JP7540311B2 - Electronic device, display program, display method, and display system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device, a display program, a display method, and a display system.

As electronic devices that include displays improve in performance and increase in functionality, operating the menus displayed on the display is becoming more complicated.

Patent document 1 discloses a technology for displaying a customized menu in AV equipment that contains pre-registered adjustment items that users frequently make.

However, in electronic devices such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a user changes an adjustment value corresponding to an adjustment item, it takes time to find and set the desired adjustment value for the adjustment item included in the customization menu. Therefore, with conventional technology, it may be difficult for a user (photographer) to capture an image at the timing intended by the user (photographer) in an imaging device or the like that requires adjustment values (setting values) to be changed according to the ever-changing conditions of the subject.

The present invention aims to improve the operability of electronic devices that include display means.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the electronic device of the present invention has a control unit that registers a predetermined menu item from among menu items included in a normal menu , and registers a customized menu in which a predetermined setting value set is associated with the predetermined menu item from among setting values included in the normal menu and corresponding to the predetermined menu item , and when a call-up operation of the customized menu is performed, the control unit determines whether or not the setting value set in the called-up customized menu includes the setting values immediately before the call-up operation is performed, and if it determines that the setting value set in the called-up customized menu is included, causes a display means to display the setting value set in the called-up customized menu and the setting values immediately before the call-up operation is performed, and if it determines that the setting value set is not included, causes the display means to display the setting value set in the called-up customized menu and the setting values immediately before the call-up operation is performed .

The present invention can improve the operability of electronic devices that include a display means.

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a camera system according to a first embodiment. 1A to 1C are a front view, a rear view, and a top view of a camera system according to a first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for registering menu items and setting values in a customized menu according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example when registering a menu item. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example when registering a setting value. 10 is a flowchart of display control of a customized menu according to the first embodiment. 11 is a display example of a customization menu according to the first embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of display control of a customized menu according to the second embodiment. 13 is a display example of a customization menu according to the second embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using a digital camera, which is an example of an electronic device. Examples of electronic devices that can be used include smartphones, tablet terminals, PCs (Personal Computers), mobile information terminals, imaging devices, AV devices such as televisions, and car navigation systems. Note that this embodiment will be described as an example of application to an interchangeable lens digital camera, which is an example of an imaging device. Note that the present invention may also be applied to an integrated lens digital camera (including a compact digital camera) instead of an interchangeable lens digital camera.

In the present invention, the terms are defined as follows: "To be selected" means that the cursor is placed on a menu item or setting value by operating the cross key or the like. "To be confirmed" means that the OK button or the like is operated while a menu item or setting value is selected. "To be registered (to register)" means that the confirmed menu item or set of setting values is stored in the memory unit so that it can be displayed in the customized menu. "To be registered" includes both an increase and decrease in the number of stored menu items or set of setting values. "To be set" means that it is reflected in the shooting conditions. "To be set" includes reflecting the confirmed setting value in the shooting conditions, and reflecting the exposure conditions specified by operating the exposure dial in the shooting conditions.

In addition, in this embodiment, the term "displaying a menu" may refer to the process in which an arithmetic processing unit such as a control unit reads out menu information for displaying a menu stored in a storage device such as a memory of an electronic device and displays the menu information on a display unit such as a monitor. The menu information for displaying a menu may be, for example, information that associates menu items with item values.

[First embodiment]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a camera system 10 according to this embodiment. The camera system 10 is made up of a digital camera 100 and an interchangeable lens 200. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, this is a system in which the interchangeable lens 200 is replaceably attached to the digital camera 100. Hereinafter, the interchangeable lens digital camera 100 will also be referred to simply as the "digital camera 100".

The digital camera 100 has a control unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 101, a group of operation switches 102, a lens driving unit 103, an aperture/shutter driving unit 104, a shutter 105, an image sensor 106, a signal processing unit 107, an image processing unit (image processing engine) 108, a buffer memory 109, a card I/F 110, a memory card 111, an image display control unit 112, an image display unit 113, operation members 120, 121, and 122. The interchangeable lens 200 has a lens 201 and an aperture 202.

The control unit 101 controls the operation of the camera system 10. The digital camera 100 and the interchangeable lens 200 may each have a control unit 101. In this case, power is supplied from the digital camera 100 to the interchangeable lens 200 via the mount.

The operation switches 102 are members that allow the user to input operation inputs for the camera system 10, and specifically include a shutter button 102a, a main switch 102b, a playback button 102c, a cross key 102d, an INFO button (information display switching button) 102e, an electronic dial 102f, and an exposure mode dial 102g. The cross key 102d and the INFO button 102e, which includes an OK button, are used to switch between various information displays.

The image display unit 113 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display of the image display unit 113 includes a shooting standby state display, a normal menu, a customized menu, etc.

