JP2000171860A - Finder device for camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily visually confirm both the presentation of information by liquid crystal and a object even in a dark place by providing a main area consisting of plural sub areas and a light transmitting member for presenting the information by setting the sub area being one part of plural sub areas to a light transmissive state when light is radiated. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a light transmitting member capable of switching between the transmissive state where the light is transmitted and a diffused state where the light is diffused in order to present information, and an irradiation means (LED) irradiating the light transmitting member with light. Furthermore, it is provided with the main area consisting of plural sub areas (short distance correction area 52 and panoramic upper frame area 53) in order to present the information. When light is radiated from the LED, the information is presented by setting the sub area 52 being one part of plural sub areas 52 and 53 to the light transmissive state. Therefore, since the light is radiated by the LED, the information is surely discriminated. Besides, the sub area 52 being one part of the light transmitting members consisting of plural sub areas 52 and 53 is set to the light transmissive state, so that a shiny range is reduced and a situation that the object is difficult to be seen is prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera finder mainly using a polymer dispersed liquid crystal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a camera finder device which uses a liquid crystal display device using a polarizing plate as a camera finder device and displays various information in the finder. In the case of this liquid crystal display device, an electric potential is applied to a segment relating to predetermined information so as to prevent light from passing therethrough, and predetermined information is presented by being displayed in black when a photographer looks into the finder. However, in the case of shooting in a dark place, there is a problem in that the information displayed on the liquid crystal device is difficult to see because the object itself visually recognized in the viewfinder is dark.

In order to solve such a problem, a camera finder device using a polymer dispersed liquid crystal display device is known (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-313973). In general, when no voltage is applied, liquid crystal molecules are randomly arranged in a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display device, and exhibit a cloudy appearance when white light is incident. On the other hand, when voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged in the direction of the electric field, so that incident light is transmitted and a transparent appearance is exhibited. When this polymer-dispersed liquid crystal is used in a finder device of a camera, for example, in the case of shooting in a dark place, by turning on a light emitting source in the finder, a white turbid portion to present information is illuminated and a dark background is displayed. It looks bright and raised.

[0004]

However, if the illuminated cloudy portion covers a wide range, there is a problem that the subject becomes difficult to see because of the contrast. For example,
In a camera capable of switching between a normal screen and a panoramic screen, when a panoramic screen frame is displayed on a liquid crystal display even in a viewfinder, a cloudy portion covers a wide area. In such a case, if you take a panoramic shot in a dark place,
If the light source is not turned on, the panoramic screen frame display in the viewfinder is difficult to see, and even if the light source is turned on, the subject becomes difficult to see.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera finder device in which both information presentation by a liquid crystal or the like and a subject can be easily viewed even in a dark place.

[0006]

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
The present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a light transmitting member 11 to 13 capable of switching between a transmitting state for transmitting light and a diffusing state for diffusing light for presenting information; The light transmitting member 11 is applied to a finder device of a camera having an irradiating means 14 for irradiating the transmitting members 11 to 13 with light.
13 are a plurality of sub-areas 5 for presenting one piece of information.
It has a main region consisting of 2 and 53 (collectively 52 and 53 is referred to as a main region), and when the irradiation means 14 irradiates light, some sub-regions 52 of the plurality of sub-regions 52 and 53 One information is presented in a light transmitting state. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the finder device for a camera according to the first aspect, a photometry means for photometry of subject brightness is provided.
2, and the light transmitting members 11 to 13 are
When the light is irradiated by the irradiating means 14, the photometric means 42
Sub-regions 5 according to the subject luminance measured by
It is determined whether or not some of the sub-regions 52 of 2 and 53 are to be in a light transmitting state. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the finder device for a camera according to the first or second aspect, the irradiation means 14 is a light source 14 provided in the finder device. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the camera finder device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the one information area 52, 53 is an area for defining a finder visual field. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the camera finder device according to the fourth aspect, a part of the sub-region 52 is shared with the region 52 for correcting the view of the finder at the time of short-distance shooting. The following invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 18 showing the embodiment. According to the invention of claim 6, the light transmitting members 11 to 13 are capable of switching between a transmitting state in which light is transmitted and a diffusing state in which light is diffused for presenting information, and light is transmitted to the light transmitting members 11 to 13. The light transmitting member 1 is applied to a finder device of a camera having an irradiating means 14 for irradiating.
A main area 54a (or 53a or 52a) composed of a plurality of sub-areas 54b and 54c (or 53b, 53c or 52b and 52c) having different light transmittances in a diffused state for presenting one piece of information. Is provided. The present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 showing the embodiments. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, light is transmitted to light transmitting members 11 to 13 which can switch between a transmission state in which light is transmitted and a diffusion state in which light is diffused for presenting information. Irradiating means 14 for irradiating, and photometric means 42 for measuring the luminance of the object
The light transmitting members 11 to 13 include a main area including a plurality of sub-areas 52 and 53 (together, the main area is referred to as a main area) in order to present one piece of information. ), And irrespective of the irradiation of light by the irradiation unit 14, some of the plurality of sub-regions 52 and 53 are made to be in a light transmitting state in accordance with the subject luminance measured by the photometry unit 42. One type of information is presented.

