Information processing apparatus, method of controlling the same and camera

This invention provides an information processing apparatus for allowing a user to perform operation without any confusion concerning a device which implements a plurality of functions for one operation member in accordance with operation methods for the operation member. A system controller performs control to execute a predetermined function in response to the start of operation on an operation member and terminate execution of the predetermined function in response to the end of the operation. A timer function unit measures the time from the start of operation on the operation member. When a given operation finishes before the time measured by the timer function unit exceeds a predetermined time after the start of the operation, a notification about the operation method for the operation member is output.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that controls a device in accordance with operation on an operation member, a method of controlling the apparatus, and a camera.

2. Description of the Related Art

It has often been the case that a plurality of types of functions are implemented in accordance with the operation times of one operation member. For example, a music player is controlled such that when the user presses a predetermined button for one sec or less, the player skips to the next tune, whereas when the user presses the button for one sec or more, the player performs fast forward playback during the press of the button (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-175099).

According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-175099, however, against the will to perform fast forward playback, since the user presses the button for a time shorter than required, the player skips to the next tune. This confuses the user because he/she does not know what has happened. This problem can occur in cameras and the like as well as music players like that disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-175099.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problem to allow the user to operate, without any confusion, a device configured to implement a plurality of functions in accordance with operation methods for one operation member.

In one aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus comprises a control unit configured to perform control to execute a predetermined function in response to a start of operation on an operation member and terminate execution of the predetermined function in response to an end of the operation, a time measuring unit configured to measure a time from a start of operation on the operation member, and an output unit configured to output a notification about an operation method for the operation member when the operation ends before the time measured by the time measuring unit exceeds a predetermined time after the operation starts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and they are merely concrete examples advantageous to the execution of the invention. All the combinations of the features described in the following embodiments are not necessarily essential as means for solving the problem of the present invention.

The first embodiment will exemplify a case in which an information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital video camera. This embodiment will exemplify a case in which the information processing apparatus of the present invention performs control for the active image stabilization function of a digital video camera. In this case, “the active image stabilization function” is a function of temporarily enhancing image stabilization processing in accordance with a predetermined operation.

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a digital video camera100according to this embodiment. The digital video camera100includes a camera block140, a microphone102, an operation unit103, a system controller104, a recording/playback unit105, a hard disk drive (to be referred to as an “HDD” hereinafter)106, a liquid crystal panel107, a video output terminal108, an audio output terminal109, an external I/F (interface) controller111, a speaker112, a recording processing block130, and a playback processing block120.

The camera block140includes an image sensing unit141, a camera signal processor142, and a camera controller143. The image sensing unit141includes an optical system lens, an image sensing element such as a CCD, an autofocus mechanism, a zoom mechanism, and an image stabilization mechanism (none of which are shown). With this arrangement, the image sensing unit141adjusts a focal point, an amount of light, and the like for a field, converts an optical image at the depth of field at which image formation was performed through a lens into a video signal, and transmits the signal to the camera signal processor142in accordance with an instruction from the camera controller143. The camera signal processor142performs predetermined signal processing for the video signal in accordance with an instruction from the camera controller143, and transmits the resultant signal to a video signal processor131. The operation unit103includes operation members such as various kinds of buttons and dials (an AF ON/OFF dial, AE auto/lock dial, program AE dial, zoom dial, active image stabilization dial, and the like) associated with the camera system, and transmits instructions from the operator to the camera controller143via the system controller104. The camera controller143includes a microcomputer and controls the overall camera system in accordance with instructions from the system controller104and the operation unit103.

The recording processing block130includes the video signal processor131, an audio signal processor132, a video data encoder133, an audio data encoder134, a metadata generator135, and a data encoding processor136. The playback processing block120includes a video output unit121, an audio output unit122, a video data decoder123, an audio data decoder124, and a data decoding processor125.

The operation unit103is a man-machine interface to allow the user to set various settings and issue instructions to the digital video camera100. The operation unit103includes, in addition to the buttons and dials associated with the camera system described above, operation members such as a power switch, an operation mode switch, a start/stop button, various kinds of playback-related buttons such as a playback button, a menu button, up, down, left, and right buttons, and a decision button. The operation unit103includes an active image stabilization button501(FIG. 5) to receive an instruction to execute “the active image stabilization function” of temporarily enhancing the image stabilization function at the time of image capturing.

