JP2004032346A - Picture photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture photographing apparatus such as a digital still camera that can enhance the operability of a user. <P>SOLUTION: The digital still camera having a plurality of functions is provided with: a touch panel 22 for selecting one of the plurality of functions; and a cross key 19 that is provided independently of a first operation means and selects one of the plurality of functions. Thus, the user can select one of the plurality of functions by using the touch panel 22 or the cross key 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device having a user interface such as a digital camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Most of the operation means of a conventional digital camera are configured to be operated by a button group including a cross key and a plurality of keys. In the case of a digital camera that uses buttons as its main operation means, functions that are frequently used, such as shutter, power, strobe, and self-timer settings, are assigned independent buttons to easily execute each function. Alternatively, the operability for the user is improved by enabling the setting to be changed.
[0003]
In recent years, digital cameras that partially employ a touch panel have been sold. In such digital cameras, when a specific item is selected from a plurality of items and the setting is changed, this operation is performed using the touch panel. By performing the above, it is possible to omit the operation of selecting an item using the button group and to improve the operability for the user.
[0004]
However, in the above-described related art, only one operation unit that is assumed to be optimal among a plurality of operation units represented by a touch panel and a button group is generally prepared for a certain function. In this case, the one operating means is not necessarily an operating means that is intuitively imagined for each user, and the user determines in advance which operating means corresponds to the function that the user intends to operate. You have to remember.
[0005]
As a digital camera using a button group together with a touch panel, for example, there is an apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-252427. In this apparatus, a touch panel is provided on a display unit of the digital camera, and a release (image recording) is performed by a photographer touching a main subject on a screen of the display unit, and a release instruction from the touch panel is issued. And a release instruction using a release button.
[0006]
However, in the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-252427, only a release instruction can be made from both the release button and the touch panel, but other operations, for example, setting of a photographing mode, can be performed only from the touch panel.
[0007]
Therefore, a user who is accustomed to the operation using the cross key may feel that the operation from the touch panel is troublesome.
[0008]
Further, when various modes can be set only from the touch panel, if this touch panel breaks down, there is a problem that various modes cannot be set or changed.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to improve the operability of a user in a photographing device such as a digital camera.
[0010]
According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in an image photographing apparatus having a plurality of functions, a first operation means for selecting any one of the plurality of functions; A second operating means provided independently of the first operating means, and any of the plurality of functions being provided by any of the first operating means and the second operating means. Is made possible.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a digital still camera 10 described in this embodiment as viewed from the front.
[0012]
That is, in the digital still camera 10, an imaging lens 11, a finder window 12, a release switch 13, a built-in flash 14, and the like are arranged at predetermined positions.
[0013]
The digital still camera 10 is provided with a memory card slot 15 on one side. A memory card 16 is mounted in the memory card slot section 15.
[0014]
The memory card 16 accommodates a memory such as a semiconductor memory chip or a ferroelectric memory chip formed into an IC (Integrated Circuit) in a card case.
[0015]
The digital still camera 10 can record and reproduce digital image data obtained by photographing with respect to the memory of the memory card 16 inserted in the memory card slot unit 15.
[0016]
Further, the digital still camera 10 can perform control of reading digital image data from the memory card 16, and conversely, control of writing image data to the memory card 16.
[0017]
FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the digital still camera 10 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side.
[0018]
The digital still camera 10 has a viewfinder 17, a zoom key 18 for adjusting the zoom, a cross key 19 for selecting and deciding an operation item and an image, and a shooting mode for shooting a subject and a shot image each time the button is pressed are displayed on the LCD monitor 21. A mode switching key 20 for switching to a reproduction mode, an image display and a menu screen, an LCD monitor 21 for displaying characters and icons, and an image, an icon, and a menu item displayed on the LCD monitor 21 are selected by touching. A touch panel 22 is provided. The LCD monitor 21 and the touch panel 22 constitute an LCD monitor 23 with a touch panel.