In the section of the means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the description is made in correspondence with the drawings of the embodiments for easy understanding, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a plan sectional view of a real image type finder device (hereinafter simply referred to as a finder device) of a camera according to the present invention. The finder device includes an objective optical system 20 including objective lenses 21 to 24, a prism 25, and an aperture 26, and an eyepiece optical system 30 including a roof prism 31, and an eyepiece 32.
And a display unit 10 arranged between the two optical systems 20 and 30. The light passing through the objective optical system 20 forms an image on the display unit 10.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the display unit 10 in detail. The display unit 10 includes a display element 11 made of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal, two transparent glass plates 12 and 13 sandwiching the display element 11, and an LED 14 provided on the side of the glass plates 12 and 13. And a field frame plate 15.
The LED 14 is a light source that illuminates the display element 11. The field frame plate 15 has an opening 16 in the center, and only light passing through the opening 16 is guided to the eyepiece side. The camera according to the present embodiment is capable of shooting on two types of screens, a normal screen (9:16 aspect ratio) and a panoramic screen (1: 3 aspect ratio). In the finder device, two kinds of visual fields are displayed as described later. The field frame plate 15 defines a field frame corresponding to the normal screen.
Since the display element 11 is a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, the LED 1
When the LED light is irradiated from 4, the LED light is scattered in the diffusion portion, and the diffused portion appears to shine when looking through the finder device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a camera provided with the finder device according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 41 denotes a control device that controls the display of the display unit 10 and controls the entire camera, and includes a microprocessor (CPU) and peripheral circuits. Reference numeral 42 denotes a photometric device that measures the luminance of the subject, and is composed of CdS or the like. 43
Denotes an autofocus device, and outputs a signal to the control device 41 as to whether or not to perform a short-distance shooting in the present embodiment. Reference numeral 44 denotes a mode selector for selecting a normal shooting mode or a panoramic shooting mode, and a signal of the selected mode is output to the control device 41. The photographer selects a photographing mode by operating an operation member (not shown) of the mode selector 44. By selecting a shooting mode by the mode selector 44, shooting mode information is recorded in a predetermined area on the film at the time of shooting. A driving circuit 45 drives the display unit 10, and is controlled by the control device 41. Reference numeral 46 denotes a switch for turning on / off the main power supply of the camera. Reference numeral 47 denotes a switch for instructing the photographer whether to turn on an LED 14 described later. The LED 14 is connected to the control device 41 and is controlled to be turned on and off (turned on and off) by the control device 41.

Reference numeral 48 denotes a battery for supplying power to the entire camera. The battery 48 is connected to an A / D conversion port (not shown) of the control device so that the battery voltage can be measured. 49 is a flash (flash device). 50
A half-press switch 51 is turned on when a shutter release button (not shown) is pressed halfway, and a full-press switch 51 is turned on when the shutter release button is fully pressed.

FIG. 4 shows the state of the field of view when the finder device is viewed through the eyepiece lens 32 when the subject brightness is equal to or more than a certain value (for example, shooting outdoors in the daytime) in the panoramic shooting mode. . 51 is a panorama shooting area,
52 is a short distance correction area, 53 is a panoramic upper frame area, 54
Is a lower frame area of the panorama, 55 is a target mark at the time of distance measurement, and 56 is an area shielded by the field frame plate 15.
Each of the above regions (except 56) or the target mark region is also called a segment in the display unit 10, and transparent electrodes (segment electrodes) are provided on the glass plates 12 and 13 corresponding to each region, and a voltage is applied. The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display element 11 of the present embodiment is transparent (light transmitting state) when energized (voltage applied) and opaque (opaque state, diffused state) when not energized (voltage not applied) in each segment. It is a display element. In FIG. 4, the panoramic photographing area 51 is energized and transparent, and the short-distance correction area 52, the panoramic upper frame area 53, and the panoramic lower frame area 5
4. The target mark 55 is opaque due to no power supply. Since the region 56 is shielded from light by the field frame plate 15, the region 56 is always shielded from light, that is, in an opaque state. Therefore, in the finder device, the subject can be seen through the range of the panoramic visual field frame corresponding to the panoramic shooting screen, and the shaded portion looks black.

FIG. 5 shows the state of the visual field when the finder device is viewed through the eyepiece 32 in the normal photographing mode. The panorama shooting area 51, the short distance correction area 52, the panorama upper frame area 53, and the panorama lower frame area 54 are transparent when energized, and only the target mark 55 is opaque when not energized. The region 56 is the field frame plate 1
5, the light is always shielded, that is, in an opaque state. Therefore, in the finder device, the subject can be seen through the opening range of the field frame plate 15 corresponding to the normal photographing screen. The portion shielded from light by the field frame plate 15 looks black.

