JP2010176460A - Electronic device and camera - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an electronic device that automatically returns a display even if a function associated with the automatically reduced display is forgotten.
An electronic device includes an operation member that issues an operation signal depending on an operation position, a display member that displays information, and a plurality of displays that indicate functions associated with each of the plurality of operation positions. Display control means 20 for controlling the display member 17 so as to display each, a counting means 20 for counting the number of operations of the operation member 17a for each operation position, an operation signal generated by the operation member 17a, and a predetermined elapsed time When at least one of them satisfies a predetermined decrease condition, the number of displays indicating functions is reduced according to the counting result, and the elapsed time after the reduction of the number of displays satisfies a predetermined first return condition And instruction means 20 for instructing the display control means 20 to restore the number of displays.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device and a camera.

  A technique is known in which an icon that is used infrequently is deleted from icons displayed on the touch panel type operation display unit, and an icon for returning the deleted icon is displayed.

JP 2003-76222 A

  In the prior art, there is a fear that the contents of the erased icon are forgotten and the function indicated by the icon cannot be effectively used.

(1) An electronic apparatus according to the present invention has an operation member that generates different operation signals according to operation positions, a display member that displays information, and a plurality of displays that indicate functions associated with each of the plurality of operation positions. At least one of display control means for controlling the display member so as to display it, counting means for counting the number of times of operation of the operation member for each operation position, an operation signal generated by the operation member, and a predetermined elapsed time are reduced by a predetermined amount When the condition is satisfied, the number of displays indicating the function is reduced according to the counting result, and the number of displays is restored when the elapsed time after the reduction of the number of displays satisfies a predetermined first return condition. And an instruction means for instructing the display control means.
(2) The camera according to the present invention includes an imaging device, an operation member that generates an operation signal that varies depending on the operation position, a display member that displays information, and a plurality of functions that are associated with each of the plurality of operation positions. Display control means for controlling the display member so as to display each of the display, a first counting means for counting the number of operations of the operation member for each operation position, a second counting means for counting the number of images taken by the imaging device, When at least one of the counted number of shots, the operation signal generated by the operation member, and the predetermined elapsed time satisfies a predetermined decrease condition, the number of displays indicating the function is reduced according to the counted number of operations, When the elapsed time after reducing the number of displays satisfies a predetermined first return condition, or when the number of shots counted after reducing the number of displays satisfies a predetermined second return condition Characterized in that it comprises an instruction means for instructing the display control means so as to return the.

  According to the present invention, even if the function associated with the automatically reduced display is forgotten, the display can be automatically restored.

It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of the electronic camera by one embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of an electronic camera. It is a figure which illustrates a menu screen. It is a figure which illustrates the menu screen which reduced the number of icons. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the icon control process which CPU performs.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an electronic camera 1 includes an imaging optical system 12, an image sensor 13, an AFE (Analog front end) circuit 14, an image processing circuit 15, an LCD monitor 17, a buffer memory 18, and a flash memory 19. CPU 20, memory card interface (I / F) 21, and operation member 22.

  The CPU 20, the buffer memory 18, the flash memory 19, the memory card interface 21, the image processing circuit 15, and the LCD monitor 17 are connected via the bus 16.

  The photographing optical system 12 includes a plurality of lens groups including a zoom lens and a focusing lens, and forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 13. In order to simplify FIG. 1, the photographing optical system 12 is illustrated as a single lens.

  The imaging element 13 is configured by a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like in which light receiving elements are two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface. The image sensor 13 photoelectrically converts a subject image by a light beam that has passed through the photographing optical system 12 to generate an analog image signal. The analog image signal is input to the AFE circuit 14.

  The AFE circuit 14 performs analog processing such as correlated double sampling and gain adjustment on the analog image signal, and converts the image signal after the analog processing into digital image data. The digital image data is input to the image processing circuit 15. The image processing circuit 15 performs various types of image processing (white balance adjustment processing, image compression processing, image expansion processing, etc.) on the digital image data.

  The LCD monitor 17 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel, and displays images, operation icons, and the like in accordance with instructions from the CPU 20. A touch operation member 17 a is stacked on the display surface of the LCD monitor 17. The touch operation member 17 a generates a signal indicating the touch position on the display screen of the liquid crystal monitor 17 when the user performs a touch operation, and sends the signal to the CPU 20.

