JP5615086B2 - Imaging apparatus, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, a control method thereof, a program, and a computer-readable recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera having a level guide display function for a user to hold the camera horizontally has been realized. In addition, a display unit that can freely change the direction of the display surface from front to back and from side to side is realized.

  In this type of imaging device, in general, when the display unit is facing the subject, the same display as when the display unit is facing the back side is performed, or the display according to the live view image is performed. Technology has been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that if the display unit can be rotated for face-to-face shooting, the display control unit also reverses the display of the voice indicator according to the rotation of the display unit. Specifically, for example, the up / down or left / right display of the captured image is switched, and the up / down or left / right display position of the display position of the sound indicator is switched.

JP 2008-311932 A

  However, when displaying the level guide on the display unit, there is currently no technique for appropriately displaying the level guide according to the orientation of the display unit. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the display unit 417 facing the back side is directed to the subject side, if the horizontal line 1101 of the level guide is displayed as it is, the inclination of the horizontal line 1101 is horizontally reversed. become. Therefore, when the camera is adjusted according to the horizon 1101, the camera is more inclined and inconvenient.

  In order to avoid such an inconvenience, a configuration in which the display item is inverted according to the orientation of the display unit 417 is also conceivable. However, if all display items are reversed, predetermined display items such as characters and icons may be difficult to see.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to appropriately display predetermined display items such as characters and icons and a level guide according to the orientation of the display unit. And

Imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging apparatus main body, and an imaging means provided in the image pickup apparatus main body, a display unit attached movably in a plurality of positions with respect to the imaging apparatus main body, and the posture detecting means Control means for displaying a live view image picked up by the image pickup means and a level guide representing posture detection information by the posture detection means on the display unit according to the position of the display unit, The control means inverts and displays the live view image in accordance with the position of the display unit, and further, when the display unit is at the first position, displays the level guide for the live view image. When the display unit is in the second position, the level guide is displayed for the live view image. It shows state and controls to be displayed in a state of horizontally reversed from the predetermined state.

  According to the present invention, predetermined display items such as characters and icons and a level guide can be appropriately displayed according to the orientation of the display unit. Therefore, the display unit does not become difficult to see regardless of the orientation of the display unit, and can be correctly leveled by adjusting the posture of the camera while looking at the level guide.

1 is an external view of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. It is an internal block diagram of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of LV imaging | photography mode. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of an initial data acquisition process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a display coordinate acquisition process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of LV information display processing. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process for every operation. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of an end process. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a camera main body and a vari-angle liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the example of the LV imaging | photography screen displayed on a variangle liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the detail of a level guide display. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the display coordinate acquisition process in the case of a vertical opening type vari-angle liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a camera main body and a vari-angle liquid crystal monitor in the case of a vertical opening type vari-angle liquid crystal monitor. It is an example of the LV imaging | photography screen displayed on a variangle liquid crystal monitor in the case of a vertical opening type variangle liquid crystal monitor.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the imaging apparatus. 1 and 2 is configured as a digital single-lens reflex camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera). An accessory shoe 110, an optical viewfinder 104, and a release button 114 are provided on the upper part of the camera body (imaging apparatus body) 100. The release button 114 is used for instructing an imaging operation.

  A main electronic dial 115, a mode dial 60, and an external display unit 409 are also provided on the upper part of the camera body 100. The main electronic dial 115 is used to input numerical values relating to camera operation and to switch the imaging mode by being operated together with other operation buttons. The external display unit 409 is configured by a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays shooting conditions and other information such as a shutter speed value, an aperture value, and an imaging mode.

  A vari-angle TFT liquid crystal monitor (hereinafter simply referred to as a vari-angle liquid crystal monitor) 417 and a hinge 419 are provided on the back surface of the camera body 100. Further, an LV (live view button) 68, an Info button 66, a sub electronic dial 116, a SET button 117, and a power switch 72 are provided. Although not shown, operation members such as a cross key and a multi-controller are also provided.

  The vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is a display unit in which the orientation of the display surface can be freely changed from front to back and left and right via the hinge 419, and is used to display images (image data) obtained by photographing, various setting screens, and the like. Is done. The vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is composed of a transmissive LCD and has a backlight 416 (see FIG. 2). The vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is also used as a display for displaying a menu screen for designating various settings and processes that can be set or processed, and an LV shooting screen (see FIG. 11) described later. . The hinge 419 connects the camera body 100 and the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417, and can change the orientation of the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 by rotating horizontally and vertically.

