JP5546308B2 - Electronic device, control method thereof, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device that inputs a predetermined instruction by an operation by vibration, a control method thereof, a program executed by the electronic device, and a storage medium storing the program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, there has been known a camera that includes a vibration sensor that detects vibration of a camera body, and performs control for preventing camera shake during shooting and determination of vertical / horizontal position based on a detection signal of the vibration sensor. . There is also known a camera that applies vibration or the like to a camera provided with a vibration sensor and performs image processing according to a detection result of the vibration sensor.

  As a specific example, a digital camera that detects the tilt angle of a camera body and changes the display speed and display order of images in a slide show based on the detection result has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a slide show display can be performed efficiently even when a large amount of image data is recorded on a memory card.

  In addition, a device has been proposed that requires the detection valid switch to be in an on state in order for the movement / posture of the device to be recognized as an operation for the user to input a predetermined instruction (patent). Reference 2). In the device described in Patent Document 2, when the detection valid switch is in the OFF state, the operation input based on the movement / posture of the device is invalid, and when the user does not intend the operation input, the operation input based on the movement / posture of the device is performed. Can be prevented from being misunderstood.

  Furthermore, an information processing apparatus has been proposed that can easily instruct the operation of display contents while being held in a hand (see Patent Document 3). In the information processing apparatus described in Patent Literature 3, the amount of movement and rotation of the main body of the information processing apparatus is detected by a detection sensor, and the direction of movement and rotation of the main body, the amount of change, and the number of times are obtained. Then, for example, an area for reading image information for one frame is moved by the number of pixels corresponding to the movement amount of the main body, and the read image information is displayed on the display unit.

JP 2007-49484 A JP 2006-309064 A JP-A-6-4208

  However, with the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the user can grasp only how the device has recognized and performed the operation performed by the user based on the operation result. In particular, when an input operation is performed by applying vibration to the apparatus by shaking the apparatus or the like, the user may not watch the display screen of the apparatus at the moment of the operation. For this reason, there is a possibility that it is not possible to know what operation has been performed simply by looking at the display change as a result after the operation has been performed. Further, in the techniques disclosed in the cited documents 2 and 3, even if the user intends to perform the same operation, the user is recognized as another operation depending on the intensity of vibration, and as a result, the intended processing is performed. There is no fear.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that allows a user to execute different processing depending on the magnitude of vibration with good operability when using vibration of the electronic device for operation of the electronic device. .

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device that accepts relatively weak vibration as an instruction operation of the first process and accepts relatively strong vibration as an instruction operation of the second process. A vibration detection means for detecting vibration applied to the electronic device; a storage means for storing a plurality of threshold values for classifying the vibration detected by the vibration detection means into the weak vibration and the strong vibration ; If the magnitude of the sensed vibration by the vibration detecting means determines that the weak vibration based on the range of the threshold value performs the first processing, when it is determined that the strong vibration is the second process And a control unit that performs the above-described control, wherein the range of the threshold value determined as the weak vibration is larger than the range of the threshold value determined as the strong vibration .

According to the electronic device of the present invention, when the vibration of the electronic device is used for the operation of the electronic device , the user can execute different processes according to the magnitude of the vibration with good operability.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an external appearance rear view of the digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and a figure which shows a response | compatibility with the shape of the housing | casing of a digital camera, and 3 axes | shafts which are the direction axes of the vibration detection by an acceleration sensor. It is an example of the management table which linked | related the content of the vibration operation set in the digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the processing content corresponding to each vibration operation. In the digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows typically the relationship between a vibration detection signal and the threshold value shown by FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a series of processes from detection of vibration to analysis of vibration and execution of corresponding processing in the digital camera according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart of the display process performed in parallel with the process performed according to the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the display process shown by the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure which shows another specific example of the display process shown by the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart of the display process performed corresponding to the process performed corresponding to the vibration operation performed continuously in the digital camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and the performed process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the content of the continuous operation displayed on the display part of the digital camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment in step S411 shown by FIG. It is a flowchart of the change process of the threshold value in the digital camera which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. 12 is a flowchart of the process of step S502 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the process of step S503 shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the example of a change of the threshold value of the strong vibration operation performed by step S704, S705 shown by FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each embodiment, a so-called digital camera will be taken up as an electronic device, and a mode in which the digital camera is operated by vibration will be described.

<First Embodiment>
[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of a digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera 101 includes a photographing lens 102, a shutter 103 having a diaphragm function, an image sensor 104 that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and an A / D converter 105 that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 104 into a digital signal. Is provided.

  In the digital camera 101, the timing generation circuit 106 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 104, the A / D converter 105, and the D / A converter 107, and is controlled by the memory control unit 108 and the system control unit 109. The The image processing circuit 110 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 105 and the data from the memory control unit 108.