FIG. 6 shows the state of the field of view when the finder device is viewed through the eyepiece lens 32 when short-range correction is performed in the normal photographing mode. Panoramic shooting area 51,
The upper panorama frame area 53 and the lower panorama frame area 54 are transparent when energized, and the short distance correction area 52 and the target mark 55 are opaque when non-energized.
Since the region 56 is shielded from light by the field frame plate 15, the region 56 is always shielded from light, that is, in an opaque state. The short-distance correction area 52 is used for correcting parallax of the photographing optical system and the finder optical system in the finder device at the time of short-distance photographing, and shields light in a non-energized state. Therefore, in the finder device, the subject can be seen through the range in which the parallax has been corrected by the short distance correction area 52 corresponding to the normal shooting screen. The portion shielded by the short distance correction area 52 and the field frame plate 15 looks black. This short distance correction area 52 is also used and shared as a panorama frame in panorama shooting at high luminance of the subject as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows the state of the field of view when the finder device is viewed through the eyepiece lens 32 when the subject brightness is equal to or less than a certain value (for example, shooting in a night scene or a dim place) in the panoramic shooting mode. I have. Panorama shooting area 51
The short-range correction region 52 is transparent when energized, and the upper panorama region 53, the lower panorama region 54, and the target mark 55 are opaque when non-energized. Since the region 56 is shielded from light by the field frame plate 15, the region 56 is always shielded from light, that is, in an opaque state. In this state, the LED 14 in FIG. 1 is lit. Therefore, the panoramic upper frame area 53, the panoramic lower frame area 54, and the target mark 55 are illuminated by the light of the LED 14 and appear to shine. In FIG. 7, the panoramic upper frame area 5
3. Panorama lower frame area 54 and target mark 55
Is shown in a white figure, which shows a state of glowing. The panoramic photographing area 51 and the short distance correction area 52 are transparent and are not accurately represented in FIG. 7, but are dim.

In FIG. 7, the reason why the LED 14 is turned on is that when the LED 14 is not turned on, the panoramic upper frame area 53, the panoramic lower frame area 54, and the target mark 55 become opaque in a non-energized state. This is because the field of view is dark, that is, the panorama shooting area 51 is dark, so that the boundaries between the panorama upper and lower frame areas 53 and 54 are difficult to recognize, and the target mark 55 is difficult to see.
By turning on the LED 14, the panoramic upper frame area 53, the panoramic lower frame area 54, and the target mark 55 appear shining in a dimly illuminated scene, which facilitates recognition.

On the other hand, the reason why the short-distance correction area 52 is made transparent is that, if the area which is illuminated on the contrary covers a wide range, the dim object becomes difficult to see due to the relationship of contrast. That is, it is to reduce the area that shines so as to make the subject as easy to see as possible while securing the minimum information such as the boundary of panoramic photography and the target mark 55. The short-distance correction area 52 is in a transparent state so that the object scene can be seen through, but since the object field itself is dim, there is no inconvenience for the photographer.

Further, in this embodiment, only the short distance correction area 52 corresponding to the upper half of the panoramic field frame is made transparent, and the lower part of the panoramic field frame is made transparent without any particular division. Absent. This is to achieve a cost reduction by sharing a portion where the segment is already divided for another purpose (purpose for short distance correction) in the present embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to divide the segment only for the purpose of reducing the illumination area. Even if only the short-distance correction area 52 is made transparent as in the present embodiment, the subject can be easily recognized as compared with the case where it is illuminated and illuminated, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for controlling the drive of the display unit 10 by the control device 41 of FIG. 8 is started when the main switch 46 of the camera is turned on or a shutter release button (not shown) is half-pressed. In step S1, the mode selector 4
4 determines whether the normal shooting mode or the panoramic shooting mode is selected. If it is determined that the panorama shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S2, where the panorama shooting area 51 of the display unit 10 is turned on (energized), and the short distance correction area 52, the panorama upper frame area 53, and the panorama lower frame area 54 are controlled. , The target mark 55 is turned off (de-energized). As a result, the display unit 10 has the display shown in FIG.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S3, wherein it is determined whether or not the switch 47 is turned on. If the switch 47 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined whether the brightness of the subject is lower or higher than a predetermined reference value based on the output result of the photometric device 42. If it is determined in step S4 that the subject brightness is low, the short distance correction area 52 is turned on in step S5,
In step S6, the LED 14 is turned on, and the process ends.
As a result, the display unit 10 is in the state of FIG.

If it is determined in step S4 that the brightness of the subject is high, step S5 is skipped, the process proceeds to step S6, the LED 14 is turned on, and the process ends. As a result, since the display unit 10 is in the state of FIG. 4 and the LED 14 is lit, the short distance correction area 52 and the panoramic upper frame area 5
3. Panorama lower frame area 54 and target mark 55 are L
The ED 14 is illuminated and illuminated. However, since the brightness of the subject is high, there is no particular problem in the visibility of the subject.

