JP2013021718A - Imaging device and setting method of imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image data transmitter which transmits an image becoming a reproduced image corresponding to a situation in accordance with a scene where a photographed image is viewed and in which a sender and a viewer are prevented from being subjected to stress.SOLUTION: An imaging device includes: a body which is viewed as a substantially rectangular prism; first, second and third vibration detection means for defining first, second and third axes perpendicular to three faces which include a bottom face of the body and are mutually orthogonal and detecting vibration by a tap operation corresponding to directions of the three axes; a plurality of function sections arranged on different faces of the body, on which the tap operation is performed; setting means for selecting the function section arranged on the face on which the tap operation is performed in accordance with output of the three vibration detection means and setting an operation condition of the selected function section; and operation means for releasing the operation condition. The setting means releases the setting of the operation condition which is set by the setting means when the vibration detection means detects vibration by the tap operation at the bottom face of the body or when the operation means is operated.

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus and a method for setting a photographing apparatus, and more particularly, to a photographing apparatus and a photographing apparatus that can be operated by applying vibration by an operation such as tapping, shaking, shaking, or tapping a body. It relates to the setting method.

  In a photographing apparatus such as a digital camera, operation conditions for various functions such as a large number of photographing modes are set by operating a large number of operation members. For example, as one of the functions, there is a flash function for irradiating a subject with auxiliary light. Examples of the setting of the operation state of the flash function include forced flash emission, red-eye prevention emission, and flash emission inhibition.

If these many operation members are all provided in the camera body, the space for arranging the operation buttons and the like is insufficient, and if the buttons and the like are made small, the operability is deteriorated. Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a camera in which vibration detection means for detecting the vibration of the camera is provided, and processing similar to that of operating an operation button based on the vibration is performed.
JP 2000-125184 A

  According to the camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is an advantage that the operation condition of the camera can be set by detecting vibration, and the sum of necessary operation switches can be reduced. However, unless the number of items to be set is reduced, the user cannot perform a desired setting unless a complicated tap operation is performed many times.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus and a photographing apparatus setting method that can be executed by a tap operation that makes it easy to intuitively understand complicated setting items. .

  In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to a first invention includes a main body that can be regarded as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and first, second, and third axes in directions perpendicular to three mutually orthogonal planes including a bottom surface of the main body. And the first, second and third vibration detecting means for detecting the vibration caused by the tap operation corresponding to the directions of the three axes, and arranged on different surfaces of the main body where the tap operation is performed. A plurality of function units selected and the function unit arranged on the surface on which the tap operation has been performed are selected according to the outputs of the three vibration detection means, and the operating condition of the selected function unit is set. Setting means and operation means for releasing the operating condition, wherein the setting means detects vibration caused by a tap operation on the bottom surface of the main body or the operation means is operated. Then, the operation set by the setting means Characterized in that it releases the matter settings.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to a second invention is the image pickup apparatus according to the first invention, wherein the setting means detects vibration caused by a tap operation on the front surface of the main body by the vibration detection means. In the case where the flash mode is set as the operation condition, and then the vibration detection unit detects the vibration caused by the tap operation in the left-right direction, sets the operation condition of the lower layer of the set flash mode, When the vibration due to the tap operation in the front-rear direction is detected by the vibration detection means or when the operation means is operated, the set flash mode is canceled.

  In order to achieve the above object, a method for setting a photographing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention provides a first, second, and third axes in directions perpendicular to three mutually orthogonal planes including a bottom surface of a main body that can be regarded as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The vibration by the tap operation corresponding to the directions of the three axes is detected by the first, second, and third vibration detection means, and the setting means detects the vibration according to the output of the three vibration detection means. A function unit arranged on a different surface of the main body on which the tap operation has been performed is selected, an operation condition of the selected function unit is set, and the vibration detection means is operated by a tap operation on the bottom surface of the main body. When the vibration is detected or the operation unit is operated to cancel the setting, the setting of the set operation condition is canceled.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the imaging device which can be performed by tap operation which is easy to understand a complicated setting item intuitively, and the setting method of an imaging device can be provided.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment will be described using a camera to which the present invention is applied according to the drawings. In the camera in this embodiment, functions are assigned to each surface of the main body, and the user performs a tap operation (including operations such as hitting, shaking, shaking) on the surface to which the function to be executed is assigned. Each function can be set without operating the operation buttons.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The camera 1 is a digital camera, and the camera 1 includes a system controller 10 and members connected to the system controller 10. The system controller 10 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the operation of the camera 1 according to a program stored in the flash ROM 33. The system controller 10 includes a plurality of block circuits such as power control, an image processing circuit, and a compression processing circuit.

