Imaging apparatus, control method of the imaging apparatus, and program

Abstract

To more improve an operability of a touch operation to a display part in the case where a position relation between an imaging apparatus and the display part is changed.SOLUTION: In the case where a position relation of a display part against a main body part of an imaging apparatus is a first position relation, a control is performed so that a display is made so that the display position of a predetermined item becomes a first layout, and the predetermined item is displayed in a first display form. In the case where the position relation of the display part against the main body part of the imaging apparatus is a second position relation, the control is performed so that the predetermined item is displayed so that the display position of the predetermined item becomes a second layout that is different from the first layout, and the predetermined item is displayed in a second display form so that the image displayed with the predetermined item is more visible than the first display form.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device having a display unit whose position relative to the imaging device can be changed. [Background technology]

[0002] Imaging devices equipped with a movable display unit, such as a vari-angle LCD or tilt LCD, are known. Many of them also have a touch panel function. When a user is about to take a picture of themselves, they can turn the movable display unit over to face themselves (the subject side) and touch the icons or live view screen on the touch panel to configure various settings, perform AF, and take pictures.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses an imaging device that displays icons with different positional relationships between them so that the icon to be touched is displayed in a position that is easy for the user to touch, depending on the positional relationship of a movable display unit relative to the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-22850 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Depending on the positional relationship between the movable display unit and the housing unit, touching the display surface of the movable display unit may interfere with the housing unit, resulting in poor operability. For example, when the display screen of the movable display unit provided on the back of an imaging device is placed in a facing position facing the photographer, the digital camera body gets in the way from the photographer's side, making it difficult to touch the display unit at a position close to the imaging device body.

[0006] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the problem that the housing gets in the way and makes it difficult to touch the display surface of the movable display.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems described above, and aims to further improve the operability of touch operations on the display unit when the positional relationship between the imaging device and the display unit is changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an imaging device according to the present invention comprises: The display unit has a display screen capable of detecting touch operations, and the display unit is capable of changing its position relative to the main body of the imaging device, and a control means for controlling the display screen to display both an captured image and a specified item that can be touch operated, wherein the control means controls the display so that, when the positional relationship of the display unit relative to the main body of the imaging device is a first positional relationship, the display positions of the specified items are displayed in a first layout, and the specified items are displayed in a first display form, and when the positional relationship of the display unit relative to the main body of the imaging device is a second positional relationship, the control means controls the display so that the specified items are displayed in a second layout that is different from the first layout, and the specified items are displayed in a second display form in which an image displayed together with the specified items is easier to view than in the first display form. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to further improve the operability of touch operations on the display unit when the positional relationship between the housing unit and the display unit is changed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a variable angle monitor unit. [Figure 4] 11 is a flowchart showing a display process according to a rotation state of the variable angle monitor unit 113. [Diagram 5] This is an example of the display when the vari-angle monitor is not in the facing position. [Figure 6] 13 is a display example of the display unit when the variable angle monitor unit is in the facing position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A digital camera 100 as an example of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <Configuration of Digital Camera 100> 1 to 3 are diagrams showing a configuration of a digital camera 100 as an example of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows an external view of a digital camera 100. As shown in FIG.

[0014] The variable angle monitor unit 113 (monitor unit) is attached so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 113a provided along one side of the upper back surface of the digital camera 100, and its position relative to the digital camera 100 can be changed. The variable angle monitor unit 113 has a display unit 28. The display unit 28 is a display unit that displays images and various information.

[0015] The shutter button 61 is an operation unit for issuing a shooting instruction. The mode changeover switch 60 is an operation unit for switching between various modes. The connector 112 is a connector between the connection cable 111 for connecting to an external device such as a personal computer or a printer and the digital camera 100. The operation unit 70 is an operation unit consisting of operation members such as various switches, buttons, and a touch panel that accept various operations from a user. The controller wheel 73 is an operation member included in the operation unit 70 that can be rotated. The power switch 72 is a push button for switching the power on and off. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium slot 201 is a slot for storing the recording medium 200. The recording medium 200 stored in the recording medium slot 201 can communicate with the digital camera 100, and can record and play back. The lid 202 is a lid for the recording medium slot 201. In the figure, the lid 202 is opened to remove a part of the recording medium 200 from the slot 201 and expose it.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a digital camera 100 according to this embodiment.