The system controller104is formed by a microcomputer including a CPU1041, a ROM1042, and a RAM1043. The system controller104includes a timer function unit1044to measure the time. In addition to this unit, the system controller104includes a logic such as a memory controller to control the ROM1042and the RAM1043, a time measuring unit, and an I/O port, and comprehensively controls the digital video camera100. The ROM1042stores a control program1045. The CPU1041expands this program in the RAM1043and executes the program, thereby implementing various kinds of control.

The external I/F controller111is a digital interface such as a USB. The external I/F controller111connects the digital video camera100to a peripheral device host such as a personal computer or DVD writer, and transfers a video file in accordance with a request from the peripheral device host in response to an instruction from the system controller104.

The operation of the digital video camera100according to this embodiment will be described below. The operation in the recording mode will be described first. When the user presses the start/stop button upon selecting the recording mode with the operation mode switch of the operation unit103, the system controller104detects this and starts recording while controlling the respective units of the recording processing block130.

The recording processing block130encodes the video data obtained by the camera block140and outputs the data in a predetermined format to the recording/playback unit105. The recording/playback unit105generates a video file by adding additional information such as a header set for each file format to the data string output from the recording processing block130, and records the file on the HDD106.

In the recording processing block130, the video signal processor131receives the video data input from the camera signal processor142. The video signal processor131performs processing necessary for encoding in a predetermined encoding format, for example, sub-sampling, for the video data from the camera signal processor142, and outputs the resultant data to the video data encoder133.

The video data encoder133encodes the video data from the video signal processor131in accordance with the predetermined encoding format, for example, MPEG2 format or Motion JPEG format, and outputs the encoded data to the data encoding processor136. The video data encoder133also generates a thumbnail image as a representative image of one video file, and outputs the data of the thumbnail image to the data encoding processor136.

The audio signal processor132receives audio data from the microphone102. The audio signal processor132converts an audio signal from the microphone102into digital data. The audio signal processor132further performs noise reduction, amplification, and the like for the audio data, and outputs the resultant data to the audio data encoder134. The audio data encoder134encodes the audio data from the audio signal processor132in a predetermined encoding format, for example, MPEG2 format, and outputs the encoded data to the data encoding processor136.

The metadata generator135generates metadata representing the image capturing date and time, aperture value (F-number), and the like, and outputs the data to the data encoding processor136. The data encoding processor136converts the encoded video data from the video data encoder133and the encoded audio data from the audio data encoder134into an MPEG2 or JPEG transport stream (TS). The data encoding processor136also stores the metadata output from the metadata generator135and the thumbnail image from the video data encoder133, as additional information of the image file, in the header of footer of the data file in the TS format. The data encoding processor136outputs the file converted into the TS format to the recording/playback unit105.

The digital video camera100of this embodiment records the video data and audio signals input from the camera block140and the microphone102together as one file in the interval between the instant an instruction to start recording is input and the instant an instruction to stop recording is input. The user issues an instruction to start recording by pressing the start/stop button, and issues an instruction to stop recording by pressing the start/stop button again. When the user stops recording, the data encoding processor136stores metadata from the metadata generator135and a thumbnail image from the video data encoder133in the header or footer of each file. The header also records a file name and the like.

The operation in the playback mode will be described next. When the user presses the playback button upon selecting the playback mode with the operation mode switch of the operation unit103, the system controller104detects this. The system controller104then controls the playback processing block120to read out the thumbnail image stored in the header or footer of each video file recorded on the HDD106and displays a list of thumbnails on the liquid crystal panel107as an example of a display device.

The user checks the thumbnail images displayed on the liquid crystal panel107, and selects the thumbnail image of a file which he/she wants to play back, by operating, for example, the up, down, left, and right keys included in the operation unit103. The user then presses the decision button or the like to designate the video file to be played back. When the user designates the video file to be played back, the system controller104controls the respective units of the playback processing block120to decode the designated video file and display the resultant image on the liquid crystal panel107.

