Patent Publication Number: US-2023164291-A1

Title: Display control apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to a display control apparatus, a control method therefor, and a storage medium. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     There are known techniques for inserting watermarks in various types of digital content such as moving image files and still images these days. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-96778 discusses a technique for determining the type of content after the content is obtained and inserting a watermark depending on the type of the content. 
     However, in the technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-96778, a user can recognize the position where a watermark is inserted after a moving image is recorded (stored). On the other hand, if the watermark to be displayed is superimposed on the moving image before or during recording of the moving image, the watermark overlaps other display elements such as image capturing settings used during image capturing. This may lead to deterioration in the visibility of the moving image. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to enabling a user to recognize display elements to be recorded with a moving image before recording of the moving image, and to preventing deterioration in the visibility of the moving image. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a display control apparatus includes a memory and at least one processor which function as a setting unit configured to make a superimposed recording setting for recording a first display element superimposed on a moving image captured by an image capturing unit, and a control unit configured to perform control to display the first display element superimposed on the moving image captured by the image capturing unit in the superimposed recording setting made by the setting unit, and to display the moving image captured by the image capturing unit without superimposing the first display element on the moving image after completion of the superimposed recording setting made by the setting unit. 
     Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are external views of a digital camera according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital camera. 
       FIGS.  3 A 1  to  3 C 4  are descriptive views each illustrating an example of a display screen according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4 A to  4 B  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the digital camera according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are external views each illustrating a digital camera  100  as an example of an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  1 A  is a front perspective view of the digital camera  100 , and  FIG.  1 B  is a back perspective view of the digital camera  100 . As illustrated in  FIG.  1 B , a display unit  28  is a display unit that is configured to display images and various types of information and is provided on the back surface of the digital camera  100 . While  FIG.  1 B  illustrates an example where the display unit  28  is a display unit provided on the back surface of the digital camera  100 , the configuration of the display unit  28  is not limited to this example. For example, the display unit  28  may be an external monitor, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel or an organic electroluminescence (EL) panel, including an external storage device configured to store image files. The display unit  28  provided on the back surface of the digital camera  100  and a display unit (not illustrated) serving as an external monitor can be connected to the digital camera  100 , and a video signal can be supplied to both or one of the display units. 
     A touch panel  70   a  is an operation member on which touch operations can be performed. The touch panel  70   a  is configured to detect a touch operation on a display surface (operation surface) of the display unit  28 . An outer finder display unit  43  is a display unit that is provided on the top surface of the digital camera  100  and is configured to display various setting values such as a shutter speed and an aperture value. 
     A shutter button  61  is an operation unit to instruct image capturing. A still image capturing mode is used to instruct preparation for still image capturing and to instruct still image capturing. A moving image capturing mode is used to instruct start and stop of moving image capturing (recording). A mode selection switch  60  is an operation unit to switch various modes. A terminal cover  40  is a cover that protects a connector (not illustrated) for connecting the digital camera  100  with a connection cable for connecting an external apparatus. A main electronic dial  71  is a rotational operation member included in an operation unit  70 . For example, setting values, such as a shutter speed and an aperture value, can be changed by turning the main electronic dial  71 . A power switch  72  is an operation member to switch on and off a power supply to the digital camera  100 . A sub-electronic dial  73  is a rotational operation member included in the operation unit  70 . For example, movement of a selection frame and image feeding can be performed by turning the sub-electronic dial  73 . A directional pad  74  is an operation member that is included in the operation unit  70  and includes buttons that can be pressed in four directions, respectively. Processing corresponding to a part pressed in one of the four directions can be performed. A SET button  75  is included in the operation unit  70  and functions as a push button that is mainly used to determine a selection item. A moving image button  77  is used to instruct start and stop of capturing (recording) a moving image. Pressing the shutter button  61  after pressing an auto exposure (AE) lock button  78  enables image capturing at a fixed autofocus (AF) position, or image capturing under a condition that AF cannot be used. A playback button  79  is an operation button that is included in the operation unit  70  and is used to switch between an image capturing mode and a playback mode. When the playback button  79  is pressed in the image capturing mode, the operation mode is switched to the playback mode, thereby enabling the display unit  28  to display the latest image out of images recorded on a recording medium  200 . An assign button  95  is a button that is included in the operation unit  70  and is configured to assign other functions. In an initial state, the assign button  95  functions as a button to display a status screen. Other functions to be assigned to the assign button  95  include a function for changing settings or states of moving image capturing and playback, and a function for starting moving image capturing (recording). The function for displaying the status screen can be assigned to another assign button different from the assign button  95 . 
     The status screen is a screen including a plurality of pages to display the settings or states of moving image capturing and playback, and the internal state of the digital camera  100 . 
     A communication terminal  10  is a communication terminal for the digital camera  100  to communicate with a lens unit  150  (detachably mounted) to be described below. An eyepiece unit  16  is an eyepiece unit of an eyepiece finder (peep-type finder). A user can visually observe a video image displayed on an electronic viewfinder (EVF)  29  of an internal finder display unit through the eyepiece unit  16 . A lid  202  is a lid for a slot in which the recording medium  200  or a battery is stored. A grip portion  90  is a holding portion in a shape that allows the user to easily grip the grip portion  90  with the user&#39;s right hand when the user holds the digital camera  100 . The shutter button  61  and the main electronic dial  71  are at positions where the user can operate the shutter button  61  and the main electronic dial  71  with the index finger of the right hand while the user holds the digital camera  100  with the grip portion  90  gripped with the little finger, the ring finger, and the middle finger of the right hand. In the same state, the sub-electronic dial  73  is at a position where the user can operate the sub-electronic dial  73  with the thumb of the right hand. 
