JP6918650B2 - Electronic devices, imaging control devices, control methods, programs, and storage media - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device, an imaging control device, a control method, a program, and a storage medium capable of controlling item settings.

Conventionally, in shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), aperture priority mode (Av mode), etc., the user sets the setting values of some items related to exposure, and the camera automatically determines other items. I was going. On the other hand, in the auto mode, the camera automatically determines the shutter speed, the aperture value, and the ISO sensitivity based on the metering performed by the camera. Further, in the manual mode, the user sets the setting value of the item related to each exposure.

There is a method to set the setting value of multiple items. Patent Document 1 discloses a method capable of setting setting values of a plurality of items such as an exposure range, an exposure compensation amount, and light / dark priority. Further, as a method of setting the set value of the item, there are a method of automatically setting by the device side and a method of setting the set value by the user. In Patent Document 2, it is possible to set any of the ISO sensitivity values displayed in the scale as a method of setting the ISO sensitivity setting value, and further, when the auto touch button is touched, the ISO sensitivity setting value is set. Is disclosed to be set to auto, which automatically determines.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-162190 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-506470

In the method of Patent Document 1, the setting can be changed for one item out of a plurality of items, but the setting cannot be changed for all the items that can be set in Auto at once. In Patent Document 2, the ISO sensitivity can be set to auto with a single operation, but the setting of an item different from the ISO sensitivity cannot be set to auto while setting the ISO sensitivity.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that improves operability when setting a plurality of setting items.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a first method of automatically setting setting values for a selection means for selecting one of a plurality of setting items and a setting item selected by the selection means. The first setting item and the second setting item among the plurality of setting items are the setting means for setting one of the setting and a plurality of setting value candidates that can be selected by the user. In the first state in which one of the setting value candidates is set instead of the setting of 1, any of a plurality of setting value candidates for the setting item selected by the selection means according to the first operation. In the first state, the first setting is set for the setting item selected by the selection means according to the second operation in which the operation method is different from that of the first operation. Then, in the first state, the first setting item and the second setting item are described in accordance with the first operation and the third operation whose operation method is different from that of the second operation. A state in which the first setting is made for the setting item selected by the selection means in response to the second operation or the third operation. Then, the setting of the setting item selected by the selection means according to the first operation is changed from the first setting to any of the candidates of the plurality of setting values corresponding to the setting item selected by the selection means. Provided is an electronic device characterized in that it can be changed to the set value.

Other features of the present invention will be further clarified by the accompanying drawings and the description in the form for carrying out the following invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability when setting a plurality of setting items.

(A) front perspective view of the digital camera 100, (B) rear perspective view of the digital camera 100. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the digital camera 100. A flowchart showing a basic flow of an exposure parameter change process according to a shooting mode executed by the digital camera 100. The flowchart of the exposure parameter change processing (S305 of FIG. 3) for an exposure adjustment mode. The flowchart of the selection parameter position change processing (S402 and S413 of FIG. 4). The flowchart of the parameter reset process (S404 and S415 of FIG. 4). The flowchart of the exposure parameter change processing (S307 of FIG. 3) for a non-exposure adjustment mode. The flowchart of the parameter change processing (S405 of FIG. 4) in the non-photometric state in the exposure adjustment mode. The flowchart of the parameter change process (S416 of FIG. 4) in the photometric state in the exposure adjustment mode. (A) to (D) a diagram showing a table of exposure parameters, (E) a diagram showing a table of selection parameter positions. The figure explaining the process of changing a selection parameter position. The figure explaining the parameter reset process. The figure explaining the parameter change processing for an exposure adjustment mode.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The technical scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of claims, and is not limited by the following individual embodiments. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the present invention. It is also possible to appropriately combine the features described in the separate embodiments.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a digital camera 100 which is an example of an electronic device (imaging control device), and FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the digital camera 100. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the display unit 28 is a display unit that displays images and various information. The display unit 28 is integrated with the touch panel 70a, and the user can intuitively select the position of an item or subject displayed on the display unit 28 by touching the display unit 28 surface. The shutter button 61 is an operation unit for giving a shooting instruction. The mode changeover switch 60 is an operation unit for switching various modes. The terminal cover 40 is a cover that protects a connector (not shown) for a connection cable that connects the digital camera 100 and an external device. The main electronic dial 71 is a rotation operation member, and by turning the main electronic dial 71, it is possible to change set values such as a shutter speed and an aperture. The power switch 72 is an operating member that switches the power of the digital camera 100 on and off. The sub electronic dial 73 is a rotation operation member that moves a selection frame, feeds an image, and the like. The cross key 74 is a four-direction key on which the up key 74a, the down key 74b, the left key 74c, and the right key 74d can be pressed, and it is possible to instruct to move the cursor or the like in the pressed direction. The SET button 75 is a push button mainly used for determining a selection item or the like. The play button 79 is an operation button for switching between the shooting mode and the play mode. By pressing the playback button 79 during the shooting mode, the digital camera 100 can be shifted to the playback mode, and the latest image among the images recorded on the recording medium 200 (described later) can be displayed on the display unit 28. The shutter button 61, the main electronic dial 71, the power switch 72, the sub electronic dial 73, the cross key 74, the SET button 75, and the play button 79 are included in the operation unit 70. The finder 16 is a peep-type finder for confirming the focus and composition of the optical image of the subject obtained through the lens unit 150 by observing the focusing screen 13 (described later). The grip portion 90 is a holding portion having a shape that makes it easy for the user to hold the digital camera 100 with his / her right hand.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the lens unit 150 is a lens unit on which a photographing lens is mounted and is interchangeable.

The lens 103 is usually composed of a plurality of lenses, but is shown here by simplification with only one lens. The communication terminal 6 is a communication terminal for the lens unit 150 to communicate with the digital camera 100. The communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal for the digital camera 100 to communicate with the lens unit 150. The lens unit 150 communicates with the system control unit 50 via the communication terminals 6 and 10. The lens unit 150 controls the aperture 102 via the aperture drive circuit 2 by the lens system control circuit 4, and focuses by shifting the position of the lens 103 via the AF drive circuit 3.

The AE sensor 17 measures the brightness of the subject imaged on the focusing screen 13 via the lens unit 150 and the quick return mirror 12.

The focus detection unit 11 (AF sensor) is a phase difference detection type AF sensor that captures an incident image through a quick return mirror 12 and a sub mirror (not shown) and outputs defocus amount information to the system control unit 50. Is. The system control unit 50 controls the lens unit 150 based on the defocus amount information and performs phase difference AF. The AF method does not have to be phase-difference AF, and may be contrast AF. Further, the phase difference AF may be performed based on the defocus amount detected on the imaging surface of the imaging unit 22 without using the focus detection unit 11 (imaging surface phase difference AF).

The quick return mirror 12 is instructed by the system control unit 50 at the time of exposure, live view shooting, and moving image shooting, and is moved up and down by an actuator (not shown). The quick return mirror 12 is a mirror for switching the luminous flux incident from the lens 103 between the finder 16 side and the image pickup unit 22 side. The quick return mirror 12 is normally arranged to reflect the light flux to the viewfinder 16 so as to guide the light flux to the image pickup unit 22 when shooting is performed or in the case of live view display. It jumps upward and evacuates from the luminous flux (mirror lockup). Further, the quick return mirror 12 is a half mirror so that a part of the light can be transmitted through the central portion thereof, and a part of the light flux is transmitted so as to be incident on the focus detection unit 11 for performing focus detection. ..

