JP2000221582A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of contributing to power saving without damaging the operability, in the camera with a voice inputting means so that an operation can be executed in accordance with voice control instructions. SOLUTION: The camera with a voice control means 42 for controlling the desired operation based on the inputted voice control signal is provided with a detecting means 43 for detecting whether or not a preliminary operation for photographing is executed, and a control means 1 for controlling the voice control means 42 so as to start its control based on the detection results of the detecting means. Thus, the camera capable of surely displaying a prescribed function at need, and also suppressing the useless power consumption without damaging the operability, consequently, capable of contributing to power-saving can be provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera having audio control means for controlling a desired operation based on an input audio signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a camera for photographing, for example, an input voice is converted into a predetermined voice signal, and the input voice signal corresponds to a command signal representing a predetermined voice control command. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 64-5, for example, includes a voice input means capable of determining that a desired operation is performed in accordance with a command signal input by the voice input means.
Various proposals have been made by, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6428.

On the other hand, as a technical means for operating a camera by an audio signal in a conventional camera, there is a technique disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-316035. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 4-316035
The camera disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. H11-15795 repeatedly executes a ranging operation when taking a photograph, collects sound pressure data, and receives a sound pressure signal equal to or higher than a preset reference level. The AF operation is performed again, and the AF operation is performed.
Field based on the result (in the shooting screen of the viewfinder)
Is determined whether or not a desired photographing target is present, and based on the result of the determination, control is performed to permit an automatic photographing operation (auto release permission) or to prohibit the photographing operation (release prohibition). It is.

On the other hand, in recent years, a camera having an automatic focusing device (hereinafter, referred to as an AF device) has been widely used. In a camera having such an AF device, when performing an AF operation on a desired subject, the photographer performs a predetermined operation to perform A operation.
The F operation is started. And this AF
Until a predetermined process accompanying the operation is completed, a predetermined time is required for driving various arithmetic processes and a photographing optical system. This results in a slight time lag (time lag) from the point in time at which the photographer intends to take a picture.
May differ from the scene intended to be expressed, contrary to the photographer's intention.

In view of the above, various proposals have been made in the conventional camera as technical means for eliminating such a time lag, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-42639.

The automatic focusing system for a camera disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 64-42639 discloses a photographing operation in which a photographer grasps a holding portion of a camera and looks into a finder portion of the camera. There is provided a means for detecting a photographing preparatory operation performed prior to the operation, and control is performed so as to start an AF operation in accordance with an output of the detecting means.

[0007]

However, in a camera using the means disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-56428, for example, a camera is used in order to always receive a voice command. It is necessary to keep the power supply on at all times and to always operate the voice input means to wait for a voice to be input. This means that power is consumed even in a state where no photo is taken, that is, in a standby state,
This is a disadvantageous condition from the viewpoint of power saving of the camera.

[0008] As another problem, it is generally conceivable that a normal conversation is performed near the camera when the voice input means of the camera is in a standby state. In this case, a command to instruct the operation of the camera during a conversation (hereinafter referred to as a voice control command)
When a word corresponding to is issued, the voice input means of the camera may respond to the word. At this time, the camera performs an operation corresponding to the voice control command against the intention of the user, which is a problem.

On the other hand, the means disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-316035 or the like determines whether the auto release operation is permitted or the release operation is prohibited based on a preset reference sound pressure level. Is to be made. Therefore, irrespective of the subject or the like in the shooting screen, the camera is easily affected by the environment around the camera, and an unintended auto release operation may be performed.

Further, according to the means disclosed in the publication, when taking a photograph, it is necessary to repeatedly execute a distance measuring operation or the like for a predetermined period of time. It is considered that power consumption is required.

[0011] From this, the above-mentioned JP-A-4-31603
The means disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho.
As with the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 28-28, it can be said that this is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of power saving of the camera.

In various cameras which are generally put into practical use in recent years, for example, an automatic exposure adjusting operation (AE)
Various types of automation and multifunctionalization such as an operation), an automatic focus adjustment operation (AF operation), and an automatic film feeding operation are realized mainly by electronic technology. These various functions are realized by appropriately controlling various mechanisms and devices using various electric circuits and the like. Therefore,
In order to operate these various functions without any trouble, a predetermined drive power supply is required.

Further, in a general camera which is mainly taken out and used outdoors or the like, if the supply of power from a drive power supply built in its own body is cut off, various electric circuits and the like are used. The function stops and the camera does not operate. For these reasons, securing driving power in the camera is an important issue. At the same time, there is a demand for a device that suppresses wasteful power consumption as much as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a voice input means for identifying an input voice control command and responding to the control command. In a camera configured to perform a predetermined operation, a predetermined function can be reliably realized as needed, and unnecessary power consumption is suppressed without impairing operability, thereby contributing to power saving. Is to provide a camera that can do this.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to a first aspect of the present invention is a camera having a sound control means for controlling a desired operation based on an input sound control signal. Detecting means for detecting whether or not the operation has been performed, and control means for controlling whether or not to start the control by the voice control means according to the detection result of the detecting means. It is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first aspect, the state in which the photographer grasps the grasping portion of the camera and / or the state in which the photographer looks into the viewfinder of the camera is detected by the detecting means. Is configured to be detectable.

The camera according to a third aspect of the present invention includes audio input means for inputting an audio signal, and audio control means for controlling a predetermined operation based on the audio signal input by the audio input means. The voice input means operates only when a photographing preparatory operation is being performed.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. 1 and 2 show a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the camera viewed from the rear side. FIG. 2 shows an electrical internal configuration of the camera. It is a block block diagram.

The camera of this embodiment is a camera configured to execute a predetermined operation in response to a voice control command (voice command) of a photographer. As a voice control command in the present camera, for example, a zooming operation (hereinafter, referred to as a setting operation) for setting a desired photographing angle of view before photographing is performed.
[Zoom operation] [Zoom setting command]
[Emission mode setting command] for instructing the setting of the emission mode of the strobe device for emitting the auxiliary light when taking a picture, that is, the setting operation of the desired strobe emission mode
Is configured.

First, the outline of the structure of the operation members and the like provided on the exterior part of the camera of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. The external shape of the camera 200 is substantially the same as that of a conventional general camera, and a variable power optical system (zoom lens group) is provided at a substantially central portion on the front side thereof.
A zoom lens barrel 202 in which a plurality of optical lens groups such as a focusing optical system (focus lens group) and the like are disposed is provided facing the front surface, that is, the subject side.

A release button 32 is provided at one end of the upper surface of the camera 200, and a main operation member 45 is provided at the other end. The release button 32 is a part of an electric circuit inside the camera 200 by performing a two-step operation in the same manner as that applied to a conventional general camera, and instructs the start of a shooting operation. Release switch for generating a signal (not shown in FIG. 1).
1st. Release detection switches 33 and 2nd. Release detection switch 34. (See FIG. 2).