[0019]
The cross key 19 selects an item or an image by pressing a button in a desired direction among the up, down, left, and right cross buttons, and determines the selection by pressing an ENTER button in the center.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the appearance of the digital still camera 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 when viewed from above, and the state of the main body even when the LCD monitor 21 is not turned on. Is displayed.
[0021]
Next, FIG. 4 shows a signal processing system of the digital still camera 10.
[0022]
That is, the optical image of the subject incident via the imaging lens 11 is formed on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 31 and photoelectrically converted.
[0023]
The analog image signal output from the CCD 31 is supplied to an analog / digital (A / D) conversion circuit 32 and converted into digital image data, and then supplied to a CCD signal processing circuit 33.
[0024]
The CCD signal processing circuit 33 performs predetermined signal processing on the input digital image data to convert the digital image data into a luminance signal component and a color difference signal component.
[0025]
The digital image data of the luminance signal component and the color difference signal component obtained from the CCD signal processing circuit 33 is written to the work memory 35 via the memory controller 34.
[0026]
Here, the digital image data recorded in the work memory 35 is read out to the image display processing circuit 36 via the memory controller 34, and is subjected to a predetermined image display process, so that the digital image data is converted into an analog image signal. Is converted.
[0027]
Thereafter, the analog image signal output from the image display processing circuit 36 is supplied to the LCD monitor 21 or the finder 17 to be displayed.
[0028]
The digital image data output from the CCD signal processing circuit 33 is input to an image compression / expansion processing circuit 37 via a memory controller 34, and can be subjected to predetermined compression processing.
[0029]
Then, the digital image data subjected to the compression processing by the image compression / decompression processing circuit 37 can be written to the work memory 35 via the memory controller 34.
[0030]
In this case, the digital image data recorded in the work memory 35 is guided to the image compression / decompression processing circuit 37 via the memory controller 34, subjected to a predetermined decompression process, and returned to the original digital image data.
[0031]
Then, the digital image data expanded by the image compression / expansion processing circuit 37 can be guided to the LCD monitor 21 or the finder 17 via the memory controller 34 and the image display processing circuit 36 and displayed thereon.
[0032]
A series of processing operations as described above are generally controlled by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 39 which operates in response to operation information from an operation unit 38 including the release switch 13. Further, the CPU 39 operates not only when receiving the operation information from the operation unit 38 but also when receiving the operation information from the touch panel 22.
[0033]
The operation of recording and reproducing digital image data with respect to the memory of the memory card 16 is also controlled by the CPU 39 as a whole.
[0034]
That is, the digital image data output from the CCD signal processing circuit 33 is supplied to the image compression / decompression processing circuit 37 via the memory controller 34 and subjected to compression processing.
[0035]
The compressed digital image data is temporarily recorded in the work memory 35 via the memory controller 34. Thereafter, the digital image data read from the work memory 35 is guided to the memory card slot unit 15 via the memory controller 34 and the CPU 39, and is recorded in the memory of the memory card 16.
[0036]
The digital image data recorded in the memory of the memory card 16 is read by the memory card slot unit 15, and is temporarily recorded in the work memory 35 after passing through the CPU 39 and the memory controller 34.
[0037]
Thereafter, the digital image data read from the work memory 35 is returned to the original digital image data by being guided to the image compression / decompression processing circuit 37 and subjected to decompression processing.
[0038]
The digital image data subjected to the expansion processing by the image compression / expansion processing circuit 37 is led to the image display device 26 via the memory controller 34 and the image display processing circuit 36, and the image is displayed on the LCD monitor 21 or the finder 17. Is displayed.
[0039]
The digital image data output from the CCD signal processing circuit 33 and subjected to the compression processing by the image compression / decompression processing circuit 37 via the memory controller 34 is once recorded in the work memory 35 via the memory controller 34. .