  The LV button 68 is used when live view display is performed on the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417. The Info button 66 is used when changing the display state of information displayed on the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417. For example, every time the Info button 66 is pressed on the LV shooting screen, the information display is changed, and a level guide display representing posture detection information exists in one display state.

  A mount 106 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the front surface of the camera body 100, and a mount 306 provided on the interchangeable lens 300 is detachably coupled to the mount 106. In FIG. 2, 500 indicates an imaging optical axis. The interchangeable lens 300 is provided with a lens unit 310 composed of a plurality of lenses and a diaphragm 312.

  Inside the camera body 100, a mirror 130 is disposed in the imaging optical path. The mirror 130 is movable between a position where the subject light from the lens unit 310 is reflected toward the viewfinder optical system (a position shown in FIG. 2) and a position where the mirror 130 is retracted outside the imaging optical path. A subject image is formed on the focus plate 150 by subject light reflected by the mirror 130.

  A pentagonal roof prism 132 is disposed inside the camera body 100. The pentagonal roof prism 132 guides subject light that has passed through the focusing plate 150 and the condenser lens 152 to the eyepiece lens 154. The optical viewfinder 104 is configured by the focus plate 150 to the eyepiece lens 154. The user can observe the subject image formed on the focus plate 150 through the eyepiece lens 154.

  The rear curtain 156 and the front curtain 164 constitute the focal plane shutter 12 (see FIG. 3). By controlling the opening of the rear curtain 156 and the front curtain 164, the image sensor 14 is exposed for a necessary time. The image sensor 14 is composed of a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, and an optical low-pass filter 162 is disposed on the front surface thereof. The image sensor 14 is connected to the printed board 160. A display board 158 is arranged behind the printed board 160. A vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 and a backlight 416 are connected by the camera body 100 and the hinge 419.

  The camera body 100 is mounted with a recording medium 200 for recording image data obtained by the imaging operation and an accessory device 210 (see FIG. 3). A secondary battery 86 is attached to the camera body 100. The recording medium 200, the attachment device 210, and the battery 86 can be attached to and detached from the camera body 100.

Next, the circuit configuration of the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 300 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are given to the components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
First, a circuit configuration in the interchangeable lens 300 will be described. The interchangeable lens 300 is provided with a connector 322 and an interface 320 for electrically connecting the interchangeable lens 300 to the camera body 100. The connector 322 and the interface 320 enable communication between a lens system control circuit 350 (to be described later) and the system control circuit 50 in the camera body 100 via the connector 122 and the interface 120 provided in the camera body 100.

  The aperture controller 340 is an aperture controller that controls the aperture 312. The aperture control unit 340 controls the aperture 312 in cooperation with the shutter control unit 40 based on photometry information from the photometry control unit 46 described later. The focus control unit 342 controls the focus operation of the lens unit 310. The zoom control unit 344 controls the zooming operation of the lens unit 310.

  The lens system control circuit 350 generally controls various operations of the interchangeable lens 300. The lens system control circuit 350 includes a memory that stores constants, variables, computer programs, and the like for various operations.

  Next, a circuit configuration in the camera body 100 will be described. The subject light that has passed through the lens unit 310 and the aperture 312 is opened with the focal plane shutter in a state in which the mirror 130 is retracted out of the imaging optical path (when the mirror 130 is a half mirror, it is disposed in the imaging optical path). 12 is incident on the image sensor 14. The image sensor 14 photoelectrically converts the incident subject light and outputs it as an analog image signal. The A / D converter 16 converts an analog signal (image signal) output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. The timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26 under the control of the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

  The image processing circuit 20 performs pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the image data from the A / D converter 16 or the image data from the memory control circuit 22. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs a predetermined calculation process using the image data output from the A / D converter 16. Based on the calculation result, the system control circuit 50 controls the shutter control unit 40 and the focus adjustment unit 42 using a TTL autofocus (AF) process, an automatic exposure (AE) process, and a flash pre-emission (EF). Process. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the image data output from the A / D converter 16, and also performs TTL auto white balance (AWB) processing based on the arithmetic 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. The image data output from the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 through the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or only through the memory control circuit 22.

