JP5262696B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having a plurality of operating means, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus having a focus ring and a touch panel as operating means.

  Some digital video cameras include a focus ring as an operation means for performing a focus operation or the like, like a digital single-lens reflex camera. In such a digital video camera, fine focus adjustment can be performed by operating the focus ring during shooting.

The imaging device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is attached to the periphery of a focus ring, and includes a sheet-like touch sensor including a plurality of sensor elements that generate detection signals by pressing, and pressing positions and pressing positions detected by the plurality of sensor elements. An enlarged display with a configuration including a pattern detection unit that detects a pattern of a moving state of the image and an image processing unit that processes an image captured from the imaging lens and displays the pattern on the display unit using the pattern detected by the pattern detection unit The operability such as the operation of moving the frame indicating the position to be operated and the operation of turning on / off the enlargement display function can be remarkably improved, thereby improving the focus accuracy and providing quick and comfortable manual focus adjustment. .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-60091

  However, the focus adjustment can be realized with high accuracy by the input by the pressing pattern to the focus ring and the surrounding touch sensor, but other operations cannot be realized. For example, in a digital video camera, when a photographer performs an operation while looking through the electronic viewfinder, if operations other than the focus adjustment can be performed using the focus ring, the usability is improved. On the other hand, when the photographer performs the operation while looking at the liquid crystal monitor, the operation becomes easy if the photographer can operate the touch panel on the liquid crystal monitor.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of executing the same operation with different operation means in accordance with the state of the imaging apparatus at the time of imaging.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation unit that accepts an operation by a user, a touch panel unit that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body, and that accepts a touch operation on a display screen, and the touch panel unit. When in the closed state, the first operation received through the operation unit is recognized as an operation for setting a setting value for a specific setting item, and when the touch panel unit is in the open state, at least the touch panel unit An operation recognition unit for recognizing a second operation received via the operation recognition unit as an operation for setting a setting value for the specific setting item, and according to a result recognized by the operation recognition unit, A control unit for setting a set value.

  According to the above configuration, according to the present invention, the same operation can be executed by different operation means in accordance with the state of the imaging apparatus at the time of imaging, and user convenience can be improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a video camera will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
(1. Configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a video camera 101 to which the display device of the present invention is applied. The video camera 101 includes a touch panel 182 as a display device. The touch panel 182 is held by the video camera 101 so as to be freely opened and closed. When the touch panel 182 is closed for the purpose of reducing power consumption, a captured image or the like is not displayed, and when the touch panel 182 is opened, display of the captured image or the like is started.

  The video camera 101 includes an electronic viewfinder 186 in addition to the touch panel 182 as display means. The electronic viewfinder 186 is housed in the video camera 101 when carried, and can be used by being pulled out when used.

The video camera 101 includes a focus ring 185 as an operation unit together with normal buttons and the like. The user can perform operations such as focus adjustment by rotating the focus ring 185.
(1-1. Configuration of video camera)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the video camera 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The video camera 101 captures the subject image formed by the optical system 110 with the image sensor 120. The image data generated by the image sensor 120 is subjected to various image processing by the image processing unit 140. The voice data collected by the microphone 150 is subjected to various voice processing by the voice processing unit 160. The image data processed by the image processing unit 140 and the sound data processed by the sound processing unit 160 are subjected to system encoding processing by the system encoder 172 and stored in the memory card 180. Of the AV data stored in the memory card 180 or the like, video data can be displayed on the touch panel 182, and audio data can be output from the speaker 183. The touch panel 182 is a combination of a liquid crystal monitor and a position input device such as a touch pad. Hereinafter, the configuration of the video camera 101 will be described in detail.

  The optical system 110 includes an objective lens, a zoom lens, a diaphragm, an OIS unit, a focus lens, and the like. The optical system 110 collects light from the subject and forms a subject image.

  The image sensor 120 captures the subject image formed by the optical system 110 and generates image data. The image sensor 120 is a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor. The AD converter 130 converts the image data generated by the image sensor 120 into a digital signal.

  The image processing unit 140 performs various processes on the image data converted by the AD converter 130. The image processing unit 140 generates image data to be input to the system encoder 172, generates image data to be displayed on the touch panel 182, and the like. The image processing unit 140 performs image processing on the image data output from the system decoder 173 to generate image data to be displayed on the touch panel 182 or to input image data to be re-input to the system encoder 172. Or generate. The image processing unit 140 can be realized by a DSP or a microcomputer.

