JP2000244790A - Digital still camera and operation control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital still camera of an easy operation. SOLUTION: This digital still camera 10 is provided with a photographing switch 7 and an erasing switch 8. When a memory card 11 is mounted to a card I/F 5, it is detected that the card 11 is mounted to the card I/F 5 by a card detection circuit 9, a power source is turned on and image data are successively read from the card 11 and displayed frame by frame on an image display device 4. A photographed image is displayed on the image display device 4 when the photographing switch 7 is pressed to a first stage and photographed image data are recorded in the card 11 when it is pressed to a second stage. When the erasing switch 8 is pressed, the image data representing the image displayed on the image display device 4 are eliminated from the card 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a digital still camera and an operation control method thereof.

[0002]

BACKGROUND A digital still camera records image data representing a subject image obtained by imaging on a memory card. Various operations such as reproduction and deletion of image data recorded on the memory card can be performed.

For this reason, a digital still camera is provided with various switches, buttons, dials, etc. (hereinafter referred to as switches) for inputting instructions such as power on / off, photographing, reproduction, erasure and the like. ing. In general, a digital still camera has many operations that need to be learned, and it is difficult to master the operation if the user is not familiar with the operations. Also, since switches also affect the appearance of the camera, a large number of switches may impair the design of the camera.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a digitally
A still camera and an operation control method thereof are provided.

A digital still camera according to the present invention has a photographing switch that can be depressed in two stages, and a reproduction mode for starting reproduction of an image represented by image data recorded on a recording medium in response to power-on. Reproduction mode control means, a mode change control means for shifting from the reproduction mode to an imaging mode for imaging an object by the imaging means in response to the first-step depression of the imaging switch, and a second mode of the imaging switch. The image processing apparatus further includes a recording control unit that records, on the recording medium, image data representing a subject image output from the imaging unit in response to the stepping down.

An operation control method for a digital still camera according to the present invention is a method for controlling an operation of a digital still camera having a photographing switch that can be depressed in two stages, and the recording medium is responsive to power-on. A reproduction mode for starting reproduction of an image represented by the image data recorded in the camera, and in response to the depression of the photographing switch in the first stage, from the reproduction mode to an imaging mode for capturing an object by the imaging means. The image data representing the subject image output from the image pickup means is recorded on the recording medium in response to the second step depression of the photographing switch.

Here, "power on" means that the digital still camera can be used by supplying power. That is, when the power is turned on, the digital still camera can use a predetermined function (reproduction of image data, imaging of a subject, and the like).

According to the present invention, a digital still
Reproduction of an image represented by image data recorded on a recording medium, which is one of the functions of the camera, is started in response to power-on. Since there is no need to separately provide a reproduction switch for reproducing an image, the number of switches provided in the digital still camera can be reduced.

Preferably, there is further provided means for shifting from the imaging mode to the reproduction mode after the image data is recorded on the recording medium by the recording control means. When the image data representing the subject image is recorded on the recording medium, the digital still camera shifts from the imaging mode to the reproduction mode again. The reproduction of the image represented by the image data recorded on the recording medium is restarted.

In one embodiment, the recording medium is detachable, mounting / disengagement detecting means for detecting mounting and dismounting of the recording medium, and a power supply is turned on in response to the detection of the mounting of the recording medium. Power supply on / off control means for turning off the power in response to the detection of the detachment of the recording medium is further provided. Since there is no need to separately provide switches for turning on / off the power, the number of switches provided in the digital still camera is reduced, and the digital still camera
The operation of the camera can be simplified.

In another embodiment, there is further provided an erasure switch and erasure control means for erasing the image data being reproduced from the recording medium in response to the depression of the erasure switch in the reproduction mode. Since an image to be erased can be selected from the images being reproduced, there is no need to separately provide switches for selecting an image to be erased, and arbitrary image data can be erased from the recording medium.

Preferably, there is further provided erasing notifying means for notifying that the image data being reproduced is to be erased in response to the first depression of the erasing switch, and the erasing control means is provided with the first erasing switch. The image data being reproduced is erased from the recording medium in response to the second depression of the erasure switch within a predetermined time after the depression of the image data. Erroneous erasure of image data from a recording medium can be prevented.

[0013] More preferably, measurement of the elapsed time of the power-on state is started in response to power-on, and the measuring means is reset by depressing the photographing switch, and the elapse of the power-on state measured by the measuring means. Power supply off control means for turning off the power of the digital still camera when the time exceeds a predetermined time is further provided. When a predetermined time elapses without performing any operation, the power is automatically turned off, so that unnecessary power consumption can be reduced.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a digital still camera.

