Patent Publication Number: US-2019174031-A1

Title: Electronic device configured to communicate with an external device regardless of whether the external device is attached to the electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 14/764,017 filed Jul. 28, 2015, which in turn is a National Stage of PCT/JP2013/081416 filed Nov. 21, 2013, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2013-013653, 2013-013652, and 2013-013651 filed Jan. 28, 2013. The disclosure of the prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     There has been conventionally suggested a wireless communication camera including an image capture device and a display device separate from the image capture device (e.g., see Patent Document 1). 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Documents 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-325150 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     However, the conventional wireless communication camera fails to have the sufficiently considered operability in a state where the image capture device and the display device are detached from each other and in a state where they are attached to each other, and thus sometimes is not user friendly. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a user-friendly electronic device. 
     Effects of the Invention 
     The present invention has an advantage in providing a user-friendly electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device in accordance with a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are diagrams illustrating a state where an image capture unit is engaged with a display unit in the electronic device of the first embodiment, and 
         FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 2D  are diagrams illustrating a state where the image capture unit and the display unit are detached from each other; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an exemplary process executed by a control unit of the display unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an exemplary process executed by a control unit of the image capture unit; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates an image for operation displayed on a display of the display unit, and  FIG. 5B  is an image for operation displayed on a display of the image capture unit; 
         FIG. 6A  is a flowchart of an exemplary process of restricting the display of an image executed by the control unit of the image capture unit, and  FIG. 6B  is a flowchart of an exemplary process of restricting the display of an image executed by the control unit of the display unit; 
         FIG. 7A  is a diagram illustrating a screen used to select an image of which the display is restricted,  FIG. 7B  is a diagram illustrating a restriction information table, and  FIG. 7C  is a diagram illustrating images displayed on the display unit; 
         FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  are flowcharts for explaining a first variation of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device in accordance with a second variation of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  are diagrams illustrating a state where an image capture unit is engaged with a display unit in the electronic device of the second variation of the first embodiment, and  FIG. 10C  and  FIG. 10D  are diagrams illustrating a state where the image capture unit and the display unit are detached from each other; 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device in accordance with a third variation of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12A  and  FIG. 12B  are diagrams illustrating a state where an image capture unit is engaged with a display unit in the electronic device of the third variation of the first embodiment, and  FIG. 12C  and  FIG. 12D  are diagrams illustrating a state where the image capture unit and the display unit are detached from each other; 
         FIG. 13A  through  FIG. 13C  are diagrams illustrating an engaged state and a detached state of the image capture unit and the display unit when the display unit is accommodated in the image capture unit in the electronic device of the third variation of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device in accordance with a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 15A  is a diagram illustrating a state where an image capture unit is engaged with a display unit in the electronic device of the second embodiment, and  FIG. 15B  and  FIG. 15C  are diagrams illustrating a state where the image capture unit and the display unit are detached from each other; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart of an exemplary process executed by the display unit of the second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart of an exemplary process executed by the image capture unit of the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     First Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of a first embodiment based on  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 7C .  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device  300 A in accordance with the first embodiment.  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are diagrams illustrating a state where an image capture unit  100 A and a display unit  200 A included in the electronic device  300 A are engaged with each other (hereinafter, referred to as an engaged state), and  FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 2D  are diagrams illustrating a state where the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A included in the electronic device  300 A are detached from each other (hereinafter, referred to as a detached state). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  300 A includes the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A. The electronic device  300 A of the present embodiment has an “image capture mode” that allows the user to capture images with the image capture unit  100 A or the display unit  200 A and a “viewing mode” that allows the user to view image data, and the user can switch the mode to use as appropriate. 
     (Image Capture Unit  100 A) 
     The image capture unit  100 A is accommodated in a recessed portion  201  (see  FIG. 2D ) provided to the display unit  200 A in the engaged state as illustrated in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B . 
     The image capture unit  100 A includes a lens unit  102 , a lens drive unit  104 , an imaging element  105 , an A/D (Analog/Digital) converter unit  106 , an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)  108 , a display  110 , an operation unit  111 , a storage medium  116 , a memory  118 , a connector  120 , a wireless communication unit  122 , and a control unit  124  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The image capture unit  100 A may be any type of single-lens reflex cameras, mirrorless cameras, and compact cameras. 
     The lens unit  102  is composed of multiple lens groups including a zoom lens and a focusing lens, and provides the image of a subject on the imaging area of the imaging element  105  in response to the operation of a release switch (SW)  114  and a release SW  214  described later. 
     The lens drive unit  104  includes, for example, a motor or an actuator, and drives the lens unit  102  for zooming or focusing. The lens drive unit  104  also has a transmission mechanism that transmits manual operation by the user via an operation ring or the like to the lens unit  102 . The lens unit  102  and the lens drive unit  104  may be capable of being detached from the image capture unit  100 A, or being replaced. 
     The imaging element  105  includes a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, where photosensitive elements are arranged in a matrix in the imaging area, or the like, and generates analog image signals. 
     The A/D converter unit  106  converts the analog image signals generated by the imaging element  105  to digital image signals, and outputs them to the control unit  124 . 
     The ASIC  108  is a circuit that applies various types of image processing, such as color interpolation processing, gradation converting processing, contour emphasis processing, white balance adjusting processing, image compression processing, and image decompression processing, to the digital image signals input from the control unit  124 . The image data processed by the ASIC  108  (e.g., data for thumbnail display, or main image data having higher resolution than the data for thumbnail display) is displayed on the display  110  or stored in the storage medium  116  under the control of the control unit  124 . 
     The display  110  is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various types of setting information for the image capture unit  100 A, an operation menu and icons used to operate the image capture unit  100 A. The display  110  also displays a live view image (a through image) based on the output from the ASIC  108 , and still images and moving images stored in the storage medium  116  described later. 
     The operation unit  111  includes, for example, a touch panel  112  and the release SW  114 . In the present embodiment, the operation unit  111  receives an operation for the image capture unit  100 A from the user. 
     The touch panel  112  is located on the display  110  or embedded in the display  110 , detects a touch operation on the surface of the display  110  by the user to receive the input of various information. That is to say, the user can operate the image capture unit  100 A by touching the operation menu or the icon displayed on the display  110 . The touch panel  112  may be used as a substitute for the release SW  114  described later. In this case, the image of a subject is formed on the imaging area of the imaging element  105  through the lens unit  102  in response to the operation to the through image displayed on the display  110 . In the present embodiment, the touch panel  112  is hidden by the display unit  200 A in the engaged state (see  FIG. 2B ), and thus is used only in the detached state. 
     The release SW  114  is a switch operated (pressed) by the user, for example, when the user issues an instruction of the capture of a still image. In the present embodiment, the release SW  114  is hidden by the display unit  200 A in the engaged state (see  FIG. 2B ), and thus is used only in the detached state. 
     The storage medium  116  is, for example, an SD card, and stores data of still images and data of moving images. The storage medium  116  can be attached to/detached from the image capture unit  100 A (a card slot not illustrated). 
     The memory  118  is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., a flash memory), and stores programs for controlling the image capture unit  100 A executed by the control unit  124  and parameters. 
     The connector  120  can be engaged with a connector  220  of the display unit  200 A described later, and electrically connects the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A. This allows for communication and data transmission/reception between the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A. In the present embodiment, the connector  120  is located on the side surface of the housing of the image capture unit  100 A as illustrated in  FIG. 2C . The position where the connector  120  is located, and the number of contact points may be determined as appropriate. 