     An air inlet port and an air outlet port are passages through which air passes to cool the main body of the digital camera  100 . When a fan  92  illustrated in  FIG.  2    is rotated, air flows into the air outlet port from the air inlet port, thereby enabling emission of heat from the main body. The main body is provided with temperature sensors  93  each configured to measure the temperature of a specific area of the main body. Depending on the measured temperature, the fan  92  can be stopped or the rotational speed can be changed. As described below, temperature state information is displayed on a screen based on external and internal temperatures of the main body acquired from the temperature sensors  93 . A plurality of temperature sensors  93  and a plurality of fans  92  may be provided. 
       FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital camera  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment. In the configuration example illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the lens unit  150  is a lens unit for an interchangeable image capturing lens to be incorporated therein. A lens  103  is generally composed of a plurality of lenses. However, for ease of illustration, the lens unit  103  is illustrated as a single lens. A communication terminal  6  is a communication terminal for the lens unit  150  to communicate with the digital camera  100 . The lens unit  150  communicates with a system control unit  50  via the communication terminal  6  and the above-described communication terminal  10 . A lens system control circuit  4  in the lens unit  150  controls an aperture  1  via an aperture drive circuit  2 . After that, the lens  103  is shifted to perform focusing via an AF drive circuit  3 . 
     A shutter  101  is a focal-plane shutter configured to freely control an exposure time for an image capturing unit  22  under the control of the system control unit  50 . 
     The image capturing unit  22  is an image sensor that is configured to convert an optical image into an electric signal and is composed of a charge-coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device, or another type of device. An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter  23  is used to convert an analog signal output from the image capturing unit  22  into a digital signal. 
     An image processing unit  24  performs resizing processing and color conversion processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation and reduction on data output from the A/D converter  23  or data output from a memory control unit  15  to be described below. Further, the image processing unit  24  performs predetermined arithmetic processing using captured image data. The system control unit  50  performs exposure control and ranging control based on the arithmetic processing result obtained by the image processing unit  24 . Thus, through-the-lens (TTL) AF processing, AE processing, and flash pre-emission (EF) processing are performed. Further, the image processing unit  24  performs predetermined arithmetic processing using captured image data and performs TTL auto white balance (AWB) processing based on calculation performed on the obtained arithmetic processing result. 
     The memory control unit  15  controls data exchange between the A/D converter  23 , the image processing unit  24 , and a memory  32 . Data output from the A/D converter  23  is directly written into the memory  32  through the image processing unit  24  and the memory control unit  15 , or through the memory control unit  15 . 
     The memory  32  stores image data that is obtained by the image capturing unit  22  and is converted into digital data by the A/D converter  23 , and also stores image data to be displayed on the display unit  28  and the EVF  29 . The memory  32  has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images, and moving images and sound for a predetermined period of time. 
     The memory  32  also functions as an image display memory (video memory). Image data for display written into the memory  32  is displayed on the display unit  28  and the EVF  29  through the memory control unit  15 . The display unit  28  and the EVF  29  perform display images according to signals from the memory control unit  15  on a display such as a LCD or an organic EL display. Data that is obtained through A/D conversion by the A/D converter  23  and is accumulated in the memory  32  is sequentially transferred and displayed on the display unit  28  or the EVF  29 , thereby making it possible to perform live view (LV) display. An image displayed in the live view display is hereinafter referred to as a live view image (LV image). 
     The image processing unit  24  compresses temporally continuous image data stored in the memory  32  in the format of MPEG or another file format, to thereby produce moving image data. The produced moving image data is stored in the memory  32  through the memory control unit  15 , and is then multiplexed with audio data stored in the memory  32  and written into the recording medium  200  as a moving image file. 
     The outer finder display unit  43  displays various setting values for the digital camera  100 . The various setting values include the shutter speed and the aperture value. 
     A non-volatile memory  56  is an electrically erasable and recordable memory. For example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) is used. The non-volatile memory  56  stores constants for operation of the system control unit  50  and programs, for example. Programs described herein refer to programs for implementing various flowcharts to be described below according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     The system control unit  50  is a control unit composed of at least one processor and/or at least one circuit, and controls the overall operation of the digital camera  100 . Each processing according to the present exemplary embodiment to be described below is performed by running programs recorded on the above-described non-volatile memory  56 . For example, a random access memory (RAM) is used as the system memory  52 . Constants and variables for operation of the system control unit  50 , and programs read out from the non-volatile memory  56  are loaded into the system memory  52 . The system control unit  50  also performs display control by controlling the memory  32 , the D/A converter  19 , the display unit  28 , and other units. The display control according to the present exemplary embodiment is an on-screen display (OSD) for image capturing settings and other content to be displayed on the display unit  28 . 
     A system timer  53  is a clock unit that measures the time used for various control operations and measures the time of a built-in clock. 
     The mode selection switch  60 , a first shutter switch  62 , a second shutter switch  64 , and the operation unit  70  are operation units for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit  50 . The mode selection switch  60  switches the operation mode of the system control unit  50  to a still image recording mode, the moving image capturing mode, the playback mode, or another mode. The still image recording mode includes an auto image capturing mode, an auto scene determination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and a program AE mode. The still image recording mode also includes various scene modes for making image capturing settings for each image capturing scene, and a custom mode. The user can directly switch the operation mode to one of these modes using the mode selection switch  60 . In some embodiments, the user temporarily switches the display screen to an image capturing mode list screen using the mode selection switch  60 , and then selects one of the modes displayed on the screen and switches to the mode using other operation members. In other embodiments, the moving image capturing mode includes a plurality of modes. 
