ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

An electronic apparatus includes: a signal generator configured to output a signal which indicates a position of a monitor relative to a casing; and a memory and at least one processor which function as a control unit configured to: control a display to a non-display state, when the signal changes from an open signal, which indicates an open position in which the monitor is opened relative to the casing, to a close signal, which indicates a close position in which the monitor is closed relative to the casing so that a display surface of the display faces the casing, and then a first period elapses without acquiring the open signal; and implement control of disabling the touch operation to the display surface without waiting for the elapse of the first period, when the signal changes from the open signal to the close signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and a control method thereof.

Description of the Related Art

A structure of a display operation panel that is openable relative to an apparatus main body is known, and in this structure, a touch panel display, which is a touch panel disposed on a display surface of a display panel (hereafter called “display operation panel”), is connected to the apparatus main body via a hinge mechanism. This structure is used for many electronic apparatuses, including a digital camera, a digital video camera, a game machine and a mobile terminal. The display operation panel is used in a plurality of states, such as a state when the display operation panel is closed such that the display surface contacts the apparatus main body (close state), and a state when the display operation panel is separated from the apparatus main body so that the display surface is visible (open state). A known configuration in such an electronic apparatus is that a sensor, to detect whether the display operation panel is in a closed state or an opened state, is disposed, and the operation of the display operation panel is switched, depending on whether the display operation panel is in close state or open state.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-019279 discloses a camera having a structure in which a liquid crystal display panel is openably connected to the camera main body by a biaxial hinge mechanism. According to a technique in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-019279, a magnet is disposed at a movable portion, and a Hall element is disposed at a corresponding position on the camera main body side, so that the opening/closing of a liquid crystal display panel is detected by the output of the Hall element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A capacitance type touch panel is frequently used for a display operation panel of an electronic apparatus, due to such an advantage as multi-touch possibilities. For a material of a casing (outer package) of an electronic apparatus, on the other hand, a conductive material such as carbon may be used due to the advantages of functionality (e.g. electrostatic countermeasure) and design.

However, in the case of the above mentioned electronic apparatus having the openable structure, combining a capacitance type touch panel with an apparatus main body formed of a conductive material has been avoided. This is because when the touch panel approaches the apparatus main body to close the display operation panel, the capacitance of the touch panel changes, and this may be erroneously detected as touch input. In other words, a touch input, unintended by the user, may be generated before the display operation panel is completely closed (during transition from open state to close state), whereby the electronic apparatus may malfunction.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique to prevent the erroneous detection of touch input during the transition from the open state to the close state.

A first aspect of the present invention provides an electronic apparatus, comprising: a casing; a monitor configured to be openable relative to the casing, the monitor including a display and a capacitance type touch detector which detects touch operation to a display surface of the display; a signal generator configured to output a signal which indicates a position of the monitor relative to the casing; and a memory and at least one processor which function as a control unit configured to: control the display to a non-display state, when the signal output from the signal generator changes from an open signal, which indicates an open position in which the monitor is opened relative to the casing, to a close signal, which indicates a close position in which the monitor is closed relative to the casing so that the display surface faces the casing, and then a first period elapses without acquiring the open signal; and implement control of disabling the touch operation to the display surface without waiting for the elapse of the first period, when the signal output from the signal generator changes from the open signal to the close signal.

According to the present invention, erroneous detection of touch input during the transition from the open state to the close state can be prevented.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a display operation panel (touch panel display) configured to be openable relative to an apparatus main body (main body, casing), and more particularly as a control to prevent erroneous detection of touch input when the display operation panel is opened/closed. In the following, a case of applying the technique according to the present invention to a digital video camera will be described. However, the configuration and the application range of the present invention are not limited to the following examples, and the present invention can be appropriately applied to any type of apparatus if the apparatus is an electronic apparatus with a display operation panel having an openable structure.

Configuration of Electronic Apparatus

FIG. 1AandFIG. 1Bare perspective views depicting an appearance of a digital video camera100according to Example 1. The digital video camera100has a main body101and a vari-angle monitor102. A display operation panel104is disposed in the vari-angle monitor102. The display operation panel104is constituted by a display28and a touch panel71disposed on the display surface of the display28. The display28is a display device constituted by an LCD (liquid display) or an OLED (organic EL display), for example, and the touch panel71is a capacitance type touch sensor (touch detector).