     The wireless communication unit  122  allows for communication and data transmission/reception between the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A instead of the aforementioned connector  120  when the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are in the detached state. 
     The control unit  124  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and overall controls the image capture unit  100 A. The process executed by the control unit  124  will be described later. 
     (Display Unit  200 A) 
     The display unit  200 A includes a lens unit  202 , an imaging element  205 , an A/D converter unit  206 , an ASIC  208 , a display  210 , an operation unit  211 , a storage medium  216 , a memory  218 , the connector  220 , a wireless communication unit  222 , a projector  223 , and a control unit  224 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The lens unit  202  is composed of multiple lens groups including a zoom lens and a focusing lens, and provides the image of a subject on the imaging area of the imaging element included in the imaging element  205  in response to the operation of the release SW  214  described later. In the present embodiment, the lens unit  202  is hidden by the image capture unit  100 A in the engaged state, and thus is not used in the engaged state. 
     The imaging element  205  includes a CMOS image sensor, where photosensitive elements are arranged in a matrix in the imaging area, or the like, and generates analog image signals. 
     The A/D converter unit  206  converts the analog image signals generated from the imaging element  205  to digital image signals, and outputs them to the control unit  224 . 
     The ASIC  208  applies various types of image processing to the digital image signals input from the control unit  224 . The image data processed by the ASIC  208  is displayed on the display  210  or stored in the storage medium  216  under the control of the control unit  224 . 
     The display  210  is, for example, an LCD, and displays various types of setting information for the image capture unit  100 A and an operation menu and an icon used to operate the image capture unit  100 A in the engaged state. Additionally, the display  210  displays a live view image (a through image) based on the output from the ASIC  208 , or still images or moving images stored in the storage medium  116  or the storage medium  216 . Furthermore, the display  210  displays various types of setting information for the display unit  200 A, and an operation menu and an icon used to operate the display unit  200 A in the detached state. Additionally, the display  210  displays a live view image (a through image) based on an analog image output from the imaging element  205 , or still images and moving images stored in the storage medium  216  described later in the detached state. 
     The operation unit  211  includes a touch panel  212  and the release SW  214 . The operation unit  211  receives an operation for the image capture unit  100 A or the display unit  200 A from the user. 
     The touch panel  212  is located on the display  210  or embedded in the display  210 . The touch panel  212  detects a touch operation on the surface of the display  210  by the user to receive the input of various information. Thus, the user can operate the image capture unit  100 A or the display unit  200 A by touching the operation menu or the icon displayed on the display  210 . The touch panel  212  may be used as a substitute for the release SW  214  described later. 
     The release SW  214  is a switch operated (pressed) by the user when the user issues an instruction of the capture of a still image. 
     The storage medium  216  is, for example, an SD card, and stores data of still images and data of moving images. The storage medium  216  can be attached to/detached from the display unit  200 A (a card slot not illustrated). 
     The memory  218  is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., a flash memory), and stores programs for controlling the display unit  200 A executed by the control unit  224  and parameters. 
     The connector  220  can be engaged with the connector  120  of the image capture unit  100 A described previously, and electrically connects the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A. This allows for communication and data transmission/reception between the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A. In the present embodiment, the connector  220  is located in a position corresponding to the connector  120  on the side surface of the recessed portion  201  accommodating the image capture unit  100 A, as illustrated in  FIG. 2D . The position where the connector  220  is located, and the number of contact points may be determined as appropriate so as to correspond to those of the connector  120 . 
     The wireless communication unit  222  allows for communication and data transmission/reception between the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A instead of the aforementioned connector  220  when the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are in the detached state. 
     The projector  223  projects still images and moving images stored in the storage medium  216  on a screen or a wall. In the present embodiment, the projector  223  is located on the bottom surface of the recessed portion  201  provided to the display unit  200 A. The position where the projector  223  is located in the display unit  200 A may be determined as appropriate, and may be located on, for example, the frame around the recessed portion  201 . 
     The control unit  224  includes a CPU, overall controls the display unit  200 A, and performs cooperative control with the control unit  124  when the display unit  200 A and the image capture unit  100 A are in the engaged state. Furthermore, the control unit  124  performs the control in accordance with the mode of the electronic device  300 A (image capture mode, viewing mode). 
     (Process Executed by the Control Unit  224  of the Display Unit  200 A) 
     A description will next be given of an exemplary process executed by the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 3 . In the present embodiment, the process of  FIG. 3  is started when the power of the electronic device  300 A is switched on. 
     In the process of  FIG. 3 , at step S 10 , the control unit  224  determines whether the electronic device  300 A is in the “image capture mode” of the “image capture mode” and the “viewing mode”. When the determination is YES, i.e., when the electronic device  300 A is in the image capture mode, the control unit  224  moves to step S 12 . The image capture mode and the viewing mode may be switched by the user via the operation through the touch panel  112  of the image capture unit  100 A or the touch panel  212  of the display unit  200 A. Alternatively, the image capture mode may be set in the engaged state and the viewing mode may be set in the detached state by default. Alternatively, the mode used when the power of the electronic device  300 A was switched off last time may be set when the power of the electronic device  300 A is switched on. 
     At step S 12 , the control unit  224  displays an image (an image for operation) including an operation menu and an icon used to operate the electronic device  300 A on the display  210 . This allows the display  210  to function as the operation screen of the touch panel  212 . In the present embodiment, the image for operation of the electronic device  300 A includes, for example, a menu icon  210 A used to configure various settings related to image capture, and a cross icon  210 B used to select the left, right, top, and bottom or to switch the image capture mode and the viewing mode (see  FIG. 2A ).  FIG. 2A  illustrates only the single menu icon  210 A, but multiple menu icons may be displayed. 
     At subsequent step S 14 , the control unit  224  determines whether the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are in the detached state. Whether the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are in the detached state may be determined by determining whether the connector  120  and the connector  220  are engaged with each other, or may be determined by the communication intensity (radio field intensity) between the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A when each of the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A includes an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag reader. When the determination is YES, i.e., when the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are in the detached state, the control unit  224  moves to step S 16 . In the present embodiment, when moving to step S 16 , i.e., when the image capture mode is set and the units  100 A,  200 A are in the detached state, the control unit  224  executes an image capture process using the display unit  200 A. 
     At step S 16 , the control unit  224  determines whether the touch panel  212  is operated. When the determination is YES, i.e., when the touch panel  212  is operated by the user, the process moves to step S 18 . At step S 18 , the control unit  224  performs the process corresponding to the operation received at step S 16  on the display unit  200 A, and moves to step S 20 . 
     On the other hand, when the touch panel  212  is not operated by the user and the determination at step S 16  is thus NO, the control unit  224  moves to step S 20 . 
     At step S 20 , the control unit  224  determines whether the release SW  214  is pressed. When the determination is YES, i.e., when the release SW  214  is pressed, the control unit  224  captures an image with the imaging element  205  of the display unit  200 A at step S 22 , and then returns to step S 10 . 
     On the other hand, when the release SW  214  is not pressed by the user and the determination at step S 20  is thus NO, the process returns to step S 16 . The processes of steps S 16 ˜S 20  are repeated till the release SW  214  is pressed. However, this does not intend to suggest any limitation, and the control unit  224  may return to step S 14  when the determination at step S 20  is NO. 