The playback processing block120acquires the designated video file from the HDD106via the recording/playback unit105. The playback processing block120then decodes the video data and audio data in the video file, and outputs the resultant data to the video output terminal108and the audio output terminal109, respectively, thereby displaying the played back video on the liquid crystal panel107and outputting the sound from the speaker112. More specifically, when the user designates a video file to be played back, the system controller104controls the recording/playback unit105to read out the designated video file from the HDD106and supplies the file to the playback processing block120. The video file read out from the HDD106by the recording/playback unit105is output to the data decoding processor125. The data decoding processor125detects video data and audio data from the supplied video file, and further detects metadata from the header or footer of the video file. The video data is output to the video data decoder123. The audio data is output to the audio data decoder124.

The video data decoder123decodes the video data output from the data decoding processor125, and outputs the data to the video output unit121. The video output unit121converts the decoded video data into a format suitable for processing by an external monitor or another external device, and outputs the resultant data to at least one of the video output terminal108and the liquid crystal panel107.

The audio data decoder124decodes the audio data output from the data decoding processor125and outputs the data to the audio output unit122. The audio output unit122converts the decoded audio signal into a format suitable for processing by an external device, and outputs the resultant data to the audio output terminal109. Note that it is possible to output the audio signal to the speaker112.

Upon detecting the connection between the digital video camera100and the peripheral device host, the external I/F controller111discriminates the type of connected peripheral device host. Thereafter, the external I/F controller111notifies the system controller104of the connection to the peripheral device host, together with the information of the discriminated type. Upon receiving a data transfer request from the peripheral device host via the external I/F controller111, the system controller104reads out a desired video file from the HDD106via the recording/playback unit105, and transfers the file to the peripheral device host.

Assume that the user can select one of the two operation methods, namely “keep pressing” and “ON/OFF switching”, as an operation method for the active image stabilization button. Operation to be performed when the user presses the button for a short period of time in spite of the selection of “keep pressing” will be described with reference toFIGS. 2 to 4. Assume that in this embodiment, it is possible to set, in advance, one of the operation methods, namely “keep pressing” and “ON/OFF switching”, concerning the active image stabilization button501(FIG. 5) as an operation member based on user operation. “Keep pressing” is a setting to make the active image stabilization function operate in the interval between the instant the user starts pressing the active image stabilization button501and the instant the user releases the button. That is, the active image stabilization function is ON only while the user presses the active image stabilization button501, and is turned off when the user releases the active image stabilization button501. In contrast, “ON/OFF switching” is a setting to switch the active image stabilization function to the ON state when the user presses the active image stabilization button501and the function has been OFF, and to switch the function to the OFF state when the user presses the button and the function has been ON. That is, in “ON/OFF switching”, when the active image stabilization function has been OFF, pressing the active image stabilization button501will turn on the active image stabilization function. In this case, the active image stabilization function is kept on after the user releases the active image stabilization button501.

The reason why the user is allowed to select one of the two operation methods, namely “keep pressing” and “ON/OFF switching”, for the active image stabilization button will be described below. Turning on the active image stabilization function will change normal image stabilization and stabilization characteristics. This has the merit of enhancing the image stabilization effect on the telephoto side. In contrast to this, the demerit is that it is difficult to follow up panning operation. Allowing the user to select one of the above operation methods in accordance with an image capturing state and the skill of the operator makes it possible to provide a camera with better operability.

FIG. 2shows a display example of a menu screen to switch between “keep pressing” and “ON/OFF switching”. In this embodiment, “keep pressing” is the first operation mode of executing the active image stabilization processing only in the interval between the instant the user starts operating (more specifically, pressing) the active image stabilization button and the instant the user stops operating the button. On the other hand, “ON/OFF switching” is the second operation mode of switching between execution and termination of active image stabilization processing every time the user performs one operation (more specifically, pressing) for the active image stabilization button.

When the user presses the menu button of the operation unit103, a menu201is displayed on the liquid crystal panel107. When the user further moves a menu cursor202up and down with the up and down buttons of the operation unit103, selects “active image stabilization button”, and presses the decision button of the operation unit103, a setting screen203is displayed. In this state, the user can select “keep pressing” or “ON/OFF switching” by moving the menu cursor202up and down with the up and down buttons of the operation unit103. In this case, the menu operation with the buttons has been exemplified. It is however, possible to use a touch panel or the like.

