JP2019102958A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To accurately detect the rotational state of a movable unit and the orientation of a main body.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus 100 includes: a main body 1; a movable unit 2 rotatable about a plurality of rotation axes with respect to the main body; display means 4 provided on the movable unit and for displaying an image; first orientation detection means 14 provided on the main body and for detecting orientation to which the main body is directed; first acceleration detection means 15 provided on the main body and for detecting acceleration acting on the main body; second orientation detection means 12 provided on the movable unit and for detecting the orientation to which the movable unit is directed; second acceleration detection means 13 provided on the movable unit and for detecting acceleration acting on the movable unit; and control means 16 for controlling display in display means, using output from the first orientation detection means, the first acceleration detection means, the second orientation detection means, and the second acceleration detection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device having a movable portion that is rotatable with respect to a main body and capable of displaying an image.

  An electronic device such as a digital camera has a movable portion (vari angle unit) capable of pivoting the display panel to open and close the main body or pivoting to change the orientation in the open state. There is what you have. In such an electronic device, the rotation state of the vari-angle unit with respect to the main body in order to switch the orientation of the display image on the display panel according to the direction of the vari-angle unit with respect to the camera main body A configuration is provided to detect

  Patent Document 1 discloses a method of detecting the opening and closing of the burr angle unit with respect to the main body by providing a magnet in the vicinity of the pivot shaft in the burr angle unit and providing a hall element in the vicinity of the pivot shaft in the main body. ing.

JP 2012-19279 A

  However, in the method of detecting the opening and closing of the burr angle unit by providing the magnet in the burr angle unit as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the magnetic field generated from the magnet changes according to the turning state of the burr angle unit. This can be a disturbing magnetic field on the body. In particular, in an electronic device in which the main body includes the geomagnetic sensor and uses the azimuth information of the main body detected by the geomagnetic sensor, there is a possibility that the geomagnetic sensor can not accurately detect the azimuth due to the influence of the disturbance magnetic field.

  The present invention provides an electronic device capable of accurately detecting the rotational state of the movable portion and the orientation of the main body.

  An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a main body, a movable portion rotatable around a plurality of rotation axes with respect to the main body, display means provided on the movable portion and displaying an image, and Provided at a movable portion, a first azimuth detecting means for detecting an azimuth to which the main body is directed, a first acceleration detecting means provided for the main body for detecting an acceleration acting on the main body, Second orientation detection means for detecting the orientation to which the movable portion is directed; second acceleration detection means provided for the movable portion for detecting the acceleration acting on the movable portion; first orientation detection means; It is characterized by having the control means which controls the display in a display means using the output from 1 acceleration detection means, a 2nd azimuth | direction detection means, and a 2nd acceleration detection means.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display control method comprising: a main body; a movable portion rotatable about a plurality of rotation axes with respect to the main body; and display means provided on the movable portion for displaying an image A first direction detection means provided on the main body for detecting the direction in which the main body is directed; a first acceleration detection means provided on the main body for detecting an acceleration acting on the main body; Applied to an electronic device having a second azimuth detecting means for detecting the direction in which the movable portion is directed, and a second acceleration detecting means provided for the movable portion and detecting an acceleration acting on the movable portion Be done. The control method comprises the steps of acquiring the outputs from the first azimuth detecting means, the first acceleration detecting means, the second azimuth detecting means and the second acceleration detecting means, and using these outputs in the display means And controlling the display.

  A computer program that causes a computer of the electronic device to execute a process according to the display control method also constitutes another aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, both the rotational state of the movable portion provided in the electronic device and the orientation of the main body can be accurately detected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The front perspective view of the camera which is an Example of this invention, a bottom perspective view, and a back perspective view. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a camera of an embodiment. The figure which shows the internal structure of the camera of an Example. The disassembled perspective view of the burr angle unit provided in the camera of the Example. The figure which shows the detection principle of the opening-and-closing angle and tilt rotation angle of a burr angle unit by the geomagnetic sensor provided in the camera of an example. FIG. 6 is a view showing a detection principle of a tilt rotation angle of the burr angle unit around the X axis by an acceleration sensor provided in the camera of the embodiment. The figure which shows the detection principle of the opening-and-closing angle of the burr angle unit of the circumference of the Y-axis by the above-mentioned accelerometer. The figure which shows the detection principle of the attitude | position of the camera main body 1 of the circumference of Z-axis by the said acceleration sensor. 6 is a flowchart showing display control in the camera of the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing display control at a normal position in the camera of the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing display control at the vertical position in the camera of the embodiment. The figure which shows the image display state in the camera of an Example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A single-lens reflex digital camera (image pickup apparatus: hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) 100 as an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1A shows the camera 100 viewed obliquely from the front side (subject side). In FIG. 1A, the C and Z axis directions indicate an optical axis (hereinafter referred to as a lens optical axis) of an interchangeable lens (imaging optical system) (not shown) and an optical axis direction in which the lens optical axis C extends. In the following description, the X-axis direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction is referred to as the horizontal direction, and the Y-axis direction orthogonal to each of the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction is referred to as the vertical direction. FIG. 1 (b) shows the camera 100 as viewed from the bottom side diagonally, and FIG. 1 (c) shows the camera 100 as viewed from the rear side diagonal. FIG. 2 also shows the electrical configuration of the camera 100.

