Image capture device and control method thereof

Abstract

To provide an appropriate display image to a photographer even if the posture of an imaging apparatus is changed.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus 10 comprises: a central control unit 207; a movable part 20 that has an imaging unit 201; a stationary part 30 that includes a display 303; a hinge part 40 that connects the movable part 20 and the stationary part 30 with each other rotatably in a tilt direction and a pan direction; a first angle detection unit 403 that detects the rotational phase of the movable part 20 in the tilt direction with respect to the stationary part 30; and a first posture detection unit 206 for detecting the absolute posture of the movable part 20. The central control unit 207 vertically flips display on the display 303 of an image picked up by the imaging unit 201 in accordance with results of detection performed by the first angle detection unit 403 and the first posture detection unit 206.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device equipped with a display device and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] As video distribution services using communication networks such as the Internet have become widespread and video distribution has become easy, there is a demand for an imaging device that can easily shoot intended videos and shoot original videos. For example, there is a demand for an imaging device that can shoot videos in a free position in various situations and at various angles. In response to such demands, Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device that can switch the shooting direction by rotating a lens unit around one axis and can invert the display of an image being shot on a display unit according to the orientation of the lens unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-313862 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the imaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, by rotating the lens unit around a single axis, it is possible to easily switch between a self-portrait orientation and a third-person portrait orientation, and in the self-portrait orientation, a mirror image can be displayed on the display unit.

[0005] However, in the technology disclosed in the above Patent Document 1, switching of the display image on the display unit is limited to display switching accompanying rotation of the lens unit around one axis and manual display switching. Therefore, when a photographer looks at an image displayed on the display unit during shooting, it may not be easy to determine whether the intended image is being captured.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that can always provide an appropriate display image to a photographer even if the orientation of the imaging device changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The imaging device according to the present invention comprises an imaging section and a display section. and gripping part a main body section including the imaging section; A gripping portion is provided with a gripping section. a hinge portion that is rotatably connected to the main body portion around a single axis; direction a first detection means for detecting the Gravity direction A second detection means detects the attitude of the device, and the display of the image captured by the imaging unit is inverted upside down on the display unit in accordance with the detection results by the first detection means and the second detection means. Control whether A display control means; when the imaging unit faces the display unit side of the main body unit, the display control means displays the image on the display unit by inverting the image upside down with respect to a display orientation of the image on the display unit in a case where the imaging unit faces the opposite side to the display unit side, when the imaging unit is located lower than the gripping unit in the gravity direction, the display control means displays the image on the display unit by inverting the image upside down with respect to a display orientation of the image on the display unit in a case where the imaging unit is located higher than the gripping unit in the gravity direction, and when the imaging unit faces the display unit side of the main body unit and is located lower than the gripping unit in the gravity direction, the display control means does not invert the display orientation of the image on the display unit upside down. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device that can always provide an appropriate display image to a photographer even if the attitude of the imaging device changes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an imaging device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram of an imaging device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a movable portion that constitutes the imaging device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an example of a state in which a movable part of the imaging device is tilted in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1A is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the entire imaging device in the first embodiment is rotated within a plane including the vertical direction. FIG. [Figure 6]4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an example of a state in which a movable part of the imaging device is pan-rotated in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the content of display switching on a display unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an example of the positional relationship between the attitude of the imaging device and the eyes of a photographer in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an imaging device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the content of display switching on a display unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an imaging device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the content of display switching on a display unit in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an imaging device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a state in which a movable part of an imaging device is tilted in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the open and closed states of a display unit of an imaging device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the content of display switching on a display unit in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen for managing video content in the imaging device. [Figure 18] 1 is a timing chart showing a timing from the start to the end of shooting of a moving image content by an imaging device. [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a posture of the imaging device. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart of a process for managing video content. [Figure 21] 13 is a flowchart of a warning process. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a warning content displayed on a display unit. [Figure 23] 11 is a flowchart of a flagging process performed during shooting of a moving image content. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In each of the drawings subsequent to Fig. 1, parts that are not necessary for the description are omitted to clarify the configuration of the imaging device 10 with respect to the parts necessary for the description.

[0012] Specifically, the imaging device 10 is a video camera capable of shooting moving images. The imaging device 10 is roughly composed of a movable section 20, a fixed section 30 (main body section), a hinge section 40 (hinge unit), and a lens unit 50 (photographing lens). Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view of the imaging device 10 with the lens unit 50 removed from the movable section 20, as seen obliquely from the front. Fig. 1(b) is a perspective view of the imaging device 10 with the lens unit 50 removed from the movable section 20, as seen obliquely from the upper rear.

[0013] The lens unit 50 is a so-called interchangeable lens, and is configured to be detachable from the movable part 20. The lens unit 50 and the movable part 20 have, for example, a bayonet-type detachable structure, in which the lens unit 50 is formed with a bayonet claw part 507, and the movable part 20 is formed with a lens mount 211.

[0014] When attaching the lens unit 50 to the movable part 20, first, the protruding part of the bayonet claw part 507 is aligned with the notch formed on the inside of the lens mount 211. Then, the lens unit 50 is inserted into the movable part 20, and rotated around the optical axis. In this way, the lens unit 50 is attached to the movable part 20. At this time, in the lens mount 211, the movable pin 204b constituting the lens rotation regulating part 204 (see FIG. 2) that regulates the rotation of the lens unit 50 engages with the recess 508 provided in the lens unit 50. In this way, the rotation of the lens unit 50 relative to the movable part 20 is regulated, and the lens unit 50 is prevented from falling off the movable part 20.

[0015] When removing the lens unit 50 from the movable part 20, the operating part 202 is operated to retract the movable pin 204b of the lens rotation restricting part 204 from the recess 508, and the lens unit 50 is rotated in the opposite direction to the rotation direction when attached to the movable part 20. Then, when the protruding part of the bayonet claw part 507 rotates to the position of the notch of the lens mount 211, the lens unit 50 can be pulled away from the movable part 20. The internal structure of the movable part 20 including the operating part 202 will be described in detail later.

[0016] When the lens unit 50 is attached to the movable part 20, the interface section 205 of the movable part 20 and the interface section 506 of the lens unit 50 are electrically connected. This enables mutual communication between the lens unit 50 and the movable part 20. The system configuration (control system) of the imaging device 10 will be described later.

[0017] The movable part 20 is connected to the fixed part 30 by the hinge part 40 so as to be rotatable in the tilt direction and the pan direction. The hinge part 40 is a biaxial hinge composed of a tilt rotation hinge 401 and a pan rotation hinge 402. The tilt rotation hinge 401 rotatably supports the movable part 20 with the tilt rotation axis T as the center of rotation. The pan rotation hinge 402 is attached to the fixed part 30 so as to be rotatable with the pan rotation axis P as the center of rotation. The tilt rotation axis T and the pan rotation axis P are approximately perpendicular to each other. Therefore, by operating the tilt rotation hinge 401 and the pan rotation hinge 402, the movable part 20 and the lens unit 50 can be transitioned to various postures with respect to the fixed part 30.

[0018] Hinge unit 40 has a certain holding force when tilt rotation hinge 401 and pan rotation hinge 402 are stopped. This certain holding force is set to be larger than the static torque that causes hinge unit 40 to maintain a stopped position when it receives the weight of lens unit 50 and movable unit 20. Therefore, when the user rotates movable unit 20 to which lens unit 50 is attached, points lens unit 50 toward a subject, and then stops the rotation operation, lens unit 50 and movable unit 20 can continue to maintain the position at the time when the rotation operation was stopped.

[0019] A display unit 303 equipped with a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like is disposed on the fixed unit 30 so as to be rotatable within a certain angle range around a rotation axis A by a display unit hinge 306 (see FIG. 15). A display screen 303a of the display unit 303 is capable of displaying images being shot, shot images and videos, a menu screen for setting shooting conditions, and the like. A touch panel may be superimposed on the display screen 303a, in which case the display unit 303 can be used as an operating means.

[0020] The fixed part 30 has a grip part 304. The grip part 304 is formed at the end of the fixed part 30, and the surface thereof is made of an elastic material such as ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) or silicone rubber. A user can take pictures at various angles by holding the grip part 304 with one hand and freely rotating the lens unit 50 and the movable part 20 with the other hand.

[0021] In the fixed part 30, an operation unit 301 is disposed at a position where the user can operate it while gripping the grip part 304. The operation unit 301 includes a first button 301a, a second button 301b, and a touch pad 301c. The user can perform a selection operation using the touch pad 301c, and a confirmation operation using the first button 301a and the second button 301b.

