JP2013037706A - Operation control device, camera, operation control method and program for operation control - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a GUI function capable of readily obtaining information that is related to operation.SOLUTION: When an icon 44a is selected from a list area 41 and an operation instruction for moving the icon 44a toward a determination area 43 is made, a GUI control part moves the icon 44a on a GUI screen 40 according to such the operation instruction, and simultaneously displays relevant information corresponding to the icon 44a, by being attached as relevant information display columns 45a-45c to the icon 44a under movement.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation control device mounted on a device such as a camera, a camera equipped with the operation control device, an operation control method, and an operation control program.

In an electronic device represented by a digital camera, a GUI (graphical user interface) function is indispensable. Examples of the camera GUI include the following. One of them is that each menu item is arranged on the screen in the order of the frequency of use by the user at the bottom of the live view screen, and when a menu is selected, a sub-menu of a lower layer is displayed thereon. There is such a camera (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As another example, the menus arranged on the menu screen are selected by operating the cross button for instructing the up, down, left, and right directions, and the submenu (or parameter) in the lower layer of the selected menu is determined by dialing. An imaging condition setting device for a camera has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2008-92585 A JP 2007-110434 A

  On a GUI screen in an electronic device such as a camera, each function and condition is expressed by an icon or a simple menu. And, by performing an icon selection operation or a movement operation on the screen, it is possible to set functions, change conditions, etc., so icons are very convenient.

  However, in the current GUI screen, it is often not sufficient to convey the set functions and conditions to the user only by displaying icons and simple menus. For example, a camera often has a scene mode setting function that can automatically set shooting conditions, but the menu alone does not give a clear understanding of the contents of each scene mode, so it can be used in any scene. In many cases, it is not used because it is difficult to understand what should be done. On the other hand, if a menu with explanatory text is used, the display area increases, and the scene mode setting screen becomes several pages. This situation is not limited to the camera, and the same applies to other electronic devices.

  After all, there is a need for an improved GUI so that information related to operations can be easily obtained without performing complicated operations in electronic devices such as cameras.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an operation control device, a camera, an operation control method, and an operation control program that can easily obtain information related to an operation and have a GUI function. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an operation control device according to the present invention includes a display unit on which a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen for setting an operation condition of a device is displayed; An operation unit for inputting an instruction for the GUI screen, a GUI control unit for controlling output to the user in accordance with the instruction for the GUI screen, and setting and canceling the operating conditions of the device in accordance with the instruction for the GUI screen A condition setting unit, and the GUI control unit is arranged on the GUI screen to display a list area displaying a list of icons representing each operation condition that can be set for the device, and disposing the icon at a position away from the list area. A determination area which is a movement destination for determining the icon selected from the list area as an operation condition, and the list area When the first instruction operation for moving the selected icon to the determination area is performed, the operation condition of the device is set by the condition setting unit, and the icon is moved out of the determination area. When the second instruction operation is performed, the operation condition set in the device is released by the condition setting unit, and the GUI control unit moves the icon in response to the first instruction operation. The moving icon is accompanied with related information corresponding to the icon and output.

  In the operation control apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the operation unit includes a touch panel disposed on the display unit on which the GUI screen is displayed.

  In the operation control apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the GUI control unit displays related information of the set operation condition around the determination area after the operation condition is set. And

  The operation control apparatus according to the present invention is the operation control device according to the above aspect, wherein the GUI control unit includes, as the related information, a detailed parameter of the operation condition, a sentence explaining the operation condition, or an image explaining the operation condition. At least one of them is displayed on the GUI screen.

  Moreover, the operation control apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the GUI control unit displays the related information on the GUI screen in a different form.

  The operation control apparatus according to the present invention further includes a speaker that outputs sound in the above-described invention, and the GUI control unit displays the related information on the GUI screen in addition to or instead of displaying the related information. Information is output from the speaker in the form of sound.

  In addition, a camera according to the present invention includes the operation control device according to the present invention.

