JP5740975B2 - Imaging apparatus, imaging control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging control method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, imaging devices such as digital cameras can operate in a plurality of operation modes as functions and functions are increased.
For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for switching between two operation modes in accordance with the mounting direction of the imaging device with respect to the cradle.

JP 2005-229538 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the operation mode of the imaging apparatus cannot be switched without a cradle.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to easily switch the operation mode of an imaging apparatus without a cradle.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1
Imaging means;
Display means;
A first housing provided with the imaging means;
A member rotatably connected to the first housing;
Detection means for detecting a connection request from an external device without using a cradle ;
Positional relationship determination means for determining a positional relationship between the first housing and the member;
When the connection request is detected by the detection unit and the positional relationship determination unit determines that the positional relationship is the first positional relationship, the data of the image captured by the imaging unit is transmitted without using a cradle. First control means for controlling transfer to an external device;
It is an imaging device provided with.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 2
The positional relationship determining means determines, as the first positional relationship, a relationship in which the first casing and the member are rotated so as to form a certain angle range. A positional relationship such that a positional relationship between the first member and the member is different from the first positional relationship is determined as a second positional relationship;
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 3
After the connection request is detected by the detection unit, the first control unit is imaged by the imaging unit when the positional relationship determination unit determines that the positional relationship is the first positional relationship. Control to transfer the data of the existing image to the external device without going through the cradle,
It is characterized by that.
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 4 further includes a second housing provided with the display means and rotatably connected to the first housing,
The positional relationship determination means rotates so that the first casing and the member form a certain angle range, and the imaging side surface of the imaging means of the first casing and the second Determining a relationship in which the display-side surface of the display unit of the housing is facing substantially the same direction as the first positional relationship;
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 provides:
When the positional relationship determination unit determines that the second positional relationship is established, the display unit further includes a second control unit that controls the display unit to display an image.
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 6 provides:
The second control means receives the supply of electric power from the external device when the positional relation determination means determines that the second positional relation is satisfied and the detection means detects a connection request. To control,
It is characterized by that.
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 7 provides:
The member is used as a scaffold for the imaging apparatus when the positional relationship is determined by the positional relationship determining means.
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 8 provides:
In an imaging control method executed by an imaging apparatus that includes an imaging unit and a display unit, and includes a casing provided with the imaging unit and a member rotatably connected to the casing.
A detection step for detecting a connection request from an external device without using a cradle ;
A positional relationship determination step of determining a positional relationship between the housing and the member;
When the connection request is detected by the processing of the detection step and the positional relationship is determined to be the first positional relationship by the processing of the positional relationship determination step, the data of the image captured by the imaging unit is converted into a cradle. A control step of controlling to transfer to the external device without going through
It is the imaging control method containing this.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 9 provides:
An imaging unit and a display unit, a housing in which the imaging means is provided, a computer for controlling the image pickup device and a said housing and pivotally connected members,
Detecting means for detecting a connection request from an external device without using a cradle ;
Positional relationship determining means for determining a positional relationship between the casing and the member;
When the connection request is detected by the detection unit and the positional relationship determination unit determines that the positional relationship is the first positional relationship, the data of the image captured by the imaging unit is not passed through the cradle. Control means for controlling transfer to the external device;
It is a program that functions as:

  According to the present invention, the operation mode of the imaging apparatus can be easily switched without a cradle.

1 is a plan view showing an external configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing appearance composition of an imaging device in the state where a form changed. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an imaging apparatus having a variable appearance. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structure which exhibits the execution function of a camera mode starting process among the functions which an imaging device has. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a camera mode starting process.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an external configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Specifically, FIG. 1A is a plan view illustrating an external configuration of the imaging device when the imaging surface and the display surface are arranged on opposite surfaces, respectively.
FIG. 1B is a plan view showing an external configuration of the imaging device when the imaging surface and the display surface are arranged on the same surface.

The imaging device 1 is configured by, for example, a digital camera, images a subject, records data of an image obtained as a result (hereinafter referred to as “captured image”), and externally (external device 61 in FIG. 3). The captured image can be displayed.
The user can cause the imaging device 1 to perform an operation corresponding to the usage state by simply deforming the imaging device 1 into a form corresponding to the desired usage state without consciously operating the operation unit.
In other words, the imaging device 1 performs various operations such as displaying a captured image and transferring the data in accordance with a form corresponding to a user's desired usage state.

