JP2012189883A - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to immediately intuitively recognize that operation is ineffective at present when operating an operation member set to an ineffective state.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of operation members; object setting means which sets whether each of the plurality of operation members is an object of which the operation should be made ineffective in a lock mode; lock mode setting means which sets the lock mode being a state where operations of operation members set as objects of which the operations should be made ineffective are made ineffective; display means which displays information relating to functions assigned to the operation members; and display control means which performs such control in the lock mode that, in response to operating an operation member set as an object of which the operation should be made ineffective, a warning indicating that the operation is ineffective is displayed in a display region where information relating to functions assigned to the operated operation member.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that can set whether an operation member is valid or invalid, a control method for the imaging apparatus, a program, and a recording medium.

  Conventionally, an operation prohibition (lock) may be required so that an operation member is not erroneously operated when the user does not intend. On the other hand, there is an example in which a switch for disabling the operation is provided in the vicinity of each operation member. (Patent Document 1) This may be intuitive, but if the number of operation members increases, a burden is high in terms of cost, such as requiring a switch and its space individually.

On the other hand, there is no switch to be invalidated for each operation member, but there is a method of setting operation invalidity in software, which can be realized at low cost without adding a switch or the like. (Patent Document 2)
In Patent Document 2, it is possible to set whether to enable / disable single operation of a specified operation member, and when it is disabled, it is displayed that it is invalid adjacent to the display of the function for that operation member.

JP-A-2-210424 JP-A-8-220582

In Patent Document 2, “the lock display segment (L) is displayed when the setting cannot be changed” is displayed. When the camera is in a state where the setting cannot be changed, the function display for the operation member is always adjacent to “ L "is displayed. In this case, “L” is always displayed regardless of whether or not a setting operation is performed. Therefore, a user who does not set the operation invalid by himself or does not know the meaning of “L” is not noticed. Things are also expected.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable any user to intuitively recognize that an operation is currently invalid when an invalid operation member is operated.

In order to solve the above problems, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention provides:
A plurality of operating members;
For each of the plurality of operation members, target setting means for setting whether or not to make the operation invalid when it is locked,
Lock state setting means for setting the lock state, which is a state of invalidating the operation on the operation member set as the operation invalidation target;
Display means for displaying information relating to the function assigned to the operation member;
In the locked state, in response to the operation member set as the operation invalid target being operated, in a display area displaying information on the function assigned to the operated operation member, And display control means for controlling to display a warning that the operation is invalid.

  According to the present invention, a display of operation invalidity for a user is clarified, and a warning that is easy to understand for any user is possible.

Block diagram showing the configuration of a single-lens reflex digital camera Explanatory drawing of operation members of single-lens reflex digital camera Explanatory drawing of the setting screen for setting valid / invalid of operation members First explanatory diagram of display when operation of the operation member is invalid First explanatory diagram of the display flow when the operation of the operation member is invalid Second explanatory diagram of display when operation of operation member is invalid Second explanatory diagram of display flow when operation of operation member is invalid

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example 1
A digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a single-lens reflex digital camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a photographing lens. Reference numeral 102 denotes an AF (autofocus) drive unit. The AF drive unit 102 is configured by, for example, a DC motor or a stepping motor, and focuses by changing the focus lens position of the photographing lens 101 under the control of the microcomputer 123. Reference numeral 103 denotes a zoom drive unit of the taking lens optical system. The zoom drive unit 103 is constituted by, for example, a DC motor or a stepping motor, and changes the focal length of the photographic lens 101 by changing the zoom lens position of the photographic lens 101 under the control of the microcomputer 123. Reference numeral 104 denotes an aperture, which is composed of a plurality of aperture blades. Reference numeral 105 denotes an aperture driving unit. The diaphragm driving unit 105 drives the diaphragm 104. The amount to be driven is calculated by the microcomputer 123, and the optical aperture value is changed.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a main mirror for switching the light beam incident from the photographing lens 101 between the viewfinder side and the image sensor side. The main mirror 106 is always arranged so as to reflect the light beam to the finder unit. However, when photographing is performed, the main mirror 106 jumps upward so as to guide the light beam to the image pickup device 112 and evacuates from the light beam. . The main mirror 106 is a half mirror so that the central part can transmit a part of the light, and transmits a part of the light flux so as to enter the focus detection sensor. Note that in the case of moving image shooting, the image is kept jumping upward so as to always guide the light beam to the image sensor 112 before the start of shooting (recording).

