Electronic device, electronic device control method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To achieve both operability during shooting and visibility of a live view image.SOLUTION: An electric device includes instruction means that can give a shooting preparation instruction, including performing distance measurement processing, and control means that performs control not to display a first item indicating setting information related to shooting and a second item indicating distance measurement information on display means along with the captured image captured by imaging means in a first state, including not accepting the shooting preparation instruction by the instruction means, and display the first item and the second item indicating the distance measurement information at the position corresponding to the distance measurement processing together with the captured image on the display means in response to the reception of the shooting preparation instruction by the instruction means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to a technique for displaying information together with a live view image. [Background technology]

[0002] There are electronic devices that display a display showing the focus position at the time of capturing an image in a live view image and information related to the capture. Patent Document 1 discloses that while a user is looking through a viewfinder displaying a live view image, the AF frame can be moved by a touch operation, and when a capture command is given, focusing processing is performed based on the moved AF frame. Patent Document 2 discloses that settings related to the capture are displayed before the capture, and the user can change the capture settings while viewing the displayed setting values. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-036802 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-071507 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a user is viewing a live view image to see a subject rather than to shoot, there is a possibility that objects superimposed on the live view image may reduce visibility. On the other hand, if the AF frame or information related to shooting is not displayed, the user must shoot without knowing where the focus is set or what the shooting settings are, which reduces operability.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to achieve both operability during shooting and visibility of live view images. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a composition comprising the steps of: A detection means for detecting the presence of an eyepiece; an instruction means capable of issuing an instruction for preparing for photography, including performing distance measurement processing; In the first state, which includes a state in which the instruction for preparing for shooting by the instruction means is not received, the captured image captured by the imaging means is The display means displays A first item indicating setting information related to photography and a second item indicating distance measurement information. The above Not displayed on the display means, In response to receiving the shooting preparation instruction by the instruction means, the first item is displayed together with the captured image at a position corresponding to distance measurement processing. The above a second item on the display means; In the first state, in response to the detection means newly detecting the eyepiece, one of the first items is detected together with the captured image. An item indicating the focal length of said imaging means A control means for controlling the display means to display the The electronic device is characterized by having the following features. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both operability during shooting and visibility of live view images. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart of a display control process according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a shooting standby display and an error warning according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating zoom according to an embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display indicating completion of preparation for shooting according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a pre-recording display and a video recording display according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 11 is a table showing display / non-display of items according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Embodiment> [Electronic device configuration] First, the configuration of electronic device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1(a) to 1(d) and 2. Figs. 1(a) to 1(d) show external views of electronic device 100. Electronic device 100 shows an electronic telescope. Fig. 1(a) is a top view of electronic device 100 seen from above, and Fig. 1(b) is a front view of electronic device 100 seen from the front. Fig. 1(c) is a right side view of electronic device 100 seen from the right, and Fig. 1(d) is a rear view of electronic device 100 seen from the rear. Although electronic device 100 is exemplified as an electronic monocular, the present invention is also applicable to electronic binoculars.

[0011] The display unit 28 is provided in the viewfinder and displays images and various information. In this embodiment, the display unit 28 is an electronic viewfinder that is a display unit within the viewfinder.

[0012] The eye-contact detection unit 57 is an eye-contact detection sensor that detects the approach (eye-contact) and departure (eye-away) of an eye (object) to the electronic device 100 (display unit 28) (approach detection). For example, an infrared proximity sensor can be used as the eye-contact detection unit 57, and it can detect the approach of some object to a viewfinder incorporating the display unit 28. When an object approaches, infrared rays projected from a light-projecting unit (not shown) of the eye-contact detection unit 57 are reflected by the object and received by a light-receiving unit (not shown) of the infrared proximity sensor. Depending on the amount of infrared rays received, it is possible to determine how close the object is to the viewfinder (eye-contact distance). In this way, the eye-contact detection unit 57 performs eye-contact detection to detect the proximity of the object to the display unit 28 (finder). When an object is detected approaching within a predetermined distance from the display unit 28 from a non-eye-contact state (non-approach state), it is detected that the object has been brought into contact with the eye. When an object that has been detected as approaching moves away from the eye-closed state (approaching state) by a distance greater than a predetermined distance, it is detected that the eye has been removed. The threshold for detecting eye-closedness and the threshold for detecting eye-removal may be different, for example, by providing hysteresis. In addition, after eye-closedness is detected, the eye-closed state is maintained until eye-removal is detected. After eye-removal is detected, the non-eye-closed state is maintained until eye-closedness is detected. Note that the infrared proximity sensor is only one example, and other sensors may be used for the eye-closedness detection unit 57 as long as they can detect the approach of an eye or an object that can be considered as an eye-closed state.