  The image preprocessing unit 141 performs various types of image processing such as gamma correction and white balance correction on the image data converted by the AD converter 130.

  The image compression unit 142 compresses image data by performing DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform), Huffman coding, and the like. The image compression unit 142 is, for example, MPEG-2 or H.264. The image data is compressed by a compression format conforming to the H.264 standard. However, the present invention relates to MPEG-2 or H.264. The image data is not limited to H.264 format.

  For example, when the compressed image data output from the system decoder 173 is reproduced on the touch panel 182, the image expansion unit 143 decodes the image data into an uncompressed state.

  The microphone 150 collects sound and generates sound data. The microphone 150 may be composed of a plurality of microphones in order to support input of stereo sound and multi-channel sound.

  The sound processing unit 160 performs various processes on the sound data of the microphone 150. The audio processing unit 160 generates audio data to be input to the system encoder 172, generates audio data to be output to the speaker 183, and the like. The audio processing unit 160 performs audio processing on the audio data output from the system decoder 173 to generate audio data to be output to the speaker 183 or generate audio data to be input to the system encoder 172. To do. The voice processing unit 160 can be realized by a DSP or a microcomputer.

  The sound pre-processing unit 161 converts analog sound data collected by the microphone 150 to generate sound data of a digital signal. Also, various audio processing such as generation of stereo audio and multi-channel audio is performed.

  The audio compression unit 162 compresses audio data in a compression format that conforms to, for example, MP3, AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to audio data in MP3 or AAC format.

  When the compressed audio data output from the system decoder 173 is output from the speaker 183, the audio expansion unit 163 decodes the audio data into an uncompressed state.

  The system encoder 172 generates AV data to be recorded on the memory card 180 from the compressed image data output from the image processing unit 140 and the compressed audio data output from the audio processing unit 160.

  The system decoder 173 decodes the AV data recorded on the memory card 180, and generates compressed image data and compressed audio data. The system decoder 173 outputs the generated compressed image data to the image expansion unit 143 and the compressed audio data to the audio expansion unit 163, respectively.

  The controller 170 is a control unit that controls the entire video camera 101. The controller 170 can be realized by a semiconductor element or the like. The controller 170 may be configured only by hardware, or may be realized by combining hardware and software. The controller 170 can be realized by a microcomputer.

  The buffer memory 171 functions as a work memory for the controller 170. The buffer memory 171 can be realized by, for example, a DRAM or a ferroelectric memory.

  The memory card 180 can be attached to and detached from the card slot 181. The card slot 181 can be mechanically and electrically connected to the memory card 180. The memory card 180 includes a flash memory, a ferroelectric memory, and the like, and can store data. The controller 170 can store the generated AV file in the memory card 180.

  The touch panel 182 can display image data generated by the image sensor 120, image data in AV data read from the memory card 180, various setting information of the video camera 101, shooting time, and the like. When the user touches an area where a menu or the like is displayed, the touch panel 182 senses information on the touched screen position and outputs the detected information to the controller 170. The controller 170 derives the operation selected by the user based on the screen display content and the screen position information. The operation method of the touch panel 182 includes a resistance film method and a surface acoustic wave method, and any method may be used.

  The speaker 183 can output audio data collected by the microphone 150 and audio data in AV data read from the memory card 180 or the like.

  The operation unit 184 is various operation means such as a button and a cross key. The operation unit 184 receives a user instruction and transmits the instruction to the controller 170.

  The focus ring 185 is a ring-shaped operation member disposed on the outer periphery of the optical system 110. When the user rotates the focus ring 185, the rotation amount is transmitted to the controller 170, and an operation instruction such as focus adjustment is made.

  The electronic viewfinder 186 can display image data generated by the image sensor 120, image data in AV data read from the memory card 180, various setting information of the video camera 101, shooting time, and the like.

