Imaging apparatus in which an operating mode can be changed based on a change in incline angle and/or a switch operation
View Patent ↗An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that includes a shooting lens for collecting an image of a subject to be shot; and an imaging element that forms the image collected by the shooting lens and generates image data through photoelectric conversion of formed image. The imaging apparatus also includes an inclination detector that detects an inclination of the imaging apparatus from a predetermined position, through a rotation around a shooting optical axis of the shooting lens. The apparatus also includes a control unit that changes an operating mode to a switchable state capable of switching between operating modes when a predetermined time has elapsed in a state in which the inclination detected by the inclination detector falls within a predetermined range in which the operating modes of the imaging apparatus are switched to each other.
1. An imaging apparatus comprising:
an inclination detector configured to detect an inclination of the imaging apparatus;
a user operable switch arranged on an exterior surface of the imaging apparatus; and
a control unit that
(1) responsive to a determination that the imaging apparatus is at a first inclination angle or within a first inclination angle range, controls the imaging apparatus to operate in a first operating mode,
(2) responsive to a determination that both (i) the imaging apparatus is inclined at least a predetermined angle from the first inclination angle, and (ii) the user operable switch is manipulated by a user, controls the imaging apparatus to enter a second operating mode from the first operating mode, and
(3) continues to control the imaging apparatus to operate in the second operating mode even when the imaging apparatus returns to the first inclination angle or returns to an inclination angle within the first inclination angle range.
2. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first orientation is an orientation in which a magnitude of the first inclination angle is less than a predetermined value.
3. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first operating mode is a still image capture mode and wherein the second operating mode is a moving image capture mode.
4. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second operating mode is a forced strobe mode, and wherein the first operating mode is a non-forced strobe mode.
5. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first operating mode is a mode selected from a group of modes consisting of (A) portrait shooting mode, (B) ceremonial photograph shooting mode, (C) landscape shooting mode, (D) night scene shooting mode, (E) party shot shooting mode, (F) beach and snow shooting mode, (G) cooking shooting mode, and (H) self portrait shooting mode, and
wherein the second operating mode is a mode selected from a group of modes consisting of (A) portrait shooting mode, (B) ceremonial photograph shooting mode, (C) landscape shooting mode, (D) night scene shooting mode, (E) party shot shooting mode, (F) beach and snow shooting mode, (G) cooking shooting mode, and (H) self portrait shooting mode, but is different form the first shooting mode.
6. A control method for use with an imaging apparatus including an inclination detector configured to detect an inclination of the imaging apparatus, and a user operable switch arranged on an exterior surface of the imaging apparatus, the control method comprising:
determining an orientation of the imaging apparatus based on an output of the inclination detector;
determining whether or not the user operable switch is manipulated by a user;
controlling the imaging apparatus to operate in a first operating mode responsive to a determination that the imaging apparatus is at a first inclination angle or within a first inclination angle range; and
controlling the imaging apparatus to enter a second operating mode from the first operating mode, responsive to a determination that both (i) the imaging apparatus is inclined at least a predetermined angle from the first inclination angle, and (ii) the user operable switch is manipulated by a user, wherein the imaging apparatus is controlled to continue to operate in the second operating mode even when it is determined that the imaging apparatus returns to the first inclination angle or to an inclination angle within the first inclination angle range.
7. The control method of claim 6 wherein the first orientation is an orientation in which the imaging apparatus is substantially horizontal.
8. The control method of claim 6 wherein the first operating mode is a still image capture mode and wherein the second operating mode is a moving image capture mode.
9. The control method of claim 6 wherein the second operating mode is a forced strobe mode, and wherein the first operating mode is a non-forced strobe mode.
10. The control method of claim 6 wherein the first operating mode is a mode selected from a group of modes consisting of (A) portrait shooting mode, (B) ceremonial photograph shooting mode, (C) landscape shooting mode, (D) night scene shooting mode, (E) party shot shooting mode, (F) beach and snow shooting mode, (G) cooking shooting mode, and (H) self portrait shooting mode, and
wherein the second operating mode is a mode selected from a group of modes consisting of (A) portrait shooting mode, (B) ceremonial photograph shooting mode, (C) landscape shooting mode, (D) night scene shooting mode, (E) party shot shooting mode, (F) beach and snow shooting mode, (G) cooking shooting mode, and (H) self portrait shooting mode, but is different form the first shooting mode.
11. A non-transitory storage medium storing processor executable control instructions which, when executed by a least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a control method for use in an imaging apparatus having an inclination detector configured to detect inclination of the imaging apparatus, and an ON and OFF operation switch, the control method including:
determining an orientation of the imaging apparatus based on an output of the inclination detector;
determining whether or not the ON and OFF operation switch is manipulated by a user;
operating the imaging apparatus in a first operating mode, with the imaging apparatus being in a first orientation;
changing an operating mode of the imaging apparatus from the first operating mode to a second operating mode responsive to (i) a determination that the imaging apparatus is inclined at least a predetermined angle from the first orientation, and (ii) a further determination that the ON and OFF operation switch is operated; and
operating the imaging apparatus in the second operating mode, with the imaging apparatus being in the first orientation.