If it is determined in step S3 that the switch 47 is off, the flow advances to step S7 to determine whether the brightness of the subject is lower or higher than a predetermined reference value based on the output result of the photometric device 42. If it is determined in step S7 that the subject brightness is high, the process proceeds to step S8, where the LED 14 is turned off and the process ends. That is, when the switch 47 is turned off and the subject brightness is high, the LED 14
The process is terminated without turning on. As a result, the display unit 10 remains in the state of FIG.

If it is determined in step S7 that the brightness of the subject is low, the process proceeds to step S5 in the same manner as in step S4, turning on the short distance correction area 52, and LE in step S6.
D14 is turned on and the process ends. As a result, the display unit 10 enters the state of FIG. 7 as in the case where the switch 47 is turned on and the subject brightness is low.

In steps S4 and S7, when the brightness of the subject is low, it means that the image is taken in a night scene or a dim place. The criterion value is that the short distance correction area 52 is turned on and off while the LED 14 is on. The influence on the visibility of the subject when the image is exposed is determined and set based on experimental results and experience.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the camera is in the normal photographing mode, the process proceeds to step S9, in which the panoramic photographing area 51, the short distance correction area 52, the panoramic upper frame area 53, and the panoramic lower frame area 54 are turned on, and the target mark is set. 5
5 is turned off. As a result, the display unit 10 shown in FIG.
Is displayed. Next, in step S10, the automatic focusing device 43
Is determined based on the signal from the camera. If it is determined that the shooting is a close-up shooting, the process proceeds to step S11, and the short-range correction area 52 is turned off. As a result, the display unit 10 has the display shown in FIG.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S12, wherein the switch 47
It is determined whether or not is turned on. If the switch 47 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S6, where the LED 14 is turned on and the process ends. As a result, since the display unit 10 is in the state of FIG. 6 and the LED 14 is lit, the short distance correction area 52 and the target mark 55
It is illuminated and lit. If it is determined in step S12 that the switch 47 has not been turned on, the process proceeds to step S8.
Then, the LED 14 is turned off to end the processing.

If it is determined in step S10 that the photographing is not a short-distance photographing, step S11 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S12 with the display of FIG. Switch 4 in step S12
7 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S6, the LED 14 is turned on, and only the target mark 55 is
14 illuminates. If it is determined in step S12 that the switch 47 has not been turned on, the process proceeds to step S8, where the LED 14 is turned off and the process ends.

Although the process is terminated in the above-mentioned flowchart, strictly speaking, the main switch 46
While certain conditions are satisfied, such as while the shutter release switch is on or a shutter release switch (not shown) is half-pressed, the process returns to step S1 to repeat the processing.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when the switch 47 is turned on according to the photographer's intention, the LE is always set according to the photographer's intention even if the subject brightness is high.
D14 is turned on. In addition, switch 4
Even when 7 is not turned on, the LED 14 is turned on when the subject brightness is low.

Second Embodiment A second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the segments of the display elements of the display unit 10. Display unit 10
Since the configuration diagram and the block diagram of the camera are the same as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the first embodiment, their description is omitted. Hereinafter, only the display state of the display unit 10 will be described.

FIG. 9 shows the state of the field of view when the finder device is viewed through the eyepiece lens 32 when the brightness of the subject is equal to or higher than a certain value in the panoramic shooting mode (for example, shooting outdoors in the daytime). . 61 is a panorama shooting area,
62 and 63 are panoramic upper frame areas, 64 and 65 are panoramic lower frame areas, 66 is a target mark at the time of distance measurement, and 67 is an area shielded by the field frame plate 15. The difference from the first embodiment is that there is no short distance correction area 52 and the panoramic upper frame areas 62 and 63 and the panoramic lower frame areas 64 and 6 are different.
5 are each divided into two parts, and the division shape is a comb shape or a hatching shape as shown in the figure.

FIG. 10 shows the state of the field of view when the finder device is viewed through the eyepiece lens 32 when the subject brightness is equal to or less than a certain value (for example, shooting in a night scene or a dim place) in the panoramic shooting mode. I have. Panorama shooting area 6
1. Upper panoramic frame region upper portion 63 and lower panoramic frame region region 65 are transparent when energized, and lower panoramic frame region 62, upper panoramic lower frame region 64, and target mark 66 are opaque when energized. ing. Area 5
Numeral 6 is always in a light-shielded state, that is, in an opaque state because it is shielded from light by the field frame plate 15. In this state, the LED 14 in FIG. 1 is lit. Accordingly, the lower part 62 of the upper panorama area, the upper part 64 of the lower panorama area, and the target mark 66 are illuminated by the light of the LED 14 and appear to shine.

Compared to FIG. 7 of the first embodiment, the panorama lower frame is also divided into halves and the lower side is turned on to make it transparent, so that the shining part is reduced and the dim object can be more easily recognized. Become. Moreover, since the shape of the segments is comb-shaped or hatched, even if the upper panoramic frame region upper portion 63 and the lower panoramic frame region lower portion 65 become transparent when energized, the panoramic upper frame region lower portion 62, upper portion 63,
Also, the function as the panorama frame hardly deteriorates as compared with the case where the upper and lower portions 64 and 65 of the panorama lower frame region are all turned off and become non-transparent.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the field frame plate 11 is not used and the normal photographing field frame and the panoramic photographing field frame are all the display elements. This is represented by segment on / off. The sectional plan view of the finder device, the configuration diagram of the display unit 10, and the block diagram of the camera are shown in FIGS.
Are not provided except that they are not provided, and the description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, only the display state of the display unit 10 will be described.