  The buffer memory 18 temporarily stores digital image data before image processing by the image processing circuit 15, during image processing, and after image processing. The flash memory 19 stores a program to be executed by the CPU 20.

  The CPU 20 controls an operation performed by the electronic camera 1 by executing a program stored in the flash memory 19. The CPU 20 also performs AF (autofocus) operation control and automatic exposure (AE) calculation. The AF operation uses, for example, a contrast detection method for obtaining a focus position of a focusing lens (not shown) based on contrast information of a live view image. The live view image refers to a monitor image that is repeatedly acquired by the image sensor 13 at a predetermined time interval (for example, 30 frames / second = 30 fps) before a shooting instruction. The live view image is also called a through image.

  The memory card interface 21 has a connector (not shown), and a storage medium 51 such as a memory card is connected to the connector. The memory card interface 21 writes data to the connected storage medium 51 and reads data from the storage medium 51. The storage medium 51 is configured by a memory card incorporating a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, or the like.

  The operation member 22 includes a release button 22a (FIG. 2) and a power on / off switch 22b (FIG. 2), and sends an operation signal corresponding to each operation to the CPU 20.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view of the electronic camera 1. An LCD monitor 17 is disposed on the back of the electronic camera 1. The CPU 20 displays a predetermined icon on the LCD monitor 17 and performs processing associated with the icon touched by the user. According to FIG. 2, a “shoot” icon, a “play” icon, and a “MENU” icon 171 are displayed. On the top surface of the electronic camera 1, a release button 22a and a power on / off switch 22b are disposed.

  When the operation signal from the touch operation member 17 a indicates a touch position corresponding to the “MENU” icon 171, the CPU 20 displays the menu screen illustrated in FIG. 3 on the LCD monitor 17 and performs menu processing. Further, when the operation signal from the touch operation member 17a indicates a touch position corresponding to the “shooting” icon, the CPU 20 displays a live view image on the LCD monitor 17 to enter a shooting standby state. Furthermore, the CPU 20 displays a reproduction image based on the data recorded on the storage medium 51 on the LCD monitor 17 when the operation signal from the touch operation member 17a indicates a touch position corresponding to the “reproduction” icon. I do.

  Since the present embodiment is characterized by icon display when performing menu processing, the following description will be given focusing on menu processing.

  When displaying the menu screen of FIG. 3 on the LCD monitor 17, the CPU 20 displays the menu window 31 at the approximate center of the screen, and also displays a “HOME” icon, a “BACK” icon, a “MENU” icon, and a “DISP” icon. Is displayed outside the menu window 31. The CPU 20 further displays, for example, four types of icons “expression mode”, “detection level”, “subject priority”, and “gender priority” inside the menu window 31.

<Normal icon display>
The electronic camera 1 has an automatic release mode that automatically starts photographing processing when a predetermined facial expression is detected based on a live view image. The menu window 31 is an operation screen for setting conditions for the CPU 20 to automatically start shooting processing when the automatic release mode is set.

  The “expression mode” icon is an icon for setting an “expression” to be detected based on the live view image. For example, when “Smile” is set, the CPU 20 starts photographing processing when “smile” is detected based on the live view image. In the setting of “expression”, “angry face” and “crying face” can be selected in addition to “smile”.

  The “detection level” icon is an icon for setting a detection level for detecting “expression” based on the live view image. For example, when the detection level of “smile” is set to “weak”, the CPU 20 detects a “facial expression” that is “Laughter”, and when the detection level of “smile” is set to “strong”. A “smiling” “expression” is detected.

  The “subject priority” icon is an icon for setting a priority person for detecting “expression” based on the live view image. For example, when “adult” is set, the CPU 20 gives priority to the expression detection of “adult”. The “subject priority” setting is configured such that “child” and “baby” can be selected in addition to “adult”.

  The “sex priority” icon is an icon for setting a priority sex when “expression” is detected based on the live view image. For example, when “female” is set, the CPU 20 gives priority to the detection of the expression “female”. The “gender priority” setting is configured such that “male” can be selected in addition to “female”.