[0022] The movable section 20 has an accessory shoe 209. The accessory shoe 209 is a portion that allows an external device (accessory) to be attached to the imaging device 10, and is configured to allow an external device such as a video light or an external microphone to be attached.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are defined with respect to the fixed part 30 with respect to the imaging device 10. The direction parallel to the pan rotation axis P is defined as the Y direction. The Y direction does not necessarily coincide with the direction of gravity. Regarding the Y direction, the direction from the fixed part 30 to the movable part 20 is defined as the +Y direction, and the direction from the movable part 20 to the fixed part 30 is defined as the -Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the display screen 303a of the display unit 303 when the display screen 303a is parallel to the Y direction is defined as the Z direction. In addition, the direction in which the display screen 303a faces is defined as the -Z direction, and the opposite side is defined as the +Z direction. The direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the Y direction is defined as the X direction. The X direction is parallel to the rotation axis A.

[0024] 2 is a block diagram of the imaging device 10. The lens unit 50 has an imaging optical system 501, an aperture unit 502, a lens driving unit 503, a lens control unit 504, a shake detection unit 505, and an interface unit 506. The movable unit 20 has an imaging unit 201, an operation unit 202, an operation unit position detection unit 203, a lens rotation regulation unit 204, an interface unit 205, a first attitude detection unit 206, a central control unit 207, an accessory shoe 209, and a recording unit 210. The hinge unit 40 has a first angle detection unit 403 and a second angle detection unit 404. The fixed unit 30 has an operation unit 301, a power supply unit 302, a display unit 303, and a grip unit 304.

[0025] In the lens unit 50, the photographing optical system 501 includes a plurality of lenses, a holder (holding member) for holding the lenses, a zoom lens mechanism, a focus lens mechanism, a vibration correction lens mechanism, etc. The aperture unit 502 may be, for example, an iris aperture unit that varies the size of an opening formed around the optical axis by driving a plurality of thin light-shielding sheets. The lens driving unit 503 includes various actuators for driving the zoom lens mechanism, the focus lens mechanism, the vibration correction lens mechanism, the aperture unit 502, etc. The various actuators are selected in consideration of the thrust, speed, stroke, stopping accuracy, power consumption, manufacturing cost, etc. required for driving the driven object, and for example, a DC motor, a stepping motor, a vibration type driving device (ultrasonic motor (USM)), etc. are adopted.

[0026] The lens control unit 504 includes a motor driver IC, and controls the driving of various actuators of the lens driving unit 503. The interface unit 506 of the lens unit 50 and the interface unit 205 of the movable unit 20 are electrically connected to each other, thereby enabling mutual communication between the lens control unit 504 and the central control unit 207.

[0027] The shake detection unit 505 is composed of a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, etc., and detects shake of the lens unit 50 (imaging device 10). A shake detection signal output from the shake detection unit 505 is transmitted to the lens control unit 504, and then transmitted from the lens control unit 504 to the central control unit 207 as an analog signal or digital data via the interface units 506 and 205. The central control unit 207 detects the movement of the lens unit 50 and camera shake when performing panning from the information from the shake detection unit 505.

[0028] In the movable section 20, the imaging section 201 includes a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, a low-pass filter, etc. The low-pass filter is made of, for example, quartz, and has an infrared shielding treatment applied to its surface to prevent the incidence of infrared rays and to prevent the occurrence of color moiré, etc.

[0029] The central control unit 207 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that is responsible for the overall control of the imaging device 10. The electrical signal input from the imaging unit 201 to the central control unit 207 is converted into a video signal by the central control unit 207, and then processed into any image data as appropriate. The processing of the video signal also includes electronic image stabilization operations using image cropping and rotation processing. The recording unit 210 records and saves the shooting date and time, the setting conditions of the imaging device 10 at the time of shooting, and the like, in addition to the image data acquired by the shooting operation.

[0030] The operation unit 202 is a member operated by the user when removing the lens unit 50 from the movable unit 20, and is configured to be movable between a plurality of positions. The operation unit position detection unit 203 is configured, for example, by a transmissive photointerrupter whose output signal changes according to the amount of received light, and detects the position of the operation unit 202 from the output signal. The detection result detected by the operation unit position detection unit 203 is input to the central control unit 207.

[0031] The lens rotation regulating section 204 can be operated by the operation section 202. A movable pin 204b of the lens rotation regulating section 204 can reciprocate between a protruding position from the surface of the lens mount 211, which regulates the rotation of the lens unit 50, and a retracted position from the surface of the lens mount 211, which allows the rotation of the lens unit 50.

[0032] The first attitude detection unit 206 has a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, etc., and is used to detect the absolute attitude (tilt of the movable unit 20 with respect to the vertical direction) of the movable unit 20 (imaging unit 201). The first angle detection unit 403 is composed of an acceleration sensor, an angle sensor, etc., and is used to detect the rotation angle of the tilt rotation hinge 401. The second angle detection unit 404 is composed of an acceleration sensor, an angle sensor, etc., and is used to detect the rotation angle of the pan rotation hinge 402. Each detection signal output from the first attitude detection unit 206, the first angle detection unit 403, and the second angle detection unit 404 is transmitted to the central control unit 207 as an analog signal or digital data. The central control unit 207 determines the first to seventh directions, which will be described later, that are defined for the attitude of the imaging device 10 based on each detection signal from the first attitude detection unit 206, the first angle detection unit 403, and the second angle detection unit 404.

[0033] In the fixed unit 30, the power supply unit 302 is, for example, a battery pack equipped with an alkaline secondary battery or a lithium ion secondary battery. The power supply unit 302 is electrically connected to the central control unit 207 via a wire harness or the like wired inside the hinge unit 40, and supplies power to each unit of the imaging device 10. Note that the operation unit 301, the display unit 303, and the grip unit 304 have already been described with reference to FIG. 1, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0034] Next, the internal structure of the movable part 20 will be described, including the connection structure with respect to the hinge part 40. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the movable part 20. The lens mount 211 is fixed to the base member 212 by screws 215a, 215b, 215c, and 215d. The base member 212 is a metal part obtained by die-casting (casting) a magnesium alloy or an aluminum alloy, for example. The base member 212 is provided with a lens rotation restricting part 204 and an interface part 205 (see FIG. 2). Although the details of the interface part 205 are not shown, the interface part 205 has a plurality of contact pins, a biasing member such as a coil spring, and a resin case that contains these. The plurality of contact pins protrude from an opening of the resin case. The contact pins are constantly biased from the back side by the biasing member, and the contact pins can slide from the front side to the inside of the resin case.

[0035] A flexible printed circuit board 214 is connected to the interface unit 205. When the contact pin of the interface unit 205 is pressed a certain amount from the surface side of the resin case to the inside, the contact pin becomes electrically conductive with the conductive pattern provided on the flexible printed circuit board 214.

[0036] Side cover 213 is disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of base member 212. Accessory shoe 209 is fixed to side cover 213 with two screws 216. Then, side cover 213 is fixed to base member 212 by fastening two screws 217 from screw holes formed in accessory shoe 209 through relief holes in side cover 213 to base member 212.

[0037] The imaging unit 201 is fixed to the base member 212 by screws 223a, 223b, and 223c. The imaging unit 201 includes a photoelectric conversion element, a low-pass filter, a hard package electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element, a printed circuit board on which the hard package is mounted, various electronic components mounted on the printed circuit board, and a metal plate adhesively fixed to the hard package. For example, a multi-layer board made of a ceramic base material is used for the hard package, and a conductor pattern is formed inside the hard package. A part of the conductor pattern formed on the hard package is connected to an electrode terminal exposed on the surface of the hard package, and a part of the electrode terminal and the photoelectric conversion element are electrically connected by a method such as wire bonding. In addition, the electrode terminal of the hard package is mounted on the printed circuit board by a reflow soldering method or the like together with various electronic components. After aligning the hard package with the metal plate, the side of the hard package and the end face of the metal plate are adhesively fixed using, for example, an ultraviolet curing resin, so that the hard package is fixed to the metal plate.