  The camera 100 has a camera body 1 capable of lens exchange and a burr angle unit 2 as a movable part. The camera body 1 includes an imaging element 19 that converts an object image formed by a light flux from an imaging optical system into an electrical signal (imaging signal), and a shutter unit 18 that controls the exposure amount of the imaging element 19.

  The camera body 1 also has a mirror unit 17 including a mirror 17a that reflects part of the light flux from the imaging optical system and guides it to the optical finder OVF and transmits the remaining light flux, and its drive mechanism. When subject observation by the optical finder OVF or imaging of a display image is performed by the imaging device 19, the mirror 17a is disposed in the imaging optical path from the imaging optical system as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the image for recording is to be taken by the imaging device 19, the mirror 17a is retracted out of the imaging light path.

  The camera body 1 also has an input operation unit 7 that receives various operations by the user. The input operation unit 7 includes a power switch 5 for turning on / off the power of the camera 100 and a release switch 6 for starting an imaging operation. The camera body 1 further includes a camera geomagnetic sensor 14 as a first azimuth detection means, a camera acceleration sensor 15 as a first acceleration detection means, and an MPU 16 as control means (computer). The MPU 16, the camera geomagnetic sensor 14 and the camera acceleration sensor 15 are mounted on a main substrate (not shown) in the camera body 1.

  The MPU 16 responds to various operation signals from the input operation unit 7 and also to outputs from the image sensor 19, camera geomagnetic sensor 14, camera acceleration sensor 15, vari-angle geomagnetic sensor 12 and vari-angle acceleration sensor 13 described later. , Control the operation of the camera 100. The operation of the camera 100 includes AF, AE, an imaging operation, and a display operation of the liquid crystal display panel 4 described later. Further, the MPU 16 performs various image processing on the image pickup signal from the image pickup element 19 to generate image data.

  A camera geomagnetic sensor (hereinafter referred to as a C geomagnetic sensor) 14 is provided to detect the direction in which the camera body 1 is directed to the geomagnetism, that is, the imaging direction. The camera acceleration sensor (hereinafter referred to as a C acceleration sensor) 15 is a digital acceleration sensor that detects accelerations around three mutually orthogonal detection axes that act on the camera body 1. The MPU 16 uses the output from the C geomagnetic sensor 14 to detect the imaging direction. The MPU 16 can add information of the detected imaging direction to the captured image data. The MPU 16 also uses the output from the C acceleration sensor 15 to calculate an inclination angle with respect to the direction of gravity about the Z axis of the camera body 1 and an inclination angle with respect to the direction of gravity about the X axis. When the user wants to confirm the horizontal and vertical directions of the composition, the user can display the object on the LCD 4 by selecting the display of the level object indicating the tilt angle of the camera body 1 on the menu screen.

  At one end in the horizontal direction of the exterior cover 8 covering the camera body 1, there is provided a hinge portion 3 as a rotation support portion for rotatably supporting the burr angle unit 2 around two axes (a plurality of rotation axes) There is. The vari-angle unit (hereinafter referred to as VU) 2 has a liquid crystal display panel (hereinafter referred to as LCD) 4 as display means. The LCD 4 displays a display image such as a live view image and a recording image, and also displays a menu image and the like for performing various settings. The LCD 4 also has a function as a touch panel on which the user can perform a touch operation.

  At the top of the camera body 1 is provided a flash unit 9 that can be popped up and stored relative to the camera body 1. The MPU 16 controls light emission (light emission timing and light emission amount) of the flash unit 9 in accordance with user operation or a photometric result using image data. The flash unit 9 emits light using the electrical energy stored in a flash capacitor (this will be described later) to illuminate the subject.

