JP7071197B2 - Imaging device and its control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus capable of touch operation and a control method thereof.

There is an image pickup device equipped with an eyepiece finder for confirming the composition of the subject to be photographed and a rear display for displaying the photographed image or displaying a live view. In recent years, by mounting a touch panel function on the rear display, an image pickup device that can be operated intuitively on the rear display has become widespread. When the touch panel function is mounted on the rear display, when the user looks into the eyepiece finder, a part of the user's face (nose, etc.) hits the rear display, which may cause a malfunction.

There is an image pickup device that allows the touch detection area of the touch panel to be selected from several patterns according to the usage of each user, such as whether the dominant eye is left or right, whether the dominant hand is left or right, and how far the thumb reaches. For example, when shooting with the eyepiece viewfinder, the touch detection area used when changing the focus adjustment position can be selected by touching the rear display with a blind operation without taking your eyes off the eyepiece viewfinder. ..

In Patent Document 1 below, a method is proposed in which information on an eye looking into an eyepiece finder by a user is registered in advance, and a touch detection area of a touch panel is limited according to the registered information. Malfunction is prevented by disabling touch input outside the touch detection area.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-260681

Not only the device body is set to the horizontal position (normal position) for shooting, but also the device is equipped with two grips in advance so that it is easy to shoot in the vertical position, and the grip for vertical position shooting that is separate from the camera body. There is also an image pickup device to which a member can be attached. Some grips for horizontal shooting and grips for vertical shooting each have a shooting button that accepts shooting instructions. The area of the rear display that the thumb can reach differs depending on whether the user grips the grip for horizontal shooting or the grip for vertical shooting. Further, the position of the rear display that a part of the user's face (nose, etc.) comes into contact with is different between the case where the image pickup device is held in the horizontal position and the case where the image pickup device is held in the vertical position.

However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a configuration including a grip for horizontal position shooting and a grip for vertical position shooting, and a shooting button for receiving a shooting instruction are provided for each of the grip for horizontal position shooting and the grip for vertical position shooting. No configuration is considered.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup device capable of improving the operability of a touch operation according to the posture state of the image pickup device and a control method thereof.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image pickup apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is
To the touch panel, a first operating means for receiving a shooting instruction for using the image pickup device in the first posture state, a second operating means for receiving a shooting instruction for using the image pickup device in the second posture state, and the touch panel. The focus adjustment position is set according to the setting means for setting the touch detection area for detecting the touch operation of the touch panel to a part of the entire area of the touch panel and the touch operation for the set touch detection area. The setting means includes a changing means for changing, and the setting means sets the touch detection area at a different position depending on whether the operation for the first operating means is performed or the operation for the second operating means is performed. Then, when the operation for the second operating means is performed, the setting means displays the touch panel from the front with respect to the first area which is the touch detection area when the operation for the first operating means is performed. The second region rotated 90 ° clockwise as seen is set in the touch detection region, and a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation was turned off after the operation for the second operating means was performed. Accordingly, the setting of the touch detection area is returned to the first area.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability of the touch operation according to the posture state of the image pickup apparatus.

It is an external view of the image pickup apparatus as an example of the electronic device which concerns on this invention. It is an external view of the grip for vertical position photography which can be attached to an image pickup apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the image pickup apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the setting process of the focus adjustment position at the time of shooting in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the change process of the AF frame by the touch operation in the eyepiece state. This is an example of the display screen of the rear display unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting process of a touch detection area. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the setting process of a touch detection area. It is a figure which shows the setting example of the touch detection area for horizontal position shooting and the touch detection area for vertical position shooting. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the setting process of the touch detection area in Embodiment 2. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the setting process of the touch detection area in Embodiment 3.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The technical scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of claims and is not limited by the embodiments exemplified below. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the present invention. The content described herein and in the drawings is exemplary and should not be considered as limiting the invention. Various modifications (including organic combinations of each embodiment) are possible based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. That is, all the configurations in which each embodiment and its modifications are combined are also included in the present invention.

1 (a) and 1 (b) are external views of an image pickup apparatus (digital camera) 100 as an example of an electronic device according to the present invention. 1 (a) is a front perspective view of the image pickup apparatus 100, and FIG. 1 (b) is a rear perspective view of the image pickup apparatus 100. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are external views of a vertical position photographing grip 300 that can be attached to the image pickup apparatus 100. FIG. 2A is a rear perspective view of the vertical position photographing grip 300, and FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of the vertical position photographing grip 300. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image pickup apparatus 100.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, a rear display unit 28 for displaying images and various information is provided on the back surface of the camera. The rear display unit 28 may be composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a backlight unit, or may be composed of an organic EL display panel. The out-of-finder display unit 43 is a small-area display unit provided on the upper surface of the camera, and various setting values of the camera such as the shutter speed and the aperture are displayed.

The shutter button 61 for horizontal position (normal position) shooting is an operation unit provided near the grip portion 90 for horizontal position shooting and receiving a user's shooting instruction. The shutter button 61 may be provided on the surface of the lateral position photographing grip portion 90. The shutter button 61 for horizontal position shooting is a shutter button for use in the posture state of the image pickup apparatus 100 holding the grip portion 90 for horizontal position shooting.

