JP6324278B2 - Imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus having a display unit that is rotatable with respect to a main body unit.

  There is an imaging apparatus in which a display unit capable of displaying a captured image is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the imaging unit, and the display unit can be confirmed from the photographer side and the lens side by rotation. When the photographer himself takes a picture and takes a picture, the display unit provided on the rotatable monitor part is directed toward the subject side (and the photographer), so that the subject himself confirms the image quality. be able to. In addition, there is a self-shooting mode in which settings suitable for shooting a human subject more beautifully can be made. In Patent Document 1, when the shooting direction of the imaging unit is on the photographer side, shooting is performed based on the portrait shooting mode setting, and when the shooting direction of the imaging unit is on the subject side other than the photographer, the normal shooting mode is set. It is disclosed to perform shooting based on the above. Patent Document 2 discloses that a drawing mode starts when a panel for displaying an image is inverted and stored in an imaging apparatus, or when a drawing mode is selected. Further, it is disclosed that the drawing mode end method is either to select a drawing mode end button or to return the panel.

JP 2005-215543 A JP 2012-124612 A

  Self-shooting mode is used mainly for self-shooting when the monitor is turned upside down (with the display unit facing the photographer), and for taking a human subject clearly without turning up the monitor. May be used. In Patent Document 1, the self-portrait mode is set only when the monitor unit is inverted and turned toward the subject. Therefore, since the self-shooting mode ends when the monitor unit is returned to the non-inverted state, the user cannot shoot in the self-shooting mode when the monitor unit is not inverted. If the mode transition such as the drawing mode of Patent Document 2 is applied to the self-shooting mode, when the end button is selected to end the self-shooting mode, the self-portrait is taken even when the monitor unit is not inverted. The mode does not end and the user can shoot in the self-shooting mode. However, if the user wants to shoot in the self-portrait mode only with the monitor portion inverted, the user does not end the self-portrait mode even if the monitor portion is reversed. It is necessary to do. Further, when the self-shooting mode is ended in response to the operation of returning the monitor unit, the self-shooting mode is ended every time the operation of returning the monitor unit is performed. Therefore, when it is desired to perform the shooting in the self-taking mode even when the monitor unit is not inverted, it is necessary to select the self-taking mode again every time the monitor unit is inverted. Therefore, in the shooting mode in which shooting is performed with the monitor unit reversed and when shooting is performed without being reversed, when setting or canceling the shooting mode, the setting for the desired shooting mode is required. The number of user operations sometimes increased.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention has an operability of an operation for setting an operation mode to a predetermined operation mode and an operation for ending the operation in an apparatus having a display unit provided in a monitor unit rotatable with respect to the main body unit. The purpose is to improve.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a detection unit that detects a positional relationship between a display unit that can change a position with respect to an imaging unit and the imaging unit, and a shooting mode selection that selects a shooting mode from a plurality of shooting modes. Or when the display unit and the imaging unit detect that the display unit and the imaging unit are in a specific positional relationship, or a predetermined shooting mode is selected by the shooting mode selection unit. Accordingly, the shooting mode setting means for setting to the predetermined shooting mode and the display section and the imaging section are not in the specific positional relationship by the detection means when the predetermined shooting mode is set. When detected, the factor set in the predetermined shooting mode is based on the fact that the detection unit detects that the display unit and the imaging unit are in the specific positional relationship. If the predetermined shooting mode is terminated, the factor set in the predetermined shooting mode is based on the fact that the predetermined shooting mode is selected by the shooting mode selection means. And control means for controlling the photographing mode setting means so as not to end the predetermined mode.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability of an operation for setting an operation mode to a predetermined operation mode and an operation for ending the operation in an apparatus having a display unit provided in a monitor unit rotatable with respect to the main body unit. it can.

1 is an external view of a digital camera 100 as an example of an apparatus to which the configuration of the present embodiment can be applied. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a digital camera 100 as an example of an apparatus to which the configuration of the present embodiment can be applied. The flowchart of the imaging | photography mode of this embodiment. The flowchart of the self-shooting mode of this embodiment. The flowchart of the self-photographing setting of this embodiment. The flowchart of the self-shooting mode imaging | photography of this embodiment. (A) The figure which shows the example of a display of the display part when the vari-angle monitor part 111 in this embodiment is accommodated, (b) The display part when the vari-angle monitor part 111 in this embodiment is reversed The figure which shows the example of a display, The figure which shows the example of a display of the (c) mode selection screen. (A) The figure which shows the example of a display of the display part in the case of performing the self-portrait setting in this embodiment, (b) The figure which shows the example of a display of the display part in the case of performing the effect setting of the self-portrait setting in this embodiment (C) The figure which shows the example of a display of a display part in the case of performing the self-timer setting among the self-shooting settings in this embodiment. The external view of notebook PC300 as an example of the apparatus which can apply the structure of this embodiment.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is an external view showing a digital camera 100 as an example of an imaging apparatus of the present invention. The vari-angle monitor unit 111 (monitor unit) is attached to the digital camera 100 so that one side of the vari-angle monitor unit 111 can be rotated (the position relative to the digital camera 100 can be changed). FIG. 1A is an external view showing a state in which the vari-angle monitor unit 111 (including the display unit 28) of the digital camera 100 is housed in the digital camera 100 (rotation angle 0 degree). The digital camera 100 in FIG. 1B shows a state of rotation of the vari-angle monitor unit 111 (including the display unit 28) (change in the positional relationship between the vari-angle monitor unit 111 and the imaging unit 22 in the digital camera 100). Yes. Further, the digital camera 100 in FIG. 1C, the digital camera 100 in FIG. 1D, and the digital camera 100 in FIG. 1E are external views for showing the orientation of the digital camera. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a digital camera 100 as an example of the imaging apparatus or imaging apparatus of the present invention.

  The operation unit 70 is an operation unit including operation members such as various switches, buttons, and a touch panel 70a that receive various operations from the user. The touch panel 70a is an operation member that can detect a touch operation. The controller wheel 73 is a rotatable operation member included in the operation unit 70. The power switch 72 is a push button for switching between power on and power off. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium slot 201 is a slot for storing the recording medium 200. The recording medium 200 stored in the recording medium slot 201 can communicate with the digital camera 100 and can be recorded and reproduced. A lid 202 is a lid of the recording medium slot 201. In the figure, a state in which the lid 202 is opened and a part of the recording medium 200 is taken out from the recording medium slot 201 and exposed is shown.

  The connector 113 is a connector such as HDMI (registered trademark), and is connected to the digital camera 100 and a connection cable for connecting to a PC, a screen, an external display panel, a printer, or the like.

  In the digital camera 100 of FIG. 1B, k1 indicates a state where the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is housed in the digital camera 100 (rotation angle 0 degree). Further, k2 indicates a state where the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is rotated 90 degrees from the state of k1, and k3 indicates a state where the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is rotated 180 degrees from the state of k1 (the vari-angle monitor unit 111 and the imaging unit). The vertical relationship of 22 is inverted). In FIG. 1B, in order to show the state of rotation of the vari-angle monitor unit, the vari-angle monitor unit 111 in the case of three angles is shown in one digital camera 100. The monitor unit 111 is in one of the rotatable positions. When the rotation angle of the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is 0 degrees, the imaging direction and the display direction of the display unit 28 are different, and the display of the display unit 28 can be confirmed from the photographer side who observes the imaging direction. It cannot be confirmed from the subject side in the imaging direction. When the vari-angle monitor unit 111 has a rotation angle of 180 degrees, the imaging direction and the display direction of the display unit 28 are the same, and the display on the display unit 28 can be confirmed from the subject side in the imaging direction. The vari-angle monitor unit 111 can rotate in the range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees or more. The rotation angle of the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is an arrow shown in FIG. 1B, where the rotation angle is 0 degree when the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is housed in the digital camera 100 and the inverted state is 180 degrees. The explanation will be made with d1 as the positive direction of rotation.

  The barrier 102, the imaging lens 103, and the imaging unit 22 are provided on the main body 112 side. The digital camera 100 includes a main body unit 112 including an imaging unit 22 and a vari-angle monitor unit 111. The strobe 57 is used to illuminate the subject and points in the same direction as the imaging unit 22.