[0013] The system control unit 50 switches the display unit 28 between display and non-display depending on the proximity of the eye detected by the eye proximity detection unit 57. That is, when the eye proximity detection unit 57 detects the eye proximity, the electronic viewfinder displays images and various information. On the other hand, when the eye proximity detection unit 57 does not detect the eye proximity, the electronic viewfinder does not display images.

[0014] The operation unit 70 has operation members such as various switches and buttons that accept various operations from the user. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(d), the operation unit 70 has operation members such as a shutter button 61, a video button 65, a power button 72, a menu button 73, and a zoom button 74. Details of each operation member of the operation unit 70 will be described later.

[0015] The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card, a hard disk, etc. The recording medium 200 stores images captured by the electronic device 100, etc.

[0016] The slot 201 stores the recording medium 200. The recording medium 200 stored in the slot 201 is capable of communicating with the electronic device 100, and is capable of recording and reproducing images. The lid 202 is a lid for the slot 201. Fig. 1(c) shows a state in which the lid 202 is opened and the recording medium 200 is removed from the slot 201.

[0017] 2 is a configuration diagram of electronic device 100. Shutter 101 is a shutter with an aperture function. Imaging lens 103 is a lens group including a zoom lens and a focus lens. Barrier 102 covers the imaging system of electronic device 100 including imaging lens 103 to prevent the imaging system including imaging lens 103, shutter 101, and imaging unit 22 from becoming dirty or being damaged.

[0018] The imaging unit 22 is an imaging element that converts an optical image into an electrical signal (analog signal) and is composed of a CCD, CMOS element, etc. The imaging unit 22 is controlled by the system control unit 50 to image (photograph) a subject.

[0019] The A / D converter 23 converts an electrical signal (analog signal) output from the imaging unit 22 into a digital signal. The memory control unit 15 controls transmission and reception of data between the A / D converter 23, the image processing unit 24, and the memory 32. The output data output by the A / D converter 23 is written into the memory 32 via the image processing unit 24 or the memory control unit 15.

[0020] The focus lens driving unit 112 drives the focus lens of the imaging lens 103. In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 performs AF (autofocus) control using a contrast method. For this reason, the focus lens driving unit 112 drives the focus lens so as to focus on the subject based on focus adjustment information (contrast evaluation value) of the imaging optical system obtained by image processing performed by the image processing unit 24. Note that AF control using a plurality of methods, such as AF control using a phase difference AF method other than the contrast method or a combination of the contrast method and another method, may be performed.

[0021] The zoom lens driver 113 drives the zoom lens of the imaging lens 103 in response to pressing of the zoom button 74 (zoom operation).

[0022] The image processing unit 24 performs predetermined pixel interpolation, resizing such as reduction, and color conversion on the image data. Here, the data processed by the image processing unit 24 is data output from the A / D converter 23 or data output from the memory control unit 15. The image processing unit 24 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the arithmetic results. This allows AF (autofocus) processing, AE (autoexposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing of the TTL (through-the-lens) method to be performed. The image processing unit 24 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and performs AWB (auto white balance) processing of the TTL method based on the obtained arithmetic results.

[0023] The memory 32 stores image data converted into digital signals by the A / D converter 23 and image data to be displayed on the display unit 28. The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined period of moving images and audio. The memory 32 also serves as a memory for displaying images (video memory).

[0024] The D / A converter 13 converts the image data (digital signal) for display stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and outputs (supplies) it to the display unit 28. The display unit 28 performs display on a display device such as an LCD according to the analog signal acquired from the D / A converter 13. A live view display (LV) can be performed by sequentially transferring and displaying data that has been A / D converted by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 to the display unit 28 or the EVF 29. Hereinafter, an image displayed in the live view display will be referred to as a live view image (LV image).

[0025] The system control unit 50 is a control unit composed of at least one processor or circuit, and controls each functional unit of the electronic device 100. The system control unit 50 realizes the processing according to the present embodiment by executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory 56. The system control unit 50 also controls the memory 32, the D / A converter 13, the display unit 28, etc., thereby performing display control on the display unit 28.