  The flash circuit 12 connected to the system controller 10 is a circuit for emitting flash light from the light emitting unit 11. As will be described later, the flash device can set various modes such as an auto light emission mode, a red-eye reduction mode, a forced light emission mode, and a flash prohibition mode, and the light emission is controlled according to the set mode.

  An imaging IF (Interface) circuit 15 connected to the system controller 10 is connected to the imaging unit 14. The imaging unit 14 includes an imaging device that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the imaging optical system 13, and the imaging IF circuit 15 amplifies the image signal output from the imaging device, analog-digital conversion, compression to JPEG, and the like. Processing such as conversion to image data is performed. As the image pickup device, a two-dimensional image pickup device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) is used.

  The optical system control unit 16 connected to the system controller 10 performs focusing and focal length adjustment of the photographing optical system 13 based on a command from the system controller 10. In focusing, a high frequency component is extracted from an image signal input via the imaging IF circuit 15, and the photographing optical system 13 is moved so that the high frequency component becomes a maximum value. The focal length adjustment is performed according to the operation of the zooming operation member.

  The acceleration sensor 17 detects vibration applied along the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction of the camera body. Based on the vibration detected by the acceleration sensor 17, the user's tap operation is detected. In addition to the acceleration sensor, various sensors such as an angular velocity sensor and a gyro may be used. The output from the acceleration sensor 17 is amplified and analog-digital converted by the signal processing circuit 18 and input to the system controller 10. Details of the acceleration sensor 17 and the signal processing circuit 18 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The output of the microphone 21 that converts sound into an electrical signal at the time of shooting or the like is connected to the sound codec circuit 25 via an amplifier 23. The audio codec circuit 25 converts an audio signal into an audio compression file format such as MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer 3), and decompresses audio data recorded in an audio compression file format such as MP3.

  The audio file converted by the audio codec circuit 25 is recorded on the memory card 34 or the like via the system controller 10. The audio file recorded on the memory card 34 or the like is read by the system controller 10 and decompressed by the audio codec circuit 25. The audio signal that has been expanded and converted into an analog signal is amplified by the amplifier 24 and converted into audio by the speaker 22.

  The monitor drive circuit 31 connected to the system controller 10 is a circuit that drives to display an image on the liquid crystal monitor 32 connected thereto. The liquid crystal monitor 32 reproduces and displays the temporarily stored image and the captured image read from the memory card 34, and displays live view display, shooting information, and the like.

  The flash ROM 33 connected to the system controller 10 is an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory, and stores a control program for the camera 1 and control parameters such as control parameters relating to acceleration detection. The memory card 34 is a non-volatile memory that is detachable from the camera 1 and is electrically rewritable. The memory card 34 records captured images and sounds.

  The operation switches 35 connected to the system controller 10 are switches connected to various operation members, and transmit operations from the user to the camera 1. An IrDA (Infrared Data Association) controller 36 controls transmission / reception of infrared communication. A light emitting unit 37 and a light receiving unit 38 are connected to the IrDA controller 36, projecting infrared rays for communication, and receiving infrared rays from the outside.

  A USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller 39 connected to the system controller 10 is a serial bus for connecting peripheral devices to the camera 1. The camera 1 is connected to an external personal computer, a printer, or the like via the USB controller 39.

  Next, the configuration of the acceleration sensor 17, the signal processing circuit 18, and the system controller 10 for detecting the tap operation will be described with reference to FIG. The acceleration sensor 17 includes an X-axis acceleration sensor 17a, a Y-axis acceleration sensor 17b, and a Z-axis acceleration sensor 17c. As shown in FIG. The acceleration in the Z-axis direction, which is the axial direction and the front-rear direction, is detected, and an analog signal corresponding to the acceleration is output.

