JP2011217410A - Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set a desired parameter by simple operation in accordance with an imaging environment such as a subject to be imaged or weather, user preference and the like.SOLUTION: In parameter information where parameters for setting an imaging condition or other conditions are classified into a plurality of items in accordance with kinds of conditions, the setting of parameters for a plurality of items is assigned to a left/right key of a cursor key 13 in accordance with the operation of the left/right key. When selecting a parameter corresponding to a condition to be set, in the case that the parameter belongs to the assigned item, the parameter is selected without the need for designating the item in accordance with the operation of the left/right key.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a control program for the imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus for setting parameters for setting image capturing conditions, image reproduction conditions, and other conditions, and a control program for the imaging apparatus. It is.

  In portable imaging devices such as digital cameras, video cameras, and camera-equipped mobile phone devices, there are parameters for setting image shooting conditions, image recording conditions, image playback conditions, and other conditions. It is prepared. On the other hand, in such a portable imaging device, as seen in the prior arts of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 below, the number of switches is reduced as much as possible to reduce the size and cost of the product. Development efforts have been made. As a result, for example, there are a plurality of menus depending on the type of conditions such as ISO sensitivity menu items, self-timer menu items, white balance menu items, and photometry method menu items. The parameter information is classified into items and has a tree structure in which a plurality of parameters belong to each menu item. And when setting a condition for a certain parameter by operating the switch, first specify the item to which the parameter belongs, and then select the total number of parameters by selecting the target parameter from the specified item. The number of switches can be reduced relatively.

In Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, as shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the power key, shutter key, and mode switch, a menu key for setting parameters, a cross key (cursor key), And the key input part is comprised only by the set key. The menu key is operated when selecting various menu items. The cross key is formed integrally with keys for moving the cursor in the up, down, left, and right directions, and is operated when moving a menu item or the like displayed on the display unit. The set key is arranged at the center position of the cross key, and is operated to set menu item contents (parameters) selected at that time.
For example, when the main menu screen is displayed with the menu key in shooting mode, the shooting setting item is specified with the left / right key of the cross key, and the self timer item is specified with the up / down key of the cross key. A menu of “10 seconds”, “5 seconds”, “2 seconds”, and “off” indicating the parameters of the self-timer is displayed. The self-timer parameters desired by the user are set by the up and down keys of the cross key.

JP 2004-357119 A JP 2005-39777 A

In conventional imaging devices including the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, for example, when setting the ISO sensitivity parameter after the self-timer parameter is set by operating the cross key, the main menu screen is displayed. After returning, the menu screen of the image quality setting is displayed with the left and right keys of the cross key, the ISO sensitivity is selected with the up and down keys of the cross key, and the ISO sensitivity including “auto”, “ISO 50”, “ISO 100”, and “ISO 200” is selected. After the menu screen is displayed, it is necessary to set desired parameters using the up and down keys of the cross key. However, in order to set a desired parameter at the time of shooting, performing a complicated operation imposes a burden on the user and there is a possibility that a photo opportunity will be missed.
The present invention is for solving such a conventional problem, and there are a plurality of parameters for setting image shooting conditions, image playback conditions, and other conditions depending on the type of conditions. In the parameter information having a configuration in which a plurality of parameters belong to each item, desired parameters can be set with a simple operation according to the shooting environment such as the subject to be shot, the weather, and the user's preference. With the goal.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein parameters for setting shooting conditions and other conditions are classified into a plurality of items according to the types of conditions, and parameter information of a configuration in which at least one parameter belongs to each item Parameter assignment for assigning parameter settings of a plurality of items to specific switches (in the embodiment, corresponding to the left and right keys of the cursor key 13 in FIG. 1) according to the operation of the specific switches When selecting a parameter corresponding to the condition set by the means (in the embodiment, corresponding to the control unit 32 in FIG. 2) and the operation means, if the parameter belongs to the item assigned by the parameter assignment means Selects the parameter according to the operation of a specific switch and does not require specification of the item. In the case where a parameter belongs to an item not assigned by the parameter assigning means, a parameter selecting means for designating the item to which the parameter belongs and selecting the parameter according to the operation of a specific switch and / or another switch (embodiment) 2 corresponds to the control unit 32 of FIG. 2).

