JP2009239424A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an operation related to imaging by operation input from a touch panel even when executing an imaging operation by solidly fixing a single-lens reflex camera. <P>SOLUTION: This camera is provided with: a display unit 120 displaying an image obtained by imaging an object image; a touch panel 126 arranged on the display unit 120; a detection means 124 detecting an imaging preparation operation; an allocation means 111 allocating a predetermined operation required for an operation related to imaging to the touch panel 126; and a control means 111 controlling the operation related to imaging in response to a received predetermined operation when the allocated predetermined operation is received in the case where the imaging preparation operation is detected by the detection means 124. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera including a touch panel on a display.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camera that performs processing based on the speed and direction of tracing a touch panel is known (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-104594 A

  However, the operation from the touch panel corresponds to the moving image reproduction process, and there is a problem that when the user performs a shooting operation while holding a single-lens reflex camera, an operation related to shooting cannot be performed by operating the touch panel.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera related to photographing, a display for displaying an image obtained by capturing a subject image, a touch panel provided on the display, a detection means for detecting a photographing preparation operation, and a photographing. When the photographing preparation operation is detected by the allocating unit that allocates a predetermined operation necessary for the operation to the touch panel and the detecting unit, when the allocated predetermined operation is received, shooting is performed in response to the received predetermined operation. And control means for controlling related operations.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first aspect, the predetermined operation is an operation performed within a predetermined area of the touch panel.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the second aspect, the predetermined area is a lower left area of the touch panel.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to any one of the first to third aspects, when the user is looking into the eyepiece optical system, the detection means detects a photographing preparation operation. And
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the user half-presses the release button, the detection means detects a shooting preparation operation. To do.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the operations related to photographing are zooming operation of an optical system, focus adjustment operation, selection of a focus detection region, and imaging sensitivity. At least one of a change in exposure time, a change in exposure time, and a change in aperture value.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the camera further comprises registration means for registering registration information in which an operation related to photographing is associated with a predetermined operation. It is characterized by.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the seventh aspect, the camera further includes a reading unit that reads registration information registered by the registration unit, and the allocating unit performs shooting based on the registration information read by the reading unit. A predetermined operation necessary for related operations is assigned to the touch panel.

  According to the present invention, even when a shooting operation is performed while holding the camera, an operation related to shooting can be performed by operating the touch panel.

  A camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in the configuration diagram of the main part of the electronic camera 100 in FIG. 1, an interchangeable lens 200 including a photographing lens L1 including a zoom lens and a focus adjustment lens and an aperture 201 is attached to and detached from the body of the electronic camera 100. It is installed as possible. On the body side of the camera 100, a quick return mirror 101, a focusing screen 102, a pentaprism 103, a photometric sensor 104, an eyepiece lens 105, a shutter 106, an image sensor 107, and a focus detection sensor 108 are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control system of the electronic camera 100. In FIG. 2, the components shown in FIG. The control system of the electronic camera 100 includes an image sensor 107, a focus detection sensor 108, a control circuit 111, a temporary recording memory 112, a built-in memory 113, an LCD drive circuit 119, a liquid crystal display 120, an operation unit 121, a memory card interface 122, A memory card 123, a line-of-sight detection device 124, an attitude sensor 125, and a touch panel 126 are provided.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the subject light that has passed through the interchangeable lens 200 and entered the electronic camera 100 is guided upward by the quick return mirror 101 positioned as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 before the shutter release. An image is formed on the focusing screen 102. The subject light further enters the pentaprism 103. The pentaprism 103 guides the incident subject light to the eyepiece lens 105 and causes the subject light to enter the photometric sensor 104. The photometric sensor 104 is disposed at a position optically equivalent to the imaging element 107 with respect to the interchangeable lens 200, captures a subject image formed on the imaging surface, and detects a photoelectric according to the brightness of the subject image. The converted signal is output to the control circuit 111 as a photometric signal.

  Part of the subject light passes through the semi-transmissive region of the quick return mirror 101, is reflected downward by the sub mirror 101a, and enters the focus detection sensor 108. For example, the focus detection sensor 108 divides a focus detection light beam into a pair of focus detection light images and forms a focus detection optical system and a pair of split light images, and a focus detection signal corresponding thereto. A pair of CCD line sensors. A focus detection signal output from the CCD line sensor is input to the control circuit 111.

  After the release, the quick return mirror 101 is rotated to a position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1, and subject light is guided to the image sensor 107 through the shutter 106, and a subject image is formed on the imaging surface. The image sensor 107 is a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD or a CMOS that converts the received subject light into an image signal corresponding to its intensity.

The control system will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The image sensor 107 outputs an image signal in accordance with the timing signal output from the control circuit 111. The control circuit 111 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and is an arithmetic circuit that controls each component of the electronic camera 100 and executes various data processing. The control circuit 111 is a circuit that performs analog processing on the image signal output from the image sensor 107 and converts the image signal into digital image data. The control circuit 111 calculates the luminance of the subject based on the photometric signal output from the photometric sensor 104, and calculates the shutter speed and the aperture value. Further, the control circuit 111 calculates a focus adjustment state such as a defocus amount based on the focus detection signal output from the focus detection sensor 108 described above.