[0040]
Next, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation portion of the digital still camera 10. In addition to the above-described cross key 19, mode switching key 20, LCD monitor 21, and touch panel 22, characters and characters on the screen are described. An OSD key 51 used to switch between display and non-display of icons, a menu key 52 used to display a selection screen for a shooting menu, a playback menu, and a setup menu, and a trash can key 53 used to instruct the deletion of an image. Three dedicated keys are provided.
[0041]
Next, the operation of the OSD key 51 and the menu key 52 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0042]
When any key is operated in the standby state of the digital still camera 10, the CPU 39 determines whether the menu key is operated (ST1). When the menu key is operated, the CPU 39 displays a selection screen for a shooting menu, a playback menu, and a setup menu (ST2).
[0043]
While the menu selection screen is displayed, the user touches any one of the items of the shooting menu, the reproduction menu, and the setup menu to perform menu selection. Therefore, the CPU 39 determines whether or not the touch panel has been operated (ST3). If the touch panel has been operated, the CPU 39 detects information on the operated position (ST4). Then, the menu processing corresponding to the position where the touch panel is operated among the shooting menu, the reproduction menu, and the setup menu is performed (ST5). Here, the user can select an item of the shooting menu, the reproduction menu, and the setup menu, not only by using the touch panel 22, but also by selecting an item with the cross key and determining with the cross enter key. Therefore, when the touch panel is not operated, it is determined whether another key, for example, the cross key or the enter key has been operated.
[0044]
The CPU 39 determines whether the OSD key 51 has been operated (ST6), and switches the display / non-display of characters and icons on the screen of the LCD monitor 21 when the OSD key 51 has been operated (ST7). That is, if a character or icon is displayed, the display is switched to non-display, and if the character or icon is not displayed, it is displayed.
[0045]
The CPU 39 determines whether or not the mode key 20 has been operated (ST8). If the mode key 20 has been operated, it is determined whether or not the current mode is the shooting mode (ST9). If the current mode is the shooting mode, the mode is switched to the reproduction mode (ST10). If the current mode is not the shooting mode (the case of the reproduction mode), the mode is switched to the shooting mode (ST11).
[0046]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state where the mode key 20 switches between the photographing mode and the reproduction mode.
[0047]
That is, the upper part of FIG. 7 shows the state of the photographing mode, and the image photographed by the CCD 31 is displayed on the LCD monitor 21. By operating the mode key 20 in this state, the state shifts to the reproduction mode state. That is, an image read from the memory card 16 inserted in the memory card slot section 15 is displayed on the LCD monitor 21 as shown in the middle part of FIG.
[0048]
When the OSD key 51 is operated in this reproduction mode, a thumbnail icon 61 and a scroll bar 62 are displayed. The thumbnail icon 61 is an icon for instructing display of a list of images when there are a plurality of images, and the scroll bar 62 is for displaying images before and after by touching an arrow portion.
[0049]
Then, when the user touches the thumbnail icon 61 or presses the down key of the cross key 19 (the thumbnail icon 61 does not have to be displayed in a setting in which the cross key 19 is used preferentially) A list of images read from the memory card 16 is displayed on the LCD monitor 21 as shown in the lower part of FIG. When the number of images exceeds six, a scroll bar 62 is displayed. By touching an arrow portion or pressing the up and down keys of the cross key 19, the screen can be scrolled to display the previous and next images. .
[0050]
Next, an operation of selecting a specific image from a plurality of images stored in the memory card 16 by the digital camera 10 and displaying the selected image on the entire screen of the LCD monitor 21 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0051]
FIG. 8 shows a state in which the image read from the memory card 16 is displayed as a thumbnail. In the state of FIG. 8, the thumbnail image of the image C surrounded by the image selection frame S is selected. . Here, when the up key of the cross key 19 is pressed, the image selection frame S moves to the position of the thumbnail image of the adjacent image A as shown in FIG. 9, and the thumbnail image of the image A is selected. . When the enter key arranged in the center of the cross key 19 is pressed in this state, the image A is displayed on the entire screen of the LCD monitor 21 as shown in FIG.