In the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, as described in claim 2, the parameter selection unit sequentially selects one parameter according to the parameter arrangement of each item for each operation of a specific switch, and the last parameter of the arrangement is When a specific switch is further operated in the selected state, a configuration may be adopted in which a parameter is selected by moving to another item.
3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the specific switch is a first selection switch that sequentially selects one parameter by designating a selection direction of the parameter array as a forward direction and a reverse direction. (Corresponding to the right key of the cursor key 13 in FIG. 1) and a second selection switch (corresponding to the left key of the cursor key 13 in FIG. 1) in the embodiment, and parameter setting When the last parameter in the forward direction or the reverse direction of the array is selected and the first selection switch or the second selection switch is further operated, the means shifts to another item and sets the parameter. You may make it the structure which selects.

  In the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, as described in claim 4, the function of the parameter setting means for selecting a parameter belonging to the item without designating the item in accordance with an operation of the specific switch is a specific switch Or you may make it the structure which becomes effective with respect to the item temporarily allocated by operation of another switch.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program in which parameters for setting shooting conditions and other conditions are classified into a plurality of items according to the types of conditions, and at least one parameter belongs to each item. In step A, parameter settings of a plurality of items are assigned to specific switches (in the embodiment, corresponding to the left and right keys of the cursor key 13 in FIG. 1) according to the operation of the specific switches. When the parameter corresponding to the condition set by the operating means is selected, if the parameter belongs to the item assigned by step A, the item is not required to be specified according to the operation of a specific switch. Select a parameter and the parameter belongs to an item not assigned by Step A. If that has a structure for executing the steps B for selecting a specified and the parameter of the item to which the parameter belongs in accordance with the operation of a particular switch and or other switches, to the computer.
Step A and Step B correspond to processing executed by the control unit 32 in FIG. 2 in the embodiment.

In the control program according to claim 5, as described in claim 6, step A selects one parameter in order according to the arrangement of parameters of each item for each operation of a specific switch, and the last parameter of the arrangement is selected. When a specific switch is further operated in a state in which it is set, it may be configured to shift to another item and select a parameter.
7. The control program according to claim 6, wherein the specific switch is a first selection switch for sequentially selecting one parameter by designating a selection direction of the parameter array as a forward direction and a reverse direction. (Corresponding to the right key of the cursor key 13 in FIG. 1) and a second selection switch (corresponding to the left key of the cursor key 13 in FIG. 1 in the embodiment) When the last parameter in the forward or reverse direction of the array is selected and the first selection switch or the second selection switch is further operated, the process moves to another item and the parameter is selected. You may make it the structure which does.

  In the control program according to claim 5, as described in claim 8, the function of step A for selecting a parameter belonging to an item without designating the item in accordance with an operation of the specific switch is a specific switch or It may be configured to be effective for items temporarily assigned by operating other switches.

  According to the present invention, parameters for setting image shooting conditions, image playback conditions, and other conditions are classified into a plurality of items according to the type of conditions, and a plurality of parameters belong to each item. In the parameter information, desired parameters can be set with a simple operation in accordance with the subject to be photographed, the photographing environment such as the weather, and the user's preference.

1 is an external view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the digital camera of FIG. 1. The flowchart of the control program performed by the control part of FIG. The flowchart of the control program following FIG. The flowchart of the control program following FIG. The flowchart of the through screen display process in FIG. 7 is a flowchart of through screen display processing following FIG. 6. (A) is a diagram of a menu screen, (B) is a diagram showing a function setting screen displayed in a window. The figure which shows the screen in the case of assigning the parameter setting of ISO sensitivity to a left-right key setting. The figure which shows the screen in the case of assigning the parameter setting of a self-timer to a left-right key setting. The figure showing a state transition when the left-right cursor key is turned on when ISO sensitivity and a self-timer are assigned to the left-right cursor key.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 by taking a digital camera as an example.
FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1A, a photographing lens 2, a self-timer lamp 3, an optical viewfinder window 4, a microphone 5, a strobe light emitting unit 6, and a rubber grip 7 are provided on the front surface of a substantially rectangular and thin digital camera 1. Is provided. The rubber grip 7 is a belt-like protrusion formed of an elastic member provided so that the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger can securely hold the main body when the user holds the right side of the digital camera 1 with the right hand at the time of shooting. is there. A power switch 8 and a shutter switch 9 are provided on the upper surface of the main body of the digital camera 1.