     When the determination at step S 14  is NO, i.e., when the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are in the engaged state, the control unit  224  moves to step S 26 . In the present embodiment, when moving to step S 26 , i.e., when the image capture mode is set and the units  100 A,  200 A are in the engaged state, the control unit  224  performs an image capture process using the image capture unit  100 A. 
     At step S 26 , the control unit  224  determines whether the touch panel  212  is operated by the user. When the determination is NO, the control unit  224  moves to step S 30 . On the other hand, when the determination at step S 26  is YES, the control unit  224  transmits the instruction (operation instruction) corresponding to the operation received via the touch panel  212  at step S 28  to the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A through the connectors  120 ,  220 , and moves to step S 30 . The control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A that has received the operation instruction controls the image capture unit  100 A based on the operation instruction. 
     When the determination at step S 26  is NO, or after step S 28 , the control unit  224  moves to step S 30 , and determines whether the release SW  214  is pressed. While the determination is NO, the control unit  224  returns to step S 26 , and repeats the process and the determination of steps S 26 ˜S 30 . On the other hand, when the determination at step S 30  is YES, the control unit  224  moves to step S 32 , and transmits an image capture instruction to the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A through the connectors  120 ,  220 . The control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A that has received the image capture instruction controls the components of the image capture unit  100 A to capture an image. When the process of step S 32  is completed, the control unit  224  returns to step S 10 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the control unit  224  returns to step S 26  when the determination at step S 30  is NO, but this does not intend to suggest any limitation, and the control unit  224  may return to step S 14 . 
     When the determination at step S 10  is NO, i.e., the electronic device  300 A is not in the image capture mode but in the “viewing mode”, the control unit  224  moves to step S 500 , and performs a control for the viewing mode. The process executed by the control unit  224  when the electronic device  300 A is in the viewing mode will be described later. 
     When the process of step S 500  is completed, the control unit  224  returns to step S 10 . The process of  FIG. 3  is repeated as described above till the power of the electronic device  300 A is switched off. 
     (Process Executed by the Control Unit  124  of the Image Capture Unit  100 A) 
     A description will next be given of a process executed by the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A.  FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an exemplary process executed by the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A. In the present embodiment, the process of  FIG. 4  is started when the power of the electronic device  300 A is switched on. 
     In the process of  FIG. 4 , at step S 50  the control unit  124  determines whether the electronic device  300 A is in the “image capture mode” of the “image capture mode” and the “viewing mode”. When the determination is YES, i.e., when the electronic device  300 A is in the image capture mode, the control unit  124  moves to step S 52 . 
     At step S 52 , the control unit  124  determines whether the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are in the detached state. When the determination is YES, the control unit  124  moves to step S 54 . In the present embodiment, when moving to step S 54 , i.e., when the image capture mode is set and the units  100 A,  200 A are in the detached state, the control unit  124  performs the image capture process using the image capture unit  100 A. 
     At step S 54 , the control unit  124  displays the same image as the image for operation displayed on the display  210  of the display unit  200 A in the engaged state on the display  110  in similar size. For example, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the menu icon  210 A and the cross icon  210 B are displayed on the display  210  in the engaged state. Thus, the control unit  124  displays, as illustrated in  FIG. 2C , a menu icon  110 A corresponding to the menu icon  210 A and a cross icon  110 B corresponding to the cross icon  210 B on the display  110 . Accordingly, the operation screen of the touch panel  212  in the engaged state becomes the same as the operation screen of the touch panel  112  in the detached state. Therefore, the user can operate the image capture unit  100 A with the operation screen (user interface) same as that in the engaged state in the detached state, and thus can easily operate the image capture unit  100 A and finds it to be user-friendly. 
     Here, at step S 54 , the control unit  124  may display the enlarged or reduced image for operation on the display  110 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B , assume that the screen size of the display  210  (horizontal dimension=La) is greater than the screen size of the display  110  (horizontal dimension=Lb) (La&gt;Lb). In such a case, the control unit  124  may reduce the dimensions of the menu icon  210 A and the cross icon  210 B to be displayed on the display  210  (Lb/La) times, and then display them on the display  110 . This enables to make the configuration of the operation screen of the touch panel  212  almost the same as the configuration of the operation screen of the touch panel  112 , allowing the user to operate the touch panel  112  of the image capture unit  100 A without any feeling of strangeness. The dimension of the icon displayed on the display  210  may be determined based on the vertical dimensions of the displays  110 ,  210 , or may be determined based on the area ratio of the screen sizes of the displays  110 ,  210 . 
     Back to  FIG. 4 , at step S 56 , the control unit  124  determines whether the touch panel  112  of the image capture unit  100 A is operated. When the determination is YES, the control unit  124  moves to step S 58 , performs the process corresponding to the operation received at step S 56  on the image capture unit  100 A, and moves to step S 60 . 
     On the other hand, when the determination at step S 56  is NO, i.e., when the touch panel  112  is not operated by the user, the control unit  124  moves to step S 60 , and determines whether the release SW  114  is pressed. While the determination is NO, the process and the determination of steps S 56 ˜S 60  are repeated, and when the determination becomes YES (when the release SW  114  is pressed), the control unit  124  captures an image at step S 62 , and returns to step S 50 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the control unit  124  returns to step S 56  when the determination at step S 60  is NO, but this does not intend to suggest any limitation, and the control unit  124  may return to step S 52 . 
     When the determination at step S 52  is NO, i.e., when the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are in the engaged state, the control unit  124  moves to step S 64 . In the present embodiment, when moving to step S 64 , i.e., when the image capture mode is set and the units  100 A,  200 A are in the engaged state, the control unit  124  performs the image capture process using the image capture unit  100 A based on the instruction from the display unit  200 A. 
     At step S 64 , the control unit  124  switches off the power of the display  110 . The reason why the power of the display  110  is switched off is because the display  110  is hidden by the display unit  200 A and is not used by the user in the state where the units  100 A,  200 A are engaged with each other (see  FIG. 2  A,  FIG. 2B ). The above-described control enables to reduce the electrical power consumption. The control unit  124  may not switch off the power of the display  110  at step S 64 . In this case, the control unit  124  may shift the display  110  to a power saving mode of which the electrical power consumption is less than that in normal use. 
     At subsequent step S 66 , the control unit  124  determines whether the touch panel  212  of the display unit  200 A is operated by the user and the control unit  124  thus receives an operation instruction from the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A. When the determination is NO, the control unit  124  moves to step S 70 . On the other hand, when the determination at step S 66  is YES, the control unit  124  moves to step S 68 , performs the process corresponding to the received operation instruction on the image capture unit  100 A, and moves to step S 70 . 
     When the determination at step S 66  is NO, or after step S 68 , the control unit  124  moves to step S 70  and determines whether the release SW  214  is pressed by the user and the control unit  124  thus receives an image capture instruction from the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A. While the determination is NO, the control unit  124  returns to step S 66 , and repeats the process and the determination of steps S 66 ˜S 70 . On the other hand, when the determination at step S 70  is YES, the control unit  224  moves to step S 62 , and captures an image. The control unit  124  then returns to step S 50 . 
     When the determination at step S 50  is NO, i.e., when the electronic device  300 A is not in the image capture mode but in the “viewing mode”, the control unit  124  moves to step S 550 , performs a control for the viewing mode, and returns to step S 50 . The process of  FIG. 4  is repeated as described above till the power of the electronic device  300 A is switched off. 