The vari-angle monitor102is connected to the main body101by a biaxial hinge mechanism103, and has a structure in which opening/closing in the arrow Y1direction and rotation in the arrow Y2direction are possible. Because of this structure, the vari-angle monitor102can be used in various states in accordance with the scene used by the user. For example, inFIG. 1A, the vari-angle monitor102is opened from the main body101, so that the display surface of the display28can be seen. In this description, the state inFIG. 1Ais called the “open state”, and the position of the vari-angle monitor102inFIG. 1Ais called the “open position”. For example, in the case of shooting images while viewing the live view image on the display28, or in the case of playing back the captured image on the display28, the open state is preferable. InFIG. 1B, the vari-angle monitor102is closed so that the display surface of the display28faces the main body101. In this description, the state inFIG. 1Bis called the “close state”, and the position of the vari-angle monitor102inFIG. 1Bis called the “close position”. For example, in the case of shooting images while viewing a finder, the close state is preferable.

FIG. 2is a block diagram depicting the internal configuration of the digital video camera100. InFIG. 2, an imaging lens21is a lens group, including a zoom lens and focus lens. The shutter25is a shutter which has a diaphragm function. An imaging unit22is an imaging element constituted by a CCD or CMOS, which converts an optical image into an electric signal. An A/D converter23converts an analog signal into a digital signal. The A/D converter23is used to convert an analog signal, which his output from the imaging unit22, into a digital signal. A barrier20covers the imaging system (imaging lens21, shutter25, imaging unit22and the like), so as to prevent contamination of and damage to the imaging system.

An image processing unit24performs resize processing and color conversion processing, such as predetermined pixel interpolation and reduction, on data from the A/D converter23or data from a memory control unit15. Further, the image processing unit24performs a predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and a system control unit50performs exposure control and distance measuring control based on the acquired computed result. Thereby TTL (Through The Lens) type AF (Auto Focus) processing, AE (Automatic Exposure) processing and EF (Electronic Flash pre-emission) processing are performed. Furthermore, the image processing unit24also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using captured image data, and also performs TTL type AWB (Auto White Balance) processing based on the acquired computed result.

The output data from the A/D converter23is written to a memory32via the image processing unit24and the memory control unit15, or is directly written to the memory32via the memory control unit15. The memory32stores: the image data which is acquired by the imaging unit22and is converted into digital data by the A/D converter23; and the image data to be displayed on the display surface of the display28. The memory32has sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images and sound.

The memory32also functions as a memory (video memory) for displaying images. A D/A converter13converts the data for displaying images stored in the memory32into an analog signal, and supplies the analog signal to the display28. In this way, the image data for display, written to the memory32, is displayed on the display surface of the display28via the D/A converter13. The display28performs display in accordance with the analog signal from the D/A converter13. By converting the digital signal, which was converted from an analog signal by the A/D converter23and stored in the memory32, into the analog signal again by the D/A converter13, and sequentially transferring the analog signals to the display28and displaying in accordance with the analog signals on the display surface of the display28, the display28can perform a through-image display (live-view display).

A non-volatile memory56is a memory that can be electrically erased and recorded, and an EEPROM, for example, can be used. The non-volatile memory56stores constants to operate a system control unit50and programs. The programs here refer to the programs that execute various flow charts described later in Example 1.

The system control unit50controls the digital video camera100in general. The system control unit50is constituted by a CPU (processor), for example. A system memory52is a RAM, which is used as a work memory, where the constants and variables for operating the system control unit50, and the programs read from the non-volatile memory56and the like are developed. The system control unit50develops a program recorded in the non-volatile memory56in the system memory52, and executes this program, whereby each processing of the digital video camera100, described later, is implemented. The system control unit50also controls display by controlling the memory32, the D/A converter13, the display28and the like. A system timer53is a timer that measures the time used for various controls, and the time of the internal clock.