Operations to change the display on the image display unit 113 can be performed not only by the operation switch group 102, but also by operation members 120, 121, and 122, which will be described later. The image display unit 113 may be equipped with a touch panel. In that case, the operations of the operation switch group 102, operation members 120, 121, and 122 can also be assigned to the touch panel.

The digital camera 100 has an operation member 120, an operation member 121, and an operation member 122 in addition to the operation switch group 102. When the operation switch group 102 or the operation member 120, the operation member 121, or the operation member 122 is operated, the display of the image display unit 113 is changed via the control unit 101 and the image display monitor control unit.

Specifically, when operation member 120 is operated, a normal menu is displayed on image display unit 113. When operation member 121 is operated, a customized menu is displayed on image display unit 113. When operation member 122 is operated while a customized menu is displayed on image display unit 113, the setting value is changed, and when operation member 122 is in a shooting standby state, the setting value for the menu item last selected in the customized menu is changed.

The control unit 101 has a storage unit 101a (not shown). The storage unit 101a stores menu items registered in the customized menu and setting value sets registered in association with the menu items. A setting value set refers to a setting value registered in association with each menu item registered in the customized menu. It is preferable that the setting value set includes two or more setting values. In addition, the menu items and setting value sets can also be stored for each user mode.

Operations of the operation switches 102 etc. are realized by hardware such as the control unit 101, signal processing unit 107, image processing unit 108, image display control unit 112, and integrated circuits including large-scale integration (LSI: Large-Scale Integration).

In addition, any or all of the operation switch group 102, operation member 120, operation member 121, and operation member 122 may be provided separately from the electronic device. For example, if the electronic device is a television, the remote controller may have the operation unit. If the electronic device is a car navigation system, the operation unit may be provided on the steering wheel or other operation member of the automobile.

Figure 2 shows an example of a front view, rear view, and top view of the camera system 10 according to this embodiment. In the rear view, the image display unit 113 is located toward the left of the center of the digital camera 100. The image display unit 113 is an example of an image display unit 113. To the right of the image display unit 113 are arranged a playback button 102c, a cross key 102d, an INFO button 102e, an electronic dial 102f, and a normal menu call button 120, which is an example of an operating member 120. The cross key 102d includes an OK button in the center. An eyepiece 203 is located approximately in the center above the image display unit 113.

In the top view, on the right side of the digital camera 100 (the top surface of the grip for the right hand) are located the shutter button 102a, the main switch 102b, a customized menu display operation button (Fn button) as an example of an operation member 121, and an operation dial for changing customized menu setting values as an example of an operation member 122. On the left side of the top view is the exposure mode dial 102g. The main switch 102b preferably has a protrusion and two indicators, "ON" and "OFF". When the protrusion is set to "ON", the digital camera 100 is powered on, and when set to "OFF", the digital camera 100 is powered off.

The flow of operations of the camera system 10 according to this embodiment will be briefly described below. When the main switch is turned ON, the camera system 10 enters a shooting standby state. In the shooting standby state, the exposure mode selected with the exposure mode dial is set, and the rear electronic dial is operated to change the exposure setting parameters.

When the shutter button is operated, the control unit 101 performs automatic focus adjustment (AF: Auto Focus) of the lens 201 via the lens driving unit 103, adjusts the opening and closing of the aperture 202 via the aperture/shutter driving unit 104, and opens and closes the shutter 105 based on the calculation results of the automatic exposure (AE: Auto Exposure).

The image signal captured by the image sensor 106 through the interchangeable lens 200 by opening and closing the shutter 105 is sent to the image processing unit (image processing engine) 108 via the signal processing unit 107. When the image processing unit 108 performs a specific image processing, the buffer memory 109 is used as a temporary storage location for data during processing. After image processing is completed, the image data is recorded on a removable memory card 111 connected via the card I/F 110. The image data and various setting information are displayed on the image display unit 113 by the image display control unit 112.

In other words, the image display control unit 112 of this embodiment is an example of a display control means that controls the display on the image display unit 113, and the display control means may be controlled by the control unit 101 via the image processing unit 108. Also, the image display unit 113 is an example of a display means on which an image is displayed.

The arrangement of the operation switches 102 and the operation members is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2. However, it is preferable that the operation members 121 and 122 are arranged in positions where they can be easily operated while looking through the viewfinder. For example, it is preferable that the operation members 121 and 122 are provided on the top surface of the digital camera 100. Also, for example, it is preferable that the operation member 122 is provided on the rear side of the operation member 121. Note that if the image display monitor 113 is equipped with a touch panel, the setting means and display means may be provided on the touch panel. For example, the operation switches 102 and the operation members may be provided as areas on the touch panel.