  The camera body 1 is provided with a mount 10 for mounting the interchangeable lens in a removable manner. The mount 10 is provided with an electric contact unit for communicating between the interchangeable lens and the camera body 1 (MPU 16) and supplying power from the camera body 1 to the interchangeable lens. A grip 11 for the user to grip the camera body 1 is provided at the other horizontal end of the exterior cover 8.

  The VU 2 is pivotally supported by the above-mentioned hinge portion 3 around the first pivot axis A and the second pivot axis B orthogonal to the first pivot axis A. There is. By pivoting the VU 2 about the first pivot axis A, the camera body 1 can be closed as shown in FIG. 1 (b) or open as shown in FIG. 1 (c). In addition, by rotating VU 2 around the second rotation axis B, the direction for normal imaging with the display surface of LCD 4 facing the back side (opposite side of the subject) and the display surface on the front side (subject side) It can be set to the direction for self-portrait. In the following description, rotation of the VU 2 about the first rotation axis A is referred to as opening and closing, and rotation about the second rotation axis B is referred to as tilt rotation.

  The VU 2 includes the LCD 4 described above, a burr angle geomagnetic sensor 12 as a second azimuth detecting means, and a burr angle acceleration sensor 13 as a second acceleration detecting means. The vari-angle geomagnetic sensor (hereinafter referred to as V geomagnetic sensor) 12 and the vari-angle acceleration sensor (referred to as V acceleration sensor) 13 are mounted on the LCD substrate 24 (see FIG. 4) electrically connected to the LCD 24 in VU2. ing. The LCD substrate 24 is electrically connected to the main substrate in the camera body 1 via a coaxial cable.

  The V geomagnetic sensor 12 detects the direction in which the display surface of VU 2 faces the geomagnetism. The V acceleration sensor 13 detects accelerations of two orthogonal axes (or three axes) acting on the VU 2. The MPU 16 uses the output from the V geomagnetic sensor 12 to detect the orientation of VU 2 with respect to the geomagnetism, and uses the output from the V acceleration sensor 13 to calculate the inclination angle of VU 2 with respect to the direction of gravity.

  The MPU 16 uses the outputs from the C geomagnetic sensor 14, C acceleration sensor 15, V geomagnetic sensor 12 and V acceleration sensor 13 to open and close the VU 2 relative to the camera body 1 (first rotation state) and tilt rotation. The state (second rotational state) is detected (judged). More specifically, the tilt rotation state (tilt rotation angle) of the VU 2 with respect to the camera body 1 is detected using the outputs from the C acceleration sensor 15 and the V acceleration sensor 15. Also, the open / close state (open / close angle) of the VU 2 with respect to the camera body 1 using the C geomagnetic sensor 14, the V geomagnetic sensor 12 and the detected tilt rotation state (that is, the output from the C acceleration sensor 15 and V acceleration sensor 15) To detect Furthermore, the MPU 16 detects the attitude of the camera body 1 using the output from the C acceleration sensor 14. Then, the MPU 16 displays the display on the LCD 4 according to the detection result of the attitude of the camera body 1, the detection result of the open / close state (opening / closing angle) of VU 2 and the detection result of the tilt rotation state (tilt rotation angle) Controls the orientation and display ON / OFF of the display image.

  According to this embodiment, the V acceleration sensor 15 detects the open / close state or tilt rotation state of the VU 2 with respect to the camera body 1 without providing a magnet in the VU 2. No disturbing magnetic field is generated. Therefore, the orientation of the camera body 1 can be accurately detected by the C geomagnetic sensor 14 regardless of the open / close state of VU 2 or the tilt rotation state.

  Next, the arrangement of the C geomagnetic sensor 14 and the V geomagnetic sensor 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the arrangement of components inside the camera body 1 and VU2 in the half-opened state of VU2, and FIG. 4 shows VU2 in an exploded manner.

  In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the camera body 1 is provided with a flash capacitor 25 for storing electrical energy for the flash unit 9 to emit light. The flash capacitor 25 generates a magnetic field by flash light emission, and this magnetic field may lower the accuracy of the azimuth detection of the V geomagnetic sensor 12. Further, in the camera body 1, a mirror charge motor 26 for driving the mirror unit 17 and a shutter charge motor 27 for driving the shutter unit 18 are provided. The mirror and shutter charge motors 26 and 27 respectively constituted by DC motors or the like generate a magnetic field by the driving thereof, and this magnetic field may lower the accuracy of detecting the direction of the V geomagnetic sensor 12. As described above, the camera body 1 is mounted with a plurality of flash condensers 25, mirrors and shutter charge motors 26 and 27 (magnetic field generating components) for generating magnetic fields.