     (Control for the Viewing Mode) A description will next be given of processes executed by the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A and the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A when the electronic device  300 A is in the viewing mode (step S 500  of  FIG. 3 , step S 550  of  FIG. 4 ) with flowcharts of  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B . 
     In the present embodiment, when the electronic device  300 A is in the viewing mode, a “privacy mode” that permits the viewing of certain images selected by the user (the owner of the electronic device  300 A) can be selected in addition to a “normal viewing mode” that permits the viewing of all images in the electronic device  300 A. Assume that the “privacy mode” can be selected when the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are in the detached state. The privacy mode is used to protect the privacy of the owner, personal information, and portrait rights. 
       FIG. 6A  is a flowchart of a process executed by the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A when the electronic device  300 A is in the viewing mode, i.e., a detailed process of step S 550  in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6B  is a flowchart of a process executed by the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A when the electronic device  300 A is in the viewing mode, i.e., a detailed process of step S 500  in  FIG. 3 . 
     In the process of  FIG. 6B , at step S 502 , the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A determines whether the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are in the detached state. When the determination is NO (in the case of the engaged state), the control unit  224  moves to step S 504 , and displays image data selected by the user on the display  210  among image data stored in the storage medium  116  and the storage medium  216 . Then, the process of the  FIG. 6  is ended, and returns to step S 10  in  FIG. 3 . 
     On the other hand, when the determination at step S 502  is YES (in the case of the detached state), the control unit  224  moves to step S 503 . In the following description, assume that a user X who is the owner of the electronic device  300 A holds the image capture unit  100 A, and another user Y holds the display unit  200 A in the detached state. Additionally, assume that the user Y can view image data stored in the storage medium  216  of the display unit  200 A in the detached state. 
     At step S 503 , the control unit  224  determines whether the “privacy mode” is set. When the determination is NO (when the normal viewing mode is set), the process moves to step S 504 , and when the determination is YES (when the privacy mode is set), the process moves to step S 505 . At step S 505 , the control unit  224  transmits image data stored in the storage medium  216  to the image capture unit  100 A. The image data transmitted to the image capture unit  100 A may be the data of a thumbnail image having a size less than the data of a main image to be displayed on the display  210 . Additionally, the image data may be transmitted one by one, or every a predetermined number of images. In the present embodiment, the data of all thumbnail images stored in the storage medium  216  is transmitted to the image capture unit  100 A. 
     At subsequent step S 506 , the control unit  224  inhibits the reception of the user operation via the touch panel  212 . This enables to temporarily inhibit the user Y from manipulating the image data stored in the storage medium  216  of the display unit  200 A. 
     On the other hand, the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A waits till the control unit  124  receives the data of thumbnail images from the display unit  200 A at step S 551 . When the data of thumbnail image is transmitted from the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A, the process moves to step S 552 . 
     At step S 552 , the control unit  124  displays the received thumbnail images on the display  110  (see  FIG. 7A ). At step S 554 , the control unit  124  receives the selection of images permitted to be viewed by the user Y from the owner of the electronic device  300 A (the user X). In the present embodiment, the control unit  124  receives the selection of images permitted to be viewed by the user Y via the touch panel  112 . For example, when the user X touches thumbnail images displayed on the display  110  via the touch panel  112  as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the check boxes located under the images are checked, and the viewing of the image data is permitted. In  FIG. 7A , IMG001.jpg, IMG003.jpg, IMG004.jpg, and IMG005.jpg are selected as the image permitted to be viewed by the user Y. The control unit  124  may receive the selection of images inhibited from being displayed (viewed) instead of the selection of images permitted to be displayed (viewed). 
     At subsequent step S 556 , the control unit  124  generates restriction information based on the selection result at step S 554 . In the present embodiment, the control unit  124  generates the restriction information at a timing when the user X presses a send button  110 D illustrated in  FIG. 7A . Here, the control unit  124  may generate a list of the file names of images permitted to be displayed as the restriction information. Alternatively, a list of the file names of images inhibited from being displayed may be generated as the restriction information. Yet alternatively, the control unit  124  may generate a restriction information table that associates “file name” with “restriction information (permit/inhibit)” as the restriction information, as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . 
     At subsequent step S 558 , the control unit  124  transmits the generated restriction information to the display unit  200 A to end the process of  FIG. 6A , and returns to step S 50  in  FIG. 4 . 
     On the other hand, the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A waits till the control unit  224  receives the restriction information from the image capture unit  100 A at step S 508  after inhibiting the reception of the operation from the user at step S 506 . Thus, when step S 558  is executed in the control unit  124 , the control unit  224  moves to step S 510 . 
     At step S 510 , the control unit  224  displays only the images permitted to be displayed on the display  210 . For example, when image data IMG002.jpg, IMG006.jpg are inhibited from being viewed as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the control unit  224  displays images other than IMG002.jpg, IMG006.jpg on the display  210  as illustrated in  FIG. 7C . 
     At subsequent step S 512 , the control unit  224  permits the reception of the operation from the user Y via the touch panel  212 . More specifically, operations that allow the user Y to view images (frame return/frame advance operation, display of main image, and the like) are permitted. In this case, the user Y can perform only the operation to the images permitted to be viewed. The operation input to the touch panel  212  may be limited to frame return/frame advance, scaling, rotation, and the like to prevent the images from being modified by the user Y. 
     When the entire process of  FIG. 6B  is ended as described above, the process returns to step S 10  in  FIG. 3 . 
     As described in detail above, according to the first embodiment, the electronic device  300 A includes the display unit  200 A including the touch panel  212  as the operation unit  211 , and the image capture unit  100 A including the display  110  and being attachable to/detachable from the display unit  200 A. When the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are detached from each other, the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A displays the image displayed on the display  210  of the display unit  200 A in the engaged state (the operation screen of the touch panel  212 ) on the display  110 . This makes the operation screen of the touch panel  212  in the engaged state the same as the operation screen of the touch panel  112  in the detached state, and thus allows the user to operate the image capture unit  100 A with the user interface same as that in the engaged state in the detached state. Therefore, the operability of the image capture unit  100 A is improved, and eventually the usability of the electronic device  300 A is improved. 
     Additionally, in the first embodiment, when the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are detached from each other, the control unit  124  displays a reduced image of the image for operation displayed on the display  210  of the display unit  200 A in the engaged state (the operation screen of the touch panel  212 ) on the display  110  of the image capture unit  100 A (see  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B ). This makes the configuration of the operation screen of the touch panel  212  (the ratio of the operation image to the screen) in the engaged state the same as the configuration of the operation screen of the touch panel  112  (the ratio of the operation image to the screen) in the detached state, and thus provides the user interface that does not give the user any feeling of strangeness. Accordingly, the user can operate the touch panel  112  of the image capture unit  100 A without any feeling of strangeness in the detached state. 
     Additionally, in the first embodiment, the electronic device  300 A includes the imaging element  105 , and the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A respectively include the release SW  114  and the release SW  214  that issue an image capture instruction to the imaging element  105 . Thus, the image capture instruction to the imaging element  105  can be issued both in the engaged state and in the detached state. 