  The menu window 31 illustrated in FIG. 3 shows a state where the “expression mode” icon is selected. When the display position of the “expression mode” icon is touch-operated, the CPU 20 selects the “expression mode” icon and displays “expression mode” on the upper band portion of the menu window 31. Further, the CPU 20 reverse-displays the “smile” icon set in the “expression mode” to indicate that the selection operation is being accepted. For example, every time the display position of the “smile” icon is touch-operated, the CPU 20 cyclically switches the icon display from “smile” → “angry face” → “crying face”. The CPU 20 accepts menu operations in this way.

<Icon display limit>
The CPU 20 does not display an icon whose selection frequency is lower than a predetermined value among the four types of icons “expression mode”, “detection level”, “subject priority”, and “gender priority” displayed inside the menu window 31. Limit the display of icons. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the number of icons to be displayed is reduced. In FIG. 4, the CPU 20 omits the display of the “subject priority” icon and the “gender priority” icon, which are less frequently selected from the above four types of icons inside the menu window 31, and the “expression mode” icon and The “detection level” icon is displayed larger than the normal display.

<Icon control processing>
Details of the icon control process performed by the CPU 20 to limit the display of icons will be described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. The CPU 20 starts up the process of FIG. 5 as a timer interrupt process at predetermined time intervals. In step S1 of FIG. 5, the CPU 20 determines whether the icon is decreasing. When the number of icons to be displayed in the menu window 31 is decreased, the CPU 20 makes a positive determination in step S1 and proceeds to step S9. If the number of icons to be displayed in the menu window 31 has not been reduced, the CPU 20 makes a negative determination in step S1 and proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the CPU 20 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. When the time measured by the built-in timer circuit reaches a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), the CPU 20 makes an affirmative decision in step S2 and proceeds to step S5. If the measured time does not reach 10 minutes, the CPU 20 makes a negative determination in step S2 and proceeds to step S3. The CPU 20 is configured to reset the timekeeping time when the power on / off switch 22b is turned on and at steps S8, S14, and S15 described later.

  In step S3, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the number of shots has reached a predetermined number. When the number of shots counted for icon control reaches a predetermined number (for example, 30), the CPU 20 makes an affirmative decision in step S3 and proceeds to step S5. If the number of shots does not reach 30, the CPU 20 makes a negative determination in step S3 and proceeds to step S4. The CPU 20 is configured to reset the count value of the number of shots to be counted for icon control when the power on / off switch 22b is turned on and in steps S8, S14, and S15 described later.

  In step S4, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the total number of touch operations for the icon has reached a predetermined number. When the total number of touch operations counted for icon control reaches a predetermined number (for example, 20 times), the CPU 20 makes a positive determination in step S4 and proceeds to step S5. If the total number of touch operations does not reach 20, the CPU 20 makes a negative determination in step S4 and ends the process of FIG. The CPU 20 is configured to reset the count value of the total number of touch operations to be counted for icon control when the power on / off switch 22b is turned on and in steps S8, S14, and S15 described later. The total number of touch operations counted for use in this step is not limited to the touch operation for setting the shooting process start condition when the automatic release mode is set, but includes touch operations for setting other conditions.

  In step S <b> 5, the CPU 20 determines whether there is an icon whose display is to be restricted due to a low usage frequency. The CPU 20 counts the number of touch operations counted for each icon among the four types of icons “expression mode”, “detection level”, “subject priority”, and “gender priority” displayed inside the menu window 31 (a predetermined number of times). For example, if there is an icon that is less than or equal to 3), an affirmative determination is made in step S5 and the process proceeds to step S6. If there is no icon with three or less touch operations for each icon, the CPU 20 makes a negative determination in step S5 and proceeds to step S15. The CPU 20 is configured to reset the count value of the number of touch operations counted for each icon to be used in this step when the power on / off switch 22b is turned on and in steps S8, S14, and S15 described later. Yes.

  Note that the CPU 20 leaves at least one icon when there are a large number of icons subject to display restrictions. For example, when the number of touch operations for all icons is three or less, the icon with the highest number of touch operations is left among them. When the number of touch operations of all icons is the same, the icon displayed at the top in the menu window 31 is left. You may change suitably the number of icons which leave a display at least.