[0052]
When a specific image is selected from a plurality of images and displayed on the LCD monitor 21 on the full screen, in addition to using the above-described cross key 19, the same operation may be performed using the touch panel 22. It is possible. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, even when the thumbnail image of the image C surrounded by the image selection frame is selected, when the user touches the contact point P of the thumbnail image of the image A, The image A is selected, and the image A is displayed on the entire screen of the LCD monitor 21 as shown in FIG.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 10, in a state where an image is displayed on the entire screen of the LCD monitor 21, when the OSD key 51 is operated, the above-described thumbnail icon 61 is displayed, and the user touches the thumbnail icon 61, or By pressing the down key of the cross key 19, it is possible to return to the thumbnail display state of FIG.
[0054]
To delete an image, the user instructs to delete the image by selecting the image to be deleted and pressing the recycle bin key 53 while displaying the image on the LCD monitor 21. When the recycle bin key 53 is pressed, "Delete this file?" Is displayed at the center of the screen of the LCD monitor 21 as shown in FIG. When the user presses the recycle bin key 53 in the state of the confirmation screen, the file of the image is deleted. When a key other than the recycle bin key 53 is pressed, the image is not deleted, and the image display of FIG. Return to the state.
[0055]
The menu key 52 switches between the menu mode and the mode before entering the menu mode, and the trash box key 53 switches between the erasing mode of the captured image and the mode before entering the erasing mode.
[0056]
The mode and display switching functions are frequently used by the user, so keys corresponding to each function are prepared in advance, and operability is improved by allowing the user to execute each function with fewer actions. .
[0057]
Next, the setting of the scene mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0058]
When the OSD key 51 is operated in a state where the photographing mode is selected by the mode key 20 (ST21), the CPU 23 displays photographing information on the LCD monitor 21 (ST22). In the display example shown in the step (ST22) of FIG. 13, three icons of a scene mode icon, a strobe icon, and a self-timer icon are displayed in order from the upper right side of the LCD monitor 21 together with the number of shootable images “0012”.
[0059]
Here, one of the scene mode icon, the strobe icon, and the self-timer icon on the LCD monitor 21 is touched to determine (operate the touch panel 22), or the cross key 19 is used to select one, and the cross enter key is pressed. decide. The CPU 23 determines whether the scene mode icon has been determined (ST23), whether the strobe icon has been determined (ST24), or whether the self-timer icon has been selected (ST25).
[0060]
When a scene mode icon is selected and determined (ST23), the CPU 23 displays a list of scene mode icons (ST26).
[0061]
That is, in the display example shown in step 26 of FIG. 13, in order from the upper center of the LCD monitor 21, auto (initial setting auto mode), macro (select when photographing a subject having a distance of 20 cm to 40 cm), Portrait (select when you want to capture a person), landscape (select when you want to capture a distant landscape or landscape), sports (select when you want to capture a fast-moving subject), night view (dusk or night view (Select when photographing a person in the background) (ST26).
[0062]
Here, when the user touches any one of the six icons on the LCD monitor 21 (operates the touch panel 22) or selects one of the icons with the cross key 19 and determines with the cross enter key, the CPU 23 determines which icon is to be displayed. It is determined whether the selection has been made (ST27), and the digital still camera 10 is set to the determined scene mode (ST28).
[0063]
If a strobe icon is determined on the screen of step 22 (ST22) (ST24), the CPU 23 displays a list of strobe icons (ST29).
[0064]
That is, in the display example shown in step 29 of FIG. 13, from the upper center of the LCD monitor 21, auto (flash is automatically emitted according to the situation) and emission inhibition (flash is not emitted. ), Forced flash (the flash always fires; used for backlighting and shooting under artificial lighting), slow sync (slows the shutter speed and fires the flash at the same time. (Used when the user wants to capture a clear image without any background), red-eye reduction forced flash, and red-eye reduction auto icon are displayed (ST29).