A mode change switch60, a START/STOP switch61and an operation unit70are operation units to input various operation instructions to the system control unit50.

The mode change switch60switches the operation modes of the system control unit50to one of: a still image recording mode, a moving image recording mode, a playback mode and the like. The modes included in the still image recording mode are: auto imaging mode, auto scene determining mode, manual mode, various scene modes to set imaging depending on the imaging scene, program AE mode, custom mode and the like. The mode change switch60can directly switch (from the currently set mode) to one of these modes included in the still image recording mode. Alternatively, after switching to the still image recording mode by the mode change switch60, another operation member may be allowed to switch the mode to one of these modes included in the still image recording mode. In the same manner, a plurality of modes may be included in the moving image recording mode.

The START/STOP switch61is a switch to start/stop the recording of a moving image if the system is in the moving image recording mode, and a switch to start/stop a still image if the system is in the still image recording mode. If pressing the START/STOP switch61is detected, the system control unit50starts operation of a series of imaging processing operations, from reading the signal from the imaging unit to writing the image data to the recording medium90.

An operation unit70includes a plurality of operating members (e.g. button, dial). By selecting one of the various functional icons displayed on the display28, a corresponding function is assigned to each screen, and these operating members operate as various functional buttons. The functional buttons are, for example, an end button, a return button, an image feed button, a jump button, a narrow down button, an attribute change button and the like. For example, if a menu button is pressed, various menu screens that can be set are displayed on the display surface of the display28. The user can intuitively perform various settings using: the menu screen displayed on the display surface of the display28, the four direction buttons (up, down, left, right) and the SET button. As an operating member of the operation unit70, a display change button is included to change the display/non-display of the operation buttons which are operated via the touch panel71. By pressing the display change button, the display/non-display of the operation buttons can be switched.

Besides the operation unit70, the digital video camera100has the touch panel71as an input unit, which can detect the contact to the display surface of the display28. The touch panel71is attached to the display surface of the display28, where the input coordinates on the touch panel71are corresponded to the display coordinates on the display surface of the display28in advance. Thereby a GUI, which allows the user to directly operate on the screen displayed on the display28, can be constructed.

The system control unit50can detect the following touch operations to the touch panel71, or the state thereof

A finger or a pen, which previously did not touch the touch panel71, is touching the touch panel71. In other words, touching started (hereafter called “Touch-Down”).

A finger or a pen is touching the touch panel71(hereafter called “Touch-On”).

A finger or a pen is moving in the state of touching the touch panel71(hereafter called “Touch-Move”).

A finger or a pen, that is touching the touch panel71, is released. In other words, touching ended (hereafter called “Touch-Up”).

Nothing is touching the touch panel71(hereafter called “Touch-Off”).

When Touch-Down is detected, Touch-On is also detected at the same time.

Normally Touch-On is detected continuously after Touch-Down, unless Touch-Up is detected. The detection of Touch-Move is also in the state of Touch-On. Touch-Move is not detected even if Touch-On is detected, if the touch position does not move. After Touch-Up is detected for all the fingers or the pen touching the touch panel, Touch-Off is detected.

These operations, states and coordinates of the position on the touch panel71, where a finger or a pen is touching, are notified to the system control unit50via an internal bus. Based on the information that is notified, the system control unit50determines the kind of operation (touch operation) performed on the touch panel71. In the case of Touch-Move, the moving direction of the finger or the pen moving on the touch panel71is also determined for the vertical component and the horizontal component on the touch panel71respectively based on the change in the coordinates of the position. If Touch-Move is detected for a predetermined distance or more, the system control unit50determines that a slide operation was performed. An operation of quickly moving a finger touching the touch panel71for a short distance and releasing the finger is called a “flick”. In other words, flick is an operation of quickly touching the touch panel71and releasing the finger. If Touch-Move at a predetermined or higher speed for a predetermined or longer distance, and Touch-Up is detected thereafter, then the state is determined as a flick (it is determined that a flick was performed after the slide operation). An operation of simultaneously touching a plurality of locations (e.g. two points) then bringing these touching positions closer to each other is called a “pinch-in”, and an operation of moving these touching positions away from each other is called a “pinch-out”. Pinch-in and pinch out are collectively called a “pinch operation” (or simply a “pinch”).