In this embodiment, a menu item is an item related to the shooting conditions of a digital camera. The menu items include items such as white balance, flash light compensation, HDR (High Dynamic Range) shooting, and image size. A setting value corresponds to a menu item and determines the shooting conditions. If the menu item is flash light compensation, the setting value includes values such as -0.3, 0.0, and +0.3. If the menu item is white balance, the setting value includes sunlight, shade, and cloudy, and if the menu item is image size, the setting value includes S size, M size, and L size. It is also preferable that the setting value includes an option indicating "do not register."

The normal menu is a menu that displays all the settings for the camera system 10. The normal menu includes setup such as changing the shooting conditions and editing conditions for captured images, registering to a customized menu, changing the language settings and date and time settings, and initializing the memory card. The normal menu cannot be customized. For example, in the normal menu, it is prohibited to change the number and order of menu items and setting values displayed in the normal menu.

The shooting standby state is a state in which shooting operations by the user are accepted. Shooting operations mean that the control unit 101 executes shooting preparation operations (AF, WB, AE) when the shutter button 102a is pressed halfway, and the control unit 101 opens and closes the shutter 105 when the shutter button 102a is pressed all the way. In the shooting standby state, a shooting standby screen is displayed on the image display unit 113. The shooting standby screen displays the current shooting conditions, time, subject information, and the like. Also, in the shooting standby state, changes to exposure parameters are accepted by operating the electronic dial 102f.

Next, a process for registering menu items and setting values in the customized menu will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the process of registering menu items and setting values in the customized menu.

First, we'll explain the process of registering menu items.

When the operating member 120 is pressed, the camera system 10 displays a normal menu on the image display unit 113 and accepts an operation to select and confirm "Register customized menu" (step S1). "Register customized menu" is an example of an option for entering a menu item display screen for registering a customized menu.

Then, the camera system 10 causes the control unit 101 to display a menu item display screen on the image display unit 113. On the menu item display screen, a list of menu items of the customized menu that have already been registered is displayed.

The control unit 101 determines whether an operation to end the change of the menu items has been received on the menu item display screen (step S2). An operation to end the change of the menu items is, for example, an operation to press the shutter button 102a or the operating member 120. If an operation to end has been received (step S2: Yes), the registration of the customized menu is ended. If an operation to end has not been received (step S2: No), a screen for selecting the registration destination of the menu items is displayed on the menu item display screen (step S3).

Once the registration destination is confirmed, the camera system 10 causes the control unit 101 to display a menu item registration screen for selecting the menu item to be registered (step S4). The menu item registration screen displays a list of menu items that can be registered.

When an operation to select and confirm a menu item to be registered is received, the control unit 101 displays a menu item display screen with the updated menu items.

By performing the operations from step S1 to step S4, the desired menu items are registered in the customized menu. In other words, the registered menu items are included in the menu information for displaying the customized menu.

If the control unit 101 does not want to change the setting value set of the menu item (step S5: No) but wants to further change the menu item (step S6: Yes), it returns to S3, and if it does not want to change it (step S6: No), it ends the registration of the customized menu by pressing the shutter button 102a, the operating member 120, etc.

Below, we will explain the screen transitions that occur during the processing from step S1 to step S4 in Figure 3 with reference to Figure 4A.

Figure 4A is a diagram showing an example of the display when registering a menu item. In the display example of this embodiment, a case will be described in which the menu items consist of five items, A to E, and the setting values corresponding to menu item A consist of five values, A-1 to A-5. Note that the number of menu items and setting values can be set arbitrarily.

In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 4A, we will explain the case where already registered menu item E is changed to menu item A.

Screen 41 is an example of a screen that is displayed in step S1 and that accepts an operation to confirm "customized menu registration." Screen 42 is an example of a screen that is used to select the registration destination in step S3.

On screen 42, functions 1 to 5 are displayed as the registration destinations of menu items, with function 1 corresponding to menu item E, function 2 corresponding to menu item B, function 3 corresponding to menu item C, and function 4 corresponding to menu item D. In the following explanation, selecting a function to be associated with a menu item on screen 42 may be expressed as selecting a registration destination for the menu item.

On screen 42, function 1 is selected. Note that the triangular icon displayed on the right side of the screen indicates that a lower level exists.

Screens 43a and 43b are screens displayed in step S4 for selecting the menu item to be registered, and display a list of menu items A to E that can be selected for function 1. Screen 43a is the screen before the menu item to be registered is changed. Screen 43b is the screen after the menu item to be registered has been changed and menu item A has been selected.

In the example of FIG. 4A, on screen 43a, menu item E is associated with function 1, whereas on screen 43b, menu item A is associated with function 1, and it can be seen that the menu item to which function 1 is to be registered has been changed from menu item E to menu item A.

