JP7803151B2 - Image capture device and image capture device control method - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification (hereinafter referred to as "the present disclosure") relates to an imaging device having a display unit that displays images on the back of the main body, and a method for controlling the imaging device.

Digital cameras generally have a display panel on the back of the body that displays live view video and captured images. When the display panel is movable and supported by the body, the photographer can easily take pictures by adjusting the rotation angle of the display panel relative to the body as needed. Furthermore, such digital cameras can switch the display, such as flipping the image displayed on the display panel vertically or horizontally, depending on the rotation position of the display panel, allowing the photographer to view the displayed image without any discomfort.

Known methods for moving a display panel relative to the digital camera body include the vari-angle method and the tilt method. With either method, by incorporating a sensor into the hinge mechanism, it is possible to detect the rotational position of the display panel relative to the camera body and automatically change the orientation of the displayed image. Furthermore, in order to reduce costs and achieve this with a minimum sensor configuration, the display image orientation is often simplified to just a few patterns.

For example, an electronic device has been proposed in which a first magnet and a second magnet are disposed in the movable part of the electronic device, and a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor are disposed in the device body, and control is performed in accordance with the movable state of the movable part relative to the device body based on the output signals of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-42743 A

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an imaging device having a movable display unit on the main body and a method for controlling the imaging device.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and a first aspect thereof is:
a main body including an imaging unit;
a display unit movable relative to the main body and having a plurality of display modes;
a detection unit that detects the position of the display unit relative to the main body;
a control unit that controls switching of the display mode in accordance with a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the position;
The imaging device is provided with:

The detection unit detects the angle between the imaging direction of the imaging unit and the display direction of the display unit. The control unit then controls the switching of the display mode according to the combination of the current display mode of the display unit and changes in the angle.

The display unit includes a first display mode and a second display mode. The control unit switches to the second display mode when the angle exceeds a first angle in the first display mode, and switches to the first display mode when the angle becomes less than a second angle that is greater than the first angle in the second display mode.

Here, the first display mode is a selfie display mode in which the display direction is oriented in the imaging direction and the photographer is included in the subject of the image, and the second display mode is a normal imaging mode in which the display direction is oriented in the opposite direction from the imaging direction and normal imaging is performed.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for an imaging device including a main body including an imaging unit and a movable display unit, the method comprising:
a detection step of detecting a position of the display unit relative to the main body;
a control step of controlling switching of the display mode of the display unit in accordance with a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the position;
The present invention relates to a method for controlling an imaging apparatus having the above-mentioned features.

This disclosure provides an imaging device and a control method for an imaging device that switches the display mode of a movable display unit to make it easier for the photographer to see.

Please note that the effects described in this specification are merely examples, and the effects brought about by this disclosure are not limited to these. Furthermore, this disclosure may also bring about additional effects in addition to the effects described above.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vari-angle digital camera 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation of opening the display unit 120 of the digital camera 100 to the left. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the display unit 120 of the digital camera 100 is open for taking a selfie. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of rotating the display unit 120 of the digital camera 100 downward. FIG. 5 shows the digital camera 100 in a normal shooting state with the display unit 120 turned upside down. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of closing the display unit 120 of the digital camera 100 to the right. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the digital camera 100 with the display unit 120 closed (with the display panel 121 hidden). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a switching operation between the selfie display mode and the normal display mode in response to a rotation operation of the display unit 120. In FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a switching operation between the selfie display mode and the normal display mode in response to a rotation operation of the display unit 120 to which the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 and the display mode. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing mode transitions of the display panel 121 in the digital camera 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration within the digital camera 100. FIG. 13 is a side view of a vari-angle digital camera 1300 (normal position). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the rear of a vari-angle digital camera 1300 (normal position). FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (selfie position). FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (selfie position). FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (low angle position). FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (low angle position). FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (sideways open position). FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (sideways open position). FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (high angle position). FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (high angle position). FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (panel off position). FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital camera 1300 (panel off position). FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example in which an MR sensor and a magnet are arranged in a digital camera 1300. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example in which an MR sensor and a magnet are arranged in a digital camera 1300. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example in which an MR sensor and a magnet are arranged in a digital camera 1300. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example in which an MR sensor and a magnet are arranged in a digital camera 1300. FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining a method for detecting left-right reversal of the display panel 1321. In FIG. FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining a method for detecting left-right reversal of the display panel 1321. In FIG. FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining a method for detecting left-right reversal of the display panel 1321. In FIG. FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining a method for detecting left-right reversal of the display panel 1321. In FIG. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing the relationship between each position of the display unit and the on/off operation of the MR sensor (in the case of a horizontal vari-angle type). FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the MR sensor and magnet in the selfie position. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the MR sensor and magnet in the selfie position. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the MR sensors and magnets in the side-open position. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the MR sensors and magnets in the side-open position. FIG. 40 is a diagram showing the on/off operation of the MR sensor in response to the rotation of the display unit. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the on/off operation of the MR sensor in response to the rotation of the display unit. FIG. 42 is a diagram showing the operation of switching between the selfie display and normal display modes in response to the rotation of the display unit. FIG. 43 is a side view of a multi-angle digital camera 4300 (normal position). FIG. 44 is a diagram showing the rear of a multi-angle digital camera 4300 (normal position). FIG. 45 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 as viewed from the side (selfie position). FIG. 46 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 as viewed from the side (low angle position). FIG. 47 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 as viewed from the side (sideways open position). FIG. 48 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 as viewed from the side (high angle position). FIG. 49 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 as viewed from the side (panel off position). FIG. 50 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side (normal position) with the second support plate 4332 tilted. FIG. 51 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side with the second support plate 4332 tilted (opened by 90 degrees). FIG. 52 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side with the second support plate 4332 tilted (selfie position). FIG. 53 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side (low angle position) with the second support plate 4332 tilted. FIG. 54 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side with the second support plate 4332 tilted (sideways open position). FIG. 55 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side (high angle position) with the second support plate 4332 tilted. FIG. 56 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side with the second support plate 4332 tilted (panel off position). FIG. 57 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side (normal position) with the first support plate 4331 tilted. FIG. 58 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side with the first support plate 4331 tilted (opened by 90 degrees). FIG. 59 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side with the first support plate 4331 tilted (selfie position). FIG. 60 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side (low angle position) with the first support plate 4331 tilted. FIG. 61 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side with the first support plate 4331 tilted (sideways open position). FIG. 62 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side (high angle position) with the first support plate 4331 tilted. FIG. 63 is a diagram showing the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side with the first support plate 4331 tilted (panel off position). FIG. 64 is a diagram showing an example in which an MR sensor and a magnet are arranged in a digital camera 1300. FIG. 65 is a diagram showing an example in which an MR sensor and a magnet are arranged in a digital camera 1300. FIG. 66 is a diagram showing an example in which an MR sensor and a magnet are arranged in a digital camera 1300. FIG. 67 is a diagram showing an example in which an MR sensor and a magnet are arranged in a digital camera 1300. FIG. 68 is a diagram showing an example in which an MR sensor and a magnet are arranged in a digital camera 1300. FIG. 69 is a diagram showing an example in which an MR sensor and a magnet are arranged in a digital camera 1300. FIG. 70 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the opening/closing axis 4341. FIG. 71 is a diagram showing the relationship between each position of the display unit and the on/off operation of the MR sensor (in the case of a multi-angle type). FIG. 72 is a diagram showing the relationship between the vertical tilt position of the display unit and the on/off operation of the MR sensor (in the case of a multi-angle type). FIG. 73 is a diagram showing the on/off operation of the MR sensor in response to the rotation of the display unit. FIG. 74 is a diagram showing the on/off operation of the MR sensor in response to the rotation of the display unit. FIG. 75 is a diagram showing the operation of switching between the selfie display and normal display modes in response to the rotation of the display unit. FIG. 76 is a diagram showing the operation of switching between the selfie display and normal display modes in response to the rotation of the display unit at the tilt position. FIG. 77 is a diagram showing the operation of switching between the selfie display and normal display display modes in response to the rotation of the display unit at the tilt position.

The present disclosure will be explained below in the following order, with reference to the drawings.

A. Overview B. Basic operation C. Functional configuration of digital camera D. Implementation examples D-1. Implementation example of vari-angle system D-2. Implementation example of multi-angle system

A. Overview Generally, digital cameras are equipped with a display panel on the back of the camera body that displays live view images and captured images. Known methods for manipulating the display panel relative to the digital camera body include the vari-angle method and the tilt method.

The tilt-type display panel is moved up and down by pulling it out from the rear of the camera body. The advantages of the tilt-type display panel include the ability to quickly adjust the display panel angle and the ability to move the display panel along the lens's optical axis, which makes framing easier because there is little or no misalignment between the photographer's line of sight and the optical axis. On the other hand, the vari-angle type displays the panel by opening it to the left from the rear of the camera body and rotating it up and down. The advantages of the vari-angle type include the ability to rotate the display panel up and down while it is open, giving it a wide range of movement, and the ability to adjust the angle left and right, allowing for high and low positions in both horizontal and vertical shooting. In other words, with the vari-angle type, the rear display panel can be opened and closed around an opening/closing axis relative to the camera body, and the display panel can be rotated around the opening/closing axis in each opening/closing position, allowing the display panel screen to face either forward or backward from the camera body. More recently, a hybrid system (hereafter referred to as the "multi-angle system" in this specification) has emerged that combines the tilt system and the vari-angle system to increase the degree of freedom in the position of the display panel relative to the camera body.