A remote terminal73is a terminal which enables control from an external apparatus. The system control unit50can control the digital video camera100by receiving a command from an external apparatus. For example, when a command to switch the display/non-display of the operation buttons is received from the remote terminal73, the system control unit50performs control to switch the display and non-display of the operation buttons.

An angle detecting unit40is a signal output unit (a signal generator, an angle detector, an angle sensor) which is disposed in the biaxial hinge mechanism103to support the vari-angle monitor102, and generates and outputs a signal to indicate a position (opening degree) of the vari-angle monitor102, with respect to the main body101. In Example 1, the angle detecting unit40is constituted by a physical switch which becomes a pressed state when the vari-angle monitor102is in the open position, as illustrated inFIG. 1A, and is in the released state when the vari-angle monitor102is in the close position, as illustrated inFIG. 1B. By the output signal of the angle detecting unit40(output signal of the switch), it can be determined whether the vari-angle monitor102is in an open or close state. For the angle detecting unit40, another type of switch, such as an optical switch, may be used.

A power supply control unit80is constituted by a battery detecting circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit to change the block to which power is supplied and the like. The power supply control unit80detects whether a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the residual capacity of a battery. Further, the power supply control unit80controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and the instruction from the system control unit50, and supplies necessary voltage to each unit, including a recording medium90during a necessary period. Further, the power supply control unit80includes a charging circuit, and supplies power to a power supply unit30based on the instruction from the system control unit50, and charges the battery. The power supply unit30is constituted by a battery, an AC adapter and the like. A recording medium OF18is an interface with the recording medium90. The recording medium90is a recording medium to store the captured image data, and is constituted by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk or the like.

The casing (outer package) of the main body101of the digital video camera100is made of a conductive material (e.g. a material containing carbon). By covering the main body101by a material having conductivity, electrostatic countermeasures can be implemented.

When the casing is formed of a conductive material, as in Example 1, the following problem may occur. That is, when the side face of the casing of the main body101(surface facing the display surface in the close state) approaches the touch panel71while moving the vari-angle monitor102from the open position to the close position, electrostatic capacitance changes, and this may be erroneously detected as a touch input. This detected touch input is unintended by the user, and may cause a malfunction of the digital video camera100.

Control During Transition from Open State to Close State

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram depicting: the timing of the display/non-display control of the display28; and the enable/disable control of the touch operation of the touch panel71during transition of the vari-angle monitor102of the digital video camera100from the open state to the close state.

The reference number303indicates the change of a signal (that is, a state of the switch) output from the angle detecting unit40when the vari-angle monitor102changed from the open state to the close state. When the vari-angle monitor102is in the open position, the output signal becomes a signal at Hi level (open signal), and when the vari-angle monitor102is in the close position, the output signal becomes a signal at Low level (close signal). Since the angle detecting unit40of Example 1 is a switch, chatter, indicated by the reference number309, is generated in the transition from the open state to the close state.

The reference number304indicates a change in the ON/OFF state of the output of the display28. The system control unit50controls the display output to ON if the output signal of the angle detecting unit40is Hi, and controls the display output to OFF if the output signal is Low. Since the chatter309is generated during the transition from the open state to the close state, the system control unit50does not control the display output to OFF immediately after the output signal changes from Hi to Low, but switches the display output to OFF after at least a first period306elapses in the Low state. By this control, the display output remains ON during the period307indicated by the white arrow. This period307is the period during which chatter is eliminated (chatter countermeasure period). Setting the chatter eliminating period307is to prevent a drop in the display quality caused by the quick switching of ON/OFF of the display output due to the influence of chatter in the switch.

The reference number305indicates the change of enable/disable of the touch input to the touch panel71. The system control unit50enables touch input if the output signal of the angle detecting unit40is Hi, and disables touch input if the output signal is Low. In the case of the control of enable/disable of the touch input, the chatter eliminating period is not set. In other words, when the output signal changes from Hi to Low, the system control unit50immediately disables the touch input without waiting for the elapse of the first period306. Therefore, even if the touch panel71approaches the conductive casing of the main body101during transition from the open state to the close state, the generation of erroneous detection of touch input can be prevented since the touch input is disabled.