FIG. 11 shows the state of the field of view when the finder device is viewed through the eyepiece lens 32 when the subject brightness is equal to or higher than a certain value (for example, shooting outdoors in the daytime) in the panoramic shooting mode. . 71 is a panorama photographing area, 72 is an upper part of the panoramic upper frame area, 73 is a lower part of the panoramic upper frame area, 74 is a lower part of the panoramic lower frame area, 75 is an upper part of the panoramic lower frame area, 76 is outside the normal frame area, and 77 is a normal frame area. An inner upper portion, 78 is a lower portion inside the normal frame region, 79 is a left portion inside the normal frame region, 80 is a right portion inside the normal frame region, and 81 is a target mark at the time of distance measurement. In FIG. 11, the panoramic photographing area 71 is energized and transparent, and the upper part of the panoramic frame area 72, the lower part of the panoramic upper frame area 73, the lower part of the panoramic lower frame area 74, the upper part of the panoramic lower frame area 75,
Normal frame area outside 76, normal frame area inner upper part 77, normal frame area inner lower part 78, normal frame area inner left part 79, normal frame area inner right part 80, and target mark 81 for distance measurement
Is de-energized and becomes opaque. Therefore, in the finder device, the subject can be seen through the range of the panoramic visual field frame corresponding to the panoramic photographing screen, and the opaque portion that is shielded looks black.

FIG. 12 shows the state of the visual field when the finder device is viewed through the eyepiece 32 in the normal photographing mode. The panoramic photographing area 71, the upper panoramic frame area 72, the lower panoramic frame area 73, the lower panoramic frame area 74, and the upper panoramic lower frame area 75 are energized and transparent, and the normal frame area outside 76, the normal frame area Inside upper 7
7, normal frame area inner lower part 78, normal frame area inner left part 7
9, the normal frame area inner right portion 80 and the target mark 81 at the time of distance measurement are de-energized and are opaque. Therefore, in the finder device, the subject can be viewed through the range of the normal field frame corresponding to the normal shooting screen,
Opaque parts that are shaded appear black.

FIG. 13 shows the state of the visual field when the finder device is viewed through the eyepiece lens 32 when the subject brightness is equal to or less than a certain value (for example, shooting in a night scene or a dark place) in the normal shooting mode. I have. Panoramic shooting area 71,
Panoramic upper frame area upper part 72, panoramic upper frame area lower part 7
3. The lower part of the panoramic lower frame area 74, the upper part of the panoramic lower frame area 75 and the outer part 76 of the normal frame area are energized and transparent, and the upper part 77 of the normal frame area and the lower part 7 of the normal frame area
8, normal frame area inner left part 79, normal frame area inner right part 8
0 and the target mark 81 are de-energized and are opaque. In this state, the LED 14 in FIG. 1 is lit. Therefore, the normal frame area inner upper part 77, the normal frame area inner lower part 78, the normal frame area inner left part 79, the normal frame area inner right part 80, and the target mark 81 are LED1
It is illuminated by the light of No. 4 and looks shiny. In FIG. 13, the transparent portion is in a dim state because the object field is dim.

In this way, even in the dimly lit state in the normal photographing mode, the boundary of the normal field of view is made easy to see, and the dim subject is prevented from being difficult to see. Normally, the outside 76 of the frame area is in a transparent state so that the object scene can be seen through, but since the object scene itself is dim, there is no inconvenience for the photographer.

FIG. 14 shows the state of the field of view when the finder device is viewed through the eyepiece lens 32 when the subject brightness is equal to or less than a certain value (for example, shooting in a night view or a dim place) in the panoramic shooting mode. I have. Panorama shooting area 7
1, upper panoramic frame region upper portion 72, lower panoramic frame region lower portion 74, normal frame region outer side 76, normal frame region inner upper portion 77,
Normally, the lower part 78 inside the frame area is energized and transparent,
Panoramic upper frame area lower part 73, panoramic lower frame area upper part 75
The normal frame region inner left portion 79, the normal frame region inner right portion 80, and the target mark 81 are de-energized and are opaque. In this state, the LED 14 in FIG. 1 is lit. Therefore, the lower part 73 of the upper panorama area, the upper part 75 of the lower panorama area, the left part 79 inside the normal frame area, the right part 80 inside the normal frame area, and the target mark 81 are illuminated by the light of the LED 14 and appear to shine. In FIG. 14, the transparent portion is in a dim state because the object field is dim.

The configuration of the display segments of the display unit 10 is significantly different from that of the first embodiment, and the flow chart for controlling the drive of the display unit 10 by the control device 41 in FIG. 3 is also different. However, since the basic concept is the same, the description of the control flow in the fourth embodiment will be omitted.

