JP2010028364A - Image capturing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

【Task】
The operation interface of the conventional photographing apparatus has a problem that the photographer cannot intuitively operate or there are many malfunctions.
[Solution]
An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image via a lens optical system, a display unit that displays the subject image and operation interface captured by the imaging unit, and an operation interface displayed on the display unit. A first detection unit that detects, as operation information, a pressing position that receives an upper pressing operation; a second detection unit that detects a pressing condition of the first detection unit at the pressing position as operation information; and the first detection unit; And a control unit that executes an operation based on both pieces of operation information detected by the second detection unit.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation interface of a photographing apparatus.

In recent years, photographing apparatuses such as a digital camera and a video camera tend to be multifunctional, and the operation interface of the photographing apparatus has become complicated because many settings are required. For this reason, there is a demand for an operation interface that is close to the natural sense of humans. For example, an operation interface that displays visual operation buttons on a monitor screen and inputs operation information from a touch panel arranged on the monitor screen is considered (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-236008 A

  However, the operation interface for operating the operation buttons displayed on the monitor screen is visually easy to understand, but malfunction is a problem. In particular, it has been difficult to realize an operation interface capable of simultaneously performing a slide operation and a button operation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus provided with an operation interface that allows a photographer to input intuitively and reliably.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image via a lens optical system, a display unit that displays the subject image and operation interface captured by the imaging unit, and an operation interface displayed on the display unit. A first detection unit that detects, as operation information, a pressing position that receives an upper pressing operation; a second detection unit that detects a pressing condition of the first detection unit at the pressing position as operation information; and the first detection unit; And a control unit that executes an operation based on both pieces of operation information detected by the second detection unit.

  Preferably, the control unit includes the first detection unit and the first detection unit only when the temporally changing direction of the pressing position detected by the first detection unit is in a predetermined axial direction on the operation interface. 2. An operation based on both pieces of operation information detected by the detection unit is performed.

  Preferably, the control unit is configured so that the first detection unit and the second detection unit are only in a case where the pressing condition detected by the second detection unit is within a predetermined range within a predetermined time. An operation based on both pieces of detected operation information is executed.

  Preferably, when the pressing condition detected by the second detection unit is within a predetermined range, it includes a case where the fluctuation speed of the pressing condition becomes strong within the predetermined range or becomes weak within the predetermined range. Features.

  Preferably, the control unit detects when the time-changing direction of the pressing position detected by the first detection unit is in a predetermined axial direction on the operation interface and when the second detection unit detects When the pressing condition is within a predetermined range within a predetermined time set in advance, an operation based on both operation information detected by the first detection unit and the second detection unit is executed. .

  Preferably, when the pressing condition detected by the second detection unit is within a predetermined range, it includes a case where the fluctuation speed of the pressing condition becomes strong within the predetermined range or becomes weak within the predetermined range. Features.

  Preferably, a storage unit that temporarily stores operation information of the first detection unit and the second detection unit is further provided, and the control unit is at least one of the first detection unit and the second detection unit. When a change in the operation information is detected, the operation information stored in the storage unit is updated to always hold the current operation information.

  The photographing apparatus according to the present invention inputs the operation information based on both the pressing position and the pressing condition on the operation interface in the predetermined axial direction, so that it is possible to realize an operation interface that can be operated intuitively by the photographer with few malfunctions. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera 100 showing an example of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that the components constituting the digital camera 100 do not necessarily have the same configuration as in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, a digital camera 100 includes a lens optical system 101, an image sensor 102, an A / D converter 103, a buffer memory 104, a system bus 105, a signal processing circuit 106, and a CPU (central processing unit). 107, operation panel 108, ROM (read only memory) 109, touch panel 110, liquid crystal monitor 111, display circuit 112, RAM (random access memory) 113, memory card IF (interface) 114, and memory The card 115, the I / O controller 116, and the mechanism unit 117 are configured. Here, the mechanism unit 117 includes an actuator 120, a motor 121, a drive unit 122, and an encoder 123.

  The lens optical system 101 includes a plurality of optical lenses, and plays a role of forming a subject image to be photographed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 102. The lens optical system 101 includes a focus lens and a zoom lens that perform focus adjustment. The position of the focus lens and the zoom lens is moved by a motor 121, and a diaphragm and the like are driven by an actuator 120. Here, the positions of the focus lens and the zoom lens are read by the encoder 123 and output to the CPU 107 via the I / O controller 116 and the system bus 105. Then, the CPU 107 instructs the drive unit 122 via the system bus 105 and the I / O controller 116 to drive the motor 121 and the actuator 120 until the position of the focus lens or the zoom lens moves to a predetermined position.

