JP2001066684A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of easily obtaining required information without the handling time, as for a camera equipped with information on usage such as an instruction manual, etc., and a method for countering the trouble. SOLUTION: The camera is actuated as the camera by operating plural buttons 11 to 14, and pieces of information corresponding to the buttons 11 to 14 are stored by a help data storing part 28. The information stored by the help data storing part 28 is presented by a help button 17, and then, displayed on a display screen of a monitor device 3. And, the information stored by the help data storing part 28 is selected and displayed by operating the help button 17 and the buttons 11 to 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera for providing information such as help information and handling method in operating the camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in personal computers and the like,
A so-called online manual is used in which a method of using software is displayed on a screen. For example, when the use of software or the like becomes unclear or when any trouble occurs, refer to the method of using the software and how to deal with the trouble. Know how to deal with it.

[0003] Thereby, manuals and instruction manuals as paper media can be made unnecessary or extremely reduced.

[0004] An example of an online manual is a so-called help. In this method, a method of using software and a method of coping with a trouble are stored in a help file, and the contents of the help file are displayed by clicking a help button with a mouse.
By selecting a menu having a hierarchical structure, a target item can be easily found, and a description of handling and a method of coping with a trouble can be displayed.

[0005] On the other hand, a camera having a so-called online manual that can store and display information on how to use the camera and how to cope with a trouble has been known for a camera such as a digital camera.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-250047 discloses a technology which has an online manual and enables the contents of the online manual to be printed by a printer in a digital camera connectable to a printer or the like. Have been.

For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-64947, a camera has handling explanation information and a display member, and a handling explanation information menu is displayed on the display member.
By selecting a hierarchical menu,
A camera capable of finding a target item and knowing a handling method is disclosed.

[0008]

However, in the camera described in JP-A-11-64947, a handling explanation information menu is displayed on a display member.
By repeatedly performing the operation of selecting a menu having a hierarchical structure, the user reaches the desired content, and thus has a problem that the operation is complicated and troublesome.

Further, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-250047
In the digital camera described in JP-A-11-64947, the digital camera described in JP-A-11-64947 has the same problem as the camera described above. Further, when the camera is connected to a printer and used, a complicated procedure is required to print out the required information.

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to save time and effort in a camera having information such as how to use a handling instruction and how to cope with a trouble. Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of easily knowing desired information.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems That is, the first invention is:
A plurality of first operation means for performing an operation as a camera; a storage means for storing information corresponding to the plurality of first operation means; and a means for presenting information stored in the storage means. A second operating means, and a notifying means for presenting the information, wherein the information of the storage means is stored in accordance with the operation of the second operating means and the plurality of first operating means. Is selected and notified.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of first operation means for performing an operation as a camera, a storage means for storing information corresponding to the plurality of first operation means,
Selecting means for selecting information stored in the storage means; second operating means for presenting the information stored in the storage means; and display means for displaying the information. When at least one of the plurality of first operating means is operated at the time of operating the second operating means, the selecting means outputs information corresponding to the operated first operating means. Is displayed on the display means.

Further, a third invention is a camera which has a plurality of operation members and executes a predetermined camera operation assigned to the operation member when any one of the plurality of operation members is operated. When any one of the plurality of operation members is operated in a state where the operation mode of the camera is switched to the help mode, a help display corresponding to the operation member is displayed.

In the camera of the first invention, the operation as a camera is performed by the plurality of first operation means, and information corresponding to the plurality of first operation means is stored in the storage means. The information stored in the storage means is presented by the second operation means and presented to the notification means. Then, the information of the storage means is selected and notified according to the operation of the second operation means and the plurality of first operation means.

In the camera of the second invention, the operation as the camera is performed by the plurality of first operation means.
Information corresponding to the plurality of first operation units is stored in the storage unit. The information stored in the storage means is selected by the selection means, and the information stored in the storage means is presented by the second operation means and displayed by the display means.
When at least one of the plurality of first operating means is operated at the time of operating the second operating means, information corresponding to the operated first operating means is selected by the selecting means. Selected and displayed on the display means.

The camera according to the third aspect of the present invention has a plurality of operation members, and when any one of the plurality of operation members is operated, a predetermined camera operation assigned to the operation member is performed. Be executed. Then, when any of the plurality of operation members is operated in a state where the operation mode of the camera is switched to the help mode, a help display corresponding to the operated operation member is performed.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a digital camera for performing electronic imaging according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, a photographing lens barrel 2 is provided on a front surface of a camera body 1. In addition, a monitor device 3 and a finder 4 for visually recognizing a subject are provided on a rear portion of the camera body 1.