  The control circuit 111 includes an image processing unit 114 and an image compression unit 115. The image processing unit 114 performs image processing such as white balance processing, gamma correction processing, color interpolation processing, contour enhancement, and vignette correction on the image data. The image compression unit 115 is a circuit that executes JPEG compression processing on the main image data subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 114.

  The temporary recording memory 112 is a volatile memory used for temporarily storing data during or after image processing, image compression processing, and display data creation processing. The built-in memory 113 is a non-volatile memory for recording image data subjected to the above-described image processing and the like. In the built-in memory 113, registration information in which shooting-related operations and shooting-related operations described later are associated is registered.

  The memory card interface 122 is an interface to which the memory card 123 can be attached / detached, and outputs a detection signal to the control circuit 111 when the attachment / detachment of the memory card 123 is detected. Based on the control of the control circuit 111, the memory card interface 122 writes the image data temporarily stored in the temporary recording memory 112 to the memory card 123 and reads the image data recorded on the memory card 123. The memory card 123 is a semiconductor memory card such as a compact flash (registered trademark) or an SD card.

  The line-of-sight detection device 124 includes a light projecting unit that irradiates infrared rays at the position of the eye looking into the eyepiece lens 105, and a light receiving unit that receives light reflected by the cornea and an image of the entire eyeball. An output signal of the light receiving unit is output to the control circuit 111. The control circuit 111 determines whether the user is looking into the eyepiece 105 based on the presence / absence of the output signal. The posture sensor 125 is a sensor for detecting the orientation of the camera 100 with respect to the gravitational direction, and a detection signal is output to the control device 111.

  The operation unit 121 is a switch that receives a user operation. The operation unit 121 includes a power switch, a release switch, a mode selector for switching the operation of the electronic camera 100 between the shooting mode and the playback mode, a display switch for other setting menus, a setting menu determination button, and the like.

  The LCD drive circuit 119 is a circuit that drives the liquid crystal display 120 based on a command from the control circuit 111. The liquid crystal display 120 displays the display data created by the control circuit 111 based on the image data recorded in the built-in memory 113 or the memory card 123 in the reproduction mode. The liquid crystal display 120 displays a menu screen for setting various operations of the electronic camera 100.

  The liquid crystal display 120 is provided with a touch panel 126, and a user can input an operation signal for operating the electronic camera 100 by pressing the surface of the liquid crystal display 120 with a finger. The touch panel 126 has a fine input area partitioned in a grid pattern on the display range, and when the user presses the touch panel 126 with a finger or a touch pen, the input area at the pressed position is turned on. The touch panel 126 outputs information for specifying the position of the input area on the touch panel 126, for example, a coordinate value, to the control device 111 as an operation signal of the touch panel 126.

  When the user is performing the shooting preparation operation, the control circuit 111 determines the operation mode (shooting related operation) of the touch panel 126 by the user based on the coordinate value input from the touch panel 126 every predetermined time, as will be described later. Then, each unit is controlled to perform a shooting-related operation corresponding to the determined shooting-related operation. The shooting-related operation associated with the shooting-related operation is registered for each user as will be described later.

  When the shooting mode is set, the control circuit 111 sets a predetermined area of the entire area of the touch panel 126 as an operation area 126R that receives a user's shooting-related operation. As shown in the rear view of the electronic camera 100 in FIG. 3, the operation area 126 </ b> R is a range in which a pressing operation with the thumb of the left hand is possible when the electronic camera 100 is held (for example, when the electronic camera 100 is held in a horizontal position). Is set as the lower left). When it is determined from the detection signal from the attitude sensor 125 that the electronic camera 100 is held in the horizontal position, the control circuit 111 sets the X axis and the Y axis for the touch panel 126 as shown in FIG. To do. In the following description, it is assumed that the electronic camera 100 is held in a horizontal position.

The control circuit 111 determines whether or not the coordinate value indicated by the operation signal input from the touch panel 126 is included in the range defined by the operation area 126R. When the coordinate value is included in the operation region 126R, the control circuit 111 determines whether the output signal from the line-of-sight detection device 124 has been input, that is, whether the user is looking into the eyepiece 105 and performing a shooting preparation operation. judge. When an output signal from the line-of-sight detection device 124 is input, the control circuit 111 assigns a shooting-related operation registered in the registration information to the touch panel 126, and the electronic camera according to the operation signal input from the touch panel 126. Various operations related to 100 shooting are performed. In the electronic camera 100 of the present embodiment, for example, the following three operations are possible as various operations related to photographing.
1. 1. Zoom driving of the interchangeable lens 200 2. Manual focus adjustment Select focus detection area

  The shooting-related operations 1 to 3 and the shooting-related operation on the touch panel 126 are registered in the built-in memory 113 as associated registration information. The registration information registration process will be described in detail later. The control circuit 111 acquires the coordinate value output from the touch panel 126 every predetermined time Δt, and determines the locus and moving direction of the rubbing operation by the user. Further, the control circuit 111 calculates a distance from the coordinate values acquired during the predetermined time Δt, and calculates the speed by dividing the calculated distance by the predetermined time Δt. Then, the control circuit 111 determines the shooting-related operation by the user based on the locus of the rubbing operation and the moving direction, and determines that the shooting-related operation is performed based on the calculated speed. Each unit is controlled to perform a shooting-related operation corresponding to the shooting-related operation.