  The mode switch 60, the shutter button 61, and the operation unit 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit 50. The mode changeover switch 60 is an operation unit for switching the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to one of shooting modes such as a normal mode and a scene mode (selecting a shooting mode). The mode is switched directly to one of these modes by the mode switch 60 (the shooting mode is set). Alternatively, after switching to the menu screen once, it may be switched to any of these modes included in the menu using another operation member. The shutter button 61 is an operation unit for issuing a shooting instruction.

  In FIG. 2, an imaging lens 103 is a lens group including a zoom lens and a focus lens. The shutter 101 is a shutter having an aperture function. The imaging unit 22 is an imaging device configured with a CCD, a CMOS device, or the like that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. The A / D converter 23 converts an analog signal into a digital signal. The A / D converter 23 is used to convert an analog signal output from the imaging unit 22 into a digital signal. The barrier 102 covers the imaging system including the imaging lens 103 of the digital camera 100, thereby preventing the imaging system including the imaging lens 103, the shutter 101, and the imaging unit 22 from being dirty or damaged.

  The image processing unit 24 performs resizing processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation and reduction and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 23 or the data from the memory control unit 15. The image processing unit 24 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the obtained calculation result. Thereby, AF (autofocus) processing (focus processing, focus adjustment processing), AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing of the TTL (through-the-lens) method are performed. The image processing unit 24 further performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.

  Output data from the A / D converter 23 is directly written into the memory 32 via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15 or via the memory control unit 15. The memory 32 stores image data obtained by the imaging unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 23 and image data to be displayed on the display unit 28. The memory 32 has a recording capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images, a moving image and sound for a predetermined time.

  The memory 32 also serves as an image display memory (video memory). The D / A converter 13 converts the image display data stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies the analog signal to the display unit 28. Thus, the display image data written in the memory 32 is displayed on the display unit 28 via the D / A converter 13. The display unit 28 performs display according to the analog signal from the D / A converter 13 on a display such as an LCD. A digital signal once A / D converted by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 13 and sequentially transferred to the display unit 28 for display as an electronic viewfinder. It functions and can display through images (live view images).

  The nonvolatile memory 56 is a memory as an electrically erasable / recordable recording medium, and for example, an EEPROM or the like is used. The nonvolatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, and the like for operating the system control unit 50. Here, the program is a computer program for executing various flowcharts described later in the present embodiment.

  The system control unit 50 controls the entire digital camera 100. By executing the program recorded in the non-volatile memory 56 described above, each process of the present embodiment to be described later is realized. A RAM is used as the system memory 52. In the system memory 52, constants and variables for operation of the system control unit 50, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 56, and the like are expanded. The system control unit 50 also performs display control by controlling the memory 32, the D / A converter 13, the display unit 28, and the like.

  The system timer 53 is a time measuring unit that measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock.

  The rotation detection unit 114 detects a rotation angle of the vari-angle monitor unit 111 with respect to the main body unit 112, and is an angle detection unit that detects the rotation angle of the vari-angle monitor unit 111 described above.

  The external I / F 54 is connected to an external device via a wired cable connected to the connector 113 or wirelessly, and inputs and outputs video signals and audio signals. Therefore, the external I / F 54 communicates with external devices, the Internet, etc. It is an interface for sending and receiving various data. In addition, an image captured by the digital camera 100 can be displayed not on the display unit 28 but on an external device via the external I / F 54.

  The first shutter switch 62 is turned on when the shutter button 61 provided in the digital camera 100 is being operated, so-called half-press (shooting preparation instruction), and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. In response to the first shutter switch signal SW1, operations such as AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are started.

  The second shutter switch 64 is turned on when the operation of the shutter button 61 is completed, so-called full press (shooting instruction), and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. In response to the second shutter switch signal SW2, the system control unit 50 starts a series of shooting processing operations from reading a signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing image data into the recording medium 200.

  Each operation member of the operation unit 70 is appropriately assigned a function for each scene by selecting and operating various function icons displayed on the display unit 28, and functions as various function buttons. Examples of the function buttons include an end button, a return button, an image advance button, a jump button, a narrowing button, and an attribute change button. For example, when a menu button is pressed, various setting menu screens are displayed on the display unit 28. The user can make various settings intuitively using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28, and the four-way buttons and the SET button.

  As one of the operation units 70, a touch panel 70a capable of detecting contact with the display unit 28 is provided. The touch panel 70a and the display unit 28 can be configured integrally. For example, the touch panel 70 a is configured such that the light transmittance does not hinder the display of the display unit 28, and is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the display unit 28. Then, the input coordinates on the touch panel 70a are associated with the display coordinates on the display unit 28. Thereby, it is possible to configure a GUI (graphical user interface) as if the user can directly operate the screen displayed on the display unit 28. The system control unit 50 can detect the following operation or state on the touch panel 70a (touch detection). It is detected that a finger or pen that has not touched the touch panel 70a newly touched the touch panel, that is, the start of the touch (hereinafter referred to as touch-down). These operations / states and the position coordinates at which the finger or pen touches the touch panel 70a are notified to the system control unit 50 through the internal bus, and the system control unit 50 determines which information on the touch panel 70a based on the notified information. It is determined whether such an operation has been performed.

  The touch panel 70a may be any of various types of touch panels such as a resistive film type, a capacitance type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared type, an electromagnetic induction type, an image recognition type, and an optical sensor type. good. Depending on the method, there are a method for detecting that there is a touch due to contact with the touch panel, and a method for detecting that there is a touch due to the approach of a finger or pen to the touch panel, but either method may be used.

  The power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. Further, the power control unit 80 controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and an instruction from the system control unit 50, and supplies a necessary voltage to each unit including the recording medium 200 for a necessary period.

  The power supply unit 30 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like. The recording medium I / F 18 is an interface with the recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording a captured image, and includes a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or the like.

  The posture detection unit 55 detects the posture of the digital camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. Further, the display on the display unit 28 can be switched according to the detected posture. Based on the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 55, it is determined whether the image shot by the imaging unit 22 is an image shot with the digital camera 100 held horizontally or an image shot with the image held vertically. It can be determined. The system control unit 50 adds the orientation information corresponding to the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 55 to the image file of the image captured by the imaging unit 22 or rotates the image in the orientation corresponding to the orientation of the digital camera 100. Can be recorded. In addition, according to the posture of the digital camera 100 at the time of shooting at the time of playback, the shot image can be displayed in an orientation that makes it easy to see. As the attitude detection unit 55, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used.

  In the digital camera 100 described above, it is possible to perform photographing using central one-point AF or face AF. Central one-point AF is to perform AF on one central position in the shooting screen. Face AF is to perform AF on the face in the shooting screen detected by the face detection function.

  The face detection function will be described. The system control unit 50 sends the face detection target image data to the image processing unit 24. Under the control of the system control unit 50, the image processing unit 24 applies a horizontal bandpass filter to the image data. In addition, under the control of the system control unit 50, the image processing unit 24 applies a vertical bandpass filter to the processed image data. By these horizontal and vertical band pass filters, edge components are detected from the image data. Thereafter, the system control unit 50 performs pattern matching on the detected edge components, and extracts a candidate group of eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Then, the system control unit 50 determines an eye pair that satisfies a preset condition (for example, distance between two eyes, inclination, etc.) from the extracted eye candidate group. Narrow down the candidate group of only those with. Then, the system control unit 50 associates the narrowed-down eye candidate group with other parts (nose, mouth, ears) that form the corresponding face, and passes a preset non-face condition filter. , Detect the face. The system control unit 50 outputs the face information according to the face detection result, and ends the process. At this time, feature quantities such as the number of faces are recorded in the system memory 52. In face detection, main face detection (main face setting) may be performed in which a face that is in the center or has a large proportion of the shooting range is detected as a main face among the faces detected in the shooting range. it can. The main face detection is for detecting a face that the user wants to shoot as a main face, and AF (face AF) is performed according to the detected main face or white balance adjustment (face WB). And skin beautifying effects.