The imaging device 1 includes a camera main body 11, a display unit main body 12, and a frame main body 13 so as to enable such various operations.
The camera body 11 is formed in a planar hexagonal short columnar shape, and as shown in FIG. 1A, the back surface of the camera body 11 is formed flat, and as shown in FIG. The imaging surface of the imaging unit 22 (imaging lens side surface) is disposed on the surface of the imaging unit 22. That is, the camera body 11 is a first housing in which the imaging unit 22 is built.
The camera main body 11 is pivotally supported with respect to the display section main body 12 with a rotation axis A disposed therethrough as a rotation center.
The camera body 11 is pivotally supported with respect to the frame body 13 about a rotation axis B disposed so as to pass through the rotation axis A in a substantially orthogonal direction.
More specifically, the camera body 11 is rotated while one corner of the hexagon that is the outer shape of the camera body 11 (hereinafter referred to as “sliding angle”) is in sliding contact with the display unit body 12. It is configured to be able to rotate around the axis A.

  Hereinafter, in the imaging apparatus 1, the side where the camera body 11 is installed (left side in FIG. 1) is referred to as the “camera side”, and the side where the display unit body 12 is installed (right side in FIG. In particular, the side opposite to the side facing the camera body 11) is referred to as the “display unit side”.

The display unit body 12 is formed in a substantially rectangular planar shape, and the display surface of the rectangular display unit 21 is arranged at the center of the surface. That is, the display unit main body 12 is a second housing in which the display unit 21 is built.
The camera side of the display unit body 12 is formed in a V-shape so as to correspond to the sliding angle of the camera body 11.

The frame body 13 is formed in a substantially U shape in a planar shape by a bottom side portion and two substantially parallel arms extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the bottom side portion at both ends of the bottom side portion.
The bottom side of the frame main body 13 is formed to project in a V shape in the direction opposite to the direction in which the two arms of the frame main body 13 are extended (on the display unit side). In addition, the display unit side of the display unit body 12 is formed to project in a V shape in the same direction (direction on the display unit side) in accordance with the shape of the bottom side of the frame body 13 formed to project in a V shape. ing.

The frame body 13 is connected to the camera body 11 as the first housing so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis B as a rotation center. In other words, the camera body 11 is pivotally supported about the rotation axis B disposed between the tips of the two arms of the frame body 13 as a rotation center.
Therefore, the camera body 11 is pivotally supported with the frame body 13 in a state in which two opposing sides of the hexagonal sides of the outer shape are in contact with the two arms of the frame body 13. For this reason, the camera body 11 can be rotated while the two opposing sides are in sliding contact with the two arms of the frame body 13 respectively.

Thus, since the camera body 11 is pivotally supported with respect to the frame body 13, the orientation of the surface on which the imaging surface of the imaging unit 22 is arranged can be freely changed. That is, the user rotates the camera body 11 to place the imaging surface of the imaging unit 22 on the back side as shown in FIG. 1A, or as shown in FIG. The imaging surface of the imaging unit 22 can be arranged on the near side with respect to the paper surface.
Accordingly, when the subject is present on the back side with respect to the paper surface, the user rotates the camera body 11 around the rotation axis B to bring the subject in the far side into the state shown in FIG. The imaging unit 22 can take an image.
On the other hand, when the user is in front of the subject, for example, when he / she takes an image of himself / herself as a subject, the user rotates the camera body 11 about the rotation axis B and the state shown in FIG. By doing so, it is possible to cause the imaging unit 22 to image a subject on the back side with respect to the paper surface.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 in a state where the form is deformed.

In FIG. 2A, the normal lines of the display surface of the display unit 21 and the imaging surface of the imaging unit 22 are in substantially the same direction, and the camera body 11 and the frame body 13 are expanded by a predetermined angle. It is a perspective view which shows the imaging device 1 of the deformed state.
When a user desires a state of using the WEB camera as a usage state of the imaging device 1, the form of the imaging device 1 is transformed into the state shown in FIG. 2A, and the frame main body 13 is used as a base (scaffold) The imaging device 1 can be erected on a desk or the like.