  The memory control unit 108 controls the A / D converter 105, the timing generation circuit 106, the image processing circuit 110, the image display memory 111, the D / A converter 107, and the memory 112. Data of the A / D converter 105 is written to the image display memory 111 or the memory 112 via the image processing circuit 110 and the memory control unit 108 or directly via the memory control unit 108.

  The image data for display written in the image display memory 111 is displayed as an image on the image display unit 113 such as an LCD via the D / A converter 107. An electronic viewfinder function can be realized by sequentially displaying photographed image data on the image display unit 113. The memory 112 for storing captured still images and moving images has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time.

  The exposure control unit 114 controls the shutter 103 having a diaphragm function and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 117. The distance measurement control unit 115 controls focusing of the photographing lens 102, and the zoom control unit 116 controls zooming of the photographing lens 102. The flash 117 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  A system control unit 109 controls the entire digital camera 101. The storage memory 120 stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for the operation of the system control unit 109. The power supply control unit 118 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches blocks to be energized, and the like. The power supply control unit 118 detects the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level, controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and an instruction from the system control unit 109, and requires a necessary voltage. It is supplied to each part including the recording medium for a period. The power supply unit 119 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 ion battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  The display device 121 includes a display device, a speaker, and the like for displaying an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like in accordance with execution of a program by the system control unit 109. The display device 121 is installed at one or a plurality of positions in the vicinity of the operation unit 125 of the digital camera 101 so as to be easily visible, and is configured by combining, for example, an LCD, an LED, a sound generation element, and the like. Note that the image display unit 113 can be configured as a part of the display device 121.

  The nonvolatile memory 122 can electrically erase and record data, and stores a threshold value (see FIG. 3 described later) set for vibration applied to the digital camera 101, the number of vibration operations, and the like. can do. The digital camera 101 includes a memory card interface 123 for connecting a memory card, and a USB interface 124 for connecting other devices via USB. The operation unit 125 is configured with a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by line-of-sight detection, a voice recognition device or the like alone or in combination, and various operation instructions to the system control unit 109 by operating the operation unit 125. Is entered.

  The shutter switch 126 instructs the start of a series of processing operations of exposure processing and development processing. The exposure process is a process for writing image data into the memory 112 via the A / D converter 105 and the memory control unit 108 from the signal read from the image sensor 104. The development process is an arithmetic process in the image processing circuit 110 and the memory control unit 108.

  The digital camera 101 includes a vibration detection control unit 127 and an acceleration sensor 128 as vibration detection means (vibration sensor) that detects vibration. The vibration detection control unit 127 performs a filter process on the vibration detection signal output from the acceleration sensor 128 as necessary, analyzes the direction of the vibration and the strength of the signal from the signal after the filter process, and performs system control on the analysis result. Output to the unit 109. Note that the acceleration sensor 128 can measure three axes orthogonal to each other as a direction axis for detecting vibration.

  FIG. 2A is an external rear view of the digital camera 101. In the digital camera 101, a surface on which a photographing lens (not shown) is arranged is a front surface. The housing 211 of the digital camera 101 is provided with a main switch 213 for selecting a mode that operates simultaneously with turning on / off the power and turning on the power. In addition, the housing 211 is provided with a display unit 202, a DISP button 204, a MENU button 205, a cross key 206, a SET button 207, a vibration detection button 208, an LED 209, and an optical viewfinder 212. An acceleration sensor 203 (same as the acceleration sensor 128 shown in FIG. 1) is mounted inside the housing 211, and the storage medium 210 is detachable from the housing 211.

  The display unit 202 corresponds to the display device 121 illustrated in FIG. 1, and is provided on a surface (rear surface) opposite to the surface (front surface) where the photographing lens (not illustrated) is provided in the housing 211. Yes. The display unit 202 is, for example, an LCD monitor, and a subject to be photographed is displayed live on the display unit 202. Thereby, the composition and exposure can be confirmed and the photographed image can be confirmed by the electronic viewfinder function. The display unit 202 displays captured image data, various setting menus, and the like. As a result, the user can view the image data, and confirm various setting menus, details of the operation by vibration (hereinafter referred to as “vibration operation”), the operation detecting the vibration, the indicator indicating the strength, and the like. can do.

  For example, image data is stored in the storage medium 210. The storage medium 210 is, for example, a removable storage device such as an SD card, a memory card, a magneto-optical disk, or other removable media.

  The DISP button 204 is a button for inputting an instruction to display the electronic viewfinder. When a captured image is reproduced (confirmed display), display / non-display of shooting assistance information and attribute information is performed by operating the DISP button 204. The display can be switched. The MENU button 205 is a button for performing various settings such as shooting conditions of the digital camera 101, data processing conditions of shot images, and shooting data storage conditions.