The main operation member 45 is provided by the camera 200.
Main operation member detection switch 4 which is the main power switch of
6 (see FIG. 2), and is configured by a slide operation member that switches the power supply state of the internal circuit of the camera 200 between an operation state (ON) and a non-operation state (OFF) by sliding. The form of the main operation member 45 is not limited to such a slide operation member, and a different form, for example, a push button type or a rotary operation type operation member may be used.

On the other hand, in the vicinity of the substantially central portion of the upper edge of the rear side of the camera 200, an optical finder section 204 which is an observation optical system or the like and which can observe a desired photographing range including a subject image is provided. It is arranged. In the vicinity of the optical viewfinder 204, a light emitting diode (LE) is located at a predetermined position on the left side when viewed from the back side of the camera 200.
D) A face sensor 205 including a 205a and a phototransistor 205b and the like, and a zoom operation button including a tele button 28 and a wide button 29 are arranged at a predetermined position on the right side when viewed from the rear side of the camera 200. .

The face sensor 205 comprises a pair of light emitting and receiving devices constituted by an LED 205a, a phototransistor 205b, and the like.
That is, by detecting a state in which the photographer is looking through the finder section, it serves as a detecting means for detecting a photographing preliminary operation by the photographer.

That is, the face sensor 205 has the following configuration. First, when the photographer is looking into the optical viewfinder 204, L
A predetermined light beam is emitted toward the back side of the camera 200 by the ED 205a. The light beam thus projected is reflected by the face of the photographer and enters the phototransistor 205b. As a result, a predetermined output signal is generated from the phototransistor 205b.

Then, the control means (see FIG. 2) for controlling the entire internal circuit of the camera 200 monitors changes in the output signal from the phototransistor 205b, so that the photographer looks into the optical viewfinder 204. State, that is, whether the camera 200 is performing a preparatory operation for a photographing operation using the camera 200 or a state where the camera 200 is placed on a desk or the like. I have.

The tele button 28 and the wide button 2
The zoom operation button 9 comprises a zoom detection switch 3
5 (see FIG. 2), an operation member for generating a zoom instruction signal for moving a zoom lens group disposed inside the zoom lens barrel 202 in a desired direction and setting a desired photographing magnification. is there. The tele button 28 of the zoom operation buttons generates a zoom instruction signal for zooming to the telephoto side, and the wide button 29 generates a zoom instruction signal for zooming to the wide angle (Wide) side. It is to let.

A hole 207 is provided at a predetermined position near one end of the upper edge on the back side of the camera 200, and a predetermined position inside the camera 200 corresponding to the hole 207 is provided. A microphone 4 constituting a part of voice input means for receiving a voice control command generated by a photographer and converting it into a predetermined electrical voice control signal
1 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIG. 2).

Further, on one side of the camera 200, when taking a picture, the photographer can use the camera 2 by himself / herself.
A grip portion 201 for gripping 00 is provided. At a predetermined position on the side surface of the grip portion 201,
A grip sensor 206 is provided.

The grip sensor 206 is constituted by a pair of electrode portions 206a and 206b and the like, and serves as detecting means for detecting a photographer's preparatory operation by detecting that the photographer has gripped the grip portion 201. You are. In this case, for example, the photographer
01 is not held, the electrode portions 206a and 20
6b is in an insulated state, while the photographer
01 is held in the electrode portion 206a.
Between 206b, it is comprised so that it may be in a conduction state through the palm of a photographer's hand. By detecting whether the grip sensor 206 is in the insulated state or in the conductive state, it is possible to determine whether or not the photographer is gripping the grip unit 201.

Next, a detailed configuration of an electric circuit and the like arranged inside the camera of the present embodiment will be described below. First, the entire electric circuit of the camera 200 is controlled by a control circuit 1 including a CPU and the like, and the entire operation sequence of the camera 200 is controlled by the control circuit 1. Various electric circuits described below are electrically connected to the control circuit 1.

That is, the control circuit 1 includes the main operation member 4
5, a main operation member detection switch 46, which is a main power switch for performing a switching control of the power state (on state or off state) of the camera 200, and a shooting operation in response to the operation of the release button 32. 1st. To generate a command signal (command signal to start execution of AE and AF operation, exposure operation, etc.) Release detection switches 33 and 2nd. A release switch including a release detection switch 34 and a zoom switch (not shown) including a tele switch and a wide switch that are energized (on) according to operation of a zoom operation button including a tele button 28 and a wide button 29. The zoom control switch 35 generates a zoom command signal for instructing a zoom operation, and a drive control signal transmitted from the control circuit 1 in response to the signal of the zoom detection switch 35. A zoom motor drive circuit 36 for receiving and controlling a zoom motor 38 and a zoom lens drive mechanism 39; a zoom lens position detection circuit 40 for detecting the position of the zoom lens group 37; and a photometric sensor 15 for receiving a light beam from the subject 9 Ambient light measurement that measures ambient light and outputs subject brightness information, etc. A photometric device comprising a circuit 14, etc., light-emitting diode (LED) light emitting element 10 and the light projecting lens 11 and the semiconductor position detecting device such as a (PS
D) and the like, and controls the light emission of the light projecting element 10 and calculates the distance to the subject 9 (hereinafter referred to as the subject distance) based on the light receiving position of the light receiving element 13. A distance measuring device including a distance circuit 8 and the like;
A focus motor drive circuit 20 for controlling the drive of the focus motor 22 and the focus lens drive mechanism 23 according to the distance measurement result by the distance measurement device, and a focus lens position detection circuit 2 for detecting the position of the focus lens group 21
5, a shutter control circuit 16 for controlling the drive of a shutter plunger 18 for driving a sector shutter 17
A sector position detection switch 19 for detecting whether the sector shutter 17 is set to an initial position, an open position, or the like, and a DX for reading DX code information and the like of the film cartridge 3.
A code input circuit 2, a film feeding circuit 4 for driving and controlling the film feeding motor 6 and the film feeding mechanism 7, a film feeding state detecting circuit 24 for detecting a feeding state (moving amount) of the film 5, A photographing preparatory operation detecting circuit 43 (to be described in detail later; see FIG. 3) for detecting a preliminary operation (hereinafter, referred to as a photographing preparatory operation) performed before the photographer performs photographing with the camera 200; An audio input circuit 42 that receives an output signal (analog audio signal) of the microphone 41 and performs predetermined processing (details will be described later; see FIG. 4), a strobe light emitting unit 27 that emits auxiliary light, and the strobe light emitting unit 27 And a strobe light emitting device including a strobe circuit 26 and the like for controlling the light emitting operation and accumulating (charging) the light emission charge.

