Imaging apparatus and method for controlling the same, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To perform appropriate image display according to the posture of an imaging apparatus and a display unit.SOLUTION: A digital camera 100 comprises a display section 128 having a display surface 128a rotatable between a position where it is directed to a subject side where an imaging object is present through a photographing lens 103, and a position where it is directed to a direction opposite to the subject side. The digital camera sets a display setting on the display surface 128a of the display section to any one of a setting to display a picked-up image as a normal image irrespective of the position of the display section 128, a setting to display the picked-up image in a vertically inverted state irrespective of the position of the display section 128, and a setting to display the picked-up image while automatically switching between the normal image display and the vertically inverted display according to the position of the display section 128. A system control unit 250 controls the display of the picked-up image on the display section 128 according to the setting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device equipped with a display device, a control method thereof, a program, and a storage medium, and in particular to a technique for appropriately displaying an image on the display device according to the attitudes of the imaging device and the display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Digital cameras equipped with displays that can change the angle of the display surface by a vari-angle mechanism or a tilt mechanism are in widespread use, and a technology has been proposed for switching the display state according to the angle of the display. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for controlling whether an image displayed on the display is displayed as a normal image or is inverted upside down or left-right inverted according to the open / closed state of the display and the attitude of the digital camera. Patent Document 2 describes a digital camera in which the photographer can arbitrarily change the display direction of a subject displayed on the display according to the operation of an operating member, regardless of the position of the display, and can also cancel the changed display direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-136653 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Application No. 2011-103551 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an imaging device equipped with a display that can change the angle, in addition to normal photography in which a subject is photographed in front of the photographer, various photographing techniques are possible, such as high-angle photography in which the subject is photographed looking down from above, low-angle photography in which the subject is photographed looking up from below, overhead photography in which the subject is photographed directly below from above, and self-portrait photography in which the subject is photographed directly above from below.

[0005] For example, when taking pictures with a digital camera equipped with a tilt-type display, if the display is only opened to a small extent or when changing the display when the display is fully opened, there are often no problems or discomfort with conventional technology.

[0006] However, when the display is only half-open (halfway open), there is a high possibility that the recognition of whether the image display should be normal or inverted may not be consistent depending on the above-mentioned shooting method. For example, when taking high-angle shots or bird's-eye shots on a table, the upside down of the subject may be reversed when viewed by the photographer, and it is presumed that the angle that is the basis for determining whether the image should be inverted may differ depending on the photographer. The technologies described in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot adequately address such problems.

[0007] The present invention has an object to provide an imaging device that switches image display on a display depending on the state of the imaging device body and the display, and that can provide a more appropriate image display with a simple operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The imaging device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises an imaging means, a display device whose display surface is rotatable between a position facing a subject side where an object to be imaged by the imaging means is located and a position facing the opposite direction to the subject side, a first setting means for setting the display setting on the display surface of an image captured by the imaging means to one of a first setting for displaying the image in a first orientation regardless of the position of the display device, a second setting for displaying the image in a second orientation that is upside down from the first orientation regardless of the position of the display device, and a third setting for automatically switching between the first orientation and the second orientation depending on the position of the display device, and a control means for controlling the display of the image captured on the display device in accordance with the display setting set by the first setting means. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, in an imaging device that switches the image displayed on a display depending on the state of the imaging device body and the display, it is possible to perform more appropriate image display with a simple operation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital camera shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram for explaining the relative angle and absolute angle of the display unit in the digital camera of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart of inverted display setting processing on a display unit of the digital camera in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams showing examples of image display on a display unit according to the flowchart of FIG. [Figure 6A] 13 is a first flowchart of a process for setting inverted display on a display unit of a digital camera according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6B] 13 is a second flowchart of the inverted display setting process on the display unit of the digital camera in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a digital camera according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a diagram for explaining the relative angle and absolute angle of the display unit in the digital camera of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an inverted display setting screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a half-open setting screen displayed on the display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, a digital camera will be taken as an example of an electronic device according to the present invention.

[0012] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera 100 according to a first embodiment, with Fig. 1(a) being a view of the digital camera 100 seen from the rear side, and Fig. 1(b) being a view of the digital camera 100 seen from the front side. The configuration of the digital camera 100 shown in Fig. 1 is also applicable to the second embodiment as is.

[0013] A power switch 172 and a shutter button 161 are arranged on the top surface of the digital camera 100, a photographing lens 103 is arranged on the front surface of the digital camera 100, and a communication connector (not shown) is arranged on the side surface of the digital camera 100. Fig. 1(a) shows a state in which a communication cable 111 is connected to the communication connector, and an external device (not shown) is connected to the other end of the communication cable 111. The digital camera 100 and the external device can transmit and receive various data via the communication cable 111.

[0014] A mode changeover switch 160, a display unit 128, a controller wheel 173, and other operation members 170 are arranged on the rear surface of the digital camera 100. The display unit 128 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display that is rotatably connected to the device body 100A between a stored position in Fig. 1(a) and an upward forward position in Fig. 1(b) by a hinge portion 129 provided at the upper end portion on the rear side of the device body 100A of the digital camera 100. A touch panel 170a is arranged superimposed on the display surface of the display unit 128.

[0015] A slot (not shown) for storing a storage medium 190 is provided on the bottom side of the digital camera 100, and the slot can be opened and closed by a slot cover 195. The storage medium 190 can be inserted and removed from the slot. Fig. 1(a) shows a state in which the slot cover 195 is open and the storage medium 190 is in the middle of being inserted or removed from the slot. Details of each of the above-mentioned parts shown in Fig. 1 will be explained together with the explanation of Fig. 2.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital camera 100. The configuration of the digital camera 100 shown in Fig. 2 is also applied to the second embodiment as it is.

[0017] The digital camera 100 includes a barrier 202, a photographing lens 103, a shutter 201, an imaging unit 222, an A / D converter 223, an image processing unit 224, a memory control unit 215, a memory 232, a D / A converter 213, a display unit 128, and a system control unit 250. The digital camera 100 also includes a system memory 252, a non-volatile memory 256, a system timer 253, a communication unit 254, an attitude detection unit 255, a shutter button 161, and a mode changeover switch 160. The digital camera 100 also includes a power switch 172, a controller wheel 173, other operation members 170, a power control unit 280, a power unit 230, a storage medium I / F 218, and a storage medium 190.