The digital still camera 10 includes the computer 1. The computer 1 controls the overall operation of the digital still camera 10 as a whole. The power supply circuit 2, the imaging circuit 3, the image display device 4, and the card I / F 5 are connected to the computer 1. Card I / F5
Is connected to a card detection circuit 9.

A memory card 11 can be mounted on the card I / F 5. Image data representing a subject image captured by the digital still camera 10 can be recorded on the memory card 11 mounted on the card I / F 5. The digital still camera 10 reads image data recorded on the memory card 11 and
The image can be reproduced on the display screen of the image display device 4.

The power supply circuit 2 includes a power supply (dry battery, storage battery, rechargeable battery, etc.). As described later, the card I / F 5
The power of the digital still camera 10 is turned on when the memory card 11 is inserted into the camera. When the power is turned on, the digital still camera
Power is supplied to each of the ten circuits.

The power supply circuit 2 always supplies minute power to the computer 1 and the card detection circuit 9 even when the digital still camera is turned off. Therefore, the computer 1 and the card detection circuit 9
Is always operable (standby state) even when the digital still camera 10 is powered off.
In the digital still camera 10 in the standby state, the memory card 11 is
The computer 1 can detect that it has been mounted on the F5, and the computer 1 can receive a detection signal from the card detection circuit 9. Of course, digital still cameras
A sub-battery may be provided in 10 and the computer 1 and the card detection circuit 9 may be operated by supplying power from the sub-battery. In this case, it is not always necessary to supply power from the power supply circuit 2 when the power is off.

The image pickup circuit 3 has a CDD (Charge Coupled Dev)
ice: not shown), captures a subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD through the lens 6, and outputs image data representing the subject image. The output image data is provided to the memory card 11 via the computer 1 and the card I / F 5. Image data representing a subject image is recorded on the memory card 11.

The digital still camera 10 has a reproduction mode and an imaging mode. In the reproduction mode, an image (reproduced image) represented by the image data recorded on the memory card 11 is displayed on the display screen of the image display device 4. In the imaging mode, an image (captured image) represented by the image data output from the imaging circuit 3 is displayed on the display screen of the image display device 4.

The digital still camera 10 also has a photographing switch 7 and an erase switch 8.

The photographing switch 7 is a switch that can be depressed in two stages. As will be described later, when the power of the digital still camera 10 is turned on, the digital still camera 10 enters the reproduction mode without performing any operation. Set the shooting switch 7 to 1
When the button is pressed down (half-pressed) to the step, the mode is switched from the reproduction mode to the imaging mode. When the photographing switch 7 is further depressed to the second stage (fully pressed), image data representing the subject image is recorded on the memory card 11, and the mode returns to the reproduction mode from the imaging mode.

The erase switch 8 is a switch used for erasing image data recorded on the memory card 11.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital still camera shown in FIG. Hereafter, the digital still camera 10 is turned on, played back,
The operations of photographing, erasing, and power-off will be described in detail.

(1) Power ON The digital still camera 10 is in the standby state when the power is off as described above. When the memory card 11 is mounted on the card I / F 5, the memory card 11 is connected to the card I / F by the card detection circuit 9.
5 is detected (YES in step 21).
). A detection signal indicating that the memory card 11 has been inserted is output from the card detection circuit 9 and supplied to the computer 1 via the card I / F 5. Of course, the detection signal may be directly supplied from the card detection circuit 9 to the computer 1.

In response to the input of the detection signal, a control signal for turning on the power of the digital still camera 10 is sent from the computer 1 to the power supply circuit 2. Power is supplied from the power supply circuit 2 to each circuit constituting the digital still camera 10, and the power of the digital still camera 10 is turned on (step 22). The digital still camera 10 shifts from the standby state to the power-on state.

(2) Reproduction When the digital still camera 10 is turned on, the digital still camera 10 enters a reproduction mode. In the reproduction mode, the computer 1 operates the card I / F 5
Accesses the memory card 11 inserted in the
The image data recorded on the card 11 is read out and displayed on the display screen of the image display device 4 (step 23). The images (frames) represented by the image data recorded on the memory card 11 are moved forward one frame at a time interval (for example, 3 frames) from the last recorded frame.
Are displayed continuously at intervals (auto play). When the first frame (the first recorded frame) is displayed, the last frame is displayed again on the display screen. In the auto play, the display of the image (frame) represented by the image data recorded on the memory card 11 is repeated as described above. Of course, if no image data is recorded on the memory card 11, nothing is displayed on the display screen of the image display device 4.

