JP2023114934A - Imaging apparatus and control method of the imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus which switches a display mode of a movable display part.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus contains: a main body containing an imaging part; a display part including a plurality of display modes which can be moved against the main body; a detection part that detects a position of the display part against the main body; and a control part that controls a switch of the display mode in accordance with a combination of a current display mode of the display part and the change of the position. The control part switches the mode to a second display mode when an angle exceeds a first angle under the first display mode, and switches the mode to the first display mode when the angle is less than a second angle larger than that of the first angle under the second display mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification (hereinafter referred to as "the present disclosure") relates to an imaging device having a display unit that displays an image on the back surface of the main body, and a control method for the imaging device.

Generally, a digital camera has a display panel on the back of the main body for displaying live view video and captured images. When the display panel is movable and supported by the main body, the photographer can easily take a picture while appropriately adjusting the rotation angle of the display panel with respect to the main body. Also, in such a digital camera, if the image displayed on the display panel is flipped vertically or horizontally according to the rotation position of the display panel, the display can be switched so that the photographer can easily view the displayed image. can be observed.

A vari-angle method and a tilt method are known as movable methods for operating a display panel with respect to a digital camera body. In any movable system, by incorporating a sensor into a hinge mechanism or the like, it is possible to detect the rotational position of the display panel with respect to the camera body and automatically switch the orientation of the displayed image. Also, from the viewpoint of cost reduction, the orientation of the display image is often simplified to several patterns in order to achieve the minimum sensor configuration.

For example, a first magnet and a second magnet are arranged in a movable part of an electronic device, and a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor are arranged in the main body of the device. An electronic device has been proposed that performs control according to the movable state of a movable portion with respect to the device main body based on the output signal of the magnetic sensor No. 2 (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-42743 A

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an imaging device having a movable display unit on its main body and a control method for the imaging device.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and the first aspect thereof is
a main body including an imaging unit;
a display unit movable with respect to the main body and having a plurality of display modes;
a detection unit that detects the position of the display unit with respect to the main body;
a control unit that controls switching of the display mode according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the position;
An imaging device comprising:

The detection section detects an angle formed by an imaging direction of the imaging section and a display direction of the display section. The control section controls switching of the display mode according to a combination of the current display mode of the display section and the change in the angle.

The display includes a first display mode and a second display mode. The controller switches to the second display mode when the angle exceeds the first angle under the first display mode, and switches the angle to the first angle under the second display mode. Switching to the first display mode when less than a second larger angle.

Here, the first display mode is a self-portrait display mode for taking a picture including the photographer himself/herself as a subject with the display direction facing the imaging direction, and the second display mode is This is a normal photographing mode for performing normal photographing with the display direction facing the opposite side of the photographing direction.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for an imaging device having a main body including an imaging unit and a movable display unit, comprising:
a detection step of detecting the position of the display unit with respect to the main body;
a control step of controlling switching of the display mode of the display unit according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the position;
A control method for an imaging device having

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an imaging device and a control method for the imaging device that switch the display mode of a movable display unit so as to make it easier for a photographer to see.

Note that the effects described in this specification are merely examples, and the effects provided by the present disclosure are not limited to these. In addition, the present disclosure may have additional effects in addition to the effects described above.

Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a more detailed description based on the embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a vari-angle digital camera 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation of opening the display unit 120 of the digital camera 100 to the left. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of self-shooting with the display unit 120 of the digital camera 100 opened. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation of rotating the display unit 120 of the digital camera 100 downward. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a normal photographing state in which the display unit 120 of the digital camera 100 is reversed. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation of closing the display unit 120 of the digital camera 100 to the right. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the display unit 120 of the digital camera 100 is closed (a state in which the display panel 121 is hidden). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the switching operation between the display modes of the self-portrait display and the normal display according to the rotating operation of the display unit 120. As shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of switching operation between display modes of self-portrait display and normal display according to the rotation operation of the display unit 120, to which the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 and the display mode. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing mode transitions of the display panel 121 in the digital camera 100. FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a functional configuration example within the digital camera 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a side view of a vari-angle digital camera 1300 (upright position). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the rear surface of the vari-angle digital camera 1300 (upright position). 15A and 15B are diagrams showing the operation of the digital camera 1300. FIG. 16A and 16B are diagrams showing the operation of the digital camera 1300. FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the operation (selfie position) of the digital camera 1300. As shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the operation (selfie position) of the digital camera 1300. As shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (low angle position). FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (low angle position). FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (lateral open position). FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (lateral open position). FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (high angle position). FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (high angle position). FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the operation of digital camera 1300 (panel off position). FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the operation of digital camera 1300 (panel off position). FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of arranging an MR sensor and magnets in the digital camera 1300. FIG. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of arranging an MR sensor and magnets in a digital camera 1300. FIG. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of arranging an MR sensor and magnets in a digital camera 1300. FIG. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of arranging an MR sensor and magnets in a digital camera 1300. FIG. FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining a method for detecting left-right reversal of display panel 1321. In FIG. 32A and 32B are diagrams for explaining a method for detecting horizontal reversal of the display panel 1321. FIG. 33A and 33B are diagrams for explaining a method for detecting horizontal reversal of the display panel 1321. FIG. FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining a method for detecting left-right reversal of display panel 1321. In FIG. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing the relationship between each position of the display section and the ON/OFF operation of the MR sensor (in the case of the horizontal vari-angle type). FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the MR sensor and magnets in the selfie position. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the MR sensor and magnets in the selfie position. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the MR sensor and magnets in the laterally open position. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the MR sensor and magnets in the laterally open position. FIG. 40 is a diagram showing the on/off operation of the MR sensor according to the rotation of the display section. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the on/off operation of the MR sensor in accordance with the rotating operation of the display section. FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a switching operation between the display modes of the self-portrait display and the normal display according to the rotating operation of the display unit. FIG. 43 is a side view of a multi-angle digital camera 4300 (upright position). FIG. 44 is a diagram showing the rear surface of a multi-angle digital camera 4300 (upright position). FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 (selfie position). FIG. 46 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 (low angle position). FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 (lateral open position). FIG. 48 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 (high angle position). FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 (panel-off position). FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a side view (normal position) of the digital camera 4300 in a posture in which the second support plate 4332 is tilted. FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 with the second support plate 4332 tilted (position opened by 90 degrees). FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 with the second support plate 4332 tilted (selfie position). FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a side view (low angle position) of the digital camera 4300 in a posture in which the second support plate 4332 is tilted. FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 with the second support plate 4332 tilted (lateral open position). FIG. 55 is a diagram showing a side view (high angle position) of the digital camera 4300 in a posture in which the second support plate 4332 is tilted. FIG. 56 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 with the second support plate 4332 tilted (panel-off position). FIG. 57 is a diagram showing a side view (normal position) of the digital camera 4300 in a posture in which the first support plate 4331 is tilted. FIG. 58 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 with the first support plate 4331 tilted (position opened by 90 degrees). FIG. 59 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 with the first support plate 4331 tilted (selfie position). FIG. 60 is a diagram showing a side view (low angle position) of the digital camera 4300 in a posture in which the first support plate 4331 is tilted. FIG. 61 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 with the first support plate 4331 tilted (lateral open position). FIG. 62 is a diagram showing a side view (high angle position) of the digital camera 4300 in a posture in which the first support plate 4331 is tilted. FIG. 63 is a diagram showing a side view of the digital camera 4300 with the first support plate 4331 tilted (panel-off position). FIG. 64 is a diagram showing an example of arranging an MR sensor and magnets in a digital camera 1300. FIG. FIG. 65 is a diagram showing an example of arranging an MR sensor and magnets in a digital camera 1300. FIG. FIG. 66 is a diagram showing an example of arranging an MR sensor and magnets in a digital camera 1300. FIG. FIG. 67 is a diagram showing an example of arranging an MR sensor and magnets in a digital camera 1300. FIG. FIG. 68 is a diagram showing an example of arranging an MR sensor and magnets in a digital camera 1300. FIG. FIG. 69 is a diagram showing an example of arranging an MR sensor and magnets in a digital camera 1300. FIG. FIG. 70 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the opening/closing shaft 4341. As shown in FIG. FIG. 71 is a diagram showing the relationship between each position of the display section and the ON/OFF operation of the MR sensor (in the case of the multi-angle type). FIG. 72 is a diagram showing the relationship between the vertical tilt position of the display unit and the ON/OFF operation of the MR sensor (in the case of multi-angle type). FIG. 73 is a diagram showing the on/off operation of the MR sensor according to the rotating operation of the display section. FIG. 74 is a diagram showing the on/off operation of the MR sensor in accordance with the rotating operation of the display section. FIG. 75 is a diagram showing a switching operation between the display modes of the self-portrait display and the normal display according to the rotating operation of the display section. FIG. 76 is a diagram showing the switching operation between the display modes of the self-portrait display and the normal display according to the rotation operation of the display unit at the tilt position. FIG. 77 is a diagram showing a switching operation between the display modes of the self-portrait display and the normal display according to the rotation operation of the display unit at the tilt position.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in the following order with reference to the drawings.

A. OverviewB. Basic operationC. Functional Configuration of Digital CameraD. Implementation example D-1. Implementation example of vari-angle method D-2. Implementation example of multi-angle method

A. Overview Generally, a digital camera has a display panel on the back of the main body for displaying live view video and captured images. A vari-angle method and a tilt method are known as movable methods for operating a display panel with respect to a digital camera body.