     The first shutter switch  62  is turned on in the middle of an operation of the shutter button  61  provided on the digital camera  100 , that is, in a half-depressed state (image capturing preparation instruction), and produces a first shutter switch signal SW 1 . The first shutter switch signal SW 1  is used to start an operation such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, or EF processing. 
     The second shutter switch  64  is turned on with the operation of the shutter button  61  completed, that is, in a fully-depressed state (image capturing instruction), and produces a second shutter switch signal SW 2 . The second shutter switch signal SW 2  causes the system control unit  50  to start a series of image capturing processing operations from reading of signals from the image capturing unit  22  to writing of image data into the recording medium  200 . 
     Functions are assigned, as appropriate, to operation members of the operation unit  70  for scenes, for example, by selecting various function icons displayed on the display unit  28 , and the operation members operate as various function buttons, respectively. Examples of the function buttons include an end button, a back button, an image feeding button, a jump button, a narrow-down button, and an attribute change button. For example, when the menu button is pressed, a menu screen on which various settings can be made is displayed on the display unit  28 . The user can intuitively make various settings using the menu screen displayed on the display unit  28 , as well as a four-direction button, including an upper part, a lower part, a left part, and a right part, and the SET button  75 . 
     The operation unit  70  includes various operation members each serving as an input unit to receive operations from the user. The operation unit  70  includes a push button, a rotating dial, and a touch sensor, and includes at least operation members, such as the shutter button  61 , the main electronic dial  71 , the power switch  72 , the sub-electronic dial  73 , the directional pad  74 , the SET button  75 , the moving image button  77 , the AE lock button  78 , the playback button  79 , and the assign button  95 . 
     A power supply control unit  80  is composed of a battery detection circuit, a direct current (DC)-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching blocks to be energized, and other types of circuits, and detects whether a battery is put in position, the type of each battery, and a remaining battery capacity. The power supply control unit  80  controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and an instruction from the system control unit  50 , and supplies a voltage to each unit including the recording medium  200  for a period of time. A power supply unit  30  includes a primary battery, such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery, such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an alternating current (AC) adaptor. 
     A recording medium interface (I/F)  18  is an interface for communication with the recording medium  200 , which is a memory card or a hard disk, for example. The recording medium  200  is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording captured images and moving image data, and includes a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk. 
     A communication unit  54  is connected wirelessly or with a wired cable to transmit and receive video signals and audio signals. The communication unit  54  can also be connected to a wireless local area network (LAN) and the Internet. The communication unit  54  can also communicate with an external apparatus by Bluetooth® or Bluetooth® Low Energy. The communication unit  54  can transmit images (including a LV image) captured by the image capturing unit  22  and images recorded on the recording medium  200 , and can receive images and various other types of information from an external apparatus. 
     An orientation detection unit  55  detects the orientation of the digital camera  100  with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit  55 , it can be determined whether an image captured by the image capturing unit  22  is an image captured by the digital camera  100  held horizontally, or an image captured by the digital camera  100  held vertically. The system control unit  50  can add orientation information depending on the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit  55  to an image file of an image captured by the image capturing unit  22 , and also can record an image with the image rotated. Examples used as the orientation detection unit  55  can include an acceleration sensor and a gyroscope sensor. A motion (e.g., pan, tilt, lift, or still) of the digital camera  100  can also be detected using the acceleration sensor or the gyroscope sensor as the orientation detection unit  55 . 
     The touch panel  70   a  configured to detect a touch on the display unit  28  is included as one example of the operation unit  70 . The touch panel  70   a  and the display unit  28  can be integrally formed. For example, the touch panel  70   a  is configured such that the transmittance of light of the touch panel  70   a  does not hinder the display of the display unit  28 . The touch panel  70   a  is attached to an upper layer of the display surface of the display unit  28 . Input coordinates on the touch panel  70   a  are associated with display coordinates on the display screen of the display unit  28 . This configuration makes it possible to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) as if the user could directly operate a screen displayed on the display unit  28 . The system control unit  50  can detect the following operations on the touch panel  70   a  or the following states: the operation that a finger or a pen that has not touched the touch panel  70   a  first touches the touch panel  70   a,  i.e., the start of a touch (hereinafter referred to as “touch-down”), the state where a finger or a pen is touching the touch panel  70   a  (hereinafter referred to as “touch-on”), the state where a finger or a pen is moving while the finger or the pen continues touching the touch panel  70   a  (hereinafter referred to as “touch move”), the operation that a finger or a pen that has touched the touch panel  70   a  gets off the touch panel  70   a,  i.e., the end of a touch (hereinafter referred to as “touch-up”), and the state where nothing touches the touch panel  70   a  (hereinafter referred to as “touch-off”). 
     If a touch-down is detected, a touch-on is simultaneously detected. After the touch-down, the touch-on typically continues being detected unless a touch-up is detected. A touch move is detected also in the state where the touch-on is detected. Even if the touch-on is detected, the touch move is not detected unless the touch position is moving. After the touch-up of all the fingers or the pen having touched the touch panel  70   a  is detected, a touch-off is detected. 
     Information about these operations and states and the position coordinates at which a finger or a pen touches the touch panel  70   a  is provided to the system control unit  50  via an internal bus. The system control unit  50  determines what touch operation is performed on the touch panel  70   a  based on the information provided to the system control unit  50 . As for the touch move, the moving direction of the finger or the pen moving on the touch panel  70   a  with respect to each of the vertical and horizontal components on the touch panel  70   a  can be determined based on changes in the position coordinates. If a touch move performed by a predetermined distance or more is detected, the system control unit  50  determines that a slide operation is performed. The operation of quickly moving a finger by some distance while the finger continues touching the touch panel  70   a,  and then the finger gets off the touch panel  70   a  immediately after the quick movement is referred to as a “flick”. In other words, a flick is the operation of quickly moving a finger on the touch panel  70   a  in a flipping manner. If a touch move performed by a predetermined distance or more at a predetermined speed or more is detected and a touch-up is detected in this state, the system control unit  50  can determine that a flick is performed (can determine that a flick is performed after a slide operation). 
