JP2014027485A - Imaging device and control method of imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability of an imaging device when a confirmation display time of a photographed image is reduced, so as to confirm the photographed image and quickly start preparation for the subsequent photographing.SOLUTION: When a confirmation display time of an image is set to be equal to or more than a predetermined time, a photographed image is arbitrary displayed arbitrary as is in an imaging mode to be sufficiently confirmed; and when the confirmation display time is set to be less than the predetermined time, switching of confirmation display is controlled to be prohibited. Accordingly, inconvenience is eliminated such as the situation where an operation performed by a user may or may not be received depending on the cases, which annoys the user.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device and an imaging device control method, and more particularly to an imaging device that captures, records, and displays a still image or a moving image and a control method thereof.

The conventional imaging apparatus is configured so that a captured image can be displayed on the image display unit after shooting and the image can be quickly confirmed.
In that configuration, in response to a specific operation member being operated during the confirmation display of the photographed image, the confirmation display of the captured image is continued to sufficiently confirm the image, or the photographed image can be predetermined without erroneous operation. It was possible to perform processing (Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-186386 A

However, in order to continue the image confirmation display, it is necessary to operate a specific operation member while the image confirmation display is being performed. If the confirmation displayed time is short, the timing for operating the operation member may or may not be in time for the displayed time. For this reason, there are cases where the operation is accepted or not accepted even though the operation is being performed, and it is difficult to understand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to improve the operability when the confirmation display time of a photographed image is shortened so that a photographed image can be confirmed and the next photographing preparation can be started quickly. .

  The imaging apparatus according to the present invention performs imaging display, a setting unit that sets a confirmation display time of an image captured by the imaging unit, and a confirmation display that automatically displays an image captured by the imaging unit on an image display unit. Display control means for controlling to end the confirmation display and shift to the shooting standby state when the confirmation display time set by the setting means elapses, and to instruct to perform predetermined processing during the confirmation display If the confirmation display time set by the setting means is less than a predetermined time, the predetermined operation means is operated even when the specific operation means is operated while the confirmation display is being performed. When the confirmation display time set by the setting means is not less than a predetermined time without executing the process, the specific operation means is operated when the confirmation display is being performed. Execute a predetermined process And having a control means for controlled so.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability when the confirmation display time of the photographed image is shortened so that the photographed image can be confirmed and the next photographing preparation can be started quickly.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the imaging device of embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart for describing confirmation display processing of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a figure explaining the timing of the confirmation display process of the imaging device of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the confirmation display process of the imaging device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the timing of the confirmation display process of the imaging device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the REC review when information display mode setting is performed. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting menu of review time.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging apparatus 100 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 1, reflected light from a subject enters an image sensor 102 through a photographing lens 101 and is converted into an electric signal by the image sensor 102. The image sensor 102 is provided as a light receiving means or a photoelectric conversion means.

Next, the image processing unit 104 extracts a signal component in a specific frequency band related to luminance, and detects the focus state of the subject. In addition, image enlargement / reduction processing and rotation processing are performed.
Reference numeral 105 denotes a format conversion unit, and reference numeral 106 denotes a high-speed built-in memory (for example, random access memory, hereinafter referred to as DRAM). An image recording unit 107 includes a recording medium such as a memory card and its interface.

Reference numeral 108 denotes an image display memory (hereinafter referred to as VRAM) provided as an image buffer. Reference numeral 109 denotes an image display as well as a display for assisting operations and a display of a camera state. It is an image display part which displays.
110 is an operation unit for performing a specific operation of the camera from the outside, 111 is a main switch for turning on the system, and 112 is a shutter switch for performing a shooting standby operation such as AF or AE (hereinafter referred to as a shutter switch). (Denoted as SW1). Reference numeral 113 denotes a photographing switch (hereinafter referred to as SW2) that performs photographing after the operation of SW1.

  Reference numeral 114 denotes a shooting mode switch for performing settings such as switching the face detection mode to ON or OFF. Reference numeral 115 denotes a system control unit (CPU) that controls the system such as an imaging sequence. The DRAM 106 is used as a high-speed buffer as temporary image storage means or a working memory for image compression / decompression.