By observing the image formed on the focusing screen 13 through the pentaprism 14 and the finder 16, the user can confirm the focal state and composition of the optical image of the subject obtained through the lens unit 150.

The shutter 101 controls the exposure time of the imaging unit 22 according to the control of the system control unit 50. The image pickup unit 22 is an image pickup device composed of a CCD, a CMOS element, or the like that converts an optical image into an electric signal. The A / D converter 23 converts an analog signal into a digital signal. The A / D converter 23 is used to convert an analog signal output from the imaging unit 22 into a digital signal.

The image processing unit 24 performs resizing processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation and reduction and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 23 or the data from the memory control unit 15. Further, in the image processing unit 24, a predetermined calculation process is performed using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the obtained calculation result. As a result, TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (autoexposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing are performed. Further, the image processing unit 24 performs a predetermined calculation process using the captured image data, and also performs a TTL method AWB (auto white balance) process based on the obtained calculation result.

The output data from the A / D converter 23 is written to the memory 32 via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15, or directly via the memory control unit 15. The memory 32 stores image data obtained by the imaging unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 23, and image data to be displayed on the display unit 28. The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images, moving images for a predetermined time, and audio.

Further, the memory 32 also serves as a memory (video memory) for displaying an image. The D / A converter 19 converts the image display data stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies it to the display unit 28. In this way, the image data for display written in the memory 32 is displayed by the display unit 28 via the D / A converter 19. The display unit 28 displays on a display such as an LCD according to the analog signal from the D / A converter 19. The digital signal once A / D converted by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 is analog-converted by the D / A converter 19 and sequentially transferred to the display unit 28 for display, whereby the electronic viewfinder can display the digital signal. It can be realized and a through image display (live view display) can be performed.

The non-volatile memory 56 is a memory that can be electrically erased and recorded by the system control unit 50, and for example, EEPROM or the like is used. The non-volatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, and the like for the operation of the system control unit 50. The program referred to here is a program for executing various flowcharts described later in the present embodiment.

The system control unit 50 incorporates at least one processor and controls the entire digital camera 100. By executing the program recorded in the non-volatile memory 56 described above, each process of the present embodiment described later is realized. RAM is used as the system memory 52. In the system memory 52, constants and variables for the operation of the system control unit 50, a program read from the non-volatile memory 56, and the like are expanded. The system control unit 50 also controls the display by controlling the memory 32, the D / A converter 19, the display unit 28, and the like. The system timer 53 is a time measuring unit that measures the time used for various controls and the time of the built-in clock.

The mode changeover switch 60, the shutter button 61, and the operation unit 70 are operation members for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit 50. The mode changeover switch 60 switches the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to any one of a still image recording mode, a moving image recording mode, a playback mode, and the like. The modes included in the still image recording mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene discrimination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), and a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode). In addition, there are various scene modes, program AE modes, custom modes, etc. that are shooting settings for each shooting scene. The mode changeover switch 60 directly switches to any of these modes included in the menu screen. Alternatively, after switching to the menu screen once with the mode changeover switch 60, the mode may be switched to any of these modes included in the menu screen by using another operation member. Similarly, the moving image recording mode may include a plurality of modes.

The first shutter switch 62 is turned on by a so-called half-press (shooting preparation instruction) during the operation of the shutter button 61 provided on the digital camera 100, and the first shutter switch signal SW1 is generated. The system control unit 50 starts operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (autoexposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing by the first shutter switch signal SW1.

The second shutter switch 64 is turned on when the operation of the shutter button 61 is completed, so-called full pressing (shooting instruction), and the second shutter switch signal SW2 is generated. The system control unit 50 starts a series of shooting processes from reading the signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing the image data to the recording medium 200 by the second shutter switch signal SW2.

Each operation member of the operation unit 70 is assigned a function as appropriate for each scene by selecting and operating various function icons displayed on the display unit 28, and acts as various function buttons. The function buttons include, for example, an end button, a back button, an image feed button, a jump button, a narrowing down button, an attribute change button, and the like. For example, when the menu button is pressed, a menu screen on which various settings can be executed is displayed on the display unit 28. The user can intuitively make various settings by using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28, the up / down / left / right four-direction keys (cross key 74), the SET button 75, and the like.

The operation unit 70 is various operation members as an input unit that receives an operation from the user. The operation unit 70 includes at least the following operation members. Shutter button 61, main electronic dial 71, power switch 72, sub electronic dial 73, cross key 74, SET button 75, play button 79.

The power supply control unit 80 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. Further, the power supply control unit 80 controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and the instruction of the system control unit 50, and supplies a necessary voltage to each unit including the recording medium 200 for a necessary period.

The power supply unit 30 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like. The recording medium I / F 18 is an interface with a recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording a captured image, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like. The power switch 72 is a switch for switching between turning on and off the power of the digital camera 100.

The communication unit 54 connects to an external device via a wireless or wired cable to transmit and receive video signals and audio signals. The communication unit 54 can also be connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet. The communication unit 54 can transmit an image (including a through image) captured by the image pickup unit 22 and an image recorded on the recording medium 200, and also receives image data and other various information from an external device. Can be done.

The posture detection unit 55 detects the posture of the digital camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the posture detected by the posture detection unit 55, whether the image taken by the image pickup unit 22 is an image taken by holding the digital camera 100 horizontally or an image taken by holding the digital camera 100 vertically. It can be discriminated. The system control unit 50 can add orientation information according to the posture detected by the posture detection unit 55 to the image file of the image captured by the image pickup unit 22, or rotate and record the image. be. As the posture detection unit 55, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used.

The digital camera 100 has a touch panel 70a (see FIG. 1B) capable of detecting contact with the display unit 28 as a part of the operation unit 70. The touch panel 70a and the display unit 28 can be integrally configured. For example, the touch panel 70a is configured so that the light transmittance does not interfere with the display of the display unit 28, and is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the display unit 28. Then, the input coordinates on the touch panel 70a are associated with the display coordinates on the display unit 28. As a result, it is possible to configure a GUI (graphical user interface) as if the user can directly operate the screen displayed on the display unit 28. The system control unit 50 can detect the following operations or states on the touch panel 70a.
-A finger or pen that has not touched the touch panel 70a has newly touched the touch panel 70a. That is, the start of touch (hereinafter referred to as touch-down).
-The touch panel 70a is in a state of being touched with a finger or a pen (hereinafter, referred to as touch-on).
-The touch panel 70a is moved while being touched with a finger or a pen (hereinafter, referred to as a touch move (Touch-Move)).
-The finger or pen that was touching the touch panel 70a was released. That is, the end of touch (hereinafter referred to as touch-up (Touch-Up)).
-A state in which nothing is touched on the touch panel 70a (hereinafter, referred to as touch-off).

When touchdown is detected, it is also detected that it is touch-on. After touchdown, touch-on usually continues to be detected unless touch-up is detected. Touch move is also detected when touch on is detected. Even if touch-on is detected, touch move is not detected unless the touch position is moved. After it is detected that all the fingers and pens that have been touched are touched up, the touch is turned off.

