JP4226813B2 - Digital camera, information presentation method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera, an information presentation method, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to a digital camera that can be connected to an information terminal device, and an information presentation method and a recording medium that can present various types of information using the digital camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, digital cameras equipped with two display means of an electronic view finder (hereinafter referred to as “EVF”) and a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) have been commercialized.
[0003]
As a technique relating to a camera having two display means as described above, there is a technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-298109.
[0004]
In the technology described in the publication, when a video camera integrated video tape recorder having two display means of EVF and LCD detects that the LCD panel is opened by the LCD panel switch, the LCD The subject image is displayed on the EVF, and when the LCD panel switch detects that the LCD panel is closed, the subject image is displayed on the EVF.
[0005]
As described above, in a digital camera including two display means, generally, a subject image and various types of information are displayed only on one of the display means selected by a user operation.
[0006]
In recent years, digital cameras (so-called PC cameras) that can be used by being connected to an information terminal device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) have been commercialized. According to this digital camera, by connecting to an information terminal device, an image obtained by photographing is displayed on a display provided in the information terminal device, or image data obtained by photographing is displayed on the information terminal device. Can be stored in a storage device such as a hard disk.
[0007]
Thus, in a digital camera that can be connected to an information terminal device and has two display means of EVF and LCD as described above, when connected to the information terminal device, the connection state with the information terminal device is changed. The information to be displayed is displayed on the display means selected by the user.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional digital camera, since the information indicating the connection state with the information terminal device is displayed on the display means selected by the user, if the EVF is selected by the user, the EVF Since the information is displayed, there is a problem that it is difficult to confirm the connection state with the information terminal device.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has as its first object to provide a digital camera that can easily check the connection state with an information terminal device, and is connected to the information terminal device. It is a second object of the present invention to provide an information presentation method and a recording medium capable of easily confirming a connection state between a possible digital camera and the information terminal device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the first object, a digital camera according to claim 1 displays an image indicated by image pickup means for picking up a subject and at least image data obtained by image pickup by the image pickup means. Display means, second display means having a display area larger than that of the first display means and displaying at least an image indicated by the image data; and display destinations of the first display means and the second display means Switch to one of the display meansSettings to setMeans, communication means for communicating with the information terminal device, detection means for detecting whether or not communication is possible between the communication means and the information terminal device, and communication by the detection means Detected as possibleAnd when the first display means is set as a display destination by the setting means, the display destination of the image is switched from the first display means to the second display means,Information indicating that communication with the information terminal device is possible is displayed on the second display means.After that, when it is detected by the detection means that communication is not possible and the first display means is set as the display destination by the setting means, the display destination of the image is changed from the second display means. Control to switch to the first display meansControl means.
[0011]
  According to the digital camera of claim 1, the first display unit and the first display unit display the image indicated by the image data obtained by imaging the subject by the imaging unit and at least obtained by the imaging unit. A display area on either one of the second display means for displaying an image indicated by the image data and having a wider display area than the display destination.Set by the setting means to switchIt is.
[0012]
  The imaging means includes an imaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The first display means corresponds to the above-mentioned EVF, and the second display means corresponds to the above-mentioned LCD. Each of the display means includes a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence). ) Displays such as displays and CRT displays can be applied.
[0013]
  Here, in the digital camera according to the first aspect, the detecting means detects whether or not the communication means for communicating with the information terminal device and the information terminal device are in a communicable state. ,And when the first display means is set as the display destination by the setting means, the display means of the image is switched from the first display means to the second display means by the control means,Information indicating that communication with the information terminal device is possible is displayed on the second display means.After that, when it is detected by the detection means that the communication is not possible and the first display means is set as the display destination by the setting means, the control means changes the display destination of the image from the second display means. Controlled to switch to the first display means.
