Imaging device

Abstract

To provide an imaging device with which, even while looking into a finder, it is possible to easily change a plurality of settings pertaining to imaging conditions without the need for replacing fingers from an operation member.SOLUTION: An imaging device according to the present invention comprises: a display unit capable of displaying an operation region; a control unit capable of changing display content in the operation region; a switch capable of issuing a first indication and a second indication to the control unit; and a direction operation unit for conducting an indication for movement of the operation region to the control unit. The switch includes a pressing force detection unit and a pushbutton. The direction operation unit is disposed on the switch so as to be capable of depressing the switch and issues the first indication in accordance with the pressing force detected by the pressing force detection unit and issues the second indication when the pushbutton is depressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for improving the operability of an operation area displayed on a display unit in an imaging device equipped with a display unit. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In general, in imaging devices such as digital cameras, a technology is known in which a focus area indicating the range in which autofocus is performed is displayed on a display unit within a viewfinder or on a display disposed on the back of the camera.

[0003] In such an imaging device, the focus area is moved by operating an operating member such as a cross key or a joystick provided in the imaging device. In addition, when changing the size of the focus area, the size of the focus area is changed according to the operating direction and the operating amount by operating a rotary operating member such as a dial.

[0004] When focusing on a subject, a user operates an operating member such as a cross key or joystick to move the part to be focused on so that it falls within the focus area. Also, if the movement of the subject on the screen is difficult to predict, the focus area is set wide so that the subject falls within the focus area as much as possible. On the other hand, if the range in which the subject moves on the screen is limited, the focus area is set narrow to improve the accuracy of focusing.

[0005] As described above, in conventional imaging devices, when setting up to perform autofocus to adjust the focus, different operating members must be operated to move the focus area and to enlarge or reduce the focus area, which cannot be said to be easy to use.

[0006] The following prior art is known for improving the operability of the focus area.

[0007] Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device that allows the user to quickly move a display object on the screen to a distant position and to finely adjust its position without moving the operating finger.

[0008] Patent Document 2 discloses an autofocus system that detects operations on a monitor screen of a television camera or the like using a touch panel and enables the position and size of the autofocus target frame (focus area) to be changed by the operations, thereby making it possible to easily and quickly set and change the position and size of the focus area according to the position and size of the main subject on the screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-071664 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2004-117490 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 improves operability relating to movement of the focus area, but issues remain with respect to operability relating to enlarging and reducing the focus area.

[0011] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 enables easy and quick setting changes to be made to the movement and enlargement / reduction of the focus area on a touch-operable display, but does not allow the same operations to be performed while looking through the viewfinder.

[0012] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an imaging device that allows users to easily change multiple settings related to shooting conditions without moving their fingers away from the operating members, even while looking through the viewfinder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The imaging device of the present invention comprises a display unit capable of displaying an operation area, a control unit capable of changing the display content of the operation area, a switch capable of giving a first instruction and a second instruction to the control unit, and a directional operation unit that instructs the control unit to move the operation area, the switch comprising a pressure detection unit and a push button unit, the directional operation unit being provided on the switch so that the switch can be pressed, and the first instruction is given in response to the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit, and the second instruction is given by pressing the push button unit. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device that allows the user to easily change a number of settings related to shooting conditions without moving their fingers away from the operating member, even while looking through the viewfinder. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] System block diagram of digital camera 100 [Diagram 2] External view of digital camera 100 [Diagram 3] Plan and front views of the composite operation unit 330 [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a plan view and a front view of each component constituting the composite operation unit 330. [Diagram 5] AA' cross section of the plan view of FIG. [Figure 6] A graph showing the relationship between the pressing force when pressing the flat plate portion 332 and the capacitance value output by the capacitance sensor 337. [Figure 7] 13 is an example of a change in capacitance value over time output by the capacitance sensor 337 when the flat plate portion 332 is pressed. [Figure 8] An example in which the size of the focus area on the display unit 400 is changed according to a change in the capacitance value [Figure 9] Flowchart relating to control for expanding and contracting a focus area [Figure 10]Flowchart relating to control for moving the focus area [Figure 11] Flowchart for controlling enlargement, reduction and movement of an operation area at the same time [Figure 12] A flowchart showing the operation of the camera control unit 230 performing the enlargement / reduction process of the focus area in step S31. [Figure 13] A flowchart showing the operation of the camera control unit 230 performing the focus area movement process in step S32. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, only the main parts according to the present invention will be described, but other parts can be configured by appropriately using well-known techniques related to imaging devices.