The tilt type is a method in which the display panel can be moved up and down by pulling it out from the back of the camera body. The advantage of the tilt type is that the angle of the display panel can be quickly adjusted, and the display panel can be moved on the optical axis of the lens, so there is no (small) misalignment between the photographer's line of sight and the optical axis, making framing easier. It is easy. On the other hand, the vari-angle method is a method in which the display panel is opened to the left from the back of the camera body and rotated vertically. The advantage of the vari-angle type is that the display panel can be rotated vertically with the display panel open, so the movable range of the display panel is wide, and the horizontal angle can be adjusted. It is possible to handle high and low positions. In other words, in the vari-angle method, the display panel on the back can be opened and closed around the opening and closing axis with respect to the camera body, and at each opening and closing position, the display panel can be rotated about the opening and closing axis. can be directed to either the front or the rear of the camera body. More recently, a hybrid system (hereinafter also referred to as a "multi-angle system" in this specification) has emerged, which combines the tilt system and the vari-angle system to increase the degree of freedom in the orientation of the display panel with respect to the camera body.

Also, in such a digital camera, if the image displayed on the display panel is flipped vertically or horizontally according to the rotation position of the display panel, the display can be switched so that the photographer can easily view the displayed image. can be observed. For example, in the vari-angle method, the display panel screen is facing the rear of the camera body, and "normal shooting" is performed while the photographer observes the displayed image from behind the camera body, and the display panel screen is captured by the camera. "Self-shooting" can be performed by pointing the camera in a direction and taking a picture of the photographer including himself/herself as a subject. By vertically and horizontally inverting the image taken by the camera at each of the normal shooting and the self-shooting, an image that does not make the photographer feel uncomfortable can be displayed on the display panel.

By incorporating a sensor into a hinge mechanism or the like that connects the camera body and the display unit, it is possible to detect the rotational position of the display panel with respect to the camera body and automatically switch the orientation of the displayed image. Here, from the viewpoint of cost reduction, the orientation of the display image is often simplified to several patterns in order to achieve the minimum sensor configuration. For example, a magnet is placed on the display panel side and a magnetic sensor is placed on the main body side. When the magnetic sensor is on, it is determined that the display panel is facing the selfie shooting direction, and the display panel is displayed. Judgment can be made up and down and left and right (see Patent Literature 1, for example). However, with such a structure, the display panel switches to display for self-portrait photography only within a narrow rotational position range in which the magnetic sensor is turned on, which may be inconvenient for the photographer.

In contrast, in the present disclosure, display mode switching control is performed according to a combination of the current display mode of the display panel and the change in the rotation angle of the display unit. As a result, when the user intends to take a self-portrait, the section in which the self-portrait can be displayed is lengthened, and when the user intends to take a normal photograph, the section in which the normal display can be displayed is lengthened, thereby improving user convenience. be able to.

B. Basic Operation In section B, the basic operation of the digital camera to which the present disclosure is applied will be described, taking the vari-angle system as an example.

First, the movable range of the display panel and the display switching operation of the display panel in the vari-angle digital camera will be considered with reference to FIGS.

The digital camera 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a camera body 110 including an imaging section, a display section 120 including a display panel 121 , and a hinge section 130 connecting the display section 120 to the camera body 110 . Although the imaging unit is not shown in FIG. 1, the imaging lens 111 appears in front of the camera body 110. As shown in FIG. The hinge portion 130 includes an opening/closing shaft 131 that can open and close the display portion 120 in the horizontal direction with respect to the camera body 110 , and a rotating shaft 131 that can rotate the display portion 120 in the vertical direction with respect to the camera body 110 near the center of the opening/closing shaft 131 . A shaft 132 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the position where the display panel 121 is exposed on the rear side of the camera body 110 and the display unit 120 is closed by the camera body 110 is defined as the normal position. In this normal position, the display direction of the display panel 121 is exactly opposite to the imaging direction of the digital camera 100, and the viewing direction of the user matches the imaging direction of the digital camera 100. Therefore, as shown in the lower half of FIG. An image taken by the digital camera 100 may be displayed as it is.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, when the display unit 120 is opened to the left around the opening/closing axis 131 with respect to the camera body 110, the display unit 120 moves from the normal position to the opening/closing axis 131 as shown in FIG. After rotating 180 degrees, the display direction of the display panel 121 faces substantially the same direction as the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 . In the state shown in FIG. 3, the user (photographer) who observes the display panel 121 is in the imaging direction, so that the photographer can take a self-portrait including himself/herself as a subject. If the image taken by the digital camera 100 is horizontally reversed and displayed on the display panel 121 as shown in the lower half of FIG. can. The display on the display panel 121 shown in FIG. 3 is called "self-portrait display".

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4, when the display unit 120 is rotated downward (clockwise in the plane of the paper) around the rotation axis 132 with respect to the camera body 110, the display unit 120 is rotated as shown in FIG. After rotating 180 degrees around the rotation axis 132 , the display direction of the display panel 121 faces almost the opposite direction to the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 . In the state shown in FIG. 5, the line-of-sight direction of the user matches the imaging direction of the digital camera 100, but the orientation of the display panel 121 is reversed vertically and horizontally with respect to the normal position shown in FIG. Therefore, by flipping the image captured by the digital camera 100 vertically and then horizontally, the user can observe the same image as the image captured by the digital camera 100 . The display on the display panel 121 shown in FIG. 5 is referred to as "normal display".

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, when the display unit 120 is closed to the right around the opening/closing axis 131 with respect to the camera body 110, the display unit 120 is closed by the camera body 110 as shown in FIG. become a state. In this state, the display panel 121 faces the camera body 110 side and is hidden, and the user cannot observe the displayed image. Therefore, it is preferable to turn off the display on the display panel 121 .

Among the operation examples of the digital camera 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, in the operation ranges shown in FIGS. The display panel 121 switches from self-portrait display to normal display according to the angle. 3 to 5 show an example in which the display unit 120 rotates clockwise on the page, but when the display unit 120 rotates counterclockwise, the display panel 121 switches from normal display to self-portrait display. .

FIG. 8 shows an example of switching operation between the display modes of the self-portrait display and the normal display according to the rotation operation of the display unit 120 with reference to the left side view of the digital camera 100 . FIG. 8 shows that the display direction of the display panel 121 is substantially the same as the imaging direction of the digital camera 100, as in FIG. Here, the angle θ _th (for example, about 30 degrees) formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 is set as a threshold for switching the display mode by rotating the display unit 120 .

When the display panel 121 faces the imaging direction, it is in the self-portrait display mode. When the display unit 120 is rotated clockwise with respect to the camera body 110 and the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 reaches the threshold angle _θth , the self-portrait display mode is changed to the normal display. switch to mode. After that, the display unit 120 can be rotated in the same direction until the limit angle θ _limit is reached, while the display panel 121 remains in the normal display mode. Subsequently, the display unit 120 is rotated in the opposite direction from the limit angle θ _limit , that is, counterclockwise on the paper surface, and when the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 reaches the threshold angle _θth , Switch from normal display mode to selfie display mode.

In the display mode switching operation example shown in FIG. 8, the section occupied by the self-portrait display mode in the rotatable range of the display unit 120 is too short. Therefore, even if the user intends to reverse the display unit 120 in the vertical direction to switch from normal photography to self-portrait photography, the display panel 121 does not readily switch to the self-portrait display, which may be inconvenient.

Therefore, in the present disclosure, display mode switching control is performed according to the combination of the current display mode of the display panel 121 and the change in the rotation angle of the display unit 120 . According to the present disclosure, when the user intends to take a selfie, the section in which the selfie can be displayed is lengthened, and when the user intends to take a normal photograph, the section in which the normal display can be displayed is lengthened. can be improved.

The operation example shown in FIG. 8 is similar to the operation example shown in FIG. 8 in that the threshold value is set for the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100. However, in the present disclosure, when the display panel 121 is in the self-portrait display mode, A second angle threshold θ ₂ for switching to the normal display mode and a first angle threshold θ ₁ for switching to the self-portrait display mode when the display panel 121 is in the normal display mode are individually set. By setting the second angle threshold θ ₂ to a value larger than the first angle threshold θ ₁ , the rotational position of the display unit 120 is set to the first position according to the current display mode of the display panel 121 . Since a hysteresis interval is formed between the angle threshold _θ1 and the second angle threshold _θ2 , the display mode can be either the selfie display mode or the normal display mode. Setting becomes possible, and user convenience is improved.

FIG. 9 shows an example of switching operation between the self-portrait display and the normal display according to the rotation operation of the display unit 120 to which the present disclosure is applied. 9 also shows a state in which the display direction of the display panel 121 faces substantially the same direction as the imaging direction of the digital camera 100, as in FIG. Here, when the display panel 121 is in the self-portrait display mode, the second angle θ ₂ (for example, about 150 degrees) formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 is set as the threshold for switching to the normal display mode. In addition, when the display panel 121 is in the normal display mode, a first angle θ ₁ (for example, about 30 degrees) formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 is set as a threshold for switching to the self-portrait display mode. are doing.

When the display panel 121 faces the imaging direction, it is in the self-portrait display mode. When the display unit 120 is rotated clockwise with respect to the camera body 110 and the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 reaches the second angle threshold θ ₂ , the self-portrait display mode is activated. to normal display mode. After that, when the display unit 120 is rotated in the same direction, the display panel 121 remains in the normal display mode until the limit angle θ _limit is reached. When the display panel 121 is at the self-portrait position and the user tries to turn around, it is assumed that the user intends to take a self-portrait. Convenience is improved.

8 and 9, the rotation angle of the display unit 1320 about the rotation axis 132 is represented by an angle inclined from the back surface of the camera body 110. is equivalent to the angle at which the display direction of is tilted.

