JP7598035B2 - Electronic devices and programs - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to electronic devices and programs.

Conventionally, electronic devices are known that are housed in a housing and have multiple cameras that capture images of the outside of the housing.

JP 2018-128958 A

In electronic devices equipped with multiple cameras, the camera to be displayed first when the application is launched is set for each camera application installed on the electronic device, so images taken by a different camera may be displayed unintentionally by the user (not in use or will not be used).

This is because the specifications of camera applications are not standardized, resulting in cameras that the user does not intend to be activated. To prevent images that the user does not intend to be displayed, measures are taken such as disabling cameras that the user does not use frequently or physically covering cameras that are not used frequently.

However, the above-mentioned measures have the problem that it takes time and effort to restore a camera to a usable state when the camera has been used after the measures have been taken. In addition, when an electronic device is shared and operations such as disabling the camera are performed, other users may mistakenly believe that the camera is broken because the camera will not start up, or may be unable to enable the disabled camera.

In addition, if the camera has not been disabled, depending on the camera application, it can be difficult to understand how to switch cameras, making the process of switching cameras time-consuming.

Furthermore, while some camera applications allow the user to specify the camera to be displayed first in the camera application settings, there is currently no method for specifying the camera to be displayed first in all camera applications. Therefore, there is room for further improvement in the method for activating cameras in electronic devices equipped with multiple cameras.

Therefore, one example of the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a program that can set the first camera to be activated in an electronic device equipped with multiple cameras, without relying on a camera application.

A first aspect of the present invention is an electronic device equipped with multiple cameras, comprising : a reception unit that receives operation content for operating a camera selection screen and stores the operation content in an auxiliary storage device; a setting unit that sets an order of enabling/disabling for the multiple cameras based on the operation content; an enabling unit that enables operation of the multiple cameras; a disabling unit that disables operation of the multiple cameras; and a control unit that controls the enabling unit and the disabling unit to enable a camera to be used first among the multiple cameras and disable the remaining cameras when a camera application installed on the electronic device is launched, and after the camera to be used first is operated, the control unit controls the enabling unit to enable the remaining cameras and makes it possible to switch between the enabled remaining cameras by user operation.

The control unit may also enable the camera to be used first among the multiple cameras and disable the remaining cameras when the multiple cameras are to be used.

Further, a second aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer of an electronic device equipped with multiple cameras to execute an acceptance process that accepts operation content for operating a camera selection screen and stores the operation content in an auxiliary storage device, a setting process that sets an order for enabling/disabling the multiple cameras based on the operation content, an enable process that enables operation of the multiple cameras, an disable process that disables operation of the multiple cameras, and a control process that controls the enable process and the disable process when a camera application installed on the electronic device is launched to enable a camera to be used first among the multiple cameras and disable the remaining cameras, wherein the control process controls the enable process after the camera to be used first is operated to enable the remaining cameras, and makes it possible to switch between the enabled remaining cameras by user operation.

According to the present invention, it is possible to set camera startup in an electronic device equipped with multiple cameras, regardless of the camera application.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tablet terminal device according to an embodiment, as viewed from the display screen side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tablet terminal device according to the embodiment, seen from the rear cover side. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the tablet terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the tablet terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a camera selection screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by the tablet terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the tablet terminal device according to the embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiment described below, and the actions and effects brought about by said configuration, are merely examples and are not limited to the contents described below.

Figure 1 is an oblique view of a tablet terminal device 100 according to an embodiment, as viewed from the display screen side. Figure 2 is an oblique view of a tablet terminal device 100 according to an embodiment, as viewed from the rear cover side. The tablet terminal device 100 is an example of an electronic device.

The tablet terminal device 100 has a touch panel (display screen) 1, a front cover 2, a rear cover 3, a first camera 37, and a second camera 38. The touch panel 1 is disposed on the front cover 2. The front cover 2 and rear cover 3 on which the touch panel 1 is mounted are combined and fitted together to form a single housing with a space inside.

The first camera 37 is located on the rear cover side. The first camera 37 is an example of an out-camera (rear camera). The second camera 38 is located on the touch panel side. The second camera 38 is an example of an in-camera (front camera). The first camera 37 and the second camera 38 are digital cameras that incorporate imaging elements such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CIS (CMOS Image Sensor).

In the following, the direction from the rear cover 3 to the touch panel 1 is referred to as the Z direction, and the direction from the touch panel 1 to the rear cover 3 is referred to as the reverse Z direction. Furthermore, the direction in which the arrow in the figure points in the short direction of the tablet terminal device 100 is referred to as the Y direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the reverse Y direction. Furthermore, the direction in which the arrow in the figure points in the long direction of the tablet terminal device 100 is referred to as the X direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the reverse X direction.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a tablet terminal device 100 according to an embodiment. The tablet terminal device 100 illustrated here has a configuration similar to that of a general-purpose computer, with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 33, an auxiliary storage device 34, a user I/F (Interface) 35, and an external I/F 36 interconnected by a bus 39.