[0017] First, the configuration and functions of an imaging device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a system block diagram of a digital camera 100, which is an imaging device according to the present invention. Figure 2 is an external view of the digital camera 100. Figure 2(a) is a perspective view of the digital camera 100 as seen from the front, and Figure 2(b) is a perspective view of the digital camera 100 as seen from the back.

[0018] The digital camera 100 comprises a camera body 200 and a lens unit 500. The camera body 200 and the lens unit 500 may be integral with each other, or may be detachably attached to each other.

[0019] The camera body 200 includes an image sensor 210 , an image processor 220 , a camera controller 230 , an operation unit group 300 , and a display unit 400 .

[0020] The lens unit 500 includes a lens optical system 510 having a plurality of lens groups including a focus lens group and an aperture, and a lens control unit 520.

[0021] The imaging element 210 is an image sensor such as a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), and generates an image signal by photoelectrically converting light incident thereon through a lens optical system 510 included in the lens unit 500.

[0022] The image processing unit 220 is a processor such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), which performs various image processing on the image signal generated by the imaging element 210 and outputs it as image data. For example, it performs processing such as amplification processing for amplifying color component signals of the image signal, shading correction for ensuring linearity between the amount of pixel light received and the output value, color reproduction processing, gamma correction processing, and white balance processing.

[0023] The camera control unit 230 is a processing unit configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like, or a combination of these, and performs comprehensive control of the entire digital camera 100. The camera control unit 230 includes a ROM 231 in which programs and data are stored, and a RAM 232 used as a working area. The camera control unit 230 communicates with the lens control unit 520, and issues instructions for focusing and changing the aperture value in the lens unit 500. In addition, the camera control unit 230 also changes the display content of an operation area, which will be described later.

[0024] The operation unit group 300 is provided on the camera body 200 and is used to operate the digital camera 100. The operation unit group 300 includes a release button 310, a main operation unit 320, a combined operation unit 330, and a front button 340.

[0025] Release button 310 is an operating member for issuing shooting instructions, and is disposed in a position that allows operation while gripping camera body 200. Release button 310 can be pressed halfway or fully, and in response to each operation, camera control unit 230 performs various operations such as autofocus control for lens control unit 520, automatic exposure processing, shooting, etc.

[0026] The main operation unit 320 is an operation member used for general operation of the camera body unit 200, such as for operations on a menu screen displayed on the display unit 400 and for changing various settings on the shooting screen. In this embodiment, the main operation unit 320 has a confirmation button 321 in the center and a dial operation unit 322. The dial operation unit 322 has a button function that can be operated by pressing the top, bottom, left and right parts in addition to a rotation operation. An operation signal is sent to the camera control unit 230 by the rotation operation and pressing the button.

[0027] The composite operation unit 330 is an operating member for moving the operation area, changing the size of the operation area, and performing the operations for confirming these. The composite operation unit 330 includes a joystick 331, which is a direction operation unit for instructing the movement of the operation area, and a switch unit 334, and the joystick 331 is integrally provided on the switch unit 334. The detailed structure of the composite operation unit 330 will be described later.

[0028] An example of the operation area is a focus area. Other operation areas include a subject detection area indicating an area for detecting a subject, a face detection area indicating an area for detecting the face of the subject, an eye detection area indicating an area for detecting the eye of the subject, an automatic tracking target indication frame indicating a subject automatic tracking target, etc. In the following, in this embodiment, the focus area will be used as an example of the operation area for explanation.

[0029] The front button 340 is a button disposed at a position that can be operated while operating the release button 310, the main operation unit 320, and the composite operation unit 330, and is configured so that any function related to input to the camera control unit 230 by button operation can be assigned to the front button 340. For example, a function of fixing the automatic exposure process or switching to a mode for changing various setting values ​​can be assigned to the front button 340.

