JP7120235B2 - IMAGING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGING DEVICE, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present technology relates to the technical field of imaging devices. In particular, the present invention relates to an imaging apparatus in which at least one display unit for displaying a captured image is provided inside the viewfinder and at least one outside the viewfinder.

Some imaging devices such as cameras and video cameras are provided with a finder. Some of them are provided with a so-called EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) in which a monitor is provided within the viewfinder. Such a monitor in the finder displays a through image (monitoring image of an object) at the time of imaging, and is used by the photographer to select the object to be imaged and determine the timing.
Further, some imaging apparatuses having a monitor in the viewfinder have another monitor such as a rear monitor provided at the rear of the housing (on the side of the photographer).
2. Description of the Related Art In an imaging apparatus having a plurality of monitors, when a through image or the like is displayed on one of the monitors, display on the other monitors may be stopped due to problems such as power consumption. In such a case, monitor display switching is performed at a specific timing.

Further, in a digital camera equipped with both a rear monitor and an EVF monitor, the screen sizes of the rear monitor and the EVF monitor are generally different, and the display data used are also different.
For this reason, there are devices in which dedicated display data lines are connected to the rear monitor and the EVF monitor, respectively.
However, if display data lines are provided for two monitors, an IC (Integrated Circuit) such as a processor that operates as a control unit of the camera is increased in size, which may increase the size of the substrate.

In order to solve this problem, there is a common display data line for sending display data to two monitors. However, by sharing the display data line, processing such as stopping other monitors while transmitting display data to one monitor becomes necessary from the viewpoint of power consumption. Due to such start processing and stop processing, there is a risk that it will take a long time until an appropriate captured image is displayed on the monitor that the user wants to see.
In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200001 discloses an imaging apparatus that devises timing for performing switching control of display images. Specifically, when starting the control to turn off the display of the monitor that is not in use, the control to switch to the captured image corresponding to the monitor to be used (that is, the display image switching control) is started.

JP 2014-14046 A

However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, display-off control for one monitor and display-on control for the other monitor are sequentially executed. ) may not be sufficiently shortened.
Therefore, an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology aims at shortening the display waiting time at the time of monitor switching and improving convenience.

An imaging device according to the present technology includes a first display unit, a second display unit, a first command signal line for transmitting an instruction to start and stop the first display unit, and the second display unit. a second command signal line for transmitting start and stop instructions for the first display unit and second display data for the second display unit; a display data line that transmits to a second display unit through a common path; and a control unit that controls display data transmitted to the first display unit and the second display unit through the display data line , Through the first command signal line so that activation of the first display unit is completed during display of the second display data transmitted through the display data line in the second display unit, the control unit a switching process of issuing an activation instruction to the first display unit and switching display data to be transmitted over the display data line from the second display data to the first display data after the completion of activation of the first display unit; 2 to instruct the display unit 2 to stop .
This eliminates the need to separately provide a display data line for the first display data and a display data line for the second display data.

The control unit of the above-described imaging device controls the first command signal line through the first command signal line when the second display unit is displaying the second display data transmitted through the display data line. A start instruction may be issued to the display unit, a switching process for switching the display data transmitted through the display data line from the second display data to the first display data, and a stop instruction to the second display unit may be performed.
As a result, the display data switching process is performed before the second display unit stop process is performed.

In the imaging device described above, the first display data and the second display data may have different resolutions.
As a result, it is possible to shorten the waiting time at the time of switching even for display data having different resolutions.

In the imaging device described above, the first display section may be provided within the viewfinder, and the second display section may be provided outside the viewfinder.
In this case, since the possibility that the user sees both the first display section and the second display section at the same time is low, it is necessary for the user to issue a stop instruction to the display section that the user is not visually recognizing. is valid.

The imaging device described above includes a first measurement unit capable of measuring a distance between the first display unit and the user, and the control unit uses the measurement result of the first measurement unit to issue the activation instruction, The switching process and the timing of performing the stop instruction may be determined.
The measured distance can be used to determine whether the user is viewing the first display.

The imaging device described above includes a second measurement unit capable of measuring a change in the orientation of the housing of the imaging device, and the control unit uses the change in orientation measured by the second measurement unit to issue the activation instruction. , the switching process, and the timing of performing the stop instruction may be determined.
By making it possible to measure changes in the posture of the housing of the imaging device, it is possible to use the measurement result to identify the display unit viewed by the user.

The first measurement unit of the imaging device may measure the distance using a proximity sensor.
By using a sensor such as a proximity sensor, it is possible to recognize the distance between the user and the display unit, and to use it for determining future timing.

The second measurement unit of the imaging device may measure the change in posture using a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor.
This makes it possible to measure changes in the attitude of the imaging device, and to use it to determine the timing of each process.

When the distance measured by the first measuring unit is shorter than the first distance and longer than the second distance, the control unit of the imaging device performs the activation instruction, and the measured distance is the first distance. 2, the switching process and the stop instruction may be performed.
That is, when the distance between the first display section and the user is longer than the second distance but shorter than the first distance, an instruction to activate the first display section is issued.

The control unit of the imaging device may transmit a clock signal and a synchronization signal to the first display unit and the second display unit through separate signal lines.
By sending different clock signals and synchronization signals to the first display section and the second display section, the first display section and the second display section can be controlled independently.

The control unit of the imaging device may issue a first black image display instruction to display a black image on the first display unit.
This makes it possible to display a black image on the first display unit, for example, in a state where the second display data for the second display unit is input to the first display unit.

In the imaging device described above, the first black image display instruction may be an instruction to display a black image on the first display unit until the switching process is completed.
The display data input to the first display unit after the activation of the first display unit is either the first display data or the second display data until the display data switching process is completed.

The control unit of the imaging device may issue a second black image display instruction to display a black image on the second display unit.
This makes it possible to display a black image on the second display unit, for example, in a state where the first display data for the first display unit is input to the second display unit.

In the imaging device described above, the second black image display instruction may be an instruction to display a black image on the second display unit from the start of switching display data.
In the process of switching the display data from the second display data to the first display data, the display data input to the second display section is either the first display data or the second display data.

The control unit of the imaging device may issue the stop instruction after issuing the second black image display instruction.
As a result, after the black image is displayed on the second display unit, the process transitions to the stop process.

The control unit of the imaging device controls the frame rate of the first synchronization signal to be transmitted to the first display unit during the activation period of the first display unit based on the activation instruction, to the second display unit. may be higher than the frame rate of the second synchronization signal transmitted to the
Thereby, activation of the first display unit is performed using a relatively high frame rate.

The imaging device described above includes a tilt sensor that detects the position or orientation of the second display unit with respect to the housing of the imaging device, and the control unit uses the position information or the orientation information detected by the tilt sensor to It may be determined whether or not to issue the activation instruction.
For example, it is possible to detect a state in which the second display section is moving from the retracted position to the extended position. In the state where the second display unit is moved to the protruding position, the possibility that the user is viewing the second display unit is high, and the possibility that the user is viewing the first display unit is high. considered low.

The control unit of the imaging apparatus may determine whether to issue the activation instruction using mode information regarding an imaging mode or a playback mode.
For example, it is possible not to issue an activation instruction to the first display section while the imaging device is being used in the playback mode.

According to the present technology, it is possible to shorten the display waiting time at the time of monitor switching and improve convenience.
Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and may be any of the effects described in the present disclosure.

1 is a perspective view of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present technology; FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the rear monitor is positioned at an extended position; 1 is a block diagram of an imaging device; FIG. FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of a control unit, a rear monitor, and an EVF monitor; 4 is a state transition diagram of a rear monitor and an EVF monitor; FIG. FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of an imaging device to be compared with the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing state transitions in an imaging device to be compared with the present embodiment; FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of an imaging device to be compared with the present embodiment; 4A and 4B are diagrams showing state transitions in the image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of state transition processing; 4 is a flowchart of state transition processing; 4 is a flowchart of state transition processing; 9 is a flowchart of EVF monitor stop processing; 7 is a flowchart of rear monitor switching and EVF monitor stop processing. 10 is a flowchart of rear monitor start-up and EVF monitor stop processing. 8 is a flowchart of rear monitor switching processing. 10 is a flowchart of rear monitor activation processing. 9 is a flowchart of EVF monitor standby processing; 9 is a flowchart of EVF monitor activation processing; 9 is a flowchart of EVF monitor switching processing; 10 is a flowchart of rear monitor stop processing. 9 is a flowchart of EVF monitor high-speed standby processing; 10 is a flowchart of EVF monitor high-speed activation processing; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of shortening the boot transition time;

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in the following order with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<1. Configuration of Imaging Device>
<2. State transition>
<3. Comparison with each example>
<4. Each processing>
<5. Speed up>
<6. Summary>
<7. This technology>

In the following description, a digital camera (also simply referred to as a camera) will be taken as an example of an imaging device referred to in the claims.
Also, the user side of the camera is referred to as the rear, and the subject side is referred to as the front. Then, the horizontal direction as seen from the user of the camera is described.

<1. Configuration of Imaging Device>
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of an imaging device 1 according to this embodiment.
The imaging device 1 has a camera housing 2 having an internal space in which a substrate and the like is arranged, and a lens housing 3 attached to the front of the camera housing 2 and having a lens group arranged therein. there is
The camera housing 2 is provided with an EVF 4 at the top and a rear monitor 5 at the rear. The camera housing 2 is provided with various operators 6 for picking up an image of a subject and checking the picked-up image. Specifically, for example, a playback menu activation button, enter button, cross key, cancel button, zoom key, slide key, shutter button (release button), and the like.

