JP5473349B2 - IMAGING DEVICE, ITS CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of reproducing and displaying an image , a control method thereof, a program, and a storage medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been known an imaging device that detects a touch on an operation member and displays a motif of a function that is activated when the operation member is pressed on a screen as guidance. For example, when an imaging device described in Patent Literature 1 touches a touch sensor mounted on top, bottom, left, and right buttons, it displays guidance for functions assigned to the top, bottom, left, and right.

JP 2007-221371 A

  However, in the conventional image reproducing apparatus, guidance is uniformly displayed during shooting and image reproduction. For this reason, there existed the following subjects.

  When the user is browsing while sending an image with the left and right buttons, the finger always touches the left and right buttons, so the guidance is always displayed. In this case, the guidance display for the left and right buttons that have already been operated does not make sense, and although the user wants to concentrate on image browsing, browsing is hindered by the guidance display.

Therefore, the present invention has been made based on recognition of the above problems, and provides an imaging apparatus capable of performing guide display in accordance with a user's situation and intention, a control method thereof, a program, and a storage medium. Objective.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus having a reproduction mode and a shooting mode. Display control means for controlling the display means to display guide information of a function assigned to an operation method different from the contact, and the display control means has a predetermined information in the playback mode. The guide information is controlled to be displayed on the display unit according to conditions, and the display control unit is further configured to detect that the detection unit detects contact with the operation member in the photographing mode. Correspondingly, the guide information is controlled to be displayed on the display means, in the case of the reproduction mode, the guide display displayed so as not to control the even if contact with the operating member , When the imaging device is activated by the playback mode, or when switched to the playback mode, and controls to display the guide information.

  According to the present invention, the user can concentrate on image browsing without hindering the user's image browsing, and can perform guide display in accordance with the user's situation and intention.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the digital camera in 1st Embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the digital camera 100. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the normal operation | movement procedure of a digital camera. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen of an image display unit 28. FIG. It is a figure which shows the various screens of the image display part. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the button operation behavior in step S8. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the behavior of button operation in step S8 following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the button operation behavior in step S8 following FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of button operation behavior in step S8 following FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure at the time of starting of the digital camera in 2nd Embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, a program, and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image reproducing device of this embodiment is applied to a digital camera that is an imaging device.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a digital camera according to the first embodiment. On the back surface of the digital camera 100, an image display unit 28, a mode dial switch 60, and an operation unit 70 are arranged. A shutter button 61 and a power button 72 are disposed on the upper surface of the digital camera 100. A connector 112 is provided on the side surface of the digital camera 100. A recording medium slot 201 is provided on the bottom surface of the digital camera 100.

  The image display unit 28 is a display unit that displays images and various types of information. The shutter button 61 is an operation unit for instructing photographing. The mode dial switch 60 is an operation unit for switching various modes. The connector 112 is a connector for connecting the connection cable 111 and the digital camera 100.

  The operation unit 70 includes operation members such as various switches, buttons, and a touch panel that receive various operations from the user. The operation unit 70 includes a direction button (cross button) 73. The direction button 73 is provided with an upper button, a lower button, a left button, and a right button. Further, the direction button 73 is equipped with a pressure-sensitive sensor capable of detecting contact with the button, and when the user touches the button with the finger, the contact can be detected before the button is pressed.

  The recording medium slot 201 is a slot for storing the recording medium 200. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 stored in the recording medium slot 201 can communicate with the digital camera 100. A lid 203 is a lid of the recording medium slot 201.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 includes a photographing lens 10, a shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, an image sensor 14 that converts an optical image into an electric signal, and an A / D converter 16 that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. Is provided.

  Further, a timing generation circuit 18 for supplying a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26 is provided. The timing generation circuit 18 is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

  The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs a predetermined calculation process using the captured image data. The system control circuit 50 performs control based on the calculation result obtained by the image processing circuit 20, and performs AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing.

  Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.

  The memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. Data of the A / D converter 16 is directly written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or via the memory control circuit 22.