[0017] In FIG. 2, the photographing lens 103 is a lens group including a zoom lens and a focus lens. The shutter 101 is a shutter with an aperture function. The imaging unit 22 is an imaging element composed of a CCD, CMOS element, etc. that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. The A / D converter 23 converts an analog signal into a digital signal. The A / D converter 23 is used to convert the analog signal output from the imaging unit 22 into a digital signal. The barrier 102 covers the imaging system of the digital camera 100 including the photographing lens 103, thereby preventing the imaging system including the photographing lens 103, the shutter 101, and the imaging unit 22 from becoming dirty or damaged.

[0018] The image processing unit 24 performs predetermined pixel interpolation, resizing 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. The image processing unit 24 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the obtained arithmetic results. This allows TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (autoexposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing to be performed. The image processing unit 24 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic results. The image processing unit 24 also performs face detection to detect a face (person) included in the captured image using the captured image data. In face detection, the size and position of the detected face can be identified, and the system control unit 50 is notified of the face detection result.

[0019] The output data from the A / D converter 23 is written into the memory 32 via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15, or directly via the memory control unit 15. The memory 32 stores image data obtained by the imaging unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 23, and image data to be displayed on the display unit 28. The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined period of moving images and audio.

[0020] The memory 32 also serves as a memory for image display (video memory). The D / A converter 13 converts the image display data stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies it to the display unit 28. In this way, the image data for display written in the memory 32 is displayed by the display unit 28 via the D / A converter 13. The display unit 28 performs display according to the analog signal from the D / A converter 13 on a display device such as an LCD. The digital signal once A / D converted by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 is converted to analog in the D / A converter 13 and sequentially transferred to and displayed on the display unit 28, thereby performing through image display (live view display).

[0021] The non-volatile memory 56 is a memory serving as an electrically erasable and recordable recording medium, and may be, for example, an EEPROM. Constants, programs, and the like for operating the system control unit 50 are stored in the non-volatile memory 56. The programs referred to here are computer programs for executing various flowcharts described later in this embodiment.

[0022] The system control unit 50 controls the entire digital camera 100. Each process of this embodiment, which will be described later, is realized by executing the program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 described above. A RAM is used for the system memory 52. ​​Constants and variables for the operation of the system control unit 50, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 56, and the like are loaded into the system memory 52. ​​The system control unit 50 also performs display control by controlling the memory 32, the D / A converter 13, the display unit 28, and the like.

[0023] The system timer 53 is a timing unit that measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock.

[0024] The mode changeover switch 60 , the shutter button 61 , and the operation unit 70 are operation means for inputting various operational instructions to the system control unit 50 .

[0025] The mode changeover switch 60 changes the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to one of a still image recording mode, a video shooting mode, a playback mode, etc. Modes included in the still image recording mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene determination mode, a manual mode, various scene modes in which shooting settings are made according to the shooting scene, a program AE mode, a custom mode, etc. The mode changeover switch 60 can directly change to one of these modes included in the menu button. Alternatively, after the mode changeover switch 60 is once switched to the menu button, another operating member can be used to change to one of these modes included in the menu button. Similarly, the video shooting mode may also include a plurality of modes.

[0026] The first shutter switch 62 is turned on and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1 when the shutter button 61 provided on the digital camera 100 is pressed halfway (instruction to prepare for shooting) during operation. The first shutter switch signal SW1 starts operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (pre-flash) processing.

[0027] The second shutter switch 64 is turned on when the shutter button 61 is fully pressed (photographing instruction) and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. The system control unit 50 starts a series of photographing processing operations from reading a signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing image data to the recording medium 200 in response to the second shutter switch signal SW2.

[0028] Each operating member of the operating unit 70 is assigned a function appropriate for each situation by selecting and operating various functional icons displayed on the display unit 28, and acts as various functional buttons. The functional buttons include, for example, an end button, a back button, an image forward button, a jump button, a filter button, an attribute change button, and the like. For example, when the menu button is pressed, a menu screen in which various settings can be made is displayed on the display unit 28. The user can intuitively make various settings using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28, the four directional buttons (up, down, left, right) and the SET button.