  If the strength of the magnetic field generated from each magnetic field generating component is constant, it is possible to remove the influence of the magnetic field on the accuracy of the detection of the orientation of the V geomagnetic sensor 12 by calibration performed before imaging. Also, the strength of the magnetic field generated from each magnetic field generating component is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the magnetic field generating component. For this reason, if these are arranged so that the distance between the magnetic field generating component and the V geomagnetic sensor 12 becomes constant, it is possible to reduce the influence on the accuracy of the azimuth detection of the V geomagnetic sensor 12.

  The C geomagnetic sensor 14 is disposed in the camera body 1 in the same manner as the magnetic field generating component, so the distance to the magnetic field generating component does not change. Therefore, the influence of the magnetic field generated from the magnetic field generating component on the accuracy of the detection of the orientation of the C geomagnetic sensor 14 is small.

  On the other hand, with regard to the V geomagnetic sensor 12 provided in the VU 2 which rotates with respect to the camera body 1, the distance from the magnetic field generating component changes due to the opening and closing of the VU 2 and tilt rotation. The influence on the accuracy of orientation detection is large. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the V geomagnetic sensor 12 is at a position where the distance from the magnetic field generating component does not change (larger than the allowable value) due to the tilt rotation of VU 2, in other words, the strength of the magnetic field from the magnetic field generating component Placed at a position where no significant change occurs. For example, VU 2 is disposed along (or around) the extension of the second pivot axis B or the extension.

  A more detailed arrangement example of the V geomagnetic sensor 12 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the display surface of the LCD 4 is covered by a cover glass 20 attached so as to close a rectangular opening of the LCD front cover 21 formed of a resin such as polycarbonate. Therefore, the user observes an image or the like displayed on the LCD 4 through the cover glass 20. The LCD 4 is held by a frame 22 formed of a metal material such as stainless steel together with an LCD substrate 24 on which the V geomagnetic sensor 12 and the V acceleration sensor 13 and other electronic components are mounted. The LCD front cover 21 is integrated with the LCD back cover 23 so as to be housed between the LCD 4 held by the frame 22 and the control substrate 24 and the LCD back cover 23 formed of a resin such as polycarbonate. The LCD frame 22 is connected to the rotation support mechanism 3 by screws (not shown).

  The LCD substrate 24 is electrically connected to the main substrate (that is, the MPU 16) in the camera body 1 through the above-described coaxial cable 30 and connector (not shown) wired to pass through the rotation support mechanism 3. Connected The coaxial cable 30 is disposed on an extension of the second rotation axis B so as not to receive an unnecessary force in the rotation support mechanism 3 due to the opening and closing or tilting rotation of the VU 2. Therefore, the LCD substrate 24 to which the coaxial cable 30 is connected is also disposed on the extension of the second rotation axis B. Since the V geomagnetic sensor 12 needs to be electrically connected to the MPU 16, the V geomagnetic sensor 12 is disposed on the LCD substrate 24 and on the extension of the second rotation axis B.

  According to this embodiment, the distance between the V geomagnetic sensor 12 and the magnetic field generating component in the camera body 1 can be kept substantially constant even if the VU 2 is opened and closed or the tilt rotation is performed. Therefore, regardless of the open / close state of the VU 2 or the tilt rotation state, the V geomagnetic sensor 12 can accurately detect the azimuth.

  When the accessory for detecting geomagnetism is used by connecting it to the camera body 1, the geomagnetic sensor 12 on the burr angle unit side and the magnetic field generating member (25, 26, 27) are used even if the burr angle unit 2 is rotated. It is possible to detect the azimuth with high accuracy, since the distance of x can be kept constant.

  Next, the detection principle of the open / close angle or tilt rotation angle of the VU 2 with respect to the camera body 1 using the C geomagnetic sensor 14 and the V geomagnetic sensor 12 will be described with reference to FIG. When the camera body 1 and the VU 2 have a posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 5A, the direction VV of the VU 2 detected by the V geomagnetic sensor 12 and the direction CV of the camera body 1 detected by the C geomagnetic sensor 14 are FIG. It has a relationship shown in (b).

