JP2012230498A - Electronic device, icon display method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability in specifying an object on a display screen using a touch panel.SOLUTION: When a display screen 3a serving as a touch panel displays an image including objects G1-G3 to be selected, the display screen 3a displays icons I1 and I2 used for specification of the objects G1 and G2 and having a one-to-one relation with the objects G1 and G2, respectively. The display positions of the icons I1 and I2 are controlled so that they are different from those of the corresponding objects G1 and G2 in an icon arrangement area B of the display screen 3a. The icon arrangement area B is set so as to be easily touched by a user, thereby the objects G1 and G2 displayed at positions difficult to be touched can be specified by touching the icons I1 and I2 at positions easy to be touched.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus including a display device having a display screen that functions as a touch panel.

  In recent years, in an electronic device having a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor that displays an image or the like, a user can intuitively perform various operations on the electronic device by adding a function as a touch panel to the display screen of the display device. There are many things like this.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a digital camera having a face detection function displays a smile from a plurality of faces detected by the face detection function while a live view image (also referred to as a through image) is displayed on a monitor. Describes a configuration in which a user can select a face to be detected by touching the display screen.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2010-16878 (paragraph [0027]).

  By the way, when photographing with a digital camera, it is common for a user to perform framing while holding the camera body with both hands. For this reason, there has been the following problem when selecting a face for which a smile should be detected as described above by a touch operation on the display screen. For example, if the face that the user wants to select is located in an area other than the area along the left or right side of the display screen, the user can hold the camera body with both hands and keep the angle of view. There is a problem that the selection operation is complicated and it is difficult to perform it quickly.

  The above problem is not limited to the case where the selection target displayed on the display screen is a person's face, but other objects, that is, specific regions (images having characteristic colors, positions, and areas in the image). The same applies to the case of a mark including an icon or the like superimposed on the icon.

  Furthermore, the above problem becomes more prominent as the display screen is larger. That is, when the display screen is large, for example, the user is forced to touch the display screen with the other hand while temporarily holding the apparatus main body with one hand.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to improve workability when an object in a display screen is designated using a touch panel.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the electronic device according to the present invention, a display unit having a display screen functioning as a touch panel, and the object used for indicating an object displayed on the display screen on the display unit, Display control means for displaying an icon having a one-to-one relationship and controlling the display position of the icon to a position different from the corresponding object in a predetermined icon arrangement region And

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve workability when an object in a display screen is designated using a touch panel.

It is a rear view of the digital camera in a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram of a digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content in imaging | photography mode. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen in the middle of the display of a live view image. It is a figure which illustrates the operation state of the display screen during the display of a live view image. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content in imaging | photography mode in 2nd Embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the icon utilization area | region and icon arrangement | positioning area | region in a display screen, (b) is a figure which illustrates the display screen during the display of a live view image. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen on which the selection operation icon was displayed. It is an external view of the navigation apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content regarding the setting of the destination prior to a navigation process. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen in the display of a surrounding map.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a digital camera 1 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, a liquid crystal monitor 3, a shooting key 4, a reproduction key 5, a control key 6, a SET key 7, and a MENU key 8 are provided on the back of a main body 2 (hereinafter also referred to as a camera main body) of the digital camera 1. A plurality of operation keys of the BS key 9 are arranged. A shutter key 10 is disposed on the upper surface of the main body 2. Although not shown, a power key is disposed on the top surface of the main body 2, and a memory card for recording a photographed image is detachably mounted on the bottom surface of the main body 2.

  The display screen 3a of the liquid crystal monitor 3 has a function as a touch panel. The shooting key 4 and the playback key 5 are used for switching between a shooting mode and a playback mode, which are basic modes of the digital camera 1. The MENU key 8 is used to display various menu screens for performing various settings of the digital camera 1 on the liquid crystal monitor 3. The control key 6 is used, for example, to change setting items and setting contents on the menu screen, and the SET key 7 is used to confirm the setting items and setting contents.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electrical configuration mainly of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 has functions of AE (Auto Exposure), AF (Auto Focus), AWB (Auto white balance), and subject detection, and mainly includes the following parts.

  That is, the digital camera 1 has a lens block 12 and an image sensor 13. The lens block 12 includes a lens group including a focus lens, a diaphragm, a lens motor that drives the lens group, and an actuator that opens and closes the diaphragm. When the lens motor and the actuator are driven by the optical system driving unit 14, The focal position and the amount of light received by the image sensor 13 are adjusted.

  The image pickup device 13 is driven by a drive circuit 15 and photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject collected by the lens block 12 and outputs it to an AFE 16 (Analog Front End) as an image signal composed of RGB components. ) And CMOS (Complementary Meta10xide Semiconductor).

  The AFE 16 includes a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit, a PGA (Programmable Gain Amp), an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter), and the like. The AFE 16 performs predetermined analog processing on the image signal output from the image sensor 13, converts the image signal after analog processing into a digital signal, and then outputs the converted image data to the image processing unit 17.

  The image processing unit 17 includes a buffer memory that temporarily stores pixel data input from the AFE 16, an image processing circuit that performs various image processing on the temporarily stored pixel data, and the like. Image processing performed by the image processing unit 17 includes gamma correction, white balance adjustment, generation of R, G, and B color component data for each pixel, YUV conversion that generates YUV data from the generated RGB data, and the like.

  Further, the image processing unit 17 supplies the generated YUV data for one frame to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 18 while in a shooting standby state, and at the time of shooting, a CODEC (Coder & Decoder). Device) 19.

  The YUV data supplied to the CPU 18 in the shooting standby state is supplied to the liquid crystal monitor 3 and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 3 as a live view image. The liquid crystal monitor 3 includes a color liquid crystal display panel 21 with a backlight, a capacitive type touch sensor 22 integrally provided on the surface of the color liquid crystal display panel 21, the color liquid crystal display panel 21, and the touch sensor 22. Drive circuit (not shown).