  By operating the cross key 206, it is possible to give an instruction for sequentially switching images when the captured image is displayed for confirmation, and the menu item displayed on the display unit 202 can be switched by the MENU button 205. . In the center of the cross key 206, a SET button 207 is arranged independently of the cross key 206. The SET button 207 determines an item selected by operating the cross key 206 from the menu items displayed on the display unit 202 and instructs the system control unit 109 of the content of the determined item.

  The vibration detection button 208 is a button for switching validity / invalidity of detection by the acceleration sensor 203. The LED 209 is provided in the vibration detection button 208, and notifies the user of the vibration detection state by the acceleration sensor 203 when the LED 209 blinks or lights up. The main switch 213 has three positions: a shooting mode (REC), a power-off, and a playback mode (PLAY). When photographing a subject, the user may set the main switch to the photographing mode, and when viewing the photographed image data, the user may set the reproduction mode.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a correspondence between the shape of the housing 211 of the digital camera 101 and the three axes that are the direction axes of vibration detection by the acceleration sensor 203. When the digital camera 101 is shaken by the user, the acceleration sensor 203 is moved in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction [Y-, Y +]), left-right direction (X-axis direction [X-, X +]), front-back (Z-axis direction [Z −, Z +]) in each direction is detected.

  The vibration detection control unit 127 receives the vibration detection signal of the acceleration sensor 203, analyzes the vibration direction and the strength of the signal, and outputs a control signal indicating the analysis result to the system control unit 109. The system control unit 109 receives a control signal from the vibration detection control unit 127, determines in which direction the digital camera 101 is shaken, executes various processes set for the detected vibration, Further, the contents of various processes are changed based on the detected vibration intensity. The contents of various processes according to vibration, the threshold value for the strength of vibration, and the like are stored in the nonvolatile memory 122, and the subsequent various processes are performed based on the information stored in the nonvolatile memory 122.

[Digital camera vibration operations]
FIG. 3 is a table (hereinafter referred to as “management table”) showing an example of management data in which the contents of the vibration operation set in the digital camera 101 are associated with the processing contents corresponding to each vibration operation. The management table is stored in the nonvolatile memory 122. The direction of giving vibration is set as the content of the vibration operation, and the content of the process to be executed and the threshold are set for each vibration operation.

  The content of the vibration operation in the management data, the processing content corresponding to the vibration operation, and the threshold value may be registered in advance, or may be associated on the menu by the vibration operation registration mode, or the actual vibration operation is performed. For example, a method of associating various processes may be employed. In the present embodiment, management data may be registered in the digital camera 101 by any method, and the registration method is not limited.

  The threshold value is a parameter serving as a reference for determining whether or not the vibration applied to the digital camera 101 is a vibration for a vibration operation, and is a maximum value of vibration magnitude (hereinafter referred to as “vibration amount”). Is larger than the absolute value of the threshold value, various corresponding processes are executed. The threshold value is set for each direction axis of the digital camera 101, and is set so that the processing content varies depending on the magnitude of the vibration even in the case of vibration in the same direction of the same axis.

  In the present embodiment, the process corresponding to the normal vibration operation (first process) is set in the management table of FIG. 3A, and the process corresponds to a strong vibration operation in the management table of FIG. A process (second process) is set. Further, for each direction of each direction axis, a threshold value (first threshold value) set corresponding to the normal vibration operation shown in FIG. 3A and a strong vibration operation shown in FIG. Two types of threshold values (threshold values) set corresponding to are set.

  For example, when the normal vibration operation is performed in the positive direction of the X axis (X axis +) as the vibration operation, a process of feeding one image is performed as the first process. When a strong vibration operation is performed in the positive direction of the X axis as the vibration operation, a process of feeding 10 images is performed as the second process. The contents of the processing in each direction of the other directional axes are as shown in FIG. 3, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the vibration detection signal detected by the acceleration sensor 203 and the threshold value shown in FIG. The acceleration sensor 203 has a detection limit value 403 that is an upper limit value capable of detecting vibration, and a first threshold value 401 and a second threshold value 402 are set in the detectable range. When a vibration operation is performed on the digital camera 101, the acceleration sensor 203 detects the vibration, and a vibration detection signal is output to the vibration detection control unit 127. Here, it is assumed that, as a result of the vibration detection control unit 127 analyzing the vibration detection signal of the acceleration sensor 203, the first detection signal 404 and the second detection signal 405 shown in FIG. The system control unit 109 compares the first detection signal 404 and the second detection signal 405 with the first threshold value 401 and the second threshold value 402, and determines the processing content to be executed.