  In FIG. 1B, on the back of the main body of the digital camera 1, a composite switch including a mode switch 10, a speaker 11, a menu switch 12, a cursor key 13 and a set key 14, an optical finder 15, a strobe charge lamp 16, and A display unit 17 is provided. The mode switch 10 is composed of a slide switch, and switches between a recording mode (R) and a reproduction mode (P) by sliding left and right. The recording mode further includes a through screen mode and an image storage mode. The menu switch 12 displays a menu screen on the display unit 17 when setting parameters for setting shooting conditions, image reproduction conditions, and other conditions. The cursor key 13 is operated to move the position of the selection icon on the screen in the up, down, left, and right directions. The set key 14 is provided at the center position of the cursor key 13, but is a movable mechanism independent of the cursor key 13, and is operated to determine the selected menu item. The display unit 17 is composed of a color liquid crystal panel and, as described above, displays a menu screen when setting parameters, displays a through image as an electronic viewfinder in the recording mode, and displays a selected image in the playback mode.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the digital camera 1 of FIG. In FIG. 2, a motor (M) 21 is an image pickup device that drives an optical system 22 including a photographic lens 2 in a recording mode to automatically adjust a focus and an aperture, and to pass an optical image that passes through the optical system 22. An image is formed on the CCD 23. The CCD 23 is scanned and driven by a vertical driver 25 corresponding to a timing signal generated from a timing generator (TG) 24, and images (photoelectric conversion) a light image formed at regular intervals to obtain an image for one screen. Output a signal. The sample / hold circuit (S / H) 26 appropriately adjusts the gain for each primary color component of RGB with respect to this image signal, performs a sample / hold process, and outputs the result to the A / D converter 27. The A / D converter 27 converts the sample-and-hold image signal from analog to digital and outputs it to the color process circuit 28. The color process circuit 28 performs color process processing including pixel interpolation processing and γ correction processing on the image signal to generate image data including the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cr and Cb, and generates a composite synchronization signal, a memory document Along with the enable signal, clock signal, etc., it is output to the DMA controller 29. Based on these signals, the DMA controller 29 DMA-transfers and writes image data for one screen to the DRAM 31 via the DRAM interface (I / F) 30.

  The control unit 32 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control program stored in the ROM is executed in advance by the CPU, and data to be processed is temporarily stored in a RAM as a work area. Switch interface (I / O) between the DMA controller 29, the VRAM controller 33, the JPEG circuit 34, the memory card 35, the built-in memory 36, the sound processing unit 37, and the strobe drive unit (not shown) connected via F) In response to the switch operation signal input via 38, the entire digital camera 1 is controlled by transmitting and receiving commands and data. Therefore, the DMA transfer of the image data by the DMA controller 29 is also performed by the DMA controller 29 temporarily occupying the data bus by transmitting / receiving commands to / from the control unit 32.

  The control unit 32 reads the image data written in the DRAM 31 via the DMA controller 29 and writes it in the VRAM 39 via the VRAM controller 33. The digital video encoder 40 periodically reads out image data from the VRAM 39 via the VRAM controller 33 and outputs a video signal generated based on the image data to the display unit 17 for display. That is, in the through screen mode of the recording mode, the moving image captured by the CCD 23 is displayed on the display unit 17 as a through image in real time.

  In the through screen mode, when the shutter switch 9 is pressed, a trigger signal is input from the switch interface 38 to the control unit 32. In response to the trigger signal, the control unit 32 shifts to the image storage mode, stops the data transfer path from the CCD 23 to the DRAM 31, and performs image data storage processing. That is, the control unit 32 reads out image data captured by the CCD 23 and displayed on the display unit 17 from the VRAM 39, writes it in the JPEG circuit 34, and is a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) color still image encoding method. Data compression is performed by processing such as ADCT (Adaptive Discrete Cosine Transform), Huffman coding, which is an entropy coding method. Thereafter, the control unit 32 reads out the compressed image data from the JPEG circuit 34 and writes and stores it in a removable memory card 35 or a built-in memory 36 fixedly provided inside. Thereafter, the display returns to the through screen mode again, the data transfer path from the CCD 23 to the DRAM 31 is restored, and the through image captured by the CCD 23 is displayed on the display unit 17 in real time.

