Image pickup apparatus, control method, and program

Abstract

There is provided an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup unit, the image pickup apparatus characterized by including: a setting means for setting specific information; an association means for associating the set specific information with an image that has been captured using the imaging unit; and a control section configured to perform control to cause the image pickup apparatus to transition to a power saving state when a state in which a user has not yet operated the image pickup apparatus has continued for a predetermined period of time in a case where the specific information has not been set, and to cause the image pickup apparatus to transition to a power saving state when the specific information has been set in a case where the specific information has been set. The image pickup apparatus is not caused to transition to the power saving state even if a state in which a user has not operated the image pickup apparatus has continued for the predetermined period of time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, a control method, and a program. Background Art

[0002] There is known a technique of recording an image captured by a photographing apparatus such as a digital camera in association with specific information. For example, in a medical environment, there is a case where a captured image is recorded in association with patient information or the like.

[0003] In addition, there is also known a technique of causing a photographing apparatus to automatically shift to a power saving state (for example, a sleep state) when a user has not performed an operation for a certain period of time to suppress power consumption of the photographing apparatus.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of returning a tablet terminal from a sleep state to a normal state. According to Patent Document 1, in a system for managing drug administration using a tablet terminal installed in a ward, the tablet terminal in the sleep state returns to the normal state when a patient ID, an injection drug ID, and a nurse ID are obtained.

[0005] Citation List

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: JP 2020-140219 A Summary of the Invention

[0008] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] It takes some time for a photographing apparatus to return from a power saving state to a normal state. Therefore, if the photographing apparatus shifts to the power saving state at a timing when a user desires to perform photographing, photographing cannot be performed promptly. Turning off the setting for causing the photographing apparatus to automatically shift to the power saving state can prevent the photographing apparatus from shifting to the power saving state against the user's intention; however, in this case, there is a possibility that wasted power consumption increases and the battery duration is shortened. The conventional techniques including Patent Document 1 cannot solve such problems.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a technique for reducing the possibility that a photographing apparatus shifts to a power saving state against the user's intention while suppressing an increase in wasted power consumption.

[0011] Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a camera device is provided, which includes a camera unit, and the camera device is characterized in that it includes: a setting component for setting specific information; an associating component for associating the set specific information with an image that has been taken using the camera unit; and a control component for controlling: in a case where the specific information has not been set, when the state in which the user has not operated the camera device has continued for a predetermined period of time, the camera device is switched to a power saving state; and in a case where the specific information has been set, the camera device is not switched to the power saving state even if the user has not operated the camera device for the predetermined period of time.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to reduce the possibility that the imaging apparatus shifts to the power saving state against the user's intention while suppressing an increase in wasteful power consumption.

[0015] Note that other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description of embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0017] Figure 1A is a diagram showing the appearance of the digital camera 100 .

[0018] Figure 1B is a diagram showing the appearance of the digital camera 100 .

[0019] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the digital camera 100 .

[0020] Figure 3A is a diagram showing an example of an LV screen for a case where the LV display setting is set to medical information display.

[0021] Figure 3B : is a diagram showing an example of an LV screen for a case where the LV display setting is set to shooting parameter display.

[0022] Figure 4A is a flowchart showing processing executed by the digital camera 100 when the medical mode is ON.

[0023] Figure 4B is a flowchart showing processing executed by the digital camera 100 when the medical mode is ON.

[0024] Figure 4CIt is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the digital camera 100 when the medical mode is ON.

[0025] Figure 4D It is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the digital camera 100 when the medical mode is ON.

[0026] Figure 5A It is a diagram showing an example of a barcode acquisition screen displayed in the patient information acquisition mode and the photographer information acquisition mode.

[0027] Figure 5B It is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen of patient information (in the case of the patient information acquisition mode) or photographer information (in the case of the photographer information acquisition mode) corresponding to the photographed barcode.

[0028] Figure 5C It is a diagram showing an example of an error screen displayed when the acquisition (reception) of patient information or photographer information has failed.

[0029] Figure 6A It is a flowchart of the processing in the patient information acquisition mode and the photographer information acquisition mode.

[0030] Figure 6B It is a flowchart of the processing in the patient information acquisition mode and the photographer information acquisition mode.

[0031] Figure 7A It is a diagram showing an example of a site information selection screen.

[0032] Figure 7B It is a diagram showing an example of an error screen.

[0033] Figure 8 It is a flowchart of the processing in the site information acquisition mode.

[0034] Figure 9 It is a flowchart of the processing in the lesion shooting mode.

[0035] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen of a lesion image.

[0036] Figure 11A It is a flowchart of the processing in the lesion shooting end mode.

[0037] Figure 11B It is a flowchart of the processing in the lesion shooting end mode.

[0038] Figure 12 It is a flowchart of the processing for switching between ON and OFF of the medical mode.

[0039] Figure 13A This is a diagram showing an example of a list display screen for power saving items.

[0040] Figure 13B This is a diagram showing an example of a detailed setting screen for power saving items corresponding to "Communication OFF". Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. In the embodiments, multiple features are described, but the invention is not limited to an invention that requires all such features, and multiple such features can be appropriately combined. Further, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar configurations, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0042] [First Embodiment]

[0043] ●External view of the digital camera 100

[0044] Figure 1A and Figure 1B This is an external view of the digital camera 100 as an example of an imaging device. Figure 1A This is a front perspective view of the digital camera 100, and Figure 1B This is a rear perspective view of the digital camera 100.

[0045] The display unit 28 is a display unit provided on the rear surface of the digital camera 100, and displays images and various types of information. The touch panel 70a can detect a touch operation on the display surface (touch operation surface) of the display unit 28. The out-of-viewfinder display unit 43 is a display unit provided on the top surface of the digital camera 100, and displays various setting values (including shutter speed and aperture) of the digital camera 100. The shutter button 61 is an operation member for giving a shooting instruction. The mode change switch 60 is an operation member for changing between various modes. The terminal cover 40 is a cover for protecting a connector (not shown) that is used to connect a connection cable for connecting the digital camera 100 to an external device.

[0046] The main electronic dial 71 is a rotary operation member, and rotating the main electronic dial 71 can change setting values such as the shutter speed and aperture, for example. The power switch 72 is an operation member for switching between ON and OFF of the power supply of the digital camera 100. The sub-electronic dial 73 is a rotary operation member, and rotating the sub-electronic dial 73 enables, for example, the movement of a selection box (cursor) and image jump. The four-way key 74 is configured such that the upper part, lower part, left part, and right part of the four-way key 74 can each be pressed. The digital camera 100 performs processing corresponding to the pressed part of the four-way key 74. The SET (Setting) button 75 is a push button and is mainly used when determining a selected item, for example.

[0047] The motion image button 76 is used to give an instruction to start and stop shooting (recording) of a motion image. The AE lock button 77 is a push button, and pressing the AE lock button 77 in the shooting standby state can fix the exposure state. The zoom button 78 is an operation button for switching between ON and OFF of the zoom mode during live view display (LV display) in the shooting mode. During the period when the zoom mode is ON, the live view image (LV image) can be zoomed in or out by operating the main electronic dial 71. In the playback mode, the zoom button 78 serves as an operation button for zooming in on a playback image and increasing its magnification. The playback button 79 is an operation button for switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode. Pressing the playback button 79 during the shooting mode causes the digital camera 100 to shift to the playback mode; as a result, among the images recorded in the recording medium 200 (described later), the latest image can be displayed on the display unit 28. The menu button 81 is a push button used to give an instruction operation for displaying a menu screen; when the menu button 81 has been pressed, the display unit 28 displays a menu screen in which various types of settings can be configured. The user can intuitively configure various types of settings using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28, the four-way key 74, and the SET button 75. The display switching button 83 is used to switch the display settings of the display unit 28.

[0048] The touch bar 82 (multi-functional bar / M-Fn bar) is a linear touch operation member (linear touch sensor) that can accept touch operations. The touch bar 82 is located at a position where, in a state where the grip unit 90 is held with the right hand (in a state where the little finger, ring finger, and middle finger of the right hand hold the grip unit 90), the touch bar can be touched (the touch bar can be operated) with the thumb of the right hand in such a way that the shutter button 61 can be pressed by the index finger of the right hand. That is, the touch bar 82 is located at a position where, during the period when the eyes are approaching the eye approach unit 16, the touch bar 82 can be operated while viewing through the viewfinder and maintaining the state of the digital camera (shooting posture) in such a way that the shutter button 61 can be pressed at any time. The touch bar 82 is a receiving unit that can accept tap operations (operations of touching and then releasing without moving the touch position within a predetermined period of time) and left / right sliding operations (operations of touching and then moving the touch position while maintaining the touch) on the touch bar 82. The touch bar 82 is an operation member different from the touch panel 70a and does not have a display function.