[0029] The controller wheel 73 is a rotatable operation member included in the operation unit 70, and is used together with the direction button to indicate a selection item. When the controller wheel 73 is rotated, an electric pulse signal is generated according to the amount of operation, and the system control unit 50 controls each unit of the digital camera 100 based on this pulse signal. This pulse signal makes it possible to determine the angle at which the controller wheel 73 is rotated and how many times it has rotated. The controller wheel 73 may be any operation member that can detect a rotation operation. For example, the controller wheel 73 may be a dial operation member that rotates itself in response to a rotation operation by the user to generate a pulse signal. Alternatively, the controller wheel 73 may be an operation member made of a touch sensor that does not rotate itself but detects the rotation of the user's finger on the controller wheel 73 (so-called a touch wheel).

[0030] The power supply control unit 80 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching between blocks to which electricity is applied, and detects whether a battery is attached, the type of battery, and the remaining battery power. The power supply control unit 80 also controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection results and instructions from the system control unit 50, and supplies the necessary voltage to each unit including the recording medium 200 for the necessary period.

[0031] The power supply unit 30 is made up of 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, an AC adapter, etc. The recording medium I / F 18 is an interface with a recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording captured images, and is made up of a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, etc.

[0032] The communication unit 54 is connected wirelessly or via a wired cable, and transmits and receives video signals, audio signals, etc. The communication unit 54 can also be connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The communication unit 54 can transmit images (including live view images) captured by the imaging unit 22 and images recorded on the recording medium 200, and can also receive image data and various other information from external devices.

[0033] The attitude detection unit 55 detects the attitude of the digital camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 55, it is possible to determine whether the image captured by the imaging unit 22 was captured with the digital camera 100 held horizontally or vertically. The system control unit 50 can add orientation information corresponding to the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 55 to the image file of the image captured by the imaging unit 22, or rotate and record the image. The attitude detection unit 55 can be an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like.

[0034] The operation unit 70 includes a touch panel 70a capable of detecting contact with the display unit 28 and enabling touch operation. The touch panel 70a and the display unit 28 can be configured as one unit. For example, the touch panel 70a is configured so that the light transmittance does not interfere with the display of the display unit 28, and is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the display unit 28. Then, input coordinates on the touch panel 70a are associated with display coordinates on the display unit 28. This makes it possible to configure a GUI (Graphical User Interface) as if the user could directly operate the screen displayed on the display unit 28. The system control unit 50 can detect the following operations or states on the touch panel 70a.

[0035] A finger or pen that has not been touching the touch panel 70a touches the touch panel 70a again, that is, the start of touching (hereinafter referred to as touch-down). The touch panel 70a is in a state of being touched with a finger or a pen (hereinafter, referred to as Touch-On). Touching the touch panel 70a with a finger or a pen and moving it (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Move). The finger or pen that has been touching the touch panel 70a is released, that is, the touch ends (hereinafter, referred to as "touch-up"). A state in which nothing is being touched on the touch panel 70a (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Off).

[0036] When touch-down is detected, touch-on is also detected at the same time. After touch-down, touch-on will usually continue to be detected unless touch-up is detected. Touch-move is also detected while touch-on is detected. Even if touch-on is detected, touch-move will not be detected if the touch position has not moved. After it is detected that all fingers or pens that were touching have touched up, touch-off occurs. Also, if the time between touch-down and touch-up is less than a specified time, a tap is also detected at the same time.

[0037] 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, and the system control unit 50 determines what operation has been performed on the touch panel 70a based on the notified information. Regarding touch-move, the movement direction of the finger or pen moving on the touch panel 70a can also be determined for each vertical component and horizontal component on the touch panel 70a based on the change in the position coordinates. Also, when the touch panel 70a is touched down, touched up after a certain touch-move, a stroke is drawn. An operation of drawing a stroke quickly is called a flick. A flick is an operation in which a finger is touched on the touch panel 70a, moved quickly for a certain distance, and then released as it is. In other words, it is an operation of quickly tracing the touch panel 70a with a finger as if flicking it. When a touch-move is detected for a predetermined distance or more at a predetermined speed or more, and a touch-up is detected as it is, it can be determined that a flick has been performed. Also, when a touch-move is detected for a predetermined distance or more at less than the predetermined speed, it is determined that a drag has been performed. Furthermore, a touch operation in which multiple points (for example, two points) are touched simultaneously and the touch positions are brought closer together is called pinch in, and a touch operation in which the touch positions are moved away from each other is called pinch out. Pinch out and pinch in are collectively called pinch operation (or simply pinch). The touch panel 70a may be of any of various touch panel types, 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. Depending on the type, there are types that detect a touch by contact with the touch panel, and types that detect a touch by the approach of a finger or a pen to the touch panel, and either type may be used.