The mode changeover switch 60 is an operation unit for switching various modes. The terminal cover 40 is a cover that protects a connector (not shown) for connecting the image pickup device 100 to an external device.

The main electronic dial 71 is a rotation operation member included in the operation unit 70, and by turning the main electronic dial 71, it is possible to change set values such as a shutter speed and an aperture. The power switch 72 is an operating member that switches the power of the image pickup apparatus 100 on and off. The sub-electronic dial 73 is included in the operation unit 70 and is a rotation operation member included in the operation unit 70, and can move the selection frame, feed an image, and the like. The cross key 74 is included in the operation unit 70, and is a cross key (four-way key) capable of pushing up, down, left, and right portions, respectively. It is possible to operate according to the pressed portion of the upper, lower, left, and right portions of the cross key 74. The SET button 75 is included in the operation unit 70, and is a push button mainly used for determining a selection item or the like.

The LV button 76 is included in the operation unit 70, and is a button for switching ON / OFF of the live view (hereinafter, LV) display on the menu screen. In the moving image shooting mode, it is also used to instruct the start and stop of movie shooting (recording). The enlargement button 77 is included in the operation unit 70, and is an operation button for turning on / off the enlargement mode and changing the enlargement ratio during the enlargement mode in the live view display of the shooting mode. In the playback mode, it functions as an enlargement button for enlarging the reproduced image and increasing the enlargement ratio. The reduction button 78 is included in the operation unit 70, and is a button for reducing the enlargement ratio of the enlarged reproduced image and reducing the displayed image.

The play button 79 is included in the operation unit 70, and is an operation button for switching between a shooting mode and a play mode. By pressing the playback button 79 during the shooting mode, the playback mode can be entered, and the latest image among the images recorded on the recording medium 200 can be displayed on the rear display unit 28.

The quick return mirror 12 is instructed by the system control unit 50 and is moved up and down by an actuator (not shown). The communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal for the image pickup apparatus 100 to communicate with the lens side (detachable).

The eyepiece finder 16 is a peep-type optical finder OVF (Optical View Finder) for confirming the focus and composition of the optical image of the subject obtained through the lens unit 150 by observing the focusing screen 13. However, it may be an electronic viewfinder EVF (Electrical ViewFinder).

The lid 202 is a lid of a slot that stores a recording medium. The horizontal position shooting grip portion 90 has a shape that makes it easy for the user to hold the image pickup device 100 with his / her right hand when the vertical position shooting grip 300, which will be described later, is not attached (removed state) to the image pickup device 100. It is a grip part.

The tripod female screw 80 arranged on the bottom surface of the image pickup apparatus 100 in FIG. 1B is used for fastening the grip 300 for vertical position photography, which will be described later, to the camera body. The connector 81 is connected to the plug-side connector of the vertical position photographing grip 300, and is used for communicating with the vertical position photographing grip 300.

Next, the grip 300 for vertical position photographing, which can be attached to and detached from the image pickup apparatus 100, will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b).

On the front side of the vertical position shooting grip 300, a shutter button 61 on the camera 100 side, a shutter button 361 for vertical position shooting corresponding to the main electronic dial 71, and a main electronic dial 371 are arranged. On the other hand, on the back side of the vertical position shooting grip 300, operation members such as sub electronic dials 373 and buttons 377 for vertical position shooting, which correspond to the operation members 73 and 77 on the back side of the camera, are arranged. A battery can be stored inside the grip 300 for vertical position photographing.

The tower unit 306 is inserted into the camera battery chamber when it is attached to the image pickup device 100, and the power supply terminal at the tip of the tower unit 306 is connected to the power supply terminal in the camera battery chamber to transfer the power of the stored battery to the image pickup device 100. Supply.

A tripod male screw 315 protrudes from the center of the top cover 314. By tightening the tripod screw knob 317 that is interlocked with the tripod male screw 315 and the gear row (not shown), the tripod screw knob 317 is tightened to the tripod female screw 80 on the bottom surface of the image pickup device, and the vertical position photographing grip 300 is fixed to the image pickup device 100. The plug-side connector 311 is for transmitting a signal indicating the operating state of the vertical position photographing grip 300, such as the operation of each of the above-mentioned operating members, to the camera body, and is coupled to the above-mentioned connector 81 on the bottom surface of the camera.

The vertical position shooting grip portion 390 is a grip portion having a shape that makes it easy for the user to hold the camera with his / her right hand when the vertical position shooting grip 300 is attached to the image pickup device 100. The shutter button 361 for vertical position shooting is an operation unit provided near the grip portion 390 for vertical position shooting and receiving a user's shooting instruction. The shutter button 361 for vertical position shooting is a shutter button for use in the posture state of the image pickup apparatus 100 holding the grip portion 390 for vertical position shooting. The posture state of the image pickup device 100 holding the grip portion 390 for vertical position shooting is 90 in the clockwise direction when the image pickup device 100 is viewed from the front of the touch panel from the posture state of the image pickup device 100 holding the grip portion 90 for horizontal position shooting. ° It is in a rotated state.