[0065]
When the user touches one of the six icons displayed on the LCD monitor 21 (operates the touch panel 22) or selects one of the icons with the cross key 19 and determines with the cross enter key, the CPU 23 determines which icon is to be displayed. It is determined whether or not it has been determined (ST30), and the digital still camera 10 is set to the determined strobe mode (ST31).
[0066]
Further, when the self-timer icon is determined on the screen of step 22 (ST22) (ST25), the CPU 23 displays a list of self-timer icons (ST32).
[0067]
That is, in the display example shown in step 32 of FIG. 13, the LCD monitor 21 is sequentially turned off (no self-timer is set), 2 seconds (photographed after 2 seconds), 10 seconds (after 10 seconds) from the upper center of the LCD monitor 21. (Photographed) are displayed (ST32).
[0068]
When the user touches any one of the three icons on the LCD monitor 21 (operates the touch panel 22) or selects one of the icons with the cross key 19 and determines with the cross enter key, the CPU 23 determines which icon has been determined. Is determined (ST33), and the digital still camera 10 is set to the determined strobe mode (ST34).
[0069]
As described above, for the various settings in the photographing mode, there are provided two methods, a method of operating the touch panel 22 to make a selection and a method of operating the cross key 19 to make a selection. Allows various settings in the shooting mode.
[0070]
Next, processing in the menu mode by the menu key 52 will be described based on the screen flowchart of FIG.
[0071]
When the menu key 52 is pressed, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the CPU 39 displays a screen for selecting a shooting menu, a playback menu, and a setup menu (ST50).
[0072]
Here, the user touches any one of the three items of the shooting menu, the reproduction menu, and the setup menu on the LCD monitor 21 (operates the touch panel 22) or selects one of the three items with the cross key 19 and determines with the cross enter key. Then, the CPU 23 determines which item has been determined, and shifts to processing of the determined menu item.
[0073]
If the setup menu is selected, a screen for selecting sound on / off is displayed (ST51). The icon on the left side of the screen indicates sound on, and the icon on the right side indicates sound off. Touch one of the icons (operate the touch panel 22) or select one with the cross key 19 and determine with the cross enter key. . Also, by touching the upper and lower arrows on this screen (operating the touch panel 22) or operating the up / down keys of the cross key 19, the screen is returned to the original state, or the screen moves to the next setting screen. Is selected. This operation is the same for other menus.
[0074]
When a transition is made from the sound setting screen to the next setting screen, a date and time setting screen is displayed (ST52).
When the user selects "SET", a setting screen for the date and time is displayed (ST53). A part to be changed is selected on the date / time setting screen, the numerical value is changed by operating the + and-icons, and finally the date and time is changed by selecting the "OK" icon.
[0075]
On the other hand, when the photographing menu is selected in step 50 (ST50), a color (color setting of an image to be photographed) setting screen is displayed (ST54). On the color setting screen, in order to set the color of the image to be captured, three icons of color, black and white, and sepia are displayed in order from the left of the screen, and one of the icons is touched (touch panel 22 is operated). The user selects one by selecting one with the cross key 19 and deciding with the cross enter key.
[0076]
After the color setting screen, an ISO sensitivity setting screen is displayed (ST55). That is, three icons of ISO100, ISO200, and ISO400 are displayed in order from the left of the screen, and either one of the icons is touched (operating the touch panel 22) or one of the icons is selected by the cross key 19 and the cross enter key is pressed. The decision allows the user to make a choice.
[0077]
After the ISO sensitivity setting screen, a setting screen for exposure correction (combination of aperture and shutter speed) is displayed (ST56). That is, the current correction value (initial setting is 0) is displayed in the center of the screen, and + and-icons are displayed on the left and right sides of the screen. Touch the + or-icon or use the cross key (left and right keys). ) To increase or decrease the correction value.
[0078]
Next to the exposure compensation setting screen, a white balance setting screen is displayed (ST57). That is, the current setting (the default setting is Auto) is displayed in the center of the screen, and an arrow icon is displayed on the left and right of the screen. Touch the right arrow icon or operate the cross key (right key). The settings are changed in the following order: auto → outdoor → shooting under cool white fluorescent light → shooting under fluorescent light → shooting under incandescent light → cloudy. In the case of the left arrow icon and the cross key (left key), the order is reversed.