It should be noted that a power supply battery (not shown) supplies necessary electric power to electric members such as the above-described various electric circuits and actuators as needed. In this case, power supply control to various electric circuits and the like by the power supply battery is performed by a power supply control circuit (not shown) controlled by the control circuit 1.

The release switch is operated for 1 second as described above.
t. Release detection switches 32 and 2nd. The release detection switch 34 includes two switch members and the like, and both switch members operate in conjunction with each other.

That is, 1st. Release detection switch 33
Generates a command signal for executing AE and AF operations performed prior to photographing among photographing operations in response to the first-stage operation of the release button 32 (so-called half-press operation). is there. In addition, 2nd. The release detection switch 34 is a second-stage operation of the release button 32, that is, an operation of pressing the release button 32 further from the first-stage operation. Is generated.

The ambient light measuring circuit 14 has a release button 3
2 output in response to the first-stage operation. The control circuit 1 is configured to receive an output signal of the release detection switch 33 and control the signal. In this case,
The photometric sensor 15 receives a light beam from the subject 9 and measures ambient light based on the amount of received light. At the same time, the obtained subject luminance information and the like are output to the control circuit 1. Then, the control circuit 1 receives this and calculates the photometric value at that time.

The luminous flux from the subject passes through the photographing optical system, enters the inside of the camera 200, and
The subject image is formed on the film 5 arranged at a predetermined position in the area 0. In this case, the camera 20
In order to adjust the amount of incident light of the subject light beam entering the inside of the lens 0, a sector shutter 17 which also serves as a stop means and a shutter means is provided at a predetermined position on the optical path of the subject light flux.

The drive of the sector shutter 17 is controlled by a shutter plunger 18.
2 is output in response to the operation of the second stage of 2nd. The output signal of the release detection switch 34 is received and controlled by the control circuit 1. With such a configuration, an operation of adjusting the incident light amount of the subject light beam and exposing the film 5 to an appropriate light amount, that is, a substantial exposure operation can be performed.

A distance measuring device including the light emitting / receiving elements 10, 13 and the distance measuring circuit 8 is a device for measuring the distance from the camera 200 to a desired subject 9 by using the so-called triangulation principle. The configuration is the same as that generally used in conventional cameras and the like. The distance measuring operation performed by the distance measuring device is as follows.

First, the control circuit 1 outputs the 1st. 1st output signal in response to the first-stage operation of the release button 32. When the output signal of the release detection switch 33 is received, the distance measuring device is controlled to start the distance measuring operation.

In this case, the control circuit 1 first controls the light emission of the light projecting element 10 via the distance measuring circuit 8 to emit a predetermined light beam toward the subject 9. Thereby, the light beam projected from the light projecting element 10 advances toward the subject 9 via the light projecting lens 11 and is reflected by the subject 9. This reflected light is collected by the light receiving lens 12,
The subject light beam is received by a light receiving element 13 such as a semiconductor position detecting device (PSD). The light receiving element 13 outputs the light receiving position information. In response to this, the distance measuring circuit 8 detects a signal corresponding to the distance from the camera 200 to the subject 9 and transmits the signal to the control circuit 1 as subject distance information. Then, based on the subject distance information, the control circuit 1
Calculates the in-focus position information at that time.

The focus lens drive mechanism 23 receives the rotational driving force of the focus motor 22 and moves the focus lens group 21 that is a focusing optical system that performs focus adjustment in the photographing optical system in a direction along the optical axis of the photographing optical system. It is configured to be movable.

That is, when the release button 32 is operated at the second stage, the 2nd. When a predetermined command signal is generated from the release detection switch 34, the control circuit 1
Calculates the in-focus position of the focus lens group 21 based on the distance measurement result (subject distance information) obtained by the distance measurement circuit 8, and outputs a predetermined focus instruction signal in accordance with the calculation result. Output to In response to this, the focus motor drive circuit 20 starts predetermined drive control of the focus motor 22. As a result, the focus lens group 21 moves in the optical axis direction by a predetermined amount via the focus lens driving mechanism 23, and is set to a focus position where the subject image is in focus on the image forming plane of the film 5. .

At this time, the control circuit 1 receives the detection signal from the focus lens position detection circuit 25 and detects the position information of the focus lens group 21 and the like. It is controlled to stop at the position.

On the other hand, the zoom lens driving mechanism 39 receives the rotational driving force of the zoom motor 38 and
Is movable in a direction along the optical axis of the photographing optical system. That is, the zoom operation button (28.2)
When a predetermined zoom instruction is given by operating 9), the zoom detection switch 35 outputs a tele instruction signal for instructing a zoom operation to the tele side or a wide instruction signal for instructing a zoom operation to the wide side. Output to 1.
Then, in response to this, the control circuit 1 outputs a predetermined zoom drive control signal to the zoom motor drive circuit 36. As a result, the zoom motor driving circuit 36
8 starts the predetermined drive control. Then, the zoom lens group 37 is driven via the zoom lens drive mechanism 39 in this manner, and moves by a predetermined amount to a position at which a photographing angle of view desired by the photographer is obtained.

At this time, the control circuit 1 receives the detection signal from the zoom lens position detection circuit 40 and detects the position information and the like of the zoom lens group 37.
Control is performed so that the camera stops at a position where the focal length (magnification) is to be set.

In the film cartridge 3,
A roll-shaped photo film 5 is wound and stored. DX code information formed by electrical contacts or the like is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the patrone 3.
The X code information and the like are electrically read by the DX code input circuit 2.

The film feed mechanism 7 is configured to receive the rotational driving force of the film feed motor 6 and feed the film 5 from the film cartridge 3. The feeding operation of the film 5 is performed by a feeding command signal from the control circuit 1 so that, for example, when one frame is wound up, a predetermined feeding amount corresponding to one frame is fed. In response to this, it is driven by a film feed motor 6 which is driven and controlled via a film feed circuit 4.

Then, the film feeding state detecting circuit 24
Is to detect a feeding state such as a feeding amount of the film 5 by counting perforations provided in the film 5, for example. The film movement amount (feed amount) information obtained by the film feeding state detection circuit 24 is transmitted to the control circuit 1, and based on this information, the control circuit 1 controls the film feeding motor 6 and the film feeding mechanism. 7
Is controlled so that the film 5 stops at a predetermined position.

Next, details of the photographing preliminary operation detecting circuit 43 will be described. FIG. 3 is a main block diagram showing only a preliminary shooting operation detection circuit and a control circuit of the present camera.

In a normal case, when a photographer intends to take a photograph using a camera, the camera body is first held by gripping the grip portion with its own hand, and then the face is held in that state. It is common practice to bring the camera close to the camera and make the user's own eye face the optical viewfinder 204. As a result, the photographer observes the subject image formed by the finder section with his / her own eyes and confirms the photographing information and the like displayed at a predetermined position inside the finder. In the present invention, such a series of operations is referred to as a photographing preliminary operation.