[0026] The non-volatile memory 56 is a memory serving as an electrically erasable and recordable recording medium. For example, an EEPROM is used for the non-volatile memory 56. The non-volatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, etc. for the operation of the system control unit 50. The programs referred to here include computer programs for executing various flowcharts described later in this embodiment.

[0027] A RAM is used for the system memory 52. ​​Constants and variables for the operation of the system control unit 50, programs read from the non-volatile memory 56, and the like are loaded into the system memory 52. ​​The system timer 53 is a timing unit that measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock.

[0028] The operation unit 70 has a plurality of operation members that accept user operations. The operation unit 70 has, as a plurality of operation members, a mode change switch 60, a shutter button 61, a video button 65, a power button 72, a menu button 73, and a zoom button 74. The operation unit 70 outputs instructions according to the accepted operations to the system control unit 50.

[0029] The mode changeover switch 60 is an operation unit for switching the operation mode of the electronic device 100. The mode changeover switch 60 switches the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to, for example, a still image shooting mode, a video shooting mode, a playback mode, or the like. Modes included in the still image shooting mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene discrimination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and a program AE mode (P mode). In addition, there are various scene modes and custom modes that are shooting settings according to shooting scenes. The mode changeover switch 60 allows the user to directly switch to any of these modes. Alternatively, after switching to a list screen of shooting modes with the mode changeover switch 60, the user may selectively switch to any of the displayed modes using other operating members. Similarly, the video shooting mode may also include multiple modes.

[0030] The shutter button 61 is an operation unit for inputting various operational instructions to the system control unit 50. The shutter button 61 has a first shutter switch 62 and a second shutter switch 64. The shutter button 61 can be pressed in two stages, with the first shutter switch 62 being pressed when pressed in the first stage and the second shutter switch 64 being pressed when pressed in the second stage.

[0031] The first shutter switch 62 is turned on by half-pressing (photographing preparation instruction) during the operation of the shutter button 61 provided on the electronic device 100, and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. The first shutter switch signal SW1 starts AF (autofocus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (pre-flash) processing, and the like.

[0032] The second shutter switch 64 is turned on when the shutter button 61 is fully pressed (photographing instruction) and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. In response to the second shutter switch signal SW2, the system control unit 50 starts a series of photographing processes from reading out the signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing image data to the recording medium 200.

[0033] The power button 72 is a push button for switching the power on and off of the electronic device 100. When the power button 72 is pressed, the electronic device 100 is in a power on state, and when the power button 72 is not pressed, the electronic device 100 is in a power off state.

[0034] When the menu button 73 is pressed, a menu screen in which various settings can be made is displayed on the display unit 28. The user can make various settings by performing various operations while looking at the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28. For example, when the menu screen is displayed, the shutter button 61 and the video button 65 function as buttons for moving the cursor left and right among multiple selection items, and the zoom button 74 functions as a confirmation button, making it possible to make various settings.

[0035] The zoom button 74 is an operating member for a user to perform an operation to instruct zooming (zoom operation). Based on the amount of operation of the zoom button 74 (the time it is pressed or the number of times it is pressed), the system control unit 50 calculates the zoom drive speed and drive direction, and moves the zoom lens along the optical axis according to the calculation result. In other words, the zoom is controlled (the focal length changes) according to the amount of operation of the zoom button 74.

[0036] The power supply control unit 80 detects whether a battery is attached, the type of battery, and the remaining battery power. The power supply control unit 80 has a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching between blocks to be energized, and the like. Based on the detection result and the control of the system control unit 50, the power supply control unit 80 controls the DC-DC converter to supply the necessary voltage to each functional unit (including the recording medium 200) for the necessary period.

[0037] The power supply unit 30 (battery) 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, or an AC adapter.

[0038] The recording medium I / F 18 is an interface with a recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording captured images, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

[0039] The communication unit 54 is connected to the outside via a wireless cable or a wired cable, and transmits and receives video signals, audio signals, and the like. The communication unit 54 can be connected to the outside via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The communication unit 54 can transmit images (including live view images) captured by the imaging unit 22 and images recorded on the recording medium 200. The communication unit 54 can also receive image data and various other information from external devices.

[0040] The attitude detection unit 55 detects the attitude of the electronic device 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 55, it is possible to determine whether the image captured by the imaging unit 22 is an image captured with the electronic device 100 held horizontally or vertically. The system control unit 50 can add orientation information corresponding to the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 55 to the image file of the image captured by the imaging unit 22, or rotate and record the image. An acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used as the attitude detection unit 55. It is also possible to detect the movement of the electronic device 100 (panning, tilting, lifting, whether or not it is stationary, etc.) by using the acceleration sensor or gyro sensor that is the attitude detection unit 55.