  The CODEC 19 encodes the image data (YUV data) supplied from the image processing unit 17 at the time of shooting by the JPEG method, and decodes any encoded image data. The image data compression-encoded by the CODEC 19 in the CODEC 19 at the time of shooting is recorded in the image memory 23 as still image data (still image file) after adding various shooting information such as date information and image size by the CPU 18. The

  The image memory 23 is a memory card built in the main body 2 of the digital camera 1. Still image data recorded in the image memory 23 is appropriately read out by the CPU 18 at the time of reproduction, decoded by the CODEC 19, and then sent to the liquid crystal monitor 3 to be reproduced as a still image.

  Further, an operation unit 24, a RAM (Random Access memory) 25, and a program memory 26 are connected to the CPU 18. The RAM 25 is a working memory of the CPU 18, and the operation unit 24 includes a plurality of operation keys such as the photographing key 4, the reproduction key 5, and the shutter key 10.

  The program memory 26 is, for example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) in which stored data can be rewritten. The program memory 26 stores a control program for causing the CPU 18 to control the entire operation of the digital camera 1 and various data.

  The control program stored in the program memory 26 includes a program for causing the CPU 18 to perform AE control, AF control, AWB control, subject detection processing, and the like. The various types of data stored in the program memory 26 include a program diagram showing a combination of an aperture value and a shutter speed corresponding to an appropriate exposure value at the time of shooting, data necessary for subject detection, and the like. included.

  The subject detection process by the CPU 18 binarizes, for example, an arbitrary object that can be selected as a main subject at the time of shooting with respect to one frame of image data (hereinafter referred to as a captured image) generated by the image processing unit 17. Or a process of detecting one or more by a known image recognition technique such as contour extraction.

  Next, an operation according to the present invention of the digital camera 1 having the above configuration will be described. The digital camera 1 is provided with a subject detection function as a function that can be used in the shooting mode. In the shooting mode when the use of the subject detection function is set, the digital camera 1 operates as follows.

  First, the outline will be described. The digital camera 1 automatically detects a subject as a selection candidate when determining a main subject while displaying a live view image on the display screen 3a of the liquid crystal monitor 3 in a photographing mode. As shown in FIG. 4A, the detected subjects G1, G2, and G3 are notified to the user by displaying the focus frames F1, F2, and F3.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, when any of the detected subjects exists in the icon usage area A of the display screen 3a, the digital camera 1 detects the subjects G1, which exist in the icon usage area A. The selection operation icons I1 and I2 used for the selection operation (instruction) of G2 are displayed in the icon arrangement area B of the display screen 3a.

  Here, the icon use area A and the icon arrangement area B are predetermined areas. In the present embodiment, the entire area of the display screen 3a is indicated by a broken line (position close to the right side of the display screen 3a). It is an area formed by dividing into left and right. Note that the broken lines in FIGS. 4A and 4B indicate the boundary between the icon use area A and the icon arrangement area B for convenience, and are not displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 3.

  Then, the digital camera 1 causes the user to select a subject to be handled as a main subject by a touch operation on the display screen 3a. At this time, the subjects G1 and G2 in the icon use area A can be selected by touching the corresponding selection operation icons I1 and I2. Thereafter, the digital camera 1 performs a shooting operation with any subject selected by the user as a main subject in response to a shooting operation (pressing the shutter key 10) by the user.

  Hereinafter, a specific operation of the digital camera 1 in the shooting mode when the use of the subject detection function is set will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing executed by the CPU 18 in the shooting mode when the use of the subject detection function is set.

  When the CPU 18 starts the operation in the shooting mode, the CPU 18 immediately performs an imaging process for driving the imaging element 13 at a timing according to a predetermined frame rate (for example, 30 fps) (step SA1), and the image processing unit 17 performs the imaging process. A live view image based on the generated YUV data is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 3 (step SA2).

  Subsequently, the CPU 18 performs subject detection processing using YUV data (hereinafter referred to as a captured image) generated by the image processing unit 17 as a processing target, and detects one or a plurality of subjects as selection candidates for the main subject from the captured image. (Step SA3).

  In subject detection processing, the CPU 18 detects a subject whose size in the captured image is greater than or equal to a predetermined size. Here, the subject whose size in the captured image is larger than a predetermined size is, for example, the area of a specific region that can be recognized as an individual subject, and the vertical and horizontal directions of the smallest rectangle that surrounds the specific region. Each of the subjects is a subject whose size exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

  Next, the CPU 18 causes the liquid crystal monitor 3 to display the above-described focus frame that clearly indicates the detected subject to the user on the live view image (step SA4). Note that the display position of the focus frame is a position where the detected subject can be clearly indicated. A specific method for displaying the focus frame is OSD (On Screen Display) display or the like.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the state of the display screen 3a of the liquid crystal monitor 3 immediately after the process of step SA4. That is, in FIG. 4A, three subjects G1, G2, and G3 are detected as main subject selection candidates in the process of step SA3, and three focus frames F1, F2, and F3 that clearly indicate the subjects G1, G2, and G3. It is the figure which showed the state when is superimposed and displayed on the live view image.

  Next, the CPU 18 checks whether or not any of the selection candidate subjects detected in the process of step SA3 exists in the icon use area A of the display screen 3a of the liquid crystal monitor 3 (step SA5). In the processing of step SA5, when there are subjects whose entire area is included in the icon usage region A among the subjects detected as selection candidates, the CPU 18 has any of the selection candidate subjects in the icon usage region A. Judging what to do.