The “WEB camera” referred to here accepts remote operation by a connection destination (personal computer or the like, here, the external device 61 in FIG. 3) connected by USB via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 31 and receives a real-time image (through-put described later). A camera that can transfer (image) data to a connection destination.
USB is one of serial bus standards for connecting a peripheral device such as a digital camera to a personal computer which is a host device. Connecting a personal computer and peripheral devices according to such a USB, or connecting peripheral devices to each other is called “USB connection”.

In this case, the connection destination (external device 61) connected by USB displays, for example, a through image transferred as data from the imaging device 1 as a display screen, and also transmits the data of the through image to a predetermined network such as the Internet. To another device (not shown).
In this way, the user can communicate on the network using the WEB camera by causing the imaging device 1 to function as a WEB camera. That is, the imaging device 1 is shown in FIG. When standing up on a desk or the like in the form of a form, the user's face or the like facing the imaging surface of the imaging unit 22 is imaged as a subject, and the data of the captured image (through image to be described later) Transferred to the device.
In this case, since the imaging surface of the imaging unit 22 and the display surface of the display unit 21 face in substantially the same direction, a captured image (through image described later) with the user's face moved can be displayed on the display unit 21. For example, the user can immediately view the contents transferred to another device, which is convenient.
Further, the image data acquired from the connection destination (external device 61) by the imaging device 1 by USB connection may be displayed on the display unit 21. If it does so, the image data which the imaging device 1 and the external device 61 each have can be visually recognized mutually in real time.

As described above, the state of the imaging device 1 shown in FIG. 2A is a state suitable for a usage state in which the imaging device 1 functions as a WEB camera, and is hereinafter referred to as a “stand state”.
In other words, the stand state refers to the positional relationship between the camera body 11, the display unit body 12, and the frame body 13, and the camera body 11 and the frame body 13 have a certain angular range (for example, a range in which the imaging device 1 can stand upright). ) And the display unit 21 and the imaging unit 22 are in a substantially identical relationship.

Therefore, the user may change the form of the imaging device 1 as follows in order to put the imaging device 1 in the stand state.
In other words, the user can select one of the display unit main body 12 and the frame main body 13 until the camera main body 11 and the frame main body 13 expand at an angle within a certain angle range (for example, a range in which the imaging device 1 can be erected). Is rotated with respect to the other about the rotation axis B.
Further, the user sets one of the camera body 11 and the display unit body 12 to the other about the rotation axis B until the imaging surface of the camera body 11 and the display surface of the display unit body 12 face substantially the same direction. It is rotated with respect to it.
Then, in a state where the display unit main body 12 and the frame main body 13 are expanded in this manner, the user brings the imaging device 1 into a vertical orientation (display) by bringing one surface of the frame main body 13 into contact with a desk or the like. The unit 21 is erected on a desk or the like in a vertically long state.
Thereby, the imaging device 1 functions as a WEB camera.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging apparatus 1 is further connected to the USB cable 31 by a USB cable 31 and the form is changed to a state different from the stand state, for example, the state shown in FIG. Is in a state of use for charging and slide show display.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the imaging device 1 in a state of being deformed into a form different from the stand state of FIG.
That is, in FIG. 2B, the normal lines of the display surface of the display unit 21 and the imaging surface of the imaging unit 22 are in different directions, and the camera body 11 and the frame body 13 are enlarged by a predetermined angle. It is a perspective view which shows the imaging device 1 of the deformed state.
When the user desires a state in which charging and slide show display are performed as the usage state of the imaging apparatus 1, the user changes the form of the imaging apparatus 1 to the state illustrated in FIG.

  Here, “charging” refers to receiving power supply from a USB-connected connection destination (external device 61 in FIG. 6 or the like) via the USB cable 31 and driving the imaging device 1 using the power. It means charging the battery.

Further, the “slide show display” here means that a plurality of various images such as captured images stored as data in the memory or the like of the imaging apparatus 1 are sequentially displayed on the display unit 21 at random.
Since the image pickup apparatus 1 performing the slide show display is connected by USB, an image transferred as data from the connection destination (external device 61 in FIG. 3) is also displayed as a part of the slide show display. Also good.