In the camera 200 according to the present embodiment, the photographer performs the pre-
Sensor 206 (a pair of electrode portions 206a and 206b, etc.) for detecting that the user has gripped the grip portion 201
A preliminary shooting operation detection circuit 43 comprising a face sensor 205 for detecting a state in which the face is brought close to the finder section.
This detects a preliminary operation (photographing preliminary operation) performed by the photographer prior to photographing.

The pre-shooting operation detecting circuit 43 for detecting the pre-shooting operation as described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. Grip sensor 206 in shooting preliminary operation detection circuit 43 of camera 200
Is constituted by the pair of electrode portions 206a and 206b as described above. One of the electrode portions 206a
Is connected to the port P3 of the control circuit 1 in a state of being pulled up by the resistor 300. Accordingly, when the grip section 201 is not gripped by the photographer, the state of the voltage level of the port P3 is High.

On the other hand, in a state where the photographer holds the grip portion 201, the pair of electrode portions 2 are held through the palm of the photographer.
06a and 206b become conductive, so that port P
3 is connected to the ground, and the voltage level in this case becomes Low. Therefore, the control circuit 1 can determine whether or not the photographer is in the state of gripping the grip section 201 by monitoring the displacement of the voltage level of the port P3.

The face sensor 205 in the preliminary shooting operation detecting circuit 43 of the camera 200 is composed of the LED 205a and the phototransistor 205b as described above.

In this configuration, the port P of the control circuit 1
The LED 205a emits light when a predetermined control signal (Low signal) for controlling the light emission of the LED 205a from 1 is transmitted. That is, the photographer brings his / her face close to the finder section, and
4, the light beam projected from the LED 205 a is reflected by the face of the photographer, and the reflected light beam enters the phototransistor 205 b. Then, the state of the voltage level of the port P2 changes from Low to High. Therefore, the control circuit 1 can determine whether or not the photographer is looking into the optical viewfinder 204 by monitoring the change in the voltage level of the port P2.

Next, details of the audio input circuit 42 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main part of the camera, in which only a voice input circuit and a voice input means including a microphone and a power control circuit are extracted and shown.

As shown in FIG. 4, the voice input circuit 42 is a voice control signal (analog signal) from the microphone 41.
An analog processing circuit 101 for performing predetermined processing on
An A / D conversion circuit 102 that converts a voice control signal, which has been subjected to predetermined processing by the analog processing circuit 101, into a digital signal, and performs a predetermined process on the voice control signal digitized by the A / D conversion circuit 102. A digital signal processing circuit 103 for performing processing, and a storage circuit 104 in which predetermined search index information for searching for an inputted voice control signal and a command code corresponding thereto are stored in advance.
And so on.

As described above, the voice of the photographer collected by the microphone 41 is converted into a voice signal by the microphone 41, and then output to the voice input circuit 42 as a voice signal. In response, the audio input circuit 42 performs the following processing.

That is, the input signal from the microphone 41 is subjected to a predetermined amplification process in the analog processing circuit 101, and then is output to the A / D conversion circuit 102.
The digital audio signal is converted by the / D conversion circuit 102.

The digital signal processing circuit 103 receives the audio signal digitized by the A / D conversion circuit 102 and converts it into a predetermined audio control signal, that is, a predetermined command code in a form that can be determined by the control circuit 1. After the conversion, this is transmitted to the control circuit 1. In response to this, the control circuit 1 also functions as a voice control unit by controlling a predetermined operation according to the voice command signal.

The processing executed in the digital signal processing circuit 103 will be specifically described as follows. That is, the digital signal processing circuit 103 retrieves the search index information stored in the storage circuit 104 in advance based on the input digital audio signal (A / D converted data (see Table 1) and the encoded digital signal). (Search for reference data (see Table 2).

At this time, the search heading information that matches the audio signal (digital signal) input to the digital signal processing circuit 103 via the microphone 41 and the like is stored in the storage circuit 10.
4, when it is confirmed that the command code exists in the storage circuit 104, the corresponding command code is read out from the storage circuit 104.
This is transmitted to the control circuit 1 as a voice command signal.

In response to this, the control circuit 1 controls a predetermined circuit based on an instruction by the voice command signal to perform a predetermined operation. Here, in the camera 200 of the present embodiment, the zoom operation and the setting operation of the strobe light emission mode can be instructed as described above.

In the camera 200, the above-described various circuits constituting the audio input circuit 42 are:
Necessary power is supplied from a power supply battery (not shown) via a power supply control circuit 105 controlled by the control circuit 1.

That is, upon receiving a command signal from the main operation member detection switch 46 which operates in response to the operation of the main operation member 45, the control circuit 1 instructs the power supply control circuit 105 to turn on the power supply. When a command signal is generated, predetermined power is supplied to each circuit. On the other hand, when a command signal to turn off the power state is generated, the supply of power to each circuit is stopped. It has become.

In general, when it is not necessary to control the operation by voice, for example, when the camera 200 is placed on a desk without taking a picture, the power consumption is reduced, that is, in consideration of power saving. It is desirable to control at least the power state of the voice input means 42 to be in the off state. For this reason, in the camera 200 of the present embodiment, the power supply to the respective circuits by the power supply control circuit 105 is stopped in such a situation, and in this state, the amount of power consumed by the camera 200 is almost zero. It is supposed to be.

The operation of the above-configured camera of the embodiment will be described below. 5, 6, 7, and 8 show the control circuit 1 in the camera 200.
5 is a flowchart showing the operation sequence of FIG.
6 shows a main sequence of the camera, FIG. 7 shows an operation sequence of a voice zoom process for performing a zoom operation by a voice control command, and FIG. 8 shows an operation sequence when a zoom operation by a normal operation is performed. I have. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence of the digital signal processing circuit 103, which shows an operation sequence when an audio processing operation is performed. When loaded (not shown), a predetermined power is supplied to the control circuit 1. In response to this, the control circuit 1 enters a so-called power-on reset state and starts its operation.

In this state, first, in step S1 shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit 1 controls the main operation member detection switch 46 (in FIG. 5, simply referred to as a main switch).
Is determined whether or not the command signal is ON. Here, when it is determined that the command signal of the main operation member detection switch 46 is on, the process proceeds to step S4, and when it is determined that the command signal is off, the following process is performed. Proceed to step S2.

In step S2, a subroutine for initialization processing is executed. In the initialization subroutine, processing for moving the lens barrel 202 to a predetermined position when the lens barrel is stored, such as the retracted position, is mainly executed. Then, step S
Proceed to step 3.

In step S3, the control circuit 1 enters a standby state of the main switch. In this case, the control circuit 1 is set to a state where only the state change of the main operation member detection switch 46 can be monitored, stops its own operation clock, and cuts off the supply of electric power to other various circuits. In this way, the operation state of each circuit is set to a low power consumption state (so-called energy saving state).