Furthermore, such digital cameras can switch the display by flipping the image displayed on the display panel vertically or horizontally depending on the rotational position of the display panel, allowing the photographer to view the displayed image without any sense of discomfort. For example, the vari-angle method allows for "normal photography," in which the display panel screen faces the rear of the camera body and the photographer takes a picture while observing the displayed image from behind the camera body, and "selfie photography," in which the display panel screen faces the camera's imaging direction and the photographer is included in the photo. Furthermore, by appropriately flipping the image captured by the camera vertically or horizontally during both normal photography and selfie photography, an image that appears natural to the photographer can be displayed on the display panel.

By incorporating a sensor into a hinge mechanism connecting the camera body and the display unit, it is possible to detect the rotational position of the display panel relative to the camera body and automatically switch the orientation of the display image. To reduce costs, the display image orientation is often simplified to a few patterns in order to achieve this with a minimal sensor configuration. For example, by placing a magnet on the display panel and a magnetic sensor on the camera body, the display panel can be determined to be facing the direction for taking a selfie when the magnetic sensor is turned on, and the display on the display panel can be flipped upside down and left to right (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, with such a structure, the display panel can only switch to the display for taking a selfie within a narrow range of rotational positions where the magnetic sensor is turned on, which can be inconvenient for photographers.

In contrast, the present disclosure controls the switching of display modes in response to a combination of the current display mode of the display panel and changes in the rotation angle of the display unit. As a result, the period during which selfie images can be displayed is extended when the user intends to take a selfie, and the period during which normal images can be displayed is extended when the user intends to take a normal photo, thereby improving user convenience.

B. Basic Operation In this section B, the basic operation of a digital camera to which the present disclosure is applied will be explained, taking the vari-angle system as an example.

First, let's consider the movable range of the display panel and the display switching operation of the display panel in a vari-angle digital camera, with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

The digital camera 100 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a camera body 110 including an imaging unit, a display unit 120 including a display panel 121, and a hinge unit 130 that connects the display unit 120 to the camera body 110. While the imaging unit is not shown in FIG. 1, the imaging lens 111 appears at the front of the camera body 110. The hinge unit 130 also comprises an opening/closing shaft 131 that allows the display unit 120 to open and close in the left-right direction relative to the camera body 110, and a rotation shaft 132 that allows the display unit 120 to rotate in the up-down direction relative to the camera body 110 near the center of the opening/closing shaft 131. As shown in FIG. 1, the normal position is when the display panel 121 is oriented so as to be exposed on the rear side of the camera body 110 and the display unit 120 is closed to the camera body 110. In this normal position, the display direction of the display panel 121 faces in the exact opposite direction to the imaging direction of the digital camera 100, and the user's line of sight coincides with the imaging direction of the digital camera 100, so the image captured by the digital camera 100 can be displayed as is, as shown in the lower half of Figure 1.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, when the display unit 120 is opened leftward around the opening/closing axis 131 relative to the camera body 110, the display unit 120 rotates 180 degrees from the normal position around the opening/closing axis 131, as shown in FIG. 3, and the display direction of the display panel 121 faces approximately the same direction as the image capture direction of the digital camera 100. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the user (photographer) observing the display panel 121 is in the image capture direction, so it is possible to take a selfie with the photographer included as a subject. Then, by displaying an image captured with the digital camera 100 in a mirrored state on the display panel 121 as shown in the lower half of FIG. 3, the user can view an image whose left and right sides match the image captured with the digital camera 100. The display on the display panel 121 shown in FIG. 3 is referred to as a "selfie display."

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the display unit 120 is rotated downward (clockwise on the page) around the rotation axis 132 relative to the camera body 110, the display unit 120 rotates 180 degrees around the rotation axis 132, as shown in FIG. 5, and the display direction of the display panel 121 faces in a direction substantially opposite to the imaging direction of the digital camera 100. In the state shown in FIG. 5, the user's line of sight is aligned with the imaging direction of the digital camera 100, but the orientation of the display panel 121 is inverted vertically and horizontally relative to the normal position shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, by inverting an image captured with the digital camera 100 vertically and then horizontally, the user can view the same image as the image captured with the digital camera 100. The display of the display panel 121 shown in FIG. 5 is referred to as "normal display."

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the display unit 120 is closed to the right around the opening/closing axis 131 relative to the camera body 110, the display unit 120 is closed to the camera body 110, as shown in FIG. 7. In this state, the display panel 121 faces the camera body 110 and is hidden, preventing the user from observing the displayed image, so it is preferable to turn off the display on the display panel 121.

Of the operational examples of the digital camera 100 shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the operational ranges shown in Figures 3 to 5, the display unit 120 rotates around the rotation axis 132 relative to the camera body 110, and the display panel 121 switches from the selfie display to the normal display depending on the angle of rotation. Figures 3 to 5 show an example in which the display unit 120 rotates clockwise on the page, but if the display unit 120 rotates counterclockwise instead, the display panel 121 switches from the normal display to the selfie display.

Fig. 8 shows an example of the operation of switching between the selfie display and normal display modes in response to the rotation of the display unit 120, while referring to a left side view of the digital camera 100. As in Fig. 3, Fig. 8 shows the display direction of the display panel 121 facing in approximately the same direction as the imaging direction of the digital camera 100. Here, the angle θ _th (for example, approximately 30 degrees) formed between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 by the rotation of the display unit 120 is set as the threshold for switching the display mode.

When the display panel 121 faces the imaging direction, the display unit 120 is in selfie display mode. When the display unit 120 is rotated clockwise relative to the camera body 110 and the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 reaches a threshold angle _θth , the display mode switches from selfie display mode to normal display mode. After that, the display unit 120 can be rotated in the same direction until it reaches the limit angle _θlimit , during which time the display panel 121 remains in normal display mode. Next, when the display unit 120 is rotated in the opposite direction from _the limit angle θlimit, i.e., counterclockwise relative to the drawing, and the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 reaches the threshold angle _θth , the display mode switches from normal display mode to selfie display mode.

In the example of the display mode switching operation shown in Figure 8, the section of the rotational range of the display unit 120 that is occupied by the selfie display mode is too short. As a result, even if a user wants to flip the display unit 120 upside down to switch from normal shooting to taking a selfie, the display panel 121 does not switch to the selfie display mode for a long time, which can be inconvenient for the user.

In light of this, the present disclosure provides control over display mode switching in response to a combination of the current display mode of the display panel 121 and changes in the rotation angle of the display unit 120. According to the present disclosure, the period during which selfie images can be displayed is extended when the user intends to take a selfie, and the period during which normal images can be displayed is extended when the user intends to take a normal photo, thereby improving user convenience.

8 in that a threshold is set for the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100, but in the present disclosure, a second angle threshold _θ2 at which the display panel 121 switches to the normal display mode when in the selfie display mode and a first angle threshold _θ1 at which the display panel 121 switches to the selfie display mode when in the normal display mode are separately set. If the second angle threshold _θ2 is set to a value greater than the first angle threshold _θ1 , a hysteresis section is formed in which the rotational position of the display unit 120 can be in either the selfie display mode or the normal display mode between the first angle threshold _θ1 and the second angle threshold θ2 depending on the current display mode of the display panel _121. This makes it possible to set a display mode according to the user's intention for shooting, improving user convenience.

9 shows an example of the operation of switching between the selfie display mode and the normal display mode in response to the rotation of the display unit 120, to which the present disclosure is applied. As in FIG. 3 , FIG. 9 also shows a state in which the display direction of the display panel 121 is oriented in approximately the same direction as the imaging direction of the digital camera 100. Here, when the display panel 121 is in the selfie display mode, a second angle θ ₂ (e.g., approximately 150 degrees) formed between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 is set as the threshold for switching to the normal display mode, and when the display panel 121 is in the normal display mode, a first angle θ ₁ (e.g., approximately 30 degrees) formed between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 is set as the threshold for switching to the selfie display mode.

When the display panel 121 faces the imaging direction, the display unit 120 is in selfie display mode. When the display unit 120 is rotated clockwise relative to the camera body 110 and the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 reaches the second angle threshold _θ2 , the display unit 120 switches from selfie display mode to normal display mode. When the display unit 120 is subsequently rotated in the same direction, the display panel 121 remains in normal display mode until the limit angle θ _limit is reached. When the user attempts to change the orientation of the display panel 121 while it is in the selfie shooting position, it is inferred that this is an intention to take a selfie, and therefore user convenience is improved by maintaining the display panel in selfie shooting mode for a long period of time.

Note that in Figures 8 and 9, the rotation angle of the display unit 1320 around the rotation axis 132 is expressed as an angle of inclination from the rear surface of the camera body 110, but this is equivalent to the angle of inclination of the display direction of the display panel 131 relative to the imaging direction of the imaging unit 111.

Next, in the normal display mode, the display unit 120 is rotated counterclockwise on the page, and even if the angle between the display orientation of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 reaches the second angle threshold _θ2 , the display mode does not change. After that, when the display unit 120 is rotated in the same direction and reaches the first angle threshold _θ1 , the display mode changes from the normal display mode to the selfie display mode. When the user attempts to change the orientation of the display panel 121 with the display panel 121 in the normal shooting position, it is presumed that the user intends to take a normal photo, and therefore user convenience is improved by maintaining the display panel in the normal shooting mode for a long period of time.

From the viewpoint of cost reduction, the first angle threshold θ ₁ and the second angle threshold θ ₂ should be detected with a minimum sensor configuration, but details of the sensor configuration will be described later in Section D.

Figure 10 shows the relationship between the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100, and the display mode of the display panel, in the example operation of the digital camera 100 shown in Figure 9.