  The digital camera 100 is also provided with an image display memory 24, a D / A converter 26, and an external output connector 27 that outputs the output of the D / A converter 26 to an external monitor. When a connector is inserted into the external output connector 27, the system control circuit 50 knows the external output state by the external output connection detection unit 108.

  The image display unit 28 includes a TFT_LCD or the like. The display image data written in the image display memory 24 is displayed by the image display unit 28 via the D / A converter 26. Further, it is possible to realize an electronic viewfinder function by sequentially displaying image data captured using the image display unit 28.

  Further, the image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the digital camera 100 can be greatly reduced.

  Further, the image display unit 28 is coupled to the main body of the digital camera 100 by a rotatable hinge unit. It is possible to arbitrarily set the orientation and angle of the image display unit 28 and use various display functions such as an electronic finder function and a reproduction display function.

  In addition, the display portion of the image display unit 28 can be stored facing the digital camera 100. In this case, the image display unit open / close detection unit 106 can detect the storage state and stop the display operation of the image display unit 28.

  The memory 30 is for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. Thereby, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed.

  The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50. The memory 30 is also used as a write buffer for the recording media 200 and 210. The compression / decompression circuit 32 compresses / decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads the image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and finishes the processing. Is written into the memory 30.

  The exposure control unit 40 controls the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, and also has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48. The distance measurement control unit 42 controls the focusing of the taking lens 10. The zoom control unit 44 controls zooming of the taking lens 10. The barrier control unit 46 controls the operation of the protection unit 102 that is a barrier. The flash 48 also has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method. The system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20.

  The system control circuit 50 controls the entire digital camera 100. The system control circuit 50 executes the program recorded in the non-volatile memory 56 to perform processing of each embodiment described later.

  The memory 52 stores constants and variables for operation of the system control circuit 50 and is used when developing a program read from the nonvolatile memory 56. The display unit 54 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker, and displays an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like according to execution of a program in the system control circuit 50.

  The display unit 54 is installed at a single or a plurality of positions near the operation unit of the digital camera 100 so as to be visually recognized. The display unit 54 includes, for example, a combination of an LCD, an LED, a sound generation element, and the like. The display unit 54 has a part of its function installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes aperture value display, exposure correction display, flash display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, battery remaining amount display, error display, and recording media 200 and 210. There is an attachment / detachment state display. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.

  The nonvolatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable / recordable memory. As the nonvolatile memory, for example, an EEPROM or the like is used. The nonvolatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, and the like for operating the system control circuit 50. Here, the program refers to a program for executing various flowcharts in each embodiment described later.

  The timer 58 is used to measure the data recording speed of the recording media 200 and 210 and the data rate of data to be acquired.

  The mode dial switch 60, shutter switches 62 and 64, image display ON / OFF switch 66, quick review ON / OFF switch 68, and operation unit 70 are operation units for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50. . These are composed of one or a plurality of combinations such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by line-of-sight detection, and a voice recognition device.

  These operation units will be specifically described. The mode dial switch 60 switches and sets each function mode such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode (including panoramic shooting mode and moving image shooting mode), playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, and PC connection mode.

  The shutter switch (SW1) 62 is turned ON during the operation of the shutter button 61, and operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing are performed. Instruct the start. The shutter switch (SW2) 64 is turned on when the operation of the shutter button 61 is completed, and an exposure process for writing a signal read from the image sensor 14 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Instruct the start of operation. At the same time, development processing using computations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, image data is read out from the memory 30, compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 32, and image data is stored in the recording media 200 and 210 An instruction to start an operation of a series of processes including a recording process to be written is given. In the case of moving image shooting, the shutter switch (SW2) 64 instructs start / stop of moving image shooting.

  The image display ON / OFF switch 66 sets ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. With this function, when shooting using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to the image display unit such as TFT_LCD.

  The quick review ON / OFF switch 68 sets a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after photographing. In the present embodiment, in particular, the imaging apparatus 100 includes a function for setting a quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off.

