JP4793483B2 - Portable electronic device, operation control method and program for portable electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device suitable for an electronic camera, a cellular phone, and the like with particular emphasis on portability, an operation control method for the portable electronic device, and a program.

  Recently, with the widespread use of personal computers in general homes, many digital still cameras that can take captured images as electronic data instead of cameras using silver halide films have been planned. Sold.

  For this type of digital still camera, especially compact type with emphasis on portability, the main body should be a foldable structure, and when not in use, the functional parts such as the photographic lens and display unit should be stowed inside and not exposed to the outside. In some cases, it is possible to prevent unnecessary damage or damage. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2.)

JP 2000-098470 A

JP-A-10-191117

  The camera described in Patent Document 1 includes a thin plate-like first body portion provided with a photographic lens and a thin plate-like second body portion provided with a liquid crystal monitor and various function keys. The third body part having a hinge structure is supported and connected so as to be pivotable, and the pivoting surface opens and closes the first body part and the second body part in the horizontal direction, that is, the lateral opening direction. , Switching between portable state and use state.

  Therefore, when the user dares not to hold the camera and does not use a tripod, for example, to take a picture by placing it on a desk or the like, in order to stabilize the camera, the first and second body parts The lens is placed in a slightly open shape so that the cross-section is substantially "<", but the photographic lens faces the direction parallel to the plane of the mounting location, and only the subject in that direction I can't shoot.

  Similarly, since the liquid crystal monitor provided in the second body portion also faces in a direction parallel to the plane of the placement place, in order to visually recognize the display content of the liquid crystal display monitor with this camera placed. The camera can only be viewed from the same height as the plane of the mounting place, and the mounting position or viewing position of the camera is limited.

  In addition, the camera described in Patent Document 2 does not assume shooting and playback in a mounted state, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 to 9, the disclosed contents are as follows. It is difficult to think about what to put and use it from the range.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is a portable electronic device that can be easily placed on a desk or the like and can easily take and reproduce images. An object is to provide an operation control method and program for a portable electronic device.

The invention described in claim 1 is a flat plate-like first main body housing provided with a photographing lens on at least one plane, a second main body housing provided with a display section on at least one plane, and the first And a hinge mechanism attached to and connected to each end face of the second main body casing and rotatably supporting the first and second main body casings, and the first and second The angle between the main body casing and the hinge mechanism is such that the plane of the first main body casing on which the photographic lens is not provided and the plane on which the display section of the second main body casing is not provided are in contact with each other. Of the second angle different from the first angle, the first and second main body housings can be self-supported with the end surface facing the end surface forming the hinge mechanism facing down. Detecting means for detecting the angle, and the detecting means detects the first angle. Is detected, the camera shifts to a normal shooting mode in which shooting and recording are performed at the timing of the shutter operation. Mode control means for switching to a self-timer shooting mode or a playback mode for displaying on the display unit while automatically switching a plurality of image data recorded and recorded, and either a recording mode or a playback mode as a basic mode. A basic mode setting means for setting, wherein the mode control means is when the second angle is detected by the detecting means and the recording mode is set by the basic mode setting means. Shifts to a self-timer shooting mode in which shooting recording is performed after a lapse of a certain time from the shutter operation, When the angle of 2 is detected and the playback mode is set by the basic mode setting means, playback that is displayed on the display unit while automatically switching a plurality of image data recorded and recorded It is characterized by shifting to the mode .

The invention according to claim 2 further includes a non-slip portion formed on the end surface of the first and second main body housings opposite to the end surface on which the hinge mechanism is formed, wherein the second angle is The angle is such that it can stand by itself using the anti-slip portion .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first angle and the second angle, the detection means includes a plane on which the photographing lens of the first main body casing is provided, and the second main body casing. A third angle which is a storage state in which the flat surface provided with the display unit is in contact is detected, and the mode control means detects the third angle when the detection means detects the third angle. The operation mode is not shifted to any one of the self-timer photographing mode and the reproduction mode .

The invention according to claim 4 is further provided in at least one of the first and second main body casings and the hinge mechanism, and the first and second main body casings and the hinge mechanism at the second angle. It further includes an engaging portion that engages to give a click feeling .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention , the hinge mechanism further includes a biaxial structure that rotatably supports the first and second main body casings, and the anti-slip portion includes the first and second main body casings. It is characterized in that at least one or more and a total of three or more projectingly projectingly are formed on each end surface opposite to the end surface on which the hinge mechanism of the two housings is formed .