Subsequently, in the normal display mode, the display unit 120 is rotated counterclockwise on the paper surface, and the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 reaches the second angle threshold value θ _{2 .} Even if it reaches , the display mode passes through without switching. After that, when the display unit 120 is rotated in the same direction and reaches the first angle threshold value θ ₁ , the normal display mode is switched to the selfie display mode. When the display panel 121 is in the normal shooting position and the user tries to change the orientation, it can be inferred that the user intends to shoot normally. improves.

From the viewpoint of cost reduction, the detection of the first angle threshold value θ ₁ and the second angle threshold value θ ₂ should be realized with a minimum sensor configuration, but the details of the sensor configuration will be left to Section D below. .

FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 and the display mode of the display panel in the operation example of the digital camera 100 shown in FIG.

In the self-portrait display mode, the display unit 120 is rotated clockwise with respect to the camera body 110, and the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 is the second angle. When the threshold θ ₂ is reached, the display panel 121 switches from the selfie display mode to the normal display mode. The operation in which the display panel 121 reaches the second angle threshold value θ ₂ corresponds to the operation of turning the display panel 121 in the opposite direction to the imaging direction and switching to normal shooting. After that, when the display unit 120 is rotated in the same direction, the display panel 121 remains in the normal display mode until the limit angle θ _limit is reached.

On the other hand, in the normal display mode, the display unit 120 is rotated counterclockwise on the page of FIG. Even if θ ₂ is reached, the display mode passes without being switched. After that, when the display unit 120 is rotated in the same direction and reaches the first angle threshold value θ ₁ , the normal display mode is switched to the selfie display mode. The operation of the display panel 121 reaching the first angle threshold value θ ₁ corresponds to the operation of turning the display panel 121 toward the imaging direction and switching to self-shooting. Thereafter, when the display unit 120 is rotated in the same direction, the display panel 121 remains in the self-portrait display mode until the display direction of the display panel 121 becomes substantially the same as the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 .

After the display unit 120 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 9 to return to the self-portrait display mode, the display unit 120 is again rotated clockwise in FIG. repeat.

According to the present disclosure, a second angle threshold θ 2 for switching to the normal display mode when the display panel 121 is in the selfie display mode, and a first angle threshold θ ₂ for switching to the selfie display mode when the display panel 121 is in the normal display mode. The angle threshold θ ₁ can be set independently. Therefore, if the second angle threshold θ ₂ is set to a value larger than the first angle threshold θ ₁ as shown in FIG. 9, self-portrait display mode and normal display mode Since a hysteresis interval that can be any of the above is formed, it is possible to set a display mode according to the user's intention of photographing, and user convenience is improved. Of course, the first angle threshold _θ1 for switching to the selfie display mode when in the normal display mode should be set to a larger value than the second angle threshold _θ2 for switching to the normal display mode when in the selfie display mode. This improves another user convenience. For example, when the display panel 121 is tilted 30 degrees from the selfie display mode facing the front of the camera, the display mode is switched to the normal display mode, but the selfie display mode can be maintained in a wider range.

FIG. 11 shows a mode transition diagram of the display panel 121 in the digital camera 100 to which the present disclosure is applied. As described above, in this embodiment, the display modes of the display panel 121 include the self-portrait display mode and the normal display mode. In addition to displaying the live view video, the display panel 121 is also used to display recorded captured images, setting values of imaging conditions, and remaining battery power. For simplicity of explanation, display modes for other purposes are omitted.

The angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 is monitored in both the self-portrait display mode and the normal display mode. However, from the viewpoint of cost reduction, the angle is simplified into several patterns and monitored in order to realize the minimum sensor configuration. Specifically, whether or not the angle is within the range of 0 degrees to θ ₁ and whether or not the angle is within the range of θ ₂ to 180 degrees are monitored at coarse granularity.

In the self-portrait display mode, even if the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 exceeds the first angle threshold value _θ1 , the mode transition is not caused and the self-portrait display mode is maintained. While the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 is less than the second angle threshold value _θ2 , the self-portrait display mode is maintained without mode transition. When the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 becomes equal to or greater than the second angle threshold value _θ2 , the self-portrait display mode is switched to the normal display mode. The operation of reaching the second angle threshold θ ₂ corresponds to the operation of turning the display panel 121 in the opposite direction to the imaging direction and switching to normal imaging.

In the normal display mode, even if the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 becomes less than the second angle threshold value _θ2 , the normal display mode is maintained without mode transition. . When the angle formed by the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 becomes equal to or less than the first angle threshold value _θ1 , the normal display mode is switched to the self-portrait display mode. The action of reaching the first angle threshold θ ₁ corresponds to the action of turning the display panel 121 toward the imaging direction and switching to self-shooting.

As shown in FIG _. 9, if the second angle threshold _θ2 is set to a value larger than the first angle threshold θ1, the hysteresis interval ( 10) is formed, it is possible to set the display mode according to the user's intention of photographing, and the user's convenience is improved.

The display mode transitions shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can also be realized by hardware using flip-flops, for example.

C. Functional Configuration of Digital Camera In section C, the functional configuration of the digital camera 100 that realizes the display mode switching operation and imaging operation described in section B above will be described.

FIG. 12 shows a functional configuration example inside the digital camera 100 . The illustrated digital camera 100 includes a control unit 1201 , a display unit 1202 , an imaging unit 1203 , a detection unit 1204 , a recording unit 1205 and an operation unit 1206 . Each part will be described below.

The display unit 1202 includes the display panel described above. The display panel is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (electro-luminescence) display, and a touch panel is superimposed on the screen. The display unit 1202 is movably connected to the main body of the digital camera 100 via a hinge (not shown in FIG. 12). For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the hinge part can open and close the display part 1202 around the opening/closing axis 131 with respect to the main body of the digital camera 100 and rotate around the rotation axis 132 with respect to the opening/closing axis. Supports, but is not necessarily limited to, such a degree-of-freedom configuration. A drive signal for the liquid crystal panel and a detection signal for the touch panel pass through the hinge portion, but the details are omitted.

The imaging unit 1203 includes an imaging device such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxyde Semiconductor), an optical system that forms an image of reflected light from a subject on an imaging surface of the imaging device, and the like. The imaging unit 1203 generates an image signal of an object by photoelectric conversion, and outputs the signal to the control unit 1201 .

A detection unit 1204 detects the relationship between the display unit 1202 and the imaging unit 1203 . Specifically, for example, when the display unit 1202 is connected to the main body of the digital camera 100 by the vari-angle method or the multi-angle method, the display direction of the display unit 1202 and the imaging direction of the imaging unit 1203 are at a predetermined angle (the above-described (first angle threshold θ ₁ , second angle threshold θ _{2 ,} etc.). From the viewpoint of cost reduction, the detection unit 1204 is configured with a minimum number of sensors, but the details will be given later.

An operation unit 1206 includes mechanical operators such as function buttons and a release button, and functions as a user interface for operating the digital camera 100 . The operation unit 1206 may include various menu buttons presented on the display screen of the display unit 1202 and an external control device such as a remote controller. An operation signal corresponding to the user's input operation received by the operation unit 1206 is output to the control unit 1201 .

The control unit 1201 is a processing device including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). It controls each part in the camera 100 . Also, the control unit 1201 controls each unit based on operation signals from the operation unit 1206 .

In the control unit 1201, memory devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) (both of which are not shown in FIG. 12) are arranged. The ROM nonvolatilely stores important data such as unique information of the digital camera 100 and control programs. The RAM is used to load a control program executed by a processor such as a CPU from the ROM or the recording unit 1205, and to temporarily store work data during execution of the program.

Further, the control unit 1201 functionally includes, for example, a display control unit 1211, an image processing unit 1212, an image recording unit 1213, and the like. These functional modules may be configured as hardware, or may be implemented in a form in which a processor such as a CPU executes a predetermined control program.

The display control unit 1211 performs display control for displaying various data on the display unit 1202 . The display control unit 1211 causes the display unit 1202 to display a currently captured image acquired from the imaging unit 1203, a recorded image captured in the past (or read from the recording unit 1205), and the like. In addition, the display control unit 1211 displays, on the display unit 1202, icons indicating internal states such as the remaining battery capacity and the remaining capacity of the recording unit 1205, and data such as the current time and setting values of parameters used for imaging. Let

Also, the display control unit 1211 controls switching of the display mode of the display unit 1202 according to the detection result of the detection unit 1204 . In this embodiment, the display unit 1202 has at least two display modes, a self-portrait display mode and a normal display mode, when displaying an image being captured by the imaging unit 1203 . Then, the display control unit 1211 controls switching between the self-portrait display mode and the normal display mode according to the mode transition diagram shown in FIG.

An image processing unit 1212 performs predetermined signal processing on the image signal output from the imaging unit 1203 . The signal processing referred to here includes, for example, digital gain adjustment, gamma correction, color correction, contrast correction, and the like.

The image recording unit 1213 compresses and encodes the image signal after signal processing by the image processing unit 1212 using a predetermined compression encoding method such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group). Compressed image data is stored in the recording unit 1205 .

A recording unit 1205 is used to save an image captured by the imaging unit 1203 . The recording unit 1205 can also store a control program for controlling each unit in the digital camera 100, which is executed by the control unit 1201, and data other than images. It includes an internal recording device fixed inside the digital camera 100 and an external recording device detachable from the digital camera 100 . The internal recording device is composed of, for example, a hard disk or flash memory. The external recording device is externally connected to the digital camera 100 via a predetermined interface such as HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface) or USB (Universal Serial Bus).