Screen 44 is a menu item display screen in which the menu items have been updated. In screen 44, the menu item registered for function 1 has been updated from menu item E to menu item A. In other words, it can be seen that the desired menu item has been registered for function 1.

Returning to Figure 3, we will now explain the process of registering a configuration value set.

On the menu item display screen where the menu items have been updated in step S4, if the camera system 10 wishes to change the setting value set registered for any setting (step S5: Yes), it displays a screen for selecting the registration destination (step S7).

An operation to start changing the setting value set is, for example, pressing the INFO button. Changing the setting value set means registering an arbitrary setting value for each setting. By changing the setting value set, the setting value set is updated and registered in the customization menu. Changing the setting value set means customizing the setting value set.

Once the registration destination is selected and confirmed, the camera system 10 causes the control unit 101 to display a screen for selecting the setting value to be registered on the setting value registration screen (step S8). The setting value registration screen displays a list of setting values that can be registered for the setting.

When an operation to select and confirm a menu item to be registered is received, the control unit 101 displays a setting value display screen with the updated setting value.

By performing the operations from step S5 to step S8, the setting value set corresponding to the menu item can be changed and a new setting value set corresponding to the menu item can be registered. Note that by swapping the setting values registered in multiple settings with each other, the order in which the setting value sets are displayed in the setting value field can be changed. Furthermore, if one of the setting values includes an option indicating "do not register," any setting value can be thinned out by selecting and confirming that option in step S8. The setting values that have not been thinned out are then registered in the customization menu as a setting value set.

If the setting value set is to be further changed (step S9: Yes), the process returns to step S8 and the registered setting values are changed in the same manner. If the setting values are not to be changed (step S9: No), the process ends by, for example, pressing the operating member 120.

By performing the operations from step S5 to step S9, the desired setting values are registered in the settings. In other words, a set of setting values corresponding to the menu items registered in the customization menu is registered.

The above method of registering a customized menu makes it possible to thin out not only the menu items but also the setting values of each menu item and change the order of the setting values. This allows for more flexible customization according to the photographer's (user's) usage.

The screen transitions resulting from the processing from step S5 to step S10 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 4B. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a display example when registering setting values. The display example in FIG. 4B shows a case where setting value A-3 is thinned out from among the setting values corresponding to menu item A, and setting values A-1, A-2, A-4, and A-5 are registered as a setting value set corresponding to menu item A.

Screen 45 is an example of a screen for selecting a registration destination that is displayed in step S7. On screen 45, settings 1 to 5 are displayed as registration destinations for setting values, with setting 1 corresponding to setting value A-1, setting 2 corresponding to setting value A-2, setting 3 corresponding to setting value A-3, setting 4 corresponding to setting value A-4, and setting 5 corresponding to setting value A-5. In the following explanation, selecting a setting to be associated with a setting value on screen 44 may be expressed as selecting a registration destination for the setting value.

Screen 46 is a screen in which the user selects setting 3, in which setting value A-3 is registered, on screen 45. When an operation is performed to confirm setting 3, screen 46 transitions to screen 47.

Screens 47a and 47b are screens displayed in step S8 for selecting the setting value to be registered. Screen 47 displays setting values A-1 to A-4 and "Do not register" as a list of options that can be selected for setting 3. If the screen is scrolled, setting value A-5 is also displayed. Screen 47a is the screen before the selection of the setting value to be registered is changed in step S8, and setting value A-3 is selected. Screen 47b is the screen after the selection of the setting value to be registered is changed in step S8 and the setting value "Do not register" is selected.

Screen 48 is an example of a setting value display screen in which the setting value has been updated. Screen 48 is the screen that is displayed when "Do not register" is selected and confirmed on screen 47b. Screen 48 displays the setting value corresponding to setting 3, updated from "Setting value A-3" to "Do not register." In other words, it displays that the desired setting value "Do not register" has been registered in setting 3, and that setting value A-3 has been thinned out. In other words, it displays that the setting values registered in the settings have been thinned out.

Next, the display of the customization menu according to this embodiment will be described. In the customization menu, any registered menu item can be selected, and any setting value can be set for the selected menu item from among the registered setting value sets.

Figure 5 is a flowchart of display control of a customized menu according to this embodiment. In the customized menu, any menu item and any set of setting values corresponding to the menu item are preregistered by the above-mentioned registration method.

In the flowchart of FIG. 5, first, in step S20, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a customized menu has been called up. In other words, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a request to display a customized menu has been received.

Specifically, the control unit 101 receives an operation by the user on the operating member 121 and determines that a customization menu has been called up.

When the customization menu is called (step S20: Yes), the control unit 101 determines whether the immediately preceding setting value is included in the setting value set registered in the customization menu (step S21). Note that the immediately preceding setting value is the setting value that is set at the time the customization menu is called.

