JP5921230B2 - Imaging device, control method thereof, program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus capable of communicating with an external device.

  In recent years, digital cameras having a wireless communication function and capable of transmitting captured still images and moving images to an external device are known. Some digital cameras can be switched to a shooting mode during communication. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a camera that terminates communication and starts shooting when a release switch is pressed during communication.

JP 2003-92694 A

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, no consideration is given to the case where the release switch is pressed by mistake. Generally, it is considered that a digital camera having a wireless communication function is often carried and used even during communication. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the release switch is erroneously pressed during communication. This may cause inconvenience that the communication is terminated against the user's intention.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to reduce the possibility of communication being terminated due to an operation not intended by the user and to shift to the shooting mode even during communication.

An imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus having an imaging means for imaging a subject, and causes a preparation instruction for performing an imaging preparation operation by the imaging means or an imaging operation by the imaging means based on a user operation. Operating means for receiving an imaging instruction for the communication, a communication means for communicating with an external device, a communication mode for communicating with the external device by the communication means, and an imaging mode for imaging the subject by the imaging means. Control means for controlling the imaging device to operate in any one of a plurality of modes, and the operation means is operated in a state where communication with the external device is established in the communication mode Is detected from the user, the response to the operation of the operation means again. Te, the control means, wherein the imaging device to transition to the imaging mode, the case where the operation means in a state where communication has not been established with the external device in the communication mode that has been operated is detected, the control means is characterized Rukoto the imaging device to transition to the imaging mode without going through the reception of the selection.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce both the possibility that communication is terminated by an operation unintended by the user and the transition to the shooting mode even during communication.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera in imaging | photography mode which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera in the reproduction | regeneration mode which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an example of the screen displayed in the reproduction | regeneration mode which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera in the communication mode which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an example of the screen displayed in the communication mode which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera at the time of receiving the instruction | indication which transfers to the imaging | photography mode which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera at the time of receiving the instruction | indication which transfers to the imaging | photography mode which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera at the time of receiving the instruction | indication which transfers to the imaging | photography mode which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera at the time of receiving the instruction | indication which changes to the imaging | photography mode which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

  EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated in detail using attached drawing.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and may be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Each embodiment can also be combined as appropriate.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a digital camera 100 that is an example of a photographing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Note that although a digital camera is described here as an example of a photographing apparatus, the photographing apparatus is not limited to this. For example, the photographing apparatus may be a camera-equipped mobile phone or a so-called tablet device.

  The control unit 101 controls each unit of the digital camera 100 according to an input signal and a program described later. Note that instead of the control unit 101 controlling the entire apparatus, a plurality of hardware may share the processing to control the entire apparatus. In addition, the digital camera 100 in this embodiment has at least a shooting mode, a playback mode, and a communication mode, and the operation in each mode is controlled by the control unit 101. Each mode will be described later.

  The imaging unit 102 performs a shooting operation. In the photographing operation, subject light imaged by a lens included in the imaging unit 102 is converted into an electrical signal, noise reduction processing, and the like are performed, and digital data is output as image data. The captured image data is stored in the buffer memory, and then a predetermined calculation is performed by the control unit 101 and recorded on the recording medium 110.

  The non-volatile memory 103 is an electrically erasable / recordable non-volatile memory, and stores a program to be described later executed by the control unit 101.

  The work memory 104 is used as a buffer memory that temporarily stores image data captured by the imaging unit 102, an image display memory of the display unit 106, a work area of the control unit 101, and the like.

  The operation unit 105 receives a user operation. The digital camera 100 receives an instruction corresponding to the operation received by the operation unit 105. The operation unit 105 includes, for example, operation members such as a power button for instructing the user to turn on / off the power of the digital camera 100, a release switch for instructing photographing, and a reproduction button for instructing reproduction of image data. Configured to include. A touch panel formed on the display unit 106 described later is also included in the operation unit 105. The release switch has SW1 and SW2. When the release switch is in a so-called half-pressed state, SW1 is turned on. Thus, a preparation instruction for performing a preparation operation for photographing such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing is accepted. Further, when the release switch is in a fully-pressed state, SW2 is turned on. Thereby, a photographing instruction for performing a photographing operation is received. The release switch is an example of an operating unit, the half-pressed state is an example of the first state, and the fully-pressed state is an example of the second state. In addition, the operation of setting the release switch halfway is an example of the first operation, and the operation of pressing the release switch fully is an example of the second operation.

  The display unit 106 displays a viewfinder image at the time of shooting, displays shot image data, and displays characters for interactive operation. Note that the display unit 106 is not necessarily provided in the digital camera 100, and the digital camera 100 may be connected to the display unit 106 as long as it has at least a display control function for controlling display on the display unit 106.