In this manner, even in the dimly lit shooting in the panorama shooting mode, similarly to the first embodiment, the boundary of the panoramic visual field is made easy to see, and the dimly lit subject is prevented from being difficult to see. I have. In the third embodiment, compared to the first embodiment,
The illuminated area is reduced, and the dim object becomes more visible, and the left and right boundaries of the panoramic frame are also clear. In addition, the same effect as in the panoramic shooting mode can be obtained in the normal shooting mode.

-Fourth Embodiment- In a fourth embodiment, the present invention is applied to a target mark at the time of distance measurement. In the fourth embodiment,
Only the configuration of the segment of the target mark of the display element of the display unit 10 is different from that of the first embodiment.
The configuration diagram and the block diagram of the camera are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Also,
In the fourth embodiment, it is assumed that the LED 14 is lit for a certain time regardless of whether the brightness of the subject is bright or dark.

FIG. 15 shows the state of the field of view when the finder device is viewed through the eyepiece lens 32 when the subject brightness is equal to or higher than a certain value (for example, shooting outdoors in the daytime) in the normal shooting mode. . Reference numeral 91 denotes a target mark at the time of distance measurement, and 92 denotes an area shielded by the field frame plate 15. In FIG. 15, the target mark 91 is opaque when not energized, and the other area is transparent when energized. The LED 14 has not yet been turned on and the target mark 91 appears dark. In this state, the LED 14 is turned on for a certain time. FIG. 16 shows a state of the target mark 91 when the LED 14 is turned on. The target mark 91 becomes lit. Target mark 91
Is further composed of a region 93 and a region 94. When the subject luminance is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, both the region 93 and the region 94 are turned on. Thereby, even if the object scene is bright, the illuminated range is widened and it is easy to see.

FIG. 17 shows the target mark 91 when the subject brightness is equal to or less than a certain value (for example, shooting in a night scene or a dim place) in the normal shooting mode. Similarly LED
14 lights for a fixed time. FIG. 17 shows target mark 9
1 shows a state in which the LED 1 is illuminated and illuminated by the LED 14. When the subject brightness is equal to or less than a certain value, only the area 94 of the target mark 91 is turned on to reduce the amount of light.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when the subject brightness is high, the target mark 91 is more easily seen, and when the subject brightness is low, the target mark 91 is not too conspicuous.

Fifth Embodiment FIG. 18 shows a finder device according to the fifth embodiment when the subject brightness is equal to or higher than a certain value (for example, shooting outdoors in the daytime) in the panoramic shooting mode. Eyepiece 3
2 shows the state of the field of view when peeping from No. 2.

FIG. 18 shows a case where the short distance correction area 52, panoramic upper frame area 53, and panoramic lower frame area 54 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Pattern). As shown in FIG. 18, each segment 52a, 53a,
54a is composed of one straight line and a plurality of points,
The boundary is clarified by a straight line, and the shining range is reduced by a plurality of points as compared with the solid shape. That is,
Each segment 52a, 53a, 54a is composed of linear pattern areas 52c, 53c, 54c and point pattern areas 52b, 53b, 54b having different light transmittances. The transmittance can be further adjusted by adjusting the density of the points in the point pattern areas 52b, 53b, 54b. The higher the density of points, the lower the average light transmittance in the area, and the lower the density of points, the higher the average light transmittance in the area.

Each segment 52a, 53 of the display element 11
Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the configurations of a and 54a are different, other descriptions are omitted.

In the first embodiment, the LED 14
Although the short-distance correction area 52 is turned on to make it transparent at the time of lighting, the short-distance correction area 52 need not be turned on and made transparent in this embodiment. Each segment 52a, 5
The pattern areas 52c, 53c, and 54c of the portions 3a and 54a that are in contact with the normal field of view and the panoramic field of view have low average transmittance patterns, and the areas 52b and 53 that are not in contact with each other.
Since the patterns b and 54b have a high average transmittance, the boundary between the LED 14 and the field of view becomes clear when the LED 14 is turned on, and even if each segment is illuminated by the LED 14 and shines, the degree of shine is smaller than the solid shape. Because it becomes. This is because it has already been prevented that a dim subject becomes difficult to see.

Each segment 52a, 53a, 54
The pattern shape (pattern) a need not be limited to the contents shown in FIG. Hatching (diagonal lines) instead of point patterns
A shape pattern may be used. Further, the pattern of the portion that is in contact with the normal field of view or the panoramic field of view may be a pattern with a high density of dots or hatching (low transmittance), and the non-contact portion may be a pattern of a low density (high transmittance). . This also makes it easier to see the boundary of the panoramic visual field when the LED 14 is turned on, and also makes it possible to prevent a dim subject from becoming difficult to see.