  The image sensor 102 is also referred to as an area sensor, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion units are two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface thereof. The image formed on the light receiving surface by the lens optical system 101 is converted into an electrical signal by each photoelectric conversion unit, and an analog image signal is output.

  The A / D conversion unit 103 converts an analog image signal output from the image sensor 102 into digital image data, and temporarily stores it in the buffer memory 104. The buffer memory 104 is a place for temporarily storing image data in order to perform image processing executed by the signal processing circuit 106 or the CPU 107 and flow control of image data.

  The CPU 107 is a microprocessor that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 100. The CPU 107 operates based on program code stored in advance in the ROM 109 and data referred to by the program code.

  The operation panel 108 includes operation buttons and switches (power button 108a, release button 108b, shooting mode changeover switch 108c, etc.) necessary for the photographer to operate the digital camera 100. The operation state of these operation buttons and switches is detected by the CPU 107.

  The touch panel 110 is disposed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111. In addition to the operation panel 108, the CPU 107 displays a graphic image indicating the operation interface of the digital camera 100 on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111, and the photographer operates the operation interface displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111 with a finger. . The operation information at this time is output from the touch panel 110 to the CPU 107 via the operation panel 108, and the CPU 107 controls the digital camera 100 according to the obtained operation information. Here, the operation information detected by the touch panel 110 is the position on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111 where the photographer's finger is placed and the pressing force with which the photographer's finger presses the touch panel 110. That is, the touch panel 110 can simultaneously detect the position where the photographer touches with a finger and the pressure at that position. For example, as a detection method of the touch panel 110, there are a method using a change in resistance due to a resistance film and a method using a change in capacitance. Alternatively, there are various methods such as those using ultrasonic surface acoustic waves, those detecting the light blocking position, those detecting by image recognition, and those using a magnetic field change caused by electromagnetic induction. Any method may be used as long as it can simultaneously detect the position touched by and the pressure at that position.

  The liquid crystal monitor 111 is a display device that is driven by a display circuit 112 that functions as a video controller, and graphic information such as image information and an operation interface that the signal processing unit 106 and the CPU 107 output to the display circuit 112 via the system bus 105.・ Character information is displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an operation interface 151 and character information (exposure value, setting sensitivity, etc.) 152 are displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111 attached to the back of the digital camera 100.

  The RAM 113 is a random access memory and functions to store data necessary for the operation of the CPU 107, the signal processing circuit 106, and the display circuit 112.

  The memory card 115 is composed of a non-volatile memory, and once recorded, it retains its contents even when the power is shut off. The memory card 115 is detachable from a connector included in the memory card IF 114, and image data and additional information are recorded and reproduced via the memory card IF 114.

  The signal processing circuit 106 is a processor that performs image processing, has a function of performing various calculations necessary for image processing at high speed, and operates according to a command from the CPU 107 connected via the system bus 105. For example, when an image captured by the image sensor 102 is taken into the buffer memory 104, white balance processing, color interpolation processing, and the like are executed.

  The I / O controller 116 controls the operation of each unit of the mechanism unit 117 according to a command from the CPU 107.

  The encoder 123 is a sensor for acquiring the state of the lens optical system 101 and detects the position of a focus lens, a zoom lens, or the like.

  The motor 121 drives a mechanism for moving the position of the focus lens or zoom lens of the lens optical system 101.

  The drive unit 122 is a driver for the motor 121 and the actuator 120, converts the control signal from the I / O controller 116 into electric power necessary for driving the motor 121 and the actuator 120, and supplies the electric power.

  The actuator 120 is a lens actuator and drives a diaphragm mechanism included in the lens optical system 101.

  When the power is turned on, the CPU 107 reads the program code from the ROM 109 and starts execution. This program code first initializes the state of each part of the digital camera 100 and sets it to a shooting standby state. When the initial setting is completed, the subject image formed on the image sensor 102 via the lens optical system 101 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 104 via the A / D converter 103. The image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 104 is subjected to processing such as white balance processing and color interpolation processing in the signal processing unit 106 and is stored in the buffer memory 104 again. Then, the captured image is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111 via the system bus 105 and the display circuit 112. By repeating such an operation, a preview image photographed by the image sensor 103 continuously in time series is displayed as a moving image on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111, and the photographer shoots while viewing the screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 111. The composition of the image can be defined. The state at this time is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 displays an image displayed as a preview on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111 described with reference to FIG. 2, an operation interface 151, and character information 152 indicating an exposure value and setting sensitivity. Next, an example in which the photographer operates the operation interface 151 displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111 to perform the zoom operation and the focus operation will be described. In FIG. 3, a slide lever 151 a and a slide rail 151 b drawn in a one-dimensional axis are displayed as an operation interface 151 on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111. Here, the photographer can perform a zoom operation by moving the slide lever 151a up and down along the slide rail 151b while pressing the photographer's finger 153 against the touch panel 110 made of a transparent member. The focus operation can be performed by increasing or decreasing the pressure (pressing force) that presses against the touch panel 110. For example, when a zoom operation is performed, if the photographer's finger 153 is pressed against the touch panel 110 and the slide lever 151a is moved along the slide rail 151b in the upward direction on the paper, the zoom is performed, and the slide lever 151a is moved to the slide rail 151b. Zoom out by moving it down along the page.