     Further, a touch operation for simultaneously touching a plurality of places (e.g., two points) and bringing the touch positions close to each other is referred to as a “pinch-in”, and a touch operation for putting the touch positions away from each other is referred to as a “pinch-out”. The pinch-out and the pinch-in are collectively referred to as a “pinch operation” (or simply as “pinch”). 
     The touch panel  70   a  may be a touch panel of any type from among various types including a resistive type, a capacitive type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared type, an electromagnetic induction type, an image recognition type, and a photosensor type. Depending on the type of the touch panel  70   a,  a method for detecting a touch operation based on a touch on the touch panel  70   a,  and a method for detecting a touch operation based on an approach of a finger or a pen to the touch panel  70   a  can be used. Any of such methods can be used. 
     Temperature sensors  93   a  to  93   d  are temperature sensors for measuring the housing surface and internal temperatures of the digital camera  100 , and each function as a temperature acquisition unit included in the temperature sensors  93 . The temperature sensor  93   a  is a temperature sensor provided near the image capturing unit  22  and measures the temperature near a device of the image capturing unit  22 . The temperature sensor  93   b  is a temperature sensor provided near a connector protected by the terminal cover  40  and measures the temperature for calculating the housing surface temperature of the digital camera  100 . This prevents the temperature of the housing surface from rising up to a certain high temperature (temperature lower than a restrictive temperature for device protection as described below, specifically, about 46° C.) to prevent the user who is gripping the grip portion  90  and continuously performs image capturing at the temperature from suffering a low-temperature burn. The temperature sensor  93   c  is a temperature sensor provided near the display unit  28  and measures the temperature near a device of the display unit  28 . The temperature sensor  93   d  is a temperature sensor provided behind the lid  202  and measures the temperature near the recording medium  200  or a battery. If the temperature of each device rises (e.g., 80° C. or more), the devices cannot normally function, which leads to deterioration in image quality. To avoid this, the temperature measurements are performed. In the present exemplary embodiment, the four temperature sensors  93  are arranged near four devices, respectively. However, the number of sensors to be arranged and layout positions of the sensors are not limited to this example. 
     An operation of the digital camera  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.  3 A 1  to  3 C 4  and  FIG.  4   . FIGS.  3 A 1  to  3 C 4  illustrate display examples of a screen to be displayed on the display unit  28  of the digital camera  100 .  FIG.  4    is a flowchart illustrating display control processing of the digital camera  100 . The display control processing will be first described with reference to the flowchart of  FIG.  4   , and then display examples described with reference to FIGS.  3 A 1  to  3 C 4 . 
       FIG.  4    is a flowchart illustrating control processing to be started when the digital camera  100  is activated (powered on) and a moving image recording mode is set in an image capturing standby state. This control processing is performed by the system control unit  50  loading programs stored in the non-volatile memory  56  into the system memory  52  and running the programs. 
     In step S 401 , the system control unit  50  determines whether a combined recording setting screen is displayed. If the combined recording setting screen is displayed on the display unit  28  (YES in step S 401 ), the processing proceeds to step S 402 . If the combined recording setting screen is not displayed (NO in step S 402 ), the processing proceeds to step S 407 . The term “combined recording” refers to recording of display elements, which are various types of information, combined with a moving image to be recorded when moving image recording is started by the user. Some users combine a moving image to be recorded with a character string (so-called time-stamp) including a date and time and a time code. 
     Beside a time-stamp, a mark called a watermark may be added to a moving image. Specifically, a user can combine a character string and other types of information that can be registered by the user as appropriate with a moving image the user captured. The character string and other types of information are used in identification of the user using the product name and the manufacturer of a material used in capturing the moving image, and the copyright. Information including all or at least one of the display elements that are a time code, a date, and time is referred to as a time-stamp. 
     In step S 402 , the system control unit  50  determines whether the currently selected setting item is “OFF”. If the setting item is “OFF” (YES in step S 402 ), the processing proceeds to step S 403 . If the setting item is not “OFF” (NO in step S 402 ), the processing proceeds to step S 404 . Specifically, in step S 402 , it is determined that the setting item is “OFF” (YES in step S 402 ) when the setting item “OFF” is selected or indicated by a cursor on the setting screen displayed on the display unit  28  in step S 401 . FIG.  3 A 1  illustrates a display example of the screen displayed in this case. 
     In step S 403 , the system control unit  50  does not display any display element. In other words, no display element superimposed on the LV image displayed on the display unit  28  is displayed. FIG.  3 A 1  illustrates a display example of the screen displayed in this case. 
     In step S 404 , the system control unit  50  causes the display unit  28  to display a preview of the display element corresponding to the setting item. Since it is determined that the setting item is not “OFF” (NO in step S 402 ), it is obvious that a setting item other than the setting item “OFF” is selected on the setting screen. The display element corresponding to the currently-selected setting item is superimposed on the LV image to be displayed on the display unit  28 . FIGS.  3 A 2  to  3 A 5  illustrate display examples of the screen displayed in this case. 