The power source 174 supplies power necessary for operation to each unit of the video camera 101. The power source 174 is a battery in a portable video camera. The power source 174 is not limited to a battery but may be an AC power source.
(1-2. Correspondence with Configuration of the Present Invention)
The focus ring 185 is an example of the operation unit of the present invention. The touch panel 182 is an example of the touch panel unit of the present invention. The controller 170 is an example of the operation recognition unit of the present invention, and is an example of the control unit of the present invention.
(2. Operation)
An operation when the user performs various operations on the video camera 101 will be described. In a state where the touch panel 182 of the video camera 101 is opened, the user can perform various operations by touching various menus displayed on the touch panel 182 while confirming the video at the time of shooting with the touch panel 182. . On the other hand, in a state where the touch panel 182 is closed, the user can perform various operations using the operation unit 184 and the focus ring 185 while confirming the video at the time of shooting with the electronic viewfinder 186.
(2-1. Operation with the touch panel closed)
The operation when the user performs various operations using the focus ring 185 and the operation unit 184 with the touch panel 182 closed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The user turns on the display of the electronic viewfinder 186 in order to confirm the video generated by the image sensor 120 (S301). For example, in the case of the retractable electronic viewfinder 186, the image being captured is normally displayed on the electronic viewfinder 186 by pulling out the electronic viewfinder 186.

  When the user presses the operation target item change button on the operation unit 184 (S302), an icon representing “zoom operation” is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 186 as the operation target item (S303). Thereafter, each time the user presses the operation target item change button, the icon representing the operation target item displayed on the electronic viewfinder 186 is “focus operation” → “white balance adjustment” → “shutter speed adjustment” → “iris” “Adjustment” → “Zoom operation”, and the change is repeated.

  When an icon representing an operation target item to be operated is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 186 (Yes in S304), the user stops pressing the operation target item change button and starts to rotate the focus ring 185 (S305). . The controller 170 detects the amount of rotation of the focus ring 185, changes the value of the operation target item accordingly, and displays the change in the value on the electronic viewfinder 186 (S306). Furthermore, the controller 170 changes the captured image on the electronic viewfinder 186 with a change in the value of the operation target item. For example, when a focus operation is performed, a captured image corresponding to the focus at that time is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 186. The user checks the change of the value displayed on the electronic viewfinder 186 while rotating the focus ring 185, and when it becomes a desired value or when the captured image becomes a desired image, the focus ring 185 Is stopped, and the confirmation button of the operation unit 184 is pressed (S307). When the controller 170 detects that the user presses the confirm button on the operation unit 184, the value of the operation target item is confirmed.

  In the first embodiment, the form in which the user presses the confirm button when confirming the value has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the focus ring 185 is rotated for a predetermined time after the value is changed. When not moved, the value may be fixed.

In this way, with the touch panel 182 closed, the user can perform multiple types of operations while looking through the electronic viewfinder 186 by using the focus ring 185 and the buttons, and the usability of the video camera 101 is improved. To do.
(2-2. Operation with the touch panel open)
Operations when the user performs various operations using the touch panel 182, the focus ring 185, and the operation unit 184 with the touch panel 182 opened will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

  The user opens the touch panel 182 accommodated in the video camera 101 in order to confirm and operate the captured image (S401). When the controller 170 detects that the touch panel 182 has been opened, the controller 170 displays an image being captured on the touch panel 182 (S402). In this state, the user can operate white balance adjustment, shutter speed adjustment, and iris adjustment using the touch panel 182, and can operate focus and zoom using the focus ring 185.

  The controller 170 displays icons representing the operations of white balance adjustment, shutter speed adjustment, and iris adjustment on the touch panel 182 along with the image being imaged (S403). The user touches the corresponding icon on the touch panel 182 to select an operation target item (S404). The controller 170 is notified of the operation target item selected from the touch panel 182 and displays a value set for the item on the touch panel 182. The user operates and changes the displayed value on the touch panel 182 (S405). FIG. 5 shows a display screen of the touch panel 182 when white balance adjustment is selected as the operation target item. The user touches the confirmation menu after changing the operation target item to a desired value, and ends the operation. In addition, when a user confirms a value, not only the form which touches a confirmation menu but the form which confirms a value when the value is not changed for a predetermined time may be sufficient.

  As described above, regarding the operation items such as white balance adjustment, shutter speed adjustment and iris adjustment, it is difficult to adjust the value only by the change of the image being picked up, and it is desirable to display the actual value together. Adjustment is facilitated by operating the touch panel 182 while paying attention to the change in value.