These operations / states and the position coordinates of the finger or pen touching the touch panel 70a are notified to the system control unit 50 via the internal bus. The system control unit 50 determines what kind of operation has been performed on the touch panel 70a based on the notified information. Regarding the touch move, the moving direction of the finger or pen moving on the touch panel 70a can also be determined for each vertical component and horizontal component on the touch panel 70a based on the change in the position coordinates. Further, it is assumed that a stroke is drawn when the touch panel 70a is touched up from the touch down through a constant touch move. The operation of drawing a stroke quickly is called flicking. Flicking is an operation of quickly moving a finger on the touch panel 70a by a certain distance and then releasing it as it is, in other words, an operation of swiftly tracing the touch panel 70a with a finger. It can be determined that the flick has been performed when it is detected that the touch move is performed at a predetermined speed or more over a predetermined distance and the touch-up is detected as it is. In addition, if it is detected that the touch move is performed at a speed equal to or longer than a predetermined distance, it is determined that the drag has been performed. The touch panel 70a may be any of various types of touch panels such as a resistive film method, a capacitance method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, an image recognition method, and an optical sensor method. good. Depending on the method, there are a method of detecting that there is a touch due to contact with the touch panel and a method of detecting that there is a touch due to the approach of a finger or a pen to the touch panel, but either method may be used. ..

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the basic flow of the exposure parameter changing process according to the shooting mode executed by the digital camera 100 will be described. Unless otherwise specified, the processing of each step of this flowchart is realized by the system control unit 50 expanding the program stored in the non-volatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing the program. This also applies to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 9 described later. The processing of this flowchart starts, for example, when the power of the digital camera 100 is turned on.

In S300, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the power switch 72 is in the On state. In the On state, the process proceeds to S301, and in the Off state, the process of S300 is repeated.

In S301, the system control unit 50 acquires the current shooting mode (exposure setting mode) of the digital camera 100. The shooting mode is recorded in the system memory 52, and the system control unit 50 reads the shooting mode from the system memory 52.

In S302, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting mode acquired in S301 is the exposure adjustment mode. In the case of the exposure adjustment mode, the process proceeds to S303, and in the case of not the exposure adjustment mode, the process proceeds to S306.

In S303, the system control unit 50 acquires an exposure parameter (setting item related to exposure control) for the exposure adjustment mode from the non-volatile memory 56. In the following description, the exposure parameters include, but are not limited to, the shutter speed, the aperture value, the ISO sensitivity, and the exposure compensation value.

In S304, the system control unit 50 acquires the selection parameter position for the exposure adjustment mode from the non-volatile memory 56.

In S305, the system control unit 50 performs an exposure parameter change process for the exposure adjustment mode. Details of the change process in the exposure adjustment mode will be described later with reference to FIG.

In S306, the system control unit 50 acquires the exposure parameter for the non-exposure adjustment mode from the non-volatile memory 56.

In S307, the system control unit 50 performs an exposure parameter change process in a mode different from the exposure adjustment mode. Modes different from the exposure adjustment mode include one of shutter speed priority mode, aperture value priority mode, program AE mode, manual mode (mode in which the user selects a set value from set value candidates), auto mode, and the like. .. Details of the exposure parameter change processing in a mode different from the exposure adjustment mode will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

In S311 the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the power switch 72 is turned off. If the power switch 72 is turned off, the process proceeds to S308, otherwise the process returns to S300.

In S308, the system control unit 50 stores the exposure parameter and the selection parameter position for the exposure adjustment mode in the non-volatile memory 56.

In S309, the system control unit 50 stores the exposure parameters set in each mode, which are different from the exposure adjustment mode, in the non-volatile memory 56.

In S310, the system control unit 50 turns off the power supply of the digital camera 100.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the details of the exposure parameter change process (S305 in FIG. 3) for the exposure adjustment mode will be described.

In S400, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting mode has been switched. When the switching is performed, the processing of this flowchart ends. If the switching has not been performed, the process proceeds to S401.

In S401, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the selection parameter position change operation has been performed. The change operation is performed, for example, by operating the sub electronic dial 73. If the change operation is performed, the process proceeds to S402, and if the change operation is not performed, the process proceeds to S403.

In S402, the system control unit 50 performs a process of changing the selection parameter position. Details of the change process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In S403, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the parameter change operation has been performed. The change operation is performed, for example, by operating the main electronic dial 71. If the change operation is performed, the process proceeds to S405, and if the change operation is not performed, the process proceeds to S404.

In S404, the system control unit 50 resets the parameters. The details of the reset process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In S405, the system control unit 50 performs a parameter change process. Details of the change process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In S406, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the first shutter switch 62 is ON. If the first shutter switch 62 is ON, the process proceeds to S407, otherwise the process proceeds to S400.

In S407, the system control unit 50 measures the subject (photometric processing) and acquires the photometric value (photometric brightness) and the photometric calculation value calculated from the subject luminance and the current set value.

In S408, the system control unit 50 saves the metering calculation value as a temporary setting value of the exposure parameter in the system memory 52. For each exposure parameter, "Auto" (a predetermined value indicating that a value is automatically set during operation in a predetermined operation mode), "1/60 second" specified by the user, or the like. A specific value (a value other than a predetermined value) is set. The temporary setting value is saved for the exposure parameter having "Auto" as the setting value. That is, the set value is not changed for the item for which the set value is set by the user before the metering before S406 is performed, but the set value is calculated based on the metering result for the item set as Auto. , Recorded as a temporary setting value.

In S409, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the photometric timer has expired. If the metering timer has expired, the process proceeds to S410, otherwise the process proceeds to S412.

In S410, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the temporary setting value is stored in the system memory 52. If the tentative set value is saved, the process proceeds to S411, otherwise the process proceeds to S400.

In S411, the system control unit 50 deletes the temporarily set value from the system memory 52. Since the temporary setting value recorded in S408 immediately before is calculated based on the metering result of S407, it is deleted from the system memory 52 when the metering is completed. Therefore, when the metering is performed next time, the metering calculation value is acquired again and a new temporary setting value is set for the exposure parameter whose set value is “Auto” (for example, the shutter speed).

In this way, the system control unit 50 measures the light during the operation in the operation mode (predetermined operation mode) that starts when the first shutter switch 62 is turned on, and the exposure parameter set to "Auto". For, temporarily set value is saved (value is automatically set). Then, the system control unit 50 deletes the temporarily set value of the exposure parameter that has been automatically set from the system memory 52 in response to the end of this operation mode, and sets it as Auto. That is, if it is a shutter speed, the state in which any of the table numbers N = 0 to 54 (see FIG. 10A) is set as the set value is changed to N = 55. As a result, the exposure parameter that was set to "Auto" before the start of metering (at the start) will be set to "Auto" even after the end of metering if the set value is not changed during metering, as will be described later. It will be in a state of being.

In addition, here, by distinguishing between the set value and the temporarily set value, the configuration that enables the exposure parameter set in "Auto" to be in the state set in "Auto" even after the end of metering will be described. did. However, the specific implementation is not particularly limited, and for example, a flag may be set for the item set in Auto, and it is not necessary to strictly distinguish between the set value and the temporary set value. Any configuration is used as long as a specific value is automatically set for the parameter set to "Auto" based on the result of metering, and "Auto" is set to this parameter after the measurement is completed. The configuration can be adopted.