D. Implementation example As mentioned above, there are two methods for moving the display panel of a digital camera: the tilt method, in which the display unit including the display panel is tilted vertically or vertically, and the tilt method, in which the display unit is opened from the back of the camera body to the left and further moved up and down. There is a vari-angle method in which the display is tilted in any direction, and a multi-angle method in which the display unit can be opened and closed in the left-right direction with respect to the camera body and tilted in the vertical direction by combining the tilt method and the vari-angle method. In this Section D, we take vari-angle type and multi-angle type digital cameras as examples, and describe a specific implementation method of the detection unit that detects the relationship between the display unit and the imaging unit, and the display mode switching control based on the detection result. will be explained.

D-1. Vari-Angle System Mounting Example FIGS. 13 and 14 show the left side and back of a vari-angle digital camera 1300, respectively. A digital camera 1300 is composed of a camera body 1310 including an imaging unit 1311 on the front and a display unit 1320 including a display panel 1321 . The display unit 1320 has a 2-degree-of-freedom hinge mechanism 1330 at the left edge of the rear surface of the camera body 1310 so that it can be opened and closed in the horizontal direction around an opening/closing shaft 1331 and can rotate in the vertical direction around a rotation shaft 1332 . connected through In the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the display unit 1320 is closed behind the camera body 1310 with the display panel 1321 facing the back. In this state, the user can shoot while observing the subject in the shooting direction. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an electronic viewfinder (hereinafter simply referred to as “finder”) 1340 is arranged on the upper surface of the camera body 1310 at a position substantially in the center of the display panel 1321 . The user can also observe the subject in the imaging direction through the viewfinder 1340 instead of the display panel 1321 .

In each figure referred to in the following description, when drawing the side surface of the display unit 1320, the display unit 1320 is drawn in cross section and the hinge mechanism 1330 is drawn so that the surface (display direction) facing the display panel 1321 can be easily understood. Illustration is omitted.

15 and 16 respectively show the left side and back of the digital camera 1300 with the display section 1320 rotated by 90 degrees around the opening/closing axis 1331 from the normal position.

17 and 18, the display unit 1320 is further rotated about the opening/closing shaft 1331 by 90 degrees from the state shown in FIGS. The left and rear sides of the digital camera 1300 opened 180 degrees are shown, respectively. In this state, the display panel 1321 faces forward and is in a self-portrait position where the display direction is the same as the imaging direction. It is possible to take an image that includes the person himself as the subject. At this time, if the image captured by the imaging unit 1311 is horizontally reversed and displayed on the display panel 1321, the user can switch to the self-portrait display mode to display the image vertically and horizontally aligned with the image captured by the imaging unit 1311 while observing the image. You can take pictures.

19 and 20, the display panel 1321 is rotated downward (clockwise on the paper surface) by rotating the display unit 1320 by 90 degrees around the rotation axis from the self-portrait display state shown in FIGS. The left and rear sides of the digital camera 1300 facing upward are shown, respectively. In this state, even if the digital camera 1300 is moved to a low position, the user can observe the image captured by the imaging unit 1311 on the display panel 1321 in a natural posture of looking down, so the low-angle It becomes easier to take pictures.

21 and 22, the display panel 1320 is further rotated 90 degrees in the same direction around the rotation axis (clockwise on the paper surface) from the low-angle display state shown in FIGS. The left and rear sides of the digital camera 1300 with the 1321 turned over are shown, respectively. In the state shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the display panel 1321 fits inside the back surface of the camera body 1310, whereas in the state shown in FIGS. Open position. In this laterally open position, if an image taken by the imaging unit 1311 is reversed vertically and horizontally and displayed on the display panel 1321, the user can observe an image that matches the image taken by the imaging unit 1311 vertically and horizontally. You can take pictures.

23 and 24, the display unit 1320 is rotated downward (clockwise on the paper surface) by 90 degrees around the rotation axis from the laterally opened position shown in FIGS. The left and rear sides of the digital camera 1300 are shown, respectively, in the facing position. In this state, even if the digital camera 1300 is moved to a high position, the user can observe the image captured by the imaging unit 1311 on the display panel 1321 while facing upwards, which is a natural posture. It becomes easier to take pictures.

25 and 26, the display unit 1320 is rotated 180 degrees in the closing direction around the opening/closing shaft 1331 from the horizontal opening position shown in FIGS. The left side and back of the closed digital camera 1300 are shown, respectively. In this state, the display panel 1321 is hidden and cannot be observed by the user. Since it is preferable to turn off the display of the display panel 1321 to save power, this is set as a panel-off position. In this state, the user observes the subject through the viewfinder 1340 and takes a photograph.

As described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 26, in the vari-angle digital camera 1300, the display unit 1320 has at least a normal position, a selfie position, a low angle position, a laterally open position, a high angle position, and a Six positions of the panel off position can be taken. In order to control the automatic switching of the display mode of the display panel 1321 according to the position of the display unit 1320, it is necessary to identify at least the above six positions by the detection unit. Also, from the viewpoint of cost reduction, it is preferable to detect the position of the display unit 1320 with a minimum sensor configuration.

Therefore, a method for detecting the position of the display unit 1320 using the minimum number of magnets and magnetic sensors will be described below. The magnetic sensor referred to here is assumed to be a sensor such as an MR sensor (magnetoresistive element) that detects changes in a magnetic field in a predetermined direction.

FIGS. 27 to 30 show examples of arranging the MR sensor and magnets in the digital camera 1300. FIG. However, FIGS. 27 and 28 show the state where the display section 1320 is in the normal position, and FIGS. 29 and 30 show the state where the display section 1320 is upside down and in the panel off position. In the examples shown in the figures, four MR sensors 2701A, 2701B, 2701C, and 2701D are arranged on the camera body 1310 side, and four magnets 2711A, 2711B, 2711C, and 2711E are arranged on the display unit 1320 side. there is An arrow drawn in a square block indicating each MR sensor indicates the direction of a detectable magnetic field. Each magnet is basically composed of a pair of an N pole and an S pole, and a magnetic field is generated from the N pole to the S pole. Therefore, when a magnet that generates a detectable magnetic field direction approaches an MR sensor within a predetermined distance, the MR sensor is turned on, and when the magnet leaves the predetermined distance, the MR sensor is turned off. These four MR sensors 2701A, 2701B, 2701C and 2701D and four magnets 2711A, 2711B, 2711C and 2711E constitute the detection section 1204 in the functional block diagram shown in FIG. Note that the MR sensors and magnets are drawn relatively larger than the digital camera 1300 for the convenience of explaining the arrangement of the MR sensors and magnets.

The MR sensor 2701A and the MR sensor 2701D are used to detect the rotation of the display unit 1320 around the rotation axis 1332, that is, the vertical reversal of the display panel 1321 by detecting the magnet 2711A. As can be seen from FIGS. 27 and 28, the MR sensor 2701A and the magnet 2711A face each other near the left edges of the camera main body 1310 and the display 1320 when the display unit 1320 is in the normal position. are arranged so as to be in the direction of the magnetic field detectable by the MR sensor 2701A. Therefore, in the normal position as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, MR sensor 2701A detects the magnetic field of magnet 2711A and is turned on. Although not shown, the MR sensor 2701A continues to detect the magnet 2711A even while the display unit 1320 is opening and closing around the opening/closing shaft 1331 unless the display unit 1320 rotates up and down, that is, it is in the ON state.

On the other hand, as can be seen from FIGS. 27 and 28, the MR sensor 2701D is arranged on the camera body 1310 vertically symmetrical to the MR sensor 2701A with respect to the rotation axis 1332. FIG. Therefore, when the display unit 1320 rotates around the rotation axis 1332 and the display panel 1321 is turned upside down as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the MR sensor 2701D detects the magnetic field of the magnet 2711A and turns on. Although not shown, the MR sensor 2701D continues to detect the magnet 2711A even while the display unit 1320 is opening and closing with respect to the camera body 1311 around the opening/closing shaft 1331 unless the display unit 1320 rotates up and down. state.

The MR sensor 2701C is used to detect the state in which the display section 1320 is closed behind the camera body 1310 by detecting either the magnet 2711C or the magnet 2711E. As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the MR sensor 2701C is arranged near the upper end of the closed display section 1320 on the camera body 1310 side. The magnet 2711C is arranged in a position opposite to the MR sensor 2701C in the normal position and in the direction of the magnetic field detectable by the MR sensor 2701C. Therefore, in the normal position as shown in FIG. 28, MR sensor 2701C detects the magnetic field of magnet 2711C and is turned on. Although not shown, the MR sensor 2701C is turned off when the display unit 1320 is opened around the opening/closing shaft 1331 and the magnetic field of the magnet 2711C is out of the detection range.

As can be seen from FIGS. 27 and 28, the magnet 2711E is arranged on the display section 1320 vertically symmetrical to the magnet 2711C with respect to the rotating shaft 1332. As shown in FIG. That is, when the display unit 1320 is turned upside down to the panel-off position, the magnet 2711E is arranged to face the MR sensor 2701C and in the direction of the magnetic field detectable by the MR sensor 2701C. Therefore, as can be seen from FIG. 30, in the panel off position, the MR sensor 2701C detects the magnetic field of the magnet 2711E and is turned on. Although not shown, when the display unit 1320 opens around the opening/closing shaft 1331 and the magnetic field of the magnet 2711E goes out of the detection range, the MR sensor 2701C is turned off.