If the previous setting value is included in the setting value set registered in the customization menu (step S21: Yes), the control unit 101 causes the image display control unit 112 to display a customization menu displaying only the setting value set on the image display unit 113 (step S22).

A customized menu that displays only the setting value sets is a customized menu in which only the registered setting value sets are displayed in the setting value column, and thinned-out setting values are not displayed. Note that the setting value column refers to the area that displays the setting values that correspond to the selected menu item.

If the previous setting value is not included in the setting value set registered in the customization menu (step S21: No), the control unit 101 causes the image display control unit 112 to display a customization menu with the previous setting value added on the image display unit 113 (step S23).

A customized menu with the previous setting value added is a customized menu in which, in addition to the registered setting value set, the previous setting value that is not registered in the setting value set is displayed in the setting value column.

In addition, when the setting value included in the setting value set is set in the customization menu to which the previous setting value was added, the customization menu is closed, and the customization menu is called up again, the process returns to step S21. In other words, the setting value that was thinned out in the customization menu registration is not registered in the customization menu even if it is set from the normal menu.

Figure 6 is a display example of a customized menu according to this embodiment. In this display example, four menu items, A, B, C, and D, are registered in the customized menu. Furthermore, among the setting values corresponding to menu item A, setting values A-3 and A-4 have been thinned out, and a setting value set consisting of three setting values, A-1, A-2, and A-5, has been registered.

In the customization menu of FIG. 6, one menu item is selected from the options of registered menu items (A to D) by operating the left and right keys on the cross key. In addition, one setting value is selected from the options of setting values corresponding to the selected menu item by operating the up and down keys on the cross key or the operating member 122, and confirmed by operating the OK button. Note that when changing setting values across multiple menu items, it is also possible to consider that the setting value is confirmed by accepting the operation of the up and down keys on the cross key or the operating member 122 to select one setting value, and then accepting the operation of the left and right keys on the cross key to select another menu item.

Figure 6 (a) is an example of a customization menu that displays only a set of setting values. Figure 6 (a) is a customization menu that is displayed on the image display unit 113 when the previous setting value is setting value A-1. Setting value A-1 is one of the setting value sets registered in the customization menu.

In Figure 6(a), only the registered set of settings (A-1, A-2, A-5) are displayed in the setting value column as the setting values corresponding to menu item A. In addition, the previous setting value, setting value A-1, is displayed in a selected state.

In the normal menu, there are five setting value options for menu item A, A-1 through A-5, but in the customized menu, there are only three setting value options, A-1, A-2, and A-5. Therefore, setting values A-3 and A-4 are thinned out, and only the registered setting value sets (A-1, A-2, A-5) are displayed as options, allowing the user to quickly set the desired setting value.

In this case, when the camera system 10 receives an operation to select one of the setting values A-1, A-2, or A-5 using a cross key or the like and confirms the selection, the setting value corresponding to the selected option is reflected in the shooting conditions. In other words, the setting value corresponding to the selected option is set in the camera system 10.

It is preferable that setting value A-1 is displayed in a selected state immediately after a customization menu that displays only the setting value set is displayed on the image display unit 113. This allows the user to easily recognize that the setting value that has been set is setting value A-1. Displaying in a selected state includes displaying the font characters indicating the setting value in a color such as black or red, and displaying a mark such as a dot near the setting value.

In other words, the display mode of the selected option may be different from the display mode of the other options. It is preferable that the setting value A-1 is displayed in the selected state whether it is set from the customization menu or the normal menu.

Figure 6(b) is an example of a customization menu to which the immediately preceding setting value has been added. Figure 6(b) is a customization menu that is displayed on the image display unit 113 when the immediately preceding setting value is setting value A-3. Setting value A-3 is not included in the setting value set registered in the customization menu, and is a thinned-out setting value.

In FIG. 6(b), in addition to the set of settings (A-1, A-2, A-5), the setting value A-3 is displayed in the setting value column as the setting value corresponding to menu item A. Also, setting value A-3 is displayed at the top of the setting value column and is displayed in the selected state.

The user can therefore select a desired setting value from among setting values A-1, A-2, A-5, and A-3. This allows the setting value A-3 to be maintained as set. Specifically, if the user opens the customization menu and then changes his mind and wishes to shoot with a setting value other than the set setting value A-3, he or she can select and confirm setting value A-3 while keeping the customization menu open. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the camera system 10 is placed in a shooting standby state, shooting can be performed with setting value A-3 set.

It is preferable that setting value A-3 is displayed in the selected state immediately after the customized menu based on the registered contents is displayed on the image display unit 113. This allows the user to easily recognize that setting value A-3 has been set for menu item A. Furthermore, when a setting value other than the setting value set is set for a menu item, the display mode of the setting values other than the setting value set may be made different from the display mode of the setting values included in the setting value set.