Further, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 9, the parameter change processing may be performed in the light measurement state for the parameter automatically set based on the light measurement result. In this case, the system control unit 50 may control the parameters changed in the metering state so as not to return to "Auto" after the measurement is completed.

Referring to FIG. 4 again, in S412, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the operation of changing the selection parameter position has been performed, as in S401. If the change operation is performed, the process proceeds to S413, and if the change operation is not performed, the process proceeds to S414.

In S413, the system control unit 50 performs the process of changing the selection parameter position in the same manner as in S402. Details of the change process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In S414, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the parameter change operation has been performed, as in S403. If the change operation is performed, the process proceeds to S416, and if the change operation is not performed, the process proceeds to S415.

In S415, the system control unit 50 resets the parameters as in S404. The details of the reset process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In S416, the system control unit 50 performs a parameter change process in the light measurement state. Details of the change process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In S417, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not a shooting instruction has been given (whether or not the second shutter switch 64 is ON). If a shooting instruction is given, the process proceeds to S418, otherwise the process proceeds to S407.

In S418, the system control unit 50 performs a shooting process.

Next, the details of the selection parameter position change process (S402 and S413 in FIG. 4) will be described with reference to FIG.

In S500, the system control unit 50 acquires a table number indicating the selection parameter position for the exposure adjustment mode acquired in S304 with reference to the table shown in FIG. 10 (E). This table is stored in the non-volatile memory 56, and is expanded in the system memory 52 at the start of the process of FIG.

In S501, the system control unit 50 acquires a table number (N_Min) indicating the lower limit selection parameter position with reference to the table shown in FIG. 10 (E).

In S502, the system control unit 50 acquires a table number (N_Max) indicating the upper limit selection parameter position with reference to the table shown in FIG. 10 (E).

In S503, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the rotation direction of the sub electronic dial 73 is to the right. If the rotation direction is right, the process proceeds to S504, and if the rotation direction is left, the process proceeds to S505.

In S504, the system control unit 50 increments the table number (N) acquired in S500. That is, the table number is updated with N = N + 1.

In S505, the system control unit 50 decrements the table number (N) acquired in S500. That is, the table number is updated with N = N-1.

In S506, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the table number (N) incremented in S504 exceeds the upper limit table number (N_Max) acquired in S502. If N> N_Max, the process proceeds to S508, otherwise the process proceeds to S510.

In S507, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the table number (N) decremented in S505 is less than the lower limit table number (N_Min) acquired in S501. If N <N_Min, the process proceeds to S509, otherwise the process proceeds to S510.

In S508, the system control unit 50 substitutes the lower limit table number (N_Min) acquired in S501 into the table number (N) indicating the current selection parameter position.

In S509, the system control unit 50 substitutes the upper limit table number (N_Max) acquired in S502 into the table number (N) indicating the current selection parameter position.

In S510, the system control unit 50 sets a new selection parameter position based on the table number (N) indicating the current selection parameter position updated in S503 to S509 and the table shown in FIG. 10 (E). .. For example, consider a state in which the cursor 1101 points to the shutter speed as shown in FIG. 11 (A). In this state, when the user repeatedly rotates the sub electronic dial 73 to the right, FIG. 11 (A) → FIG. 11 (B) → FIG. 11 (C) → FIG. 11 (D) → FIG. 11 (A). ) ..., The display screen of the display unit 28 changes. In the display screens of FIGS. 11A to 11D, "A" means that the set value is "Auto".

If Yes is determined in S506 or S507, the table number may not be changed.

Next, the details of the parameter reset process (S404 and S415 in FIG. 4) will be described with reference to FIG.

In S600, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the left or top of the cross key 74 is pressed (button pressed). If the left or top of the cross key 74 is pressed, the process proceeds to S601, otherwise the process proceeds to S603.

In S601, the system control unit 50 acquires a table number (N) indicating the selection parameter position for the current exposure adjustment mode based on the table shown in FIG. 10 (E).

In S602, the system control unit 50 sets the set value of the parameter pointed to by the table number (N) acquired in S601 to "Auto". For example, as shown in FIG. 12 (A), the shutter speed is "6" (meaning 1/6 second), the aperture value is "3.5" (meaning F3.5), and the ISO sensitivity is "A". (Meaning Auto), consider a state in which the exposure compensation value is set to "0". Here, the cursor 1201 points to the aperture value. When the processing of S602 is performed in this state, the set value of the aperture value is set to "Auto", and the display screen transitions from FIG. 12A to FIG. 12B. By controlling in this way, it is possible to change only the selected aperture value to "Auto" (that is, the setting values other than the selected setting item are not changed). In this example, the exposure setting can be changed to the same state as the shutter speed priority mode only by pressing the cross key 74.

When the process of FIG. 6 is executed as the process of S415 of FIG. 4, there is a corresponding temporary setting value for the exposure parameter set to "Auto" from the beginning. Therefore, for example, in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a tentative set value is displayed instead of "A" in the portion corresponding to the ISO sensitivity. Further, for the exposure parameter set to "Auto" in S602, the corresponding temporary setting value is saved when the process of S408 is executed next time. Therefore, for example, in FIG. 12B, the borrowed set value is displayed instead of “A” in the portion corresponding to the aperture value. This also applies to the processing of S604 described later. When the temporary setting value is displayed, if the setting and change instruction is given to Auto, the setting is changed to Auto once, but if metering is in progress, the temporary setting value is displayed immediately based on the metering result. Will be done.

In S603, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the right or lower side of the cross key 74 is pressed. If the right or down of the cross key 74 is pressed, the process proceeds to S605, otherwise the process ends.

In S604, the system control unit 50 sets all exposure parameters to "Auto" (the exposure compensation value is set to the initial value "0"). For example, consider the state shown in FIG. 12 (A). In this case, not only the aperture value pointed to by the cursor 1201 but also the shutter speed is changed to "Auto", and the display screen transitions from FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C. By controlling in this way, both the shutter speed and the aperture value can be changed to "Auto". In this example, the exposure setting can be changed to the same state as the program AE mode only by pressing the cross key 74. When the processing of S604 is performed during metering, the shutter speed, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity are temporarily set values based on the metering result after becoming Auto. In the case of an item for which Auto is not set, such as an exposure compensation value, the initial value may be set, or a predetermined reference value may be set.

As described above, according to the reset process of FIG. 6, while displaying a plurality of display items (such as “A”) corresponding to a plurality of exposure parameters, the selected exposure parameter or all the exposure parameters are selectively selected as “Auto”. Can be easily set to.

The determination of S600 or S603 may be determined by a touch operation. In S600, if the touch time on the touch panel 70a is within a predetermined time such as 0.3 seconds to 0.5 seconds or 0.4 seconds to 1 second, it may be determined as Yes. Further, in S603, if the touch time on the touch panel 70a is within a predetermined time (longer than the predetermined time of S600) such as 0.5 seconds to 1 second or 0.8 seconds to 2 seconds, it is determined as Yes. May be good.

Further, when the item is touched, the selected item may be set to Auto, an item for which the whole is set to auto is displayed, and when the item is touched, the process of S604 may be performed.