  The image display unit 28 sequentially displays the image signals converted into analog signals by the D / A converter 26 and written in the image display memory 24 on the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. An electronic viewfinder (EVF) function is realized. The image display unit 28 turns on / off the electronic viewfinder (EVF) function according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50.

  The memory 30 stores a still image related to imaging. In addition, the memory 30 is used as a frame buffer for images written in the recording medium 200 and the attached device 210 continuously at a predetermined rate during moving image shooting. Further, the memory 30 is also used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  The compression / decompression circuit 32 compresses / decompresses image data using a known image compression method. The compression / decompression circuit 32 reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs a compression process or an expansion process, and writes the processed data to the memory 30 again.

  The shutter control unit 40 controls the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 12 in cooperation with the aperture control unit 340 based on the photometry information from the photometry control unit 46. The focus adjustment unit 42 performs AF processing by detecting the phase difference of the subject image that is transmitted through the mirror 130 and guided by a sub mirror (not shown). The photometric control unit 46 performs AE processing based on an output signal from a photometric sensor (not shown). The flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function. The photometry control unit 46 performs EF processing in cooperation with the flash 48.

  The system control circuit 50 includes a CPU and a memory, and controls the operation of the camera body 100 as a whole. The memory 52 stores constants, variables, computer programs (basic programs), etc. for operation of the system control circuit 50.

  The notification unit 54 displays characters and images on an LCD, an LED, or the like according to execution of the computer program in the system control circuit 50, or emits sound from a speaker (not shown), Notify messages etc. to the outside. The notification unit 54 includes an LCD unit that displays an aperture value, shutter speed, focus degree, camera shake warning, exposure correction value, and the like in the optical viewfinder 104.

  The nonvolatile memory 56 is composed of, for example, an electrically erasable / recordable EEPROM or the like, and is used as a memory for storing a computer program or the like. In this case, of course, the computer program is stored in the non-volatile memory 56 so as to be readable by the computer. This computer program includes an application program configured to be computer-executable according to the flowcharts of FIGS. The nonvolatile memory 56 stores setting values set on a GUI screen such as a menu screen, setting values set by operating the main electronic dial 115 and sub electronic dial 116, and a shooting mode specified by operating the mode dial 60. Information and the like are also stored.

  The shutter switch (SW1) 62 is turned on by the first stroke operation (half-press) of the release button 114, and instructs the system control circuit 50 to start operations such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, and EF processing. The shutter switch (SW2) 64 is turned on by a second stroke operation (full press) of the release button 114, and instructs the system control circuit 50 to start a series of imaging processing operations including exposure processing, development processing, and recording processing.

  The Info button 66 is operated to instruct the system control circuit 50 on the type of information display. In response to the information display type change instruction, the system control circuit 50 reads the imaging conditions and the like from the nonvolatile memory 56 to create an information display screen, and displays it on the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417. The LV button 68 is operated to instruct the start and end of LV display. The operation unit 70 includes various buttons such as an Info button 66 and an LV button 68, and various dials such as a main electronic dial 115, a sub electronic dial 116, and a mode dial 60. The system control circuit 50 performs various operations in accordance with signals from the operation unit 70.

  The power switch 72 is a switch for switching on / off the power of the camera body 100. Further, by operating the power switch 72, the power supply of the interchangeable lens 300, the external flash, the recording medium 200, and other attached devices (such as a personal computer) 210 connected to the camera body 100 can be switched on and off at the same time.

  The lateral rotation detection switch 74 notifies OFF when the hinge 419 is at the standard position, and ON when the hinge is rotated laterally. The vertical rotation detection switch 76 notifies OFF when the hinge 419 is at the standard position, and ON when the hinge 419 is rotated vertically.

  The power control unit 80 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 80 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 the instruction of the system control circuit 50, and requires the necessary voltage. It is supplied to each part including the recording medium 200 for a long period.

  The connectors 82 and 84 supply the power from the battery 86 to the camera body 100, the interchangeable lens 300, the external flash, the recording medium 200, and other attached devices 210. The camera body 100 includes interfaces 90 and 94 for the recording medium 200 and the accessory device 210 and connectors 92 and 96 for connecting the recording medium 200 and the accessory device 210. The attachment / detachment detection circuits 78 and 98 detect whether or not the recording medium 200 and the accessory device 210 are attached to the connectors 92 and 96.

  The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, and includes a recording unit 202 configured by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 204 with the camera body 100, and a connector 206 for connecting with the camera body 100. Similarly, the accessory device 210 includes a recording unit 212 formed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 214 with the camera body 100, and a connector 216 for connecting with the camera body 100.