[0014]
The communication by the communication means includes wireless communication as well as wired communication. Here, the wired communication includes communication by USB (Universal Serial Bus), communication by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394, and the wireless communication includes communication by radio waves such as Bluetooth. Infrared communication such as IrDA (Infrared Data Association). Further, the information terminal device includes a PC, a PDA (Personal Data Assistants), and the like.
[0015]
  In other words, in the present invention, when communication is possible between the digital camera and the information terminal device,SettingEven if the display destination is set to the first display means by the means, the second display means having a display area wider than the first display means can communicate with the information terminal device. Information to be displayed is displayed so that the connection state with the information terminal device can be easily confirmed.
[0016]
Thus, according to the digital camera of the first aspect, when it is detected that communication with the information terminal device is possible, the second display having a display area wider than the first display means. Since information indicating that communication is possible with the information terminal device is displayed on the means, the connection state with the information terminal device can be easily confirmed.
[0017]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect, the control means shuts off the power supply to the first display means when the information is displayed on the second display means. To do.
[0018]
According to the digital camera of the second aspect, when the information is displayed on the second display means, the power supply to the first display means is interrupted by the control means.
[0019]
  Thus, according to the digital camera of the second aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained, and the first display means can be used when displaying information on the second display means. Since the power supply to is cut off,Setting meansThus, the power consumption when the first display means is set as the display destination can be reduced.
[0020]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the first or second aspect, when the control unit detects that the communication unit can communicate with the communication unit, At least one of information indicating a communication mode with the information terminal device and a through image of a subject obtained by imaging by the imaging unit is further displayed on the second display unit.
[0021]
According to the digital camera of claim 3, when the control unit detects that the communication unit is in a communicable state, the information indicating the communication mode between the communication unit and the information terminal device, and the imaging At least one of the through image of the subject obtained by imaging by the means is further displayed on the second display means.
[0022]
As described above, according to the digital camera of the third aspect, the same effect as that of the first or second aspect of the invention can be obtained, and when it is detected that communication is possible, Since at least one of the information indicating the communication mode between the communication means and the information terminal device and the through image of the subject obtained by imaging by the imaging means is further displayed on the second display means. It is possible to easily confirm at least one of the information indicating the communication mode displayed on the display means and the through image.
[0023]
  On the other hand, in order to achieve the second object, an information presentation method according to claim 4 includes at least first display means for displaying an image indicated by image data obtained by imaging by the imaging means, and the first display means. A display area wider than that of the first display means, and at least one of the first display means and the second display means for displaying an image indicated by the image data. Switch toSettings to setAn information presentation method using a digital camera provided with a communication means for communicating between the communication means and the information terminal device, wherein communication is possible between the communication means and the information terminal device Whether or not communication is possible.And when the first display means is set as a display destination by the setting means, the display destination of the image is switched from the first display means to the second display means,Information indicating that communication with the information terminal device is possible is displayed on the second display means.After that, when it is detected that the communication is not possible and the first display unit is set as the display destination by the setting unit, the display destination of the image is changed from the second display unit to the first display unit. Control to switch to display meansIs.
[0024]
  The imaging means includes an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS image sensor. The first display means corresponds to the above-mentioned EVF, and the second display means corresponds to the above-mentioned LCD. Each display means includes a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, and a CRT display. Etc. can be applied display. MaThe communication by the communication means includes not only wired communication but also wireless communication. Here, the wired communication includes USB communication, IEEE 1394 communication, and the like, and the wireless communication includes Bluetooth radio wave communication, IrDA infrared communication, and the like. Further, the information terminal device includes a PC, a PDA and the like.
[0025]
  In other words, in the present invention, when communication is possible between the digital camera and the information terminal device,SettingEven if the display destination is set to the first display means by the means, the second display means having a display area wider than the first display means can communicate with the information terminal device. Information to be displayed is displayed so that the connection state with the information terminal device can be easily confirmed.