     In step S 405 , the system control unit  50  determines whether a combined position change instruction is issued. If the combined position change instruction is issued (YES in step S 405 ), the processing proceeds to step S 406 . If the combined position change instruction is not issued (NO in step S 405 ), the processing proceeds to step S 419 . The term “combined position” refers to the position of a display element to be recorded with a moving image. In the case of recording a moving image, the user can set the position where to combine the display element with the moving image in recording. In the present exemplary embodiment, for example, in a moving image capturing range, “upper left”, “upper right”, “lower left”, or “lower right” can be set. FIGS.  3 B 1  to  3 B 4  illustrate display examples of the setting screen to be displayed in this case. For example, a combined position of display elements such as a watermark and a date and time to be recorded and combined with a moving image when the moving image is recorded and stored on the recording medium  200  can be set on the setting screen. In this step, the method for changing the combined recording position has been described. However, the size, tilt, and transparency can also be changed. 
     In step S 406 , the system control unit  50  changes the combined position to the changed position instructed in step S 405 . 
     As described above with reference to steps S 401  to S 406 , in the present exemplary embodiment, the user can check the display of display elements to be recorded and combined with the moving image on the setting screen alone. In other words, even when the combined recording setting is made, the user cannot check which display element is to be combined where on the moving image in the image capturing standby state or during moving image recording and can check them when the moving image is played back after completion of moving image recording. For this reason, a preview of display elements is displayed on the setting screen to thereby enable the user to reliably check the display elements before moving image recording is started. This prevents the display elements from interfering with the recorded moving image since the user cannot recognize the position where the display elements are combined, which leads to a reduction in the number of recapturing images due to a failure in recording. 
     In step S 407 , the system control unit  50  determines whether an external display apparatus is connected. If the external display apparatus is connected (YES in step S 407 ), the processing proceeds to step S 408 . If the external display apparatus is not connected (NO in step S 407 ), the processing proceeds to step S 411 . The external display apparatus is connected via the communication unit  54 . Examples of the external display apparatus that can be connected in this case include a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI®) and a serial digital interface (SDI). 
     Since it is determined that no combined recording setting screen is displayed in step S 401  (NO in step S 401 ), in step S 408 , the system control unit  50  determines whether the combined recording setting is “OFF” with reference to the non-volatile memory  56 . If the combined recording setting is “OFF” (YES in step S 408 ), the processing proceeds to step S 410 . If the combined recording setting is not “OFF” (NO in step S 408 ), the processing proceeds to step S 409 . 
     In step S 409 , the system control unit  50  controls an internal display unit (display unit  28  in the present exemplary embodiment) so as not to display the display element, and controls a display unit of the external display apparatus to display the display element. Since it is determined that the external display apparatus is connected in step S 407  (YES in step S 407 ), it is obvious that the external display apparatus is connected. While it is determined that the combined recording setting is “OFF” (YES in step S 408 ), the display area of the display unit of the external display apparatus is larger than the display area of the internal display unit (display unit  28 ) in many cases. Thus, the internal display unit follows the settings in combined recording, and the display element is superimposed on the LV image to be displayed, regardless of the settings in the combined recording setting. If the display unit of the external display apparatus is smaller than the internal display unit in the digital camera  100 , the system control unit  50  does not control the display element to be superimposed on the LV image to be displayed, regardless of the settings in combined recording. 
     In step S 410 , the system control unit  50  controls the internal display unit and the external display unit not to display the display element. Since it is determined that the external display apparatus is connected (YES in step S 407 ) and it is determined that the combined recording setting is not “OFF” (NO in step S 408 ), the display element is not displayed on the display units. In this case, the display element is not displayed as described above, but the LV image, image capturing information, and the like are displayed. 
     Since it is determined that the external display apparatus is not connected in step S 407  (NO in step S 407 ), in step S 411 , the system control unit  50  determines whether the combined recording setting is “OFF”, like in step S 408 . If the combined recording setting is “OFF” (YES in step S 411 ), the processing proceeds to step S 417 . If the combined recording setting is not “OFF” (NO in step S 411 ), the processing proceeds to step S 412 . 
     In step S 412 , the system control unit  50  determines whether an OSD information output setting, such as an image capturing setting, on the display unit is “ON”. If the OSD information output setting is “ON” (YES in step S 412 ), the processing proceeds to step S 413 . If the OSD information output setting is not “ON” (NO in step S 412 ), the processing proceeds to step S 418 . 
     In step S 413 , the system control unit  50  determines whether OSD information (information about an image capturing setting or the like) is output (displayed) to the display unit. If the OSD information is output (YES in step S 413 ), the processing proceeds to step S 414 . If the OSD information is not output (NO in step S 413 ), the processing proceeds to step S 418 . 
     In step S 414 , the system control unit  50  determines whether a frame display setting on the display unit is “OFF. If the frame display setting is “OFF” (YES in step S 414 ), the processing proceeds to step S 415 . If the frame display setting is not “OFF” (NO in step S 414 ), the processing proceeds to step S 418 . The frame display setting is a setting for changing a captured image display area to be displayed on the display unit  28 . If the frame display setting is “ON”, the captured image is narrowed and displayed within the display unit  28 , and the display element, such as an image capturing setting, is displayed on a margin area around the captured image. 
     In step S 415 , the system control unit  50  determines whether the OSD information to be output to the display unit  28  and the display element to be combined and recorded are superimposed. If the OSD information and the display element are superimposed (YES in step S 415 ), the processing proceeds to step S 416 . If the OSD information and the display element are not superimposed (NO in step S 415 ), the processing proceeds to step S 418 . 
