JP2010160581A - User interface apparatus, camera, user interface method, and program for user interface - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user interface apparatus capable of achieving an operation environment favorable and excellent for application to a small portable device. <P>SOLUTION: On a screen of a display unit 18 with a touch panel 14, a plurality of adjustment items for image quality adjustment of a live view image 31 as a photographic image are displayed as pieces 32a to 32e, a drag operation for the touch panel 14 is detected, and an adjustment item as a target of drag operation depending on the detected drag operation, for example, a shutter speed of the piece 32d is set for an item of image quality adjustment. Further, if the piece 32d is a starting point Ds of the drag operation, the setting is made to increase the shutter speed condition, and in contrast, if the piece 32d is an end point of the drag operation, the setting is made to decrease the shutter speed condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a user interface device, a camera, a user interface method, and a user interface program suitable for a small portable device such as a digital camera.

  In various electronic devices, the role of a user interface for providing a comfortable environment and realizing an error-free operation is very important. Among devices for user interfaces, in recent years, touch panels have been used in various fields.

  In a small portable device, especially a device with abundant items that can be set and selected, such as a digital camera, the user interface has been devised in various ways. In recent digital cameras, a large display unit such as an LCD or the like is often mounted on the back surface, and it has become a form suitable for stacking a touch panel. Actually, models equipped with a touch panel are also commercially available. There are also many proposals regarding the operation of such touch panels. As an example, there is a proposed example of a camera that displays icons for selection arranged around a captured image (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-228608 A

  However, the size of the touch panel of a small portable device such as a digital camera is naturally limited and cannot be increased. In addition, an operation that opens a menu screen and sets conditions places a heavy burden on the user and is not easy to understand. Therefore, even when an operation is performed on a small touch panel mounted on a small portable device, it is possible to realize a user interface that can easily perform selection of an item to be set and operation of setting a parameter to the selected item. desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a user interface device, a camera, a user interface method, and a user interface program capable of realizing an excellent operation environment suitable for application to a small portable device. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a user interface device according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image, a touch panel disposed so as to overlap the display unit, and a screen of the display unit. A display control unit that displays a plurality of adjustment items for quality adjustment of the content to be handled, and a quality that detects a drag operation on the touch panel and sets the condition of the adjustment item for the quality adjustment according to the detected drag operation An adjustment control unit, wherein the quality adjustment control unit sets the adjustment item that is the object of the drag operation as the quality adjustment item, and the adjustment item is a start point or an end point of the drag operation. It is set whether to increase or decrease the condition of the adjustment item depending on whether or not there is.

  Further, the user interface device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the quality adjustment control unit sets a change amount of the condition to be increased or decreased according to a pressing duration time at a starting point of the drag operation. To do.

  In the user interface device according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the quality adjustment control unit sets a change amount of the condition to be increased or decreased according to a pressing force at a starting point of the drag operation. .

  Further, in the user interface device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the display control unit displays adjustment items for image quality adjustment for quality adjustment on a part of a screen on which a captured image is displayed as the content. The quality adjustment control unit sets conditions for the adjustment items for image quality adjustment for the image displayed on the display unit.

  In the user interface device according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the quality adjustment control unit may include a specific area in the captured image that is a start point or an end point of the drag operation as a range of the image to be subjected to the image quality adjustment. It is characterized by setting.

  The user interface device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the specific area is identified and displayed.

  In the user interface device according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the display control unit displays a live view image for viewing a subject as the photographed image, the image quality adjustment item is used as an adjustment item for image quality adjustment. The adjustment item is displayed.

  Further, in the user interface device according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the display control unit displays a recorded captured image as the captured image, an adjustment item for reproduction is used as the adjustment item for image quality adjustment. Is displayed.

  In the user interface device according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the quality adjustment control unit includes at least one of contrast, brightness, peripheral light amount, out-focus, and color items as the adjustment items. It is characterized by that.

  In the user interface device according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the display control unit displays the adjustment item that is the object of the drag operation in the adjustment item by changing it to an icon form. And

  A camera according to the present invention includes the user interface device according to any one of the above inventions.

  A user interface method according to the present invention uses a user interface device having a display unit for displaying an image and a touch panel arranged so as to overlap the display unit. A display control step for displaying a plurality of adjustment items for quality adjustment of the content, a quality adjustment control step for detecting a drag operation on the touch panel, and setting conditions for the quality adjustment adjustment items according to the detected drag operation; In the quality adjustment control step, the adjustment item that is the object of the drag operation is set as the quality adjustment item, and the adjustment item is further determined depending on whether the adjustment item is a start point or an end point of the drag operation. It is characterized by setting whether to increase or decrease the condition of the adjustment item.

  A user interface program according to the present invention includes: a user interface device including a display unit that displays an image; and a touch panel disposed so as to overlap the display unit. A display control function for displaying a plurality of adjustment items for quality adjustment of the content, a quality adjustment control function for detecting a drag operation on the touch panel and setting conditions for the adjustment items for the quality adjustment according to the detected drag operation; The quality adjustment control function sets the adjustment item that is the target of the drag operation as the quality adjustment item, and further determines whether the adjustment item is the start point or the end point of the drag operation. Whether to increase or decrease the condition of the adjustment item is set.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a user interface device, a camera, a user interface method, and a user interface program that can realize an excellent operation environment suitable for application to a small portable device.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS A best mode for carrying out a user interface device, a camera, a user interface method, and a user interface program of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment will be described as an application example to a digital camera in which the content to be handled is a captured image and the adjustment item for quality adjustment is the adjustment item for image quality adjustment of the captured image.

  FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a schematic configuration example of a digital camera which is a camera of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear view showing an example of how to hold and operate. The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment includes a release button 13a disposed on the upper surface of the camera body and operation buttons and switches such as a power switch (not shown). The release button 13a is a button for instructing a photographing operation by a pressing operation. An operation unit 13 (see FIG. 3) is configured by the release button 13a and the like.

  Further, the digital camera 1 includes a display unit 18 that occupies almost the entire rear surface of the camera body. The display unit 18 displays a live view image for viewing a subject and a recorded captured image as a captured image, and displays various setting information including a paletted image for image quality adjustment. . The display unit 18 is realized by a thin display device such as an LCD or an ELD (Electro Luminescence Display). As will be described later, the touch panel 14 is disposed on the entire display unit 18. Although not particularly shown, the digital camera 1 includes an imaging optical system such as a photographing lens on the front side of the camera body, and is configured to be able to form a subject image on an imaging element built in the camera body.

  Such a digital camera 1 can be held with the left hand and instructed to operate the touch panel 14 with the right hand. For example, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, it is a portable device that can be operated with the thumb.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration example of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment. The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 11. The control unit 11 includes a CPU that performs instructions, data transfer, and the like to each unit that configures the digital camera 1, and comprehensively controls the operation of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 includes a program data storage unit 12, an imaging unit 15, an SDRAM 16, a display driving unit 17, an image processing unit 19, a compression / decompression unit 20, and a recording / reproducing unit 21. These units are connected to the control unit 11 by a bus line 30. Here, the user interface device of this embodiment mounted on the digital camera 1 is mainly configured by a control unit 11, a program data storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a touch panel 14, a display drive unit 17, and a display unit 18. .

  The program data storage unit 12 is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. The program data storage unit 12 operates the digital camera 1 and uses a program for a CPU (for example, a user interface program) for realizing various functions of the digital camera 1 or during execution of the program. For example, data such as palettes and icons to be displayed on a screen of an image with a palette described later is stored in advance. The program data storage unit 12 stores in advance a table relating to the amount of change in parameters (conditions) for each adjustment item for image quality adjustment. This table will be described later.

  The imaging unit 15 is for the digital camera 1 to capture an image (subject image), and includes a camera unit and an imaging processing unit. The camera unit is for the digital camera 1 to capture a subject image, and includes a photographing lens, an image sensor, an aperture, a shutter, an AF mechanism, an AF drive circuit, a zoom mechanism, a zoom drive mechanism, and the like. Here, the image pickup device is formed of a two-dimensional solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor, and photoelectrically converts a subject image incident through a photographing optical system including a photographing lens and outputs it as an analog electric signal. The imaging unit 15 is controlled to perform a shooting operation at the set shutter speed when the shutter speed parameter included in the adjustment item for image quality adjustment is set to increase or decrease as described later. Is done. In addition to including an image sensor driving circuit, the image processing unit performs analog signal processing such as AGC and CDS on the analog electric signal output from the image sensor, and then converts it to a digital electric signal using an A / D converter. For output.

  The SDRAM 16 is a memory used as a temporary storage memory or a working area for various image processing. Specifically, the SDRAM 16 temporarily stores a digital electric signal output from the imaging unit 15, image data being processed by the image processing unit 19, and the like. The SDRAM 16 is also used when a display control unit 11b described later creates various display images. The display drive unit 17 includes an encoder, a D / A converter, and the like, and is a driver for causing the display unit 18 to display various display images created by the display control unit 11b described later and other various information. .

  The image processing unit 19 performs various types of image processing such as pixel interpolation processing, color correction processing, and gamma processing on the digital electrical signal output from the imaging unit 15, and image data suitable for recording and display. Process to convert to. As will be described later, the image processing unit 19 is set when parameters such as contrast, brightness, peripheral light amount, out-of-focus, and color included in the adjustment items for image quality adjustment are set to increase or decrease. The corresponding image processing is controlled in accordance with the set parameters. The compression / decompression unit 20 records image data based on a well-known JPEG method or the like when recording image data of a captured image in the image storage unit 22 or displaying image data recorded in the image storage unit 22. Perform compression processing and decompression processing.

  The recording / reproducing unit 21 is used for writing image data to the image storage unit 22 and reading image data from the image storage unit 22, and a unit corresponding to the type of the image storage unit 22 is used. Here, the image storage unit 22 is a recording medium detachably attached to the camera body such as an xD-Picture Card (registered trademark) or a Compact Flash (registered trademark) card, or an HDD.

  Here, the control unit 11 according to the present embodiment includes functional units of an image quality adjustment control unit 11a, a display control unit 11b, and an operation detection unit 11c as functions executed by the user interface program. The operation detection unit 11c is a functional unit for detecting an operation input by the user. In particular, in the present embodiment, the touch panel 14 is provided so as to overlap the display unit 18. The touch panel 14 is a well-known user interface device for performing various instruction inputs by receiving a touch operation including a drag operation by the user and specifying the touch location. Therefore, the operation detection unit 11 c detects a user touch operation on the touch panel 14 and a user operation on the operation unit 13. In addition, the operation detection unit 11c according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to detect a pressing duration or a pressing force at a touch location on the touch panel 14 in combination with the touch panel 14.

  The display control unit 11b is a functional unit for creating an image to be displayed on the display unit 18. That is, the display control unit 11b creates a live view image as a photographed image in the photographing mode, and creates a reproduced image using the recorded photographed image in the reproduction mode. In addition, as will be described in detail later, the display control unit 11b is for creating an image with a palette for displaying a plurality of adjustment items for adjusting the image quality of a captured image that is a content to be handled on the screen of the display unit 18. It is.