  As described above, it is possible to analyze the image data displayed or reproduced and display the live view, extract the feature amount of the image data, and detect the subject information. In the present embodiment, face information is taken as an example of subject information. However, subject information includes various information such as red-eye determination, eye detection, eye-brow detection, and smile detection.

  Note that the face AE, the face FE, and the face WB can be performed simultaneously with the face AF. The face AE is to optimize the exposure of the entire screen according to the brightness of the detected face. The face FE is to perform flash dimming around the detected face. The face WB is to optimize the WB of the entire screen according to the detected face color. The skin beautifying effect is an effect that makes the skin smooth and looks beautiful according to the set strength of the beautifying skin. In the skin beautifying process for applying the skin beautifying effect, when a face is detected, a range including eyes, nose, and mouth is detected, and a YUV value in the detected range is acquired. By deactivating the calculated Y, the skin region is smoothed, and wrinkles and the like can be made inconspicuous (unevenness such as wrinkles can be blurred). Further, the skin color unevenness is reduced by averaging the UV values and applying the skin portion with the averaged color.

  The flow of the shooting mode of FIG. 3 will be described using the display example of FIG. The shooting mode flow starts when the digital camera 100 is turned on, the imaging unit 22 performs imaging, and the captured image is displayed on the display unit 28.

  The self-portrait (self-portrait) described in the present embodiment is to perform shooting by giving a shooting instruction with the digital camera 100 being a subject of the photographer himself and the imaging lens 103 facing the photographer himself. At this time, when taking a picture including the face of the photographer (subject) in a state where the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is stored, the display unit 28 cannot be seen by the photographer in the photographing direction. I can't check the shooting area or how I see myself. When the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted, it is possible to check the appearance (the state of the shooting range) displayed on the display unit 28 with the imaging lens 103 facing the face of the photographer (subject). Thus, when the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted, the imaging direction and the display direction of the display unit 28 are directed to the same subject, and it is easy to perform self-shooting.

  Self-portrait modes (self-portrait mode, self-portrait mode, selfie mode, etc.) are shooting modes suitable for shooting a human subject more beautifully. In the self-portrait mode, the main face detected is applied to the photographer's (subject) 's own face so that the skin looks more beautiful, the brightness is adjusted, and the background of the person's face is enhanced. Can be blurred. Also, for example, when shooting with a large number of people, if the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted and the self-timer is set in the self-shooting mode, the shooting range can be confirmed by the subject itself and further displayed on the display unit 28. Preparation for shooting can be made based on the time until shooting. Also, for example, if you want to shoot a human subject more beautifully even if the subject and the photographer are not the same, if you take a picture in the self-portrait mode, the skin softening effect and brightness setting will be applied to the detected main face. You can apply an effect to make the subject appear more beautiful. Self-shooting mode is a shooting mode that has functions specialized for shooting human subjects as described above, and is suitable for self-portraits. This is the shooting mode suitable for the case.

  FIG. 7A shows a display example on the display unit 28 when the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is housed and the program mode other than the self-shooting mode is set. FIG. 7B shows a display example on the display unit 28 when the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted from the state of FIG. 7A and 7B show the rotation angle of the vari-angle monitor unit 111 and a display example on the display unit 28 corresponding to the rotation angle, and the display shown on the left side is the right side. The figure which expanded the part 28 is shown. FIG. 7C shows a mode selection screen 705 for selecting a shooting mode when a scene mode is selected with the mode switch 60.

  The shooting mode processing in FIG. 3 starts when the digital camera 100 is turned on and imaging by the imaging unit 22 starts. This process is realized by developing a program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 in the system memory 52 and executing it by the system control unit 50.

  In S301, the system control unit 50 displays the live view image 704 on the display unit 28 as shown in FIG. At this time, the shooting mode display (program mode display 701 in FIG. 7) indicating the shooting mode currently set, and the display relating to shooting such as the moving image button 702 are simultaneously performed. At this time, if the rotation angle of the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is already 180 degrees when the power is turned on, the process proceeds to S309.

  In S302, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the scene mode is currently set. If it is determined that the scene mode is set, the process proceeds to S303, and if not, the process proceeds to S317.

  In S303, the system control unit 50 determines whether the self-portrait mode (self-portrait mode) is currently set. If it is determined that the self-portrait mode is set, the process proceeds to S304, and if not, the process proceeds to S306.

  In S304, the system control unit 50 turns off the shortcut flag and records in the system memory 52 that the shortcut flag is turned off.

  In S305, the system control unit 50 performs a process of the self-shooting mode. The self-shooting mode will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In S306, the system control unit 50 determines whether the angle of the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is 180 degrees (inverted) based on the output of the rotation detection unit 114. If it is determined that the angle is 180 degrees, the process proceeds to S307, and if not, the process proceeds to S315.

  In step S <b> 307, the system control unit 50 determines whether the output destination (display destination) of the image from the imaging device including the image captured by the imaging unit 22 is the display unit 28 included in the main body unit 112. If it is the display unit 28, the process proceeds to S308, and if not, the process proceeds to S315. Other output destinations include a screen and panel outside the digital camera 100 such as a personal computer panel screen and a television screen connected via the external I / F 54.

  In S308, the system control unit 50 displays the display on the display unit 28 as shown by the reverse display 707 in FIG. 7B. The reverse display is to display the screen display of the program mode display 701, the moving image button 702, etc. upside down and horizontally and to display the live view image 704 in an inverted mirror. Here, the inverted mirror display means that the image is displayed so that the y-axis in the originally displayed image is reversed (displayed upside down). The up / down / left / right reversed display is to display the image so that the x-axis and the y-axis in the originally displayed image are reversed. When the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted, the display is also inverted when viewed from the subject side (the side on which the imaging lens 103 is directed) if the display before the inversion is maintained. Therefore, only the live view image 704 is displayed. There is a possibility that characters and symbols are difficult to see. In this way, when the display is reversed 707, the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is reversed (like k3 of the digital camera 100 in FIG. 1B), and a live view or display is performed when checking the display unit 28 from the subject side. The display in the part 28 becomes easy to see.

  In step S309, the system control unit 50 displays a self-shooting shortcut button 703 as shown in FIG. The self-shooting shortcut button 703 is a touch button. When touch-down to the self-taking shortcut button 703 is detected on the touch panel 70a, the self-shooting shortcut button 703 shifts to the self-shooting mode. In other words, without going to the mode selection screen 705 and performing an operation for selecting the self-portrait mode, the user can easily shift to the self-portrait mode by simply touching down the self-portrait shortcut button 703. In addition, when taking a picture by inverting the vari-angle monitor unit 111 during self-shooting, the user can check the shooting range by inverting the vari-angle monitor unit 111, and can easily set the self-shoot mode. Can do. As described above, when the user touches down the self-shooting shortcut button 703 displayed according to the operation of inverting the vari-angle monitor unit 111 and sets the self-shooting mode, the user sets the display unit 28 to the photographer. There is a high possibility of shooting in self-portrait mode with the screen facing. That is, there is a high possibility that the user tried to take a picture in the self-shooting mode with the vari-angle monitor unit 111 inverted.

  In S310, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not there is a shooting instruction. If it is determined that there has been a shooting instruction, the process proceeds to S316; otherwise, the process proceeds to S311. Here, the shooting instruction is a shooting instruction for shooting in the shooting mode set at the time of S310, and is a moving picture shooting instruction by touching down the moving picture button 702 or a press of the shutter button 61. Refers to instructions for shooting still images.

  In S <b> 311, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not there has been a touchdown on the self-shot shortcut button 703 displayed in S <b> 308. If it is determined that there has been a touchdown, the process proceeds to S312; otherwise, the process returns to S310. After inverting the vari-angle monitor unit 111 in this way, it waits for an instruction from the user to shift to the self-shooting mode, to perform shooting in the current shooting mode, or to perform shooting in the current shooting mode.