[0038] The metal plate is attached to the base member 212 by the screws 223a, 223b, and 223c, and thus the imaging unit 201 is attached to the base member 212. At this time, the imaging unit 201 and the base member 212 are connected with the coil springs 222a, 222b, and 222c sandwiched between them. In this way, the imaging unit 201 is supported on the base member 212 so as to be slightly displaceable in the optical axis direction, and therefore the inclination of the imaging surface of the imaging unit 201 with respect to the base member 212 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of fastening of the screws 223a, 223b, and 223c. After this inclination adjustment is completed, the screws 223a, 223b, and 223c are adhesively fixed to the metal plate to prevent them from loosening.

[0039] As described above, the hinge section 40 is composed of the tilt rotation hinge 401 and the pan rotation hinge 402. The tilt rotation hinge 401 has a pair of bifurcated pieces 401x that extend in a bifurcated shape. Arm sections 401a, 401b (401b not shown) are provided at the tip of each of the bifurcated pieces 401x so as to face each other. Holder 218a is held by one arm section 401a so as to be rotatable around tilt rotation axis T relative to arm section 401a. Holder 218b is held by the other arm section 401b so as to be rotatable around tilt rotation axis T relative to arm section 401b.

[0040] The inside of the arm section 401b that holds the holder 218b has a hollow structure, and a harness 405 is inserted into the inside of the arm section 401b and wired to the inside of the pan rotation hinge 402. The harness 405 is further wired from the inside of the pan rotation hinge 402 to the inside of the fixed section 30, and is electrically connected to the operation section 301, the power supply section 302, the display section 303, etc. Screw fastening holes are formed in each of the holders 218a, 218b, and the holder 218a is fixed to the base member 212 by screws 220a, 220b, and the holder 218b is fixed to the base member 212 by screws 221a, 221b.

[0041] The movable part 20 has a chassis 224 in which a plurality of screw fastening holes are formed, and the chassis 224 is fixed to the side cover 213 by screws 225a and 225b. A printed circuit board 226 is fastened and fixed to the chassis 224 by screws 228a, 228b, and 228c. Various electronic components including the first attitude detection unit 206, the central control unit 207, and the recording unit 210 are mounted on the printed circuit board 226 by a reflow soldering method or the like. In addition, a plurality of connectors are mounted on the printed circuit board 226, and the flexible printed circuit board 214 and the harness 405 are electrically connected to these connectors. One end of the flexible printed circuit board 227 is connected to the printed circuit board 226, and the other end is connected to the printed circuit board of the imaging unit 201, thereby electrically connecting the imaging unit 201 and the printed circuit board 226.

[0042] The operation unit 202 is provided on the rear cover 229. A flexible printed circuit board 230 extending from the operation unit 202 is connected to a connector mounted on the printed circuit board 226. The rear cover 229 has engagement claws formed at multiple locations for engaging with the side cover 213, and the side cover 213 has grooves formed at locations corresponding to the engagement claws of the rear cover 229. When the rear cover 229 is assembled to the side cover 213 by engaging the engagement claws with the grooves, the engagement claws are caught in the grooves and act as a retainer. Note that the side cover 213 and the rear cover 229 may be adhesively fixed to each other to more reliably prevent the covers from coming off.

[0043] Next, the relative positional relationship between the movable part 20 and the fixed part 30, the first attitude detection part 206, the first angle detection part 403 and the second angle detection part 404 will be described in detail.

[0044] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing states A1 to A5 in which movable part 20 is rotated around tilt rotation axis T. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing states B1 to B8 in which the entire imaging device 10 is rotated within a plane including the vertical direction. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing states C1 to C4 in which movable part 20 is rotated around pan rotation axis P.

[0045] As described above, the X, Y, and Z directions are defined with respect to the imaging device 10 as shown in Fig. 1. According to the definition of each direction, the state in which the lens unit 50 faces the +Z direction is defined as the "forward direction state", and the state in which the lens unit 50 faces the -Z direction is defined as the "rearward direction state". In addition, the attitude in which the accessory shoe 209 of the movable part 20 faces the +Y direction side (the side opposite the fixed part 30) is defined as the "normal attitude", and the attitude in which the accessory shoe 209 faces the -Y direction side (the fixed part 30 side) is defined as the "reverse attitude".

[0046] For example, states A2, B1, and C1 are the same posture, forward facing state, and normal posture. State A4 is backward facing state and reverse posture. States B1 to B8, C1 to C4 are normal postures. Note that the shooting direction is +Z direction in states A2, B1 to B8, and C1, and the shooting direction is -Z direction in states A4 and C3. The normal posture is a posture in which the imaging unit 201 generates an image in the same vertical direction as the subject, and the reverse posture is a posture in which the imaging unit 201 generates an image in the opposite vertical direction to the subject. Note that the imaging device 10 may be configured to have a click feeling for each state or posture, so that it does not easily move from each state or posture. For example, states A2, A3, A4, C1, C2, C3, and C4 may be configured to be less easily moved than other states.

[0047] With reference to states A1 to A5 shown in FIG. 4, the direction defined for the rotation of the movable part 20 around the tilt rotation axis T will be described. In states A1 to A5, the movable part 20 does not rotate around the pan rotation axis P. The rotation range from the forward direction (+Z direction) to the -Y direction (direction toward the fixed part 30) (within the rotation phase between states A1 to A2) is defined as the "first direction". In addition, the rotation range from the backward direction to the -Y direction (within the rotation phase between states A4 to A5) is defined as the "second direction" with the backward direction (-Z direction) as the reference. Furthermore, the rotation range in the +Y direction between the forward direction and the backward direction (within the rotation phase between states A2 to A3 to A4) is defined as the "third direction". The rotation angle in the third direction is 180°. Therefore, the movable part 20 can rotate around the tilt rotation axis T by 180° or more. In addition, state A4 is a posture that is frequently used for taking selfies in which the photographer himself is the subject.

[0048] With reference to states B1 to B8 shown in FIG. 5, the directions defined with respect to the absolute attitude of the movable part 20 will be described. In FIG. 5, the reference symbols for the imaging device 10 are omitted for states B2 to B8. State B1 is a normal attitude in which the -Y direction coincides with the direction of gravity, and state B5 is a normal attitude in which the +Y direction coincides with the direction of gravity. With state B1 as a reference, the rotation range of the entire imaging device 10 of ±90° around an axis parallel to the tilt rotation axis T (not shown in FIG. 5) (among states B3 to B2 to B1 to B8 to B7) is defined as a "fourth direction". With state B5 as a reference, the rotation range of the entire imaging device 10 of ±90° around an axis parallel to the tilt rotation axis T (among states B3 to B4 to B5 to B6 to B7) is defined as a "fifth direction".

[0049] 6, the directions defined for the rotation of the movable part 20 about the pan rotation axis P will be described. The rotation range of ±90° with the forward direction (+Z direction) as the reference (between states C4, C1, and C2) is defined as the "sixth direction." Moreover, the rotation range of ±90° with the backward direction (-Z direction) as the reference (between states C2, C3, and C4) with respect to the rotation of the movable part 20 about the pan rotation axis P is defined as the "seventh direction."

[0050] As described above, the detection signals of the first angle detection unit 403, the first attitude detection unit 206, and the second angle detection unit 404 are transmitted to the central control unit 207. The central control unit 207 determines the first to fifth directions based on the detection signals from the first attitude detection unit 206 and the first angle detection unit 403. The central control unit 207 also determines whether the direction is the sixth or seventh direction based on the detection signal from the second angle detection unit 404. Then, the central control unit 207 performs display switching control of the display screen 303a of the display unit 303 according to the determined direction.

[0051] The display on the display screen 303a can be switched between upside-down display (Y-direction inverted display), left-right inverted display (X-direction inverted display), and upside-down and left-right inverted display based on the normal display in the forward direction and normal position. As shown in Fig. 1, in this embodiment, the display screen 303a has a rectangular shape, with its long sides parallel to the rotation axis A and its short sides perpendicular to the rotation axis A. The left-right direction of the display screen 303a is the direction parallel to the long sides, and the up-down direction of the display screen 303a is the direction parallel to the short sides.

[0052] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the contents of display switching on the display screen 303a of the imaging device 10. Fig. 7(a) is a diagram for explaining a display switching method in the up-down direction on the display screen 303a. Fig. 7(b) is a diagram for explaining a display switching method in the left-right direction on the display screen 303a.