In the present embodiment, the vertical position photographing grip 300 is attached to and detached from the image pickup device 100 which is the main body of the electronic device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the vertical position photographing grip 300 is an electronic device. It may be integrated with the main body.

In FIG. 3, the lens unit 150 is a lens unit equipped with an interchangeable photographing lens 103. The lens 103 is usually composed of a plurality of lenses, but here, only one lens is shown for brevity. The communication terminal 6 is a communication terminal for the lens unit 150 to communicate with the image pickup device 100 side, and the communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal for the image pickup device 100 to communicate with the lens unit 150 side. The lens unit 150 communicates with the system control unit 50 via the communication terminals 6 and 10, controls the aperture 1 via the aperture drive circuit 2 by the internal lens system control circuit 4, and controls the aperture 1 via the AF drive circuit 3. Focus is achieved by shifting the position of the lens 103.

The AE sensor 17 measures the brightness of the subject through the lens unit 150. The focus detection unit 11 outputs defocus amount information to the system control unit 50. The system control unit 50 controls the lens unit 150 based on this, and performs phase difference AF.

The quick return mirror 12 (hereinafter referred to as the mirror 12) is instructed by the system control unit 50 at the time of exposure, live view shooting, and moving image shooting, and is moved up and down by an actuator (not shown). The mirror 12 is a mirror for switching the light flux incident from the lens 103 between the eyepiece finder 16 side and the image pickup unit 22 side. Normally, the mirror 12 is arranged so as to guide the light flux to the eyepiece finder 16, but when shooting is performed or when the live view is displayed, the mirror 12 is upward so as to guide the light flux to the image pickup unit 22. It jumps up and escapes from the luminous flux (mirror lockup). Further, the mirror 12 is a half mirror so that the central portion thereof can transmit a part of light, and a part of the light flux is transmitted so as to be incident on the focus detection unit 11 for performing focus detection.

By observing the focusing screen 13 through the pentaprism 14 and the eyepiece finder 16, the photographer can confirm the focus and composition of the optical image of the subject obtained through the lens unit 150.

The shutter 101 is a focal plane shutter that can freely control the exposure time of the imaging unit 22 under the control of the system control unit 50.

The image pickup unit 22 is an image pickup device composed of a CCD, a CMOS element, or the like that converts an optical image into an electric 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 image pickup unit 22 into a digital signal.

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. Further, in the image processing unit 24, a predetermined calculation process is performed using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the obtained calculation result. As a result, TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing are performed. Further, the image processing unit 24 performs a predetermined calculation process using the captured image data, and also performs a TTL method AWB (auto white balance) process based on the obtained calculation result.

The output data from the A / D converter 23 is written directly to 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 image pickup unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 23, and image data to be displayed on the rear display unit 28. The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images, moving images for a predetermined time, and audio. Further, the memory 32 also serves as a memory (video memory) for displaying an image. The D / A converter 19 converts the image display data stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies it to the rear display unit 28. In this way, the image data for display written in the memory 32 is displayed by the rear display unit 28 via the D / A converter 19. The rear display unit 28 displays on a display such as an LCD according to the analog signal from the D / A converter 19. The digital signal once A / D converted by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 is analog-converted by the D / A converter 19 and sequentially transferred to the rear display unit 28 for display. As a result, the rear display unit 28 functions as an electronic viewfinder EVF, and through image display (live view display) can be performed.

The liquid crystal display unit 41 in the viewfinder has an AF frame (AF frame) indicating the AF point at which autofocus is currently being performed, an icon indicating the setting state of the camera, and the like via the display unit drive circuit 42 in the viewfinder. Is displayed.

The liquid crystal display unit 43 outside the viewfinder displays various settings of the camera, such as the shutter speed and the aperture, via the drive circuit 44 of the display unit outside the viewfinder.

The non-volatile memory 56 is a memory that can be electrically erased and recorded, and for example, EEPROM or the like is used. The non-volatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, and the like for the operation of the system control unit 50. The program referred to here is a program for executing various flowcharts described later in this embodiment.

The system control unit 50 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the entire image pickup apparatus 100. By executing the program recorded in the non-volatile memory 56 described above, each process of the present embodiment described later is realized. For example, RAM is used as the system memory 52. In the system memory 52, constants and variables for the operation of the system control unit 50, a program read from the non-volatile memory 56, and the like are expanded. The system control unit 50 also controls the display by controlling the memory 32, the D / A converter 19, the rear 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 the built-in clock.

The mode changeover switch 60, the first shutter switch 62, the second shutter switch 64, and the operation unit 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit 50.

The mode changeover switch 60 switches the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to any one of a still image recording mode, a moving image shooting mode, a reproduction mode, and the like. The modes included in the still image recording mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene discrimination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), and a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode). In addition, there are various scene modes, program AE modes, custom modes, etc. that are shooting settings for each shooting scene. The mode changeover switch 60 directly switches to any of these modes. Alternatively, after switching to the shooting mode list screen once with the mode changeover switch 60, one of the displayed plurality of modes may be selected and switched using another operating member. Similarly, the moving image shooting mode may include a plurality of modes.