[0026]
As described above, according to the information presentation method of the fourth aspect, when it is detected that the communication means provided in the digital camera and the information terminal device are communicable, the display area is the first display area. Since information indicating that communication with the information terminal apparatus is possible is displayed on the second display means wider than the one display means, the digital camera connectable to the information terminal apparatus and the information terminal apparatus The connection state can be easily confirmed.
[0027]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the power supply to the first display means is shut off when the information is displayed on the second display means. .
[0028]
  Thus, according to the information presentation method of the fifth aspect, the same effect as that of the fourth aspect of the invention can be achieved, and the first display is performed when the information is displayed on the second display means. Since the power supply to the means is cut off,SettingThe power consumption when the first display means is set as the display destination by the means can be reduced.
[0029]
Furthermore, an information presentation method according to a sixth aspect is the invention according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein when it is detected that the communication is possible, the communication between the communication unit and the information terminal device is performed. At least one of information indicating a communication mode and a through image of a subject obtained by imaging by the imaging unit is further displayed on the second display unit.
[0030]
As described above, according to the information presentation method of the sixth aspect, the same effect as that of the fourth or fifth aspect of the invention can be achieved, and when it is detected that the communication is possible, Since at least one of the information indicating the communication mode between the communication means and the information terminal device and the through image of the subject obtained by the imaging by the imaging means is further displayed on the second display means. At least one of the information indicating the communication mode displayed on the display means 2 and the through image can be easily confirmed.
[0031]
Note that the computer-readable recording medium on which the information presentation program according to claim 7, claim 8, and claim 9 is recorded is respectively according to claim 4, claim 5, and claim 6. A recording medium storing a program to be operated in the same manner as in the invention. The recording medium includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), and a flash EEPROM (Flash Memory devices such as EEPROM), SmartMedia, SmartFlash, CompactFlash, ATA (AT Attachment) card, floppy disk, CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable), CD-RW (Compact Disc-ReWritable) ), Portable recording media such as magneto-optical disks and magnetic tapes, fixed recording media such as hard disks, or An external storage device or the like provided in a server computer connected to a network can be used.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0033]
As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment includes an optical unit 20 including a lens for forming a subject image, and a CCD 22 disposed behind the optical axis of the lens. And a signal processing unit 40 that generates digital image data representing a subject image based on an output signal from the CCD 22 and generates a timing signal for driving each unit of the optical unit 20, the CCD 22, and the like. Main controller 60 for controlling various operations, vertical / horizontal driver 24 for driving CCD 22, shutter / iris motor driver 26 for driving shutter and iris included in optical unit 20, and focus adjustment motor included in optical unit 20 A focus motor driver 28 for driving the zoom motor and a zoom motor included in the optical unit 20 That a zoom motor driver 30 is configured to include a.
[0034]
Note that the signal processing unit 40 and the main control unit 60 are configured as a one-chip LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit), thereby reducing the size, high reliability, and cost of the digital camera 10. .
[0035]
  In addition, the digital camera 10 includes an LCD 72 that displays a subject image and various information obtained by imaging with the CCD 22, a pressure-sensitive touch panel 73 installed on the surface of the LCD 72, and digital image data mainly obtained by imaging with the CCD 22. An SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) 74 that stores information, a flash ROM 76 that stores various parameters and programs, an EVF 78 that displays subject images and various information obtained by imaging by the CCD 22, a USB connector 80, a subject image, An EVF / LCD changeover switch 82 that switches the display destination of various information to either the LCD 72 or the EVF 78 and a power supply unit 84 that supplies power to the main control unit 60 are configured.The EVF / LCD changeover switch 82 includes a switch such as a slide switch and a push switch, a sensor such as a contact sensor, and the like.
[0036]
On the other hand, the signal processing unit 40 includes a correlated double sampling circuit 42, a gain controller 44, an A / D converter 46, and a timing generator 48.