[0049] The communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal designed for communication between the digital camera 100 and an attachable / detachable lens unit 150 (described later). The eye approach unit 16 is an eye approach unit for approaching the viewfinder 17 (endoscopic viewfinder), and the user can visually recognize the video displayed on the internal EVF 29 (electronic viewfinder) via the eye approach unit 16. The eye approach detection unit 57 is an eye approach detection sensor for detecting whether the user's (photographer's) eyes are approaching the eye approach unit 16. The cover 202 is a cover for a slot in which a recording medium 200 (described later) is stored. The grip unit 90 is a holding unit having a shape that is easy to hold with the right hand while the user is holding the digital camera 100. The shutter button 61 and the main electronic dial 71 are located at positions where, while holding the digital camera 100 in a state where the little finger, ring finger, and middle finger of the right hand hold the grip unit 90, the shutter button 61 and the main electronic dial 71 can be operated with the index finger of the right hand. In addition, the sub-electronic dial 73 and the touch bar 82 are located at positions where the sub-electronic dial 73 and the touch bar 82 can be operated with the thumb of the right hand in the same state. The thumb rest unit 91 (thumb standby position) is provided on the rear surface side of the digital camera 100 and is a holding member where the right thumb that holds the grip unit 90 easily rests in a state where the right thumb is not operating any operation member. The thumb rest unit 91 is made of, for example, a rubber member for increasing the holding force (grip feeling).

[0050] ● Block diagram of the digital camera 100

[0051] Figure 2is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a digital camera 100. The lens unit 150 is an interchangeable lens unit provided with a photographing lens (lens 103). The lens 103 is generally composed of a plurality of lenses, but for simplicity, it is shown as only one lens in Figure 2 the figure.

[0052] The communication terminal 6 is a communication terminal intended for communication between the lens unit 150 and the digital camera 100 side, and the communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal intended for communication between the digital camera 100 and the lens unit 150 side. The lens unit 150 communicates with the system control unit 50 via these communication terminals 6 and 10. In addition, the lens unit 150 causes the internal lens system control circuit 4 to control the aperture 1 via the aperture drive circuit 2. Further, the lens unit 150 achieves focusing by causing the lens system control circuit 4 to shift the position of the lens 103 via the AF drive circuit 3.

[0053] The shutter 101 is a focal plane shutter that can freely control the exposure period of the imaging unit 22 under the control of the system control unit 50.

[0054] The imaging unit 22 is an imaging element (image sensor) composed of, for example, a CCD or CMOS element that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. The imaging unit 22 may include an imaging surface phase difference sensor that outputs defocus amount information to the system control unit 50. The A / D converter 23 converts the analog signal output from the imaging unit 22 into a digital signal.

[0055] The image processing unit 24 performs predetermined processing (e.g., pixel interpolation processing, size adjustment processing such as reduction, and color conversion processing) on the data from the A / D converter 23 or the data from the memory control unit 15. In addition, the image processing unit 24 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data. The system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the calculation results obtained by the image processing unit 24. As a result, for example, automatic focusing (AF) processing, automatic exposure (AE) processing, and pre-flash (EF) processing by the through-the-lens (TTL) method are performed. The image processing unit 24 also performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data and performs automatic white balance (AWB) processing by the TTL method based on the obtained calculation results.

[0056] Via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15, the output data from the A / D converter 23 is written into the memory 32. Alternatively, without the intervention of the image processing unit 24, the output data from the A / D converter 23 is written into the memory 32 via the memory control unit 15. The memory 32 stores the image data obtained by the imaging unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 23, as well as the image data to be displayed on the display unit 28 and the EVF 29. The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and moving images and audio for a predetermined duration.

[0057] In addition, the memory 32 also serves as a memory for image display (video memory). The D / A converter 19 converts the image data for display stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies the analog signal to the display unit 28 and the EVF 29. In this way, the image data for display written into the memory 32 is displayed by the display unit 28 and the EVF 29 via the D / A converter 19. Each of the display unit 28 and the EVF 29 is a display such as an LCD and an organic EL, and performs display according to the analog signal from the D / A converter 19. The digital signal that has undergone A / D conversion in the A / D converter 23 and has been accumulated in the memory 32 is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 19, and is sequentially transmitted to the display unit 28 or the EVF 29 and displayed by the display unit 28 or the EVF 29; as a result, live view display (LV display) can be performed. Hereinafter, the image displayed in the form of live view display will be referred to as a live view image (LV image).

[0058] The system control unit 50 is a control unit composed of at least one processor and / or at least one circuit, and controls the entirety of the digital camera 100. The system control unit 50 implements each process of the present embodiment described later by executing the program recorded in the non-volatile memory 56. In addition, the system control unit 50 also performs display control by controlling the memory 32, the D / A converter 19, the display unit 28, the EVF 29, etc.

[0059] The system memory 52 is, for example, a RAM. The system control unit 50 deploys constants and variables for the operation of the system control unit 50, the program read from the non-volatile memory 56, etc. to the system memory 52.

[0060] The non-volatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable recordable memory, and is, for example, an EEPROM or the like. Constants and programs for the operation of the system control unit 50 are recorded in the non-volatile memory 56. The program mentioned here represents a program for executing the processes of various types of flowcharts described later in the present embodiment.

[0061] The system timer 53 is a time measurement unit for measuring the time periods used in various types of controls and the time of the built-in clock.

[0062] The communication unit 54 transmits video signals and audio signals to an external device connected wirelessly or via a wired cable and receives video signals and audio signals from the external device. The communication unit 54 can also be connected to a wireless local area network (Wireless LAN) and the Internet. In addition, the communication unit 54 can also communicate with an external device via (Bluetooth) and Bluetooth Low Energy. The communication unit 54 can transmit the images captured by the imaging unit 22 (which includes LV images) and the images recorded in the recording medium 200, and can receive image data and various other types of information from an external device.

[0063] The posture detection unit 55 detects the posture of the digital camera 100 relative to the direction of gravity. Based on the posture detected by the posture detection unit 55, it is possible to distinguish whether the image captured by the imaging unit 22 is an image captured while the digital camera 100 is held in a landscape orientation or an image captured while the digital camera 100 is held in a portrait orientation. The system control unit 50 can add direction information corresponding to the posture detected by the posture detection unit 55 to the image file of the image captured by the imaging unit 22. In addition, the system control unit 50 can rotate the image based on the direction information corresponding to the posture detected by the posture detection unit 55 and record the resulting image. For example, an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor can be used as the posture detection unit 55. It is also possible to use the acceleration sensor or the gyro sensor used as the posture detection unit 55 to detect the movement of the digital camera 100 (e.g., whether the digital camera 100 is panning, tilting, rising, or stationary).

[0064] The eye approach detection unit 57 is an eye approach detection sensor for detecting the approach (eye approach) and separation (eye separation) (approach detection) of an eye (object) relative to the eye approach viewfinder unit 16 of the eye approach finder 17. The system control unit 50 switches between the display (display state) and non-display (non-display state) of the display unit 28 and the EVF 29 according to the state detected by the eye approach detection unit 57. More specifically, for example, in the case where the setting of the display destination switching during the shooting standby state is automatically switched, the system control unit 50, during the period when the eyes are not approaching, sets the display unit 28 as the display destination and turns on its display, and makes the EVF 29 not display anything. In addition, during the period when the eyes are approaching, the system control unit 50 sets the EVF 29 as the display destination and turns on its display, and makes the display unit 28 not display anything.

[0065] For example, an infrared proximity sensor can be used as the eye proximity detection unit 57, and can detect the approach of a certain object toward the eye proximity unit 16 of the eye proximity viewfinder 17 in which the EVF 29 is built. When an object has approached, the infrared light projected from the light projection unit (not shown) of the eye proximity detection unit 57 is reflected by the object and received by the light receiving unit (not shown) of the infrared proximity sensor. It is also possible to distinguish how far away (eye proximity distance) the approaching object is from the eye proximity unit 16 based on the amount of the received infrared light. In this way, the eye proximity detection unit 57 performs eye proximity detection for detecting the distance at which an object is approaching the eye proximity unit 16. Assume that eye proximity is detected when a approaching object at a predetermined distance or less than the predetermined distance from the eye proximity unit 16 has been detected in a non-eye proximity state (non-approach state). Assume that eye separation is detected when a detected approaching object has separated by a predetermined distance or more than the predetermined distance in an eye proximity state (approach state). The threshold for detecting eye proximity and the threshold for detecting eye separation may be different from each other due to, for example, the setting of hysteresis, etc. In addition, assume that it is an eye proximity state after eye proximity has been detected until eye separation is detected. Assume that it is a non-eye proximity state after eye separation has been detected until eye proximity is detected. Note that the infrared proximity sensor is an example, and other sensors can be used as the eye proximity detection unit 57 as long as a state that can be regarded as eye proximity can be detected.