  The orientation CV of the camera body 1 is an orientation parallel to the lens optical axis C, with the direction from the camera body 1 toward the subject being positive. On the other hand, the direction VV of VU 2 is a direction which is orthogonal to the display surface of the LCD 4 and in which the direction from the display surface toward the user who observes this is positive. As indicated by a broken line in FIG. 5A, the orientation calibration of the C geomagnetic sensor 14 is performed by a known method by orienting the camera body 1 so that the orientation becomes CV0. In this embodiment, the azimuth (reference azimuth) CV0 to which the camera body 1 is directed when the power of the camera body 1 is turned on is set to 0 degrees.

  The orientation CV detected by the C geomagnetic sensor 14 after orientation calibration is an orientation at which the angle θ1 is with respect to the reference orientation CV0 (= 0 degrees), and the orientation VV detected by the V geomagnetic sensor 12 is relative to the reference orientation CV0. It is assumed that the azimuth is at an angle θ 2. In this case, when the camera body 1 is at the normal position (the horizontal position where the optical finder OVF is at the upper side), the difference between θ1 and θ2 corresponds to the opening / closing angle of VU 2 with respect to the camera body 1. On the other hand, when the camera body 1 is in the vertical position (the position where the grip 11 is up or down), the difference between θ1 and θ2 corresponds to the tilt rotation angle of VU 2 with respect to the camera body 1. In addition, the determination method of the attitude | position (normal position and vertical position) of the camera main body 1 is mentioned later.

  Next, the detection principle of the opening / closing angle of VU 2 and the tilt rotation angle around the X axis using the C acceleration sensor 15 and the V acceleration sensor 13 will be described using FIG. The x-axis CX of the C acceleration sensor 15 is an axis parallel to the lens optical axis C and positive in the direction from the camera body 1 toward the subject. On the other hand, the x-axis VX of the V acceleration sensor 13 is an axis that is orthogonal to the display surface of the LCD 4 and that the direction from the display surface toward the user who observes the display surface is positive.

  By performing a predetermined calculation on the acceleration detected around the x axis CX by the C acceleration sensor 15, an angle ωx1 formed by the x axis CX (that is, the camera body 1) with respect to the gravity direction g is obtained. Similarly, from the acceleration detected around the x-axis VX by the V acceleration sensor 13, an angle ωx2 formed by the x-axis VX (that is, VU2) with respect to the gravity direction g is obtained. The difference between ωx1 and ωx2 corresponds to the tilt rotation angle (rotation angle around the second rotation axis) of VU2 with respect to the camera body 1 when the camera body 1 is in the normal position.

  Next, the detection principle of the open / close angle of VU 2 around the Y axis using C acceleration sensor 15 and V acceleration sensor 13 will be described using FIG. 7. The y-axis CY of the C acceleration sensor 15 is an axis parallel to the lens optical axis C and positive in the direction from the camera body 1 toward the subject. On the other hand, the y-axis VY of the V acceleration sensor 13 is an axis that is orthogonal to the display surface of the LCD 4 and that the direction from the display surface toward the user who observes the display surface is positive.

  By performing the predetermined calculation on the acceleration detected around the y axis CY by the C acceleration sensor 15, an angle ωy1 formed by the y axis CY (that is, the camera body 1) with respect to the gravity direction g is obtained. Similarly, from the acceleration detected around the y axis VY by the V acceleration sensor 13, an angle ωy2 formed by the y axis VY (that is, VU2) with respect to the gravity direction g is obtained. The difference between ωy1 and ωy2 corresponds to the tilt rotation angle of VU2 with respect to the camera body 1 when the camera body 1 is in the vertical position.

  Next, the detection principle of the attitude of the camera body 1 using the C acceleration sensor 15 will be described using FIG. The z-axis CZ of the C acceleration sensor 15 is an axis that is orthogonal to the lens optical axis C, parallel to the short side of the imaging device 19, and positive in the direction toward the optical finder OVF of the camera body 1. By performing the predetermined calculation on the acceleration detected around the z-axis CZ by the C acceleration sensor 15, an angle ωz formed by the z-axis CZ (that is, the camera body 1) with respect to the gravity direction g is obtained. ωz corresponds to an inclination angle around the lens optical axis C of the camera body 1. From this tilt angle, it can be determined whether the posture of the camera body 1 is in the normal position (for example, ωz is around 180 degrees) or in the vertical position (for example, around ωz is around 90 degrees or 270 degrees).