Next, the operation of the digital camera of the embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of the control unit 32 shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 and the display screen shown in FIGS.
In FIG. 3, after predetermined initialization (step SA1), it is determined whether or not the screen is in the through screen mode (step SA2). If it is the through screen mode, the through screen is displayed on the display unit 17 (step SA3). If it is not the through screen mode, other screen display is performed (step SA4). For example, in the image storage mode, the captured still image is displayed on the screen, and in the reproduction mode, the image read from the memory card 35 or the built-in memory 36 and decoded by the JPEG circuit 34 is displayed on the screen. indicate.

  In a state where the through screen or other screen is displayed, it is determined whether or not an instruction for switching the screen mode has been issued (step SA5). When switching from the other screen to the through screen is instructed, the through screen is displayed. When the switching from the through screen to the other screen is instructed (step SA6), the other screen is displayed (step SA7). When the switching instruction is accepted or there is no switching instruction, it is determined whether or not the menu switch 12 is turned on in a state where the through screen or other screen is displayed (step SA8), and this switch is turned on. If so, a menu screen is displayed (step SA9). If the menu switch 12 is not turned on, other processing is performed (step SA10), and after shifting to step SA2, a through screen or another screen is displayed.

  After the menu screen is displayed, one menu item is highlighted and displayed on the menu sheet corresponding to one of the setting icons (tabs) (step SA11). Next, it is determined whether or not the cursor key 13 is turned on (step SA12). If the cursor key 13 is not on, it is determined whether or not the menu switch 12 has been turned on (step SA13). When the menu switch 12 is turned on, the menu screen is deleted and the process proceeds to step SA2. On the other hand, when the cursor key 13 is turned on while the menu screen is displayed, it is determined whether or not the up / down cursor is turned on (step SA14). When the up / down cursor is turned on, the highlighted menu item is selected. Change (step SA15).

  If the up / down cursor is not on, it is determined whether or not the left / right cursor is on in the flowchart of FIG. 4 (step SA16). When the left / right cursor is turned on, the setting icon to be highlighted is changed (step SA17), and another menu sheet screen corresponding to the changed setting icon is displayed (step SA18). Then, the process proceeds to step SA11 in FIG. 3 to highlight one menu item.

If the left and right cursor keys are not on in step SA16 in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the set key 14 has been turned on (step SA19). When the set key 14 is turned on, it is determined whether or not the currently selected item is “left / right key setting” (step SA20).
FIG. 8A illustrates an example of a parameter information menu screen. In this menu screen, a setting icon (tab) for shooting settings is highlighted. That is, a screen of a menu sheet for shooting settings is shown. Furthermore, among the menu items of “continuous shooting”, “self-timer”, “AF area”, “blur reduction”, “left / right key setting”, and “quick shutter”, the currently selected item is “left / right key”. "Setting". When the set key 14 is turned on in this state, the function setting screen is superimposed on the menu screen and displayed in a window (step SA21). Then, any function is highlighted (step SA22).
FIG. 8B shows a function setting screen displayed in a window. In this figure, “OFF (off)” is highlighted. In this case, no function is assigned to the left and right cursor keys.