[0037]
The main control unit 60 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 61 that controls the operation of the main control unit 60, an imaging control unit 62 that includes a line buffer having a predetermined capacity, and a predetermined compression format (the present embodiment). In the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, the compression / decompression unit 63 that compresses the digital image data and decompresses the compressed digital image data, the media control unit 64, An LCD control unit 65, a video encoder 66, and an external connection unit 68 are connected to each other via a bus BUS.
[0038]
The media control unit 64 is connected to a portable storage medium 70 such as a smart media, an IC card, a CD-R, and a CD-RW. The media control unit 64 writes various information to the storage medium 70 and the storage medium. The reading of various information written in 70 is controlled. An LCD 72 is connected to the LCD controller 65, and various information is displayed on the LCD 72 under the control of the LCD controller 65. Further, an EVF 78 is connected to the video encoder 66 via a D / A converter 67, and image data indicating an image to be displayed on the EVF 78 by the video encoder 66 and the D / A converter 67 is converted into an NTSC color composite video signal. And output to the EVF 78. Furthermore, a USB connector 80 is connected to the external connection unit 68, and the external connection unit 68 manages USB communication with a device (PC 90 in the present embodiment) connected to the USB connector 80.
[0039]
The LCD 72 and the EVF 78 can display a moving image (through image) obtained by continuous imaging by the CCD 22 and can be used as a finder.
[0040]
On the other hand, the EVF / LCD changeover switch 82 is connected to the CPU 61, and the CPU 61 can always grasp the setting state of the display destination by the EVF / LCD changeover switch 82.
[0041]
The touch panel 73, SDRAM 74, and flash ROM 76 are connected to the bus BUS of the main control unit 60. Therefore, the CPU 61 can grasp the contact position by the user with respect to the touch panel 73 and can arbitrarily access the SDRAM 74 and the flash ROM 76.
[0042]
On the other hand, the output terminal of the CCD 22 is connected to the imaging control unit 62 through the correlated double sampling circuit 42, the gain controller 44, and the A / D converter 46 in order, and the signal output from the CCD 22 is correlated double sampling. Correlated double sampling processing is performed by the circuit 42, and sensitivity adjustment for each of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) in the CCD 22 is performed by the gain controller 44, and then R, G, The signal B is applied to the A / D converter 46. The A / D converter 46 converts the R, G, and B signals sequentially applied from the gain controller 44 into 12-bit R, G, and B signals (hereinafter referred to as “digital image data”), and the imaging control unit 62. Output to.
[0043]
The imaging control unit 62 accumulates digital image data sequentially input from the A / D converter 46 in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stores the digital image data in the SDRAM 74.
[0044]
The digital image data stored in the SDRAM 74 is read out by the CPU 61, and white balance adjustment is performed by applying a digital gain corresponding to the light source type to the digital image data, and gamma processing and sharpness processing are performed to obtain 8-bit digital image data. Are further processed to generate a luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”), and the YC signal is stored in the SDRAM 74 again.
[0045]
When the LCD 72 or the EVF 78 is used as a finder, the generated YC signal is set to the LCD controller 65 when the EV 72 is set as the display destination by the EVF / LCD switch 82, and the EVF 78 is set as the display destination. If so, they are sequentially output to the video encoder 66. As a result, the through image is displayed at the display destination set by the EVF / LCD switch 82.
[0046]
When a shutter button (not shown) is pressed by the photographer, the YC signal stored in the SDRAM 74 is compressed in a predetermined compression format by the compression / expansion unit 63 and then stored via the media control unit 64. Store in media 70.
[0047]
On the other hand, a vertical / horizontal driver 24, a shutter / iris motor driver 26, and an imaging control unit 62 are connected to the timing generator 48, and the timing generator 48 outputs a timing signal for driving the CCD 22 to the vertical / horizontal driver 24. In addition, a timing signal for driving the shutter and iris provided in the optical unit 20 is output to the shutter / iris motor driver 26, and a timing signal for driving the imaging control unit 62 is output to the imaging control unit 62, respectively.