  Next, display control for the VU 2 (LCD 4) performed by the MPU 16 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 11. The MPU 16 executes the following processing in accordance with a display control program as a computer program. First, the MPU 16 performs posture determination processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  The MPU 16 that detects the power-on (power-on) of the camera body 1 in step S1 proceeds to step S2, and starts acquiring the output (acceleration) from the C acceleration sensor 15 and the V acceleration sensor 13. The MPU 16 calculates an angle ωz from the acceleration around the z-axis CZ detected by the C acceleration sensor 15.

  Next, in step S3, the MPU 16 determines whether the angle ωz calculated in step 2 is 80 degrees or more and less than 160 degrees. The MPU 16 proceeds to step S6 if ωz is in this angle range, otherwise proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the MPU 16 determines whether the angle ωz is 240 degrees or more and less than 320 degrees. The MPU 16 proceeds to step S6 if ωz is in this angle range, otherwise proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the MPU 16 determines that the attitude of the camera body 1 is at the normal position, and performs the normal position rotation detection process shown in FIG. On the other hand, in step S6, the MPU 16 determines that the attitude of the camera body 1 is the vertical position, and performs the vertical position rotation detection process shown in FIG.

  When the process in step S5 or step S6 is completed, the MPU 16 determines whether or not the operation for powering off the camera body 1 is performed. If the powering off operation is not performed, the process returns to step S3 and the powering off operation is performed. If it has been done, this processing ends.

  Next, the normal position rotation detection process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 will be described. The MPU 16 starts acquiring the output (azimuth) from the C geomagnetic sensor 14 and the V geomagnetic sensor 12 in step S8. As described with reference to FIG. 5, assuming that the angle formed by the azimuth CV detected by the C geomagnetic sensor 14 with respect to the reference azimuth CV0 is θ1, the azimuth VV detected by the V geomagnetic sensor 12 is relative to the reference azimuth CV0. The angle formed is θ2. Further, the angle ωx1 and the angle ωx2 are calculated from the acceleration detected around the x axis CX by the C acceleration sensor 15 and the V acceleration sensor 13 started in step S1 of FIG.

  Next, the MPU 16 determines the open / close angle and the tilt rotation angle of the VU 2 with respect to the camera body 1 at the normal position in step S9, step S10 and step S13. In step S9, the MPU 16 determines whether the difference (θ2−θ1) between θ1 and θ2 is equal to or greater than 100 degrees as a threshold value (first predetermined value). The MPU 16 proceeds to step S10 if θ2−θ1 is 100 degrees or more, otherwise proceeds to step S13. Note that the threshold of 100 degrees is an example, and another threshold may be used.

  In step S10, the MPU 16 determines whether or not the difference (ωx2-ωx1) between ωx1 and ωx2 is 100 degrees or more as a threshold value (second predetermined value). If ωx2−ωx1 is 100 degrees or more, the process proceeds to step S11. If not, the process proceeds to step S12. Note that the threshold of 100 degrees here is also an example, and another threshold may be used.

  In step S11, the MPU 16 determines that the VU 2 is in the closed state with respect to the camera body 1 as shown in the upper part of FIG. 12 and in the normal imaging tilt rotation state in which the display surface of the LCD 4 faces the back side. . At this time, the MPU 16 sets the image display on the LCD 4 as a normal display. The bird in FIG. 12 is a subject, and a black circle P drawn on VU 2 indicates the upper side of VU 2 when VU 2 is closed with respect to the camera main body 1 and in a tilt rotation state for normal imaging.

  In step S12, the MPU 16 determines that the VU 2 is in the open state with respect to the camera body 1 as shown in the lower part of FIG. 12 and in the tilt rotation state for normal imaging. At this time, the MPU 16 displays the image displayed on the LCD 4 in a state in which the vertical (Y-axis direction) and the horizontal (X-axis direction) are reversed with respect to the normal display.

  On the other hand, also in step S13, the MPU 16 performs the same determination as in step S10. The MPU 16 proceeds to step S14 if ωx2−ωx1 is 100 degrees or more, otherwise proceeds to step S15.

  In step S14, the MPU 16 determines that VU 2 is in an open state with respect to the camera body 1 as shown in the middle part of FIG. 12 and in a self-tiling tilt rotation state in which the display surface of the LCD 4 faces the front side. At this time, the MPU 16 makes the image display on the LCD 4 be a display in which only the left and right are inverted with respect to the normal display.