The operation unit 110 includes the following, for example.
That is, a menu switch for performing various settings such as a shooting function of the image pickup apparatus 100 and a setting at the time of image reproduction, a zoom lever for instructing a zoom operation of the photographing lens, and an operation mode switching switch between the photographing mode and the reproduction mode. There are a menu button for displaying a menu screen for setting the camera, a set button for confirming the set contents of various cameras, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the display time (review time) of a REC review (confirmation display) described later can be set from the menu screen.
FIG. 7A shows a display example of a review time setting menu. When a menu button included in the operation unit 110 is pressed, the system control unit 115 displays a setting menu screen related to shooting illustrated in FIG. 7A on the image display unit 109.

  The review time can be set in response to the left and right keys included in the operation unit 110 being pressed while the review time setting item 701 is selected from the menu items included in the setting menu. The review time that can be set includes “OFF”, “Quick”, “2 seconds”, “4 seconds”, and “8 seconds”.

When “OFF” is set, the REC review display is not performed including the simple developed image display described later. That is, when shooting is performed in response to the pressing of the shutter button, a transition is made to a shooting standby state in which a through image is displayed without displaying the shot image.
As shown in FIG. 7B, when “quick” is set, the captured image is automatically displayed on the image display unit 109 immediately after shooting in response to pressing of the shutter button, which will be described later. After displaying the simple developed image, the image recorded on the memory card is displayed for 0.5 seconds. When 0.5 seconds have elapsed, the CPU 115 performs display control to end the REC review display and shift to a shooting standby state in which a through image is displayed.

  When “2 seconds”, “4 seconds”, and “8 seconds” are set, an image captured immediately after shooting is automatically displayed on the image display unit 109, and after displaying a simple developed image described later, 2 is displayed. The image recorded on the memory card is displayed for 4 seconds, 8 seconds. The review time set in the menu (setting item 701) is recorded in the ROM 116 which is a nonvolatile memory.

  Further, by selecting and operating the review information 702 among the menu items included in the setting menu, it is possible to select the information display mode related to the image at the time of the REC review.

  The information display mode includes, for example, “no information display” (not displayed) in FIG. 6A and “detailed display” in FIG. 6B, and the information display mode is set by operating the operation unit 110. be able to. If “no information display” is selected and set, the recorded image is displayed on the entire screen during the REC review, and the character information relating to the image is not superimposed and displayed in a display form as shown in FIG. Review begins.

  If “detailed display” is selected and set, a reduced image of the captured image and related information such as the shooting condition of the captured image are displayed at the same time during the REC review, as shown in FIG. Rec review is started in the display form. The user can set any one of “no information display” (non-display) and “detail display” in the review information 702 item by operating the operation unit 110. The set information is recorded in the nonvolatile memory ROM 116.

  When “OFF” is set in the review time setting item 701, the review information 702 is grayed out and cannot be selected (cannot be set). When “Quick” is set in the review time setting item 701, the review information 702 is grayed out and forcibly changed to “no information display” (not displayed).

  When “Quick” is set in the review time setting item 701, the review information 702 is grayed out (setting operation is impossible) and then forcibly set to “no information display” (non-display). Even if the information display mode is set to “detailed display” when the review time is set to “2 seconds”, “4 seconds”, and “8 seconds” other than “OFF” and “Quick”, In conjunction with the change to “Quick”, the information display mode is also “No information display” (not displayed).

  This is because it will be difficult to confirm detailed information about the image in a short review time, and it is possible to instantly check the composition and image quality in a shorter time if the image is displayed large without information display. This is because of the reason. As a result, detailed information is displayed in a short review time, and the REC review ends while confirming the detailed information, and the confirmation of the detailed information and the confirmation of the image itself are insufficient. Can improve user convenience.