[0053] The display switching in the up-down direction on the display screen 303a is controlled according to the determination results for the first to third directions and the determination results for the fourth and fifth directions, based on the forward direction and normal posture. Specifically, when it is determined that the display is in the first direction, the display is not inverted in the up-down direction regardless of whether the display is in the fourth or fifth direction. When it is determined that the display is in the second direction, the display is inverted in the up-down direction regardless of whether the display is in the fourth or fifth direction. When it is determined that the display is in the third direction and the fourth direction, the display is not inverted in the up-down direction. On the other hand, when it is determined that the display is in the third direction and the fifth direction, the display is inverted in the up-down direction.

[0054] The left-right display switching on the display screen 303a is controlled according to the determination results for the sixth and seventh directions, based on the forward direction and normal posture. If the sixth direction is determined, the left-right inversion display is not performed. On the other hand, if the seventh direction is determined, the left-right inversion display is performed. This display switching control makes it possible to display images according to the photographer's intentions when taking a selfie or a photo of another person.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the posture of the imaging device 10 and the photographer's eye U. FIG. 8(a) shows the positional relationship between the imaging device 10 and the photographer's eye U during low-angle shooting. In this case, since the third direction, the fourth direction, and the sixth direction are detected, the display on the display screen 303a is a normal display that is neither upside-down nor left-right inverted. FIG. 8(b) shows the positional relationship between the imaging device 10 and the photographer's eye U when shooting with the imaging device 10 hanging from a tree branch or the like. In this case, since the first direction, the fifth direction, and the seventh direction are detected, the display on the display screen 303a is a left-right inverted display without upside-down inversion.

[0056] In this way, even if the attitude of the imaging device 10 changes by changing the angle of the movable part 20 relative to the fixed part 30, the rotation angle of the hinge part 40, the way of holding the imaging device 10 (fixed part 30), etc., it is possible to always provide the photographer with an appropriate display image. Therefore, even if the attitude of the imaging device 10 is variously changed, the photographer can easily check through the video (image) displayed on the display part 303 whether or not the intended shooting can be performed and whether or not the intended shooting is being performed.

[0057] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 9 is a block diagram of an imaging device 11 according to the second embodiment. Compared with the imaging device 10 according to the first embodiment, the imaging device 11 differs from the imaging device 10 in that it includes a fixed part 30A on which a second attitude detection unit 305 is mounted, and a movable part 20A that does not include a first attitude detection unit 206. Therefore, among the components of the imaging device 11, the same components as those of the imaging device 10 are given the same reference numerals in Fig. 9, and the description here will be omitted. And, since the external appearance of the imaging device 11 is the same as that of the imaging device 10 (see Fig. 1), the description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] The second attitude detection unit 305 is composed of a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, etc., and detects the absolute attitude of the fixed unit 30A in states B1 to B8 shown in Fig. 5. Using state B1 as a reference, a rotation range of ±90° of the entire imaging device 10 about an axis parallel to the tilt rotation axis T (not shown in Fig. 5) (among states B3 to B2 to B1 to B8 to B7) is defined as an "eighth direction". Also, using state B5 as a reference, a rotation range of ±90° of the entire imaging device 10 about an axis parallel to the tilt rotation axis T (among states B3 to B4 to B5 to B6 to B7) is defined as a "ninth direction".

[0059] The detection signal output from the second attitude detection unit 305 is transmitted as an analog signal or digital data to the central control unit 207. The central control unit 207 determines the attitude of the imaging device 11 based on each detection signal from the first angle detection unit 403 and the second attitude detection unit 305, and performs display switching control in the up and down directions on the display screen 303a of the display unit 303 based on the determination result.

[0060] Note that the left-right display switching control on the display screen 303a of the imaging device 11 is performed in the same manner as the left-right display switching control on the display screen 303a of the imaging device 10 in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The imaging device 11 may be configured not to include the second angle detection unit 404 and not to perform left-right inversion display.

[0061] 10 is a diagram for explaining the contents of display switching on the display screen 303a of the imaging device 11. Display switching in the up-down direction on the display screen 303a is controlled according to the determination results for the first to third directions and the determination results for the eighth and ninth directions, based on the forward direction and normal attitude. Note that the definitions of "forward direction", "backward direction", "normal attitude" and "reverse attitude" in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0062] Specifically, if the orientation is determined to be the first orientation, then the display is not inverted vertically regardless of whether the orientation is the eighth orientation or the ninth orientation. If the orientation is determined to be the second orientation, then the display is inverted vertically regardless of whether the orientation is the eighth orientation or the ninth orientation. If the orientation is determined to be the third orientation and the eighth orientation, then the display is not inverted vertically. On the other hand, if the orientation is determined to be the third orientation and the ninth orientation, then the display is inverted vertically.

[0063] In this way, the imaging device 11 according to the second embodiment can also always provide the photographer with an appropriate display image according to the attitude of the imaging device 11. Therefore, even if the attitude of the imaging device 10 is variously changed, the photographer can easily check through the video (image) displayed on the display unit 303 whether or not the intended shooting can be performed and whether or not the intended shooting is being performed.

[0064] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 11 is a block diagram of an imaging device 12 according to the third embodiment. Compared with the imaging device 10 according to the first embodiment, the imaging device 12 differs from the imaging device 10 in that the imaging device 12 includes a fixed section 30A on which a second attitude detection section 305 is mounted, and a hinge section 40A that does not include a first angle detection section 403. Therefore, among the components of the imaging device 12, the same components as those of the imaging device 10 are given the same reference numerals in Fig. 11, and the description here will be omitted. And, since the external appearance of the imaging device 12 is the same as that of the imaging device 10 (see Fig. 1), the description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] The fixed unit 30A is the same as the fixed unit 30A constituting the imaging device 11 according to the second embodiment. That is, the configuration of the second attitude detection unit 305 and the directions (eighth direction and ninth direction) detected by the central control unit 207 based on the detection signal of the second attitude detection unit 305 are similar to those described in the second embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0066] The central control unit 207 determines the attitude of the imaging device 12 based on the detection signals of the first attitude detection unit 206 and the second attitude detection unit 305, and performs display switching control in the up and down direction on the display screen 303a of the display unit 303 based on the determination result.

[0067] Note that the left-right display switching control on the display screen 303a of the imaging device 12 is performed in the same manner as the left-right display switching control on the display screen 303a of the imaging device 10 in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The imaging device 12 may be configured not to include the second angle detection unit 404 and not to perform left-right inversion display.

[0068] 12 is a diagram for explaining the contents of display switching on the display screen 303a of the imaging device 12. Display switching in the up-down direction on the display screen 303a is controlled according to the determination results for the fourth and fifth directions and the determination results for the eighth and ninth directions, based on the forward direction and normal attitude. Note that the definitions of "forward direction", "backward direction", "normal attitude" and "reverse attitude" in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0069] Specifically, when the direction is determined to be both the fourth direction and the eighth direction, or when the direction is determined to be both the fifth direction and the ninth direction, the display is not inverted in the up-down direction, but when the direction is determined to be both the fourth direction and the ninth direction, or when the direction is determined to be both the fifth direction and the eighth direction, the display is inverted in the up-down direction.

[0070] In this way, the imaging device 12 according to the third embodiment can also always provide the photographer with an appropriate display image according to the attitude of the imaging device 12. Therefore, even if the attitude of the imaging device 12 is variously changed, the photographer can easily check through the video (image) displayed on the display unit 303 whether or not the intended shooting can be performed and whether or not the intended shooting is being performed.

[0071] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 13 is a block diagram of an imaging device 13 according to the fourth embodiment. Compared with the imaging device 10 according to the first embodiment, the imaging device 13 differs from the imaging device 10 in that the imaging device 13 includes a fixed part 30B on which a second attitude detection unit 305 and a third angle detection unit 307 are mounted, and a movable part 20A that does not include a first attitude detection unit 206. Therefore, among the components of the imaging device 13, the same components as those of the imaging device 10 are given the same reference numerals in Fig. 13, and the description here will be omitted. And, since the external appearance of the imaging device 13 is the same as that of the imaging device 10 (see Fig. 1), the description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] The configuration of the second attitude detection unit 305 provided in the fixed unit 30B and the directions (eighth direction and ninth direction) detected by the central control unit 207 based on the detection signal of the second attitude detection unit 305 are similar to those described in the second embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0073] The configuration and function of the first angle detection unit 403 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted here. However, in the fourth embodiment, the definition of the rotation direction around the tilt rotation axis T of the movable unit 20A determined by the central control unit 207 based on the detection signal from the first angle detection unit 403 is different from that in the first embodiment.