The invention described in claim 6 further includes recording means for recording image data obtained by photographing using the photographing lens, and the reproduction mode displays the image data recorded in the recording means on the display section. It is characterized by being a playback mode .

Invention of claim 7, wherein: a first main body housing tabular having a taking lens on at least one plane, and the second main body housing provided with a display unit on one of the plane even without, the first A portable electronic device comprising a hinge mechanism attached to and connected to each end face of the first and second casings and rotatably supporting the first and second main body casings . In the operation control method, the angle between the first and second main body casings and the hinge mechanism is such that the plane of the first main body casing in which no photographing lens is provided and the display of the second main body casing. The first angle at which the flat surface not provided with the portion abuts and the above-described first and second main body housings that can stand on their own with the end surfaces facing the end surfaces that form the hinge mechanisms facing down. A detector for detecting which angle is a second angle different from the first angle. When the first angle is detected by the detection step, the mode shifts to a normal shooting mode in which shooting and recording is performed at the timing of the shutter operation, and when the second angle is detected by the detection step. A mode control process for shifting to a self-timer shooting mode for shooting and recording after a lapse of a certain time from the shutter operation or a reproduction mode for displaying on the display unit while automatically switching a plurality of shot and recorded image data; A basic mode setting step for setting one of a recording mode and a reproduction mode, and the mode control step is a case where the second angle is detected by the detection step, and the basic mode When the recording mode is set in the setting process step, self-timer shooting that records images after a certain period of time has elapsed since the shutter operation When the second angle is detected by the detecting means and the reproduction mode is set by the basic mode setting step, a plurality of image data recorded and recorded are stored. It is characterized by shifting to a reproduction mode for displaying on the display section while automatically switching .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flat first main body housing provided with a photographing lens on at least one plane, a second main body housing provided with a display section on at least one plane, A portable electronic device provided with a hinge mechanism attached to and connected to each end face of the first and second housings and rotatably supporting the first and second body housings. A program executed by a built-in computer, wherein the angle between the first and second main body casings and the hinge mechanism is such that the plane of the first main body casing on which no photographic lens is provided and the second main body Self-supporting with the first angle at which the flat surface not provided with the display portion of the housing abuts and the end surface of the first and second main body housings facing the end surface forming the hinge mechanism facing down. Any one of the second angles different from the first angle is possible. If the first angle is detected by the detection step for detecting the degree of the image and the detection step, the mode shifts to a normal shooting mode in which shooting recording is performed at the timing of the shutter operation. When an angle of 2 is detected, a self-timer shooting mode in which shooting and recording is performed after a lapse of a certain time from the shutter operation, or a playback mode in which a plurality of shot and recorded image data are automatically switched and displayed on the display unit. A mode control step for shifting and a basic mode setting step for setting one of a recording mode and a reproduction mode as a basic mode are executed by a computer. In the mode control step, the second angle is determined by the detecting step. If it is detected, the recording mode is set by the basic mode setting step. In the case where the second angle is detected in the detection step and the reproduction mode is set in the basic mode setting step. Is set, a plurality of image data recorded and recorded is automatically switched to a playback mode for display on the display unit.

According to the present invention, a normal shooting mode in which shooting is performed while holding the camera body by hand, and a self-timer shooting mode and an automatic playback mode are used as operation modes when the camera body is placed on a desk or the like. In a portable electronic device having a plurality of operation modes, a state in which a flat surface of the first main body housing that is not provided with a photographing lens and a flat surface of the second main body housing that is not provided with a display unit is detected. In the case of the normal shooting mode, the first and second main body housings are detected to be slightly opened so as to have a cross-section “<” shape, and the basic mode is selected. When the shooting mode is set, the mode automatically shifts to the self-timer shooting mode, and the first and second main body housings are slightly opened so as to have a cross-section “<” shape. Is detected and the basic mode is If the playback mode is set, the display mode can be automatically switched to the playback mode that automatically switches the display image, and the device is simply held or placed in a state suitable for each operation mode. It is possible to quickly perform various shootings and playbacks according to the basic mode settings.