  Reference numeral 107 denotes a sub-mirror for reflecting a light beam transmitted from the main mirror 106 and guiding it to a sensor (disposed in the focus detection circuit 109) for focus detection.

  Reference numeral 108 denotes a pentaprism constituting the finder. In addition, the finder is configured by a focus plate, an eyepiece lens (not shown), and the like.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a focus detection circuit. The light beam transmitted through the center of the mirror 106 and reflected by the sub-mirror 107 reaches a sensor for performing photoelectric conversion disposed inside the focus detection circuit 109. The defocus amount used for the focus calculation is obtained by calculating the output of the sensor. The microcomputer 123 evaluates the calculation result and instructs the AF driving unit 102 to drive the focus lens.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a focal plane shutter. Reference numeral 111 denotes a shutter drive circuit that drives the focal plane shutter 110. The opening time of the shutter for still image shooting is controlled by the microcomputer 123. In the case of moving image shooting, the main mirror 106 jumps upward and the fully open state is maintained.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes an image sensor. A CCD, CMOS sensor, or the like is used as the image sensor 112, and the subject image formed by the photographing lens 101 is converted into an electrical signal. Reference numeral 113 denotes a clamp circuit. Reference numeral 114 denotes an AGC circuit. The clamp circuit 113 and the AGC circuit 114 perform basic analog signal processing before A / D conversion, and the clamp level and the AGC reference level are changed by the microcomputer 123 through the video signal processing circuit 116 described later. . Reference numeral 115 denotes an A / D converter. The A / D converter 115 converts the analog output signal of the image sensor 112 into a digital signal.

  Reference numeral 116 denotes a video signal processing circuit, which is realized by a logic device such as a gate array. Details will be described later. Reference numeral 117 denotes a liquid crystal panel drive circuit. Reference numeral 118 denotes an external liquid crystal monitor using a liquid crystal panel, which displays a preview and playback of a captured image, a viewfinder display during moving image shooting, a camera setting status display, and the like. Reference numeral 119 denotes a memory controller. Reference numeral 120 denotes a memory. Reference numeral 121 denotes an external interface that can be connected to a computer or the like. Reference numeral 122 denotes a buffer memory.

  The video signal processing circuit 116 performs filter processing, color conversion processing, and gamma processing on the digitized image data, and performs compression processing such as JPEG, and outputs the result to the memory controller 119. The video signal processing circuit 116 can also output the video signal from the image sensor 112 and the image data input in reverse from the memory controller 119 to the liquid crystal monitor 118 through the liquid crystal panel drive circuit 117. Switching between these functions is performed according to instructions from the microcomputer 123. The video signal processing circuit 116 can output information such as exposure information and white balance of the signal from the image sensor 112 to the microcomputer 123 as necessary. Based on the information, the microcomputer 123 instructs white balance and gain adjustment. In the case of continuous shooting of still images, shooting data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 122 as an unprocessed image, unprocessed image data is read through the memory controller 119, and image processing or Performs continuous shooting with compression processing. The number of continuous shots depends on the size of the buffer memory.

  In the memory controller 119, unprocessed digital image data input from the video signal processing circuit 116 is stored in the buffer memory, and processed digital image data is stored in the memory 120. Conversely, the image data is output from the buffer memory 122 or the memory 120 to the video signal processing circuit unit 116. The memory 120 may be removable. The memory controller 119 can output an image stored in the memory 120 via an external interface 121 that can be connected to a computer or the like.