  Here, the positional relationship between the camera body 100 and the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 will be described with reference to FIG. The position of the camera body 100 and the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is changed by rotating the hinge 419 by the user. FIG. 10A shows a state of the first position where the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is accommodated on the back surface of the camera body 100.

  FIG. 10B shows the second position where the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 faces the subject. From the state of FIG. 10A, the state is changed to the state of FIG. 10B by lateral rotation of 180 degrees (rotating 180 degrees with the direction perpendicular to the camera body 100 as the rotation axis). That is, the second position is a position obtained by rotating the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 by 180 degrees with the direction perpendicular to the camera body 100 as the rotation axis, with the first position as a reference. The display surface of the variangle liquid crystal monitor 417 at the second position is 180 degrees opposite to the display surface of the variangle liquid crystal monitor 417 at the first position.

  FIG. 10C shows a third position where the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 faces the back side of the camera body 100. From the state shown in FIG. 10B, the state is changed to the state shown in FIG. That is, the third position is based on the first position, and the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is rotated 180 degrees around the direction perpendicular to the camera body 100 as a rotation axis and is horizontal with respect to the camera body 100. This is a position rotated 180 degrees with a specific direction as a rotation axis. The display surface of the variangle liquid crystal monitor 417 in the third position is in the same direction as the display surface of the variangle liquid crystal monitor 417 in the first position.

  Next, an example of the LV shooting screen displayed on the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11A shows an LV shooting screen when the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is at the first position (FIG. 10A). FIG. 11B shows a display when the LV shooting screen displayed at the first position is left as it is when the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is at the second position (FIG. 10B). FIG. 11C shows a display when a measure to which the present invention is applied is taken when the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is in the second position (FIG. 10B). In FIG. 11B, the horizontal line 1101 of the level guide is not parallel to the ground on which the photographer stands. On the other hand, in the display in which measures are taken (FIG. 11C), the horizontal line 1101 of the level guide is parallel to the ground on which the photographer stands.

  Next, details of the level guide display will be described with reference to FIG. In this display example, levels in the horizontal and tilt directions are displayed. FIG. 12A shows a display example when the posture of the camera is the normal position or upside down. FIG. 12B is a display example when the posture of the camera is rotated 90 degrees or 270 degrees.

  1201 is an auxiliary line for representing the level in the horizontal direction, and is displayed at the same position unless the user changes the posture of the camera. Reference numeral 1202 denotes a horizontal line, which is displayed in parallel with the ground. For example, when there is an inclination, the line is displayed in red.

  1203 is an auxiliary line in the tilt direction, and is displayed at the same position unless the user changes the posture of the camera. Reference numeral 1204 denotes a tilt position, which moves up and down in the case of FIG. 12A and to the left and right in the case of FIG.

  1205 is a guidance display showing the direction in which the camera is tilted in order to adjust the level in the horizontal direction. In the case of the illustrated example, when the camera is rotated clockwise, it becomes horizontal. Reference numeral 1206 denotes a guidance icon indicating the direction of the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417. In the case of the illustrated example, the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 indicates that it is directed to the side with the lens, that is, the subject side.

  Next, an overview of the processing in the LV shooting mode will be described with reference to FIG. When the user presses the LV button 68 to instruct the display of the LV shooting screen, the system control circuit 50 acquires initial data necessary for displaying the LV shooting screen from the nonvolatile memory 56 (step S401). The initial data necessary for displaying the LV shooting screen includes the information display level of the LV information display, the rotation switch information of the hinge 419, and the connection state of the external output terminal. Further, as processing at this time, there is a level information acquisition start instruction and flag initialization. Details of the initial data acquisition process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the system control circuit 50 obtains data necessary for shooting such as shooting mode, AF mode, and ISO from the nonvolatile memory 56. Further, the system control circuit 50 acquires data such as the shutter speed and the aperture value calculated based on the photometric information (step S402).