  When the selection candidate subject does not exist in the icon use area (step SA5: NO), the CPU 18 calculates the presence / absence of the user's touch operation on the display screen 3a and the touch position, and the user selects the main subject as a selection candidate for the main subject. It is confirmed whether or not a touch operation has been performed on one of the detected one or a plurality of subjects (step SA6).

  When the touch operation on the subject cannot be confirmed (step SA6: NO), the CPU 18 immediately returns to the process of step SA1 and repeats the above-described process.

  If the touch operation on any of the selection candidates can be confirmed (step SA6: YES), the CPU 18 sets the subject on which the touch operation has been performed, that is, the subject selected by the user as the main subject (step SA7). ).

  Thereafter, the CPU 18 performs AF control suitable for shooting the set main subject and setting of shooting conditions (step SA12). That is, the CPU 18 performs AF control using the area corresponding to the main subject in the captured image as the focus detection area, and the shutter speed and the aperture setting according to the brightness of the area corresponding to the main object.

  On the other hand, when any subject detected as a selection candidate in the process of step SA3 is present in the icon usage area A (step SA5: YES), the CPU 18 The display position of the above-described selection operation icon used in the subject selection operation in the icon arrangement region B is determined (step SA8).

  In the process of step SA8, the CPU 18 determines, as a display position of the selection operation icon, a position corresponding to the position in the image of the subject corresponding to the selection operation icon (in the display screen 3a) according to a predetermined rule. . That is, the CPU 18 basically sets the display position of the selection operation icon in the vertical direction to a position closer to the corresponding subject, and performs another selection operation at a position that does not overlap other subjects existing in the icon arrangement area B. The position does not overlap with the icon for use (only when there are a plurality of selection operation icons).

  Thereafter, the CPU 18 displays the selection operation icon on the liquid crystal monitor 3 in a display form that clearly shows the correspondence with the subject, and controls the display position of the selection operation icon to the position determined in the process of step SA6. (Step SA9).

  FIG. 4B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4A showing the state of the display screen 3a of the liquid crystal monitor 3 immediately after the process of step SA9. That is, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state in which the selection operation icons I1 and I2 corresponding to the subjects G1 and G2 existing in the icon use area A are displayed in the icon arrangement area B in the process of step SA9. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, in the process of step SA9, the CPU 18 uses arrow line icons from the selection operation icons I1 and I2 to the focus frames F1 and F2 that clearly indicate the corresponding subjects G1 and G2, respectively. , B is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 3 to clarify the correspondence between the selection operation icons I1 and I2 and the subjects G1 and G2. Note that the display method of the selection operation icons I1 and I2 and the arrow lines A and B on the display screen 3a is OSD display or the like, as with the focus frames F1, F2, and F3.

  After the selection operation icon is displayed, the CPU 18 calculates the presence / absence of the user's touch operation on the display screen 3a and the touch position, and has the user performed a touch operation on any of the selection operation icons? It is confirmed whether or not (step SA10).

  When the touch operation of the selection operation icon cannot be confirmed (step SA10: NO), the CPU 18 proceeds to the process of step SA6 described above.

  When the touch operation of any selection operation icon is confirmed (step SA10: YES), the CPU 18 mainly selects the subject corresponding to the selection operation icon that has been touched, that is, the subject selected by the user. Set as a subject (step SA11).

  FIG. 5A shows the state of the display screen 3a when the selection operation icon I1 located above the two selection operation icons I1 and I2 shown in FIG. 4B is touched. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the state of the display screen 3a when the selection operation icon I1 located in the two selection operation icons I1 and I2 illustrated in FIG. 4B is touched. . Although not shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 5, when the touch operation of any of the selection operation icons is confirmed, the CPU 18 clearly indicates the subject corresponding to the selection operation icon that has been touched. By changing the display form (display color, etc.) of the focus frames F1, F2, the user can confirm the selected subject.

  Thereafter, the CPU 18 performs AF control suitable for shooting the set main subject and setting of shooting conditions (step SA12).

  Subsequently, if there is no photographing operation (pressing the shutter key 10) by the user (step SA13: NO), the CPU 18 returns to the process of step SA1, and repeats the processes after step SA2 for the newly captured image.

  If there is a shooting operation by the user (step SA13: YES), the CPU 18 executes a shooting process based on the shooting conditions set immediately before (step SA14). That is, the CPU 18 drives the image sensor 13 to acquire a captured image for recording, and records the captured image after performing a predetermined process on the acquired captured image in the image memory 23. Thereafter, the CPU 18 returns to the process of step SA1 and repeats all the processes described above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the shooting mode when the use of the subject detection function is set, a subject that is a main subject selection candidate is automatically detected by the digital camera 1, and the user can detect A desired subject can be selected as a main subject by touching one of the subjects.

  At that time, the user touches the selection operation icons I1 and I2 displayed in the icon arrangement area B for the subjects G1 and G2 located in the icon use area A, for example, as shown in FIG. You can select them.

  Here, the icon use area A is an area in which when the user holds the camera body 2 with both hands and performs a touch operation using the thumb of the right hand or the like, the touch operation is difficult to perform while maintaining the angle of view. . On the other hand, when the user holds the camera body 2 with both hands and performs a touch operation using the thumb of the right hand or the like, the icon placement area B can be easily touched while maintaining the angle of view. This is an important area.

  Therefore, when the user holds the camera body 2 with both hands and selects (touches) a desired subject using the thumb of the right hand, it is difficult to select (touch) in a state where the angle of view is maintained. Even if it is displayed, it can be easily and quickly selected while maintaining the angle of view.