  Here, the state when zoomed in is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, when the subject image captured when zooming in is out of focus, the photographer can perform the focus operation while keeping the finger 153 pressed against the slide lever 151a. For example, when the pressing force of the photographer's finger 153 pressed against the slide lever 151a is increased, the position of the focus lens of the lens optical system 101 is moved to the front side (in the direction away from the image sensor 102), and the photographer's finger 153 is moved. When the pressing force is reduced, the position of the focus lens of the lens optical system 101 is moved to the rear side (direction approaching the image sensor 102). In this way, as shown in FIG. 5, the photographer can focus while keeping the finger 153 pressed against the slide lever 151a. That is, the photographer can perform the zoom operation and the focus operation at the same time without releasing the finger 153 from the slide lever 151a.

  In the above description, the graphic image of the slide lever 151a displayed on the screen of the LCD monitor 111 does not change even when the photographer changes the pressing force of the finger 153 pressed against the slide lever 151a. When the pressing force of the finger 153 pressed against the slide lever 151a is changed, the graphic image of the slide lever 151a displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111 may be changed. For example, FIG. 6A shows the same state as FIG. 4 and shows a graphic image of the slide lever 151a before the pressing force of the photographer's finger 153 pressed against the slide lever 151a is changed. On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows a graphic image of the slide lever 151a when the pressing force of the finger 153 pressed against the slide lever 151a by the photographer is weaker than that in the state of FIG. . At this time, the size of the slide lever 151a in FIG. 6 (b) is smaller than the size of the slide lever 151a in FIG. 6 (a). Conversely, when the pressing force of the finger 153 pressed against the slide lever 151a by the photographer is stronger than the state of FIG. 6A, the size of the slide lever 151a is as shown in FIG. 6C. 6 (a) is displayed larger than the size of the slide lever 151a. That is, if the pressing force is increased, the slide lever 151a is displayed larger, and if the pressing force is decreased, the slide lever 151a is displayed smaller. This is an operation that matches the human natural sense. Although there are only three types of slide levers 151a depicted in FIG. 6, it is also possible to display a change in shape that is almost stepless according to the change in the pressing force.

  Alternatively, instead of changing the size of the graphic image as shown in FIG. 6, the luminance and hue of the graphic image may be changed. For example, FIG. 7A shows the same state as FIG. 4 and shows a graphic image of the slide lever 151a before the pressing force of the photographer's finger 153 pressed against the slide lever 151a is changed. On the other hand, FIG. 7B depicts a graphic image of the slide lever 151a when the pressing force of the finger 153 pressed against the slide lever 151a by the photographer is weaker than in the state of FIG. 7A. . At this time, the brightness of the slide lever 151a in FIG. 7B is darker than the brightness of the slide lever 151a in FIG. Conversely, when the pressing force of the finger 153 pressed against the slide lever 151a by the photographer is stronger than the state shown in FIG. 7A, the brightness of the slide lever 151a is as shown in FIG. 7C. It is displayed brighter than the brightness of the slide lever 151a in (a). That is, if the pressing force is increased, the slide lever 151a is displayed brightly, and if the pressing force is decreased, the slide lever 151a is displayed darkly. Similar to FIG. 6, this is also an operation that matches the human natural sense. Although there are only three types of brightness of the slide lever 151a depicted in FIG. 7, it is also possible to display a brightness change that is almost stepless according to the change of the pressing force.

  Here, when the slide lever 151a is moved along the slide rail 151b, the CPU 107 also detects the moving direction of the slide lever 151a. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the slide rail 151b is drawn in the y-axis direction of the xy coordinates, the moving direction of the photographer's finger 153 is not the one-dimensional axis direction along the y-axis. Don't be. Actually, an allowable range of shake in the x-axis direction is set in advance, and if the shake is within the allowable range, the photographer's finger 153 is moved in the one-dimensional axis direction along the y-axis. You may judge.

  8B, if the moving direction of the slide lever 151a is not the one-dimensional axial direction of the slide rail 151b, it is determined that something has touched the touch panel 110 by mistake, and the digital camera 100 Is not reflected in the control. For example, when performing zoom control in FIG. 3, if the moving direction of the slide lever 151a is not in the one-dimensional axis direction of the slide rail 151b as shown in FIG. 8B, the CPU 107 does not reflect the zoom operation.