Further, instead of the cross key 74, a dedicated button may be provided, or another button may be assigned a function to be Auto.

As described above, the determination of S600 and S603 may be performed not only by the operation of the cross key 74 but also by the touch operation. The above-mentioned operation method is an example, and the operation for making Auto is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

As described above, to set the selected item to Auto, press the up key or the left key of the cross key 74, and to set all the items that can be set to Auto to Auto, the cross key 74 Press the down key or the right key. The cross key 74 is located near the grip portion 90 and can be operated while gripping the grip portion 90. Therefore, even if the camera is shot horizontally or vertically in the shooting standby state, the user can easily reach the camera. Also, regardless of whether it is in landscape orientation or portrait orientation, the positional relationship of the keys for instructing to set the selected item to Auto and the instruction to set all the items that can be set in Auto to Auto is the same, so the operation is performed. Good sex. Specifically, in landscape orientation, the up key can be used to change the selected item to Auto, and the down key can be used to change all the items that can be set to Auto to Auto. That is, while holding the camera, if you press the button of the cross key that is up in the direction of gravity, you can set the selection item to Auto, and if you press the button of the cross key that is down in the direction of gravity, you can set all the items that can be set to Auto. Can be.
In the case of portrait orientation, for example, even when the grip portion 90 is held vertically with the grip portion 90 facing downward in the direction of gravity, the selection item can be selected by pressing the button of the cross key (left key) above in the direction of gravity while holding the camera. By pressing the button of the cross key (right key) below in the direction of gravity, all the items that can be set to Auto can be set to Auto. Since the grip part 90 is on the right side when viewed from the back of the digital camera 100, there is a high possibility that the grip part 90 will come to the lower side in the direction of gravity when holding it vertically, so the up key and left key, and the down key and right key. Operability is improved by setting each of and.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the details of the exposure parameter changing process (S307 in FIG. 3) for a mode different from the exposure adjustment mode will be described.

In S700, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting mode is the shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode). In the Tv mode, the process proceeds to S701, otherwise the process proceeds to S702.

In S701, the system control unit 50 sets the aperture value to "Auto".

In S702, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting mode is the aperture priority mode (Av mode). In the Av mode, the process proceeds to S703, otherwise the process proceeds to S704.

In S703, the system control unit 50 sets the shutter speed to "Auto".

In S704, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting mode is the program AE mode (program mode (P mode)). In the P mode, the process proceeds to S705, otherwise the process proceeds to S706.

In S705, the system control unit 50 sets the shutter speed and the aperture value to "Auto".

In S706, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the operation of the main electronic dial 71 has been performed. If an operation is performed, the process proceeds to S707, and if no operation is performed, the process proceeds to S713.

In S707, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting mode is the manual mode (M mode) or the shutter speed priority mode. In the case of M mode or Tv mode, the process proceeds to S708, otherwise the process proceeds to S709.

In S708, the system control unit 50 changes the shutter speed.

In S709, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting mode is the aperture priority mode or the bulb mode. In the case of the Hub mode, since it is a shooting mode in which exposure is performed while the shutter button 61 is pressed, the shutter speed is not set and the Av value setting is changed. In the case of Av mode or Bubble mode, the process proceeds to S710, otherwise the process proceeds to S711.

In S710, the system control unit 50 changes the aperture value.

In S711, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting mode is the program AE mode. In the P mode, the process proceeds to S712, otherwise the process ends.

In S712, the system control unit 50 changes the program shift value.

In S713, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the operation of the sub electronic dial 73 has been performed. If the operation is performed, the process proceeds to S714, and if the operation is not performed, the process ends.

In S714, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting mode is the manual mode or the Hub mode. In the case of M mode or Bubble mode, the process proceeds to S715, otherwise the process proceeds to S716.

In S715, the system control unit 50 changes the aperture value.

In S716, the system control unit 50 changes the exposure compensation value.

By controlling as described above, the set value can be set in modes other than the exposure adjustment mode. In modes other than the exposure adjustment mode, it is not possible to change the setting from the setting value set by the user to the setting item in the same mode to "Auto". For example, when changing the Tv value from the value set by the user to Auto, it is necessary to switch the mode from the Tv mode to the Av mode. Further, when setting Tv and Av to Auto from the manual mode, it is necessary to switch to the P mode.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the details of the parameter change processing (S405 in FIG. 4) in the non-photometric state in the exposure adjustment mode will be described. The system control unit 50 can change the parameters by the process shown in FIG.

In S800, the system control unit 50 refers to the table corresponding to the currently selected parameter among the tables shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D, and indicates the current set value of the currently selected parameter. Acquire the table number (N). For example, consider the case where the cursor 1301 points to the shutter speed as shown in FIG. 13 (A) (that is, the case where the currently selected parameter is the shutter speed). In this case, the system control unit 50 refers to the table shown in FIG. 10 (A). Then, since the current set value of the shutter speed is "Auto", the system control unit 50 acquires "55" as the table number (N). The tables shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D are stored in, for example, the non-volatile memory 56.

In S801, the system control unit 50 refers to the table corresponding to the currently selected parameter among the tables shown in FIGS. 10 (A) to 10 (D), and indicates a table number indicating the lower limit of the currently selected parameter ( N_Min) is acquired.

In S802, the system control unit 50 refers to the table corresponding to the currently selected parameter among the tables shown in FIGS. 10 (A) to 10 (D), and indicates a table number indicating the upper limit of the currently selected parameter ( N_Max) is acquired.

In S803, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the rotation direction of the main electronic dial 71 is to the right. If the rotation direction is right, the process proceeds to S804, and if the rotation direction is left, the process proceeds to S810.

In S804, the system control unit 50 increments the table number (N) acquired in S800.

In S805, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the currently selected parameter is an exposure compensation value. If it is an exposure compensation value, the process proceeds to S808, otherwise the process proceeds to S806.

In S806, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the table number (N) incremented in S804 exceeds the table number (N_Max) +1 acquired in S802. If N> N_Max + 1, the process proceeds to S807, otherwise the process proceeds to S813.

In S807, the system control unit 50 substitutes the table number (N_Max) + 1 acquired in S802 for the table number (N) indicating the current set value of the currently selected parameter.

In S808, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the table number (N) incremented in S804 exceeds the table number (N_Max) acquired in S802. If N> N_Max, the process proceeds to S809, otherwise the process proceeds to S813.

In S809, the system control unit 50 substitutes the table number (N_Max) acquired in S802 for the table number (N) indicating the current set value of the currently selected parameter.

In S810, the system control unit 50 decrements the table number (N) acquired in S800.

In S811, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the table number (N) decremented in S810 is less than the table number (N_Min) acquired in S801. If N <N_Min, the process proceeds to S812, otherwise the process proceeds to S813.

In S812, the system control unit 50 substitutes the table number (N_Min) acquired in S801 for the table number (N) indicating the current set value of the currently selected parameter.

In S813, the system control unit 50 refers to the table corresponding to the currently selected parameter among the tables shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D, and updates the table number (N) in S803 to S812. Get the setting value corresponding to. Then, the system control unit 50 updates the set value of the currently selected parameter according to the acquired set value. For example, consider the case where the main electronic dial 71 is clicked once to the right in the state of the display screen shown in FIG. 13 (A). In this case, the display screen transitions from FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B. Further, in the state of the display screen shown in FIG. 13 (B), when the main electronic dial 71 is clicked once to the left, the display screen transitions to FIG. 13 (A). In this way, in the non-photometric state, it is possible to switch between the set value having a specific value and the set value of "Auto".