  When the review time is returned from “Quick” to “2 seconds”, “4 seconds”, and “8 seconds”, the review time is set in conjunction with the information display mode before being set to “Quick”. That is, when the review time is set to “Quick” from the state where the review time is “2 seconds” and “detailed display”, the information display mode is set to “no information display” (non-display). When the review time is further reset to “2 seconds” from that state, the information display mode is set to “detailed display”.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the confirmation display process in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. This process is realized by the system controller 115 executing the program recorded in the nonvolatile memory ROM 116 with the DRAM 106 as a work memory.
This is started in response to the photographing switch SW2 that performs photographing in the photographing mode being pressed.
First, an image photographed by the immediately preceding SW2 is displayed on the image display unit 109 as a confirmation image. In this manner, the confirmation display function for automatically displaying an image just taken immediately after shooting is referred to as “rec review” (S201).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a confirmation display holding trigger has occurred (S202). The confirmation display holding trigger is generated in order to continue the confirmation display of the captured image so as to give an opportunity to perform various processes described later on the captured image.

The confirmation display holding trigger is generated by any of the following operations (A) to (D).
(A) Pressing the set button of the operation unit 110.
In this case, the display state on the image display unit 109 is not changed, and the REC review does not end with the passage of time (except for operations such as display-off for power saving and auto power-off). Hold status.

(B) Pressing the print designation button of the operation unit 110.
As a result, when a confirmation display holding trigger is generated and the predetermined confirmation display time is 2 seconds or longer (Yes in S205), a print designation setting trigger is generated. In step S213, which will be described later, the determination is YES, and in step S214, processing for printing the displayed image is performed. That is, in response to the print designation button being pressed during the REC review, the REC review display form is changed and the print designation screen is displayed. The captured image remains displayed on the print designation screen, and the REC review hold state is entered.

(C) Depressing the information display button of the operation unit 110.
As a result, when a confirmation display holding trigger is generated and the preset confirmation display time is 2 seconds or more (Yes in S205), an information display setting trigger is generated, and Yes in S215 described later. Then, the process of S216 is performed. That is, in response to the information display button being pressed during the REC review, the REC review display form is changed and displayed in a different information display mode. Even in a different information display mode, the captured image remains displayed and enters a REC review hold state.

  The information display mode includes, for example, “no information display” which is the second display mode in FIG. 6A and “detailed display” which is the first display mode in FIG. Each time the information display button is pressed, these are switched. The information display mode is not limited to these two types, and for example, there may be “focus position expansion” for expanding the focus position. Note that when the information display mode is changed, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the display size of the image just taken is changed.

  However, changing the display size while displaying the simple developed image, which is a period during which image processing and conversion processing described later in FIG. 3 are performed, increases the processing load. The information display mode is not changed. That is, the operation of the information display button is not accepted while the simple developed image is displayed, and nothing happens even if it is pressed. When the simple development display is finished and the confirmation display state is entered (when the processing in FIG. 2 is started), the information display button is pressed and an information display setting trigger is generated.

(D) Pressing the delete button on the operation unit 110.
As a result, when a confirmation display holding trigger is generated and the predetermined confirmation display time is 2 seconds or more (Yes in S205), an erasure trigger is generated. Perform the process. In other words, in response to the erasure button being pressed during the REC review, the REC review display form is changed, the image just taken together with the erasure confirmation dialog is displayed, and the REC review hold state is entered.

  Note that if an image just taken on a recording medium such as a memory card is erased before recording (writing) as an image file, the writing process in the middle of processing will be hindered. Erasing is not performed on the way. That is, the operation of the delete button is not accepted during the simple developed image display (before writing) during image processing and conversion processing, and nothing happens even when pressed. When the simple development display is finished and the confirmation display state is entered (when the processing of FIG. 2 is started), the depression of the erase button is accepted and an erase trigger is generated.

  If the confirmation display holding trigger has not occurred as a result of the determination in S202, it is determined whether or not the confirmation display time (review time) has elapsed (S203). If the display time has not elapsed, the process returns to S202 to determine whether a confirmation display holding trigger has occurred. If the display time has elapsed, a confirmation display end process is performed (S204).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a confirmation display time, which is a set value for displaying a confirmation image, is set to a predetermined value or more (S205). When the setting of the confirmation display time is shorter than the predetermined time, that is, when “Quick” is set, it is determined whether or not the confirmation display time has elapsed (S203). That is, when “quick” is set, the confirmation display is not held even if the shooting display holding trigger is generated. Thereby, when the confirmation display time is short, the troublesomeness that the confirmation display is held or not held depending on the shooting display trigger generation timing can be eliminated.