The first shutter switch 62 is turned on by a so-called half-pressing (shooting preparation instruction) during the operation of the shutter button 61 provided in the image pickup apparatus 100, and the first shutter switch signal SW1 is generated. The first shutter switch signal SW1 starts operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing.

The second shutter switch 64 is turned on when the operation of the shutter button 61 is completed, that is, when the shutter button 61 is fully pressed (shooting instruction), and the second shutter switch signal SW2 is generated. The system control unit 50 starts a series of shooting processes from reading the signal from the image pickup unit 22 to writing the image data to the recording medium 200 by the second shutter switch signal SW2.

The vertical position photographing grip 300 and the image pickup apparatus 100 can communicate with each other by the I / F 18 in the connector 81. The operating states of the shutter button 361 and the electronic dial 371, which are the operating members of the vertical position photographing grip 300, are input to the system control unit 50 in the image pickup apparatus 100 by communication, and are similarly to the operation members in the image pickup apparatus 100. Alternatively, it is distinguished and processed. For example, when the shutter button 361 in the vertical position photographing grip 300 is half-pressed, the system control unit 50 starts an operation such as AF processing as in the case where the shutter button 61 is half-pressed.

Each operation member of the operation unit 70 is assigned a function as appropriate for each scene by selecting and operating various function icons displayed on the rear display unit 28, and acts as various function buttons. Examples of the function button include an end button, a back button, an image feed button, a jump button, a narrowing down button, an attribute change button, and the like. For example, when the menu button is pressed, various configurable menu screens are displayed on the rear display unit 28. The user can intuitively make various settings by using the menu screen displayed on the rear display unit 28 and the up / down / left / right four-direction buttons and the SET button.

The operation unit 70 is various operation members as an input unit that receives an operation from the user. The operation unit 70 includes at least the following operation units. Shutter button 61, main electronic dial 71, power switch 72, sub electronic dial 73, cross key 74, SET button 75, LV button 76, enlargement button 77, reduction button 78, play button 79.

As one of the operation units 70, there is a touch panel 70a capable of detecting contact with the rear display unit 28. The touch panel 70a and the rear display unit 28 can be integrally configured. For example, the touch panel 70a is configured so that the light transmittance does not interfere with the display of the rear display unit 28, and is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the rear display unit 28. Then, the input coordinates on the touch panel 70a and the display coordinates on the rear display unit 28 are associated with each other. This makes it possible to configure a GUI (graphical user interface) as if the user can directly operate the screen displayed on the rear display unit 28. The system control unit 50 can detect the following operations or states on the touch panel 70a.
-A finger or pen that has not touched the touch panel 70a has newly touched the touch panel 70a. That is, the start of touch (hereinafter referred to as touch-down).
-The touch panel 70a is in a state of being touched with a finger or a pen (hereinafter referred to as touch-on).
-Movement while touching the touch panel 70a with a finger or a pen (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Move).
-The finger or pen that was touching the touch panel 70a was released. That is, the end of touch (hereinafter referred to as touch-up (Touch-Up)).
-A state in which nothing is touched on the touch panel 70a (hereinafter, referred to as touch-off).

When touchdown is detected, it is also detected that it is touch-on. After touchdown, touch-on usually continues to be detected unless touch-up is detected. Touch move is also detected when touch on is detected. Even if touch-on is detected, touch move is not detected unless the touch position is moved. After it is detected that all the fingers and pens that have been touched are touched up, the touch is turned off.

These operations / states and the position coordinates of the finger or pen touching the touch panel 70a are notified to the system control unit 50 through the internal bus, and the system control unit 50 determines which on the touch panel 70a based on the notified information. Determine if such an operation has been performed. Regarding the touch move, the moving direction of the finger or pen moving on the touch panel 70a can also be determined for each vertical component / horizontal component on the touch panel 70a based on the change in the position coordinates. Further, it is assumed that a stroke is drawn when the touch panel 70a is touched up from the touch down through a certain touch move. The operation of drawing a stroke quickly is called flicking. Flicking is an operation in which a finger is quickly moved on the touch panel 70a by a certain distance while being touched, and then released as it is, in other words, an operation in which the touch panel 70a is swiftly traced with a finger. It can be determined that the flick has been performed when it is detected that the touch move is performed at a predetermined speed or more over a predetermined distance and the touch-up is detected as it is. In addition, if it is detected that the touch move is performed at a speed equal to or longer than a predetermined distance, it is determined that the drag has been performed. Further, a touch operation in which a plurality of points (for example, two points) are touched at the same time to bring the touch positions closer to each other is called a pinch-in, and a touch operation to move the touch positions away from each other is called a pinch-out. Pinch out and pinch in are collectively called pinch operation (or simply pinch). The touch panel 70a may use any of various touch panels such as a resistance film method, a capacitance method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared ray method, an electromagnetic induction method, an image recognition method, and an optical sensor method. good. Depending on the method, there are a method of detecting that there is a touch due to contact with the touch panel and a method of detecting that there is a touch due to the approach of a finger or a pen to the touch panel, but any method may be used.