[0018] The barrier 202 covers the imaging system including the photographing lens 103 to prevent the imaging system including the photographing lens 103, the shutter 201, and the imaging unit 222 from being soiled or damaged. The photographing lens 103 is composed of multiple lenses such as a zoom lens, a focus lens, and an image stabilization lens. The shutter 201 has an aperture function and controls the adjustment of the amount of light incident on the imaging unit 222 and the exposure. The imaging unit 222 includes a CCD element or a CMOS element that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. The A / D converter 223 converts an analog signal output from the imaging unit 222 into a digital signal (image data). The image processing unit 224 performs predetermined image processing (e.g., pixel interpolation, resizing, color conversion, etc.) on the image data output from the A / D converter 223 and the image data acquired from the memory control unit 215. In addition, the image processing unit 224 performs a predetermined calculation process using the image data output from the A / D converter 223, and based on the obtained calculation results, the system control unit 250 performs exposure control (AE, etc.), distance measurement control (AF, etc.), and TTL-type AWB processing.

[0019] The image data output from the A / D converter 223 is written to the memory 232 via the image processing unit 224 and the memory control unit 215, or via only the memory control unit 215. The memory 232 is, for example, a RAM, and stores image data output from the imaging unit 222 and converted by the A / D converter 223, and image data used for display on the display unit 128. The memory 232 has a storage capacity capable of storing a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined period of moving images and audio. The memory 232 also serves as an image display memory (video memory).

[0020] The D / A converter 213 converts the image display data stored in the memory 232 into an analog signal and supplies it to the display unit 128, whereby the display image is displayed on the display unit 128. The display unit 128 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays an image based on the analog signal transmitted from the D / A converter 213. The digital signal that has been A / D converted by the A / D converter 223 and stored in the memory 232 is D / A converted by the D / A converter 213 and sequentially transferred to and displayed on the display unit 128, thereby enabling a through image display (live view display) to be performed on the display unit 128.

[0021] The system control unit 250 is a control means having at least one processor or circuit. The system control unit 250 controls the overall operation of the digital camera 100 by loading various programs stored in the non-volatile memory 256 into the system memory 252 and comprehensively controlling the operation of each unit constituting the digital camera 100.

[0022] The system control unit 250 executes a predetermined program stored in the non-volatile memory 256 to realize processing described below with reference to a flowchart. The system control unit 250 also performs display control by controlling the memory 232, the D / A converter 213, the display unit 128, etc. The control by the system control unit 250 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware sharing the processing.

[0023] The non-volatile memory 256 uses, for example, an EEPROM or the like that can electrically erase and store various digital data, and stores constants and programs for the operation of the system control unit 250. The system memory 252 uses, for example, a RAM, and develops constants and variables for the operation of the system control unit 250, programs read from the non-volatile memory 256, and the like.

[0024] The system timer 253 measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock. The communication unit 254 includes a communication connector (not shown) described with reference to Fig. 1(a), is connected to an external device (not shown) via a communication cable 111, and transmits and receives video signals, audio signals, and the like to and from the external device. The communication unit 254 also enables connection to a wireless LAN or the Internet via wireless communication.

[0025] The orientation detection unit 255 detects the orientation of the digital camera 100 (device body 100A of the digital camera 100) and the display unit 128 with respect to the direction of gravity. Specifically, the orientation of the digital camera 100 is detected in the range of 0 degrees to 359 degrees, and the orientation of the display unit 128 is detected between 0 degrees in the stored position (FIG. 1(a)) and 180 degrees in the fully open, upward, forward facing position. This makes it possible to obtain the relative angle, which is the opening angle of the display unit 128 with respect to the device body 100A of the digital camera 100, and the absolute angle of the display unit 128.

[0026] It should be noted that the "range of 0 degrees to 359 degrees" regarding the attitude of digital camera 100 more strictly means "greater than 0 degrees and less than 360 degrees." An acceleration sensor, gyro sensor, or the like is used as attitude detection unit 255, which can also detect the movement of digital camera 100 (pan rotation, tilt rotation, lifting, whether or not it is stationary, etc.). A sensor that directly detects the angle at which display unit 128 has rotated relative to digital camera 100 device body 100A may be used to detect the relative angle.

[0027] The shutter button 161 is an operating means for a user (photographer) to instruct the digital camera 100 to shoot, and has a first shutter switch 262 and a second shutter switch 264. The first shutter switch 262 is turned on when the shutter button 161 is pressed halfway (halfway down) and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. The system control unit 250 executes a shooting preparation operation (AF, AE, AWB, etc.) when it receives the first shutter switch signal SW1. The second shutter switch 264 is turned on when the shutter button 161 is pressed completely (fully down) and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. The system control unit 250 executes a series of shooting processes from signal reading by the imaging unit 222 to writing image data to the storage medium 190 when it receives the second shutter switch signal SW2.

[0028] The mode changeover switch 160 is an operating means for switching the operation mode of the system control unit 250 to one of a still image recording mode, a video shooting mode, a live distribution mode, a preview distribution mode, a playback mode, etc. The power switch 172 is an operating means for switching the power of the digital camera 100 on / off. The controller wheel 173 is an operating means that can be rotated, and is used to indicate a selection item together with a cross button (directional button). The other operating members 170 are composed of switches and buttons (for example, an end button, a back button, an image forward button, a menu button, a cross button, a SET button, etc.) that accept various operations from the user, a touch panel 170a, etc. The touch panel 170a is superimposed on the display surface of the display unit 128, and the system control unit 250 detects various well-known operations on the touch panel 170a.

[0029] The power supply control unit 280 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching between blocks to which electricity is applied, etc. The power supply control unit 280 detects whether a battery is attached, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level, and supplies the required voltage for the required period to each unit including the storage medium 190 according to the detection result and instructions from the system control unit 250. The power supply unit 230 is 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.