[0074] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing states A1 to A5 in which the movable part 20A is rotated around the tilt rotation axis T. States A1 to A5 shown in Fig. 14 are the same as states A1 to A5 shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, the definitions of "forward direction" and "backward direction" also conform to those in the first embodiment.

[0075] The rotation range from the forward direction to the -Y direction (direction toward fixed part 30B) (within the rotation phase between states A1 and A2) is defined as the "eleventh direction." The rotation range from the backward direction to the -Y direction (within the rotation phase between states A4 and A5) based on the backward direction is defined as the "twelfth direction." The rotation range from the forward direction to the +Y direction (within the rotation phase between states A2 and A3) is defined as the "thirteenth direction." The rotation range from the backward direction to the +Y direction (within the rotation phase between states A3 and A4) is defined as the "fourteenth direction." The rotation angles in the thirteenth and fourteenth directions are each 90°.

[0076] When the attitude of the movable part 20A is switched from state A2 to state A3, the direction until a certain angle passes beyond the attitude of state A2 is defined as the thirteenth direction. When the attitude of the movable part 20A is switched from state A4 to state A3, the direction until a certain angle passes beyond the attitude of state A3 is defined as the fourteenth direction. This makes it possible to prevent unintended display switching in the up-down direction on the display screen 303a.

[0077] 15(a) and (b) are side views showing the closed and open states of the display unit 303. The third angle detection unit 307 is composed of an acceleration sensor, an angle sensor, etc., and detects the rotation angle of the display unit hinge 306. The detection signal output from the third angle detection unit 307 is transmitted to the central control unit 207 as an analog signal or digital data. The central control unit 207 determines whether the display unit 303 is in an open state or a closed state based on the detection signal acquired from the third angle detection unit 307. In this embodiment, the state of FIG. 15(a) in which the back surface of the display unit 303 (the surface opposite to the display screen 303a) is in contact with the fixed unit 30B is defined as a "closed state," and the state of FIG. 15(b) in which the back surface of the display unit 303 is separated from the fixed unit 30B is defined as an "open state."

[0078] In this embodiment, the opening / closing range (opening / closing angle) of the display unit 303 is approximately 45°, and the central control unit 207 switches the detection result of the opening / closing state at the midpoint of approximately 22.5°. That is, the range (second angle range) from the fully open state of the display unit 303 shown in Fig. 15(b) to the intermediate position is determined to be the open state, and the range (first angle range) from the intermediate position to the fully closed state shown in Fig. 15(a) is determined to be the closed state. Note that the opening / closing range of the display unit 303 is not limited to approximately 45°, and may be narrower or wider as long as visibility is ensured.

[0079] The central control unit 207 determines the attitude of the imaging device 13, including the attitude of the display unit 303, based on the detection signals of the first angle detection unit 403, the second attitude detection unit 305, and the third angle detection unit 307. Then, the central control unit 207 performs display switching control in the up and down directions on the display screen 303a based on the determination result.

[0080] 16 is a diagram for explaining the contents of display switching on the display screen 303a of the imaging device 13. Display switching in the up-down direction on the display screen 303a is controlled based on the forward direction and normal posture, according to the determination results for the eleventh to fourteenth directions, the determination results for the eighth and ninth directions, and the determination result of the open / closed state of the display unit 303. Note that the definitions of "forward direction", "backward direction", "normal posture", and "reverse posture" in the fourth embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0081] The following first to fourth cases are cases in which the display screen 303a does not display inverted in the up-down direction. The first case is a case in which the display is determined to be in the eleventh direction, regardless of whether the display is in the eighth direction or the ninth direction and regardless of whether the display unit 303 is open or closed. The second case is a case in which the display is determined to be in the thirteenth direction and the eighth direction, regardless of whether the display unit 303 is open or closed. The third case is a case in which the display is determined to be in the thirteenth direction and the ninth direction, and the display unit 303 is in the closed state. The fourth case is a case in which the display is determined to be in the fourteenth direction and the ninth direction, and the display unit 303 is in the open state.

[0082] On the other hand, the display screen 303a is inverted in the up-down direction in the following fifth to eighth cases. The fifth case is a case where the orientation is determined to be the twelfth orientation, regardless of the determination result of whether the orientation is the eighth or ninth orientation and the determination result of the open / closed state of the display unit 303. The sixth case is a case where the orientation is determined to be the thirteenth orientation, the ninth orientation, and the display unit 303 is in the open state. The seventh case is a case where the orientation is determined to be the fourteenth orientation and the eighth orientation, regardless of the determination result of the open / closed state of the display unit 303. The eighth case is a case where the orientation is determined to be the fourteenth orientation, the ninth orientation, and the display unit 303 is in the closed state.

[0083] Such display control makes it possible to always provide the photographer with an appropriate display image according to the shooting scene, for example, by distinguishing between a scene where the photographer wants to shoot by hanging the imaging device 13 at a predetermined position so that both hands can be free to shoot, and a scene where the photographer wants to shoot from a low angle. Therefore, even if the photographer changes the attitude of the imaging device 13 including the attitude of the display unit 303 in various ways, the photographer can easily check through the video (image) displayed on the display unit 303 whether or not the intended shooting can be performed and whether or not the intended shooting is being performed.

[0084] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the fifth embodiment, a method for capturing moving image content by the imaging device 10 according to the first embodiment and display control of an operation screen will be described.

[0085] In Patent Document 1, which is an example of the above-mentioned conventional technology, the lens unit may be rotated to switch the shooting direction during recording of an image by video shooting or the like. When playing back or editing the recorded image in this way, it is convenient to be able to easily find where the scene you want to check is located. However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is not easy to find the timing of the change in the shooting direction during image playback. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, it is made possible to easily find the change in the shooting direction in the recorded image.

[0086] 17 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen for managing video content (shot video). On the display screen 303a of the display unit 303, reduced images representing each video content are displayed for each group in the order of the time axis in which they were shot in the H-axis direction (the long side direction of the display screen 303a). Groups A, C, and D each include multiple video contents, and the multiple video contents are displayed aligned in the V-axis direction (the short side direction of the display screen 303a).

[0087] A user can select an arbitrary video content from the video content displayed along the H axis by operating the touch pad 301c. In addition, the user can determine a group to which a certain video content should belong and associate the video content with the group. When shooting a video content, the user instructs the central control unit 207 to start shooting by pressing the first button 301a or the second button 301b of the operation unit 301. When the first button 301a is pressed to start shooting, the shot video content is classified into a new group that does not belong to any group. On the other hand, when the second button 301b is pressed to start shooting a video content, the video content is recognized as a re-shot video content and classified into one of the specified groups. Details of this will be described below.

[0088] When shooting new video content that does not belong to any group, the user presses the first button 301a. The new video content is recorded in the recording unit 210 together with information such as the shooting conditions that have been set and the type of lens unit 50 that is attached. For example, if shooting has been performed up to group D and the first button 301a is pressed to start shooting, group E is created and the content is managed and displayed as content 1 of group E.

[0089] On the other hand, when re-shooting video content that should be classified into one of the already-shot video content groups, the user presses second button 301b. The re-shot video content is recorded in recording unit 210 together with information such as the set shooting conditions and the type of lens unit 50 attached, and is classified into the group in which it was last shot. For example, if re-shooting is performed in a situation where content 1 of group D was last shot, central control unit 207 classifies the re-shot video content into video content of group D, and manages and displays it as content 2 of group D.

[0090] However, there are cases where the user selects a specific video content from the list of video contents displayed on the display screen 303a using the touch pad 301c before pressing the second button 301b. In this case, the re-shot video content is classified into the group of the selected video content, not into the group that was last shot. For example, if content 2 of group C was selected, the re-shot video content is classified into group C and is managed and displayed as content 3 of group C.

[0091] FIG. 18 is a timing chart from the start of shooting video content to the end of shooting. The horizontal axis of FIG. 18 indicates the elapsed time Time in the shot video content. During shooting of video content, the shooting direction may be switched by the rotation of tilt rotation hinge 401 and pan rotation hinge 402. In the example of FIG. 18, after the shooting direction is switched from the first direction to the second direction, the shooting direction is switched from the second direction back to the first direction. In this way, during shooting of video content, the rotation angle range to which the rotation position of movable part 20 relative to fixed part 30 belongs may be switched.