  In S <b> 312, the system control unit 50 shifts to the self-shooting mode, turns on the shortcut flag, and records that the shortcut flag is turned on in the system memory 52. When the shortcut flag is ON, it indicates that the self-shooting mode is set by touching down the shortcut button 703 after the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is rotated (inverted) 180 degrees. That is, when the user tries to take a picture in the self-taking mode with the vari-angle monitor unit 111 inverted, the shortcut flag is turned ON.

  In step S <b> 313, the system control unit 50 records the shooting mode immediately before shifting to the self-shooting mode in the system memory 52.

  In S <b> 314, the system control unit 50 performs self-shooting mode processing. The self-shooting mode process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In S315, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not there is a shooting instruction. If it is determined that there has been a shooting instruction, the process proceeds to S316, and if not, the process proceeds to S318. Here, the shooting instruction is a shooting instruction to perform shooting in the shooting mode set at the time of S315, and a moving image shooting instruction by touching down the moving image button 702 or a still image by pressing the shutter button 61. Refers to the shooting instructions.

  In S316, the system control unit 50 records the image acquired from the imaging unit 22 in the shooting mode being set as an image file on the recording medium 200.

  In step S317, the system control unit 50 performs processing in a shooting mode other than the scene mode. Details are omitted here.

  In S318, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not there is an instruction to display the mode selection screen 705 shown in FIG. As an instruction to display the mode selection screen 705, for example, there is a touch operation on a touch icon representing the current mode displayed on the upper left of the screen such as the program mode display 701. It can also be displayed by setting the scene mode by operating the mode switch 60. If it is determined that there is an instruction to display the mode selection screen 705, the process proceeds to S319, and if not, the process proceeds to S323.

  In S319, the system control unit 50 displays the mode selection screen 705 on the display unit 28.

  In S320, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not a mode selection operation has been performed. For example, if there is a touch operation on any of the touch icons corresponding to each of the plurality of modes displayed on the mode selection screen, it is determined that the mode selection operation has been performed. If it is determined that there has been a mode selection operation, the process proceeds to S322, and if not, the process proceeds to S321.

  In step S <b> 321, the system control unit 50 determines whether an operation for closing the mode selection screen 705 has been performed. The mode selection screen 705 is closed when the return button 708 is pressed. If it is determined that the close operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S322, and if not, the process proceeds to S323.

  In S322, the system control unit 50 sets the selected shooting mode.

  In step S323, the system control unit 50 determines whether there is an instruction to end the shooting mode. The shooting mode end instruction is an instruction to display a playback screen or a menu screen. If it is determined that there has been an instruction to end the shooting mode, the shooting mode is ended; otherwise, the process returns to S302.

  Next, the flow of the self-shooting mode of FIG. 4 will be described using the display examples of FIGS. FIG. 8A shows a display example of the display unit 28 in the self-shooting mode, and the self-shooting mode display 801 indicates that the self-shooting mode is being set. FIG. 8B shows a display example of the display unit 28 when effect setting is performed, and FIG. 8C shows a display example when a display related to the self-timer is being performed. FIGS. 8A-1 and -3 show display examples in which the display unit 28 displays in landscape orientation. FIG. 8A-2 shows a display example in which the display unit 28 displays in portrait orientation. FIG. 4 shows details of the processing in S305 or S314 of FIG. This process is realized by developing a program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 in the system memory 52 and executing it by the system control unit 50.

  In step S <b> 401, the system control unit 50 determines the orientation of the digital camera 100 by the attitude detection unit 55. It is assumed that the orientation of the digital camera 100 is 0 degree when it is in the range of 45 degrees before and after 0 degrees including 0 degrees, and 90 degrees when it is in the range of 45 degrees before and after 90 degrees including 90 degrees. It is assumed that 180 degrees is included in the range of 45 degrees before and after 180 degrees including 180 degrees, and 270 degrees is included in the range of 45 degrees before and after 270 degrees including 270 degrees.

  In S402, when the orientation of the digital camera 100 is the orientation (0 degree) of the digital camera 100 in FIG. 1A, the system control unit 50 performs a landscape display (display of 0 degree) on the display unit 28. . In FIG. 8A-1, a self-portrait mode display 801, a moving image button 802, an effect setting button 803, a background blur button 804, a strobe button 805, a self-timer button 806, and a touch shutter button 807 are superimposed on the live view image. Display items such as. As shown in FIGS. 8A-1 and -3, in the case of landscape display, the display of each button is displayed side by side below the live view image 810. Displaying the effect setting button 803, background blur button 804, strobe button 805, self-timer button 806, and touch shutter button 807 side by side as shown in FIG.

  In S403, when the orientation of the digital camera 100 is the orientation (90 degrees) of the digital camera 100 in FIG. 1C, the system control unit 50 displays the portrait orientation (display of 90 degrees) on the display unit 28. To do. In the case of the portrait display as shown in FIG. 8A-2, the display of each button is displayed vertically on the left side of the live view image 810. As shown in FIG. 8A-2, displaying the effect setting button 803, the background blur button 804, the strobe button 805, the self-timer button 806, and the touch shutter button 807 vertically is referred to as portrait display. In this way, the display direction of the display item changes depending on whether it is displayed horizontally or vertically, but the display position does not change, and the adjacent display item does not change between the horizontal display and the vertical display. When the digital camera 100 is gradually tilted from 0 degree to 90 degrees, when the orientation of the digital camera 100 is determined to be 45 degrees from the 0 degree horizontal display described in S402, the vertical direction of 90 degrees is set. Switch to the orientation display.

  In S404, when the orientation of the digital camera 100 is the orientation (180 degrees) of the digital camera 100 in FIG. 1D, the system control unit 50 performs a landscape display (180 degree display) on the display unit 28. . The 0-degree display and the 180-degree display are both landscape display, and for the display items other than the live view image, the display obtained by inverting the 0-degree display on the display unit 28 vertically and horizontally is the 180-degree display. . The 0 degree display and the 180 degree display are the same for the user.

  In S405, the system control unit 50 displays the portrait orientation (display at 270 degrees) on the display unit 28 when the orientation of the digital camera 100 is the orientation (270 degrees) of the digital camera 100 in FIG. To do. The 90 degree display and the 270 degree display are both vertically oriented displays, but for the display items other than the live view image, the display obtained by inverting the 90 degree display vertically and horizontally on the display unit 28 is the 270 degree display. The 90-degree display and the 270-degree display are the same for the user.

  As described in S <b> 402 to S <b> 404, each button rotates the display item used in the setting of the self-portrait mode as viewed from the user according to the orientation of the digital camera 100 (changes the display orientation) on the display unit 28. indicate. Therefore, since the display direction of the display item for performing the operation related to the setting item of the self-shooting mode is also changed according to the direction of the digital camera 100, the display item is easy to read regardless of the direction of the digital camera 100. Is displayed. In addition, it is possible to suppress inferior operability for setting the self-shooting mode when the orientation of the digital camera 100 is changed.

  In S406, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not there has been an instruction to display a mode selection screen, as in S318. If it is determined that there is a display instruction, the process proceeds to S415, and if not, the process proceeds to S407.

  In S407, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted via the rotation detection unit 114. If it is determined that the state is reversed (the state of k3), the process proceeds to S409, and if not (the state of k1 or k2), the process proceeds to S408.

  In S408, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shortcut flag stored in the system memory 52 is ON. That is, it is determined whether the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted and the self-shooting mode is started by touching down the shortcut button 703 or the self-shooting mode is selected from the mode selection screen 705. If it is determined that the shortcut flag is ON, the process proceeds to S414. If not, the process proceeds to S409. As described above, whether the user tried to shoot in the self-portrait mode with the vari-angle monitor unit 111 turned upside down, or whether the user tried to shoot in the self-shoot mode regardless of the rotation angle of the vari-angle monitor unit 111 (self The factor set in the shooting mode) is determined.

  In S409, the system control unit 50 reverse-displays the display on the display unit 28 as performed in S308. Not only S409, but also during the self-shooting setting process, if the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is reversed, the display is reversed.

  In S410, the system control unit 50 performs self-shooting settings. The self-shooting setting will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 411, the system control unit 50 determines whether there is a touchdown on the moving image button 802. If it is determined that there has been a touchdown, the process proceeds to S412; otherwise, the process proceeds to S413. When the movie button 802 is touched down, shooting of the movie starts.