As described above, when the user desires a state where the slide show display and charging are performed as the usage state of the imaging device 1, the configuration of the imaging device 1 is changed to a state other than the stand state of FIG. What is necessary is just to deform | transform into the state shown to B).
In this case, in a state where the display unit main body 12 and the frame main body 13 are expanded, the user causes the display unit main body 12 and the frame main body 13 to contact each other on the desk so that the imaging apparatus 1 is turned sideways (the display unit 21 is Standing on a desk or the like in a landscape orientation.
That is, when the form of the imaging apparatus 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 2B, the side surface of the display unit main body 12 and the side surface of one of the two arms of the frame main body 13 function as a pedestal (scaffold). Then, the image pickup apparatus 1 is erected on the desk or the like sideways by being brought into contact with the surface of the desk or the like.
Thereby, the imaging device 1 performs charge and a slide show display.
In this case, the user slightly slides the display unit main body 12 via the rotation axis A, thereby tilting the surface of the display unit 21 provided in the display unit main body 12 to display a slide show. The display unit 21 can be easily visually recognized.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 having a variable appearance as described above.

  In addition to the display unit 21 and the imaging unit 22 described above, the imaging device 1 further includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, and an image processing unit 44. A bus 45, an input / output interface 46, a charging unit 47, a battery 48, a rotation state detection unit 49, an operation unit 50, a storage unit 51, a USB interface 52, a communication unit 53, and a drive. 54.

  The CPU 41 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 42 or a program loaded from the storage unit 24 to the RAM 43.

  The RAM 43 appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 41 to execute various processes.

The image processing unit 44 includes a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), and the like, and performs various image processing on image data in cooperation with the CPU 41.
For example, the image processing unit 14 performs image processing such as noise reduction, white balance adjustment, camera shake correction, and the like on the captured image data output from the imaging unit 22.

  The CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, and image processing unit 44 are connected to each other via a bus 45. An input / output interface 46 is also connected to the bus 45. The input / output interface 46 is connected to the display unit 21, the imaging unit 22, the charging unit 47, the rotation state detection unit 49, the operation unit 50, the storage unit 51, the USB interface 52, the communication unit 53, and the drive 54. .

  The display unit 21 is configured by a display or the like that can display various images such as a plurality of images by a slide show display and a through image described later.

  Although not shown, the imaging unit 22 includes an optical lens unit and an image sensor.

The optical lens unit is configured by a lens that collects light, for example, a focus lens or a zoom lens, in order to photograph a subject.
The focus lens is a lens that forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor. The zoom lens is a lens that freely changes the focal length within a certain range.
The optical lens unit is also provided with a peripheral circuit for adjusting setting parameters such as focus, exposure, and white balance as necessary.

The image sensor includes a photoelectric conversion element, AFE (Analog Front End), and the like.
The photoelectric conversion element is composed of, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type photoelectric conversion element or the like. A subject image is incident on the photoelectric conversion element from the optical lens unit. Therefore, the photoelectric conversion element photoelectrically converts (captures) the subject image, accumulates the image signal for a predetermined time, and sequentially supplies the accumulated image signal as an analog signal to the AFE.
The AFE performs various signal processing such as A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion processing on the analog image signal. Through various signal processing, a digital signal is generated and output as an output signal of the imaging unit 22.
Such an output signal of the imaging unit 22 is captured image data, and is appropriately supplied to the CPU 41, the image processing unit 44, and the like.

When the charging mode is activated as the operation mode of the imaging apparatus 1, the charging unit 47 charges the battery 48 using power supplied from the external device 61 connected via the USB interface 52 and the USB cable 31 described later. To do.
The battery 48 is charged by such a charging unit 47 and drives the imaging device 1 by supplying power to the entire imaging device 1. The battery 48 may be built in the imaging apparatus 1 in advance or may be a removable external battery.

  The rotation state detection unit 49 detects the rotation states of the camera body 11, the display unit body 12, and the frame body 13, for example, the rotation angle with respect to a predetermined reference position.

  The operation unit 50 includes, for example, various buttons such as a release button (not shown), and accepts a user instruction operation.

  The storage unit 51 is configured by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and stores data of various images such as a through image described later.

  The USB interface 52 can be connected to an external device 61 such as a personal computer via USB via the USB cable 31.

  The communication unit 53 controls communication with other devices (including an external device 61 in addition to a device not shown) via a network including the Internet.