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the details of the parameter change processing (S416 in FIG. 4) in the photometric state in the exposure adjustment mode will be described.

In S900, the system control unit 50 refers to the table corresponding to the currently selected parameter among the tables shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D, and sets or temporarily sets the parameter currently selected. The table number (N) indicating (see S408) is acquired. If the currently selected parameter is an item that has been set to a value other than "Auto" before the start of metering, the table number of the set value already set by the user is acquired. Further, even if the currently selected parameter is set to "Auto" before the start of metering, the set value is acquired even when the parameter change process of FIG. 9 has already been performed. When the temporary setting value calculated based on the metering result is set, the temporary setting value is acquired from the system memory 52.

In S901, the system control unit 50 refers to the table corresponding to the currently selected parameter among the tables shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D, and indicates a table number indicating the lower limit of the currently selected parameter (a table number indicating the lower limit of the currently selected parameter. N_Min) is acquired.

In S902, the system control unit 50 refers to the table corresponding to the currently selected parameter among the tables shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D, and indicates a table number indicating the upper limit of the currently selected parameter ( N_Max) is acquired.

In S903, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the rotation direction of the main electronic dial 71 is to the right. If the rotation direction is right, the process proceeds to S904, and if the rotation direction is left, the process proceeds to S905.

In S904, the system control unit 50 increments the table number (N) acquired in S900.

In S905, the system control unit 50 decrements the table number (N) acquired in S900.

In S906, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the table number (N) incremented in S904 exceeds the table number (N_Max) acquired in S902. If N> N_Max, the process proceeds to S908, otherwise the process proceeds to S910.

In S907, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the table number (N) decremented in S905 is less than the table number (N_Min) acquired in S901. If N <N_Min, the process proceeds to S909, otherwise the process proceeds to S910.

In S908, the system control unit 50 substitutes the table number (N_Max) acquired in S902 for the table number (N) indicating the temporarily set value of the currently selected parameter.

In S909, the system control unit 50 substitutes the table number (N_Min) acquired in S901 into the table number (N) indicating the temporarily set value of the currently selected parameter.

In S910, the system control unit 50 refers to the table corresponding to the currently selected parameter among the tables shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D, and updates the table number (N) in S903 to S909. Get the setting value corresponding to. Then, the system control unit 50 updates the set value of the currently selected parameter according to the acquired set value, and records it in the system memory 52 as a set value instead of a temporary set value. That is, when the user changes the set value from the temporary set value, the changed value is recorded in the system memory 52 as the set value.

For example, consider a case where the set values of the shutter speed, the aperture value, and the ISO sensitivity are "Auto", and the set values of the exposure compensation value are "0". In this case, before the start of metering, the display screen of the display unit 28 is in the state shown in FIG. 13 (A). After that, when the temporary setting value is stored in S408 of FIG. 4, the display screen transitions to, for example, FIG. 13 (C). Here, the temporary setting value of the shutter speed is "8000" (meaning 1/8000), and the cursor 1301 points to the shutter speed. That is, the currently selected parameter is the shutter speed. In this state, when the user clicks the main electronic dial 71 to the left once, N changes to "53" corresponding to 1/6400 seconds in S905. Then, in S910, the set value of the shutter speed is updated from "Auto" to "1/6400 seconds", and the temporary set value (1/8000 seconds) is deleted from the system memory 52. Alternatively, it is recorded as a temporary set value, but since the set value is set, it is not used for shooting. Further, the display screen of the display unit 28 transitions from FIG. 13 (C) to FIG. 13 (D). By controlling in this way, it is possible to adjust the exposure from the photometric calculation value (temporary set value) in the photometric state.

Further, in the state of the display screen shown in FIG. 13 (D), when the user clicks the main electronic dial 71 twice to the right, the set value of the shutter speed is "1/6400 seconds" to "1/8000 seconds". Is updated to, but not to "Auto". If the set value is changed from other than "Auto" to "Auto" in the metering state, re-measurement is performed and the temporary set value is determined. Therefore, in the metered state, unlike the case of the non-measured state (see FIG. 8), the set value is not changed to "Auto" by operating the main electronic dial 71, but is changed to Auto by operating the cross key 74. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user recognizes that the setting cannot be made even though the setting is set to Auto (actually, the setting value is set to Auto but the temporary setting value is displayed).

Further, consider the case where the photometric timer ends in the state shown in FIG. 13 (D) and the process of S411 in FIG. 4 is performed. In this case, the shutter speed setting value is updated to "1/6400 seconds" in S910, but the aperture value and the ISO sensitivity setting value for which the exposure is not adjusted remain "Auto". Therefore, in S411, the aperture value and the ISO sensitivity set value change from the temporary set value to Auto, and the display screen of the display unit 28 transitions from FIG. 13 (D) to FIG. 13 (E). In this way, when the metering timer ends, the parameters other than the parameters changed in the metering state return to the set value "Auto" before the start of metering. As a result, when shooting from the next time, it is possible to immediately start shooting from the same state as before the end of the previous shooting. When updating the set value in S910, the set value before the start of metering may be stored, and all the parameters may be returned to the set value before the start of metering at the end of the metering timer. That is, even if the item that was Auto is changed from the temporary set value to the set value, it may return to Auto after the metering timer ends.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the digital camera 100, the setting of the selected display item among the plurality of display items is set to Auto, and the setting of the plurality of display items is set to Auto. Both can be easily performed by the operation. The digital camera 100 controls to set "Auto" for the selected exposure parameter in response to a first user operation (such as pressing the left of the cross key 74) while displaying a plurality of display items. Further, the digital camera 100 controls to set "Auto" for a plurality of exposure parameters in response to a second user operation (such as pressing the right of the cross key 74) while displaying a plurality of display items. ..

For example, when the user manually changes the parameter settings but does not obtain the desired shooting state, all the items for which the parameters can be instantly set to Auto can be set to Auto. Since the setting value of any item can be set or set to Auto according to the shooting state, the desired exposure setting can be quickly set without switching the mode. As a result, the user does not want to set the set value, and the possibility of missing a shooting opportunity while adjusting the set value is reduced. In addition, when the brightness of the subject changes suddenly, you can easily shoot with an appropriate exposure by setting all the items that can be set to Auto to Auto without changing the setting values of each item. .. Furthermore, basically, even if you want to shoot while changing the shutter speed setting value with Auto as the aperture value (equivalent to Tv mode), you can easily set the shutter speed to an appropriate exposure (Auto). It is possible to quickly set the set value desired by the user.