[0030] The display unit 400 is a display member capable of displaying real-time display of image data output by the image processing unit 220 (so-called through image), and a menu screen and a setting screen when operating the camera body unit 200. The display unit 400 includes an electronic viewfinder 410 and a rear LCD 420.

[0031] A focus area can be superimposed on the through image displayed on the display unit 400. In response to an operation of the operation unit group 300, the camera control unit 230 performs control to display the focus area on the display unit 400.

[0032] The lens control unit 520 performs drive control of the focus lens group provided in the lens optical system 510 in response to a control signal from the camera control unit 230 and the operation of an AF / MF changeover switch and a control switch (not shown) provided in the lens unit 500. For example, when the release button 310 is half-pressed, the camera control unit 230 instructs the lens control unit 520 to drive the focus lens group and performs autofocus.

[0033] Next, a detailed description will be given of composite operation unit 330. Fig. 3 is a plan view and a front view of composite operation unit 330, and Fig. 4 is a plan view and a front view of each component that constitutes composite operation unit 330.

[0034] The composite operation unit 330 includes a joystick 331 having a flat plate portion 332 and a lever portion 333, and a switch unit 334. The joystick 331 operates the flat plate portion 332 up, down, left, and right, so that the lever x+, lever x-, lever y+, and lever y- of the lever portion 333 push the switches x+, switch x-, switch y+, and switch y- of the switch unit 334. The switch unit 334 transmits a corresponding operation signal to the camera control unit 230 when each switch is in the ON state. For example, in a mode for operating the focus area, when the camera control unit 230 receives a signal that each switch is in the ON state, the camera control unit 230 issues an instruction to move the focus area on the display unit 400 up, down, left, and right. It is also possible to transmit a signal to move the focus area in the diagonal direction as a corresponding operation signal when the two switches are in the ON state by operating the joystick 331 in a diagonal direction and pushing two switches at the same time.

[0035] Furthermore, by pressing the flat plate portion 332 of the joystick 331 vertically, the lever cap presses the switch cap, and an operation signal corresponding to the pressing operation is transmitted to the camera control unit 230. In this embodiment, the member of the joystick 331 that the user touches has a flat plate shape, but this is not limited thereto. As long as the joystick 331 can be moved up, down, left, and right and can be pressed, it may have other shapes, such as a sphere, semisphere, rod, cone, etc.

[0036] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the AA' line in FIG. 3. The switches x+, x-, y+, y-, and cap of the switch unit 334 constitute a push button function by the cover part 335, the metal dome part 336, the fixed electrodes Fx+, Fx-, Fy+, Fy-, and Fcap, and the movable electrodes Mx+, Mx-, My+, My-, and Mcap. The cover part 335 is made of a material that can be deformed by pressing, and when the cover part 335 of each switch is pressed by each lever of the lever part 333, stress is applied to the metal dome part 336, and the metal dome part 336 buckles when pressed by a certain pressing force or more. The metal dome part 336 of each switch is connected to the movable electrodes Mx+, Mx-, My+, My-, and Mcap, respectively, and when the metal dome part 336 buckles, it comes into contact with the fixed electrodes Fx+, Fx-, Fy+, Fy-, and Fcap, and sends a signal to the camera control part 230.

[0037] In the switch cap, a capacitance sensor 337, which is a pressure detection unit, is integrally provided with the movable electrode Mcap, and the pressure applied to the metal dome portion 336 can be detected by a change in capacitance value. The pressure detection means is not limited to this as long as the electrical characteristics change according to the pressure, but it is preferable to adopt a method of detecting a change in capacitance value, since it is possible to perform control with good temperature characteristics and little output delay in response to pressure input.

[0038] 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the pressing force applied to the flat plate portion 332 and the capacitance value output by the capacitance sensor 337. The horizontal axis represents the pressing force applied to the flat plate portion 332, and the vertical axis represents the capacitance value output by the capacitance sensor 337.

[0039] As shown in the section c_0 to c_thr corresponding to the section p_0 to p_thr, as the pressing pressure on the flat plate portion 332 increases, the capacitance value of the capacitance sensor 337 increases.