(3) Photographing When the photographing switch 7 is pushed down to the first stage (YES in step 24), a signal S1 indicating that the photographing switch 7 has been pushed down to the first stage is given to the computer 1, and the digital still camera 10 is turned on. Shifts from the reproduction mode to the imaging mode.
That is, a control signal for causing the image pickup circuit 3 to start image pickup is sent from the computer 1 to start image pickup of the subject by the image pickup circuit 3 (step 25), and the display screen of the image display device 4 displays, for example, 1/60 second. The subject image picked up in the cycle of is displayed as a movie. Computer 1 has a memory
The reading and reproduction (auto play) of the image data recorded on the card 11 is stopped.

When the photographing switch 7 is pushed down to the second stage (YES in step 26), a signal S2 indicating that the photographing switch 7 has been pushed down to the second stage is given to the computer 1. Then, one frame of the video signal representing the subject image is output from the CCD, subjected to white balance adjustment, γ (gamma) correction, analog / digital conversion, and the like, and output from the imaging circuit 3. Digital image data representing the subject image is recorded on the memory card 11 via the computer 3 and the card I / F 5 (step 27).

When the recording of the image data on the memory card 11 is completed, the imaging of the subject by the imaging circuit 3 is completed.
The digital still camera 10 shifts from the imaging mode to the playback mode, and the auto play is resumed (step
NO at 27, NO at step 29, step 23).

When the photographing switch 7 is pushed down to the first stage, and the depression of the photographing switch 7 is stopped (the hand is released from the photographing switch 7), the image data representing the subject image is recorded on the memory card 11. Is not performed, and the imaging circuit 3
, And the auto play will be resumed.

(4) Erase When the erase switch 8 is pressed during the reproduction mode, the erase button 8
Is input to the computer 1. The computer 1 accesses the memory card 11 and deletes image data representing an image displayed on the display screen of the image display device 4 from the memory card 11 (YES in step 28, step 29). The image of the next (previous) frame of the erased image data is displayed on the display screen of the image display device 4 (step 23).

(5) Power-off The power of the digital still camera 10 is turned off by turning the memory card 11 mounted on the card I / F 5 into the card I / F.
5 (extract from the card I / F 5). When the memory card 11 is removed from the card I / F 5, the card detection circuit 9 detects that the memory card 11 has been removed from the card I / F 5. A signal indicating that the memory card 11 has been removed is output from the card detection circuit 9 and given to the computer 1 via the card I / F 5. A control signal is supplied from the computer 1 to the power supply circuit 2 to instruct power off. The power supply circuit 2 stops supplying power to each circuit. Digital still
The camera 10 shifts from the power-on state to the standby state (YES in step 30, step 31).

When erasing the image data recorded on the memory card 11 (YES in step 28, step 29), the user (operator of the digital still camera 10) is asked to delete the image data before erasing the image data. On the other hand, confirmation of intention to delete image data may be performed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital still camera including the operation of confirming the user's intention when erasing the image data. The difference from the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is that steps 32, 28A and 24A are added. FIG. 4 shows an example of a subject image displayed on the display screen of the image display device 4.

When the erase switch 8 is depressed, the auto play is stopped, and the image displayed on the display screen of the image display device 4 when the erase switch 8 is depressed is displayed.
It is displayed continuously on the image display device 4 and superimposed on the image displayed on the display screen.
Characters for confirming the user's intention are displayed (FIG. 4
(Refer to FIG. 1) (Character data representing characters displayed on the image display device 4 is stored in a memory (not shown in FIG. 1) in the computer 1).

To erase the image data, the erase switch 8 is pressed again within a predetermined time ("OK: erase switch", YES in step 28A). Then, the image data representing the image displayed on the image display device 4 is deleted from the memory card 11 (step 29). To stop erasing the image data, the photographing switch 7 is pressed halfway ("NO: photographing switch", YES in step 24A). No erasure of the image data is performed. Second erase switch 8
After pressing down, or after half-pressing the shooting switch 7,
Auto play is resumed (step 23). After the first depression of the erase switch 8, if a predetermined time has elapsed without the depression of the erase switch 8 or the photographing switch 7, the auto play will be resumed without erasing the image data.

All operations are digital still camera
When a predetermined time has elapsed without performing the operation on the digital still camera 10, the power of the digital still camera 10 may be automatically turned off.

FIG. 5 shows a digital still camera including an operation of automatically turning off the power of the digital still camera.
9 illustrates an operation mode of the camera. The difference from the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is that step 33 is added.