  Next, the system control circuit 50 obtains coordinates of information to be displayed on the LV photographing screen based on the rotation switch state of the hinge 419 and the connection state of the external output terminal (step S403). Details of this display coordinate acquisition processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the system control circuit 50 displays necessary information on the LV imaging screen based on the information display level of the LV information display (step S404). Details of the LV information display processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the user performs any operation while the LV shooting screen is displayed, the system control circuit 50 determines the content of the operation and performs processing according to the operation (step S405). Details of the processing for each operation will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 determines the content of the shooting mode end flag indicating whether to end or continue the LV shooting screen (step S406). As a result, when the shooting mode end flag is “1”, the system control circuit 50 performs LV shooting mode end processing (step S407) and ends the processing. Details of this termination processing will be described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, if the shooting mode end flag is other than “1”, the process returns to step S402.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the initial data acquisition process in step S401 of FIG. In the initial data acquisition process, the system control circuit 50 first reads the information display level of the LV information display from the nonvolatile memory 56 (step S501). Then, it is determined whether or not the information display level is “3” for displaying the level guide (step S502). As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S503, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S504.

  Next, the system control circuit 50 performs a level information acquisition start process for regularly distributing the level information (step S503). The level information is periodically distributed from the level information acquisition start process to the level information acquisition end process.

  Next, the system control circuit 50 acquires the horizontal rotation switch state from the horizontal rotation detection switch 74 and sets it in the horizontal rotation flag (step S504). Further, the system control circuit 50 acquires the vertical rotation switch state from the vertical rotation detection switch 76 and sets it in the vertical rotation flag (step S505). Then, the connection state of the external output terminal is acquired from the external output terminal attachment / detachment detection circuit and set in the external output flag (step S506), the output change flag is set to “present”, and the end flag is set to “0” for initialization (Step S507), and this process is terminated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the display coordinate acquisition processing in step S403 of FIG. In the display coordinate acquisition process, the system control circuit 50 first determines whether or not the output change flag is “Yes” (step S601). As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S602, and if they do not match, this process ends.

  If they match in step S601, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the external output flag is “ON” (step S602). As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S604, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S603.

  If they do not match in step S602, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the vertical rotation flag and the horizontal rotation flag are “OFF” (step S603). That is, it is determined whether or not the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is in the first position. As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S604, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S605.

  If they match in step S602 or step S603, the system control circuit 50 arranges display positions of predetermined display items such as a level guide, an LV image (live view image), characters, and icons at positions in the initial state. (Step S604).

  If they do not match in step S603, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the vertical rotation flag is “OFF” and the horizontal rotation flag is “ON” (step S605). That is, it is determined whether or not the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is in the second position where the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 faces the subject. As a result, if they do match, the process proceeds to step S606, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to S607.

  If they match in step S605, the system control circuit 50 arranges the display position of the level guide with the X coordinate inverted (left-right inverted display). In addition, the display position of the LV image and the predetermined display item is arranged at the position in the initial state (step S604). If they do not match in step S605, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the vertical rotation flag is “ON” and the horizontal rotation flag is “ON” (step S607). That is, it is determined whether or not the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is in the third position where the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 faces the back side of the camera body 100. As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S608, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S609.

  If they match in step S607, the system control circuit 50 arranges the display positions of the level guide, the LV image, and the predetermined display item so that both the X coordinate and the Y coordinate are reversed (upside down and horizontally reversed display) (step). S608). If they do not match in step S607, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the vertical rotation flag is “ON” and the horizontal rotation flag is “OFF” (step S609). As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S610, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to S611.

  If they match in step S609, the system control circuit 50 determines that the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is closed with the display surface facing the camera body 100 side, and turns off the monitor (step S610).

  After step S604 or step S610, the system control circuit 50 sets “none” in the output change flag (step S611), and ends this process.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the LV information display process in step S404 of FIG. In the LV information display process, what information is displayed on the screen is determined. The system control circuit 50 first determines the value of the information display level (step S701). As a result, in the case of “1”, the shooting information is simply displayed (step S702), in the case of “2”, the shooting information is displayed in detail (step S703), and in the case of “3”, the level guide is displayed. (Step S704).

  Next, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not to turn off the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 (step S705). When the variangle liquid crystal monitor 417 is turned on, the system control circuit 50 turns on the monitor (step S706) and ends this processing.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of processing for each operation in step S405 of FIG. In the processing for each operation, processing for the operation executed by the user is performed. The system control circuit 50 first determines an operation performed by the user (step S801). As a result, in the case of SW2 64 button operation, the system control circuit 50 performs a photographing process (step S802). When the LV button 68 is operated, the system control circuit 50 sets “1” to the end flag in order to end the LV process (step S803). In the case of the Info button 66 operation, the system control circuit 50 determines the value of the current information display level in order to change the type of LV information display (step S804). If the result is “1”, “2” is set to the information display level (step S808). In the case of “2”, “3” is set as the information display level (step S809), and level information acquisition start processing is performed (step S817). In the case of “3”, “1” is set to the information display level (step S810), and the level information acquisition end process is performed (step S818).