[0040] When the pressing force of the flat plate portion 332 reaches a certain level, the metal dome portion 336 of the switch cap buckles, and the fixed electrode Fcap and the movable electrode Mcap come into contact. The buckling of the metal dome portion 336 causes the two capacitance sensors 337 to conduct through the movable electrode Mcap, causing a steep increase in the capacitance value as shown in the section c_thr to c_sat. When the capacitance value in the section c_thr to c_sat is input from the capacitance sensor 337, the camera control unit 230 performs control corresponding to the operation of the switch cap being in the pushed state.

[0041] When the capacitance value in the section c_1 to c_thr is input to the camera control unit 230, the camera control unit 230 performs control according to the capacitance value. In addition, by arbitrarily dividing the section c_1 to c_thr, it is also possible to make the stepwise change in the capacitance value correspond to the control of the camera control unit 230.

[0042] In this way, control according to the up and down of the capacitance value and control according to the push operation can be realized by operating the flat plate portion 332. As a result, the composite operation unit 330 can perform three types of signal input to the camera control unit 230 with a single operation member: signal input in the planar direction by lever operation, signal input according to the pressing force, and signal input according to the push operation.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to prevent erroneous detection, the camera control unit 230 is configured not to perform control when a capacitance value in the section c_0 to c_1 is input. Since the composite operation unit 330 is capable of performing a lever operation, there is a risk that the pressing force of the flat plate portion 332 may be unintentionally transmitted to the capacitance sensor 337 during the lever operation. By providing a section for preventing erroneous detection, unintentional control is avoided. The section of capacitance values ​​set to prevent erroneous detection is determined in advance when the digital camera 100 is manufactured.

[0044] Next, a description will be given of the control of changing the size of the focus area and fixing the changed size by operating the composite operation unit 330 of this embodiment. The change in size of the focus area is controlled in response to a change in capacitance value according to the pressing force on the flat plate unit 332. The size of the focus area is fixed when the capacitance value when the switch cap is in the pushed state reaches c_sat.

[0045] An example of a user operation for changing the size of the focus area according to a change in capacitance value will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a change in capacitance value over time output by the capacitance sensor 337 when the flat plate portion 332 is pressed, and Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the size of the focus area on the display unit 400 is changed according to a change in capacitance value. The horizontal axis of Fig. 7 is time, and the vertical axis is capacitance value. As described in Fig. 6, the capacitance value is a value output by the capacitance sensor 337 according to the pressure when the flat plate portion 332 is pressed, and the output value changes in real time according to the pressing force. Also, the frame shown by the dashed line in Fig. 8 is the focus area.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 8, camera control unit 230 changes the size of the focus area to be superimposed and displayed on display unit 400 in accordance with the capacitance value. When the signal section in Fig. 7 is in the range of c_i to c_j, the focus area is superimposed and displayed on display unit 400 with the size shown in Fig. 8(a). In Fig. 7, the user operates flat panel unit 332 to change the size of the focus area to the size shown in Fig. 8(b).

[0047] In the period from time t_0 to t_1, the capacitance value increases and the size of the focus area gradually decreases by pressing the flat plate portion 332. At time t_1, the focus area changes to the size shown in (d) in FIG.

[0048] In the period from time t_1 to t_2, the capacitance value decreases and the size of the focus area gradually increases by reducing the pressure on the flat plate portion 332. At time t_2, the size of the focus area changes to the size shown in FIG. 8(a).

[0049] In the period from time t_2 to t_4, the user changes the focus area to a desired size while adjusting the pressure applied to the flat plate portion 332. In the period from time t_3 to t_4, the desired focus area size, as shown in (b) of FIG. 8, is displayed on the display unit 400.

[0050] It can be seen that in the section from time t_4 to t_5, the capacitance value rises to c_sat due to the push operation of the flat plate portion 332. When the capacitance value reaches c_sat, control is performed to fix the focus area size.