     Additionally, in the first embodiment, the electronic device  300 A includes the connectors  120 ,  220  that engage the image capture unit  100 A with the display unit  200 A, and the control unit  124  and the control unit  224  detect the detachment of the image capture unit  100 A from the display unit  200 A in accordance with the engaged state of the connectors  120 ,  220 . Thus, the appropriate controls in accordance with the detached state and the engaged state can be performed without using a dedicated sensor for detecting the engagement and the detachment. 
     Additionally, in the first embodiment, when the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are engaged with each other, the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A communicates with the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A through the connectors  120 ,  220 . This allows for the wire communication between the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A in the engaged state, enabling the stable data transmission/reception. 
     Additionally, in the first embodiment, the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A transmits the data of a thumbnail image to the image capture unit  100 A before displaying an image on the display  210 , and receives restriction information on the display of the image from the image capture unit  100 A. This restricts the viewing (display) of the image that the user does not want others to see when the display unit  200 A is used as a display terminal for viewing images. 
     Additionally, in the first embodiment, the control unit  224  transmits the data on an image to the image capture unit  100 A when the connector  220  is not engaged with the connector  120  of the image capture unit  100 A. This makes it possible to restrict the viewing of images by the user of the display unit  200 A when the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are detached from each other, i.e., when a user other than the owner of the electronic device  300 A is likely to hold the display unit  200 A. In addition, as the display unit  200 A in the detached state acts as a viewer device, the user Y other than the owner of the electronic device  300 A can watch the images by simple operation specialized for a viewer device, and does not need to be careful not to touch or damage the lens unit  102 . 
     Additionally, in the first embodiment, the control unit  224  transmits the data of thumbnail images having a size less than a size of the data of main images to be displayed on the display  210  to the image capture unit  100 A. Thus, the time required to transmit image data can be reduced, and thereby the time for the images to be displayed on the display  210  can be reduced. 
     Additionally, in the first embodiment, the control unit  224  communicates with the image capture unit  100 A through the connectors  220 ,  120  when the connector  220  is engaged with the connector  120 , and wireless communicates with the image capture unit  100 A with use of the wireless communication unit  222  when the connector  220  is not engaged with the connector  120 . This allows for stable data transmission/reception by wire communication when the connector  220  is engaged with the connector  120 , and furthermore, the viewing of the image by the user of the display unit  200 A can be restricted via wireless communication even in the detached state. 
     Additionally, in the first embodiment, the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A sets restriction information for a thumbnail image, and transmits the restriction information to the display unit  200 A. This enables to set the restriction information, which restricts the display of the image, with use of the image capture unit  100 A, which is a terminal different from the display unit  200 A, and thereby enables to restrict the viewing of the image without making the user Y (viewer) of the display unit  200 A notice that there are images of which the viewing is restricted. In addition, only the images permitted to be viewed are displayed on the display of the display unit  200 A, and thus the viewer can view the image by operating the display unit  200 A without any feeling of strangeness. 
     The processes of  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  of the above first embodiment inhibits the display of the image on the display  210  of the display unit  200 A, but do not intend to suggest any limitation. The projection of the image by the projector  223  may be inhibited, for example. In this case, at step S 505  in  FIG. 6B , during the projection preparation period after the operation to start the projector  223  is performed by a viewer (time from when the start operation is performed to when the projector  223  becomes in a state capable of projecting), the data of thumbnail images may be transmitted to the image capture unit  100 A. This enables to effectively use the projection preparation period for setting the restriction information and performing a transmission process. 
     Additionally, in the above first embodiment, the process moves to step S 506  after the data of all thumbnail images is transmitted to the image capture unit  100 A at step S 505  in  FIG. 6B , but this does not intend to suggest any limitation. For example, when the data of a predetermined number (e.g., ten) of thumbnail images is transmitted, the process may move to step S 506 . In this case, when restriction information for the predetermined number of thumbnail images is received at step S 508 , the process may move to step S 510 . Additionally, while an image based on the restriction information is displayed, transmission of unsent data of thumbnail images and acquisition of restriction information may be performed to improve the efficiency of processing. The above-described processing enables to reduce the time for the image to be displayed (waiting time) as much as possible even when a large quantity of image data is in the storage medium  216 . 
     Additionally, in the above first embodiment, the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A displays the image on the display  210  based on the restriction information from the image capture unit  100 A, but this does not intend to suggest any limitation. For example, the image capture unit  100 A may be used as a remote control of the display unit  200 A, and the image to be projected by the projector  223  of the display unit  200 A may be directly selected in the image capture unit  100 A. In this case, the selection of the image to be subsequently displayed may be received in the image capture unit  100 A while an image is projected by the projector  223 . 
     The above first embodiment describes that the image capture mode or the viewing mode is set for the whole of the electronic device, but does not intend to suggest any limitation. The mode set for one of the image capture unit and the display unit may be set for the other. For example, when the display unit shifts to the viewing mode, the image capture unit may shift to the viewing mode. Additionally, different modes may be set in the image capture unit and the display unit, for example. 
     In the above first embodiment, the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A capture still images in response to the operations of the release SWs  114 ,  214  (step S 62  of  FIG. 4 , step S 22  of  FIG. 3 ), but this does not intend to suggest any limitation, and may start to capture a moving image in response to the operations of the release SWs  114 ,  214 . Additionally, a dedicated switch for capturing a moving image may be provided. 
     (First Variation) 
     The above first embodiment describes the case where the user Y of the display unit  200 A views images stored in the storage medium  216  of the display unit  200 A in the detached state, but does not intend to suggest any limitation. In the detached state, the user Y using the display unit  200 A may view an image stored in the storage medium  116  of the image capture unit  100 A, and in this case, the processes of  FIG. 8A ,  FIG. 8B  are executed instead of the processes of  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B . 
     The following describes the processes of  FIG. 8A ,  FIG. 8B . 
     In  FIG. 8B , at step S 602 , the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A determines whether the image capture unit  100 A and the display unit  200 A are in the detached state. When the determination is NO, the control unit  224  moves to step S 614 , and requests the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A to transmit image data (e.g., main image data and thumbnail image data) with a first transmission method. The first transmission method means a method of transmitting an image requested by the user of the display unit  200 A without restricting the viewing. After step S 614 , the process moves to step S 608 . 
     On the other hand, when the determination at step S 602  is YES (in the case of the detached state), whether the “privacy mode” is set is determined at step S 604 . When the determination is NO, the control unit  224  moves to step S 614 , and requests the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A to transmit image data with the first transmission method as described above. On the other hand, when the determination at step S 604  is YES (when the privacy mode is set), the control unit  224  moves to step S 605 , and requests the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A to transmit image data (e.g., main image data and thumbnail image data) with a second transmission method. The second transmission method means a method of transmitting image data on which a view restriction is set in the image capture unit  100 A. After step S 605 , the process moves to step S 606 . 
     At step S 606 , the control unit  224  inhibits the reception of the operation as with in the above first embodiment. Additionally, when moving to step S 608 , the control unit  224  waits till the control unit  224  receives image data (and restriction information) from the image capture unit  100 A. 
     The control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 A waits till a transmission request is transmitted from the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A at step S 650 , and moves to step S 651  upon receiving the transmission request. At step S 651 , whether the transmission request is a transmission request with the second transmission method is determined. When the determination is NO, the control unit  124  moves to step S 660 , and transmits image data stored in the storage medium  116  to the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A without changing. On the other hand, when the determination at step S 651  is YES (when the second transmission method is requested), the process moves to step S 652 , and thumbnail images stored in the storage medium  116  are displayed on the display  110  of the image capture unit  100 A. 