1. Zoom driving of the interchangeable lens 200 As shown in FIG. 4A, for example, a rubbing operation from the top to the bottom (−Y direction) on the operation area 126R of the touch panel 126 and the interchangeable lens 200 from the Tele side to the Wide side. It is assumed that zoom driving is registered in association with a registration process described later. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the rubbing operation from the bottom to the top (Y direction) on the operation area 126R of the touch panel 126 is associated with the zoom drive from the Wide side to the Tele side of the interchangeable lens 200. Registered.

  As described above, the control circuit 111 calculates the locus and speed of the rubbing operation by the user in the operation area 126R. When determining that the rubbing operation is performed in the −Y direction, the control circuit 111 instructs a zoom motor (not shown) to drive the zoom lens from the Tele side to the Wide side. If it is determined that the rubbing operation is performed in the Y direction, the control circuit 111 instructs the zoom motor to drive the zoom lens from the Wide side to the Tele side.

  When the user's finger leaves the touch panel 126, the touch panel 126 stops outputting the operation signal. When no operation signal is input, the control circuit 111 instructs the zoom motor to stop driving the zoom lens. As a result, while the user is rubbing the touch panel 126, the zoom lens is continuously driven.

2. Adjusting the focus state manually As shown in FIG. 5A, for example, a rubbing operation from the left to the right (X direction) on the operation area 126R of the touch panel 126, and the focusing position from the infinity side to the closest end side. It is assumed that the driving of the focus adjustment lens for moving to is registered in association with each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, a rubbing operation from the right to the left (−X direction) on the touch panel 126 operation area 126R, and the in-focus position are moved from the closest end side to the infinity side. It is assumed that the driving of the focus adjustment lens is registered in association with each other.

  As described above, the control circuit 111 calculates the locus and speed of the rubbing operation by the user in the operation area 126R, and determines that the rubbing operation is being performed in the X direction. The focus adjustment lens is driven so that the in-focus position moves from the infinity side to the close end side. If it is determined that the rubbing operation is performed in the −X direction, the control circuit 111 instructs the focus motor to move the focus adjustment lens so that the in-focus position moves from the closest end side to the infinity side. Drive. When no operation signal is input from the touch panel 126, the control circuit 111 instructs the focus motor to stop driving the focus adjustment lens, similarly to the case where the interchangeable lens 200 is zoom-driven. As a result, while the user is rubbing the touch panel 126, the focus lens is continuously driven.

3. Selection of Focus Detection Area In electronic camera 100 of the present embodiment, it is assumed that focus detection areas 109 (109a to 109e) are arranged on the shooting screen as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, it is assumed that a rubbing operation for rotating the thumb on the operation area 126 </ b> R of the touch panel 126 and an operation for selecting the focus detection area 109 are registered in association with each other. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, while the user rotates the thumb clockwise (clockwise) on the touch panel 126, the control circuit 111 sets the focus detection area 109 to 109a → 109b → 109c. It is assumed that selection is made in the order of 109 d → 109 e (first order). As shown in FIG. 7B, while the user rotates the thumb counterclockwise (counterclockwise), the control circuit 111 moves the focus detection area 109 from 109e → 109d → 109c → 109b → It is assumed that selection is made in the order 109a (second order).

  While the operation signal is input from the touch panel 126, the control circuit 111 switches the selection of the focus detection areas 109a to 109e, for example, every second. Each time the selection of the focus detection area 109 is switched, the control circuit 111 instructs a superimpose device (not shown) to light the focus detection area 109 being selected. As a result, the user can confirm the selected focus detection area 109 via the eyepiece 105. When the user releases his / her thumb from the touch panel 126 and no operation signal is input from the touch panel 126, for example, if the focus detection area 109c is selected, the control circuit 111 uses the focus detection area 109c as an area used for adjusting the focus state. Set.

  In the above description, the case where the electronic camera 100 is held in the horizontal position has been described. However, when it is determined by the detection signal of the tilt sensor 125 that the electronic camera 100 is held in the vertical position, the control circuit 111 sets the X axis and the Y axis as shown in FIG.

-Registration of shooting related operations associated with shooting related operations-
In the user registration screen, when the user actually performs a shooting-related operation, registration is performed in association with the shooting-related operation. In the user selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 120 immediately after the power-on shown in FIG. 9, the position corresponding to “new user” is pressed on the touch panel 126 to shift to the user registration screen.