  That is, in this embodiment, the operation for selecting an arbitrary subject in the display screen 3a using the touch panel by displaying the selection operation icon used for selecting the subject at a position different from the subject. Can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, on the condition that an arbitrary subject exists in the icon use area A, the selection operation icon used for selecting the subject is displayed in the icon arrangement area B. That is, the selection operation icons displayed in the icon arrangement area B are limited to those used for selection of subjects existing in the icon usage area A. Therefore, it is possible to improve workability when the user selects a subject in the display screen 3a while maintaining the visibility of the live view image being displayed on the display screen 3a.

  In the present embodiment, the display position of the selection operation icon in the icon arrangement area B in the vertical position direction is set closer to the corresponding subject. In other words, the display position of the selection operation icon is dynamically changed by determining the display position of the selection operation icon in the icon arrangement area B according to the position of the corresponding subject on the display screen 3a. .

  Therefore, when there are a plurality of subjects in the icon usage region A and a plurality of selection operation icons are displayed in the icon arrangement region B, the positional relationship between the plurality of subjects and the plurality of selection operation icons are displayed. The positional relationship between them can be matched as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to improve workability when the user selects a subject in the icon usage area A.

  In the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of subjects in the icon use area A and a plurality of selection operation icons are displayed in the icon arrangement area B, the display position of each selection operation icon is displayed. Is a position that does not overlap with other selection operation icons. That is, the display position of each selection operation icon is set in consideration of the relationship with other icons. This also improves the workability when the user selects a subject in the icon usage area A.

  In the present embodiment, when the selection operation icon is displayed, the selection operation icon is displayed in a display form that clearly shows the correspondence with the subject. This also improves the workability when the user selects a subject in the icon usage area A.

  In the present embodiment, when the user holds the camera body 2 with both hands and performs the touch operation using the thumb of the right hand or the like, the icon placement area B can be touched with the angle of view maintained. The case where the area is easy was described. However, the icon arrangement area B may be an area where the user can easily perform the touch operation while maintaining the angle of view when the user performs a touch operation using the thumb of the right hand or the like. In that case, the icon arrangement area B may be an area along the left side of the display screen 3a, contrary to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the digital camera 1 having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided with a face detection function as a function that can be used in the shooting mode, and the user uses the icon use area described in the first embodiment. An arbitrary area can be set as the icon arrangement area.

  In the present embodiment, the program memory 26 stores a program for causing the CPU 18 to perform face detection processing and various data necessary for the face detection processing. Note that the face detection processing by the CPU 18 uses a template indicating the face area where a person's face portion exists for a captured image, the outline and color of the person's face, and the arrangement of parts such as eyes, mouth, and nose. This is a process of detecting one or more by the known template matching technique.

  Further, the program memory 26 stores a program for causing the CPU 18 to execute processing to be described later in the shooting mode when the use of the face detection function is set.

  Next, the operation | movement which concerns on this invention of the digital camera 1 in this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing executed by the CPU 18 in the shooting mode when the use of the face detection function is set.

  When starting the operation in the shooting mode, the CPU 18 immediately performs an imaging process at a predetermined frame rate (step SB1), and displays a live view image on the liquid crystal monitor 3 (step SB2).

  While displaying the live view image on the liquid crystal monitor 3, the CPU 18 sequentially confirms whether there is an area setting request by the user (step SB3). The area setting request by the user is made by a predetermined touch operation on the display screen 3a, for example, an operation of drawing a circle with a finger while touching the display screen 3a.

  Then, when there is an area setting request from the user (step SB3: YES), the CPU 18 newly sets arbitrary areas as an icon display area and an icon arrangement area in accordance with the user area specifying operation on the display screen 3a. Set (step SB4).

  In this embodiment, two types of designation methods are prepared in advance as designation methods for the icon display area and the icon arrangement area by the user. The first designation method is a method in which the entire area of the display screen 3a is divided into two areas at arbitrary positions, one area is designated as an icon display area, and the other area is designated as an icon arrangement area. The second designation method is a method for individually designating a desired icon display area and icon arrangement area in the display screen 3a.

  In the area specifying operation by the first specifying method, the user moves the finger while touching the display screen 3a so as to draw a partition line that partitions the icon display area and the icon arrangement area, and then the icon arrangement area Touch an arbitrary position in the area on the side to be.

  In the area specifying operation by the second specifying method, the user first touches the display screen 3a so as to draw a partition line that partitions the desired icon display area and other areas on the display screen 3a. After the finger is moved as it is, an arbitrary position in the region to be the icon display region among the regions partitioned by the partition lines is touched. Next, after moving a finger while touching the display screen 3a so as to draw a partition line that partitions the desired icon layout area and other areas, the icon layout area among the areas partitioned by the partition line Touch an arbitrary position in the area on the side to be.

  Then, in the process of step SB4, the CPU 18 causes the user to designate the icon display area and the icon arrangement area by the area designation operation according to the first or second designation method, and then designates the designated icon display area and the icon arrangement. Area data for specifying the area is stored in the program memory 26.

  FIG. 7A shows an icon display area A and an icon arrangement area B that are set by the CPU 18 in response to a user request when an area designation operation is performed by the user in accordance with the second designation method in the process of step SB4. It is the figure which showed an example. That is, it is a diagram illustrating an example in which the icon display area A and the icon arrangement area B are areas separated from each other.

  When the icon display area and the icon arrangement area are newly set, the CPU 18 returns to the process of step SB1 and repeats the process described above.

  On the other hand, when there is no area setting request by the user at the processing timing immediately after the imaging process is performed (step SB3: NO), the CPU 18 sets the captured image (YUV data generated by the image processing unit 17) as a processing target. Face detection processing is performed to detect one or more faces that are candidates for selection of the main subject from the captured image (step SB5). In the face detection process, the CPU 18 detects a face whose size in the captured image is equal to or larger than a predetermined size (area).