[0079]
After the white balance setting screen, an image quality setting screen is displayed (ST58). That is, three icons of high quality (1600 × 1200 pixels), standard (1200 × 900 pixels), and economy (800 × 600 pixels) are displayed in order from the center left of the screen, and one of the icons is touched. (The touch panel 22 is operated) or the selection is made by the cross key 19 and the selection is made by the cross enter key, whereby the selection is determined by the user.
[0080]
Next to the image quality setting screen, a preview setting screen is displayed (ST59). That is, two icons of preview on and preview off are displayed in order from the center left of the screen, and either one of the icons is touched (operating the touch panel 22) or one of them is selected by the cross key 19 and the cross enter key is pressed. By making the determination, the selection is determined by the user.
[0081]
Next to the preview setting screen, a liquid crystal brightness setting screen is displayed (ST60). That is, three icons of dark, normal, and bright are displayed in order from the center left of the screen, and either one of the icons is touched (the touch panel 22 is operated), or one of the icons is selected by the cross key 19 and the cross enter key is pressed. The user makes a selection decision.
[0082]
Further, when the reproduction menu is selected in step 50 (ST50), a screen for setting the brightness of the liquid crystal during reproduction is displayed (ST61). That is, three icons of dark, normal, and bright are displayed in order from the center left of the screen, and either one of the icons is touched (the touch panel 22 is operated), or one of the icons is selected by the cross key 19 and the cross enter key is pressed. By making the decision in the above, the user can make a selection decision.
[0083]
Next to the liquid crystal brightness setting screen, a DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) setting screen is displayed (ST62). That is, an icon indicating whether or not information for printing is to be recorded on the card medium is displayed at the center of the screen, and either one of the icons is touched (operating the touch panel 22) or the cross key 19 is used to select one of the icons. The selection is made by the user by making a determination with the cross enter key.
[0084]
Next to the DPOF setting screen, a display switching setting screen is displayed (ST63). That is, three icons of date and time display, folder number and file number display, and image quality display are displayed in order from the center left of the screen, and either one of the icons is touched (the touch panel 22 is operated) or the cross key 19 is used. By selecting one of them and determining with the cross enter key, the selection is determined by the user.
[0085]
After the display switching setting screen, a slide show setting screen is displayed (ST64). That is, in order to set the time when the images stored in the smart media 16 are sequentially displayed, 3 seconds (images are sequentially displayed at 3 second intervals), 10 seconds (images are sequentially displayed at 10 second intervals) ) Are displayed at the center of the screen, and either one of the icons is touched (operating the touch panel 22), or one of them is selected by the cross key 19 and determined by the cross enter key. A decision is made.
[0086]
As described above, in the setting of the shooting menu, the reproduction menu, and the setup menu, the menu setting is determined by touching any one of the icons (operating the touch panel 22) or selecting and determining one of the icons with the cross key 19. Therefore, the user can make various settings in the shooting mode by his / her favorite method.
[0087]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A digital still camera 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a configuration basically similar to that of the first embodiment as shown in a rear view of FIG. 15, but is employed in the digital still camera 10 according to the first embodiment. The difference is that the zoom key 17 and the recycle bin key 53 which have been used are deleted, and the zoom button 101 is adopted.
[0088]
That is, when the zoom button 101 is pressed, the zoom is sequentially shifted from 2 × → 4 × → 6 × → 8 × → 1 ×.
[0089]
Also, instead of deleting the recycle bin key 53, in the reproduction mode, a recycle bin icon 102 is displayed in addition to the thumbnail icon 61 as shown in FIG. When an image is to be deleted, the user instructs to delete the image by selecting the image to be deleted and touching the trash can icon 102 while displaying the image on the LCD monitor 21.