In addition to the hardware configuration described above, the tablet terminal device 100 also includes a first camera 37 and a second camera 38 that are connected to each other via a bus 39.

The CPU 31 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the RAM 32 as a working area according to programs stored in the ROM 33 and the auxiliary storage device 34. The auxiliary storage device 34 is a non-volatile memory, and stores various data necessary for the processing of the CPU 31. The auxiliary storage device 34 is composed of, for example, an HDD or SSD. The user I/F 35 is a device that enables the transmission and reception of information between the user and the tablet terminal device 100, and may be, for example, an LCD display, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc.

The external I/F 36 is, for example, a device for establishing communication with an external device via a network in accordance with a predetermined standard. The first camera 37 is a device for capturing external images and videos. The second camera 38 is a device for capturing external images and videos.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the tablet terminal device 100 according to the embodiment. The tablet terminal device 100 according to the embodiment includes a display control unit 41, a reception unit 42, a setting unit 43, a control unit 44, a validity unit 45, a first operation acquisition unit 46, a first determination unit 47, an invalidity unit 48, a second operation acquisition unit 49, and a second determination unit 50.

These functional components 41 to 50 can be configured, for example, by the cooperation of hardware elements and software elements (such as programs stored in ROM 33 and auxiliary storage device 34) of the tablet terminal device 100 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Note that the functional configuration of the tablet terminal device 100 is not limited to the above.

When a camera application installed on the tablet terminal device 100 is launched, the display control unit 41 outputs to the display screen a camera selection screen for selecting the camera to be first used in the camera application from among the multiple cameras 100 equipped in the electronic device.

Here, the selection screen that the display control unit 41 outputs to the display screen will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a camera selection screen according to an embodiment. The camera selection screen 51 shown in FIG. 5 displays information related to enabling and disabling the camera.

Specifically, a camera selection screen 51, a selection unit 52, a selection unit 53, and a storage unit 54 are displayed. The selection unit 52 is a selection button that is selected when fixing the in-camera. Furthermore, the selection unit 53 is a selection button that is selected when fixing the out-camera. Furthermore, the storage unit 54 is a save button that saves the selection after selecting either the selection unit 52 or the selection unit 53.

Returning to FIG. 4, the reception unit 42 receives the content operated on the camera selection screen 51 output by the display control unit 41. Specifically, the reception unit 42 receives the content operated on the camera selection screen 51 by the user. For example, when the user selects the selection button and then presses the save button, the reception unit 42 saves the selected selection content in the auxiliary storage device 34.

The setting unit 43 sets the order of enabling/disabling the multiple cameras based on the operation content accepted by the acceptance unit 42. For example, when the content accepted by the acceptance unit 42 is the in-camera, the setting unit 43 sets the in-camera to be enabled and the out-camera to be disabled. Also, for example, when the content accepted by the acceptance unit 42 is the out-camera, the setting unit 43 sets the out-camera to be enabled and the in-camera to be disabled.

The control unit 44 controls the operation of the multiple cameras based on the settings set by the setting unit 43. Specifically, when a camera application installed in the tablet terminal device 100 is started, the control unit 44 controls the enabling unit 45 and the disabling unit 48 to enable the camera to be used first among the multiple cameras and disable the remaining cameras.

The control unit 44 also controls the enable unit 45 and disable unit 48 at the timing of using the multiple cameras to enable the first camera to be used among the multiple cameras and disable the remaining cameras. After the first camera to be used is in operation, the control unit 44 also controls the enable unit 45 to enable the remaining cameras and allows the remaining enabled cameras to be switched by user operation.

For example, when the setting content set by the setting unit 43 is the in-camera, the control unit 44 controls the enabling unit 45 to enable the in-camera and operate the in-camera after the OS (Operating System) of the tablet terminal device 100 is started (S0 state). Furthermore, when the control unit 44 enables the in-camera, the control unit 44 controls the disabling unit 48 to disable the out-camera after the OS of the tablet terminal device 100 is started. Furthermore, after the in-camera is operated, the control unit 44 controls the enabling unit 45 to enable the disabled out-camera.

On the other hand, for example, when the setting content set by the setting unit 43 is the outer camera, the control unit 44 controls the enabling unit 45 after the OS of the tablet terminal device 100 is started to enable the outer camera and operate the outer camera. Also, when the control unit 44 enables the outer camera, the control unit 44 controls the disabling unit 48 after the OS of the tablet terminal device 100 is started to disable the inner camera. Furthermore, after the outer camera operates, the control unit 44 controls the enabling unit 45 to enable the disabled inner camera.