  The recording medium 110 can record the image data output from the imaging unit 102. The recording medium 110 may be configured to be detachable from the digital camera 100 or may be built in the digital camera 100. That is, the digital camera 100 only needs to have a means for accessing at least the recording medium 110.

  The communication unit 111 is an interface for communicating with an external device. The digital camera 100 can exchange data with an external device via the communication unit 111. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 111 is an antenna, and the control unit 101 can perform wireless communication with an external device via the antenna. In this embodiment, the external device may be, for example, a personal computer, another digital camera, or a mobile phone. Or a tablet device, a printer, etc. may be sufficient.

  The above is the description of the digital camera 100.

  Next, the outline of each mode in the digital camera 100 will be described.

  The shooting mode is a mode for acquiring image data by the imaging unit 102 of the digital camera 100. In this mode, the user can capture a subject and obtain image data. This mode is a mode started by turning on a power button included in the operation unit 105 of the digital camera 100, for example.

  The reproduction mode is a mode for displaying the image data recorded on the recording medium 110 on the display unit 106. In this mode, the user can browse the image data acquired in the shooting mode, the image data recorded on the recording medium 110 by another device, and the like. This mode is a mode started by turning on a playback button included in the operation unit 105 of the digital camera 100, for example.

  The communication mode is a mode for communicating with an external device. In this mode, the user can transmit the image data acquired in the shooting mode to the external device. This mode is started in response to receiving an instruction for the control unit 101 to enter the communication mode through, for example, a menu operation or the like.

  The above is the outline of each mode in the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 100 in each mode will be described. First, the shooting mode will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 100 in the shooting mode. Each process shown in this flowchart is realized by the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 executing a program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 103 and controlling each unit of the digital camera 100 according to the program. The same applies to the subsequent flowcharts. The process shown in this flowchart is started when, for example, it is detected that the power of the digital camera 100 is turned on or when an instruction to shift to the shooting mode in another mode is received.

  First, in step S <b> 201, the control unit 101 displays the image data output from the imaging unit 102 on the display unit 106 as a through image. The processing in this step is executed in parallel with later-described steps S202 to S206.

  Next, in step S202, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the playback button has been turned on. The processing in this step is executed in parallel with steps S203 to S206 described later. When the control unit 101 determines that the playback button has been turned ON, it determines that an instruction to transition from the shooting mode to the playback mode has been received. In this case, the control unit 101 ends the process of this flowchart and shifts to the playback mode. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that the playback button is not ON, the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, the control unit 101 determines whether SW1 is turned on. If the control unit 101 determines that SW1 is not ON, the process returns to step S202. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that SW1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S204. In step S <b> 204, the control unit 101 uses the imaging unit 102 to prepare for shooting such as AF processing and AE processing.

  Next, in step S205, the control unit 101 determines whether SW2 is turned on. If the control unit 101 determines that SW2 is not ON, the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, the control unit 101 determines whether SW1 is ON. If the control unit 101 determines that SW1 is not ON, the process returns to step S202. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that SW1 is ON, the process returns to step S205.

  If the control unit 101 determines in step S205 that SW2 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S207. In step S207, the control unit 101 performs shooting using the imaging unit 102 and acquires image data. In subsequent step S208, control unit 101 stores the image data obtained in step S207 in recording medium 110. When the process in this step ends, the process returns to step S201.

  The above is the operation of the digital camera in the shooting mode.

  Next, the playback mode will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 100 in the playback mode. The processing shown in this flowchart is started in response to receiving an instruction to shift to the playback mode in another mode. For example, the playback mode is started in response to an instruction received when the control unit 101 determines in step S202 in FIG. 2 that the playback button has been turned ON.

  First, in step S301, the control unit 101 displays the most recently obtained image data among the image data recorded on the recording medium 110 on the display unit 106 and accepts an instruction from the user. FIG. 4A shows a display example of image data. Hereinafter, such a display form in which one piece of image data is displayed on the entire screen is referred to as single display. In FIG. 4A, image data read from the recording medium 110 is displayed on the screen 400. A communication button 401 displayed superimposed on the upper left of the screen 400 is a button for accepting an instruction to transition to the communication mode. The control unit 101 accepts an instruction to transition from the reproduction mode to the communication mode by accepting the user's selection of the communication button 401 via the operation unit 105. Further, in the present embodiment, a display switching button 402 is displayed on the screen 400. The display switching button 402 is a button for accepting an instruction to change the display form of image data from a single display to a display form for displaying a plurality of image data on the screen. The control unit 101 accepts an instruction to change the display form from a single display to a display form for displaying a plurality of image data by accepting a user's selection of the display switching button 402 via the operation unit 105. For example, when the user inputs an instruction using the touch panel, the control unit 101 determines that the button has been selected by detecting that the area where these buttons are displayed is touched. That is, the control unit 101 determines that an instruction corresponding to the button has been received by detecting that the area where these buttons are displayed is touched. Instructions can be received in the same procedure for selection of subsequent buttons. Furthermore, the control unit 101 receives an instruction to display another image data via the operation unit 105. For example, when using a touch panel, when the control unit 101 detects that a predetermined area at the right end or the left end is touched on the screen, the control unit 101 displays the next image data or the previous image data of the currently displayed image data. It is determined that an instruction to display is accepted.