[0092] Based on the attitude information of the movable part 20, the central control unit 207 adds "switching information" indicating the timing at which the rotation angle range to which the rotation position of the movable part 20 relative to the fixed part 30 belongs has switched to the video content, which is the video to be recorded. This makes it possible to easily find the timing at which the rotation angle range to which the rotation position of the movable part 20 belongs has switched when playing or editing the video content.

[0093] The switching information is recorded as a switching flag FLG in the recording unit 210. The recorded switching flags FLG include switching flags FLG1 to FLG7 that are assigned corresponding to the first to seventh directions. When the rotational position of the movable part 20 crosses the boundary between adjacent rotational angle ranges, the central control unit 207 determines that the rotational angle range to which the rotational position of the movable part 20 belongs has been switched.

[0094] The switching flag FLG includes information indicating the time when the rotation angle range to which the rotation position of the movable part 20 belongs was switched. The switching flag FLG also includes information indicating the rotation angle range before and after the switching of the rotation angle range to which the rotation position of the movable part 20 belongs. For example, when the direction is switched from a first direction to a second direction, the first direction is recorded as the rotation angle range before the switching, and the second direction is recorded as the rotation angle range after the switching. Such information is also information indicating the switching direction of the rotation angle range.

[0095] Note that the switching flags FLG1 to 3, the switching flags FLG5 and 6, and the switching flags FLG6 and 7 are recorded independently. For example, the switching flags FLG1 to 3 are first switching information indicating that the rotation angle range around the tilt rotation axis T (first rotation axis) has been switched. The switching flags FLG5 and 6 are switching information based on the detection result of the first attitude detection unit 206. The switching flags FLG6 and 7 are second switching information indicating that the rotation angle range around the pan rotation axis P (second rotation axis) has been switched.

[0096] For a certain rotation direction, the number of divisions into the rotation angle range may be three or more. In addition, among the three or more rotation angle ranges, the switching flag FLG may be recorded only when the rotation angle range after switching is a predetermined rotation angle range. For example, the switching flag FLG2 may be eliminated for the rotation around the tilt rotation axis T. That is, when switching from the second direction to the third direction, the first direction, not the second direction, may be recorded in the switching flag FLG3 as the rotation angle range before switching, and the third direction may be recorded as the rotation angle range after switching.

[0097] As described later, a captured video content is assigned a flag according to not only the time and direction of the transition but also the angle and speed of rotation. The assigned flag is expressed by a unique mark or simplified characters, etc. For example, in FIG. 18, the self-portrait flag and the other person's photo flag are assigned by star marks of different colors.

[0098] By assigning various flags such as the switching flag FLG to the video content, it becomes easier to set an editing target when editing the video content, and the time required for editing the video content can be reduced. As an example of editing the video content, a video content is completed by connecting each of the contents selected by the user from among a plurality of contents belonging to each group. In this example, and not limited to this example, the assigned flag can be used as a checkpoint to easily edit the video content. In addition, when playing back the video content, the assigned flag can be used as a capture to play back from the flag position, and the captured video content can be easily checked, thereby reducing the editing time. When playing back the video content, the playback can be started from the timing of switching the shooting direction indicated by the assigned flag.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 17, the groups are arranged in the H-axis direction, and the video content belonging to each group is arranged in the V-axis direction, but this is not limited to this, and the groups may be arranged in other directions, such as a diagonal direction or a direction along an arc.

[0100] 19(a) and (b) are diagrams showing examples of the attitude of imaging device 10. Whether or not to assign switching flags FLG1 to 3 may be determined not only based on the rotation of tilt rotation hinge 401, but also on the attitude of fixed part 30 or movable part 20.

[0101] In the attitude shown in FIG. 19(a), the pan rotation axis P is parallel to the direction of gravity. In this attitude, the range of angle θ1 is the first direction, which is the same as the range between state A1 and state A2 shown in FIG. 4. In contrast, in the attitude shown in FIG. 19(b), the pan rotation axis P is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity. In this attitude, the range of angle θ2 is the first direction. That is, the range of angle θ2 from the rotation position where the direction in which the lens unit 50 faces, taking into account the attitude of the imaging device 10, is horizontal with respect to the direction of gravity to the limit position where the direction in which the lens unit 50 faces can be rotated to the side having a component in the direction of gravity is the first direction. The angle θ2 is greater than the angle θ1. The central control unit 207 changes the first to third directions based on the detection signals from the first angle detection unit 403 and the first attitude detection unit 206.

[0102] The first attitude detection unit 206 may be capable of detecting the attitude of the fixed unit 30. Alternatively, as in the imaging device 12 according to the third embodiment, attitude detection units may be provided separately for the movable unit 20 and the fixed unit 30.

[0103] When the system has a first attitude detection unit 206 that detects the attitude of the movable part 20 instead of the fixed part 30, the process is as follows. That is, the central control unit 207 determines the rotation angle of the movable part 20 relative to the fixed part 30 such that the optical axis becomes horizontal, based on the attitude of the movable part 20 and the rotational position of the movable part 20 relative to the fixed part 30 about the tilt rotation axis T. Then, the central control unit 207 changes the determined rotation angle so that it becomes the boundary between the first direction and the third direction. In this case, the first direction is changed to increase the angle θ2, which may result in the second direction disappearing.

[0104] When an attitude detection unit that detects the attitude of the fixed unit 30 instead of the movable unit 20 is provided, the following processing is performed. That is, the central control unit 207 determines the rotation angle of the movable unit 20 relative to the fixed unit 30 around the tilt rotation axis T based on the attitude of the fixed unit 30 such that the optical axis is horizontal, and sets the determined rotation angle as the boundary between the first direction and the third direction. The change in the boundary between the rotation angle ranges can be reflected not only around the tilt rotation axis T, but also around the pan rotation axis P.

[0105] Fig. 20 is a flowchart of a process for managing video content. Each process (step) indicated by an S number in the flowchart of Fig. 20 is realized by a CPU included in the central control unit 207 reading and executing a program stored in a storage unit such as a ROM included in the central control unit 207. This process starts when the power of the imaging device 10 is turned on.

[0106] In S101, the central control unit 207 determines whether or not a shooting instruction has been input. Here, when the first button 301a is pressed, it is determined that a shooting instruction has been input. If a shooting instruction has not been input, the central control unit 207 determines in S102 whether or not a re-shooting instruction has been input. Here, when the second button 301b is pressed, it is determined that a re-shooting instruction has been input. If a re-shooting instruction has not been input, the central control unit 207 returns the process to S101.

[0107] When a shooting instruction is input in S101, the central control unit 207 starts shooting processing in S104. The shot data (video) is sequentially recorded in the recording unit 210. Next, in S105, the central control unit 207 continues shooting until a shooting end instruction is input. Here, when the first button 301a or the second button 301b is pressed, it is determined that a shooting end instruction has been input. When a shooting end instruction is input, the central control unit 207 classifies the currently shot data into a video content of a new group that does not belong to any group in S106, records the shot data in the recording unit 210, and then ends the processing.

[0108] If the result of the determination in S102 is that a re-shooting instruction is input, the central control unit 207 determines in S103 whether or not a specific video content has been selected immediately before the re-shooting instruction is input. If a specific video content has been selected, the central control unit 207 starts re-shooting as the selected video content in S107, and sequentially records the shot data in the recording unit 210. Next, in S108, the central control unit 207 continues shooting until a shooting end instruction is input. Here, when the first button 301a or the second button 301b is pressed, it is determined that a shooting end instruction has been input. When a shooting end instruction is input, the central control unit 207 classifies the currently shot data into a group to which the selected video content belongs in S109, records the shot data in the recording unit 210, and then ends the process.

[0109] If it is determined in S103 that a specific video content has not been selected, the central control unit 207 starts re-shooting as the last video content shot in S110, and sequentially records the shot data in the recording unit 210. Next, in S111, the central control unit 207 continues shooting until an instruction to end shooting is input. Here, when the first button 301a or the second button 301b is pressed, it is determined that an instruction to end shooting has been input. When an instruction to end shooting is input, the central control unit 207 classifies the currently shot data into a group to which the last video content shot belongs in S112, records the shot data in the recording unit 210, and then ends the process.

[0110] Fig. 21 is a flowchart of a warning process. This process is a modified example of the process shown in Fig. 20. Specifically, in the flowchart of Fig. 21, steps S201 to S210 are executed instead of steps S102 and S103 in the flowchart of Fig. 20.

