JP3831933B2 - Game built-in camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera with a built-in game in which an electronic camera having an image display unit such as a liquid crystal monitor has a game function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to enhance the usefulness of the camera when the camera is not used, a camera having a toy function and a game function has been proposed.
[0003]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-27739 discloses a camera in which a concave portion having a flat bottom surface is formed on the front surface or the rear surface of a camera body, and a jigsaw puzzle is fitted in the concave portion to provide a toy function.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-198650 discloses an electronic camera dedicated to a battle game. Such an electronic camera binarizes an image captured by the camera area sensor for each pixel and converts it into “1” and “0” image data. The number of “1” and “0” in this image data Compete for winning or losing by comparing the percentage of players with their opponents.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the camera disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-27739 is configured to fit a jigsaw puzzle and can be enjoyed as a toy, but has no game function, so it has a disadvantage of lack of entertainment. .
[0006]
Further, since the electronic camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-198650 is a dedicated game machine, it does not have a sufficient function as a camera. In addition, there is no disclosure at all regarding the effective use of various operation buttons arranged on the camera body in the imaging mode used as a camera and in the game mode used as a game.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a game built-in camera that has a game function to enhance entertainment and can effectively use various operation buttons provided on the camera body. For the purpose.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention records a game program in a camera having an imaging means, a display means for displaying an image taken by the imaging means, and a plurality of operation buttons for operating the camera. A storage unit or an interface for inputting a game program recorded in an external recording medium, a switching means for switching a camera use mode to an imaging mode or a game mode, and the memory when the switching means is switched to a game mode. Control means for reading out a game program recorded on the external recording medium or the external recording medium and displaying the game program on the display means as a game image, and switching a part of the operation buttons to the game operation buttons; The display means and a part of the operation buttons are arranged at predetermined positions on the back surface of the camera body, and the part of the operation buttons is a part of the user who holds the camera body in the imaging mode. In the game mode, the control means inverts the top and bottom of the game image displayed on the display means and holds the camera body in the game mode. The cross key can be operated with the thumb of the left hand It is characterized by that.
[0009]
The camera with a built-in game according to the present invention has a storage unit in which a game program is recorded in the camera body or an interface for inputting the game program recorded in an external recording medium. The camera has switching means for switching the camera use mode between the imaging mode and the game mode, and the game program recorded in the storage unit or the external recording medium when the camera is switched to the game mode by the switching means. Is read by the control means and displayed on the display means as a game image, and a part of the operation buttons is switched to the game operation buttons by the control means. As a result, the camera with a built-in game according to the present invention can enjoy a game by operating a part of the operation buttons, so that the entertainment is enhanced, and the operation buttons of the camera are also used as game operation buttons. Various operation buttons arranged on the camera body can be used effectively.
[0010]
The interface of the camera with a built-in game according to the present invention is shared with an interface for outputting image data to an external image recording medium for recording an image picked up by the image pickup means. Thereby, the number of interfaces can be reduced.
[0011]
In the game built-in camera of the present invention, the cross key of the operation button is disposed at a position where it can be operated with the thumb of the right hand of the user holding the camera body in the imaging mode. Since the cross key is used as an operation key for instructing selection of various setting items of the camera and change of setting contents, the thumb of the right hand is easier to operate than the thumb of the left hand of the user.
[0012]
On the other hand, in the game mode, the cross key is easier to operate on the left thumb than on the right thumb. This is also clear from the point that the cross key of a general game operation controller is operated with the thumb of the left hand holding the controller body. Accordingly, in the game mode, the game image displayed on the display means is turned upside down and the cross key is operated with the thumb of the left hand. Thereby, the camera with a built-in game according to the present invention facilitates button operation in the imaging mode and the game mode.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a camera with a built-in game according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014]
The camera body 12 of the game-incorporated camera 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped external shape, and the dimensions in the width direction are shorter than the dimensions in the vertical direction of the camera body 12. The dimension in the front-rear direction (thickness direction) is a thin shape that is shorter than the dimension in the width direction.
[0015]
A photographic lens 14 is disposed at the upper right front portion of the camera body 12, and a finder window 16 is formed above the photographic lens 14. For example, a single focus lens of F = 35 mm is used as the photographing lens 14, and a CCD (imaging device) (not shown) is disposed behind the photographing lens 14.
[0016]
In FIG. 1, a grip portion 18 is formed in the vertical direction on the left side of the camera body 12 so that the photographer can hold the camera body 12 by gripping the grip portion 18 with the right hand.