Sixth Embodiment In the first embodiment, the LED 14 is automatically turned on when the brightness of the subject is low, even if the switch 47 is turned off. However, in the sixth embodiment, when the photographer selects the lighting of the LED 14 by the switch 47, the LED is always turned on, and when the light is turned off, the LED 14 is always turned off regardless of the brightness of the subject. is there. However, the selection of the segment display is performed in accordance with the subject luminance and the shooting distance as in the first embodiment. Since the control flow of FIG. 8 is different from that of the first embodiment, the description of the other configurations and the like will be omitted.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are flow charts in which the control device 41 in the sixth embodiment controls the drive of the display unit 10. Each process is a multi-task process, and both tasks are repeatedly performed at fixed time intervals depending on whether the main switch 46 of the camera is turned on or a shutter release button (not shown) is half-pressed. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a task for controlling the on / off of each segment of the display unit 10. FIG.
14 is a flowchart of a task for controlling turning on and off of No. 14;

The flowchart of FIG. 19 is different from the flowchart of FIG. 8 of the first embodiment in that the switches 47 and L
With the steps related to ED14 removed,
Steps having the same functions as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

First, in step S1, the mode selector 4
4 determines whether the normal shooting mode or the panoramic shooting mode is selected. If it is determined that the panorama shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S2, where the panorama shooting area 51 of the display unit 10 is turned on (energized), and the short distance correction area 52, the panorama upper frame area 53, and the panorama lower frame area 54 are controlled. , The target mark 55 is turned off (de-energized). As a result, the display unit 10 has the display shown in FIG.

Next, proceeding to step S4, it is determined whether the brightness of the subject is lower or higher than a predetermined reference value based on the output result of the photometric device 42. If it is determined in step S4 that the subject brightness is low, the short distance correction area 52 is turned on in step S5, and the process ends. As a result, the display unit 10 is
From the state described above, the short distance correction area 52 becomes transparent. If it is determined in step S4 that the brightness of the subject is high, the process ends. As a result, the display unit 10 remains in the state of FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the mode is the normal photographing mode, the process proceeds to step S9, in which the panoramic photographing region 51, the short distance correction region 52, the panoramic upper frame region 53, and the panoramic lower frame region 54 are turned on, and the target mark is set. 5
5 is turned off. As a result, the display unit 10 shown in FIG.
Is displayed. Next, in step S10, the automatic focusing device 43
Is determined based on the signal from the camera. If it is determined that the shooting is a close-up shooting, the process proceeds to step S11, and the short-range correction area 52 is turned off. As a result, the display unit 10 has the display shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S10 that the shooting is not a close-up shooting, the process ends with the display of FIG.

The flowchart of FIG. 20 is different from the flowchart of FIG. 8 of the first embodiment in that the switches 47 and L
Extracted steps related to ED14,
Steps having the same functions as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

When this routine is started, first, it is determined in a step S3 whether or not the switch 47 is turned on. If the switch 47 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S6, where the LED 14 is turned on and the process ends. If it is determined in step S3 that the switch 47 is off, the process proceeds to step S8, where the LED 14 is turned off and the process ends.

As described above, the LED 14 is turned on and off only in response to the operation of the switch 47 by the photographer.
The segment display is selected according to the brightness of the subject and the shooting distance regardless of whether the LED 14 is on or off. Thus, when the photographer turns on the switch 47, the LED 14 is turned on.
Even if is turned on, if the brightness of the subject is low, the shining area is reduced while securing the minimum information such as the boundary of the panorama shooting and the target mark 55 as in the first embodiment. The subject is not difficult to see. On the other hand, since the light emission of the LED 14 and the selection of the segment display are controlled independently, this is possible when the photographer does not want to turn on the LED 14 to save the battery regardless of the luminance of the subject. Further, since the control of the segment display and the control of the LED are independently performed by different tasks, the creation of the program is simplified.

In the first to sixth embodiments,
Although the display element 11 is illuminated by the LED 14, the illuminating means for illuminating the display element 11 is an LED.
It is not necessary to limit to. Other light sources may be used, or external light may be applied in a structure that guides external light.