  When the screen shifts to the user registration screen, as shown in FIG. 10, the control circuit 111 prompts the upper part 120U of the liquid crystal display 120 to input an operation from the tele side of the zoom lens to the wide side, “OK”, Display “Cancel” and “End” buttons. In this state, when the user performs a rubbing operation on the lower part 120 </ b> B of the liquid crystal display 120, the touch panel 126 outputs an operation signal to the control circuit 111. Based on the operation signal input every predetermined time Δt, for example, when the rubbing operation is performed from the top to the bottom, the control circuit 111 determines that the rubbing operation is in the −Y direction.

  When the user presses the position corresponding to the “OK” button on the touch panel 126, the control circuit 111 uses the rubbing operation in the −Y direction as a shooting-related operation, and the shooting-related operation from the tele side to the wide side of the zoom lens. Record in association. When the recording is completed, the control circuit 111 displays a message for prompting an operation input from the Wide side to the Tele side of the zoom lens on the upper portion 120U of the liquid crystal display 120. Then, as described above, when the user performs a rubbing operation on the lower portion 120B of the liquid crystal display 120 and presses the “OK” button, the control circuit 111 performs the current rubbing operation and the zoom lens from the Wide side to the Tele side. The shooting-related operation is registered in association with it. Similarly, the control circuit 111 records the shooting-related operation of manually adjusting the focus state and selecting the focus detection area 109 in association with the rubbing operation performed by the user. When the “cancel” button displayed on the upper portion 120U of the liquid crystal display 120 is pressed, the control circuit 111 sets the shooting-related operation to a default shooting-related operation recorded in advance. If the “end” button is pressed, the control circuit 111 ends the user registration.

  Then, the control circuit 111 adds a registration number designated by the user to the shooting-related operation and the shooting-related operation recorded by the above-described processing, and registers the registration number in the registration area provided in the built-in memory 113. Thus, the control circuit 111 can register the shooting-related operation and the shooting-related operation in association with each other using the same registration number.

  The user can recall and use the registered information once registered. In this embodiment, since a plurality of pieces of registration information can be registered for each user, the user needs to select and read out the registered information registered for himself from the registered information.

  In the electronic camera 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, on the user selection screen shown in FIG. 9, the registration number is displayed on the liquid crystal display 120 as “1”, “2”, “3”, for example. The user can designate a registration number to be read by pressing a position corresponding to his / her registration number on the touch panel 126. That is, the control circuit 111 detects the pressing position on the touch panel 126 on the user selection screen of the electronic camera 100 and determines which registration number is pressed by the user, thereby specifying the position by the user. Identify the registration number. Then, the control circuit 111 reads the registration information of the specified registration number from the built-in memory 113, and assigns the shooting related operation to the touch panel 126 based on the read registration information.

  In addition, it can also set so that the imaging | photography related operation in the touch panel 126 demonstrated above may not be performed. When the user sets the shooting-related operation to OFF on the menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 120, the control circuit 111 disables the shooting-related operation of the touch panel 126 during shooting preparation. When the photographing-related operation is set to be invalid, the control circuit 111 does not display the user selection screen shown in FIG. 9 on the liquid crystal display 120 immediately after the power is turned on.

  The operation of the electronic camera 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The processing in FIGS. 11 to 16 is performed by executing a program in the control circuit 111. This program is stored in a memory (not shown), and is activated when an ON signal is input from the power switch of the operation unit 121.

  In step S101, it is determined whether or not the shooting-related operation is set to invalid. If the shooting-related operation is set to invalid, an affirmative determination is made in step S101 and the process proceeds to step S108 described later. If the shooting related operation is set to be valid, a negative determination is made in step S101 and the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, a user selection screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 120, and the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, it is determined whether or not the user has been selected. When the user is selected, that is, when it is determined that the position corresponding to the registration number is pressed based on the operation signal from the touch panel 126, an affirmative determination is made in step S103 and the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the shooting-related operation and the shooting-related operation corresponding to the registration number pressed in step S103 are read from the built-in memory 113 and set, and the process proceeds to step S108 described later.

  When the user is not selected, that is, when it is determined that the position corresponding to the registration number is pressed based on the operation signal from the touch panel 126, a negative determination is made in step S103 and the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, it is determined whether new user registration has been selected. When the new user registration is selected, that is, based on the operation signal from the touch panel 126, when it is determined that the position corresponding to “new user” is pressed, an affirmative determination is made in step S105 and the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, a process for new user registration is performed, and the process proceeds to step S108 described later. The processing for new user registration will be described in detail later.

  If it is determined that the position corresponding to “default” is pressed based on the operation signal from the touch panel 126, a negative determination is made in step S105, and the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, the shooting-related operation is set as default, and the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, processing in the shooting mode is performed, and the process proceeds to step S109. The processing in the shooting mode will be described later.