  The image quality adjustment control unit 11a functions as a quality adjustment control unit for detecting a user's drag operation on the touch panel 14 and setting parameters (conditions) of adjustment items for image quality adjustment according to the detected drag operation. Part. As will be described in detail later, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets the adjustment item that is the target of the drag operation on the touch panel 14 as an image quality adjustment item, and the adjustment item is the start point or the end point of the drag operation. Executes a function to set whether to increase or decrease the condition of the adjustment item depending on whether it exists.

  Here, the adjustment items for image quality adjustment of the present embodiment for the captured image displayed on the screen of the display unit 18 will be described. In the present embodiment, brightness, contrast, out-focus, shutter speed, peripheral light quantity, color (red), color (green), and color (blue) are prepared as adjustment items for adjusting the image quality of the captured image. Has been. Among these, the shutter speed is a parameter that defines the shutter speed in the imaging unit 15 and is an adjustment item dedicated to the shooting mode because the imaging unit 15 performs a corresponding process during shooting. In this shutter speed parameter, “increase” sets the shutter speed to a lower speed, and “decrease” sets the shutter speed to a higher speed.

  The adjustment items other than the shutter speed are those for which the image processing unit 19 performs corresponding processing, and are common adjustment items for both the shooting mode and the reproduction mode. Among these parameters, the brightness parameter is set so as to increase as the value increases. Further, the contrast parameter is set so that the contrast increases as the value increases. The peripheral light amount parameter is set so that the periphery of the screen becomes darker as it increases. The out-focus process is, for example, a process of intentionally reducing the resolution by adding adjacent pixels with respect to an area other than the in-focus area. This out-focus parameter is set so as to blur as it increases. Furthermore, color (red), color (green), and color (blue) are items relating to so-called three primary colors of RGB, and this parameter is set so that the proportion of each color component increases as the number increases.

  Regarding these adjustment items, the out focus, the shutter speed, and the peripheral light amount are adjustment items for overall adjustment for the entire captured image. On the other hand, brightness, contrast, color (red), color (green), and color (blue) are adjustment items for partial adjustment for an image in a specific area designated in a captured image.

  Further, an increase or decrease parameter change amount associated with a user operation regarding these adjustment items is set in advance in a table 12 a in the program data storage unit 12. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a change amount of a parameter (condition) for each adjustment item set in the table 12a. That is, the amount of change for one step accompanying the user operation is 0.5 EV for the shutter speed, brightness, and peripheral light amount, 2 dB for the color and contrast, and one stop for the out-focus (F8 → F5.6 → F4 → F2.8 → F2).

  In addition, the parameter change amount by one drag operation of the user is basically set to one step, but in the present embodiment, according to the pressing duration or the pressing force at the starting point of the drag operation. The parameter change amount by one drag operation of the user is set to be expanded to 2 steps or 3 steps. That is, as shown in the table 12a of FIG. 4, the parameter change amount by one drag operation of the user is 1 step when the pressing duration is 0.5 sec or less, and 0.5 to 1.0 sec. Is set to be 2 steps and 3 steps each for 1.0 sec or more. Alternatively, the amount of parameter change by one drag operation by the user is 1 step when the pressing force is 0.5 N or less, 2 steps when the pressing force is 0.5 to 2 N, and 3 steps when the pressing force is 2 N or more. It is set to be one by one. The parameter setting based on the change in the pressing force is effective when the mounted touch panel 14 is a type capable of detecting the pressing force.

  Next, display control and operation examples of the display unit 18 by the image quality adjustment control unit 11a, the display control unit 11b, and the operation detection unit 11c in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the mode switching button 14a is always displayed at the upper right of the screen of the display unit 18, and when this mode switching button 14a is pressed, a menu screen (not shown) is displayed, and a desired mode can be selected and set. It is said that. In the selected mode screen, the current mode name is displayed in the mode switching button 14a. When the mode switching button 14a is pressed in this state, the menu screen is displayed again, and the mode selection switching is performed. It is possible.

  Here, as modes related to the present embodiment, a palette display mode, a palette non-display mode, a shooting mode, a playback mode, and the like are prepared in advance. The above-described screen display example of the display unit 18 in FIG. 1 shows a normal shooting mode in which the palette is not displayed, and a live view image is displayed.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a screen display example of the display unit 18 when the photographing mode is set in the palette display mode. A set of adjustment items displayed on the screen of the display unit 18 is referred to as a palette. In this mode, the display control unit 11b causes the display unit 18 to display a live view image with a shooting palette. That is, the display control unit 11b causes the display unit 18 to display the live view image 31 for viewing the subject as a captured image in accordance with the setting of the shooting mode. The display of the mode switching button 14a is “REC” indicating the photographing mode. At the same time, according to the setting of the palette display mode, the display control unit 11b superimposes a shooting adjustment item as an adjustment item for image quality adjustment of the displayed live view image 31 on a part of the live view image 31. A plurality of palettes 32 are displayed.

  The shooting palette 32 includes, for example, items of brightness, contrast, out-focus, shutter speed, and peripheral light amount as adjustment items for shooting. Here, the shooting palette 32 is a collection of these items, and five circular objects (hereinafter, referred to as horizontal arrays) arranged in a horizontal row near the center of the bottom of the screen of the live view image 31 being displayed. These are called “pieces”) 32a to 32e. Brightness is assigned to the piece 32a, contrast is assigned to the piece 32b, out-of-focus is assigned to the piece 32c, shutter speed is assigned to the piece 32d, and peripheral light amount adjustment items are assigned to the piece 32e. Moreover, the size of each piece 32a-32e is made into the magnitude | size suitable for the touch operation (drag operation) by a fingertip, for example. That is, the shooting palette 32 is displayed on the live view image 31 in an arrangement and size that do not impair the visibility of the live view image 31 as much as possible.