[0090]
When the trash can icon 102 is touched, "Delete this file?" Is displayed at the center of the screen of the LCD monitor 21 as in FIG. 12, and the user is asked for confirmation. When the trash can icon 102 is pressed, the file of the image is deleted, and when another key is pressed, the image is not deleted and the display returns to the original image display state.
[0091]
The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14 except for the zoom button 101 and the trash can icon 102, and thus the description of the same parts will be omitted. .
[0092]
Each of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above includes the touch panel 22 as the first operation unit and the cross key 19 as the second operation unit.
[0093]
When selecting a specific image from a plurality of images stored in the memory card of the digital camera and displaying it on the LCD monitor 21 with the touch panel 22 on a full screen or setting various modes, In addition to using the cross key 19 as described above, the same operation can be performed using the touch panel 22 instead of the cross key 19.
[0094]
In contrast to the operation with the cross key 19, the operation can be completed simply by touching the thumbnail image of the image to be displayed on the entire screen or the icon displayed on the entire screen. The same operation as in the case can be performed.
[0095]
It is considered that there are users who do not like dirt such as fingerprints attached to the LCD monitor 21 with the touch panel 22 by touching the touch panel 22. However, in the above embodiment, the user who does not like the dirt needs to operate the cross key 19. Can be provided.
[0096]
As described above, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, both the button group including a plurality of keys and the touch panel are means for executing each function of the digital camera. By allowing the user to select the means, operability for the user is improved.
[0097]
In addition, due to the presence of a plurality of operation means, even when an arbitrary operation means becomes unusable due to a failure or the like, the function can be executed as long as at least one operation means is usable.
[0098]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0099]
FIG. 17 is a rear view of a digital still camera 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is a plan view of the digital still camera 300. The digital still camera 300 has a mode dial 301. This is different from the first and second embodiments. Note that the digital still camera 300 has a liquid crystal display unit 24 as in the first and second embodiments.
[0100]
That is, the digital still camera 300 according to the third embodiment includes a touch panel 22 as a first operation unit and a cross key 19 as a second operation unit in the first embodiment, and a third operation unit. It has a mode dial 301.
[0101]
FIG. 19 is a plan view of the mode dial 301. The mode dial 301 is assigned so that various modes can be selected. That is, a SET-UP mode 301a for performing basic camera settings, a voice record mode 301b for performing only sound recording and playback, a moving image mode 301c for performing moving image capturing, an aperture priority mode 301d for prioritizing aperture, and a shutter speed. Shutter speed priority 301e for taking priority, auto exposure mode 301f for automatically controlling exposure and the like to perform automatic shooting according to the situation, playback mode 301g for playing back, erasing, copying and resizing images, and A PC mode 301h for importing to a personal computer is assigned. By rotating the mode dial 301, a specific mode is selected and determined.
[0102]
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the liquid crystal display unit 24 of the digital still camera 300. The liquid crystal display unit 24 displays each display item selected by the mode dial 301.
[0103]
That is, as shown in FIG. 20, the liquid crystal display unit 24 displays the remaining battery power, strobe shooting, image quality, image size, self-timer shooting, self-timer time, macro shooting, continuous shooting, one-shot shooting in clockwise direction from the upper left. , A voice record mode, and a mode display column in the voice record mode, and a counter display column in the center, and the currently selected item and mode are displayed.
[0104]
As shown in FIG. 20, the counter display field displays a time display, a recordable number display, a photographable time (in the case of a moving image), a PC (PC mode), and a recording / playback elapsed time (voice record mode). The mode display column in the voice record mode displays any of the operation states of restart, stop, pause, and recording. The strobe shooting display field displays the currently selected mode among auto, red-eye forced flash, forced flash, flash disabled, and slow sync.
[0105]
The image quality display column displays the currently selected mode among fine, normal, and basic as the image quality in the shooting mode. Similarly, the image size display field displays the type of half / full image, and the self-timer time display field displays whether the self-timer setting is 2 seconds or 10 seconds. The remaining battery level display column displays the current remaining battery level, and the other remaining display columns display that the item is selected.