  Next, in S203, if it is not determined that the confirmation display time has elapsed, the process returns to S202 to determine whether or not the confirmation display time is a predetermined time or more. If it is determined that the confirmation display time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S204, and a confirmation display end process is performed.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in S205 is that the confirmation display time is set for a predetermined time or longer, the confirmation display is retained (S206), and in subsequent S207 to S218, determination of trigger generation and trigger for processing related to the captured image is performed. Perform processing according to Triggers for various processes are generated by user input on the operation unit 110.

  First, it is determined whether or not a protection setting trigger has occurred (S207). If the result of the determination is that a protection setting trigger has occurred, a protection process is performed to give a protection attribute to the displayed image (S208). That is, when the first protection setting trigger is generated, protection data for preventing erroneous erasure is set for the data in the DRAM 106 and the image recording unit 107, and the setting content is overlapped with the captured image on the image display unit 109. indicate. Thereafter, the process returns to S207.

  If the protection setting trigger is generated again as a result of the determination in step S207 in the state where the protection setting has been made, in the next step S208, processing for canceling the protection setting is performed, and the setting contents are displayed on the image display unit 109. And return to S207.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in S207 is that a protection setting trigger has not occurred, it is determined whether or not an enlarged display trigger has occurred (S209). If the result of this determination is that an enlarged display trigger has occurred, enlargement processing is performed (S210). That is, the display data in the VRAM 108 is enlarged using the image processing unit 104, stored again in the VRAM 108, and enlarged reproduction display is performed on the image display unit 109.

During enlarged reproduction display, the enlarged display position can be changed using the plus button, minus button, up button, and down button of the operation unit 110. At this time, information indicating the currently displayed position is displayed together with the enlarged image on the image display unit 109 so that the user can grasp the position of the currently displayed image in the entire image. Thereafter, the process returns to S207.
Note that during this enlarged display, if the result of the determination in S209 is that the enlarged display trigger has occurred again, in the next S210, the output to the image display unit 109 is switched from the enlarged display to the normal display, and the process proceeds to S207. Return. Note that image reduction processing may be performed by similar processing.

  If the result of determination in S209 is that an enlarged display trigger has not occurred, it is determined whether or not a rotation setting trigger has occurred (S211). The rotation setting is a process for rotating and displaying a captured image. For example, an image captured in a vertical position is displayed in a vertical position on the image display unit 109.

  If the result of the determination in S211 is that a rotation setting trigger has occurred, a rotation process for rotating the displayed image is performed (S212). That is, the recording data existing in the DRAM 106 and the image recording unit 107 is rotated by, for example, 90 ° using the image processing unit 104, and then stored again in the VRAM 108, output to the image display unit 109, and rotated. Display. At the same time, the recording data existing in the DRAM 106 and the image recording unit 107 is set to indicate the rotation attribute. Thereafter, the process returns to S207. The set rotation attribute is reflected in the image reproduced in the reproduction mode.

  If the rotation display trigger is generated again as a result of the determination in S211 during the rotation display, the rotation angle is further changed by 90 °, for example, in the next S212, and the process returns to S207. Therefore, the rotation angle is repeatedly changed every time the rotation display trigger is generated.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in S211 is that a rotation setting trigger has not occurred, it is determined whether or not a print designation setting trigger has occurred (S213). In the print designation setting, a print designation file is generated in the image recording unit 107. By describing the link relationship with the image file in the file, the image recording unit 107 is used when automatically printing the image data according to the setting when the image recording unit 107 is mounted on a printer system (not shown).

  If the result of determination in S213 is that a print designation setting trigger has occurred, print designation processing is performed (S214). In the print designation process, first, a print designation screen for selecting whether or not to designate a print is displayed. On the print designation screen, a display indicating the print designation state such as the designated number of prints is performed together with the image that was being reviewed.