  In S412, the system control unit 50 performs moving image shooting. In the self-shooting mode, not only still images but also moving images can be taken. That is, the user can take a picture while confirming himself / herself how the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is directed toward the user.

  In S413, the system control unit 50 performs self-shooting mode shooting. Self-shooting mode shooting will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In S414, the system control unit 50 sets the shooting mode recorded in the system memory 52 as the shooting mode before shifting to the self-shooting mode in S312.

  In S415, the system control unit 50 displays the mode selection screen 705 on the display unit 28 as in S319.

  In S416, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not a mode selection operation has been performed as in S320. If it is determined that there has been a mode selection operation, the process proceeds to S418, and if not, the process proceeds to S417.

  In S417, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not an operation for closing the mode selection screen 705 has been performed as in S321. The mode selection screen 705 is closed when the return button 708 is pressed. If it is determined that there is a close operation, the process returns to S401, and if not, the process returns to S416.

  In S418, the system control unit 50 sets the selected shooting mode in the same manner as in S322.

  In this way, when the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is reversed (rotated to 180 degrees) from the inverted state (in the direction of 0 degrees) or returned to the k2 state (in the direction of 90 degrees) during the self-shooting mode, a shortcut is made. If the flag is ON, the camera exits the self-shooting mode and returns to the original mode. If the shortcut flag is OFF, the self-shooting mode remains unchanged.

  There are two types of shooting in the self-portrait mode: self-shooting with the vari-angle monitor unit 111 inverted, and self-shooting with the vari-angle monitor unit 111 not inverted (or regardless of the rotation angle). There are cases where shooting in shooting mode (self-shooting mode shooting) is performed. In either case, it is possible to take a picture (including self-taking) by using a function for taking a picture of a human subject peculiar to the self-taking mode more beautifully. In the present embodiment, the self-shooting mode ends when an operation for returning the vari-angle monitor unit 111 to 0 degrees is performed after the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is set to the self-shooting mode according to the operation of inverting the vari-angle monitor unit 111. In addition, when setting to the self-shooting mode by the operation of inverting the vari-angle monitor unit 111 and the touch-down to the self-shooting shortcut button 703, the number of operations is small, and shooting in the self-shooting mode can be easily started. Can do. Furthermore, since the self-shooting mode is ended and the original mode is returned according to the operation for returning the vari-angle monitor unit 111 to reverse, the user who tried to shoot in the self-shooting mode with the vari-angle monitor unit 111 turned up is used. There is no need to perform a special operation to end the self-shooting mode. As described above, when the user performs shooting in the self-shooting mode with the vari-angle monitor unit 111 inverted, it is possible to set and end the self-shooting mode with good operability.

  On the other hand, since the mode can be set to the self-shooting mode on the mode selection screen 705, the user can also perform shooting in the self-shooting mode without inverting the vari-angle monitor unit 111 (regardless of the rotation angle). Can be set to selfie mode. In this case, when the self-shooting mode ends every time the user returns the flip of the vari-angle monitor unit 111, the user needs to reset the shooting mode on the mode selection screen 705 in order to set the self-shooting mode again. . However, when the self-shooting mode is set on the mode selection screen 705, the self-shooting mode does not end even if the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is reversed, so there is no need to reset the setting and the user ends the self-shooting mode. You can quit when you want. As described above, when the self-portrait mode is set on the mode selection screen 705, even if the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is rotated unless the mode selection screen 705 is set to another shooting mode, it is contrary to the user's intention. Self-shooting mode does not end and shooting in self-shooting mode can be continued.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the possibility that the self-shooting mode is ended against the user's intention is reduced, and the operability when the self-taking mode is ended is improved.

  Even if the self-shooting shortcut button 703 is not provided, the self-shooting mode may be immediately entered in response to the vari-angle monitor unit 111 being inverted.

  Next, the flow of the self-portrait setting in FIG. 5 will be described using the display example in FIG. The self-shooting setting flow starts when the process proceeds to S408 in FIG. In the following flow, the processing of S401 to S405 will not be described, but during shooting standby (when imaging is not performed), the orientation of the digital camera 100 is determined in the same manner as in S401, and live according to the determined orientation. Switch the display of view images and display items. FIG. 5 shows the details of the process of S410 described above. This process is realized by developing a program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 in the system memory 52 and executing it by the system control unit 50.

  In S501, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not there is a touchdown to the effect setting button 803 shown in FIG. If it is determined that the effect setting button 803 has been touched down, the process proceeds to S502. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S507. The effect setting includes skin beautification setting and brightness setting.

  In S502, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the skin beautification setting bar 808a is operated on the effect setting screen 808 as shown in FIG. 8B. If it is determined that the skin beautification setting bar 808a has been operated, the process proceeds to S503, and if not, the process proceeds to S504. A guidance display 809 in FIG. 8B shows guidance regarding the skin beautifying effect, and is displayed on the display unit 28 during the skin beautification setting operation. However, the guidance display 809 is not displayed when the digital camera 100 is in the vertical orientation as shown in FIG. In addition, the guidance display displays not only a skin beautifying effect but also guidance regarding brightness setting during the brightness setting operation. The skin softening setting is used to perform skin-beautification processing on the main face (main subject) that mainly gives effects in the self-portrait mode among the faces in the imaging range, and to perform image processing that makes the skin look beautiful. This is the setting.

  In S503, the system control unit 50 sets the strength of the skin beautifying effect based on the memory position of the skin beautification setting bar 808a operated in S502. The strength of the skin beautifying effect has three levels of strong, medium and weak, and the user can set the strength of the skin beautifying effect by operating the bar 808a for skin beautification setting. Here, based on the skin beautification effect set to the image acquired by the imaging part 22, a simple skin beautification process is performed and it displays on the display part 28 as a display live view image. The display unit 28 displays the image obtained by the imaging unit 22 as a live view image after performing processing based on brightness setting, background blur setting, and strobe setting performed by the following processing.

  In step S504, the system control unit 50 determines whether the brightness setting bar 808b has been operated on the effect setting screen 808 as illustrated in FIG. If it is determined that the brightness setting bar 808b has been operated, the process proceeds to S505, and if not, the process proceeds to S506. The brightness setting is a setting for changing the brightness by performing exposure correction and light adjustment correction on the entire imaging range.

  In S505, the system control unit 50 selects the brightness based on the memory position of the brightness setting bar 808b operated in S504. There are five levels of brightness, and exposure correction and dimming correction are performed during shooting according to the setting. At this time, the exposure value and the dimming value are recorded in the system memory 52 based on the set brightness, and the display unit 28 is controlled by applying correction values to the imaging unit 22 and the image processing unit 24. Display an image that reflects the brightness setting.

  In S506, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not there is a touchdown on the return button 811 shown in FIG. If it is determined that a touchdown has occurred, the process proceeds to S507, and if not, the process returns to S502.

  In S507, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not there is a touchdown to the background blur button 804 or 813 in FIG. If it is determined that there is a touchdown, the process proceeds to S508, and if not, the process proceeds to S509. The background blur setting is a setting for blurring an area other than the main face in the shooting range so that the main face is emphasized.

  In S508, the system control unit 50 switches the background blur setting to OFF if it is auto at the time of S507, and to auto if it is OFF. The background blur button 804 indicates that the background blur is in an auto state. When the background blur is set to OFF, the background blur button 804 switches to a display indicating that the background blur is OFF as shown in the background blur button 813. Further, when the background blur is set to auto and a touchdown to the background blur button 804 in FIG. 8A-1 is detected, a guidance (not shown) in which the background blur setting is turned off is displayed in the live view image. It is superimposed on 810 and displayed on the display unit 28. Similarly, when the background blur setting is OFF and a touchdown to the background blur button 813 in FIG. 8A-3 is detected, a guidance (not shown) with the background blur setting set to auto is displayed. To do. These guidances are displayed only when the orientation of the digital camera 100 is landscape. As for the flash setting and the touch shutter setting, when the digital camera 100 is in the landscape orientation, a guidance as to which of the two settings has been switched is similarly displayed. Regardless of the orientation of the digital camera 100, the display of the background blur buttons 804 and 813 is switched so as to indicate which setting is made. Here, when the background blur setting is set to auto, a background blur process is simply performed on the image acquired by the imaging unit 22 and the image is displayed on the display unit 28 as a live view image. The simple background blur process is a process for performing image processing so that an area other than the main face is blurred. When the background blur setting is turned off, the live view image is displayed without performing the simple background blur process performed on the image acquired by the imaging unit 22.