FIGS. 3A to 3Bare flowcharts showing a processing procedure for ON/OFF switching control on the active image stabilization function. The digital video camera100executes this processing when the above recording mode is set. The recording mode includes a standby period for recording (standby period for image capturing) before the issuance of an instruction to start recording with the start/stop button and a recording period (image capturing period) after the start of recording with the start/stop button. Assume that in either period, the object video captured by the camera block140is displayed on the liquid crystal panel107in real time. The CPU1041implements this processing by executing the control program1045stored in the ROM1042upon expanding the program in the RAM1043.

When the user switches the digital video camera100to the recording mode by operating the operation mode switch included in the operation unit103, the CPU1041starts processing following the flowcharts ofFIGS. 3A to 3B. The CPU1041performs control so as to execute active image stabilization processing in response to the start of operation of the active image stabilization button as an operation member and terminate the execution of the active image stabilization processing in response to the end of operation of the active image stabilization button. The following is a concrete example of the processing.

In step S302, the CPU1041determines whether the user has pressed the active image stabilization button of the operation unit103. If YES in step S302, the process advances to step S303. If NO in step S302, the process returns to step S302to wait for the press of the button. In step S303, the timer function unit1044of the system controller104resets the button pressing timer and stops counting. In step S304, the CPU1041turns off the display of the guidance “image stabilization is kept executed while button is pressed”. In step S305, the CPU1041determines on the menu whether the button operation is set to “keep pressing”. If the button operation is set to “keep pressing”, the process advances to step S306. If the button operation is not set to “keep pressing”, that is, if the button operation is set to “ON/OFF switching”, the process advances to step S307.

In step S307, the CPU1041determines whether active image stabilization is currently ON or OFF. If active image stabilization is OFF, the process advances to step S308. If active image stabilization is ON, the process advances to step S309. In step S308, the CPU1041sets active image stabilization ON and displays an active image stabilization icon (403inFIG. 4) on the liquid crystal panel107. In step S309, the CPU1041sets active image stabilization OFF and displays a normal image stabilization icon (402inFIG. 4) on the liquid crystal panel107. In this case, normal image stabilization and active image stabilization are discriminated by the icons having different designs and colors. However, the form of discrimination or the like is not limited to this as long as the ON state of active image stabilization can be discriminated.

In step S306, the timer function unit1044causes the button pressing timer to start counting. In step S310, the CPU1041sets active image stabilization ON and displays the active image stabilization icon (403inFIG. 4) on the liquid crystal panel107. In step S311, the CPU1041determines whether the active image stabilization button of the operation unit103is pressed. If NO in step S311, the process advances to step S312. If YES in step S311, the process returns to step S311to wait for the release of the button.

In step S312, the CPU1041sets active image stabilization OFF and displays the normal image stabilization icon (402inFIG. 4) on the liquid crystal panel107. In step S313, the CPU1041determines whether the count value of the button pressing timer is larger than preset n [sec] (about several hundred msec). If YES in step S313, the process advances to step S319to terminate the processing. If NO in step S313, the process advances to step S314.

In step S314, the CPU1041starts counting after resetting the display timer of the timer function unit1044of the system controller104. In step S315, the CPU1041displays the warning or guidance “image stabilization is kept executed while button is pressed” (404inFIG. 4) on the liquid crystal panel107. In step S316, the CPU1041determines whether the active image stabilization button of the operation unit103is pressed. If YES in step S316, the process returns to step S303. If NO in step S316, the process advances to step S317. In step S317, the CPU1041determines whether the count value of the display timer is larger than preset m [sec]. If YES in step S317, the process advances to step S318. If NO in step S317, the process returns to step S316. In step S318, the CPU1041terminates the display of the guidance “image stabilization is kept executed while button is pressed” (401inFIG. 4) on the liquid crystal panel107.

As described above, the first embodiment includes the button which can be switched between the button for ON/OFF switching operation and the button for making the function effective during pressing. When the user presses the button for a short period of time, forgetting that he/she has set this button to the button for making the function effective during pressing, the following effects can be obtained. Even if the user cannot obtain a desired operation result due to the above operation, this apparatus quickly notifies the user of the reason. This can guide the user to a proper operation method from the next time, thus allowing the user to obtain a desired operation result. In addition, while the function is executed, the apparatus displays information letting the user know that the function is being executed. The user can therefore reliably know that the button is actually pressed, and the desired function is executed.