  When the hinge 419 is rotated vertically, the vertical rotation detection switch 76 is distributed, and the system control circuit 50 determines the vertical rotation switch state (step S805). When the result is “ON”, “ON” is set to the vertical rotation flag (step S811), and when it is “OFF”, “OFF” is set to the vertical rotation flag (step S812). When the hinge 419 is rotated horizontally, the horizontal rotation detection switch 74 is distributed, and the system control circuit 50 determines the horizontal rotation switch state (step S806). If the result is “ON”, the horizontal rotation flag is set to “ON” (step S813). If the result is “OFF”, the horizontal rotation flag is set to “OFF” (step S814).

  When the external output terminal is changed, the external output terminal attachment / detachment detection circuit 78 detects attachment / detachment, and the system control circuit 50 determines whether the external output terminal is inserted or removed (step S807). If the result is “inserted”, the external output flag is set to “ON” (step S815), and if it is “removed”, the external output flag is set to “OFF” (step S816).

  Next, after executing Steps S811 to S816, the system control circuit 50 sets “Yes” in the output change flag (Step S819).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the termination process in step S407 of FIG. In the termination process, the system control circuit 50 first determines the value of the information display level (step S901). As a result, in the case of “3”, a level information acquisition end process is performed (step S902). Next, the system control circuit 50 stores the information display level value in the nonvolatile memory 56 (step S903), and ends this processing.

  In the above-described embodiment, the horizontal opening type vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 has been described. Hereinafter, a case of the vertical opening type will be described. FIG. 14 shows the positional relationship between the camera body 100 and the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417, and FIG. 15 shows an example of the LV shooting screen displayed on the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417. In the case of the vertical opening type, the details (FIG. 13) of the display coordinate acquisition process in step S403 of FIG. 4 are different.

  Here, the positional relationship between the camera body 100 and the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 will be described with reference to FIG. The position of the camera body 100 and the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is changed by rotating the hinge 419 by the user. FIG. 14A shows a state of the first position where the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is accommodated on the back surface of the camera body 100.

  FIG. 14B shows a fourth position where the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 faces the subject. From the state shown in FIG. 14A, the state is changed to the state shown in FIG. That is, the fourth position is a position obtained by rotating the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 by 180 degrees with respect to the camera body 100 as a rotation axis with respect to the first position. The display surface of the variangle liquid crystal monitor 417 at the fourth position is opposite to the display surface of the variangle liquid crystal monitor 417 at the first position by 180 degrees.

  FIG. 14C illustrates a fifth position where the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 faces the back side of the camera body 100. From the state shown in FIG. 14B, the state is changed to the state shown in FIG. That is, with respect to the first position, the fifth position rotates the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 by 180 degrees about a horizontal direction with respect to the camera body 100 as a rotation axis and is perpendicular to the camera body 100. This is a position rotated 180 degrees with a specific direction as a rotation axis. The display surface of the variangle liquid crystal monitor 417 in the fifth position is in the same direction as the display surface of the variangle liquid crystal monitor 417 in the first position.

  Next, an example of the LV shooting screen displayed on the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15A is an LV photographing screen when the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is at the first position (FIG. 14A). FIG. 15B shows a display when the LV shooting screen displayed at the first position is left as it is when the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is at the fourth position (FIG. 14B). FIG. 14C shows a display when a countermeasure to which the present invention is applied is performed when the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is in the second position (FIG. 14B). In FIG. 15B, the horizontal line 1501 of the level guide is not parallel to the ground on which the photographer stands. On the other hand, in the display in which measures are taken (FIG. 15C), the horizontal line 1501 of the level guide is parallel to the ground on which the photographer stands.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the display coordinate acquisition processing in step S403 of FIG. In the display coordinate acquisition process, the system control circuit 50 first determines whether or not the output change flag is “present” (step S1301). As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S1302, and if they do not match, this process ends.

  If they match in step S1301, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the external output flag is “ON” (step S1302). As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S1304, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S1303.