[0041] [Display control processing] Hereinafter, the display control process of the display unit 28 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the display control process. When the electronic device 100 is started by turning on the power, the process of this flowchart starts. The flowchart of FIG. 3 is realized by developing a program recorded in the non-volatile memory 56 in the system memory 52 and executing it by the system control unit 50. Note that in the embodiment described below using FIG. 3, items to be displayed are shown in FIG. 4(a) to FIG. 7(b). FIG. 8 shows a table summarizing when even more display items are to be displayed.

[0042] In S301, the system control unit 50 controls the eyepiece detection unit 57 to determine whether or not an eyepiece has been newly detected. For example, the system control unit 50 can determine whether or not an eyepiece has been newly detected by recording the state of the eyepiece in an eyepiece flag. Specifically, the system control unit 50 sets the eyepiece flag indicating eyepiece detection to True if an eyepiece is detected, and sets the eyepiece flag to False if an eye examination is not detected, and records the flag in the memory 32. Then, when an eyepiece is detected while the eyepiece flag is False, the system control unit 50 can determine that an eyepiece has been newly detected. If an eyepiece has been newly detected, the process proceeds to S304, and if not, the process proceeds to S302.

[0043] In S302, the system control unit 50 controls the eye-placement detection unit 57 to determine whether or not the eye is being placed continuously (maintained). If the eye-placement is detected while the eye-placement flag is True, the system control unit 50 can determine that the eye is being placed continuously. If it is determined that the eye is being placed continuously, the process proceeds to S305, and if not, the process proceeds to S303.

[0044] In S303, the system control unit 50 sets the display unit 28 to a non-display state. In S304, the system control unit 50 sets the display unit 28 to a display state. This is the above-mentioned switching between display and non-display of the display unit 28 due to eye contact detection. By the processes of S303 and S304, the display unit 28 is hidden while the eye is not placed near the display unit 28, so that the power consumption of the electronic device 100 can be reduced. Note that in S303, the system control unit 50 may control the display unit 28 to display darker than in S304, without hiding the display unit 28. Also, the display unit 28 may be hidden in S303 after a predetermined time, such as 3 seconds or 5 seconds, has elapsed since it was determined in S302 that the eye is not placed near the display unit 28.

[0045] In S305, the system control unit 50 transitions to a shooting standby state and displays a shooting standby display on the display unit 28. FIG. 4(a) shows the shooting standby display on the display unit 28. The system control unit 50 acquires the remaining capacity (remaining amount) of the power supply unit 30 (battery) via the power supply control unit 80, and displays a battery item 401, which is a display item indicating the remaining capacity. The battery item 401 is always displayed regardless of the state of the electronic device 100 (for example, whether the shutter button 61 is pressed or not) as long as the display unit 28 is in a display state. This process allows the user to always know the remaining capacity of the power supply unit 30, even when observing a subject. It should be noted that, in addition to the remaining capacity of the power supply unit 30, for example, the communication status of the electronic device 100 or the current time may always be displayed. In addition, in the shooting standby state, no information regarding the main subject 402 is displayed. This is because a display for indicating the main subject (for example, a display of a frame indicating a face) is displayed. ) makes it difficult for the user to see the main subject.

[0046] In S306, the system control unit 50 judges whether an error (abnormality) of the electronic device 100 has been detected. An error is a state in which the electronic device 100 cannot be used normally, and may be, for example, a lens error or an error caused by a rise in heat. If it is judged that an error has been detected, the process proceeds to S307, and if not, the process proceeds to S308.

[0047] In S307, the system control unit 50 determines the type of the detected error (abnormality), and displays an error warning 411 (a display item showing a warning display to the user) on the display unit 28, as shown in FIG. 4(b). Here, the system control unit 50 may display (notify) only the fact that an error has occurred, or may also display the type of error and a guide to turn the power off and on. In addition, while the error is being displayed, the system control unit 50 may disable user operations (other than an instruction to turn the power off) on all operation members (buttons) other than the power button 72, thereby preventing the electronic device 100 from being operated in an abnormal state. In this case, if the power button 72 is pressed while the error is being displayed, the power of the electronic device 100 is turned off, and the process of this flowchart ends.