  When the vibration amount of the vibration detection signal is less than the first threshold 401, the vibration operation is not determined. As a result, it is possible to prevent malfunction due to small vibrations that are not intended as operations. When the vibration amount of the vibration detection signal is not less than the first threshold value 401 and less than the second threshold value 402, it is determined as a normal vibration operation (FIG. 3A). Therefore, the first detection signal 404 is determined as a normal vibration operation. When the vibration amount of the vibration detection signal is equal to or greater than the second threshold 402, it is determined that the vibration operation is strong. Therefore, it is determined that the second detection signal 405 is a strong vibration operation.

  The width between the first threshold 401 and the second threshold 402 is set wider than the width between the second threshold 402 and the detection limit value 403. That is, the absolute value of the difference between the first threshold value 401 and the second threshold value 402 is larger than the absolute value of the difference between the second threshold value 402 and the detection limit value 403. Thus, by setting a wide range of areas recognized as normal vibration operations, it is possible to prevent fluctuations in the recognition results of vibration operations due to the intensity of vibrations and the person operating, and to improve operability. it can. Moreover, operability can be improved by assigning an operation according to the vibration amount. Further, the digital camera 101 can perform an operation different from the normal vibration operation by applying strong vibration. Therefore, by assigning frequently used operations to the normal vibration operation, the operability can be further improved, and the operation can be easily distinguished from other operations that require a strong vibration operation.

[Processing flow by vibration operation]
Next, a flow of processing from the vibration operation performed on the digital camera 101 to execution of various corresponding processing will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a series of processing from detection of vibration by the acceleration sensor 203 to analysis of the vibration detection signal and execution of the corresponding processing.

  First, it is determined whether vibration is detected by the acceleration sensor 203 (step S101). In step S101, when the vibration detection control unit 127 receives a vibration detection signal, it is determined that the acceleration sensor 203 has detected vibration. If vibration is detected (“YES” in S101), the process proceeds to step S102. If vibration is not detected (“NO” in S101), the process waits in step S101.

  In step S102, the vibration detection control unit 127 analyzes the vibration detection signal detected in step S101. Specifically, the detected vibration amount, the main axis of vibration, and the direction of vibration in the main axis are analyzed. Here, the vibration main axis is an axis that becomes the center of the detected vibration, and the axis in which the largest vibration amount is detected among the three axes is the main axis. The direction of vibration indicates in which direction of the main axis of vibration the vibration is performed, and is either the + direction or the − direction of the main axis.

  Subsequently, the system control unit 109 determines the vibration operation content by comparing the main axis and direction of the vibration analyzed in step S102 with the management table (see FIG. 3 as appropriate), and corresponds to the determined vibration operation content. The threshold value is compared with the vibration amount analyzed in step S102. Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not the vibration amount analyzed in step S102 is greater than or equal to the normal vibration operation threshold value (first threshold value or more) (step S103).

  When the vibration amount is less than the normal vibration operation threshold (less than the first threshold) (“NO” in S103), the detected vibration is not recognized as the normal vibration operation, and the process defined in the management table is performed. (Step S107), and then the process ends. If the vibration amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value for normal vibration operation (“YES” in S103), it is further determined whether the vibration amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value for strong vibration operation (second threshold value or more) (step S104).

  When the vibration amount is less than the threshold value of the strong vibration operation (less than the second threshold value) (“NO” in S104), the detected vibration is recognized as a normal vibration operation, and the corresponding processing defined in the management table is performed. (Step S106), and then the process ends. If the amount of vibration is greater than or equal to the threshold value of the strong vibration operation (“YES” in S107), the detected vibration is recognized as a strong vibration operation, and the corresponding processing defined in the management table is performed (step S105), and thereafter The process ends.

[Display processing associated with processing by vibration operation]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the display process executed in parallel with the process executed according to the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether vibration is detected by the acceleration sensor 203 (step S201). The processing in step S201 is the same as the processing in step S101 shown in FIG. If vibration is detected (“YES” in S201), the process proceeds to step S202. If vibration is not detected (“NO” in S201), the process waits in step S201.

  In step S202, the vibration detection control unit 127 determines the vibration detected in step S201, and executes a process corresponding to the determined vibration. The processing in step S202 is the same as the processing in steps S102 to S107 shown in FIG. Subsequently, the system control unit 109 determines whether the corresponding process has been executed in step S202 (step S203). If not executed (“NO” in S203), the process returns to step S201. When it is executed (“YES” in S203), display according to the executed process is performed on the display unit 202 (step S204), and then the process returns to step S201.