When the display unit 120 is rotated clockwise relative to the camera body 110 in the selfie display mode and the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 reaches the second angle threshold _θ2 , the display panel 121 switches from the selfie display mode to the normal display mode. The operation of the display panel 121 reaching the second angle threshold _θ2 corresponds to the operation of turning the display panel 121 in the opposite direction to the imaging direction and switching to normal imaging. If the display unit 120 is then rotated in the same direction, the display panel 121 remains in the normal display mode until the limit angle θ _limit is reached.

On the other hand, when the display unit 120 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 9 in the normal display mode, even if the angle between the display orientation of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 reaches the second angle threshold _θ2 , the display mode does not change. Then, when the display unit 120 is rotated in the same direction and reaches the first angle threshold _θ1 , the display mode changes from the normal display mode to the selfie display mode. The operation of the display panel 121 reaching the first angle threshold _θ1 corresponds to the operation of orienting the display panel 121 in the imaging direction to switch to selfie photography. Then, when the display unit 120 is rotated in the same direction, the display panel 121 remains in the selfie display mode until the display orientation of the display panel 121 becomes substantially the same as the imaging direction of the digital camera 100.

After rotating the display unit 120 clockwise in the plane of FIG. 9 to return to selfie display mode, the same operation as above will be repeated when the display unit 120 is again rotated clockwise in the plane of FIG. 9 relative to the camera body 110.

According to the present disclosure, the second angle threshold _θ2 at which the display panel 121 switches to the normal display mode when in the selfie display mode and the first angle threshold θ1 at which the display panel 121 switches to the selfie display mode when in the normal display mode can be set separately. Therefore, by setting the second angle threshold _θ2 to a value greater than the first angle threshold _θ1 as shown in FIG _. 9 , a hysteresis interval is formed in which the display mode can be either the selfie display mode or the normal display mode, as shown in FIG. 10 . This makes it possible to set a display mode according to the user's intention for photographing, thereby improving user convenience. Of course, setting the first angle threshold _θ1 at which the display mode switches to the selfie display mode when in the normal display mode to a value greater than the second angle threshold _θ2 at which the display mode switches to the normal display mode when in the selfie display mode also improves user convenience in other ways. For example, tilting the display panel 121 by 30 degrees from the selfie display mode facing the camera would normally switch to the normal display mode, but this would allow the selfie display mode to be maintained over a wider range.

Figure 11 shows a mode transition diagram for the display panel 121 in a digital camera 100 to which the present disclosure is applied. As described above, in this embodiment, the display panel 121 has a selfie display mode and a normal display mode as display modes. In addition to displaying live view video, the display panel 121 is also used to display recorded captured images, as well as displaying settings for imaging conditions and the remaining battery level; however, for the sake of simplicity, display modes for other uses will be omitted here.

In both the selfie display mode and the normal display mode, the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 is monitored. However, in order to achieve this with a minimum sensor configuration from the perspective of cost reduction, the angle is monitored using a simplified number of patterns. Specifically, the angle is monitored at a coarse granularity of whether or not it is within the range of 0 degrees to _θ1 , and whether or not it is within the range of _θ2 to 180 degrees.

In the selfie display mode, even if the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 exceeds a first angle threshold _θ1 , no mode transition occurs and the selfie display mode is maintained. While the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 is less than a second angle threshold _θ2 , no mode transition occurs and the selfie display mode is maintained. When the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 becomes equal to or greater than the second angle threshold _θ2 , a switch from the selfie display mode to the normal display mode is triggered. The operation of reaching the second angle threshold _θ2 corresponds to an operation of turning the display panel 121 in the opposite direction to the imaging direction and switching to normal imaging.

Furthermore, in normal display mode, even if the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 becomes less than the second angle threshold _θ2 , no mode transition occurs and the normal display mode is maintained. Then, when the angle between the display direction of the display panel 121 and the imaging direction of the digital camera 100 becomes equal to or less than the first angle threshold _θ1 , a switch from normal display mode to selfie display mode is triggered. The action of reaching the first angle threshold _θ1 corresponds to the action of orienting the display panel 121 in the imaging direction to switch to selfie mode.

As shown in FIG. 9 , if the second angle threshold θ ₂ is set to a value greater than the first angle threshold θ ₁ , a hysteresis section (see FIG. 10 ) is formed in which the display mode can be either the selfie display mode or the normal display mode. This makes it possible to set a display mode according to the user's intention for taking a photograph, thereby improving user convenience.

The display mode transitions shown in Figures 10 and 11 can also be achieved using hardware, for example, using flip-flops.

C. Functional Configuration of the Digital Camera In this section C, the functional configuration of the digital camera 100 that realizes the display mode switching operation and image capturing operation described in section B above will be described.

Figure 12 shows an example of the functional configuration within the digital camera 100. The illustrated digital camera 100 includes a control unit 1201, a display unit 1202, an imaging unit 1203, a detection unit 1204, a recording unit 1205, and an operation unit 1206. Each unit will be described below.

The display unit 1202 includes the display panel described above. The display panel is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, with a touch panel superimposed on the screen. The display unit 1202 is movably connected to the body of the digital camera 100 via a hinge unit (not shown in FIG. 12). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, for example, the hinge unit supports the display unit 1202 so that it can be opened and closed around an opening/closing axis 131 relative to the body of the digital camera 100 and can rotate around a rotation axis 132 relative to the opening/closing axis, but this is not necessarily a limited configuration. Drive signals for the LCD panel and detection signals for the touch panel pass through the hinge unit, but details are omitted here.

The imaging unit 1203 includes an imaging element such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), an optical system that focuses reflected light from the subject on the imaging surface of the imaging element, and the like. The imaging unit 1203 generates an image signal by capturing an image of the subject through photoelectric conversion and outputs the image signal to the control unit 1201.

The detection unit 1204 detects the relationship between the display unit 1202 and the imaging unit 1203. Specifically, for example, when the display unit 1202 is connected to the body of the digital camera 100 using a vari-angle system or a multi-angle system, the detection unit 1204 detects whether the display direction of the display unit 1202 and the imaging direction of the imaging unit 1203 form a predetermined angle (the first angle threshold θ ₁ or the second angle threshold θ ₂ described above, etc.). From the perspective of cost reduction, the detection unit 1204 is configured with a minimum number of sensors, but details will be described later.

The operation unit 1206 includes mechanical controls such as function buttons and a release button, and functions as a user interface for operating the digital camera 100. The operation unit 1206 may also include various menu buttons presented on the display screen of the display unit 1202, and external control devices such as a remote controller. Operation signals corresponding to user input operations received by the operation unit 1206 are output to the control unit 1201.

The control unit 1201 is a processing device including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and controls each unit within the digital camera 100, such as the image capture operation by the image capture unit 1203, the processing of captured images, and the screen display on the display unit 1202. The control unit 1201 also controls each unit based on operation signals from the operation unit 1206.

Memory elements such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) (neither of which are shown in Figure 12) are located within the control unit 1201. The ROM stores important data such as unique information about the digital camera 100, as well as control programs, in a non-volatile manner. The RAM is used to load control programs executed by processors such as the CPU from ROM or the recording unit 1205, and to temporarily store working data while programs are running.

Functionally, the control unit 1201 also includes, for example, a display control unit 1211, an image processing unit 1212, and an image recording unit 1213. These functional modules may be configured as hardware, or may be realized in the form of a processor such as a CPU executing a predetermined control program.

The display control unit 1211 performs display control to display various data on the display unit 1202. The display control unit 1211 causes the display unit 1202 to display the current captured image acquired from the imaging unit 1203, recorded images captured in the past (or read from the recording unit 1205), and the like. The display control unit 1211 also causes the display unit 1202 to display icons indicating internal status such as the remaining battery level and the remaining capacity of the recording unit 1205, as well as data such as the current time and the setting values of parameters used for shooting.

The display control unit 1211 also controls switching of the display mode of the display unit 1202 in accordance with the detection result by the detection unit 1204. In this embodiment, when displaying an image being captured by the imaging unit 1203, the display unit 1202 has at least two display modes: a selfie display mode and a normal display mode. The display control unit 1211 then controls switching between the selfie display mode and the normal display mode in accordance with the mode transition diagram shown in FIG. 11 based on the detection result by the detection unit 1204.

The image processing unit 1212 performs predetermined signal processing on the image signal output from the imaging unit 1203. Examples of signal processing here include digital gain adjustment, gamma correction, color correction, and contrast correction.

The image recording unit 1213 compresses and encodes the image signal after signal processing by the image processing unit 1212 using a predetermined compression encoding method such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), and stores the compressed image data in the recording unit 1205.

The recording unit 1205 is used to save images captured by the imaging unit 1203. The recording unit 1205 can also store control programs executed by the control unit 1201 to control each unit within the digital camera 100, as well as data other than images. It includes an internal recording device fixed inside the digital camera 100 and an external recording device that can be attached or detached from the digital camera 100. The internal recording device is composed of, for example, a hard disk or flash memory. The external recording device is externally connected to the digital camera 100 via a specified interface, for example, HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface) or USB (Universal Serial Bus).

D. Implementation Examples As described above, methods for moving the display panel of a digital camera include the tilt method, in which the display unit including the display panel is tilted vertically or vertically, the vari-angle method, in which the display unit is opened to the left from the rear of the camera body and further tilted vertically, and the multi-angle method, which combines the tilt method and the vari-angle method to enable the display unit to be opened and closed horizontally relative to the camera body and tilted vertically. In this Section D, we will use the vari-angle and multi-angle digital cameras as examples to explain specific implementation methods of a detection unit that detects the relationship between the display unit and the imaging unit, and display mode switching control based on the detection results.

