG. 14A is adopted, the CPU 22 compares the address of the video signal sent out from the signal processing unit 14 with the address of the overlay image 58 stored in the internal memory. Control is performed to tilt each switch contact of 14 (a) upward or downward. The Y signal is shifted up by tilting the switch contact upward, and is shifted down by tilting downward.

  14B, the CPU 22 compares the address of the video signal sent from the signal processing unit 14 with the address of the overlay image 58 stored in the internal memory, and if both match, 14B, the switch contact piece of FIG. 14B is controlled to be lowered, and the Y signal is shifted down. Further, for example, when a quadrilateral operation button is displayed in an overlay manner, the button can be displayed in three dimensions. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, two overlay images (white side) 58A and 58B (black side) are provided, and the data shift circuit 70 'can be shifted up / down as shown in FIG. 14 (a). Adopt data shift structure. Each overlay image 58A, 58B is a three-dimensional shape of a quadrangle, and each overlay image having a shape imitating a state in which light strikes from the upper left is created.

  Then, the CPU 22 compares the address of the video signal (data) sent from the signal processing unit 14 with the address of the overlay images 58A and 58B, and the Y signal increases when it matches the address of the white side overlay image 58A. When the address coincides with the address of the black overlay image 58B, the Y signal is shifted to be small. At other times, the data shift unit does not work (the switch contact piece in FIG. 14 is kept horizontal), and the video signal is directly guided to the memories 50 and 54 (through).

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 16, a display (shaded display) in which a square button is three-dimensionally raised in a part of the video signal can be realized. FIG. 17 shows another configuration of the overlay circuit. When there are two types of overlay images, the white side and the black side, an overlay display in which the white shape is framed with black so that it can be easily seen on a white screen or a black screen is also possible. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, a white side overlay image 58C in which a square operation button is drawn with a white line, and a black side overlay image 58D in which the white square is surrounded with black are provided. The CPU 22 switches and controls the contacts of the changeover switches 72 and 74.

  The CPU 22 compares the address of the video signal (data) sent from the signal processing unit 14 with the address of the overlay images 58C and 58D, and when it matches the address of the white overlay image 58C, the CPU 22 connects the selector switches 72 and 74. When one piece is tilted upward and the address of the black overlay image 58D coincides, the contact piece of the changeover switches 72 and 74 is tilted downward. In other cases, the contact pieces of the changeover switches 72 and 74 are kept horizontal in FIG. 17, and the video signal is guided to the memories 50 and 54 as they are.

  As a result, even when a white square (operation button) is displayed on a white screen, a black frame is provided, and the operation button can be clearly distinguished from the surrounding white screen. The above embodiment has been described by taking as an example the case where the operation device for a device having a screen display unit according to the present invention is applied to a digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and information such as an address book and a schedule It can be applied to various devices such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) having a function of recording / displaying information, a PDA with a digital camera, a TV mobile phone and a video phone.

  Moreover, although the case where the touch panel 12 was touched with a finger (hand) was described in the said embodiment, you may press the touch panel 12 not only with a finger but using input instruction members, such as an input pen.

Front external view of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied Rear view of the digital camera of FIG. Block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera A diagram showing how the digital camera is held Figure showing a display example of operation buttons Chart showing the relationship between the area touched by a finger when holding a digital camera and the layout of operation buttons Explanatory drawing showing an example of setting the display unchanged area Flow chart showing processing procedure of CPU of digital camera Configuration diagram showing a first example of an overlay circuit The block diagram which shows the 2nd example of an overlay circuit The block diagram which shows the 3rd example of an overlay circuit The block diagram which shows the 4th example of an overlay circuit The block diagram which shows the 5th example of an overlay circuit Circuit diagram showing configuration example of data shift circuit The block diagram which shows the 6th example of an overlay circuit The figure which shows the example of a display of the operation button by the overlay circuit of FIG. The block diagram which shows the 7th example of an overlay circuit The figure which shows the example of a display of the operation button by the overlay circuit of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1. Digital camera (equipment)
2 ... Imaging unit 10 ... Display unit (screen display unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Touch panel 14 ... Signal processing part 16 ... Built-in memory 22 ... Central processing unit (CPU)
30A ... S1 button (operation button)
30B ... S2 button (operation button)
32 ... Zoom-up button (operation button)
34 ... Zoom down button (operation button)
36 ... Touch determination area (pressing position)

Claims (6)

A device operating device that a user can hold by hand,
A screen display unit for displaying at least character or image information;
A touch panel provided in front of the screen display unit;
Detecting means for detecting a position where the touch panel is pressed by a finger of a user's hand holding the operating device;
An area that can be touch-operated with a finger of the user's hand is determined with reference to the pressed position detected by the detection means, and a predetermined operation button is placed around the pressed position according to the determined area. Operation button display processing means for displaying on the screen display unit by overlapping with the information of
When the operation button displayed on the screen display unit by the operation button display processing unit is pressed via the touch panel, a control unit that performs operation control according to the pressed operation button;
A device operating device having a screen display unit. The area of the touch panel is divided into a plurality of areas in advance, and an arrangement form of operation buttons is predetermined for each area,
Area discriminating means for discriminating which area of the plurality of areas the pressing position detected by the detecting means belongs to;
Arrangement form changing means for displaying operation buttons in an arrangement form of operation buttons corresponding to the areas determined by the area determination means;
An apparatus operating device having a screen display unit according to claim 1. A display unchangeable area is set in advance in the boundary portion of each area,
The pressing position newly detected by the detection means is outside the area previously determined by the area determination means, and within the display unchangeable area set at the boundary portion of the area determined last time Display non-changing means for maintaining the previous arrangement form without changing the arrangement form of the operation buttons,
An apparatus operating device having a screen display unit according to claim 2. Means for detecting left and right of the hand held by the operator;
The operation button display processing means changes an arrangement form of the operation buttons based on the detection result so that the operation button display processing means can be easily operated with a gripped hand.
An apparatus operating device having a screen display unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When the detection unit detects that the touch panel has moved to the display position of the operation button while continuously detecting the pressed position of the touch panel, the control unit performs operation control according to the operation button.
An apparatus operating device having a screen display unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A digital camera that can be held by a user's hand,
An imaging unit having at least an imaging optical system and an imaging element;
A signal processing unit for processing a video signal read from the imaging unit;
A recording unit for recording image data processed by the signal processing unit;
A screen display unit for displaying an image taken through the imaging unit;
A touch panel provided in front of the screen display unit;
Detecting means for detecting a pressed position of the touch panel by a finger of a user's hand holding the digital camera;
An area that can be touch-operated with a finger of the user's hand is determined based on the pressed position detected by the detection means, and a predetermined operation button is overlapped with the image around the pressed position according to the determined area. Operation button display processing means to be displayed on the screen display unit by arranging
When the operation button displayed on the screen display unit by the operation button display processing unit is pressed via the touch panel, a control unit that performs operation control according to the pressed operation button;
A digital camera characterized by comprising

Images