[0030] The storage medium I / F 218 is an interface that enables communication between the storage medium 190 and the system control unit 250. The storage medium 190 is specifically a memory card or the like, but is not limited thereto as long as it is capable of storing image data and the like.

[0031] 3A to 3E are diagrams for explaining the relative angle and absolute angle of the display unit 128 in the digital camera 100, and examples of possible attitudes of the device body 100A of the digital camera 100 and the display unit 128 are shown in a simplified manner. Note that each aspect of the digital camera 100 shown in FIG. 3 is also applicable to the second embodiment.

[0032] 3(a) shows a state in which the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 of the digital camera 100 is parallel to the horizontal direction and faces left, which is the subject side where an image is to be captured, and the display surface 128a of the display unit 128 faces right, which is the opposite side to the subject side. Here, the absolute angle is the angle θ with respect to the direction of gravity, which is the direction from the hinge unit 129, which is the rotation axis of the display unit 128, to the rotation end of the display unit 128. In the state of FIG. 3(a), the relative angle (opening angle) of the display unit 128 is 0 degrees, and the absolute angle is also 0 degrees.

[0033] 3(b) shows a state in which the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 is parallel to the vertical direction and faces downward, and the display surface 128a faces upward because the display unit 128 is in the stored position. In this case, the relative angle of the display unit 128 is 0 degrees, and the absolute angle is 90 degrees. Note that the counterclockwise (CCW) direction is defined as the positive direction for the absolute angle.

[0034] 3(c) shows a state in which the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 is parallel to the horizontal direction and faces leftward, and the display unit 128 is rotated 90 degrees from the stored position toward the upper side of the device body 100A so that the display surface 128a faces upward. In this case, the relative angle of the display unit 128 is 90 degrees, and the absolute angle is also 90 degrees.

[0035] 3(d) shows a state in which the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 is parallel to the vertical direction and faces downward, and the display unit 128 is rotated 90 degrees from the stored position toward the upper side of the device body 100A, so that the display surface 128a faces leftward. In this case, the relative angle of the display unit 128 is 90 degrees, and the absolute angle is 180 degrees.

[0036] 3(e) shows a state in which the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 is parallel to the horizontal direction and faces leftward, and the display unit 128 is rotated 180 degrees from the stored position toward the upper side of the device body 100A, so that the display surface of the display unit 128 faces leftward. In this case, the relative angle of the display unit 128 is 180 degrees, and the absolute angle is also 180 degrees. Although the illustration of a case in which the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 is parallel to the vertical direction and faces upward, etc. is omitted, as described above, the relative angle of the display unit 128 can be detected in the range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees, and the absolute angle can be detected in the range of 0 degrees to 359 degrees.

[0037] Next, a description will be given of the inverted display setting for the display unit 128. The system control unit 250 controls the display mode on the display unit 128 of the image being captured by the digital camera 100 according to the attitude of the device body 100A and the display unit 128 in accordance with the inverted display setting.

[0038] 4 is a flowchart of the inverted display setting process on display unit 128 according to the first embodiment. Each process (step) indicated by an S number in this flowchart is realized by system control unit 250 expanding a program stored in non-volatile memory 256 into system memory 252 and comprehensively controlling the operation of each unit of digital camera 100.

[0039] In S401, the system control unit 250 determines whether or not an instruction to transition to an inverted display setting screen has been received. The inverted display setting screen can be displayed on the display unit 128 by operating a menu button (other operation members 170) or the like. If the system control unit 250 determines that an instruction to transition to an inverted display setting screen has been received (Yes in S401), it executes the process of S402, and if it determines that the instruction to transition has not been received (No in S401), it executes the process of S408.

[0040] In S402, the system control unit 250 displays an inverted display setting screen on the display unit 128. Although not shown, the inverted display setting screen allows the user to select from among "automatic," "normal," and "inverted," and it is assumed that "automatic" is set as the default.

[0041] In S403, the system control unit 250 determines whether or not an instruction to set the inverted display setting to "automatic" has been received. Note that item selection and confirmation on the inverted display setting screen can be performed, for example, by operating the cross button or the SET button, or by touching the display unit 128 (touch panel 170a).

[0042] If the system control unit 250 determines that an instruction has been received to change the inverted display setting to "automatic" (Yes in S403), it executes the process of S404; if it determines that an instruction has been received to change the setting to something other than "automatic" (No in S403), it executes the process of S405.

[0043] In S404, system control unit 250 sets the inverted display setting to "automatic" and stores this in memory 232, and then executes the process of S408.

[0044] In S405, the system control unit 250 determines whether or not an instruction to set the inverted display to "normal position" has been received. If the system control unit 250 determines that an instruction to set the inverted display to "normal position" has been received (Yes in S405), it executes the process of S406, and if it determines that an instruction to set it to a position other than "normal position" has been received (No in S405), it executes the process of S407. Note that if the inverted display setting is not "normal position", the remaining option is "inverted". An example of the inverted display setting screen will be described later.

[0045] In S406, system control unit 250 sets the inverted display setting to "normal position" and stores this in memory 232, and then executes the process of S408.

[0046] In S407, the system control unit 250 sets the inverted display setting to "inverted" and stores it in the memory 232, and then executes the process of S408. Note that "inverted" means "inverted in the vertical direction."

[0047] In S408, the system control unit 250 displays a shooting standby screen on the display unit 128.

[0048] In S409 , the system control unit 250 detects the current orientation of the display unit 128 using the orientation detection unit 255 .

[0049] In S410, system control unit 250 detects the current orientation of device body 100A of digital camera 100 using orientation detection unit 255. From the detection results in S409 and S410, system control unit 250 can obtain the relative angle and absolute angle of display unit 128.

[0050] In S411, the system control unit 250 determines whether the inverted display setting is "automatic." If the system control unit 250 determines that the inverted display setting is "normal position" (Yes in S412), it executes the process of S413, and if it determines that the inverted display setting is not "normal position" (No in S412), it executes the process of S414. Note that if the determination in S412 is "No," the inverted display setting is necessarily set to "inverted."

[0051] In S413, the system control unit 250 displays the captured image as a normal image on the display unit 128, and then executes the process of S422. In S414, the system control unit 250 displays the captured image as a vertically inverted image on the display unit 128, and then executes the process of S422.