  In this state, the number of prints can be increased or decreased according to a user operation. When the number of prints is specified by a user operation, a link description to the file of the currently displayed captured image is added to a predetermined file (for example, DPOF file) in the image recording unit 107, and the print designation state (number of prints, etc.) Update the display to show. When the print designation screen is exited, the process returns to S207.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in S213 is that a print designation setting trigger has not occurred, it is determined whether or not an information display setting trigger has occurred (S215). If the result of the determination is that an information display setting trigger has occurred, information display processing is performed (S216). In the information display process, in response to pressing of the information display button, the display format of the REC review is changed and the information display mode is switched.

  Even in the switched information display mode, the photographed image remains displayed and enters the REC review hold state. Each time the information display button is pressed, it is switched between “no information display” in FIG. 6A and “detailed display” in FIG. The information display mode is not limited to these two types, and for example, there may be “focus position expansion” for expanding the focus position. The “detail display” in FIG. 6B displays the shooting conditions. The imaging condition information is, for example, information such as mode dial position information, Tv value, Av value, and Ev value at the time of shooting. Information on these imaging conditions is stored in association with the captured image when the captured image is stored in the DRAM 106 and the image recording unit 107.

  On the other hand, if the information display setting trigger has not occurred as a result of the determination in S215, it is determined whether or not an erase trigger has occurred (S217). If the result of this determination is that an erase trigger has occurred, an erase process is performed (S218). In the erasing process, an erasing dialog is displayed superimposed on the image displayed in the REC review. In the deletion dialog, a message asking whether or not to execute deletion “Do you want to delete?” And choices “Yes” and “No (Cancel)” are displayed.

  In the state where the deletion dialog is displayed, “Yes” is selected on the operation unit 110 and the deletion is executed in response to the execution button (set button) being pressed. When the erasure is executed, the image file displayed in the REC review is deleted from the image storage medium such as a memory card, the REC review is terminated, and a transition is made to a shooting standby state in which a through image display is performed. In the state where the delete dialog is displayed, “No (Cancel)” is selected on the operation unit 110, and the delete process is canceled in response to the execution button (set button) being pressed. When the erasing process is canceled, the erasing dialog is erased, and the REC review is continued in the hold state (that is, the display of the confirmation display image is continued).

On the other hand, if the result of determination in S217 is that an erase trigger has not occurred, processing proceeds to S219.
In S219, it is determined whether or not a confirmation display release trigger has occurred. The confirmation display release trigger is generated when the shutter switch (SW1) 112 is pressed and releases the holding of the confirmation display. If a confirmation display release trigger has been generated, the process proceeds to S204, where a confirmation display end process is executed, and the process shifts to a shooting standby state.

  If the confirmation display release trigger has not occurred, the process returns to S207. Note that a confirmation display release trigger may be generated by pressing the play button or the power switch. However, if there is a confirmation display cancel trigger by pressing the playback button, the mode is switched to the playback mode instead of the shooting standby state, and the image playback display is performed. If there is a confirmation display release trigger by pressing the power switch, the digital camera is turned off and all the processes are terminated, not in the shooting standby state.

Next, the relationship between the generation timing of each trigger and the processing will be described with reference to FIG.
First, when the photographing process in the image data creation process is completed, a simple developed image display trigger 301 is generated, and the simple developed image is displayed on the image display unit 109. The simplified developed image is image data that can be created immediately after shooting because the processing by the image processing unit 104 and the conversion processing by the format conversion unit 105 are not performed.

  Next, the recording image creation completion trigger 302 is generated when the processing of the image processing unit 104 and the conversion processing in the format conversion unit 105 are completed. The timer for measuring whether or not the confirmation display time (review time) has elapsed when the trigger 302 is generated starts displaying the recorded image on the image display unit 109. The display time is the time set as the confirmation display time.

  When the confirmation display holding trigger 303 is generated during the confirmation display, if the confirmation display is set for 2 seconds or more, the confirmation display is continued even after 2 seconds. Thereafter, when the confirmation display release trigger 304 is generated, the confirmation display is terminated and the photographing standby state is entered.