  The operation unit 70 includes various buttons and a touch panel. Specifically, the operation unit 70 includes a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, an ISO sensitivity switching button, a menu movement + (plus) button, and a menu movement−. A (minus) button is provided. Also included in a selection / switch button for setting selection / switching of various functions, a determination button for determining and executing various functions, a display button for setting ON / OFF of the image display unit 28, and a direction button 73 A button, a lower button, a left button, and a right button are provided.

  Each of these operation buttons is equipped with a pressure-sensitive sensor capable of detecting contact with the button, and when the user touches the button with the finger, the contact can be detected before the button is pressed. . In response to contact detection by the pressure sensor, various guidance displays to be described later are performed. In the present embodiment, the detection means is a pressure sensor, but it may be a contact detection unit that can detect that the button is touched or is about to touch before the button is pressed. It may not be a pressure sensitive sensor.

  In addition, the operation unit 70 is provided with a zoom operation unit that switches between single-screen display / multi-screen display that adjusts zoom and wide angle during shooting or adjusts enlargement / reduction during playback.

  The power supply controller 80 detects the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. Based on these detection results and instructions from the system control circuit 50, the power supply control unit 80 supplies a necessary voltage for a necessary period. Supply to each part including. A power source 86 is connected to the power source controller 80 via connectors 82 and 84. The power source 86 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  A recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk is connected to the interfaces 90 and 94. The connectors 92 and 96 are connected to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

  The recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit 98 detects whether or not the recording media 200 and 210 are attached to the connectors 92 and 96, respectively.

  Note that in this embodiment, two interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium are provided. Of course, the number of interfaces and connectors for attaching the recording medium may be one or a plurality of systems. Also, interfaces and connectors with different standards may be combined. As the interface and the connector, those compliant with a standard such as a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card may be used.

  Further, by connecting various communication cards to the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other devices.

  The protection unit 102 is a barrier that prevents the imaging unit from being stained or damaged by covering the imaging unit including the photographing lens 10 of the digital camera 100. The optical viewfinder 104 can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are installed.

  The image display unit open / close detection unit 106 detects whether or not the image display unit 28 is in a storage state in which the display portion is stored facing the digital camera 100. Here, when it is detected that it is in the storage state, it is possible to stop the display operation of the image display unit 28 and prohibit unnecessary power consumption.

  The external output connection detection unit 108 detects whether or not an external monitor is connected to the external output connector 27. Here, when it is detected that the connection state is established, an external monitor can be used as a display device instead of the image display unit 28.

  The communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication. The connector 112 connects the digital camera 100 to other devices via the communication unit 110. In the case of wireless communication, an antenna is used instead of a connector.

  The microphone 114 is an audio data acquisition unit. The A / D converter 116 performs analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion in order for the system control circuit 50 to acquire audio data obtained by the microphone 114. The speaker 118 is an audio data reproducing unit. The D / A converter 120 performs digital / analog (D / A) conversion in order to reproduce the digital audio data output from the system control circuit 50 through the speaker 118.

  The recording medium 200 includes a memory card, a hard disk, and the like. The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 204 with the digital camera 100, and a connector 206 that connects to the digital camera 100. Further, when the recording medium 200 is a PC-Card or CompactFlash (registered trademark) of PCMCIA standard, an information storage circuit in which performance is described may be incorporated.

  The recording medium 210 includes a memory card, a hard disk, and the like. The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 214 with the digital camera 100, and a connector 216 that connects to the digital camera 100. Further, when the recording medium 210 is a PCMCard standard PC-Card, CompactFlash (registered trademark), or the like, an information storage circuit in which performance is described may be incorporated.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a normal operation procedure of the digital camera. This control program is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 and is executed by the CPU in the system control circuit 50. As described above, in this embodiment, the direction button (cross button) 73 that is a contact detection operation member is equipped with a pressure-sensitive sensor capable of detecting contact with the button as means for detecting contact.

  The imaging apparatus (digital camera) 100 determines whether or not the user has touched the contact detection operation member (step S1). If it is determined that there is no contact, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not there has been an operation (button operation) on the operation member (step S3).