  Each acceleration sensor 17a, 17b, 17c constitutes a Wheatstone bridge circuit composed of four piezoresistors. When acceleration from the X-axis direction is applied to the X-axis acceleration sensor 17a, a pair of piezoresistance values decrease due to tensile stress, and the other piezoresistance values increase. Therefore, acceleration in the X-axis direction can be detected. is there. Similarly, acceleration in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions can also be detected.

  The X-axis acceleration sensor 17a is connected to the signal output circuit 18a in the signal processing circuit 18, the Y-axis acceleration sensor 17b is connected to the signal output circuit 18b, and the Z-axis acceleration sensor 17c is connected to the signal output circuit 18c. Since the configuration of the signal output circuit 18b and the signal output circuit 18c is the same as that of the signal output circuit 18a, the signal output circuit 18a will be described here.

  The output of the X-axis acceleration sensor 17a is connected to the non-inverting input (+) of the first operational amplifier 18aa and the inverting input (−) of the second operational amplifier 18ab. A D / A converter 10b in the system controller 10 is connected to the inverting input of the first operational amplifier 18aa, and a reference voltage (determination voltage) is applied. The D / A converter 10b in the system controller 10 is connected to the non-inverting input of the second operational amplifier 18b, and a reference voltage (determination voltage) is applied.

  Therefore, the first operational amplifier 18aa outputs an H level signal when the detection signal from the X-axis acceleration sensor 17a is larger than the positive reference voltage, and outputs an L level signal when it is smaller than the reference voltage. The second operational amplifier 18ab outputs an L level signal when the detection signal from the X-axis acceleration sensor 17a is larger than the negative reference voltage, and outputs an H level signal when it is smaller.

  Therefore, when a tap operation is performed in any one of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, the I / O circuit in the system controller 10 changes the direction (both plus direction and minus direction). Can be detected. If the vibration direction can be detected by the acceleration sensor 17 or the signal processing circuit 18 or the like, the camera body surface perpendicular to the vibration direction can be specified.

  Next, functions assigned to each surface of the camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3A is an external perspective view of the camera 1 viewed from the back side, and FIG. 3B is an external perspective view of the camera 1 viewed from the front side. A liquid crystal monitor 32 is arranged on the back surface of the main body of the camera 1 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. When the user taps the liquid crystal monitor 32, the display mode can be set. On the right side, a cross key 43 as one of the operation members is arranged. In response to the operation of the operation keys A, B, C, and D of the cross key 43, the switches constituting the operation switch 35 are turned on / off.

  In the camera 1, a communication unit 42 having a light emitting unit 37 and a light receiving unit 38 for infrared communication is arranged on the left side when viewed from the back side. The communication function can be set by tapping the surface on which the communication unit 42 is arranged.

  A power switch 41 for turning the power on and off is disposed on the upper surface of the camera 1. The power switch 41 is one of the operation switches 35. When the user taps the upper surface on which the power switch 41 is arranged, the power can be set.

  In the camera 1, a microphone 21 is disposed on the left side when viewed from the front side. When the user taps the surface on which the microphone 21 is arranged, a voice recording / playback function for recording and playing back a voice is set.

  In addition, a lens barrel having a photographing optical system 13 is disposed at the center of the front side of the camera 1. A flash 44 is disposed on the upper left side of the lens barrel. The flash 44 includes a light emitting unit 11, a flash circuit 12, and the like. When the user taps the front of the camera 1 where the flash 44 is disposed, the flash function is set.

  On the bottom side of the camera 1, a function for canceling each of the above-described power supply, communication, flash, and recording / playback modes is arranged. When the user performs a tap operation on the bottom surface of the camera 1, these set functions are canceled.

  Next, the operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, when the power battery is loaded, the main flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is started, and it is determined whether or not the tap operation mode is selected (S1). In this step, it is determined whether or not the tap operation mode is selected by a switch that is linked to an operation member (not shown) in the operation switch 35.

  If the result of determination in step S1 is that tap operation mode has been selected, a tap operation mode subroutine is executed (S2). In this tap operation mode, it is determined whether or not the user has performed a tap operation using the acceleration sensor 17 or the like. If the user has performed the tap operation, the tap operation mode is performed as shown in FIG. In addition, the function assigned to each surface of the camera 1 is executed. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the tap operation is performed or if the result of determination in step S1 is that the tap operation mode has not been selected, it is determined whether or not the release operation has been performed (S3). Whether or not it is a release is determined based on whether or not a release switch linked to a release button (not shown) is on.