[0066] The viewfinder external display unit 43 displays various setting values of the camera (which includes the shutter speed and the aperture) via the viewfinder external display unit drive circuit 44.

[0067] The power control unit 80 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for changing the block to which current is supplied, etc., and detects, for example, whether a battery is loaded, the battery type, and the remaining battery power. In addition, the power control unit 80 controls the DC-DC converter based on the results of the foregoing detections and an instruction from the system control unit 50, and supplies the required voltage for the required time period to each unit including the recording medium 200. The power supply unit 30 is composed of, for example, a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, or an AC adapter.

[0068] The recording medium I / F 18 is an interface with the recording medium 200, where the recording medium 200 is a memory card, a hard disk, etc. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording a captured image, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, etc.

[0069] The operation unit 70 is an input unit for receiving operations (user operations) from a user, and is used to input various types of operation instructions to the system control unit 50. As Figure 2 shown, the operation unit 70 includes a shutter button 61, a mode change switch 60, a power switch 72, a touch panel 70a, and other operation members 70b. The other operation members 70b include, for example, a main electronic dial 71, a sub-electronic dial 73, a four-way key 74, a setting button 75, a moving image button 76, an AE lock button 77, a zoom button 78, a playback button 79, a menu button 81, and a touch bar 82.

[0070] The shutter button 61 includes a first shutter switch 62 and a second shutter switch 64. In the middle of operating the shutter button 61, that is, when the shutter button 61 is half-pressed (shooting preparation instruction), the first shutter switch 62 is turned on and a first shutter switch signal SW1 is generated. In response to the first shutter switch signal SW1, the system control unit 50 starts shooting preparation operations (such as autofocus (AF) processing, automatic exposure (AE) processing, automatic white balance (AWB) processing, and pre-flash (EF) processing, etc.).

[0071] When the operation on the shutter button 61 is completed, that is, when the shutter button 61 is fully pressed (shooting instruction), the second shutter switch 64 is turned on and a second shutter switch signal SW2 is generated. In response to the second shutter switch signal SW2, the system control unit 50 starts a series of shooting processing operations from reading the signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing the captured image as an image file to the recording medium 200.

[0072] The mode change switch 60 changes the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to one of a still image shooting mode, a moving image shooting mode, a playback mode, etc. The modes included in the still image shooting mode include an automatic shooting mode, an automatic scene discrimination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and a program AE mode (P mode). They also include various types of scene modes in which shooting settings are different for each shooting scene, and a custom mode, etc. The mode change switch 60 enables the user to directly change to one of these modes. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which, after the user has changed to the screen of the shooting mode list using the mode change switch 60, the user can selectively change to one of the multiple modes displayed using other operation members. Similarly, the moving image shooting mode may also include multiple modes.

[0073] The touch panel 70a is a touch sensor for detecting various types of touch operations on the display surface of the display unit 28 (the operation surface of the touch panel 70a). The touch panel 70a and the display unit 28 may be integrally configured. For example, the touch panel 70a is configured such that its light transmittance does not interfere with the display of the display unit 28 and is attached to the top layer of the display surface of the display unit 28. In addition, the input coordinates on the touch panel 70a are associated with the display coordinates on the display surface of the display unit 28. This enables a graphical user interface (GUI) to be provided that allows a user to operate the screen displayed on the display unit 28 as if directly operating it.

[0074] The system control unit 50 can detect the following operations or states for the touch panel 70a.

[0075] · A new touch on the touch panel 70a with a finger or pen that is not already touching, that is, the start of the touch (hereinafter referred to as "touch-down")

[0076] · The state where a finger or pen is touching the touch panel 70a (hereinafter referred to as "touch-on")

[0077] · The movement of a finger or pen while touching the touch panel 70a (hereinafter referred to as "touch-move")

[0078] · The separation (release) of a finger or pen that is touching the touch panel 70a from the touch panel 70a, that is, the end of the touch (hereinafter referred to as "touch-up")

[0079] · The state where the touch panel 70a is not being touched (hereinafter referred to as "touch-off")

[0080] When a touch-down is detected, a touch-on is detected simultaneously. After a touch-down, as long as a touch-up is not detected, a touch-on is usually continuously detected. In addition, when a touch-move is detected, a touch-on is detected simultaneously. Even if a touch-on is detected, as long as the touch position does not move, a touch-move is not detected. Touch-off occurs after a touch-up is detected for each finger or pen that is touching.

[0081] These operations and states, as well as the position coordinates of the finger or pen touching the touch panel 70a, are notified to the system control unit 50 via the internal bus. Then, the system control unit 50 determines what operation (touch operation) has been performed on the touch panel 70a based on the notified information. Regarding touch movement, based on the change in the position coordinates, the movement direction of the finger or pen moving on the touch panel 70a can be determined for each of the vertical and horizontal components on the touch panel 70a. Assuming that a touch movement of a predetermined distance or longer has been detected, it is determined that a swipe operation has been performed. An operation of quickly moving a finger a certain distance while the finger is touching the touch panel 70a and then releasing the finger is called a flick. In other words, a flick is a quick tracking operation involving the sliding of the finger on the touch panel 70a. When a touch stop is detected immediately after detecting a touch movement of a predetermined distance or longer at a predetermined speed or faster, it can be determined that a flick has been performed (it can be determined that a flick has been performed after a swipe operation). In addition, a touch operation of bringing touch positions closer to each other and a touch operation of moving touch positions away from each other while touching multiple places (e.g., two points) simultaneously (performing multi-touch) are called pinch-in and pinch-out, respectively. Pinch-out and pinch-in are collectively referred to as a pinch operation (or simply called a pinch). The touch panel 70a can be any type included in various types of touch panels such as a resistive film type, a capacitive type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared type, an electromagnetic induction type, an image recognition type, and an optical sensor type. There are types that detect a touch when in contact with the touch panel and types that detect a touch when a finger or pen has approached the touch panel; either type can be used.

[0082] ● Basic operations of the digital camera 100

[0083] The basic operations of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the digital camera 100 is used to capture a lesion image as an example of a medical image. In addition, it is assumed that the digital camera 100 is configured to associate medical information with the lesion image. The medical information includes, for example, at least one of patient information (information related to the patient), photographer information (information related to the photographer), and site information (information related to the photographed object site of the patient). However, the image captured by the digital camera 100 is not limited to a lesion image, and the information associated with the lesion image by the digital camera 100 is not limited to medical information. The technical idea of the present embodiment is applicable to imaging devices that associate specific information with a captured image regardless of the type of the image and information.

[0084] The digital camera 100 is configured to communicate with an external system including an external device via the communication unit 54. In the following description, it is assumed that the external system is a medical system. The digital camera 100 is configured to be able to switch between ON (enabled) and OFF (disabled) of a medical mode (predetermined operation mode). The digital camera 100 includes a patient information acquisition mode, a photographer information acquisition mode, a site information acquisition mode, a lesion photographing mode, and a lesion photographing end mode as operation modes in a state where the medical mode is ON.

[0085] In the patient information acquisition mode, the digital camera 100 transmits, via the communication unit 54, image data including a code (e.g., a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code) obtained by shooting or LV operation to the external device. The digital camera 100 receives, via the communication unit 54, patient information (e.g., ID, name, gender, age, etc.) corresponding to the code included in the transmitted image data from the external device, and stores the patient information in the system memory 52. Note that the digital camera 100 may obtain code information by analyzing the code included in the image data, and transmit the code information to the external device instead of the image data. In the following description, it is assumed that barcode image data (barcode image) including a barcode is obtained as the image data including a code in the patient information acquisition mode.

[0086] In the photographer information acquisition mode, the digital camera 100 transmits, via the communication unit 54, image data including a code (e.g., a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code) obtained by shooting or LV operation to the external device. The digital camera 100 receives, via the communication unit 54, photographer information (e.g., ID, name, clinical department, etc.) corresponding to the code included in the transmitted image data from the external device, and stores the photographer information in the system memory 52. Note that the digital camera 100 may obtain code information by analyzing the code included in the image data, and transmit the code information to the external device instead of the image data. In the following description, it is assumed that barcode image data (barcode image) including a barcode is obtained as the image data including a code in the photographer information acquisition mode.

[0087] In the site information acquisition mode, the digital camera 100 obtains, via the communication unit 54, site list information (site list) from the external device, and stores the site list information in the system memory 52. Once the user has selected and determined a site corresponding to a lesion from the site list, the digital camera 100 stores information (site information) indicating the selected site in the system memory 52.