Specifically, the display may be changed so that it is easily identifiable that setting value A-3 is not a setting value set registered in the customization menu. For example, setting value A-3 may be colored in a color different from when a setting value included in a setting value set such as setting value A-1 is displayed in a selected state, a dot or other mark may be displayed nearby, or text may be displayed indicating that it is not a setting value set.

In the customization menu shown in FIG. 6(b), when a setting value included in the setting value set is set, the customization menu is closed, and the customization menu is called up again, the customization menu shown in FIG. 6(a) is displayed. That is, the setting value A-3 set from the normal menu is temporarily displayed in the customization menu, but is not registered in the setting value set. Note that the same applies when switching menu items with the left and right buttons of the cross key 102d without closing the customization menu.

The customization menu can be ended by operating the shutter button 102a, the customization menu display operation member 121, etc. When the customization menu is ended, the camera returns to the shooting standby state and the shooting standby screen is displayed.

In addition, when the operation member 122 is operated on the shooting standby screen, the control unit 101 changes the setting value corresponding to the menu item that was selected immediately before the customized menu was closed. In other words, the setting value that was set for that menu item is changed to another setting value in the set of setting values. For example, if the setting value A-1 was set immediately before the customized menu shown in the display example of FIG. 6 was closed, when the operation member 122 is operated after returning to the shooting standby screen, the setting value A-1 is changed to setting values A-2 and A-5.

The image display control unit 112 displays, on the shooting standby screen, the setting value of the menu item corresponding to the setting value previously set in the customization menu. When the operation member 122 is operated on the shooting standby screen, the setting value displayed on the shooting standby screen is changed in accordance with the change of the setting value by the control unit 101.

The user can freely select the menu items and setting value sets to be registered in the customization menu. For example, the user can register frequently used menu items and setting values in the customization menu and thin out rarely used setting values.

According to this embodiment, the user can register both any menu item and setting value and display them in the customized menu in the first hierarchical layer. In other words, the user can register the setting values by thinning out the menu items and setting values that are used relatively infrequently from the many menu items and setting values that can be set in the normal menu. Therefore, the user can quickly set the desired menu items and setting values from the frequently used menu items and setting values in the customized menu in the first hierarchical layer according to the situation of the subject, and can take a picture without missing the shutter opportunity.

In addition, according to this embodiment, when the customization menu is displayed with the setting values included in the preregistered setting value set set, the preregistered setting value set is displayed. Also, when the customization menu is displayed with the thinned setting values set, the setting values that are set in addition to the preregistered setting value set are displayed.

The camera system 10 can associate multiple customized menus with a user mode. The user mode is a mode in which various settings can be saved and recalled in their entirety for each user or each shooting scene. When associated with the user mode, the camera system 10 saves multiple customized menus in association with multiple user recall operations.

When the camera system 10 receives a user call operation, it calls up a second menu that has been saved in association with the user call operation. For example, any customization can be called up by selecting a user mode position included in the exposure mode dial. The user mode position is, for example, dial positions U1 to U3 of the exposure mode dial 102g. In this case, it is possible to save a total of four patterns of customized menus, combining the three patterns of dial positions U1 to U3 and the normal mode, which is not a user mode.

Specifically, for example, when a customized menu is registered with dial position U1 selected on the exposure mode dial 102g, the camera system 10 stores menu information for displaying this customized menu in association with the dial position U1. Then, when a customized menu is called up with dial position U1 selected on the exposure mode dial 102g, the camera system 10 displays the customized menu based on the menu information associated with the dial position U1.

Note that in this embodiment, the operation of registering a customized menu when any of dial positions U1 to U3 is selected on the exposure mode dial 102g may be referred to as a user invocation operation.

The operation for calling up any customization is not limited to selecting a user mode position included in the exposure mode dial. For example, the camera system 10 may be provided with new operating members according to the number of user modes, and the operating members may be operated.

The camera system 10 may also store more customized menus than the number of user mode positions. In this case, it is preferable to be able to register any customized menu to a user mode position from among the more customized menus than the number of user mode positions.

Each user wants to register a different set of setting values. Even for the same user, the set of setting values will differ depending on the shooting scene. Shooting scenes include, for example, people, landscapes, sports, etc. Therefore, each user can have a customized menu according to their preferences and shooting scenes, and can quickly set the desired menu items and setting values according to the situation of the subject, allowing them to take pictures without missing the shutter chance.

In this embodiment, the control unit 101 functions as a setting means for registering a predetermined menu item from among the menu items included in the first menu, and for registering a predetermined setting value from among the setting values included in the first menu and corresponding to the predetermined menu item in association with the predetermined menu item. Also, the image display monitor control unit functions as a display control means for displaying both the normal menu and the customized menu on the display unit.