  In addition, an operation control method according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen for setting an operation condition of the device, an operation unit that inputs an instruction to the GUI screen, An operation control method in an operation control apparatus having a GUI control step for controlling output to a user in accordance with an instruction on the GUI screen, and setting and releasing of operating conditions of the device in accordance with an instruction on the GUI screen A condition setting step to be performed, wherein the GUI control step is arranged such that a list area for displaying icons indicating each operation condition of the device that can be set is displayed on the GUI screen, and arranged at a position away from the list area. A determination area which is a movement destination for determining the icon selected from the list area as an operation condition; When a first instruction operation is performed to move the icon selected from the list area to the determination area, an operation condition of the device is set by the condition setting step, and the icon is determined. When the second instruction operation for moving outside the area is performed, the operation condition set in the device is canceled by the condition setting step, and the GUI control step is performed according to the first instruction operation. The icon is moved, and related information corresponding to the icon is attached to the moving icon and output.

  In addition, an operation control program according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen for setting operating conditions of the device, and an operation unit that inputs an instruction to the GUI screen. A computer having an operation control device having a GUI control function for controlling output to the user in response to an instruction on the GUI screen, and a condition for setting and canceling the operating condition of the device in accordance with the instruction on the GUI screen The GUI control function is arranged on the GUI screen to display a list area that displays icons indicating each operation condition of the device that can be set, and to be arranged at a position away from the list area. Set the decision area that is the destination for deciding the icon selected from the list area as the operation condition When the first instruction operation for moving the icon selected from the list area to the determination area is performed, the operation condition of the device is set by the condition setting function, and the icon is set in the determination area. When a second instruction operation for moving the device to the outside is performed, the operation condition set for the device is canceled by the condition setting function, and the GUI control function is configured to display the icon according to the first instruction operation. And the related information corresponding to the icon is output to the moving icon.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an operation control device, a camera, an operation control method, and an operation control program having a GUI function for easily obtaining information related to an operation.

It is a block diagram which shows the system structural example of the digital camera carrying the operation control apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the example of a display of the GUI screen of a display part when the scene setting mode is selected in imaging | photography mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the example of a display of the GUI screen after mode determination. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of a GUI screen at the time of operation which cancels the set conditions after mode determination. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the output form of related information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a display of a GUI screen when a determination area is tapped after mode determination. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of a GUI screen when an icon is tapped on an initial GUI screen. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the example of the operation control process performed by a control part.

    The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration example of a digital camera equipped with an operation control device of the present invention. The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 11 including a CPU that performs instructions, data transfer, and the like to each unit configuring the digital camera 1 and comprehensively controls the operation of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 also includes a program data storage unit 12, a button operation unit 13, a touch panel 14, an imaging unit 15, an SDRAM 16, a display image control unit 17, an image processing unit 19, a compression / decompression unit 20, a recording / reproducing unit 20, and a sound. Each unit of the playback unit 24 is provided. These units are connected to the control unit 11 by a bus line 30.

  The program data storage unit 12 is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. The program data storage unit 12 operates the digital camera 1 and uses a program for a CPU (for example, an operation control program) for realizing various functions of the digital camera 1 or during execution of the program. For example, GUI image data including icons to be displayed on a GUI (graphical user interface) screen, which will be described later, and explanation audio data are stored in advance.

  The button operation unit 13 includes a release button 13a (see FIG. 2 and the like) disposed on the upper surface of the camera body for instructing shooting timing, a setting button for a scene setting mode, etc. (not shown), and the like.

  The imaging unit 15 includes a camera unit and an imaging processing unit. The camera unit is for the digital camera 1 to capture a subject image, and includes a photographing lens, an image sensor, an aperture, a shutter, an AF mechanism, an AF drive circuit, a zoom mechanism, a zoom drive mechanism, and the like. Here, the image pickup device is formed of a two-dimensional solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor, and photoelectrically converts a subject image incident through a photographing optical system including a photographing lens and outputs it as an analog electric signal. In addition to including an image sensor driving circuit, the image processing unit performs analog signal processing such as AGC and CDS on the analog electric signal output from the image sensor, and then converts the analog electric signal into a digital electric signal using an A / D converter. It is for output.

  The SDRAM 16 is a memory used as a temporary storage memory or a working area, and temporarily stores a digital electrical signal output from the imaging unit 15, image data being processed by the image processing unit 19, and the like. It is also used to temporarily store image data being processed during display image creation.