In this state, it is determined whether or not the up / down cursor key is turned on (step SA23). When the up / down cursor key is turned on, the emphasis position is changed (step SA24). After changing the emphasis position or when the up / down cursor key is not on, it is determined whether or not the set key 14 is turned on (step SA25), and when the set key 14 is turned on, FIG. It is determined whether or not the function highlighted on the screen is “OFF” (left / right key setting cancellation) (step SA26). If the highlighted function is “OFF”, the flag PARAF is reset to 0 (step SA27). If the highlighted function is not “OFF”, the function parameters corresponding to the parameter table param [] are sequentially stored in the RAM (step SA28), and PARAF is set to 1 (step SA29).
If the set key 14 is not turned on in step SA25, it is determined whether or not the menu switch 12 is turned on (step SA30). If this switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step SA2 in FIG. Display screen or other screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen when assigning the parameter setting of “ISO sensitivity” to “left / right key setting”. As shown in the screen of FIG. 9A, when the set key 14 is turned on while the function of “ISO sensitivity” is highlighted, as shown in FIG. ) Is changed from “shooting setting” to “image quality setting”, and a group of ISO sensitivity parameters is displayed.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen when assigning “self timer” parameter setting to “left / right key setting”. As shown in the screen of FIG. 10A, when the set key 14 is turned on in a state where the function of “self-timer” is emphasized, as shown in FIG. A group is displayed.
Of course, three or more functions may be assigned to “left / right key setting”.

When the set key is turned on in step SA19 of FIG. 4 and the item highlighted on the screen of FIG. 8A is not “left / right key setting”, the process proceeds from step SA20 to the flowchart of FIG. Then, a parameter screen corresponding to the highlighted item is displayed (step SA31). That is, the parameter screen of “continuous shooting”, “self-timer”, “AF area”, “blur reduction”, or “quick shutter” in FIG. 8A is displayed. Next, one of the parameters is highlighted (step SA32). For example, in the case of “continuous shooting”, either “ON” or “OFF” is highlighted. Then, it is determined whether or not the up / down cursor key is turned on (step SA33), and when the up / down cursor key is turned on, the highlighted display position is changed (step SA34). Next, it is determined whether or not the set key 14 is turned on (step SA35). If the set key 14 is turned on, the value of the emphasized parameter is set (step SA36).
If the set key 14 is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the menu switch 12 is turned on (step SA37). If this switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step SA2 in FIG. Display the screen.

6 and 7 are flowcharts of the through screen display process in step SA3 in FIG.
In FIG. 6, the captured image is displayed (step SB1). Next, it is determined whether or not the left / right cursor key is turned on (step SB2). When the left / right cursor key is turned on, it is determined whether or not the flag PARAF is 1 (the left / right cursor key is set) ( Step SB3). If the left / right cursor key is not on, or if PARAF is 0 (left / right cursor key not set), other processing is performed (step SB4), and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If PARAF is 1 in step SB3, the variable N is set to 0 (step SB5), and the following loop processing is performed while changing the value of N according to the ON operation of the right cursor key or the left cursor key. Do. The parameter value stored in param [N] is displayed (step SB6), and it is determined whether or not the right cursor key is turned on (step SB7). When the right cursor key is turned on, the value of N is incremented (step SB8). At this time, it is determined whether or not the value of N has reached the number of parameters stored in param [] (step SB9). If the number of stored parameters has not been reached, the value of the parameter stored in param [N] is displayed in step SB6. On the other hand, when the number of stored parameters is reached, the value of N is set to 0 again in step SB5, and loop processing is performed while changing the value of N according to the ON operation of the right cursor key or the left cursor key. continue.

  In the loop processing, if the right cursor key is not on in step SB7, it is determined whether or not the left cursor key is turned on (step SB10). When the left cursor key is turned on, the value of N is decremented (step SB11). At this time, it is determined whether or not the value of N is smaller than 0 (step SB12). If the value of N is 0 or more, the value of the parameter stored in param [N] in step SB6 is set. indicate. On the other hand, when the value of N is smaller than 0, a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of parameters stored in param [], that is, the maximum value of N is set to N (step SB13). Displays the value of the parameter stored in param [N].