  In addition, the shape of each piece 32a-32e is not restricted circular shape, The shape may be appropriate | suitable, and it is not necessary for all to be the same shape, and shapes may differ individually. Furthermore, it is good also as a different color display for every piece 32a-32e. In the present embodiment, the display of the plain imaging pallet 32 is achieved by using pieces 32a to 32e of the same color that are all circular.

  Here, the contents of the adjustment items assigned to the pieces 32a to 32e cannot be understood by just looking at the display of the imaging pallet 32 as an object. Therefore, in the present embodiment, icons to be displayed for the pieces 32a to 32e are prepared so that the contents of the adjustment items assigned when the touch operations (drag operations) are performed on the pieces 32a to 32e are prepared. Yes. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of icons 33a to 33e displayed when a touch operation (drag operation) is performed on each piece 32a to 32e. These icons 33a to 33e are image representations of the respective adjustment items, and are set to be displayed at positions immediately above the pieces 32a to 32e so as not to be hidden by the finger operated by touch.

  Next, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a screen display example of the display unit 18 when the playback mode is set in the palette display mode. In this mode, the display control unit 11b causes the display unit 18 to display a captured image with a reproduction palette. In other words, the display control unit 11b causes the display unit 18 to display the entire recorded image 36 as a captured image in accordance with the playback mode setting. The display of the mode switching button 14a is “PLAY” indicating the reproduction mode. At the same time, the display control unit 11b superimposes an adjustment item for reproduction on a part of the captured image 36 as an adjustment item for image quality adjustment of the displayed captured image 36 in accordance with the setting of the palette display mode. To display multiple images.

  The playback palette 37 includes, for example, brightness, contrast, out-focus, and peripheral light amount items as playback adjustment items. Here, the playback palette 37 is a collection of these items, and is composed of four shaped pieces 37a to 37d arranged in a horizontal row near the center of the bottom of the screen of the captured image 36 being displayed. . Brightness is assigned to the piece 37a, contrast is assigned to the piece 37b, out-of-focus is assigned to the piece 37c, and peripheral light amount adjustment items are assigned to the piece 37d. Moreover, the size of each piece 37a-37d is made into the magnitude | size suitable for the touch operation (drag operation) by a fingertip, for example like the case of the pieces 32a-32e. In addition, corresponding icons are prepared for the pieces 37a to 37d as in the case of the pieces 32a to 32e.

  Next, taking an example of the shooting mode in the palette display mode, an operation example for image quality adjustment will be described. Note that the playback mode is the same as the shooting mode, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example for increasing the shutter speed. For example, in the display state of the live view image with the shooting palette shown in FIG. 8A corresponding to FIG. 5, the drag operation is started by touching a piece 32d corresponding to the adjustment item for the shutter speed. In accordance with this operation, the display control unit 11b displays the icon 33d immediately above the piece 32d as shown in FIG. 8B. As a result, the adjustment item (in this case, the shutter speed) that is the target of the drag operation is displayed in the form of the icon 33d. Therefore, the content of the adjustment item selected for the drag operation is clarified.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, the finger being dragged is moved to a position above the shooting pallet 32, and the finger is released from the screen to finish the dragging operation. In this case, it is sufficient that the drag operation is started from the photographing palette 32 and the direction thereof is upward, and the direction and the amount of the drag operation are appropriate. Accordingly, it may be a long drag operation directed diagonally upward as in drag a or a short drag operation directed in the upward direction as in drag b. Since the upward drag operation is an operation for increasing the corresponding parameter, the operation is easy to understand intuitively.

  In the case of such a drag operation, the start point Ds of the drag operation is the piece 32d (adjustment item), and the end point Dl is in the upper screen. Therefore, based on such detection results by the touch panel 14 and the operation detection unit 11c, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets the shutter speed, which is an adjustment item of the piece 32d that is the target of the drag operation, as an image quality adjustment item. Furthermore, since the piece 32d is the drag operation start point Ds, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets the shutter speed parameter to be increased. For example, if the current shutter speed is 1/125 sec, the shutter speed is increased (decreased) so that the shutter speed becomes 1/90 sec by an increase of one step (that is, +0.5 EV).

  The imaging unit 15 performs a shooting operation according to the shutter speed set by the image quality adjustment control unit 11a and displays the live view image 31 on the display unit 18. Therefore, the user can sensuously confirm that the shutter speed is as desired by viewing the live view image 31 after the instruction to increase the shutter speed. As a result, it is possible to take measures such as setting the shutter speed to the set value, returning it to the original value, and further increasing it. Thereafter, when there is a shooting instruction by pressing the release button 13a, shooting is executed at the finally set shutter speed.

  In the above-described drag operation, for example, if the pressing duration time at the position of the piece 32d that is the starting point Ds of the drag operation illustrated in FIG. 9 is increased, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a refers to the table 12a once. Set a large amount of parameter change to increase by dragging. For example, if it is 0.5 sec or less, as described above, the amount of change in the shutter speed by one drag operation is +0.5 EV for one step. However, if the drag is performed after pressing for about 0.5 to 1.0 sec, the amount of change in the shutter speed by one drag operation is + 1EV for two steps. Further, when the drag is moved after pressing for 1.0 sec or longer, the amount of change in the shutter speed by one drag operation is +1.5 EV for three steps. Therefore, the shutter speed can be changed at a stroke from 1/125 sec to 1/30 sec, for example. Thereby, the increase amount can be set with a simple operation.