     At subsequent step S 654 , as with at step S 554  of  FIG. 6A , the control unit  124  receives the selection of images permitted to be viewed, and generates restriction information at subsequent step S 656  as with at step S 556  of  FIG. 6 . Furthermore, at step S 658 , the control unit  124  transmits the restriction information (including image data) to the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 A. At step S 658 , the control unit  124  may not transmit image data on which the view restriction is set to the control unit  224 . The process of  FIG. 8A  is ended as described above. 
     As described above, when step S 658  or S 660  is executed, the determination at step S 608  of  FIG. 8B  becomes YES, and the process moves to step S 610 . At step S 610 , the control unit  224  displays the received image. In this case, the control unit  224  does not display the image with which the restriction information is received together. At step S 612 , the process of permitting the reception of the operation is executed as with at step S 512  of  FIG. 6B . This ends the process of  FIG. 6B . 
     As described above, in the first variation, the execution of the above-described process enables to restrict the viewing of image data in the storage medium  116  of the image capture unit  100 A in the detached state. 
     In the above first embodiment and first variation, the user holding the image capture unit  100 A selects images on which the view restriction is set, but this does not intend to suggest any limitation. For example, the control unit  124  may automatically determine images permitted to be viewed from image data based on a predetermined rule. The rule in this case may be a rule that permits an image that does not include a person to be viewed by using a face detection function not illustrated. The rule may be set as desired. 
     When the control unit  124  automatically determines images permitted to be viewed based on the detection results of the face detection function not illustrated as described above, the user may check the determination results before the images are displayed. Additionally, the user may change the determination results. 
     In the above first embodiment and the first variation, the control unit  224  displays only the images permitted to be viewed on the display  210 , but this does not intend to suggest any limitation. For example, in the display unit  200 A, the image inhibited from being displayed may be viewed by inputting a predetermined password. Additionally, the images inhibited from being viewed may be permitted to be viewed by a user whose fingerprint is registered in the display unit  200 A in advance by using a technology such as fingerprint authentication. 
     In the above first embodiment and the first variation, the restriction information is information used to restrict the viewing (display) of an image, but this does not intend to suggest any limitation. The restriction information may be information used to restrict, for example, the editing of an image. 
     (Second Variation) 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device  300 B (an image capture unit  100 B, a display unit  200 B) in accordance with a second variation of the first embodiment. Additionally,  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  illustrate the electronic device  300 B in the engaged state, and  FIG. 10C  and  FIG. 10D  illustrate the electronic device  300 B in the detached state. 
     In the second variation, an operation unit  211 B of the display unit  200 B includes a button SW  213  and the release SW  214 . The button SW  213  is an operation member used to receive an operation for the display unit  200 B and the image capture unit  100 B from the user, and is a substitute for the touch panel  212  of the above first embodiment. In the second variation, the button SW  213  includes, as illustrated in  FIG. 10A , a menu button  213 A and a cross button  213 B, and is located at the rear side of the housing of the display unit  200 B and the right side of the display  210 . 
     Other configurations are the same as those of the above first embodiment. 
     The process executed by the display unit  200 B is almost the same as the process of  FIG. 3 , but differs in that the process related to the operation to the touch panel is substituted by the process related to the operation to the button SW  213 . Additionally, the process executed by the image capture unit  100 B is almost the same as the process of  FIG. 4 , but partly differs in the process at step S 54 . 
     More specifically, at step S 54 , the control unit  224  displays the images of the menu button  213 A and the cross button  213 B on the display  110 . For example, the images of the menu button  213 A and the cross button  213 B laid out as illustrated in  FIG. 10A  (the menu icon  110 A and the cross icon  110 B) are displayed on the display  110  so that the layout in the display unit  200 A is reproduced (see  FIG. 10C ). This allows the user to operate the image capture unit  100 B by using icons corresponding to the menu button  213 A and the cross button  213 B laid out in the display unit  200 B in the detached state, thereby allowing the user to easily operate the image capture unit  100 B. Accordingly, the operability of the electronic device  300 B is improved. In the second variation, the touch panel  112  may bulge in the part where the menu icon  110 A and the cross icon  110 B are displayed to provide an operational feeling of the button member. 
     (Third Variation) 
     In the above first embodiment and first and second variations, the control unit  124  of the image capture unit makes the configuration of the display  110  the same as the configuration of the operation units  211 ,  211 B of the display unit, but this does not intend to suggest any limitation. As described hereinafter, the control unit  224  of the display unit may make the configuration of the display  210  the same as the configuration of the operation unit of the image capture unit. 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device  300 C (an image capture unit  100 C, a display unit  200 C) in accordance with a third variation. Additionally,  FIG. 12A  and  FIG. 12B  illustrate the electronic device  300 C in the engaged state, and  FIG. 12C  and  FIG. 12D  illustrate the electronic device  300 C in the detached state. 
     In the third variation, an operation unit  111 C of the image capture unit  100 C includes a button SW  113  and the release SW  114 . The button SW  113  is an operation member used to receive an operation for the image capture unit  100 C from the user, and is a substitute for the touch panel  112  of the above first embodiment. In the third variation, the button SW  113  includes, as illustrated in  FIG. 12C , a menu button  113 A and a cross button  113 B, and is located at the rear side of the housing of the image capture unit  100 C and the right side of the display  110 . 
     Other configurations are the same as those of the above first embodiment. 
     The process executed by the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 C is almost the same as the process of  FIG. 4 , but differs in that the process related to the operation to the touch panel is substituted by the process related to the operation to the button SW  213 , and in that a normal screen (such as a menu screen) is displayed in the process of step S 54 . On the other hand, the process executed by the display unit  200 C is almost the same as the process of  FIG. 3 , but differs in that the images of the menu button  113 A and the cross button  113 B are displayed on the display  210  in the process of step S 12 . 
     As described above, according to the third variation, the electronic device  300 C includes the image capture unit  100 C including the operation unit  111 C, and the display unit  200 C including the display  210  and being attachable to/detachable from the image capture unit  100 C. When the image capture unit  100 C and the display unit  200 C are detached from each other, the display unit  200 C presents the configuration of the operation unit  111 C of the image capture unit  100 C on the display  210 , thereby allowing the user to operate the image capture unit  100 C by using the same user interface as that in the engaged state in the detached state. Accordingly, the operability of the electronic device  300 C is improved, and its usability is improved. 
     In the above third variation, in the engaged state, the image capture unit  100 C is accommodated in a part of the display unit  200 C (the recessed portion  201 ) (see  FIG. 12A ,  FIG. 12B ), but this does not intend to suggest any limitation. The display unit may be accommodated in a part of the image capture unit. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 13A  through  FIG. 13C , a recessed portion  101  may be located at the rear side of an image capture unit  100 C′, and a display unit  200 C′ may be slidably located in (attachable to/detachable from) the recessed portion  101 . In this case, the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 C′ does not display the images of the menu button  113 A and the cross button  113 B on the display  210  in the engaged state (see  FIG. 13A ), and displays the menu icon  210 A and the cross icon  210 B corresponding to the menu button  113 A and the cross button  113 B on the display  210  in the detached state (see  FIG. 13C ). Such a control enables to obtain the effect same as the effect of the above third variation. 