FIG. 4is a flow chart depicting the display/non-display control of the display28, and the enable/disable control of the touch operation to the touch panel71when the vari-angle monitor102of the digital video camera100is changed from the open state to the close state. The processing inFIG. 4is started when the display28of the digital video camera100is in the display state, and the touch operation to the touch panel71is enabled.

In step S401, the system control unit50initializes a Hi counter (open signal counter), which manages the ON control of the output of the display28, to 0. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S402. In step S402, the system control unit50initializes a Low counter (close counter), which manages the OFF control of the output of the display28, to 0. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S403.

In step S403, the system control unit50acquires a signal that is output from the angle detecting unit40. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S404. In step S404, the system control unit50determines whether the output signal acquired in step S403is Hi or Low.

If the output signal is Hi, the system control unit50determines that the vari-angle monitor102is in the open state, and processing advances to step S405. In step S405, the system control unit50sets the mode to enable touch input, and if touch input is received, the system control unit50performs the processing in accordance with the touch input. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S406. In step S406, the system control unit50increments the Hi counter. In step S407, the system control unit50initializes the Low counter to 0. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S411.

If the output signal is Low, processing advances to step S408. In step S408, the system control unit50sets the mode to disable touch input, so that even if touch input is received, the touch input is disabled, and no processing is performed. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S409. In step S409, the system control unit50initializes the Hi counter to 0. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S410. In step S410, the system control unit50increments the Low counter. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S411.

In step S411, the system control unit50determines whether the Hi counter is at least a first threshold Th1. For example, if it is assumed that the acquisition of the output signal in step S403is executed every time when time t elapses, the Hi counter, indicating at least the first threshold Th1, indicates that the output signal is in the Hi state for at least time (Th1×t). Therefore, if the Hi counter indicates at least the first threshold, the system control unit50determines that the switch is not in the chatter state, and the vari-angle monitor102is in the open state and is stable. In step S412, the system control unit50controls the display28, and turns the output of the display28ON. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S413.

In step S413, the system control unit50determines whether the Low counter is at least a second threshold Th2. For example, if it is assumed that the acquisition of the output signal in step S403is executed every time when time t elapses, the Low counter, indicating at least the second threshold Th2, means that the output signal is in the Low state for at least time (Th2×t). Therefore, if the Low counter indicates at least the second threshold, the system control unit50determines that the switch is not in the chatter state, and the vari-angle monitor102is in the close state, and is stable. In step S414, the system control unit50controls the display28, and turns the output of the display28OFF. When this processing completes, processing ends.

Control During Transition from Close State to Open State

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram depicting the timing of the display/non-display control of the display28, and enable/disable control of the touch operation to the touch panel71, during transition of the vari-angle monitor102of the digital video camera100from the close state to the open state.

The reference number503indicates the change of a signal (that is, a state of the switch) output from the angle detecting unit40when the vari-angle monitor102changed form the close state to the open state. When the vari-angle monitor102is in the close position, the output signal becomes Low level, and when the vari-angle monitor102is in the open position, the output signal becomes Hi level. Since the angle detecting unit40of Example 1 is a switch, chatter, indicated by the reference number509, is generated in the transition from the close state to the open state.

The reference number504indicates a change of the ON/OFF state of the output of the display28. The system control unit50controls the display output to ON if the output signal of the angle detecting unit40is Hi, and controls the display output to OFF if the output signal is Low. Since the chatter509is generated during the transition from the close state to the open state, the system control unit50does not control the display output to ON immediately after the output signal changes from Low to Hi, but switches the display output to ON after at least a second period506elapses in the Hi state. By this control, the display output remains OFF during the period507indicated by the white arrow. This period507is the chatter eliminating period (chatter countermeasure period). Setting the chatter eliminating period507is to prevent a drop in the display quality caused by the quick switching of ON/OFF of the display output due to the influence of chatter in the switch.