[0111] If the answer is No in S101, the central control unit 207 determines in S201 whether or not a re-shooting instruction has been input, similar to S102, and waits until the re-shooting instruction is input. If a re-shooting instruction is input, the central control unit 207 determines in S202 whether or not a specific video content has been selected immediately before the re-shooting instruction is input, similar to S103. If a specific video content has not been selected, the central control unit 207 proceeds to start shooting in S210. In this case, the process of re-shooting the video content shot last is executed from S110 onward in FIG. 20.

[0112] If the result of the determination in S202 is that a specific video content has already been selected, the central control unit 207 determines in S203 whether or not the selected video content is the last video content shot. If the selected video content is the last video content shot, the central control unit 207 proceeds to start shooting in S210. In this case, the process of re-shooting the video content as the last video content shot is executed from S110 onward in FIG. 20.

[0113] If the result of the determination in S203 is that the selected video content is not the video content last shot, the central control unit 207 advances the process to S204. In S204, the central control unit 207 reads information indicating the type of lens unit 50 attached when the selected video content was shot from the recording unit 210, and determines whether the type is the same as the type of lens unit 50 currently attached. Note that the information on the lens unit 50 is saved every time it is attached. If the two are the same, there is no risk of reshooting with a lens unit 50 different from that used when the selected video content was shot, so the central control unit 207 proceeds to start shooting in S210. In this case, the process of reshooting as the selected video content from S107 onwards in FIG. 20 is executed.

[0114] If the result of the determination in S204 is that the type of lens unit 50 attached when the selected video content was shot is not the same as the type of lens unit 50 currently attached, the central control unit 207 advances the process to S205. In S205, the central control unit 207 causes a warning such as that shown in FIG. 22 to be displayed on the display screen 303a of the display unit 303.

[0115] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the warning content displayed on the display screen 303a. The display screen 303a displays the names of the (previous) lens unit 50 attached when the selected video content was shot and the (current) lens unit 50 currently attached. If the previous lens unit 50 is a lens unit 50 named "ZOOOM LENS 1" and the current lens unit 50 is named "ZOOOM LENS 2", the respective names are displayed. In addition to the name of the lens unit 50, a message "Different lens" is displayed to notify that the type of the lens unit 50 is different. This makes it possible to inform the user that the lens unit 50 attached at the time of shooting the selected video content is different from the lens unit 50 currently attached.

[0116] In S206 after S205, the central control unit 207 determines whether or not a command to start re-shooting has been input by pressing the first button 301a or the second button 301b. If a command to start re-shooting has not been input, the central control unit 207 determines in S207 whether or not the current lens unit 50 has been replaced with the previous lens unit 50. If the central control unit 207 cannot confirm that the current lens unit 50 has been replaced with the previous lens unit 50, the central control unit 207 returns the process to S206. This makes it possible to prevent re-shooting from being performed with a lens unit 50 different from that used when shooting the selected video content.

[0117] On the other hand, if it can be confirmed that the current lens unit 50 has been replaced with the previous lens unit 50, the central control unit 207 ends the warning display on the display screen 303a in S208 and returns the process to S201. If the result of the determination in S206 is that an instruction to start re-shooting has been input, the central control unit 207 ends the warning display on the display screen 303a in S209 and advances the process to S210. In this case, the process of re-shooting as the selected video content from S107 onwards in Fig. 20 is executed. After S210, the central control unit 207 ends the process shown in Fig. 21.

[0118] In this way, when re-shooting, if the lens unit 50 attached at the time of shooting the selected video content is different from the lens unit 50 currently attached, a warning is displayed on the display screen 303a. This makes it possible to prevent unintentional re-shooting with a lens unit 50 different from that used at the time of shooting the selected video content. Also, by encouraging lens replacement, it becomes possible to re-shoot with the same lens unit 50. Furthermore, even if a warning is displayed, shooting will start if an instruction to start re-shooting is input again (Yes in S206). Therefore, it is possible to execute re-shooting even if the lens unit 50 has been intentionally changed.

[0119] If the last video content is selected, no warning is displayed even if the lens unit 50 attached at the time the selected video content was shot is different from the lens unit 50 attached at present (Yes in S203). This is because, if the lens unit 50 is different even though the last video content is being re-shot, it can be determined that there is a high possibility that the lens unit 50 has been changed intentionally.

[0120] Fig. 23 is a flowchart of a flagging process during video content shooting. This process is started in response to the start of shooting at any one of S104, S107, and S110 in Fig. 20, and is executed in parallel with the process shown in Fig. 20. In this process, the central control unit 207 functions as a control means in the present invention.

[0121] In S301, the central control unit 207 starts shooting. In S302, the central control unit 207 determines the attitude of the imaging device 10 based on the detection signal from the first attitude detection unit 206. In addition, the central control unit 207 determines the rotational position of the movable unit 20 relative to the fixed unit 30 around the tilt rotation axis T and the pan rotation axis P based on the detection signals from the first angle detection unit 403 and the second angle detection unit 404.

[0122] In S303, the central control unit 207 determines whether or not a rotation operation in the pan direction or tilt direction (hereinafter collectively referred to as a "rotation operation") has been performed, and if a rotation operation has not been performed, the central control unit 207 advances the process to S312. On the other hand, if a rotation operation has been performed, the central control unit 207 advances the process to S304. Note that the processes from S304 onwards are executed in parallel depending on whether a pan operation or a tilt operation has been performed as the rotation operation.

[0123] In S304, the central control unit 207 determines whether the amount of rotation by the rotation operation is greater than a predetermined angle. In S304, the amount of rotation by the current operation, that is, the amount of rotation since the last determination of Yes in S303 (the angle displaced without stopping) is the subject of the determination. If the amount of rotation by the rotation operation is equal to or less than the predetermined angle, the central control unit 207 advances the process to S312. Therefore, if a change in the rotation position of the movable part 20 that is greater than the predetermined angle is not detected, the switching flag FLG and other flags are not associated with the video content to be recorded. This is because such a rotation operation is determined to be merely an operation for the purpose of fine adjustment.

[0124] If the result of the determination in S304 is that the amount of rotation by the rotation operation is greater than the predetermined angle, the central control unit 207 determines in S305 whether the rotation speed by the rotation operation is less than the predetermined speed. The rotation speed is calculated based on the change in the rotation angle within a unit time. If the rotation speed by the rotation operation is less than the predetermined speed, this means that the rotation of the movable part 20 is not faster than the predetermined speed, and it is considered that the movable part 20 is being rotated slowly for panning. Therefore, in S309, the central control unit 207 associates a panning flag (second information) different from the switching flag FLG with the image to be recorded. The panning flag is assigned to each of panning and tilting, and may be assigned in combination with both.

[0125] Next, in S310, the central control unit 207 determines whether or not the rotation angle range to which the rotation position of the movable unit 20 relative to the fixed unit 30 belongs has changed (crossed a boundary). If the rotation angle range has changed, then in S311 the central control unit 207 associates a change flag FLG with the video content to be recorded. As described above, information indicating the rotation angle range before and after the change and information indicating the change timing are added to the video to be recorded.

[0126] Thereafter, the central control unit 207 advances the process to S312. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in S310 is that the rotation angle range has not been switched, the central control unit 207 advances the process to S312 without setting the switching flag FLG.

[0127] If the result of the determination in S305 is that the rotation speed of the rotation operation is not less than the predetermined speed, this means that rotation of the movable part 20 faster than the predetermined speed has been detected, and it is determined that an intentional pan or tilt operation has been performed. Therefore, in S306, the central control unit 207 associates a pan flag or tilt flag (first information) different from the switching flag FLG with the video content to be recorded. The pan flag and tilt flag may be assigned in combination.

[0128] Next, in S307, the central control unit 207 determines whether or not the rotation angle range to which the rotation position of the movable unit 20 relative to the fixed unit 30 belongs has changed before a predetermined time has elapsed since the pan flag or tilt flag was assigned. If the rotation angle range has not changed before a predetermined time has elapsed since the pan flag or tilt flag was assigned, the central control unit 207 advances the process to S312. Therefore, the pan flag or tilt flag is maintained, and the switching flag FLG is not assigned. However, if the rotation angle range has changed before a predetermined time has elapsed since the pan flag or tilt flag was assigned, the central control unit 207 advances the process to S308.

[0129] In S308, the central control unit 207 deletes the pan flag or tilt flag associated with the video content, and then proceeds to S311. Therefore, if a fast pan or tilt operation is performed, and then the camera is rotated significantly immediately thereafter before a predetermined time has elapsed, the pan flag or tilt flag is not deleted, and instead a switching flag FLG is added. This allows switching information to be added according to the user's intention.