[0038] The rotation detection unit 114 detects the rotation angle of the variable angle monitor unit 113 relative to the main body unit 100a, and is an angle detection unit that detects the rotation angle of the variable angle monitor unit 113 described above.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the variable angle monitor unit 113 in the digital camera 100. As shown in FIG.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows the state of the digital camera 100 when the variable angle monitor unit 113 (including the display unit 28) is rotated around 113a as the rotation axis (change in the positional relationship of the variable angle monitor unit 113 with respect to the digital camera 100).

[0041] 3, K1 indicates a state in which the variable angle monitor unit 113 is stored in the digital camera 100 (rotation angle 0 degrees). In the K1 state, the display screen 28a of the display unit 28 provided on the variable angle monitor unit 113 faces the rear side opposite the shooting direction d2. K2 indicates a state in which the variable angle monitor unit 113 has been rotated 90 degrees in the d1 direction from the K1 state, and K3 indicates a state in which the variable angle monitor unit 113 has been rotated 180 degrees in the d1 direction from the K1 state.

[0042] In FIG. 3, the variable angle monitor unit 113 is shown in one digital camera 100 at three angles to show the rotation of the variable angle monitor unit. However, in reality, the variable angle monitor unit 113 can move between a rotation angle of 0 degrees (K1) and a rotation angle of 180 degrees (K3). When the rotation angle of the variable angle monitor unit 113 is 0 degrees (K1), the shooting direction d2 and the display direction of the display unit 28 are different, and the display screen of the display unit 28 can be confirmed from the photographer side observing the shooting direction, but cannot be confirmed from the subject side in the shooting direction d2. When the rotation angle of the variable angle monitor unit 113 is 180 degrees (K3), the shooting direction and the display direction of the display unit 28 are the same, and the display of the display unit 28 can be confirmed from the subject side in the shooting direction. The variable angle monitor unit 113 can rotate in a range from 0 degrees to 180 degrees or more. In the state of K3, the display screen 28a of the display unit of the variable angle monitor unit 113 faces the shooting direction side of d2, that is, the subject side. Furthermore, in the state K3, the up-down direction of the display unit 28 is reversed compared to the state K1. Therefore, when displaying a live view image, in the state K3, the live view image is displayed up-down or rotated 180 degrees with respect to the live view image displayed on the display unit 28 in the state K1. By displaying the live view image up-down or rotated 180 degrees, in the state K3, the up-down direction of the display unit 28 and the up-down direction of the live view image can be matched (the top-down direction of the display unit and the top-down direction of the live view image can be aligned). By displaying the live view image up-down in the state K3, the live view image is displayed as a mirror image. Therefore, when the subject checks the live view image on the display unit 28 from the shooting direction side (subject side), the left-right direction of the subject and the live view image match, making it easier to check the composition. In the state K3, whether the live view image is displayed up-down or rotated 180 degrees may be switched depending on the ON / OFF setting of the mirror image display. When the mirror image display is set to ON, the live view image is displayed upside down in the K3 state, and when the mirror image display is set to OFF, the live view image is displayed rotated 180 degrees in the K3 state.The mirror image display can be set to ON / OFF by operating the operation unit 70 in response to a user operation in a menu setting.

[0043] Hereinafter, the rotation angle of the variable angle monitor unit 113 will be described assuming that the state K1 in which the variable angle monitor unit 113 is stored in the digital camera 100 is a rotation angle of 0 degrees, the state K3 is a rotation angle of 180 degrees, and the arrow d1 shown in Figure 3 is the positive direction of rotation.

[0044] <Display Processing According to Rotation State of the Vari-Angle Monitor Unit 113> Figure 4 is a flowchart showing display processing in accordance with the rotation state of the variable angle monitor unit 113 in this embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is realized by the system control unit 50 controlling each unit of the digital camera 100 based on a program read from the nonvolatile memory 56 and deployed in the system memory 52. ​​The processing of Figure 4 is executed when the digital camera 100 operates in a shooting mode, and ends when the shooting mode ends or the power of the digital camera is turned off.

[0045] First, in step S401, the rotation detector 114 detects the rotation angle of the variable angle monitor 113 with respect to the main body 100a.