In this low power consumption state, the photographer performs a predetermined operation for turning on the main operation member 45 to generate a command signal indicating that the main operation member detection switch 46 indicates the on state. Then, in response to this, the control circuit 1 cancels the low power consumption state, starts power supply to each circuit of the camera 200, and controls so that a normal operation can be performed. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S4.

In step S4, the control circuit 1 monitors a signal from the film feeding state detecting circuit 24 to determine whether or not the initial winding operation of the film 5 (so-called idle feeding operation) is completed. Check if. Here, when it is confirmed that the initial hoisting operation is completed,
Proceed to step S6.

Here, a state in which the initial winding operation of the film 5 is not completed, for example, a state immediately after the film cartridge 3 is loaded into a predetermined position in the camera body and the back cover of the camera 200 is closed. If so, the process proceeds to step S5, and in this step S5, a subroutine (not shown in detail) of [idling] processing for executing a predetermined initial winding operation of the film 5 is performed. ), And confirms its completion, and then proceeds to step S
Proceed to step 6.

In step S6, the control circuit 1 monitors the signal from the strobe circuit 26 to confirm whether or not the charging operation of the main capacitor (not shown) in the strobe device is completed. . Here, when it is confirmed that the charging operation of the main capacitor is completed, the process proceeds to step S8.

If the charging operation of the main capacitor has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S7, and in this step S7, a subroutine of [strobe charging] process (details are not shown. After confirming the completion, the process proceeds to step S8.

Subsequently, in step S8, the control circuit 1
Is a process for determining whether or not the photographer's face is in a state close to the viewfinder of the camera 200, that is, whether or not the photographer is performing a preliminary photographing operation by performing a [face detection] process. Check.

Here, first, the control circuit 1 sets the port P2
By monitoring the state of the voltage level (see FIG. 3), the phototransistor 2 constituting the face sensor 205
Check the signal from 05b. In this case, if the voltage level of the port P2 is Low, it is determined that the photographer is not looking through the finder as described above, and the process proceeds to the next step S9.

Next, in step S9, the control circuit 1 executes a process of determining whether or not the photographer is gripping the grip portion 201 of the camera 200, that is, a [grip detection] process. It is confirmed whether or not the photographing preparatory operation is performed.

Here, first, the control circuit 1 controls the port P3
The signal from one electrode 206a of the grip sensor 206 is confirmed by monitoring the state of the voltage level (see FIG. 3). In this case, port P3
Is high, it is determined that the photographer is not holding the grip unit 201 as described above, and the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the control circuit 1
The power supply control circuit 105 is controlled to execute power supply cutoff processing for stopping supply of power to each circuit of the audio input circuit 42. As a result, the voice input circuit 42 does not respond even if the voice control command is issued. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the process in step S11.

On the other hand, in the above-described step S8, when the voltage level of the port P2 is confirmed to be High by the [face detection] process executed by the control circuit 1, in this case, the photographer is notified by the finder. It is determined that it is in the state of looking into the section, that is, in the state of performing the photographing preparatory operation, and the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S9 described above, the [grip detection] process executed by the control circuit 1
When it is confirmed that the voltage level of the port P3 is Low, in this case, it is determined that the photographer is gripping the grip portion 201, that is, in a state where the photographing preliminary operation is being performed, and It proceeds to the process of step S13.

As described above, when it is confirmed that the photographer is looking into the viewfinder or grips the grip portion 201, that is, it is confirmed that the photographer has performed the preliminary photographing operation. If so, the process proceeds to step S13.

Next, in step S13, the control circuit 1
Sends an instruction signal to the power supply control circuit 105 to start supplying power to various circuits constituting the audio input circuit 42. As a result, supply of predetermined power to various circuits of the audio input circuit 42 is started.

Subsequently, in step S14, the control circuit 1 executes a subroutine of [voice command input] processing. The process executed here is a process of taking in a voice command signal from the storage circuit 104 by the digital signal processing circuit 103 of the voice input circuit 42 as described above.

In the next step S15, the control circuit 1
Determines whether or not a predetermined valid voice control command (voice command) has been input based on the result of executing the [voice command input] process in step S14 described above. Here, when it is determined that a valid voice control command has not been input, for example, when the voice control command issued by the photographer is less than a predetermined time, or when the sound control command issued by For example, when the process is not performed, the process proceeds to step S11. If it is determined that the input voice control command is one of the preset voice control commands, the process proceeds to step S16.

At step S16, it is confirmed whether or not the input voice control command is a control command for instructing to change the setting of the strobe light emission mode to a desired mode (hereinafter referred to as a strobe mode control command). I do. Here, if it is confirmed that the command is a strobe mode control command, the process proceeds to the next step S17. Then, in the process of step S17, the control circuit 1 executes a subroutine of [strobe mode setting] process. As the strobe light emission mode that can be set in the [strobe mode setting] process, there are a low-luminance automatic light emission mode (auto mode) and a strobe light emission inhibition mode. Therefore, in the above-described step S17, a predetermined process is executed so as to set one of the auto mode and the strobe light emission inhibition mode to the strobe light emission mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the input voice control command is not a flash mode control command, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the control circuit 1 executes a subroutine of [audio zoom] processing for controlling to perform a predetermined zoom operation (zoom up operation or zoom down operation) based on the input audio control command.

Here, the subroutine of the [voice zoom] process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
This will be described below. As shown in FIG. 7, first, in step S4
It is checked whether the voice control command input in step 1 is a zoom-up command. If the command is a zoom-up command, the process proceeds to step S45. If it is confirmed that the command is not a zoom-up command, the process proceeds to the next step S42.

In step S42, it is confirmed whether or not the input voice control command is a zoom down command. If the command is a zoom-down command, the process proceeds to the next step S43. If it is confirmed that the command is not a zoom-down command, it is determined that the input is not a zoom operation command but noise or the like. Then, without performing the zoom operation, a series of [audio zoom] processes is completed, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 5 (return), and proceeds to the process of step S11.

In step S41 described above, it is confirmed that the input voice control command is a zoom-up command, and the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the currently set voice control command is set by the zoom lens position detection circuit 40. Zoom lens group 37 (see FIG. 2)
Is detected, and it is confirmed whether or not the detection result is the tele end position (end on the telephoto side). Here, if the tele end is confirmed, it is impossible to execute the zoom operation by the zoom up command, that is, the operation of moving the zoom lens group 37 further from the current position to the telephoto side. . Therefore, in this case, the series of sequences is terminated without doing anything, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 5 (return). Then, the process proceeds to step S11.