[0048] In S308, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not an eye has been newly detected in S301 (whether S301 was Yes). For example, the system control unit 50 may record in the memory 32 a flag indicating whether or not an eye has been detected in S301, and in S308, determine whether or not an eye has been detected based on this flag. If it is determined in S301 that an eye has been newly detected, the process proceeds to S314, and if not, the process proceeds to S309.

[0049] In S309, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not a zoom operation has been performed. In this embodiment, the zoom operation is performed by pressing the zoom button 74. In this embodiment, the focal length related to the magnification in zoom is 100 mm in a non-zoom state, 400 mm in an optical zoom state, and 800 mm in an optical zoom and electronic zoom state. These three focal lengths (zoom states) are switched (toggled) in order each time the zoom button 74 is pressed. If it is determined that a zoom operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S313, and if not, the process proceeds to S310.

[0050] In S310, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the first shutter switch 62 has been pressed (SW1 operation) (whether or not a shooting preparation instruction has been issued). If it is determined that the SW1 operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S316, and if not, the process proceeds to S311.

[0051] In S311, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not pre-recording has been set in the imaging unit 22. Here, pre-recording is a setting in which a video is shot (recorded) in advance for a predetermined period (e.g., 3 seconds or 5 seconds) before an instruction to start video recording (video shooting) is given. If it is determined that pre-recording has been set, the process proceeds to S321, and if not, the process proceeds to S312. If pre-recording has been set, a video of a predetermined length is always recorded in the memory 32, and the video is recorded on the recording medium 200, including the portion that is recorded in the memory 32 at the time when shooting is instructed.

[0052] In S312, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not an operation to instruct moving image shooting has been performed. Here, the operation to instruct moving image shooting is the pressing of the moving image button 65. If an operation to instruct moving image shooting has been performed, the process proceeds to S323, and if not, the process returns to S301.

[0053] In S313, the system control unit 50 controls the zoom lens driving unit 113 to perform zoom processing (changing the magnification ratio) using the zoom lens. When performing the zoom operation, the system control unit 50 calculates the zoom position to which the zoom lens should be moved based on the current position of the zoom lens and the zoom operation. Then, the system control unit 50 controls the zoom lens driving unit 113 to move the zoom lens to the calculated zoom position. This changes the focal length (magnification ratio) in the imaging system.

[0054] In S314, the system control unit 50 displays information about the focal length on the display unit 28. Specifically, the system control unit 50 displays a focal length item indicating the current focal length together with a live view image (captured image). Note that instead of the focal length, an item indicating the magnification (zoom magnification) indicating the zoom state may be displayed.

[0055] Here, the display of the focal length item when a zoom operation is performed will be described in detail. Fig. 5(a) is an example of the display on the display unit 28 in a non-zoomed state (focal length of 100 mm) during shooting standby display. In this case, the focal length item is not displayed so as not to interfere with the observation of the subject. In this display state, when the zoom button 74 is pressed once, the focal length is zoomed to 400 mm.

[0056] FIG. 5(b) shows an example of the display on the display unit 28 after the zoom button 74 is pressed once from the state shown in FIG. 5(a) to zoom to a focal length of 400 mm. The focal length item 501 displayed in FIG. 5(b) shows a focal length of 400 mm. When the zoom button 74 is pressed from the state shown in FIG. 5(b), zooming including electronic zooming is performed, as shown in FIG. 5(c), and the focal length is zoomed to a focal length of 800 mm. The focal length item 502 in FIG. 5(c) shows a focal length of 800 mm. When the zoom button 74 is pressed again, the state changes to a non-zoom state in which the focal length is 100 mm, as shown in FIG. 5(d). Note that in FIG. 5(d), an operation to change the focal length from the state shown in FIG. 5(c) was performed immediately before, so the focal length item 503 is displayed to show 100 mm, unlike FIG. 5(a) which shows the same focal length. Since the value indicating the focal length is updated and displayed each time zooming is performed in this manner, it is easy for the user to see the enlarged state of the currently displayed live view image when he or she changes the focal length.

[0057] In S315, the system control unit 50 judges whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the focal length icon was displayed. If it is judged that the predetermined time has elapsed, the focal length item is hidden and the process returns to S301, and if not, the process of S315 is repeated. That is, in S315, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the focal length icon is hidden. This reduces the possibility that the focal length icon being displayed for a long time will interfere with the user's observation of the subject. In S315, the system control unit 50 changes the flag indicating whether or not the eye has been detected in S301 to False, so that the system control unit 50 can judge whether or not the eye has been detected again in the next S308. In addition, the predetermined time is, for example, 1 second or 2 seconds.