[0046] Next, in step S402, the system control unit 50 acquires information on the rotation angle detected by the rotation detection unit 114 in S401, and judges whether the positional relationship between the variable angle monitor unit 113 and the main body unit 100a is a facing position in which the display unit 28a of the display unit 28 faces the subject side. The system control unit 50 judges that the position is the facing position when the state is K3 in FIG. 3, that is, when the rotation angle of the display unit detected by the rotation detection unit 114 is 180 degrees. However, the system control unit 50 may judge that the position is the facing position not only when the rotation angle is 180 degrees, but also when the rotation angle of the display unit is 150 degrees. The threshold value of the rotation angle for judging whether the position is the facing position may be greater than 90 degrees. At least when the rotation angle is between 0 degrees (state K1) and 90 degrees (state K2), the system control unit 50 judges that the position is not the facing position. If it is judged that the position is not the facing position in step S402, the process proceeds to step S403, and if it is judged that the position is the facing position in step S402, the process proceeds to step S406.

[0047] In step S403, the system control unit 50 displays the live view image on the display unit 28 in normal display. That is, the live view image acquired by the imaging unit 22 and processed by the image processing unit 24 is displayed by inverting / rotating it without inverting the live view image upside down / rotating it 180 degrees. Then, in step S404, the system control unit 50 sets the layout of the touch icon to the normal layout. In step S405, the system control unit 50 sets the display of the touch icon to normal display (non-transparent display), and displays the touch icon on the display screen of the display unit 28 in the normal layout and display form set in S404 and S405, superimposed on the live view image.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a display example of the display unit 28 when it is determined in step S402 that the camera is not in the facing position and the processes of S403 to S405 are executed. 501 is a live view image, which is a live view image displayed on the display unit 28 without performing inversion / rotation processing on the captured image acquired by the imaging unit 22. 502a to 502e are touch icons that are display items that can be touched, and by touching the display positions of these touch icons, the functions corresponding to the respective icons are executed. 502a is a touch icon of a shutter speed (Tv), and the value of the shutter speed currently set in the digital camera is displayed on the touch icon. Then, by touching this icon, a setting screen for changing the shutter speed is displayed, and the shutter speed can be changed. 502b is a touch icon of an aperture value (Av), and the aperture value currently set in the digital camera is displayed on the touch icon. Then, by touching this icon, a setting screen for changing the aperture value is displayed, and the aperture value can be changed. 502c is a touch icon for instructing to start / end video shooting, and by touching this icon, it is possible to instruct to start or end video shooting. 502d is a touch icon for exposure compensation, and the exposure compensation value currently set in the digital camera is displayed on the touch icon. Then, by touching this icon, a setting screen for changing the exposure compensation value is displayed, and the exposure compensation value can be changed. 502e is a touch icon for ISO sensitivity, and the ISO sensitivity currently set in the digital camera is displayed on the touch icon. Then, by touching this icon, a setting screen for changing the ISO sensitivity is displayed, and the ISO sensitivity can be changed. Note that, for example, in the setting screen displayed by touching the touch icons 502a, b, d, and e, an object for changing each setting value is displayed in the area where the touch icons 502a to e of the live view image were displayed. Since the object for changing the setting value is displayed together with the live view image, it is possible to change each setting value while checking the live view image.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, when the display unit 28 is in the facing position, a touch icon 502a is displayed non-transparently on the lower side of the live view image, that is, in the edge area on the lower side (bottom side) of the display unit 28.

[0050] In this way, if it is determined that the position is not the face-to-face position, the processes of steps S403 to S405 are executed, causing a display as shown in Fig. 5, and the process returns to S401. If the rotation angle of the variable angle monitor unit 113 does not change and the state in which the position is not the face-to-face position persists, the display of Fig. 5 continues. If the rotation angle of the variable angle monitor unit 113 is changed and it is determined that the position is the face-to-face position, the process proceeds to S406, and the display switches to that for the face-to-face position.

[0051] In step S406, the system control unit 50 displays the live view image on the display unit 28 after flipping it upside down or rotating it 180 degrees, compared to the normal display of the live view image in S403. In the facing position, the variable angle monitor unit 113 is rotated 180 degrees, so the up-down direction (top-bottom direction) of the display unit 28 is opposite to that in the case where the rotation angle is 0 degrees. Therefore, by flipping the live view image acquired by the imaging unit 22 and processed by the image processing unit 24 upside down or rotating it 180 degrees and displaying it, it is possible to align the top-bottom direction of the display unit and the top-bottom direction of the live view.