  The display image control unit 17 includes an encoder, a D / A converter, and the like, and is a driver for displaying various information on the display unit 18. Here, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the display unit 18 occupies most of the area on the back of the camera body. In addition to the captured image and the live view image, various display information including a GUI screen are displayed. This is for display, and is realized by a thin display device such as an LCD or ELD. In addition, the display image control unit 17 creates a live view image and a reproduction image to be displayed on the display unit 18 and causes the GUI image for the GUI screen to be displayed on the display unit 18 alone or superimposed on the live view image. belongs to.

  The image processing unit 19 performs various types of image processing such as pixel interpolation processing, color correction processing, and gamma processing on the digital electrical signal output from the imaging unit 15, and image data suitable for recording and display. Process to convert to. That is, at the time of recording (at the time of shooting), the image processing unit 19 performs image processing for recording on the recorded image, and performs simple image processing for display on the live view image for display. .

  The compression / decompression unit 20 records image data based on a well-known JPEG method or the like when recording image data of a captured image in the image storage unit 22 or displaying image data recorded in the image storage unit 22. Perform compression processing and decompression processing.

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

  The audio reproduction unit 24 is a driver that has a D / A converter, an amplifier, and the like and outputs audio from the speaker 25. That is, a predetermined explanation voice is output from the speaker 25 according to the explanation voice data stored in the program data storage unit 12.

  Here, the control part 11 of this Embodiment is provided with each function part of the GUI control part 11a, the condition setting part 11b, and the operation detection part 11c as a function performed by the program for operation control. The operation detection unit 11 c is a functional unit for detecting a user instruction on a GUI screen displayed on the display unit 18 for setting operation conditions of the digital camera 1 and a user operation by the button operation unit 13. Further, in the present embodiment, the touch panel 14 is provided so as to overlap the display unit 18 on which the GUI screen is displayed, and the operation detection unit 11c detects the user's operation on the touch panel 14, An operation for detecting a user instruction on the GUI screen is executed. The GUI control unit 11a is a functional unit for controlling output to the user in accordance with a user instruction on the GUI screen of the display unit 18 and executing various control processes as will be described later regarding the GUI screen. The condition setting unit 11c is a functional unit for setting operating conditions of the digital camera 1 in accordance with a user instruction on the GUI screen.

  Next, as an example of operation conditions of the digital camera 1, an outline of control of the GUI screen and the like by the GUI control unit 11a and the like will be described in the case of operation condition setting in the scene setting mode in the shooting mode. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a display example of the display unit 18 when the scene setting mode is selected in the shooting mode.

  When the scene setting mode is selected by a user operation on a setting button (not shown), the GUI control unit 11a uses the GUI image data to display an image for the scene setting mode as shown in FIG. 40 is displayed on the display unit 18. FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the initial GUI screen 40 when the scene setting mode is selected. Here, on the GUI screen 40, a list area 41, a drag area 42, and a determination area 43 are set. The list area 41 is an area for displaying operation conditions that can be set for the digital camera 1, and is arranged, for example, on the right side of the GUI screen 40. In this list area 41, a plurality of icons 44a to 44e representing respective operation conditions that can be set in the scene setting mode are displayed in a list. 44a is a sport mode icon, 44b is a night view mode icon, 44c is a person mode icon, 44d is a daytime mode icon, and 44e is a portrait mode icon. These icons 44a to 44e can be selected by a user operation.

  Note that the GUI screen 40 illustrated in FIG. 2A is for the scene setting mode, and only the page in which the icons 44a to 44e for the scene setting mode are arranged is displayed in the list area 41. Not exclusively. For example, if the mode is switched to another mode, for example, a shooting mode by operating a setting button, icons such as an auto mode, a program mode, and an aperture priority mode are displayed in a list in the list area 41.

  The determination area 43 is a movement destination (drop location for drag and drop operation) for determining any of the icons 44a to 44e selected from the list area 41 as an operation condition. This determination area 43 is expressed by, for example, an image obtained by reducing the camera shape, and is arranged at the lower left corner of the GUI screen 40. The drag area 42 is an area for performing a drag operation for moving to the determination area 43 in order to determine any of the icons 44a to 44e selected from the list area 41 as an operation condition. That is, the decision area 43 is arranged at a position away from the list area 41 by way of the drag area 42.

  FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of the GUI screen 40 during the drag operation of the selected icon. For example, when the sport mode icon 44a is selected from the list area 41 and an operation instruction to move the sport mode icon 44a toward the determination area 43 is given, the GUI control unit 11a responds to such an operation instruction. The sport mode icon 44 a is moved on the drag area 42 of the GUI screen 40. At the same time, the GUI control unit 11a causes the related information corresponding to the sport mode icon 44a to be attached to and displayed on the sport mode icon 44a that is moving in the drag area 42.