The MR sensor 2701B is used to detect the opening/closing operation of the display unit 1320 about the opening/closing shaft 1331, that is, the horizontal reversal of the display panel 1321 by detecting the magnet 2711B. Since it is difficult to understand from FIGS. 27 to 30, the arrangement of the MR sensor 2701B and the magnet 2711B and the operation of the MR sensor 2701B will be described with reference to enlarged top views of the vicinity of the opening/closing shaft 1331 shown in FIGS. 31 to 34. do. However, in FIG. 31, when the display unit 1320 is in the normal position (the display panel 1321 is facing rearward and closed to the camera body 1310), in FIG. 33 shows the self-portrait position in which the display unit 1320 is opened 180 degrees from the normal position around the opening/closing axis 1331, and FIG. Each shows a state in which the display panel 1321 is facing rearward and opened from the camera body 1310 .

The MR sensor 2701B is arranged on the side of the camera body 1310 and slightly closer to the center of the opening/closing shaft 1331 . On the other hand, magnet 2711B is arranged near opening/closing axis 1331 of display panel 1321 . The magnet 2711B rotates together with the opening/closing shaft 1331 when the display unit 1320 is opened and closed, but rotates together with the opening/closing shaft 1331 when the display unit 1320 is rotated (in other words, turned upside down). It does not move around axis 1332 .

As shown in FIG. 31, when the display panel 1321 is in the normal position, the magnet 2711B is arranged near the opening/closing shaft 1331 so as to be on the opposite side of the MR sensor 2701B with the opening/closing shaft 1331 therebetween. In this state, MR sensor 2701B is off because magnet 2711B is too far away to detect sufficient magnetic flux.

As shown in FIG. 32, when the display unit 1320 is opened about the opening/closing shaft 1331 by 135 degrees from the normal position, the magnetic field generated by the magnet 2711B reaches the MR sensor 2701B, turning on the MR sensor 2701B. In the selfie position where the display 1320 is opened 180 degrees as shown in FIG. 33, the MR sensor 2701B remains on. In addition, since the magnet 2711B does not move integrally with the opening/closing shaft 1331 until the display portion 1320 is turned around the rotation shaft 1332 (in other words, turned upside down) to change to the laterally opened position shown in FIG. MR sensor 2701B remains on.

FIG. 35 shows six patterns of the display unit 1320 when the MR sensors 2701A, 2701B, 2701C and 2701D and the magnets 2711A, 2711B, 2711C and 2711E shown in FIGS. 27 to 34 are arranged in the digital camera 1300. It summarizes the relationship between the ON/OFF operations of the four MR sensors 2701A, 2701B, 2701C, and 2701D at each position. Six positions of the display 1320 relative to the camera body 1310 can be identified based on the on/off operation of each of the MR sensors 2701A, 2701B, 2701C, and 2701D.

Specifically, whether or not the display panel 1321 is turned upside down can be identified by turning on/off the MR sensor 2701A and the MR sensor 2701D. Further, it is possible to identify whether the display panel 1321 is opened from the camera body 1310 by turning on/off the MR sensor 2701B. Also, it can be identified whether the display unit 1320 is open or closed from the camera body 1310 by turning on/off the MR sensor 2701C. In short, it should be understood that the orientation of the display panel 1321 can be detected in a simplified six patterns with a small number of sensor configurations, and cost reduction can be realized.

Next, switching control between the self-portrait display mode and the normal display mode based on the detection result of the MR sensor in the digital camera 1300 will be described.

As described above, it is possible to identify whether the display panel 1321 is turned upside down by turning on/off the MR sensor 2701A and the MR sensor 2701D. When the display unit 1320 is opened from the camera body 1310, the self-shooting position and the laterally opened position can be identified by turning on/off the MR sensor 2701A and the MR sensor 2701D.

36 and 37 show the left side and back of the digital camera 1300 with the display unit 1320 at the self-shooting position, together with the MR sensors 2701A and 2701D, and the magnet 2711A. As can be seen from FIGS. 36 and 37, MR sensor 2701A is on and MR sensor 2701D is off. At the self-portrait position, the display unit 1320 is horizontally reversed from the normal position, so the display panel 1321 enters a self-portrait display mode (for example, see FIG. 3) in which the captured image is horizontally reversed and displayed.

38 and 39 show the left side surface and back surface of the digital camera 1300 with the display unit 1320 in the laterally open position together with the MR sensors 2701A and 2701D and the magnet 2711A. As can be seen from each figure, MR sensor 2701A is turned off and MR sensor 2701D is turned on. In the laterally open position, the display unit 1320 is vertically and horizontally reversed from the normal position, so the display panel 1321 is in a normal display mode in which the captured image is vertically and horizontally reversed and displayed (see, for example, FIG. 5). becomes.

The on/off operation of the MR sensor 2701A and the MR sensor 2701D in accordance with the rotation operation of the display unit 1320 will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 and 41. FIG. Here, however, the angle at which the display unit 1320 rotates clockwise around the rotation axis 1332 from the self-portrait position is θ.

The MR sensor 2701A detects sufficient magnetic flux from the magnet 2711A and turns on when the rotation angle θ of the display unit 1320 is in the range of 0 degrees to about 30 degrees as shown in FIG. Above 30 degrees, the magnetic flux drops and switches from on to off. Further, when the rotation is continued and the rotation angle θ of the display unit 1320 exceeds approximately 150 degrees as shown in FIG. MR sensor 2701D detects sufficient magnetic flux from magnet 2711A to switch from off to on.

Therefore, in the digital camera 1300, as shown in FIG. 42, the second angle threshold θ ₂ for switching from the normal display mode to the selfie display mode is set to 150 degrees, and the selfie display mode is switched to the normal display mode. By setting the first angle threshold θ ₁ to 30 degrees, the switching operation of the display mode as shown in FIG. 9, the hysteresis characteristic as shown in FIG. 10, and the display mode transition as shown in FIG. can be realized. As a result, it becomes possible to set a display mode according to the user's intention of photographing, and user convenience is improved. However, the first angle threshold θ ₁ of 30 degrees and the second angle threshold θ ₂ of 150 degrees depend on the sensitivity of each MR sensor used, the magnetic force of the magnet, and the location of the MR sensor and the magnet (from the rotation axis 1322). distance), etc.

Also, the first angle threshold _θ1 for switching to the selfie display mode in the normal display mode should be set to a larger value than the second angle threshold _θ2 for switching to the normal display mode in the selfie display mode. This improves another user convenience. For example, when the display panel 1321 is tilted 30 degrees from the selfie display mode facing the front of the camera, the display mode is switched to the normal display mode, but the selfie display mode can be maintained in a wider range.

40 to 42, the rotation angle of the display unit 1320 around the rotation axis 1332 is represented by an angle inclined from the back surface of the camera body 1310. This is the display panel with respect to the imaging direction of the imaging unit 1311. 1321 is equivalent to the angle at which the display direction is tilted.

D-2. Implementation Example of Multi-Angle System FIGS. 43 and 44 show the left side and back of a multi-angle digital camera 4300, respectively. A digital camera 4300 is composed of a camera body 4310 including an imaging unit 4311 on the front and a display unit 4320 including a display panel 4321 . The display unit 4320 includes a vertical tilt mechanism unit 4330 that tilts in the vertical direction (or in the vertical direction) with respect to the back surface of the camera body 4310, and a left edge of the vertical tilt mechanism unit 4330 that can be opened and closed in the horizontal direction and rotates in the vertical direction. It is connected to the camera body 4310 via a horizontal vari-angle mechanism 4340 that can be used.

The vertical tilt mechanism section 4330 includes a first support plate 4331 and a second support plate 4332 in order from the rear surface of the camera body 4310. The first support plate 4331 is attached to the rear surface of the camera body 4310 at its lower edge to form the first tilt mechanism. It is rotatably supported via a shaft 4333 and rotatably supports a second support plate 4332 via a second tilt shaft 4334 at its upper edge. Further, the horizontal vari-angle mechanism portion 4340 has two degrees of freedom of an opening/closing shaft 4341 and a rotation shaft 4342 with respect to the second support plate 4332 of the vertical tilt mechanism portion 4330 .

In the examples shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, the display unit 4320 is closed behind the camera body 4310 with the display panel 4321 facing the back, which is the normal position. In this state, the user can shoot while observing the display panel 4321 in the imaging direction.

In the multi-angle type digital camera 4300, when the vertical tilt mechanism section 4330 is fixed, the display section 4320 can move the camera body 4310 by two degrees of freedom of the opening/closing axis 4341 and the rotation axis 4342 of the horizontal vari-angle mechanism section 4340. It is possible to open and close in the horizontal direction and to rotate it in the vertical direction. That is, when the vertical tilt mechanism 4330 is fixed, the display unit 4320 can be positioned at the normal position, the selfie position, the low angle position, and the horizontal position with respect to the camera body 4310 (or with respect to the second support plate 4332). It can take six positions: an open position, a high-angle position, and a panel-off position. The normal position is as shown in FIG. A side view of the digital camera 4300 when the display unit 4320 is at each of the self-shooting position, the low angle position, the horizontal open position, the high angle position, and the panel off position in a state where the vertical tilt mechanism unit 4330 is fixed. 45 to 49, respectively.

The self-portrait position shown in FIG. 45 is a position where the display unit 4320 is opened 180 degrees to the left around the opening/closing shaft 4341 from the normal position shown in FIG. In the low angle position shown in FIG. 46, the display unit 4320 is rotated upward (clockwise on the paper surface) by 90 degrees around the rotation axis 4342 with respect to the second support plate 4332 from the selfie position shown in FIG. position. 47, the display unit 4320 is further rotated upward (clockwise on the paper surface) by 90 degrees from the self-shooting position shown in FIG. This is the position where the image is flipped upside down. The high angle position shown in FIG. 48 is a position where the display unit 4320 is further rotated by 90 degrees around the rotation axis 4342 (clockwise on the paper surface) with respect to the second support plate 4332 from the laterally opened position shown in FIG. be. The panel-off position shown in FIG. 49 is a position where the display unit 4320 is rotated rightward by 180 degrees about the opening/closing shaft 4341 from the side-open position shown in FIG.