     In step S 416 , the system control unit  50  displays an icon indicating that combined recording is set. FIG.  3 C 2  illustrates a display example of the screen to be displayed in this case. If combined recording is set, an icon  323  illustrated in FIG.  3 C 2  is displayed. The display of the icon  323  enables the user to recognize that the display element to be combined is superimposed on the recorded moving image when moving image recording is completed and the moving image is played back. If the display element to be combined and recorded with the moving image is actually superimposed on the moving image, the visibility of the LV image can deteriorate and the user can feel it bothersome. Thus, with the icon display, the display area for the LV image is wider. On the other hand, if the user cannot recognize that the display element is to be combined and recorded, the display element can be combined with the display element superimposed on an object when recording is stopped and the moving image is played back as described above. The icon  323  is displayed to reduce the inconvenience for the user. 
     In step S 417 , the system control unit  50  controls the internal display unit (display unit  28 ) not to display the display element. 
     In step S 418 , the system control unit  50  controls the internal display unit (display unit  28 ) to display the display element. This makes is possible to present the display element to be combined and recorded to the user, while ensuring the visibility on an image capturing screen. 
     In step S 419 , the system control unit  50  determines whether a moving image recording start instruction is issued. If the moving image recording start instruction is issued (YES in step S 419 ), the processing proceeds to step S 420 . If the moving image recording start instruction is not issued (NO in step S 419 ), the processing proceeds to step S 423 . Specifically, the moving image recording start instruction indicates pressing of the moving image button  77 , or a touch operation on a touch icon (REC icon) displayed on the display unit  28  to start moving image recording. If an external output mode “ON” is set, it can be determined that the moving image recording start instruction is issued based on an operation on a moving image button or a moving image icon included in an apparatus, such as an external apparatus, that is configured to perform a remote control operation. 
     In step S 420 , the system control unit  50  starts moving image recording processing with or without combined display elements depending on the settings. In the recording processing, a moving image file is created in the recording medium  200  and the moving image captured by the image capturing unit  22  with the current settings is recorded on the recording medium  200 . In this case, when the combined recording setting is made, the display element set for the moving image is combined and recorded. If the combined recording setting is not made, the moving image captured by the image capturing unit  22  is recorded. 
     In step S 421 , the system control unit  50  determines whether a moving image recording stop instruction is issued. If the moving image recording stop instruction is issued (YES in step S 421 ), the processing proceeds to step S 422 . If the moving image recording stop instruction is not issued (NO in step S 421 ), the processing returns to step S 421 . Specifically, the moving image recording stop instruction indicates a touch operation on a touch icon including a function for pressing the moving image button  77  or stopping moving image recording. 
     In step S 422 , the system control unit  50  stops moving image recording. When recording is stopped, close processing (e.g., assignment of attribute information) is performed on the moving image file created in the recording medium  200  or the external apparatus, and then the system control unit  50  transitions to the image capturing standby state. 
     In step S 423 , the system control unit  50  determines whether the processing is completed. If the processing is completed (YES in step S 423 ), the control processing in the flowchart of  FIG.  4    is terminated. If the processing is not completed (NO in step S 423 ), the processing returns to step S 401 . The completion of the processing indicates, for example, turning off the power supply of the digital camera  100 , or transition from the moving image mode. 
     While the present exemplary embodiment illustrates an example where pressing of the moving image button  77  or the touch operation on the touch icon is used as the moving image recording stop instruction in step S 421 , moving image recording can be stopped also when a mode switching operation, pressing of the playback button  79  (instruction for transition to playback mode processing), or an operation on the power switch  72  is performed. If the mode switching operation, pressing of the playback button  79 , or the operation on the power switch  72  is performed, control processing corresponding to each operation is performed. 
     Examples of the screen to be displayed on the display unit  28  will be described with reference to FIGS.  3 A 1  to  3 C 4 . FIGS.  3 A 1  to  3 A 5  illustrate display examples in a state where the combined recording setting screen is displayed. FIGS.  3 B 1  to  3 B 4  illustrate display examples in a state where the setting screen for a combined recording display position is displayed. FIGS.  3 C 1  to  3 C 4  illustrate display examples in the image capturing standby state. 
     FIGS.  3 A 1  to A 5  illustrate display examples in a state where the combined recording setting screen is displayed, and a LV image  300  and a setting screen  301  are displayed on the display unit  28 . FIGS.  3 A 1  to  3 A 5  illustrate display examples in a state where “upper left” is set as the combined position of the display element to be combined and recorded as described below. 
     FIG.  3 A 1  illustrates a display example of the screen to be displayed on the display unit  28  in step S 403  illustrated in  FIG.  4   . FIG.  3 A 1  illustrates that the currently-selected setting item “OFF” (setting item  302 ) is displayed on the setting screen  301 . The user issues an instruction for display items  310   a  or  310   b  to thereby change the setting item  302  to another item different from “OFF”. In the example illustrated in FIG.  3 A 1 , the setting item “OFF” is displayed (selected by the user), and thus there is no display element to be displayed on the LV image  300  in a preview. 
     FIGS.  3 A 2  to  3 A 5  illustrate display examples of the screen to be displayed on the display unit  28  in step S 404 . The display unit  28  displays the LV image  300 , the setting screen  301 , and the display element. In the examples illustrated in FIGS.  3 A 2  to  3 A 5 , setting items  303  to  306  are displayed in the setting screen  301 . When the user displays (selects) any one of the setting items  303  to  306 , the display element to be superimposed on the LV image  300  and displayed in a preview is changed according to the display. 