[0017]
The strobe 20 is provided above the grip portion 18, that is, at the upper left corner of the front surface of the camera body 12, and is disposed at a position where the strobe 20 is not hidden by the right hand of the photographer who holds the grip portion 18. Further, in order to prevent the index finger of the right hand holding the grip 18 from touching the strobe, a protrusion 22 is formed on the left edge of the strobe 20 in FIG. A stroboscopic light control sensor 24 and a self-timer lamp 26 are juxtaposed on the left side of the photographic lens 14.
[0018]
On the upper surface of the camera body 12, a shutter button 28 for instructing start of imaging and a liquid crystal display panel 30 are provided. A strobe key 32 and a macro key 34 are arranged on the side of the liquid crystal display panel 30. The shutter button 28 is configured in a two-stage manner, and the AF and AE are locked when the automatic focusing (AF) and automatic exposure control (AE) are activated in a “half-pressed” state in which the shutter button 28 is lightly pressed and stopped. Imaging is executed in a state of “full press” where the “half press” is further pressed.
[0019]
The liquid crystal display panel 30 displays information related to the state of the camera 10 with a built-in game, an imaging mode, and the like. Information such as recording image quality display and pixel number display is displayed.
[0020]
The strobe key 32 is a setting key that causes the strobe to emit light or prohibits light emission according to the shooting situation. Each time the strobe key 32 is pressed, the strobe setting changes from “auto flash” → “red-eye reduction” → “ There are four types of switching: “Forced flash” → “Prohibit flash”. The setting contents of the flash selected with the flash key 32 are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 30.
[0021]
The macro key 34 is a key for setting the short-distance imaging mode, and when the macro key 34 is pressed, a short-distance shooting up to about 9 to 50 cm can be performed.
[0022]
On the right side of the camera in FIG. 1, a holder 36 for inserting smart media (not shown) corresponding to a recording medium is provided. In the game built-in camera 10 according to the present embodiment, smart media (image memory card) is used as a medium for recording image data. However, the form of the recording medium is not limited to this, and a PC card or flash memory is used. Various forms having a card shape such as a card, an IC card, a floppy disk, and a magneto-optical disk (MO) are possible. In addition, a smart medium in which a game program is recorded is also inserted into the holder 36.
[0023]
The holder 36 is arranged with the longitudinal direction of the insertion slot 36A oriented in the vertical direction so that smart media can be inserted and removed along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the photographic lens 14. Further, a cover 38 for covering the insertion port 36A is provided at the insertion port 36A so as to be opened and closed via a hinge mechanism. When the cover 38 is closed, the cover 38 is held closed by the engagement claw 39, and when the knob 40 is slid downward in FIG. 1, the engagement claw 39 is unlocked and the cover 38 is opened.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, a power input terminal 42, an image output terminal 44, and a digital input / output terminal 46 are juxtaposed on the left side of the holder 36 from the top.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera with a built-in game 10 shown in FIG. 1, and is a view in which the rear surface in the imaging mode is viewed from the front. A liquid crystal monitor (display means) 50 is disposed on the rear surface of the camera body 12, and the captured image 50A of FIG. 2 or the game image 50B of FIG. 3 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a power switch 52, a mode dial (switching means) 54, a cross key 56, a finder 58, and the like are provided on the rear surface of the camera body 12.
[0026]
The liquid crystal monitor 50 displays an image captured by the CCD, a reproduced image read from the smart media, or a game image 50B read from the smart media on which a game program is recorded. As the liquid crystal monitor 50, for example, a 2-inch low-temperature polysilicon liquid crystal monitor is used. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal monitor 50 is disposed in the lower left part of the back of the camera, avoiding the grip portion 18, and from the left along the upper side of the liquid crystal monitor 50, the custom key 60, the display key 62, the power switch 52, and Menu / execution keys 64 are sequentially arranged in a horizontal row.
[0027]
The mode dial 54 and the cross key 56 are provided at the upper right corner of the back of the camera, that is, at the position where the thumb of the right hand holding the grip 18 in FIG. The dial operation unit including the mode dial 54 and the cross key 56 has a double structure in which a ring member 68 corresponding to the mode dial 54 is disposed on the outer periphery of the button member 66 corresponding to the cross key 56. Is rotatable in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in FIG.
[0028]
The mode dial 54 is an operation member that changes the function (mode) of the camera depending on the setting position of the dial. For example, the mode dial 54 is arranged in the circumferential direction within the range of about half a circle (on the left half side in FIG. 2) “SETUP”, “self-timer”, “manual shooting”, “auto shooting”, “playback”, “erase (ERASE)”, “image protection (protect)”, “computer (PC) connection”, and Symbols or characters indicating nine stages of “G” indicating the game mode are sequentially formed.