  In step S15, the MPU 16 determines that the VU 2 is in a closed state with respect to the camera body 1 and the VU non-use state in which the display surface of the LCD 4 faces the camera body 1 side. At this time, the MPU 16 turns off (turns off) the display on the LCD 4 not to display an image.

  Next, the vertical position rotation detection process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 will be described. The MPU 16 starts acquisition of outputs (azimuths) from the C geomagnetic sensor 14 and the V geomagnetic sensor 12 in step S16. Here, an angle formed by the azimuth CV detected by the C geomagnetic sensor 14 with respect to the reference azimuth CV0 is θ1, and an angle formed by the azimuth VV detected by the V geomagnetic sensor 12 with the reference azimuth CV0 is θ2. Further, the angle ωy1 and the angle ωy2 are calculated from the acceleration detected around the Y axes CY and VY by the C acceleration sensor 15 and the V acceleration sensor 13 started in step S1 of FIG.

  Next, the MPU 16 determines the open / close angle and the tilt rotation angle of the VU 2 with respect to the camera body 1 in the vertical position in step S17, step S18 and step S19. In step S17, the MPU 16 determines whether the difference (θ2−θ1) between θ1 and θ2 is 100 degrees or more as a threshold. The MPU 16 proceeds to step S18 if θ2−θ1 is 100 degrees or more, and proceeds to step S21 otherwise. Note that the threshold of 100 degrees is an example, and another threshold may be used.

  In step S18, the MPU 16 determines whether the difference (ωy2−ωy1) between ωy1 and ωy2 is 100 degrees or more as a threshold. If ωy2−ωy1 is 100 degrees or more, the process proceeds to step S19. If not, the process proceeds to step S20. Note that the threshold of 100 degrees here is also an example, and another threshold may be used.

  In step S19, the MPU 16 determines that the VU 2 is in the closed state with respect to the camera body 1 as shown in the upper part of FIG. 12 and in the tilt rotation state for normal imaging. At this time, the MPU 16 makes the image display on the LCD 4 a normal display (however, the direction of the bird in the LCD 4 differs by about 90 degrees from FIG. 12).

  In step S20, the MPU 16 determines that the VU 2 is in the open state with respect to the camera body 1 as shown in the lower part of FIG. 12 and in the tilt rotation state for normal imaging. At this time, the MPU 16 displays the image displayed on the LCD 4 by inverting the vertical direction (X-axis direction) and the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) with respect to the normal display.

  On the other hand, also in step S21, the MPU 16 performs the same determination as in step S18. The MPU 16 proceeds to step S22 if ωy2−ωy1 is 100 degrees or more, otherwise proceeds to step S23.

  In step S22, the MPU 16 determines that the VU 2 is in the open state with respect to the camera body 1 as shown in the middle part of FIG. At this time, the MPU 16 makes the image display on the LCD 4 be a display in which only the left and right are inverted with respect to the normal display.

  In step S23, the MPU 16 determines that the VU 2 is in the VU non-use state. At this time, the MPU 16 turns the LCD 4 off (off).

  According to the present embodiment, the open / close state (open / close angle) and the tilt rotation state (tilt rotation angle) of the VU 2 with respect to the camera body 1 can be detected in detail and accurately. For example, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 can not detect up to the opening and closing angle and the rotation angle, and only determines the attitude of the VU 2 with respect to the camera body 1 when these angles exceed a certain threshold. Can not. In this embodiment, since the detailed opening / closing angle and tilt rotation angle of VU 2 with respect to the camera body 1 can be detected, the sensitivity of the touch panel of the LCD 4 is changed according to the opening / closing angle or malfunction of the touch panel is prevented. Etc. becomes possible. Thereby, the usability of the camera 100 by the user can be improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarily set a threshold (for example, 100 degrees) for determining the open / close state and the tilt rotation state of the camera body 1 and the VU 2. Therefore, it is possible to set an open / close angle and tilt rotation for switching image display (normal display, upside down left right reverse display and left right reverse display) according to the user's preference. Thereby, the usability of the camera 100 by the user can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the C geomagnetic sensor 14 was originally provided for the purpose of adding orientation information to a captured image, it is necessary to newly provide a dedicated sensor for the open / close state of VU 2 and the tilt rotation state. There is no Furthermore, since the C acceleration sensor 15 is originally provided for the purpose of allowing the user to confirm the horizontal and vertical of the composition, there is no need to newly provide a dedicated sensor to detect the open / close state and the tilt rotation state. .