  In step S109, it is determined whether the power is turned off. If an off signal is input from the power switch, an affirmative determination is made in step S109 and the process ends. If no off signal is input from the power switch, a negative determination is made in step S109 and the process returns to step S108.

The process for new user registration in step S106 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
In step S201, a message prompting the user to input a shooting-related operation corresponding to zoom driving from the tele side to the wide side is displayed on the upper portion 120U of the liquid crystal display 120, and the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, it is determined whether or not a shooting-related operation has been performed on the lower part 120B of the liquid crystal display 120. When a shooting-related operation is performed and an operation signal is input from the touch panel 126, an affirmative determination is made in step S202 and the process proceeds to step S203. If no shooting-related operation is performed, a negative determination is made in step S202, and the process proceeds to step S205 described later.

  In step S203, it is determined whether or not the “OK” button has been pressed. If an operation signal indicating that the position corresponding to the “OK” button has been pressed is input from the touch panel 126, an affirmative determination is made in step S203 and the process proceeds to step S204. If the “OK” button is not pressed, a negative determination is made in step S203 and the determination process is repeated. In step S204, the input shooting-related operation and the zoom drive from the tele side to the wide side are recorded in association with each other, and the process proceeds to step S208 described later.

  In step S <b> 205, which is advanced when the shooting-related operation is not input, it is determined whether or not the “cancel” button is pressed. If it is determined based on the operation signal from the touch panel 126 that the position corresponding to the “cancel” button has been pressed, an affirmative determination is made in step S205 and the process proceeds to step S206. In step S206, the default shooting-related operation and the zoom drive from the tele side to the wide side are recorded in association with each other, and the process proceeds to step S208 described later.

  If the “cancel” button is not pressed, a negative determination is made in step S205 and the process proceeds to step S207. In step S207, it is determined whether or not the “END” button has been pressed. If it is determined that the position corresponding to the “END” button has been pressed based on the operation signal from the touch panel 126, an affirmative determination is made in step S207 and the process for new user registration ends. If the “END” button is not pressed, a negative determination is made in step S207 and the process returns to step S202.

  In step S208, a message prompting the user to input a shooting-related operation corresponding to zoom driving from the Wide side to the Tele side is displayed on the upper portion 120U of the liquid crystal display 120, and the process proceeds to Step S209. Each process from step S209 (photographing-related operation input determination) to step S214 (determination of “end” button press) is performed from step S202 (photographing-related operation input determination) to step S207 (“end” button press determination). It is the same as each process until. Note that in steps S211 and S213, shooting-related operations and zoom driving from the Wide side to the Tele side are recorded in association with each other. If step S214 is negative, the process returns to step S209.

  In step S215 of FIG. 13, a message prompting the user to input a shooting-related operation corresponding to the focus adjustment operation from the infinity side to the closest end side is displayed on the upper part 120U of the liquid crystal display 120, and the process proceeds to step S216. Each process from step S216 (input determination of shooting-related operation) to step S221 (determination of pressing of “end” button) is performed from step S202 (determination of input of shooting-related operation) to step S207 (determination of pressing of “end” button). It is the same as each process until. In step S218 and step S220, the shooting-related operation and the focus adjustment operation from the infinity side to the close end side are recorded in association with each other. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S221, the process returns to step S216.

  In step S222, a message prompting the user to input a shooting-related operation corresponding to the focus adjustment operation from the closest end side to the infinity side is displayed on the upper portion 120U of the liquid crystal display 120, and the process proceeds to step S223. Each process from step S223 (photographing-related operation input determination) to step S228 ("end" button press determination) is performed from step S202 (photographing-related operation input determination) to step S207 ("end" button press determination). It is the same as each process until. In steps S225 and S227, the shooting-related operation and the focus adjustment operation from the closest end to the infinity side are recorded in association with each other. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S228, the process returns to step S225.

  In step S229 of FIG. 14, a message prompting the user to input a shooting-related operation corresponding to the selection operation in the first order of the focus detection areas 109a to 109e is displayed on the upper portion 120U of the liquid crystal display 120, and the process proceeds to step S230. move on. Each processing from step S230 (photographing-related operation input determination) to step S235 (“end” button press determination) is performed from step S202 (photographing-related operation input determination) to step S207 (“end” button press determination). It is the same as each process until. In step S232 and step S234, the shooting-related operation and the selection operation in the first order of the focus detection areas 109a to 109e are recorded in association with each other. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S235, the process returns to step S230.

  In step S236, a message prompting the user to input a shooting-related operation corresponding to the selection operation of the focus detection areas 109a to 109e in the second order is displayed on the upper portion 120U of the liquid crystal display 120, and the process proceeds to step S237. Each processing from step S237 (determination of shooting-related operation input) to step S242 (determination of pressing of “end” button) is performed from step S202 (determination of input of shooting-related operation) to step S207 (determination of pressing of “end” button). It is the same as each process until. In step S239 and step S241, the shooting-related operation and the selection operation in the second order of the focus detection areas 109a to 109e are recorded in association with each other. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S242, the process returns to step S237.