  Here, in the above example, a case has been described in which a linear operation interface is arranged in the one-dimensional axis direction like the slide lever 151b, and the photographer operates by moving the finger 153 in the one-dimensional axis direction. Next, an example where the operation interface is not on a straight line will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a description will be given of a case of an operation interface in which the hue ring 154 is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111 to adjust the hue and brightness of a captured image. In this case, the photographer adjusts the hue of the captured image by placing the finger 153 on the hue ring 154. For example, when the photographer's finger 153 is moved circularly on the hue ring 154, the hue changes. Furthermore, if the pressing force is changed with the finger 153 remaining on the predetermined hue, only the brightness changes with the same hue. For example, when the pressing force is increased, the captured image becomes brighter, and when the pressing force is decreased, the captured image becomes darker. In this way, the photographer can adjust the hue and brightness of the captured image with a natural feeling. In this case, since the operation interface is circular, the photographer operates by moving the finger 153 in the direction of a predetermined circular axis. Similarly to the case described with reference to FIG. 8, when the finger 153 is removed from the vicinity of the circular axis, it is determined that something has touched the touch panel 110 by mistake, and the CPU 107 does not reflect the hue control.

  In addition to the zoom operation, the focus operation, and the adjustment operation such as hue and brightness described above, the release button is displayed on the screen, and the pressing force of the finger 153 on the release button is less than a predetermined value. May be determined to be half-pressed, and may be determined to be fully pressed when the pressing force is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Alternatively, it can be applied to various operation interfaces such as shooting mode setting and exposure control, or AF area setting and sensitivity setting.

  In this manner, the photographer can perform various operations of the digital camera 100 depending on the position and pressing force of the finger 153 pressed against the touch panel 110 on the liquid crystal monitor 111.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 100 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 11. First, FIG. 10 is a flowchart regarding the initial processing of operation input common when using the various operation interfaces described above. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 10 shows the contents processed by the CPU 107 based on the program code stored in the ROM 109 in advance.

  (Step S101) The CPU 107 starts an initial process of operation input. Here, the initial process of the operation input is a process when the photographer first touches the operation interface displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111 with the finger 153.

  (Step S102) The CPU 107 initializes operation information. Here, the operation information means information on the position and pressing force of the photographer's finger 153 detected by the touch panel 110, and the operation information is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 113. For example, the position information is stored as coordinate values of the touch panel 110 as two-dimensional coordinates of the x axis (7 bits: 0 to 127) and the y axis (7 bits: 0 to 127). The pressing force is stored as a value when the range detectable by the touch panel 110 is quantized with (7 bits: 0 to 127), for example. Here, the initial value of the coordinate value is (0, 0), and the initial value of the pressing force is 0. The pressing force of 0 indicates a state where the finger 153 is not placed on the touch panel 110. In this processing step, the coordinate value and the pressing force stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 113 are set to initial values.

  (Step S103) The CPU 107 initializes the continuous operation timer to zero. Here, the continuous operation timer is a timer for confirming the time during which the photographer's finger 153 is touching the touch panel 110, and the value of the continuous operation timer is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 113. The continuous operation timer is a timer that is counted every predetermined time. In the present embodiment, when the continuous operation timer = 0, it indicates that the continuous operation timer is not activated.

  (Step S <b> 104) The CPU 107 determines whether or not the photographer touches the finger 153 on the operation interface displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111. That is, if a pressing force other than 0 is detected at any position on the touch panel 110, it is determined that there has been an operation input, and the process proceeds to step S105, and a pressing force other than 0 is applied to any position on the touch panel 110. If it is not detected, it is determined that there is no operation input, and it waits until there is an operation input.

  (Step S <b> 105) The CPU 107 acquires operation information of the operation interface displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111. In other words, the position where the touch panel 110 detects a pressing force other than 0 and the pressing force at that time are acquired from the touch panel 110.

  (Step S106) The CPU 107 determines whether or not the continuous operation timer = 0. If the continuous operation timer = 0, the process proceeds to step S107. If the continuous operation timer = 0 is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S108. For example, if there is an operation input for the first time through step S103, the continuous operation timer = 0, and the process proceeds to step S107.

  (Step S107) The CPU 107 starts a continuous operation timer. For example, continuous operation timer = 1.

  (Step S108) The CPU 107 determines whether or not a continuous operation has been performed. Here, the continuous operation means an operation that the photographer's finger 153 performs without leaving the touch panel 110. That is, when the photographer's finger 153 is separated from the touch panel 110, the operation is not continuous, and the process returns to step S103. If the photographer's finger 153 is not away from the touch panel 110, continuous operation is in progress and the process proceeds to step S109.