The EVF 4 includes an EVF monitor 7 that can be viewed from behind, and a frame-shaped enclosure 8 that protrudes rearward so as to surround the upper side and left and right sides of the EVF monitor 7 . That is, the EVF monitor 7 is provided within the finder.

The rear monitor 5 is rotatable with respect to the camera housing 2 . For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower end portion of the rear monitor 5 is rotatable about the upper end portion of the rear monitor 5 as a rotation axis so as to move rearward.
The right end or left end of the rear monitor 5 may be used as the rotation axis. Furthermore, it may be rotatable in a plurality of directions.
The position of the rear monitor 5 in a state in which the rear monitor 5 is housed in a recess provided in the rear surface of the camera housing 2 is defined as a "storage position", and the rear monitor in a state in which the rear monitor 5 is rotated and protrudes from the recess. The position of 5 is defined as the "projection position".

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the imaging device 1. As shown in FIG. The imaging device 1 includes an optical system 50, an image sensor 51, a control section 52, a memory 53, a lens driver 54, an operation section 55, a detection section 56, a storage section 57, a communication section 58, and the like.

The optical system 50 includes various lenses such as an incident end lens, a zoom lens, a focus lens, and a condensing lens, an aperture mechanism, and the like. The aperture mechanism controls exposure by adjusting the aperture of the lens and iris (diaphragm) so that sensing is performed within the dynamic range without signal charge saturation.

The image sensor 51 is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.
The sensor surface of the image sensor 51 has a sensing element in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged in a repeating pattern.
The image sensor 51 detects light that has passed through the optical system 50 with a sensing element, and outputs a measurement signal (captured image signal) corresponding to the amount of light to the control unit 52 .

The control unit 52 converts an analog signal (captured image signal) sent from the image sensor 51 into a digital signal and performs various kinds of signal processing.
For example, the digital signal is subjected to gamma correction, knee correction, distortion correction, color correction, edge enhancement processing, resolution conversion, various codec processing, image blur correction processing, and the like.
Various codec processes are encoding processes for recording or communication, for example, on image data whose resolution has been converted.

The control unit 52 is configured by a microcomputer (arithmetic processing unit) including a memory 53 and a CPU.
The memory 53 is, for example, various types of memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and flash memory (nonvolatile memory).
The RAM is used for temporary storage of data, programs, etc. as a work area for various data processing of the CPU.
The ROM and flash memory are used to store an OS (Operating System) for the CPU to control each part, content files such as image files, application programs for various operations, firmware, and the like. For example, a program or the like for executing EVF start-up processing and stop processing, which will be described later in this example, is stored.

The overall control of the imaging apparatus 1 is performed by the CPU executing programs stored in ROM, flash memory, or the like.
Further, the control unit 52 controls the optical system 50 via the lens driver 54 to perform control such as zoom operation, focus operation, and exposure adjustment.
In addition, in the present embodiment, by giving various instructions to a plurality of monitors provided in the imaging apparatus 1, convenience for the user is improved.

The operation unit 55 is realized by various operation elements 6, 6, . . . shown in FIGS.
Further, various operations may be enabled by touch panel operation using icons, menus, etc. displayed on the rear monitor 5 and a touch panel.
The control unit 52 controls operations of necessary units such as an imaging operation, a recording operation, a playback operation of a recorded image file, and a user interface operation according to user's operation.

The detection unit 56 detects that the user's face approaches the EVF monitor 7 using one or more types of sensors. For example, by detecting the distance between the user and the camera housing 2 or the EVF monitor 7 using the proximity sensor 59, the proximity of the user's face is directly detected. In the following description, the proximity sensor 59 that outputs the degree of proximity between the EVF monitor 7 and an object will be described as an example.
Moreover, not only direct detection but also indirect detection may be performed. Specifically, for example, an acceleration sensor 60 capable of detecting the posture of the camera housing 2 detects the action of the user holding the imaging device 1, thereby indirectly detecting the action of looking into the EVF monitor 7. FIG. The change in attitude referred to here includes not only changes such as inclination of the camera housing 2 but also changes in position. Therefore, even if the position of the camera housing 2 changes without changing the inclination of the camera housing 2 , the peeping action may be detected indirectly by detecting the change in the position of the camera housing 2 .
In addition, by detecting that the user touches the shutter button of the imaging device 1 using the electrostatic sensor 61, the operation of looking into the EVF monitor 7 is indirectly detected.

In addition to detecting the operation of looking into the EVF monitor 7, the state in which the EVF monitor 7 is not being looked into may also be detected. For example, the tilt sensor 62 may be used to detect the angle of the rear monitor 5 with respect to the camera housing 2 to detect the state of viewing the rear monitor 5 . It can be assumed that the state in which the rear monitor 5 is visually recognized is the state in which the EVF monitor 7 is not looked into.
Note that the tilt sensor may be configured to detect the position of the EVF monitor 7 with respect to the camera housing 2 instead of detecting the angle of the camera housing 2 .

The storage unit 57 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory, and functions as a storage area for storing image files (content files) such as still image data and moving image data, image file attribute information, thumbnail images, and the like.
Image files are stored in formats such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), and GIF (Graphics Interchange Format).
The actual form of the storage unit 57 can be considered in various ways. For example, the storage unit 57 may be configured as a flash memory built into the imaging device 1, or a memory card (for example, a portable flash memory) that can be attached to and detached from the imaging device 1, and storage and reading from the memory card. and an access unit for performing access for. Moreover, it may be implemented as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like as a form incorporated in the imaging apparatus 1 .

The communication unit 58 performs wired or wireless data communication and network communication with external devices.
For example, captured image data (still image files and moving image files) are transmitted and received between external display devices, recording devices, and reproducing devices.
Also, as a network communication unit, for example, the Internet, a home network, a LAN (Local Area Network), etc., can be used for communication via various networks, and various data can be sent and received to and from servers, terminals, etc. on the network. good.

The operation of the controller 52 with respect to the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 will be described with reference to FIG.
The controller 52 is connected to the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 via various signal lines.
A command signal line 70 for transmitting commands, a clock signal line 71 for transmitting clock signals, and a synchronizing signal (horizontal synchronizing signal) for displaying display data are provided from the control unit 52 to the EVF monitor 7 . and vertical synchronizing signal), and a display data line 73 for transmitting display data.
The display data line 73 is configured to allow parallel transmission of multi-bit signals. For example, by providing 24 display data lines 73, 24-bit data can be transmitted in parallel.
The display data line 73 is connected not only to the EVF monitor 7 but also to the rear monitor 5 . Therefore, display data is commonly transmitted from the control unit 52 to the EVF monitor 7 and the rear monitor 5 .

A command signal line 80 for transmitting commands, a clock signal line 81 for transmitting clock signals, and a synchronization signal (horizontal synchronization signal) for displaying display data are provided from the control unit 52 to the rear monitor 5 . and vertical synchronizing signal) are provided.

<2. State transition>
Next, states that the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 can take under the control of the control unit 52 will be described with reference to FIG.
Display data is commonly transmitted from the control unit 52 to the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 as described above. The display data is either display data for the rear monitor 5 (hereinafter referred to as "rear monitor display data") or display data for the EVF monitor 7 (hereinafter referred to as "EVF monitor display data"). .
The display data for the rear monitor and the display data for the EVF monitor are image data with different resolutions. In some cases, the display data for the rear monitor has a higher resolution, and if the display data for the EVF monitor has a higher resolution. There is also
For the rear monitor 5, there is a possibility that the image data may not be displayed correctly when the display data for the EVF monitor is received. Similarly, the EVF monitor 7 may not display the image data correctly when it receives the display data for the rear monitor.

Therefore, the control unit 52 controls the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 to be in one of three states. Specifically, each monitor can be in three states: "stop state", "standby state", and "display state".

For example, the "stopped state" of the rear monitor 5 is a state in which the clock signal line 81 and the synchronization signal lines 82H and 82V are not applied with signals and the rear monitor 5 is not activated.

In the "standby state" of the rear monitor 5, the clock signal for the rear monitor 5 is applied by the clock signal line 81 and the synchronization signal for the rear monitor 5 is applied by the synchronization signal lines 82H and 82V. A “black image display command” is transmitted by the control unit 52 .
A “black image display command” is a command for displaying a black image regardless of which display data is input via the display data line 73 . Therefore, the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 are configured to allow the black image to run on its own when receiving the "black image display command" from the control unit 52 via the command signal line 70 or the command signal line 80. It is

The "display state" of the rear monitor 5 is a state in which a clock signal for the rear monitor 5 is applied by the clock signal line 81 and a synchronization signal for the rear monitor 5 is applied by the synchronization signal lines 82H and 82V. In addition, the display data for the rear monitor is received via the display data line 73, and the black image display command is not received.

The control unit 52 determines whether or not the user is looking into the EVF monitor 7, and transmits various commands to the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 according to the determination result.

In the following description, applying the clock signal for the rear monitor 5 to the rear monitor 5 via the clock signal line 81 is simply referred to as "applying the rear monitor clock signal". Similarly, applying the horizontal synchronizing signal and the vertical synchronizing signal for the rear monitor 5 to the rear monitor 5 via the synchronizing signal lines 82H and 82V is described as "applying the rear monitor synchronizing signal". Also, the transmission of the start command to the rear monitor 5 via the command signal line 80 is described as "transmit the start command to the rear monitor 5", "instruct the rear monitor 5 to start", and the like. The transmission of rear monitor display data to each monitor via the display data line 73 is simply described as "transmit rear monitor display data". Switching the display data to be transmitted to each monitor via the display data line 73 from the display data for the rear monitor to the display data for the EVF monitor is simply described as "switching to the display data for the rear monitor".