     FIG.  3 A 2  illustrates that the setting item “time code/date/time” (setting item  303 ) is displayed in the setting screen  301 . If the user issues an instruction for the display item  310   b  in the state illustrated in FIG.  3 A 1 , the screen transitions to the display example illustrated in FIG.  3 A 2 . In this case, when the setting item  303  is displayed, the preview display of the display element to be superimposed on the LV image  300  is changed. In this case, a display element  303   a  corresponding to the setting item  303  is displayed. The date, time, and time code of the display element  303   a  are displayed in this order from the top. 
     FIG.  3 A 3  illustrates that the setting item “date” (setting item  304 ) is displayed in the setting screen  301 . If the user issues an instruction for the display item  310   b  in the state illustrated in FIG.  3 A 2 , the screen transitions to the display example illustrated in FIG.  3 A 3 . In this case, when the setting item  304  is displayed, the preview display of the display element to be superimposed on the LV image  300  is changed. In this case, a display element  304 a (date) corresponding to the setting item  304  is displayed. 
     FIG.  3 A 4  illustrates that the setting item “time” (setting item  305 ) is displayed in the setting screen  301 . If the user issues an instruction for the display item  310   b  in the state illustrated in FIG.  3 A 3 , the screen transitions to the display example illustrated in FIG.  3 A 4 . In this case, when the setting item  305  is displayed, the preview display of the display element to be superimposed on the LV image  300  is changed. In this case, a display element  305   a  (time) corresponding to the setting item  305  is displayed. 
     FIG.  3 A 5  illustrates that the setting item “time code” (setting item  306 ) is displayed in the setting screen  301 . If the user issues an instruction for the display item  310   b  in the state illustrated in FIG.  3 A 4 , the screen transitions to the display example illustrated in FIG.  3 A 1 . In this case, when the setting item  306  is displayed, the preview display of the display element to be superimposed on the LV image  300  is changed. In this case, a display element  306   a  (time code) corresponding to the setting item  306  is displayed. 
     FIGS.  3 A 1  to  3 A 5  illustrate that “upper left” is set as the combined (displayed) position of the display element displayed in the preview corresponding to the setting item in the setting screen. However, if the set position is changed, the preview display position of the display element is changed according to the set position. The order of toggling the setting items is not limited to the above-described order, and the setting items are not limited to the above-described setting items. 
     FIGS.  3 B 1  to  3 B 4  illustrate display examples in a state where the setting screen for the combined recording display position is displayed, and the LV image  300  and a setting screen  311  are displayed on the display unit  28 . FIGS.  3 B 1  to  3 B 4  illustrate display examples of the screen to be displayed when “time code/date/time” is set as the setting item for the display element to be combined and recorded as described above. 
     FIG.  3 B 1  illustrates a display example of the screen to be displayed on the display unit  28  in step S 405  illustrated in  FIG.  4 A . FIG.  3 B 1  illustrates that “upper left” (setting item  312 ) is displayed as the current setting item on the setting screen  311 . The user issues an instruction for one of the display items  310   a  and  310   b  to thereby change the setting item  312  to another setting item different from “upper left”. In the example illustrated in FIG.  3 B 1 , the setting item “upper left” is displayed (selected by the user), and thus the preview of the display element  303   a  is displayed at the upper left position of the LV image  300 . 
     FIG.  3 B 2  illustrates a display example of the screen to be displayed on the display unit  28  in step S 405  illustrated in  FIG.  4 A . FIG.  3 B 2  illustrates that “upper right” (setting item  313 ) is set as the current setting item on the setting screen  311 . If the user issues an instruction for the display item  310   b  in the state illustrated in FIG.  3 B 2 , the screen transitions to the display example illustrated in FIG.  3 B 3 . In the example illustrated in FIG.  3 B 2 , the setting item “upper right” is displayed (selected by the user), and thus the preview of the display element  303   a  is displayed at the upper right position of the LV image  300 . 
     FIG.  3 B 3  illustrates a display example of the screen to be displayed on the display unit  28  in step S 405  illustrated in  FIG.  4 A . FIG.  3 B 3  illustrates that “lower right” (setting item  314 ) is displayed as the current setting item on the setting screen  311 . If the user issues an instruction for the display item  310   b  in the state illustrated in FIG.  3 B 3 , the screen transitions to the display example illustrated in FIG.  3 B 4 . In the example illustrated in FIG.  3 B 3 , the setting item “lower right” is displayed (selected by the user), and thus the preview of the display element  303   a  is displayed at the lower right position of the LV image  300 . 
     FIG.  3 B 4  illustrates a display example of the screen to be displayed on the display unit  28  in step S 405  illustrated in  FIG.  4 A . FIG.  3 B 4  illustrates that “lower left” (setting item  315 ) is displayed as the current setting item on the setting screen  311 . If the user issues an instruction for the display item  310   b  in the state illustrated in FIG.  3 B 4 , the screen transitions to the display example illustrated in FIG.  3 B 1 . In the example illustrated in FIG.  3 B 4 , the setting item “lower left” is displayed (selected by the user), and thus the display element  303   a  is displayed at the lower left position of the LV image  300 . 
     FIGS.  3 C 1  to  3 C 4  illustrate display examples in the image capturing standby state, and the LV image  300  is displayed on the display unit  28 . 
     FIG.  3 C 1  illustrates a display example in step S 417  after it is determined that the combined recording setting is “OFF” (YES in step S 411 ) in  FIG.  4 B . A recording state  316 , a recordable period  317 , an F-value  318 , an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sensitivity  319 , a shutter speed  320 , a frame rate  321 , and an audio level meter  322  are superimposed on the LV image  300  to be displayed on the display unit  28 . In this case, the display element to be superimposed on the LV image is not displayed. 