If the image display monitor 113 is equipped with a touch panel, a single touch operation can be considered to have been both selected and confirmed at the same time.

In this embodiment, the digital camera 100 has the control unit 101 and the image display unit 113, but is not limited to this. The camera system 10 of this embodiment may be capable of communicating with an external terminal device, etc., by any communication method. In this case, the camera system 10 may use a display of the external terminal device as a display device in place of the image display unit 113.

In this way, the normal menu and customized menu of the camera system 10 can be displayed on the external terminal device. In this case, registration of the customized menu for the camera system 10 may be performed by operating the terminal device.

Second Embodiment
In the second embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the setting value set before it is determined that the customized menu is called corresponds to a currently valid menu item. In the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be particularly described.

Figure 7 is a flowchart of display control of a customized menu according to this embodiment. In the customized menu, any menu item and any set of setting values corresponding to the menu item are preregistered by the above-mentioned registration method.

In the flowchart of FIG. 7, first, in step S30, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a customized menu has been called up. In other words, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a request to display a customized menu has been received.

Specifically, the control unit 101 receives an operation by the user on the operating member 121 and determines that a customization menu has been called up.

When the customized menu is called (step S30: Yes), the control unit 101 determines whether or not all menu items registered in the customized menu are currently valid (step S31). When at least one of the menu items registered in the customized menu is not currently valid (step S31: No), the control unit 101 causes the image display control unit 112 to display the customized menu including the invalid menu items.

If at least one of the menu items registered in the customized menu is temporarily disabled due to the influence of other shooting conditions such as exposure conditions, this menu item is determined to be not currently valid. In other words, a menu item that is not currently valid is a menu item that is temporarily prohibited from being used as a shooting condition for all setting values included in the corresponding setting value set. In the following explanation, an invalid menu item may be referred to as a disabled menu item.

A customized menu that includes disabled menu items includes graying out the disabled menu items, and hiding the setting value that corresponds to the selected menu item when a disabled menu item is selected.

If it is determined that all menu items registered in the customized menu are currently valid (step S31: Yes), the control unit 101 determines whether the immediately preceding setting value is included in the setting value set of the customized menu (step S33). Note that the immediately preceding setting value is the setting value that was set immediately before the customized menu was called up.

If the previous setting value is included in the setting value set registered in the customization menu (step S33: Yes), the control unit 101 causes the image display control unit 112 to display a customization menu displaying only the setting value set on the image display unit 113 (step S34).

If the previous setting value is not included in the setting value set registered in the customization menu (step S33: No), the control unit 101 causes the image display control unit 112 to display a customization menu with the previous setting value added on the image display unit 113 (step S35).

In addition, when the setting value included in the setting value set is set in the customization menu to which the previous setting value was added, the customization menu is closed, and the customization menu is called up again, the process returns to step S31. In other words, the setting value that was thinned out in the customization menu registration is not registered in the customization menu even if it is set from the normal menu.

Figure 8 shows an example of a customized menu that includes disabled menu items.

In FIG. 8, the same menu items and setting value sets as in the display example shown in FIG. 6 are registered. That is, four menu items, A, B, C, and D, are registered in the customized menu. Furthermore, among the setting values corresponding to menu item A, setting values A-3 and A-4 have been thinned out, and a setting value set consisting of three setting values, A-1, A-2, and A-5, is registered. The operation method is also the same.

However, in Figure 8, menu item A is a disabled menu item, and the other menu items B, C, and D are enabled menu items.

As shown in FIG. 8, menu item A is displayed in a grayed-out state. In other words, the font characters representing menu items B, C, and D are displayed in black, while the font character A representing menu item A is displayed in gray. Note that the grayed-out state continues to be displayed regardless of which menu item registered in the customized menu is selected. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that menu item A is an invalid menu item.

In addition, menu item A can be selected in the customized menu including the disabled menu items shown in FIG. 8. That is, in a customized menu including disabled menu items, digital camera 100 accepts an operation to select a disabled menu item. In this way, the user can easily recognize that menu item A is registered in the customized menu and is a disabled menu item.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, when menu item A is selected, the setting value set corresponding to menu item A is not displayed in the setting value column. In other words, when an invalid menu item is selected, the setting value set corresponding to the selected menu item is hidden. This allows the user to easily recognize that menu item A is invalid.

The setting value set corresponding to the disabled menu item is hidden only while the disabled menu item is selected. In other words, in this embodiment, even if the customized menu includes a disabled menu item, the setting value set corresponding to the valid menu item is displayed while a valid menu item is selected.