On the other hand, according to the result of the zoom position detection by the zoom lens position detection circuit 40, the zoom lens group 37 is detected.
If it is confirmed that the current location is not at the tele end,
The process proceeds to the next step S46, and this step S46
, The control circuit 1 controls the zoom motor 38 and the zoom lens drive mechanism 39 via the zoom motor drive circuit 36.
Is driven for a predetermined amount or for a predetermined time to perform a zoom-up operation of moving the zoom lens group 37 toward the telephoto direction, that is, toward the telephoto side. Thereafter, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 5 (return), and proceeds to the process of step S11.

Next, in the above-mentioned step S42, it is confirmed that the input voice control command is a zoom-down command, and when the process proceeds to step S43, the process proceeds to step S43 in the same manner as in the zoom-up operation. First, the position of the currently set zoom lens group 37 (see FIG. 2) is detected by the zoom lens position detection circuit 40, and as a result, it is confirmed whether or not the zoom lens group 37 is at the wide end (wide-angle end). . Here, if it is confirmed that the zoom lens is at the wide-angle end, it is impossible to execute the zoom operation by the zoom-down command, that is, the operation of moving the zoom lens group 37 from the current position toward the wide-angle side. . Therefore, in this case, the series of sequences is terminated without doing anything, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 5 (return). Then, the process proceeds to step S11.

On the other hand, according to the result of the zoom position detection by the zoom lens position detection circuit 40, the zoom lens group 37
If it is confirmed that the current position is not at the wide end, the process proceeds to the next step S44.
At 44, the control circuit 1 controls the zoom motor drive circuit 3
The zoom motor 38 and the zoom lens drive mechanism 39 are driven by a predetermined amount or a predetermined time via 6 to perform a zoom-down operation of moving the zoom lens group 37 in a wide direction, that is, toward a wider angle. Thereafter, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 5 (return), and proceeds to the process of step S11.

In steps S44 and S46 described above, the zoom motor 3 based on the voice control command is used.
The drive amount of No. 8 is limited to a predetermined amount.
That is, the driving of the zoom lens group 37 is controlled so that the movement amount of the zoom lens group 37 at this time becomes a small amount.

This is for the following reason. That is, in the case where the zoom operation is performed by the voice control command, first, the photographer utters a predetermined voice control command for performing the zoom operation, and the camera detects the voice control command, and performs predetermined arithmetic processing or the like. Is executed, the actual zoom operation is started.

In this case, for example, if the command to stop the zoom operation is also realized by the voice control command, it seems to be very troublesome for the photographer. In addition, even if another voice control command (in this case, a command to stop the zoom operation) is generated during the actual zoom operation, noise such as a motor driving sound due to the zoom operation that is already being performed is generated. In addition, there is a possibility that the recognition rate of a command (zoom stop command) that is continuously generated may be reduced.

On the other hand, in a conventional camera, a camera having a so-called electric zoom means for realizing a zoom operation using a driving means such as a motor has been put to practical use. In such conventional electric zoom means, for example, a zoom operation is performed by a predetermined operation member. In this case, if the drive control is performed so that the moving speed of the zoom lens group is prioritized, it becomes difficult to stop the zoom lens group at a desired position. On the other hand, if the drive control is performed so that the stop accuracy of the zoom lens group is prioritized, the time required to move the zoom lens group to reach a desired position becomes longer. there were.

On the other hand, in a camera in which a zoom operation is manually performed by using an operation member such as a manual operation ring or the like, a hand or a finger of a photographer holding a camera for taking a photograph always uses a zoom operation member. Since the camera is not at a position where the camera can be operated, it is difficult to immediately execute the zoom operation.

Therefore, in consideration of such a problem, in the present camera 200, a voice control command for performing a zoom operation is set, and when a corresponding voice control command is issued by the photographer, the camera responds. Thus, the zoom operation is performed for a predetermined amount or for a predetermined time.

That is, in the camera 200, as described above, the zoom operation buttons 28 and 29 are provided on the exterior surface, and the zoom detection switch 35 linked to the buttons is provided inside the camera body. Therefore, in addition to the zoom operation by the above-described voice control command, a desired zoom operation can be executed by the photographer arbitrarily manually operating the zoom operation buttons 28 and 29.

Therefore, when a large and quick zoom operation is desired, the user can manually operate the zoom operation buttons 28 and 29 to use the conventional electric zoom means to perform the speed-priority zoom operation. A similar zoom operation can be realized.

On the other hand, when the zoom operation is manually performed, the zoom operation cannot be stopped at a desired position, or when another operation is performed while holding the camera 200. By performing a zoom operation according to a voice control command, fine adjustment of a shooting angle of view can be performed, and a desired zoom operation can be performed without releasing a hand from another operation member or the like.

As described above, in the present camera 200, when performing a desired zoom operation, it is possible to selectively use a manual operation or a voice control command as necessary.

In the camera 200, the zoom operation by the voice control command is performed, for example, by moving the zoom lens group 37 by one voice control command in order to make the zoom operation suitable for fine adjustment of the angle of view. The drive control of the zoom operation is performed for a predetermined amount or for a predetermined time so that the amount becomes a predetermined amount. With such a setting, the camera 200 eliminates the above-described inconveniences and realizes good operability.

Returning to FIG. 5, in step S11, the power supply to the voice input circuit 42 is cut off in the process of step S10 as described above.
The zoom operation by the voice control command cannot be executed.

However, the control circuit 1 of the camera 200
Also in this state, by monitoring the state of the zoom detection switch 35, it is confirmed in step S11 whether or not the photographer has operated the zoom operation buttons 28 and 29. Here, if it is determined that neither of the zoom operation buttons 28 and 29 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S19 shown in FIG.

When the output signal from the zoom detection switch 35 is detected and it is confirmed that one of the zoom operation buttons 28 and 29 is operated, the process proceeds to step S12, and the process proceeds to step S12. At
A [zoom] processing subroutine is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S19 in FIG.

Here, the subroutine of the [zoom] process in step S12 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S51, the control circuit 1 checks whether or not the state of the tele switch of the zoom switches constituting the zoom detection switch 35 is on. Here, when it is confirmed that the teleswitch is in the ON state, the process proceeds to a step S55.

Next, in step S55, the control circuit 1 controls the driving of the zoom motor 38 and the zoom lens driving mechanism 39 via the zoom motor driving circuit 36. Thus, the zoom lens group 37 moves in the telephoto direction by a predetermined movement amount. Then, the process returns to the above-described step S51 to be in a standby state.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S51 that the tele switch is not in the ON state, the process proceeds to the next step S52, and the process proceeds to step S52.
At 52, the control circuit 1 similarly confirms whether or not the state of the wide switch among the zoom switches constituting the zoom detection switch 35 is on. Here, when it is confirmed that the wide switch is in the ON state, the process proceeds to the next step S53.

Next, in step S53, the control circuit 1 controls the driving of the zoom motor 38 and the zoom lens driving mechanism 39 via the zoom motor driving circuit 36 to move the zoom lens group 37 in the wide direction by a predetermined moving amount. Move. Then, the process returns to the above-described step S51 to be in a standby state.