[0058] In this way, when the eye is brought into close contact again (S308 Yes) or when a zoom operation is performed (S309 Yes), the focal length item is displayed on the display unit 28 together with the live view image (captured image). This allows the user to check the size (magnification) of the subject being observed without having to perform a separate operation to display the focal length item. In addition, since the focal length item disappears after a certain period of time after the focal length operation, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the focal length item will reduce visibility when the user is observing the subject.

[0059] In S316, the system control unit 50 performs shooting preparation processing (shooting preparation instruction). The shooting preparation processing (processing performed during the shooting preparation instruction) includes AF (autofocus, distance measurement processing), AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF The shooting preparation process includes at least one of the following: (flash pre-emission) processing, etc. Note that in S317 described later, the explanation will be given assuming that at least AF processing (distance measurement processing) has been performed. The shooting preparation process also includes photometry processing, and photometry processing may be performed without distance measurement processing in response to a shooting preparation instruction. Distance measurement processing may be performed by a separate instruction means.

[0060] In S317, after issuing the shooting preparation command, the system control unit 50 displays the completion of shooting preparation on the display unit 28. Fig. 6 shows an example of the display on the display unit 28 when shooting preparation is completed. As a result of the shooting preparation command issued in S316, an item indicating the position where AF was performed (ranging area, focusing position / area) is displayed. In this way, an AF frame 604 is displayed, which is the number of still images that can be captured. This clearly shows the focused position. When preparations for shooting are complete, an item 601 indicating the number of shots that can be captured (the number of still images that can be captured), a focal length item 602, an item 603 indicating the exposure compensation setting value, and the like are also displayed on the display unit 28. In this way, when preparations for shooting are complete, the electronic device 100 displays setting information and frame information that are useful when shooting a still image together with the AF frame before shooting. This allows the user to check whether the desired shooting conditions are set before issuing a shooting instruction.

[0061] In S318, the system control unit 50 determines whether the pressing of the first shutter switch 62 (shooting preparation instruction) has been released. If the pressing has been released, the process returns to S301, and if not, the process proceeds to S319. If it is determined in S318 that the shooting preparation instruction has been released, the display of the shooting preparation completion performed in S317 is stopped and the items are hidden. The AF frame 604, item 601, focal length item 602, and item 603 indicating the exposure compensation setting value are hidden.

[0062] In S319, the system control unit 50 determines whether the second shutter switch 64 has been pressed (SW2 operation) (whether a shooting instruction has been issued). If it is determined that the SW2 operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S320, and if not, the process proceeds to S317.

[0063] In S320, the system control unit 50 controls the imaging unit 22 to capture a still image. When the capture of the still image in S320 is completed, the items displayed in S317 are hidden. Depending on the operation mode, the system control unit 50 may start capturing a moving image. In the case of capturing a moving image, when the capture of the moving image is started in S320, the items described in S324 to be described later are displayed.

[0064] In S321, the system control unit 50 displays pre-recording on the display unit 28 and controls the imaging unit 22 to shoot a video. FIG. 7A shows an example of the display unit 28 during pre-recording. When pre-recording is performed, a focal length item 703 and an item 704 indicating the exposure compensation setting value are displayed, similar to the display indicating completion of preparation for shooting including distance measurement processing. During pre-recording display, an item 705 indicating the available video recording time (available video recording time) and an item 702 (AF frame) indicating the position where AF was performed (distance measurement area) are also displayed. The position displayed for the item 702 is updated every time distance measurement processing is performed. In addition, since an item 701 indicating that pre-recording is in progress is displayed, the user can recognize that pre-recording is in progress. When the available video recording time is 0, the item 705 may be displayed in red, for example, even during shooting standby display.

[0065] In this way, the information necessary for video recording is displayed before the user gives an instruction to start recording a video, so the user can check whether the desired shooting conditions have been set before giving an instruction to start recording a video.

[0066] In S322, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not an operation to instruct the start of video shooting has been performed, similarly to S312. If it is determined that an operation to instruct the start of video shooting has been performed, If so, proceed to S323; otherwise, return to S321.