  Here, in the case of the sport mode icon 44a, the associated information to be attached is information indicating the current setting state regarding the detailed parameters of the operation conditions of the sport mode. In the present embodiment, in the sport mode, flash parameters, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity are used as detailed parameters of the operating conditions. Each of the related information display fields 45a to 45c in which these detailed parameters are displayed is moved together with the sport mode icon 44a by being associated with the sport mode icon 44a by being connected with a connection line of string-like expression. Displayed as supplementary information. In the example shown in FIG. 2B, regarding the detailed parameters of the sport mode, the flash is set to the light emission prohibited state, the shutter speed is set to 1/100, the shutter priority mode (the aperture is automatically set), and the ISO sensitivity is set to It is clearly indicated to the user that it is set to 800.

  FIG. 2C is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the GUI screen 40 when the drag and drop operation of the selected icon is completed. For example, when the sport mode icon 44a is selected from the list area 41 and a drag and drop operation is performed on the determination area 43, the condition setting unit 11b determines the sport mode as the scene setting mode. As a result, the process of the scene setting mode is temporarily terminated, and the determined sport mode icon 44a is displayed in the determination area 43. At the same time, the display of the list area 41 and the like disappears, and the live view image 46 (image) is displayed according to the shooting mode. The example display is omitted). Therefore, it is possible to perform a shooting instruction operation using the release button 13a. When the finger is released from the icon being dragged before the drop operation described above, it is considered that the selection operation has been canceled and the state shown in FIG. This allows you to drag an icon whose contents you don't know well and check its related information.

  Next, a display control example of the GUI screen 40 after mode determination will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of the GUI screen 40 when the determination area 43 is tapped after the mode is determined. For example, after the scene mode is determined as the sport mode by the operation described above, when the determination area 43 is tapped at an arbitrary time, the GUI control unit 11a sets the area around the determination area 43 on the GUI screen 40. Related information corresponding to the selected scene mode, here, the sport mode is displayed. The related information in this case is information indicating the current setting state regarding the detailed parameters of the operating conditions of the same sport mode as in the above case, and flash parameters, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity are used. And each related information display column 45a-45c in which these detailed parameters are displayed is linked | related with the determination area 43 by connecting with the connection line of string-like expression, and is displayed. At the same time, the GUI control unit 11a newly sets and displays a parameter determination area 47 at the right end of the GUI screen 40.

  FIG. 3B illustrates a display example of the GUI screen 40 that is being dragged by selecting a detailed parameter to be changed and set from the related information display fields 45 a to 45 c displayed around the determination area 43. FIG. For example, a case where the related information display field 45a of the flash parameter is selected, the related information display field 45a is moved to the parameter determination area 47, and a drop operation is performed will be described. In this case, in response to such an operation instruction, the GUI control unit 11a turns off the display of the other related information display fields 45b to 45c and around the parameter determination area 47 as shown in FIG. Display detailed subparameter information for flash parameters. In the case of flash parameters, the detailed sub-parameter information is parameter information that can be selected for flash parameters such as light emission inhibition, red-eye light emission, and forced light emission, and is displayed in the parameter information display fields 48a to 48c, respectively. In the parameter information display field 48a for prohibiting light emission of the currently selected subparameter, a cursor 48d is added and displayed so as to be identifiable. When a desired flash parameter in the displayed parameter information display fields 48a to 48c (for example, the parameter information display field 48b for red-eye light emission) is tapped, the condition setting unit 11b sets the operation condition to the flash parameter. It is determined.

  In addition, a display control example of the GUI screen 40 when the set condition is canceled after the mode is determined will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of the GUI screen 40 when an operation for canceling the set condition is performed after the mode is determined. For example, after the mode is determined to be the sport mode by the above-described operation, when a drag and drop operation is performed to bring the sport mode icon 44a out of the determination area 43 at an arbitrary time, the GUI control unit 11a is once determined. Cancel the sport mode setting. Then, the screen is returned to the GUI screen 40 shown in FIG. 2A, and the setting change to another scene mode can be performed.