According to this embodiment, if a menu item registered in the customized menu is not a currently valid menu item, a customized menu is displayed indicating that the selected menu item is not currently valid. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can easily recognize that the currently selected menu item is invalid. Furthermore, in a customized menu that includes invalid menu items, the invalid menu item can be selected. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can easily recognize, for example, that a currently invalid menu item is registered in the customized menu, and that this menu item is registered but not currently valid.

In addition, inactive menu items (disabled menu items) can be displayed as grayed out even if they are not in a customized menu.

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the camera system 10 has been described as an example of an electronic device, but the electronic devices to which the above-described embodiments are applied are not limited to camera systems. This embodiment can be applied to any electronic device that has a function for selecting any menu item from menu items included in a predetermined normal menu and registering a customized menu.

The present invention has been described above based on each embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. These points can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 camera system 100 digital camera 101 control unit 102 operation switches
113 Image display unit 120 Operation member 121 Operation member 122 Operation member

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-305360

Claims (12)

a control unit that registers a predetermined menu item from among menu items included in a normal menu , and registers a customized menu in which a predetermined set of setting values from among setting values included in the normal menu and corresponding to the predetermined menu item is associated with the predetermined menu item;
When a call operation of the customized menu is performed, the control unit determines whether or not a setting value set in the called customized menu includes a setting value immediately before the call operation is performed;
If it is determined that the setting value set in the called customization menu is included, the setting value set in the called customization menu is displayed on a display means;
When it is determined that the customized menu is not included, the electronic device causes the display means to display the setting value set in the called customization menu and the setting value immediately before the calling operation is performed. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the normal menu is a menu in which neither the menu items nor the setting values can be changed. an operation member for selecting the menu item and the setting value;
The control unit is
3 . The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein when the operating member is operated on the shooting standby screen, the setting value previously set in the customization menu is changed to another setting value in a setting value set including the operating member. The control unit is
displaying, on a shooting standby screen, a setting value of a menu item corresponding to a setting value previously set in the customization menu ;
changing the displayed setting value in response to the change in the setting value;
4. The electronic device according to claim 3 . The control unit is
When at least one of the menu items registered in the customized menu is disabled, a customized menu including the disabled menu item is displayed.
5. The electronic device according to claim 1. The control unit is
When displaying a customized menu including the disabled menu item, the disabled menu item is displayed in a grayed-out form.
6. The electronic device according to claim 5 . The control unit is
When displaying a customized menu including the disabled menu items, the setting values corresponding to the disabled menu items are hidden.
6. The electronic device according to claim 5 . receiving an operation of selecting the disabled menu item by an operation member for selecting a menu item in a customized menu including the disabled menu item;
8. The electronic device according to claim 5 . The control unit is
Save a plurality of customized menus in association with a plurality of user invocation operations;
The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the user's calling operation is accepted, a customized menu that is saved in association with the user's calling operation is called. registering a predetermined menu item from among menu items included in a normal menu , and registering a customized menu in which a predetermined set of setting values from among setting values included in the normal menu and corresponding to the predetermined menu item are associated with the predetermined menu item;
When a call operation of the customization menu is performed, a determination is made as to whether or not a set of setting values in the called customization menu includes a setting value immediately before the call operation is performed;
If it is determined that the setting value set in the called customization menu is included, the setting value set in the called customization menu is displayed on a display means;
If it is determined that the setting value set in the called customization menu and the setting value immediately before the calling operation are performed are displayed on the display means, the display program causes the electronic device to execute a process. A display method using an electronic device, comprising:
registering a predetermined menu item from among menu items included in a normal menu , and registering a customized menu in which a predetermined set of setting values from among setting values included in the normal menu and corresponding to the predetermined menu item are associated with the predetermined menu item;
When a call operation of the customization menu is performed, a determination is made as to whether or not a set of setting values in the called customization menu includes a setting value immediately before the call operation is performed;
If it is determined that the setting value set in the called customization menu is included, the setting value set in the called customization menu is displayed on a display means;
when it is determined that the setting value set in the called customization menu is not included, the display means is caused to display the setting value set in the called customization menu and the setting value immediately before the calling operation is performed . A display system including an electronic device and a display device,
The electronic device includes:
a control unit that registers a predetermined menu item from among menu items included in a normal menu , and registers a customized menu in which a predetermined set of setting values from among setting values included in the normal menu and corresponding to the predetermined menu item is associated with the predetermined menu item;
When a call operation of the customization menu is performed, the control unit determines whether or not a setting value set in the called customization menu includes a setting value immediately before the call operation is performed;
If it is determined that the setting value set in the called customization menu is included, the setting value set in the called customization menu is displayed on a display means;
If it is determined that the setting value set in the called customization menu is not included, the display means displays the setting value set in the called customization menu and the setting value immediately before the calling operation is performed.

Images