  The user can execute a focus operation or a zoom operation using the focus ring 185 in parallel with the operation on the touch panel 182. The user selects whether to perform a focus operation or a zoom operation by pressing an operation target item selection button of the operation unit 185 (S407). The controller 170 displays an icon representing the selected operation target item on the touch panel 182 (S408). The user performs an operation by rotating the focus ring 185 (S409). The controller 170 detects the amount of rotation of the focus ring 185, changes the value of the operation target item accordingly, and changes the captured image on the touch panel 182 as the value changes (S410). The user confirms the operation by turning the focus ring 185 when the captured image displayed on the touch panel 182 becomes a desired image while rotating the focus ring 185.

  As described above, the focus ring 185 is used for items that can be easily operated by performing fine adjustment with the fingertip while confirming the image being captured, such as zoom operation and focus operation, even when the touch panel 182 is opened. The user-friendliness can be improved.

Furthermore, in a state where the touch panel 182 is opened, an operation on the touch panel 182 and an operation using the focus ring 185 can be performed at the same time, which improves the convenience for the user.
(Other embodiments)
As described above, the first embodiment has been described as the embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention will be described collectively in this section.

  In the first embodiment, the mode in which the operation target item change button is pressed when selecting the operation target item to be operated with the focus ring 185 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, with a cross key or the like. An operation target item may be selected, or a button for switching between a mode for changing the operation target item and a mode for changing the value of the operation target item may be provided, and the operation target item may be selected by the focus ring 185. Good.

  In the first embodiment, the form in which the focus ring 185 is used as the ring-shaped operation unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ring-shaped operation unit may be provided in another location. Good.

  In the first embodiment, the white balance adjustment, the shutter speed adjustment, and the iris adjustment are described as operations performed by the user using the touch panel 182 with the touch panel 182 opened. However, the present invention is not limited to this, It may be an operation for setting various setting information regarding the video camera 101 such as the recording mode and the number of recording pixels.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the focus ring and the touch panel can be selectively used as the operation means according to the state of the imaging apparatus at the time of imaging, and user convenience can be improved. It can be applied to, etc., and is useful.

The figure which shows the external appearance of the video camera to which the display apparatus in one embodiment of this invention is applied The block diagram which shows the structure of the video camera in one embodiment of this invention The flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of operation by the user in the state which closed the touch panel in one embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of operation by the user in the state which opened the touch panel in one embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the display screen at the time of user operation on the touchscreen in one embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Video camera 110 Optical system 120 Image pick-up element 130 AD converter 140 Image processing part 141 Image pre-processing part 142 Image compression part 143 Image expansion part 150 Microphone 160 Audio | voice processing part 161 Audio | voice pre-processing part 162 Audio | voice compression part 163 Audio | voice expansion part 170 Controller 171 Buffer 172 System encoder 173 System decoder 174 Power supply 180 Memory card 181 Card slot 182 Touch panel 183 Speaker 184 Operation unit 185 Focus ring 186 Electronic viewfinder

Claims (6)

An operation unit for receiving an operation by a user;
A touch panel unit that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body and receives a touch operation on the display screen;
While the touch panel unit is in a closed state, the first operation received through the operation unit is recognized as an operation for setting a setting value for a specific setting item,
When the touch panel unit is open, a front Symbol recognizing operation recognition unit as an operation for setting the set value for the second the specific setting item operations accepted through the touch panel unit,
In accordance with the result recognized by the operation recognition unit, a control unit that sets a setting value for the specific setting item;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The operation recognition unit
When the touch panel unit is in the open state, the first received via the touch panel unit
While recognizing the operation 2 as an operation for setting a setting value related to the specific setting item,
Setting item that is different from the specific setting item in the third operation accepted through the operation unit
Recognized as an operation for setting value
The imaging device according to claim 1. The operation unit is
Includes a ring operating section that can be operated by rotating,
The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2 . The ring operation part is
Arranged on the outer periphery of the lens barrel,
The imaging device according to claim 3 . The specific setting item is:
Including white balance, shutter speed, or iris settings,
The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An operation unit for receiving an operation by a user;
A touch panel unit that can transition between a use state and a non-use state, and that accepts a touch operation on the display screen;
While the touch panel unit is in a non-use state, the first operation received through the operation unit is recognized as an operation for setting a setting value related to a specific setting item,
An operation recognizing unit for recognizing a second operation accepted through the touch panel unit as an operation for setting a setting value for the specific setting item when the touch panel unit is in use;
In accordance with the result recognized by the operation recognition unit, a control unit that sets a setting value for the specific setting item;
An imaging apparatus comprising:

Images