  When there is an operation (button operation) on the operation member, the imaging apparatus 100 performs a behavior corresponding to the button operation (step S8). Details of the processing in step S8 will be described later. Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the process of step S1.

  On the other hand, if there is no operation (button operation) on the operation member in step S3, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the process of step S1, and again determines whether or not there is contact with the contact detection operation member (direction button 73). When it is determined in step S1 that the contact detection operation member has been touched, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the current mode is the reproduction mode (step S2). The process of step S2 is an example of a reproduction determination unit.

  When the playback mode is not set, for example, when the shooting mode is set, the imaging apparatus 100 displays a guidance for the button operation (see FIG. 4) (step S4). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen of the image display unit 28. A live view image is displayed on the screen of FIG. Various icons are displayed around the inside of the screen of the image display unit 28. Further, as the guidance 28a of the direction button 73, a shooting mode, a self-timer, a strobe function, and an information display are displayed.

  Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not a certain time has elapsed since the guidance display was performed (step S5). When the predetermined time has elapsed, the imaging apparatus 100 ends the guidance display (step S7), and returns to the process of step S1. The processing in step S4 executed by the CPU in the system control circuit 50, the processing not displaying the guidance in the case of YES in step S2, the processing in steps S35 and S36 described later, the processing in steps S42 and S43, etc. are displayed. It is an example of a control means.

  On the other hand, when the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S5, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not a button operation has been performed (step S6). If there is no button operation, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the process of step S5. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a button operation, the imaging apparatus 100 ends the guidance display (step S9), and performs a behavior corresponding to the corresponding button operation in step S8. Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the process of step S1.

  On the other hand, when there is a contact with the contact detection operation member and it is determined in step S2 that the playback mode is selected, the imaging apparatus 100 does not perform guidance display and determines whether or not a button operation is performed in step S3. As described above, in this embodiment, when the imaging apparatus is in the reproduction mode, as shown in FIG. 4B, the operation guide (guidance) is not displayed even when the contact detection operation member is touched.

  Here, in the playback mode, when the content to be played back is a moving image, operations (operations) such as playback, stop, fast forward, and rewind, which are not in the still image, are required compared to the still image. In such a case, even in the playback mode, the imaging apparatus 100 causes the image display unit 28 to display a moving image operation panel (see FIG. 5C). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing various screens of the image display unit 28. The imaging apparatus 100 displays the guidance 28c of the direction button 73 under a certain condition (see FIG. 5B), and assigns an icon 28d representing the moving image operation panel activation to the position of the upper button.

  Specifically, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not there is a button operation in the playback mode in steps S2 and S3 described above. As a result, when there is a button operation, in step S8, an operation of advancing the playback image or returning the playback image is performed.

  In the behavior in response to the button operation in step S8, when the next displayed image is switched to a moving image, the operation is different from the previous operation, so the operation guide 28c shown in FIG. 5B is displayed for a certain period of time. In this operation guide, an icon 28d representing the start of the moving image operation is displayed at the position of the upper button. Similarly, when the next displayed image is switched to a still image, the operation is different from the previous one, so that the operation guide 28b shown in FIG. 5A is displayed for a certain period of time. Therefore, each time the moving image and the still image are switched, the screen display in FIGS. 5A and 5B is switched.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 100 does not display an operation guide based on contact with the contact detection operation member during normal image browsing (reproduction), but the type (type) of the displayed image is switched, and the operation operation is switched accordingly. In the case, the operation guide is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user of the change of operation (operation).

  6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the button operation behavior in step S8. The imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the current mode is the shooting mode (step S10). If it is in the shooting mode, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the ISO button is pressed from the operation unit 70 (step S11).

  When the ISO button is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 switches ISO sensitivity (step S12). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process. On the other hand, when the ISO button has not been pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the upper button of the direction button 73 has been pressed (step S13). When the upper button is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 switches the self timer (step S14). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process.