[0061]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the light is emitted by the irradiating means, one piece of information can be reliably identified, and at this time, some of the sub-regions of the light transmitting member including a plurality of sub-regions are in a light-transmitting state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the illuminated range from being reduced and the subject from being difficult to see. According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether or not some of the plurality of sub-regions are to be in the light transmitting state in accordance with the subject brightness, so that the subject is difficult to see when the subject brightness is low. Can be prevented. Claim 3
According to the invention, since the light transmitting member is illuminated by the light source provided in the finder device, the illumination timing,
Setting of brightness, color and the like becomes easy. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the present invention is particularly effective because the present invention is applied to an area for defining a finder visual field. That is, the region for defining the finder field of view is illuminated over a fairly wide range unless some of the sub-regions are in a light transmitting state, so that the subject is difficult to see. However, this can be prevented by applying the present invention. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since some of the sub-regions to be in the light transmitting state are shared with the region for correcting the view of the finder at the time of short-distance shooting, the segment for making the light transmitting state is particularly used. There is no need to divide and prepare, and costs can be reduced. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the region for presenting one piece of information of the light transmitting member is constituted by the plurality of sub-regions having different light transmittances. The sub-region can be constituted by a sub-region, and a portion apart from the boundary portion can be constituted by another sub-region having high light transmittance. Thereby, when the light transmitting member is illuminated, the boundary portion can be clearly identified, and the degree of shining of the entire light transmitting member can be reduced, so that the subject can be prevented from being difficult to see. According to the invention of claim 7, some of the sub-regions of the light transmitting member composed of the plurality of sub-regions are made to be in the light transmitting state irrespective of the irradiation of the light by the irradiation unit. Thus, the light transmitting member can be controlled. This makes it possible, for example, when the photographer intends to save power such as a battery, by lightening the light source. It is possible to prevent the range in which the subject shines from being reliably reduced and the subject from being difficult to see. Furthermore, these control programs are simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan cross-sectional view of a real image type finder device of a camera according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display unit in detail in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a camera including a finder device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state of a field of view of a finder device when a subject luminance is equal to or more than a certain value in a panoramic shooting mode in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of a field of view of a finder device in a normal photographing mode in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of a field of view of a finder device when performing a short-distance correction in a normal photographing mode in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of a field of view of a finder device when a subject luminance is equal to or less than a certain value in a panoramic shooting mode in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart in the first embodiment in which the control device drives and controls the display unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state of a field of view of a finder device when a subject luminance is equal to or more than a certain value in a panoramic shooting mode according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state of a field of view of a finder device when a subject luminance is equal to or less than a certain value in a panoramic shooting mode in the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state of a field of view of a finder device when a subject luminance is equal to or more than a certain value in a panoramic shooting mode in a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state of a field of view of a finder device in a normal shooting mode according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state of a field of view of a finder device when a subject brightness is equal to or less than a certain value in a normal shooting mode in the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state of a field of view of a finder device when a subject brightness is equal to or less than a certain value in a panoramic shooting mode in a third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state of a field of view of a finder device when a subject brightness is equal to or more than a certain value in a normal shooting mode in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state of a target mark illuminated by an LED when the subject luminance is equal to or more than a certain value in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state of a target mark illuminated by an LED when the subject luminance is equal to or less than a certain value in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state of a field of view of a finder device when a subject luminance is equal to or more than a certain value in a panoramic shooting mode in a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart in the sixth embodiment, in which the control device controls on / off of each segment of the display unit.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart in the sixth embodiment, in which the control device controls turning on and off of the LED of the display unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 display unit 11 display element 12, 13 glass plate 14 LED 15 field frame plate 16 opening 20 objective optical system 21 to 24 objective lens 25 prism 26 aperture 30 eyepiece optical system 31 roof prism 32 eyepiece 41 controller 42 photometer 43 Auto focus device 44 Mode selector 45 Drive circuit 46, 47 Switch 51, 61, 71 Panorama shooting area 52 Short distance correction area 53 Panoramic upper frame area 54 Panoramic lower frame area 55, 66, 81, 91 Target mark 56, 92, 93 , 94 area 62, 73 panoramic upper frame area lower 63, 72 panoramic upper frame area upper 64, 75 panoramic lower frame area upper 65, 74 panoramic lower frame area lower 76 normal frame area outside 77 normal frame area inner upper 78 normal frame area Inside lower part 79 Normal frame area inside left 80 normal frame area inside the right part

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A light transmitting member capable of switching between a light transmitting state and a light diffusing state for presenting information, and an irradiating means for irradiating the light transmitting member with light. In the finder device for a camera, the light transmitting member has a main region including a plurality of sub-regions for presenting one piece of information, and the plurality of sub-regions are irradiated when light is irradiated by the irradiation unit. A viewfinder device for a camera, wherein one of the sub-regions is set in a light transmitting state to present the one piece of information. 2. The camera viewfinder device according to claim 1, further comprising: a light meter for measuring the brightness of the object, wherein the light transmitting member is measured by the light meter when the light is irradiated by the light. A finder device for a camera, which determines whether or not some of the plurality of sub-regions are to be in a light-transmitting state in accordance with the subject brightness. 3. The finder device for a camera according to claim 1, wherein said irradiating means is a light source provided in said finder device. 4. The camera finder device according to claim 1, wherein said one information area is an area for defining a finder field of view. 5. The camera viewfinder apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said partial sub-area is shared with an area for correcting the view of the viewfinder during short-distance shooting. 6. A light transmitting member capable of switching between a light transmitting state and a light diffusing state for presenting information, and an irradiating means for irradiating the light transmitting member with light. A finder device for a camera comprising: a finder device for a camera, wherein the light transmitting member has a main region for presenting one piece of information, which includes a plurality of sub-regions having different light transmittances in a diffused state. . 7. A light transmitting member capable of switching between a light transmitting state and a light diffusing state for presenting information, an irradiating means for irradiating the light transmitting member with light, A viewfinder device for a camera, comprising: a light meter that measures light of a subject; wherein the light transmitting member has a main region including a plurality of sub-regions for presenting one piece of information; A viewfinder for a camera, wherein one of the plurality of sub-regions is set in a light-transmitting state in accordance with an object luminance measured by the photometric unit to present the one piece of information. apparatus.