Note that the active image stabilization button501is placed at a position in consideration of the characteristics of the function.FIG. 5shows a case in which the active image stabilization button501is placed on the liquid crystal panel107of the digital video camera100. Assume that the active image stabilization button501is placed at this position, and the user sets the button so as to make the active image stabilization function effective by “keep pressing”. In this case, as shown inFIG. 5, the user holds the camera body with his/her right hand, while holding the active image stabilization button501placed on the liquid crystal panel107with his/her left hand. That is, in this case, the active image stabilization button501is placed at a position which faces the portion held with one hand through the image sensing unit141and at which the button is held with other hand. This can enhance the image stabilization function and induce the user to hold the digital video camera100with his/her both hands in a stable posture, thereby more actively preventing camera shake. In this embodiment, as described above, the active image stabilization button501is placed at the position shown inFIG. 5to produce a synergistic effect based on the active image stabilization function of the video camera and firm holding of the video camera.

The second embodiment will exemplify a case in which the concept of control described in the first embodiment is applied to other than the active image stabilization button. The same reference numerals denote functional blocks which perform the same processes as those in the first embodiment, and a description of them will be omitted.

FIG. 6shows an example of menu display performed by a digital video camera100in this embodiment. When the user presses the menu button of an operation unit103, a liquid crystal panel107displays a menu601. When the user further selects “button operation” by vertically moving a menu cursor602with the up and down buttons of the operation unit103and presses the decision button of the operation unit103, a setting screen603is displayed. In this state, the user selects a desired button by vertically moving a menu cursor602with the up and down buttons of the operation unit103. The setting screen603indicates a case in which “start/stop” is selected. A setting screen605indicates a case in which “zoom” is selected. In this case, the user can select “keep pressing” or “ON/OFF switching” by pressing the decision button of the operation unit103. A setting screen604indicates a case in which the user has selected “start/stop” on the setting screen603. A setting screen606indicates a case in which the user has selected “zoom” on the setting screen605. Note that in this case, the menu operation with the buttons has been exemplified. It is however, possible to use a touch panel or the like.

FIG. 7shows display examples on the liquid crystal panel according to the embodiment. When the user presses the start/stop button of the operation unit103for a short period of time while “keep pressing” of “start/stop” is selected on the setting screen604inFIG. 6, for example, a guidance702“recording is continued while button is pressed” is displayed on a recording screen701for a predetermined period of time. Reference numeral703denotes an example of display indicating a recording pause state.

When the user presses the zoom button of the operation unit103for a short period of time on the setting screen606inFIG. 6while “keep pressing” of “zoom” is selected, a guidance705“zooming is continued while button is pressed” is displayed on a recording screen704for a predetermined period of time. Reference numeral706denotes an example of display indicating a state in which zooming operation is not currently performed.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the camera including a plurality of buttons as operation members and having predetermined functions assigned to the respective buttons can switch operation methods for each button in accordance with designation by the user. In addition, a guidance corresponding to the operation method assigned to each button is displayed. This allows the user to perform operation without any confusion concerning a plurality of operation methods assigned to the respective buttons.

Each embodiment described above has exemplified the case in which when a button to which the function which is made effective only during the pressing of the button is assigned is operated for only a period of time equal to or less than a predetermined time, a guidance concerning the operation method assigned to the button is displayed as a warning. However, it is possible to output a warning other than a guidance displayed as a warning. That is, when a button to which the function which is made effective only during the pressing of the button is assigned is operated for only a period of time equal to or less than a predetermined time, it is possible to generate a warning sound instead of displaying a warning or together with a warning indication.

The present invention has been described in detail above based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and includes various forms without departing from the scope of the invention. The above embodiments may be partly combined with each other.

The above embodiments have exemplified the digital video camera. However, it is possible to find the same effects as those described above in various apparatuses including buttons which are made effective while kept pressed.

Note that control by the system controller104may be implemented by one piece of hardware, and the overall apparatus may be controlled by sharing processes among a plurality of pieces of hardware.

The present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and includes various forms without departing from the scope of the invention. The above embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and the respective embodiments can be combined as needed.

In addition, the above embodiments have exemplified the case in which the present invention is applied to the digital video camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the present invention can be equally applied to a personal computer, a PDA, a portable image viewer such as a cellular phone terminal, a display provided for a printer apparatus to select and check printed images, a digital photo frame, and the like.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-288419, filed Dec. 18, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.