1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a digital still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the state which uses the camera which concerns on the embodiment independently. The figure explaining the detection structure of the rotation angle which concerns on the same embodiment. The block diagram which shows the whole circuit structure based on the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the processing content mainly regarding a predetermined angle detection which concerns on the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital still camera will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an external configuration of the digital still camera 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 (A) is stored and carried, FIG. 1 (B) is expanded at about 180 °, FIG. 1 (C). Indicates the folded state during normal use.

  As shown in the figure, this digital still camera 10 is connected to a flat first main body housing 11 and a second flat main body housing 12 connected by a hinge portion 13 having a biaxial structure. It is configured to support freely.

  On one surface of the first main body casing 11 that is the front side and the front side of the camera in normal use shown in FIG. 1C, a photographing lens barrel 14, a strobe light emitting unit 15, a microphone 16, and a self-timer indicator 17 is provided.

  The photographic lens barrel 14 is formed so as to protrude, for example, by housing a single-focus optical lens system in the barrel.

  The strobe light emitting unit 15 emits strobe light to cover the photographing range of the photographing lens barrel 14.

  The microphone 16 picks up the front voice that coincides with the photographing range of the photographing lens barrel 14 during moving image photographing and voice memo recording.

  The self-timer indicator 17 is formed of, for example, a red LED (light-emitting diode), and emits blinking light from the shutter key operation until the actual shooting is performed during shooting in the self-timer mode.

  Further, on one surface of the second main body housing 12 which is the front surface side and the rear surface side of the camera in normal use shown in FIG. 1C, a lens avoidance recess 18, a speaker 19, a menu key 20, and a rotary dial 21 are provided. , A set key 22 and a display unit 23 are provided.

  The lens avoidance recess 18 is formed at a position facing the photographing lens barrel 14 of the first main body housing 11 when being carried as shown in FIG.

  The speaker 19 emits a loud sound when reproducing a moving image or a voice memo.

  The menu key 20 is a key operated to display various mode menu items.

  The rotary dial 21 is rotated to select one of a plurality of menu items, and the set key 22 is pressed to instruct confirmation of the selected menu item.

  The display unit 23 is composed of a color TFT liquid crystal panel with a backlight. In the recording mode in which shooting is performed, the subject image being shot at that time is displayed on the monitor, while in the playback mode, the recorded image is displayed and output.

  Further, a shutter key 24 is provided at the right end of one surface of the hinge portion 13 which is the front surface side and the upper surface side of the camera during normal use shown in FIG.

  The shutter key 24 is used to instruct photographing by pressing at the photographing timing in the recording mode.

  As shown in part of FIG. 1B, both the first main body casing 11 and the second main body casing 12 have opposite end faces opposite to the end face provided with the hinge portion 13. Each of the two anti-slip portions 25a to 25d is provided in total.

  These anti-slip portions 25a to 25d have, for example, rubber hemispherical projections, and are provided to provide an anti-slip effect on the place where the digital still camera 10 is placed when the digital still camera 10 is placed during self-supporting use to be described later. It is done.

  FIG. 2 shows a stand-alone use in which recording or reproduction is performed by allowing the first main body casing 11 and the second main body casing 12 of the digital still camera 10 to stand independently with a predetermined angle, for example, 30 ° open. FIG. 2A shows a usage state in the reproduction mode, and FIG. 2B shows a usage state in the recording mode (self-timer mode described later).

  As shown in FIG. 2A, in the playback mode, the display unit 23 of the second main body housing 12 is directed obliquely upward by using the second main body housing 12 so as to be on the user side. Become.

  Therefore, if the user looks at the display unit 23 from the direction near the front, the user looks down at the display unit 23 at a depression angle of about 15 °, and the digital still camera 10 is alone in a familiar place such as a desk or a table. You can enjoy the playback content by placing it on

  In this playback mode, a display form called a “slide show” is also used, in which display contents are automatically switched cyclically for a predetermined time using a plurality of image data recorded in a built-in or attached memory. In this way, an electronic and dynamic photo frame function based on an original image taken by the user can be provided and enjoyed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, in the recording mode, the photographing lens barrel 14 of the first main body housing 11 is tilted upward by using the first main body housing 11 so as to be on the user side. Will turn to.

  Therefore, for example, when the user looks at the photographing lens barrel 14 from the direction near the front, the photographing lens barrel 14 takes a subject image including the user's face at an elevation angle of about 15 °. For example, a digital still camera 10 can be placed alone in a familiar place to photograph a familiar subject image.