[0052] In S415 to S421, the display mode is switched according to the relative angle and absolute angle of display unit 128. In S415, system control unit 250 determines whether or not the relative angle of display unit 128 is between 0 degrees and 89 degrees (first angle). More precisely, "the relative angle is between 0 degrees and 89 degrees" means "the relative angle is in the range of 0 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees." If system control unit 250 determines that the relative angle of display unit 128 is between 0 degrees and 89 degrees (Yes in S415), it executes the process of S416, and if it determines that the relative angle is not between 0 degrees and 89 degrees (No in S415), it executes the process of S417.

[0053] In S416, the system control unit 250 displays the captured image in a normal image on the display unit 128, and then executes the process of S422.

[0054] In S417, system control unit 250 determines whether or not the relative angle of display unit 128 is between 136 degrees and 180 degrees (second angle). More precisely, "the relative angle is between 136 degrees and 180 degrees" means "the relative angle is in the range of 136 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less." If system control unit 250 determines that the relative angle of display unit 128 is between 136 degrees and 180 degrees (Yes in S417), it executes the process of S418, and if it determines that the relative angle is not between 136 degrees and 180 degrees (No in S417), it executes the process of S419.

[0055] In S418, the system control unit 250 displays the captured image on the display unit 128 as a vertically inverted image, and then executes the process of S422.

[0056] In S419, system control unit 250 determines whether the absolute angle of display unit 128 is between 90 degrees and 270 degrees (third angle). More precisely, "the absolute angle is between 90 degrees and 270 degrees" means "the absolute angle is in the range of 90 degrees or more and 270 degrees or less." Also, based on the processing contents of S415 and S417, in S419, the relative angle of display unit 128 is between 90 degrees and 135 degrees (more precisely, in the range of 90 degrees or more and less than 136 degrees).

[0057] If the system control unit 250 determines that the absolute angle of the display unit 128 is between 90 degrees and 270 degrees (Yes in S419), it executes the process of S420, and if it determines that the absolute angle is not between 90 degrees and 270 degrees (No in S419), it executes the process of S421. Note that when the absolute angle is not between 90 degrees and 270 degrees, it means that the absolute angle is between 0 degrees and 89 degrees (more precisely, a range between 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees) or between 271 degrees and 359 degrees (more precisely, a range between 270 degrees and less than 360 degrees).

[0058] In S420, system control unit 250 displays the captured image on display unit 128 as a vertically inverted image, and then executes the process of S422.

[0059] In S421, the system control unit 250 displays the captured image in a normal image on the display unit 128, and then executes the process of S422.

[0060] In S422, the system control unit 250 determines whether or not an end event has been received, such as an operation to power off the digital camera 100 using the power switch 172. If the system control unit 250 determines that an end event has been received (Yes in S422), it ends this processing, and if it determines that an end event has not been received (No in S422), it executes the processing of S401.

[0061] In this way, by performing the inverted display setting in the first embodiment, when the inverted display setting is set to "automatic", shooting can be performed while automatically switching the display image according to the relative angle and absolute angle of the display unit 128. Furthermore, in specific shooting scenes such as shooting at a high angle or shooting directly below on a table, the user can fix the displayed image and shoot by setting the inverted display setting to "normal position" or "inverted".

[0062] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of image display on the display unit 128 according to the flowchart of FIG. 4. FIG. 5(a) shows an example of image display when the inverted display setting is set to "normal position" or "automatic" and the relative angle is 0 degrees. In FIG. 5(a), when the display unit 128 is viewed from the rear side of the digital camera 100, the subject 501 is displayed as a normal image. FIG. 5(b) shows an example of image display when the inverted display setting is set to "inverted", and when the display unit 128 is viewed from the rear side of the digital camera 100, the subject 501 is displayed with the upside down judgement. FIG. 5(c) shows an example of image display when the inverted display setting is set to "normal position", and when the display unit 128 is viewed from the front side of the digital camera 100, the subject 501 is displayed as upside down inverted. FIG. 5(d) shows an example of an image display when the inverted display setting is set to “inverted” or “automatic” and the relative angle is 180 degrees, in which the subject 501 is displayed in a normal image when the display unit 128 is viewed from the front side of the digital camera 100.

[0063] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment, when the inverted display setting is "automatic", the image display is automatically switched according to the angle of the display unit 128, and when the inverted display setting is "normal position" or "inverted", the image display is fixed. In contrast, in the second embodiment, when the inverted display setting is "automatic", the half-open setting can be further set to any one of "automatic", "normal position", and "inverted". As described above, the inverted display setting is applied when the relative angle of the display unit 128 is in the range from 0 degrees to 180 degrees. In contrast, the half-open setting is applied when the relative angle of the display unit 128 is in the range from 90 degrees to 135 degrees, which enables more precise display control according to the relative angle of the display unit 128.

[0064] 6A and 6B are flowcharts of inverted display setting processing on display unit 128 according to the second embodiment. Each process (step) indicated by an S number in these flowcharts is realized by system control unit 250 expanding a program stored in nonvolatile memory 256 into system memory 252 and comprehensively controlling the operation of each unit of digital camera 100.

[0065] The processing in S601 to S607 is the same as the processing in S401 to S407 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] In S608, system control unit 250 determines whether the inverted display setting is "automatic." If system control unit 250 determines that the inverted display setting is "automatic" (Yes in S608), or if system control unit 250 determines that the inverted display setting is not "automatic" (No in S608), it executes the process of S616.

[0067] In S609, the system control unit 250 determines whether or not an instruction to transition to the half-open setting screen has been received. For example, as described above, the inverted display setting screen allows selection from "Automatic," "Normal position," and "Inverted." In addition, although not shown in the figure, in the second embodiment, when "Automatic" is set on the inverted display setting screen, "Half-open setting" can be selected, and when "Normal position" or "Inverted" is set, "Half-open setting" cannot be selected.

[0068] If the system control unit 250 determines that an instruction to transition to the half-open setting screen has been received (Yes in S609), it executes processing of S610. If the system control unit 250 determines that an instruction to transition has not been received (No in S609), it executes processing of S616.