  On the other hand, when the confirmation display is set to quick and the confirmation display is shorter than the predetermined time, the “simple developed image display process” is performed by generating the simple developed image display trigger 305. The “confirmation display” performed when the recording image creation completion trigger 306 is generated is the same as “the case where the confirmation display time is set to a predetermined time or more”. However, in this case, even if the confirmation display holding trigger 307 is generated, the confirmation display is terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the photographing standby state is entered.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the confirmation display time is set to a predetermined time or longer, the captured image can be arbitrarily displayed in the imaging mode and sufficiently confirmed. Further, when the photographing display time is set to be less than the predetermined time, even if a confirmation display holding trigger occurs, it is not accepted. As a result, the timing for operating the operation member may or may not be in time for the displayed time, and the operation may or may not be accepted even though the operation is being performed. The problem of being difficult to understand can be solved.

(Second Embodiment)
The imaging device according to the second embodiment has a setting unit that sets any one of options including at least a specific time and a first setting (quick setting) that is not a specific time as a confirmation display time (see FIG. Not shown).
In this embodiment, when a specific time is set as the confirmation display time, a confirmation display for displaying an image captured by the photographing and held in the image buffer is automatically started after the photographing. When the recording of the image on the memory card is completed, the image recorded on the memory card is displayed as a confirmation display, and the elapsed time of the confirmation display time set in the setting unit described above from the start of the confirmation display is predetermined. When the time is exceeded, control is performed to end the confirmation display.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a confirmation display process in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. This process is realized by the system controller 115 executing the program recorded in the nonvolatile memory ROM 116 with the DRAM 106 as a work memory.
In the imaging mode, the system control unit 115 starts in response to the imaging end state.

  First, it is determined whether or not a simple image display trigger has occurred (S401). The simple image display trigger is generated when the photographing process is completed. When the simple development image display trigger has not occurred, the process returns to the simple development display trigger generation determination. If the simple developed image display trigger has occurred, the simple developed image is displayed on the image display unit 109 (S402).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a recording image creation completion trigger has occurred (S403). The recorded image creation completion trigger is generated when the image processing by the image processing unit 104 and the conversion processing by the format conversion unit 105 are completed for the captured image. If a recording image creation completion trigger has not occurred, the system waits until it occurs.

  If the recorded image creation completion trigger has been generated, it is next determined whether or not the recorded image creation completion trigger has elapsed since the simple developed image was displayed and the minimum display time for the confirmation image has elapsed (S404). If the shortest display time of the confirmation image has elapsed, the shooting standby state is entered and the processing is completed. If the shortest confirmation image has not elapsed, the recorded image is displayed as a confirmation image (S405), and then the process returns to the determination of the shortest elapsed time (S404).

Next, the relationship between the generation timing of each trigger and the processing will be described with reference to FIG.
First, a case where the simple developed image display time is a predetermined time or more will be described.
When the photographing process in the image data creation process is completed, a simple developed image display trigger 501 is generated, and the simple developed image is displayed on the image display unit 109.
Next, a recording image creation completion trigger 502 is generated when the processing of the image processing unit 104 and the conversion processing in the format conversion unit 105 are completed. If the shortest display time 505 has elapsed when the trigger 502 is generated, the photographing standby state is entered and the processing is completed.

Next, a case where the simple developed image display time is less than a predetermined time will be described.
When the photographing process in the image data creation process is completed, a simple developed image display trigger 503 is generated, and the simple developed image is displayed on the image display unit 109.
Next, a recording image creation completion trigger 504 is generated when the processing of the image processing unit 104 and the conversion processing in the format conversion unit 105 are completed. If the shortest display time 505 has not elapsed when the trigger is generated, the recorded image is continuously displayed on the image display unit 109 even after the image is recorded on the image recording unit 107. Then, when the shortest display time 505 elapses, the shooting standby state is entered and the processing is completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the captured image confirmation display can always be displayed for the shortest display time. Thereby, the time which receives a confirmation display holding | maintenance trigger is securable. A problem that it is difficult to understand when the operation timing of the operation member is in time for the displayed time, or when it is not in time, and the operation is accepted or not accepted even though the operation is being performed. Can be solved.

2 and 4 described above may be controlled by a single piece of hardware, or may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware sharing the processing.
Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. Furthermore, each embodiment mentioned above only shows one embodiment of this invention, and it is also possible to combine each embodiment suitably.