     In the first embodiment and each variation, when the image capture unit and the display unit are in the detached state, the image displayed on the display of the display unit may be synchronized with the image displayed on the display of the image capture unit. For example, in the first embodiment, the image for operation displayed on the display  110  of the image capture unit  100 A in the detached state may be displayed on the display  210  of the display unit  200 A. This allows the user (e.g., a parent) of the display unit  200 A to monitor the operation that the user (e.g., a child) of the image capture unit  100 A made in the image capture unit  100 A. Alternatively, the through image being displayed on the display  110  of the image capture unit  100 A may be displayed on the display  210  of the display unit  200 A. This allows the user (e.g., a parent) of the display unit  200 A to check the subject that the user (e.g., a child) of the image capture unit  100 A is about to photograph through the display unit  200 A. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A description will next be given of a second embodiment.  FIG. 14  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device  300 D in accordance with the second embodiment.  FIG. 15A  illustrates the electronic device  300 D in the engaged state, and  FIG. 15B  and  FIG. 15C  illustrate the electronic device  300 D in the detached state. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the electronic device  300 D includes an image capture unit  100 D and a display unit  200 D. 
     (Image Capture Unit  100 D) 
     As is clear from the comparison with the image capture unit  100 A of the first embodiment ( FIG. 1 ), the image capture unit  100 D has the same configuration as that of the image capture unit  100 A except that the image capture unit  100 D includes an operation ring  126  and the lens drive unit  104  includes an actuator  104 A and a transmission mechanism  104 B. The same reference numerals are assigned to the components same as or similar to those of the image capture unit  100 A of the first embodiment, and the description of them is omitted. 
     The operation ring  126  is a ring-shaped member used for zoom operation of the lens unit  102 . When the user rotates the operation ring  126 , the lens unit  102  moves along the optical axis via the transmission mechanism  104 B. The operated amount of the operation ring  126  by the user is input to the control unit  124 , and the control unit  124  uses the input operated amount to recognize the lens position and calculate the focal distance. 
     The actuator  104 A of the lens drive unit  104  drives the lens unit  102  based on the input from the user or the like under the control of the control unit  124 . 
     (Display Unit  200 D) 
     The display unit  200 D has the same configuration as the display unit  200 A of the first embodiment. Thus, hereinafter, the same reference numerals are assigned to the components of the display unit  200 D same as those of the display unit  200 A. 
     (Process) 
     A description will next be given of the process executed by the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 D and the process executed by the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 D.  FIG. 16  is a flowchart of an exemplary process executed by the control unit  224 , and  FIG. 17  is a flowchart of an exemplary process executed by the control unit  124 .  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  illustrate only the process related to image capture. The second embodiment describes: (1) a case where the display unit  200 D and the image capture unit  100 D are in the engaged state; (2) a case where the display unit  200 D and the image capture unit  100 D are in the detached state and a remote operation mode is set; and (3) a case where the display unit  200 D and the image capture unit  100 D are in the detached state and the remote operation mode is not set. The remote operation mode is a mode used to remotely operates the image capture unit  100 D by using the display unit  200 D as a remote control, and when the remote operation mode is not set, the display unit  200 D and the image capture unit  100 D can be separately operated (used to capture images). 
     The electronic device  300 D may be configured so that the remote operation mode is automatically set when the image capture unit  100 D and the display unit  200 D are in the detached state. This setting may be set at the time of product shipment or when the electronic device  300 D starts being used. Additionally, the user may set the remote operation mode or ends the remote operation mode during the use of the electronic device  300 D. 
     (1) Case in the Engaged State 
     In this case, in the process of  FIG. 16 , the determination at step S 300  becomes NO. Thus the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 D executes processes of steps S 302 ˜S 310 . Additionally, in the process of  FIG. 17 , the determination at step S 400  becomes NO. Thus, the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 D executes processes of steps S 402 ˜S 410 . 
     At step S 302 , the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 D displays the image for operation used to operate the image capture unit  100 D on the display  210 . More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 15A , the image for operation including the menu icon  210 A and the cross icon  210 B is displayed on the display  210 . At step S 302 , as is clear from the comparison between  FIG. 15A  and  FIG. 15C , the control unit  224  does not display a zoom icon (reference numeral  210 C in  FIG. 15C ) on the display  210 . 
     At subsequent step S 304 , the control unit  224  determines whether the touch panel  212  receives an operation from the user. When the determination is YES, i.e., when the touch panel  212  receives an operation from the user, the control unit  224  transmits an operation instruction to the image capture unit  100 D at step S 306 , and moves to step S 308 . On the other hand, when the determination at step S 304  is NO, i.e., when the touch panel  212  does not receive an operation from the user, the process moves to step S 308 . 
     At step S 308 , the control unit  224  determines whether the release SW  214  is pressed. When the determination is YES, the control unit  224  transmits an image capture instruction to the image capture unit  100 D at step S 310 , and returns to step S 300 . On the other hand, when the determination at step S 308  is NO, i.e., when the release SW  214  is not pressed, the control unit  224  returns to step S 304 . 
     On the other hand, the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 D switches off the power of the display  110  at step S 402 . At step S 402 , the control unit  124  may shift the display  110  to a power saving mode. At subsequent step S 404 , whether an operation instruction is received from the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 D is determined. When the determination is YES, the control unit  124  moves to step S 406 , performs the process corresponding to the operation instruction on the image capture unit  100 D, and moves to step S 408 . In the engaged state, the zoom icon ( 210 C) is not displayed on the display  110 , and thus the operation instruction does not include a zoom operation. The user conducts the zoom operation by using the operation ring  126  in the engaged state. 
     On the other hand, when the determination at step S 404  is NO, i.e., an operation instruction is not received from the control unit  224 , the process skips step S 406  and moves to step S 408 . 
     At step S 408 , the control unit  124  determines whether the release SW  214  of the display unit  200 D is pressed and the control unit  124  thus receives an image capture instruction from the display unit  200 D. When the determination is NO, the control unit  124  returns to step S 404 . On the other hand, when the image capture instruction is received and the determination at step S 408  is thus YES, the control unit  124  captures an image at step S 410 , and returns to step S 400 . 
     (2) Case where the Remote Operation Mode is Set in the Detached State 
     In this case, in the process of  FIG. 16 , the determination at step S 300  becomes YES, and the determination at step S 320  becomes YES. Thus, the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 D executes processes of steps S 322 ˜S 332 , S 310 . Additionally, in the process of  FIG. 17 , the determination at step S 400  becomes YES, and the determination at step S 422  becomes YES. Thus, the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 D executes processes of steps S 449 ˜S 458 , S 410 . 
     At step S 322 , the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 D displays, as illustrated in  FIG. 15C , the image for operation including the menu icon  210 A, the cross icon  210 B, and the zoom icon  210 C on the display  210 . This allows the user to perform the operation for the zoom function of the image capture unit  100 D from the display unit  200 D that does not have an operation ring. 
     At subsequent step S 324 , the control unit  224  determines whether the touch panel  212  receives an operation from the user. When the determination is NO, i.e., when the touch panel  212  does not receive an operation from the user, the control unit  224  moves to step S 332 . On the other hand, when the operation from the user is received and thus the determination at step S 324  becomes YES, the control unit  224  moves to step S 326 . 