  If the result of determination in step S3 is not release, processing returns to step S1 and the aforementioned operation is executed. On the other hand, if it is a release, shooting is performed (S4). In this photographing operation, an image signal based on the subject image is acquired by the imaging unit 14, and this is subjected to image processing and recorded in the memory card 34. At this time, if the recording mode is set, surrounding sounds are recorded and recorded together with the memory card 34. When shooting is completed, the process returns to step S1.

  Next, the tap operation subroutine in step S2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. If this flow is entered, it is first determined whether or not the vibration is in the front-rear (± Z) direction (S10). In this step, it is determined whether or not the detection signal of the Z-axis direction acceleration sensor 17c is larger than the reference voltage (both plus and minus voltages) by the signal output circuit 18c.

  If the result of determination in step S10 is that a vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected in the rear (−Z) direction, a flash subroutine is executed (S20). This step is a state in which a tap operation is performed toward the flash 44 arranged in front of the camera 1, and in this case, the process proceeds to a flash subroutine for functioning the flash. The flash subroutine will be described later with reference to FIG. When this subroutine ends, the process returns to step S10.

  If the result of determination in step S10 is that a vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected in the forward (+ Z) direction, a display subroutine is executed (S30). This step is a state in which a tap operation is performed toward the liquid crystal monitor 32 disposed on the back surface of the camera 1, and in this case, the process proceeds to a display subroutine for causing the display to function. When this subroutine ends, the process returns to step S10.

  If the result of determination in step S10 is that there is no vibration in the front-rear direction, it is determined whether the vibration is in the left-right (± X) direction (S40). In this step, it is determined by the signal output circuit 18a whether the detection signal of the X-axis direction acceleration sensor 17a is greater than the reference voltage (both plus and minus voltages).

  If the result of determination in step S40 is that a vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected in the left (−X) direction, a voice recording / playback subroutine is executed (S50). This step is a state in which a tap operation is performed toward the microphone 21 arranged on the side surface of the camera 1, and in this case, the process proceeds to an audio recording / playback subroutine for making ambient sound recording or sound reproduction function. When this subroutine ends, the process returns to step S10.

  If the result of determination in step S40 is that vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected in the right (+ X) direction, a communication subroutine is executed (S60). This step is a state where a tap operation is performed toward the communication unit 42 disposed on the side surface of the camera 1, and in this case, the process proceeds to a communication subroutine for functioning infrared communication. When this subroutine ends, the process returns to step S10.

  If the result of determination in step S40 is that there is no left-right vibration, it is determined whether the vibration is in the vertical (± Y) direction (S70). In this step, it is determined by the signal output circuit 18b whether the detection signal of the Y-axis direction acceleration sensor 17b is greater than the reference voltage (both plus and minus voltages).

  If the result of determination in step S <b> 70 is that a vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected in the downward (−Y) direction, a power supply subroutine is executed (S <b> 50). This step is a state where a tap operation is performed toward the power switch 41 disposed on the upper surface of the camera 1, and in this case, the process proceeds to a power source subroutine for functioning power on (power on). When this subroutine ends, the process returns to step S10.

  As a result of the determination in step S70, if no vibration of a predetermined value or more is detected in the vertical (± Y) direction, the tap operation has not been performed in any direction, and the process returns to step S10.

  As a result of the determination in step S70, if vibration of a predetermined value or more is detected in the upward (+ Y) direction, a mode cancellation subroutine is executed (S90). This step is a state where a tap operation is performed toward the bottom surface of the camera 1, and in this case, the mode release for releasing the mode set by the flash, display, audio recording / playback, communication, and power supply described above is performed. Move on to the subroutine. When this subroutine ends, the process returns to the original flow.

  Next, the flash subroutine in step S20 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 and the mode transition diagram shown in FIG. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, there are four flash modes: an auto (automatic) mode 51, a red-eye reduction mode 52, a forced light emission mode 53, and a light emission inhibition mode 54.