  In the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to an imaging apparatus has been described as an example. However, this is not limited to this example, and an apparatus that automatically displays an image just taken on a display unit. If so, it is applicable. For example, the present invention can be applied to a personal computer equipped with a camera, a PDA, a mobile phone terminal, and the like.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (computer program) that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various computer-readable storage media. Then, the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Imaging device 101 Shooting lens 102 Imaging element 103 A / D conversion part 104 Image processing part 105 Format conversion part 106 DRAM
107 Image recording unit 108 VRAM
109 Image display unit 110 Operation unit 111 Main switch 112 Shutter switch (SW1)
113 Shooting switch (SW2)
114 Shooting mode switch 115 System controller 116 ROM

Claims (16)

Imaging means;
Setting means for setting a confirmation display time of an image taken by the imaging means;
A confirmation display for automatically displaying an image captured by the imaging unit on the image display unit is performed, and when the confirmation display time set by the setting unit elapses, the confirmation display is terminated and the state shifts to a shooting standby state. Display control means for controlling;
A specific operation means for giving an instruction to perform a predetermined process during the confirmation display;
If the confirmation display time set by the setting means is less than a predetermined time, even if the specific operation means is operated while the confirmation display is being performed, the predetermined processing is not performed,
When the confirmation display time set by the setting means is a predetermined time or more, the predetermined processing is executed in response to the operation of the specific operation means when the confirmation display is being performed. And an image pickup apparatus having control means for controlling in such a manner. Imaging means;
A setting means for setting any one of options including at least a specific second and a first setting that is not a specific second as a confirmation display time;
When a specific time is set as the confirmation display time of the image captured by the imaging means, a confirmation display for displaying the image captured by the imaging and held in the image buffer is automatically started after the imaging. When the recording of the image on the recording medium is completed, the image recorded on the recording medium is displayed as the confirmation display, and the confirmation display time set by the setting unit has elapsed from the start of the confirmation display. Control to end the confirmation display,
When the first setting is set as the confirmation display time, a confirmation display for automatically displaying an image picked up by the photographing and held in the image buffer is automatically started after the photographing, and the image recording medium If the elapsed time from the start of the confirmation display is equal to or longer than a predetermined time before the recording on the recording is finished, the confirmation display is terminated at the same time as the recording of the image on the recording medium is completed. When the elapsed time from the start of the confirmation display is less than a predetermined time at the time when the recording on the medium is completed, the predetermined display is started from the start of the confirmation display even after the recording of the image on the recording medium. An image pickup apparatus comprising: display control means for controlling the confirmation display until time elapses. A specific operation means for giving an instruction to perform a predetermined process during the confirmation display;
If the confirmation display time set by the setting means is less than a predetermined time, even if the specific operation means is operated while the confirmation display is being performed, the predetermined processing is not performed,
When the confirmation display time set by the setting means is a predetermined time or more, the predetermined processing is executed in response to the operation of the specific operation means when the confirmation display is being performed. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that controls the image pickup apparatus in a manner as described above.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process is a process of switching a display mode of information about the image while continuing to display the captured image. It further has information display mode setting means for presetting a display mode of image information in the confirmation display,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein, when the confirmation display time set by the setting unit is less than the predetermined time, the control unit performs control so that the setting cannot be changed by the information display mode setting unit. 5. The imaging device according to any one of 3, 4 and 4.   When the information display mode setting means is set to the first display mode for displaying image information, the setting display means has changed the confirmation display time from the predetermined time or more to the predetermined time or less. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information display mode is changed to a second display mode in which image information is not displayed.   The information display mode setting means is configured so that the information display mode is changed by the setting means in a state in which the information display mode is changed from the first display mode to the second display mode in response to the setting change of the confirmation display time. The information display mode is changed from the second display mode to the first display mode in response to the setting being changed from less than the predetermined time to the predetermined time or more. The imaging device described.   8. The predetermined process is a process of displaying the confirmation display by extending the confirmation display time set by the setting unit, or any one of claims 3 to 7. The imaging device described in 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process is a process for deleting an image displayed in the confirmation display.   The predetermined process includes a process for enlarging an image displayed in the confirmation display, a process for imparting a protection attribute to the image displayed in the confirmation display, and a rotation of the image displayed in the confirmation display. The imaging according to claim 1, wherein the imaging is at least one of a process for printing and an image displayed in the confirmation display. apparatus. The display control means displays an image captured by the photographing and stored in the image buffer after the photographing, and subsequently displays the image recorded on the recording medium of the image, and displays the image recorded on the recording medium. When the confirmation display time set by the setting means has elapsed from the start of display, the confirmation display is controlled to end,