[0130] In S312, the central control unit 207 determines whether or not to continue shooting. Here, if an instruction to end shooting is input by pressing the first button 301a or the second button 301b, it is determined that shooting is not to be continued. If it is determined that shooting is to be continued, the central control unit 207 returns the process to S303. If it is determined that shooting is not to be continued, the central control unit 207 executes shooting end processing in S313 and ends the process shown in Fig. 23. The shot video is stored in the recording unit 210 together with a flag.

[0131] As described above, in the fifth embodiment, when it is detected that the rotation angle range to which the rotation position of the movable part 20 relative to the fixed part 30 belongs has been switched during shooting, a switching flag FLG (switching information) is associated with the video recorded by the recording part 210. This makes it possible to easily determine the switching of the shooting direction in the recorded video. This is therefore convenient for playing and editing video content. In particular, the switching flag FLG includes information indicating the time when the rotation angle range was switched, the switching direction, and the rotation angle range before and after the switching, which makes it very easy to play and edit video content. For example, when playing back the recorded video, it is possible to start playing back from the switching timing (the time when the rotation angle range was switched) indicated by the switching flag FLG.

[0132] Also, since a switching flag FLG is assigned for each of the rotation about the tilt rotation axis T and the rotation about the pan rotation axis P, the switching of the shooting direction can be known in more detail. Furthermore, since a pan flag or a tilt flag is assigned in addition to a panning flag as a flag different from the switching flag FLG depending on the speed of the panning or tilting operation, the rotation operation performed during shooting can be confirmed in detail during playback or editing.

[0133] Even after a pan flag or tilt flag is assigned, if the movable part 20 is rotated significantly within a predetermined time, the pan flag or tilt flag is deleted and a switching flag FLG is assigned. Therefore, the user's intention is appropriately reflected in each assigned flag. In addition, because a flag is not assigned depending on the rotation position of the movable part 20 that is not larger than a predetermined angle, it is possible to avoid the difficulty of searching for a scene due to flags being assigned too frequently.

[0134] 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.

[0135] For example, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the lens unit 50 is not detachable from the movable section 20. Also, although the present invention has been described as being applied to a configuration having a biaxial hinge section 40, it may also be applied to a uniaxial hinge section depending on the desired effect. Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to an imaging device equipped with only either a tilt rotation mechanism or a pan rotation mechanism.

[0136] In the above embodiment, each detection unit such as the first attitude detection unit 206 and the first angle detection unit 403 outputs only a detection signal, and the central control unit 207 that receives the detection signal performs various direction determinations. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each detection unit may perform direction determination based on the detection signal, and the central control unit 207 may perform display control on the display unit 303 based on the direction determination results by each detection unit.

[0137] 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]

[0138] 10~13 Imaging device 20,20A moving part 30,30A,30B Fixed part 40,40A Hinge part 50 Lens unit 201 Imaging unit 206 First Attitude Detection Unit 207 Central Control Unit 210 Recording Department 303 Display section 305 Second Attitude Detection Unit 307 Third Angle Detection Unit 403 First angle detector 404 Second Angle Detection Unit

Claims

1. An imaging unit; A main body portion including a display portion and a grip portion; a hinge portion that is rotatably connected to the imaging portion and the grip portion around an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the grip portion; a first detection means for detecting an orientation of the imaging unit with respect to the main body unit as a center of the one axis; A second detection means for detecting an orientation of the imaging unit in a gravity direction; a display control means for controlling whether or not to invert the display of the image captured by the imaging means on the display unit in accordance with detection results by the first detection means and the second detection means, the display control means, when the imaging unit faces the display unit side of the main body unit, displays the image on the display unit in an inverted state with respect to a display orientation of the image on the display unit when the imaging unit faces the opposite side to the display unit; when the imaging unit is located lower than the holding unit in the direction of gravity, displays the image on the display unit in an inverted state with respect to a display orientation of the image on the display unit when the imaging unit is located higher than the holding unit in the direction of gravity; and when the imaging unit faces the display unit side of the main body unit and is located lower than the holding unit in the direction of gravity, does not invert the display orientation of the image on the display unit upside down.

2. The display control means A case where the first detection means detects that the orientation of the imaging unit is within a first range including an orientation in which the imaging unit faces an opposite side to a side on the main body where a display unit is provided; When the first detection means detects that the orientation of the imaging unit is within a third range that is a range between the first range and a second range including an orientation facing the display unit of the main body, and the second detection means detects that the imaging unit is in a position that generates an image that is the same as the top-bottom orientation of a subject, the display unit does not display an inverted image; a case where the first detection means detects that the orientation of the imaging unit is within the second range; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the first detection means detects that the orientation of the imaging unit is within the third range and the second detection means detects that the imaging unit is in an attitude that generates an image that is opposite to the up-down orientation of the subject, the display unit displays an inverted image.

3. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first detection means detects a relative rotation angle of the imaging unit with respect to the main body, and the second detection means detects an absolute attitude of the imaging unit.

4. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first detection means detects a relative rotation angle of the imaging unit with respect to the main body, and the second detection means detects an absolute attitude of the main body.

5. The hinge portion supports the imaging unit rotatably in a tilt direction and in a pan direction relative to the main body portion, the first detection means detects an orientation of the imaging unit with respect to the main body unit in the tilt direction, A third detection means for detecting an orientation of the imaging unit relative to the main body unit in the pan direction, A pan rotation range of ±90° based on a state in which the imaging unit faces the opposite side to the display unit side is defined as a fourth range, and a pan rotation range of ±90° based on a state in which the imaging unit faces the display unit side is defined as a fifth range, The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the display control means does not perform left-right inverted display on the display unit when the third detection means detects that the orientation of the imaging unit is within the fourth range, and performs left-right inverted display on the display unit when the third detection means detects that the orientation of the imaging unit is within the fifth range.

6. The first detection means detects an absolute attitude of the imaging unit, The second detection means detects an absolute attitude of the main body portion, The hinge portion supports the imaging unit rotatably in a tilt direction and in a pan direction relative to the main body portion, A third detection means for detecting an orientation of the imaging unit relative to the main body unit in the pan direction, A pan rotation range of ±90° based on a state in which the imaging unit faces the opposite side to the display unit side is defined as a fourth range, and a pan rotation range of ±90° based on a state in which the imaging unit faces the display unit side is defined as a fifth range, The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display control means does not perform left-right inverted display on the display unit when the third detection means detects that the orientation of the imaging unit is within the fourth range, and performs left-right inverted display on the display unit when the third detection means detects that the orientation of the imaging unit is within the fifth range.

7. A method for controlling an imaging device in which an imaging unit is rotatably connected to a main body having a display unit and a grip unit in at least a tilt direction, comprising: detecting an orientation of the imaging unit in a tilt direction relative to the main body; detecting an orientation of the imaging unit in a gravity direction; a step of displaying an image captured by the imaging unit on the display unit by inverting the image upside down with respect to a display orientation of the image on the display unit when the imaging unit is facing the opposite side to the display unit when the imaging unit is facing the display unit, displaying the image on the display unit by inverting the image upside down with respect to a display orientation of the image on the display unit when the imaging unit is facing the side opposite to the display unit when the imaging unit is facing the display unit, when the imaging unit is located lower than the gripping unit in the direction of gravity, displaying the image on the display unit by inverting the image upside down with respect to a display orientation of the image on the display unit when the imaging unit is located higher than the gripping unit in the direction of gravity, when the imaging unit is facing the display unit of the main body and is located lower than the gripping unit in the direction of gravity, and not inverting the display orientation of the image on the display unit upside down when the imaging unit is facing the display unit of the main body and is located lower than the gripping unit in the direction of gravity.

8. The imaging unit is further connected to the main body unit so as to be rotatable in a pan direction, Detecting an orientation of the imaging unit in a pan direction relative to the main body; 8. The method for controlling an imaging device according to claim 7, further comprising a step of: setting a fourth pan rotation range of ±90° based on a state in which the imaging unit faces away from the display unit, and a fifth pan rotation range of ±90° based on a state in which the imaging unit faces the display unit, and not performing left-right inverted display on the display unit when it is detected that the orientation of the imaging unit is within the fourth range, and performing left-right inverted display on the display unit when it is detected that the orientation of the imaging unit is within the fifth range, for displaying an image captured by the imaging unit on the display unit.

Images