  A removable medium 55 made of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is appropriately attached to the drive 54. The program read from the removable medium 55 by the drive 54 is installed in the storage unit 51 as necessary. The removable medium 55 can also store various data such as image data stored in the storage unit 51 in the same manner as the storage unit 51.

The imaging apparatus 1 having such a hardware configuration can execute a camera mode activation process.
The camera mode activation process is a process according to the activated operation mode by switching the operation mode of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the positional relationship between the camera body 11, the display unit body 12, and the frame body 13. This is a series of processing until the execution of.
The types of operation modes that can be switched in the camera mode activation process will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration that exhibits the execution function of the camera mode activation process among the functions of the imaging apparatus 1.

  When the camera mode activation process is executed, in the CPU 41, the connection detection unit 71, the positional relationship determination unit 72, the camera mode activation unit 73, the WEB camera mode control unit 74, the slide show mode control unit 75, and the charging mode control unit 76. Works.

  The connection detection unit 71 detects whether or not there is a connection request from the outside. In the present embodiment, the connection detection unit 71 detects whether or not the external device 61 is connected via the USB interface 52 and the USB cable 31.

The positional relationship determination unit 72 determines the positional relationship of the camera body 11, the display unit body 12, and the frame body 13 based on the detection result of the rotation state detection unit 49.
For example, the positional relationship determination unit 72 determines whether the state of the shape surface (positional relationship) of the imaging device 1 is the stand state illustrated in FIG. 2A described above or other states (see FIG. 2B). It is determined whether it is another state such as a state shown.

  The camera mode activation unit 73 activates one or more operation modes among a plurality of types of operation modes based on the detection result of the connection detection unit 71 and the determination result of the positional relationship determination unit 72.

In this embodiment, the camera mode activation unit 73 detects that the USB connection is detected by the connection detection unit 71 and the positional relationship determination unit 72 determines that the camera is in the stand state (the state shown in FIG. 2A). , Activate the WEB camera mode.
The “WEB camera mode” is a mode for causing the imaging apparatus 1 to function as the above-described WEB camera. In other words, the WEB camera mode is a mode in which the imaging apparatus 1 transfers through-image data described later to the external apparatus 61 via the USB interface 52 and the USB cable 31.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the camera mode activation unit 73 detects a USB connection by the connection detection unit 71 and the positional relationship determination unit 72 is in a state other than the standby state (for example, a state such as FIG. 2B). When it is determined that there is, the slide show mode and the charging mode are activated.
The “slide show mode” is a mode for performing the above-described slide show display. That is, the slide show mode is a mode in which the imaging apparatus 1 sequentially displays various images on the display unit 21 at random.
The “charging mode” is a mode in which the imaging device 1 charges the battery 48 for driving the imaging device 1 using the power supplied from the external device 61 connected via USB.

When the WEB camera mode is activated by the camera mode activation unit 73, the WEB camera mode control unit 74 controls the imaging device 1 to function as the above-described WEB camera.
That is, the WEB camera mode control unit 74 first continues the imaging operation by the imaging unit 22. The WEB camera mode control unit 74 stores data of captured images (frames) sequentially output from the image processing unit 44 via the imaging unit 22 while the imaging operation by the imaging unit 22 is continued. In this embodiment, it is temporarily stored in the storage unit 51). Such a series of control processing by the WEB camera mode control unit 74 is hereinafter referred to as “through imaging processing”.
In addition, the WEB camera mode control unit 74 sequentially reads out each image data temporarily recorded in the memory (the storage unit 51 in the present embodiment) during the through imaging process, and displays a corresponding captured image (frame). The information is sequentially displayed on the unit 21. Such a series of control processing by the WEB camera mode control unit 74 is hereinafter referred to as “through display processing”. The frame image displayed on the display unit 21 by the through display process is hereinafter referred to as “through image”.
Further, the WEB camera mode control unit 74 transfers the through-image data to the USB-connected external device 61 via the USB interface 52.

The slide show mode control unit 75 controls the display unit 21 to display a slide show when the slide show mode is started by the camera mode start unit 73.
That is, the slide show mode control unit 75 sequentially reads one piece of image data at random from the plurality of image data recorded on the removable medium 55 and sequentially displays the corresponding images on the display unit 21.