  In step S509, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not there is a touchdown on the self-timer button 806 in FIG. If it is determined that there has been a touchdown, the process proceeds to S510, and if not, the process proceeds to S511.

  In S510, the system control unit 50 sets a self-timer on the self-timer setting screen 821 shown in FIG. The self-timer is selected from OFF (0 seconds), 2 seconds, and 10 seconds. Further, depending on the language set as the display language of the digital camera 100, there is a squeal shutter setting, and when a cue for shooting is set as a user, a setting for squeezing an animal can be performed. FIG. 8C-1 shows a display example on the display unit 28 when the call shutter button 819 is focused (selected). At this time, when the digital camera 100 is in the landscape orientation, the guidance 820 indicating the explanation regarding the scream shutter is displayed. If mute is set during the setting of the scream shutter, the icon is replaced to notify the user that no sound is produced. When the self-timer OFF button 816, the 2-second button 817, and the 10-second button 818 are set, the self-timer button 806 in FIG. 8A-1 is changed to each button (the button 816 in FIG. 8C-1). ˜819).

  In S511, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not there has been a touchdown on the strobe button 805 or 814 shown in FIG. If it is determined that there is a touchdown, the process proceeds to S512, and if not, the process proceeds to S515.

  In S512, the system control unit 50 switches OFF when the strobe setting is ON at S511, and switches ON when it is OFF. The strobe button 805 indicates that the strobe setting is OFF. When the strobe setting is set to ON, the display is switched to a display indicating that the strobe setting is ON as shown by the strobe button 814. If the touchdown to the strobe button 805 in FIG. 8A-1 is detected when the strobe setting is OFF, the guidance 825 in which the strobe setting shown in FIG. 8A-3 is turned on. Is superimposed on the live view image 810 and displayed on the display unit 28. Similarly, when a touchdown to the strobe button 814 in FIG. 8A-3 is detected when the strobe setting is ON, a guidance (not shown) indicating that the strobe setting is OFF is displayed. These guidances are displayed only when the orientation of the digital camera 100 is landscape. When the strobe setting is changed, the exposure value and the light control value set in S505 are reset according to whether the strobe is turned on or off, and recorded in the memory 32. The exposure value and the light control value recorded in the system memory 52 are reflected in the photographing.

  In S513, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the strobe setting is turned ON in S510. If it is determined that it is ON, the process proceeds to S514, and if not, the process proceeds to S515. When the strobe 57 is a retractable strobe, the light from the position where the strobe 57 is housed to the outside of the main body of the digital camera 100 so that the subject can be illuminated in response to the strobe being set to ON. May be issued.

  In step S514, the system control unit 50 turns off the background blur setting and grays out the background blur button 804 or the background blur button 813. When the strobe setting is turned on, the background blur is turned off regardless of the original background blur setting, and the effect of background blur cannot be applied to the captured image. However, when the strobe setting is turned off, the background blur setting is enabled, and the background blur setting that was originally set when the strobe setting was turned on in S511 is used for imaging. Here, when the strobe setting is turned on, the image acquired by the imaging unit 22 is displayed on the display unit 28 as a live view image without performing simple background blurring processing.

  In S515, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the touch shutter button 807 or 815 shown in FIG. 8A has been touched down. If it is determined that there is a touchdown, the process proceeds to S516, and if not, the self-portrait setting is terminated. The touch shutter button 807 or 815 is a button for performing touch shutter setting.

  In S516, the system control unit 50 switches to invalid when the touch shutter setting is valid at the time of S515, and to valid when the touch shutter setting is invalid. When the touch shutter setting is enabled, shooting can be performed by touching down the touch panel 70a. When the touch shutter setting is disabled, shooting cannot be performed by touching down the touch panel 70a, and shooting can be performed only by pressing the shutter button 61. . The touch shutter button 807 indicates a state in which the touch shutter setting is valid. When the touch shutter setting is invalid, a display indicating that the touch shutter setting is invalid as illustrated in the touch shutter button 815. Switch to If touchdown to the touch shutter button 815 in FIG. 8A-3 is detected when the touch shutter setting is invalid, the guidance 824 in which the touch shutter setting in FIG. 8A-1 is valid. Is superimposed on the live view image 810 and displayed on the display unit 28. Similarly, when the touch shutter setting is valid and touchdown to the touch shutter button 807 in FIG. 8A-1 is detected, live guidance (not shown) in which the touch shutter setting is invalid is displayed. It is superimposed on the view image 810 and displayed on the display unit 28. These guidances are displayed only when the orientation of the digital camera 100 is landscape.

  In the self-portrait setting, the setting changed after the power is turned on is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56. When the power is turned on again after the setting is turned off, the setting recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 is changed. Applied. The display unit 28 displays a live view image that reflects the settings recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 in the image acquired by the imaging unit 22.

  6 will be described with reference to the display example of FIG. The flow of the self-portrait mode shooting starts when the process proceeds to S413 in FIG. Here, the self-portrait mode shooting refers to all the shooting in the self-shooting mode, and includes shooting that is not a self-portrait where the photographer takes a picture of itself. FIG. 6 shows the details of the process of S413 described above. This process is realized by developing a program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 in the system memory 52 and executing it by the system control unit 50.

  In S601, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the first shutter switch 62 has been pressed. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S602. If not, the process proceeds to S604.

  In step S <b> 602, the system control unit 50 determines a position to perform AF at a position where the detected main face is present.

  In S603, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the second shutter switch 64 has been pressed. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S607; otherwise, the process proceeds to S411 in FIG.

  In S604, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not there is a touchdown to the touch shutter area 822 on the touch panel 70a illustrated in FIG. If it is determined that the touch-down has been made when the touch shutter is valid, the process proceeds to S605, and if not, the process proceeds to S411 in FIG. Here, the touch shutter area 822 is an area excluding the moving image button 802 and buttons (803 to 807, 813 to 815) for performing the self-portrait setting on the touch panel 70a. When touchdown to the touch shutter area 822 is detected, AF is performed on the main face regardless of the position where the touchdown is performed.

  In step S605, the system control unit 50 determines whether the set touch shutter setting is valid. If it is determined that the touch shutter setting is valid, the process proceeds to S606, and if not, the process proceeds to S411 in FIG.

  In S606, the system control unit 50 determines the AF position at the position where the detected main face is the same as in S602. In a shooting mode such as a program mode other than the self-shooting mode, when the touch shutter is valid, the AF position corresponding to the touch-down point (touch start position, touch position) is detected when touch-down is detected. decide.

  In step S <b> 607, the system control unit 50 determines whether the self-timer is set to a set time of 2 seconds or 10 seconds (whether shooting is performed after a predetermined time set by the user after the imaging instruction is given). . If it is determined that the set time is 2 seconds or 10 seconds, the process proceeds to S608, and if not, the process proceeds to S609.

  In S608, the system control unit 50 starts a countdown as shown in FIG. 8C-2, and performs a countdown display 812 (time display) only for 10 seconds. Whether the display is vertical or horizontal, the countdown display 812 is displayed at the lower right of the display unit 28 when viewed from the user, and two colors are displayed every second (per unit time). ) Make it switch. When 2 seconds before shooting, the countdown display 812 is not displayed. The system timer 53 counts the self timer. When the self-timer is used in a shooting mode other than the self-shooting mode, the count-down display is not performed, and the period until the start of shooting is indicated to the user by the lighting frequency in the illumination unit or the sound generation in the sound generation unit.

  In step S609, the system control unit 50 determines whether the set strobe setting is ON. If it is determined that the strobe setting is ON, the process proceeds to S621; otherwise, the process proceeds to S610.