The power supply control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching 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 supply control unit 80 controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and the instruction of 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 communication unit 54 is connected by a wireless or wired cable to transmit and receive video signals and audio signals. The communication unit 54 can also be connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The communication unit 54 can transmit an image (including a through image) captured by the image pickup unit 22 and an image recorded on the recording medium 200, and can also receive image data and other various information from an external device. can.

The posture detection unit 55 detects the posture of the image pickup device 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the posture detected by the posture detection unit 55, whether the image taken by the image pickup unit 22 is an image taken by holding the image pickup device 100 horizontally or an image taken by holding the image pickup device 100 vertically. It is possible to distinguish. The system control unit 50 can rotate and record the image in addition to adding the orientation information according to the posture detected by the posture detection unit 55 to the image file of the image captured by the image pickup unit 22. .. As the posture detection unit 55, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used.

The eyepiece detection unit 57 is composed of an infrared emitter and a light receiving circuit, emits infrared light at regular intervals, and measures the amount of light reflected by the object to determine whether the object is close to a predetermined position. Detect whether or not. This makes it possible to determine whether or not the user has eyepieces.

The grip detection unit 58 and the vertical position side grip detection unit 358 are arranged on the surfaces of the horizontal position shooting grip unit 90 and the vertical position shooting grip unit 390, and detect the gripping state of each grip. Each grip detector is composed of an infrared emitter and a light receiving circuit. It emits infrared light at regular intervals and measures the amount of light reflected by the object so that the object is close to the predetermined position. Detects whether or not it is present. This makes it possible to determine whether or not the user is holding the grip. In addition to the light receiving circuit, it may be replaced with a technique used for a touch panel such as a capacitance method.

Hereinafter, a method of setting the focus adjustment position at the time of photographing according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the setting process of the focus adjustment position at the time of shooting in the first embodiment. The processing of each step in this flowchart is realized by the system control unit 50 expanding the program stored in the non-volatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing the program.

First, the eyepiece detection state is determined by S101. The eyepiece detection unit 57 determines whether or not the user is in the eyepiece state looking into the eyepiece finder 16. If it is determined that the user is looking into the eyepiece finder 16, the process proceeds to S102, and if it is determined that the user is not looking into the eyepiece finder 16, the process proceeds to S107.

In S102, the rear display unit 28 arranged on the back surface of the image pickup apparatus is turned off. This is because when the user is looking into the eyepiece finder 16, the display content of the rear display unit 28 cannot be recognized. Then, after turning off the rear display unit 28, the process proceeds to S103.

In S103, the touch detection area of the touch panel 70a attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the rear display unit 28 is limited to a part of the area. Details will be described later. Then proceed to S104.

In S104, an AF frame (AF frame) indicating the currently selected focus adjustment position is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 41 in the viewfinder.

In S105, the touch operation is detected. When the touch operation is detected, the AF frame used for focus adjustment is changed in S106. The user changes the AF frame used for focus adjustment by using the liquid crystal display unit 41 in the finder and the touch panel 70a while removing the eyepiece finder 16.

5 (a) and 5 (b) are diagrams for explaining the AF frame change process by the touch operation in the eyepiece state. The user can select in advance whether to specify the focus adjustment position in absolute coordinates or the focus adjustment position in relative coordinates. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining absolute coordinate control, and FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining relative coordinate control.

First, absolute coordinate control will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (a). It is assumed that the AF frame A is selected as the AF frame (focusing point) used for the focus adjustment. When the user touches down the touch panel 70a with a finger, the AF frame B, which is the AF frame corresponding to the touched down position, is selected. Then, when the touch move is performed so as to move the AF frame from the touched down position, the selected AF frame moves from the AF frame B to the AF frame C according to the user's instruction. Such control is called absolute coordinate control.

Next, relative coordinate control will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (b). It is assumed that the AF frame A is selected as the AF frame (AF frame) used for the focus adjustment. When the user touches down the touch panel 70a with a finger, the selected AF frame remains the AF frame A according to the user's instruction, and the touched-down position is used as a reference point. Then, when the touch move is performed so as to move the AF frame from the touch-down position, the AF frame selected by the distance touch-moved from the reference point moves according to the user's instruction. Therefore, the selected AF frame moves from the position of the AF frame A to the position of the AF frame D. Such control is called relative coordinate control.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S101 that the user is not looking into the eyepiece finder 16, the process proceeds to S107, and the shooting function screen is displayed on the rear display unit 28. FIG. 6A shows a display example of the shooting function screen of the rear display unit 28. The shooting function screen is a screen in which a shooting function item displayed on the rear display unit 28 is directly selected and operated, and a desired shooting function is set by an intuitive operation. The touch panel 70a attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the rear display unit 28 enables intuitive touch operation. By touching the Q button area in the display shown in FIG. 6A, each area (each shooting function item) can be selected. In addition to touch operation, selection using the cross key 74 and the SET button 75 is also possible. After displaying the shooting function screen, the process proceeds to S108.

In S108, the touch detection area of the touch panel 70a attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the rear display unit 28 is set to the entire surface (entire area), and the process proceeds to S109.