[0048]
The input terminals of the focus motor driver 28 and the zoom motor driver 30 are connected to the main control unit 60 (more specifically, the CPU 61), and the output terminal of the focus motor driver 28 is connected to a focus adjustment motor provided in the optical unit 20. The output terminal of the zoom motor driver 30 is connected to a zoom motor provided in the optical unit 20.
[0049]
The lens included in the optical unit 20 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses, is configured as a zoom lens that can change (magnify) the focal length, and includes a lens driving mechanism (not shown). . The lens driving mechanism includes a zoom motor and a focus adjustment motor, and the zoom motor and the focus adjustment motor are driven by drive signals supplied from the zoom motor driver 30 and the focus motor driver 28 under the control of the CPU 61, respectively. .
[0050]
When changing the optical zoom magnification, the CPU 61 drives and controls the zoom motor to change the focal length of the lens included in the optical unit 20.
[0051]
Further, the CPU 61 performs focus control by driving and controlling the focus adjustment motor so that the contrast of the image obtained by the imaging by the CCD 22 is maximized. That is, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment employs a so-called TTL (Through The Lens) method in which the lens position is set so that the contrast of the read image is maximized as the focus control. The focusing control is automatically performed by pressing the shutter button (not shown) halfway with the subject positioned at the shooting position indicated by the autofocus frame.
[0052]
By the way, as a communication mode when the digital camera 10 is connected to another device via the USB connector 80, digital image data obtained by imaging by the CCD 22 with respect to the connected device is continuously used as through image data. Two communication modes are provided in advance: a PC camera mode that can be transmitted automatically, and a mass storage camera mode that allows the connected device to access the storage medium 70. Note that only one of these modes can be selected, and this selection is performed using the touch panel 73 described above.
[0053]
  The CCD 22 is the imaging means of the present invention, the EVF 78 is the first display means of the present invention, and the LCD 72 is the second display means of the present invention., OutsideThe connection section 68 is the communication means of the present invention, and the CPU 61 is the present invention.Setting means,The PC 90 corresponds to the detection unit and the control unit, and corresponds to the information terminal device of the present invention.
[0054]
Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a mode setting process executed by the digital camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the power switch (not shown) of the digital camera 10 is turned on by the user, and the switch 61 (not shown) for instructing execution of the mode setting process is operated by the CPU 61 of the digital camera 10. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the mode setting process program performed, and this program is beforehand memorize | stored in the predetermined area | region of flash ROM76. Here, the description will be made on the assumption that the display destination is set to the LCD 72 by the EVF / LCD changeover switch 82 by an operation by the user.
[0055]
In step 100 of the figure, the mode selection screen is displayed on the LCD 72 by outputting image data indicating the mode selection screen to the LCD control unit 65, and in the next step 102, the user waits for mode selection using the touch panel 73. Do. Note that image data indicating the mode selection screen is also stored in a predetermined area of the flash ROM 76 in advance.
[0056]
FIG. 3 shows a mode selection screen displayed on the LCD 72 by the process of step 100 described above.
[0057]
As shown in the figure, on the mode selection screen according to the present embodiment, a message for prompting specification of the communication mode is displayed, and the selectable communication modes include the PC camera mode and the mass storage camera mode described above. The two mode names are displayed. When such a mode selection screen is displayed on the LCD 72, the user designates the position corresponding to the display position of the desired communication mode name on the touch panel 73 installed on the surface of the LCD 72 with a fingertip. As a result, information indicating the position designated to be touched by the user is input to the CPU 61 from the touch panel 73 via the bus BUS.
[0058]
When a desired communication mode is designated by the user, step 102 is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 104.
[0059]
In step 104, it is determined whether or not the communication mode selected by the user is the PC camera mode based on the information input in step 102. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106 and the digital camera 10 is turned on. After executing a predetermined process for setting to the PC camera mode, the mode setting process is terminated, and in the case of a negative determination, the communication mode selected by the user is the mass storage camera mode. Accordingly, the process proceeds to step 108, and after executing a predetermined process for setting the digital camera 10 to be in the mass storage camera mode, the mode setting process is terminated.