[0029]
The mode setting is performed by rotating the mode dial 54 clockwise or counterclockwise in FIG. 2 so that a symbol or a character representing a desired function is matched with the index 70 among the nine modes. . That is, by switching the symbol “G” indicating the game mode to the index 70, the imaging mode can be switched to the game mode. Note that a small protrusion row is formed in an embossed shape as a non-slip 71 when the mode dial 54 is rotated on the remaining half of the upper surface of the mode dial 54 (on the right half side in FIG. 2).
[0030]
The button member 66 of the cross key 56 is formed with triangular marks 72 indicating operation directions in four directions that are perpendicular to the top, bottom, left, and right. When one of these triangular marks 72 is pressed in the vicinity of one of the marks, the button member 66 is tilted in that direction, and instructions in the corresponding four directions (up, down, right, left) can be input. The cross key 56 is used as an operation key for selecting various setting items in the imaging mode and instructing to change the setting contents, and for adjusting the magnification of the electronic zoom, instructing to move the zoom center, and sending / returning the playback frame. Used as a pointing member.
[0031]
In the game mode, the cross key 56 is used as an operation key for moving a movement target image such as a character in four directions, up, down, left, and right. Further, an A button 78 and a B button 80 used in the game mode are juxtaposed on the right side of the cross key 56 in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of the back surface of the camera body 12 in the game mode, that is, a state in which the camera body 12 is inverted up and down with respect to the back surface of the camera body 12 in the imaging mode of FIG. In the state of FIG. 3, the cross key 56 is located at a position where it can be operated with the thumb of the left hand of the game operator holding the camera body 12, and the A button 78 and B button 80 can be operated with the thumb of the right hand of the operator. It is located in the position. The A button 78 and the B button 80 do not function in the imaging mode, but function as launch buttons such as missiles in the case of a battle type game when the mode is changed to the game mode.
[0032]
On the back surface of the camera body 12 in FIG. 2, a small protrusion row corresponding to the finger placement portion 73 is formed in an embossed shape in a region between the mode dial 54 and the power switch 52.
[0033]
A sign 74 shown on the right side of the finder 58 is a finder lamp. The finder lamp 74 is lit, blinks, or turned off in three colors of green, orange, and red according to the state of the camera. In FIG. 2, a strap attaching portion 75 is provided at the uppermost portion of the right side surface of the camera. Further, a battery cover 76 is provided on the bottom surface of the camera below the grip 18 so as to be freely opened and closed. When the battery cover 76 is slid in the right direction in FIG. 2, a locking mechanism (not shown) of the battery cover 76 is released, and the battery cover 76 is opened downward in FIG. A battery is loaded by inserting a substantially cylindrical battery (not shown) vertically along the grip 18 from the bottom side of the camera, and closing the battery cover 76 in the reverse order of opening. Although not shown, an adjustment dial and a tripod screw hole for adjusting the brightness of the liquid crystal monitor 50 are provided on the bottom surface of the camera.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit unit of the camera with a built-in game 10, and mainly includes an image signal processing unit 82, an imaging unit 84, and a display unit 86.
[0035]
The image signal processing unit 82 includes a CPU 88 that performs overall control of the game-incorporated camera 10. The CPU 88 is activated when power is supplied from the power supply unit 90. The image signal processing unit 82 includes an operation button switching unit 92, a ROM (Read On-ly Memory) 94, an image inversion unit 96, and a memory 98. When the mode dial 54 sets the game mode “G”, the operation button switching unit 92 changes the specification of the cross key 56 from the imaging mode to the game mode. Further, a predetermined game program is recorded in the ROM 94 in advance, and this program is read by the CPU 88 in the game mode and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50 of the display unit 86 as a game image 50B. The image inversion unit 96 inverts the game image 50 </ b> B displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50 up and down with respect to the captured image 50 </ b> A (see FIG. 2). The memory 98 stores image data captured by the imaging unit 84. Is used in the imaging mode.
[0036]
The game built-in camera 10 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 100. In the RAM 100, a game program downloaded from a recording medium such as a smart medium 102 in which a game program is recorded via the interface 104 is installed. The installed game program is read by the CPU 88 in the game mode and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50 as a game image 50B. The imaging unit 84 includes a CCD 106 and an analog processing circuit 108, and these CCD 106 and analog processing circuit 108 are controlled based on a timing signal output from the timing signal generation circuit 110. The interface 104 is shared with an interface that outputs image data to a smart medium for recording an image captured by the CCD 106, and the number of interfaces is reduced.