  Next, the CPU 18 causes the liquid crystal monitor 3 to display an operation frame that clearly indicates the detected face on the live view image (step SB6). A specific method for displaying the operation frame is OSD display or the like, similar to the focus frame of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of the state of the display screen 3a of the liquid crystal monitor 3 immediately after the process of step SB6. As shown in FIG. 7B, when any person's face G11, G12, G13, G14 is detected in the processing of step SB5, four faces G11, G12, G13, G14 are specified. Operation frames F11, F12, F13, and F14 are displayed so as to overlap the live view image.

  The broken lines in FIGS. 7A and 7B indicate the icon use area A and the icon arrangement area B for convenience, and are not displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 3.

  Thereafter, the CPU 18 executes the following processing similar to Step SA5 to Step SA14 of FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment. However, the main subject selection candidate is the face of an arbitrary person.

  That is, the CPU 18 checks whether any of the selection candidate faces detected in the process of step SB5 exists in the icon use area A of the display screen 3a of the liquid crystal monitor 3 (step SB7). In the processing of step SB7, when there are subjects whose entire area is included in the icon usage region A among the faces detected as selection candidates, any of the selection candidate subjects exists in the icon usage region A. Judging what to do.

  If the selection candidate's face does not exist in the icon use area (step SB7: NO), the CPU 18 calculates the presence / absence of the user's touch operation on the display screen 3a and the touch position, and the user selects the main subject as a selection candidate for the main subject. It is confirmed whether or not a touch operation has been performed on one of the detected one or a plurality of faces (operation frames) (step SB8).

  When the touch operation of the selection candidate face cannot be confirmed (step SB8: NO), the CPU 18 immediately returns to the process of step SB1 and repeats the above-described process.

  If the touch operation on any of the selection candidates is confirmed (step SB8: YES), the CPU 18 sets the face on which the touch operation has been performed, that is, the face selected by the user as the main subject (step SB9). ).

  Thereafter, the CPU 18 performs AF control suitable for shooting the set main subject and setting of shooting conditions (step SB14). That is, the CPU 18 performs AF control using the area corresponding to the main subject in the captured image as the focus detection area, and the shutter speed and the aperture setting according to the brightness of the area corresponding to the main object.

  On the other hand, if any of the faces detected as selection candidates in the process of step SB5 exists in the icon usage area A (step SB7: YES), the CPU 18 The display position in the icon arrangement area B of the selection operation icon used for the face selection operation (instruction) is determined (step SB10).

  In the process of step SB10, the CPU 18 determines, as a display position of the selection operation icon, a position corresponding to the position in the image of the subject corresponding to the selection operation icon (in the display screen 3a) according to a predetermined rule. . Also in the present embodiment, the CPU 18 basically sets the position in the vertical position direction of the selection operation icon to a position closer to the corresponding subject, is a position that does not overlap with other subjects existing in the icon arrangement area B, and The position does not overlap with other selection operation icons (only when there are a plurality of selection operation icons).

  Thereafter, the CPU 18 displays the selection operation icon on the liquid crystal monitor 3 in a display form that clearly shows the correspondence with the subject, and controls the display position of the selection operation icon to the position determined in the process of step SB10. (Step SB11).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIGS. 7A and 7B showing the state of the display screen 3a of the liquid crystal monitor 3 immediately after the process of step SB11. That is, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the selection operation icons I1 and I2 corresponding to the faces G12 and G13 existing in the icon use area A are displayed in the icon arrangement area B in the process of step SB11.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the process of step SB11, the CPU 18 connects the selection operation icons I1 and I2 to the operation frames F12 and F13 that clearly indicate the corresponding faces G12 and G13, respectively. Is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 3 to clearly show the correspondence between the selection operation icons I1 and I2 and the faces G12 and G13. Note that the display method of the selection operation icons I1 and I2 and the connection lines C and D on the display screen 3a is OSD display or the like, similarly to the operation frames F12 and F13.

  After the selection operation icon is displayed, the CPU 18 calculates the presence / absence of the user's touch operation on the display screen 3a and the touch position, and has the user performed a touch operation on any of the selection operation icons? It is confirmed whether or not (step SB12).

  When the touch operation of the selection operation icon cannot be confirmed (step SB12: NO), the CPU 18 proceeds to the process of step SB8 described above.

  When the touch operation of any of the selection operation icons is confirmed (step SB12: YES), the CPU 18 mainly selects the face corresponding to the selection operation icon that has been touched, that is, the face selected by the user. Set as a subject (step SB13).

  Although not shown in the figure, when the touch operation of any selection operation icon has been confirmed, the CPU 18 displays the operation frames F12 and F13 that clearly indicate the face corresponding to the selection operation icon that has been touched. By changing the display form (display color, etc.), the user is made to confirm the selected face.

  Thereafter, the CPU 18 performs AF control suitable for shooting the set main subject and setting of shooting conditions (step SB14).

  Subsequently, if there is no photographing operation (pressing the shutter key 10) by the user (step SB15: NO), the CPU 18 returns to the process of step SB1 and repeats the above-described process.

  If there is a photographing operation by the user (step SB15: YES), the CPU 18 executes a photographing process based on the photographing condition set immediately before (step SB16). That is, the CPU 18 drives the image sensor 13 to acquire a captured image for recording, and records the captured image after performing a predetermined process on the acquired captured image in the image memory 23. Thereafter, the CPU 18 returns to the process of step SB1 and repeats all the processes described above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the shooting mode when the use of the face detection function is set, the face of an arbitrary person is automatically detected by the digital camera 1 as the main subject selection candidate, and the user The user can select a desired face as a main subject by touching any of the detected faces.

  At that time, for example, the faces G12 and G13 located in the icon use area A shown in FIG. 8 are selected by touching the selection operation icons I1 and I2 displayed in the icon arrangement area B. can do.