  (Step S109) The CPU 107 counts up the continuous operation timer. In the present embodiment, the continuous operation timer is counted up according to the speed at which the processing from step S105 to step S110 is repeated, but at a predetermined interval according to the clock incorporated in the CPU 107. If interrupt processing is performed, the continuous operation timer can be counted up in an accurate time. Here, the value stored in the storage area for the continuous operation timer in the RAM 113 is updated to the value of the continuous operation timer counted up.

  (Step S110) The CPU 107 reads the storage area for the continuous operation timer in the RAM 113, and determines whether or not the continuous operation timer has timed out. That is, it is determined whether or not the continuous operation timer counted up in step S109 has reached a predetermined value set in advance. If the continuous operation timer has timed out, the process proceeds to step S111. If the continuous operation timer has not timed out, the process returns to step S105.

  (Step S <b> 111) The CPU 107 determines the operation information acquired at Step S <b> 105 (the position at which the pressing force other than 0 is detected on the touch panel 110 and the pressing force at that time) as the operation information input from the touch panel 110. That is, the CPU 107 reflects the confirmed operation information in each process. For example, zoom processing and focus processing are performed using the determined operation information.

  (Step S <b> 112) The CPU 107 ends the initial operation input process.

  As described above, a series of processing from the processing step S101 to the processing step S112 is common input processing when operating the digital camera 100 using the operation interface displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 111. Here, the initial process of the operation input shown in FIG. 10 is that the photographer's body or an object such as a bag is mistaken when the photographer tries to perform the operation input using the operation interface displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 111. This is an initial process for preventing a malfunction when the touch panel 110 is touched. By these initial processes, for example, when the touch panel 110 is touched in a time shorter than the set time of the continuous operation timer, it is processed that there is no operation input, and the actual control process (zoom process, focus process, etc.) is performed. I will not.

  Next, an example of performing actual control processing using the initial input processing described with reference to FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation input on the operation interface that performs the zoom operation and the focus operation simultaneously. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 11 shows the contents processed by the CPU 107 based on the program code stored in the ROM 109 in advance.

  (Step S201) The CPU 107 starts zoom control and focus control processing. Here, the CPU 107 displays a slide lever 151 a and a slide rail 151 b as shown in the operation interface 151 of FIG. 3 on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111. At this time, a preview image captured by the image sensor 103 is continuously displayed in time series on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111 as a moving image, and the photographer views the captured image while viewing the screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 111. Can be confirmed.

  (Step S202) The CPU 107 executes the initial input process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, it is detected that the photographer's finger 153 has intentionally touched the touch panel 110 in the initial input process. When the operation information is confirmed, the initial input process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S203.

  (Step S <b> 203) The CPU 107 acquires operation information of the operation interface (a position where the pressing force and the pressing force are detected) displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111 and stores it in a predetermined area of the RAM 113. At this time, when the photographer's finger 153 is away from the touch panel 110, the pressing force is zero. Further, since the position where the pressing force is detected cannot be specified because the pressing force is 0, the coordinates of the position where the pressing force is detected are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 113 as an initial value (0, 0). Here, in the predetermined area of the RAM 113, not only the latest pressing force and pressing position but also the previous pressing force and pressing position are stored.

  (Step S204) The CPU 107 reads the pressing force of the operation information input in step S203 from a predetermined area of the RAM 113, and whether the pressing force is 0 (a state where the photographer's finger 153 is not touching the touch panel 110). Is determined. When the pressing force is 0 (when the photographer's finger 153 has moved away from the touch panel 110), the process proceeds to step S215 to end the zoom control and focus control processing, and when the pressing force is not 0 (the photographer's finger 153 is If it is placed on the touch panel 110), the process proceeds to step S205.

  (Step S205) The CPU 107 determines whether or not the pressing force of the operation information input in step S203 has changed. That is, the previous pressing force stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 113 is compared with the latest pressing force to determine whether or not the pressing force has changed. The comparison between the previous pressing force and the latest pressing force may be determined simply by whether or not the difference is 0. For example, when the absolute value of the difference between the two is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value If it is less than a preset threshold value, it may be determined that it has not changed.

  If the pressing force has changed, the process proceeds to step S206. If the pressing force has not changed, the process proceeds to step S209.

  At this time, if the fluctuation range of the pressing force is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it may be determined that the pressing force has not changed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent malfunction due to a temporary strong pressure being applied to the touch panel 110 by an irregular operation such as the photographer holding the digital camera 100 again.

  (Step S206) When the pressing force changes, the CPU 107 determines whether the pressing force has increased or decreased. That is, the difference between the previous pressing force stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 113 and the latest pressing force is calculated to determine which is larger.