[0051] When the capacitance value reaches c_sat due to a push operation, the capacitance value rises sharply. At this time, in the section where the capacitance value rises sharply just before reaching c_sat, the size of the focus area based on the capacitance value is not changed. By controlling in this manner, it becomes possible for the user to fix the focus area at a size that he or she desires. In FIG. 7, the size of the focus area is not changed based on the change in capacitance value in the section from time t_4 to t_5, and is fixed at the size of the focus area based on the capacitance value at time t_4 (FIG. 8(b)).

[0052] The section in which the size of the focus area is not changed immediately before the capacitance value reaches c_sat is determined based on the mechanical and electrical characteristics of the switch cap and experience. For example, if the camera control unit 230 samples the capacitance value at 100 Hz and the time it takes from the pressing of the flat plate portion 332 until the fixed electrode Fcap and the movable electrode Mcap come into contact due to the buckling of the metal dome portion 336 is 40 ms, the size of the focus area is fixed based on the capacitance value 50 ms before. In addition, since the capacitance value changes sharply when the button is pressed to fix the size, it is also possible to fix the size of the focus area to the size that the user wants by adopting a configuration in which the size of the focus area is not changed from the timing when the difference between the capacitance values ​​before and after the consecutively detected capacitance values ​​exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0053] In this embodiment, a section is provided in which the display size is changed according to the threshold value, but a configuration may be adopted in which the size of the focus area is changed linearly according to the capacitance value.

[0054] (Operation area control example 1) FIG. 9 is a flowchart relating to control for expanding and contracting the focus area.

[0055] When the camera control unit 230 receives the instruction to enlarge or reduce the focus area, the camera control unit 230 starts enlarging or reducing the focus area displayed on the display unit 400. The instruction to enlarge or reduce the focus area is given to the camera control unit 230 by, for example, pushing the flat plate unit 332 of the composite operation unit 330.

[0056] In step S11, camera control unit 230 expands or reduces the focus area displayed on display unit 400 according to the capacitance value output by capacitance sensor 337 by pressing flat plate portion 332 of composite operation unit 330. As described in Fig. 8, the focus area superimposed and displayed on display unit 400 is expanded or reduced in real time according to the pressing force.

[0057] In step S12, the camera control unit 230 judges whether or not the capacitance value output by the capacitance sensor 337 has reached a specified value. The specified value is the capacitance value when the capacitance sensor 337 is in electrical contact with the fixed electrode Fcap via the movable electrode Mcap, and is c_sat in FIG. 6. That is, it judges whether or not the switch cap has been pushed by pressing the flat plate portion 332. If the capacitance value has reached c_sat, the process proceeds to step S13. If the capacitance value has not reached c_sat, the zooming in and out in step S11 continues.

[0058] In step S13, camera control unit 230 fixes the size of the focus area displayed on display unit 400. As described above, the size of the focus area is fixed to a size according to the capacitance value at the timing excluding the section in which the size of the focus area is not changed immediately before the capacitance value reaches c_sat. The size of the focus area is fixed by the above operation.

[0059] (Example of control area 2) FIG. 10 is a flowchart relating to the control for moving the focus area.

[0060] When the camera control unit 230 receives the instruction to move the focus area, it starts moving the focus area displayed on the display unit 400. The instruction to move the focus area is given to the camera control unit 230 by operating the lever of the composite operation unit 330, for example.

[0061] In step S21, the flat plate portion 332 of the composite operation unit 330 is operated up, down, left, and right, and lever x+, lever x-, lever y+, and lever y- of the lever portion 333 press the switches x+, switch x-, switch y+, and switch y- of the switch unit 334, thereby transmitting an operation signal to the camera control unit 230 and moving the focus area.

[0062] In step S22, the camera control unit 230 judges whether or not the lever x+, lever x-, lever y+, and lever y- of the lever unit 333 are operated to press the switches x+, x-, y+, and y- of the switch unit 334 for a certain period of time. If no operation is performed for the certain period of time, the process proceeds to step S24 to fix the focus area at the position at that time. If an operation is performed within the certain period of time, the process proceeds to step S23.

[0063] In step S23, the camera control unit 230 determines whether or not the switch cap has been pushed by pressing the flat plate portion 332. Here, when the switch cap has been pushed, an instruction to fix the position of the focus area is given to the camera control unit 230. When the switch cap has been pushed, the process proceeds to step S24. When the switch cap has not been pushed, the movement of the focus area in step S21 continues.