[0060]
With this mode setting process, the communication mode when the digital camera 10 is connected to another device via the USB connector 80 can be set.
[0061]
Next, an information presentation process executed by the digital camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows the flow of processing of the information presentation program executed by the CPU 61 of the digital camera 10 every predetermined time when the power switch (not shown) of the digital camera 10 is turned on by the user. This program is also stored in a predetermined area of the flash ROM 76 in advance.
[0062]
In step 200 in the figure, it is determined whether another device (PC 90 in this embodiment) is connected to the USB connector 80. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 202. If the determination is negative, This information presentation process is terminated. Whether or not another device is connected to the USB connector 80 is determined by determining whether or not power is supplied from the other device through a power line defined in USB. Can do.
[0063]
In step 202, it is determined whether or not the EVF 78 is set as a display destination by the EVF / LCD changeover switch 82. (The same processing as when the LCD 72 is set as the display destination by the EVF / LCD changeover switch 82) is performed, and the power supply to the EVF 78 is shut off in the next step 206, and then the process proceeds to step 208. By the processing of the above step 204 and step 206, the subsequent various displays are made only on the LCD 72.
[0064]
On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 202, it is assumed that the LCD 72 is set as a display destination by the EVF / LCD changeover switch 82, and the process proceeds to step 208 without executing the processing in steps 204 and 206. To do.
[0065]
In step 208, it is determined whether or not the communication mode selected by the user is the PC camera mode by the above-described mode setting process (see also FIG. 2). The LCD controller 65 is controlled to display on the LCD 72 a message indicating that 10 is connected to another device via USB and a message indicating the communication mode selected by the user. After executing a predetermined process for displaying the through image obtained by the continuous imaging by the LCD 72 on the LCD 72, the process proceeds to step 214.
[0066]
FIG. 5 shows a display example on the LCD 72 in accordance with the execution of step 210 described above. In the example shown in the figure, a through image is displayed in the approximate center of the display area of the LCD 72, and “USB connected” is displayed as a message indicating that the USB connection is established, and “Communication mode” is displayed as a message indicating the communication mode. : PC camera mode "is displayed.
[0067]
On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 208, the communication mode selected by the user is assumed to be the mass storage camera mode by the above-described mode setting process, and the process proceeds to step 212. After controlling the LCD control unit 65 to display on the LCD 72 a message indicating that the device is connected to the USB and a message indicating the communication mode selected by the user, the process proceeds to step 214.
[0068]
Therefore, in this case, a through image is removed from the display shown in FIG. 5 as an example on the LCD 72, and a display indicating that the communication mode is the mass storage camera mode is displayed. The “message indicating that the digital camera 10 is connected to another device via USB” is selected in the “information indicating that communication with the information terminal device is possible” according to the present invention. The “message indicating the communication mode” corresponds to “information indicating the communication mode” of the present invention.
[0069]
In step 214, the apparatus connected to the USB connector 80 is waited for disconnection (removal from the USB connector 80), and in the next step 216, whether or not the EVF 78 is set as a display destination by the EVF / LCD switch 82. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 218 to perform predetermined processing for setting the subsequent display destination to EVF 78 (the same as when EVF 78 is set as the display destination by EVF / LCD switch 82). This information presentation process is terminated after the power supply to the EVF 78 is resumed in the next step 220.
[0070]
On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 216, it is assumed that the LCD 72 is set as the display destination by the EVF / LCD changeover switch 82, and this information presentation process is executed without executing the processes in steps 218 and 220. Exit.
[0071]
  Step 200 in this information presentation processAnd step 214In the detection step of the present invention,Step 204,Step 210,Step 212And step 218Of the present inventioncontrolStep 206 corresponds to the power supply cutoff step of the present invention.