     FIG.  3 C 2  illustrates a display example when steps  416  and  417  are carried out after it is determined that the combined recording setting is not “OFF” (NO in step S 411 ) and all the determination results in steps S 412  to S 415  indicate “YES” in  FIG.  4 B . The recording state  316 , the recordable period  317 , the F-value  318 , the ISO sensitivity  319 , the shutter speed  320 , the frame rate  321 , the audio level meter  322 , and the combined recording setting icon  323  are superimposed on the LV image  300  to be displayed on the display unit  28 . In this case, the display element to be superimposed on the LV image is not displayed. The combined recording setting icon  323  is displayed at a position different from the combined position of the display element. 
     FIG.  3 C 3  illustrates a display example of the screen to be displayed in step S 418  illustrated in  FIG.  4 B . The display element  303   a  to be superimposed on the LV image  300  is displayed on the display unit  28 . FIG.  3 C 3  illustrates a display example of the screen to be displayed when the determination result in any one of steps S 412  to S 415  indicates “NO”. If the determination result in any one of steps S 412  to S 415  indicates “NO”, OSD information, such as an image capturing setting, is not displayed on the LV image  300 . Accordingly, even when the display element  303   a  is superimposed on the LV image  300  to be displayed, the user can fully check the LV image  300 . 
     FIG.  3 C 4  is a modified example of the display examples illustrated in FIGS.  3 C 1  to  3 C 3 , and illustrates a display example when the frame display setting is “ON”. In the example illustrated in FIG.  3 C 4 , the frame display setting is “ON”, and thus a black area  324  is provided around the LV image  300 . Thus, the LV image  300  is displayed in a size that is slightly smaller than that when the area  324  is not provided. However, the OSD information (image capturing settings including the recording state  316 , the recordable period  317 , the F-value  318 , the ISO sensitivity  319 , the shutter speed  320 , the frame rate  321 , and the audio level meter  322 ), excluding the display element, is displayed on the area  324 . This enables the user to visually observe that image capturing information alone is displayed as information to be displayed on the area  324  and the display element  303   a  alone is combined and recorded with the moving image. In other words, the user can recognize the display element to be combined and recorded with the moving image in such a manner that the display element can be distinguished from the information to be displayed, thereby preventing the user from erroneously recognizing that the information to be displayed is also combined and recorded with the moving image. The display of the information (including the recording state  316 , the recordable period  317 , the F-value  318 , the ISO sensitivity  319 , the shutter speed  320 , the frame rate  321 , and the audio level meter  322 ) is displayed on the area  324  can enhance the visibility of the LV image  300 . 
     In the case of playing back the moving image combined with the display element in the playback mode, the display example illustrated in FIG.  3 C 3  is displayed. 
     The above-described control processing according to the present exemplary embodiment makes it possible to clearly indicate that a display element is to be combined with a captured image without impairing the visibility of other display elements, such as image capturing settings, during image capturing. The display element to be combined and recorded with the captured image is superimposed on the captured image to be displayed during setting, thereby enabling the user to preliminarily recognize the display element to be combined and recorded with the captured image during image capturing. Furthermore, the deterioration in the visibility of a moving image after image capturing due to the display element superimposed and recorded after image capturing, or the inconvenience for the user to recapture an image when the user records the display element at an unintended position can be reduced. 
     The above-described various control operations that are assumed to be performed by the system control unit  50  may be implemented by one piece of hardware, or the overall control processing of the apparatus may be shared by a plurality of pieces of hardware (e.g. a plurality of processors or circuits). 
     While the present disclosure is described above based on the exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications within the scope of the disclosure are also included in the present disclosure. Further, the above-described exemplary embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and the exemplary embodiments can be combined as appropriate. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the main body of an image capturing apparatus, but is also applicable to a control apparatus that communicates with an image capturing apparatus (including a network camera) via wired or wireless communication and remotely controls the image capturing apparatus. Examples of the control apparatus that remotely controls the image capturing apparatus include a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), and a desktop PC. The control apparatus issues commands to cause the image capturing apparatus to perform various operations and settings based on operations performed by the control apparatus or processing performed by the control apparatus, thereby making it possible to remotely control the image capturing apparatus. A LV image captured by the image capturing apparatus can be received via wired or wireless communication and the LV image can be displayed on the control apparatus. The above-described various control operations that are assumed to be performed by the system control unit  50  may be performed by one piece of hardware, or the overall control processing of the apparatus may be shared by a plurality of pieces of hardware (e.g., a plurality of processors or circuits). 
     While the present disclosure is described in detail above based on the exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications within the scope of the disclosure are also included in the present disclosure. Further, the above-described exemplary embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and the exemplary embodiments can be combined as appropriate. 
     While the above-described exemplary embodiments illustrate an example where the present disclosure is applied to a digital camera, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The present disclosure can be applied to any electronic apparatus, as long as the electronic apparatus is configured to perform moving image recording. Specifically, the present disclosure can be applied to a PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone terminal, a portable image viewer, a printer apparatus including a display, a digital photo frame, a music player, a game console, an electronic book reader, and the like. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the main body of the image capturing apparatus, but is also applicable to a control apparatus that communicates with the image capturing apparatus (including a network camera) via wired or wireless communication and remotely controls the image capturing apparatus. Examples of the control apparatus that remotely controls the image capturing apparatus include a smartphone, a tablet PC, and a desktop PC. The control apparatus issues commands to cause the image capturing apparatus to perform various operations and settings based on an operation performed by the control apparatus or processing performed by the control apparatus, thereby making it possible to remotely control the image capturing apparatus. A LV image captured by the image capturing apparatus can be received via wired or wireless communication and the LV image can be displayed on the control apparatus. Other Embodiments 
     Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc™ (BD)), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-191537, filed Nov. 25, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.