  On the other hand, when the upper button is not pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the right button is pressed (step S15). When the right button is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 switches strobe settings (step S16). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process.

  On the other hand, if the right button has not been pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether the left button has been pressed (step S17). When the left button is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 performs macro switching (step S18). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process.

  On the other hand, when the left button has not been pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the down button has been pressed (step S19). When the down button is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 switches the display form (information display) of various information displayed on the image display unit 28 (step S20). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process.

  On the other hand, when the down button is not pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the menu button (Menu button) is pressed (step S21). When the menu button (Menu button) is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 transitions to a setting screen for performing various settings of the digital camera 100, and returns to the original state by pressing the menu button again (step). S22). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process.

  On the other hand, when the menu button is not pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the set button (Set button) is pressed (step S23). When the set button (Set button) is pressed, the imaging device 100 performs no operation (step S24). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process.

  On the other hand, when the set button (Set button) has not been pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the shutter button has been pressed (step S25). When the shutter button is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 performs shooting with the current setting (step S26). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process.

  On the other hand, if the shutter button is not pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the mode dial switch 60 has been operated (step S27). When the mode dial switch 60 is operated, the imaging apparatus 100 changes the shooting mode (step S28). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process.

  On the other hand, when the mode dial switch 60 has not been operated, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the zoom lever has been operated (step S29). When the zoom lever is operated, the imaging apparatus 100 switches the angle of view (step S30). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process.

  On the other hand, when the zoom lever is not operated, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the power button 72 has been pressed (step S31). When the power button 72 is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 ends all processing and turns off the power (step S32). Then, the imaging apparatus 100 ends this process.

  On the other hand, when the shooting mode is not set in step S10, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the current mode is the playback mode (step S33). If the playback mode is not set, the imaging apparatus 100 performs other processing (step S47) and returns to the original processing. On the other hand, if the playback mode is set, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the up button has been pressed (step S34). When the upper button is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the currently displayed image is a moving image file (step S35). The process of step S35 is an example of a type determination unit according to a third aspect.

  If it is a moving image file, the imaging apparatus 100 displays a moving image panel (see FIG. 5C) on the image display unit 28 (step S36). On this moving image panel (moving image operation panel), a plurality of operation icons for giving instructions regarding reproduction of the moving image file to be reproduced are displayed. The operator can give various instructions by operating the operation unit 70 and designating one of the operation icons.

  Then, the imaging apparatus 100 performs processing according to the moving image panel operation, that is, various types of processing by designating any operation icon included in the moving image panel (step S37). As processing that can be performed here, there are moving image reproduction start of a moving image file to be reproduced, moving image being stopped, moving image frame advance, moving image start, moving image slow reproduction, and the like. Further, when the end icon included in the moving image panel is operated by the user, the imaging apparatus 100 ends the display of the moving image panel and proceeds to the next step process. Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process. On the other hand, if it is not a moving image file in step S35, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process as it is.

  On the other hand, when the upper button is not pressed in step S34, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the lower button is pressed (step S38). When the down button is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 switches the screen to information display (step S39). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process.

  On the other hand, when the down button is not pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the right button is pressed (step S40). Pressing the right button is an image feed operation. That is, when the right button is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 reads the image with the next file number from the recording medium 200, determines the type of the image, and displays the read image on the image display unit 28 (step S41). ). The process of step S41 is an example of a type determination unit according to claim 2.

  The imaging apparatus 100 determines whether the image type of the image displayed this time is different from the image displayed before (previous time) (step S42). If the image types are different, the imaging apparatus 100 displays button guidance for a predetermined time (a fixed time) (step S43). For example, when the displayed image is a still image and the previously displayed image is not a still image, a reproduced image shown in FIG. 5A is displayed. Further, when the displayed image is a moving image and the previously displayed image is not a moving image, a reproduced image shown in FIG. 5B is displayed.

  In step S43, after the button guidance is displayed for a predetermined time, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process. Here, when the upper button of the direction button 73 representing the moving image reproduction icon 28d is pressed in step S34 described above in accordance with the guidance 28c displayed superimposed on the reproduction image of FIG. 5B, FIG. The moving image panel shown in (C) is displayed. On the other hand, when the image types are the same in step S42, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process as it is.