  Reference numeral 123 denotes a microcomputer. Reference numeral 124 denotes an operation member. The operation member 124 transmits the state to the microcomputer 123, and the microcomputer 123 controls each part according to the change of the operation member.

  Reference numeral 125 denotes a switch 1 (hereinafter SW1). Reference numeral 126 denotes a switch 2 (hereinafter referred to as SW2). The switches SW1 and SW2 are switches that are turned on and off by operating the release button, and are each one of the input switches of the operation member 124. When only the switch SW1 is on, the release button is half-pressed, and in this state, autofocus operation and photometry operation are performed. When the switches SW1 and SW2 are both on, the release button is fully pressed, and the release button for recording an image is on. Shooting is performed in this state. Further, while the switches SW1 and SW2 are kept on, a still image continuous photographing operation is performed. The operation member 124 is connected to other buttons (not shown) such as an ISO setting button and an image size setting button, an operation member valid / invalid changeover switch described later, each dial, and the like. A state has been detected.

  Reference numeral 127 denotes a liquid crystal driving circuit. Reference numeral 128 denotes an external liquid crystal display member. Reference numeral 129 denotes an in-finder liquid crystal display member. The liquid crystal driving circuit 127 drives the external liquid crystal display member 128 and the in-finder liquid crystal display member 129 in accordance with the display content command of the microcomputer 123. The finder liquid crystal display member 129 is provided with a backlight such as an LED (not shown), and the LED is also driven by the liquid crystal drive circuit 127. The microcomputer 123 confirms the capacity of the memory through the memory controller 119 based on the predicted value data of the image size according to the ISO sensitivity, the image size, and the image quality set before shooting, and then the remaining number of images that can be shot. Can be calculated. If necessary, it can also be displayed on the external liquid crystal display member 128 and the liquid crystal display member 129 in the viewfinder.

  Reference numeral 130 denotes a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) that can store data even when the camera is not turned on.

  Reference numeral 131 denotes a power supply unit. The power supply unit 131 supplies power necessary for each IC and drive system.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation member of the single-lens reflex digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2A, 201 is a main dial. The main dial 201 is positioned as a main setting operation member. For example, when the exposure setting is the shutter priority mode (Tv priority), the main dial 201 is an operation member for setting the shutter time, that is, the exposure time by the focal plane shutter 110. Similarly, when the exposure setting is the aperture priority mode (Av priority), the operation member is used to set the aperture of the aperture 104 of the photographing optical system. As described above, in particular, single-lens reflex cameras are characterized by having different functions depending on the operation state (mode) of the camera even if the same operation member is used. Reference numeral 208 denotes a mode dial for selecting the exposure setting mode. In addition, the external liquid crystal display member 128 shown in FIG. 1 is provided at the position of FIG.

  Reference numeral 202 in FIG. 2B denotes a multi-controller (MC), which is an operation member having various functions according to each operation state, and is literally a multi-operation member.

  On the other hand, 203 is a sub dial, which is positioned to be complementarily operated with the main dial 201. For example, in the automatic exposure setting mode, that is, the shutter priority mode or aperture priority mode, or the mode called the program mode that automatically sets both the shutter speed and the aperture value of the photographing optical system, the user's preference Responsible for setting the appropriate exposure compensation value. In the manual (manual) exposure setting mode, the main dial 201 has a function for setting the shutter speed, and the sub dial 203 has a function for setting the aperture value of the photographing optical system.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a main switch for switching on / off the power of the camera body and whether or not the main dial 201, the multi-controller 202, and the sub dial 203 are locked (operation member for setting the lock state).