  When the charging mode is activated by the camera mode activation unit 73, the charging mode control unit 76 controls the charging unit 47 and uses the power supplied from the external device 61 via the USB interface 52 to control the battery 48. Charge.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the camera mode activation process executed by the imaging apparatus 1 having the functional configuration shown in FIG. 4 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the camera mode activation process.

  In the present embodiment, when the user performs an operation to turn on the power on the operation unit 50, the camera mode activation process is started when the operation is performed. That is, the following processing is executed.

In step S 1, an attempt is made to detect USB connection with the external device 61 via the USB interface 52.
In step S2, the connection detection unit 71 determines whether or not such an attempt of the process in step S1 has been successful, that is, whether or not a USB connection has been detected.

  When the USB connection is not detected, it is determined as NO in Step S2, and the process returns to Step S1. That is, until the USB connection is detected, the loop process of steps S1 and S2 is repeatedly executed, and the camera mode activation process is in a standby state.

Thereafter, when a USB connection is detected, it is determined as YES in Step S2, and the process proceeds to Step S3.
In step S <b> 3, the positional relationship determination unit 72 determines whether or not the state of the imaging device 1 is a stand state.

When the state of the imaging device 1 is the stand state illustrated in FIG. 2A, it is determined as YES in Step S3, and the process proceeds to Step S4.
In step S4, the WEB camera mode control unit 74 activates the WEB camera mode.

  In step S <b> 5, the WEB camera mode control unit 74 sequentially transfers the through image data to the connected external device 61 via the USB interface 52 and the USB cable 31.

In step S6, the WEB camera mode control unit 74 determines whether there is an instruction to end the WEB camera mode.
If there is no instruction to end the WEB camera mode, it is determined as NO in Step S6, and the process returns to Step S5. That is, until the WEB camera mode end instruction is issued, the loop processing of steps S5 and S6 is repeatedly executed, and the data of the through image is sequentially transferred to the external device 61 of the connection destination.

For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 50 and an instruction to end the WEB camera mode is given, it is determined as YES in Step S6, and the process proceeds to Step S7.
In step S7, the connection detection unit 71 determines whether or not the USB connection is released.

  If the USB connection is not released, it is determined as NO in Step S7, and the process returns to Step S1. That is, the processes in steps S1 to S7 are repeatedly executed until the USB connection is released.

  Thereafter, when the USB connection is released due to the removal of the USB cable 31 or the like, it is determined as YES in Step S7, and the camera mode activation process is ended.

The processing in the case where the state of the imaging apparatus 1 is in the stand state illustrated in FIG. Next, processing in the case where the state of the imaging apparatus 1 is other than the stand state, for example, the state shown in FIG. 2B will be described.
In such a case, it is determined as NO in Step S3, and the process proceeds to Step S8.

  In step S8, the camera mode activation unit 73 activates the slide show mode and the charging mode.

  In step S <b> 9, the slide show mode control unit 75 performs a slide show display on the display unit 21, and the charging mode control unit 76 controls the charging unit 47 to perform a charging operation for the battery 48.

  In step S10, the connection detection unit 71 determines whether the USB connection has been released.

  If the USB connection is not released, it is determined as NO in Step S10, and the process returns to Step S9. That is, the processes in steps S9 and S10 are repeated until the USB connection is released.

  Thereafter, when the USB connection is released due to the removal of the USB cable 31 or the like, it is determined as YES in Step S10, and the camera mode activation process is ended.