  In step S <b> 302, the control unit 101 determines an instruction received from the user via the operation unit 105. The process in this step is executed in parallel with the process in step S301. If the control unit 101 determines in step S302 that an instruction to transition to the communication mode has been received, the process of this flowchart is terminated and the communication mode is entered. The communication mode will be described later.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that an instruction to display other image data is received via the operation unit 105, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S <b> 303, the control unit 101 reads out image data corresponding to the instruction received in step S <b> 302 from the recording medium 110 and displays it on the display unit 106. Thereafter, the process returns to step S302.

  If the control unit 101 determines in step S302 that an instruction to display a plurality of image data on the screen has been received via the operation unit 105, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, the control unit 101 reads a plurality of image data from the recording medium 110, displays the list on the display unit 106, and accepts an instruction from the user. This process is executed in parallel with the processes in steps S305 and S306. FIG. 4B shows a display example when a plurality of image data are displayed as a list. Hereinafter, such a display form in which a plurality of image data is displayed on the screen is referred to as multi-display. In FIG. 4B, a cursor 403 indicates that the image data surrounded by the cursor 403 is in a selected state. In the example of FIG. 4B, the upper right image data is in a selected state. The user can select any one of the displayed image data via the operation unit 105. For example, when the user gives an instruction using the touch panel, the control unit 101 determines that the instruction to set the image data to the selected state is received by detecting that the display area of the image data is touched. The communication button 401 at the upper left of the screen is the same as the communication button 401 in FIG. The user can input an instruction to switch from the playback mode to the communication mode by selecting this button via the operation unit 105. Further, a display switching button 404 is displayed on the screen. This button is a button for accepting an instruction to switch from multi display to single display. The user can input an instruction to switch from the multi display to the single display by selecting this button via the operation unit 105.

  Next, in step S <b> 305, the control unit 101 determines an instruction received from the user via the operation unit 105. When the control unit 101 determines that an instruction to change from the reproduction mode to the communication mode is received, the control unit 101 changes to the communication mode. The communication mode will be described later.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S305 that the control unit 101 has received an instruction to select image data, the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the control unit 101 surrounds the image data corresponding to the instruction received in step S304 with the cursor 403. That is, the control unit 101 selects image data corresponding to the instruction received in step S304. Thereafter, the process returns to step S305.

  If it is determined in step S305 that the control unit 101 has received an instruction to return to single display, the process proceeds to step S307. In step S307, the control unit 101 displays the image data that has been selected at the time of receiving an instruction to return to single display on the entire screen. That is, the multi display as shown in FIG. 4B returns to the single display as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process returns to step S302.

  The above is the operation of the digital camera 100 in the playback mode.

  Next, the communication mode will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 100 in the communication mode. The processing shown in this flowchart is started in response to receiving an instruction to shift to the communication mode in another mode, for example. In the present embodiment, the process is started in response to the instruction to transition to the communication mode accepted in step S302 or step S305 in FIG. Here, a case where the digital camera 100 and an external device communicate in a so-called infrastructure mode via an access point will be described.

  First, in step S501, the control unit 101 detects and lists a network generated by an access point. At the same time, an instruction to participate in one of the detected networks is accepted. For example, the control unit 101 lists and displays the detected network ESSIDs on the display unit 106. These ESSIDs can be selected by the user via the operation unit 105, and the control unit 101 receives an instruction to participate in the network corresponding to the selected ESSID when these ESSIDs are selected.

  Next, in step S502, the control unit 101 accepts input of information necessary to participate in the selected network. For example, the control unit 101 receives input of an encryption key, an IP address acquisition method, DNS server settings, and the like. The user can input such information via the operation unit 105.

  Next, in step S503, the control unit 101 participates in the network using the information received in step S502.

  In subsequent step S504, the control unit 101 detects other devices participating in the network, lists the detected devices, and accepts an instruction to select which device to connect to. For example, the control unit 101 lists and displays the names of detected devices on the display unit 106. The names of these devices can be selected by the user via the operation unit 105, and the control unit 101 receives an instruction to connect to a device with the selected name when the name is selected.