  If they do not match in step S1302, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the vertical rotation flag and the horizontal rotation flag are “OFF” (step S1303). That is, it is determined whether or not the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is in the first position. As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S1304, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S1305.

  If they match in step S1302 or step S1303, the system control circuit 50 arranges the display position of the level guide, the LV image, and the predetermined display item at the position in the initial state (step S1304).

  If they do not match in step S1303, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the vertical rotation flag is “ON” and the horizontal rotation flag is “OFF” (step S1305). That is, it is determined whether or not the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is in the fourth position where the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 faces the subject. As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S1306, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S1307.

  If they match in step S1305, the system control circuit 50 arranges the display position of the level guide with the Y coordinate reversed (upside down display). In addition, the display position of the LV image and the predetermined display item is reversed and arranged in both the X coordinate and the Y coordinate (upside down and left and right reversed display) (step S1304). If they do not match in step S1305, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the vertical rotation flag is “ON” and the horizontal rotation flag is “ON” (step S1307). That is, it is determined whether or not the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is in the fifth position where the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 faces the back side of the camera body 100. As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S1308, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S1309.

  If they match in step S1307, the system control circuit 50 arranges the display positions of the level guide, the LV image, and the predetermined display item so that both the X coordinate and the Y coordinate are reversed (upside down and horizontally reversed display) (step S1307). S1308). If they do not match in step S1307, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the vertical rotation flag is “OFF” and the horizontal rotation flag is “ON” (step S1309). As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S1310, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S1311.

  If they match in step S1309, the system control circuit 50 determines that the vari-angle liquid crystal monitor 417 is closed with the display surface facing the camera body 100 side, and turns off the monitor (step S1310).

  After step S1304 or step S1310, the system control circuit 50 sets “none” in the output change flag (step S1311), and ends this process.

  In the present embodiment, the control executed by the system control circuit 50 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire apparatus may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware sharing the processing.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. Furthermore, each embodiment mentioned above shows only one embodiment of this invention, and it is also possible to combine each embodiment suitably.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described as an example, but this is not limited to this example. That is, the present invention can be applied to any imaging apparatus having an imaging function and a display monitor that can change the orientation, such as a digital video camera, a digital single-lens reflex camera, a mobile phone terminal with a camera function, a game machine, or a PDA. .

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

14: Image sensor, 50: System control circuit, 56: Non-volatile memory, 74: Horizontal rotation detection switch, 76: Vertical rotation detection switch, 100: Camera body, 417: Vari-angle liquid crystal monitor, 419: Hinge

Claims (15)