As described above, the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the display unit 21 and the imaging unit 22.
In addition, the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a camera body 11 as a housing provided with the imaging unit 22, and can be rotated around the camera body 11 and the rotation axis A, and the display unit 21 is provided. A display unit main body 12 as a housing, and a frame main body 13 that is a member connected to the camera main body 11 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis B are provided.
Furthermore, the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a connection detection unit 71, a positional relationship determination unit 72, a WEB camera mode control unit 74, a slide show mode control unit 75, and a charging mode control unit 76. .
The connection detection unit 71 detects a connection request from the outside. Specifically, the connection detection unit 71 detects a USB connection with the external device 61.
The positional relationship determination unit 72 determines the positional relationship among the camera body 11, the display unit body 12, and the frame body 13.
When the connection request is detected by the connection detection unit 71 and the positional relationship determination unit 72 determines that the positional relationship is in the stand state (first positional relationship), the WEB camera mode control unit 74 captures an image by the imaging unit 22. Control is performed to transfer the live view image data to the external device 61.
If the connection request is detected by the connection detection unit 71 and the positional relationship determination unit 72 determines that the positional relationship is a state other than the stand state (second positional relationship), the slide show mode control unit 75 performs a slide show display. Control is performed so that a plurality of images are randomly displayed on the display unit 21.
When the connection detection is detected by the connection detection unit 71 and the positional relationship determination unit 72 determines that the positional relationship is in a state other than the stand state (second positional relationship), the charging mode control unit 76 performs the external device 61. The charging unit 47 receives the supply of power from and controls the battery 48 to be charged using the power.
In this way, it is possible to easily switch the operation mode of the imaging apparatus 1 without a cradle.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, The deformation | transformation in the range which can achieve the objective of this invention, improvement, etc. are included in this invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the stand state in which the WEB camera mode is activated is defined as the positional relationship between the camera body 11, the display unit body 12, and the frame body 13. That is, the camera body 11 and the frame body 13 are configured with a certain angle range (for example, a range in which the imaging device 1 can be erected), and the display unit 21 and the imaging unit 22 are in substantially the same orientation. The state where the relationship was established was defined as the stand state.
However, it is not necessary to define the stand state in this way, and any state can be defined as the stand state as long as it is easy for the user to use the imaging apparatus 1 as a WEB camera.
For example, if the imaging device 1 functions as a WEB camera, a through image can be displayed on the monitor of the external device 61, so that it is not essential to display the through image on the display unit 21 of the imaging device 1. Therefore, when the image pickup apparatus 1 is caused to function as a WEB camera, the display unit 21 and the image pickup unit 22 do not necessarily have the same orientation. That is, the stand state in which the WEB camera mode is activated may be defined as the positional relationship between the camera body 11 and the frame body 13. Specifically, a state in which the relationship in which the camera body 11 and the frame body 13 are configured with a certain angle range (for example, a range in which the imaging device 1 can be erected) is established is defined as a stand state. Also good.

In the above-described embodiment, the WEB camera mode is activated in the stand state, and the slide show mode and the charge mode are activated in a state other than the stand state, but the operation mode is activated in the stand state or other states. Is not particularly limited to this.
For example, in a state other than the stand state, a mode for the mass storage class may be activated instead of the slide show mode.

In the above-described embodiment, the state of the form of the imaging device 1 for switching the operation mode is the two types of the stand state or the other states, but is not particularly limited to this, and any kind of state An arbitrary number of states may be defined, and an arbitrary number of operation modes of an arbitrary type may be assigned to each defined state.
For example, a state of standing on a desk or the like as shown in FIG. 2 (A) is defined as a vertical state, and a state of standing on a desk or the like as shown in FIG. What can be detected by distinguishing the orientation state and the lateral state may be provided in the imaging apparatus 1. In this case, the WEB mode is activated in the portrait orientation, and the slide show mode and the charging mode are activated in the landscape orientation.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, it is not necessary to make the USB connection particularly necessary. For example, regardless of the presence or absence of USB connection, when the state of the imaging apparatus 1 is in a state other than the stand state, first, the slide show mode is activated, and then when the USB connection is confirmed, the charging mode is further activated. You may do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connection to the external device 61 to which the data of the through image is transferred is a USB connection. However, the connection is not particularly limited to this, and an arbitrary form of connection may be used. Then, the camera mode activation unit 73 activates one or more operation modes among a plurality of types of operation modes based on the detection result of the connection detection unit 71 and the determination result of the positional relationship determination unit 72.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied has been described by taking the imaging apparatus 1 such as a digital camera as an example, but is not particularly limited thereto. The present invention can be applied to general electronic devices capable of switching a plurality of operation modes. Specifically, for example, the present invention is applicable to a notebook personal computer, a video camera, a portable navigation device, a mobile phone device, a portable game machine, a WEB camera, and the like.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. For example, the series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. In other words, the functional configuration of FIG. 4 is merely an example, and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the imaging apparatus 1 has a function capable of executing the above-described series of processing as a whole, and what functional block is used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the example of FIG. In addition, one functional block may be constituted by hardware alone, software alone, or a combination thereof.