In S109, the operation of selecting the focus adjustment position is detected. The user can select the focus adjustment position at the time of shooting by pressing the AF frame selection button 77 or by touching the focus adjustment area icon in the shooting function screen. If the focus adjustment position selection operation has not been performed, the process ends. If the user's selection operation of the focus adjustment position is detected, the process proceeds to S110.

In S110, a frame (AF frame) indicating the currently selected focus adjustment position is displayed on the rear display unit 28. A display example of the rear display unit 28 at this time is shown in FIG. 6 (b). The AF frame (distance measuring frame) used for focus adjustment during shooting can be intuitively selected by touch operation or the cross key 74. Then, the process proceeds to S111, and the touch operation (and the operation by the cross key 74) is detected. If the touch operation (and the operation by the cross key 74) is detected, the process proceeds to S112, and if not detected, the process proceeds to S113.

In S112, the AF frame used for focus adjustment is changed. The user changes the AF frame used for focus adjustment by using the liquid crystal display unit 41 in the finder and the touch panel 70a while removing the eyepiece finder 16.

Subsequently, in S113, the completion of the AF frame selection operation is awaited. When the AF frame selection operation is completed, it is determined that there is no input of the operation member continuously for a predetermined time, the AF frame selection button 77 is pressed down again, or the rear display unit 28 displays FIG. 6 ( It is judged by whether the "back" icon in c) is touched. When it is determined that the AF frame selection operation is completed, the process ends. If not, the processes of S110 to S113 are repeated.

7 (a) and 7 (b) explain the setting process of the touch detection area when the user changes the AF frame used for the focus adjustment at the time of shooting with the touch panel 70a on the back of the image pickup device while looking through the eyepiece finder 16. It is a figure to do.

On the setting screen shown in FIG. 7A, it is possible to set in advance whether the touch detection area for horizontal position shooting is the entire surface (entire area) or a part of the touch panel 70a before shooting. When shooting while looking through the eyepiece viewfinder 16, it is common to support the lower part of the lens with the left hand and hold the grip with the right hand. Since it is assumed that the thumb of the right hand is used when performing the touch operation of the touch panel 70a in this posture, the user can select the touch detection area according to the shooting style, such as how far the thumb reaches or whether the touch operation is performed with the left hand. It can be selected in advance.

FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of a touch detection area for horizontal position shooting that can be set by the user. For example, the entire surface of the touch panel 70a, the right half, the left half, the upper left 1/4, the lower left 1/4, the upper right 1/4, and the lower right 1/4 are used according to the user's instruction from a plurality of prepared patterns. Select a pattern in the touch detection area.

FIG. 8 is for explaining the setting process of the touch detection area when the user grips the grip portion 90 for horizontal position shooting and shoots, and when the user grips the grip portion 390 for vertical position shooting and shoots. It is a flowchart of. The processing of each step in this flowchart is realized by the system control unit 50 expanding the program stored in the non-volatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing the program.

First, the eyepiece detection state is determined in S201. Specifically, the eyepiece detection unit 57 determines whether or not the user is in the eyepiece state looking into the eyepiece finder 16. If it is determined that the user is looking into the optical eyepiece finder 16, the process proceeds to S202, and if it is determined that the user is not looking into the eyepiece finder 16, the process ends.

In S202, the first shutter switch signal SW1 is detected. Specifically, is the input of the signal SW1 due to the pressing of the shutter button 61 near the grip portion 90 for horizontal position shooting or the pressing of the shutter button 361 near the grip portion 390 for vertical position shooting? To determine. If the SW1 signal due to the pressing of the vertical position shooting shutter button 361 in the vicinity of the vertical position shooting grip portion 390 is detected, the process proceeds to S203. If not, proceed to S204.

In S203, the setting of the touch detection area is switched from the setting for horizontal position shooting to the setting for vertical position shooting. In S204, the setting of the touch detection area is maintained as the setting for horizontal position shooting (the setting is not changed).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a setting example of a touch detection area for horizontal position shooting and a touch detection area for vertical position shooting. As shown in FIG. 7, the preset touch detection area for horizontal position shooting is changed to the touch detection area for vertical position shooting. Specifically, the preset touch detection area for horizontal position shooting is changed to an area rotated 90 ° clockwise when the touch panel is viewed from the front. That is, a touch area that is valid or invalid when the shutter button 61 near the grip portion 90 for horizontal position shooting is operated, and a touch that is valid or invalid when the shutter button 361 near the grip portion 390 for vertical position shooting is operated. The areas are different. Here, if the full screen area is set, the touch detection area is not changed.

The touch detection area for horizontal position shooting is set within a range where the thumb of the right hand holding the grip portion 90 for horizontal position shooting on the right side of the image pickup apparatus main body can reach. The touch detection area for vertical position shooting is set within a range where the thumb of the right hand holding the lower vertical position shooting grip portion 390 when the image pickup apparatus main body is viewed from the back can reach.