The monitor device 3 has a display screen 5 on which a captured image of a subject, help information described later, and the like are displayed.
And a mode selection switch 7 for switching and selecting a function button group, which will be described later, between a shooting mode and a reproduction mode, and a selection button 8 and a determination button 9.

Further, on the back of the camera body 1, there is provided a function button group capable of selecting different functions by switching the mode selection switch 7 described above.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the button 11 has a function of instructing a self-timer operation and a function of instructing a one-frame erasing operation, and the button 12 has a function of instructing a macro photographing operation and an external function (not shown). The button 13 has a function of instructing flash emission and a function of instructing automatic reproduction for displaying a photographed image on the display screen 5. Button 1
Reference numeral 4 has a function of instructing a photometric switching operation and a function of instructing an index display operation for displaying a plurality of screens.

Each of the functions of these buttons 11 to 14 is switched in accordance with the switching of the mode selection switch 7. When the photographing mode is selected, the buttons 11 to 14 are respectively operated for photographing. Functions as a button for instructing operations of self-timer, macro photography, flash emission, and photometry switching, and button 1 when a playback mode is selected.
Reference numerals 1 to 14 function as buttons for instructing operation functions for reproduction, such as erasing one frame, printing operation, automatic reproduction, and operation of the index display.

Note that 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 1
3a, 13b, 14a, and 14b are buttons 11 to 1, respectively.
4 is a pattern that visually indicates what function is provided, and is printed on both sides of each button.

Further, on the upper surface of the camera body 1, a release button 16, a help button 17, and a self-timer lamp 18 which is turned on when the self-timer operates are provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the camera according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, subject light from a subject (not shown) forms an image on an image pickup device 23 via photographing lenses 21 a and 21 b and a shutter stop 22 arranged in the photographing lens barrel 2.

The data captured by the image sensor 23 is converted into digital data by an A / D converter 24.
The image processing is performed by the image processing unit 25 and the buffer memory 2
6 is stored. The data stored in the buffer memory 26 is output and displayed on the monitor device 3 and stored in the non-volatile memory 29.

The A / D converter 24, the image processor 25,
Buffer memory 26, monitor device 3, nonvolatile memory 2
Numerals 9 are connected by a common bus line 40 so that data can be exchanged with each other.

A character image recording unit 27 and a help data storage unit 28 are further connected to the bus line 40.
Characters corresponding to the help data can be displayed on the monitor device 3.

The character image storage unit 27, the help data storage unit 28, the non-volatile memory 29, the monitor 3,
A / D converter 24, image processor 25, buffer memory 2
6 is controlled by the control unit 34 via the control unit 33.

The control unit 34 includes the photographing lens 21a,
A lens control unit 36 for controlling the shutter diaphragm 2
2, a distance measuring unit 38, a photometric unit 39, a light emitting unit 41, and a communication unit 42 for communicating with a printer (not shown). The power supply unit 43 supplies power to each part in the camera. Under the control of the control unit 34, the distance measuring unit 38, the photometric unit 39, the light emitting unit 41, and the communication unit 42 detect the distance to the subject, detect the brightness of the subject, emit a flash, and communicate with an external device. .

Further, the control unit 34 includes the mode selection switch 7, the selection button 8, the determination button 9, the function buttons 11 to
14, the release button 16 and the help button 17 are connected, and the control unit 34 can detect the operation status of the operation member of the camera. The control unit 34 detects an operation on the camera, and performs necessary processing accordingly.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the help data stored in the help data storage unit 28.
Each address of the help data stores the address of the character image data stored in the character image storage unit 27 corresponding to the contents of various help.

When an instruction to display help is sent from the control unit 34, the control unit 33 reads the address of the character image data corresponding to the help content from the help data storage unit 28 and displays the corresponding character image data.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The basic operation of the camera performed by the control unit 34 will be described.

When the power supply is turned on and the present routine is started, in step S1, the state of the mode selection switch 7 is determined first to determine whether or not the camera is in the photographing mode.

Here, in the case of the photographing mode, in the following step S2, an instruction is given to the control section 33 so that an image of the subject is taken. Next, in step S3, the control unit 33 is instructed to display the captured image on the display screen 5.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the mode is not the shooting mode, that is, the mode is the reproduction mode, the process proceeds to step S4 to display the last shot image from the nonvolatile memory 29. An instruction is given to the control unit 33. Next, in step S5, the control unit 33 is instructed to display the final captured image on the display screen 5.

Next, in step S6, a help process is performed. The details of this help process will be described later.