  The same applies to the pressing force, not the pressing duration time. That is, in the above-described drag operation, for example, when the pressing force at the position of the piece 32d that is the starting point Ds of the drag operation shown in FIG. 9 is increased, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a refers to the table 12a and performs one drag. Set a large amount of parameter change to increase by operation. For example, if it is 0.5 N or less, as described above, the amount of change in the shutter speed by one drag operation is +0.5 EV for one step. However, when the drag is moved after being pressed with a pressing force of about 0.5 to 2N, the amount of change in the shutter speed by one drag operation is + 1EV for two steps. Also, when the drag is moved after being pressed with a pressing force of 2N or more, the amount of change in the shutter speed by one drag operation is +1.5 EV for three steps. Therefore, the shutter speed can be changed at a stroke from 1/125 sec to 1/30 sec, for example. Thereby, a large increase amount can be set at a time by a simple operation.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation example for decreasing the shutter speed. For example, the drag operation is started by touching a finger at an arbitrary position other than the shooting palette 32 on the touch panel 14 on which the live view image with the shooting palette shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. In accordance with this operation, the display control unit 11b changes the pieces 32a to 32e of the shooting pallet 32 into the corresponding icons 33a to 33e for display as shown in FIG. Thereby, the content of the adjustment item to be selected by the drag operation becomes clear.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the finger that is being dragged is moved to an icon corresponding to a desired adjustment item, for example, the position of the icon 33d, and the finger is released from the screen to finish the drag operation. In this case, it is only necessary that the direction of the drag operation is downward and ends at the shooting palette 32 portion, and the direction and drag operation amount are appropriate. Therefore, it may be a short drag operation directed directly downward like the drag c, or a long drag operation directed diagonally downward like the drag d. Since the downward drag operation is an operation for reducing the corresponding parameter, the operation is easy to understand intuitively.

  In such a drag operation, the start point Ds of the drag operation is in the upper screen, and the end point Dl is the icon 33d (adjustment item). Therefore, based on such detection results by the touch panel 14 and the operation detection unit 11c, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets the shutter speed, which is an adjustment item of the piece 32d that is the target of the drag operation, as an image quality adjustment item. Furthermore, since the piece 32d is the end point D1 of the drag operation, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets the shutter speed parameter to be decreased. For example, if the current shutter speed is 1/125 sec, the shutter speed is set to be reduced (accelerated) so that the shutter speed becomes 1/180 sec by a decrease of one step (that is, −0.5 EV).

  The imaging unit 15 performs a shooting operation according to the shutter speed set by the image quality adjustment control unit 11a and displays the live view image 31 on the display unit 18. Therefore, the user can sensuously confirm whether the shutter speed is as desired by viewing the live view image 31 after the instruction to reduce the shutter speed. As a result, it is possible to take measures such as setting the shutter speed as set, returning it to the original speed, and further reducing it. Thereafter, when there is a shooting instruction by pressing the release button 13a, shooting is executed at the finally set shutter speed.

  In the above-described drag operation, for example, if the pressing duration time at the drag operation start point Ds shown in FIG. 11 is increased, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a refers to the table 12a and decreases the parameter by one drag operation. Set a large amount of change. For example, if it is 0.5 sec or less, as described above, the amount of change in the shutter speed by one drag operation is −0.5 EV for one step. However, if the drag is performed after pressing for about 0.5 to 1.0 sec, the amount of change in the shutter speed by one drag operation is -1EV for two steps. Further, when the drag is moved after pressing for 1.0 sec or longer, the amount of change in the shutter speed by one drag operation is −1.5 EV for three steps. Therefore, the shutter speed can be changed from 1/125 sec to 1/500 sec, for example. Thereby, the reduction amount can also be set with a simple operation.

  The same applies to the pressing force, not the pressing duration time. That is, in the above-described drag operation, for example, when the pressing force at the position of the piece 32d that is the starting point Ds of the drag operation shown in FIG. 11 is increased, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a refers to the table 12a and performs one drag. Set a large amount of parameter change to increase by operation. For example, if it is 0.5 N or less, as described above, the amount of change in the shutter speed by one drag operation is -0.5 EV for one step. However, if the drag is moved after being pressed with a pressing force of about 0.5 to 2N, the amount of change in the shutter speed by one drag operation is -1EV for two steps. Further, when the drag is moved after being pressed with a pressing force of 2N or more, the change amount of the shutter speed by one drag operation is −1.5 EV for three steps. Therefore, the shutter speed can be changed at a stroke from 1/125 sec to 1/30 sec, for example. Thereby, the reduction amount can also be set with a simple operation.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation example for increasing the brightness. For example, in the display state of the live view image with the shooting palette shown in FIG. 5, the drag operation is started by touching the piece 32a corresponding to the brightness adjustment item. Following this operation, the display control unit 11b displays an icon 33a immediately above the piece 32a as shown in FIG. As a result, the adjustment item (in this case, brightness) that is the target of the drag operation is displayed in the form of the icon 33a. Thereby, the contents of the adjustment item selected for the drag operation are clarified.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12A, the finger that is being dragged is moved to a desired subject portion (for example, a forest) to be adjusted in the live view image 31, and the finger is released from the screen to perform the drag operation. Finish. In this case, since the brightness that is an adjustment item is for partial adjustment, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets the subject portion that has become the end point D1 of the drag operation as the specific region 31a, and performs an image for brightness adjustment. Range. With such setting of the specific area 31a, the display control unit 11b displays the specific area 31a so as to be distinguished from other parts as shown in FIG. For example, hatching display is used for the identification display. Accordingly, it is possible to confirm the range of the specific area 31a in which the image quality adjustment is performed without any special operation. Such identification display of the specific area 31a may be eliminated after a predetermined time (for example, after 1 sec). As the specific area, a wide range having the same hue and luminance as the end point D1 is set. However, according to an instruction, a specific size range (circular or square) centered on the location of the end point Dl may be set as the specific range.