  Upon receiving an instruction to connect to the device with the name selected in step S504, the control unit 101 connects to the device with the name selected in step S505. Specifically, the control unit 101 transmits a connection request to the external device via the communication unit 111 and receives a connection acceptance signal transmitted from the external device in response to this, thereby establishing communication with the external device. To do.

  In step S506, the control unit 101 reads out image data from the recording medium 110, displays the image data on the display unit 106, and accepts an instruction from the user. This process is executed in parallel with the next step S507. FIG. 6A shows a display example of image data. This display form is also called single display as in the example of the reproduction mode shown in FIG. In FIG. 6A, image data read from the recording medium 110 is displayed on the screen 600. In the present embodiment, the image data displayed here is the image data that was displayed on the display unit 106 when the instruction to transition to the communication mode was received in step S302 or step S305 in FIG. . In addition, a “send this image” button 602, a “select and send” button 603, and a communication end button 601 are displayed superimposed on the image data. The control unit 101 accepts an instruction by accepting a user's selection of these buttons via the operation unit 105. Specifically, by accepting selection of the communication end button 601, an instruction to end communication with the external device and shift from the communication mode to the reproduction mode is accepted. Further, by accepting selection of the “send this image” button 602, an instruction to send the currently displayed image data to the external device is accepted. Further, by accepting selection of a “select and send” button 603, an instruction to move to processing for transmitting image data arbitrarily selected by the user to the external apparatus is accepted. For example, when a touch panel included in the operation unit 105 is used, the user can select a button by touching the display area of these buttons.

  In step S507, the control unit 101 determines an instruction received via the operation unit 105. First, a case will be described in which the control unit 101 determines that it has received an instruction to end communication with an external device and transition from the communication mode to the reproduction mode. In this case, the process proceeds to step S508.

  In step S508, the control unit 101 displays a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 6B on the display unit 106 and accepts an instruction from the user. This confirms with the user whether or not to end communication. A cancel button 605 and an OK button 606 are displayed on the confirmation screen of FIG. A cancel button 605 is a button for accepting an instruction to continue communication without changing to the reproduction mode. An OK button 606 is a button for accepting an instruction to end the communication mode and shift to the reproduction mode. The user can select these buttons using the operation unit 105.

  In step S509, control unit 101 determines the instruction received in step S508. If the control unit 101 determines that it has received an instruction to continue communication without changing to the playback mode, the process returns to step S506. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that an instruction to end the communication mode and change to the playback mode has been received, the process proceeds to step S510.

  In step S510, the control unit 101 ends communication with the external device and ends the communication mode. After that, the playback mode is entered.

  The above is the processing when the control unit 101 determines in step S507 that it has received an instruction to end communication with the external device and transition from the communication mode to the reproduction mode.

  Next, a case where the control unit 101 determines in step S507 that it has received an instruction to transmit the currently displayed image data to an external device will be described. In this case, the process proceeds to step S511.

  In step S511, the control unit 101 transmits image data displayed on the screen to the external device when an instruction is received. Thereafter, the process returns to step S506.

  The above is the processing when the control unit 101 determines in step S507 that an instruction to transmit the currently displayed image data to the external apparatus has been received.

  Next, a case will be described in which the control unit 101 determines in step S507 that an instruction to move to processing for transmitting image data arbitrarily selected by the user to the external apparatus has been received. In this case, the process proceeds to step S512.

  In step S512, the control unit 101 reads a plurality of image data from the recording medium 110, displays a list on the display unit 106, and accepts an instruction from the user. This process is executed in parallel with the processes of steps S513 and S514. FIG. 6C is a display example of a list display. This display form is also called multi-display as in the example of the reproduction mode shown in FIG. In FIG. 6C, a check mark 607 indicates that the image data is in a determined state. The determined state is a state indicating that the image data is transmitted to the external device. In this example, the upper left image data is in a determined state. The user can set arbitrary image data from a plurality of image data displayed via the operation unit 105 to a determined state. For example, when the user gives an instruction using the touch panel, the control unit 101 determines that the instruction for setting the image data to the determination state is received by detecting that the display area of the image data is touched. The number of image data that can be determined is not limited to one, and a plurality of image data can be determined. A return button 608 at the upper right of the screen is a button for accepting an instruction to return to single display. The user can input an instruction to return to single display by selecting this button via the operation unit 105. For example, when the user gives an instruction using the touch panel, the control unit 101 determines that an instruction to return to single display has been received by detecting that the display area of the return button 608 has been touched. A “Send” button 609 is a button for accepting an instruction to send the determined image data to an external device. The user can input an instruction to transmit the determined image data to the external device by selecting this button via the operation unit 105. For example, when the user gives an instruction using the touch panel, the control unit 101 detects that the display area of the “Send” button 609 has been touched, and thereby sends an instruction to send the determined state image data to the external device. Judge that it was accepted.