  In step S243, it is determined whether a registration number has been selected. If the registration number is selected, step S243 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step S244. If the registration number is not selected, a negative determination is made in step S243 and the determination process is repeated. In step S244, the shooting-related operation, the shooting-related operation, and the registration number are associated with each other and registered in the built-in memory 113, and the process for new user registration ends.

The processing in the shooting mode in step S108 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS.
In step S301, it is determined whether or not an operation signal is input from the touch panel 126. If an operation signal is input, an affirmative determination is made in step S301 and the process proceeds to step S302. If no operation signal is input, a negative determination is made in step S301, and the process proceeds to step S328 described later.

  In step S302, it is determined whether or not the coordinate value indicated by the operation signal is within the operation region 126R. If it is within the range of the operation area 126R, an affirmative determination is made in step S302 and the process proceeds to step S303. When it is outside the range of the operation area 126R, a negative determination is made in step S302, and the process proceeds to step S335 described later. In step S303, the user looks into the eyepiece 105 to determine whether or not preparation for shooting is in progress. During imaging preparation, that is, when an output signal is input from the line-of-sight detection device 124, an affirmative determination is made in step S303 and the process proceeds to step S304. If shooting preparation is not being performed, that is, if no output signal is input from the line-of-sight detection device 124, a negative determination is made in step S303, and the process proceeds to step S335 described later.

  In step S304, based on the locus and speed calculated using the operation signal input from the touch panel 126, it is determined whether or not the rubbing operation is performed in the -Y direction. If the rubbing operation is performed in the -Y direction, an affirmative determination is made in step S304 and the process proceeds to step S305. If the rubbing operation is not performed in the -Y direction, a negative determination is made in step S304 and the process proceeds to step S308 described later.

  In step S305, the zoom lens is driven from the tele side to the wide side with respect to the zoom motor, and the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, it is determined whether the rubbing operation has ended. When the rubbing operation is completed, that is, when no operation signal is input from the touch panel 126, an affirmative determination is made in step S306 and the process proceeds to step S307. If the rubbing operation has not ended, that is, if an operation signal is input from the touch panel 126, a negative determination is made in step S306 and the process returns to step S305. In step S307, the zoom motor is stopped driving the zoom motor, and the process proceeds to step S328 described later.

  If the rubbing operation is not in the −Y direction, the process advances to step S308 to determine whether or not the rubbing operation is being performed in the Y direction. If the rubbing operation is performed in the Y direction, an affirmative determination is made in step S308 and the process proceeds to step S309. When the rubbing operation is not performed in the Y direction, a negative determination is made in step S308, and the process proceeds to step S312 described later. In step S309, the zoom lens is driven from the wide side to the tele side with respect to the zoom motor, and the process proceeds to step S310. The processes of step S310 (rubbing operation end determination) and step S311 (zoom lens drive stop) are the same as the processes of step S306 (rubbing operation end determination) and step S307 (zoom lens drive stop). . If step S310 is negative, the process returns to step S309.

  In step S312, it is determined whether a rubbing operation is performed in the X direction. When the rubbing operation is performed in the X direction, an affirmative determination is made in step S312 and the process proceeds to step S313. When the rubbing operation is not performed in the X direction, a negative determination is made in step S312 and the process proceeds to step S316 described later.

  In step S313, the focus adjustment lens is driven so that the focus motor moves from the infinity side to the close end side with respect to the focus motor, and the process proceeds to step S314. In step S314, it is determined whether the rubbing operation has ended. When the rubbing operation is completed, that is, when the operation signal is not input from the touch panel 126, an affirmative determination is made in step S314 and the process proceeds to step S315. If the rubbing operation has not ended, that is, if an operation signal is input from the touch panel 126, a negative determination is made in step S314 and the process returns to step S313. In step S315, the focus adjustment lens is stopped driving the focus motor, and the process proceeds to step S328 described later.

  If the rubbing operation is not in the X direction, the process advances to step S316 to determine whether or not the rubbing operation is being performed in the -X direction. When the rubbing operation is performed in the −X direction, an affirmative determination is made in step S316 and the process proceeds to step S317. If the rubbing operation is not performed in the -X direction, a negative determination is made in step S316 and the process proceeds to step S320 described later. In step S317, the focus adjustment lens is driven so that the focus motor moves from the closest end side to the infinity side with respect to the focus motor, and the process proceeds to step S318. Each processing of step S318 (determination of rubbing operation) and step S318 (determination of driving of the focusing lens) is the same as each processing of step S314 (determination of rubbing operation) and step S315 (determination of driving of the focusing lens). It is. Note that if a negative determination is made in step S318, the process returns to step S317.