The reference number505indicates the change of enable/disable of the touch input to the touch panel71. The system control unit50switches enable/disable of the touch input to the touch panel71in accordance with the switching of ON/OFF of the display28. In other words, the system control unit50enables touch input after at least the second period506elapses in the Hi state of the output signal. When the vari-angle monitor102is opened, erroneous detection of touch input, due to the approach of the touch panel71and the casing, is not generated, hence the timing of switching of the display/non-display of the display28and the timing of switching of enable/disable of the touch operation are synchronized.

FIG. 6is a flow chart depicting the display/non-display control of the display28and the enable/disable control of the touch operation to the touch panel71when the vari-angle monitor102of the digital video camera100is moved from the open state to the close state. The processing inFIG. 6is started when the display28of the digital video camera100is in the non-display state, and the touch operation to the touch panel71is disabled.

In step S601, the system control unit50initializes the Hi counter (open signal counter), which manages the ON control of the output of the display28and enabling of the touch input, to 0. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S602. In step S602, the system control unit50initializes the Low counter (close signal counter), which manages the OFF control of the output of the display28and disabling of the touch input, to 0. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S603.

In step S603, the system control unit50acquires a signal that is output from the angle detecting unit40. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S604. In step S604, the system control unit50determines whether the output signal acquired in step S603is Hi or Low.

If the output signal is Hi, the system control unit50determines that the vari-angle monitor102is in the open state, and processing advances to step S605. In step S605, the system control unit50increments the Hi counter. In step S606, the system control unit50initializes the Low counter to 0. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S609.

If the output signal is Low, processing advances to step S607. In step S607, the system control unit50initializes the Hi counter to 0. In step S608, the system control unit50increments the Low counter. When this processing completes, processing advances to S609.

In step S609, the system control unit50determines whether the Hi counter is at least a third threshold Th3. For example, if it is assumed that the acquisition of the output signal in step S603is executed every time when time t elapses, the Hi counter, indicating at least the third threshold Th3, means that the output signal is in the Hi state for at least time (Th3×t). Therefore, if the Hi counter is at least the third threshold, the system control unit50determines that the switch is not in the chatter state, and the vari-angle monitor102is in the open state, and is stable. In step S610, the system control unit50controls the display28, and turns the output of the display28ON. Further, in step S611, the system control unit50sets a mode in which the touch input is enabled, and performs processing in accordance with the touch input if touch input is received. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S612.

In step S612, the system control unit50determines whether the Low center is at least a fourth threshold Th4. For example, if it is assumed that the acquisition of the output signal in step S603is executed every time when time t elapses, the Low counter, indicating at least the fourth threshold Th4, means that the output signal is in the Low state for at least time (Th4×t). Therefore, if the Low counter is at least the fourth threshold, the system control unit50determines that the switch is not in the chatter state, and the vari-angle monitor102is in the close state, and is stable. In step S613, the system control unit50controls the display28, and turns the output of the display28OFF. Further, in step S614, the system control unit50sets a mode in which the touch input is disabled, and controls so that the touch input is disabled and processing is not performed even when a touch input is received. When this processing completes, processing ends.

Advantages of Example 1

As described above, if the output signal of the angle detecting unit40changes from Hi (open signal) to Low (close signal) when the vari-angle monitor102changes from the open state to the close state, the touch operation is immediately disabled. Therefore, even if the touch panel71approaches the casing (or other conductive member) of the main body101, erroneous detection of the touch input and malfunction of the apparatus thereby do not occur. Further, the output of the display28is switched to the non-display state if the output signal changes from Hi to Low and a predetermined time elapses thereafter without changing to Hi. Hence a drop in the display quality due to chatter can be prevented. Each value of the first threshold to the fourth threshold used in Example 1 may be set to an arbitrary value, or all may be set to the same value, or may be set to different values.