  In step S513, the control unit 101 determines the instruction received in step S512. If the control unit 101 determines that an instruction to return to single display has been received, the process returns to step S506.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that an instruction to set certain image data is accepted, the process proceeds to step S514. In step S514, the control unit 101 superimposes and displays a check mark on the image data instructed to be newly determined, and displays the determined state. Thereafter, the process returns to step S513.

  In step S513, if the control unit 101 determines that an instruction to transmit the determined image data to the external device has been received, the process proceeds to step S515.

  In step S515, the control unit 101 transmits the image data in the determined state to the external device when the control unit 101 receives an instruction to transmit the determined image data to the external device. Thereafter, the process returns to step S513.

  The above is the operation of the digital camera 100 in the communication mode.

  In the above, each mode of the digital camera 100 in this embodiment was demonstrated.

  Next, processing for transitioning from the above-described playback mode and communication mode to the shooting mode will be described.

  In the present embodiment, both the transition from the playback mode to the shooting mode and the transition from the communication mode to the shooting mode cause the mode transition when the SW1 is turned on. When transitioning from the communication mode to the shooting mode, if the shooting mode is changed due to an erroneous operation, transmission of image data to the external device is interrupted against the user's intention, or communication with the external device is established. Therefore, there may be a disadvantage that the labor required for this is wasted. Therefore, in the digital camera of the present embodiment, control is performed so as to prevent unintended transition in the communication mode.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving an instruction to transition to the shooting mode. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed in parallel with the processing of FIGS. 3 and 5 described above. The processing shown in this flowchart is started together with the start of the reproduction mode or the communication mode.

  First, in step S701, the control unit 101 determines whether or not SW1 is turned on. When the control unit 101 determines that SW1 is not ON, the process of this step is repeated. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that SW1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S702.

  In step S702, the control unit 101 determines whether the current mode is a playback mode or a communication mode.

  In step S702, when the control unit 101 determines that the current mode is the playback mode, the control unit 101 transitions from the playback mode to the shooting mode. In the playback mode, the control unit 101 transitions to the shooting mode only once detecting that SW1 is turned on.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines in step S702 that the current mode is the communication mode, the process proceeds to step S703 without shifting to the shooting mode here. That is, in the communication mode, the control unit 101 does not shift to the shooting mode only once detecting that the SW1 is turned on, but shifts to a state waiting for the mode transition. This state is an example of a transition standby state.

  In step S703, the control unit 101 displays a confirmation screen on the display unit 106 and accepts an instruction from the user. While the processing of step S703 is being executed, the state is waiting for mode transition. The confirmation screen displayed here is the same as the screen shown in FIG. A cancel button 605 and an OK button 606 are displayed on the confirmation screen of FIG. A cancel button 605 displayed in the process of this step is a button for accepting an instruction to continue communication without shifting to the shooting mode. In addition, an OK button 606 displayed in the process of this step is a button for accepting an instruction to end the communication mode and shift to the shooting mode. The user can select these buttons using, for example, a touch panel. The control unit 101 receives an instruction by detecting that the user selects these buttons via the operation unit 105. As described above, in the communication mode of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment, even when SW1 is turned on, communication is not immediately terminated, and communication is terminated against the user's intention by prompting the user for confirmation once. Reduce the possibility of doing so. This reduces the possibility of inconveniences such as accidentally terminating communication during transmission of image data to an external device in the communication mode, and re-transmission of image data. it can.

  Furthermore, the control unit 101 can also accept an instruction to end the communication mode and transition to the shooting mode by detecting that the SW1 is turned on again. That is, when the confirmation screen is displayed by pressing the release switch, the user can transition from the communication mode to the playback mode by pressing the release switch again. Thus, the user can transition to the shooting mode only by performing a simple and intuitive operation of pressing the release switch twice.

  Note that the processing in step S703 is executed in parallel with the processing in steps S704 to S706 described later.

  Next, in step S704, the control unit 101 determines whether or not SW1 is turned on again. When the control unit 101 determines that SW1 is turned on, it determines that an instruction to end the communication mode and shift to the shooting mode is received. In this case, the process proceeds to step S707, and the control unit 101 transitions to the shooting mode after completing the process of FIG. 5 executed in parallel.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that SW1 is not ON, the process proceeds to step S705. In step S705, the control unit 101 determines whether the OK button 606 has been selected. When the control unit 101 determines that the OK button 606 has been selected, the control unit 101 determines that an instruction to end the communication mode and change to the shooting mode has been received. In this case, the process proceeds to step S707, and the control unit 101 transitions to the shooting mode after interrupting the process of FIG. 5 executed in parallel. For example, if processing for establishing communication with an external device in parallel (steps S501 to S505) has been performed, the processing is interrupted. Alternatively, for example, when an image is displayed (step S508, step S512, etc.), the display of the image is interrupted. For example, when the image is being transmitted to the external device (step S511), the image transmission is interrupted. Note that if the mobile phone has already joined the access point network (step S503 and subsequent steps), the mobile phone leaves the access point network and transitions to the shooting mode. If communication with the external device has been established (step S505 and subsequent steps), the communication with the external device is cut off, and after exiting the network of the access point, the mode is changed to the shooting mode.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that the OK button 606 is not selected, the process proceeds to step S706. In step S706, the control unit 101 determines whether the cancel button 605 has been selected. If the control unit 101 determines that the cancel button 605 has been selected, the control unit 101 determines that an instruction to continue communication without accepting the shooting mode has been received. In this case, the transition standby state is canceled, and the process returns to step S701. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that the cancel button 605 has not been selected, the process returns to step S704.