[0088] In the lesion shooting mode, the digital camera 100 obtains image data of a subject (a patient's lesion) according to the user's shooting operation. The digital camera 100 links the obtained image data with medical information including patient information, photographer information, and site information stored in the system memory 52, and stores it in the recording medium 200. In addition, the digital camera 100 transmits the image data and the medical information linked thereto from the communication unit 54 to an external device. The method of linking the image data and the medical information is not particularly limited. For example, the digital camera 100 may embed the medical information in a part of the image data. Alternatively, the digital camera 100 may store the medical information as a file different from the file of the image data in the recording medium 200, and link the file of the medical information with the file of the image data.

[0089] In the lesion shooting end mode, the digital camera 100 displays a thumbnail image of the image data shot in the lesion shooting mode and the medical information linked to the image data. The user confirms the displayed thumbnail image and medical information, and selects whether to transmit the image data and the medical information to the medical system. In addition, the digital camera 100 clears the medical information including patient information, photographer information, and site information held in the system memory 52, thereby canceling the setting of the medical information.

[0090] ● Example of live view screen (LV screen)

[0091] Figure 3A and Figure 3B FIG. is an example of an LV screen (shooting standby screen) displayed during shooting standby when the medical mode is ON. The digital camera 100 displays the LV screen according to the LV display settings. The LV display settings include medical information display and shooting parameter display. The user can switch between the medical information display and the shooting parameter display by pressing the display switching button 83. In addition, when the user has half-pressed the shutter button 61, the digital camera 100 can switch the LV display settings to the medical information display.

[0092] Figure 3A FIG. is an example of an LV screen for the case where the LV display settings are set to the medical information display. 301 is a display area of the LV image. The icons, text boxes, and buttons indicated by 302 to 309 are displayed while being superimposed on the LV image.

[0093] 302 is an icon indicating the photographer, and indicates that the text box (photographer information box 303) next to it displays the information of the photographer. After the photographer information has been obtained in the photographer information acquisition mode, the digital camera 100 can switch the icon 302 to an icon with a design customized for the photographer information.

[0094] 303 is the photographer information box. When the user has touched the photographer information box 303 (or when the user has moved the selection box to the photographer information box 303 by dial operation and pressed the setting button 75), the digital camera 100 switches to the photographer information acquisition mode. The digital camera 100 displays the photographer information (including the photographer's name) obtained in the photographer information acquisition mode in the photographer information box 303.

[0095] Note that in this specification, in the case where a certain process is performed by "dial operation", "dial operation" refers to the operation of the dial assigned to the process among the main electronic dial 71 and the sub - electronic dial 73 included in the digital camera 100. For example, in the case where the process of moving the selection box on the LV screen corresponding to the medical information display is assigned to the sub - electronic dial 73, the "dial operation" in "the user has moved the selection box to the photographer information box 303 by dial operation" corresponds to the operation of the sub - electronic dial 73.

[0096] 304 is an icon indicating a patient, and indicates that the text box next to it (patient information box 305) displays patient information. After the patient information has been obtained in the patient information acquisition mode, the digital camera 100 can change the icon 304 to an icon with a design customized for the patient information. As an example, the icon can be switched according to the gender and age of the patient.

[0097] 305 is the patient information box. When the user has touched the patient information box 305 (or when the user has moved the selection box to the patient information box 305 by dial operation and pressed the setting button 75), the digital camera 100 switches to the patient information acquisition mode. The digital camera 100 displays the patient information (including the patient's name) obtained in the patient information acquisition mode in the patient information box 305. As an example, the digital camera 100 can display the patient's name, gender, and age.

[0098] 306 is an icon indicating a part, and indicates that the text box next to it (part information box 307) displays information related to part selection. After the part information has been obtained in the part information acquisition mode, the digital camera 100 can switch the icon 306 to an icon with a design customized for the part information.

[0099] 307 is the part information box. When the user has touched the part information box 307 (or when the user has moved the selection box to the part information box 307 by dial operation and pressed the setting button 75), the digital camera 100 switches to the part information acquisition mode. The digital camera 100 displays the part information (including the part name) obtained in the part information acquisition mode in the part information box 307.

[0100] When the user has fully pressed the shutter button 61, the digital camera 100 switches to the lesion shooting mode. In the lesion shooting mode, the digital camera 100 takes a picture, associates the captured image data with medical information, and sends it to an external device.

[0101] 308 is the end button. When the shooting of the required number of images has ended, the user presses the end button 308. When the end button 308 has been pressed, the digital camera 100 switches to the lesion shooting end mode. The user selects whether to transmit the lesion image to the medical system. In the case where it has been selected to transmit the lesion image to the medical system, the digital camera 100 transmits the lesion image to the medical system. In addition, the digital camera 100 clears the photographer information, patient information, and site information.

[0102] 309 is an icon indicating the communication status. The icon 309 indicates whether the digital camera 100 is not connected to an external device or is currently connected to an external device.

[0103] Figure 3B is a diagram showing an example of the LV screen for the case where the LV display setting is set to the shooting parameter display.

[0104] 311 is the display area of the LV image. 312 indicates the shooting mode. 313 indicates the set value of the shutter speed. 314 indicates the F value. 315 indicates the exposure correction value. 316 indicates the ISO value.

[0105] ● Processing in the medical mode

[0106] Figures 4A to 4D is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the digital camera 100 when the medical mode is ON. When the power of the digital camera 100 has been turned ON in a state where the medical mode is set to ON, or when the user has switched the setting of the medical mode from OFF to ON while the power of the digital camera 100 is ON, the processing of this flowchart is executed. Unless otherwise stated, each step of the processing in this flowchart is implemented by deploying the program stored in the non-volatile memory 56 to the system memory 52 by the system control unit 50 and executing the program. In the following description, the user (photographer) is, for example, a doctor or a nurse, etc.

[0107] In S401, the system control unit 50 turns the power saving flag ON.

[0108] In S402, the system control unit 50 connects to an external device via the communication unit 54. Assume that the connection mode is a wireless connection, but it can also be a wired connection.

[0109] In S403, the system control unit 50 obtains display setting information for medical information display ( Figure 3A ) from an external device. The display setting information specifies whether to display or not display each of the photographer information (reference numerals 302 and 303), patient information (reference numerals 304 and 305), and site information (reference numerals 306 and 307) on the medical information display.

[0110] In S404, the system control unit 50 obtains a site list from an external device. The site list includes candidates for sites that the user can select in the site information acquisition mode.

[0111] In S405, the system control unit 50 sets the LV display setting to the medical information display. Therefore, Figure 3A the shown display form is used as the initial display form of the LV screen.

[0112] In S406, the system control unit 50 displays an LV screen corresponding to the LV display setting on the display unit 28. When the LV display setting is the medical information display, the Figure 3A shown LV screen is displayed; when the LV display setting is the shooting parameter display, the Figure 3B shown LV screen is displayed.

[0113] In S407, the system control unit 50 determines whether the state in which the user has not operated the digital camera 100 (non-operation state) has continued for a predetermined period. If the non-operation state has continued for the predetermined period, the process proceeds to S436; otherwise, the process proceeds to S408.

[0114] In S408, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has selected the patient information box 305 on the LV screen. The selection of the patient information box 305 is performed by touching the patient information box 305, or by moving the selection box to the patient information box 305 via dial operation or direction key operation and pressing the setting button 75. If the patient information box 305 has been selected, the process proceeds to S409; otherwise, the process proceeds to S410.

[0115] In S409, the system control unit 50 executes the process in the patient information acquisition mode. Through this process, the medical information (here, patient information) to be associated with the lesion image is set. Details of the process of S409 will be described later with reference to Figures 5A to 5C and Figure 6A and Figure 6B and

[0116] In S410, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has selected the photographer information box 303 on the LV screen. The selection of the photographer information box 303 is performed by touching the photographer information box 303, or by moving the selection box to the photographer information box 303 via dial operation or direction key operation and pressing the setting button 75. If the photographer information box 303 has been selected, the process proceeds to S411; otherwise, the process proceeds to S412.

[0117] In S411, the system control unit 50 executes the process in the photographer information acquisition mode. Through this process, medical information (here, the photographer information) to be associated with the lesion image is set. Details of the process of S411 will be described later with reference to Figures 5A to 5C and Figure 6A and Figure 6B describe the details of the process of S411.

[0118] In S412, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has selected the site information box 307 on the LV screen. The selection of the site information box 307 is performed by touching the site information box 307, or by moving the selection box to the site information box 307 via dial operation or direction key operation and pressing the setting button 75. If the site information box 307 has been selected, the process proceeds to S413; otherwise, the process proceeds to S414.

[0119] In S413, the system control unit 50 executes the process in the site information acquisition mode. Through this process, medical information (here, the site information) to be associated with the lesion image is set. Details of the process of S413 will be described later with reference to Figure 7A and Figure 7B and Figure 8 describe the details of the process of S413.

[0120] When the setting of the medical information is completed through the process of S409, S411, or S413, the system control unit 50 turns off the power saving flag in S430. Therefore, according to the process in the medical mode of the present embodiment ( Figures 4A to 4D ), the power saving function is disabled when at least a part of the medical information is acquired and set.