[0052] Then, in step S407, the system control unit 50 sets the layout of the touch icon to the face-to-face layout. In step S408, the system control unit 50 acquires the result of the face detection process from the image processing unit 24, and determines whether a face has been detected from the image (live view image). If a face has not been detected, the system control unit 50 sets the display of the touch icon to a transparent display (low transparency) in step S409, and if a face has been detected, sets the display of the touch icon to a transparent display (high transparency) in step S410. The system control unit 50 displays the touch icon on the display screen of the display unit 28 by superimposing it on the live view image in the face-to-face layout and transparent display display form set in S407, S409, and S410. In the case of the face-to-face position, the touch icon is displayed transparently regardless of the face detection result in step S408, and if a face is detected, it is displayed with a high transparency.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a display example of the display unit 28 when it is determined in step S402 that the position is face-to-face. Fig. 6 is a display example when it is determined that a face has been detected.

[0054] 601 is a live view image, and in FIG. 6, the live view image is displayed upside down, so that the up-down direction (top-bottom direction) of the live view image and the up-down direction of the display unit 28 exist. 602a to 602e are touch icons, and although their display positions and display forms (transparency) are different, they are touch icons corresponding to the touch icons 502a to 502e in FIG. 5, respectively. In FIG. 5, the touch icon is arranged in the lower region of the lower end of the live view image, but in the case of the facing position, as in FIG. 6, the touch icon is arranged in the upper end region of the live view image. This is because, if the touch icon is arranged in the lower region of the lower end of the live view image in the facing position as in FIG. 6, it becomes difficult to operate the touch icon because the touch icon is close to the main body unit 100a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the touch icon is arranged in the upper region of the upper end of the live view image as in FIG. 6, so that it is easy to operate the touch icon. However, if the touch icon 602 is arranged in the upper end area of ​​the live view image, it is highly likely to overlap with the subject (especially the head or face area). Therefore, in the case of the face-to-face position, not only is the layout of the touch icon changed, but the display form of the icon is also changed so that the subject can be easily confirmed (visualized). In the case of FIG. 6, since a face has been detected, the touch icons 602a to 602e are displayed with a high transparency (transparency 60%). If a face has not been detected, they are displayed with a low transparency (transparency 30%). In FIG. 6, the touch icons are displayed with a high transparency so that the subject can be easily confirmed, but instead of changing the transparency, the display size of the touch icon may be reduced. Alternatively, the transparency may be increased and the display size of the touch icon may be reduced.

[0055] By repeating the processes of S401 to S410, rotation of the variable angle monitor unit 113 is detected, and the layout and display form (transparency, display size, etc.) of the touch icon are changed according to the change in the positional relationship between the variable angle monitor unit 113 and the main body unit 100a.

[0056] In the above embodiment, in the case of the face-to-face position, the touch icons 602a to 602e are displayed transparently as shown in FIG. 6. However, the touch icons 602b, 602c, and 602d arranged in the center of the display screen 28a are more likely to overlap with the subject than the touch icons 602a and 602e. Therefore, the touch icons 602b, 602c, and 602d arranged closer to the center than the touch icons 602a and 602e arranged near the corners of the display screen may be displayed with a higher transparency. Alternatively, only the touch icons 602b, 602c, and 602d may be displayed transparently, and the touch icons 602a and 602e may be displayed non-transparently. In addition, in S410, all the touch icons 602a to 602e are displayed transparently with a high transparency, but the touch icons that overlap the position of the face detected by the face detection process may be displayed with a high transparency, and the other touch icons may be displayed with a low transparency.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the transparency of the touch icon is changed according to the result of face detection when the user is in the face-to-face position, but the transparency of the touch icon may be changed between the face-to-face position and the non-face-to-face position without changing the transparency according to the result of face detection. In this case, the touch icon is displayed with a large transparency when the user is in the face-to-face position and with a small transparency when the user is not in the face-to-face position.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the touch icon is displayed non-transparently when not in a face-to-face position, and is displayed transparently when in a face-to-face position so that the subject can be easily seen. However, the touch icon may be displayed transparently with low transparency (transparency 25%) when not in a face-to-face position, and may be displayed transparently with high transparency (transparency 50%) when in a face-to-face position so that the subject can be easily seen (confirmed). When a face is detected, the icon may be displayed transparently with even higher transparency (transparency 75%) or with high transparency (transparency 50%) to reduce the size of the icon.