  In step S320, which is advanced when the rubbing operation is not in the -X direction, it is determined whether or not the rubbing operation is a clockwise (clockwise) rotating operation. If the rubbing operation is a clockwise rotation operation, an affirmative determination is made in step S320 and the process proceeds to step S321. If the rubbing operation is not a clockwise rotation operation, a negative determination is made in step S320 and the process proceeds to step S324 described later.

  In step S321, the focus detection areas 109a to 109e are selected in the first order, and the process proceeds to step S322. In step S322, it is determined whether the rubbing operation has ended. When the rubbing operation is completed, that is, when the operation signal is not input from the touch panel 126, an affirmative determination is made in step S322 and the process proceeds to step S323. If the rubbing operation is not completed, that is, if an operation signal is input from the touch panel 126, a negative determination is made in step S322 and the process returns to step S321. In step S323, the focus detection area 109 selected when the rubbing operation is completed is set as an area used for adjusting the focus state, and the process proceeds to step S328 described later.

  In step S324, which has proceeded when the rubbing operation is not a clockwise rotation operation, it is determined whether or not the rubbing operation is a counterclockwise rotation operation. If the rubbing operation is a counterclockwise rotation operation, an affirmative determination is made in step S324 and the process proceeds to step S325. If the rubbing operation is not a counterclockwise rotation operation, a negative determination is made in step S324 and the process proceeds to step S328 described later.

  In step S325, the focus detection areas 109a to 109e are selected in the second order, and the process proceeds to step S326. Each process of step S326 (rubbing operation end determination) and step S327 (focus detection area setting) is the same as each process of step S322 (rubbing operation end determination) and step S323 (focus detection area setting). . If step S326 is negatively determined, the process returns to step S325.

  In step S328, it is determined whether the release has been half-pressed. If a half-press signal is input from the release switch, an affirmative determination is made in step S328 and the process proceeds to step S329. If a half-press signal is not input from the release switch, a negative determination is made in step S328 and the process returns to step S301. In step S329, the focus adjustment lens is driven to perform focus adjustment based on the focus adjustment state such as the defocus amount calculated using the focus detection signal output from the focus detection sensor 108, and step S330 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S330, it is determined whether the release has been fully pressed. If a full press signal is input from the release switch, an affirmative determination is made in step S330 and the process proceeds to step S331. In step S331, the image sensor 107 acquires image data, and the process proceeds to step S332. In step S332, image processing and image compression processing are performed on the image data acquired in step S331, and the process proceeds to step S333. In step S333, the image data is recorded in the memory card 123, and the process in the shooting mode is terminated.

  If the full press signal is not input from the release switch in step S330, the process proceeds to step S334, and it is determined whether or not the release is half pressed. If a half-press signal is input from the release switch, an affirmative determination is made in step S334 and the process returns to step S330. If a half-press signal is not input from the release switch, a negative determination is made in step S334 and the process returns to step S301.

  If a negative determination is made in step S302 or step S303, the process proceeds to step S335, the operation of the touch panel 126 other than the photographing related operation is performed, and the process proceeds to step S328.

According to the electronic camera in the embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) When the control circuit 111 assigns a registered shooting-related operation to the touch panel 126 and inputs an output signal from the line-of-sight detection device 124 in the shooting mode, the control circuit 111 performs a shooting-related operation corresponding to the shooting-related operation on the touch panel 126. The operation of each part was controlled to be performed. Therefore, since operations related to photographing can be performed from the touch panel 126 while firmly holding the electronic camera body like a single-lens reflex camera, operability is improved.

(2) The control circuit 111 inputs a shooting-related operation performed in the operation area 126R of the touch panel 126 and performs a corresponding shooting-related operation. Therefore, even when the user looks into the eyepiece lens 105 and the nose presses the touch panel 126, it is not regarded as a photographing-related operation, so that it is possible to prevent malfunction. Further, since the operation area 126R is set in a range that can be operated with the thumb of the left hand when the electronic camera 100 is held in the horizontal position, the operability is good.

(3) The shooting-related operation and the shooting-related operation are associated with each other and registered as registration information, and when the electronic camera 100 is turned on next time, the registered information is called to assign the shooting-related operation to the touch panel 126. . In this way, once the shooting-related operation is determined and the registration information is registered, the shooting-related operation can be performed by performing the registered shooting-related operation from the next time, and the shooting-related operation is determined again. It is not necessary to perform this process.

(4) When it is detected that the posture of the electronic camera 100 has changed based on the output from the posture sensor 125, the control circuit 111 sets the coordinates to be set on the touch panel 126 according to the posture of the electronic camera 100 after the change. The system was changed. As a result, even when the user holds the electronic camera 100 in a different direction, the photographing-related operation is not erroneously recognized, and the occurrence of a malfunction can be prevented.

The electronic camera according to the embodiment described above can be modified as follows.
(1) The photographing-related operations registered in the registration information are not limited to zoom driving, focus state adjustment, and focus detection area selection. The operations that the user performs while looking into the eyepiece optical system include shutter speed selection, aperture value selection, imaging sensitivity setting, and the like.