  If the right cursor key is not on in step SB7 and the left cursor key is not on in step SB10, it is determined whether or not the set key 14 is turned on in the flowchart of FIG. 7 (step SB14). When the key 14 is turned on, the parameter of param [N] is set (step SB15). Then, the process proceeds to step SB6 in FIG. 6, and the value of the parameter stored in param [N] is displayed. If the set key 14 is not turned on in step SB14 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the menu switch 12 is turned on (step SB16). If this switch is turned on, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows a state transition when the right cursor key or the left cursor key is turned on in the through screen display processing when the functions of “ISO sensitivity” and “self-timer” are assigned to the “left / right cursor key”. Represents. In FIG. 11, by turning on the right cursor key, the image quality setting parameter groups “ISO Auto”, “ISO 50”, “ISO 100”, and “ISO 200” are changed in order, and then the right cursor key is further turned on. When it is changed to the parameter group of the self-timer of the shooting setting. Similarly, when the left cursor key is turned on from the “self-timer 10 seconds” of the shooting setting parameter group by turning on the left cursor key, the parameter is changed to the ISO sensitivity parameter group of image quality setting. That is, it is possible to set parameter groups of different items without specifying the item to which the parameter group belongs by operating the left and right cursor keys.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the control unit 32 classifies the parameters for setting the shooting conditions and other conditions into a plurality of items according to the type of the conditions, and at least one parameter for each item. In the parameter information of the configuration to which the parameter belongs, the parameter setting of a plurality of items is assigned to the left and right keys of the cursor key 13 according to the operation of the left and right keys, and when selecting the parameter corresponding to the setting condition, If the parameter belongs to an assigned item, the parameter is selected without requiring the item to be specified according to the operation of the left / right key. If the parameter belongs to an unassigned item, the left / right key, up / down In accordance with the operation of the key and set key 14, the item to which the parameter belongs is specified and the parameter is selected.
Therefore, parameters for setting image shooting conditions, image playback conditions, and other conditions are classified into a plurality of items according to the type of conditions, and in the parameter information of a configuration in which a plurality of parameters belong to each item. The desired parameters can be set with a simple operation in accordance with the photographing environment such as the subject to be photographed and the weather and the user's preference.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 32 sequentially selects one parameter in accordance with the parameter array of each item for each operation of the cursor key 13, and the last parameter in the array is selected. When the cursor key is further operated, the process moves to another item to select a parameter.
That is, the control unit 32 has a right cursor key and a left cursor key for selecting one parameter in order by designating the selection direction of the parameter array in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and the last in the forward direction or the reverse direction of the array. When the right cursor key or the left cursor key is further operated while the parameter is selected, the process shifts to another item to select the parameter.
Accordingly, parameters belonging to different types of items can be quickly set only by operating the left and right cursor keys, so that a photo opportunity is not missed.

The function of the control unit 32 that selects a parameter belonging to an item without designating the item in accordance with the operation of the left / right cursor key is effective for the item temporarily assigned by the operation of the up / down cursor key.
Therefore, the types of items assigned to the left and right cursor keys, the number of items, and the release of assignment can be freely determined by each user.

  In the above-described embodiment, the imaging apparatus of the present invention has been described by taking a digital camera as an example. However, the imaging apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a digital camera. It can also be applied to video cameras and camera-equipped mobile phone devices. Furthermore, in a general electronic device, when there are many parameters to be set, the tree structure is such that the parameters are classified into a plurality of items according to the type of conditions to be set, and a plurality of parameters belong to each item. Yes. While it is possible to perform a systematic operation explanation for all users using such a tree-structured parameter group, when setting parameters for different types of items, leave the current item and change another item. Since it is necessary to set parameters while specifying them, the user is forced to perform complicated operations. Therefore, if the present invention is applied to an electronic apparatus other than the imaging apparatus, a desired parameter can be set with a simple operation.

  In the above embodiment, the invention of the apparatus for executing the control program stored in the ROM of the control unit 32 in the digital camera 1 in advance has been described. However, the invention is recorded on a flexible disk (FD) or CD that is an external storage medium. The installed control program is installed in the memory card 35 or the built-in memory 36, or the control program downloaded from a network such as the Internet is installed in the memory card 35 or the built-in memory 36, and the control program is installed by the control unit 32. It is also possible to execute. In this case, the invention of the program and the invention of the recording medium on which the program is recorded can be realized.