D-1. Vari-Angle Implementation Example FIGS. 13 and 14 show the left side and rear views, respectively, of a vari-angle digital camera 1300. The digital camera 1300 is composed of a camera body 1310 including an imaging unit 1311 at the front, and a display unit 1320 including a display panel 1321. The display unit 1320 is connected to the left edge of the rear of the camera body 1310 via a two-degree-of-freedom hinge mechanism 1330 that can open and close left and right around an opening/closing axis 1331 and rotate up and down around a rotation axis 1332. In the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the display unit 1320 is closed against the rear of the camera body 1310 with the display panel 1321 facing the rear, which is considered the normal position. In this state, the user can take a picture while observing a subject in the imaging direction. 13 and 14 , an electronic viewfinder (hereinafter also simply referred to as a “finder”) 1340 is disposed on the top surface of the camera body 1310 at a position approximately in the center of the display panel 1321. The user can also observe the subject in the imaging direction through the viewfinder 1340 instead of the display panel 1321.

In the drawings referenced in the following explanation, when illustrating the side of the display unit 1320, the display unit 1320 is depicted in cross section and the hinge mechanism 1330 is omitted to make it easier to understand the side facing the display panel 1321 (display direction).

Figures 15 and 16 show the left side and rear views, respectively, of the digital camera 1300 with the display unit 1320 rotated 90 degrees around the opening/closing axis 1331 from the normal position described above.

Figures 17 and 18 show the left side and rear views, respectively, of the digital camera 1300 with the display unit 1320 rotated 90 degrees from the state shown in Figures 15 and 16 in the opening direction around the opening/closing axis 1331, resulting in the display unit 1320 being opened 180 degrees around the opening/closing axis 1331 from the normal position described above. In this state, the display panel 1321 faces forward, in a selfie position where the display direction is the same as the imaging direction. Since the user (photographer) observing the display panel 1321 is in the imaging direction, the imaging unit 1311 can take an image that includes the photographer as a subject. At this time, by switching to a selfie display mode in which the image captured by the imaging unit 1311 is displayed horizontally inverted on the display panel 1321, the user can take a selfie while observing an image that matches the image captured by the imaging unit 1311 in terms of vertical and horizontal alignment.

Figures 19 and 20 show the left side and rear views, respectively, of the digital camera 1300 in a state where the display unit 1320 has been rotated downward by 90 degrees (clockwise on the page) around the rotation axis from the selfie display state shown in Figures 17 and 18, with the display panel 1321 facing upward. In this state, even if the digital camera 1300 is moved to a lower position, the user can view the image captured by the imaging unit 1311 on the display panel 1321 while looking down in a comfortable position, making it easier to take low-angle shots.

Figures 21 and 22 show the left side and rear views, respectively, of the digital camera 1300 with the display unit 1320 rotated another 90 degrees around the rotation axis in the same direction (clockwise on the page) from the low-angle display state shown in Figures 19 and 20, turning the display panel 1321 upside down. In the state shown in Figures 13 and 14, the display panel 1321 is contained within the rear of the camera body 1310, whereas in the state shown in Figures 21 and 22, the display panel 1321 is in a horizontally opened position, opened to the side from the camera body 1310. In this horizontally opened position, if an image captured by the imaging unit 1311 is displayed on the display panel 1321 in a vertically and horizontally inverted manner, the user can take a photo while observing an image that matches the image captured by the imaging unit 1311 vertically and horizontally.

Figures 23 and 24 show the left side and rear views, respectively, of the digital camera 1300 with the display unit 1320 rotated downward by 90 degrees (clockwise on the page) about the rotation axis from the side-open position shown in Figures 21 and 22, so that the display panel 1321 faces downward. In this state, even if the digital camera 1300 is moved to a higher position, the user can view the image captured by the imaging unit 1311 on the display panel 1321 while looking up in a comfortable position, making it easier to take high-angle shots.

Figures 25 and 26 also show the left side and rear views, respectively, of the digital camera 1300 in a state where the display unit 1320 has been rotated 180 degrees in the closing direction around the opening/closing axis 1331 from the side-open position shown in Figures 21 and 22, and the display unit 1320 is closed against the rear of the camera body 1310. In this state, the display panel 1321 is hidden and cannot be observed by the user. It is preferable to turn off the display on the display panel 1321 to save power, so this is referred to as the panel-off position. In this state, the user observes the subject through the viewfinder 1340 and takes a photograph.

As explained with reference to Figures 13 to 26, in the vari-angle digital camera 1300, the display unit 1320 can be in at least six positions: normal position, selfie position, low-angle position, sideways position, high-angle position, and panel-off position. To control automatic switching of the display mode of the display panel 1321 depending on the position of the display unit 1320, it is necessary for the detection unit to identify at least these six positions. Furthermore, from the perspective of cost reduction, it is preferable to realize position detection of the display unit 1320 using a minimum sensor configuration.

The following describes a method for detecting the position of the display unit 1320 using a minimum number of magnets and magnetic sensors. Note that the magnetic sensors referred to here are assumed to be sensors that detect changes in a magnetic field in a specific direction, such as MR sensors (magnetoresistive effect elements).

Figures 27 to 30 show examples of MR sensors and magnets arranged on a digital camera 1300. However, Figures 27 and 28 show the display unit 1320 in the normal position, while Figures 29 and 30 show the display unit 1320 in the panel-off position, upside down. In the example shown in each figure, four MR sensors 2701A, 2701B, 2701C, and 2701D are arranged on the camera body 1310 side, and four magnets 2711A, 2711B, 2711C, and 2711E are arranged on the display unit 1320 side. The arrows drawn within the square blocks representing each MR sensor indicate the direction of the detectable magnetic field. Furthermore, each magnet is basically composed of a pair of north and south poles, and a magnetic field is generated from the north pole to the south pole. Therefore, when a magnet that generates a detectable magnetic field direction approaches within a predetermined distance of a certain MR sensor, the MR sensor turns on, and when the magnet moves away from the predetermined distance, the MR sensor turns off. These four MR sensors 2701A, 2701B, 2701C, and 2701D and four magnets 2711A, 2711B, 2711C, and 2711E constitute the detection unit 1204 in the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 12. Note that for ease of explanation of the arrangement of each MR sensor and magnet, the MR sensors and magnets are drawn relatively larger than the digital camera 1300.

MR sensor 2701A and MR sensor 2701D are used to detect rotation of the display unit 1320 around the rotation axis 1332, i.e., upside-down of the display panel 1321, by detecting magnet 2711A. As can be seen from Figures 27 and 28, MR sensor 2701A and magnet 2711A are positioned facing each other near the left edges of the camera body 1310 and display unit 1320 when the display unit 1320 is in the normal position, and magnet 2711A is positioned so that the direction of the magnetic field that MR sensor 2701A can detect is in the direction of the magnetic field that MR sensor 2701A can detect. Therefore, when in the normal position as shown in Figures 27 and 28, MR sensor 2701A detects the magnetic field of magnet 2711A and turns on. Although not shown in the figure, even while the display unit 1320 is opening and closing around the opening and closing axis 1331, the MR sensor 2701A continues to detect the magnet 2711A, i.e., is in the ON state, as long as the display unit 1320 does not rotate up or down.

On the other hand, as can be seen from Figures 27 and 28, MR sensor 2701D is positioned on the camera body 1310 at a position that is vertically symmetrical to MR sensor 2701A with respect to rotation axis 1332. Therefore, when the display unit 1320 rotates around rotation axis 1332 and the display panel 1321 is turned upside down as shown in Figures 29 and 30, MR sensor 2701D detects the magnetic field of magnet 2711A and turns on. Although not shown, even while the display unit 1320 is opening and closing around opening/closing axis 1331 relative to the camera body 1311, as long as the display unit 1320 does not rotate up or down, MR sensor 2701D continues to detect magnet 2711A, i.e., it is in the on state.

MR sensor 2701C is used to detect whether the display unit 1320 is closed to the back of the camera body 1310 by detecting either magnet 2711C or magnet 2711E. As shown in Figures 27 and 28, MR sensor 2701C is located near the top edge of the closed display unit 1320 on the camera body 1310 side. Magnet 2711C is located opposite MR sensor 2701C in the normal position, and is positioned so that its magnetic field is in the direction that MR sensor 2701C can detect. Therefore, in the normal position as shown in Figure 28, MR sensor 2701C detects the magnetic field of magnet 2711C and turns on. Although not shown, when the display unit 1320 opens around opening/closing axis 1331 and the magnetic field of magnet 2711C goes out of the detection range, MR sensor 2701C turns off.

As can be seen from Figures 27 and 28, magnet 2711E is positioned on the display unit 1320 so that it is vertically symmetrical to magnet 2711C with respect to rotation axis 1332. In other words, when the display unit 1320 is turned upside down to the panel-off position, magnet 2711E is positioned opposite MR sensor 2701C and in the direction of a magnetic field that can be detected by MR sensor 2701C. Therefore, as can be seen from Figure 30, in the panel-off position, MR sensor 2701C detects the magnetic field of magnet 2711E and turns on. Although not shown, when the display unit 1320 opens around opening/closing axis 1331 and the magnetic field of magnet 2711E goes out of the detection range, MR sensor 2701C turns off.