4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not execute the predetermined process even when the specific operation unit is operated while displaying an image held in the image buffer. The imaging apparatus according to any one of 1 to 10. Imaging process;
A setting step for setting a confirmation display time of the image taken in the imaging step;
A confirmation display for automatically displaying an image captured after the imaging step on the image display unit in the imaging step is performed, and when the confirmation display time set in the setting step elapses, the confirmation display is ended and the state shifts to a shooting standby state. Display control process to control,
A specific operation step for giving an instruction to perform a predetermined process during the confirmation display;
If the confirmation display time set in the setting step is less than a predetermined time, even if operated in the specific operation step when the confirmation display is performed, the predetermined processing is not executed,
When the confirmation display time set in the setting step is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the predetermined processing is executed in response to an operation in the specific operation step when the confirmation display is being performed. And a control process for controlling the image pickup apparatus. Imaging process;
A setting step of setting any one of the options including at least a specific second and a first setting that is not a specific second as a confirmation display time;
When a specific second time is set as the confirmation display time of the image taken in the imaging step, a confirmation display for automatically displaying the image taken by the photographing and held in the image buffer is automatically started after the imaging. When the recording of the image on the recording medium is completed, the image recorded on the recording medium is displayed as the confirmation display, and the confirmation display time set in the setting step elapses from the start of the confirmation display. Control to end the confirmation display,
When the first setting is set as the confirmation display time, a confirmation display for automatically displaying an image picked up by the photographing and held in the image buffer is automatically started after the photographing, and the image recording medium If the elapsed time from the start of the confirmation display is equal to or longer than a predetermined time before the recording on the recording is finished, the confirmation display is terminated at the same time as the recording of the image on the recording medium is completed. When the elapsed time from the start of the confirmation display is less than a predetermined time at the time when the recording on the medium is completed, the predetermined display is started from the start of the confirmation display even after the recording of the image on the recording medium. And a display control step for controlling the confirmation display until the time elapses. Imaging process;
A setting step for setting a confirmation display time of the image taken in the imaging step;
A confirmation display for automatically displaying an image captured after the imaging step on the image display unit in the imaging step is performed, and when the confirmation display time set in the setting step elapses, the confirmation display is ended and the state shifts to a shooting standby state. Display control process to control,
A specific operation step for giving an instruction to perform a predetermined process during the confirmation display;
If the confirmation display time set in the setting step is less than a predetermined time, even if operated in the specific operation step when the confirmation display is performed, the predetermined processing is not executed,
When the confirmation display time set in the setting step is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the predetermined processing is executed in response to an operation in the specific operation step when the confirmation display is being performed. A program for causing a computer to execute a control process for controlling the program as described above. Imaging process;
A setting step of setting any one of the options including at least a specific second and a first setting that is not a specific second as a confirmation display time;
When a specific second time is set as the confirmation display time of the image taken in the imaging step, a confirmation display for automatically displaying the image taken by the photographing and held in the image buffer is automatically started after the imaging. When the recording of the image on the recording medium is completed, the image recorded on the recording medium is displayed as the confirmation display, and the confirmation display time set in the setting step elapses from the start of the confirmation display. Control to end the confirmation display,
When the first setting is set as the confirmation display time, a confirmation display for automatically displaying an image picked up by the photographing and held in the image buffer is automatically started after the photographing, and the image recording medium If the elapsed time from the start of the confirmation display is equal to or longer than a predetermined time before the recording on the recording is finished, the confirmation display is terminated at the same time as the recording of the image on the recording medium is completed. When the elapsed time from the start of the confirmation display is less than a predetermined time at the time when the recording on the medium is completed, the predetermined display is started from the start of the confirmation display even after the recording of the image on the recording medium. A program that causes a computer to execute a display control step of controlling the confirmation display to continue until time elapses.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 14 or 15.

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