[0072]
FIG. 6 schematically shows the overall flow of the information presentation method according to the present embodiment.
[0073]
As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, when shooting with the digital camera 10, if the EVF 78 is set as the display destination by the EVF / LCD switch 82, a through image is displayed on the EVF 78. The At this time, nothing is displayed on the LCD 72.
[0074]
In this state, when the digital camera 10 is connected to the PC 90 via the USB cable 88, the display on the EVF 78 is stopped, and various information is connected to the LCD 72 (in this embodiment, USB connection with other devices is made). A message indicating this, a message indicating the communication mode, and a through image when the PC camera mode is set).
[0075]
As described above in detail, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, when it is detected that communication with the PC 90 is possible, the LCD 72 having a display area wider than the EVF 78 is connected to the PC 90. Since information indicating that communication is possible is displayed, the connection state with the PC 90 can be easily confirmed.
[0076]
Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the power supply to the EVF 78 is cut off when displaying information indicating that communication with the PC 90 is possible on the LCD 72, so the EVF / LCD changeover switch The power consumption when the EVF 78 is set as the display destination by 82 can be reduced.
[0077]
Furthermore, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, when it is detected that communication with the PC 90 is possible, the information indicating the communication mode with the PC 90 and the image obtained by the CCD 22 are obtained. Since at least one of the through image of the subject is further displayed on the LCD 72, at least one of the information indicating the communication mode and the through image displayed on the LCD 72 can be easily confirmed.
[0078]
In addition, in the information presentation method according to the present embodiment, when it is detected that communication between the digital camera 10 and the PC 90 is possible, communication with the PC 90 is possible on the LCD 72 whose display area is wider than the EVF 78. Therefore, the connection state between the digital camera 10 connectable to the PC 90 and the PC 90 can be easily confirmed.
[0079]
  In the information presentation method according to the present embodiment, the power supply to the EVF 78 is cut off when displaying information indicating that communication with the PC 90 is possible on the LCD 72.SettingIt is possible to reduce power consumption when the EVF 78 is set as a display destination by the means.
[0080]
Furthermore, in the information presentation method according to the present embodiment, information indicating the communication mode between the digital camera 10 and the PC 90 and the subject obtained by imaging with the CCD 22 when it is detected that communication is possible. Since at least one of the through image is further displayed on the LCD 72, the information indicating the communication mode displayed on the LCD 72 and at least one of the through image can be easily confirmed.
[0081]
In the present embodiment, the case where the digital camera 10 and another device are connected by USB has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and wired communication other than USB (for example, IEEE 1394). It is also possible to adopt a form of connection by wireless communication or a form of connection by wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth, IrDA, etc.). Also in this case, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.
[0082]
In the present embodiment, the case where the information presentation process (see FIG. 4) is executed in the digital camera 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the digital camera 10 is connected. It can also be configured to be executed in the apparatus (PC 90 in this embodiment). In this case, the calculation load on the CPU 61 of the digital camera 10 can be reduced, and an existing digital camera (PC camera) can be used. Therefore, the information presentation method of the present invention can be realized at low cost.
[0083]
The processing flow of each program described in the present embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 4) is an example, and it goes without saying that it can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0084]
【The invention's effect】
According to the digital camera of the present invention, when it is detected that the communication with the information terminal device is possible, the information terminal device and the second display means having a display area wider than the first display means. Since information indicating that communication is possible is displayed, the connection state with the information terminal device can be easily confirmed.
