IP Library Granted Patent US 9,106,880
Granted Patent B2
US 9,106,880 · App. 14/075,297 · Granted Aug 11, 2015

Imaging apparatus and method of assigning functions to an operating unit of an imaging apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,106,880
App. No.
14/075,297
Granted
Aug 11, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An imaging apparatus comprises: an imaging unit configured to capture a subject image to generate image data; a first operating unit configured to receive a user operation; and a controller configured to execute a predetermined function according to an operation received by the first operating unit and an operation received by a second operating unit that is different from the first operating unit. The controller assigns different functions to the first operating unit and the second operating unit when executing a moving image recording process that records the image data as moving image data, and assigns the same function to the first operating unit and the second operating unit when not executing the moving image recording process.

Claims (44)

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging unit configured to capture a subject image to generate image data;

a first operating unit configured to receive a user operation; and

a controller configured to execute a predetermined function according to an operation received by the first operating unit and an operation received by a second operating unit that is different from the first operating unit, wherein

the controller assigns different functions to the first operating unit and the second operating unit when executing a moving image recording process that records the image data as moving image, and

assigns the same function to the first operating unit and the second operating unit when not executing the moving image recording process.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the first operating unit is disposed on a first outside surface of the imaging apparatus, and

the second operating unit is disposed on a second outside surface that is different from the first outside surface.

3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the first operating unit is disposed at a first position of the imaging apparatus, and

the second operating unit is disposed at a second position which is a position rotated a predetermined angle from the first position around the optical axis of the imaging apparatus.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

when the controller assigns different functions to the first operating unit and second operating unit, the controller assigns a function related to the moving image recording to the second operating unit.

5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein

the function related to the moving image recording assigned to the second operating unit includes at least one of a function for setting a gain of a microphone disposed to the imaging apparatus, a function for setting a frequency characteristic correction process for input audio signal picked up by the microphone, a function for setting a noise suppression process for the input audio signal, a function for setting a microphone directivity synthesis process, and a function for changing the autofocus setting.

6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the second operating unit is disposed on an outside surface of a battery unit installed to the imaging apparatus.

7. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging unit configured to capture a subject image to generate image data;

a first operating unit configured to receive a user operation; and

a controller configured to execute a predetermined function according to an operation received by the first operating unit and an operation received by a second operating unit that is different from the first operating unit, wherein

the controller assigns different functions to the first operating unit and the second operating unit, in a moving image recording mode of generating the image data as moving image to be recorded, and

assigns the same function to the first operating unit and the second operating unit, in an operating mode other than the moving image recording mode.

8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein

the first operating unit is disposed on a first outside surface of the imaging apparatus, and

the second operating unit is disposed on a second outside surface that is different from the first outside surface.

9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein

the first operating unit is disposed at a first position of the imaging apparatus, and

the second operating unit is disposed at a second position which is a position rotated a predetermined angle from the first position around the optical axis of the imaging apparatus.

10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein

when the controller assigns different functions to the first operating unit and second operating unit, the controller assigns a function related to the moving image recording to the second operating unit.

11. The imaging apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein

the function related to the moving image recording assigned to the second operating unit includes at least one of a function for setting the gain of a microphone disposed to the imaging apparatus, a function for setting a frequency characteristic correction process for input audio signal picked up by the microphone, a function for setting a noise suppression process for the input audio signal, a function for setting a microphone directivity synthesis process, and a function for changing the autofocus setting.

12. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein

the second operating unit is disposed on an outside surface of a battery unit installed to the imaging apparatus.

13. A function assignment method for assigning functions to a first operating unit of an imaging apparatus and a second operating unit, the imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to capture a subject image to generate image data, a first operating unit configured to receive a user operation, and a controller configured to execute a predetermined function according to an operation received by the first operating unit and an operation received by a second operating unit that is different from the first operating unit, the function assignment method comprising:

determining by the controller whether a moving image recording process that records the image data as moving image is executing;

assigning by the controller different functions to the first operating unit and the second operating unit when the moving image recording process that records the image data as moving image is executing; and

assigning by the controller the same function to the first operating unit and the second operating unit when the moving image recording process is not executing.

14. A function assignment method for assigning functions to a first operating unit of an imaging apparatus and a second operating unit, the imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to capture a subject image to generate image data, a first operating unit configured to receive a user operation, and a controller configured to execute a predetermined function according to an operation received by the first operating unit and an operation received by a second operating unit that is different from the first operating unit, the function assignment method comprising:

determining by controller whether the operating mode is set to a moving image recording mode of generating the image data as a moving image to be recorded;

assigning by the controller different functions to the first operating unit and the second operating unit when the operating mode is set to the moving image recording mode; and

assigning by the controller the same function to the first operating unit and the second operating unit when the operating mode is set to another mode different from the moving image recording mode and when the moving image recording process is not executing.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2014
From: OHTSUKA, YOSHIO
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032249/0932 →