[0069] In S610, the system control unit 250 displays a half-open setting screen on the display unit 128. It is assumed that the default setting for half-open is "automatic."

[0070] In S611, the system control unit 250 determines whether or not an instruction to set the half-open setting to "automatic" has been received. Note that item selection and confirmation on the half-open setting screen can be performed using, for example, the cross pad or the SET button. If the system control unit 250 determines that an instruction to set the half-open setting to "automatic" has been received (Yes in S611), it executes the process of S612, and if it determines that an instruction to set it to something other than "automatic" has been received (No in S611), it executes the process of S613.

[0071] In S612, the system control unit 250 sets the half-open setting to "automatic" and stores this in the memory 232, and then executes the process of S616.

[0072] In S613, the system control unit 250 determines whether or not an instruction to set the half-open setting to the "normal position" has been received. An instruction not to set the half-open setting to the "normal position" results in an instruction to set it to the remaining option of "inverted." If the system control unit 250 determines that an instruction to set the half-open setting to the "normal position" has been received (Yes in S613), it executes the process of S614, and if it determines that an instruction to set it to a position other than the "normal position" has been received (No in S613), it executes the process of S615.

[0073] In S614, the system control unit 250 sets the half-open setting to "normal position" and stores it in the memory 232, and then executes the process of S616.

[0074] In S615, the system control unit 250 sets the half-open setting to "inverted" and stores it in the memory 232, and then executes the process of S616. Note that an example of the half-open setting screen will be described later.

[0075] The processes of S616 to S618 are the same as those of S401 to S407 in the flowchart of Fig. 4 in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described. After the process of S618, the system control unit 250 executes the process of S619 in the flowchart of Fig. 6B.

[0076] In S619, system control unit 250 determines whether the inverted display setting is "automatic." If system control unit 250 determines that the inverted display setting is "automatic" (Yes in S619), it executes the process of S623, and if it determines that the inverted display setting is not "automatic" (No in S619), it executes the process of S620.

[0077] In S620, system control unit 250 determines whether the inverted display setting is in the "normal position." If system control unit 250 determines that the inverted display setting is in the "normal position" (Yes in S620), it executes the process of S621, and if it determines that the inverted display setting is not in the "normal position" (No in S620), it executes the process of S622.

[0078] In S621, the system control unit 250 displays the captured image in a normal image on the display unit 128, and then executes the process of S635.

[0079] In S622, if the system control unit 250 determines that the inverted display setting is not “normal position” in S620, the inverted display setting will be the remaining option of “inverted”, so the captured image is displayed upside down on the display unit 128, and then the processing of S635 is executed.

[0080] In S623, the system control unit 250 determines whether the half-open setting is "automatic." If the system control unit 250 determines that the half-open setting is "automatic" (Yes in S623), it executes the process of S628, and if it determines that the half-open setting is not "automatic" (No in S623), it executes the process of S624.

[0081] In S624, system control unit 250 determines whether or not the relative angle of display unit 128 is between 90 degrees and 135 degrees. If system control unit 250 determines that the relative angle of display unit 128 is between 90 degrees and 135 degrees (Yes in S624), it executes the process of S625, and if it determines that the relative angle is not between 90 degrees and 135 degrees (No in S624), it executes the process of S628.

[0082] In S625, the system control unit 250 determines whether the half-open setting is the "normal position." If the system control unit 250 determines that the half-open setting is the "normal position" (Yes in S625), it executes the process of S626, and if it determines that the half-open setting is not the "normal position" (No in S625), it executes the process of S627.

[0083] In S626, the system control unit 250 displays the captured image in a normal image on the display unit 128, and then executes the process of S635.

[0084] In S627, if the system control unit 250 determines in S625 that the half-open setting is not the "normal position", the remaining option of the half-open setting will be "inverted", so the captured image is displayed upside down on the display unit 128, and then the processing of S635 is executed.

[0085] The processes of S628 to S635 are the same as the processes of S415 to S422 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. That is, the display control when the half-open setting is "automatic" is the same as when the inverted display setting is "automatic", and therefore, the description here is omitted. Also, as described above, if it is determined in S624 that the relative angle is not between 90 degrees and 135 degrees (No in S624), the process of S628 is executed. That is, even if it is determined in S623 that the half-open setting is "normal position" or "inverted", if the relative angle is not between 90 degrees and 135 degrees, the half-open setting of "normal position" or "inverted" is invalidated. Note that, if the determination in S635 is "No", the system control unit 250 executes the process of S601 in the flowchart of FIG. 6A.

[0086] In this way, by performing the inverted display setting in the second embodiment, when the inverted display setting and the half-open setting are set to automatic, it becomes possible to shoot while automatically switching the display image according to the relative angle and absolute angle of the display unit 128. Furthermore, in specific shooting scenes such as shooting at a high angle or shooting directly below on a table, the user can fix the displayed image and shoot by setting the inverted display setting and the half-open setting to "normal position" or "inverted."

[0087] <Third embodiment> FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a digital camera 700 according to the third embodiment, where FIG. 3(a) is a view of the digital camera 700 seen from the rear side, and FIG. 7(b) is a view of the digital camera 700 seen from the front side.

[0088] Digital camera 700 differs from digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment only in the attachment position and rotation direction of display unit 128 relative to device body 700A, and other components of digital camera 700 are the same as those of digital camera 100. Therefore, components of digital camera 700 that are common to digital camera 100 are given the same reference numerals and will not be described.

[0089] In digital camera 700, display unit 128 can be rotated relative to device body 700A between the stored position in Fig. 7(a) and the downward forward position in Fig. 7(b) by a hinge portion 729 provided at the lower end on the rear side of device body 700A of digital camera 700. Note that the direction in which display unit 128 can be rotated from the stored position is defined as the positive direction for the opening angle. Therefore, just as the opening angle of display unit 128 in digital camera 100 is expressed as a positive value, the opening angle of display unit 128 in digital camera 700 is also expressed as a positive value.

[0090] FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining the relative angle and absolute angle of the display unit 128 in the digital camera 700, and FIGS. 8(a) to (e) show simplified examples of possible attitudes that the device body 700A of the digital camera 700 and the display unit 128 can take.