[0121] In S414, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has pressed the display switching button 83. If the display switching button 83 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S415; otherwise, the process proceeds to S418.

[0122] In S415, the system control unit 50 determines whether the LV display setting is the medical information display. If the LV display setting is the medical information display, the process proceeds to S416; otherwise, the process proceeds to S417.

[0123] In S416, the system control unit 50 sets (changes) the LV display setting to the shooting parameter display.

[0124] In S417, the system control unit 50 sets (changes) the LV display setting to the medical information display.

[0125] In S418, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has performed a dial operation. If the user has performed a dial operation, the process proceeds to S419; otherwise, the process proceeds to S422.

[0126] In S419, the system control unit 50 determines whether the LV display setting is the medical information display. If the LV display setting is the medical information display, the process proceeds to S420; otherwise, the process proceeds to S421.

[0127] In S420, the system control unit 50 moves the selection box of the medical information on the LV screen ( Figure 3A ) corresponding to the medical information display. Note that if the dial operation has been performed during the half-press of the shutter button 61, the system control unit 50 can disable the movement of the selection box of the medical information.

[0128] In S421, the system control unit 50 changes the shooting parameters corresponding to the operated dial. The digital camera 100 has, for example, shutter speed, f-value, exposure correction, and ISO as shooting parameters. The shooting parameters are assigned for each dial, and this assignment can vary according to the shooting mode.

[0129] In S422, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has half-pressed the shutter button 61. If the user has half-pressed the shutter button 61, the process proceeds to S423; otherwise, the process proceeds to S427.

[0130] In S423, the system control unit 50 sets the LV display setting to the medical information display.

[0131] In S424, the system control unit 50 displays the LV screen corresponding to the LV display setting on the display unit 28. Since the LV display setting has been set to the medical information display in S423, the LV screen corresponding to the medical information display ( Figure 3A ) is displayed in S424.

[0132] In S425, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has fully pressed the shutter button. If the user has fully pressed the shutter button, the process proceeds to S426; otherwise, the process returns to S422.

[0133] In S426, the system control unit 50 performs processing in the lesion imaging mode. Details of the processing in S426 will be described later with reference to Figure 9 the details of the processing in S426 will be described later with reference to

[0134] In S427, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has selected the end button 308 on the LV screen. The end button 308 is selected by touching the end button 308, or by moving the selection box to the end button 308 via dial operation or direction key operation and pressing the set button 75. Alternatively, as another example, when the end button function is assigned to a button included in the other operation member 70b and the relevant button has been pressed, the system control unit 50 may determine that the end button 308 has been selected. If the end button 308 has been selected, the processing proceeds to S428; otherwise, the processing proceeds to S431.

[0135] In S428, the system control unit 50 performs processing in the lesion imaging end mode. As a result of this processing, the setting of the medical information set to be associated with the lesion image is released. The setting of the medical information is released by, for example, clearing (deleting) the medical information held in the system memory 52. Details of the processing in S428 will be described later with reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11A and Figure 11B the details of the processing in S428 will be described later with reference to

[0136] In S429, the system control unit 50 turns on the power saving flag. Therefore, according to the processing in the medical mode of the present embodiment ( Figures 4A to 4D ), the power saving function is enabled when the setting of the medical information is released.

[0137] In S431, the system control unit 50 determines whether the medical mode is to be ended. For example, when the user has switched the medical mode to OFF or the user has instructed to turn off the power of the digital camera 100 by operating the power switch 72, it is determined that the medical mode is to be ended. If the medical mode is to be ended, the processing proceeds to S432; otherwise, the processing returns to S406.

[0138] In S432, the system control unit 50 releases the setting of the medical information. As described above, the setting of the medical information is released by, for example, clearing (deleting) the medical information held in the system memory 52.

[0139] In S433, the system control unit 50 turns on the power saving flag. Therefore, according to the processing in the medical mode of the present embodiment ( Figures 4A to 4D ), when the medical mode is ended (switching the medical mode from ON to OFF), the setting of the medical information is released and the power saving function is enabled.

[0140] In S436, the system control unit 50 determines whether the power saving flag is ON. If the power saving flag is ON, the process proceeds to S437; otherwise, the process proceeds to S438.

[0141] In S437, the system control unit 50 performs power saving processing (processing for transitioning the digital camera 100 to the power saving state). For example, the system control unit 50 performs processing for turning OFF the power supply of the digital camera 100 as the power saving processing. Alternatively, the power saving processing may be one of the processes indicated below, or a combination of two or more processes included among the processes indicated below.

[0142] · Turn OFF the display unit 28

[0143] · Reduce the brightness of the display unit 28

[0144] · Reduce the LV refresh rate of the display unit 28

[0145] · Reduce the LV display resolution of the display unit 28

[0146] · Stop the communication operation of the communication unit 54

[0147] · Turn OFF the imaging unit 22

[0148] · Turn OFF the EVF 29

[0149] Note that in the case where the display unit 28 has been turned OFF or the brightness has been reduced through the power saving processing, there is a possibility that the user may mistake that the power supply of the digital camera 100 has been turned OFF and turn OFF the power supply of the digital camera 100 by operating the power switch 72. To avoid the occurrence of this situation, the system control unit 50 may disable the operation of the power switch 72.

[0150] In addition, the digital camera 100 may be configured such that the user can set the content of the power saving processing. A setting screen for performing this setting will be described later with reference to Figure 13A and Figure 13B Describe the setting screen for performing this setting.

[0151] In S438, the system control unit 50 provides a notification for prompting the user to select whether to end shooting. This notification is provided by, for example, displaying a message asking the user whether to end shooting (shooting end confirmation message).

[0152] In S439, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has indicated (selected) the end of shooting. For example, in S438, an "End Shooting" button and a "Continue Shooting" button are displayed together with a shooting end confirmation message; when the user has selected the "End Shooting" button, the system control unit 50 determines that the user has indicated (selected) the end of shooting. When the user has selected the "Continue Shooting" button, the system control unit 50 determines that the user has not indicated (selected) the end of shooting. When the user has indicated the end of shooting, the process proceeds to S428; otherwise, the process returns to S406.

[0153] Note that an external system communicating with the digital camera 100 may include an electronic medical record terminal, although its illustration is omitted. In this case, the system control unit 50 can detect, by communicating with the external system, that the display target patient for displaying the electronic medical record on the electronic medical record terminal has changed from the current patient (the first patient) to another patient (the second patient). In response to detecting the change of the display target patient, the system control unit 50 can cancel the setting of the medical information and turn on the power saving flag.

[0154] In addition, the system control unit 50 can detect the end of the medical practice time in the medical facility using the digital camera 100 by communicating with the external system. For example, the digital camera 100 can obtain medical practice schedule information including the end time of the medical practice time from an external device, and detect the end of the medical practice time by determining whether the current time exceeds the end time. When the end of the medical practice time has been detected, the system control unit 50 can cancel the setting of the medical information and turn on the power saving flag by executing the process in the lesion shooting end mode.

[0155] In addition, in S429 and S433, the system control unit 50 can determine, by communicating with the external system, whether the period until the start time of the medical practice for the next patient is shorter than a threshold value. For example, the system control unit 50 can obtain medical practice schedule information from an external device, and determine whether the period until the start time of the medical practice for the next patient is shorter than the threshold value based on the current time and the medical practice schedule information. When the period until the start time of the medical practice for the next patient is shorter than the threshold value, the system control unit 50 can keep the power saving flag OFF without turning on the power saving flag. That is, even when the medical information has not been set (when the setting of the medical information has been canceled), if the period until the start time of the medical practice for the next patient is shorter than the threshold value, the system control unit 50 can control so that the digital camera 100 does not shift to the power saving state even when the non-operation state has continued for a predetermined period.

[0156] ● Processing in Patient Information Acquisition Mode and Photographer Information Acquisition Mode

[0157] Refer to Figures 5A to 5C and Figure 6A and Figure 6B for the description of the processing in the patient information acquisition mode and the photographer information acquisition mode. Unless otherwise specified, refer to Figures 5A to 5C and Figure 6A and Figure 6B The following description applies to both the processing in the patient information acquisition mode and the processing in the photographer information acquisition mode.

[0158] Figure 5A is a diagram showing an example of a barcode acquisition screen displayed in the patient information acquisition mode and the photographer information acquisition mode.

[0159] 501 indicates the display area of the LV image of the subject. In the display area 501, except for the area 511 where the barcode should be located for shooting, the other parts are displayed in a dark state to emphasize the area 511.

[0160] 502 is the MENU button. When the user wishes to exit the barcode acquisition screen (to end the patient information acquisition mode or the photographer information acquisition mode), the user selects the menu button 502.