In the multi-angle digital camera 4300, the camera body 4310 supports the display section 4320 via the vertical tilt mechanism section 4330, so the first tilt axis 4333 of the first support plate 4331 with respect to the camera body 4310 and the vertical tilt operation of the second support plate 4332 with respect to the first support plate 4331 about the second tilt shaft 4334, thereby moving the display unit 4320 up and down with respect to the camera body 4310. direction can be tilted. Further, in a posture tilted in the vertical direction, the display unit 4320 can be opened and closed in the horizontal direction with respect to the second support plate 4332 by the two degrees of freedom of the opening/closing shaft 4341 and the rotating shaft 4342 of the horizontal vari-angle mechanism unit 4340. And rotation operation in the vertical direction is possible. That is, even in a tilted posture, the display unit 4320 can be positioned in six positions with respect to the second support plate 4332: the normal position, the selfie position, the low angle position, the side opening position, the high angle position, and the panel off position. can take

50 to 56, in a posture in which the second support plate 4332 is tilted with respect to the first support plate 4331, the display unit 4320 is at the normal position with respect to the second support plate 4332, and 90 degrees from the normal position. The digital camera 4300 is viewed from the side in each of the position opened to the left by 1 degree, the self-shooting position, the low-angle position, the side-open position, the high-angle position, and the panel-off position.

The normal position shown in FIG. 50 is the position where the second support plate 4332 is tilted with respect to the first support plate 4331 from the position shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 51, the display unit 4320 can be opened and closed around the opening/closing shaft 4341 . The self-portrait position shown in FIG. 52 is a position where the display unit 4320 is opened 180 degrees to the left around the opening/closing shaft 4341 from the normal position shown in FIG. The low angle position shown in FIG. 53 is obtained by rotating the display unit 4320 upward (clockwise on the paper surface) by 90 degrees from the self-portrait position shown in FIG. position. The laterally open position shown in FIG. 54 is obtained by rotating the display unit 4320 upward (clockwise on the paper surface) by 180 degrees from the self-shooting position shown in FIG. This is the upside down position. The high angle position shown in FIG. 55 is a position where the display unit 4320 is further rotated by 90 degrees around the rotation axis 4342 (clockwise on the paper surface) with respect to the second support plate 4332 from the laterally opened position shown in FIG. be. The panel-off position shown in FIG. 56 is a position where the display unit 4320 is rotated rightward by 180 degrees about the opening/closing shaft 4341 from the side-open position shown in FIG.

57 to 63, in a posture in which the first support plate 4331 is tilted with respect to the camera body 4310, the display unit 4320 is at the normal position with respect to the second support plate 4332, and 90 degrees from the normal position. The digital camera 4300 is viewed from the side in each of the position opened to the left by 1 degree, the self-shooting position, the low-angle position, the side-open position, the high-angle position, and the panel-off position.

The normal position shown in FIG. 57 is a position where the first support plate 4331 is further tilted with respect to the camera body 4310 from the position shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 58, the display unit 4320 can be opened/closed around the opening/closing shaft 4341 . The self-portrait position shown in FIG. 59 is a position where the display unit 4320 is opened 180 degrees to the left around the opening/closing shaft 4341 from the normal position shown in FIG. The low angle position shown in FIG. 60 is obtained by rotating the display unit 4320 upward (clockwise on the paper surface) by 90 degrees from the self-shooting position shown in FIG. position. 61 is obtained by rotating the display unit 4320 upward (clockwise on the paper surface) by 180 degrees around the rotation axis 4342 with respect to the second support plate 4332 from the self-shooting position shown in FIG. This is the upside down position. In the high angle position shown in FIG. 62, the display unit 4320 is further rotated upward (clockwise on the paper surface) by 90 degrees around the rotation shaft 4342 with respect to the second support plate 4332 from the side open position shown in FIG. position. The panel-off position shown in FIG. 63 is a position where the display unit 4320 is rotated rightward by 180 degrees about the opening/closing shaft 4341 from the side-open position shown in FIG.

As described with reference to FIGS. 43 to 63, in the multi-angle digital camera 4300, at each vertical tilt position using the vertical tilt mechanism 4330, the display unit 4320 has at least the normal position, the selfie position, It can take six positions: a low-angle position, a side-open position, a high-angle position, and a panel-off position. In order to control the automatic switching of the display mode of the display panel 4321 according to the position of the display section 4320, it is necessary to identify at least the above six positions by the detection section. In addition, from the viewpoint of cost reduction, it is preferable to detect the position of the display unit 4320 with a minimum sensor configuration.

Therefore, a method of detecting the position of the display unit 4320 using the minimum number of magnets and MR sensors even in the multi-angle method will be described. However, for the sake of convenience, the following description will be limited to position detection of the display unit 4320 with respect to the second support plate 4332 . Similarly, the position of the second support plate 4332 relative to the first support plate 4331 or the position of the second support plate 4332 relative to the camera body 4310 cannot be detected using a minimum number of magnets and MR sensors. It is possible, but not addressed here.

FIGS. 64 to 69 show examples of arranging the MR sensor and magnets in the digital camera 4300. FIG. However, FIGS. 64 to 66 show the state in which the display section 4320 is in the normal position, and FIGS. 67 to 69 show the state in which the display section 4320 is upside down and in the panel off position. In the examples shown in the drawings, MR sensors 6401A, 6401B, 6401C, and 6401D are arranged on the second support plate 4332, magnets 6411A, 6411B, 6411C, 6411D, and 6411F are arranged on the display section 4320, and the rear surface of the camera body 4310 is arranged. An MR sensor 6401E is arranged on the side, and a magnet 6411E is arranged on the second support plate 4332 . An arrow drawn in a square block indicating each MR sensor indicates the direction of a detectable magnetic field. Each magnet is basically composed of a pair of an N pole and an S pole, and a magnetic field is generated from the N pole to the S pole. Therefore, when a magnet that generates a detectable magnetic field direction approaches an MR sensor within a predetermined distance, the MR sensor is turned on, and when the magnet leaves the predetermined distance, the MR sensor is turned off. These five MR sensors 6401A, 6401B, 6401C, 6401D, 6401E and six magnets 6411A, 6411B, 6411C, 6411D, 6411E, 6411F constitute the detection unit 1204 in the functional block diagram shown in FIG. shall be Note that the MR sensors and magnets are drawn relatively larger than the digital camera 4300 for the convenience of explaining the arrangement of the MR sensors and magnets.

The MR sensor 6401A and the MR sensor 6401D are used to detect the rotation of the display unit 4320 around the rotation axis 4342, that is, the vertical reversal of the display panel 4321 by detecting the magnets 6411A and 6411D, respectively. As can be seen from FIG. 66, the MR sensor 6401A and the magnet 6411A are located in the normal position of the display section 4320, at locations facing each other near the left edge of the second support plate 4332 side and the display section 4320 side, and the magnet 6411A are arranged so as to be in the direction of the magnetic field detectable by the MR sensor 6401A. Therefore, in the normal position as shown in FIG. 66, MR sensor 6401A detects the magnetic field of magnet 6411A and is turned on. Although not shown, the MR sensor 6401A continues to detect the magnet 6411A as long as the display unit 4320 does not rotate vertically even while the display unit 4320 is opening and closing with respect to the second support plate 4332 around the opening/closing shaft 4341. , that is, the ON state.

On the other hand, the MR sensor 6401D is arranged adjacent to the MR sensor 6401A so that the detection direction of the magnetic field is opposite to that of the MR sensor 6401A. As can be seen from FIG. 66, the magnet 6411D is arranged at a position above the display section 4320 so as to be vertically symmetrical with the magnet 6411A with respect to the rotating shaft 4342 and have the same polarity. Therefore, when the display unit 4320 rotates around the rotating shaft 4342 and the display panel 4321 is turned upside down as shown in FIG. It is turned on by detecting the magnetic field of magnet 6411D. Although illustration is omitted, the MR sensor 6401D continues to detect the magnet 6411D as long as the display unit 4320 does not rotate vertically even while the display unit 4320 is opening and closing with respect to the second support plate 4332 around the opening/closing shaft 4341. , that is, the ON state.

The MR sensor 6401C is used to detect the closed state of the display section 4320 by the second support plate 4332 by detecting either the magnet 6411C or the magnet 6411F. As shown in FIGS. 65 and 66, the MR sensor 6401C is arranged near the upper end of the closed display section 4320 on the second support plate 4332 side. The magnet 6411C is arranged in a position opposite to the MR sensor 6401C in the normal position and in the direction of the magnetic field detectable by the MR sensor 6401C. Therefore, in the normal position as shown in FIGS. 65 and 66, MR sensor 6401C detects the magnetic field of magnet 6411C and is turned on. Although illustration is omitted, when the display unit 4320 is opened around the opening/closing axis 4341 and the magnetic field of the magnet 6411C is out of the detection range, the MR sensor 6401C is turned off.