  When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed on a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. The computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose personal computer.

  The recording medium including such a program is not only configured by the removable medium 55 of FIG. 3 distributed separately from the apparatus main body in order to provide the program to the user, but also in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance. It is comprised with the recording medium etc. which are provided in. The removable medium 55 is configured by, for example, a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk), an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like. The optical disk is composed of, for example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or the like. The magneto-optical disk is configured by an MD (Mini-Disk) or the like. In addition, the recording medium provided to the user in a state of being preinstalled in the apparatus main body is configured by, for example, the ROM 42 in FIG. 3 in which a program is recorded, a hard disk (not shown), and the like.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series along the order, but is not necessarily performed in time series, either in parallel or individually. The process to be executed is also included.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device, 11 ... Camera body, 12 ... Display part main body, 13 ... Frame main body, 21 ... Display part, 22 ... Imaging part, 31 ... USB cable, 41 ... CPU, 42 ... ROM, 43 ... RAM, 44 ... Image processing unit, 45 ... Bus, 46 ... Input / output interface, 47 ... Charging unit, 48 ... -Battery, 49 ... Rotation state detection unit, 50 ... Operation unit, 51 ... Storage unit, 52 ... USB interface, 53 ... Communication unit, 54 ... Drive, 55 ... Removable media, 61 ... external device, 71 ... connection determination unit, 72 ... positional relationship determination unit, 73 ... camera mode activation unit, 74 ... WEB camera mode control unit, 75・ Slideshow mode controller, 76 ... Charge mode De control unit

Claims (9)

Imaging means;
Display means;
A first housing provided with the imaging means;
A member rotatably connected to the first housing;
Detection means for detecting a connection request from an external device without using a cradle ;
Positional relationship determination means for determining a positional relationship between the first housing and the member;
When the connection request is detected by the detection unit and the positional relationship determination unit determines that the positional relationship is the first positional relationship, the data of the image captured by the imaging unit is transmitted without using a cradle. First control means for controlling transfer to an external device;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The positional relationship determining means determines, as the first positional relationship, a relationship in which the first casing and the member are rotated so as to form a certain angle range. A positional relationship such that a positional relationship between the first member and the member is different from the first positional relationship is determined as a second positional relationship;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. After the connection request is detected by the detection unit, the first control unit is imaged by the imaging unit when the positional relationship determination unit determines that the positional relationship is the first positional relationship. Control to transfer the data of the existing image to the external device without going through the cradle,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. A second housing provided with the display means and rotatably connected to the first housing;
The positional relationship determination means rotates so that the first casing and the member form a certain angle range, and the imaging side surface of the imaging means of the first casing and the second Determining a relationship in which the display-side surface of the display unit of the housing is facing substantially the same direction as the first positional relationship;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2. If it is determined to be the second positional relationship by said positional relationship determining means, according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises the display means further second control means for controlling so as to display an image on The imaging device according to any one of the above. The second control means receives the supply of electric power from the external device when the positional relation determination means determines that the second positional relation is satisfied and the detection means detects a connection request. To control,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 5 . The member is used as a scaffold for the imaging apparatus when the positional relationship is determined by the positional relationship determining means.
The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that. In an imaging control method executed by an imaging apparatus that includes an imaging unit and a display unit, and includes a casing provided with the imaging unit and a member rotatably connected to the casing.
A detection step for detecting a connection request from an external device without using a cradle ;
A positional relationship determination step of determining a positional relationship between the housing and the member;
When the connection request is detected by the processing of the detection step and the positional relationship is determined to be the first positional relationship by the processing of the positional relationship determination step, the data of the image captured by the imaging unit is converted into a cradle. A control step of controlling to transfer to the external device without going through
An imaging control method comprising: An imaging unit and a display unit, a housing in which the imaging means is provided, a computer for controlling the image pickup device and a said housing and pivotally connected members,
Detecting means for detecting a connection request from an external device without using a cradle ;
Positional relationship determining means for determining a positional relationship between the casing and the member;
When the connection request is detected by the detection unit and the positional relationship determination unit determines that the positional relationship is the first positional relationship, the data of the image captured by the imaging unit is not passed through the cradle. Control means for controlling transfer to the external device;
A program characterized by functioning as

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