  Here, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the user can set the icon use area A and the icon arrangement area B as necessary. Therefore, the user can easily set all the faces in the display screen 3a while maintaining the angle of view by setting the icon use area A and the icon arrangement area B according to his / her convenience. And you can select quickly.

  That is, when the object to be selected present on the display screen 3a is a human face, the selection operation icon used for face selection is displayed at a position different from the face, and is displayed using the touch panel. Workability at the time of selecting an arbitrary face in the screen 3a can be improved.

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, since the user can freely set the icon use area A and the icon arrangement area B, the workability when the user selects a face in the display screen 3a is further improved. Can be made.

  In the present embodiment, the icon use area A and the icon arrangement area B on the display screen 3a can be changed as appropriate, and the selection candidate object existing on the display screen 3a is a human face. The configuration of the part related to the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, since effects other than those described above in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment relates to a navigation apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The navigation device of this embodiment has a general navigation function for guiding a user to an arbitrary destination using a known GPS (Global Positioning System), and has the following configuration.

  FIG. 9 is an external view showing the navigation device 101 in the present embodiment. The navigation device 101 is portable, and has a device body 102 having a shape and size suitable for carrying. A display unit including a liquid crystal monitor 103 is provided on the front surface side of the apparatus main body 102, and the display screen 103 a of the liquid crystal monitor 103 has a function as a touch panel. A power key 104 and other operation keys 105 and 106 are provided on the peripheral surface of the apparatus main body 102.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of the navigation device 101. As shown in FIG. 10, the navigation device 101 mainly includes a CPU 111, a GPS module 112, a map data storage unit 113, a liquid crystal monitor 103, an operation unit 114, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 115, and a RAM 116 (Random Access Memory). Has been.

  The liquid crystal monitor 103 includes a color liquid crystal display panel 121 with a backlight, a capacitive type touch sensor 122 integrally provided on the surface of the color liquid crystal display panel 121, the color liquid crystal display panel 121, and the touch sensor 122. Drive circuit (not shown).

  The GPS module 112 measures its own current position by receiving radio waves transmitted from a plurality of positioning satellites (GPS satellites) by the antenna 112a. The GPS module 112 supplies position information indicating the measured current position, that is, positioning data including latitude, longitude, and altitude to the CPU 111.

  The map data storage unit 113 is a memory such as a ROM in which map data representing a map of each place in Japan displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 103 is stored. The map data stored in the map data storage unit 113 includes various numerical data used for displaying a map at a plurality of scales, and images of marks (pictograms, etc.) representing landmarks, public facilities, stores, etc. Contains data.

  The operation unit 114 includes a power key 104 and other operation keys 105 and 106, and supplies a key input signal corresponding to the key operation to the CPU 111. The ROM 115 stores various programs for causing the CPU 111 to control the navigation device 101.

  The CPU 111 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 115 to display a map around the current location on the liquid crystal monitor 103 based on the positioning data supplied from the GPS module 112. Further, the CPU 111 performs a navigation process for guiding the user to an arbitrary destination and a process to be described later according to the program.

  The RAM 116 is used as a working memory when the CPU 111 executes various processes.

  Hereafter, the operation | movement which concerns on this invention of the navigation apparatus 101 in this embodiment is demonstrated.

  The navigation device 101 is provided with a location search function for searching a specific type (or category) specified by the user from the vicinity of the current location. The specific type (or category) place is, for example, a gas station, a toilet, or a station. When the user designates a place searched using the place search function as a destination when using the navigation function, the CPU 111 performs the following process according to the program stored in the ROM 115.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing contents of the CPU 111 related to the destination setting prior to the navigation processing.

  During the operation of the navigation device 101, the CPU 111 displays a map around the current location on the liquid crystal monitor 103 based on the positioning data supplied from the GPS module 112 at a fixed processing timing (step SC1).

  Further, while the peripheral map is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 103, the CPU 111 sequentially confirms whether or not there is an area setting request by the user (step SC2). The area setting request by the user is made by a predetermined touch operation on the display screen 3a, for example, an operation of drawing a circle with a finger while touching the display screen 3a.

  When there is an area setting request from the user (step SC2: YES), the CPU 111 sets an icon display area and an icon arrangement area on the display screen 103a according to the user's area specifying operation on the display screen 103a (step SC3). .

  The icon display area and the icon arrangement area are set for the same purpose as described in the first and second embodiments. Note that there are two types of icon display area and icon arrangement area designation methods prepared in the navigation device 101: the first designation method and the second designation method described in the second embodiment.

  In the process of step SC3, the CPU 111 causes the user to designate the icon display area and the icon arrangement area by the area designation operation according to the first or second designation method, and then designates the designated icon display area and the icon arrangement area. Is stored in the program memory 26.

  FIG. 12A is a diagram showing an example of the icon display area A and the icon arrangement area B set by the CPU 111 when the user performs an area specifying operation by the second specifying method in the process of step SC3. is there. That is, it is a diagram illustrating an example in which the icon display area A and the icon arrangement area B are areas that are separated from each other.

  After setting the icon display area and the icon arrangement area, the CPU 18 returns to the process of step SC1 and repeats the process described above. In the process of step SC1, the CPU 111 updates the surrounding map displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 103 only when the current position indicated by the positioning data changes.

  On the other hand, while the peripheral map is being displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 103, the CPU 111 continues to check whether or not there is a request for searching for a candidate site by the user (step SC4) if there is no area setting request by the user (step SC3: NO). ). Here, the candidate location search request is a request to search for candidate locations that are candidates for the destination around the current location. In addition, the search request for the candidate site by the user is performed by a predetermined touch operation on the display screen 103a, for example, an operation of touching the same portion twice in succession.