  If (previous pressing force) − (latest pressing force) <0, it is determined that the pressing force has increased, and the process proceeds to step S207. If (previous pressing force) − (latest pressing force)> 0, It is determined that the pressing force has decreased, and the process proceeds to step S208.

  (Step S207) The CPU 107 moves the position of the focus lens to the rear side (direction approaching the image sensor 102). That is, the CPU 107 commands the drive unit 122 via the system bus 105 and the I / O controller 116, and the drive unit 122 drives the motor 121 by a predetermined amount so that the position of the focus lens moves in a direction approaching the image sensor 102. To do. After processing, the process proceeds to step S209. Here, driving by a predetermined amount means that the position of the focus lens is moved by a preset distance, and the position of the focus lens gradually approaches the image sensor 102 side each time this processing step is performed. In order to adjust the focus accurately, it is desirable to set the predetermined amount to the minimum unit that can be driven by the drive unit 122.

  (Step S208) The CPU 107 moves the position of the focus lens to the front side (in the direction away from the image sensor 102). That is, the CPU 107 commands the drive unit 122 via the system bus 105 and the I / O controller 116, and the drive unit 122 drives the motor 121 by a predetermined amount so that the position of the focus lens moves away from the image sensor 102. To do. After processing, the process proceeds to step S209. Here, the meaning of the predetermined amount is as described in step S207.

(Step S209) The CPU 107 determines whether or not the pressing position of the operation information input in step S203 has changed. That is, the previous pressing position stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 113 is compared with the latest pressing position to determine whether or not the pressing position has changed. The comparison between the previous pressing position and the latest pressing position may be determined simply by determining whether the distance between the previous pressing position and the latest pressing position is 0. For example, the distance between the two is set in advance. If it is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it may be determined that the change has occurred, and if it is less than the preset threshold value, it may be determined that the change has not occurred. Here, for example, when moving from the previous coordinate A (x1, y1) to the current coordinate B (x2, y2), if the distance between the two is represented by AB, the distance AB is obtained by (Equation 1). .
AB = √ ((x2-x1) ^ 2 + (y2-y1) ^ 2) (Formula 1)
If the pressed position has changed as a result of the determination, the process proceeds to step S210, and if the pressed position has not changed, the process returns to step S203.

  (Step S210) The CPU 107 compares the previous pressing position stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 113 with the latest pressing position, and determines whether or not the pressing position is on the predetermined axis. Here, for example, in the case of the operation interface depicted in FIG. 3, the slide lever 151a moves on the one-dimensional axis of the slide rail 151b, so the predetermined axis corresponds to the one-dimensional axis of the slide rail 151b.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the xy coordinates are taken in the horizontal direction and the y axis in the vertical direction (one-dimensional axis direction of the slide rail 151b), for example, When moving from the coordinate A (x1, y1) to the current coordinate B (x2, y2), since the slide rail 151b is arranged in the y-axis direction, the movement in the x-axis direction should be 0 or a small range. is there. Therefore, when the x-axis range is 0 to 127 and the y-axis range is 0 to 127, for example, if the threshold value is α, the CPU 107 determines whether x2 is within the range of x1 ± α.
(X1−α) <x2 <(x1 + α) (Formula 2)
For example, when the threshold value α = 3, it is determined whether or not (x1-3) <x2 <(x1 + 3) is satisfied.

  As a result of the above determination, if x2 satisfies (Expression 2), it is determined that it is on the predetermined axis, and the process proceeds to step S211. If x2 does not satisfy (Expression 2), it is determined that it is not on the predetermined axis. The process returns to step S203.

  When the predetermined axis is not a one-dimensional axis as shown in FIG. 8 but a circular axis as shown in FIG. 9, for example, when the predetermined axis is on the coordinates between the outer circle and the inner circle of the hue ring 154 Is determined to be on the predetermined axis, and the case where it is on the coordinates outside the outer circle or the inner circle of the hue ring 154 is determined not to be on the predetermined axis.

  Here, the CPU 107 discriminates the moving direction of the pressed position, but it may calculate the moving distance per unit time as well as the moving direction and add the moving speed to the determining condition. In this case, it is determined whether or not the pressing position is moving at a predetermined axis direction and at a predetermined speed or less. For example, when an object accidentally touches the photographer unintentionally, it is assumed that the moving speed is fast even if the direction of movement is the same as when the photographer intentionally moves the finger 153. The Such a malfunction can be eliminated by adding the moving speed to the determination condition.

  (Step S211) The CPU 107 compares the previous pressing position stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 113 with the latest pressing position, and determines the change direction. For example, in the case of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the slide lever 151a has moved in the upward direction on the paper (in the y-axis increasing direction).

  If the slide lever 151a has moved in the y-axis increasing direction, the process proceeds to step S212. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S213.