  Now, assume that the process proceeds from step S10 to S20 and the flash mode is set. In the flash mode, the auto mode 51 is set as a default. When a tap operation is performed in the right (+ X) direction in this state, the red-eye reduction mode 52 is set, and the tap operation is further performed in the right (+ X) direction. Each time the mode is changed, the forced flash mode 53, the flash prohibit mode 54, and the auto mode 51 are sequentially changed.

  On the other hand, when a tap operation is performed in the left (−X) direction in the default state, each time the tap operation is performed, the light emission inhibition mode 54, the forced light emission mode 53, the red-eye reduction mode 52, and the auto mode 51 are sequentially performed. The mode is changed.

  When the flash mode subroutine shown in FIG. 7 is entered, first, as in step S40, it is determined whether or not the vibration is in the left-right (± X) direction (S100). As a result of this determination, if vibration of a predetermined value or more is detected in the left (−X) direction, the process moves to the previous selection item (S200). That is, in the transition diagram of FIG. 4, one mode is set in the clockwise direction. When the selection item is moved, the process returns to step S100.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S100, if vibration of a predetermined value or more is detected in the right (+ X) direction, the process moves to the next selection item (S300). That is, in the transition diagram of FIG. 4, one mode is set in the counterclockwise direction. When the selection item is moved, the process returns to step S100.

  If the result of determination in step S100 is that there is no vibration in the left / right (± X) direction, it is determined whether the vibration is in the front / rear (± Z) direction (S400). As a result of this determination, if no vibration of a predetermined value or more is detected in the front-rear (± Z) direction, the process returns to step S100.

  If the result of determination in step S400 is that a vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected in the backward (−Z) direction, the item selected in step S200 or S300 is determined (S500). On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S400 is that a vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected in the forward (+ Z) direction, the selected flash mode is canceled (S600). When the process of step S500 or S600 is performed, the process returns to the original flow.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when each surface of the camera 1 is tapped, a function assigned to a surface orthogonal to the direction of vibration caused by the tapping operation is set. This function is associated with members (for example, the microphone 21, the liquid crystal monitor 32, the power switch 41, the communication unit 42, and the flash 44) arranged on each surface. For this reason, the user can operate each function by performing a tap operation with a sense of starting the arranged member, and can operate intuitively.

  In this embodiment, the power supply function is arranged on the upper surface. However, the power on / off can be set only by the power switch 41, and other functions such as a zoom function are arranged on the upper surface. Also good. Similarly, functions arranged on other surfaces may be replaced with other functions.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment of the present invention, functions are assigned to the six surfaces of the camera body 1, but in the second embodiment, functions are assigned to the four surfaces of the camera 1. The electrical circuit in the present embodiment is the same as the block diagram shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the Y-axis acceleration sensor 17b and related circuits are omitted. The explanation will be focused on.

  FIG. 8A is an external perspective view of the camera 1 viewed from the back side, and FIG. 8B is an external perspective view of the camera 1 viewed from the front side. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the function by the tap operation is not assigned to the top and bottom surfaces in the vertical (± Y) direction. That is, only the power switch 41 is arranged on the upper surface of the camera 1, and the power supply subroutine by the touch operation is not started. Further, the mode release function is not assigned to the bottom surface of the camera 1.

  Instead, an OK button 47 and a cancel button 48 are arranged on the back of the camera 1, and the state of the switch in the operation switch 35 changes according to the operation of these buttons.

  Next, the operation of the camera 1 in the present embodiment will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Since the main flow in this embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. However, the tap operation mode in step S2 is changed to a tap and button operation in the second embodiment.

  When the tap & button operation subroutine is entered, first, as in step S10, it is determined whether or not the vibration is in the front-rear (± Z) direction (S11). In this step, it is determined whether or not the detection signal of the Z-axis direction acceleration sensor 17c is larger than the reference voltage (both plus and minus voltages) by the signal output circuit 18c.

  If the result of determination in step S11 is that a vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected in the rear (−Z) direction, a flash subroutine is executed (S21). This step is a state in which a tap operation is performed toward the flash 44 arranged in front of the camera 1, and in this case, the process proceeds to a flash subroutine for functioning the flash. The flash subroutine will be described later with reference to FIG. When this subroutine ends, the process returns to step S11.