MR sensor 2701B is used to detect the opening and closing operation of display unit 1320 around opening and closing axis 1331, i.e., left-right flip of display panel 1321, by detecting magnet 2711B. Because this is difficult to understand from Figures 27 to 30, the arrangement of MR sensor 2701B and magnet 2711B and the operation of MR sensor 2701B will be explained with further reference to the top views of enlarged view of the area around opening and closing axis 1331 shown in Figures 31 to 34. However, Figure 31 shows the display unit 1320 in the normal position (closed on the camera body 1310 with the display panel 1321 facing backward), Figure 32 shows the display unit 1320 opened 135 degrees from the normal position around the opening/closing axis 1331, Figure 33 shows the display unit 1320 in the selfie position with the display unit 1320 opened 180 degrees from the normal position around the opening/closing axis 1331, and Figure 34 shows the display unit 1320 in the side-open position with the display unit 1320 turned upside down around the opening/closing axis 1332 from the selfie position (opened from the camera body 1310 with the display panel 1321 facing backward).

The MR sensor 2701B is located on the camera body 1310 side, slightly closer to the center than the opening/closing axis 1331. On the other hand, the magnet 2711B is located near the opening/closing axis 1331 of the display panel 1321. When the display unit 1320 is opened or closed, the magnet 2711B rotates together with the opening/closing axis 1331, but when the display unit 1320 is rotated (in other words, turned upside down), it becomes one with the opening/closing axis 1331 and does not move around the rotation axis 1332.

As shown in Figure 31, when the display panel 1321 is in the normal position, the magnet 2711B is positioned near the opening/closing axis 1331 so that it is on the opposite side of the opening/closing axis 1331 from the MR sensor 2701B. In this state, the MR sensor 2701B is turned off because it is separated from the magnet 2711B and cannot detect sufficient magnetic flux.

As shown in FIG. 32, when the display unit 1320 is opened 135 degrees from the normal position around the opening/closing axis 1331, the magnetic field generated by the magnet 2711B reaches the MR sensor 2701B, turning on the MR sensor 2701B. When the display unit 1320 is opened 180 degrees to the selfie position shown in FIG. 33, the MR sensor 2701B remains on. Furthermore, until the display unit 1320 is rotated around the rotation axis 1332 (in other words, turned upside down) and changes to the side-open position shown in FIG. 34, the magnet 2711B remains stationary together with the opening/closing axis 1331, and the MR sensor 2701B remains on.

Figure 35 summarizes the relationship between the on/off operations of the four MR sensors 2701A, 2701B, 2701C, and 2701D at six positions on the display unit 1320 when the MR sensors 2701A, 2701B, 2701C, and 2701D and magnets 2711A, 2711B, 2711C, and 2711E are arranged on the digital camera 1300 as shown in Figures 27 to 34. Based on the on/off operations of the MR sensors 2701A, 2701B, 2701C, and 2701D, the six positions of the display unit 1320 relative to the camera body 1310 can be identified.

Specifically, the on/off states of MR sensor 2701A and MR sensor 2701D make it possible to determine whether the display panel 1321 is upside down. Furthermore, the on/off state of MR sensor 2701B makes it possible to determine whether the display panel 1321 is open from the camera body 1310. Furthermore, the on/off state of MR sensor 2701C makes it possible to determine whether the display unit 1320 is open or closed from the camera body 1310. In short, it should be understood that the orientation of the display panel 1321 can be simplified to six patterns and detected using a small number of sensors, thereby achieving cost reductions.

Next, we will explain how to control switching between selfie display mode and normal display mode based on the detection results of the MR sensor in the digital camera 1300.

As described above, whether the display panel 1321 is upside down can be determined by the on/off states of MR sensor 2701A and MR sensor 2701D. When the display unit 1320 is open from the camera body 1310, the selfie position and the sideways-open position can be determined by the on/off states of MR sensor 2701A and MR sensor 2701D.

Figures 36 and 37 show the left side and back of the digital camera 1300 with the display unit 1320 in the selfie position, along with MR sensors 2701A and 2701D and magnet 2711A. As can be seen from Figures 36 and 37, MR sensor 2701A is on and MR sensor 2701D is off. In the selfie position, the display unit 1320 is flipped left to right from the normal position, so the display panel 1321 is in selfie display mode (see Figure 3, for example) in which the captured image is displayed flipped left to right.

Figures 38 and 39 also show the left side and back of the digital camera 1300 with the display unit 1320 in the side-open position, along with MR sensors 2701A and 2701D and magnet 2711A. As can be seen from each figure, MR sensor 2701A is off and MR sensor 2701D is on. In the side-open position, the display unit 1320 is inverted vertically and horizontally from the normal position, so the display panel 1321 is in the normal display mode (see Figure 5, for example), where it displays the captured image inverted vertically and horizontally.

The on/off operation of the MR sensor 2701A and the MR sensor 2701D in response to the rotation of the display unit 1320 will be described with reference to Figures 40 and 41. Here, however, θ is the angle by which the display unit 1320 rotates clockwise on the page from the selfie position around the rotation axis 1332.

As shown in FIG. 40, when the rotation angle θ of the display unit 1320 is in the range of 0 degrees to approximately 30 degrees, the MR sensor 2701A detects sufficient magnetic flux from the magnet 2711A and turns on; however, when the rotation angle θ exceeds 30 degrees, the magnetic flux decreases and the sensor switches from on to off. Furthermore, as rotation continues and the rotation angle θ of the display unit 1320 exceeds approximately 150 degrees as shown in FIG. 41 (in other words, when the display unit 1320 is tilted approximately 30 degrees in the opposite direction to FIG. 40), the MR sensor 2701D detects sufficient magnetic flux from the magnet 2711A and turns from off to on.

Therefore, in the digital camera 1300, as shown in Fig. 42 , the second angle threshold θ ₂ for switching from the normal display mode to the selfie display mode is set to 150 degrees, and the first angle threshold θ ₁ for switching from the selfie display mode to the normal display mode is set to 30 degrees, thereby realizing the display mode switching operation shown in Fig. 9 , the hysteresis characteristics shown in Fig. 10 , and the display mode transitions shown in Fig. 11 . As a result, it becomes possible to set a display mode according to the user's intention for shooting, improving user convenience. However, the first angle threshold θ ₁ of 30 degrees and the second angle threshold θ ₂ of 150 degrees are design values that vary depending on the sensitivity of each MR sensor used, the magnetic force of the magnet, and the placement locations of the MR sensors and magnets (distance from the rotation axis 1322), etc.

Furthermore, by setting the first angle threshold _θ1 for switching from normal display mode to selfie display mode to a value greater than the second angle threshold _θ2 for switching from selfie display mode to normal display mode, another level of user convenience is improved. For example, tilting the display panel 1321 by 30 degrees from selfie display mode facing the camera directly would switch to normal display mode, but now the selfie display mode can be maintained over a wider range.

Note that in Figures 40 to 42, the rotation angle of the display unit 1320 around the rotation axis 1332 is expressed as an angle of inclination from the rear surface of the camera body 1310, but this is equivalent to the angle of inclination of the display direction of the display panel 1321 relative to the imaging direction of the imaging unit 1311.

D-2. Implementation example of multi-angle system Figures 43 and 44 show the left side and rear, respectively, of a multi-angle digital camera 4300. The digital camera 4300 is composed of a camera body 4310 including an imaging unit 4311 at the front, and a display unit 4320 including a display panel 4321. The display unit 4320 is connected to the camera body 4310 via a vertical tilt mechanism 4330 that tilts the display unit 4320 vertically (or up and down) relative to the rear of the camera body 4310, and a horizontal vari-angle mechanism 4340 that can be opened and closed left and right at the left edge of the vertical tilt mechanism 4330 and can rotate up and down.

The vertical tilt mechanism 4330 comprises, in order from the back of the camera body 4310, a first support plate 4331 and a second support plate 4332. The first support plate 4331 is rotatably supported at its lower edge on the back of the camera body 4310 via a first tilt shaft 4333, and rotatably supports the second support plate 4332 at its upper edge via a second tilt shaft 4334. The horizontal vari-angle mechanism 4340 has two degrees of freedom with respect to the second support plate 4332 of the vertical tilt mechanism 4330: an opening/closing shaft 4341 and a rotation shaft 4342.

In the example shown in Figures 43 and 44, the display unit 4320 is closed to the back of the camera body 4310 with the display panel 4321 facing the back, which is the normal position. In this state, the user can take a picture while observing the display panel 4321 in the imaging direction.

When the vertical tilt mechanism 4330 of the multi-angle digital camera 4300 is fixed, the display unit 4320 can be opened and closed left and right and rotated up and down relative to the camera body 4310 using the two degrees of freedom of the opening/closing axis 4341 and rotation axis 4342 of the horizontal vari-angle mechanism 4340. In other words, when the vertical tilt mechanism 4330 is fixed, the display unit 4320 can be positioned in six ways relative to the camera body 4310 (or the second support plate 4332): normal position, selfie position, low-angle position, sideways open position, high-angle position, and panel-off position. The normal position is as shown in Figure 43. Figures 45 to 49 show the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side when the vertical tilt mechanism 4330 is fixed and the display unit 4320 is in the selfie position, low-angle position, side-open position, high-angle position, and panel-off position.

The selfie position shown in FIG. 45 is a position in which the display unit 4320 is opened 180 degrees to the left around the opening/closing axis 4341 from the normal position shown in FIG. 43. The low-angle position shown in FIG. 46 is a position in which the display unit 4320 is rotated 90 degrees upward (clockwise on the page) around the rotation axis 4342 relative to the second support plate 4332 from the selfie position shown in FIG. 45. The side-open position shown in FIG. 47 is a position in which the display unit 4320 is rotated another 90 degrees upward (clockwise on the page) around the rotation axis 4342 relative to the second support plate 4332 from the selfie position shown in FIG. 46, thereby being inverted upside down. The high-angle position shown in FIG. 48 is a position in which the display unit 4320 is rotated another 90 degrees upward (clockwise on the page) around the rotation axis 4342 relative to the second support plate 4332 from the side-open position shown in FIG. 47. The panel-off position shown in Figure 49 is a position in which the display unit 4320 is rotated 180 degrees clockwise around the opening/closing axis 4341 from the side-open position shown in Figure 47 and closed by the second support plate 4332.