  In this recording mode, by automatically setting the self-timer mode, it is possible to quickly shift to shooting including the user himself / herself without the trouble of setting complicated modes.

  In this case, since the digital still camera 10 can be mounted independently, it is possible to easily enjoy shooting in the self-timer mode without using a tripod or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the state where the digital still camera 10 is placed in a self-supporting manner, the anti-slip portions 25a to 25d are provided at four locations in contact with the placement location at the lower end thereof. It was. Therefore, even if the placement place is a slippery position such as on a desk, it is possible to operate in a stable state without easily slipping.

  In addition, regarding the rotation of the first main body housing 11 and the second main body housing 12 and the hinge portion 13, it is lightly engaged with a click feeling at a predetermined opening / closing angle and maintains the state of the angle. And

FIG. 3 illustrates a click structure of the hinge portion 13 and the first main body housing 11 (second main body housing 12) for that purpose.
Here, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), hemispherical recesses are formed in the range of 180 ° on the end surfaces of the hinge portion 13 that are in contact with the first main body casing 11 and the second main body casing 12. It shall be. FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional structure of the first main body housing 11 corresponding to the hinge portion 13 along the line bb in FIG.

  In the state shown in FIG. 3A where the shutter key 24 of the hinge part 13 is at the top, the first rotation is centered on the rotation shaft 31 formed to protrude from the first body 11 of the hinge part 13. A total of four hemispherical recesses 32a to 32d are formed in the end face in contact with one main body casing 11 in the range of 180 ° counterclockwise from the lower side.

  In this case, if the rotation position of the recess 32a located directly below the rotation shaft 31 is 0 °, the recess 32b corresponds to 15 °, the recess 32c is 90 °, and the recess 32d corresponds to 180 °.

  Among these, in particular, the micro switches 33 and 33 protrude in the recesses 32a and 32b. As shown in FIG. 3 (B), the hemisphere is located immediately below the recess 34 (in the state shown in FIG. 1 (C)) to which the rotating shaft 31 of the first main body housing 11 is fitted. A hemispherical convex portion 35 corresponding to the concave portions 32a to 32d is formed, and this convex portion 35 is urged by the elasticity of the spring 36 in the first main body housing 11 and is connected to the hinge portion 13. It protrudes from the contact surface.

  That is, the first main body housing 11 is attached in the direction of the arrow III in FIG. 3B so that the pivot shaft 31 of the hinge portion 13 is engaged with the concave portion 34 of the first main body housing 11. When one main body housing 11 is rotated around the rotation shaft 31, the convex portion 35 on the first main body housing 11 side is set to one of the concave portions 32 a to 32 d according to the elasticity of the spring 36. It protrudes from the contact surface of the first main body housing 11 only at the contacted angular position, and is lightly engaged with the recesses 32a to 32d to generate a click feeling.

  In this case, particularly in the recesses 32a and 32b, the elasticity of the springs 33a in the microswitches 33 and 33 is set in advance to be sufficiently lower than the elasticity of the springs 36 of the projections 35, so that the projections 35 As a result, the movable piece 33b in the microswitch 33 is pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow IV in the figure, and the metal contacts 33c and 33d are electrically connected.

  Therefore, by constantly monitoring the conduction state of the micro switches 33 and 33 in the recesses 32a and 32b, the rotation position of the first main body housing 11 with respect to the hinge portion 13 is the state shown in FIG. Alternatively, it is possible to detect that the state shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B has been reached.

  This point is exactly the same for the hinge portion 13 and the second main body housing 12, and the second state of the hinge portion 13 is as shown in FIG. 3A in which the shutter key 24 of the hinge portion 13 is at the top. 4 hemispheres in a range of 180 ° clockwise from the lower side of the end surface in contact with the second main body housing 12 centering on the rotation shaft 41 formed to project corresponding to the main body housing 12 The concave portions 42a to 42d are formed.

  In this case, if the rotation position of the recess 42a located directly below the rotation shaft 41 is 0 °, the recess 42b corresponds to a position of 15 °, the recess 42c is 90 °, and the recess 42d corresponds to a position of 180 °. Among these, in particular, the micro switches 43 and 43 protrude in the recesses 42a and 42b.

  Since the following description is the same as the relationship between the hinge portion 13 and the first main body housing 11, it will be omitted, but by constantly monitoring the conduction state of the micro switches 43 and 43 in the recesses 42a and 42b, the hinge portion It is possible to detect that the rotation position of the second main body housing 12 with respect to 13 is also in the state shown in FIG. 1 (C) or the state shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B). It becomes.