  7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating specific examples of the display process performed in step S204. FIG. 7A is a display example when “one image feed” has been performed as a process corresponding to the normal vibration operation until step S203. The display unit 202 displays an image after one sheet is sent, and also displays a one-sheet feed display 701 (an arrow heading from the lower left to the upper right via the upper left and the number 1 as an execution display of the normal vibration operation). Is displayed on the display unit 202. FIG. 7B is a display example when “10 images feeding” has been performed as processing corresponding to a strong vibration operation up to step S203. The display unit 202 displays an image after 10 sheets have been sent, and also displays a 10-sheet feed display 702 (an arrow heading from the lower left to the upper left via the upper left and the numeral 10 as a strong vibration operation execution display). Is displayed on the display unit 202.

  As described above, in the digital camera 101, the fact that the vibration operation has been detected is displayed separately in the normal vibration operation display (single sheet feed display 701) and the strong vibration operation display (ten sheet feed display 702). The That is, the display unit 202 displays not only the result of the vibration operation performed by the user but also the content of the vibration operation that caused the executed process. Therefore, the user can easily understand from the display on the display unit 202 whether the vibration operation performed by the user is a normal vibration operation or a strong vibration operation.

  The display example is not limited to the display example in FIG. 7, and any other display may be used as long as it displays that the vibration operation has been detected and the corresponding processing has been executed, and distinguishes between the normal vibration operation and the strong vibration operation. The method can be adopted. For example, a sound may be emitted when a vibration operation is detected, or the LED 209 may be turned on. In that case, different display methods such as changing the sound, changing the display color of the LED 209, distinguishing by blinking / lighting of the LED 209, changing the blinking interval of the LED 209, etc. are used so that the vibration operation can be easily distinguished. It is preferable.

  FIG. 8 shows another display example in the case where “one image feed” has been performed as a process corresponding to the normal vibration operation until step S203, as in the case of FIG. 7A. In this display example, an image after one sheet is sent is displayed, and a detection display 801 indicating the main axis and direction of the detected vibration operation, and a vibration indicator 802 indicating the vibration amount are displayed. The vibration indicator 802 includes a partition display 803 for distinguishing between a normal vibration operation and a strong vibration operation, and a graph 804 indicating the detected vibration strength as a bar length. The position of the partition display 803 corresponds to a second threshold value that is a threshold value for a strong vibration operation.

  From the detection display 801, the user can easily confirm that the vibration operation performed by the user is recognized as the vibration operation given to which direction of which direction axis by the digital camera 101. Further, by displaying a graph 804 that is a detected vibration amount on the vibration indicator 802, the user can quickly determine how much vibration intensity the recognized vibration operation is recognized by the digital camera 101. Can be recognized. Furthermore, since the difference between the delimiter display 803 and the graph 804 can be easily confirmed, a rough estimate of how much power the digital camera 101 should be shaken to perform a strong vibration operation is given. Can do.

  In the digital camera 101 according to the present embodiment, in order to improve operability, how the digital camera 101 recognizes and executes the vibration operation performed by the user is displayed. 7 is displayed on the display unit 202 at the same time. The detection display 801 and the vibration indicator 802 shown in FIG. It may be configured. In particular, it is considered that the user may not be gazing at the display unit 202 at the moment of performing the vibration operation, and what kind of operation is performed simply by looking at the display of the execution result as in a conventional digital camera. There is a possibility of not knowing what was done. In the present embodiment, the display unit 202 displays how the digital camera 101 recognizes the vibration operation performed by the user and executes the corresponding process, and the content of the vibration operation is fed back to the user. The operability of the operation can be improved.

Second Embodiment
Since the hardware configuration of the digital camera according to the second embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the digital camera 101 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The digital camera according to the second embodiment is characterized by processing when a vibration operation is continuously performed, and will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed in response to the vibration operation and display processing executed in response to the executed processing when the vibration operation is continuously performed. First, it is determined whether vibration is detected by the acceleration sensor 203 (step S401). If vibration is detected (“YES” in S401), the process proceeds to step S402. If vibration is not detected (“NO” in S401), the process waits in step S201. Next, the vibration detection control unit 127 determines the vibration detected in step S401, and executes a process corresponding to the determined vibration (step S402). Since the processing in steps S401 to 402 is the same as the processing in steps S101 to 107 shown in FIG. 5, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, it is determined whether the corresponding process has been executed in step S402 (step S403). If not executed ("NO" in S403), the process returns to step S401. If it has been executed (“YES” in S403), a display process corresponding to the executed process is performed (step S404). Note that the display process performed in step S404 is the same as the display process performed in step S204 of FIG.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the next vibration is detected before a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous vibration was detected (step S405). If vibration is detected (“YES” in S405), the vibration is determined in the same manner as in step S402, and processing corresponding to the determined vibration is executed (step S406). If vibration is not detected (“NO” in S405), the process proceeds to step S410.