[0161] 512 is a message for prompting the user to shoot the barcode. Note that the message 512 may include information indicating whether the current mode is the patient information acquisition mode or the photographer information acquisition mode. For example, in the case of the patient information acquisition mode, the message 512 may be "Please shoot the patient's barcode", while in the case of the photographer information acquisition mode, the message 512 may be "Please shoot the photographer's barcode".

[0162] Figure 5B is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen of the patient information (in the case of the patient information acquisition mode) or the photographer information (in the case of the photographer information acquisition mode) corresponding to the shot barcode. The patient information and the photographer information are received from an external device.

[0163] 503 is the area for displaying the patient information or the photographer information received from the external device. In Figures 5A to 5C the example, the full name of the patient included in the received patient information or the full name of the photographer is displayed.

[0164] 504 is the OK button. When the information displayed in the area 503 is correct, the user selects the OK button 504.

[0165] 505 is the reshooting button 505. In the case where the user wishes to reshoot the barcode, the user selects the reshooting button 505.

[0166] Figure 5C is a diagram showing an example of an error screen displayed when the acquisition (reception) of patient information or photographer information has failed.

[0167] 506 is a message for informing of an error. The message displayed can be changed according to the content of the error.

[0168] 507 is the end button. In the case where the user will give up the acquisition of patient information or photographer information, the user selects the end button 507.

[0169] 508 is the reshooting button 508. In the case where the user wishes to reshoot the barcode in an attempt to obtain patient information or photographer information again, the user selects the reshooting button 508.

[0170] Figure 6A and Figure 6B is a flowchart of the processing in the patient information acquisition mode and the photographer information acquisition mode.

[0171] In S601, the system control unit 50 displays on the display unit 28 Figure 5A the barcode acquisition screen shown.

[0172] In S602, the system control unit 50 determines whether a release instruction has been issued. In the case where the menu button 502 has been selected on the barcode acquisition screen or in the case where the menu button 81 has been pressed, the system control unit 50 determines that a release instruction has been issued. In the case where a release instruction has been issued, the patient information acquisition mode or the photographer information acquisition mode ends, and the processing proceeds to S410 (in the case of the patient information acquisition mode) or S412 (in the case of the photographer information acquisition mode). In the case where a release instruction has not been issued, the processing proceeds to S603.

[0173] In S603, the system control unit 50 determines whether the shutter button 61 has been fully pressed. In the case where the shutter button 61 has been fully pressed, the processing proceeds to S604; otherwise, the processing returns to S602.

[0174] In S604, the system control unit 50 shoots the barcode and transmits the obtained barcode image to an external device via the communication unit 54. Alternatively, the system control unit 50 can obtain the code by analyzing the barcode image and transmit the obtained code information to an external device via the communication unit 54.

[0175] In S605, the system control unit 50 determines whether a response has been received from an external device. The system control unit 50 repeats the determination in S605 until a response is received; once a response has been received, the process proceeds to S606.

[0176] In S606, the system control unit 50 determines whether the received response is normal. If the medical information (patient information or photographer information) in the response is damaged or the response does not include the expected medical information, the system control unit 50 determines that the response is abnormal. If the response is normal, the process proceeds to S607; otherwise, the process proceeds to S608.

[0177] In S607, the system control unit 50 displays on the display unit 28 based on the patient information or photographer information included in the received response Figure 5B the confirmation screen shown.

[0178] In S608, the system control unit 50 displays on the display unit 28 Figure 5C the error screen shown.

[0179] In S609, the system control unit 50 determines whether an end instruction has been issued. If the user has selected the end button 507 on the error screen, or if the user has moved the selection box to the end button 507 by dial operation or direction key operation and pressed the set button 75, the system control unit 50 determines that an end instruction has been issued. If an end instruction has been issued, the patient information acquisition mode or the photographer information acquisition mode ends, and the process proceeds to S410 (in the case of the patient information acquisition mode) or S412 (in the case of the photographer information acquisition mode). If an end instruction has not been issued, the process proceeds to S610.

[0180] In S610, the system control unit 50 determines whether a reshoot instruction has been issued. If the user has selected the reshoot button 508 on the error screen, or if the user has moved the selection box to the reshoot button 508 by dial operation or direction key operation and pressed the set button 75, the system control unit 50 determines that a reshoot instruction has been issued. If a reshoot instruction has been issued, the process returns to S601; otherwise, the process returns to S609.

[0181] In S611, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has issued an OK instruction. In the case where the user has selected the OK button 504 on the confirmation screen, or in the case where the user has moved the selection box to the OK button 504 by dial operation or arrow key operation and pressed the setting button 75, the system control unit 50 determines that the OK instruction has been issued. In the case where the OK instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to S613; otherwise, the process proceeds to S612.

[0182] In S612, the system control unit 50 determines whether a re-shooting instruction has been issued. In the case where the user has selected the re-shooting button 505 on the confirmation screen, or in the case where the user has moved the selection box to the re-shooting button 505 by dial operation or arrow key operation and pressed the setting button 75, the system control unit 50 determines that the re-shooting instruction has been issued. In the case where the re-shooting instruction has been issued, the process returns to S601; otherwise, the process returns to S611.

[0183] In S613, the system control unit 50 holds (stores) the medical information (patient information in the case of the patient information acquisition mode and photographer information in the case of the photographer information acquisition mode) included in the response received in S605 in the system memory 52. As a result, the medical information (patient information or photographer information) to be associated with the lesion image is set. In addition, in the case of displaying the Figure 3A subsequent LV screen, the full name of the photographer is displayed in the photographer information box 303 (in the case of the photographer information acquisition mode), and the full name of the patient is displayed in the patient information box 305 (in the case of the patient information acquisition mode).

[0184] ● Processing in the part information acquisition mode

[0185] Reference will be made to Figure 7A and Figure 7B as well as Figure 8 to describe the processing in the part information acquisition mode.

[0186] Figure 7A is a diagram showing an example of the part information selection screen. 701 is the part list obtained in S404. 702 is the menu button. In the case where the user wishes to exit the part information selection screen (to end the part information acquisition mode), the user selects the menu button 702.

[0187] Figure 7B is a diagram showing an example of the error screen. 703 is the message for informing the error. The displayed message can be changed according to the content of the error. 704 is the end button. When the user has selected the end button 704, the part information acquisition mode ends.

[0188] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the processing in the part information acquisition mode. In S801, the system control unit 50 determines whether a part list can be obtained from an external device in S404. If the part list can be obtained, the process proceeds to S802; otherwise, the process proceeds to S803.

[0189] In S802, the system control unit 50 displays on the display unit 28 Figure 7A the part information selection screen shown.

[0190] In S803, the system control unit 50 displays on the display unit 28 Figure 7B the error screen shown. When the end button 704 is selected on the error screen, the process proceeds to S414.

[0191] In S804, the system control unit 50 determines whether a cancellation instruction has been issued. If the menu button 702 is selected on the part information selection screen, or if the menu button 81 is pressed, the system control unit 50 determines that a cancellation instruction has been issued. If a cancellation instruction has been issued, the part information acquisition mode ends and the process proceeds to S414. If a cancellation instruction has not been issued, the process proceeds to S805.

[0192] In S805, the system control unit 50 determines whether a part has been selected from the part list 701. The user can select a part by touching one of the multiple parts included in the part list. Alternatively, the user can select a part by moving the selection box to the position of one of the multiple parts included in the part list via a dial operation or a direction key operation and pressing the set button 75. If a part has been selected, the process proceeds to S806; otherwise, the process returns to S804.

[0193] In S806, the system control unit 50 holds (stores) the part information indicating the part selected in S805 in the system memory 52. As a result, the part information to be associated with the lesion image is set. In addition, when the LV screen shown Figure 3A is displayed thereafter, the part information is displayed in the part information box 307.

[0194] ● Processing in the lesion imaging mode

[0195] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of the processing in the lesion imaging mode. In S901, the system control unit 50 captures a lesion image and stores it in the memory 32.

[0196] In S902, the system control unit 50 previews and displays a lesion image on the display unit 28. As an example, the system control unit 50 may display the set medical information (at least one of patient information, photographer information, and site information) in a manner of superimposing it on the previewed and displayed lesion image. In addition, the execution and non-execution of the preview display can be switched via user settings. In addition, the display period of the preview display can be changed via user settings.

[0197] In S903, the system control unit 50 associates the set medical information (at least one of patient information, photographer information, and site information) with the lesion image, and records the lesion image in the recording medium 200. Although the method of association is not particularly limited, for example, the system control unit 50 may write the medical information into the metadata area of the image file including the lesion image, etc. Alternatively, the system control unit 50 may generate a metadata file including the medical information, and associate the image file including the lesion image with the metadata file.

[0198] In S904, the system control unit 50 sends the lesion image and the medical information associated with the lesion image to an external device via the communication unit 54.