Next, the configuration of an electronic circuit provided in the digital still camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the drawing, in the recording mode, the focus position and the aperture position are moved by driving the motor (M) 51, and the lens optical system 52 constituting the photographing lens barrel 14 is arranged behind the photographing optical axis. A CCD 53, which is an image sensor, is scanned and driven by a timing generator (TG) 54 and a vertical driver 55, and outputs a photoelectric conversion output corresponding to an optical image formed at a constant cycle for one screen.

  This photoelectric conversion output is appropriately gain-adjusted for each primary color component of RGB in the state of an analog value signal, then sampled and held by a sample hold circuit (S / H) 56, and digital data by an A / D converter 57 Color process processing including pixel interpolation processing and γ correction processing is performed in the color process circuit 58 to generate a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cb and Cr as digital values, which are sent to a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller 59. Is output.

  The DMA controller 59 once uses the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cb and Cr output from the color process circuit 58 by using the composite synchronization signal, memory write enable signal, and clock signal from the color process circuit 58 once. And the DMA transfer to the DRAM 61 used as a buffer memory via the DRAM interface (I / F) 60.

  The control unit 62 includes a CPU, a ROM that fixedly stores an operation program to be executed by the CPU including processing that is described later, and a RAM that is used as a work memory. The digital still camera 10, after the DMA transfer of the luminance and chrominance signals to the DRAM 61, the luminance and chrominance signals are read from the DRAM 61 via the DRAM interface 60 and written to the VRAM 64 via the VRAM controller 63. .

  The digital video encoder 65 periodically reads out the luminance and color difference signals from the VRAM 64 via the VRAM controller 63, generates a video signal based on these data, and outputs the video signal to the display unit 23.

  As described above, the display unit 23 functions as a monitor display unit (electronic finder) in the recording mode. By performing display based on the video signal from the digital video encoder 65, the display unit 23 receives from the VRAM controller 63 at that time. An image based on the stored image information is displayed in real time.

  When the shutter key 24 constituting the key input unit 66 is operated at a timing when still image shooting is desired in a state where the image at that time is displayed in real time as a monitor image on the display unit 23 as described above, a trigger signal is generated. Is generated.

  In response to the trigger signal, the control unit 62 immediately stops the path from the CCD 53 to the DRAM 61 immediately after the completion of the DMA transfer of the luminance and color difference signals for one screen being captured from the CCD 53 to the DRAM 61. Transition to record save state.

  In this record storage state, the control unit 62 outputs the luminance and color difference signals for one frame written in the DRAM 61 via the DRAM interface 60 for each of Y, Cb, and Cr components of 8 pixels × 8 pixels horizontally. Is read out in units called basic blocks, and written into a JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) circuit 67. The JPEG circuit 67 uses an ADCT (Adaptive Discrete Cosine Transform), which is an entropy coding system. Data compression is performed by processing such as conversion.

  The obtained code data is read out from the JPEG circuit 67 as a data file of one image, and is fixedly attached to the digital still camera 10 or a memory card 68 that is detachably attached as a recording medium of the digital still camera 10. Data is written in one of the built-in memories 69.

  Then, along with the compression processing of the luminance and color difference signals for one frame and the completion of writing of all the compressed data to the memory card 68 or the built-in memory 69, the control unit 62 activates the path from the CCD 53 to the DRAM 61 again.

  The control unit 62 is further connected with an audio processing unit 70, a USB interface (I / F) 71, an angle detection unit 72, and a strobe driving unit 73.

  The audio processing unit 70 includes a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source, and digitizes the audio signal input from the microphone (MIC) 16 during recording of the audio, and a predetermined data file format such as MP3 (MPEG-1 audio layer 3). ) The data is compressed in accordance with the standard to create an audio data file, which is sent to the memory card 68 or the built-in memory 69. On the other hand, when the audio is reproduced, the audio data file sent is uncompressed and converted into an analog signal, and the speaker ) Drive 19 to emit loud sound.

  The USB interface 71 performs communication control when image data and the like are transmitted / received to / from an external device, for example, a personal computer, which is connected via a USB connector.