In addition, in the multi-angle digital camera 4300, the camera body 4310 supports the display unit 4320 via the vertical tilt mechanism 4330. This allows the display unit 4320 to be tilted up and down relative to the camera body 4310 by vertical tilting of the first support plate 4331 about the first tilt axis 4333 relative to the camera body 4310, and vertical tilting of the second support plate 4332 about the second tilt axis 4334 relative to the first support plate 4331. Furthermore, in a vertically tilted position, the display unit 4320 can be opened and closed left and right and rotated up and down relative to the second support plate 4332 by the two degrees of freedom of the opening/closing axis 4341 and rotation axis 4342 of the horizontal vari-angle mechanism 4340. That is, even when tilted, the display unit 4320 can take six positions relative to the second support plate 4332: normal position, selfie position, low-angle position, sideways position, high-angle position, and panel-off position.

Figures 50 to 56 show the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side when the second support plate 4332 is tilted relative to the first support plate 4331 and the display unit 4320 is in the normal position relative to the second support plate 4332, a position opened 90 degrees to the left from the normal position, a selfie position, a low-angle position, a sideways-open position, a high-angle position, and a panel-off position.

The normal position shown in FIG. 50 is a position in which the second support plate 4332 is tilted relative to the first support plate 4331 from the position shown in FIG. 43. Then, as shown in FIG. 51, the display unit 4320 can be opened and closed around the opening/closing axis 4341. The selfie position shown in FIG. 52 is a position in which the display unit 4320 is opened 180 degrees to the left around the opening/closing axis 4341 from the normal position shown in FIG. 50. The low-angle position shown in FIG. 53 is a position in which the display unit 4320 is rotated 90 degrees upward (clockwise on the page) around the rotation axis 4342 relative to the second support plate 4332 from the selfie position shown in FIG. 52. The side-open position shown in FIG. 54 is a position in which the display unit 4320 is rotated 180 degrees upward (clockwise on the page) around the rotation axis 4342 relative to the second support plate 4332 from the selfie position shown in FIG. 52, thereby flipping it upside down. The high-angle position shown in Figure 55 is a position where the display unit 4320 is rotated 90 degrees from the side-open position shown in Figure 54 around the rotation axis 4342 (clockwise on the page) relative to the second support plate 4332. The panel-off position shown in Figure 56 is a position where the display unit 4320 is rotated 180 degrees to the right around the opening/closing axis 4341 from the side-open position shown in Figure 54 and closed by the second support plate 4332.

In addition, Figures 57 to 63 show the digital camera 4300 viewed from the side when the first support plate 4331 is tilted further relative to the camera body 4310, and the display unit 4320 is in the normal position relative to the second support plate 4332, a position opened 90 degrees to the left from the normal position, a selfie position, a low-angle position, a sideways-open position, a high-angle position, and a panel-off position.

The normal position shown in FIG. 57 is a position where the first support plate 4331 is tilted further relative to the camera body 4310 from the position shown in FIG. 50. Then, as shown in FIG. 58, the display unit 4320 can be opened and closed around the opening/closing axis 4341. The selfie position shown in FIG. 59 is a position where the display unit 4320 is opened 180 degrees to the left around the opening/closing axis 4341 from the normal position shown in FIG. 57. The low-angle position shown in FIG. 60 is a position where the display unit 4320 is rotated 90 degrees upward (clockwise on the page) around the rotation axis 4342 relative to the second support plate 4332 from the selfie position shown in FIG. 59. The side-open position shown in FIG. 61 is a position where the display unit 4320 is rotated 180 degrees upward (clockwise on the page) around the rotation axis 4342 relative to the second support plate 4332 from the selfie position shown in FIG. 59, thereby flipping it upside down. The high-angle position shown in Figure 62 is a position where the display unit 4320 is rotated 90 degrees upward (clockwise on the page) around the rotation axis 4342 relative to the second support plate 4332 from the side-open position shown in Figure 61. The panel-off position shown in Figure 63 is a position where the display unit 4320 is rotated 180 degrees to the right around the opening/closing axis 4341 from the side-open position shown in Figure 61 and closed by the second support plate 4332.

As described with reference to Figures 43 to 63, in the multi-angle digital camera 4300, at each vertical tilt position using the vertical tilt mechanism 4330, the display unit 4320 can take at least six positions: normal position, selfie position, low-angle position, sideways position, high-angle position, and panel-off position. To control automatic switching of the display mode of the display panel 4321 depending on the position of the display unit 4320, it is necessary for the detection unit to identify at least these six positions. Furthermore, from the perspective of cost reduction, it is preferable to achieve position detection of the display unit 4320 with a minimum sensor configuration.

Therefore, a method for detecting the position of the display unit 4320 using a minimum number of magnets and MR sensors will be described below, even in the multi-angle method. However, for convenience, the following description will be limited to detecting the position of the display unit 4320 relative to the second support plate 4332. It is also possible to detect the position of the second support plate 4332 relative to the first support plate 4331, or the position of the second support plate 4332 relative to the camera body 4310, using a minimum number of magnets and MR sensors, but this point will not be discussed in this specification.

Figures 64 to 69 show examples of MR sensors and magnets arranged on a digital camera 4300. However, Figures 64 to 66 show the display unit 4320 in the normal position, while Figures 67 to 69 show the display unit 4320 in the panel-off position, upside down. In the example shown in each figure, MR sensors 6401A, 6401B, 6401C, and 6401D are arranged on the second support plate 4332, magnets 6411A, 6411B, 6411C, 6411D, and 6411F are arranged on the display unit 4320, MR sensor 6401E is arranged on the back side of the camera body 4310, and magnet 6411E is arranged on the second support plate 4332. The arrows drawn within the square blocks representing each MR sensor indicate the direction of the detectable magnetic field. Furthermore, each magnet is basically composed of a pair of north and south poles, and generates a magnetic field from the north pole to the south pole. Therefore, when a magnet that generates a detectable magnetic field approaches within a predetermined distance of a certain MR sensor, the MR sensor turns on, and when the magnet moves away from the predetermined distance, the MR sensor turns off. These five MR sensors 6401A, 6401B, 6401C, 6401D, and 6401E and six magnets 6411A, 6411B, 6411C, 6411D, 6411E, and 6411F constitute the detection unit 1204 in the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 12. Note that for ease of explanation of the arrangement of each MR sensor and magnet, the MR sensors and magnets are drawn relatively larger than the digital camera 4300.

MR sensor 6401A and MR sensor 6401D are used to detect rotation of the display unit 4320 around the rotation axis 4342, i.e., upside-down rotation of the display panel 4321, by detecting magnets 6411A and 6411D, respectively. As can be seen from Figure 66, MR sensor 6401A and magnet 6411A are positioned facing each other near the left edges of the second support plate 4332 and display unit 4320 when the display unit 4320 is in the normal position, and magnet 6411A is positioned so that the direction of the magnetic field that MR sensor 6401A can detect is oriented in the direction of the magnetic field that MR sensor 6401A can detect. Therefore, when in the normal position as shown in Figure 66, MR sensor 6401A detects the magnetic field of magnet 6411A and turns on. Although not shown in the figure, even while the display unit 4320 is opening and closing around the opening and closing axis 4341 relative to the second support plate 4332, the MR sensor 6401A continues to detect the magnet 6411A, i.e., is in the ON state, as long as the display unit 4320 does not rotate in the vertical direction.

On the other hand, MR sensor 6401D is positioned adjacent to MR sensor 6401A so that the magnetic field detection direction is opposite to that of MR sensor 6401. Furthermore, as can be seen from Figure 66, magnet 6411D is positioned on the display unit 4320 so that it is vertically symmetrical to magnet 6411A with respect to the rotation axis 4342 and has the same polarity. Therefore, when the display unit 4320 rotates around the rotation axis 4342 and the display panel 4321 is turned upside down as shown in Figure 69, MR sensor 6401A no longer detects the magnetic field of magnet 6411A and turns off, but MR sensor 6401D detects the magnetic field of magnet 6411D and turns on. Although not shown in the figure, even while the display unit 4320 is opening and closing around the opening and closing axis 4341 relative to the second support plate 4332, the MR sensor 6401D continues to detect the magnet 6411D, i.e., is in the ON state, as long as the display unit 4320 does not rotate in the vertical direction.

MR sensor 6401C is used to detect whether the display unit 4320 is closed on the second support plate 4332 by detecting either magnet 6411C or magnet 6411F. As shown in Figures 65 and 66, MR sensor 6401C is positioned near the top edge of the closed display unit 4320 on the second support plate 4332 side. Magnet 6411C is positioned so that it faces MR sensor 6401C in the normal position and is aligned with the direction of a magnetic field that can be detected by MR sensor 6401C. Therefore, in the normal position as shown in Figures 65 and 66, MR sensor 6401C detects the magnetic field of magnet 6411C and turns on. Although not shown, when the display unit 4320 is opened around the opening/closing axis 4341 and the magnetic field of magnet 6411C goes out of the detection range, MR sensor 6401C turns off.