[0085]
Further, according to the information presentation method and the recording medium according to the present invention, the first display area is detected when it is detected that the communication means provided in the digital camera is communicable with the information terminal device. Since information indicating that communication with the information terminal device is possible is displayed on the second display means wider than the display means, the connection between the digital camera connectable to the information terminal device and the information terminal device The effect that the state can be easily confirmed is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera 10 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process flow of a mode setting process program according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a mode selection screen according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the information presentation program according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the LCD 72 when connected to another device and the PC camera mode is set.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overall flow of the information presentation method according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
        10 Digital camera
        20 Optical unit
        22 CCD (imaging means)
        61 CPU (Setting means,Detection means and control means)
        68 External connection (communication means)
        70 storage media
        72 Liquid crystal display (second display means)
        73 Touch panel
        76 Flash ROM (recording medium)
        78 Electronic view finder (first display means)
        80 USB connectorT
        90 Personal computer (information terminal equipment)

Claims (9)

Imaging means for imaging a subject;
First display means for displaying at least an image indicated by image data obtained by imaging by the imaging means;
Second display means for displaying an image having a display area larger than that of the first display means and at least the image data;
Setting means for setting the display destination to switch to either one of the first display means and the second display means;
Communication means for communicating with the information terminal device;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not communication is possible between the communication means and the information terminal device;
When it is detected by the detection means that communication is possible and the first display means is set as a display destination by the setting means, the display destination of the image is changed from the first display means to the first display means. After switching to the second display means and displaying information indicating that communication with the information terminal device is possible on the second display means, the detection means detects that communication is not possible, and Control means for controlling the display destination of the image to be switched from the second display means to the first display means when the first display means is set as a display destination by the setting means;
Digital camera equipped with. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit cuts off power supply to the first display unit when the information is displayed on the second display unit. The control means is obtained by information indicating a communication mode between the communication means and the information terminal device and imaging by the imaging means when the detection means detects that communication is possible. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a through image of a subject is further displayed on the second display unit. A first display unit that displays at least an image indicated by image data obtained by imaging by the imaging unit; and a display area that is larger than that of the first display unit and that displays at least the image data. A second display means, a setting means for setting the display destination to be switched to either one of the first display means and the second display means, and a communication means for communicating with the information terminal device An information presentation method using a digital camera equipped with
Detecting whether or not communication between the communication means and the information terminal device is possible,
When it is detected that communication is possible and the first display unit is set as a display destination by the setting unit, the display destination of the image is changed from the first display unit to the second display unit. , The second display means displays information indicating that communication with the information terminal device is possible, and is detected as not in a communicable state, and the setting means detects the first An information presentation method for controlling the display destination of an image to be switched from the second display means to the first display means when the display means is set as a display destination . The information presentation method according to claim 4, wherein when the information is displayed on the second display unit, power supply to the first display unit is cut off. When it is detected that the communication is possible, at least information indicating a communication mode between the communication unit and the information terminal device and a through image of a subject obtained by imaging by the imaging unit 6. The information presentation method according to claim 4, wherein one of the two is further displayed on the second display means. A first display unit that displays at least an image indicated by image data obtained by imaging by the imaging unit; and a display area that is larger than that of the first display unit and that displays at least the image data. A second display means, a setting means for setting the display destination to be switched to either one of the first display means and the second display means, and a communication means for communicating with the information terminal device A computer-readable recording medium that records an information presentation program for presenting information to a digital camera equipped with
A detection step of detecting whether or not communication is possible between the communication means and the information terminal device;
When it is detected by the detection step that communication is possible , and the first display unit is set as a display destination by the setting unit, the display destination of the image is changed from the first display unit to the first display unit. After switching to the second display means and displaying information indicating that communication with the information terminal device is possible on the second display means, the detection step detects that communication is not possible, and A control step for controlling the display destination of the image to be switched from the second display means to the first display means when the first display means is set as a display destination by the setting means ;
A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded an information presentation program. 8. The computer according to claim 7, further comprising a power supply cutoff step of cutting off power supply to the first display means when the information is displayed on the second display means by the display step. A readable recording medium. The control step is obtained by information indicating a communication mode between the communication unit and the information terminal device and imaging by the imaging unit when it is detected that communication is possible by the detection step. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 7 or 8, wherein at least one of a through image of a subject is further displayed on the second display unit.

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