When the imaging apparatus 1 is powered off, both the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 are in a stopped state (State=0).
When the imaging device 1 is powered on, power is supplied to each part and the rear monitor 5 is put into a display state (State=1). At this time, the EVF monitor 7 remains stopped.

In the state of State=1, if it is not detected that the user is looking into the EVF monitor 7, the state of State=1 is maintained.
In the state of State=1, when it is detected that the user is looking into the EVF monitor 7 or is going to look into it, the EVF monitor 7 is placed in the standby state while the rear monitor 5 remains in the display state. (State=2), or the rear monitor 5 is placed in the standby state and the EVF monitor 7 is placed in the display state (State=3).

In the state of State=2, when it is detected that the user has not looked into the EVF monitor 7 for a long time, the EVF monitor 7 is stopped (State=1).
In addition, in the state of State=2, when the user is likely to look into the EVF monitor 7, the state of State=2 is maintained and the state of looking into the EVF monitor 7 is detected. In this case, the rear monitor 5 is placed in the standby state and the EVF monitor 7 is placed in the display state (State=3).

In the state of State=3, if it is detected that the user is looking into the EVF monitor 7, the state of State=3 is maintained or the rear monitor 5 is stopped (State = 4).
In the state of State=3, when it is detected that the user is not looking into the EVF monitor 7, the rear monitor 5 is set to the display state and the EVF monitor 7 is set to the standby state (State=2), Alternatively, the rear monitor 5 is set to the display state and the EVF monitor 7 is set to the stop state (State=1).

In the state of State=4, when it is detected that the user continues to look into the EVF monitor 7, the state of State=4 is maintained. Further, when it is detected that the user is not looking into the EVF monitor 7 in the state of State=4, the rear monitor 5 is set to the display state and the EVF monitor 7 is set to the standby state (State=2). ), or the rear monitor 5 is set to the display state and the EVF monitor 7 is set to the stopped state (State=1).

When the imaging device 1 is turned off from each of the states of State=1, 2, 3, and 4, it transitions to the state of State=0.

<3. Comparison with each example>
By the way, when an imaging apparatus different from the imaging apparatus 1 described in the following embodiments has a plurality of monitors such as the rear monitor 105 and the EVF monitor 107, and switches the display monitor according to the behavior of the user. A configuration as shown in FIG. 6 is conceivable for .
Specifically, a command signal line 170 for transmitting commands, a clock signal line 171 for transmitting clock signals, and a synchronization signal for displaying display data are connected between the control unit 152 and the EVF monitor 107. and a display data line 173 for transmitting display data. Furthermore, the command signal line 170 , clock signal line 171 , synchronization signal lines 172 H and 172 V, and display data line 173 are also connected to the rear monitor 105 .
That is, each signal line is shared between the rear monitor 105 and the EVF monitor 107 .

In such a configuration, when switching the display from the rear monitor 105 to the EVF monitor 107, for example, the flow is as shown in FIG.
In the display state of the rear monitor 105 , the control unit 152 instructs the rear monitor 105 to stop the display by transmitting a stop command to the rear monitor 105 . Upon receiving the stop command, the rear monitor 105 shifts to a stop transition state in which processing for stopping display is performed.
In the stop transition state of the rear monitor 105, the clock signal and synchronization signal for the rear monitor must be applied from the control unit 152 via the clock signal line 171 and the synchronization signal lines 172H and 172V. The synchronization signal cannot be switched for the EVF monitor 107.
Also, if the clock and sync signals are for the rear monitor, the EVF monitor 107 cannot transition to the startup transition state.

When the rear monitor 105 completes the stop transition and enters the stop state, the control unit 152 switches the clock signal and synchronization signal for the EVF monitor 107 . By switching the clock signal and the synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor 107, the EVF monitor 107 can start up for the first time.
Therefore, the control unit 152 issues an activation instruction by transmitting an activation command to the EVF monitor 107 .
The EVF monitor 107 that has received the activation command transits to the display state through the activation transition state.

As shown in FIG. 7, the period from when the control unit 152 transmits the stop command to the rear monitor 105 to when the activation transition state of the EVF monitor 107 ends is defined as a monitor non-display period in which neither monitor can be viewed. there is
Therefore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 6 in which each signal line is shared between the rear monitor 105 and the EVF monitor 107, the monitor non-display period is long due to the above-described time-series restrictions. There is a problem that can occur. If the non-display period becomes long, the through image may not be displayed even though the user is looking into the EVF monitor 107 and trying to find the timing to capture the image, and the timing to capture the image may be missed. Further, if the through image is not displayed for too long while the user is looking into the EVF monitor 107, the user may feel frustrated.

Therefore, in an imaging apparatus having a plurality of monitors such as the rear monitor 205 and the EVF monitor 207, the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is also conceivable. Specifically, a command signal line 270 for transmitting commands, a clock signal line 271 for transmitting clock signals, and a synchronization signal for displaying display data are connected between the control unit 252 and the EVF monitor 207. and a display data line 273 for transmitting display data.
A command signal line 280 for transmitting commands, a clock signal line 281 for transmitting clock signals, and a synchronization signal for displaying display data are transmitted between the control unit 252 and the rear monitor 205. There are provided two synchronous signal lines 282H and 282V for the display data transmission, and a display data line 283 for transmitting the display data.

By providing all the signal lines independently in this way, the rear monitor 205 and the EVF monitor 207 can be started and stopped independently, so that the monitor non-display period can be shortened.

However, in the imaging device configured as shown in FIG. 8, the number of signal lines provided in the IC operating as the control unit 252 increases, so the size of the IC and the substrate on which the IC is mounted are also large. becomes. As a result, the size of the imaging device itself is increased.
In addition, if control is performed so as to eliminate the monitor display period by always keeping a plurality of monitors in the display state without switching the monitor, the power consumption increases and the size of the battery attached to the imaging device increases. There is a risk of causing a problem, and a risk of reducing the imaging time and the number of captured images.

By comparison, according to the configuration of the imaging device 1 shown in the present embodiment, the number of signal lines (one clock signal line and two synchronizing signal lines) can be suppressed to an increase of only three compared to the configuration shown in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the size of the IC becomes extremely large as in the case where the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is adopted.
In addition, since the clock signal line 81 and synchronous signal lines 82H and 82V for the rear monitor 5 and the clock signal line 71 and synchronous signal lines 72H and 72V for the EVF monitor 7 are provided separately, switching between the monitors can be easily performed. Speeding up can be achieved.

Specifically, a description will be given with reference to FIG. Note that each timing is indicated by t1 to t5 in the figure.
FIG. 9 shows a case where the monitor on which display data is displayed is switched from the rear monitor 5 to the EVF monitor 7 according to the behavior of the user.
First, the control unit 52 starts applying the EVF monitor clock signal and the EVF monitor synchronization signal while the rear monitor 5 is in the display state (t1). As a result, the EVF monitor 7 can be activated, and the control unit 52 transmits an activation command and a black image display command to the EVF monitor 7 to issue an activation instruction and a black image display instruction (t1).
The EVF monitor 7 that has received the activation command is activated through the activation transition state (t1 to t2), but since it has received the black image display command, it transitions to the black image display state in which the black image is self-running. (t2).

Next, the control unit 52 transmits a black image display command and a stop command to the rear monitor 5 to give a stop instruction (t3). As a result, the rear monitor 5 transitions to the stop transition state while free-running the black image (t3 to t5), and transitions to the stop state (t5). In response to the transition of the rear monitor 5 to the stopped state, the application of the rear monitor clock signal and the rear monitor synchronization signal is stopped (t5).
Further, the control unit 52 instructs the rear monitor 5 to stop, and switches the display data to be transmitted using the display data line 73 to the display data for the EVF monitor (t3). After the switching process is completed, the display data for the EVF monitor is transmitted to both monitors through the display data line 73 (after t4).

After the switching, the control unit 52 sends a black image cancel command to the EVF monitor 7 to instruct to end the black image display (t4).
Upon receipt of the instruction, the EVF monitor 7 stops running the black image and displays the received EVF monitor display data on the monitor.
Therefore, the monitor non-display period during which display data is not displayed on both monitors is substantially the same as the switching time of the display data transmitted using the display data line 73 (that is, from t3 to t4).
That is, the monitor non-display period can be shortened.
Hereinafter, the timing of each instruction performed by the control unit 52 will be specifically described.

<4. Each processing>
Each process executed by the control unit 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 21 .
10, 11 and 12 show the state of the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 controlled by the control unit 52 according to the detection value of the proximity sensor 59 provided in the detection unit 56 after the imaging device 1 is powered on. is a flowchart of state transition processing for changing the .

The controller 52 uses two variables when using the proximity sensor 59 . One of the variables is a counter that counts the time during which the EVF monitor 7 is not being looked into, and is referred to as a detection counter CT1. The detection counter CT1 is used to determine whether the EVF monitor 7 should be in a standby state or in a stopped state. The detection counter CT1 is a counter mainly used in State=2.
Another variable is a counter that counts the time during which the EVF monitor 7 is continuously viewed, and this is designated as a detection counter CT2. The detection counter CT2 is used to determine whether the rear monitor 5 is in a standby state or in a stopped state. The detection counter CT2 is a counter mainly used in State=3.
In addition, the control unit 52 manages State variables representing combinations of the states of the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 in order to execute the processing shown in each drawing. The State variable is a numerical value between 0 and 4 as described above.