As a specific effective example of the exposure adjustment mode, in manual mode shooting, for example, when the subject being followed is in the sun and bright, clouds suddenly appear in the shade, and the subject brightness changes significantly. The setting for proper exposure may be significantly different from the setting for. In such a case, I want to take a picture quickly with proper exposure, but in order to easily get proper exposure with one hand, I have to operate the mode changeover switch 60 to switch to P mode. Also, for example, if the user wants to change the depth of field after adjusting the exposure to the proper level, the Av value is fixed by simply moving the cursor to the Av value and turning the dial, and the same applies when the user wants to change the flow of the subject. The Tv value is fixed just by moving the cursor to the Tv value and turning the dial. In this way, it is possible to quickly set the proper exposure, but it is possible to change the setting value of the item selected by the user without performing an operation of changing the mode after setting the proper exposure. That is, in the exposure adjustment mode, the user can move in one action equivalent to the P mode without changing the mode, and even if the mode is not changed from the state where the exposure is properly set, the user simply rotates the dial. The setting value of the desired item can be changed.

Further, if the subject brightness changes drastically during shooting again after changing the setting, the P mode movement is continued by setting to Auto, so that it is possible to shoot with an appropriate exposure. In this way, the movement equivalent to P mode can be switched between Av mode equivalent, Tv mode equivalent, and M mode equivalent, so that the brightness changes abruptly, and the blur and flow change from the proper exposure state. If you want, you can set it quickly without switching modes.

Also, although it was equivalent to M mode, if the brightness changes suddenly, you do not want to change the aperture value from the current setting, but if you want to change only the shutter speed quickly, you can set only the shutter speed to Auto. can. For example, if the shutter speed was originally set to 1/2500, but the user wants to change the set value to around 1/320 when the brightness changes suddenly, 1/2500 in M mode. You need to rotate the dial from 1 to 1/320 (for example, 9 clicks). Here, in the exposure adjustment mode, it can be changed to nearly 1/320 by setting Auto to one hand. For example, if the set value can be changed by one hand up to 1/250 in Auto, then the dial can be rotated by one click, so that the amount of operation is reduced.

In this way, the same movement as all mode changes can be performed without changing the mode.

In the above-described embodiment, the dial rotation operation (first operation) for changing the set value of the selected item and the button operation (second operation) for setting the item to Auto are the operation methods. Explained that is different. Therefore, the user can distinguish whether to change the setting finely or to easily set it to Auto depending on the operation method. When performing by touch operation, there is a bar in which a candidate for a setting value and Auto can be selected (for example, Auto corresponds to an end position), and the setting can be changed by touching on the bar. In addition, an item for setting the selected item to Auto and an item for setting all the items that can be set to Auto to Auto are displayed, and the item may be set by touching on the item.

Further, although it has been explained that one of Auto and a plurality of setting value candidates can be set according to the dial operation, it may not be set to Auto depending on the dial operation. That is, for example, the set value may be set from a plurality of set value candidates not including Auto according to the dial operation, and may be set to Auto according to the button operation. Further, when the touch operation is performed, the bar indicating the candidate of the set value without indicating Auto and the item indicating Auto may be displayed separately.

In the above description, exposure parameters (one or more setting items related to exposure control) are adopted as examples of setting items. However, the setting items of this embodiment are not limited to the exposure parameters. For example, the setting item may be a setting item related to the AF point of autofocus. In this case, for a configuration in which, when the user operates the main electronic dial 71 during automatic distance measurement in autofocus, the distance measurement point is controlled to be changed from the tracking distance measurement point to an arbitrary distance measurement point. It is possible to apply the configuration of the embodiment. Alternatively, the setting item may be a setting item related to auto white balance.

The above-mentioned various controls described as being performed by the system control unit 50 may be performed by one hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by sharing the processing among a plurality of hardware. ..

Further, although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various embodiments within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the digital camera 100 has been described as an example, but this is not limited to this example, and any control device that controls setting items can be applied. .. That is, the present invention can be applied to a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone terminal, a portable image viewer, a printer device including a display, a digital photo frame, a music player, and the like. Further, the present invention can be applied to a game machine, an electronic book reader, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a projection device, a home appliance device including a display, an in-vehicle device, and the like.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

17 ... AE sensor, 22 ... image pickup unit, 28 ... display unit, 50 ... system control unit, 52 ... system memory, 56 ... non-volatile memory, 70 ... operation unit, 74 ... cross key, 100 ... digital camera, 101 ... shutter , 102 ... Aperture, 103 ... Lens, 150 ... Lens unit

Claims (29)