Example 2 of the present invention will be described next. In Example 1, the enable/disable control of the touch operation is changed between the transition from the open state to the closed state (FIG. 3,FIG. 4) and the transition from the close state to the open state (FIG. 5,FIG. 6). In Example 2, on the other hand, the enable/disable control of the touch operation is changed, depending on whether the screen displayed on the display28is a first screen in which functions corresponding to the start of touching (Touch-Down) can be executed, or a second screen in which functions corresponding to the start of touching cannot be executed. For example, when the first screen, in which functions corresponding to the start of touching can be executed, is displayed on the display28, the touch operation may be immediately disabled if the Low signal (close signal) is detected, so as to prevent erroneous detection of touch input. On the other hand, when the second screen, in which functions corresponding to the start of touching cannot be executed, is displayed on the display28, the chatter eliminating period may be set so that ON/OFF of the display28and enable/disable of the touch operation are switched at a same timing.

Display Screen Example

FIG. 7AandFIG. 7Bare examples of screens displayed on the display28of the digital video camera100.

The screen701inFIG. 7Ais a screen displayed in shooting mode of the digital video camera100, and includes touch buttons (an REC button703to start or end moving video image recording, and a Zoom button704to perform zoom operation). The system control unit50performs the moving image recording control if Touch-Down of the REC button703is detected, and performs zoom control if Touch-Down of the Zoom button704is detected. The screen701is an example of the first screen, in which functions corresponding to the start of the touching can be executed.

The screen702inFIG. 7Bis one of the menu setting screens of the digital video camera100, and is a screen to select a recording format. The screen702includes touch buttons of a Close button705to close the screen, an MP4 Set Value button which is one of the recording set values and the like. The system control unit50performs a control to close the screen if the Touch-Up of the Close button705is detected, and sets MP4 as the set value of the recording format if Touch-Up of the MP4 Set value button is detected. The screen702is an example of the second screen in which functions corresponding to the start of touching cannot be not executed.

Display Output and Touch Operation Control

FIG. 8is a flow chart depicting the display/non-display control of the display28and the enable/disable control of the touch operation to the touch panel71in accordance with the screen displayed on the display28of the digital video camera100.

In step S801, the system control unit50initializes a Hi counter to 0. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S802. In step S802, the system control unit50initializes the Low counter to 0. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S803.

In step S803, the system control unit50determines whether the touch buttons, to execute the functions by the Touch-Down operation, are displayed on the screen of the display28. If it is determined that the touch buttons are displayed, processing advances to step S804. If it is determined that the touch buttons are not displayed, processing advances to step S805.

In step S804, the same processing as steps S403to S414inFIG. 4are executed. In step S805, the same processing as steps S603to S614inFIG. 6are executed. When this processing completes, processing advances to step S806.

In step S806, the system control unit50determines whether the power supply switch72is operated to shut the power OFF. If it is determined that power is shut OFF, processing ends. If it is determined that power is not shut OFF, processing advances to step S803.

Advantages of Example 2

As described above, if the output signal of the angle detecting unit40changes from Hi (open signal) to Low (close signal) when the buttons to execute the functions by the Touch-Down operation are displayed on the screen, the touch operation is immediately disabled. Therefore, even if the touch panel71approaches the casing (or other conductive members) of the main body101, erroneous detection of the touch input and malfunction of the apparatus thereby do not occur.

Other

In the above description, the various above mentioned controls are performed by the system control unit50, but may be performed by one hardware component, or may be shared by a plurality of hardware components (e.g. a plurality of processors or circuits), so as to control the entire apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention were described above, but the present invention is not limited to these specific examples, but include various forms within the scope of not departing from the essence of the present invention. Each example described above is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and may be appropriately combined.

In the description of the above examples, the present invention is applied to a digital video camera, but the present invention is not limited to this example, but is applicable to any electronic apparatus which has a display operation panel that is openable relative to the apparatus main body. In other words, the present invention may be applied to a notebook PC, PDA, portable telephone terminal, smartphone, tablet, portable image viewer, printer with a display, digital photo frame, music player, game machine, electronic book reader and the like.

The present invention may be implemented by executing the following. That is, a software (program), to implement the functions of the above mentioned examples, is supplied to a system or an apparatus via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of this system or apparatus reads and executes the program codes. In this case, the programs and the storage medium storing this program are regarded as a part of the present invention.

Other Embodiments

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-168480, filed on Sep. 1, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.