Then, in step S7, it is determined whether or not an operation member for performing various operations of the camera has been operated. Here, when any operation is performed, the operation process of the camera is executed in a succeeding step S8. Details of the camera operation processing will be described later. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the subroutine "help processing".

When entering the help processing subroutine, first, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the help button 17 has been turned on. Here, if the help button 17 has not been turned on, the process exits this routine. On the other hand, when the help button 17 is turned on, it is determined in subsequent step S12 whether or not the operation members (the buttons 11 to 14) have been operated.

That is, in steps S11 and S12,
It is detected whether any one of the help button 17 and the operation member is pressed at the same time. Here, the operation member is any of the mode selection switch 7, the selection button 8, the determination button 9, the function button groups 11 to 14, and the release button 16 in FIG. If the operation member has not been operated in step S12, the process proceeds to step S13, and a help menu process is executed. Then, when the help is completed in step S14, the process exits from this routine.

On the other hand, if any one of the help button 17 and the operation member is pressed at the same time in steps S11 and S12, the process proceeds to step S15 to execute the help display process corresponding to the operated operation member. Is done. Then, the process exits the routine.

Here, a display example of the help menu displayed on the display screen 5 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of the help menu when the help menu processing in step S13 of the subroutine "help processing" in FIG. 5 is executed.

FIG. 6A shows a first display example when the help menu processing is executed. Although the specific details of the help display process are not described here, the help display process is performed in a hierarchical structure, and the next screen is displayed according to an operation corresponding to each screen. . Here, an outline of the operation of the help display process will be described. Under the title “Help Menu”, items 1 to 6 are displayed as shown.

When the “photographing method” of item 1 is selected by operating the selection button 8 and the decision button 9, for example, as shown in FIG. The screen of the first page is displayed. When the item 6 “End” is selected, the help menu ends.

As shown, "Help menu 1"
On the screen of the first page, item 1 relating to the shooting method
Items 1 to 1-4, "to the next page" of item 1-5 indicating that there is also an item on the next page regarding the shooting method, and "end" of item 1-6 indicating the end of the help menu Items are displayed. Here, if any one of the items 1-1 to 1-4 is selected, details of help according to each item are displayed. If "End" of item 1-6 is selected, the help menu ends.

When item 4 is selected in "Help menu 4" shown in FIG. 6A, four items are displayed as "Help menu 4" as shown in FIG. 6C. Is done. The selection and display of these four items are the same as in the above-mentioned “Help menu” and “Help menu 1”.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the subroutine "help display processing for operating members" in step S15 in the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S21, the release button 1
It is determined whether or not 6 has been turned on. Here, if the release button 16 is turned on, the help button 17 is turned on in step S11 of the above-described flowchart of FIG. 5, so that the help button 17 and the release button 16 are turned on at the same time. Accordingly, the process proceeds to step S22, where the help display processing corresponding to the release button is executed, and the details of the help regarding the release button are displayed on the display screen 5 of the monitor device 3. Here, the help related to the release button explains when the release button is operated and what kind of camera operation is performed by the operation.

If the release button 16 has not been turned on in step S21, or after the help display processing in step S22, it is determined in step S23 whether or not the selection button 8 has been turned on. Here, select button 8
If is turned on, the process moves to step S24, and the help display process corresponding to the selection button is executed. Here, the help display processing corresponding to the selection button is for explaining the method of using the selection button, similarly to the release button.

If the selection button 8 has not been turned on in step S23, and after the help display processing in step S24, it is determined in step S25 whether or not the decision button 9 has been turned on. Here, if the enter button 9 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S26, and the help display process corresponding to the enter button is executed.

If the decision button 9 is not turned on in step S25, and after the help display process in step S26, the state of the mode selection switch 7 is detected in step S27. Thus, it is determined whether the mode is the shooting mode or the reproduction mode. Here, in the case of the photographing mode, the flow proceeds to step S28, and in the case of the reproduction mode, the flow proceeds to step S36.

In step S28, it is determined whether or not the button 11 has been turned on. In this case, since the mode is the shooting mode, the button 11 is a self-timer button. Therefore, in step S28, the state of the self-timer button 11 is determined.

If the self-timer button 11 has been turned on, the flow shifts to step S29 to execute a self-timer-compatible help display process, and the self-timer-related help display as shown in FIG. The details of
It is displayed on the display screen 5 of the monitor device 3. Here, although not shown in detail, in the self-timer-compatible help processing, when the help button is operated again after FIG. 8A is displayed, processing for ending the self-timer-compatible help processing is performed. .

