Image processing apparatus capable of displaying operation item, method of controlling the same, image pickup apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

An image processing apparatus which is capable of preventing the display of an operation item, such as an icon, from hindering user's viewing an image which the user desires to view. A distance and position-detecting section and a system controller detect a distance between a screen and an operation element. The system controller displays at least one operation candidate item on the screen when the detected distance becomes not larger than a first threshold distance. Further, when the detected distance becomes not larger than the first predetermined threshold distance, the system controller changes a display form of the operation candidate item depending on the detected distance and displays the operation candidate item as an operable item.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling an image processing apparatus comprising the steps of:
 displaying an image on a screen;   detecting a distance between the screen and an operation element;   displaying an operation item overlapping the displayed image on the screen in a non-operable state if the detected distance is larger than a predetermined threshold, wherein the operation item is used to input an instruction for executing a processing concerning an image data corresponding to the displayed image;   displaying the operation item overlapping the displayed image on the screen in an operable state if the detected distance is smaller than the predetermined threshold;   executing a predetermined processing associated with the operation item which is displayed in the operable-state and operated by the operation element.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 changing a display form of the operation item as the operation element approaches such that the detected distance becomes smaller 
 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the operation item changes the display form thereof gradually when the operation item shifts from the non-operable state to the operable state. 
     
     
         4 . An image processing apparatus that displays an image on a screen and that displays an operation item for use in inputting an instruction for executing a processing concerning an image data corresponding to the displayed image, the image processing apparatus comprising:
 a detection unit configured to detect a distance between the screen and an operation element;   a first display control unit configured to display the operation item overlapping the displayed image on the screen in a non-operable state if the distance detected by the detection unit is larger than a predetermined threshold;   a second display control unit configured to display the operation item overlapping the displayed image on the screen in an operable state if the distance detected by the detection unit is smaller than the predetermined threshold; and   a processing unit configured to execute a predetermined processing associated with the operation item which is displayed in the operable-state and operated by the operation element.   
     
     
         5 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the second display control unit is further configured to change a display form of the operation item as the operation element approaches such that the distance detected by the detection unit becomes smaller. 
     
     
         6 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the second display control unit changes the display form of the operation item gradually when the operation item shifts from the non-operable state to the operable state. 
     
     
         7 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable control program for causing a computer to execute a method of controlling an image processing apparatus comprising the steps of:
 displaying an image on a screen;   detecting a distance between the screen and an operation element;   displaying an operation item overlapping the displayed image on the screen in a non-operable state if the detected distance is larger than a predetermined threshold, wherein the operation item is used to input an instruction for executing a processing concerning an image data corresponding to the displayed image;   displaying the operation item overlapping the displayed image on the screen in an operable state if the detected distance is smaller than the predetermined threshold; and   executing a predetermined processing associated with the operation item which is displayed in the operable-state and operated by the operation element.   
     
     
         8 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises the step of:
 changing a display form of the operation item as the operation element approaches such that the detected distance becomes smaller   
     
     
         9 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 7 , wherein the operation item changes the display form thereof gradually when the operation item shifts from the non-operable state to the operable state.