  The above is the process of receiving an instruction to transition to the shooting mode.

  As described above, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to shift to the photographing mode when the SW1 is turned ON twice in the communication mode. This makes it possible to achieve both ease of switching to the shooting mode with only an intuitive operation of pressing the release switch and reducing the possibility of accidentally terminating communication.

  In the present embodiment, in the playback mode, the shooting mode is changed by simply pressing SW1 once. This is because when changing from the playback mode to the shooting mode, even if the shooting mode is changed due to an erroneous operation, it is possible to return to the original screen by pressing the playback button. That is, in the playback mode, priority is given to transition to the shooting mode more smoothly than to prevent unintended mode transition.

[Second Embodiment]
As described in the description of the operation of the communication mode in the above-described embodiment, the transmission of the image data to the external device is executed after the communication with the external device is established in step S505 in FIG. In other words, when communication with the external device is not established (when steps S501 to S505 in FIG. 5 are being executed), the digital camera 100 does not transmit image data to the external device. For this reason, it is considered that there is no inconvenience that the image data must be transmitted again even after the communication mode is ended. Therefore, when communication with an external device is not established in the communication mode, the digital camera according to the present embodiment transitions to the shooting mode without displaying a confirmation screen in response to the SW1 being turned ON once. . That is, when communication with the external device is not established in the communication mode, the mode is changed to the shooting mode without waiting for the user's instruction again.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera of this embodiment will be described. Since this embodiment has many parts in common with the first embodiment, the description of the common parts will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on the parts specific to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing for accepting an instruction to transition to the shooting mode in the present embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed in parallel with the processing in FIGS. 3 and 5 in the first embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is started together with the start of the reproduction mode or the communication mode.

  The processing in steps S801 to S802 is the same as the processing in steps S701 to S702 in FIG.

  In step S803, the control unit 101 determines whether communication with an external device has been established. Specifically, the control unit 101 determines whether the processes in steps S501 to S505 are being executed or the processes after step S506 are being executed in the process of FIG. 5 being executed in parallel. When the control unit 101 determines that the processes in steps S501 to S505 are being executed, it is determined that communication with the external device has not been established. In other words, it is determined here that communication with an external device has not been established even in a state where the terminal is participating in the network generated by the access point. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that the processing from step S506 is being executed, it determines that communication with the external device has been established.

  If the control unit 101 determines that communication with the external device has not been established, the process proceeds to step S808, and the process of FIG. That is, when communication with the external device is not established, the confirmation screen is displayed and the mode is changed to the shooting mode without waiting for the user's instruction.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that communication with the external device is established, the process proceeds to step S804. The processing after step S804 is the same as the processing after step S703 in FIG.

  The process for accepting an instruction to transition to the shooting mode in the present embodiment has been described above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when communication with an external device is not established in the communication mode, transition to the shooting mode is performed without displaying a confirmation screen in response to the SW1 being turned ON once. It was configured as follows. As a result, in a scene that is unlikely to cause inconvenience for the user, the shooting mode can be shifted more smoothly.