  In such a drag operation, the start point Ds of the drag operation is the piece 32a (adjustment item), the end point Dl is in the upper screen, and the specific area 31a is the adjustment target range. Therefore, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets the brightness, which is the adjustment item of the piece 32a that is the object of the drag operation, as the image quality adjustment item. Furthermore, since the piece 32a is the starting point Ds of the drag operation, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets the brightness parameter to be increased. Therefore, an instruction to adjust the image quality of only the desired specific area 31a of the image can be easily performed by a series of operations.

  The image processing unit 19 performs image processing on the specific area 31a according to the brightness set by the image quality adjustment control unit 11a and causes the display unit 18 to display the result as the live view image 31. Therefore, the user can sensuously confirm whether the specific area 31a has the desired brightness by viewing the live view image 31 as shown in FIG. 12B after the brightness increase instruction. Can do. As a result, it is possible to take measures such as setting the brightness of the specific area 31a portion as set, returning it to the original, and further increasing it. Thereafter, when there is a shooting instruction by pressing the release button 13a, image processing is executed so that the brightness finally set with respect to the brightness of the specific area 31a portion in the shot image is obtained.

  In the case of such partial adjustment, when it is desired to reduce the brightness, after touching a desired subject portion, for example, a forest, to be the starting point Ds of the drag operation, the piece 32a portion is set as the end point Dl. It is sufficient to operate as follows. In addition, in both cases of increasing and decreasing, by changing the pressing duration and pressing force at the starting point Ds of the drag operation, it is possible to increase the amount of parameter change due to one drag operation.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation example for increasing the out-focus. The operation procedure is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 12. FIG. 13A shows a drag operation for increasing the out-focus from the piece 32 c as the start point Ds on the screen on which the live view image 31 is displayed. This shows the case where

  In this case, the image processing unit 19 performs image processing for reducing the resolution of the region other than the focused region (the periphery of the screen) with respect to the live view image 31 according to the out-focus parameter set by the image quality adjustment control unit 11a. Execute. Then, the image processing unit 19 displays the result on the display unit 18 as a processed live view image 31b as shown in FIG. 13B.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of palette display. For example, as a shooting palette 41 in a live view image with a shooting palette, as shown in FIG. 14, pieces 41 a and 41 b for partial adjustment items and pieces 41 c to 41 e for overall adjustment items are used. The colors may be different. As a result, the distinction between the partial adjustment item and the whole adjustment item becomes clear, and the operation becomes easy.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another modification of the palette display. In the above description, the shooting palette 32 in the live view image with the shooting palette has been described in the case of five types of items. However, when the adjustment items include color (red), color (green), and color (blue) and the number of items increases and cannot be displayed on the display unit 18 at a time, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the photographing palette 32 may be scrolled by a horizontal scroll operation for the pieces 32a to 32h arranged in a horizontal row so that a desired palette appears and can be selected. Or as shown in FIG.15 (b), you may enable it to display at once by arranging a part of both sides of pieces 32a-32h in 2 rows. According to this, the visibility of the live view image 31 is not impaired as much as possible.

  Next, an example of operation control by the control unit 11 for realizing display control and operation as described above will be described. 16 and 17 are schematic flowcharts showing an example of operation control executed by the control unit 11. When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, a menu screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 18, and various mode settings can be made. First, it is determined whether or not a shooting mode has been instructed (step S10). If the shooting mode is instructed (step S10: Yes), it is next determined whether or not the palette display mode is instructed (step S11). When the palette display mode is not instructed (step S11: No), the shooting mode is shifted to the normal operation mode (step S12). Since the processing contents of this normal operation mode are known contents, they are omitted.

  On the other hand, when the palette display mode is instructed (step S11: Yes), the display control unit 11b displays the live view image with the shooting palette on the display unit 18 (step S13). The display example shown in FIG.

  In this screen display, it is determined whether or not an instruction operation has been performed on the shooting palette 32 (step S14). When there is an instruction operation (step S14: Yes), the image quality adjustment control unit 11a and the display control unit 11b execute a palette operation according to the instruction operation (step S15). This palette operation will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When there is no instruction operation (step S14: No), or after the pallet operation is completed, it is determined whether or not a shooting operation instruction is issued by pressing the release button 13a (step S16). When there is a shooting operation instruction (step S16: Yes), the imaging unit 15 and the image processing unit 19 execute a shooting process in accordance with the set image quality adjustment condition or the newly set image quality adjustment condition ( Step S17). If there is no shooting operation instruction (step S16: No), or after the shooting process is completed, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to switch to the reproduction mode by operating the mode switching button 14a (step S18). If there is no mode switching instruction (step S18: No), it is determined whether or not a power switch OFF instruction operation has been performed (step S19). If there is an off instruction operation (step S19: Yes), the process is terminated. If there is no off instruction operation (step S19: No), it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to switch to the palette non-display mode by operating the mode switching button 14a (step S20). If there is a switching instruction (step S20: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12, and if there is no switching instruction (step S20: No), the process proceeds to step S14. If an instruction to switch to the reproduction mode is detected in step S18, the process proceeds to step S32.