  After step S406, it is determined whether the corresponding process has been executed in step S406 (step S407). If it is executed (“YES” in S407), a display process corresponding to the executed process is performed (step S408), and if not executed (“NO” in S407), the process proceeds to step S410. Note that the content of the display process performed in step S408 is the same as the display process performed in step S404.

  After step S408, each process executed in steps S402 and S406 and the number of times (that is, the number of continuous operations) are stored in the nonvolatile memory 122 (step S409), and then the process returns to step S405.

  In step S410, it is determined whether the number of continuous operations stored in step S409 is 2 or more, that is, whether a continuous operation has been performed before a predetermined time has elapsed (step S410). If the number of continuous operations is 2 or more (“YES” in S410), the contents of the continuous operations are displayed on the display unit 202 (step S411), and then the stored number of continuous operations (count) is reset (step S411). Step S412). If the number of continuous operations is less than 2 (“NO” in S410), the process returns to step S401.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of the continuous operation content displayed on the display unit 202 in step S411 shown in FIG. Similar to the content described with reference to FIG. 8 in the first embodiment, the display unit 202 displays an image after the vibration operation, a detection display 1001 indicating the main axis and direction of the vibration operation, and vibration. A vibration indicator 1002 representing the strength of the is displayed. The vibration indicator 1002 displays a partition display 1003 for distinguishing between a normal vibration operation and a strong vibration operation, and a graph 1004 indicating the intensity of the detected vibration. The display target of the detection display 1001 and the vibration indicator 1002 is the content of the operation performed at the end of the continuous operation.

  The display unit 202 further displays a continuous operation display 1005 indicating the number of continuous operations. The continuous operation display 1005 includes the number of executions of the normal vibration operation and the strong vibration operation. In the example of FIG. 10, the total number (“+32”) of images sent in each of the normal vibration operation and the strong vibration operation among the continuous operations is displayed, but numbers, characters, etc. are displayed for each vibration operation. You may be made to do.

  As described above, it is considered that there are many cases where the user does not pay attention to the display unit 202 at the moment of performing the vibration operation, and what kind of operation has been performed simply by looking at the display of the execution result. There is a possibility of not knowing. When the vibration operation is continuously performed, the possibility is further increased. On the other hand, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, when the vibration operation is continuously performed, the display of the continuous operation content is performed in addition to the display corresponding to each process, and the continuous operation is performed. In the content display, the number of executions is displayed for each of the normal vibration operation and the strong vibration operation. Thus, the user can easily confirm how the vibration operation performed by the user is recognized by the digital camera until the current display state is obtained.

<Third Embodiment>
Since the hardware configuration of the digital camera according to the third embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the digital camera 101 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The digital camera according to the third embodiment is characterized in that the second threshold value is changed based on the vibration amount of the normal vibration operation by the user, and will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of threshold value changing processing. First, it is determined whether vibration is detected (step S501). When vibration is detected (“YES” in S501), vibration is determined, and processing corresponding to the determined vibration is executed (step S502). If vibration is not detected (“NO” in S501), the process proceeds to threshold value comparison / change processing (step S503). After the processes of step S502 and step S503 are completed, the process returns to step S501.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the processing (vibration determination / execution of processing) in step S502 shown in FIG. The flow until determining the vibration and executing the processing corresponding to the determined vibration is as described with reference to FIG. 5 in the first embodiment. Specifically, steps S601, S602, S603, S604, S605, and S606 correspond to steps S102, S103, S104, S105, S106, and S107 shown in FIG. Therefore, description of these processes is omitted. Hereinafter, processing different from the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 will be described.

  After the processing corresponding to the normal vibration operation is executed in step S705, it is determined whether the vibration amount of the past vibration corresponding to the normal vibration operation (hereinafter referred to as “maximum vibration amount”) is stored (step S705). S607). The maximum vibration amount is one type of data stored in the nonvolatile memory 122. If the maximum vibration amount is stored (“YES” in S607), it is determined whether the maximum vibration amount is larger than the vibration amount detected this time (step S608). When the maximum vibration amount is not stored (“NO” in S607), the vibration amount detected this time is stored in the nonvolatile memory 122 as the new maximum vibration amount of the normal vibration operation (step S609).