When the imaging device 1 is powered on, the control unit 52 executes initialization processing in step S101 shown in FIG. In the initialization process, the detection counter CT1 and the detection counter CT2 are initialized to 0 first. Also, to the rear monitor 5, a rear monitor clock signal and a rear monitor synchronization signal are applied.
Furthermore, in the initialization process, a start command is transmitted to the rear monitor 5, and the state is changed from State=0 to State=1. That is, the State variable is set to 1. At this time, the rear monitor display data is transmitted to each monitor.
In addition, in the initialization processing, activation processing of each unit necessary for using the imaging apparatus 1 is executed, but details thereof are omitted.

Subsequently, in step S102, the control unit 52 uses the output of the tilt sensor 62 to determine whether or not the rear monitor 5 is positioned at the extended position. The examples shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 are examples in which the tilt sensor 62 is used in addition to the proximity sensor 59, and steps S102 to S104 are not performed when state transition processing is performed using only the proximity sensor 59. may
When it is detected that the rear monitor 5 is positioned at the extended position, the controller 52 transitions to State=1 in step S103. The process of step S103 may be executed not only in the state of State=1 immediately after the activation process, but also in any of the states of State=2, 3, and 4. Therefore, processing is executed according to the current state.

Note that if the state is already State=1, nothing needs to be executed.
If the state is State=2, the control unit 52 executes "EVF monitor stop processing" shown in FIG. 13 as transition processing in step S103. That is, the control unit 52 transmits a stop command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S201, and stops transmission of the EVF monitor clock signal and the EVF monitor synchronization signal in step S202.

If the state is State=3, the control unit 52 executes the "rear monitor switching and EVF monitor stop processing" shown in FIG. 14 as the transition processing of S103. That is, the control unit 52 transmits a black image display command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S301. This is because the monitor to be displayed is changed from the EVF monitor 7 to the rear monitor 5, so that an inappropriate image is not displayed on the EVF monitor 7. FIG.

Subsequently, in step S302, the control unit 52 transmits an EVF monitor stop instruction command. As a result, the EVF monitor 7 is stopped after transitioning to the stop transition state.
Next, in step S303, the control unit 52 performs processing for switching to the display data for the rear monitor. At this point, the rear monitor 5 is in a standby state. That is, the rear monitor 5 is activated and is in a black image display state.

Then, the control unit 52 transmits a black image cancel command to the rear monitor 5 in step S304. As a result, an image based on the display data is displayed on the rear monitor 5. Since the display data transmitted from the control unit 52 is already suitable for the rear monitor 5, the appropriate image display is performed. is done.
Finally, in response to the EVF monitor 7 being stopped, the control unit 52 stops transmission of the EVF monitor clock signal and the EVF monitor synchronization signal in step S305.

Returning to the description of step S103 in FIG. If the state is State=4 when executing step S103, the control unit 52 executes the "rear monitor activation and EVF monitor stop processing" shown in FIG. 15 as the transition processing of S103. In the state of State=4, the rear monitor 5 is in a stopped state and the EVF monitor 7 is in a display state.
Therefore, the control unit 52 first applies a rear monitor clock signal and a rear monitor synchronization signal in step S401. As a result, the rear monitor 5 can be activated.
Next, the control unit 52 transmits an activation command to the rear monitor 5 in step S402. As a result, the rear monitor 5 transitions to the startup transition state.
Then, the control unit 52 transmits a black image display command to the rear monitor 5 in step S403. As a result, even if the activation of the rear monitor 5 is finished before the display data transmitted from the control unit 52 is switched to the display data for the rear monitor, the black image is self-propelled, and an inappropriate image is displayed. It's over.

Next, the control unit 52 performs processing for stopping the EVF monitor 7 currently displaying.
First, the control unit 52 transmits a black image display command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S404, and then transmits a stop command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S405. As a result, even if the display data transmitted from the control unit 52 is switched to the display data for the rear monitor before the EVF monitor 7 is stopped, the black image is in a self-propelled state, so that an inappropriate image is displayed. You don't have to display it. Further, the EVF monitor 7 then transitions to the stop state through the stop transition state.

Subsequently, the control unit 52 performs switching processing to the display data for the rear monitor in step S406, and transmits a black image cancel command to the rear monitor 5 in step S407.
Finally, in response to the EVF monitor 7 being stopped, the control unit 52 stops transmission of the EVF monitor clock signal and the EVF monitor synchronization signal in step S408.

Returning to the description of FIG.
After executing each process for shifting to State=1 in the process of step S103, the control unit 52 changes the State variable to 1 in step S104. Note that if the State variable is already 1, the process may proceed to the next process without doing anything.
As described here, in the state where the rear monitor 5 is positioned at the projecting position, the processes of steps S102 to S104 are continuously executed.

If the rear monitor 5 is not at the extended position in step S102, the controller 52 determines whether the output from the proximity sensor 59 is smaller than the first output threshold TH1 and the rear monitor 5 is at the retracted position in the following step S105. determine whether If the tilt sensor 62 is not used, it is not necessary to determine whether the rear monitor 5 is in the retracted position.
Here, the output of the proximity sensor 59 will be described. The proximity sensor 59 is a sensor that outputs the degree of proximity between an object such as a face and the EVF monitor 7, and the closer the object is, the higher the output. The first output threshold TH1 used in step S105 is a value smaller than a second output threshold TH2, which will be described later. That is, when the output of the proximity sensor 59 is smaller than the first output threshold TH1, it is assumed that an object is detected in the distance or that the object is not detected. When the output of the proximity sensor 59 is greater than or equal to the first output threshold TH1 and less than the second output threshold TH2, the object and the EVF monitor 7 are in a state of being somewhat close to each other. When the output of the proximity sensor 59 is equal to or greater than the second output threshold TH2, the distance between the object and the EVF monitor 7 is considerably short, and it is assumed that the user is looking into the EVF monitor 7. is.

In step S105, when it is determined that the output of the proximity sensor 59 is less than the first output threshold TH1 and the rear monitor 5 is positioned at the retracted position, the control unit 52 performs each process according to the State variable. go on.
First, the control unit 52 determines whether or not the State variable is 1 in step S106. If the State variable is 1, that is, if the rear monitor 5 is in the display state and the EVF monitor 7 is in the stopped state, the process proceeds to step S102 without doing anything. It should be noted that the case where the State variable is 1 is, for example, the state immediately after power-on of the imaging apparatus 1, or the case where the user's peek into the EVF monitor 7 has not been detected.

Next, if the State variable is not 1, the control unit 52 determines whether the State variable is 2 in step S107. When the State variable is 2, that is, when the rear monitor 5 is in the display state and the EVF monitor 7 is in the standby state, the controller 52 determines in step S108 that the detection counter CT1 is equal to or less than the first counter threshold value CTH1. Determine whether or not It should be noted that the case where the State variable is 2 is, for example, a state in which it is continuously detected that the user is going to look into the EVF monitor 7 .
As described above, the detection counter CT1 is a variable that counts the time during which the EVF monitor 7 is not looking into the object. It's not that long ago. That is, since there is a possibility that the EVF monitor 7 will be looked into again, it is desirable to keep the EVF monitor 7 in a standby state.
Therefore, when the detection counter CT1 is equal to or less than the first counter threshold value CTH1, the control unit 52 performs a process of adding 1 to the detection counter CT1 in step S109, and transitions to step S117, which will be described later.
On the other hand, if the detection counter CT1 is greater than the first counter threshold value CTH1, it is determined that the possibility of looking into the EVF monitor 7 is low because a certain amount of time has passed since the operation of looking into the EVF monitor 7 was completed. Then, the control unit 52 executes "EVF monitor stop processing" (see FIG. 13) in step S110, and executes processing to set the State variable to 1 in subsequent step S111. That is, the state of State=2 is changed to the state of State=1. Since each processing shown in FIG. 13 has been described above, it will be omitted.

Subsequently, if the State variable is neither 1 nor 2, the control unit 52 determines whether the State variable is 3 in step S112.
If the State variable is 3, that is, if the rear monitor 5 is in the standby state and the EVF monitor 7 is in the display state, the control unit 52 executes "rear monitor switching processing" in step S113, and then In step S114, processing for setting the State variable to 2 is executed. That is, the state of State=3 is changed to the state of State=2.
Note that the case where the State variable is 3 is, for example, a state in which the user's peek action is detected.

Here, the "rear monitor switching process" in step S113 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the "rear monitor switching process".
In the "rear monitor switching process", first, in step S501, the control unit 52 transmits a black image display command to the EVF monitor. In the state of State=3, the rear monitor 5 is in the standby state and the EVF monitor 7 is in the display state. That is, since the clock signal and the synchronizing signal are applied to both the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7, the EVF monitor 7 can operate according to the black image display command.

Subsequently, the control unit 52 switches to the rear monitor display data in step S502, and transmits a black image cancellation command to the rear monitor 5 in step S503.
As a result, an image based on the display data is displayed on the rear monitor 5 and a black image is self-propelled on the EVF monitor 7 .
Finally, in step S504, the control unit 52 clears the detection counter CT1, which is a variable used when State=2, to zero.

Returning to the description of FIG. After executing the "rear monitor switching process", the control unit 52 executes the process of setting the State variable to 2 in the following step S114, and then proceeds to the process of step S117, which will be described later.