  FIG. 2C is a detailed view of the sub dial 203 and the main switch 204, and the main switch 204 is switched at three positions 205 to 207 as shown. An “OFF” position 205 is a position where the power of the camera body is turned off. At the “ON / LOCK” position 206, the power source of the camera body is turned on and the locked state is set, and the operation member set as a target to be disabled in the locked state among the three operation members (201, 202, 203) is This is the position where the operation becomes invalid. The “ON” position 207 is a position where the power of the camera body is turned on and the operation of the three operation members (201, 202, 203) is always valid, not in the locked state. A method of setting a target to be invalidated in the locked state will be described later with reference to FIG. The external liquid crystal monitor 118 shown in FIG. 1 is provided at the position shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 sets whether the operation of the main dial 201, the multi-controller 202, and the sub dial 203 is enabled or disabled when the main switch 204 is set to the “ON / LOCK” position 206 to be locked. It is an example of the UI screen for. That is, it is a screen for setting whether or not each of the plurality of operation members is an operation invalid target in the locked state (invalid target setting). This setting screen is displayed on the external liquid crystal monitor 118.

  The menu screen state (not shown) shifts to a “lock operation selection” menu, and the focus is moved to an item whose setting is to be changed by a focus movement operation member such as a dial or a multi-controller. Therefore, each time an arbitrary item determining operation member (for example, the multi-controller 202 or the center button of the sub dial 203) is pressed, the selection state, that is, “invalid” / “valid” (with / without check mark) is alternately selected. The general operation method that can be done is adopted. After setting the desired selection state, the focus is moved to the “OK button” (301), and the item determination operation member is pressed to complete the setting, and the menu returns to one level. On the other hand, if the same operation is executed with the focus set to the “Cancel button” (302), the original state is restored and the menu is also returned one layer.

  FIG. 3A shows a UI screen when only the operation of the sub-dial 203 is set to be disabled (set to be disabled when the lock is set), and only a check mark is displayed for the item “sub-dial”. attached. Since the operation member arranged closest to the main switch 204 for setting to the locked state is the sub dial 203, this is set to a default (initial setting at the time of factory shipment) state. As a result, when the user (buyer) first picks up the hand, a switch (main switch 204) for disabling the operation is provided in the vicinity of the operation member (sub dial 203), and the operation is enabled / disabled intuitively. It is in a state to understand. This makes it possible to provide a digital camera that can be used immediately without understanding the menu settings. Even when all settings are initialized (reset), only the sub dial 203 is set as an invalid target.

  FIG. 3B is a UI screen when all operations of the main dial 201, the multi-controller 202, and the sub dial 203 are set to be invalid. (A) A state where all three check marks are added by the same UI operation. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to set, for each operation member, whether the function is executed (valid) or not (invalid) when operated in a locked state among the plurality of operation members.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the display on the external liquid crystal monitor 118 when the main switch 204 is in the “ON / LOCK” position 206 (locked state). In this embodiment, when any of the three operation members (201, 202 and 203) is set as an invalid target and is actually operated in the locked state, the operation is performed for a certain period of time after the operation. “LOCK” is displayed as a warning of invalidity.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a standard display state when the photographing exposure mode is the aperture priority mode (Av) and each display area. In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes a display area for the shutter speed, 402 denotes a display area for the aperture value, 403 denotes a display area for the exposure mode, 404 denotes a display area for the exposure correction value, and 405 denotes a display area for the ISO sensitivity value. Here, in the aperture priority mode (Av), the shutter time is “1/125”, the aperture value is “8.0”, the exposure correction value is “0 (no)”, and the ISO sensitivity is automatically set (AUTO). ing.

  FIG. 4B shows the same camera operation state as in FIG. 4A, with the main switch 204 in the state shown in FIG. ) Position, that is, an operation invalid warning display at the “ON / LOCK” position 206.

  As described above, the sub dial 203 has a function of setting an exposure correction value in the aperture priority mode which is an automatic exposure setting mode. Therefore, when the sub dial 203 is actually operated in this state, “LOCK” indicating that the operation is invalid is displayed for a certain period of time in the exposure correction value display area 404 as shown in FIG. 4B. Is done. In this embodiment, only 500 ms is displayed. Note that this display may be performed not only by changing the display time but also by blinking instead of lighting display, and there is room for improvement in the blinking cycle. Of course, if it is a color display device, it may be displayed in a different color from the normal color so that it is more noticeable to the user.