A selection method for selecting one of multiple setting items, and
A first setting that automatically sets a setting value for a setting item selected by the selection means, a setting means that sets one of a plurality of setting value candidates that can be selected by the user, and a setting means.
Among the plurality of setting items, in the first state in which any of the setting value candidates is set instead of the first setting in both the first setting item and the second setting item, the first setting item is used. In response to the operation of 1, one of the setting values is set from a plurality of setting value candidates for the setting item selected by the selection means.
In the first state, the first setting is set for the setting item selected by the selection means according to the second operation in which the operation method is different from that of the first operation.
In the first state, the first setting for the first setting item and the second setting item according to the first operation and the third operation having a different operation method from the second operation. Control means to control to set
Have,
The setting item selected by the selection means according to the second operation or the third operation is selected by the selection means according to the first operation in a state where the first setting is made. An electronic device characterized in that the setting of a setting item can be changed from the first setting to a setting value of any one of the plurality of setting value candidates corresponding to the setting item selected by the selection means. .. A selection method for selecting one of multiple setting items, and
A first setting that automatically sets a setting value for a setting item selected by the selection means, a setting means that sets one of a plurality of setting value candidates that can be selected by the user, and a setting means.
Of the first setting item and the second setting item included in the plurality of setting items, the second setting item is also selected even when the first setting item is selected by the selection means. Even when the second operation is performed, the first setting is set in the setting item selected by the selection means.
Whether the first setting item is selected by the selection means or the second setting item is selected, a third operation different from the second operation is performed. A control means for controlling the first setting item and the second setting item to set the first setting according to the situation.
An electronic device characterized by having. As an exposure setting mode
Shutter speed priority mode in which the aperture value is automatically set according to the shutter speed selected by the user,
Aperture priority mode in which the shutter speed is automatically set according to the aperture value selected by the user,
Manual mode in which the user selects a set value from setting value candidates excluding auto for both shutter speed and aperture value, and
Program mode that automatically sets both shutter speed and aperture value,
A specific exposure setting mode in which both the shutter speed and aperture value are set by selecting one from auto and multiple setting value candidates, and
Mode switching means to switch to and set to any of multiple modes including
A selection means for selecting one of a plurality of setting items including a shutter speed and an aperture value when the mode switching means is switched to the specific exposure setting mode and set.
In the specific exposure setting mode, it is characterized by having a setting means for setting a setting item selected by the selection means to either auto or a plurality of setting value candidates according to a first operation. Imaging control device. The control means
Of the first setting item and the second setting item included in the plurality of setting items, the second setting item is also selected when the first setting item is selected by the selection means. Even when it is selected, the first setting is set in the setting item selected by the selection means in response to the second operation being performed.
Whether the first setting item is selected by the selection means or the second setting item is selected, the first operation is performed according to the third operation. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first setting is controlled to be set in the setting item and the second setting item. As an exposure setting mode
Shutter speed priority mode in which the aperture value is automatically set according to the shutter speed selected by the user,
Aperture priority mode in which the shutter speed is automatically set according to the aperture value selected by the user,
Manual mode in which the user selects a set value from setting value candidates excluding auto for both shutter speed and aperture value, and
Program mode that automatically sets both shutter speed and aperture value,
A specific exposure setting mode in which both the shutter speed and aperture value are set by selecting one from auto and multiple setting value candidates, and
Mode switching means to switch to and set to any of multiple modes including
A selection means for selecting one of a plurality of setting items including a shutter speed and an aperture value when the mode switching means is switched to the specific exposure setting mode and set.
In the specific exposure setting mode, the setting means for setting the setting item selected by the selection means to either auto or a plurality of setting value candidates according to the first operation, and
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4, further comprising. As an exposure setting mode
Shutter speed priority mode in which the aperture value is automatically set according to the shutter speed selected by the user,
Aperture priority mode in which the shutter speed is automatically set according to the aperture value selected by the user,
Manual mode in which the user selects a set value from setting value candidates excluding auto for both shutter speed and aperture value, and
Program mode that automatically sets both shutter speed and aperture value,
A specific exposure setting mode in which both the shutter speed and aperture value are set by selecting one from auto and multiple setting value candidates, and
Further has a mode switching means for switching and setting to any of a plurality of modes including
The first setting item is the shutter speed, the second setting item is the aperture value, and the first setting is the auto.
The operation according to claim 1, wherein the selection means, the setting means, and the control means perform the operation according to claim 1, when the mode switching means switches to the specific exposure setting mode and is set. The electronic device according to 1. As an exposure setting mode
Shutter speed priority mode in which the aperture value is automatically set according to the shutter speed selected by the user,
Aperture priority mode in which the shutter speed is automatically set according to the aperture value selected by the user,
Manual mode in which the user selects a set value from setting value candidates excluding auto for both shutter speed and aperture value, and
Program mode that automatically sets both shutter speed and aperture value,
A specific exposure setting mode in which both the shutter speed and aperture value are set by selecting one from auto and multiple setting value candidates, and
Further has a mode switching means for switching and setting to any of a plurality of modes including
The first setting item is the shutter speed, the second setting item is the aperture value, and the first setting is the auto.
The operation according to claim 2, wherein the selection means, the setting means, and the control means perform the operation according to claim 2, when the mode switching means switches to the specific exposure setting mode and is set. 2. The electronic device according to 2. In the specific exposure setting mode, the setting values of the plurality of setting items other than the setting items selected by the selection means are changed according to the second operation different from the first operation and the operation method. The imaging control device according to claim 3, wherein the setting item selected by the selection means is set to auto. In the specific exposure setting mode, in response to the first operation and the third operation having a different operation method from the second operation, the setting items other than the setting items selected by the selection means among the plurality of setting items are selected. The imaging control device according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of setting items including the above-mentioned setting items are set to auto. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 6, wherein the first operation is a rotation operation of a dial. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4 to 7, wherein the second operation and the third operation are button pressing or touch operation. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the second operation includes any one of the up key and the left key of the cross key. The electronic device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the third operation includes any one of the down key and the right key of the cross key. 1. The electronic device according to any one of 2, 4 to 7, and 11 to 13. The plurality of setting items according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 to 7, and 10 to 14, wherein the plurality of setting items include at least one of a shutter speed, an aperture value, and an ISO sensitivity. The electronic device described. Any of claims 1, 2, 4 to 7, and 10 to 14, wherein the control means controls to display the settings of the plurality of setting items set by the setting means on the display unit. The electronic device according to item 1. When the setting item selected by the selection means is an item indicating an exposure compensation value, the control means controls to set the exposure compensation value to 0 according to the second operation. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4 to 7. Claims 1, 2, and 4 to 7 are characterized in that the control means controls the setting item for which the first setting has been made so as to set a set value according to the photometric processing. The electronic device according to any one of the above. The control means controls the setting items selected by the selection means so as not to make the first setting in response to the first operation being performed while the photometric processing is in operation. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 6, and 10. The control means is set according to the predetermined process in response to the selection of the setting item to which the first setting is made and the first operation being performed during the operation of the predetermined process. The invention according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 6, and 19, wherein the setting is controlled so as to change the setting from the set value to one of the plurality of set value candidates. Electronics. When the setting item for which the first setting was made at the start of the predetermined process is changed in accordance with the first operation during the operation of the predetermined process, the control means is determined. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1, 4, 6, 19, and 20, wherein the setting is controlled so as not to be changed according to the end of the operation of the above. The setting means can be set to the first setting according to the first operation when the predetermined processing is not in operation.
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 6, wherein when the predetermined process is in operation, the first setting cannot be set in response to the first operation. device. It is a control method executed by electronic devices.
A selection process to select one of multiple setting items, and
A first setting that automatically sets a setting value for the setting item selected in the selection process, a setting process that sets one of a plurality of setting value candidates that can be selected by the user, and a setting process.
In the first state in which any of the setting value candidates is set instead of the first setting in both the first setting item and the second setting item among the plurality of setting items, the first setting item. In response to the operation of 1, one of the setting values is set from a plurality of setting value candidates for the setting item selected by the selection process.
In the first state, the first setting is set for the setting item selected in the selection step according to the second operation in which the operation method is different from that of the first operation.
In the first state, the first setting for the first setting item and the second setting item according to the first operation and the third operation different from the second operation and the operation method. And the control process that controls to set
Have,
The setting item selected in the selection step according to the second operation or the third operation is selected in the selection step according to the first operation in a state where the first setting is made. A control method characterized in that the setting of a setting item can be changed from the first setting to a setting value of any one of the plurality of setting value candidates corresponding to the setting item selected by the selection step. .. It is a control method executed by electronic devices.
A selection process to select one of multiple setting items, and
A first setting that automatically sets a setting value for the setting item selected in the selection process, a setting process that sets one of a plurality of setting value candidates that can be selected by the user, and a setting process.
Of the first setting item and the second setting item included in the plurality of setting items, the second setting item is also selected even when the first setting item is selected by the selection step. Even when the second operation is performed, the first setting is set in the setting item selected in the selection step.
Whether the first setting item is selected or the second setting item is selected by the selection step, a third operation different from the second operation is performed. A control process for controlling the first setting item and the second setting item so as to set the first setting according to the above.
A control method characterized by having. It is a control method executed by the imaging control device.
As an exposure setting mode
Shutter speed priority mode in which the aperture value is automatically set according to the shutter speed selected by the user,
Aperture priority mode in which the shutter speed is automatically set according to the aperture value selected by the user,
Manual mode in which the user selects a set value from setting value candidates excluding auto for both shutter speed and aperture value, and
Program mode that automatically sets both shutter speed and aperture value,
A specific exposure setting mode in which both the shutter speed and aperture value are set by selecting one from auto and multiple setting value candidates, and
A mode switching process that switches to and sets one of multiple modes including
A selection step of selecting one of a plurality of setting items including a shutter speed and an aperture value when the mode is switched to the specific exposure setting mode in the mode switching step.
In the specific exposure setting mode, it is characterized by having a setting step of setting the setting item selected in the selection step to either auto or a plurality of setting value candidates according to the first operation. Control method. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 to 7, and 10 to 22. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the imaging control device according to any one of claims 3, 8, and 9. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program for making a computer function as each means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 to 7, and 10 to 22 is recorded. A computer-readable storage medium on which a program for operating a computer as each means of the imaging control device according to any one of claims 3, 8 and 9 is recorded.

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