[0037]
Next, an example of a shooting operation in the shooting mode of the camera with built-in game 10 will be described.
[0038]
When the photographer holds the grip portion 18 of the camera body 12 with the right hand, slides the power switch 52 in FIG. 2 in the right direction and releases the finger, an opening screen is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50.
[0039]
Subsequently, the mode dial 54 is turned to the desired mode. For example, when the mode dial 54 is set to “SETUP”, a setup screen is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50. The photographer operates the up / down keys of the cross key 56 to select an item to be changed from the setup screen, and changes the setting contents with the left / right keys to input a desired setting.
[0040]
When the manual shooting mode is set, an image captured by the camera is confirmed on the liquid crystal monitor 50, and whether or not to record the image on the smart media is selected. In this state, when the menu / execution key 64 is pressed, various setting items are displayed, the item is selected with the left / right key of the cross key 56, the setting content is changed with the up / down key, and then left / right is selected. Confirm the setting with the key.
[0041]
In addition, when the display key 62 is pressed in the manual shooting mode, a moving image before shooting is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50. When the photographer determines the composition while viewing this display, obtains the desired composition, and presses the shutter button 28 halfway, the camera automatically adjusts the focus and exposure. Thereafter, when the shutter button 28 is fully pressed, a preview image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50. When the image data of the preview image is not recorded on the smart media, the through key is restored by pressing the down key of the cross key 56. On the other hand, when the image data displayed on the preview image is recorded on the smart media, the menu / execution key 64 is pressed. The above is an example of the shooting operation in the shooting mode of the camera 10 with a built-in game.
[0042]
Next, the procedure for switching the game built-in camera 10 to the game mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0043]
First, the photographer reverses the camera body 12 as shown in FIG. 3, holds the grip portion 18 of the camera body 12 with his left hand, and turns the mode dial 54 to set the game mode “G”. Then, the power switch 52 is slid leftward to power on the game built-in camera 10 (step (S) 200).
[0044]
At this time, since the game built-in camera 10 has already been switched to the game mode “G” (S210), the CPU 88 checks whether the smart media 102 is inserted in the holder 36 (S220). If the game mode “G” is not switched, that is, in the imaging mode, normal camera operation is performed (S230).
[0045]
If the smart media 102 is inserted in the holder 36, it is confirmed whether or not the smart media 102 is the smart media 102 in which the game program is recorded (S240). In the case of the smart media 102 in which the game program is recorded, the game program is downloaded and installed in the RAM 100 (S250).
[0046]
Thereafter, the CPU 88 reads out the game program installed in the RAM 100, inverts the image by the image inversion unit 96 (S260), displays the game image 50B on the liquid crystal monitor 50, and operates the operation button switching unit. The specification of the cross key 56 is switched to the game mode by 92 (S270). Then, the A button 78 and the B button 80 are switched to be operable. Thus, a game using the cross key 56, the A button 78, and the B button 80 is started while viewing the game image 50B displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50 (S280).
[0047]
On the other hand, when the smart media 102 inserted into the holder 36 is not the smart media 102 in which the game program is recorded, the CPU 88 reads out the game program recorded in advance in the ROM 94 (S290). The game is started via S260 and S270 (S280).
[0048]
As described above, the camera with a built-in game 10 according to the present embodiment incorporates a ROM 94 and a RAM 100 in which a game program is recorded in the camera body 12, and when the mode dial 54 is used to switch to the game mode “G”, The recorded game program was read by the CPU 88 and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50 as a game image, and the CPU 88 switched the cross key 56 to a game operation button. Thereby, since the game can be enjoyed by operating the cross key 56 and the like, the entertainment is enhanced, and the cross key 56 which is a part of the operation button of the camera can also be used as the game operation button. Can be used effectively.
[0049]
In the game camera 10, the cross key 56 is disposed at a position where it can be operated with the thumb of the right hand of the user holding the camera body 12 in the imaging mode. Since the cross key 56 is used as an operation key for instructing selection of various setting items of the camera and change of setting contents, the thumb of the right hand is easier to operate than the thumb of the left hand of the user.
[0050]
In the game mode, the game image 50B displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50 is flipped up and down by the image flip unit 96, and the camera body 12 is flipped up and down to operate the cross key 56 with the thumb of the left hand. As a result, the operation of the cross key 56 in the game mode is facilitated.