  Next, another example of an output form of related information attached to an icon in the middle of movement will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of an output form of related information to be attached. The form in which the related information is attached to the moving icon and output is not limited to the detailed parameter display method of the operating condition as shown in FIG. For example, FIG. 5A shows an example in which the related information is displayed on the GUI screen 40 in the form of a sentence explaining the operating conditions. That is, the text “sports mode (expression that stopped moving)” is attached to the sports mode icon 44 a that is selected and moved and displayed in the form of a balloon 49.

  FIG. 5B shows an example in which the related information is displayed on the GUI screen 40 in the form of an image explaining the operating conditions. That is, an image representing an athletic meet or the like is attached and displayed in the form of a balloon 50 on the sports mode icon 44a that is selected and moved. The image displayed in the balloon 50 may be a still image or a moving image.

  Further, FIG. 5C shows an example in which the related information is output from the speaker 25 in the form of voice as a sentence explaining the operation condition. That is, with respect to the sports mode icon 44a that is selected and moved, related information is attached in the form of audio 51 from the speaker 25, such as “Sport mode. Is output.

  With respect to the output types of the four types of related information as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 5 (a) to 5 (c), it is selected and set so that any one desired output mode is output. Also good. Alternatively, these four types of output forms may be sequentially switched in accordance with a user operation, and may be displayed in different forms or may be output as audio. There are several types of sequential switching methods.

  As a first method, regarding the four types of output forms, it is only necessary to automatically switch to the next output form when a certain time elapses during the drag operation of the icon 44a. That is, if the icon 44a is slowly dragged, four types of output are possible, and much more relevant information can be obtained.

  As a second method, regarding the four types of output forms, it may be temporarily stopped during the drag operation of the icon 44a and automatically switched to the next output form when the stop time elapses for a fixed time. In particular, the operation that is temporarily stopped during the drag operation is an operation that is not normally performed. Therefore, the temporary stop can be regarded as a user's intention to “get more information”.

  As a third method, for example, by causing a shake operation to swing left and right during the drag operation of the icon 44a, the current output form is broken down so that the next new output form is generated. You may make it come.

  As a fourth method, for example, when the tap operation is performed on the icon 44a during the drag operation, the four types of output forms may be switched in order.

  Next, another example of the output form of related information after mode determination will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the display on the GUI screen 40 when the determination area 43 is tapped after the mode is determined. That is, in FIG. 3A, as the related information, the detailed parameter of the operation condition is displayed around the determination area 43. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the related information is displayed as a sentence explaining the operation condition. An example of display in the form around the determination area 43 is shown. That is, the text “sports mode (expression that stopped moving)” is displayed in the form of a balloon 49 around the determination area 43.

  Further, another example of the GUI screen 40 at the time of mode selection will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the GUI screen 40 when, for example, the sports mode icon 44a is tapped on the initial GUI screen 40 shown in FIG. When the sport mode icon 44a in the list area 41 is tapped, the GUI control unit 11a changes the list area 41 to the specification for the sport mode, and, for example, “You can take a good expression” at the bottom of the sport mode icon 44a. A sentence 50 explaining the sports mode is displayed. In addition, the GUI control unit 11a displays optional sport mode icons 44a1 and 44a2 in the list area 41 as other expressions related to the sport mode, thereby enabling selection.

  Here, in FIG. 7, a sport mode icon 44a1 is a mode in which the subject feels movement. That is, in this mode, the shutter speed is set a little slower and the subject is photographed with blurring. The sport mode icon 44a2 is a so-called panning mode in which the subject is almost stopped and the background moves.

  Thus, by performing a tap operation prior to the sport mode selection operation, not only the normal sport mode icon 44a but also the optional sport mode icons 44a1 and 44a2 are displayed in the list area 41. Therefore, a desired mode can be set by selecting a desired icon from among these three types as a sport mode and performing a drag and drop operation toward the determination area 43.

  Next, an example of operation control by the control unit 11 for realizing the display control of the GUI screen 40 as described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of an operation control process executed by the control unit 11. The operation control process targeted in this embodiment is executed by designating a shooting mode by an operation of a setting button or the like (not shown).

  In this shooting mode, first, a live view image captured by the imaging unit 15 is displayed on the display unit 18 (step S11). In such a state, it is determined whether or not the scene setting mode is selected by operating a setting button (not shown) (step S12). If not selected (step S12: No), the process returns to step S11.