  If the maximum vibration amount is larger than the vibration amount detected this time (“YES” in S608), the process proceeds to step S610. On the other hand, when the maximum vibration amount is equal to or smaller than the vibration amount detected this time (“NO” in S608), the process proceeds to Step S609. Thus, the maximum vibration amount is newly stored, maintained, or updated by the processing up to step S609. Finally, in step S610, the number of continuous operations of the normal vibration operation is incremented by 1 and stored in the nonvolatile memory 122, and the flow ends.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the processing (threshold comparison / change processing) in step S503 shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether the number of continuous normal vibration operations stored in the previous step S502 (vibration determination / execution) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S701). That is, it is determined whether the process associated with the normal vibration operation has been performed a predetermined number of times or more. There are a plurality of specified values, and such specified values are set when the number of continuous normal vibration operations is extremely small, there is a possibility that the threshold for stable normal vibration operation cannot be set. This is to avoid this problem. The specified value is stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 122.

  If the number of continuous operations of the normal vibration operation is less than the specified value (“NO” in S701), the process ends. When the number of continuous normal vibration operations is greater than or equal to the specified value (“YES” in S701), the maximum vibration amount stored in the nonvolatile memory 122 is compared with the strong vibration operation threshold (second threshold). Specifically, the difference between these values is obtained (step S702). Then, it is determined whether or not the difference obtained in step S702 is larger than a predetermined value (step S703). The predetermined value is stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 122.

  When the difference is larger than the predetermined value (“YES” in S703), the threshold value is changed to reduce the threshold value of the strong vibration operation (second threshold value), specifically, the maximum vibration amount of the vibration of the normal vibration operation. Is changed to a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to (step S704). As a result, the strong vibration operation is easily performed by lowering the threshold value of the strong vibration operation without affecting the execution determination as the normal operation. On the other hand, when the difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (“NO” in S703), the threshold value is changed to increase the threshold value of the strong vibration operation. As a specific example, the predetermined value is added to the maximum vibration amount of the normal vibration operation. The value is changed to the value (step S705). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a vibration intended for a normal vibration operation from being erroneously determined as a strong operation.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of changing the threshold value of the strong vibration operation performed in steps S704 and S705, and FIG. 14A illustrates an example of decreasing the threshold value of the strong vibration operation. Shows examples of increasing the threshold value of a strong vibration operation. 14A and 14B, the median value 1400 of the detectable range of the acceleration sensor 203, the normal vibration operation threshold value (first threshold value) 1401, and the strong vibration operation threshold value (second threshold value). 1402 and a detection limit value 1403 are set. A difference 1405 between the maximum vibration amount 1404 of the normal vibration operation and the strong vibration operation threshold 1402 is a comparison target with the predetermined value 1406.

  In the case of FIG. 14A, the difference 1405 is larger than the predetermined value 1406. Therefore, the threshold value 1402 of the strong vibration operation is changed to a threshold value 1407 obtained by adding a predetermined value 1406 to the maximum vibration amount 1404 of the vibration of the normal vibration operation. In this way, a strong vibration operation threshold 1407 is newly set. On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 14B, the difference 1405 is smaller than the predetermined value 1406. Therefore, the threshold value 1402 of the strong vibration operation is changed to a threshold value 1407 obtained by adding a predetermined value 1406 to the maximum vibration amount 1404 of the vibration of the normal vibration operation. In this way, a strong vibration operation threshold 1407 is newly set.

  As described above, in step S704 and step S705, the threshold value for the strong vibration operation is changed by adding a predetermined value to the maximum vibration amount of the normal vibration operation for the following reason. That is, if the value of the maximum vibration amount of normal vibration operation is set as it is as the threshold value for strong vibration operation, it is determined as strong vibration operation even if a little stronger vibration is given than the previous vibration operation. The probability of being done increases. Therefore, such a situation is prevented by introducing a predetermined value as a kind of margin. In the digital camera 101, the initial value of the predetermined value is set in advance, but may be changeable by the user, and thus the specification can be improved for the user.

  After the strong vibration operation threshold is changed by the processing in steps S704 and S705, the number of continuous normal vibration operations stored in the nonvolatile memory 122 is reset (step S706), and the flow ends.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, since the threshold value is changed based on the maximum vibration amount of the normal vibration operation actually performed by the user, it is easy to distinguish the normal vibration operation from the strong vibration operation. Can be improved.

<Other embodiments>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment mentioned above is only one Embodiment of this invention. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist, and the embodiments can be combined.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the determination is performed by fixing the direction axis corresponding to the vibration operation to be determined and the corresponding operation. However, the vibration operation may be performed in the case where the digital camera 101 is performed in the horizontal state and in the vertical direction. It is thought that there is a case where it is performed in. Therefore, when the vibration detection is performed with the axis for detecting vibration fixed regardless of the posture of the digital camera 101, different processing is executed depending on whether the digital camera 101 is held in the horizontal orientation or the vertical orientation. For example, even if the vibration operation is to the left for the user, when the digital camera 101 is in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 2B), the vibration is detected on the X axis +, but the display unit 202 is on the lower side. In the case of the vertical orientation, vibration is detected on the Y axis −.