If the result of determination in step S112 is that the State variable is not 3, that is, if the State variable is 4, the control unit 52 executes the "rear monitor activation process" in subsequent step S115.
In the state of State=4, the rear monitor 5 is in a stopped state and the EVF monitor 7 is in a display state. This state is, for example, the case where the user's peek motion is continuously detected.
FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of the "rear monitor activation process".
First, in step S601, the control unit 52 starts applying a rear monitor clock signal and a rear monitor synchronization signal so that the rear monitor 5 can operate according to various commands.
Subsequently, the control unit 52 transmits a start command to the rear monitor 5 in step S602, and transmits a black image display command to the rear monitor 5 in step S603. As a result, the rear monitor 5 shifts to the startup transition state. Further, after the rear monitor 5 is activated, the black image is self-propelled.

Next, the control unit 52 transmits a black image display command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S604. As a result, a black image is self-running on the EVF monitor 7 .
The control unit 52 switches to the rear monitor display data in step S605, and transmits a black image cancellation command to the rear monitor 5 in step S606 in response to the activation of the rear monitor 5. FIG.
As a result, the rear monitor 5 is put into a display state, and the EVF monitor 7 is put into a standby state.
Finally, the control unit 52 performs processing to clear the detection counter CT1 to 0 in step S607.
After the "rear monitor activation process" of step S115, the control unit 52 performs a process of setting the State variable to 2 in step S116.
As a result, the imaging device 1 transitions to State=2.

If the output of the proximity sensor 59 is equal to or greater than the first output threshold TH1 in step S105, or if the rear monitor 5 is positioned at the protruding position, or if both, the control unit 52 proceeds to step S105 of FIG. The process of S117 is performed. The process of step S117 is also executed after each process of steps S109, S111, S114, and S116.

In step S117, the control unit 52 determines whether the output of the proximity sensor 59 is greater than or equal to the first output threshold TH1 and less than the second output threshold TH2, and whether the rear monitor 5 is positioned at the retracted position. If the tilt sensor 62 is not used, it is not necessary to determine whether the rear monitor 5 is in the retracted position.
A state in which the output of the proximity sensor 59 is greater than or equal to the first output threshold TH1 and less than the second output threshold TH2 is defined as a state in which the object and the EVF monitor 7 are somewhat close to each other.
Therefore, in step S117, it is determined whether or not the object and the EVF monitor 7 are close to some extent and the rear monitor 5 is positioned at the retracted position.
When the object and the EVF monitor 7 are close to some extent and the rear monitor 5 is positioned at the retracted position, there is a high possibility that the user will look into the EVF monitor 7. After performing each process according to the State variable, it transitions to the state of State=2. In the state of State=2, the EVF monitor 7 is in a standby state.

First, the control unit 52 determines whether or not the State variable is 1 in step S118.
If the State variable is 1, the control unit 52 executes "EVF monitor standby processing" in the following step S119, sets the State variable to 2 in step S120, and then proceeds to the processing of step S128, which will be described later.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the "EVF monitor standby process" in step S119.

In the "EVF monitor standby process", in step S701, the control unit 52 starts applying the EVF monitor clock signal and the EVF monitor synchronization signal so that the operation according to the command becomes possible.
Subsequently, the control unit 52 transmits a start command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S702, and transmits a black image display command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S703. As a result, the EVF monitor 7 shifts to the activation transition state, and after the activation, the black image is self-running.
After clearing the detection counter CT1 to 0 in step S704, the control unit 52 ends the "EVF monitor standby process".

Returning to the description of FIG.
If the State variable is not 1, the controller 52 determines whether or not the State variable is 2 in subsequent step S121. If the State variable is already 2, the controller 52 clears the detection counter CT1 to 0 in step S122, and then proceeds to step S128, which will be described later.

If the State variable is not even 2, the control unit 52 determines whether the State variable is 3 in step S123.
When the State variable is 3, that is, when the EVF monitor 7 is in the display state and the rear monitor 5 is in the standby state, the control unit 52 executes "rear monitor switching processing" (see FIG. 16) in step S124. Then, in step S125, the State variable is set to 2, and the process proceeds to step S128, which will be described later. Description of the "rear monitor switching process" in FIG. 16 is omitted since it has already been described.

If the State variable is not 3, that is, if the State variable is 4, the control unit 52 executes a "rear monitor activation process" (see FIG. 17) in step S126, sets the State variable to 2 in step S127, and then The process proceeds to step S128, which will be described later. Since the description of the "rear monitor activation process" in FIG. 17 has already been made, it will be omitted.

In step S117, if the output of the proximity sensor is less than the first output threshold TH1, or is greater than or equal to the second output threshold TH2, or the monitor is positioned at the extended position, the control unit 52 The determination process of step S128 in FIG. 12 is executed.
The determination process of step S128 is also executed after the processes of steps S120, S122, S125, and S127 of FIG.

In step S128, the control unit 52 determines whether or not the output of the proximity sensor 59 is equal to or greater than the second output threshold TH2, and whether or not the rear monitor 5 is at the retracted position. If the tilt sensor 62 is not used, it is not necessary to determine whether the rear monitor 5 is in the retracted position.
A state in which the output of the proximity sensor 59 is equal to or greater than the second output threshold TH2 is a state in which the user is assumed to be looking into the EVF monitor 7 . Therefore, it is necessary to transition the EVF monitor 7 to the display state.
If it is determined in step S128 that the user is assumed to be looking into the screen and the rear monitor 5 is positioned at the retracted position, the controller 52 changes the State variable to Each corresponding process is performed, and the EVF monitor 7 is changed to the display state.

First, the control unit 52 determines whether the State variable is 1 in step S129. If the State variable is 1, the control unit 52 executes "EVF activation processing" in step S130.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the "EVF monitor activation process".
In the "EVF monitor activation process", the control unit 52 starts applying the EVF monitor clock signal and the EVF monitor synchronization signal in step S801. As a result, the EVF monitor 7 can operate according to various commands transmitted by the control section 52 .
Subsequently, the control unit 52 transmits a start command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S802, and transmits a black image display command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S803.
As a result, the EVF monitor 7 shifts to the activation transition state, and after the activation, it becomes a state in which the black image is self-running.

Next, the control unit 52 transmits a black image display command to the rear monitor 5 in step S804, and switches to display data for the EVF monitor in step S805.
Next, in response to activation of the EVF monitor 7, the control unit 52 transmits a black image cancellation command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S806. As a result, an image corresponding to the display data is displayed on the EVF monitor 7 and a black image is displayed on the rear monitor 5 by itself.
Finally, the control unit 52 clears the detection counter CT2 to 0 in step S807. It should be noted that the detection counter CT2 is a counter that counts the time during which the user continues to look into the EVF monitor 7, as described above.
After setting the State variable to 3 in step S131, the control unit 52 returns to the process of step S102 shown in FIG.

If the State variable is not 1, the controller 52 determines whether the State variable is 2 in step S132.
When the State variable is 2, the control unit 52 executes "EVF monitor switching processing" in step S133. In the state of State=2, the rear monitor 5 is in the display state and the EVF monitor 7 is in the standby state.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the "EVF monitor switching process". In the "EVF monitor switching process", the control unit 52 first transmits a black image display command to the rear monitor 5 in step S901, and switches to the display data for the EVF monitor in step S902.
Subsequently, the control unit 52 transmits a black image cancellation command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S903.
As a result, the rear monitor 5 transitions from the display state to the standby state, and the EVF monitor 7 transitions from the standby state to the display state.
Finally, in step S904, the control unit 52 clears the detection counter CT2 used in the state of State=3 to zero.
The black image display command for the rear monitor 5 may be a command for starting the black image to run on its own from the start of switching to the display data for the EVF monitor. That is, an image such as a through image may be displayed until switching to the display data for the EVF monitor is started.

After completing the "EVF switching process", the control unit 52 sets the State variable to 3 in step S131, and then returns to the process of step S102 in FIG.

Returning to the description of FIG.
If the State variable is not 2, the controller 52 determines whether the State variable is 3 in step S134.
If the State variable is not 3, that is, if the State variable is 4, the control unit 52 sets the State variable to 4 in step S135 and returns to the process of step S102 in FIG. Since the State variable is already 4, the process may return to step S102 without performing the process of step S135.

When the State variable is 3, that is, when the EVF monitor 7 is in the display state and the rear monitor 5 is in the standby state, the control unit 52 changes the state to State=3 depending on how long the looking operation of the EVF monitor 7 continues. or transition to State=4.

Specifically, in step S136, the control unit 52 determines whether or not the detection counter CT2 is equal to or less than the second counter threshold value CTH2. If the detection counter CT2 is greater than the second counter threshold value CTH2, that is, if the user continues to look into the EVF monitor 7 for a certain long period of time, the controller 52 executes "rear monitor stop processing" in step S137. Run.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the "rear monitor stop processing".
In the "rear monitor stop processing", the control unit 52 transmits a rear monitor 5 stop command in step S1001. As a result, the rear monitor 5 transitions to the stop transition state. Since the rear monitor 5 is in a black image display state, an inappropriate image such as a distorted image is not displayed in the stop transition state.
Subsequently, in step S1002, the controller 52 stops applying the rear monitor clock signal and the rear monitor synchronization signal in response to the rear monitor 5 ending the stop transition state. As a result, the rear monitor 5 shifts to a stopped state.