  In S610, the system control unit 50 reflects the exposure value recorded in the system memory 52 so that the brightness set in the brightness setting is reflected in shooting, and the main face determined in S602 or S606. AF and take a picture. By adjusting the aperture of the shutter 101 and the exposure length, shooting is performed with the set brightness.

  In S611, the system control unit 50 records the image captured in S610 in the memory 32.

  In step S612, the system control unit 50 determines whether the background blur setting is set to auto. If it is determined that the camera is set to auto, the process proceeds to S613, and if not, the process proceeds to S623.

  In step S613, the system control unit 50 performs AF on the background portion (the portion that is not the detected main face) and performs shooting. Here, the captured image is used to perform image processing for cutting out the background from the image captured in S610, and is deleted without being recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 after use.

  In S <b> 614, the system control unit 50 records in the memory 32 the image that has been shot with AF in the background in S <b> 613.

  In S615, the system control unit 50 compares the image (first image) AF applied to the main face imaged in S611 and the AF image applied to the background (second image) imaged in S613. It is determined whether or not background blur is possible. The background blur is effective when it is determined that the distance between the background and the main face as viewed from the digital camera 100 is sufficient to distinguish between the two and the background and main face colors are more than a predetermined difference. Is determined to be possible. If it is determined that the background blur effect can be applied, the process proceeds to S616, and if not, the process proceeds to S623.

  In step S616, the system control unit 50 compares the first image with the second image, detects the background portion from the second image, and detects the same region as the portion detected as the background portion. Cut out from the eye image as background. In the present embodiment, the background portion and the main face portion are divided according to the user's setting, and the effect set by the user is applied to each to synthesize the effected image.

  In step S617, the system control unit 50 determines whether a face can be detected from the main face portion cut out in step S616. If it is determined that the face can be detected, the process proceeds to S618; otherwise, the process proceeds to S625.

  In S618, the system control unit 50 performs a skin beautification process that applies the skin beautifying effect set to the face detected in S617.

  In step S619, the system control unit 50 performs background blurring processing on the background portion. In the first image, AF is applied to the main face, and the AF is not applied to the background portion, but the background portion is further blurred to enhance the face of the person detected as the main face. .

  In S620, the system control unit 50 combines the person portion obtained in S618 and the background portion obtained in S619.

  In S621, the system control unit 50 reflects the exposure value and dimming value recorded in the system memory 52 so that the brightness set in the brightness setting is reflected in shooting, and is confirmed in S602 or S606. Take a picture with AF on the main face. The aperture of the imaging lens 103 and the length of the shutter are adjusted, and the strobe 57 is further emitted to take a picture with the set brightness. The magnitude of light emission of the strobe 57 is determined according to the dimming value.

  In S622, the system control unit 50 records the image captured in S621 in the memory 32.

  In S623, the system control unit 50 determines whether a face can be detected from the image captured in S610 or S621. If it is determined that the face can be detected, the process proceeds to S624; otherwise, the process proceeds to S625.

  In S624, the system control unit 50 performs a skin beautifying process that applies the skin beautifying effect set to the face detected in S623.

  In S625, the system control unit 50 records the image synthesized in S620 or the image subjected to skin beautification in S624 in the nonvolatile memory 56. Here, unlike the live view image 810 displayed on the display unit 28 before the start of shooting, the recorded image is shot according to the brightness setting of the user, and further, image processing of skin beautification processing and background processing is performed. This is the image that was performed. However, based on the effect set by the user on the live view image 810, an image reflecting the effect set in a pseudo manner on the image obtained by the imaging unit 22 is displayed, so that the user can see what image before shooting. You can figure out what you can get.

  As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the possibility that the self-shooting mode is ended against the user's intention is reduced, and the operability when the self-taking mode is ended is improved. When the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted and the self-portrait mode is used, if the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is returned, the self-shoot mode ends and the original shooting mode is set, so only the shooting mode is changed. No operation is required. When shooting without inverting the vari-angle monitor unit 111, the self-shooting mode can be shot regardless of the angle of the vari-angle monitor unit 111 by selecting the self-shooting mode on the mode selection screen 705. it can. As described above, in the self-shooting mode, the end method differs depending on how it is started. Therefore, the user can operate the camera regardless of the rotation angle regardless of the rotation angle. You can shoot in self-portrait mode with good quality. Further, it is possible to perform shooting in a shooting mode other than the self-shooting mode with the vari-angle monitor unit 111 inverted.

  In addition, although switching of the display of the display part 28 according to the direction of the digital camera 100 was demonstrated, when the direction of a camera is rotated in the state which touched the touch panel 70a, touching is cancelled.

  In the present embodiment, the self-shooting mode has been described as the shooting mode for inverting the vari-angle monitor unit 111. However, the shooting mode is not limited to this, and the photographic mode suitable for inverting the vari-angle monitor unit 111 for shooting. If it is. In addition, when the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is reversed (rotated 180 degrees), the self-shoot shortcut button 703 is displayed. You may display according to having become in the range. In addition to the case where the display unit 28 is provided in the vari-angle monitor unit 111, the imaging unit 22 may be provided in the rotatable vari-angle monitor unit 111. In this case, the image capturing direction is reversed as compared with the case where the image capturing unit 22 has a rotation angle of 0 degree when the image capturing direction and the display unit 28 are opposite to each other (directed toward the observer who observed the display unit 28). In such a case, the self-shot shortcut button 703 may be displayed on the display unit 28. Further, it may be possible to set whether or not to display the self-shooting shortcut button 703.

  Rather than taking a picture from the front of the imaging lens 103, there is a case where the self-taking is performed from the upper side or the lower side of the imaging lens 103. In such a case, rather than rotating the vari-angle monitor unit 111 by 180 degrees, the subject displayed on the display unit 28 can be confirmed by setting the angle to a predetermined angle that is larger or smaller than 180 degrees. It's easy to do. In such shooting, when not in the self-shooting mode, the self-shoot shortcut button 703 is displayed in response to the vari-angle monitor unit 111 having reached a predetermined angle, and the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is displayed from the predetermined angle. The self-shooting mode may be terminated according to the returning operation.

  In the present embodiment, the skin beautification setting has three stages and the brightness setting has five stages. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of setting stages may be increased or decreased.

  The self-timer has been described as being selectable from 0 seconds (self-timer OFF), 2 seconds, and 10 seconds. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a time such as 5 seconds or 12 seconds may be provided. In addition, even when the self-timer was turned off, the shooting instruction was given by taking a picture with a shorter interval than the self-timer, such as one second or 0.5 second after receiving a shooting instruction from the user. You may provide the preparation period for preparing a system later as the user decided beforehand.

  In the present embodiment, the touch panel 70a that detects a touch operation on the display unit 28 can set the self-shooting mode and issue a shooting instruction. However, the touch panel 70a may not have the touch panel. The self-shooting mode may be set according to the operation on the operation unit 70, or shooting may be performed according to the operation on the shutter button 61. The moving image shooting instruction may not be a touchdown to the moving image button, but may be provided with a member for instructing the operation unit 70 to shoot a moving image.

  Even when the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is not inverted, the mode selection screen 705 is set to the self-shooting mode, and the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is also switched when the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted within a predetermined time. The self-shooting mode may be terminated according to the returning operation. For example, if the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted within a few seconds after the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is not inverted and the self-shooting mode is set, the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted. There is a high possibility of trying. Also, when the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is set to the self-shooting mode on the mode selection screen 705 without being inverted, and the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted without performing any shooting, the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is also changed. The self-shooting mode may be ended by an operation of returning the angle monitor unit 111. Even if the mode selection screen 705 is set to the self-portrait mode, if the user does not take a picture in the self-capture mode until the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted, the vari-angle monitor unit 111 is inverted. There is a high possibility of trying to shoot in self-portrait mode. In such a case, when the user finishes the self-shooting mode in response to the user returning the vari-angle monitor unit 111, the user does not have to perform an operation to end the self-shooting mode on the mode selection screen 705. User operability can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the imaging control apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the imaging control apparatus but can be applied to image processing mode setting of an image processing apparatus such as a notebook PC. . For example, the screen portion can be rotated (inverted) with respect to the main body of the image processing apparatus including the keyboard portion, and the screen is directed toward another user at a position different from the user who originally operated the main body. There is an image processing apparatus that can rotate a portion to show a screen portion. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the notebook PC 300 includes a main body 301 and a display unit 302 that can rotate with respect to the main body. By rotating the display unit 302, the display direction of the display unit 302 is changed to various directions. be able to. When the display unit 302 is rotated in the direction of the arrow d2 from k4 and reversed, the state becomes k5. In response to the display unit 302 being inverted or an image processing mode selection operation (including pressing of a button for inverting the display content up / down / left / right, etc.) Transition to a mode (such as hiding a specific part). Further, the following is performed in response to the reverse of the screen portion. When transitioning to another screen processing mode in response to the screen part reversal, the screen returns to the original screen processing mode, and when another screen processing mode is set by the mode selection operation, the screen part may be reversed. It does not return to the original screen processing mode but remains in another screen processing mode. As described above, the present invention is also effective in an image processing apparatus.