  If the result of determination in step S11 is that a vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected in the forward (+ Z) direction, a display subroutine is executed as in step S30 (S31). This step is a state in which a tap operation is performed toward the liquid crystal monitor 32 disposed on the back surface of the camera 1, and in this case, the process proceeds to a display subroutine for causing the display to function. When this subroutine ends, the process returns to step S11.

  If the result of determination in step S11 is that there is no vibration in the front-rear direction, it is determined whether the vibration is in the left-right (± X) direction, as in step S40 (S41). In this step, it is determined by the signal output circuit 18a whether the detection signal of the X-axis direction acceleration sensor 17a is greater than the reference voltage (both plus and minus voltages).

  If the result of determination in step S41 is that vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected in the left (−X) direction, a voice recording / playback subroutine is executed as in step S50 (S51). This step is a state in which a tap operation is performed toward the microphone 21 arranged on the side surface of the camera 1, and in this case, the process proceeds to a voice recording / playback subroutine for making recording or voice playback function. When this subroutine ends, the process returns to step S11.

  If the result of determination in step S41 is that a vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected in the right (+ X) direction, a communication subroutine is executed as in step S60 (S61). This step is a state where a tap operation is performed toward the communication unit 42 disposed on the side surface of the camera 1, and in this case, the process proceeds to a communication subroutine for functioning infrared communication. When this subroutine ends, the process returns to step S11.

  Next, the flash mode subroutine in step S21 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The transition of each mode in this flash mode is the same as the transition in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  When the flash mode is entered, first, as in step S100, it is determined whether the vibration is in the left / right (± X) direction (S101). As a result of this determination, if vibration of a predetermined value or more is detected in the left (−X) direction, the process moves to the previous selection item as in step S200 (S201). That is, in the transition diagram of FIG. 4, one mode is set in the clockwise direction. When the selection item is moved, the process returns to step S101.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S101, when vibration of a predetermined value or more is detected in the right (+ X) direction, the process moves to the next selection item, similarly to step S300 (S301). That is, in the transition diagram of FIG. 4, one mode is set in the counterclockwise direction. When the selection item is moved, the process returns to step S101.

  If the result of determination in step S101 is that there is no left-right (± X) direction vibration, it is determined whether or not the OK button 47 has been pressed (S401). If the result of this determination is that the OK button 47 has been depressed, the item selected in step S201 or S301 is determined (S501).

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S401 is that the OK button 47 has been operated, it is determined whether or not the cancel button 48 has been pressed (S601). If the result of this determination is that the cancel button 48 has not been depressed, processing returns to step S101. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S601 is that the cancel button 48 has been pressed, the selected flash mode is canceled (S602). When the process of step S501 or S601 is performed, the process returns to the original flow.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the mode determination function and the cancel function are set by operating the OK button 47 and the cancel button 48, respectively. As with the first embodiment, the communication function is set by a tap operation.

  As described above, the camera according to each embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of vibration detection units (acceleration sensor 17 and signal processing circuit 18) and one of the plurality of vibration detection units that detects vibration. Means for selecting a function unit (flash, display, audio recording / playback, communication, etc.) arranged on the main body surface perpendicular to the vibration detection direction (tap operation mode in FIG. 6, operation of tap and button in FIG. 9) ing. For this reason, it is possible to take advantage of tap operations that are easy to understand intuitively and highly reliable switch operations.

  For this reason, in each embodiment of the present invention, a function can be selected by performing a tap operation on the surface on which the functional unit is arranged, so that complicated setting items can be executed with a tap operation that is easy to understand intuitively. Can be possible.

  Further, in each embodiment of the present invention, one of the function units such as flash, display, audio recording / playback, communication, and the like is selected according to the tap operation. When it is detected that the tap operation has been performed by the detecting means, it is possible to set the operating condition of the lower layer of the selected functional unit. For example, after the flash mode is selected (S20 in FIG. 6 and S21 in FIG. 9), it is determined whether vibration has occurred in the left-right direction (S100 in FIG. 7, S101 in FIG. 10), and vibration is generated in the left-right direction. In such a case, the lower layer modes such as auto, red-eye reduction, forced light emission, and light emission inhibition are set according to the direction. For this reason, operation is easy and switches can be reduced.

  In each embodiment of the present invention, the functional unit is arranged on the main body surface perpendicular to the vibration detection direction of the vibration detecting means, but it does not have to be strictly a main body surface, and a tap operation is performed. It is sufficient that the surface can be detected as a flat surface.