As can be seen from FIGS. 65 and 66, the magnet 6411F is arranged on the display section 4320 vertically symmetrical to the magnet 6411C with respect to the rotating shaft 4342 . That is, when the display unit 4320 is turned upside down to the panel-off position, the magnet 6411F is arranged so as to face the MR sensor 6401C and in the direction of the magnetic field detectable by the MR sensor 6401C. Therefore, as can be seen from FIGS. 68 and 69, at the panel off position, the MR sensor 6401C detects the magnetic field of the magnet 6411F and is turned on. Although illustration is omitted, when the display unit 4320 is opened around the opening/closing axis 4341 and the magnetic field of the magnet 6411F goes out of the detection range, the MR sensor 6401C is turned off.

The MR sensor 6401B is used to detect the opening/closing operation of the display unit 4320 about the opening/closing axis 4341, that is, the horizontal reversal of the display panel 4321 by detecting the magnet 6411B. Since it is difficult to understand from FIGS. 64 to 69, further referring to the enlarged top view of the vicinity of the opening/closing shaft 4341 shown in FIG. is placed at the location of On the other hand, magnet 6411B is arranged near opening/closing axis 4341 of display panel 4321 . However, FIG. 70 shows the display unit 4320 in the normal position (a state in which the display panel 4321 is directed rearward and closed to the second support plate 4332).

The magnet 6411B rotates together with the opening/closing shaft 4341 when the display unit 4320 is opened and closed, but rotates together with the opening/closing shaft 4341 when the display unit 4320 is rotated (in other words, turned upside down). It does not move around the axis 4342 . Although illustration is omitted, the operation of the MR sensor 6401B accompanying the opening/closing operation of the display panel 4321 around the opening/closing shaft 4341 is the same as the operation of the MR sensor 2701B described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 34 in section D-1 above. is.

As shown in FIG. 70, when the display panel 4321 is in the normal position, the magnet 6411B is arranged near the opening/closing shaft 4341 so as to be on the opposite side of the opening/closing shaft 4341 from the MR sensor 6401B. In this state, MR sensor 6401B is off because magnet 6411B is too far away to detect sufficient magnetic flux. When the display unit 4320 is opened about the opening/closing shaft 4341 by 135 degrees from the normal position, the magnetic field generated by the magnet 6411B reaches the MR sensor 6401B, turning on the MR sensor 6401B. In the selfie position where the display unit 4320 is opened 180 degrees, the MR sensor 6401B remains on. In addition, since the magnet 6411B does not move integrally with the opening/closing shaft 4341 until the display unit 4320 is rotated around the rotation shaft 4342 (in other words, turned upside down) and changed to the laterally opened position, the MR sensor 6401B is remains on.

In summary, the MR sensors 6401A, 6401B, 6401C, and 6401D are all arranged on the second support plate 4332, and the magnetic fields of the magnets 6411A, 6411B, 6411C or 6411F, 6411D respectively arranged on the display section 4320 is detected and turned on and off. FIG. 71 summarizes the relationships of on/off operations of the four MR sensors 6401A, 6401B, 6401C, and 6401D at six positions of the display unit 4320 with respect to the second support plate 4332. FIG. Six positions of the display 1320 relative to the second support plate 4332 can be identified based on the on-off operation of each MR sensor 6401A, 6401B, 6401C, 6401D.

Specifically, whether or not the display panel 4321 is turned upside down with respect to the second support plate 4332 can be identified by turning on/off the MR sensors 6401A and 6401D. Further, whether or not the display panel 4321 is opened from the second support plate 4332 can be identified by turning on/off the MR sensor 6401B. Also, it can be identified whether the display unit 4320 is opened or closed from the second support plate 4332 by turning on/off the MR sensor 6401C. In short, it should be understood that the orientation of the display panel 4321 with respect to the second support plate 4332 can be detected in a simplified six patterns with a small number of sensor configurations, and cost reduction can be realized.

Also, the MR sensor 6401E is arranged on the back side of the camera body 4310 and detects the magnetic field of the magnet 6411E arranged on the second support plate 4332 to turn on and off. FIG. 72 summarizes the relationship between the vertical tilt positions of the first support plate 4331 and the second support plate 4332 with respect to the camera body 4310 and the ON/OFF operation of the MR sensor 6401E. The vertical tilt positions of the first support plate 4331 and the second support plate 4332 can be identified based on the ON/OFF operation of the MR sensor 6401E. Specifically, when the first support plate 4331 and the second support plate 4332 are closed to the rear surface of the camera body 4310, the MR sensor 6401E is turned on and the first support plate 4331 and the second support plate 4332 are closed. opens from the back of the camera body 4310, the MR sensor 6401E is turned off.

Next, switching control between the self-portrait display mode and the normal display mode based on the detection result of the MR sensor in the digital camera 4300 will be described.

When the display unit 4320 is in the self-shooting position, the MR sensor 6401A is turned on and the MR sensor 6401D is turned off in any vertical tilt state as shown in FIGS. At the self-portrait position, the display unit 4320 is horizontally reversed from the normal position, so the display panel 4321 enters a self-portrait display mode (for example, see FIG. 3) in which the captured image is horizontally reversed and displayed.

On the other hand, when the display unit 4320 is in the horizontally open position, the MR sensor 6401A is turned off and the MR sensor 6401D is turned on in any vertical tilt state as shown in FIGS. In the laterally open position, the display unit 4320 is vertically and horizontally inverted from the normal position, so the display panel 4321 is in a normal display mode in which the captured image is vertically and horizontally inverted and displayed (see, for example, FIG. 5). becomes.

The on/off operation of the MR sensor 6401A and MR sensor 6401D in accordance with the rotation operation of the display unit 4320 will be described with reference to FIGS. 73 to 77. FIG. Here, however, the angle at which the display unit 4320 rotates clockwise around the rotation axis 4342 from the self-portrait position is θ.

The MR sensor 6401A detects sufficient magnetic flux from the magnet 6411A and turns on when the rotation angle θ of the display unit 4320 is in the range of 0 degrees to about 30 degrees as shown in FIG. Above 30 degrees, the magnetic flux drops and switches from on to off. Further, when the rotation is continued and the rotation angle θ of the display unit 4320 exceeds approximately 150 degrees as shown in FIG. MR sensor 6401D detects sufficient magnetic flux from magnet 6411A to switch from off to on.

Therefore, in the digital camera 4300, as shown in FIG. 75, the second angle threshold θ ₂ for switching from the normal display mode to the selfie display mode is set to 150 degrees, and the selfie display mode is switched to the normal display mode. By setting the first angle threshold θ ₁ to 30 degrees (that is, by setting the second angle threshold θ ₂ to a larger value than the first angle threshold θ ₁ ), as shown in FIG. display mode switching operation, hysteresis characteristics as shown in FIG. 10, and display mode transitions as shown in FIG. As a result, it becomes possible to set a display mode according to the user's intention of photographing, and user convenience is improved.

73 to 75, the rotation angle of the display unit 4320 about the rotation axis 4342 is represented by an angle inclined from the back surface of the camera body 4310. This is the display panel with respect to the imaging direction of the imaging unit 4311. 4321 is equivalent to the tilted angle.

However, the first angle threshold θ ₁ of 30 degrees and the second angle threshold θ ₂ of 150 degrees depend on the sensitivity of each MR sensor used, the magnetic force of the magnet, and the location of the MR sensor and the magnet (from the rotation axis 1322). distance), etc.

73 to 75 show the state in which the display unit 4320 is not vertically tilted with respect to the camera body 4310, but when the second support plate 4332 is tilted with respect to the first support plate 4331, Similarly, when the first support plate 4331 is tilted with respect to the camera body 4310, display mode transitions having hysteresis characteristics can be realized as shown in FIGS. 76 and 77, respectively.

Also, the first angle threshold _θ1 for switching to the selfie display mode in the normal display mode should be set to a larger value than the second angle threshold _θ2 for switching to the normal display mode in the selfie display mode. This improves another user convenience. For example, when the display panel 4321 is tilted 30 degrees from the selfie display mode facing the front of the camera, the display mode is switched to the normal display mode, but the selfie display mode can be maintained in a wider range. This is noticeable in this vertically tilted and horizontally opened state. For example, in the display mode transition shown in FIG. 77, when the display panel 4321 is tilted clockwise from 0 degrees, the display switches to the normal display before the display panel 4321 faces the front of the camera. This problem can be solved by exchanging the magnitude relationship between θ ₁ and the second angle threshold θ ₂ .

The present disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present disclosure can be suitably applied to a digital camera, such as a digital still camera and a digital video camera, which has a movable display panel on the back of the device body. Also, in this specification, the embodiments in which the present disclosure is applied to a digital camera have been mainly described, but the gist of the present disclosure is not limited to this. Various types of information equipment and electronic equipment (for example, information terminals such as smartphones) that have a movable display panel on the main body and switch the display such as flipping the display image vertically or horizontally according to the orientation of the display panel. , game machines, etc.).

In short, the present disclosure has been described in the form of examples, and the contents of this specification should not be construed in a restrictive manner. In order to determine the gist of the present disclosure, the scope of the claims should be considered.

It should be noted that the present disclosure can also be configured as follows.

(1) a main body including an imaging unit;
a display unit movable with respect to the main body and having a plurality of display modes;
a detection unit that detects the position of the display unit with respect to the main body;
a control unit that controls switching of the display mode according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the position;
An imaging device comprising:

(2) the detection unit detects an angle between an imaging direction of the imaging unit and a display direction of the display unit;
The control unit controls switching of the display mode according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the angle.
The imaging device according to (1) above.

(3) the display section includes a first display mode and a second display mode;
The controller switches to the second display mode when the angle exceeds the first angle under the first display mode, and switches the angle to the first angle under the second display mode. switching to the first display mode when less than a second greater angle;
The imaging device according to (2) above.