  The angle detection unit 72 includes the microswitches 33, 33, 43, and 43. When the first main body housing 11 and the second main body housing 12 have a predetermined angle with respect to the hinge section 13, the angle detection section 72 Detect and send a detection signal to the control unit 62.

  The strobe driving unit 73 charges a strobe large-capacitance capacitor (not shown) at the time of still image shooting, and flash-drives the strobe light emitting unit 15 based on the control from the control unit 62.

  The key input unit 66 includes the menu key 20, the rotary dial 21, the set key 22, and the like in addition to the display unit 23 described above, and signals associated with these key operations are directly controlled by the control unit 62. Is sent to.

  However, when shooting a moving image instead of a still image, a memory card 68 of a still image data file in which the above-described still image data is compressed by the JPEG circuit 67 while the shutter key 24 of the key input unit 66 continues to be operated. Alternatively, recording in the built-in memory 69 is performed continuously in time, and when the operation of the shutter key 24 ends or when a predetermined time limit, for example, 30 seconds elapses, these series of still image data files are batched. Then re-set as a motion JPEG data file.

  In the playback mode, the control unit 62 selectively reads out the image data recorded in the memory card 68 or the built-in memory 69, and the JPEG circuit 67 compresses the image data in a procedure that is completely opposite to the procedure in the data compression mode. The decompressed image data is decompressed, and the decompressed image data is retained in the DRAM 61 via the DRAM interface 60, and the retained contents of the DRAM 61 are stored in the VRAM 64 via the VRAM controller 63. Data is read to generate a video signal, which is reproduced and output by the display unit 23.

  When the selected image data is not a still image but a moving image, the playback of the individual still image data constituting the selected moving image file is executed continuously in time, and the playback of all the still image data is finished. At that time, the image is reproduced and displayed using only the still image data located at the head until the next reproduction instruction is given.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 shows the processing contents mainly relating to the predetermined angle detection, which is executed by the control unit 62 in the power-on state.

  Initially, the first main body casing 11 and the second main body casing 12 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B above the hinge section 13 by the detection signal from the angle detection section 72. It is determined whether or not it is in a self-supporting state where the rotation position is 30 ° (step S01), and the first main body casing 11 and the second main body casing as shown in FIG. 12 repeatedly determines whether or not the normal use state where the hinge part 13 is sandwiched between the hinges 13 (step S02) and waits for these use states. To do.

  That is, in step S01, when both the micro switch 33 in the recess 32b and the micro switch 43 in the recess 42b are turned on, a determination is made based on the detection signal.

  Similarly, in step S02, when both the micro switch 33 in the recess 32a and the micro switch 43 in the recess 42a are turned on, a determination is made based on the detection signal.

  When it is determined in step S02 that the normal use state as shown in FIG. 1C has been reached, shooting or shooting is performed depending on whether the basic mode is the recording mode or the playback mode. Although the reproduction operation is executed, the detailed contents thereof are not directly related to the present invention, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  If it is determined in step S01 that the self-supporting state as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is reached, then whether the basic mode at that time is set to the recording mode. It is determined whether or not (step S03).

  Here, when it is determined that the basic mode is not set to the recording mode, the basic mode is set to the reproduction mode. Therefore, the file of the image data recorded in the memory card 68 and the built-in memory 69 is used. Based on the date and time information (time stamp) added to the file, for example, cyclically read out from the newest one and display it while automatically switching each time, for example, 5 seconds. It is confirmed that the state at the time of independent use is maintained by the detection signal from the angle detector 72 (step S10) while performing the reproduction display also called “slide show” (step S09).

  Then, when the state at the time of independent use is released, this is determined in step S10, and the process returns to step S01 again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S03 that the basic mode is set to the recording mode, the self-timer mode is automatically set (step S04) and whether or not the shutter key 24 is operated (step S04). In step S05), whether or not the shutter key 24 is operated by repeatedly determining whether or not the state at the time of independent use is maintained by the detection signal from the angle detection unit 72 (step S06), or at the time of this independent use. Wait until the state of is released.

  If the shutter key 24 is operated, this is determined in step S05, and shooting is performed after a predetermined standby time set in advance in the digital still camera 10, for example, 10 [seconds] has elapsed (step S05). S07).

  At this time, the self-timer indicator 17 disposed on the front surface of the first main body housing 11 is also displayed at a time interval corresponding to the remaining time during the period from when the shutter key 24 is operated to when shooting is performed. Flashes light.