Timer 12 in digital still camera 10
(Shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1). When the memory card 11 is mounted on the card I / F 5 and the power of the digital still camera 10 is turned on (YE at step 21)
S, step 22), memory card 11 by timer 12
The measurement of the elapsed time from the mounting of the (power on) is started. When the photographing switch 7 or the erase switch 8 is depressed, the elapsed time from the mounting of the memory card 11 is cleared, and when the photographing switch 7 or the erase switch 8 is pressed, the measurement of the elapsed time is started again. . The computer 1 periodically monitors the elapsed time measured by the timer 12.

A predetermined time (e.g., a memory (not shown) in the computer 1) elapsed from the loading of the memory card 11 measured by the timer 12 or from the depression of the photographing switch 7 or the erase switch 8.
Is stored in the power supply circuit 2, a control signal for turning off the power is output from the computer 1 to the power supply circuit 2, and the power supply circuit 2 stops supplying power to each circuit (step 33).
YES at step 31). Digital still camera 10
Shifts from the power-on state to the standby state. When the power is turned off while the memory card 11 is mounted on the card I / F 5, the memory card 11 is temporarily
The digital still camera 10 can be turned on by removing it from the card I / F 5 and attaching it to the card I / F 5 again (YES in step 21, step 22).

The power can be turned on / off by providing a power switch 13 separately in the digital still camera 10 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) and operating the power switch 13.

FIG. 6 shows an operation mode of the digital still camera including an operation of turning on / off the power of the digital still camera by using a power switch. The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is different from the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 in that the process of step 34 is added instead of the process of step 21, and the process of step 35 is added instead of the process of step 30. In this case, the power of the digital still camera 10 is turned on / off by operating the power switch 13 instead of attaching or removing the memory card 11 to / from the card I / F 5 (YES in step 34, step 22, step 22). YES at 35, step 31).

Of course, the digital still camera 10
Is turned on / off using the power switch 13.
Needless to say, the operation may be performed both in the OFF state (FIG. 6) and in the mounting / removal of the memory card 11 to / from the card I / F 5 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5). In this case, for example, the power of the digital still camera 10 turned on by mounting the memory card 11 on the card I / F 5 can be turned off using the power switch 13.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital still camera.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation mode of the digital still camera.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation mode of the digital still camera.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen of the image display device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing still another example of the operation mode of the digital still camera.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing still another example of the operation mode of the digital still camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer 2 Power supply circuit 3 Imaging circuit 4 Image display device 5 Card I / F 7 Shooting switch 8 Erase switch 9 Card detection circuit 10 Digital still camera 11 Memory card

Claims (7)

[Claims] A photographing switch which can be depressed in two stages,
Reproduction mode control means for setting a reproduction mode to start reproduction of an image represented by image data recorded on a recording medium in response to power-on; Mode change control means for shifting from the reproduction mode to an imaging mode for imaging an object by the imaging means; and image data representing the object image output from the imaging means in response to the second-step depression of the imaging switch. A digital still camera, comprising: recording control means for recording on the recording medium. 2. The digital still camera according to claim 1, further comprising: means for shifting from said imaging mode to said reproduction mode after recording of image data on a recording medium by said recording control means. 3. The recording medium is detachable, mounting / disengaging detecting means for detecting mounting and dismounting of the recording medium, and turning on a power supply in response to the detection of the mounting of the recording medium, and 3. The digital still camera according to claim 1, further comprising power on / off control means for turning off the power in response to the detection of detachment. 4. An eraser according to claim 1, further comprising: an erase switch; and erase control means for erasing image data being reproduced from said recording medium in response to depression of said erase switch in said reproduction mode. A digital still camera according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an erasure notifying unit for notifying that the image data being reproduced is to be erased in response to the first depression of the erasure switch. 5. The digital still camera according to claim 4, wherein the image data being reproduced is erased from the recording medium in response to a second depression of the erase switch within a predetermined time from. 6. A measuring means which starts measuring an elapsed time of a power-on state in response to power-on, and is reset by depressing the photographing switch, and an elapsed time of the power-on state measured by the measuring means. 6. The power supply control device according to claim 1, further comprising power-off control means for turning off the power of the digital still camera when a predetermined time is exceeded.
A digital still camera according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. A method for controlling the operation of a digital still camera having a photographing switch that can be depressed in two steps, wherein an image represented by image data recorded on a recording medium in response to power-on. In response to the depression of the photographing switch in the first step, the mode shifts from the reproduction mode to the photographing mode for photographing the subject by the photographing means, and the photographing switch is depressed in the second step. A digital still camera operation control method for recording image data representing a subject image output from the imaging means in the recording medium in response to the image data.