[0067] In S323, the system control unit 50 controls the imaging unit 22 to shoot a moving image (record the shot moving image on the recording medium 200). Here, if pre-recording is set, the system control unit 50 also records on the recording medium 200 a predetermined length of moving image that was recorded in the memory 32 before the instruction to start shooting the moving image was given.

[0068] In S324, the system control unit 50 displays a video recording display on the display unit 28. Fig. 7(b) shows an example of the video recording display. In the video recording display, an item 711 indicating that video recording (video shooting) is in progress and an item 712 indicating the duration of the currently recorded video are displayed together with a live view image. On the other hand, items such as focal length items and items indicating the AF frame and exposure compensation setting value are not displayed. In this way, fewer items are displayed in video recording than in the pre-recording display, allowing the user to check the necessary information while minimizing the decrease in visibility of the image being recorded.

[0069] In S325, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not a video stop instruction has been performed. If a video stop instruction has been performed, the system control unit 50 stops recording the video and returns to S301, otherwise, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S323. If video recording has been stopped in S325, the video recording display is made non-display.

[0070] Thus, in this embodiment, when the eye is detected and displayed on the display unit 28, a battery item indicating the remaining capacity of the power supply unit 30 (battery) is displayed. On the other hand, items indicating the exposure setting value and the number of shots that can be taken, which are setting information related to shooting, and the AF frame, which is distance measurement information, are displayed in the following cases (1) and (2). Otherwise, the items indicating the exposure setting value and the number of shots that can be taken, which are setting information related to shooting, and the AF frame, which is distance measurement information, are controlled so as not to be displayed on the display unit 28. (1) The first shutter switch 62 is pressed (Yes in S310). (2) If the pre-recording setting is configured and pre-recording processing is performed before issuing a command to shoot a movie (if S311 is Yes).

[0071] In addition, the focal length is displayed only when the eyepiece is held close to the subject and only in the above cases (1) and (2) and the following cases (3) and (4). (3) When a new eye contact is detected (if S308Yes). (4) When a zoom operation is performed (S309Yes).

[0072] In this manner, in this embodiment, the electronic device does not display items related to shooting settings, such as exposure compensation setting values, until a shooting preparation instruction is given, and when a shooting preparation instruction is given, displays items related to shooting settings and an AF frame. By controlling the display in this manner, when the user is not about to shoot and wants to focus on the live view image, items related to shooting and an AF frame are not displayed on the display, making it easy to observe the subject. On the other hand, when the user is about to shoot, items showing information related to shooting are displayed, so the user can perform a shooting instruction operation for shooting after checking the shooting settings.

[0073] FIG. 8 shows a table indicating the display timing of items displayed on display unit 28. FIG. 8 shows whether each item is displayed when the camera is in standby for shooting (when video is not being shot due to the pre-recording setting, or before SW1 is instructed) and when it is not (after a shooting preparation instruction has been given or during pre-recording). In addition to the exposure compensation setting value item and battery item described above, items indicating the AF method, items indicating the connection status of Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and items indicating the connection status of the 4G line (radio waves) are shown as examples. Such an icon indicating the AF method The items indicating the Wi-Fi connection status and the connection status are not displayed when the camera is ready to shoot, but are displayed when shooting starts due to the pre-recording setting or after a shooting preparation instruction has been issued. This is because these items are information that does not need to be displayed much in order to observe a subject using an electronic device. Note that the items indicating the Wi-Fi connection status may be displayed even when the camera is ready to shoot if the Wi-Fi is not connected (there is a connection error).

[0074] 8 further illustrates a temperature warning item that warns of a temperature rise in the electronic device and a video heat restriction item that restricts video capture. These two items are displayed when it is determined that the operation of the electronic device may be affected by a rise in the temperature of the electronic device, and are not displayed if there is no rise in the temperature of the electronic device. The temperature warning item and video heat restriction item are displayed to notify the user that the operation of the electronic device may be affected, so that they are displayed without depending on SW1 instructions or the like if the display unit 28 is in a display state.

[0075] In this embodiment, the shooting preparation process and the shooting preparation completion process (S316, S317) are executed by pressing the first shutter switch 62, but these processes may be started by operating other operating members. For example, these processes may be executed when the shooting preparation mode is switched to by pressing the mode change switch 60.

[0076] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0077] The various controls described above as being performed by the system control unit 50 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) sharing the processing.

[0078] In addition, although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned embodiments merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately combined.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to an electronic device, but the present invention is not limited to this example and can be applied to any electronic device capable of capturing an image of a subject displayed on a display unit. That is, the present invention can be applied to digital cameras, personal computers, PDAs, smartphones, mobile phone terminals, portable image viewers, game consoles, etc.