  On the other hand, when the right button is not pressed in step S40, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the left button is pressed (step S44). Pressing the left button is an image feed operation. That is, when the left button is pressed, the imaging apparatus 100 reads the image of the previous file number from the recording medium 200 and displays it on the image display unit 28 (step S45). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 proceeds to the process of step S42 and performs the same process as when the right button is pressed.

  On the other hand, when the left button is not pressed in step S44, the imaging apparatus 100 performs processing according to other button operations (step S46). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 100 returns to the original process as it is.

  As described above, when the user's finger touches the contact detection operation member, the imaging device according to the first embodiment changes the display of the operation guide (guidance) according to the state of the imaging device. That is, the imaging apparatus always displays the operation guide when in the shooting mode, and basically displays the operation guide under certain conditions without displaying the operation guide when in the playback mode. Thereby, the user can concentrate on image browsing without obstructing the user's image browsing, and can perform a guide display according to the user's situation and intention.

  In addition, it is possible to compare the current and previous displayed images and display the guidance to notify the user of the switching of the operation only when the type of the image to be reproduced is switched and the operation is switched accordingly.

  In addition, since guidance is displayed when it is determined to be a movie, it is possible to display guidance for functions that were not in still images, such as playback, stop, fast forward, rewind, etc. Can inform the user.

  In addition, the image pickup apparatus can know the contents of the function by displaying the guidance of the shooting function during normal shooting, and can operate without disturbing the image browsing action by the image forwarding operation during image playback. be able to.

[Second Embodiment]
Since the hardware configuration of the digital camera which is the imaging apparatus of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. In the first embodiment, the operation while the imaging apparatus is normally activated has been described. In the second embodiment, in addition to the normal operation of the first embodiment, in order to compensate for not displaying the operation guide in the image reproduction mode, when the image reproduction mode is first activated, the imaging apparatus The operation guide was displayed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure at the time of starting the digital camera according to the second embodiment. This control program is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 and is executed by the CPU in the system control circuit 50.

  When the digital camera 100 is activated upon power-on (step S51), the digital camera 100 determines whether the current mode is a playback mode or another mode, for example, a shooting mode (step S52). Other modes include a shooting mode and an operation setting mode for setting various operations. If the playback mode is not set, the digital camera 100 performs normal operation (normal operation) processing (step S57). After the normal operation process, the digital camera 100 ends the present process and starts the normal operation process shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S52 that the playback mode is set, the digital camera 100 displays an operation guide (button guidance) (step S53). At this time, for example, a reproduction image shown in FIG. Thereafter, the digital camera 100 waits for a certain period of time (step S54). When the predetermined time has elapsed, the digital camera 100 ends the display of the operation guide (step S56). Then, the digital camera 100 proceeds to the process of step S57.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S54, the digital camera 100 determines whether or not a button operation has been performed (step S55). If it is determined that there is no button operation, the digital camera 100 returns to the process of step S54. On the other hand, when it is determined that the button operation has been performed, the digital camera 100 performs the processes of steps S56 and S57, and shifts to the process shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus of the second embodiment, when starting in the playback mode when the power is turned on, the operation guide is displayed for a certain period of time, so that the operation guide is not displayed during the normal operation in the image playback mode. It becomes possible to make up for the condition.

  Note that not only when the power is turned on, but also when the shooting mode first transits from the shooting mode to the playback mode, the digital camera 100 may perform the processing from step S52 and similarly display the operation guide for a certain period of time. . Similarly, it is possible to compensate for the state where the operation guide is not displayed during normal operation in the image reproduction mode.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and any configuration can be used as long as the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configuration of the present embodiment can be achieved. Is also applicable.

  For example, the processing and functions for this normal operation related to photographing are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and the arrangement of functions and the operation method for the operation members are not limited to the present embodiment. The contact detection operation member is not limited to the direction button (cross button) and may be any button to which at least one function is assigned.