(4) the first display mode is a self-portrait display mode for taking a picture including the photographer himself/herself as a subject with the display direction facing the imaging direction;
The second display mode is a normal shooting mode for performing normal shooting with the display direction facing the opposite side of the imaging direction.
The imaging device according to (3) above.

(5) further comprising a connecting portion that movably connects the display portion to the back surface of the main body;
The detection unit detects the position of the display unit according to the operation of the connection unit.
The imaging apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4) above.

(6) The connecting portion includes a hinge portion that connects the display portion to the main body so that the display portion can be opened and closed in the horizontal direction about the opening/closing axis and can rotate in the vertical direction about the rotation axis with respect to the opening/closing axis. ,
The detection unit detects an angle of rotation of the display unit around the opening/closing axis from a position where the display unit is opened with respect to the main body around the rotation axis,
The control unit controls switching of the display mode according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the angle.
The imaging device according to (5) above.

(7) the display section includes a first display mode and a second display mode;
The controller switches to the second display mode when the angle exceeds the first angle under the first display mode, and switches the angle to the first angle under the second display mode. switching to the first display mode when less than a second greater angle;
The imaging device according to (6) above.

(8) In the first display mode, the control section horizontally reverses the image captured by the imaging section and displays the image on the display section, and in the second display mode, displays the image in the first display mode. is further flipped upside down and displayed on the display unit,
The imaging device according to (7) above.

(9) the detection unit includes a magnet arranged in the display unit, and a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor arranged on the main body side;
The first magnetic sensor is arranged near the opening/closing shaft on the main body side, and the second magnetic sensor is arranged at a position substantially symmetrical to the first magnetic sensor across the rotation shaft. ,
The magnet approaches the first magnetic sensor at a position where the display unit does not rotate about the opening/closing axis, and the first magnetic sensor at a position where the display unit rotates about the opening/closing axis and is vertically inverted. placed close to the sensor,
The first magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the magnet when the angle is equal to or less than the first angle, and the second magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the magnet when the angle is equal to or greater than the second angle. when the magnetic force of said magnet can be detected,
The image pickup apparatus according to (7) or (8) above.

(10) The connecting portion includes a vertical tilt mechanism portion that tilts in the vertical direction with respect to the main body, and a vertical tilt mechanism portion that can open and close the display portion in the horizontal direction about the opening and closing axis with respect to the vertical tilt mechanism portion and the opening and closing axis. Including a hinge part that is rotatably connected in the vertical direction around the rotation axis with respect to
The detection unit detects an angle of rotation of the display unit around the opening/closing axis from a position where the display unit is opened with respect to the vertical tilt mechanism unit around the rotation axis,
The control unit controls switching of the display mode according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the angle.
The imaging device according to (5) above.

(11) the display section includes a first display mode and a second display mode;
The controller switches to the second display mode when the angle exceeds the first angle under the first display mode, and switches the angle to the first angle under the second display mode. switching to the first display mode when less than a second greater angle;
The imaging device according to (10) above.

(12) In the first display mode, the control section horizontally reverses the image captured by the imaging section and displays the image on the display section, and in the second display mode, the display image of the first display mode. is further flipped upside down and displayed on the display unit,
The imaging device according to (11) above.

(13) The detection unit includes a first magnet and a second magnet arranged in the display unit, and a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor arranged on the vertical tilt mechanism side,
The first magnet is arranged near the opening/closing axis on the display unit side, and the second magnet is positioned substantially symmetrically with the first magnet across the rotation axis and has a magnetic field opposite to that of the first magnet. It is arranged so that it is oriented,
the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor are arranged adjacent to each other in the vicinity of the opening/closing axis of the vertical tilt mechanism section so as to detect magnetic fields in directions opposite to each other;
The first magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the first magnet when the angle is equal to or less than the first angle, and the second magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the first magnet when the angle is equal to or greater than the second angle. the magnetic force of the second magnet can be detected when
The imaging device according to any one of (11) and (12) above.

(14) A control method for an imaging device having a main body including an imaging unit and a movable display unit, comprising:
a detection step of detecting the position of the display unit with respect to the main body;
a control step of controlling switching of the display mode of the display unit according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the position;
A control method for an imaging device having

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Digital camera 110... Camera main body 111... Imaging lens 120... Display part 121... Display panel 130... Hinge part 131... Opening/closing shaft 132... Rotation shaft 1201... Control part 1202... Display part 1203... Imaging Units 1204... Detecting unit 1205... Recording unit 1206... Operation unit 1211... Display control unit 1212... Image processing unit 1213... Image recording unit 1300... Digital camera 1310... Camera body 1311... Imaging unit 1320... Display unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1321... Display panel 1330... Hinge mechanism 1331... Opening/closing axis 1332... Rotation axis 1340... Finder 2701... MR sensor 2711... Magnet 4300... Digital camera 4310... Camera body 4311... Imaging unit 4320... Display unit 4321 Display panel 4330 Vertical tilt mechanism 4331 First support plate 4332 Second support plate 4333 First tilt shaft 4334 Second tilt shaft 4340 Horizontal vari-angle mechanism 4341 Open/close Axis, 4342... Rotary shaft 6401... MR sensor, 6411... Magnet

Claims (14)

a main body including an imaging unit;
a display unit movable with respect to the main body and having a plurality of display modes;
a detection unit that detects the position of the display unit with respect to the main body;
a control unit that controls switching of the display mode according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the position;
An imaging device comprising: the detection unit detects an angle between an imaging direction of the imaging unit and a display direction of the display unit;
The control unit controls switching of the display mode according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the angle.
The imaging device according to claim 1 . the display unit includes a first display mode and a second display mode;
The controller switches to the second display mode when the angle exceeds the first angle under the first display mode, and switches the angle to the first angle under the second display mode. switching to the first display mode when less than a second greater angle;
The imaging device according to claim 2. The first display mode is a self-portrait display mode in which the display direction is oriented in the imaging direction and the photographer himself/herself is included in the subject for photographing,
The second display mode is a normal shooting mode for performing normal shooting with the display direction facing the opposite side of the imaging direction.
The imaging device according to claim 3. further comprising a connecting portion that movably connects the display portion to the back surface of the main body,
The detection unit detects the position of the display unit according to the operation of the connection unit.
The imaging device according to claim 1 . the connecting part includes a hinge part that connects the display part to the main body so that it can be opened and closed in the left-right direction about the opening/closing axis and can rotate in the vertical direction about the rotation axis with respect to the opening/closing axis;
The detection unit detects an angle of rotation of the display unit around the opening/closing axis from a position where the display unit is opened with respect to the main body around the rotation axis,
The control unit controls switching of the display mode according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the angle.
The imaging device according to claim 5. the display unit includes a first display mode and a second display mode;
The controller switches to the second display mode when the angle exceeds the first angle under the first display mode, and switches the angle to the first angle under the second display mode. switching to the first display mode when less than a second greater angle;
The imaging device according to claim 6. In the first display mode, the control section horizontally reverses the image picked up by the imaging section and displays it on the display section. reversed and displayed on the display unit;
The imaging device according to claim 7. The detection unit includes a magnet arranged in the display unit, and a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor arranged on the main body side,
The first magnetic sensor is arranged near the opening/closing shaft on the main body side, and the second magnetic sensor is arranged at a position substantially symmetrical to the first magnetic sensor across the rotation shaft. ,
The magnet approaches the first magnetic sensor at a position where the display unit does not rotate about the opening/closing axis, and the first magnetic sensor at a position where the display unit rotates about the opening/closing axis and is vertically inverted. placed close to the sensor,
The first magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the magnet when the angle is equal to or less than the first angle, and the second magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the magnet when the angle is equal to or greater than the second angle. when the magnetic force of said magnet can be detected,
The imaging device according to claim 7. The connecting portion includes a vertical tilt mechanism portion that tilts in the vertical direction with respect to the main body, and a vertical tilt mechanism portion that can open and close the display portion in the horizontal direction around the opening and closing axis with respect to the vertical tilt mechanism portion and with respect to the opening and closing axis. Including a hinge part that is rotatably connected in the vertical direction around the rotation axis,
The detection unit detects an angle of rotation of the display unit around the opening/closing axis from a position where the display unit is opened with respect to the vertical tilt mechanism unit around the rotation axis,
The control unit controls switching of the display mode according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the angle.
The imaging device according to claim 5. the display unit includes a first display mode and a second display mode;
The controller switches to the second display mode when the angle exceeds the first angle under the first display mode, and switches the angle to the first angle under the second display mode. switching to the first display mode when less than a second greater angle;
The imaging device according to claim 10. In the first display mode, the control section horizontally reverses the image picked up by the imaging section and displays it on the display section. reversed and displayed on the display unit;
The imaging device according to claim 11. The detection unit includes a first magnet and a second magnet arranged in the display unit, and a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor arranged on the vertical tilt mechanism side,
The first magnet is arranged near the opening/closing axis on the display unit side, and the second magnet is positioned substantially symmetrically with the first magnet across the rotation axis and has a magnetic field opposite to that of the first magnet. It is arranged so that it is oriented,
the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor are arranged adjacent to each other in the vicinity of the opening/closing axis of the vertical tilt mechanism section so as to detect magnetic fields in directions opposite to each other;
The first magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the first magnet when the angle is equal to or less than the first angle, and the second magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the first magnet when the angle is equal to or greater than the second angle. the magnetic force of the second magnet can be detected when
The imaging device according to claim 11. A control method for an imaging device having a main body including an imaging unit and a movable display unit, comprising:
a detection step of detecting the position of the display unit with respect to the main body;
a control step of controlling switching of the display mode of the display unit according to a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the position;
A control method for an imaging device having