  Similarly, FIG. 4C shows an example of a standard display state when the photographing exposure mode is the manual mode (M). In this example, the ISO sensitivity is 400. Since it is a manual (manual) exposure setting mode, there is no meaning in the operation of exposure correction itself. Therefore, the display in the exposure correction value display area 404 is not necessary and is not displayed.

  FIG. 4D shows an example of the setting of FIG. 3B in the same camera operating state as in FIG. In other words, not only the operation of the sub dial 203 but also the main dial 201 and the multi-controller 202 are set to be invalid, and the main switch 204 displays the operation invalid indication at the “ON / LOCK” position 206 shown in FIG. It is an example.

  As described above, in the manual (manual) exposure setting mode, the main dial 201 has a function for setting the shutter speed, and the sub dial 203 has a function for setting the aperture value of the photographing optical system. Therefore, when the main dial 201 and the sub-dial 203 are actually operated in this state, the display area 401 for the shutter speed and the aperture value display area 402 are the same as those in (b) as shown in FIG. “LOCK” indicating that the operation is invalid for a certain time is displayed. At this time, if only the main dial 201 is operated, “LOCK” is displayed only in the display area 401 at the shutter time for displaying information on the function of the main dial 201. When only the sub dial 203 is operated, “LOCK” is displayed only in the aperture value display area 402 for displaying information on the function of the sub dial 203. By doing in this way, it is possible to make the user recognize which function cannot be executed at present with the operation member set to invalid operated by the user. In addition, when any one of the plurality of operation members set to be invalid is operated, an area for displaying information on the function of the operation member set to be invalid including the operation member not being operated is displayed. LOCK "may be displayed. By doing in this way, the user can know all the operation members in which execution of the function is invalid and the function thereof.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation flow of the present embodiment in which “LOCK”, which is invalid operation described above, is displayed for a certain period of time in a display area corresponding to the function in the operation mode at that time. Here, as an example, the operation of the sub-dial 203 when the sub-dial 203 is set to be an operation invalid target in the locked state will be described. This flow is an operation flow controlled and executed by the microcomputer 123.

  When the sub dial 203 is operated and a change in the state is transmitted to the microcomputer 123, an operation flow for the operation starts in S500.

  In step S501, the current camera operation is first determined. The operation determination is determination of whether the camera is in an operation state for photographing or a menu operation state for performing various settings. In the menu operation state, in this embodiment, if the position of the main switch 204 is other than the “OFF” position 205, the operation of the sub dial 203 is always enabled. This is because the "ON / LOCK" position 206 is provided "to prevent erroneous operation when it is not intended". In the menu screen for various settings, the sub dial 203 is used to select each setting item. It is based on the judgment that the user can operate it more conveniently for the user. This concept is the same for the main dial 201 and the multi-controller 202 in terms of operation members for selecting each setting item.

  If it is determined in S501 that the “shooting operation” is being performed, it is then determined in S502 whether the current operation of the sub dial 203 is valid or invalid. Specifically, the microcomputer 123 determines whether the position of the main switch 204 is the “ON / LOCK” position 206 (locked state) or the “ON” position 207 (unlocked state).

  If the locked state, that is, the position of the main switch 204 is the “ON / LOCK” position 206 in S502, the current camera exposure setting mode is determined in S503. Specifically, the microcomputer 123 determines the setting state of the mode dial 208 in FIG. Here, only whether it is an automatic setting mode, that is, a shutter priority mode (Tv priority), an aperture priority mode (Av priority), a program mode (P), or a manual (M: manual) exposure setting mode. I do. As described above, the sub-dial 203 in this embodiment has a function of setting an exposure correction value according to the user's preference in the exposure automatic setting mode, and in the manual (manual) exposure setting mode. This is because it has a function of setting the aperture value of the system. This determines where to display “LOCK” indicating that the operation is invalid.