[0080] The present invention is also applicable not only to the electronic device itself, but also to a control device (display control device) that communicates with an electronic device (including an imaging device and a network camera) via wired or wireless communication and remotely controls the electronic device. Examples of devices that remotely control electronic devices include smartphones, tablet PCs, and desktop PCs. The electronic device can be remotely controlled by notifying the imaging device of commands to perform various operations and settings from the control device side based on operations performed on the control device side or processes performed on the control device side. Also, a live view image captured by the electronic device may be received via wired or wireless communication and displayed on the control device side.

[0081] Each functional unit in each of the above embodiments may or may not be an individual piece of hardware. The functions of two or more functional units may be realized by a common piece of hardware. Each of a plurality of functions of one functional unit may be realized by a separate piece of hardware. Two or more functions of one functional unit may be realized by a common piece of hardware. Each functional unit may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC, an FPGA, or a DSP. For example, the device may have a processor and a memory (storage medium) in which a control program is stored. The functions of at least some of the functional units of the device may be realized by the processor reading and executing the control program from the memory.

[0082] (Other embodiments) 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) for implementing one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100: electronic device, 50: system control unit, 22: imaging unit, 70: operation unit, 61: Shutter button, 28: Display

Claims

1. A detection means for detecting the presence of an eyepiece; an instruction means capable of issuing an instruction for preparing for photography, including performing distance measurement processing; In the case of a first state including a state in which the photographing preparation instruction by the instruction means has not been accepted, a captured image captured by the photographing means is displayed on the display means, but a first item indicating setting information regarding photographing and a second item indicating distance measurement information are not displayed on the display means; displaying, on the display means, the first item and the second item at a position determined by distance measurement processing together with the captured image in response to receiving the photographing preparation instruction from the instruction means; a control means for controlling the display means to display, in response to the detection means newly detecting an eyepiece in the first state, an item indicating a focal length of the imaging means among the first items together with the captured image; 1. An electronic device comprising:

2. The control means controls the display means to display the first item and the second item in response to completion of the distance measurement process after receiving the photographing preparation instruction from the instruction means.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. The control means controls the display means to display a third item indicating a state of the electronic device, regardless of whether the photographing preparation instruction has been received or not.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

4. The third item indicates a remaining battery charge of the electronic device.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3.

5. The control means controls the display means to be hidden when the detection means does not detect the eyepiece being placed near the eye.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

6. the instruction means is further capable of instructing to change a magnification ratio of a subject in the captured image, When the control means receives an instruction to change the magnification ratio, the control means controls the display means to display an item indicating the focal length.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

7. The control means controls so as to hide the item indicating the focal length when a predetermined time has elapsed since the item indicating the focal length was displayed.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

8. The setting information regarding photography indicated by the first item includes information regarding the number of still images that the imaging means can take.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

9. The setting information related to photography indicated by the first item includes information on a setting value of exposure compensation.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

10. The second item indicates a distance measurement area.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

11. When the control means detects an abnormality in the electronic device, the control means controls the display means to display an item indicating a warning to a user.

11. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

12. The instruction means can further instruct the electronic device to switch on and off a power source thereof, When the control means detects an abnormality in the electronic device, the control means invalidates instructions other than the instruction to turn off the power.

12. The electronic device according to claim 11 .

13. The device has an operating member that can be depressed in two stages, the photographing preparation instruction is an instruction corresponding to a first stage press of the operation member, The imaging means captures an image when the operating member is pressed to a second level.

13. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

14. A display means provided in the viewfinder; An imaging means for imaging a subject; 14. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:

15. A detection step of detecting the presence of an eyepiece; an instruction step capable of issuing an instruction for preparation for photography including performing distance measurement; a first control step of controlling the display means not to display a first item indicating setting information related to shooting and a second item indicating distance measurement information, when the display means is in a first state including a state in which the instruction step has not accepted the shooting preparation instruction; a second control step of controlling a display unit to display, in response to receiving the photographing preparation instruction in the instruction step, the first item and the second item at a position determined by distance measurement processing together with the captured image; In the first state, in response to a new detection of an eyepiece in the detection step, a third control step of controlling the display means to display an item indicating a focal length of the imaging means among the first items together with the captured image; 13. A method for controlling an electronic device comprising:

16. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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