That is, the control program according to the present invention is:
Parameters for setting shooting conditions and other conditions are classified into a plurality of items according to the types of conditions, and in the parameter information of a configuration in which at least one parameter belongs to each item, for a specific switch in the operation means Step A in which parameter settings of a plurality of items are assigned in accordance with the operation of the specific switch, and when the parameter corresponding to the condition set by the operation means is selected, the parameter is assigned by Step A. If it belongs to an item, the parameter is selected without requiring specification of the item according to the operation of the specific switch, and if the parameter belongs to an item not assigned by the step A, the specific Depending on the operation of other switches and / or other switches A step B of performing designation and selection of the parameters of the item to be causes the computer to execute.

In step A, one parameter is sequentially selected according to the parameter array of each item for each operation of the specific switch, and the specific switch is further operated in a state where the last parameter in the array is selected. In some cases, the process shifts to another item to select a parameter.
The specific switch has a first selection switch and a second selection switch for sequentially selecting one parameter by designating the selection direction of the parameter array as a forward direction and a reverse direction, and the step A includes the array When the first selection switch or the second selection switch is further operated while the last parameter in the forward direction or the reverse direction is selected, the parameter is selected by moving to another item. It is characterized by that.

  The function of the step A for selecting a parameter belonging to the item without designating the item in accordance with the operation of the specific switch is the item temporarily assigned by the operation of the specific switch or another switch. It is effective for this.

1 Digital Camera 13 Cursor Key 14 Set Key 17 Display 23 CCD
32 Control unit 38 Switch interface

Claims (8)

Parameters for setting shooting conditions and other conditions are classified into a plurality of items according to the types of conditions, and in the parameter information of a configuration in which at least one parameter belongs to each item, for a specific switch in the operation means Parameter assigning means for assigning parameter settings of a plurality of items according to the operation of the specific switch,
When selecting a parameter corresponding to a condition set by the operation means, if the parameter belongs to an item assigned by the parameter assignment means, it is necessary to specify an item according to the operation of the specific switch. If the parameter is selected, and the parameter belongs to an item not assigned by the parameter assigning means, the designation of the item to which the parameter belongs and the relevant switch according to the operation of the specific switch and / or another switch Parameter selection means for selecting parameters;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The parameter selection means sequentially selects one parameter according to the parameter arrangement of each item for each operation of the specific switch, and the specific switch is further operated in a state where the last parameter in the arrangement is selected. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter is selected by moving to another item.   The specific switch has a first selection switch and a second selection switch for sequentially selecting one parameter by specifying the selection direction of the parameter arrangement in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and the parameter setting means includes: When the first selection switch or the second selection switch is further operated while the last parameter in the forward or reverse direction of the array is selected, the parameter is selected by moving to another item. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:   The function of the parameter setting means for selecting a parameter belonging to the item without specifying the item in accordance with the operation of the specific switch is an item temporarily assigned by the operation of the specific switch or another switch The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein Parameters for setting shooting conditions and other conditions are classified into a plurality of items according to the types of conditions, and in the parameter information of a configuration in which at least one parameter belongs to each item, for a specific switch in the operation means Assigning the parameter settings of a plurality of items according to the operation of the specific switch,
When selecting a parameter corresponding to the condition set by the operating means, if the parameter belongs to the item assigned by the step A, it is not necessary to specify the item according to the operation of the specific switch. When the parameter is selected and the parameter belongs to an item not assigned by the step A, the designation of the item to which the parameter belongs and the setting of the parameter according to the operation of the specific switch and / or another switch Step B for making a selection;
A control program that causes a computer to execute.   In step A, one parameter is sequentially selected according to the parameter array of each item for each operation of the specific switch, and the specific switch is further operated in a state where the last parameter in the array is selected. 6. The control program according to claim 5, wherein the parameter is selected by moving to another item.   The specific switch has a first selection switch and a second selection switch for sequentially selecting one parameter by designating the selection direction of the parameter array as a forward direction and a reverse direction, and the step A includes the array When the first selection switch or the second selection switch is further operated while the last parameter in the forward direction or the reverse direction is selected, the parameter is selected by moving to another item. The control program according to claim 6.   The function of the step A for selecting a parameter belonging to the item without designating the item in accordance with the operation of the specific switch is the item temporarily assigned by the operation of the specific switch or another switch. The control program according to claim 5, wherein the control program is valid for the control program.

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