If it is determined in step S52 that the wide switch is not turned on, for example, the zoom operation buttons 28 and 29 are not operated at all or the photographer Zoom operation button 28.2 being operated to end the zoom operation
It is probable that operation 9 was canceled. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to the next step S53.

In step S53, control circuit 1
After executing the process of stopping the drive control by the zoom motor drive circuit 36, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 5 (return), and proceeds to the next process of step S19 shown in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 6, in step S19, 1s
t. The state of the release detection switch 33 is confirmed. That is, it is to confirm whether or not the first-stage operation of the release button 32 has been performed and whether or not the release button 32 has been half-pressed. Where 1s
t. When it is confirmed that the release detection switch 33 is on, the process proceeds to the next step S20,
If it is determined that the switch is not in the ON state, the process returns to the above-described step S1 (FIG. 5) to enter the standby state, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

Subsequently, in step S20, the control circuit 1 controls the DX code input circuit 2 to execute a [DX code reading] processing subroutine. Here, [D
The X code reading] process is to read DX code information provided in the film cartridge 3 loaded inside the camera 200 to obtain information (for example, ISO sensitivity information) about a film stored inside the film cartridge 3. Etc.).

Next, in step S21, the control circuit 1 executes a [distance measurement] subroutine. Here, the [distance measurement] processing is a series of processing as follows. That is, first, the control circuit 1 operates the distance measuring circuit 8 to detect the subject distance, and controls the drive of the focus motor drive circuit 20 according to the subject distance information calculated based on the detection result. As a result, the drive of the focus motor 22 and the focus lens drive mechanism 23 is controlled, and the focus lens group 21 moves to a predetermined position (focus position) corresponding to the detected subject distance. When the [distance measurement] process is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S22.

During the execution of the [distance measurement] processing, the control circuit 1 refers to a signal from the focus lens position detection circuit 25 in order to surely stop the focus lens group 21 at a predetermined focus position. The stop timing is controlled.

Subsequently, in step S22, the control circuit 1 operates the ambient light measurement circuit 14 to execute a subroutine of [photometry] processing for detecting the luminance of the subject,
The process proceeds to step S23.

Then, in step S23, the control circuit 1 sets 2nd. The state of the release detection switch 34 is checked. That is, it is checked whether or not the release button 32 has been operated at the second stage and the release button 32 has been fully pressed. Here, 2nd. When it is confirmed that the release detection switch 33 is on, the process proceeds to the next step S24.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the switch is not in the ON state, the flow advances to step S30 to execute step S3.
In 1 again, 1st. Release detection switch 33
It is confirmed whether or not the state is ON. Here, if it is determined that the switch 33 is not in the ON state, that is, if it is determined that the operation of the release button 32 has been released, the process returns to the above-described step S1 (FIG. 5) to be in the standby state, and the subsequent steps are performed. Repeat the process. If it is determined that the on state of the switch 33 is maintained, the process returns to the above-described step S23, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

On the other hand, in step S23, 2
nd. After the on state of the release detection switch 34 is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S24.
In, the control circuit 1 executes a subroutine of [exposure] processing.

The [exposure] process is a series of processes described below. That is, first, the control circuit 1 drives and controls the shutter plunger 18 via the shutter control circuit 16 while checking the state of the sector position detection switch 19,
Thus, a predetermined opening / closing operation (exposure operation) of the sector shutter 17 is executed.

When the predetermined exposure operation on the film 5 is completed in this way, in the next step S25, the control circuit 1 executes a subroutine of [single frame winding] processing. This [one-frame winding up] process is as follows. That is,
The control circuit 1 controls the driving of the film feed motor 6 via the film feed circuit 4, and feeds the film 5 by one frame. Here, the control circuit 1 monitors the output signal of the film feeding state detecting circuit 24, and the feeding amount of the film 5 becomes a predetermined amount (for example, the feeding amount for one frame) based on the detection result. Control.

Next, in step S26, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not the current position of the film 5 has reached the film end as a result of the film winding operation in step S25 described above. Here, if it is determined that it is not the film end, the above-described step S1 (FIG. 5)
Then, the process returns to the step (1), and enters the standby state, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

If it is determined that the film has come to an end, the process proceeds to the next step S27, and in this step S27, the control circuit 1 executes a subroutine of the [rewind] process. Thereafter, when the [rewind] processing of the film 5 is completed, the next step S2
In step 8, the [initialize] processing subroutine is executed to initialize the state of the camera 200, and in step S29, the camera 200 waits for the film cartridge 3 to be reloaded at a predetermined position. Become. In this state, the state is not shifted to another state unless the film cartridge 3 is newly loaded.

Then, the reloading operation of the film cartridge 3 is performed, and the process returns to the above-described step S1 (FIG. 5), and the subsequent processes are repeated.

Next, the operation of the digital signal processing circuit 103 in the audio input circuit 42 will be described in detail below. As described above, the digital signal processing circuit 103
Transmits a command code corresponding to the audio signal that has been A / D converted and digitized in the A / D conversion circuit 102 to the control circuit 1.

A specific example is as follows. For example, when the photographer utters a voice control command “Strobe off”, the voice is converted into a predetermined voice signal in the microphone 41 and input to the voice input circuit 42. In the audio input circuit 42, the analog processing circuit 10
After predetermined processing is performed by the 1 · A / D conversion circuit 102, the signal is transmitted to the digital signal processing circuit 103.

Then, in the digital signal processing circuit 103, search index information (reference data) stored in advance in the storage circuit 104 is searched based on the input audio signal (encoded digital signal). here,
If there is search index information that matches the input audio signal, a command code corresponding to the information is read from the storage circuit 104 and transmitted to the control circuit 1.

By the way, in a normal case, various names are used for general camera functions by camera manufacturers, photographers who use the cameras, and the like.
More specifically, for example, the function “prohibit the emission of the auxiliary light by the flash device (flash device) at the time of the exposure operation at the time of taking a picture” is set to “flash off”,
It is expressed by various names such as "prohibition of flash", "flash off", "prohibition of flash", "no flash", and the like.

In order for the camera to execute a predetermined operation by using such a name as a voice control command, one name is unified as a voice control command for one function. It is desirable. With this configuration, the information stored in the storage circuit 104 in advance, that is, the command code, can correspond to one voice control command corresponding to one function. However, in this case, it is necessary to change the name that the photographer is accustomed to, and it is expected that the use of the camera will be hindered.

Therefore, in the camera 200, the above-mentioned problem is solved by associating a plurality of voice control commands with one command code.
That is, in the above-described example, the function “prohibit the emission of the auxiliary light by the flash device (flash device) at the time of the exposure operation at the time of photographing” is set to “strobe off”, “strobe prohibited”, A plurality of names or expressions meaning equivalent functions, such as "flash off", "flash off", and "no flash", can be identified as voice control commands.