[0106]
The digital still camera 300 according to the third embodiment includes a touch panel 22 as a first operation unit and a cross key 19 as a second operation unit in the first embodiment, and a mode as a third operation unit. Since the mode dial 301 is operated and the result is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24, the items / modes selectable with the mode dial 301 can be operated without using the LCD monitor 21. Is possible.
[0107]
Therefore, in the third embodiment, even if the LCD monitor 21 breaks down, the main item / mode can be operated from the mode dial 301.
[0108]
As described above, in the first to third embodiments of the present invention, since there are a plurality of operation means for executing each function of the digital still camera, the user can select one of the plurality of operation means to suit himself / herself. Operating means can be selected and executed. That is, since the user can select an operation means that suits his or her own preference, the operability for the user is improved.
[0109]
In addition, since a plurality of operation means are present, even when an arbitrary operation means becomes unusable due to a failure or the like, the function can be executed as long as at least one operation means can be used. Play.
[0110]
Further, by using the touch panel as the operation means, the same function as other button groups can be executed by an intuitive and simple operation of touching a specific item among a plurality of items presented on the touch panel.
[0111]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, operability for a user can be improved by providing a plurality of operation means for a plurality of functions in an imaging device such as a digital still camera.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital still camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital still camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the digital still camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of the digital still camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a view showing an operation panel of the digital still camera shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating key operations in the digital still camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining mode switching in the digital still camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a view for explaining an image selecting operation in the digital still camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an image selecting operation in the digital still camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a view for explaining an example of image display in the digital still camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an image selection operation using a touch panel in the digital still camera in FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a view for explaining an image erasing operation in the digital still camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating various setting operations of a shooting mode in the digital still camera in FIG. 1;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a menu processing operation in the digital still camera in FIG. 1;
FIG. 15 is a rear view of the digital still camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an operation panel portion of the digital still camera in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a rear view of the digital still camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a plan view of the digital still camera of FIG.
19 is an enlarged view of a mode dial of the digital still camera in FIG.
20 is an enlarged view of a liquid crystal display unit of the digital still camera in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Digital still camera
19 ... Cross key
20 Mode key
21 LCD monitor
22 ... Touch panel
51 …… OSD key
52 Menu key
53 ... Recycle bin key
301 Mode dial

Claims (6)

In an image capturing apparatus having a plurality of functions,
First operation means for selecting any of the plurality of functions;
A second operating means which is provided independently of the first operating means and selects any of the plurality of functions, and wherein the first operating means and the second operating means are capable of selecting the plurality of functions. An image photographing apparatus that enables selection of any one of the following functions. In an image photographing apparatus for displaying a thumbnail of an image photographed on the display unit, the selection of a specific image from the plurality of thumbnail-displayed images can be performed by using the plurality of thumbnail images from any of the first operation unit and the second operation unit. The image photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein any one of the following functions can be selected. In the image capturing apparatus that displays a selectable item among a plurality of functions on the display unit, a specific item among the displayed plurality of items is selected by the first operation unit or the second operation unit. The image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein any one of the plurality of functions can be selected from the following. In an image capturing apparatus having a plurality of functions,
First operation means for selecting any of the plurality of functions;
A display unit for displaying a captured image,
A touch panel provided on the front surface of the display unit to select any one of the plurality of functions, so that any one of the plurality of functions can be selected from any one of the first operation unit and the touch panel. Image capturing device. In the image capturing apparatus that performs thumbnail display of an image captured on the display unit, selection of a specific image from among the plurality of thumbnail-displayed images can be performed using any of the first operation unit and the touch panel. The image photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the user can select one of the following. In the image photographing apparatus for displaying a selectable item among a plurality of functions on the display unit, the user can select a specific item from the displayed plurality of items by using the first operation means and the touch panel. The image photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein any one of the following functions can be selected.

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