  In order to avoid this problem, the posture of the digital camera 101 may be detected before the vibration operation is determined, and the axis for determining vibration may be changed according to the detected posture. As a result, regardless of the posture of the digital camera 101, a fixed process is executed if a vibration operation is always performed in a predetermined direction. Therefore, the user can intuitively understand how to hold the digital camera 101. The vibration operation can be performed. In this way, operability can be improved.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the detection of the vibration was performed with respect to one certain direction axis | shaft, in order to prevent a misdetection, you may utilize the information of another direction axis | shaft. Furthermore, if not only the amount of vibration but also the period during which vibration is generated is used for determination of vibration detection, it becomes possible to perform determination with higher accuracy.

  In the hardware configuration of the digital camera 101, the system control unit 109 may be controlled by one piece of hardware, or a plurality of pieces of hardware share the processing to control the entire digital camera 101. May be.

  Furthermore, although the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described as an example in the above-described embodiment, this is not limited to this example. That is, the present invention is applied to an electronic device that can be controlled so that a predetermined process is executed by a vibration operation, such as a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone terminal, a portable image viewer, and a digital photo frame.

  The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to an electronic device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the electronic device reads and executes the program code. It is processing. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Digital camera 109 System control part 110 Image processing circuit 112 Memory 113 Image display part 121,202 Display part 122 Non-volatile memory 125 Operation part 127 Vibration detection control part 128,203 Acceleration sensor 210 Storage medium 401 1st threshold value 402 2nd 403 Detection limit value 701, 702 Execution display 801, 1001 Detection display 802, 1002 Vibration indicator 1005 Continuous operation display

Claims (13)

An electronic device that accepts relatively weak vibration as an instruction operation of the first process and accepts relatively strong vibration as an instruction operation of the second process,
Vibration detecting means for detecting vibration applied to the electronic device ;
Storage means for storing a plurality of threshold values for classifying the vibration detected by the vibration detection means into the weak vibration and the strong vibration ;
Wherein if the has been the size of the vibration detection is determined that the weak vibration based on the range of the threshold value by the vibration detecting means performs the first process, the second if it is determined that the strong vibration Control means for performing processing,
An electronic apparatus , wherein a range of the threshold value determined as the weak vibration is larger than a range of the threshold value determined as the strong vibration . 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper limit value of the threshold range determined as the strong vibration is a vibration detection limit value that can be detected by the vibration detection unit.   When the first process is performed, a display indicating that the first process is performed is displayed, and when the second process is performed, the second process is performed. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for performing display.   When the first process or the second process is continuously performed before a predetermined time elapses from the time when the first process or the second process is started, the process is continuously performed. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the number of times of the first process or the second process.   The display control means which controls to display the content of the detected vibration operation on the display means when the first process or the second process is performed. 5. The electronic device according to any one of 4 above.   6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the content of the vibration operation displayed by the display control means is an axis on which the vibration operation has been performed and its direction. The display means displays, as a graph, the magnitude of the detected vibration and the lower limit value of the threshold range to be determined as the strong vibration when the first process or the second process is performed. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the electronic apparatus is an electronic apparatus. When the first process has been performed a predetermined number of times or more, a lower limit value of the threshold range determined as the strong vibration and a maximum value of the vibration that caused the execution of the first process 8. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a threshold value changing unit that changes a lower limit value of the threshold value range determined as the strong vibration . The threshold value changing means compares a difference between a maximum value of the vibration causing the execution of the first process and a lower limit value of the threshold value range determined as the strong vibration with a predetermined value, and the difference is wherein when the predetermined value is greater than changes the lower limit of the range of the strong vibration and determines the threshold value to a smaller value, if the difference is below the predetermined value, the lower limit of the range of the strong vibration and determines the threshold value the electronic device according to claim 8, wherein changing the value to a larger value. The threshold value changing means changes the lower limit value of the threshold range for determining the strong vibration to a value obtained by adding the predetermined value to the maximum value of the vibration that caused the first process to be executed. The electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that: A method of controlling an electronic device that accepts relatively weak vibration as an instruction operation of a first process and accepts relatively strong vibration as an instruction operation of a second process ,
A vibration detecting step for detecting vibration applied to the electronic device ;
A storage step for storing a plurality of threshold values for classifying the vibration detected in the vibration detection step into the weak vibration and the strong vibration;
When the magnitude of the vibration detected in the vibration detection step is determined as the weak vibration based on the range of the threshold, the first process is performed, and when it is determined as the strong vibration, the second process is performed. A control step for performing processing,
The method of controlling an electronic device , wherein a range of the threshold value determined as the weak vibration is larger than a range of the threshold value determined as the strong vibration .   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the electronic device as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 10.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images