[0064] In step S24, the camera control unit 230 fixes the position of the focus area displayed on the display unit 400. Through the above operations, the position of the focus area is fixed.

[0065] (Operation area control example 3) FIG. 11 is a flowchart relating to control for simultaneously enlarging, reducing and moving the focus area.

[0066] When the camera control unit 230 receives an instruction to change the size and position of the focus area, it starts expanding / contracting and moving the focus area displayed on the display unit 400. An instruction to change the size and position of the focus area is given to the camera control unit 230 by, for example, pushing or operating the lever of the composite operation unit 330. As an overall processing flow, control related to the expansion / contraction of the focus area and control related to the movement of the focus area are performed in parallel, and the processing is completed when both the expansion / contraction and the movement are fixed.

[0067] In step S31, camera control unit 230 performs a process of enlarging or reducing the focus area. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of camera control unit 230 performing the process of enlarging or reducing the focus area in step S31.

[0068] In step S311, the camera control unit 230 determines whether or not the size of the focus area is fixed. If the size of the focus area is fixed, the process proceeds to step S33 in Fig. 11. If the size of the focus area is not fixed, the process proceeds to step S312.

[0069] In step S312, camera control unit 230 expands or reduces the focus area displayed on display unit 400 according to the capacitance value output by capacitance sensor 337 by pressing flat plate unit 332 of composite operation unit 330. As described in Fig. 8, the focus area superimposed and displayed on display unit 400 is expanded or reduced in real time according to the pressing force.

[0070] In step S313, the camera control unit 230 determines whether or not a process for fixing the size of the focus area has been performed. If a process for fixing the size of the focus area has been performed, the process proceeds to step S314. If a process for fixing the size of the focus area has not been performed, the process returns to step S312 and the enlargement or reduction of the focus area continues.

[0071] The process of fixing the size of the focus area can be performed by any method as long as it is a means capable of sending a control signal to the camera control unit 230, but it is preferable to configure the camera body 200 so that the fixing process can be performed by the operation unit group 300 arranged in a position where the operation can be performed while operating the composite operation unit 330 including the composite operation unit 330. For example, this can be done when the switch cap is pushed, when the release button 310 is pressed halfway, when the front button 340 is operated, etc.

[0072] In step S314, camera control unit 230 fixes the size of the focus area displayed on display unit 400. If the fixation process is performed when switch cap is pushed, as described above, the size of the focus area is fixed to a size according to the capacitance value at the timing excluding the section in which the size of the focus area is not changed immediately before the capacitance value reaches c_sat. The size of the focus area is fixed by the above operation, and the process proceeds to step S33 in FIG.

[0073] In step S32, the camera control unit 230 performs processing for moving the focus area. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera control unit 230 performing processing for moving the focus area in step S32.

[0074] In step S321, the camera control unit 230 determines whether or not the position of the focus area is fixed. If the position of the focus area is fixed, the process proceeds to step S33 in Fig. 11. If the position of the focus area is not fixed, the process proceeds to step S322.

[0075] In step S322, the flat plate portion 332 of the composite operation unit 330 is operated up, down, left, and right, and lever x+, lever x-, lever y+, and lever y- of the lever portion 333 press the switches x+, switch x-, switch y+, and switch y- of the switch unit 334, thereby transmitting an operation signal to the camera control unit 230 and moving the focus area.

[0076] In step S323, the camera control unit 230 determines whether or not a process for fixing the position of the focus area has been performed. If a process for fixing the position of the focus area has been performed, the process proceeds to step S324. If a process for fixing the position of the focus area has not been performed, the process returns to step S322 and the movement of the focus area continues.

[0077] The process of fixing the position of the focus area can be performed by any method as long as it can send a control signal to the camera control unit 230, similar to the process of fixing the size of the focus area. However, since the enlargement / reduction control and the movement control are performed in parallel, if the fixing process is performed by the same method, it will be impossible to determine whether the movement or the enlargement / reduction has been fixed, so the process of fixing the enlargement / reduction and the process of fixing the movement must be different. For example, if the process of fixing the size of the focus area corresponds to the case where the switch cap is pushed, the process of fixing the position of the focus area may be configured to correspond to the case where the front button 340 is pressed.