(2) When no operation signal is input from the touch panel 126, the control circuit 111 may determine whether the shooting-related operation has ended when the user's rubbing operation stops, instead of determining that the shooting-related operation has ended. Good. In this case, when the rubbing operation stops even when the user's finger presses the touch panel 126 and the speed calculated from the input operation signal (coordinate value) becomes 0, the control circuit 111, for example, a zoom motor or the like. Stop driving.

(3) While the user is pressing the touch panel 126, the control circuit 111 may stop the rubbing operation trajectory and the moving direction, the speed becomes zero, and the photographing-related operation may be continued. In this case, before the rubbing operation speed becomes zero, for example, when the rubbing operation is performed in the -Y direction and the zoom driving from the Tele side to the Wide side of the interchangeable lens 200 is performed, the control circuit 111 performs the touch panel operation. While the operation signal is input from 126, the zoom drive from the tele side to the wide side of the interchangeable lens 200 is continued.

(4) The control circuit 111 may change the speed of the shooting-related operation in proportion to the speed of the rubbing operation.
(5) The control circuit 111 may perform the shooting-related operation for each predetermined amount instead of continuously performing the shooting-related operation while the user performs the rubbing operation. In this case, for example, when the rubbing operation is performed in the −Y direction, the control circuit 111 drives the zoom motor so that the focal length is, for example, 28 mm to 35 mm. When the user once removes his / her finger from the touch panel 126 and again performs a rubbing operation in the −Y direction, the control circuit 111 drives the zoom motor so that the focal length is, for example, 35 mm to 50 mm.

(6) The control circuit 111 determines that the photographing preparation operation has been performed when a half-press signal is input from the release switch instead of receiving the output signal from the line-of-sight detection device 124, and is registered in the registration information. The shooting-related operation being performed may be assigned to the touch panel 126. Alternatively, when an output signal from the line-of-sight detection device 124 is input and a half-press signal is input from the release switch, the control circuit 111 may determine that an imaging preparation operation has been performed.
(7) Instead of the user entering a shooting-related operation and registering it as registration information from the user registration screen, a user may select a predetermined shooting-related operation and register it as registration information.

(8) When reading the registration information, the user has described the example of pressing the touch panel 126 according to the registration number when the power is turned on. However, the registration information for each user may be registered by adding information related to the biometric authentication of the user. For example, a fingerprint sensor for reading a user's fingerprint is mounted on the electronic camera 100, and before the registration information is registered, the user's fingerprint is read and registered as identification information by adding the identification information to the registration information. Like that. When the electronic camera 100 is turned on, the user may perform authentication by holding a finger over the fingerprint sensor, and the control circuit 111 may read out registration information corresponding to the authenticated fingerprint information. The biometric authentication method is not limited to fingerprint authentication, and other authentication methods such as vein authentication may be used.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired, and other forms conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also within the scope of the present invention. included.

1 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the invention. Block diagram of control system of electronic camera of embodiment Rear view of electronic camera of embodiment The figure explaining an example of photography related operation The figure explaining an example of photography related operation The figure explaining an example of arrangement | positioning of a focus detection area | region The figure explaining an example of photography related operation The figure explaining the coordinate system when the electronic camera is held vertically The figure explaining an example of a user selection screen The figure explaining an example of a user registration screen Flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic camera of the embodiment Flow chart explaining processing for new user registration Flow chart explaining processing for new user registration Flow chart explaining processing for new user registration Flow chart explaining processing in shooting mode Flow chart explaining processing in shooting mode

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 111 ... Control circuit 120 ... Liquid crystal display 124 ... Gaze detection apparatus 126 ... Touch panel

Claims (8)

A display for displaying an image obtained by capturing a subject image;
A touch panel provided on the display;
Detecting means for detecting a shooting preparation operation;
Allocating means for allocating a predetermined operation necessary for an operation related to photographing to the touch panel;
And a control unit that controls an operation related to the shooting in response to the received predetermined operation when the predetermined operation is received when the detection unit detects the shooting preparation operation. A camera characterized by comprising. The camera of claim 1,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation performed in a predetermined area of the touch panel. The camera according to claim 2,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined area is a lower left area of the touch panel. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the detection means detects the photographing preparation operation when a user is looking into the eyepiece optical system. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein when the user half-presses the release button, the detection means detects the shooting preparation operation. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The operation related to the photographing includes at least one of a zooming operation of the optical system, a focus adjustment operation, selection of a focus detection area, a change in imaging sensitivity, a change in exposure time, and a change in aperture value. camera. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A camera, further comprising registration means for registering registration information in which the operation related to the photographing is associated with the predetermined operation. The camera according to claim 7, wherein
Readout means for reading out the registration information registered by the registration means,
The camera is characterized in that the assigning means assigns a predetermined operation necessary for an operation related to the photographing to the touch panel based on the registration information read by the reading means.

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