[0199] In S905, the system control unit 50 adds the information for identifying the lesion image (for example, the file name of the image file) and the "currently sending" status indicating that the lesion image is currently being sent to the image sending list held in the memory 32.

[0200] ● Processing in the lesion shooting end mode

[0201] Reference will be made Figure 10 and Figure 11A and Figure 11B to describe the processing in the lesion shooting end mode.

[0202] Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for a lesion image. On the confirmation screen, the user can confirm the lesion image taken in S901 and the medical information associated with the lesion image in S903 (in the Figure 10 example, the full name of the patient included in the patient information).

[0203] 1001 is a display area for the medical information associated with the lesion image having the "currently sending" status in the image sending list (in the Figure 10 example, the full name of the patient included in the patient information). In the case where there are multiple lesion images having the "currently sending" status, the display area 1001 may display the medical information of the initially or finally taken lesion image, or may display the medical information of all the lesion images.

[0204] 1002 is a display area for showing the number of lesion images with the "currently transmitting" status in the image transmission list.

[0205] 1003 is a display area for showing thumbnail images of lesion images with the "currently transmitting" status in the image transmission list. In the case where there are multiple lesion images with the "currently transmitting" status, the display area 1003 can show the thumbnail image of the initially or finally taken lesion image, or can show the thumbnail images of all the lesion images.

[0206] 1004 is a button for enabling a user to select to transmit a lesion image to a medical system and end lesion shooting.

[0207] 1005 is a button for enabling a user to select to end lesion shooting without transmitting the lesion image to the medical system.

[0208] Figure 11A and Figure 11B is a flowchart of the processing in the lesion shooting end mode. In S1101, the system control unit 50 determines whether there are lesion images with the "currently transmitting" status in the image transmission list. In the case where there are lesion images with the "currently transmitting" status, the processing proceeds to S1103; otherwise, the processing proceeds to S1102.

[0209] In S1102, the system control unit 50 clears the medical information (patient information, photographer information, and site information) held in the system memory 52. As a result, the setting of the medical information is released. Thereafter, the lesion shooting end mode ends, and the processing proceeds to S429.

[0210] In S1103, the system control unit 50 displays Figure 10 the confirmation screen of the lesion image shown.

[0211] In S1104, the system control unit 50 determines whether an instruction for ending lesion shooting without transmitting the lesion image has been issued. In the case where the user has selected the "end without transmitting" button 1005 on the confirmation screen, or in the case where the user has moved the selection box to the "end without transmitting" button 1005 by dial operation or arrow key operation and pressed the setting button 75, the system control unit 50 determines that an instruction for ending lesion shooting without transmitting the lesion image has been issued. In the case where an instruction for ending lesion shooting without transmitting the lesion image has been issued, the processing proceeds to S1105; otherwise, the processing proceeds to S1108.

[0212] In S1105, the system control unit 50 sends a release notice to an external device via the communication unit 54.

[0213] In S1106, the system control unit 50 deletes the "currently sending" status and the file name of the corresponding lesion image from the image sending list.

[0214] In S1107, the system control unit 50 clears the medical information (patient information, photographer information, and site information) held in the system memory 52. As a result, the setting of the medical information is released. Thereafter, the lesion shooting end mode ends, and the process proceeds to S429.

[0215] In S1108, the system control unit 50 determines whether an instruction to transmit the lesion image and end the lesion shooting has been issued. If the user has selected the "Transmit and End" button 1004 on the confirmation screen, or if the user has moved the selection box to the "Transmit and End" button 1004 by dial operation or arrow key operation and pressed the setting button 75, the system control unit 50 determines that an instruction to transmit the lesion image and end the lesion shooting has been issued. If an instruction to transmit the lesion image and end the lesion shooting has been issued, the process proceeds to S1109; otherwise, the process returns to S1104.

[0216] In S1109, the system control unit 50 sends an OK notice to an external device via the communication unit 54.

[0217] In S1110, the system control unit 50 determines whether the transmission result of the lesion image sent in S904 has been received from the external device. If the transmission result has been received, the process proceeds to S1111; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1114.

[0218] In S1111, the system control unit 50 determines whether the transmission result received from the external device is normal. If the transmission result is normal, the process proceeds to S1112; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1113.

[0219] In S1112, the system control unit 50 changes the status of the lesion image corresponding to the received transmission result to "transmission completed" in the image sending list.

[0220] In S1113, the system control unit 50 changes the status of the lesion image corresponding to the received transmission result to "transmission failed" in the image sending list.

[0221] In S1114, the system control unit 50 determines whether a transmission result has been received from the external device within a certain period of time since the start of transmitting the lesion image to the external device in S904 (i.e., whether a transmission timeout has occurred). If the transmission result has not been received from the external device within the certain period of time (if a transmission timeout has occurred), the process proceeds to S1115; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1116.

[0222] In S1115, the system control unit 50 changes the status of the lesion image for which a transmission timeout has occurred in the image transmission list to "transmission failed".

[0223] In S1116, the system control unit 50 determines whether there is a lesion image with the status of "currently transmitting" in the image transmission list. If there is a lesion image with the status of "currently transmitting", the process returns to S1110; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1117.

[0224] In S1117, the system control unit 50 deletes the list information (the file name and status of each lesion image) included in the image transmission list.

[0225] In S1118, the system control unit 50 clears the stored medical information (patient information, photographer information, and site information). As a result, the setting of the medical information is released. Thereafter, the lesion shooting end mode ends, and the process proceeds to S429.

[0226] ● ON / OFF switching process of the medical mode

[0227] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of the process for switching between ON and OFF of the medical mode. Regardless of whether the medical mode is ON or OFF, when the user has pressed the menu button 81, the process of this flowchart starts. Note that during the process of the patient information acquisition mode, photographer information acquisition mode, site information acquisition mode, lesion shooting mode, or lesion shooting end mode being executed by the system control unit 50, even if the menu button 81 has been pressed, the process of this flowchart does not start. In addition, the system control unit 50 can be controlled such that when the power saving flag is OFF, even if the menu button 81 has been pressed, the process of this flowchart does not start. Unless otherwise stated, each step of the process in this flowchart is implemented by deploying the program stored in the non-volatile memory 56 to the system memory 52 by the system control unit 50 and executing the program.

[0228] In S1200, the system control unit 50 displays a menu screen on the display unit 28.

[0229] In S1201, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has selected an item of the medical mode on the menu screen. The user can select an item of the medical mode by touching the item of the medical mode on the menu screen. Alternatively, the user can select an item of the medical mode by moving the selection box to the position of the item of the medical mode via dial operation or direction key operation and pressing the setting button 75. When an item of the medical mode has been selected, the system control unit 50 displays ON and OFF as sub-items of the item of the medical mode, and the process proceeds to S1202. When an item of the medical mode has not been selected, the process proceeds to S1206.

[0230] In S1202, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has selected ON among the sub-items of the item of the medical mode. The user can select ON by touching ON among the sub-items. Alternatively, the user can select ON by moving the selection box to the position of ON via dial operation or direction key operation and pressing the setting button 75. When ON has been selected, the process proceeds to S1203; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1204.

[0231] In S1203, the system control unit 50 sets the medical mode to ON (for example, changes the operation mode from the medical mode to the normal mode).

[0232] In S1204, the system control unit 50 determines whether the user has selected OFF among the sub-items of the item of the medical mode. The user can select OFF by touching OFF among the sub-items. Alternatively, the user can select OFF by moving the selection box to the position of OFF via dial operation or direction key operation and pressing the setting button 75. When OFF has been selected, the process proceeds to S1205; otherwise, the process returns to S1202.

[0233] In S1205, the system control unit 50 sets the medical mode to OFF. Once the medical mode has been set to OFF, for example, the operation mode changes from the medical mode to the normal mode.

[0234] In S1206, the system control unit 50 determines whether an instruction to end the menu has been issued. For example, when the user has touched the menu end button on the menu screen, the system control unit 50 determines that an instruction to end the menu has been issued. When an instruction to end the menu has been issued, the processing of this flowchart ends. When an instruction to end the menu has not been issued, the process returns to S1201.

[0235] ● Example of the setting screen for power saving processing

[0236] Reference will be made to Figure 13A and Figure 13BAn example of a setting screen for power saving processing according to the present embodiment is described. The system control unit 50 can display a list display screen of power saving items and a detailed setting screen of power saving items as the setting screen.

[0237] Figure 13A FIG. is an example of a list display screen showing power saving items. 1301 is a display area for power saving items. "Low brightness display on the monitor" corresponds to the process of "reducing the brightness of the display unit 28" described in S437. In addition, in order to improve power saving performance, "low brightness display on the monitor" may include the process of "reducing the LV refresh rate of the display unit 28" and the process of "reducing the LV display resolution of the display unit 28" described in S437. Alternatively, the display area 1301 may include individual items for the process of "reducing the LV refresh rate of the display unit 28" and the process of "reducing the LV display resolution of the display unit 28" respectively.