  If there is no instruction for the shooting mode in step S10, the process shifts to the playback mode (step S30). Here again, it is determined whether or not the palette display mode has been instructed (step S31). When the palette display mode is not instructed (step S31: No), the operation mode is shifted to the normal operation mode in the reproduction mode (step S12). Since the processing contents of this normal operation mode are known contents, they are omitted. When the palette display mode is instructed (step S31: Yes), the display control unit 11b causes the display unit 18 to display a captured image with a reproduction palette (step S32). The display example shown in FIG. 7 corresponds, and in particular, the latest photographed image 36 immediately after photographing is displayed on the initial screen.

  In this screen display, it is determined whether or not an instruction operation has been performed on the reproduction palette 37 (step S33). When there is an instruction operation (step S33: Yes), the image quality adjustment control unit 11a and the display control unit 11b execute a palette operation according to the instruction operation (step S34). This palette operation will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When there is no instruction operation (step S33: No) or after the palette operation is finished, it is determined whether or not there is a switching instruction for the displayed captured image (reproduced image) (step S35). If there is a switching instruction (step S35: Yes), the image to be displayed is read from the image storage unit 22 and displayed according to the switching instruction (step S36). When there is no switching operation instruction (step S35: No), or after the readout display processing is completed, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to switch to the photographing mode by operating the mode switching button 14a (step S37). If there is a mode switching instruction (step S37: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13. If there is no mode switching instruction (step S37: No), it is determined whether or not a power switch OFF instruction operation has been performed (step S38). If there is an off instruction operation (step S38: Yes), the process is terminated. If there is no off instruction operation (step S38: No), it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to switch to the palette non-display mode by operating the mode switching button 14a (step S40). If there is a switching instruction (step S40: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12, and if there is no switching instruction (step S40: No), the process proceeds to step S33.

  Next, the pallet operation in step S15 will be described with reference to FIG. 17 (the same applies to step S34, and description thereof will be omitted). First, the position of the start point Ds accompanying the user's drag operation is detected (step S51). Then, it is determined whether or not the detected position of the starting point Ds is a position detected by touching the shooting palette 32 (step S52). As shown in FIG. 10A, when the detected position of the starting point Ds is not due to the touch on the palette (step S52: No), the display control unit 11b displays the pieces 32a to 32e of the shooting palette 32. Are switched to display in the form of icons 33a to 33e (step S53). The display example shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the detected position of the starting point Ds is due to the touch on the piece (step S52: Yes), the display control unit 11b displays the touched piece, for example, the piece The icon 33d is displayed immediately above the 32d portion (step S54). The display example shown in FIG.

  Further, the pressing continuation time (or pressing force) at the drag operation start point Ds is detected (step S55). Thereafter, when the user's finger leaves the screen and the drag operation ends, the position of the end point Dl of the drag operation is detected (step S56).

  In the drag operation thus detected, it is determined whether or not the selected piece is a partial adjustment type (step S57). If it is a partial adjustment type such as brightness (step S57: Yes), the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets a specific area 31a that is an image range for image quality adjustment according to the position of the start point Ds or the end point Dl of the drag operation. Set (step S58). In addition, the display control unit 11b displays the set specific area 31a so as to be distinguished from other parts. The display example shown in FIG. 12 corresponds.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the detected drag operation is an operation having the piece as a starting point Ds (step S59). If the drag operation has the piece as the starting point Ds (step S59: Yes), the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets the change direction of the adjustment to a direction in which the parameter is increased (step S60). On the other hand, in the case of a drag operation in which the piece is not the start point Ds but the end point Dl (step S59: No), the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets the adjustment change direction to a direction in which the parameter is decreased (step S61). ). Further, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets a change amount (step amount to be changed) with reference to the table 12a in accordance with the pressing duration (or pressing force) detected in step S55 (step S62).

  The image quality adjustment processing is executed on the live view image 31 by controlling the imaging unit 15 and the image processing unit 19 according to the parameters of the adjustment items for image quality adjustment set by the image quality adjustment control unit 11a in this way. (Step S63). Then, the live view image 31 whose image quality has been adjusted is displayed on the display unit 18 (step S64). Further, the display control unit 11b switches the icon display switched and displayed in step S53 and step S54 to normal palette display (step S65).

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize an excellent operating environment that is suitable for application to the digital camera 1 that is a small portable device. In particular, the image quality adjustment control unit 11a sets the adjustment item that is the object of the drag operation as an image quality adjustment item, and the adjustment item depends on whether the adjustment item is the start point Ds or the end point Dl of the drag operation. Therefore, even a general user can easily set an adjustment item and increase / decrease the parameter by a drag operation that is extremely easy to understand.

  Further, when displaying the live view image 31 for viewing a subject as a photographed image, the adjustment item for photographing is displayed as an adjustment item for image quality adjustment. Therefore, the image quality can be easily viewed while viewing the live view image 31 in the photographing mode. Adjustments can be made.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Although this embodiment has been described with reference to the application example to the digital camera 1, the present embodiment may be applied to a camera unit attached to a personal computer, a camera unit of a mobile phone, or the like. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a display device with a touch panel for image reproduction.

  Moreover, it is not restricted to the small portable apparatus which uses the content to handle as a picked-up image. For example, the content to be handled is music or voice, and the present invention may be applied to portable music / voice recording or playback equipment having a display unit with a touch panel. In this case, the adjustment item for quality adjustment of the content displayed on the display unit with a touch panel may be an adjustment item for music / sound quality adjustment. FIG. 18 shows an example of adjustment items for sound quality adjustment. That is, the playback volume, treble, bass, recording level, and song switching are set as adjustment items (parameters) for adjusting the sound quality of music / voice. As for the music switching, the music is switched to the music ahead by one music in accordance with the increase instruction, and the other parameters are set so as to increase in units of 3 dB according to the increase instruction for the other items. In the case of a reduction instruction, the tune is switched to the music after one song, and for the other items, the respective parameters are set to be smaller in units of 3 dB according to the reduction instruction.