  On the other hand, when the scene setting mode is selected (step S12: Yes), the GUI control unit 11a displays an image for the scene setting mode on the display unit 18 as the GUI screen 40 (step S13). For example, the display of the GUI screen 40 shown in FIG. 2A corresponds to the live view image 46 in a non-display state. Then, in the display of the GUI screen 40, the process waits until an icon is selected from the list area 41 (step S14: No). When a user selects a desired icon, for example, the icon 44a (step S14: Yes), the process waits until the selected icon 44a is dragged (step S15: No).

  When the selected icon 44a is dragged (step S15: Yes), the GUI control unit 11a creates an icon 44a with associated information corresponding to the selected icon 44a (step S16). The icon 44a with information is moved on the drag area 42 according to the drag operation (step S17). For example, the display of the GUI screen 40 shown in FIG. That is, related information corresponding to the icon 44a is attached to the moving icon 44a and displayed.

  If there is a related information switching operation such as temporary stop during the movement of the selected icon 44a by the drag operation (step S18: Yes), the GUI control unit 11a displays the related information attached to the icon. The output form is switched (step S19). That is, switching of output forms as shown in FIGS. 2B and 5A to 5C corresponds.

  Further, until the icon is dropped in the determination area, it is detected whether the finger is released from the icon (step S20). If the finger is released (step S20: Yes), the GUI control unit 11a is detected. Returns to step S14, assuming that this icon selection has been canceled. Such icon movement display and finger detection accompanied by output of related information is continued until the icon is dropped on the decision area 43 (step S18: No, step S20: No, No step S21: No). ). When the icon 44a is dropped in the determination area 43 (step S21: Yes), the condition setting unit 11b determines the scene mode used for shooting in the scene setting mode, for example, the sport mode (step S22). The GUI control unit 11a displays the icon 44a that has been dropped in the determination area 43, hides the list area 41, and displays the live view image 46 again (step S23). For example, the display of the GUI screen 40 shown in FIG.

  After such a mode is determined, it is determined whether or not the determination area 43 has been tapped (step S24). When the tap operation is performed (step S24: Yes), the GUI control unit 11a displays the related information around the determination area 43 on the GUI screen 40 if the related information is a detailed parameter (step S25: Yes). In addition, the parameter determination area 47 is displayed (step S26). For example, the display of the GUI screen 40 shown in FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not the parameter displayed as the related information has been dragged and dropped into the parameter determination area 47 (step S28). For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, when a drop operation is performed (step S28: Yes), each condition of the parameter subjected to the drop operation is displayed as a sub parameter around the parameter determination area 47 (step S29). ). For example, the display of the GUI screen 40 shown in FIG. As a result, the parameter can be changed and set.

  On the other hand, if the related information is not a detailed parameter (step S25: No), the GUI control unit 11a displays the related information around the determination area 43 on the GUI screen 40 (step S27). For example, the display of the GUI screen 40 shown in FIG.

  If the determination area 43 has not been tapped (step S24: No), it is determined whether or not there has been a scene setting release operation for bringing the displayed icon 44a out of the determination area 43 (step S30). For example, when there is a scene setting cancellation operation as shown in FIG. 4 (step S30: Yes), the condition setting unit 11b cancels the scene mode setting once determined (step S1), and step S13. Return to.

  On the other hand, if there is no scene setting release operation (step S30: No) and the release button 13a is operated (step S32: Yes), the image is taken by the imaging unit 15 according to the determined scene mode. Necessary image processing is performed on the image, and the image is recorded in the image storage unit 22 (step S33). If there is no power switch OFF operation or mode switching to the reproduction mode or the like (step S34: No), the process returns to step S24 to repeat the above-described processing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when an instruction operation for moving the icon selected from the list area 41 to the determination area 43 is performed, the GUI control unit 11a displays an icon according to the instruction operation. Since the related information corresponding to this icon is attached to the moving icon and output, it is possible to provide a GUI that can easily obtain information related to the operation without performing a complicated operation. be able to. In particular, since the related information is output during the icon movement operation before the determination from the selection of the icon, the contents of the icon can be known in a timely manner. Further, since the GUI control unit 11a displays the related information of the set operation condition around the determination area 43 after the operation condition is set, the content of the operation condition is set even after the operation condition is set. Confirmation can be performed easily.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, each processing function as shown in FIG. 8 in the present embodiment has been described as being processed by software by the control unit 11 in the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, but the specific example of the configuration is not limited to this. Absent. It is a design matter to perform these processes in any one of hardware processing and software processing or in an appropriate combination.