  (Step S212) The CPU 107 moves the zoom lens to the tele side (zooms in). That is, the CPU 107 commands the drive unit 122 via the system bus 105 and the I / O controller 116, and the drive unit 122 drives the motor 121 by a predetermined amount in the direction in which the position of the zoom lens becomes the tele side. After processing, the process returns to step S203. Here, driving by a predetermined amount means that the position of the zoom lens is moved by a preset distance, and the position of the zoom lens is gradually moved to the tele side every time this processing step is passed. In order to adjust the zoom position with high accuracy, it is desirable to set the predetermined amount to the minimum unit that the drive unit 122 can drive.

  (Step S213) Similar to step S211, the CPU 107 compares the previous pressing position stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 113 with the latest pressing position, and determines the change direction. However, in this process, in FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the slide lever 151a has moved downward in the drawing (in the y-axis decreasing direction).

  If the slide lever 151a has moved in the y-axis decreasing direction, the process proceeds to step S214. Otherwise (if there is no movement in the y-axis direction), the process returns to step S203.

  (Step S214) The CPU 107 moves the zoom lens to the wide side (zooms out). That is, the CPU 107 commands the drive unit 122 via the system bus 105 and the I / O controller 116, and the drive unit 122 drives the motor 121 by a predetermined amount in the direction in which the position of the zoom lens becomes the wide side. After processing, the process returns to step S203. Here, the meaning of the predetermined amount is as described in step S212.

  (Step S215) The CPU 107 ends the zoom control and focus control processing.

  As described above, a series of processes from the process step S201 to the process step S215 is an operation input process on the operation interface that simultaneously performs the zoom operation and the focus operation. As described with reference to FIG. 11, the photographer can perform a zoom operation and a focus operation without releasing the finger 153 from the touch panel 110.

  Here, in the flowchart of FIG. 11, when the photographer releases the finger 153 from the touch panel 110 even a little, the zoom control and the focus control are finished. However, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the timing when the photographer releases the finger 153. Also, using the continuous operation timer as described in FIG. 10, it is determined that the photographer intentionally releases the finger 153 only when the finger 153 has been released for a preset time, and the operation is terminated. Like to do.

  Next, the flowchart of FIG. 12 will be described. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 12 shows the contents processed by the CPU 107 based on the program code stored in the ROM 109 in advance. Also, in the flowchart of FIG. 12, processing steps having the same reference numerals as those in the flowchart of FIG. Here, only the processing added in FIG. 12 will be described.

  First, after the initial input process is completed in step S202, the process of step S301 is performed before proceeding to step S203.

  (Step S301) The CPU 107 initializes a continuous operation timer to zero. The continuous operation timer is a timer similar to step S103 in FIG. 10, but is a timer for confirming the time during which the photographer's finger 153 is away from the touch panel 110 in this processing step. The value of the continuous operation timer is a timer that is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 113 and is counted every predetermined time. As in the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the continuous operation timer = 0, it indicates that the continuous operation timer is not activated. After processing, the process proceeds to step S203.

  Next, when it is determined in step S204 that the pressing force = 0, the process proceeds to step S215 in the flowchart of FIG. 11 to end the process, but in the flowchart of FIG. 12, the process of step S302 is not performed without proceeding to step S215. Do.

  (Step S302) The CPU 107 determines whether or not the continuous operation timer = 0. If the continuous operation timer = 0, the process proceeds to step S303. If the continuous operation timer = 0 is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S304. For example, if the pressing force = 0 first through step S301, the continuous operation timer = 0, so the process proceeds to step S303.

  (Step S303) The CPU 107 starts a continuous operation timer. For example, continuous operation timer = 1.

  (Step S304) The CPU 107 counts up the continuous operation timer. In the present embodiment, the continuous operation timer is counted up according to the speed at which the processing from Step S203, Step S204, Step S302 to Step S305 is repeated. In the case of Step S109 in FIG. Similarly to the above, if interrupt processing is performed at predetermined intervals according to the clock incorporated in the CPU 107, the continuous operation timer can be counted up in an accurate time. Here, the value stored in the storage area for the continuous operation timer in the RAM 113 is updated to the value of the continuous operation timer counted up.

  (Step S305) The CPU 107 reads the storage area for the continuous operation timer in the RAM 113 and determines whether or not the continuous operation timer has timed out. That is, it is determined whether or not the continuous operation timer counted up in step S304 has reached a predetermined value set in advance. If the continuous operation timer has not timed out, the process returns to step S203, and if the continuous operation timer has timed out, the process proceeds to step S215 to end the process.

  Here, while the photographer's finger 153 is away from the touch panel 110, the processing from step S203, step S204, and step S302 to step S305 is repeated until the continuous operation timer times out. When the photographer's finger 153 is placed on the touch panel 110, the process leaves step S204, executes step S306, and proceeds to step S205.