  In step S6, the CPU 20 instructs to reduce the number of icons displayed in the menu window 31 (for example, the display shown in FIG. 4), and proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the CPU 20 instructs to increase the size of the icon displayed in the menu window 31 (for example, the display shown in FIG. 4), and proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the CPU 20 counts the time measured in step S2, the count value of the number of shots used in step S3, the count value of the total number of touch operations used in step S4, and the count value of the number of touch operations for each icon used in step S5. Are reset and the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the elapsed time since the number of icons to be displayed has reached a predetermined time. When the elapsed time has elapsed a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour), the CPU 20 makes a positive determination in step S9 and proceeds to step S12. If the elapsed time is less than 1 hour, the CPU 20 makes a negative determination in step S9 and proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the number of shots after the number of icons to be displayed has reached a predetermined number. The CPU 20 makes an affirmative decision in step S10 and proceeds to step S12 when the number of photographed images after the reduction of display icons counted for icon control has reached a predetermined number (for example, 10). If the number of shots does not reach 10, the CPU 20 makes a negative determination in step S10 and proceeds to step S11. The CPU 20 is configured to reset the count value of the number of shots after the display icon is decreased in step S14 to be described later.

  In step S11, the CPU 20 determines whether or not a double touch operation has been performed. For example, when the outside of the menu window 31 is touched twice or more within 0.5 seconds, the CPU 20 makes a positive determination in step S11 and proceeds to step S12. If the outside of the menu window 31 is not touched more than twice within 0.5 seconds, the CPU 20 makes a negative determination in step S11 and ends the process of FIG.

  In step S12, the CPU 20 instructs to restore the icon size displayed in the menu window 31, and proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the CPU 20 instructs to restore the number of icons to be displayed in the menu window 31 (that is, to restore the display of the icons erased in order to reduce the number of icons in step S6), and in step S14. Proceed to As a result, the display screen of FIG. 4 returns to the display screen of FIG.

  In step S14, the CPU 20 resets the time count used in step S9 and the count value of the number of shots used in step S10, and ends the process of FIG.

  In step S15, which proceeds after making a negative determination in step S5 described above, the CPU 20 counts the time measured in step S2, the count value of the number of shots used in step S3, the count value of the total number of touch operations used in step S4, and step S5. The count value of the number of touch operations for each icon to be used is reset, and the processing in FIG.

According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) The CPU 20 of the electronic camera 1 has a plurality of touch operation members 17a that emit different operation signals according to operation positions, an LCD monitor 17 that displays icons, and a plurality of functions that are associated with a plurality of operation positions. The LCD monitor 17 is controlled to display the respective icons, the number of operations of the touch operation member 17a is counted for each operation position, and at least one of an operation signal generated by the touch operation member 17a and a predetermined elapsed time is predetermined. When the reduction condition is satisfied, the number of icons indicating the function is reduced according to the counting result, and the number of icons is restored when the elapsed time after the reduction of the number of icons satisfies the predetermined first return condition. I tried to do it. As a result, even if you forget a function associated with an icon whose display has been automatically reduced, the display of the reduced icon is automatically restored. Can be avoided.

(2) When the number of icons is reduced, the CPU 20 controls the display of the LCD monitor 17 so as to greatly change the size of the remaining icons. Therefore, the visibility of the remaining icons is improved and it is easy to use.

(3) When the number of icons is reduced, the CPU 20 controls the display of the LCD monitor 17 so as to leave at least a predetermined number of displays, so that the displayed icons can be prevented from becoming zero.

(4) After returning the number of icons, the CPU 20 performs a function according to the counting result when at least one of the operation signal generated by the operation member 17a and the predetermined elapsed time satisfies a predetermined decrease condition. Since the number of icons to be displayed is reduced, it is possible to prevent an icon that is used less frequently from being displayed again.

(5) Since the mode of the icon to be restored is different from the mode of the icon before the reduction, the CPU 20 can distinguish that the icon has been restored after being reduced once.

(6) Necessary because the CPU 20 resets the number of icons even before the elapsed time satisfies the first return condition when the operation signal generated by the operation member 17a satisfies the predetermined second return condition. In this case, the icon display can be restored immediately.