  In each embodiment of the present invention, flash, display, audio recording / playback, communication, zoom, and the like are shown as functions that can be selected by a tap operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other functions can be added or replaced. Of course, it may be made to do.

  Furthermore, in each embodiment of the present invention, the camera body has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and functions are assigned to each surface of the rectangular parallelepiped. However, the camera body is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and may be a complex body having various shapes. In this case, a function is assigned to each surface of the body, and a tap operation on each surface may be detected.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the digital camera is used as the photographing device. However, the camera may be a digital single-lens reflex camera or a compact digital camera, and may be a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA). Of course, a camera built in Personal Digital Assist) may be used.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, you may delete some components of all the components shown by embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the camera concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the acceleration sensor, signal processing circuit, and system controller of the camera concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the external appearance perspective view of the camera concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention, (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from the back side, (B) is the external appearance perspective view seen from the front side. It is a mode transition diagram in the flash mode in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement in the camera concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the tap operation mode in the camera concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the flash mode in the camera concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the external appearance perspective view of the camera concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from the back side, (B) is the external appearance perspective view seen from the front side. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of operation of the tap & button in the camera concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the flash mode in the camera concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... System controller, 10a ... I / O circuit, 10b ... D / A converter, 11 ... Light emission part, 12 ... Flash circuit, 13 ... Shooting optical system, 14 ... Imaging unit (CCD), 15 ... Imaging IF unit, 16 ... Optical system control unit, 17 ... Acceleration sensor, 17a ... X-axis acceleration sensor, 17b ... Y-axis acceleration sensor, 17c ... Z-axis acceleration sensor, 18 ... signal processing circuit, 18a ... signal output circuit, 18aa ... op amp, 18ab ... op amp, 18b ... signal output circuit, 18c ... signal output Circuit, 21 ... Microphone, 22 ... Speaker, 23 ... Amplifier, 24 ... Amplifier, 25 ... Audio codec circuit, 31 ... Monitor drive circuit, 32 ... Liquid crystal monitor, 33 ... Flash ROM (control parameter) 34... Memory card 35 .. operation switch 36... IrDA controller 37... Light emitting unit 38. ..Power supply, 42 ... communication unit, 43 ... cross key, 44 ... flash, 45 ... mode release, 47 ... OK button, 48 ... cancel button, 51 ... auto 52 ... Red-eye reduction, 53 ... Forced light emission, 54 ... Flash prohibition

Claims (3)

A body that can be regarded as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped;
First, second, and third axes are defined in directions perpendicular to three surfaces orthogonal to each other including the bottom surface of the main body, and first, second, and second vibrations detected by a tap operation corresponding to the directions of the three axes are detected. Third vibration detecting means;
A plurality of functional units arranged on different surfaces of the main body where the tap operation is performed;
A setting unit that selects the function unit disposed on the surface on which the tap operation has been performed according to the outputs of the three vibration detection units, and sets operating conditions of the selected function unit;
Operating means for releasing the above operating conditions;
Have
The setting means is characterized in that the vibration detecting means detects vibration caused by a tap operation on the bottom surface of the main body, or cancels the setting of the operating condition set by the setting means when the operating means is operated. Shooting device to do. The setting means sets the flash mode as the operation condition when the vibration detection means detects vibration caused by a tap operation on the front of the main body, and then detects vibration caused by a left and right tap operation by the vibration detection means. In the case where the operation condition of the lower layer of the set flash mode is set, and when vibration due to a tap operation in the front-rear direction is detected by the vibration detection means or when the operation means is operated, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set flash mode is canceled. First, second, and third axes are defined in directions perpendicular to three mutually orthogonal planes including the bottom surface of the main body that can be regarded as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the first, second, and third vibration detection means define the three axes. Detect vibration caused by tapping corresponding to the direction of the axis,
In accordance with the outputs of the three vibration detection means, the setting means selects function units arranged on different surfaces of the main body on which the tap operation has been performed, and operating conditions of the selected function units And when the vibration detection means detects vibration caused by a tap operation on the bottom surface of the main body or when the operation means is operated to cancel the setting, the setting of the set operation condition is canceled.
A method for setting a photographing apparatus.