As can be seen from Figures 65 and 66, magnet 6411F is positioned on the display unit 4320 so that it is vertically symmetrical to magnet 6411C with respect to rotation axis 4342. In other words, when the display unit 4320 is turned upside down to the panel-off position, magnet 6411F is positioned opposite MR sensor 6401C and in the direction of a magnetic field that can be detected by MR sensor 6401C. Therefore, as can be seen from Figures 68 and 69, in the panel-off position, MR sensor 6401C detects the magnetic field of magnet 6411F and turns on. Although not shown, when the display unit 4320 is opened around opening/closing axis 4341 and the magnetic field of magnet 6411F goes out of the detection range, MR sensor 6401C turns off.

The MR sensor 6401B is used to detect the opening and closing operation of the display unit 4320 around the opening and closing axis 4341, i.e., the left-right flip of the display panel 4321, by detecting the magnet 6411B. Since this is difficult to understand from Figures 64 to 69, referring to Figure 70, a top view showing an enlarged view of the area around the opening and closing axis 4341, the MR sensor 6401B is located on the second support plate 4332 side, slightly closer to the center from the opening and closing axis 4341. Meanwhile, the magnet 6411B is located near the opening and closing axis 4341 of the display panel 4321. However, Figure 70 shows the display unit 4320 in the normal position (closed on the second support plate 4332 with the display panel 4321 facing backwards).

The magnet 6411B rotates together with the opening/closing shaft 4341 when the display unit 4320 is opened or closed, but when the display unit 4320 is rotated (in other words, turned upside down), it becomes one with the opening/closing shaft 4341 and does not move around the rotation shaft 4342. Although not shown, the operation of the MR sensor 6401B associated with the opening/closing operation of the display panel 4321 around the opening/closing shaft 4341 is the same as the operation of the MR sensor 2701B described in Section D-1 above with reference to Figures 31 to 34.

As shown in Figure 70, when the display panel 4321 is in the normal position, the magnet 6411B is positioned near the opening/closing axis 4341 so that it is on almost the opposite side of the opening/closing axis 4341 from the MR sensor 6401B. In this state, the MR sensor 6401B is turned off because it is far away from the magnet 6411B and cannot detect sufficient magnetic flux. Then, when the display unit 4320 is opened 135 degrees from the normal position around the opening/closing axis 4341, the magnetic field generated by the magnet 6411B reaches the MR sensor 6401B, and the MR sensor 6401B turns on. When the display unit 4320 is opened 180 degrees to the selfie position, the MR sensor 6401B remains on. Furthermore, until the display unit 4320 is rotated around the rotation axis 4342 (in other words, turned upside down) and changes to the side-open position, the magnet 6411B remains stationary together with the opening/closing axis 4341, and the MR sensor 6401B remains on.

To summarize the above, MR sensors 6401A, 6401B, 6401C, and 6401D are all arranged on the second support plate 4332, and detect the magnetic fields of magnets 6411A, 6411B, and 6411C or 6411F and 6411D arranged on the display unit 4320, respectively, and perform on/off operations. Figure 71 summarizes the relationship between the on/off operations of the four MR sensors 6401A, 6401B, 6401C, and 6401D at each of the six positions of the display unit 4320 relative to the second support plate 4332. Based on the on/off operations of each MR sensor 6401A, 6401B, 6401C, and 6401D, the six positions of the display unit 1320 relative to the second support plate 4332 can be identified.

Specifically, by turning MR sensor 6401A and MR sensor 6401D on and off, it is possible to determine whether the display panel 4321 is upside down relative to the second support plate 4332. Furthermore, by turning MR sensor 6401B on and off, it is possible to determine whether the display panel 4321 is open from the second support plate 4332. Furthermore, by turning MR sensor 6401C on and off, it is possible to determine whether the display unit 4320 is open or closed from the second support plate 4332. In short, it should be understood that the orientation of the display panel 4321 relative to the second support plate 4332 can be detected in six simplified patterns using a small number of sensors, thereby achieving cost reduction.

The MR sensor 6401E is located on the rear side of the camera body 4310 and detects the magnetic field of the magnet 6411E located on the second support plate 4332 to switch on and off. Figure 72 summarizes the relationship between the vertical tilt position of the first support plate 4331 and the second support plate 4332 relative to the camera body 4310 and the on and off operation of the MR sensor 6401E. The vertical tilt position of the first support plate 4331 and the second support plate 4332 can be identified based on the on and off operation of the MR sensor 6401E. Specifically, when the first support plate 4331 and the second support plate 4332 are closed to the rear of the camera body 4310, the MR sensor 6401E is on, and when the first support plate 4331 and the second support plate 4332 are opened from the rear of the camera body 4310, the MR sensor 6401E is off.

Next, we will explain how to control switching between selfie display mode and normal display mode based on the detection results of the MR sensor in the digital camera 4300.

When the display unit 4320 is in the selfie position, MR sensor 6401A is on and MR sensor 6401D is off, regardless of the vertical tilt state shown in Figures 45, 52, and 59. In the selfie position, the display unit 4320 is flipped left and right from the normal position, so the display panel 4321 is in selfie display mode (see Figure 3, for example) in which the captured image is displayed flipped left and right.

On the other hand, when the display unit 4320 is in the horizontally opened position, MR sensor 6401A is off and MR sensor 6401D is on, regardless of the vertical tilt state shown in Figures 47, 54, and 61. In the horizontally opened position, the display unit 4320 is inverted vertically and horizontally from the normal position, so the display panel 4321 is in the normal display mode (see Figure 5, for example), where the captured image is displayed inverted vertically and horizontally.

The on/off operation of the MR sensor 6401A and the MR sensor 6401D in response to the rotation of the display unit 4320 will be described with reference to Figures 73 to 77. Here, however, θ is the angle by which the display unit 4320 rotates clockwise on the page from the selfie position around the rotation axis 4342.

As shown in FIG. 73, when the rotation angle θ of the display unit 4320 is in the range of 0 degrees to approximately 30 degrees, the MR sensor 6401A detects sufficient magnetic flux from the magnet 6411A and turns on; however, when the rotation angle θ exceeds 30 degrees, the magnetic flux decreases and the sensor switches from on to off. Furthermore, as rotation continues and the rotation angle θ of the display unit 4320 exceeds approximately 150 degrees as shown in FIG. 74 (in other words, when the display unit 4320 is tilted approximately 30 degrees in the opposite direction to FIG. 73), the MR sensor 6401D detects sufficient magnetic flux from the magnet 6411A and turns from off to on.

Therefore, in the digital camera 4300, as shown in Fig. 75, by setting the second angle threshold _θ2 for switching from the normal display mode to the selfie display mode to 150 degrees and setting the first angle threshold _θ1 for switching from the selfie display mode to the normal display mode to 30 degrees (i.e., by setting the second angle threshold _θ2 to a value greater than the first angle threshold _θ1 ), it is possible to realize the display mode switching operation shown in Fig. 9, the hysteresis characteristics shown in Fig. 10, and the display mode transitions shown in Fig. 11. As a result, it becomes possible to set a display mode according to the user's intention for shooting, improving user convenience.

In Figures 73 to 75, the rotation angle of the display unit 4320 around the rotation axis 4342 is expressed as an angle of inclination from the rear surface of the camera body 4310, but this is equivalent to the angle of inclination of the display direction of the display panel 4321 relative to the imaging direction of the imaging unit 4311.

However, the first angle threshold θ ₁ of 30 degrees and the second angle threshold θ ₂ of 150 degrees are design values that vary depending on the sensitivity of each MR sensor used, the magnetic force of the magnet, and the placement locations of the MR sensors and magnets (distance from the rotation axis 1322).

Furthermore, although Figures 73 to 75 show a state in which the display unit 4320 is not tilted vertically relative to the camera body 4310, if the second support plate 4332 is tilted relative to the first support plate 4331, or if the first support plate 4331 is tilted relative to the camera body 4310, a display mode transition with hysteresis characteristics can be achieved in the same way, as shown in Figures 76 and 77, respectively.

Furthermore, another improvement in user convenience can be achieved by setting the first angle threshold _θ1 , which switches the display mode from normal display mode to a value greater than the second angle threshold _θ2 , which switches the display mode from normal display mode to normal display mode. For example, tilting the display panel 4321 by 30 degrees from selfie display mode facing the camera directly would cause the display to switch to normal display mode, but this can be achieved by maintaining the selfie display mode over a wider range. This is particularly evident in the vertical tilt and horizontal open states. For example, in the display mode transition shown in FIG. 77 , tilting the display panel 4321 clockwise from 0 degrees would switch the display mode to normal display before the display panel 4321 faces the camera directly. However, this problem can be resolved by swapping the magnitude relationship between the first angle threshold _θ1 and the second angle threshold _θ2 .

The present disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is clear that those skilled in the art may modify or substitute the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure can be suitably applied to digital cameras equipped with a movable display panel on the back of the device body, such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras. Furthermore, while this specification has mainly described embodiments in which the present disclosure is applied to digital cameras, the gist of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure can also be applied to various types of information devices and electronic devices (e.g., information terminals such as smartphones, game consoles, etc.) that have a movable display panel on the body and switch the display, such as by flipping the displayed image vertically or horizontally, depending on the position of the display panel.

In short, the present disclosure has been described in the form of examples, and the contents of this specification should not be interpreted in a limiting manner. The claims should be taken into consideration to determine the gist of the present disclosure.

In addition, this disclosure can also be configured as follows:

(1) a main body including an imaging unit;
a display unit movable relative to the main body and having a plurality of display modes;
a detection unit that detects the position of the display unit relative to the main body;
a control unit that controls switching of the display mode in accordance with a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the position;
An imaging device comprising:

(2) the detection unit detects an angle between the imaging direction of the imaging unit and the display direction of the display unit;
the control unit controls switching of the display mode in accordance with a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the angle.
The imaging device according to (1) above.