  If there is a candidate location search request from the user (step SC4: YES), the CPU 111 determines the type (or category) of the location to be searched (step SC5). In the process of step SC5, the CPU 111 displays, for example, a selection menu to be presented in the form (or category) list format of the place to be searched for on the liquid crystal monitor 103, and the type (or category) selected by the touch operation by the user. Determine as search target.

  Subsequently, the CPU 111 searches for the location to be searched on the displayed peripheral map as a candidate location, and acquires the position of the searched one or more candidate locations on the map (step SC6).

  Next, the CPU 111 displays operation frames F101, F102, and F103 (see FIG. 12B) indicating the candidate locations searched in the process of step SC6 on the liquid crystal monitor 3 so as to overlap the displayed map (step SC7). ). A specific method for displaying the operation frame is OSD display or the like.

  Thereafter, the CPU 111 confirms whether any one of the operation frames displayed in the icon use area A described above on the display screen 103a of the liquid crystal monitor 103 exists (step SC8). In the process of step SC8, the CPU 18 determines that there is an operation frame in the icon usage area A when all of the displayed operation frames are in the icon usage area A.

  When the operation frame does not exist in the icon use area A (step SC8: NO), the CPU 111 calculates the presence / absence of the user's touch operation on the display screen 103a and the touch position, and any of the operation frames being displayed by the user. Whether or not a touch operation has been performed is confirmed (step SC9). Here, the touch operation on the operation frame is an operation of touching an area surrounded by the operation frame.

  When the touch operation on the operation frame cannot be confirmed (step SC9: NO), the CPU 111 immediately returns to the process of step SC1 and repeats the above-described process.

  Further, when the touch operation on any one of the operation frames can be confirmed (step SC9: YES), the CPU 111 aims at the candidate site indicated by the operation frame where the touch operation has been performed, that is, the candidate site selected by the user. Set as ground (step SC10). Thereafter, the CPU 111 performs a navigation process for guiding the user to the set destination (step SC15).

  On the other hand, when any of the operation frames indicating the candidate sites searched in the process of step SC6 is present in the icon usage area A (step SC8: YES), the CPU 111 determines one or more operation frames present in the icon usage area A. In step SC11, the display position in the icon arrangement area B of the selection operation icon used for the selection operation (instruction) of the operation frame is determined.

  In the process of step SC11, the CPU 111 determines, as a display position of the selection operation icon, a position corresponding to the position in the image of the subject corresponding to the selection operation icon (in the display screen 103a) according to a predetermined rule. . In the present embodiment, the CPU 111 basically sets the position of the selection operation icon in the vertical position direction to a position closer to the corresponding operation frame, and does not overlap with other operation frames existing in the icon arrangement area B. The position does not overlap with other selection operation icons (only when there are a plurality of selection operation icons).

  After that, the CPU 111 causes the liquid crystal monitor 103 to display the selection operation icon in a display form that clearly shows the correspondence with the operation frame, and controls the display position of the selection operation icon to the position determined in the process of step SC11. (Step SC12).

  FIG. 12B is a diagram showing the state of the display screen 103a of the liquid crystal monitor 103 immediately after the process of step SC12. That is, FIG. 12B shows a state in which the selection operation icons I1 and I2 corresponding to the operation frames F101 and F102 existing in the icon use area A are displayed in the icon arrangement area B in the process of step SC12. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, in the process of step SC12, the CPU 111 displays the connection lines E and F connecting the selection operation icons I1 and I2 and the corresponding operation frames F101 and F102, respectively, on the liquid crystal monitor 103. Is displayed, the correspondence between the selection operation icons I1 and I2 and the operation frames F101 and F102 is clearly shown. Note that the display method of the selection operation icons I1 and I2 and the connection lines C and D on the display screen 103a is OSD display or the like, similar to the operation frames F101 and F102.

  After the selection operation icon is displayed, the CPU 111 calculates the presence / absence of the user's touch operation on the display screen 103a and the touch position, and has the user performed a touch operation on any of the selection operation icons? It is confirmed whether or not (step SC13).

  When the touch operation of the selection operation icon cannot be confirmed (step SC13: NO), the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of step SC9 described above.

  If the touch operation of any of the selection operation icons has been confirmed (step SC13: YES), the CPU 111 indicates the candidate location indicated by the operation frame corresponding to the selection operation icon that has been touched, that is, The candidate location selected by the user is set as the destination (step SC14). Thereafter, the CPU 111 performs a navigation process for guiding the user to the set destination (step SC15).

  As described above, in this embodiment, when a user designates a destination using the location search function, a desired type (or category) location around the current location is searched as a selection candidate, and the user The user can select a desired location as a destination by touching any of the operation frames indicating the selected selection candidates (candidate locations).

  At this time, for example, for the operation frames F101 and F102 located in the icon use area A in the display screen 103a shown in FIG. 12A, the user selects the selection operation icons I1 and I2 displayed in the icon arrangement area B. They can be selected by touching.

  Here, also in this embodiment, the user can set the icon use area A and the icon arrangement area B as necessary. Therefore, the user can easily and quickly select all the operation frames in the display screen 103a by setting the icon use area A and the icon arrangement area B according to his / her convenience.

  That is, when the object to be selected present on the display screen 103a is an operation frame indicating a destination selection candidate (candidate place), the selection operation icon used for selecting the operation frame is the operation frame. By displaying at different positions, it is possible to improve workability when selecting an arbitrary operation frame in the display screen 103a using the touch panel.

  In addition, since the user can freely set the icon use area A and the icon arrangement area B, the workability when the user selects the operation frame in the display screen 3a can be further improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration of the portion related to the present invention is the second configuration except that the selection candidate object existing on the display screen 103a is an operation frame indicating a destination selection candidate (candidate location). This is the same as the embodiment. Therefore, since effects other than those described above in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Here, in the first to third embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera or a navigation device has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to other devices as long as the device includes a display screen that functions as a touch panel. As another device, for example, there is an electronic book reader (a dedicated terminal or a general-purpose device) used for browsing electronic books, which has become widespread in recent years. In particular, in the case where the other device is a device that is held with both hands during use or a device that has a large display screen area that functions as a touch panel, a more remarkable effect can be obtained as the effect described above.