[0238] "Monitor OFF" corresponds to the process of "turning off the display unit 28" described in S437. In addition, in order to improve power saving performance, "monitor OFF" may include the process of "turning off the imaging unit 22" described in S437. Alternatively, the display area 1301 may include an individual item corresponding to the process of "turning off the imaging unit 22".

[0239] "Communication OFF" corresponds to the process of "stopping the communication operation of the communication unit 54" described in S437. For example, the system control unit 50 can stop the communication operation of the communication unit 54 by stopping power supply to the communication unit 54.

[0240] "Viewfinder OFF" corresponds to the process of "turning off the EVF 29" described in S437.

[0241] "Automatic power OFF" corresponds to the process of turning off the power of the entire system of the digital camera 100 (the process of "turning off the power of the digital camera 100" described in S437).

[0242] 1302 is a display area for displaying the setting time period of each power saving item. As Figure 13A shown, the user can set different time periods for different power saving items. Therefore, the determination in S407 is made for each power saving item. In addition, when making a determination for each power saving item, the time period set for each power saving item is used as the "predetermined time period".

[0243] 1303 is a selection box for indicating which item to select from among a plurality of displayed power saving items. The user can move the selection box 1303 via dial operation or direction key operation, and select any power saving item by pressing the setting button 75.

[0244] Figure 13B is a diagram showing an example of a detailed setting screen of a power saving item corresponding to "Communication OFF". When Figure 13A "Communication OFF" has been selected on the list display screen of Figure 13B the detailed setting screen is displayed.

[0245] 1304 is a display area for displaying the power saving item corresponding to the displayed detailed setting screen.

[0246] 1305 is a display area for displaying a list of settable values (time periods).

[0247] 1306 is a selection box for indicating which value to select from among a plurality of displayed settable values (time periods). The user can move the selection box 1306 via dial operation or direction key operation, and select any value by pressing the setting button 75. When the user has selected a specific value, the selected value is set as the time period of "Communication OFF".

[0248] Note that when the power saving flag is OFF (or when medical information is stored in the system memory 52), the system control unit 50 can control to prohibit changing the settings of the power saving process. In this case, changing the "predetermined time period" used in S407 is prohibited.

[0249] ● Overview of the First Embodiment

[0250] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the digital camera 100 sets specific information (e.g., medical information). The digital camera 100 associates the set specific information with an image captured by the imaging unit 22 (e.g., a lesion image as an example of a medical image). When the specific information has not been set, the digital camera 100 controls such that when the non-operation state has continued for a predetermined time period, the digital camera 100 transitions to the power saving state. In addition, when the specific information has been set, the digital camera 100 controls such that even if the non-operation state has continued for a predetermined time period, the digital camera 100 does not transition to the power saving state.

[0251] In a state where specific information to be associated with a captured image has been set, it is considered that the possibility of the user performing shooting in a short period of time is relatively high. In this state, the digital camera 100 performs control such that even if the non-operation state has continued for a predetermined period of time, the digital camera 100 does not shift to the power saving state. Therefore, this embodiment reduces the possibility that the digital camera 100 shifts to the power saving state against the user's intention.

[0252] On the contrary, in a state where specific information to be associated with a captured image has not been set, it is considered that the possibility of the user performing shooting in a short period of time is relatively low. In this state, the digital camera 100 performs control such that when the non-operation state has continued for a predetermined period of time, the digital camera 100 shifts to the power saving state. Therefore, this embodiment suppresses an increase in wasted power consumption.

[0253] As described above, this embodiment can reduce the possibility that the imaging device shifts to the power saving state against the user's intention while suppressing an increase in wasted power consumption.

[0254] Note that each type of processing described above as being performed by the system control unit 50 can be executed by one hardware item, or can be executed by a plurality of hardware items (e.g., a plurality of processors and circuits) that share the processing.

[0255] In addition, although this embodiment has been described using the exemplary case of using the digital camera 100 as the imaging device, any device can be used as the imaging device of this embodiment as long as it is a device including an imaging component. That is, this embodiment can be applied to mobile terminals such as smart phones, personal computers, PDAs, mobile phone terminals, mobile image viewers, printer devices equipped with a display, digital photo frames, music players, game devices, and e-book readers.

[0256] In addition, this embodiment is applicable not only to the main body of the imaging device, but also to a control device that communicates with the imaging device (including a network camera) via wired or wireless communication and remotely controls the imaging device. Examples of devices for remotely controlling an imaging device are devices such as smart phones, tablet PCs, and desktop PCs. The imaging device can be remotely controlled by providing a notification of a command for causing the imaging device to perform various types of operations and settings from the control device side based on operations performed on the control device side and processing executed on the control device side. In addition, the control device side can receive a live view image captured by the imaging device via wired or wireless communication and display the live view image.

[0257] [Other Embodiments]

[0258] The present invention can be implemented by a process of supplying, via a network or a storage medium, a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or a device, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or the device to read and execute the program. The present invention can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) for implementing one or more functions.

[0259] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the appended claims are made to inform the public of the scope of the present invention.

[0260] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-195862 filed on December 7, 2022, and the entire content thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

[0261] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0262] 22... imaging unit, 24... image processing unit, 28... display unit, 32... memory, 50... system control unit, 52... system memory, 54... communication unit, 56... non-volatile memory, 70... operation unit, 100... digital camera, 150... lens unit, 200... recording medium

Claims

1. An imaging device, comprising an imaging unit, wherein the imaging device is characterized by comprising: a setting component for setting specific information; an association component for associating the set specific information with an image captured using the imaging unit; and a control component for performing control to: when the specific information has not been set, when the state where the user has not operated the imaging device has continued for a predetermined period of time, cause the imaging device to transition to a power-saving state, and when the specific information has been set, even when the state where the user has not operated the imaging device has continued for the predetermined period of time, not cause the imaging device to transition to the power-saving state.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the image is a medical image of a first patient, and the specific information includes at least one of information related to the first patient, information related to the photographer, and information related to the photographed body part of the first patient.

3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein, It further comprises: a communication unit; and a receiving component for receiving the specific information from an external system via the communication unit.

4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein It further comprises: a sending component for sending the image associated with the set specific information to the external system.

5. The imaging device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, It further comprises: a first detection component for detecting, by communicating with the external system via the communication unit, that the display target patient for displaying an electronic medical record on an electronic medical record terminal included in the external system has changed from the first patient to a second patient, wherein the setting component, in response to detecting that the display target patient has changed from the first patient to the second patient, cancels the setting of the specific information.

6. The imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, It further comprises: a second detection component for detecting, by communicating with the external system via the communication unit, the end of the medical practice time in a medical facility using the imaging device, wherein the setting component, in response to detecting the end of the medical practice time, cancels the setting of the specific information.

7. The imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that, It further comprises: a judgment component for judging, by communicating with the external system via the communication unit, whether the period of time until the start time of the medical practice for the next patient is shorter than a threshold value, wherein even when the specific information has not been set, if the period of time until the start time of the medical practice for the next patient is shorter than the threshold value, the control component also performs control such that even when the state where the user has not operated the imaging device has continued for the predetermined period of time, the imaging device is not caused to transition to the power-saving state.

8. The imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein causing the imaging device to transition to the power-saving state includes stopping the communication operation of the communication unit.

9. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when the user has issued an instruction to end shooting, the setting component cancels the setting of the specific information.

10. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, It further comprises: a switching component for switching between the on and off states of a predetermined operation mode of the imaging device, Among them, the setting component sets the specific information when the predetermined operation mode is turned on, and cancels the setting of the specific information when the predetermined operation mode is switched from on to off.

11. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that when the user has issued an instruction to turn off the power of the imaging device, the setting component cancels the setting of the specific information.

12. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that when the specific information has been set, when the state where the user has not operated the imaging device has continued for the predetermined period of time, the control component provides a notification for prompting the user to select whether to end shooting, and when the user has selected to end shooting in response to the notification, the setting component cancels the setting of the specific information.

13. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, Further comprising: a change component for changing the predetermined period of time, wherein, when the specific information has been set, the control component controls to prohibit changing the predetermined period of time.

14. A control method executed by an imaging device, the imaging device including an imaging unit, the control method being characterized by including: a setting step for setting specific information; an association step for associating the set specific information with an image captured using the imaging unit; and a control step for controlling to: when the specific information has not been set, when the state where the user has not operated the imaging device has continued for a predetermined period of time, cause the imaging device to transition to a power-saving state, and when the specific information has been set, even if the state where the user has not operated the imaging device has continued for the predetermined period of time, not cause the imaging device to transition to the power-saving state.

15. A program for causing a computer to function as each component of the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images