[0059] (Other embodiments) Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Parts of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0060] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

Claims

1. An imaging device, a display unit having a display screen capable of detecting a touch operation, the display unit being capable of changing its position relative to a main body of the imaging device; a control means for controlling the display screen to display a predetermined touch-operable item superimposed on the captured image, The control means when a positional relationship of the display unit with respect to a main body of the imaging device is a first positional relationship, control is performed so that a display position of the predetermined item superimposed on the image is in a first layout, and the predetermined item is displayed in a first display form; When the positional relationship of the display unit with respect to the main body of the imaging device is a second positional relationship, the predetermined items are displayed so that the display positions of the predetermined items superimposed on the image are in a second layout different from the first layout, and the predetermined items are displayed in a second display form in which the transparency of the predetermined items is higher than that of the first display form. An imaging device characterized by:

2. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first display mode is a display mode in which the predetermined item is displayed opaquely, and the second display mode is a display mode in which the predetermined item is displayed transparently.

3. The device further comprises a detection means for detecting a face in the image on which the predetermined item is superimposed, In the second positional relationship, when a face is not detected by the detection means, the control means displays the predetermined items in the second layout and in the second display form; When a face is detected by the detection means, the predetermined items are displayed in the second layout, and the predetermined items are displayed in a third display form in which the transparency of the predetermined items is higher than that of the second display form; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, in the first positional relationship, the control means controls the detection means not to detect a face, the control means to display the specified items in the first layout, and the control means to display the specified items in the first display form.

4. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second display mode has a smaller display size of the predetermined item than the first display mode.

5. the predetermined item includes a plurality of items; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the plurality of items to be displayed in the first layout and the first display form in the case of the first positional relationship, and controls the plurality of items to be displayed in the second layout, a specific item among the plurality of items to be displayed in the second display form, and other items among the plurality of items to be displayed in the first display form in the case of the second positional relationship.

6. the predetermined item includes a plurality of items; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the plurality of items to be displayed in the first layout and the first display form in the case of the first positional relationship, and controls the plurality of items to be displayed in the second layout, and to display items other than a specific item among the plurality of items in the second display form in the case of the second positional relationship, and to display the specific item among the plurality of items in a third display form in which an image displayed together with the specific item is easier to see than in the second display form.

7. 6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the specific item is an item placed in the center of the display screen, and the other items are items placed near the corners of the display screen.

8. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first positional relationship is a positional relationship in which the display screen faces a rear side of the imaging device, and the second positional relationship is a positional relationship in which the display screen faces a shooting direction side of the imaging device.

9. the display unit is configured to be able to change its position relative to the imaging device by rotating around a rotation axis provided on an upper side of the rear surface of the imaging device, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first positional relationship is a positional relationship in which the display screen faces a rear side of the imaging device, and the second positional relationship is a positional relationship in which the display screen faces a shooting direction side of the imaging device.

10. 10. The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein the control means controls the captured image to be displayed on the display screen by flipping the image upside down or rotating the image 180 degrees in the case of the second positional relationship compared to the case of the first positional relationship.

11. 11. The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein the first layout is a layout in which the predetermined item is arranged in a lower region of the captured image, and the second layout is a layout in which the predetermined item is arranged in an upper region of the captured image.

12. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first layout is a layout in which the predetermined item is arranged in a lower region of the captured image, and the second layout is a layout in which the predetermined item is arranged in an upper region of the captured image.

13. a detection means for detecting a face from the image on which the predetermined item is superimposed, When the control means is in the second positional relationship, If no face is detected by the detection means, the predetermined items are controlled to be arranged in the second layout and displayed in the second display form; When a face is detected by the detection means, the predetermined items are arranged in the second layout and are displayed in a third display form in which the image on which the predetermined items are superimposed is more easily visible than in the second display form.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1.

14. A control method for an imaging device having a display unit with a display screen capable of detecting a touch operation, the display unit being capable of changing its position relative to a main body of the imaging device, a control step of controlling the display screen to display a predetermined touch-operable item superimposed on the captured image, In the control step, When a positional relationship of the display unit with respect to the main body unit is a first positional relationship, the display is controlled so that the display positions of the predetermined items superimposed on the image are in a first layout, and the predetermined items are displayed in a first display form; When the positional relationship of the display unit with respect to the main body unit is a second positional relationship, the predetermined items are displayed so that the display positions of the predetermined items superimposed on the image are in a second layout different from the first layout, and the predetermined items are displayed in a second display form in which the transparency of the predetermined items is higher than that of the first display form.

10. A method for controlling an imaging device, comprising:

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

Images