IP Library Granted Patent US 9,219,862
Granted Patent B2
US 9,219,862 · App. 14/236,106 · Granted Dec 22, 2015

Imaging device

Inventors: Hideyuki Yoshino (Kanagawa, JP); Takashi Ishihara (Kanagawa, JP); Mitsuru Satou (Kanagawa, JP); Yasuyuki Hirouchi (Miyagi, JP)
Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
H04N5/23248G03B17/18G03B17/38G06F3/0488H04N5/23216G06F2203/04101H04N5/23212H04N5/23293
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,219,862
App. No.
14/236,106
Granted
Dec 22, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An imaging device includes: an imaging portion; a memory capable of storing images imaged by the imaging portion; a display portion; and a touch panel arranged to overlap with the display portion and capable of detecting a distance to an indicator. When the distance is equal to or less than a first distance and more than a second distance less than the first distance, the memory stores the images at predetermined time intervals. Then, when the distance becomes equal to or less than the second distance and equal to or more than 0, the display portion displays the image that is stored in the memory before the distance becomes equal to or less than the second distance and equal to or more than 0.

Claims (36)

1. An imaging device comprising:

a camera configured to capture an image;

a display portion configured to display the captured image; and

a touch panel arranged to overlap with the display portion and capable of detecting a distance between the touch panel and an indicator, wherein

the camera is configured to, when the detected distance indicates that the indicator is within a predetermined distance from the touch panel and not touching the touch panel, capture the image by performing a predetermined processing on an area corresponding to a position of the indicator on the display portion, the predetermined processing including at least one of an auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balancing, and

when the indicator touches the area on the display portion having received the predetermined processing, the image captured by performing the predetermined processing on the area is recorded into a non-volatile memory mounted to the imaging device.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a buffer configured to store, at a predetermined intervals, the image captured by performing the predetermined processing on the area, wherein

the image to be recorded in the non-volatile memory is selected from among the images stored in the buffer before the detected distance indicates that the indicator touches the display portion.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator is a finger or a pen.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the display portion is configured to, when the distance between the indicator and the display portion is within a predetermined distance and the indicator is not touching the display portion, display an image captured by the camera.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the display portion is further configured to display a predetermined icon.

6. The imaging device according to claim 2 ,

wherein the buffer is configured to stop storing the images at the predetermined time intervals when the detected distance indicates that the indicator touches the touch panel.

7. The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the display portion is further configured to,

display the image currently captured before the detected distance indicates that the indicator touches the display portion, and

display the selected image when the detected distance indicates that the indicator touches the display portion.

8. The imaging device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the display portion is further configured to display a mark which indicates the area subject to the predetermined processing and moves according to the positon of the indicator.

9. An imaging method for an imaging device that includes a camera capable of capturing an image, a display portion capable of displaying the captured image, and a touch panel arranged to overlap with the display portion and capable of detecting a distance between the touch panel and an indicator, the imaging method comprising:

capturing, by the camera, when the detected distance indicates that the indicator is within a predetermined distance from the touch panel and not touching the touch panel, the image by performing a predetermined processing on an area corresponding to a position of the indicator on the display portion, the predetermined processing including at least one of an auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balancing; and

recording, when the indicator touches the area on the display portion having received the predetermined processing, the image captured by performing the predetermined processing on the area into a non-volatile memory mounted to the imaging device.

10. An imaging device, comprising:

a camera configured to capture an image;

a display portion configured to display the captured image; and

a touch panel arranged to overlap with the display portion and capable of detecting a distance between the touch panel and an indicator, wherein

when the detected distance indicates that, for a time less than a predetermined time, the position of the indicator has been kept within a predetermined distance from the touch panel and not touching the touch panel, the camera captures the image by performing a predetermined processing on an area corresponding to a position of the indicator on the display portion, the predetermined processing including at least one of an auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balancing,

when the indicator touches the area on the display portion having received the predetermined processing before the predetermined time has elapsed, the image captured by performing the predetermined processing on the area is recorded into a non-volatile memory mounted to the imaging device, and

when the detected distance indicates that, for the predetermined time, the position of the indicator has been kept within the predetermined distance from the touch panel and not touching the touch panel, the captured image is recorded into the non-volatile memory mounted to the imaging device at a timing when the predetermined time has elapsed.

11. The imaging device according to claim 10 , wherein the non-volatile memory is detachably mounted.

12. The imaging device according to claim 10 , wherein, the display portion is further configured to, while the predetermined time, indicate that a timing of recording the captured image into the non-volatile memory is approaching.

13. The imaging device according to claim 12 , wherein the display portion is configured to schematically indicate that the timing of recording the captured image into the non-volatile memory is approaching.

14. An imaging method for an imaging device which includes a camera capable of capturing an image, a display portion capable of displaying the captured image, and a touch panel arranged to overlap with the display portion and capable of detecting a distance between the touch panel and an indicator, the imaging method comprising:

when the detected distance indicates that, for a time less than a predetermined time, the position of the indicator has been kept within a predetermined distance from the touch panel and not touching the touch panel, capturing the image by performing a predetermined processing on an area corresponding to a position of the indicator on the display portion, the predetermined processing including at least one of an auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balancing,

when the indicator touches the area on the display portion having received the predetermined processing before the predetermined time has elapsed, the image captured by performing the predetermined processing on the area is recorded into a non-volatile memory mounted to the imaging device, and

when the detected distance indicates that, for the predetermined time, the position of the indicator has been kept within the predetermined distance from the touch panel and not touching the touch panel, the captured image is recorded into the non-volatile memory mounted to the imaging device at a timing when the predetermined time has elapsed.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
Reel/Frame 033033/0163 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2014
From: YOSHINO, HIDEYUKI; ISHIHARA, TAKASHI; SATOU, MITSURU; HIROUCHI, YASUYUKI
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032400/0275 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP 2012-118921 · May 24, 2012 · national
JP 2012-149601 · Jul 3, 2012 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140168470A1 · Jun 19, 2014