The enabling unit 45 enables the operation of multiple cameras. Specifically, the enabling unit 45 enables the operation of multiple cameras based on the control content controlled by the control unit 44. For example, when a camera application is launched, the enabling unit 45 enables a selected camera based on the control content controlled by the control unit 44.

For example, after the selected camera is operated, the enabling unit 45 enables the unselected camera based on the control content controlled by the control unit 44. Note that, depending on the camera application, it may take some time to identify the camera, so if the enabling unit 45 enables the unselected camera at an early timing, it may operate before the selected camera.

Therefore, the enabling unit 45 sets a threshold value before enabling a disabled camera. For example, the threshold value is 2 seconds. The threshold value is not limited to this, and the threshold value can be set (changed) according to the tablet terminal device 100.

The first operation acquisition unit 46 acquires the operating state of the camera application. Specifically, the first operation acquisition unit 46 acquires the operating state of the camera application installed in the tablet terminal device 100. For example, when the camera application is launched by the user, the first operation acquisition unit 46 acquires that the camera application is operating. Furthermore, when the camera application is not launched, the first operation acquisition unit 46 acquires that the camera application is not operating.

The first determination unit 47 determines whether a camera application is running. Specifically, the first determination unit 47 determines whether a camera application installed in the tablet terminal device 100 is running.

The disabling unit 48 disables the operation of the multiple cameras. Specifically, the disabling unit 48 disables the operation of the multiple cameras based on the control content controlled by the control unit 44. For example, when the camera application is started, the disabling unit 48 disables the unselected cameras based on the control content controlled by the control unit 44.

The second operation acquisition unit 49 acquires the operating status of multiple cameras. Specifically, the second operation acquisition unit 49 acquires the operating status of the selected (enabled) camera to be used first in the camera application. In addition, the second operation acquisition unit 49 acquires the operating status of a non-selected camera that is enabled after the selected camera is enabled by the enablement unit 45.

In addition, the second operation acquisition unit 49 is not limited to acquiring operation information about the operating status of the multiple cameras from software installed on the tablet terminal device 100, but also acquires operation information by connecting the operating voltage information at which the multiple cameras are operating to the processor in a hardware manner.

For example, the operating voltage information indicates that the camera is operating when the operating voltage acquired from the processor is high. Also, for example, the operating voltage information indicates that the camera is not operating when the operating voltage acquired from the processor is low. Furthermore, the operating voltage information may include the light emission state of whether or not a light-emitting unit (such as a light-emitting diode, for example) indicating the operating state of the camera is emitting light. When the light-emitting unit is emitting light, the camera is activated. On the other hand, when the light-emitting unit is not emitting light, the camera is not activated.

This allows the operating status of multiple cameras to be obtained more accurately. Depending on the camera application being used, forcibly disabling an operating camera may cause the tablet terminal device 100 to freeze or black out, so it is necessary to obtain the operating status of multiple cameras.

The second determination unit 50 determines whether multiple cameras are operating. Specifically, the second determination unit 50 determines whether the camera selected (enabled) to be used first in the camera application by the second operation acquisition unit 49 is operating. In addition, the second determination unit 50 determines whether an enabled non-selected camera is operating after the selected camera is operating by the second operation acquisition unit 49.

Next, the processing executed by the tablet-type terminal device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing in the tablet-type terminal device 100 according to this embodiment. Here, the tablet-type terminal device 100 is in a state where the user has initially set the front camera to start, and the user has started up the tablet-type terminal device 100.

The first operation acquisition unit 46 acquires the operation state of the camera application (step S101). Next, the first determination unit 47 determines whether the camera application is operating (step S102). Here, if the first determination unit 47 determines that the camera application is not operating (step S102: No), the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, if the first determination unit 47 determines that the camera application is operating (step S102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, the disabling unit 48 disables the outer camera (step S103). Next, the second operation acquisition unit 49 acquires the operation state of the inner camera (step S104).

The second determination unit 50 determines whether the in-camera is operating (step S105). If the second determination unit 50 determines that the in-camera is not operating (step S105: No), the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, if the second determination unit 50 determines that the in-camera is operating (step S105: Yes), the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the enabling unit 45 enables the rear camera (step S106). Next, the second determination unit 50 determines whether the rear camera has been switched to by the user's operation (step S107). If the second determination unit 50 determines that the rear camera has not been switched to by the user's operation (step S107: No), the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the second determination unit 50 determines that the rear camera has been switched to by the user's operation (step S107: Yes), the process ends.