Returning to the description of FIG.
In step S136, if the control unit 52 determines that the detection counter CT2 is equal to or less than the second counter threshold value CTH2, that is, if the user's looking into the EVF monitor 7 has not continued for a long time, the control unit 52 After adding 1 to the detection counter CT2 in S138 and setting the State variable to 3 in step S139, the process returns to step S102 in FIG. Since the State variable is already 3, the process of step S139 may not be performed.

In this way, the control unit 52 uses the State variable, the detection counter CT1, the detection counter CT2, the output value of the proximity sensor 59, or the output value of the tilt sensor 62 for detecting the orientation of the rear monitor 5, and the like. The control state of the monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 is changed.

Each processing example described above is merely an example, and the order of processing by the control unit 52 may be changed depending on the case. For example, the processing of steps S302 and S303 shown in FIG. 14 may be arranged in such a processing order that step S302 is performed after step S303. Further, when the stop transition state of the EVF monitor 7 ends while the rear monitor 5 is being activated, the process of step S304 may be performed after the process of step S305.

<5. Speed up>
The EVF monitor 7 is viewed by the user at the timing when the user wants to take an image, and it is preferable to display the display data as much as possible from the viewing operation. Therefore, the startup process of the EVF monitor 7 is speeded up.
Specifically, the "EVF monitor standby process" in step S119 of FIG. 11 is speeded up (FIG. 22), and the "EVF monitor activation process" of step S130 in FIG. 12 is speeded up (FIG. 23).

The control unit 52 executes the "EVF monitor high-speed standby process" of step S119A instead of the "EVF monitor standby process" of step S119. FIG. 22 shows a flowchart of the "EVF monitor high-speed standby process".
The control unit 52 applies the EVF monitor clock signal and the EVF monitor high-speed synchronization signal to the EVF monitor 7 in step S701A. For example, if the activation time of the EVF monitor 7 depends on the vertical synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor 7, the frame rate of the vertical synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor 7 can be set to double the frame rate of the horizontal synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor 7. It is feasible. Note that the frame rate may be tripled, quadrupled, or the like.
Subsequently, the control unit 52 transmits a start command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S702A, and transmits a black image display command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S703A. As a result, the EVF monitor 7 shifts to the activation transition state, and after the activation, the black image is self-running. Also, the time required to transition from the activation transition state to the activation state is shortened.

After step S703A, the control unit 52 applies the EVF monitor clock signal and the EVF monitor normal synchronization signal in step S704A. In this example, since only the vertical synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor 7 is doubled, the vertical synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor 7 should be set to the normal frame rate.
Finally, in step S704, the control unit 52 clears the detection counter CT1 to 0, and then ends the "EVF monitor high-speed standby process."

FIG. 24A shows normal "EVF monitor standby processing" (step S119), and FIG. 24B shows "EVF monitor high-speed standby processing" (step S119A).
As shown in the figure, in the "EVF monitor high-speed standby process", the time belonging to the startup transition is approximately half of the normal "EVF monitor standby process".

By the above processing, the activation transition time is shortened, and the transition to the standby state (the state in which the black image is self-running) is quickly made. Therefore, for example, when the user quickly looks into the EVF monitor 7, the control unit 52 can send the black image cancellation command to the EVF monitor 7 at an early stage. It is possible to shorten the time until an image based on the

Next, the "EVF monitor fast activation process" of step S130A performed instead of the "EVF monitor activation process" of step S130 will be described.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the "EVF monitor high-speed activation process".
The control unit 52 applies the EVF monitor clock signal and the EVF monitor high-speed synchronization signal to the EVF monitor 7 in step S801A. The EVF monitor high-speed synchronizing signal is, for example, a vertical synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor 7 whose frame rate is double that of the horizontal synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor 7 .

Subsequently, the control unit 52 transmits a start command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S802A, and transmits a black image display command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S803A.
As a result, the EVF monitor 7 shifts to the activation transition state, and after the activation, it becomes a state in which the black image is self-running.

Next, the control unit 52 transmits a black image display command to the rear monitor 5 in step S804A, and switches to display data for the EVF monitor in step S805A. Then, in step S806A, the control unit 52 applies the EVF monitor clock signal and the EVF monitor normal synchronization signal.

Next, in response to activation of the EVF monitor 7, the control unit 52 transmits a black image cancellation command to the EVF monitor 7 in step S807A. As a result, an image corresponding to the display data is displayed on the EVF monitor 7 and a black image is displayed on the rear monitor 5 by itself.
Finally, the control unit 52 clears the detection counter CT2 to 0 in step S808A.

If the activation time of the EVF monitor 7 depends on the horizontal synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor 7, the horizontal synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor 7 is doubled as the vertical synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor 7 as the high-speed synchronizing signal for the EVF monitor. frame rate.
Also, if the activation time of the EVF monitor 7 depends on the clock signal for the EVF monitor 7, the EVF monitor high-speed clock signal may be applied to the EVF monitor 7 instead of the EVF monitor high-speed synchronizing signal.

The "EVF monitor high-speed standby process" of FIG. 22 and the "EVF monitor high-speed start-up process" of FIG. For this purpose, for example, the history of the output of the proximity sensor 59 is stored, and when the process of step S119 is performed, whether or not step S119A is performed instead of step S119 is determined based on whether or not the change in the value is large. Judge. The same applies to step S130.

The same effect may be obtained by setting the frame rate of the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals for the EVF monitor 7 to double the frame rate of the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals for the rear monitor 5 .

<Other examples>
10, S117 in FIG. 11, and S128 in FIG. 12 are performed using the information on the output of the proximity sensor 59, but the information on the output from other sensors may also be used. good.
For example, when detecting a preliminary action in which the user is likely to look into the EVF monitor 7 from the output of the acceleration sensor 60 provided in the imaging device 1, the control unit 52 performs steps S118 to S127. good too. Then, when it is detected from the output of the acceleration sensor 60 that the user has performed an operation of looking into the EVF monitor 7, the control section 52 may perform the processes of steps S129 to S139. When there is no output from the acceleration sensor 60, the control unit 52 may perform the processes of steps S106 to S116.

As still another example, the output information of the electrostatic sensor 61 included in the imaging device 1 may be used.
For example, when there is no output from the electrostatic sensor 61, the control unit 52 performs steps S106 to S116, and when the output is small, the control unit 52 performs steps S118 to S127, and the output is large. In this case, the control unit 52 may perform each process from step S129 to step S139. That is, if there is no output from the electrostatic sensor 61, it is determined that there is no intention to take an image. If the output is large, it is determined that the user is performing a peering action.

Of course, the states of the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 may be controlled by using the sensors included in the imaging device 1 in combination.
For example, when the output of the proximity sensor 59 is large, but the output of the electrostatic sensor 61 is not, it is determined that a foreign object other than the user's face is approaching the EVF monitor 7, and the EVF monitor 7 is activated. It is not necessary to make a transition to the standby state.

Further, the states of the rear monitor 5 and the EVF monitor 7 may be controlled using information other than various information acquired from various sensors provided in the imaging device 1 .
For example, whether or not the various processes described above can be executed may be determined according to the display state of various menus on the rear monitor 5 or the mode of the imaging device 1 .
Specifically, when the menu for changing the settings of the captured image is displayed on the rear monitor 5 and it can be estimated that the user has changed the resolution setting, flash setting, white balance setting, etc. may be skipped without executing the process of activating the EVF monitor 7 or the process of transitioning to the standby state.

Further, when the imaging device 1 is in a playback mode in which still images and moving images captured so far are displayed on the rear monitor 5, it is determined that the user is checking the images captured so far. Then, the process of activating the EVF monitor 7 and the process of transitioning to the standby state may be skipped without being executed.
Alternatively, each process may be performed according to the imaging mode of the imaging device 1 . Specifically, in the macro imaging mode, it may be determined that there is a high possibility that the user is looking into the EVF monitor 7, and processing for activating the EVF monitor 7 or processing for waiting may be performed.
For example, such processing may be realized by performing determination processing using mode information of the imaging apparatus in steps S102 and S105 of FIG. 10, or steps S117 of FIG. 11 and steps S128 of FIG. .
In the above-described start instruction and stop instruction, in addition to sending the command using the command signal lines 70 and 80, the supply of the clock signal can be substituted for the start instruction, and the supply stop can be substituted for the stop instruction. It is conceivable that

<6. Summary>
The imaging device 1 according to the present technology includes an EVF monitor 7 serving as a first display unit, a rear monitor 5 serving as a second display unit, and command signals for transmitting start and stop instructions for the first display unit. a command signal line 80 for transmitting start and stop instructions for the second display section; first display data for the first display section and second display data for the second display section; a display data line 73 that transmits to the display unit and the second display unit through a common path; a control unit 52 that controls the display data transmitted to the first display unit and the second display unit through the display data line 73; It has
This eliminates the need to separately provide a display data line for the EVF monitor 7 and a display data line for the rear monitor 5, respectively.
That is, by sharing the display data line 73, it is possible to reduce the number of signal lines provided in an IC such as a processor that operates as the control unit 52, thereby realizing miniaturization and cost reduction of the IC. is possible. In addition, by miniaturizing the IC, it is possible to reduce the size of the substrate on which the IC is mounted. It is possible to increase the degree of freedom of arrangement of the imaging device 1 and to reduce the size of the imaging device 1 itself.