In such a case, a specific example using the camera 200 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to Tables 1 and 2. In taking a photograph using the camera 200, consider a case where the photographer utters a voice control command, for example, “flash lock”.
In this case, first, the microphone 41 collects the voice control command “Flash Kinshi”, converts it into an electrical voice signal (analog signal), and transmits the signal to the voice input circuit 42.

In response, analog processing circuit 101
Is subjected to predetermined signal processing on the input audio signal, and is digitized in the A / D conversion circuit 102. The digital audio signal thus A / D converted is
According to Table 1, it is represented as "13A4178BH (H indicates a numerical value in hexadecimal)".

[0138]

[Table 1]

[Table 2] As shown in Table 2, the storage circuit 104 previously stores a voice signal (A / D conversion data) of a voice control command set in advance, that is, a command code corresponding to search index information (reference data). I have. Therefore, the digital signal processing circuit 103 sends the corresponding command code “00101” from the storage circuit 104 based on the input audio signal.
Read out.

As shown in Tables 1 and 2, the voice signal "1" representing the voice control command "Flash Kinshi" is displayed.
The command code corresponding to “3A4178BH” is “00101” as described above. On the other hand, in the present camera 200, the voice control command “flash strobe (08FA)
178BH) ”,“ Strobe off (08FA1CF0)
H) ”and“ flash off (13A41CF0H) ”, the command code is“ 00101 ”, so that any flash control command is generated, the flash device ( Prohibit the operation of emitting the auxiliary light by the flash device).

Here, the audio input circuit 4 of the camera 200
The operation sequence of [audio processing] executed by the digital signal processing circuit 103 in 2 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, in step S61, the digital signal processing circuit 103 waits for an audio signal input from the A / D conversion circuit 102. When the input is made, the process proceeds to the next step S62.

In step S62, the digital signal processing circuit 103 temporarily stores the input audio signal in a buffer memory or the like (not shown) provided therein, and in the next step S63, The subroutine of the [memory search] process is executed. The [memory search] process is an operation of searching for the search index information (reference data) stored in the storage circuit 104 from the input audio signal (A / D conversion data) as described above.

Then, in step S64, it is confirmed whether or not there is search index information matching the input audio signal. Here, when it is confirmed that there is no matching information, it is determined that the voice signal has been erroneously recognized, and the process returns to the above-described step S61.
The subsequent processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S64 that there is information matching the input audio signal, the flow advances to the next step S65, in which the command code reference Execute the subroutine of the process. [Refer to command code]
The process is an operation of reading out a command code corresponding to search index information (reference data) that matches the audio signal.

Subsequently, in step S66, a sub-routine of [command code transmission] processing is executed, and a predetermined command code read from the storage circuit 104 is transmitted to the control circuit 1. Thereafter, the above-described step S61
And the subsequent processing is repeated. Note that the digital audio processing circuit 103 repeats the above operation as long as power is supplied from the power supply control circuit 105.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, in a camera in which a predetermined operation of the camera is performed by a voice control command, an act of the photographer gripping the grip portion or an operation of the photographer in the finder portion. Detecting that a pre-shooting operation such as an act of peeping in has been performed,
Since the power supply to the voice input means is automatically performed, it is possible to easily contribute to power saving of the camera while maintaining good operability without hindering operability.

As means for performing a desired zoom operation, apart from means using a voice control command, there is provided a means for performing a normal manual operation. Since the operation is set to be performed, the amount of power consumed by the voice input unit can be suppressed, and the setting can be made so that the zoom operation by manual operation can be performed more quickly. Therefore, a more reliable zoom operation can be ensured by performing a normal zoom operation quickly by a manual operation, and performing a zoom operation by a voice control command when fine adjustment is required. As a result, it is possible to reliably set a desired angle of view (magnification) without requiring complicated operability.

In the above-described embodiment, “zoom operation” and “strobe mode setting operation” are described as examples of functions that can be executed by a voice control command among functions of the camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other operations that can be operated by operating an operation member provided in the camera, such as an exposure correction operation, a shutter speed adjustment operation, an aperture value adjustment operation, a preview operation, and the like. The present invention can be widely applied to various operations that are normally performed when taking a photograph.

[Supplementary Note] According to the above-described embodiment, an invention having the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) In a camera capable of executing a desired operation by voice, detecting means for detecting whether or not the photographer is performing a preparatory operation for photographing, and according to the detection result of the detecting means, Control means for permitting voice control operation.

(2) In the camera described in the supplementary note (1), the detecting means detects that the photographer is gripping the grip or looking into the viewfinder.

(3) A voice input means and a control means for controlling the camera operation in accordance with the voice data input by the voice input means, wherein the voice input means allows the photographer to perform a preliminary shooting operation. A camera made to work only when you have.

(4) In the camera described in Appendix (3), the voice input means is configured to be supplied with power only when the photographer is performing a photographing preparatory operation.

[0154]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a voice input means for identifying an input voice control command and executing a predetermined operation according to the control command. In the camera, it is possible to provide a camera capable of reliably realizing a predetermined function as needed, suppressing unnecessary power consumption without impairing operability, and contributing to power saving.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear side.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical internal configuration of the camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a main block diagram showing only a photographing preliminary operation detection circuit and a control circuit in the camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a main block diagram showing only a voice input circuit, a microphone, and a power supply control circuit in the camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first half of a main sequence of a control circuit in the camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the main sequence of the control circuit in the camera of FIG. 1;

7 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence of an audio zoom process for performing a zoom operation by an audio control command in the camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence when a manual zoom operation is performed in the camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence when an audio processing operation is performed in the camera of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control circuit (control means, audio control means) 41 ... Microphone (audio input means) 42 ... Audio input circuit (audio input means) 43 ... Photographing preliminary operation detection circuit (detection means) 101 ... Analog processing Circuit (voice input means) 102 A / D conversion circuit (voice input means) 103 Digital signal processing circuit (voice input means) 104 memory circuit (voice input means) 105 power supply control circuit 205 Face sensor (detection means) 205a: Light-emitting diode (LED; detection means) 205b: Phototransistor (detection means) 206: Grip sensor (detection means) 206a / 206b: Electrode section (detection means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A camera having a voice control means for controlling a desired operation based on an input voice control signal, a detection means for detecting whether or not a photographing preparatory operation has been performed, and a detection result of the detection means. Control means for controlling whether or not to start the control by the voice control means according to the following. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit is configured to detect a state in which the photographer holds the grip of the camera and / or a state in which the photographer looks into the viewfinder of the camera. The camera according to claim 1. 3. An audio input means for inputting an audio signal, and audio control means for controlling a predetermined operation based on the audio signal input by the audio input means, A camera that operates only when a preliminary operation is being performed.