[Third Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which communication is terminated by turning SW1 ON twice, regardless of the type of external device of the communication partner. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a configuration is described in which whether or not to switch to the shooting mode only by SW1 is set in advance based on what kind of device the external device is. In the present embodiment, a device that is set so as to be able to transition to the shooting mode with only SW1 is referred to as a device with SW1 effective. In addition, a device that cannot switch to the shooting mode only with SW1 is referred to as a device with invalid SW1. For example, when the external device is a printer or a PC, it is considered that there is often a large amount of data to be exchanged, and it is expected that data transmission takes time. Therefore, I want to avoid retransmitting data as much as possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, the printer and the PC are set in advance as devices in which SW1 is invalid. In other words, when communicating with a printer or a PC, control is performed so as not to switch to the shooting mode when SW1 is turned on. Thereby, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the communication is unexpectedly terminated due to the SW1 being pressed by mistake. Also, when communicating with a printer or PC, it is considered that there are fewer scenes where you want to take a picture during communication than when communicating with a mobile phone or another camera. This is one of the reasons for invalidating SW1. On the other hand, when communicating with a mobile phone or another camera, it is considered that the data exchanged is smaller than when communicating with a printer or PC. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it takes a relatively long time to transmit data. In other words, even if the data transmission is restarted, it is expected that there will be relatively little time loss. Therefore, the mobile phone and the camera are set in advance as devices in which SW1 is effective. That is, when communicating with a mobile phone or a camera, control is performed so that the mode can be changed to the shooting mode when SW1 is turned on. Note that the setting of whether to enable or disable SW1 by an external device may be configured so that the user can select in advance.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera of this embodiment will be described. In addition, since this embodiment has many parts in common with the first and second embodiments, the description of the common parts will be omitted, and description will be made focusing on the parts specific to this embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of accepting an instruction to transition to the shooting mode in the present embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed in parallel with the processing in FIGS. 3 and 5 in the first embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is started together with the start of the reproduction mode or the communication mode.

  The processing in steps S901 to S903 is the same as the processing in steps S801 to S803 in FIG.

  In step S904, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the external device with which communication is established is a device in which SW1 is valid. When the external device is a device in which SW1 is valid, control is performed by SW1 so that the mode can be changed to the shooting mode. On the other hand, when the external device is a device in which SW1 is invalid, control is performed so that the switch to the shooting mode cannot be made depending on SW1.

  In step S904, when the control unit 101 determines that the external apparatus with which communication is established is not a device in which SW1 is valid, the process returns to step S901. That is, even if SW1 is turned on, an instruction to end the communication mode is not accepted. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that the external apparatus with which communication is established is not a device in which SW1 is valid, the process proceeds to step S905 and a confirmation screen is displayed. The processing after step S905 is the same as the processing after step S804 in FIG.

  The process for accepting an instruction to transition to the shooting mode in the present embodiment has been described above.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is configured to switch whether or not the mode can be changed to the shooting mode only by SW1 depending on what kind of device the external apparatus is. Thereby, mode transition can be appropriately controlled according to the communication partner.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the confirmation screen displayed when SW1 is turned on in the communication mode remains displayed until the cancel button is pressed has been described. On the other hand, the present embodiment is characterized in that when a certain time elapses after the confirmation screen is displayed, the confirmation screen is automatically turned off, the reception of the communication end instruction is ended, and the process returns to the processing of FIG. To do.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera of this embodiment will be described. In addition, since this embodiment has many parts in common with the third embodiment, the description of the common parts will be omitted, and description will be made centering on the parts specific to this embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of accepting an instruction to transition to the shooting mode in the present embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed in parallel with the processing in FIGS. 3 and 5 in the first embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is started together with the start of the reproduction mode or the communication mode.

  The processing in steps S1001 to S1005 is the same as the processing in steps S901 to S905 in FIG.

  Next, in step S1006, the control unit 101 starts measuring time. This process is executed in parallel with the processes of step S1005 and steps S1008 to S1010.

  Next, in step S1007, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the processing time has elapsed since the start of timing in step S1006. When the control unit 101 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the screen is returned from the confirmation display to the screen displayed in the process of FIG. 5, and the process returns to step S1001.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines in step S1006 that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of timing, the process proceeds to step S1008.

  In step S1008 and step S1009, the control unit 101 performs the same processing as the processing in step S806 and step S807 in FIG.

  Next, in step S1010, the control unit 101 determines whether the cancel button 605 has been selected. If the control unit 101 determines that the cancel button 605 has been selected, the process returns to step S1001. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that the cancel button 605 has not been selected, the process returns to step S1007. That is, until it is determined in step S1007 that the predetermined time has elapsed, an instruction to shift to the shooting mode is accepted.

  The above is the process of accepting an instruction to transition to the shooting mode of the present embodiment.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the confirmation screen is displayed only for a predetermined time. That is, the timing at which an instruction for shifting to the shooting mode can be received by receiving the depression of the release switch again is limited. Thereby, possibility that communication will be complete | finished by operation which a user does not intend can be reduced more.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the confirmation screen displayed when SW1 is turned on in the communication mode is the same as the screen displayed in step S505 in FIG. 5 (the screen as shown in FIG. 6B). explained. For this, in addition to the screen displayed in step S505 in FIG. 5, a message such as “You can select the OK button by pressing the release switch again” is displayed on the confirmation screen displayed in the communication mode. May be. Accordingly, it is possible to notify the user that the OK button can be selected by operating the release switch again.