  Note that the control of the imaging apparatus and the image processing apparatus may be performed by one piece of hardware, or the whole 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.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the digital camera 100 and the notebook PC 300 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the imaging apparatus having a rotatable display unit or main body unit. It can also be applied to image processing apparatuses. In addition, any electronic device capable of controlling a rotatable display unit or main body unit is applicable. Further, the present invention can be applied as long as the corresponding display unit and imaging unit can detect the imaging direction of the imaging unit with respect to the display direction of the display unit even if they are not rotatable. That is, the present invention can be applied to a mobile phone terminal, a portable image viewer, a digital photo frame, a music player, a game machine, an electronic book reader, and the like.

(Other embodiments)
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 a system or apparatus via a network or various recording media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program code. It is a process to be executed. In this case, the program and the recording medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

Claims (18)

Detecting means for detecting a positional relationship between the display unit capable of changing a position relative to the imaging unit and the imaging unit;
A shooting mode selection means for selecting a shooting mode from a plurality of shooting modes;
In response to the detection unit detecting that the display unit and the imaging unit are in a specific positional relationship, or in response to a predetermined shooting mode being selected by the shooting mode selection unit, A shooting mode setting means for setting the predetermined shooting mode;
When the detection unit detects that the display unit and the imaging unit are not in the specific positional relationship when the predetermined shooting mode is set, the factor set in the predetermined shooting mode is When the detection unit detects that the display unit and the imaging unit are in the specific positional relationship, the predetermined shooting mode is terminated and the predetermined shooting mode is set. Control means for controlling the shooting mode setting means so that the predetermined mode is not terminated when the predetermined shooting mode is selected by the shooting mode selection means. An imaging apparatus characterized by that.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific positional relationship is a positional relationship in which a display direction of the display unit and an imaging direction of the imaging unit are directed to the same subject.   The specific positional relationship is a positional relationship when the display unit and the imaging unit are located at a second position where the vertical relationship between the display unit and the imaging unit is reversed from a position that is not the specific positional relationship. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Touch detection means for detecting a touch operation on the display unit;
Display control means for displaying a shortcut button for setting to the predetermined shooting mode in response to detection of a predetermined touch operation on the shortcut button;
4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the display control unit to display the shortcut button when the display unit and the imaging unit are in the specific positional relationship. 5. The imaging device according to any one of the above.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined shooting mode is a self-shooting mode in which a photographer who gives a shooting instruction is a subject. A main face setting means for setting at least one face as a main face from the faces of the person detected from the imaging range;
The control means adjusts the focus so as to focus on a position based on the touch position in the touch operation in response to a user's touch operation in a shooting mode other than the predetermined shooting mode, and in the predetermined shooting mode. 2. The control according to claim 1, wherein the focus is adjusted so as to focus on the main face set by the main face setting means regardless of a touch position in the touch operation in accordance with a user's touch operation. The imaging device according to any one of 5.   7. The control unit according to claim 6, wherein in the predetermined shooting mode, the main face set by the main face setting unit is controlled so as not to be applied to other subjects. The imaging device described in 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the effect applied to the main face set by the main face setting means is either a skin beautifying effect process or a background blurring process.   The control means, when the factor that the predetermined photographing mode is ended is based on the fact that the detection means detects that the display unit and the imaging unit are not in the specific positional relationship, The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the imaging mode setting unit is controlled so as to set the imaging mode immediately before the imaging mode is set. It further has a posture detection means for detecting the posture of the imaging device,
The control means performs control so as to change a display direction of a display item related to the predetermined photographing mode displayed on the display unit in accordance with the attitude of the imaging device detected by the attitude detection means. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.   The control means detects that the display unit and the imaging unit are in the specific positional relationship when the image captured by the imaging unit is displayed at an output destination that is not the display unit. Controlling the shooting mode setting means to set to the predetermined shooting mode when the predetermined shooting mode is selected by the shooting mode selection means without setting the predetermined shooting mode based on The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   The control means displays guidance regarding the predetermined shooting mode when the orientation of the imaging apparatus is landscape, and does not display guidance regarding the predetermined imaging mode when the imaging apparatus is in portrait orientation. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is controlled as follows.   When the self-timer is set in the second shooting mode that is not the predetermined shooting mode, the control means does not display the time based on the time until the start of shooting in response to the shooting instruction, and 2. When the self-timer is set in the shooting mode, control is performed so that a time display based on the time until the start of shooting is displayed on the display unit in response to a shooting instruction. 13. The imaging device according to any one of items 12 to 12. Detection means for detecting a positional relationship between the main body and a display unit capable of changing a position relative to the main body;
Image processing mode selection means for selecting an image processing mode from a plurality of image processing modes;
In response to the detection unit detecting that the display unit and the main body unit have a specific positional relationship, or in response to selection of a predetermined image processing mode by the image processing mode selection unit. Image processing mode setting means for setting the predetermined image processing mode;
When the detection unit detects that the display unit and the main body unit are not in the specific positional relationship when the predetermined image processing mode is set, the factor set in the predetermined image processing mode Is based on the detection unit detecting that the display unit and the main body unit are in the specific positional relationship, the predetermined image processing mode is terminated, and the predetermined image processing is performed. When the factor set in the mode is based on the fact that the predetermined image processing mode is selected by the image processing mode selection means, the image processing mode setting is performed so as not to end the predetermined image processing mode. An image processing apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the means. A detection step of detecting a positional relationship between the display unit capable of changing a position relative to the imaging unit and the imaging unit;
A shooting mode selection step for selecting a shooting mode from a plurality of shooting modes;
In response to detecting that the display unit and the imaging unit have a specific positional relationship in the detection step, or in response to selection of a predetermined shooting mode in the shooting mode selection step, A shooting mode setting step for setting the predetermined shooting mode;
When it is detected that the display unit and the imaging unit are not in the specific positional relationship in the detection step when the predetermined shooting mode is set, the factor set in the predetermined shooting mode is If the detection step is based on the detection of the specific positional relationship between the display unit and the imaging unit, the predetermined shooting mode is terminated and the predetermined shooting mode is set. And a control step for controlling so as not to end the predetermined mode when the factor is based on the fact that the predetermined shooting mode is selected in the shooting mode selection step. Control method of the device. A detection step of detecting the positional relationship between the display unit and the main unit that can change the position with respect to the main unit;
An image processing mode selection step of selecting an image processing mode from a plurality of image processing modes;
In response to detecting that the display unit and the main body have a specific positional relationship in the detection step, or in response to selection of a predetermined image processing mode in the image processing mode selection step. An image processing mode setting step for setting the predetermined image processing mode;
When the predetermined image processing mode is set, if it is detected in the detection step that the display unit and the main body are not in the specific positional relationship, the factor set in the predetermined image processing mode Is based on the fact that the display unit and the main body are detected to be in the specific positional relationship in the detection step, the predetermined image processing mode is terminated, and the predetermined image processing is performed. A control step for controlling not to end the predetermined image processing mode when the factor set in the mode is based on the fact that the predetermined image processing mode is selected in the image processing mode selection step; A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising:   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 14.   A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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