  Further, in the present embodiment, for example, each processing function as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is described as being processed by software by the control unit 11 in the block diagram shown in FIG. The specific example of the configuration is not limited to this. It is a design matter to perform these processes in any one of hardware processing and software processing or in an appropriate combination.

  When all or part of the embodiment is executed by software processing, the control unit 11 reads and executes the user interface program stored in the program data storage unit 12 such as a flash memory. Thus, since such software processing is realized, a user interface program relating to such software processing is also the present invention. A recording medium on which such a user interface program is recorded is also the present invention. The recording medium for storing the program is not limited to the flash memory, but an optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, a magnetic recording medium such as an MD, a tape medium, or a semiconductor memory such as an IC card. It may be. Further, the user interface program naturally includes a program obtained from an external recording medium via a network, for example, a program downloaded from a home page. In such a case, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that are downloaded by the user are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by appropriately modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention at the stage of implementation. Various inventions can be configured by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some constituent elements may be deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, or different constituent elements may be appropriately combined.

It is a rear view which shows the example of schematic structure of the digital camera of embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view which shows an example of the aspect of holding | grip and operation of a digital camera. It is a block diagram which shows the system structural example of a digital camera. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the variation | change_quantity of the parameter for every adjustment item set to the table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen display of a display part at the time of setting to imaging | photography mode in palette display mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the icon displayed when each piece is touch-operated. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen display of a display part at the time of setting to reproduction | regeneration mode in palette display mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of operation which increases a shutter speed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of operation which changes the variation | change_quantity to increase. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of operation which reduces shutter speed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of operation which changes the variation | change_quantity to reduce. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of operation which increases a brightness. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of operation which increases an out focus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of a palette display. It is explanatory drawing which shows another modification of a palette display. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the example of operation control. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the subroutine of pallet operation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an adjustment item for the sound quality adjustment of music / voice.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 11a Image quality adjustment control part 11b Display control part 14 Touch panel 18 Display part 31 Live view image 31a Specific area 32 Shooting palette 32a-32h Piece 36 Captured image 37 Playback palette 37a-37d Piece 41 Shooting palette 41a-41e Peace Ds Start point Dl End point

Claims (13)

A display for displaying an image;
A touch panel arranged to overlap the display unit;
A display control unit for displaying a plurality of adjustment items for quality adjustment of content to be handled on the screen of the display unit;
A quality adjustment control unit that detects a drag operation on the touch panel and sets conditions of the adjustment items for quality adjustment according to the detected drag operation;
With
The quality adjustment control unit sets the adjustment item that is the target of the drag operation as the quality adjustment item, and further sets the condition of the adjustment item depending on whether the adjustment item is a start point or an end point of the drag operation. A user interface device characterized by setting whether to increase or decrease.   The user interface device according to claim 1, wherein the quality adjustment control unit sets a change amount of a condition of the adjustment item that is increased or decreased according to a pressing duration time at a starting point of the drag operation.   The user interface device according to claim 1, wherein the quality adjustment control unit sets a change amount of a condition of the adjustment item to be increased or decreased according to a pressing force at a starting point of the drag operation. The display control unit displays adjustment items for image quality adjustment for quality adjustment on a part of a screen on which a captured image is displayed as the content,
The user interface device according to claim 1, wherein the quality adjustment control unit sets conditions for adjustment items for image quality adjustment for an image displayed on the display unit.   5. The user interface according to claim 4, wherein the quality adjustment control unit sets a specific region in the captured image that is a start point or an end point of the drag operation as a range of the image on which the image quality adjustment is performed. apparatus.   The user interface device according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit identifies and displays the specific area.   The display control unit, when displaying a live view image for viewing a subject as the photographed image, displays an adjustment item for photographing as the adjustment item for image quality adjustment. User interface device.   5. The user according to claim 4, wherein, when displaying a recorded captured image as the captured image, the display control unit displays an adjustment item for reproduction as the adjustment item for image quality adjustment. Interface device.   5. The user interface device according to claim 4, wherein the quality adjustment control unit includes at least one of items of contrast, brightness, ambient light amount, out-of-focus, and color as the adjustment items.   2. The user interface device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays an adjustment item that is a target of the drag operation in the adjustment item by changing it to an icon form. 3.   A camera comprising the user interface device according to claim 1. Using a user interface device having a display unit for displaying an image and a touch panel arranged to overlap the display unit,
A display control step of displaying a plurality of adjustment items for quality adjustment of the content to be handled on the screen of the display unit;
A quality adjustment control step of detecting a drag operation on the touch panel and setting conditions of the adjustment items for the quality adjustment according to the detected drag operation;
Including
The quality adjustment control step sets the adjustment item that is the target of the drag operation as the quality adjustment item, and further sets the condition of the adjustment item depending on whether the adjustment item is a start point or an end point of the drag operation. A user interface method characterized by setting whether to increase or decrease. In a user interface device having a display unit for displaying an image and a touch panel arranged to overlap the display unit,
A display control function for displaying a plurality of adjustment items for quality adjustment of content to be handled on the screen of the display unit;
A quality adjustment control function that detects a drag operation on the touch panel and sets conditions of the adjustment items for quality adjustment according to the detected drag operation;
And execute
The quality adjustment control function sets the adjustment item that is the object of the drag operation as the quality adjustment item, and further sets the condition of the adjustment item depending on whether the adjustment item is a start point or an end point of the drag operation. A program for a user interface, characterized by setting whether to increase or decrease.

Images