Further, when the second display unit is displaying the second display data transmitted through the display data line 73, the control unit 52 issues an activation instruction to the first display unit through the command signal line 70 to display the second display unit. A switching process of switching the display data transmitted through the data line 73 from the second display data to the first display data and a stop instruction to the second display unit may be performed.
When the display unit to be used is switched from the rear monitor 5 to the EVF monitor 7, the activation of the EVF monitor 7 can be accelerated by issuing a start instruction to the EVF monitor 7 before switching the display data. waiting time can be shortened. As a result, user convenience can be improved. That is, when the user looks into the EVF monitor 7, the through image or the like is displayed quickly, so that the shutter timing is not missed.
Furthermore, by issuing a stop instruction to the rear monitor 5 after switching the display data, the power used by the rear monitor 5 can be reduced, so that the imaging apparatus 1 can operate for a long time. Moreover, even when the imaging device 1 is operated for the same time, the capacity of the battery mounted on the imaging device 1 can be reduced and the size can be reduced due to the reduction in power consumption.

In the imaging apparatus 1 described above, the EVF monitor display data as the first display data and the rear monitor display data as the second display data may have different resolutions.
Since the display data line 73 is shared even for data with different resolutions, the number of signal lines provided in an IC such as a processor that operates as the control unit 52 can be reduced, and the size of the IC can be reduced. It is possible to realize a plan and a cost reduction.

In the imaging apparatus 1 described above, the EVF monitor 7 may be provided inside the viewfinder, and the rear monitor 5 may be provided outside the viewfinder.
In this case, since the possibility that the user will see both the EVF monitor 7 and the rear monitor 5 at the same time is low, it is effective for the user to issue a stop instruction to the display unit that the user is not visually recognizing. .
Therefore, depending on the situation, it is possible to lengthen the state in which one of the display units is stopped, which can contribute to the reduction of power consumption. In addition, it is possible to increase the operating time of the imaging device 1 and reduce the size of the battery.

The imaging device 1 described above includes a first measurement unit (for example, the proximity sensor 59 of the detection unit 56) capable of measuring the distance between the EVF monitor 7 and the user, and the control unit 52 controls the measurement result of the first measurement unit may be used to determine the timing of issuing a start instruction, a switching process, and a stop instruction. The first measurement unit is the proximity sensor 59, the acceleration sensor 60, the electrostatic sensor 61, or the tilt sensor 62, for example.
The measured distance can be used to determine whether the EVF monitor 7 is being viewed by the user.
As a result, it is possible to increase the possibility that an appropriate stop instruction is given to the display unit that is not visually recognized by the user. In other words, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the display unit that the user is visually recognizing will be stopped, and that the user's convenience will be lowered or the user will feel uncomfortable. Further, by determining the timing of giving the stop instruction based on the distance, it is possible for the user to switch the display unit at the optimum timing.
In addition to the distance directly measured by the proximity sensor 59, the distance measured by the first measuring unit may be determined by detecting a preliminary motion likely to be performed by looking into the EVF monitor 7 by the acceleration sensor 60, for example. It may be an estimated distance between the EVF monitor 7 and the user estimated from the detection result.

The imaging apparatus 1 described above includes a second measurement unit (for example, the acceleration sensor 60 of the detection unit 56) capable of measuring changes in the orientation of the camera housing 2, and the control unit 52 controls the orientation measured by the acceleration sensor 60. The change may be used to determine the timing of issuing a start instruction, a switching process, and a stop instruction.
By making it possible to measure the change in the posture of the camera housing 2, it is possible to use the measurement result to identify the display unit viewed by the user.
That is, it is possible to increase the possibility of appropriately determining which display unit the user is visually recognizing based on the change in posture of the camera housing 2 . Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the possibility of stopping the display unit visually recognized by the user.
It should be noted that by using the posture change information at the timing of giving the stop instruction, it is possible for the user to switch the display unit at the optimum timing. In particular, by determining which display unit the user is visually recognizing using both the measurement result of the proximity sensor 59 and the measurement result of the acceleration sensor 60, the display unit being visually recognized can be activated. In addition, it is possible to appropriately stop a display unit that is not visually recognized, and to obtain effects such as reduction of power consumption.

The first measurement unit of the imaging device 1 described above may measure the distance using the proximity sensor 59 .
By using a sensor such as the proximity sensor 59, it is possible to recognize the distance between the user and the display unit, and use it to determine the next timing.
Therefore, it is possible to more appropriately perform start processing, switching processing, and stop processing of each monitor.

The second measurement unit of the imaging device 1 described above may measure the change in posture using a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor. By detecting the posture change of the camera housing 2 with the acceleration sensor 60 exemplified above, it is possible to appropriately determine the peek motion and execute various kinds of processing. Then, instead of the acceleration sensor 60, a gyro sensor may be used to detect the peek motion.

When the distance measured by the first measurement unit is shorter than the first distance (first output threshold TH1) and longer than the second distance (second output threshold TH2), the control unit 52 of the imaging device 1 described above , a start instruction may be given, and when the measured distance is shorter than the second distance, a switching process and a stop instruction may be given.
That is, when the distance between the EVF monitor 7 and the user is longer than the second distance but shorter than the first distance, an instruction to activate the EVF monitor 7 is issued.
As a result, the EVF monitor 7 can be activated more quickly than when the user approaches the EVF monitor 7 at a position closer than the second distance and then instructs to activate the EVF monitor 7 . That is, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the time the user waits for the EVF monitor 7 to start. Therefore, it is possible to improve convenience for the user.
Further, when the distance between the EVF monitor 7 and the user becomes shorter than the second distance, the captured image can be displayed on the EVF monitor 7 simply by switching the display data. It is possible to shorten the time until the picked-up image becomes visible. By issuing a stop instruction to the rear monitor 5, which can be assumed to be not visually recognized by the user, the power consumption of the imaging device 1 can be reduced and long-time operation can be realized.

The control unit 52 of the imaging device 1 described above supplies the EVF monitor 7 and the rear monitor 5 with clock signals ( EVF monitor clock signal, rear monitor clock signal) and synchronization signals (EVF monitor synchronization signal, rear monitor synchronization signal) may be transmitted.
By sending different clock signals and synchronization signals to the EVF monitor 7 and the rear monitor 5, the EVF monitor 7 and the rear monitor 5 can be controlled independently.
In particular, for example, even when the EVF monitor 7 is in the process of being activated based on the activation instruction, it is possible for the rear monitor 5 to transition to the process of being stopped based on the instruction to stop. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly control each display unit according to the user's mode of use. Since one display unit is stopped without waiting for the other display unit to be activated, the display unit can be stopped quickly, thereby reducing power consumption and extending the operation of the imaging device. be able to.

The control unit 52 of the imaging device 1 described above may issue a first black image display instruction (transmission of a black image display command to the EVF monitor 7) to display a black image on the EVF monitor 7. FIG.
This makes it possible to display a black image on the EVF monitor 7, for example, when display data for the rear monitor 5 is input to the EVF monitor 7. FIG.
That is, since the user does not have to visually recognize the state in which an appropriate captured image is not displayed on the EVF monitor 7, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the user misunderstands the failure of the imaging device 1. You can eliminate the possibility of falling into anxiety.

In the imaging device 1 described above, the first black image display instruction may be an instruction to display a black image on the EVF monitor 7 until the switching process is completed.
The display data input to the EVF monitor 7 after the EVF monitor 7 is activated is either the EVF monitor display data or the rear monitor display data until the display data switching process is completed.
That is, there is a possibility that display data for the rear monitor is input to the EVF monitor 7 until the switching process is completed, and a distorted image may be displayed to the user. Therefore, by displaying a black image on the EVF monitor 7 until the display data switching process is completed, it is possible to prevent the user from seeing a disturbed captured image.

The control unit 52 of the imaging device 1 described above may issue a second black image display instruction (transmission of a black image display command to the rear monitor 5) to display a black image on the rear monitor 5. FIG.
As a result, for example, a black image can be displayed on the rear monitor 5 when the EVF monitor display data for the EVF monitor 7 is being input to the rear monitor 5 .
That is, since the user does not have to visually recognize the state in which an appropriate captured image is not displayed on the rear monitor 5, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the user misunderstands the failure of the imaging device 1, and the user can You can eliminate the possibility of falling into anxiety.

In the imaging device 1 described above, the second black image display instruction may be an instruction to display a black image on the rear monitor 5 from the start of switching display data.
In the process of switching the display data from the display data for the rear monitor to the display data for the EVF monitor, the display data input to the rear monitor 5 is either the display data for the EVF monitor or the display data for the rear monitor. .
That is, there is a high possibility that a disturbed image will be displayed on the rear monitor 5 until the switching process is completed. Therefore, by displaying a black image on the rear monitor 5 from the start of the display data switching process, it is possible to prevent the user from seeing a disturbed captured image.

The control unit 52 of the imaging device 1 described above may issue a stop instruction after issuing the second black image display instruction.
As a result, after the black image is displayed on the rear monitor 5, the transition is made to the stopping process. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the user misunderstands the failure of the imaging device 1 .

The control unit 52 of the imaging device 1 described above controls the first synchronization signal (for example, the vertical synchronization signal and the horizontal synchronization signal for the EVF monitor 7) to be transmitted to the EVF monitor 7 during the activation period of the EVF monitor 7 based on the activation instruction. The frame rate may be higher than the frame rate of the second synchronizing signal (for example, the vertical synchronizing signal and the horizontal synchronizing signal for the rear monitor 5) sent to the rear monitor 5.
Thereby, activation of the EVF monitor 7 is performed using a relatively high frame rate.
Therefore, since the activation period of the EVF monitor 7 can be shortened, for example, when the user issues an activation instruction to the EVF monitor 7 in response to the fact that the user tries to visually recognize the EVF monitor 7 quickly, an appropriate captured image can be obtained. It is possible to quickly present the EVF monitor 7 on which is displayed to the user. In particular, by limiting the period in which the high frame rate is used to the activation period of the EVF monitor 7, the power consumption and heat generation of the EVF monitor 7 can be prevented from increasing unnecessarily. That is, it is possible to speed up the start-up of the first display unit while suppressing the increase in power consumption and heat generation to the minimum required.