[0051]
In the present embodiment, both the ROM 94 and the RAM 100 are built in the game built-in camera 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and only one of them may be built. Further, if a ROM 94 having a large capacity is applied, various types of game programs can be recorded. When selecting a game, a circuit may be configured so that all game titles are displayed in a list on the liquid crystal monitor 50 and can be selected and executed by other buttons. Furthermore, the game program recorded in the smart media 102 may be directly read out and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50.
[0052]
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the game built-in camera 150 according to the second embodiment, and shows a front view of the rear surface of the camera body 152 in the shooting mode. The camera main body 152 of the camera 150 shown in the figure is formed in a horizontally long shape, and the liquid crystal monitor 50 is disposed at a slightly lower left position on the back of the camera main body 152. In addition, a mode dial 54 and a cross key 56 are disposed at the upper right position on the back of the camera body 152, and an A button 78 and a B button 80 are juxtaposed above the liquid crystal monitor 50.
[0053]
FIG. 7 shows a front view of the back surface of the camera body 152 in the game mode. That is, when the game built-in camera 150 is also set to the game mode “G” with the mode dial 54 in the same manner as the game built-in camera 10 shown in FIG. It is operated with the thumb of the left hand of the game operator holding 152.
[0054]
FIG. 8 is a diagram in which two game built-in cameras 150 are connected by a serial cable 154 and a battle-type game is implemented using the two game built-in cameras 150. The two game built-in cameras 150 and 150 are connected by cables 154 via the respective digital input / output terminals 46, and image data of the game program stored or installed in the game built-in camera 150 on one side is stored in the cable 154. To the other camera-in-camera 150 side and displayed as a game image on the liquid crystal monitor 50 of the other game-internal camera 150. In addition, an operation signal from the cross key 56 of the other game built-in camera 150 can be transmitted to the one game built-in camera 150 side via the cable 154, and the two liquid crystal monitors 50 can be viewed to play the game simultaneously. It is configured to be able to.
[0055]
The digital input / output terminal 46 is a terminal for connecting the game built-in camera 150 and the personal computer via a cable in the imaging mode, but when the game mode “G” is set by the mode dial 54, the competitive game Is switched to a terminal for connecting the cable 154 for executing the battle game.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the camera with a built-in game according to the present invention includes a storage unit in which a game program is recorded in the camera body, or an interface for inputting a game program recorded in an external recording medium, and an imaging mode. Switching means for switching between the game mode and the game mode is provided. When the switching mode is switched to the game mode, the game program recorded in the storage unit or the external recording medium is read out by the control means and displayed as a game image on the display means. Since the operation buttons are switched to the game operation buttons by the control means, the entertainment is enhanced, and the camera operation buttons can also be used as the game operation buttons, so various operations arranged on the camera body The button can be used effectively.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a camera with a built-in game according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera with a built-in game shown in FIG. 1 in the imaging mode.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the game built-in camera shown in FIG. 1 in the game mode.
4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the game built-in camera shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for setting the camera with a built-in game shown in FIG. 1 to a game mode.
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the camera with a built-in game according to the second embodiment in an imaging mode.
7 is a rear view of the camera with a built-in game shown in FIG. 6 in the game mode.
8 is a diagram in which a battle game is implemented with the game built-in camera of FIG. 6;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Camera with built-in game, 12 ... Camera body, 14 ... Shooting lens, 18 ... Grip part, 50 ... Liquid crystal monitor, 54 ... Mode dial, 56 ... Cross key, 78 ... A button, 80 ... B button, 88 ... CPU, 94 ... ROM, 100 ... RAM

Claims (2)

In a camera having an imaging means, a display means for displaying an image captured by the imaging means, and a plurality of operation buttons for operating the camera,
An interface for inputting a game program recorded in a storage unit in which the game program is recorded or an external recording medium;
Switching means for switching the camera use mode to the imaging mode or the game mode, and when the switching means is switched to the game mode, the game program recorded in the storage unit or the external recording medium is read and the game is displayed on the display means. And a control means for displaying a game image and switching a part of the operation button to a game operation button ,
The display means and a part of the operation button are arranged at predetermined positions on the back of the camera body, and the part of the operation button is a thumb of the right hand of the user who holds the camera body in the imaging mode. Has a cross key arranged at a position where it can be operated with,
In the game mode, the control means inverts the top and bottom of the game image displayed on the display means so that the cross key can be operated with the thumb of the left hand of the user holding the camera body. Built-in camera.   The game built-in camera according to claim 1, wherein the interface of the game built-in camera is shared with an interface for outputting image data to an external image recording medium for recording an image picked up by the image pickup means. camera.

Images