  After shooting, when the obtained image data is compressed by the JPEG circuit 67 and recorded in one of the memory card 68 and the built-in memory 69 that is selected and set at that time (step S08), the above step S06 is again performed. Return to processing from.

  Accordingly, when it is determined in step S06 that the state of independent use has been released, the process returns to step S01 again.

  As described above, since the folding digital still camera 10 is simply placed at a predetermined rotation angle, the operation mode can be quickly shifted to the operation mode specified in advance. Can be performed.

  In this case, particularly when the recording mode is set as the basic mode, the self-timer mode is automatically set.

  Thus, taking advantage of the digital still camera 10 that is independent by itself without using a tripod or the like, the digital still camera 10 can be set at a predetermined rotation angle, and the time for setting the self-timer mode can be reduced. It can be omitted and the camera can quickly move to image shooting.

  Further, when the playback mode is set as the basic mode, the image data recorded in the memory card 68 and the built-in memory 69 is automatically displayed on the display unit 23 while being sequentially switched by a predetermined time.

  As a result, the digital still camera 10 can be moved to a state where all recorded images can be reproduced simply by placing the digital still camera 10 at a predetermined rotation angle. The original image can be reproduced and displayed more easily, for example, as a stand.

  In addition, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where this invention was applied to a digital still camera, this invention is not restricted to this, The portable body provided with the camera function with which the main body has a folding structure. If it is an electronic device, it can be easily applied to a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a personal computer ranging from a handheld type to a notebook type.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, at least one of the problems described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and described in the column of the effect of the invention. In a case where at least one of the obtained effects can be obtained, a configuration in which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital still camera, 11 ... 1st main body housing | casing, 12 ... 2nd main body housing | casing, 13 ... Hinge part, 14 ... Shooting lens barrel, 15 ... Strobe light emission part, 16 ... Microphone (MIC), 17 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Self-timer indicator, 18 ... Recessed by lens, 19 ... Speaker (SP), 20 ... Menu key, 21 ... Rotation dial, 22 ... Set key, 23 ... Display part, 24 ... Shutter key, 25a-25d ... Non-slip Part 31, rotation shaft, 32 a to 32 d, recessed part 33, micro switch 33 a spring, 33 b movable section 33 c, 33 d metal contact 34 recessed part 35 convex part 36 spring 41, etc. Rotating shaft, 42a to 42d ... concave portion, 43 ... micro switch, 51 ... motor (M), 52 ... lens optical system, 53 ... CCD, 54 ... timing generator (TG), 55 ... Direct driver, 56 ... sample hold circuit (S / H), 57 ... A / D converter, 58 ... color process circuit, 59 ... DMA controller, 60 ... DRAM interface (I / F), 61 ... DRAM, 62 ... control 63 ... VRAM controller, 64 ... VRAM, 65 ... digital video encoder, 66 ... key input unit, 67 ... JPEG circuit, 68 ... memory card, 69 ... built-in memory, 70 ... audio processing unit, 71 ... USB interface (I / F), 72... Angle detection unit, 73... Strobe drive unit.

Claims (8)