In S205, the touch operation is detected. If the touch operation is detected, the process proceeds to S206, and if not detected, the process ends. In S206, the AF frame used for focus adjustment is changed. The process for changing the AF frame in the eyepiece state has already been described with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), and thus will be omitted.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the operability of the touch operation according to the posture state of the image pickup apparatus can be improved. Specifically, each time the user presses the shutter button halfway, it is determined whether the shutter button for horizontal shooting or the shutter button for vertical shooting is operated, and the appropriate touch detection area is displayed on the touch panel. It will be possible to set automatically. When the shutter button for horizontal position shooting is half-pressed, the touch detection area is set within the range where the thumb of the right hand holding the grip for horizontal position shooting can reach. On the other hand, when the shutter button for vertical position shooting is half-pressed, the touch detection area is set within the range where the thumb of the right hand holding the grip portion 390 for vertical position shooting can reach.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment, the change in the setting of the touch detection area is automatically canceled after a lapse of a predetermined time, and the setting is returned to the touch detection area for horizontal position shooting before the change. Since the configuration of the image pickup apparatus of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, the detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the setting process of the touch detection area in the second embodiment. The processing of each step in this flowchart is realized by the system control unit 50 expanding the program stored in the non-volatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing the program.

First, the eyepiece detection state is determined in S301. Specifically, the eyepiece detection unit 57 determines whether or not the user is in the eyepiece state looking into the eyepiece finder 16. If it is determined that the user is looking into the eyepiece finder 16, the process proceeds to S302, and if it is determined that the user is not looking into the eyepiece finder 16, the process ends.

In S302, the first shutter switch signal SW1 is detected. Specifically, is the input of the signal SW1 due to the pressing of the shutter button 61 near the grip portion 90 for horizontal position shooting or the pressing of the shutter button 361 near the grip portion 390 for vertical position shooting? To determine. If the SW1 signal due to the pressing of the shutter button 361 for vertical position shooting in the vicinity of the vertical position shooting grip portion 390 is detected, the process proceeds to S303. If not, the process proceeds to S312.

In S303, the setting of the touch detection area is switched from the setting for horizontal position shooting to the setting for vertical position shooting. In S312, the setting of the touch detection area is maintained as the setting for horizontal position shooting (the setting is not changed). An example of setting a touch detection area for horizontal position shooting and a touch detection area for vertical position shooting has already been described with reference to FIG. 9 and the like in the first embodiment, and details thereof will be omitted.

In S304, a touch operation is detected. If the touch operation is detected, the process proceeds to S305, and if not detected, the process proceeds to S306.

In S305, the AF frame used for focus adjustment is changed. The process of changing the AF frame in the eyepiece state has already been described in the first embodiment using FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), and thus will be omitted.

In S306, the input release of the SW1 signal, that is, the off (half-press release) of the shutter button is detected. If the off of the shutter button is not detected, the processes of S304 to S306 are repeated, and if the off of the shutter button is detected, the process proceeds to S307. In S307, the timing of the SW1 off timer is started. A predetermined time length (for example, 6 seconds or the like) is set in advance for the SW1 off timer. The touch operation is detected even during the timing of the SW1 off timer, and when the touch operation is detected in S308, the same processing as in S305 is executed in S309.

When the timing of the SW1 off timer is completed in S310, the process proceeds to S311 and the processes of S308 to S310 are repeated until the timing is completed. By setting the SW1 timer to zero seconds, the touch detection area can be switched to vertical position shooting only while the shutter button for vertical position shooting is held. When the SW1 off timer is set to a short time length, it is possible to improve the operability of the user who frequently changes the gripping state of the image pickup apparatus to take a picture. Further, by setting the SW1 off timer to a long time length, it is possible to improve the operability of a user who wants to frequently change the AF frame during shooting while maintaining a constant gripping state.

In S311, the touch detection area changed to the setting for vertical position shooting in S303 is returned to the setting for horizontal position shooting before the change.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the operability of the touch operation according to the posture state of the image pickup apparatus can be improved as in the first embodiment. In particular, it is possible to improve the operability of the user who frequently changes the gripping state of the image pickup apparatus to take a picture.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, the touch detection area is set by detecting the gripping state of the image pickup apparatus. Since the configuration of the image pickup apparatus of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, the detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the setting process of the touch detection area in the third embodiment. The processing of each step in this flowchart is realized by the system control unit 50 expanding the program stored in the non-volatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing the program.

First, the eyepiece detection state is determined by S401. Specifically, the eyepiece detection unit 57 determines whether or not the user is in the eyepiece state looking into the eyepiece finder 16. If it is determined that the user is looking into the eyepiece finder 16, the process proceeds to S402, and if it is determined that the user is not looking into the eyepiece finder 16, the process proceeds to S403.

In S402, which of the horizontal position shooting grip unit 90 and the vertical position shooting grip unit 390 is gripped based on the detection results of the grip detection unit 58 of the image pickup apparatus 100 and the grip detection unit 358 of the vertical position shooting grip 300. , Or determine if neither is being held. If it is determined that the user is not gripping either grip portion, the process proceeds to S403. If the grip portion 90 for horizontal position shooting is gripped, the process proceeds to S404, and if the grip portion 390 for vertical position shooting is gripped, the process proceeds to S405.