  (Step S306) The CPU 107 initializes the continuous operation timer to zero. As a result, when the pressing force becomes 0 again, the processing from step S203, step S204, and step S302 to step S305 can be repeated until the continuous operation timer times out. Note that immediately after the photographer's finger 153 is temporarily separated from the touch panel 110 and immediately after the photographer's finger 153 is placed on the touch panel 110 again, the same initial input processing as in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is executed. It doesn't matter.

  Here, it is determined whether or not the photographer's finger 153 has just been placed on the touch panel 110 again. When the pressing force = 0 is determined in step S204 and the process proceeds to step S302, a continuous timer process is once performed. This can be done by setting a check flag indicating that the flag has been set. Alternatively, instead of the check flag, it is determined whether or not the continuous flag timer is 0. If the continuous flag timer is not 0, it can be considered that the continuous timer process has been performed once. In this case, the CPU 107 initializes the continuous operation timer to 0 after this determination.

  As described above, the operation interface of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment inputs the operation information based on both the pressing position and the pressing force (pressing condition) on the operation interface in the predetermined axial direction. It is possible to realize an operation interface that can be operated reliably and reliably.

  In particular, when the photographer presses the finger 153 against the touch panel 110 to start the operation, the continuous operation timer determines whether or not the finger 153 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time. It is possible to prevent a malfunction when an object such as a body or a bag touches the touch panel 110 by mistake.

  Further, since the operation information is reflected in the process only when the photographer moves the finger 153 of the touch panel 110 in the predetermined axis direction on the operation interface, it is possible to prevent a photographer's operation mistake. Furthermore, since the operation information is reflected in the process only when the variation of the pressing force is within the predetermined range, it is possible to further prevent the operator from making an operation error.

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera 100 according to an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an operation interface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode before zooming in. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode at the time of zooming in. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode after a focus operation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a graphic display of an operation interface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a graphic display of an operation interface. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an operation direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the operation interface using a hue ring. It is a flowchart which shows an input initial process. It is a flowchart which shows zoom control and focus control. It is a flowchart which shows the zoom control and focus control of another example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Digital camera 101 ... Lens optical system 102 ... Image pick-up element 103 ... A / D conversion part 104 ... Buffer memory 105 ... System bus 106 ... Signal processing circuit 107 ...・ CPU
108 ... Operation panel 109 ... ROM
110 ... Touch panel 111 ... LCD monitor 112 ... Display circuit 113 ... RAM
114 ... Memory card IF 115 ... Memory card 116 ... I / O controller 117 ... Mechanism unit 120 ... Actuator 121 ... Motor 122 ... Drive unit 123 ... Encoder 151 ..Operation interface 151a ... Slide lever 151b ... Slide rail 152 ... Text information

Claims (7)

A photographing unit for photographing a subject image via a lens optical system;
A display unit for displaying a subject image and an operation interface captured by the imaging unit;
A first detection unit that detects, as operation information, a pressing position that receives a pressing operation on the operation interface displayed on the display unit;
A second detection unit that detects, as operation information, a pressing condition at the pressing position of the first detection unit;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs an operation based on both operation information detected by the first detection unit and the second detection unit. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The control unit detects the first detection unit and the second detection unit only when the temporally changing direction of the pressing position detected by the first detection unit is in a predetermined axial direction on the operation interface. An image-taking apparatus that performs an operation based on both pieces of operation information. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The control unit detects both operations detected by the first detection unit and the second detection unit only when the pressing condition detected by the second detection unit is within a predetermined range within a predetermined time. An imaging device that performs an operation based on information. In the imaging device according to claim 3,
When the pressing condition detected by the second detection unit is within a predetermined range, the photographing apparatus includes a case where the fluctuation speed of the pressing condition becomes strong within the predetermined range or weakens within the predetermined range. . The imaging device according to claim 1,
The control unit is configured so that when the direction in which the pressing position detected by the first detection unit changes with time is in a predetermined axial direction on the operation interface, and the pressing condition detected by the second detection unit is in advance. An imaging apparatus that performs an operation based on both pieces of operation information detected by the first detection unit and the second detection unit when a predetermined range is within a set fixed time. In the imaging device according to claim 5,
When the pressing condition detected by the second detection unit is within a predetermined range, the photographing apparatus includes a case where the fluctuation speed of the pressing condition becomes strong within the predetermined range or weakens within the predetermined range. . In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A storage unit for temporarily storing operation information of the first detection unit and the second detection unit;
When the control unit detects a change in operation information of at least one of the first detection unit and the second detection unit, the control unit updates operation information stored in the storage unit and always maintains current operation information. An imaging device characterized by that.

Images