  Further, in addition to the above-described embodiment, for example, when SW1 is turned on and the mode is changed to the photographing mode, if SW1 is kept on, the photographing preparation process is automatically executed. Also good. For example, when it is determined in step S704 that the switch SW1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S201. In step S203, the switch SW1 is determined to be turned on automatically. Step S204 is executed. Thereby, it can transfer to imaging | photography more smoothly.

  Further, in the above-described fourth embodiment, timing is started after the confirmation screen is displayed in step S1005 of FIG. About this, the control part 101 may start time-measurement at the timing detected that SW1 turned ON in step S1001. Alternatively, the control unit 101 may start timing at any timing between step S1002 and step S1005.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which it is determined whether or not SW1 is turned on in step S701 (step S901 and step S1001) in FIG. 7 has been described. In this regard, it may be determined whether or not SW2 is turned on instead of SW1. In this case, when it is determined that SW2 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S702 (step S902, step S1002). Similarly, in step S704 (steps S906 and S1008), it may be determined whether or not SW2 is turned on instead of SW1. In step S701 (step S901, step S1001) described above, it may be determined whether SW1 is turned on. In step S704 (step S906, step S1008), it may be determined whether SW2 is turned on. . Conversely, in step S701 (step S901, step S1001), it may be determined whether or not SW2 is turned on. In step S704 (step S906 and step S1008), it may be determined whether or not SW1 is turned on. .

  The above-described embodiment can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various recording media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (15)

An imaging apparatus having imaging means for imaging a subject,
An operation means for receiving a preparation instruction for causing the imaging means to perform an imaging preparation operation based on a user operation or an imaging instruction for causing the imaging means to perform an imaging operation; a communication means for communicating with an external device;
The imaging apparatus is configured to operate in any one of a plurality of modes including a communication mode for communicating with the external apparatus by the communication means and an imaging mode for imaging the subject by the imaging means. Control means for controlling,
When it is detected that the operation unit has been operated in a state where communication with the external device is established in the communication mode, the user receives a selection as to whether or not to transition to the imaging mode, and the operation unit In response to the operation, the control means causes the imaging device to transition to the imaging mode ,
When it is detected that the operation unit has been operated in a state where communication with the external device is not established in the communication mode, the control unit captures the imaging device without receiving the selection. imaging device she is according to claim Rukoto by transitioning mode.   When it is detected that the operation means has been operated in the communication mode, the user receives a selection as to whether or not to transition to the imaging mode, and a notification that prompts the user to select whether or not to transition to the imaging mode. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying on the display unit. When it is detected that the operation unit has been operated in the communication mode, the selection as to whether or not to transition to the imaging mode is not limited to the operation to the operation unit , but the selection of an image that communicates with the external device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device can be selected by an operation on another operation member used for selection .   The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a state in which the selection is accepted can be canceled when a predetermined time elapses without accepting the selection.   5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined time elapses without accepting the selection, the state in which the selection is accepted is canceled and the operation in the communication mode is continued. . The operation means can receive the preparation instruction and the imaging instruction, and the operation means has a first state and a second state,
In the imaging mode, accepting the preparation instruction by the operation means is the first state, one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that to accept the imaging instruction by the said second state The imaging apparatus of Claim 1. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein in the communication mode, it is detected that the operation unit is operated when the operation unit is in the first state. When it is detected that the operation unit has been operated, the communication mode is changed to the imaging mode, and the operation unit is continuously in the first state from the communication mode, the imaging unit is The imaging apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the preparation operation is performed without requiring another operation. The operating means is a release switch;
The first state is a state where the release switch is half pressed,
The second state, the imaging device according to any one of claims 6-8 wherein the release switch is characterized by a state of being fully depressed. The case of the external device is in a predetermined device, the control means according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that does not perform a transition to the imaging mode corresponding to an operation by the operation means Imaging device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the predetermined device includes a printer or a personal computer.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a type of device can be set in advance by a user as the predetermined device. A reproduction mode for reproducing an image captured by the imaging unit;
When it is detected that the operation unit has been operated in the reproduction mode, the control unit causes the imaging apparatus to transition to the imaging mode without receiving a selection as to whether or not to transition to the imaging mode from a user. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is an image pickup apparatus. A method for controlling an imaging device having a plurality of modes including a communication mode for communicating with an external device and an imaging mode for imaging a subject,
An imaging step for imaging a subject;
A first operation step for receiving a preparation instruction for performing an imaging preparation operation in the imaging step based on a user operation;
A second operation step for receiving an imaging instruction for performing an imaging operation in the imaging step based on a user operation;
When the user operation is detected in the first operation step or the second operation step in the communication mode, the step of shifting the imaging device to a transition standby state;
When said Oite again the user operation transition waiting condition is detected, a control method of an image pickup apparatus characterized by a step of the imaging device in the imaging mode. A computer-readable program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 .

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