In S403, the touch detection area of the touch panel 70a is set to the entire surface (entire area), and the process proceeds to S406.

In S404, the setting for horizontal position shooting of the touch detection area is maintained (the setting is not changed). Then proceed to S407.

In S405, the setting of the touch detection area is switched from the setting for horizontal position shooting to the setting for vertical position shooting. Then proceed to S407.

Touch operation is detected in S406. If the touch operation is detected, the process proceeds to S408, and if not detected, the process ends. In S408, the AF frame used for focus adjustment is changed and various shooting function items are set. The control by the touch operation in this case is the absolute coordinate control described with reference to FIG. 5 (a).

In S407, the touch operation is detected. If the touch operation is detected, the process proceeds to S409, and if not detected, the process ends. In S409, the AF frame used for focus adjustment is changed. The user changes the AF frame used for focus adjustment by using the liquid crystal display unit 41 in the finder and the touch panel 70a while removing the eyepiece finder 16. In this case, the control by the touch operation can be appropriately selected by the user from the absolute coordinate control described with reference to FIG. 5 (a) and the relative coordinate control described with reference to FIG. 5 (b). In S409, since the user operates the touch panel 70a by a blind operation while removing the eyepiece finder 16, it is considered that the operability is often better when the relative coordinate control is used.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the operability of the touch operation according to the posture state of the image pickup apparatus can be improved as in the first embodiment. In particular, by detecting the gripping state of the image pickup device, it becomes possible to automatically set an appropriate touch detection area on the touch panel before the shutter button is pressed.

(Other embodiments)
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. The computer is composed of a processor such as a CPU or an MPU, for example. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. The computer program itself for realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiment is also one of the present inventions.

50 System control unit 61,361 Shutter button 70 Operation unit 90 Horizontal position shooting grip part 100 Imaging device 300 Vertical position shooting grip 390 Vertical position shooting grip part

Claims (12)

It ’s an image pickup device.
A first operating means for receiving a shooting instruction and a first operating means for using the image pickup device in the first posture state.
A second operating means for receiving a shooting instruction and a second operating means for using the image pickup device in the second posture state.
A setting means for setting a touch detection area for detecting a touch operation on the touch panel to a part of the entire area of the touch panel, and
It is provided with a changing means for changing the focus adjustment position according to the touch operation for the set touch detection area.
The setting means sets the touch detection area at a different position depending on whether the operation for the first operating means is performed or the operation for the second operating means is performed .
When the operation for the second operating means is performed, the setting means views the touch panel from the front with respect to the first area which is the touch detection area when the operation for the first operating means is performed. A second region rotated 90 ° clockwise is set as the touch detection region, and a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation was turned off after the operation for the second operating means was performed. , The setting of the touch detection area is returned to the first area.
An imaging device characterized by this. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second posture state is a posture state in which the image pickup apparatus is rotated by 90 ° from the first posture state. Claim 1 or claim 2 is characterized in that the setting means selects the touch detection area to be set when an operation for the first operating means is performed according to a user instruction from a plurality of patterns prepared in advance. The image pickup apparatus according to the above. The image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the focus adjustment position is a position of an AF frame used for focus adjustment at the time of shooting. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the operation for the first operating means and the operation for the second operating means are operations for instructing preparation for shooting. One of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the setting means determines whether an operation on the first operating means has been performed or an operation on the second operating means has been performed. The image pickup apparatus according to the above. The setting means determines whether or not the eyepiece finder of the image pickup apparatus is in the eyepiece state, and if it is determined that the eyepiece is in the eyepiece state, whether or not an operation is performed on the first operating means is performed. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein it is determined whether or not an operation with respect to the operation means of 1 has been performed. The setting means determines whether or not the eyepiece finder of the image pickup apparatus is in the eyepiece state, and if it is determined that the eyepiece finder is not in the eyepiece state, the touch detection area is set in the entire area of the touch panel. The image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . A first grip portion for gripping in the first posture state and a second grip portion for gripping in the second posture state are further provided.
One of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the first operating means is provided in the vicinity of the first grip portion, and the second operating means is provided in the vicinity of the second grip portion. The imaging device according to the section. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the second grip portion is removable from the image pickup apparatus. A program for making a computer function as the setting means and the changing means of the image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . An image pickup device including a first operation unit for receiving a shooting instruction for using the device main body in the first posture state, and a second operation unit for receiving a shooting instruction for using the device main body in the second posture state. It is a control method of
A setting step for setting a touch detection area for detecting a touch operation on the touch panel to a part of the entire area of the touch panel, and
The setting step has a change step of changing the focus adjustment position in response to a touch operation on the set touch detection area, and the setting step includes a case where an operation is performed on the first operation unit and a second operation unit. The touch detection area is set to a different position depending on whether the operation is performed on the above.
In the setting step, when the operation for the second operation unit is performed, the touch panel is viewed from the front with respect to the first area which is the touch detection area when the operation for the first operation unit is performed. A second area rotated 90 ° clockwise is set as the touch detection area, and a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation was turned off after the operation for the second operation unit was performed. , The setting of the touch detection area is returned to the first area.
A control method for an image pickup apparatus, characterized in that.

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