[0091] 8(a) shows a state in which the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 of the digital camera 700 is parallel to the horizontal direction and faces the left direction, which is the subject side where an image is to be captured, and the display surface 128a of the display unit 128 faces the right direction, which is the opposite direction to the subject side. Here, as with the digital camera 100, the absolute angle is the angle θ with respect to the direction of gravity (vertical downward direction) in the direction from the hinge unit 729, which is the rotation center of the display unit 128, to the rotation end of the display unit 128. In the state of FIG. 8(a), the relative angle (opening angle) of the display unit 128 is 0 degrees, and the absolute angle is 180 degrees.

[0092] 8(b) shows a state in which the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 is parallel to the vertical direction and faces downward, and the display surface 128a faces upward because the display unit 128 is in the stored position. In this case, the relative angle of the display unit 128 is 0 degrees, and the absolute angle is 270 degrees. Note that, as with the first embodiment (FIG. 3), the counterclockwise (CCW) direction is defined as the positive direction of the absolute angle.

[0093] 8(c), the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 is parallel to the horizontal direction and faces leftward, and the display unit 128 is rotated 90 degrees from the stored position toward the bottom of the device body 700A, so that the display surface 128a faces downward. In this case, the relative angle of the display unit 128 is 90 degrees, and the absolute angle is also 90 degrees.

[0094] 8(d) shows a state in which the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 is parallel to the vertical direction and faces downward, and the display unit 128 is rotated 90 degrees from the stored position toward the bottom of the device body 700A, so that the display surface 128a faces to the right. In this case, the relative angle of the display unit 128 is 90 degrees, and the absolute angle is 180 degrees.

[0095] 8(e) shows a state in which the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 is parallel to the horizontal direction and faces leftward, and the display surface of the display unit 128 faces leftward by rotating the display unit 128 180 degrees from the stored position toward the bottom of the device body 700A. In this case, the relative angle of the display unit 128 is 180 degrees, and the absolute angle is 0 degrees.

[0096] Although illustration is omitted for cases where the optical axis of the photographing lens 103 is parallel to the vertical direction and points upward, as described above, the relative angle of the display unit 128 can be detected in the range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees, and the absolute angle can be detected in the range of 0 degrees to 359 degrees.

[0097] The inverted display setting process on display unit 128 of digital camera 700 can be performed using the flowchart of FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment and the flowcharts of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B described in the second embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0098] <Inverted display setting UI and half-open setting UI> 9 is a diagram showing an example of an inversion display setting screen 900 displayed on display unit 128. In the above explanation of S401 to S402, it has been explained that the inversion display setting screen can be displayed on display unit 128 by operating a menu button or the like included in other operation members 170. Here, an inversion display setting screen that can be displayed on display unit 128 in a situation where a subject is displayed in live view on display unit 128 or a video is being shot will be explained.

[0099] The inverted display setting screen 900 can be displayed on the display unit 128, for example, by pressing a one-touch button (not shown) included in the other operation members 170 or by touching an inverted setting call icon (not shown) displayed on the display unit 128. The inverted display setting screen 900 displays three icons, "Automatic", "Normal", and "Inverted", which are options for the inverted display setting.

[0100] In Fig. 9(a), AUTO 902 is selected, and for example, the frame of the AUTO 902 icon is displayed in red, while the unselected icons in normal position 903a and inverted 904a are displayed without frames, making it possible to visually distinguish between selected and unselected. Note that the display method for distinguishing between selected and unselected is not particularly limited.

[0101] When the user performs a touch operation on the normal position 903a on the screen of Fig. 9(a), the display screen transitions to that of Fig. 9(b). In Fig. 9(b), the frameless icon in the normal position 903a in Fig. 9(a) changes to the frameless icon in the normal position 903 in Fig. 9(a) and the automatic icon 902 changes to the frameless automatic icon 902a, and the inverted icon 904a does not change.

[0102] When the user performs a touch operation on the inversion 904a on the screen of Fig. 9(b), the display screen transitions to that of Fig. 9(c). In Fig. 9(c), the frameless icon of the inversion 904a in Fig. 9(b) changes to the inversion 904 icon with a red frame, the icon in the normal position 903 changes to the frameless icon in the normal position 903a, and the icon of the automatic 902a does not change. In addition, when the inversion 904 is enabled, the captured image (subject 901) is displayed inverted. It goes without saying that the screens of Fig. 9(a) to (c) transition to each other depending on the selected icon.

[0103] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a half-open setting screen 1000 displayed on display unit 128. In the above description of S609 to S610, it has been described that the half-open setting screen can be displayed from the inverted display setting screen displayed on display unit 128. Here, an inverted display setting screen that can be displayed on display unit 128 when "automatic" is selected in the inverted display setting in a situation where a subject is displayed in live view on display unit 128 or a movie is being shot, will be described.

[0104] The half-open setting screen 1000 can be displayed on the display unit 128, for example, by a long press of a one-touch button (not shown) that displays the inverted display setting screen 900 or by a touch operation on a half-open setting call icon (not shown) displayed on the display unit 128. The half-open setting call icon (not shown) may be displayed only when the relative angle of the display unit 128 is in the range of 90 degrees to 135 degrees.

[0105] The half-open setting screen 1000 displays three icons, "Automatic", "Normal position" and "Inverted", which are options for half-open settings. In FIG. 10(a), Automatic 1002 is selected, and for example, the frame of the Automatic 1002 icon is shown in red. On the other hand, the unselected icons, Normal position 1003a and Inverted 1004a, are shown without frames, making it possible to visually distinguish between selected and unselected. The display method for distinguishing between selected and unselected is not particularly limited.

[0106] When the user performs a touch operation on the normal position 1003a on the screen of Fig. 10(a), the display screen transitions to that of Fig. 10(b). In Fig. 10(b), the frameless icon in the normal position 1003a in Fig. 10(a) changes to the frameless icon in the normal position 1003 in red, the automatic 1002 icon changes to the frameless automatic 1002a icon, and the inverted 1004a icon does not change.