[0078] Even when the same operation member is used, the fixed process can be determined by changing the input pattern to the operation member and corresponding each input pattern to a different process. For example, when the process for fixing the size of the focus area corresponds to the case where the switch cap is pushed, the process for fixing the position of the focus area can be determined by a process configuration that corresponds to the case where the switch cap is pushed twice in succession at high speed. Different input patterns may be associated with the enlargement / reduction and the movement, or different input patterns may be associated with the previous fixed process and the subsequent fixed process.

[0079] In step S324, camera control unit 230 fixes the position of the focus area displayed on display unit 400. With the above operations, the position of the focus area is fixed, and the process proceeds to step S33 in FIG.

[0080] In step S33, the camera control unit 230 determines whether or not both the size and the position of the focus area are fixed. If both are fixed, the flow chart ends. If either or both of the size and the position of the focus area are not fixed, the flow chart returns to the beginning and steps S31 and S32 are executed. In this way, the focus area is enlarged, reduced, and moved at the same time.

[0081] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to provide an imaging device that allows a series of operations such as enlarging, reducing, moving, and fixing the focus area without replacing a finger from the composite operation unit 330 while looking through the viewfinder. In addition, since the control content can be changed in response to a change in the capacitance value, linear and responsive control is possible. In this embodiment, the focus area has been taken as an example of an operation area, but the present technology can be applied to any frame displayed on the display unit 400 whose position and size can be changed.

[0082] The above is an embodiment of the present invention, and the shapes of the parts and the control methods shown in the embodiment are all examples for implementing the present technology. Furthermore, the technology disclosed in the embodiment is not limited to the description of the embodiment, and various modifications are possible, all of which are within the scope of the equivalent of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100 Digital Camera 200 Camera body 230 Camera control unit 330 Composite operation section 331 Joystick 332 Flat plate part 333 Lever part 334 Switch unit 335 Cover part 336 Metal Dome Part 337 Capacitive Sensor 400 Display

Claims

1. a display unit capable of displaying an operation area; a control unit capable of changing the display content of the operation area; a switch capable of giving a first instruction and a second instruction to the control unit; and a direction operation unit for instructing the control unit to move the operation area; The switch includes a pressure detection unit and a push button unit. The direction operation unit is provided on the switch so as to be able to press the switch, The switch issues the first instruction in response to a pressing force detected by the pressing force detection unit, and issues the second instruction by pressing the push button unit.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure detection unit detects the pressure by detecting a change in capacitance.

3. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first instruction is to enlarge or reduce the operation area, and the second instruction is to fix the enlargement or reduction value changed by the first instruction for the operation area.

4. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the operation area is any one of a focus area, a subject detection area, a face detection area, an eye detection area, and an automatic tracking target designation frame.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein when the control unit receives the second instruction, the control unit does not issue the first instruction based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit during a certain period of time immediately prior to the reception of the second instruction.

6. 2 . The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit does not issue the first instruction when a difference between two pressure forces successively detected by the pressure detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

7. a display unit capable of displaying an operation area; a control unit capable of changing the display content of the operation area; a switch capable of instructing the control unit to enlarge or reduce the operation area and to fix the enlargement or reduction value of the operation area; and a direction operation unit for instructing the control unit to move the operation area; The switch includes a pressure detection unit and a push button unit. The direction operation unit is provided on the switch so as to be able to press the switch, the pressure detection unit detects a pressure by detecting a change in capacitance; the switch issues an instruction to enlarge or reduce the operation area in response to a pressing force detected by the pressing force detection unit, and issues an instruction to fix a value of the enlargement or reduction of the operation area by pressing the push button unit; The control unit of the imaging device is characterized in that it does not issue an instruction to enlarge or reduce the operation area when the difference between two pressure forces detected in succession by the pressure detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value, or does not issue an instruction to enlarge or reduce the operation area in accordance with the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit at a certain period of time immediately prior to receiving an instruction to fix the enlargement or reduction value of the operation area.

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