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

  In the present embodiment, the operation control apparatus is described as being mounted on a digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The operation control device of this embodiment may be applied to various electronic devices such as a mobile phone or an image display device (image viewer). The camera is not limited to the digital camera 1 and may be applied to a camera unit of a personal computer, a camera unit of a mobile phone, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 11a GUI control part 11b Condition setting part 14 Touch panel 18 Display part 25 Speaker 40 GUI screen 41 List area 43 Determination area 44a-44e Icon 45a-45c Related information display column 49, 50 Balloon 51 Voice

Claims (9)

A display unit on which a GUI (graphical user interface) screen for setting the operating conditions of the device is displayed;
An operation unit for inputting an instruction to the GUI screen;
A GUI control unit that controls output to the user in response to an instruction to the GUI screen;
A condition setting unit for setting and canceling the operation condition of the device in response to an instruction to the GUI screen;
With
The GUI control unit displays, on the GUI screen, a list area that displays a list of icons representing each operation condition that can be set for the device, and the list selected from the list area by disposing the icon at a position away from the list area. In the case where a determination area which is a movement destination for determining an icon as an operation condition is set and a first instruction operation for moving the icon selected from the list area to the determination area is performed, the device Is set by the condition setting unit, and when the second instruction operation for moving the icon out of the determination area is performed, the operation condition set for the device is canceled by the condition setting unit. The GUI control unit moves the icon in response to the first instruction operation and associates the icon corresponding to the icon with the moving icon. Operation control unit for causing output by supplementary information. The operation control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes a touch panel disposed to overlap the display unit on which the GUI screen is displayed. The operation control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the GUI control unit displays related information of the set operation condition around the determination area after the operation condition is set. The GUI control unit displays, as the related information, at least one of a detailed parameter of the operation condition, a sentence explaining the operation condition, or an image explaining the operation condition on the GUI screen. The operation control device according to claim 1. The operation control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the GUI control unit displays the related information on the GUI screen in a different form. A speaker for outputting sound;
The operation control according to claim 4, wherein the GUI control unit causes the related information to be output from the speaker in a voice form in addition to or instead of displaying the related information on the GUI screen. apparatus. A camera comprising the operation control device according to claim 1. An operation control method in an operation control apparatus having a display unit for displaying a GUI (graphical user interface) screen for setting an operation condition of a device and an operation unit for inputting an instruction to the GUI screen. And
A GUI control step for controlling output to the user in response to an instruction to the GUI screen;
A condition setting step for setting and releasing the operation condition of the device in response to an instruction to the GUI screen;
Including
In the GUI control step, a list area that displays a list of icons representing each operation condition of the device that can be set is displayed on the GUI screen, and the list selected from the list area is arranged at a position away from the list area. In the case where a determination area which is a movement destination for determining an icon as an operation condition is set and a first instruction operation for moving the icon selected from the list area to the determination area is performed, the device Is set in the condition setting step, and when the second instruction operation for moving the icon out of the determination area is performed, the operation condition set in the device is canceled in the condition setting step. In the GUI control step, the icon is moved in accordance with the first instruction operation, and the moving icon Operation control method for causing output by incidental related information corresponding to the icon. A computer provided in an operation control apparatus having a display unit for displaying a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen for setting an operation condition of the device and an operation unit for inputting an instruction to the GUI screen;
A GUI control function for controlling display of output to the user in response to an instruction to the GUI screen;
A condition setting function for setting and releasing the operation condition of the device in response to an instruction to the GUI screen;
And execute
The GUI control function includes a list area that displays a list of icons representing each operation condition of the device that can be set on the GUI screen, and the list selected from the list area arranged at a position away from the list area. In the case where a determination area which is a movement destination for determining an icon as an operation condition is set and a first instruction operation for moving the icon selected from the list area to the determination area is performed, the device If the operation condition is set by the condition setting function and the second instruction operation for moving the icon out of the determination area is performed, the operation condition set for the device is canceled by the condition setting function. The GUI control function moves the icon in response to the first instruction operation and applies the icon to the moving icon. Operation control program is attached to related information, characterized in that to output.

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