  Further, the display conditions of the selection operation icons described in the first to third embodiments, the method for determining the display position in the icon arrangement area B, and the display form can be changed as appropriate.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments can be modified as appropriate as long as the effects of the present invention are obtained, and the embodiments after the modification are also claimed. And the invention equivalent to that invention are included in the scope of the invention. The invention described in the claims of the present application will be added below.
[Claim 1]
Display means having a display screen functioning as a touch panel, and causing the display means to display an icon having a one-to-one relationship with the object used to instruct the object displayed on the display screen, and displaying the icon An electronic apparatus comprising: display control means for controlling a position to a position different from a corresponding object in a predetermined icon arrangement region.
[Claim 2]
The display control means causes the display means to display the icon on condition that the position of the object on the display screen is within a predetermined icon use area. Electronics.
[Claim 3]
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the icon arrangement area is an area located at a peripheral edge of the display screen.
[Claim 4]
A determining unit configured to determine a display position of the icon in the icon use area according to a position of the object on the display screen; and the display control unit determines the display position of the icon in the icon use area. 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is controlled to a display position determined by the determining means.
[Claim 5]
5. The determination unit according to claim 4, wherein when there are a plurality of objects displayed on the display screen, the determination unit determines a position in consideration of a relationship with another icon as a display position of each of the plurality of icons. The electronic device described.
[Claim 6]
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the icon in a display form that clearly shows a correspondence relationship with the object to which the icon corresponds.
[Claim 7]
The apparatus further comprises area setting means for setting an icon arrangement area on the display screen to an area designated by an area designation operation on the display screen by a user, wherein the display control means sets the display position of the icon to the area setting. 7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is controlled to a position different from the corresponding object in the icon arrangement area set by the means.
[Claim 8]
The image display device further includes an image pickup unit that picks up an image of the subject, and a detection unit that detects the object from the image acquired by the image pickup unit. The display unit displays the image acquired by the image pickup unit, and the display control unit. 8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays an icon used to indicate an object detected by the detection unit from an image being displayed on the display screen. 9. .
[Claim 9]
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a setting unit configured to set a specific object designated by a user by a touch operation of the icon as a main subject when preparing for shooting for obtaining a shot image by the imaging unit. The electronic device described.
[Claim 10]
An icon having a one-to-one relationship with the object used to instruct the object being displayed on the display screen is displayed on the display screen functioning as a touch panel, and the display position of the icon is a predetermined icon. An icon display method, wherein control is performed at a position different from a corresponding object in an arrangement area.
[Claim 11]
On a display means having a display screen functioning as a touch panel on a computer, an icon having a one-to-one relationship with the object used to instruct the object displayed on the display screen is displayed, and the display position of the icon is A program for executing a process of controlling a position different from a corresponding object in a predetermined icon arrangement area.

1 Digital Camera 3 LCD Monitor 3a Display Screen 13 Image Sensor 18 CPU
21 color liquid crystal display panel 22 touch sensor 26 program memory 101 navigation device 103 liquid crystal monitor 103a display screen 111 CPU
112 GPS module 121 Color liquid crystal display panel 122 Touch sensor A Icon use area B Icon arrangement area G1 to G3 Subject G11 to G14 Face I1, I2 Selection operation icons F101, F102 Operation frame

Claims (11)

Display means having a display screen functioning as a touch panel;
The display means displays an icon having a one-to-one relationship with the object used to indicate the object displayed on the display screen, and the display position of the icon is within a predetermined icon arrangement area. An electronic apparatus comprising: display control means for controlling to a position different from the corresponding object.   The display control means causes the display means to display the icon on condition that the position of the object on the display screen is within a predetermined icon use area. Electronics.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the icon arrangement area is an area located at a peripheral edge of the display screen. The display position of the icon in the icon utilization region, comprising a determining means for determining in accordance with the position of the object on the display screen,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls the display position of the icon in the icon use area to the display position determined by the determination unit.   5. The determination unit according to claim 4, wherein when there are a plurality of objects displayed on the display screen, the determination unit determines a position in consideration of a relationship with another icon as a display position of each of the plurality of icons. The electronic device described.   6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the icon in a display form that clearly shows a correspondence relationship with the object to which the icon corresponds. An area setting means for setting an icon arrangement area on the display screen to an area specified by an area specifying operation on the display screen by a user;
The said display control means controls the display position of the said icon to the position different from the corresponding object in the icon arrangement | positioning area | region set by the said area | region setting means. Electronic equipment. Imaging means for imaging a subject;
Detecting means for detecting the object from the image acquired by the imaging means; and
The display means displays an image acquired by the imaging means,
The display control means causes the display means to display an icon used to indicate an object detected by the detection means from an image being displayed on the display screen. The electronic device described.   9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a setting unit configured to set a specific object designated by a user by a touch operation of the icon as a main subject when preparing for shooting for obtaining a shot image by the imaging unit. The electronic device described.   An icon having a one-to-one relationship with the object used to instruct the object being displayed on the display screen is displayed on the display screen functioning as a touch panel, and the display position of the icon is a predetermined icon. An icon display method, wherein control is performed at a position different from a corresponding object in an arrangement area.   On a display means having a display screen functioning as a touch panel on a computer, an icon having a one-to-one relationship with the object used to instruct the object displayed on the display screen is displayed, and the display position of the icon is A program for executing a process of controlling a position different from a corresponding object in a predetermined icon arrangement area.

Images