     At step S 326 , the control unit  224  determines whether the operation received by the touch panel  212  is a zoom operation (whether the zoom icon  210 C is operated). When the determination is YES, the control unit  224  transmits a zoom instruction to the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 D at step S 328 , and moves to step S 332 . On the other hand, when the operation by the user is not a zoom operation and thus the determination at step S 326  becomes NO, the control unit  224  transmits an operation instruction to the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 D at step S 330 , and moves to step S 332 . 
     At step S 332 , the control unit  224  determines whether the release SW  214  is pressed. When the determination is YES, the control unit  224  transmits an image capture instruction to the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 D at step S 310 , and returns to step S 300 . On the other hand, when the release SW  214  is not pressed and thus the determination at step S 332  becomes NO, the control unit  224  returns to step S 324 . 
     On the other hand, the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 D displays an image same as the image for operation displayed on the display  210  of the display unit  200 D in the engaged state on the display  110  at step S 449 . 
     At subsequent step S 450 , the control unit  124  determines whether the control unit  124  receives an operation instruction from the control unit  224 . When the determination is NO, the control unit  124  moves to step S 458 , and when the determination is YES, the control unit  124  moves to step S 452 . 
     At step S 452 , the control unit  124  determines whether the received operation instruction is a zoom instruction. When the determination is YES, the control unit  124  drives the lens unit  102  by the actuator  104 A at step S 454 , and moves to step S 458 . On the other hand, when the determination is NO, i.e., when the operation instruction is not a zoom instruction, the control unit  124  performs the process corresponding to the operation instruction on the image capture unit  100 D at step S 456 , and moves to step S 458 . 
     At step S 458 , the control unit  124  determines whether the control unit  124  receives an image capture instruction from the control unit  224 . When the determination is NO, the control unit  124  returns to step S 450 . On the other hand, when the determination at step S 458  is YES, i.e., when an image capture instruction is received, the control unit  124  captures an image at step S 410 , and returns to step S 400 . 
     (3) Case where the Remote Operation Mode is not Set in the Detached State 
     In this case, in the process of  FIG. 16 , the determination at step S 300  becomes YES, and the determination at step S 320  becomes NO. Thus, the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 D executes the process of step S 340 . Additionally, in the process of  FIG. 17 , the determination at step S 400  becomes YES, and the determination at step S 422  becomes NO. Thus, the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 D executes processes of steps S 423 ˜S 428 , S 410 . 
     At step S 340 , the control unit  224  of the display unit  200 D displays an image used to operate the display unit  200 D on the display  210 . 
     On the other hand, the control unit  124  of the image capture unit  100 D displays the image same as the image for operation displayed on the display  210  of the display unit  200 D in the engaged state on the display  110  at step S 423 . 
     At subsequent step S 424 , the control unit  124  determines whether the touch panel  112  receives an operation. When the determination is YES, the control unit  124  performs the process corresponding to the operation on the image capture unit  100 D at step S 426 , and moves to step S 428 . On the other hand, when the determination at step S 424  is NO, the control unit  124  moves to step S 428 . 
     At step S 428 , the control unit  124  determines whether the release SW  114  of the image capture unit  100 D is pressed. When the determination is YES, the control unit  124  captures an image at step S 410  and returns to step S 400 . When the determination is NO, the control unit  124  returns to step S 424 . 
     As described above in detail, according to the second embodiment, the electronic device  300 D includes the display unit  200 D including the operation unit  211 , and the image capture unit  100 D attachable to/detachable from the display unit  200 D. The control unit  224  makes an image for operation of the touch panel  212  included in the operation unit  211  in the state where the display unit  200 D and the image capture unit  100 D are attached to each other different from an image for operation of the touch panel  212  in the state where the display unit  200 D and the image capture unit  100 D are detached from each other. More specifically, when the display unit  200 D and the image capture unit  100 D are detached from each other, the control unit  224  displays the zoom icon  210 C (not displayed in the engaged state) used to receive a zoom operation for the image capture unit  100 D on the display  210 . As described above, the zoom icon  210 C is displayed on the display  210  of the display unit  200 D, and thereby the zoom function of the image capture unit  100 D can be operated from the display unit  200 D in the detached state. That is to say, in the detached state, a function provided to the image capture unit  100 D is achieved via the operation unit  211  of the display unit  200 D, and thus the usability of the electronic device  300 D is improved. 
     Additionally, in the second embodiment, the image capture unit  100 D includes the operation ring  126 , the lens unit  102  including a driving member, and the actuator  104 A and the transmission mechanism  104 B that drive the lens unit  102 . When the display unit  200 D and the image capture unit  100 D are attached to each other, the lens unit  102  is driven by the transmission mechanism  104 B via the operation ring  126 , and when the display unit  200 D and the image capture unit  100 D are detached from each other, the lens unit  102  is driven by the actuator  104 A via the touch panel  212 . This allows for the intuitive zoom operation with the use of the operation ring  126  in the engaged state, and enables to remotely operate the zoom function provided to the image capture unit  100 D from the display unit  200 D in the detached state. 
     Additionally, in the second embodiment, the electronic device  300 D has the different operation screens of the touch panel  212  included in the operation unit  211  in the state where the display unit  200 D and the image capture unit  100 D are detached from each other and in the state where the display unit  200 D and the image capture unit  100 D are attached to each other ( FIG. 15A ,  FIG. 15C ). As described above, the appropriate display both in the engaged state and in the detached state enables to improve the usability. 
     In the above second embodiment, the user operates the zoom function of the image capture unit  100 D via the touch panel  212  of the display unit  200 D when the remote operation mode is set, but this does not intend to suggest any limitation. For example, the user may change an aperture value or a shutter speed of the image capture unit  100 D via the touch panel  212  of the display unit  200 D. 
     In the above second embodiment, at step S 410  or  FIG. 17 , the image capture unit  100 D captures a still image in response to the operations of the release SWs  114 ,  214 , but this does not intend to suggest any limitation. The image capture unit  100 D may start to capture a moving image in response to the operations of the release SWs  114 ,  214 . 
     In the above-described embodiments and variations, the control unit  224  may restrict items (functions) permitted to be operated when the image capture unit and the display unit are in the detached state and a user other than the owner of the electronic device operates the display unit. For example, operations related to image capture (operation to capture images, operations to change an aperture value/exposure) by a user other than the owner may be permitted, but operations related to reproduction (reproduction, editing) or operations such as registration of a new user may be restricted. The operation related to reproduction may not be restricted with respect to images captured in the detached state. 
     Additionally, in the above embodiments and variations, the control unit  124  may restrict items permitted to be operated when the image capture unit and the display unit are in the detached state and a user other than the owner of the electronic device operates the image capture unit. For example, operations related to image capture (operation to capture images, operation to change an aperture value/exposure) by a user other than the owner of the electronic device may be permitted, but operations related to reproduction (reproduction, editing) or operations such as registration of a new user may be restricted. Additionally, among operations related to image capture, the operation to change an aperture value/exposure may be restricted. This prevents the settings that the owner made from being changed without the owner&#39;s knowledge. The operation related to reproduction for images captured in the detached state may not be restricted. 
     When the image capture unit and the display unit are in the engaged state, items permitted to be operated by a user other than the owner of the electronic device may be restricted. In the above case, whether the operator of the image capture unit and the display unit is the owner may be determined by the input of a predetermined password, fingerprint authentication, or the like. 
     While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and other embodiments, variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The entire disclosure of the publication cited in the above description is incorporated herein by reference.