(3) the display unit includes a first display mode and a second display mode;
the control unit switches to the second display mode when the angle exceeds a first angle under the first display mode, and switches to the first display mode when the angle becomes less than a second angle that is greater than the first angle under the second display mode.
The imaging device according to (2) above.

(4) The first display mode is a selfie display mode for taking a photograph including the photographer himself/herself as a subject, with the display direction facing the imaging direction,
the second display mode is a normal imaging mode for performing normal imaging with the display direction facing the opposite side to the imaging direction;
The imaging device according to (3) above.

(5) A connecting portion that movably connects the display unit to the rear surface of the main body is further provided,
The detection unit detects a position of the display unit in response to an operation of the connection unit.
The imaging device according to any one of (1) to (4) above.

(6) The connecting portion includes a hinge portion that connects the display unit to the main body so that the display unit can be opened and closed in the left-right direction around an opening/closing axis and can rotate in the up-down direction around a rotation axis relative to the opening/closing axis,
the detection unit detects an angle by which the display unit has rotated around the rotation axis from a position where the display unit is open relative to the main body around the opening/closing axis,
the control unit controls switching of the display mode in accordance with a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the angle.
The imaging device according to (5) above.

(7) The display unit includes a first display mode and a second display mode,
the control unit switches to the second display mode when the angle exceeds a first angle under the first display mode, and switches to the first display mode when the angle becomes less than a second angle that is greater than the first angle under the second display mode.
The imaging device according to (6) above.

(8) In the first display mode, the control unit displays the image captured by the imaging unit on the display unit after horizontally inverting the image, and in the second display mode, the control unit further displays the image displayed in the first display mode on the display unit after vertically inverting the image.
The imaging device according to (7) above.

(9) The detection unit includes a magnet disposed in the display unit, and a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor disposed in the main body,
the first magnetic sensor is disposed near the opening/closing axis on the main body side, and the second magnetic sensor is disposed at a position substantially symmetrical to the first magnetic sensor across the rotation axis,
the magnet is disposed at a position where it approaches the first magnetic sensor when the display unit does not rotate around the opening/closing axis, and where it approaches the first magnetic sensor when the display unit rotates around the opening/closing axis and is turned upside down,
the first magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the magnet when the angle is equal to or smaller than the first angle, and the second magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the magnet when the angle is equal to or larger than the second angle;
The imaging device according to any one of (7) and (8) above.

(10) The connecting portion includes a vertical tilt mechanism that tilts the display unit vertically relative to the main body, and a hinge portion that connects the display unit to the vertical tilt mechanism so that the display unit can be opened and closed in the left-right direction around an opening/closing axis and can be rotated in the up-down direction around a rotation axis relative to the opening/closing axis,
the detection unit detects an angle by which the display unit has rotated around the rotation axis from a position where the display unit is open relative to the vertical tilt mechanism unit around the opening/closing axis,
the control unit controls switching of the display mode in accordance with a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the angle.
The imaging device according to (5) above.

(11) The display unit includes a first display mode and a second display mode,
the control unit switches to the second display mode when the angle exceeds a first angle under the first display mode, and switches to the first display mode when the angle becomes less than a second angle that is greater than the first angle under the second display mode.
The imaging device according to (10) above.

(12) In the first display mode, the control unit displays an image captured by the imaging unit on the display unit after horizontally inverting the image, and in the second display mode, the control unit further displays an image displayed in the first display mode on the display unit after vertically inverting the image.
The imaging device according to (11) above.

(13) The detection unit includes a first magnet and a second magnet arranged in the display unit, and a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor arranged in the vertical tilt mechanism unit,
the first magnet is disposed near the opening/closing axis on the display unit side, and the second magnet is disposed at a position substantially symmetrical to the first magnet across the rotation axis so that their magnetic fields are directed in opposite directions;
the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor are disposed adjacent to the opening/closing axis of the vertical tilt mechanism so as to detect magnetic fields in opposite directions to each other;
the first magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the first magnet when the angle is equal to or less than the first angle, and the second magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the second magnet when the angle is equal to or greater than the second angle;
The imaging device according to any one of (11) and (12) above.

(14) A control method for an imaging device having a main body including an imaging unit and a movable display unit, comprising:
a detection step of detecting a position of the display unit relative to the main body;
a control step of controlling switching of the display mode of the display unit in accordance with a combination of the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the position;
A control method for an imaging device having the above features.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100...digital camera, 110...camera body, 111...imaging lens 120...display unit, 121...display panel, 130...hinge unit 131...opening/closing axis, 132...rotation axis 1201...control unit, 1202...display unit, 1203...imaging unit 1204...detection unit, 1205...recording unit, 1206...operation unit 1211...display control unit, 1212...image processing unit 1213...image recording unit 1300...digital camera, 1310...camera body, 1311...imaging unit 1320...display unit, 1321...display panel, 1330...hinge mechanism 1331...opening/closing axis, 1332...rotation axis, 1340...finder 2701...MR sensor, 2711...magnet 4300...digital camera, 4310...camera body, 4311...imaging unit 4320...display unit, 4321...display panel, 4330...vertical tilt mechanism unit, 4331...first support plate, 4332...second support plate, 4333...first tilt axis, 4334...second tilt axis, 4340...horizontal vari-angle mechanism unit, 4341...opening/closing axis, 4342...rotation axis, 6401...MR sensor, 6411...magnet

Claims (6)

a main body including an imaging unit;
a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging unit ;
a connecting portion that connects the display unit to the rear surface of the main body via an opening/closing shaft that opens and closes in the left-right direction relative to the main body and a rotation shaft that rotates the display unit in the up-down direction relative to the opening/closing shaft;
a detection unit that detects an angle by which the display unit rotates around the rotation axis when the display unit is in an open position relative to the main body around the opening/closing axis ;
a control unit that controls the display unit in accordance with the angle ;
Equipped with
the display unit has a selfie display mode in which an image captured by the imaging unit is displayed in a horizontally inverted manner so that the photographer can take a photograph including the photographer himself/herself as a subject, and a normal display mode in which an image captured by the imaging unit is displayed in a vertically and horizontally inverted manner so that the same image as the image captured by the imaging unit can be observed;
the control unit determines whether the photographer intends to switch to selfie photography or normal photography based on the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the angle, and lengthens the angle section for the selfie display mode if the photographer intends to switch to selfie photography, and lengthens the angle section for the normal display mode if the photographer intends to switch to normal photography.
Imaging device. the control unit switches the display mode to the normal display mode when the angle exceeds a second angle in the selfie display mode, and switches the display mode to the selfie display mode when the angle becomes less than a first angle that is smaller than the second angle in the normal display mode.
The imaging device according to claim 1 . the detection unit includes a magnet arranged in the display unit, and a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor arranged on the main body side;
the first magnetic sensor is disposed near the opening/closing axis on the main body side, and the second magnetic sensor is disposed at a position substantially symmetrical to the first magnetic sensor across the rotation axis,
the magnet is disposed at a position where it approaches the first magnetic sensor when the display unit does not rotate around the opening/closing axis, and where it approaches the second magnetic sensor when the display unit rotates around the opening/closing axis and is turned upside down,
the first magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the magnet when the angle is equal to or smaller than the first angle, and the second magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the magnet when the angle is equal to or larger than the second angle;
The imaging device according to claim 1 . the connecting portion includes a vertical tilt mechanism portion that tilts the display portion vertically relative to the main body, and a hinge portion that connects the display portion to the vertical tilt mechanism portion so that the display portion can be opened and closed in the left-right direction around the opening/closing axis and can be rotated in the up-down direction around the rotation axis relative to the opening/closing axis,
the detection unit detects an angle by which the display unit has rotated around the opening/closing axis from an open position relative to the vertical tilt mechanism unit.
The imaging device according to claim 1 . the detection unit includes a first magnet and a second magnet arranged on the display unit, and a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor arranged on the vertical tilt mechanism unit side;
the first magnet is disposed near the opening/closing axis on the display unit side, and the second magnet is disposed at a position substantially symmetrical to the first magnet across the rotation axis so that their magnetic fields are directed in opposite directions;
the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor are disposed adjacent to the opening/closing axis of the vertical tilt mechanism so as to detect magnetic fields in opposite directions to each other;
the first magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the first magnet when the angle is equal to or less than the first angle, and the second magnetic sensor can detect the magnetic force of the second magnet when the angle is equal to or greater than the second angle;
The imaging device according to claim 4 . a control method for an imaging device comprising: a main body including an imaging unit; a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging unit; and a connecting unit that connects the display unit to a rear surface of the main body via an opening/closing shaft that opens and closes left and right relative to the main body and a rotation shaft that rotates the display unit up and down relative to the opening/closing shaft, wherein the display unit has a selfie display mode in which an image captured by the imaging unit is displayed in a horizontally inverted manner so that a photographer can take a photograph including the photographer as a subject, and a normal display mode in which an image captured by the imaging unit is displayed in a vertically and horizontally inverted manner so that the same image as the image captured by the imaging unit can be observed,
a detection step of detecting an angle by which the display unit has rotated around the rotation axis in a position where the display unit is opened relative to the main body around the opening/closing axis;
a control step of determining whether the photographer intends to switch to selfie photography or normal photography based on the current display mode of the display unit and the change in the angle, and lengthening the angle section for the selfie display mode if the photographer intends to switch to selfie photography, and lengthening the angle section for the normal display mode if the photographer intends to switch to normal photography;
A control method for an imaging device having the above features.