The imaging apparatus 1 described above includes a tilt sensor 62 that detects the position or orientation of the rear monitor 5 with respect to the camera housing 2, and the control unit 52 is activated using the position information or orientation information detected by the tilt sensor 62. You may decide whether or not to give instructions.
For example, it is possible to detect a state in which the rear monitor 5 moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In the state where the rear monitor 5 is moved to the extended position, it is highly likely that the user is viewing the rear monitor 5 and less likely that the user is viewing the EVF monitor 7 .
Therefore, when it is detected that the rear monitor 5 is positioned at the protruded position, it is not necessary to instruct the EVF monitor 7 to activate. The processes in steps S102 to S104 prevent unnecessary activation of the EVF monitor 7 and increase in power consumption.
In addition to this, it is preferable not to issue an activation instruction to the EVF monitor 7 when it is detected that the user is viewing the rear monitor 5 .

The control unit 52 of the imaging apparatus 1 described above may use mode information regarding the imaging mode or the playback mode to determine whether or not to issue an activation instruction.
For example, it is possible not to issue an activation instruction to the EVF monitor 7 while the imaging device 1 is being used in the reproduction mode.
For example, in the case where the EVF monitor 7 is provided in the viewfinder, it is considered unlikely that the EVF monitor 7 will be visually recognized when the imaging apparatus 1 is in the playback mode. In such a case, the EVF monitor 7 does not have to be activated indiscriminately, so a reduction in power consumption can be expected. In addition, it is possible to increase the operating time of the imaging device.

A program according to an embodiment of the present invention transfers first display data for the first display unit and second display data for the second display unit to common display data for the first display unit and the second display unit. a function of sending a start instruction to a first display unit while transmitting the data via a line; a function of switching display data transmitted via a display data line from the second display data to the first display data; and a second display. and a function of instructing a unit to stop.
More specifically, it is a program that causes the control unit 52 as an arithmetic processing unit to execute each process shown in FIGS. 10 to 23 .

Such a program facilitates realization of the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
Such a program can be stored in advance in a recording medium built in equipment such as an arithmetic processing unit, or in a ROM or the like in a microcomputer having a CPU. Alternatively, it can be temporarily or permanently stored (stored) in a removable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, memory card, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or magnetic disk. Also, such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software.
In addition to installing such a program from a removable recording medium to a personal computer or the like, it can also be downloaded from a download site via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

It should be noted that the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limited, and other effects may also occur.

<7. This technology>
The present technology can also adopt the following configuration.
(1)
a first display unit;
a second display;
a first command signal line for transmitting start and stop instructions for the first display unit;
a second command signal line for transmitting an instruction to start and stop the second display;
a display data line for transmitting first display data for the first display section and second display data for the second display section to the first display section and the second display section through a common path; ,
and a control section that controls display data to be transmitted to the first display section and the second display section through the display data line.
(2)
The control unit instructs the first display unit to activate through the first command signal line when the second display unit is displaying the second display data transmitted through the display data line. , switching the display data to be transmitted on the display data line from the second display data to the first display data, and instructing the second display unit to stop.
(3)
The imaging apparatus according to any one of (1) and (2), wherein the first display data and the second display data are data having different resolutions.
(4)
The imaging apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first display section is provided inside a viewfinder, and the second display section is provided outside the viewfinder.
(5)
A first measurement unit capable of measuring the distance between the first display unit and the user,
(2) The imaging apparatus according to (2), wherein the control unit determines timings for performing the start instruction, the switching process, and the stop instruction using the measurement result of the first measurement unit.
(6)
comprising a second measuring unit capable of measuring changes in the posture of the imaging device housing,
According to any one of (2) and (5), the control unit uses the change in the posture measured by the second measurement unit to determine the timing of performing the start instruction, the switching process, and the stop instruction. imaging device.
(7)
The imaging device according to (5), wherein the first measurement unit measures the distance using a proximity sensor.
(8)
The imaging device according to (6), wherein the second measurement unit measures the change in posture using a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor.
(9)
The control unit
when the distance measured by the first measuring unit is shorter than the first distance and longer than the second distance, performing the activation instruction;
(5) or (7), wherein the switching process and the stop instruction are performed when the measured distance is shorter than the second distance.
(10)
The imaging according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the control unit transmits a clock signal and a synchronization signal through separate signal lines to the first display unit and the second display unit. Device.
(11)
The imaging device according to (2), wherein the control unit issues a first black image display instruction to display a black image on the first display unit.
(12)
The imaging device according to (11), wherein the first black image display instruction is an instruction to display a black image on the first display unit until the switching process is completed.
(13)
The imaging device according to (2), wherein the control unit issues a second black image display instruction to display a black image on the second display unit.
(14)
(13) The imaging device according to (13), wherein the second black image display instruction is an instruction to display a black image on the second display section from the start of switching display data.
(15)
(14), wherein the control unit issues the stop instruction after the second black image display instruction.
(16)
The control unit transmits to the second display unit a frame rate of a first synchronization signal to be transmitted to the first display unit during an activation period of the first display unit based on the activation instruction. (2).
(17)
A tilt sensor that detects the position or orientation of the second display unit with respect to the imaging device housing,
The imaging apparatus according to (2), wherein the control unit determines whether or not to issue the activation instruction using position information or orientation information detected by the tilt sensor.
(18)
The imaging apparatus according to (2), wherein the control unit determines whether or not to issue the activation instruction using mode information regarding an imaging mode or a playback mode.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Imaging device 2... Camera housing 5... Rear monitor 7... EVF monitor 52... Control part 59... Proximity sensor 60... Acceleration sensor 61... Electrostatic sensor 62... Tilt sensor 71... Clock Signal lines 72H, 72V... Synchronization signal line 73... Display data line 81... Clock signal line 82H, 82V... Synchronization signal line

Claims (19)

a first display unit;
a second display;
a first command signal line for transmitting start and stop instructions for the first display unit;
a second command signal line for transmitting an instruction to start and stop the second display;
a display data line for transmitting first display data for the first display section and second display data for the second display section to the first display section and the second display section through a common path; ,
a control unit that controls display data to be transmitted to the first display unit and the second display unit through the display data line ;
The control unit
The first command signal line through the first command signal line so that activation of the first display unit is completed while the second display data transmitted through the display data line is being displayed on the second display unit. Give a start instruction to the display unit,
After completion of activation of the first display unit, switching processing for switching display data to be transmitted through the display data line from the second display data to the first display data and a stop instruction to the second display unit are performed.
Imaging device. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first display data and the second display data are data having different resolutions. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first display section is provided inside a viewfinder, and the second display section is provided outside the viewfinder. A first measurement unit capable of measuring the distance between the first display unit and the user,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control section determines timings for performing the start instruction, the switching process, and the stop instruction using the measurement result of the first measurement section. A second measurement unit capable of measuring changes in the posture of the imaging device housing,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control section determines timings for performing the start instruction, the switching process, and the stop instruction using the change in the posture measured by the second measurement section. The imaging device according to claim 4 , wherein the first measurement unit measures the distance using a proximity sensor. The imaging device according to Claim 5 , wherein the second measurement unit measures the change in posture using a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor. The control unit
When the distance measured by the first measuring unit is shorter than the first distance and longer than the second distance, performing the activation instruction,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the switching process and the stop instruction are performed when the measured distance is shorter than the second distance. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control section transmits a clock signal and a synchronization signal to the first display section and the second display section through separate signal lines. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the control section issues a first black image display instruction to display a black image on the first display section. 11. The first black image display instruction is an instruction to display a black image on the first display unit at least from the completion of activation of the first display unit to the completion of the switching process. The imaging device described. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the control section issues a second black image display instruction to display a black image on the second display section. 13. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the second black image display instruction is an instruction to display a black image on the second display unit from the start of switching display data. 14. The imaging device according to claim 13 , wherein the control section issues the stop instruction after the second black image display instruction. The control unit transmits to the second display unit a frame rate of a first synchronization signal to be transmitted to the first display unit during an activation period of the first display unit based on the activation instruction. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame rate is set higher than the frame rate of the synchronizing signal. A tilt sensor that detects the position or orientation of the second display unit with respect to the imaging device housing,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines whether to issue the activation instruction using position information or orientation information detected by the tilt sensor. The imaging apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines whether to issue the activation instruction using mode information regarding an imaging mode or a playback mode. a step of issuing an activation instruction through a first command signal line so that activation of the first display unit is completed while the second display data for the second display unit is being displayed on the second display unit;
display data to be transmitted through a display data line provided in common to the first display section and the second display section after the completion of activation of the first display section from the second display data; and switching to first display data for a first display unit and instructing the second display unit to stop. a function of issuing a start-up instruction through a first command signal line so as to complete the start-up of the first display unit while the second display data for the second display unit is being displayed on the second display unit;
display data to be transmitted through a display data line provided in common to the first display section and the second display section after the completion of activation of the first display section from the second display data; A program for causing an arithmetic processing unit to realize a function of switching to first display data for a first display unit and giving a stop instruction to the second display unit.

Images