A flat plate-shaped first main body housing provided with a photographing lens on at least one plane;
A second main body housing provided with a display unit on at least one plane;
A hinge mechanism attached to and connected to each end face of the first and second main body housings, and rotatably supporting the first and second main body housings;
The angle between the first and second main body casings and the hinge mechanism is such that the plane of the first main body casing where the photographing lens is not provided and the plane of the second main body casing where the display unit is not provided. The contacted first angle is different from the first angle at which the first and second main body housings can stand independently with the end surfaces facing the end surfaces forming the hinge mechanism facing down. Detecting means for detecting which of the second angles is;
When the first angle is detected by the detection means, the mode shifts to a normal shooting mode in which shooting and recording is performed at the timing of the shutter operation, and when the second angle is detected by the detection means, Mode control means for shifting to a self-timer shooting mode in which shooting and recording are performed after a lapse of a certain time from the shutter operation or a reproduction mode in which a plurality of shot and recorded image data are displayed while being automatically switched;
Basic mode setting means for setting either the recording mode or the playback mode as the basic mode;
With
In the case where the second angle is detected by the detection means and the recording mode is set by the basic mode setting means, the mode control means is configured to capture and record after a predetermined time has elapsed since the shutter operation. If the second angle is detected by the detecting means and the playback mode is set by the basic mode setting means, a plurality of the recorded images are recorded. The portable electronic device is switched to a reproduction mode for displaying on the display unit while automatically switching the image data . An anti-slip portion formed on the end face of the first and second body casings opposite to the end face on which the hinge mechanism is formed;
The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second angle is an angle at which the non-slip portion can be used independently. In addition to the first angle and the second angle, the detection means includes a plane on which the photographing lens of the first main body casing is provided and a plane on which the display portion of the second main body casing is provided. Detecting the third angle that is in contact with the storage state,
The mode control means does not shift to any of the normal photographing mode, the self-timer photographing mode, and the reproduction mode when the third angle is detected by the detecting means. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 or 2. A mechanism that is provided on at least one of the first and second main body housings and the hinge mechanism, and engages the first and second main body housings and the hinge mechanism at the second angle to provide a click feeling. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a joint portion. The hinge mechanism has a biaxial structure that rotatably supports the first and second main body casings,
The anti-slip portion is formed to project at least one or more and a total of three or more on each end surface of the first and second casings facing the end surface on which the hinge mechanism is formed. The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. It further comprises recording means for recording image data obtained by photographing using the photographing lens,
6. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the reproduction mode is a reproduction mode in which image data recorded in the recording unit is displayed on the display unit. Each of the first main body case having a flat plate shape provided with a photographing lens on at least one plane, the second main body case provided with a display unit on at least one plane, and the first and second cases. An operation control method for a portable electronic device comprising a hinge mechanism that is attached to an end face to connect them and rotatably supports the first and second main body housings ,
The angle between the first and second main body casings and the hinge mechanism is such that the plane of the first main body casing where the photographing lens is not provided and the plane of the second main body casing where the display unit is not provided. The contacted first angle is different from the first angle at which the first and second main body housings can stand independently with the end surfaces facing the end surfaces forming the hinge mechanism facing down. A detection step of detecting which of the second angles is;
When the first angle is detected by the detection step, the mode shifts to a normal shooting mode in which shooting and recording is performed at the timing of the shutter operation, and when the second angle is detected by the detection step, A mode control step of shifting to a self-timer shooting mode for performing shooting and recording after a predetermined time has elapsed since the shutter operation or a reproduction mode for displaying on the display unit while automatically switching a plurality of image data recorded and recorded;
As a basic mode, a basic mode setting process for setting either a recording mode or a playback mode;
Have
In the mode control step, when the second angle is detected by the detection step and the recording mode is set by the basic mode setting step, the image is shot after a predetermined time has elapsed since the shutter operation. When the mode is shifted to the self-timer shooting mode for recording and the second angle is detected by the detecting means, and the playback mode is set by the basic mode setting step, the shooting is recorded. An operation control method for a portable electronic device, wherein a plurality of image data are automatically switched to a reproduction mode for display on the display unit . Each of the first main body case having a flat plate shape provided with a photographing lens on at least one plane, the second main body case provided with a display unit on at least one plane, and the first and second cases. This is a program executed by a computer built in a portable electronic device having a hinge mechanism that is attached to an end face to connect them and supports the first and second main body casings so as to be rotatable. And
The angle between the first and second main body casings and the hinge mechanism is such that the plane of the first main body casing where the photographing lens is not provided and the plane of the second main body casing where the display unit is not provided. The contacted first angle is different from the first angle at which the first and second main body housings can stand independently with the end surfaces facing the end surfaces forming the hinge mechanism facing down. A detection step of detecting which of the second angles is;
When the first angle is detected by the detection step, the mode shifts to a normal shooting mode in which shooting and recording is performed at the timing of the shutter operation, and when the second angle is detected by the detection step, A mode control step for shifting to a self-timer shooting mode in which shooting and recording are performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the shutter operation or a reproduction mode in which a plurality of shot and recorded image data is automatically switched and displayed on the display unit;
As a basic mode, a basic mode setting step for setting either a recording mode or a playback mode;
To the computer,
In the mode control step, when the second angle is detected in the detection step and the recording mode is set in the basic mode setting step, the image is shot after a predetermined time has elapsed since the shutter operation. When the mode is shifted to the self-timer shooting mode for recording and the second angle is detected by the detection step, and the reproduction mode is set by the basic mode setting step, the shooting is recorded. A program for shifting to a reproduction mode for displaying on the display unit while automatically switching a plurality of image data.

Images