  If the exposure setting mode of the current camera is the automatic setting mode in S503, the exposure correction value display area 404 is selected as an area for displaying “LOCK” indicating invalid operation in S504. On the other hand, if the exposure setting mode of the current camera is the manual setting mode in S503, the aperture value (Av) display area 402 is selected in S505. In S506, “LOCK” display indicating operation invalidity is started for each of the selected display areas (display control).

As described above, in this embodiment, the “LOCK” display is displayed for 500 ms. Therefore, first, in S507, the initial setting of the timer (counter) is initialized with 500 ms.
In subsequent S508, it is determined whether 500 ms has elapsed by the timer. If it is less than 500 ms, the timer value is counted down by one cycle in S509 according to the setting of the used timer. Thereafter, the process returns to S508 again, and it is determined whether 500 ms has elapsed by the timer.

  If it is determined in S508 that 500 ms has elapsed in the timer, the “LOCK” display indicating invalid operation is terminated in S510.

  On the other hand, if the current camera operation is the menu operation state in S501 or the current operation of the sub dial 203 is valid in S502, that is, if the main switch 204 is in the “ON” position 207, The process proceeds to S511. Then, in S511, the operation corresponding to the original operation of the sub dial 203 is performed, for example, the transition of the setting value according to the click amount of the sub dial 203 is performed.

  On the other hand, according to the flow of FIG. 5 described above, when “LOCK” indicating operation invalidity is displayed, the operation as in S511 is not performed at all, and “operation invalidity” is realized.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when each operation member is set to be invalid, the operation is invalid for a certain time in the function display area for the operation member in the operation state of the camera. Show things. Therefore, for example, even when an invalid operation is performed with the same sub-dial 203, a “LOCK” display, which is a warning indicating that the operation is invalid, is displayed in the exposure correction value display area 404 or the aperture value display area 402. Or For the user, a display that is invalid is displayed only in the case of an actually invalid operation in the display area corresponding to the function that was intended to be set in each camera operating state, and it is very easy to understand It becomes.

(Example 2)
Hereinafter, an operation invalidation display example according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is an example of operation invalidation display on the external liquid crystal display member 128 and the finder liquid crystal display member 129 in contrast to the operation invalidation display on the external liquid crystal monitor 118 described in the first embodiment.

  The operation invalidation display on the external liquid crystal monitor 118 described in the first embodiment can be freely expressed by a font or color since the external liquid crystal monitor 118 is normally a dot matrix liquid crystal. On the other hand, the external liquid crystal display member 128 and the in-finder liquid crystal display member 129 have a restriction that they are fixed display areas represented by 8 segments. Accordingly, only “L” of “LOCK” using an 8-segment display area is displayed. In this embodiment, since the area displaying “L” is a display area responsible for displaying a certain function, the display of “L” is performed only when an invalid operation is performed, and the operation invalid setting is always set. Do not display “L”.

  FIG. 6A shows a display example on the external liquid crystal display member 128. Here, “L” is displayed in one 8 segment of the shutter-second display area. FIG. 6B shows a display example on the finder liquid crystal display member 129. Similarly, “L” is displayed in one 8 segment of the shutter-second display area. In this embodiment, the operation invalidation display on the external liquid crystal display member 128 and the in-viewfinder liquid crystal display member 129 is always the same regardless of the display content, the display area, and the display position in the display area regardless of the camera operation state. The reason is that, unlike the external liquid crystal monitor 118, the display area of the exposure correction value can only be fixed. When an invalid operation is performed, the same warning is always displayed on the two liquid crystal display members to the user so as not to cause confusion.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation flow of the present embodiment in which “L”, which is invalid operation described above, is displayed in a specific display area for a certain period of time. Here, as in the first embodiment, the operation of the sub dial 203 will be described. This flow is also an operation flow controlled and executed by the microcomputer 123.