[0107] When the user performs a touch operation on the inversion 1004a on the screen of Fig. 10(b), the display screen transitions to that of Fig. 10(c). In Fig. 10(c), the frameless icon of the inversion 1004a in Fig. 10(b) changes to an inversion 1004 icon with a red frame. Also, the icon in the normal position 1003 changes to an icon in the normal position 1003a without a frame, and the icon of automatic 1002a does not change. Also, when the inversion 1004 is enabled, the captured image (subject 1001) is displayed inverted. It goes without saying that the screens of Fig. 10(a) to (c) transition to each other depending on the selected icon.

[0108] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) An imaging device comprising: an imaging means; a display device whose display surface is rotatable between a position facing a subject side where an object to be imaged by the imaging means is present and a position facing the opposite direction to the subject side; a first setting means for setting the display setting on the display surface of an image captured by the imaging means to one of a first setting for displaying the image in a first orientation regardless of the position of the display device; a second setting for displaying the image in a second orientation that is upside down from the first orientation regardless of the position of the display device; and a third setting for automatically switching between the first orientation and the second orientation depending on the position of the display device; and a control means for controlling the display of the image captured on the display device in accordance with the display setting set by the first setting means. (Configuration 2) The imaging device described in Configuration 1, characterized in that a rotation axis for rotatably connecting the display device to the main body of the imaging device is provided at the upper end or lower end on the rear side of the main body of the device, and the display device is disposed above or below the main body of the imaging device, with the display surface facing the subject side. (Configuration 3) An imaging device as described in Configuration 2, further comprising a first detection means for detecting a relative angle of the display device with respect to the device body of the imaging device, and wherein the control means displays the captured image on the display surface in the first orientation when the relative angle is a first angle and in the second orientation when the relative angle is a second angle when the third setting is made. (Configuration 4) The imaging device described in Configuration 3, characterized in that the relative angle of the display device with respect to the device body of the imaging device is defined as 0 degrees when the display surface faces away from the subject, and as 180 degrees when the display surface faces toward the subject, the first angle is an angle between 0 degrees and 89 degrees, the second angle is an angle between 136 degrees and 180 degrees, and the first orientation is an orientation in which the imaging target is displayed in a normal image on the display surface when the display surface faces away from the subject. (Configuration 5) An imaging device as described in configuration 3 or 4, further comprising a second detection means for detecting an absolute angle of the display device with respect to the direction of gravity in the direction from the rotation axis toward the rotation end of the display device, wherein the control means displays the captured image on the display surface in the second orientation when the third setting is made and the relative angle is an angle excluding the first angle and the second angle when the absolute angle is the third angle, and in the first orientation when the absolute angle is an angle other than the third angle. (Configuration 6) The imaging device according to configuration 5, wherein the third angle is an angle between 90 degrees and 270 degrees. (Configuration 7) The imaging device described in any one of configurations 3 to 6, characterized in that the first setting means displays an icon for switching between the first setting, the second setting, and the third setting on the display surface together with the captured image. (Configuration 8) An imaging device as described in any one of configurations 3 to 7, characterized in having a second setting means for setting the orientation when the captured image is displayed on the display screen according to the relative angle when the third setting is made by the first setting means to any one of a fourth setting for fixing the orientation to the first orientation, a fifth setting for fixing the orientation to the second orientation, and a sixth setting for automatically switching between the first orientation and the second orientation. (Configuration 9) The imaging device described in Configuration 8, characterized in that when the fourth setting or the fifth setting has been made by the second setting means and the relative angle is an angle excluding the first angle and the second angle, the control means displays the captured image on the display screen in the setting made by the second setting means. (Configuration 10) The imaging device described in configuration 8 or 9, characterized in that when the fourth setting or the fifth setting has been made by the second setting means and the relative angle is the first angle or the second angle, the control means invalidates the setting by the second setting means and displays the captured image on the display screen with the third setting by the first setting means. (Configuration 11) The imaging device according to any one of configurations 8 to 10, wherein the control means displays the captured image on the display screen in the third setting when the sixth setting is set. (Configuration 12) The imaging device described in any one of configurations 8 to 11, characterized in that the second setting means displays an icon for switching between the fourth setting, the fifth setting, and the sixth setting on the display surface together with the captured image. (Configuration 13) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12. (Method 1) A control method for an imaging device having a display device whose display surface is rotatable between a position facing a subject side where an image of an object to be imaged by an imaging means is present and a position facing the opposite direction to the subject side, the control method including the steps of: setting a display setting on the display surface of an image captured by the imaging means to any one of a first setting for displaying the image in a first orientation regardless of the position of the display device, a second setting for displaying the image in a second orientation that is upside down from the first orientation regardless of the position of the display device, and a third setting for displaying the image by automatically switching between the first orientation and the second orientation depending on the position of the display device; a step of detecting a relative angle of a display device with respect to a direction of gravity; and a step of displaying the captured image on the display surface in the first orientation if the relative angle is a first angle, in the second orientation if the relative angle is a second angle, in the second orientation if the relative angle is an angle excluding the first angle and the second angle and the absolute angle is a third angle, and in the first orientation if the absolute angle is an angle other than the third angle. (Method 2) A method for controlling an imaging device described in Method 1, characterized in that the first angle is an angle between 0 degrees and 89 degrees, the second angle is an angle between 136 degrees and 180 degrees, and the third angle is an angle between 90 degrees and 270 degrees. (Method 3) A method for controlling an imaging device according to Method 1 or 2, further comprising the steps of: when the third setting is made, setting an orientation when the captured image is displayed on the display screen to any one of a fourth setting of fixing the orientation to the first orientation, a fifth setting of fixing the orientation to the second orientation, and a sixth setting of automatically switching between the first orientation and the second orientation according to the relative angle; when the fourth setting or the fifth setting is made and the relative angle is an angle excluding the first angle and the second angle, displaying the captured image on the display screen in that setting; when the fourth setting or the fifth setting is made and the relative angle is the first angle or the second angle, invalidating the fourth setting and the fifth setting and displaying the captured image on the display screen in the third setting; and when the sixth setting is made, displaying the captured image on the display screen in the third setting.

[0109] Although the present invention has been described in detail above 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. Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned embodiments merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately combined.

