Patent ID: 7884873

Claim:
An image pickup device, comprising: display means for displaying one of image data including an operation menu or operation key image data representing operation keys; external output means for outputting the image data including the operation menu to the outside; output state detection means for detecting that the external output means is in a state capable of outputting the image data to the outside; display data instruction means (i) for instructing to display the operation key image data representing the operation keys on the display means and to display the image data including the operation menu on an external display device, which is an output destination of the image data in the external output means, such that the operation key image data representing the operation keys is not displayed on the external display device and the image data including the operation menu is not displayed on the display means when the external output means is detected to be in the capable state, and (ii) for instructing to display the image data including the operation menu on the display means when the external output means is not detected to be in the capable state; display data supply means for supplying one of the display means or the external output means with one of the image data including the operation menu or the operation key image data in accordance with the instruction from the display data instruction means; and panel input means for accepting input of an operation from one of the operation key image data or the image data including the operation menu displayed on the display means, in which content of the image data including the operation menu is different from content of the operation key image data, in which the operation menu represents a number of selectable functions, and in which when the external output means is detected to be in the capable state the operation keys of the operation key image data displayed on the display means which are not displayed on the external display device are usable to select a desired function from the operation menu displayed on the external display device which is not displayed on the display means.