  When the sub dial 203 is operated and a change in the state is transmitted to the microcomputer 123, an operation flow for the operation starts in S700.

  In step S701, it is first determined whether the current camera operation state is a photographing operation state or a menu operation state for performing various settings. In the menu operation state, the operation of the sub-dial 203 is always enabled when the position of the main switch 204 is other than the “OFF” position 205 in this embodiment.

  If it is determined that the “shooting operation” is being performed in S701, it is determined in S702 whether the current operation of the sub dial 203 is valid or invalid.

  If the operation is invalid in S702, "L" display indicating operation invalidity is started in the Tv display area which is the shutter time display area in S703.

  Also in this embodiment, “L” display is displayed for 500 ms. In step S704, the initial setting of the timer (counter) is initialized at 500 ms.

  In subsequent S705, it is determined whether 500 ms has elapsed by the timer. If it is less than 500 ms, the timer value is counted down by one cycle in S706 according to the setting of the used timer. Thereafter, the process returns to S705 again, and it is determined whether or not 500 ms has elapsed by the timer.

  If it is determined in S705 that 500 ms has elapsed in the timer, the “L” display indicating invalid operation is terminated in S707.

  On the other hand, if the current camera operation is the menu operation state in S701, or if the current operation of the sub dial 203 is valid in S702, the process proceeds to S708 to respond to the original operation of the sub dial 203. The operation is performed.

  On the other hand, according to the flow of FIG. 7 described above, when “L” indicating operation invalidity is displayed, “operation invalidation” is realized without performing any operation as in S708.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

  Note that the microcomputer 123 may be controlled by a single piece of hardware, or may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware sharing the processing.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. Furthermore, each embodiment mentioned above shows only one embodiment of this invention, and it is also possible to combine each embodiment suitably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a single-lens reflex digital camera has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and is an imaging apparatus that can switch between valid and invalid operation members. Applicable if available. For example, the present invention can be applied to a digital still camera, a digital video camera, a film camera, and the like. In addition, the present application is not limited to an imaging apparatus, and can be applied to any apparatus that can switch between invalidity and validity of an operation member. That is, the present invention can be applied to a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone terminal, a portable image viewer, a printer device including a display, a digital photo frame, a music player, a game machine, an electronic book reader, and the like.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program code. It is a process to be executed. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

Claims (7)

A plurality of operating members;
For each of the plurality of operation members, target setting means for setting whether or not to make the operation invalid when it is locked,
Lock state setting means for setting the lock state, which is a state of invalidating the operation on the operation member set as the operation invalidation target;
Display means for displaying information relating to the function assigned to the operation member;
In the locked state, in response to the operation member set as the operation invalid target being operated, in a display area displaying information on the function assigned to the operated operation member, An image pickup apparatus comprising: display control means for controlling to display a warning that the operation is invalid.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the warning for a certain period of time after the operation member set to invalid is operated.   The display area in which the display control means displays the warning is a display area in which information regarding a function assigned to an operation member according to an operation mode of the imaging device is displayed. 2. The imaging device according to 2.   2. The object setting means, as an initial setting, sets only an operation member arranged at a position closest to an operation member for setting to the locked state as an operation invalid target. 4. The imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 3. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: a plurality of operation members; and display means for displaying information related to functions assigned to the operation members.
For each of the plurality of operation members, an object setting step for setting whether or not to invalidate the operation when the locked state is set,
A lock state setting step for setting the lock state, which is a state in which an operation on the operation member set as the operation invalid target is invalid;
In the locked state, in response to the operation member set as the operation invalid target being operated, in a display area displaying information on the function assigned to the operated operation member, And a display control step for controlling to display a warning that the operation is invalid.   The program which makes a computer function as each means of the imaging device described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to function as each unit of the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images