[0110] For example, in the first embodiment, the inverted display setting is performed by operating the menu button to display a menu screen on the display unit 128, and the setting is performed using the cross button or the SET button, but this is not limited to button operations and may also be performed by a touch operation on the touch panel 170a.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the relative angle of the display unit 128 is divided into three ranges, 0 degrees to 89 degrees, 90 degrees to 135 degrees, and 136 degrees to 180 degrees, but the angle ranges are not limited to these. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the absolute angle is divided into three ranges, 90 degrees to 270 degrees, 0 degrees to 89 degrees, and 271 degrees to 359 degrees, but the angle ranges are not limited to these.

[0112] In addition, in S608, the half-open setting can be made and the half-open setting can be enabled when the inverted display setting is set to "automatic." However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the half-open setting may be made and enabled regardless of the inverted display setting.

[0113] In addition, in the above embodiment, a digital camera is used as an example of an electronic device according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to electronic devices equipped with a display (display unit) configured so that the angle relative to the device body can be changed.

[0114] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 100,700 Digital camera 100A,700A Equipment body 103 Photographic Lens 128 Display section 128a Display surface 129,729 Hinge part 170 Other operating parts 222 Imaging unit 250 System Control Unit 255 Attitude detection unit 900 Inverted display setting screen 1000 Half-open setting screen

Claims

1. An imaging means; a display device whose display surface is rotatable between a position where the display surface faces a subject side where an image of an object to be imaged by the imaging means exists and a position where the display surface faces a direction opposite to the subject side; a first setting means for setting a display setting on the display surface of an image captured by the imaging means to any one of a first setting for displaying the image in a first orientation regardless of the position of the display device, a second setting for displaying the image in a second orientation that is upside down from the first orientation regardless of the position of the display device, and a third setting for automatically switching between the first orientation and the second orientation depending on the position of the display device; and a control unit that controls display of the captured image on the display device in accordance with the display setting by the first setting unit.

2. a rotation shaft for rotatably connecting the display device to the main body of the imaging device is provided at an upper end or a lower end on a rear side of the main body of the imaging device, The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the display device is disposed above or below a main body of the imaging device, with the display surface facing the subject.

3. a first detection means for detecting a relative angle of the display device with respect to a main body of the imaging device, The imaging device described in claim 2, characterized in that when the third setting is made, the control means displays the captured image on the display surface in the first orientation when the relative angle is a first angle, and in the second orientation when the relative angle is a second angle.

4. The relative angle of the display device with respect to the device body of the imaging device is defined as 0 degrees when the display surface faces away from the subject, and as 180 degrees when the display surface faces the subject, the first angle is between 0 and 89 degrees, and the second angle is between 136 and 180 degrees; 4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the first orientation is an orientation in which the imaging target is displayed as a normal image on the display surface with the display surface facing in a direction opposite to the subject side.

5. a second detection means for detecting an absolute angle of the display device with respect to a direction of gravity in a direction from the rotation axis toward a rotation end of the display device; 5. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the control means displays the captured image on the display surface in the second orientation when the absolute angle is the third angle and the relative angle is an angle excluding the first angle and the second angle, and in the first orientation when the absolute angle is an angle other than the third angle.

6. 6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the third angle is between 90 degrees and 270 degrees.

7. 6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the first setting means displays an icon for switching between the first setting, the second setting, and the third setting on the display surface together with the captured image.

8. The imaging device according to claim 3, further comprising a second setting means for setting the orientation when the captured image is displayed on the display screen according to the relative angle when the first setting means has set the third setting to any one of a fourth setting for fixing the orientation to the first orientation, a fifth setting for fixing the orientation to the second orientation, and a sixth setting for automatically switching between the first orientation and the second orientation.

9. 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the control means displays the captured image on the display surface in the setting made by the second setting means when the fourth setting or the fifth setting has been made by the second setting means and the relative angle is an angle excluding the first angle and the second angle.

10. 10. The imaging device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that when the fourth setting or the fifth setting has been made by the second setting means and the relative angle is the first angle or the second angle, the control means invalidates the setting made by the second setting means and displays the captured image on the display surface with the third setting made by the first setting means.

11. 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the control means displays the captured image on the display surface in the third setting when the sixth setting is set.

12. 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the second setting means displays, on the display surface, an icon for switching between the fourth setting, the fifth setting, and the sixth setting together with the captured image.

13. 1. A method for controlling an imaging device having a display device whose display surface is rotatable between a position facing a subject side where an object to be imaged by an imaging means exists and a position facing a direction opposite to the subject side, comprising: a step of setting a display setting on the display surface of the image captured by the imaging means to any one of a first setting for displaying the image in a first orientation regardless of the position of the display device, a second setting for displaying the image in a second orientation that is upside down from the first orientation regardless of the position of the display device, and a third setting for automatically switching between the first orientation and the second orientation depending on the position of the display device; detecting a relative angle of the display device with respect to a device body of the imaging device; detecting an absolute angle of the display device relative to a direction of gravity; a step of displaying the captured image on the display surface when the third setting is made in the first orientation if the relative angle is a first angle, in the second orientation if the relative angle is a second angle, in the second orientation if the relative angle is an angle excluding the first angle and the second angle and the absolute angle is a third angle, and in the first orientation if the absolute angle is an angle other than the third angle.

14. 14. The method for controlling an imaging device according to claim 13, wherein the first angle is an angle between 0 degrees and 89 degrees, the second angle is an angle between 136 degrees and 180 degrees, and the third angle is an angle between 90 degrees and 270 degrees.

15. a step of setting, when the third setting is set, a fourth setting for fixing an orientation when the captured image is displayed on the display surface to the first orientation, a fifth setting for fixing the orientation to the second orientation, or a sixth setting for automatically switching between the first orientation and the second orientation in accordance with the relative angle; when the fourth setting or the fifth setting is made and the relative angle is an angle excluding the first angle and the second angle, displaying the captured image on the display surface with that setting; when the fourth setting or the fifth setting is made and the relative angle is the first angle or the second angle, invalidating the fourth setting and the fifth setting and displaying the captured image on the display surface with the third setting; 13. The method of controlling an imaging device according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: displaying the captured image on the display surface in the third setting when the sixth setting is set.

16. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

Images