  Moreover, although the case where guidance was displayed was shown in the said embodiment, as long as it is the information of the function allocated to the contact detection operation member, other information, for example, the specification about a function, etc. may be sufficient. In this case, the display form is not limited to icons, and may be text or the like.

  In addition, the contact detection operation member has been described as adopting pressure detection as a method for detecting contact, but is not limited thereto. Any detection method such as an optical method or an electrostatic method may be used as long as it can be determined that the operation member has been touched.

  In the above-described embodiment, a compact digital camera has been described as an example of the imaging apparatus. However, the present invention can also be applied to a digital video camera, a digital SLR (single-lens reflex camera), and the like.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the image reproducing apparatus is applied to an imaging apparatus has been described. However, it is needless to say that the image reproducing apparatus may be applied to a reproducing apparatus that can only reproduce an image.

  The display device is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and an organic EL display, a surface electric field display (SED), a plasma display, or the like may be used.

  Further, although a backlight type LCD panel is used as the display means, self-luminous display means such as an organic EL display may be used.

  The object of the present invention is achieved by executing the following processing. That is, a storage medium recording software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores program codes stored in the storage medium. This is a reading process.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Moreover, the following can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, the present invention includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In addition, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

  Furthermore, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by the following processing is also included in the present invention. That is, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing.

28 Image Display Unit 50 System Control Circuit 70 Operation Unit 73 Direction Button (Cross Button)
100 Imaging device (digital camera)

Claims (11)

An imaging device having a playback mode and a shooting mode,
An operation member;
Detecting means for detecting contact with the operation member;
Display control means for controlling to display on the display means guide information of a function assigned to an operation method different from the contact with respect to the operation member,
The display control means controls to display the guide information on the display means according to a predetermined condition in the playback mode,
Further, the display control means includes
In the case of the reproduction mode, even if there is contact with the operation member, control is performed so as not to display the guide display,
An image pickup apparatus that controls to display the guide information when the image pickup apparatus is activated in the reproduction mode or is switched to the reproduction mode . In the reproduction mode, there is further provided switching means for switching the image displayed on the display means from the first image to the second image in response to an operation on the operation member by the first operation method. ,
When the image displayed on the display unit is switched from the first image to the second image and the type of the first image is different from the type of the second image, the display control unit The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so that the guide information is displayed on the display unit.   The case where the types are different is a case where the first image is one of a still image and a moving image and the second image is the other of a still image and a moving image. The imaging device described in 1.   When the image displayed on the display means in the playback mode is a moving image, the moving image starts to be displayed for the displayed moving image according to the operation of the operation member in the second operation method. At least one of an operation icon for instructing a moving image frame, an operation icon for instructing moving forward of a moving image, an operation icon for instructing moving image heading, and an operation icon for instructing moving image slow playback on the display means The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is controlled to display. Said display control means, when the first becomes the playback mode after starting the image pickup device, either the guide information according to claim 1, wherein the control that to display on said display means The imaging apparatus of Claim 1. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit displays the guide information for a predetermined time when the guide information is displayed in the reproduction mode. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein at least one of self-timer setting, strobe setting, and macro setting can be performed according to an operation on the operation member. The operation member can be operated by a plurality of operation methods, and the guide information is information indicating the plurality of operation methods and respective functions assigned to the plurality of operation methods. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . A method of controlling an imaging apparatus having a playback mode and a shooting mode,
A detection step for detecting contact with the operating member;
A display control step for controlling to display on the display means guide information of a function assigned to an operation method different from the contact with respect to the operation member,
In the display control step, in the reproduction mode, control is performed so that the guide information is displayed on the display unit according to a predetermined condition,
Furthermore, in the display control step,
In the case of the reproduction mode, even if there is contact with the operation member, control is performed so as not to display the guide display,
A control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: controlling the guide information to be displayed when the imaging apparatus is activated in the reproduction mode or switched to the reproduction mode . A program that causes a computer to function as each unit of the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to function as each unit of the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .

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