  In the present embodiment, the case where the VU 2 as the movable portion is pivoted around two pivot axes has been described, but may be pivotable around three or more pivot axes. That is, if the movable portion can rotate around a plurality of rotation axes, the rotation state of the movable portion around each rotation axis can be detected using or applying the present embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the VU 2 is opened and closed in the horizontal direction with respect to the camera body 1 in the normal position has been described, but the movable portion may be opened and closed in the vertical direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, an imaging device has been described as an example of the electronic device, but in the embodiment of the present invention, a movable portion is an electronic device other than the imaging device and can be rotated with respect to the main body And various electronic devices.
(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program. Can also be realized. It can also be implemented by a circuit (eg, an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

  The embodiments described above are only representative examples, and various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments when the present invention is implemented.

1 camera body 2 variable angle unit 3 rotation support 4 LCD
12, 14 geomagnetic sensor 13, 15 Acceleration sensor 16 MPU

Claims (9)

Body and
A movable portion that can rotate around a plurality of rotation axes with respect to the main body;
Display means provided on the movable part for displaying an image;
First orientation detection means provided on the body for detecting the orientation to which the body is directed;
First acceleration detection means provided on the main body for detecting an acceleration acting on the main body;
A second azimuth detection unit provided in the movable section for detecting an azimuth in which the movable section is directed;
Second acceleration detection means provided on the movable portion for detecting an acceleration acting on the movable portion;
And control means for controlling display on the display means using outputs from the first azimuth detection means, the first acceleration detection means, the second azimuth detection means and the second acceleration detection means. An electronic device characterized by having. The movable portion is rotatable around a first rotation axis with respect to the main body, and rotatable around a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis.
The control unit is the movable unit with respect to the main body obtained using an output from the first azimuth detection unit, the second azimuth detection unit, the first acceleration detection unit, and the second acceleration detection unit. The display is controlled according to a first rotation state around the first rotation axis and a second rotation state around the second rotation axis. The electronic device as described in 1. The control means
Detecting the second rotation state using outputs from the first and second acceleration detecting means;
3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the first rotation state is detected using the second rotation state and the output from the first and second azimuth detecting means.   The control means is configured such that the difference between the azimuth of the main body obtained by the output from the first azimuth detection means and the azimuth obtained by using the output from the second azimuth detection means is a first predetermined value. The electronic device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first rotation state is detected according to whether it is large or small.   The control means may include an angle of the main body with respect to a direction of gravity obtained by an output from the first acceleration detecting means and an angle of the movable portion with respect to the direction of gravity obtained by an output from the second acceleration detecting means. The electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second rotation state is detected according to whether or not the difference is larger than a second predetermined value. The first and second acceleration detecting means respectively have a first detection axis and a second detection axis parallel to the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis, respectively; The acceleration detection means further comprises a third detection axis different from the first and second detection axes,
The control means
Detecting an attitude of the main body using an output about the third detection axis from the first acceleration detection means;
The display using the output from the first and second acceleration detecting means around the first detection axis and the output around the second detection axis using one of the outputs according to the detected attitude The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that:   The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second orientation detection means is disposed along or along an extension of the second rotation axis. . A main body, a movable portion rotatable about a plurality of rotation axes with respect to the main body, display means provided on the movable portion and displaying an image, and the main body facing the main body A first azimuth detecting means for detecting an azimuth, a first acceleration detecting means provided for the main body for detecting an acceleration acting on the main body, an azimuth provided for the movable portion and the movable portion being directed A method of controlling an electronic device, comprising: second azimuth detection means for detecting a second acceleration detection means; and second acceleration detection means provided for the movable portion to detect an acceleration acting on the movable portion,
Acquiring an output from the first azimuth detecting means, the first acceleration detecting means, the second azimuth detecting means, and the second acceleration detecting means;
And controlling the display on the display unit using the output. A main body, a movable portion rotatable about a plurality of rotation axes with respect to the main body, display means provided on the movable portion and displaying an image, and the main body facing the main body A first azimuth detecting means for detecting an azimuth, a first acceleration detecting means provided for the main body for detecting an acceleration acting on the main body, an azimuth provided for the movable portion and the movable portion being directed 8. A computer according to claim 7, comprising: a second azimuth detecting means for detecting a second direction; and a second acceleration detecting means provided on the movable portion for detecting an acceleration acting on the movable portion. A computer program characterized by performing processing according to a control method.