An imaging device body;
Imaging means provided in the imaging apparatus body;
A display unit movably attached to a plurality of positions with respect to the imaging device body;
Attitude detection means;
Control means for causing the display unit to display a live view image picked up by the image pickup means and a level guide representing posture detection information by the posture detection means according to the position of the display unit;
The control means inverts and displays the live view image according to the position of the display unit. Further, when the display unit is at the first position, the level guide of the level guide for the live view image is displayed. When the display unit is in the second position, the display state of the level guide with respect to the live view image is displayed in a state that is horizontally reversed from the predetermined state. imaging device and controls so as to. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second position is a position where a display surface of the display unit is in a direction opposite to the case of the first position. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second position is a position where a display surface of the display unit faces a subject to be imaged by the imaging unit. The control means, together with the live view image and the level guide, further displays a predetermined item on the display unit,
When the display unit is in the first position, the display unit displays the predetermined item and the level guide on the live view image so that the display state is in a predetermined state. In the case of the position, the display state of the predetermined item with respect to the live view image is displayed so as to be the predetermined state, but the display state of the level guide with respect to the live view image is changed from the predetermined state. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is controlled so as to be displayed in an inverted state. The display unit is movable to the first position, the second position, and the third position;
The control means sets the live view image at the first position and the display state of the level guide to the display unit as an initial state. In the case of the second position, the live view image is an initial state. State, the level guide is displayed so as to be horizontally reversed from the initial state, and in the case of the third position, the live view image and the level guide are displayed vertically reversed and horizontally reversed. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured to perform the imaging. The second position is a position obtained by rotating the display unit from the first position by 180 degrees with a direction perpendicular to the imaging apparatus body as a rotation axis.
The third position rotates the display unit from the first position by 180 degrees about a direction perpendicular to the imaging apparatus body as a rotation axis, and a horizontal direction with respect to the imaging apparatus body. It is a position rotated 180 degrees as a rotation axis,
The display surface of the display unit in the second position is a display surface in the opposite direction to the direction of the display unit in the first position, the display surface of the display unit definitive in the third position, the first the imaging apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the same direction as the display surface of the display unit definitive the position. The display unit is movable to the first position, the second position, and the third position;
The control means sets the live view image at the third position and the display state of the level guide to the display unit as an initial state. In the case of the first position, the control means The level guide is displayed so that it is flipped upside down and left and right. In the second position, the live view image is flipped horizontally and upside down from the initial state, and the level guide is up and down from the initial state. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed so as to be inverted. The first position rotates the display unit from the third position by 180 degrees about a horizontal direction with respect to the imaging apparatus body as a rotation axis, and a direction perpendicular to the imaging apparatus body. It is a position rotated 180 degrees as a rotation axis,
The second position is a position obtained by rotating the display unit from the third position by 180 degrees about a horizontal direction with respect to the imaging apparatus main body as a rotation axis.
In the first position, the display surface of the display unit is the same direction as the display surface of the display unit in the third position, the display surface of the display unit definitive in the second position, the first 3 of the imaging apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the display surface in the opposite direction to the direction of the display unit definitive the position. An imaging device body;
Imaging means provided in the imaging apparatus body;
A display unit that is rotatable about a direction perpendicular to the imaging apparatus main body as a rotation axis, and that is rotatable about a direction horizontal to the imaging apparatus main body as a rotation axis;
Attitude detection means for detecting the attitude of the imaging device body;
Control means for causing the display unit to display a live view image picked up by the image pickup means and a spirit level guide representing the sensation detected by the posture detection means, and according to the rotation of the display unit, Control means for inverting and displaying a live view image and the level guide,
The control means includes
When the display unit is rotated the vertical direction rotation axis, the live view image is not inverted, it is inverted to display the spirit level guide the vertical direction as an axis,
When the display unit is rotated the horizontal direction as a rotation axis, the live view image is inverted the vertical direction axis, and is inverted to display the horizontal direction as an axis, the level An image pickup apparatus for displaying a container guide by inverting the horizontal direction as an axis. The control means includes
Along with the live view image and the level guide, a predetermined item is further displayed on the display unit,
When the display unit is rotated about the vertical direction as a rotation axis, the live view image and the predetermined item are not reversed, and the level guide is reversed and displayed with the vertical direction as an axis,
When the display unit is rotated about the horizontal direction as a rotation axis, the live view image and the predetermined item are reversed with the vertical direction as an axis, and the horizontal direction is reversed as an axis. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the imaging device is displayed and the level guide is reversed and displayed with the horizontal direction as an axis. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined item includes a character. An imaging apparatus main body, and an imaging means provided in the image pickup apparatus main body, a display unit attached movably in a plurality of positions with respect to the imaging apparatus main body, control of the imaging apparatus and a posture detecting means A method,
When displaying a live view image picked up by the image pickup means and a level guide representing posture detection information by the posture detection means on the display unit according to the position of the display unit,
The live view image is inverted and displayed according to the position of the display unit. Further, when the display unit is in the first position, the display state of the level guide with respect to the live view image is a predetermined value. When the display unit is in the second position, the display state of the level guide with respect to the live view image is controlled so that the display is reversed left and right from the predetermined state. And a step of controlling the imaging apparatus. An imaging device main body, imaging means provided in the imaging device main body, and a rotation axis that is rotatable about a direction perpendicular to the imaging device main body and that is horizontal to the imaging device main body A control unit for an image pickup apparatus, comprising: a display unit rotatably attached as a position detection means for detecting the attitude of the main body of the image pickup apparatus;
A control step for displaying on the display unit a live view image picked up by the image pickup means and a level guide representing a sensation detected by the posture detection means, and according to the rotation of the display unit, A control step for inverting and displaying a live view image and the level guide,
In the control step,
When the display unit is rotated the vertical direction rotation axis, the live view image is not inverted, it is inverted to display the spirit level guide the vertical direction as an axis,
When the display unit is rotated the horizontal direction as a rotation axis, the live view image is inverted the vertical direction axis, and is inverted to display the horizontal direction as an axis, the level A method for controlling an image pickup apparatus, comprising: displaying an instrument guide by inverting the horizontal direction as an axis. A program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the control method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 12 or 13. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 14 is recorded.

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