Next, the processing executed by the tablet-type terminal device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the tablet-type terminal device 100 according to this embodiment. Here, the tablet-type terminal device 100 is in a state where the user has initially set the outer camera to start, and has started up the tablet-type terminal device 100. Note that in FIG. 7, step S201 corresponds to step S101 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

The first determination unit 47 determines whether the camera application is running (step S202). If the first determination unit 47 determines that the camera application is not running (step S202: No), the process proceeds to step S201. On the other hand, if the first determination unit 47 determines that the camera application is running (step S202: Yes), the process proceeds to step S203.

In step S203, the disabling unit 48 disables the in-camera (step S203). Next, the second operation acquisition unit 49 acquires the operation state of the out-camera (step S204).

The second determination unit 50 determines whether the rear camera is operating (step S205). If the second determination unit 50 determines that the rear camera is not operating (step S205: No), the process proceeds to step S201. On the other hand, if the second determination unit 50 determines that the rear camera is operating (step S205: Yes), the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, the enabling unit 45 enables the in-camera (step S206). Next, the second determination unit 50 determines whether the in-camera has been switched to by the user's operation (step S207). If the second determination unit 50 determines that the in-camera has not been switched to by the user's operation (step S207: No), the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if the second determination unit 50 determines that the in-camera has been switched to by the user's operation (step S207: Yes), the process ends.

As described above, an electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention enables the first camera to be used among multiple cameras and disables the remaining cameras when a camera application installed on the electronic device is launched.

As a result, according to this embodiment, it is possible to set the first camera to be activated in an electronic device equipped with multiple cameras, regardless of the camera application.

In the above-described embodiment, when the multiple cameras are to be used, the electronic device enables the first camera to be used and disables the remaining cameras. After the first camera to be used is in operation, the electronic device enables the remaining cameras and allows the user to switch between the enabled cameras.

As a result, according to this embodiment, even if a camera that does not operate initially is disabled, after the camera that operates initially is started, the disabled camera is enabled and can be switched by user operation, thereby reducing the work of switching cameras.

(Variation 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the electronic device is described as the tablet terminal device 100, but is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device may be a desktop computer, a notebook (clamshell) personal computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a game device, or other electronic device.

(Variation 2)
The program for realizing the above-mentioned functions may be provided, for example, in a state in which it is pre-stored in a storage element mounted on the CPU 31, but is not limited to this. The program may be provided, for example, in a state in which it is stored in an appropriate storage medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be provided via a computer network such as the Internet.

The above-described embodiment can be modified as appropriate by changing a portion of the configuration of the above-described device. Therefore, several modified examples of the above-described embodiment will be described below as other embodiments. Note that the following will mainly describe the differences from the above-described embodiment, and detailed descriptions of the points in common with the contents already described will be omitted. The modified examples described below may be implemented individually or in appropriate combination.

(Variation 3)
In the above embodiment, the functional components 41 to 50 are realized by a single processor in Fig. 4, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the functional components 41 to 50 may be configured by combining a plurality of independent processors, and each processor may realize a function by executing a program.

Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, they are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

37: first camera, 38: second camera, 41: display control unit, 42: reception unit,
43: setting unit, 44: control unit, 45: validating unit, 46: first operation acquiring unit,
47: first determination unit, 48: invalidation unit, 49: second operation acquisition unit, 50: second determination unit 100: tablet type terminal device

Claims (3)

An electronic device equipped with multiple cameras,
a reception unit that receives operation content for operating the camera selection screen and stores the operation content in an auxiliary storage device;
a setting unit that sets an order of enabling/disabling the plurality of cameras based on the operation content;
an enabling unit that enables the operation of the plurality of cameras;
a disabling unit that disables operations of the plurality of cameras;
a control unit that controls the enabling unit and the disabling unit when a camera application installed in the electronic device is started, to enable a camera to be used first among the plurality of cameras and to disable the remaining cameras;
Equipped with
The control unit controls the enabling unit to enable the remaining cameras after the camera to be first used is operated, and makes the enabled remaining cameras switchable by a user operation.
Electronic devices. the control unit controls the enabling unit and the disabling unit at a timing when the plurality of cameras are to be used, to enable the camera to be used first among the plurality of cameras, and to disable the remaining cameras.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1. For computers in electronic devices equipped with multiple cameras,
a reception process for receiving operation contents for operating the camera selection screen and storing the operation contents in an auxiliary storage device;
A setting process for setting an order of enabling/disabling the plurality of cameras based on the operation content;
an enabling process for enabling operation of the plurality of cameras;
a disabling process for disabling the operation of the plurality of cameras;
a control process for controlling the enabling process and the disabling process when a camera application installed in the electronic device is started, to enable a camera to be used first among the plurality of cameras and to disable the remaining cameras;
A program for executing
The control process controls the enable process after the first camera to be used is operated, to enable the remaining cameras, and to make the enabled remaining cameras switchable by a user operation.
program.

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