(Modification 1)
In step S12 described above, before instructing to restore the icon size displayed in the menu window 31, the message “Do you want to display a hidden icon?” And “Yes” and “No” are displayed. An icon to be displayed may be displayed on the LCD monitor 17. In this case, when the “Yes” icon is touched while the message is displayed on the LCD monitor 17, the CPU 20 performs the processing from step S 12 onward. When the “No” icon is touched while the message is displayed on the LCD monitor 17, the CPU 20 skips Steps S12 and S13 and proceeds to Step S14.

(Modification 2)
The icon whose display is to be restored in step S13 may have its display color different from the normal display mode before erasure in step S6 (for example, the display size is changed from that before erasure, the color is changed from that before erasure). Yes, lower the display brightness before erasing). Further, the display order of the icons to be returned is not limited to the original position, and may be returned to the lower order.

(Modification 3)
Instead of the double touch operation in step S11, it may be determined whether or not to proceed to step S12 depending on the presence or absence of the long touch operation. In this case, for example, when the outside of the menu window 31 is touched for 3 seconds or longer, the CPU 20 makes an affirmative decision in step S11 and proceeds to step S12.

(Modification 4)
Each time-measurement time, each number of shots, and each number of touch operations used in the determination process described above are not limited to the values described above, and values appropriately changed may be used. Moreover, you may comprise so that a user can set these values.

(Modification 5)
You may make it hold | maintain the said timekeeping time and count value also when the power supply of the electronic camera 1 is turned off as needed. When it is held even when the power is turned off, it is stored in the flash memory 19.

(Modification 6)
In the above description, the icon display when operating the touch operation member 17a has been described as an example. However, an operation button is provided at the end of the display screen of the LCD monitor 17, and an icon indicating the function of this button is displayed on the LCD monitor. The present invention may also be applied to a case where the image is displayed on the display 17 (for example, in the vicinity of the operation button).

(Modification 6)
Although the electronic camera 1 has been described as an example, any electronic device including a touch operation member (or operation button) and a display member such as an LCD monitor 17 may be a mobile phone, a game device, a video (music) player, navigation The present invention can also be applied to devices and the like.

  The above description is merely an example, and is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic camera 17 ... LCD monitor 17a ... Touch operation member 20 ... CPU
22 ... Operation member

Claims (7)

An operation member that emits different operation signals depending on the operation position;
A display member for displaying information;
Display control means for controlling the display member so as to display a plurality of displays each showing a function associated with each of the plurality of operation positions;
Counting means for counting the number of operations of the operation member for each operation position;
When at least one of an operation signal generated by the operation member and a predetermined elapsed time satisfies a predetermined decrease condition, the number of displays indicating the function is reduced according to the counting result, and the number of the displays is reduced. An electronic device comprising: instruction means for instructing the display control means to restore the number of displays when the elapsed time after the completion satisfies a predetermined first return condition. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The display control means controls the display member so as to greatly change the size of the remaining display when the number of the displays is reduced. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The display control means controls the display member to leave at least a predetermined number of displays when the number of displays is reduced. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The instruction means returns the operation signal according to the counting result when at least one of an operation signal generated by the operation member and a predetermined elapsed time satisfies a predetermined decrease condition after returning the number of displays. An electronic apparatus characterized by instructing the display control means to reduce the number of displays indicating functions. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The electronic control device, wherein the display control unit changes the display mode to be returned from the display mode before the reduction. The electronic device according to claim 1,
When the operation signal generated by the operation member satisfies a predetermined second return condition, the instruction means is configured to return the number of displays before the elapsed time satisfies the first return condition. An electronic device characterized by instructing a control means. An imaging device;
An operation member that emits different operation signals depending on the operation position;
A display member for displaying information;
Display control means for controlling the display member so as to display a plurality of displays each showing a function associated with each of the plurality of operation positions;
First counting means for counting the number of operations of the operation member for each operation position;
Second counting means for counting the number of images taken by the imaging device;
The number of displays indicating the function according to the counted number of operations when at least one of the counted number of shots, the operation signal generated by the operation member, and a predetermined elapsed time satisfy a predetermined decrease condition When the elapsed time after reducing the number of displays satisfies a predetermined first return condition, or after the number of displays is reduced, the counted number of shots is a predetermined second return condition. A camera comprising: instruction means for instructing the display control means to restore the number of displays when the above condition is satisfied.

Images