In step S28, the self-timer button 1
If the button 1 is not turned on, and after the help display processing in step S29, it is determined in step S30 whether or not the button 14 in the photographing mode, that is, the photometry switching button 14 is turned on. If the photometry switching button 14 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S31, and a help display process corresponding to photometry switching is executed.

If the photometry switching button 14 has not been turned on in step S30, and after the help display processing in step S31, it is determined in step S32 whether or not the button 13 in the shooting mode has been turned on. Is determined. Here, if the flash button 13 is turned on, step S
The process proceeds to 33, where a help display process corresponding to flash switching is executed.

If the flash button 13 has not been turned on in step S32, and after the help display process in step S33, it is determined in step S34 whether or not the button 12 in the shooting mode has been turned on. Is done. Here, if the macro shooting button 12 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S35, and a help display process corresponding to macro switching is executed.

If the macro shooting button 12 has not been turned on in step S34,
After the help display processing of 35, the process exits this routine.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S27 that the current mode is the reproduction mode, the flow shifts to step S36 to determine whether or not the button 14 has been turned on. In this case, since the playback mode is set, the button 14 is an index display button. Therefore, in this step S36, the state of the index display button 14 is determined.

Here, the index display button 14
If has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S37,
The index display-compatible help display processing is executed, and details of the help related to the index display as shown in FIG. 8B are displayed on the display screen 5 of the monitor device 3. Here, in the present embodiment, the help display related to the index display is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), both the character and the image are displayed on the screen to make the display easier to understand.

If the index display button 14 is not turned on in step S36, and after the help display process in step S37, in step S38, the button 11 in the reproduction mode, that is, the one-frame erase button 11
It is determined whether or not is turned on. If the one-frame erasure button 11 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S39, and a help display process corresponding to one-frame erasure is executed.

If the one-frame erase button 11 has not been turned on in step S38, and after the help display process in step S39, in step S40, the button 12, ie, the print button 12, in the reproduction mode is turned on. It is determined whether it has been performed. If the print button 12 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S41, and a help display process for printing is executed.

If the print button 12 is not turned on in step S40, and after the help display process in step S41, the button 13 in the reproduction mode, that is, the automatic reproduction button 13 is turned on in step S42. Is determined. Here, if the automatic reproduction button 13 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S43, and the help display processing corresponding to the automatic reproduction display is executed.

If the automatic reproduction button 13 has not been turned on in the step S42,
After this help display process, the process exits this routine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the subroutine "camera operation process" of step S8 in the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S51, the state of the mode selection switch 7 is detected. As a result, if the shooting mode has been selected, the process proceeds to step S52, and if the reproduction mode has been selected, the process proceeds to step S62.

In the case of the photographing mode, step S52 follows.
It is determined whether or not the release button 16 has been turned on. Here, if the release button 16 is turned on, the flow shifts to step S53 to execute a release process.

If the release button 16 has not been turned on in step S52, or after the release process in step S53, it is determined in step S54 whether or not the button 11 has been turned on. In this case, since the mode is the shooting mode, the button 11 is a self-timer button. Therefore, in step S54, the state of the self-timer button 11 is determined.

If the self-timer button 11 has been turned on, the flow shifts to step S55 to execute a self-timer setting process.

In step S54, the self-timer button 1
1 is not turned on, and after the self-timer process in step S55, in step S56,
It is determined whether the button 14 has been turned on. In this case, it is determined whether or not the button 14 in the shooting mode, that is, the photometry switching button 14 is turned on. Here, the photometry switching button 14
If is turned on, the flow shifts to step S57 to execute a photometric switching setting process.

If the photometry switching button 14 is not turned on in step S56, and after the photometry switching setting process in step S57, in step S58, the button 13 in the photographing mode, that is, the flash button 13 is turned on. It is determined whether it has been performed. Here, if the flash button 13 has been turned on, the flow shifts to step S59 to execute a flash switching setting process.

If the flash button 13 is not turned on in step S58, and after the flash switching setting process in step S59, in step S60,
It is determined whether or not the button 12 in the shooting mode, that is, the macro shooting button 12 is turned on. Here, if the macro photographing button 12 is turned on, the process shifts to step S61 to execute a macro switching setting process.

If the macro photographing button 12 has not been turned on in step S60,
After the macro switching setting process of 61, the process exits from this routine.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 that the current mode is the reproduction mode, the flow shifts to step S62 to determine whether or not the button 11 in the reproduction mode, that is, the one-frame erase button 11, is turned on. Is done. Here, if the one-frame erasing button 11 is turned on, the process shifts to step S63 to execute the one-frame erasing process.

If the one-frame erasure button 11 has not been turned on in step S62, and after the one-frame erasure process in step S63, it is determined in step S64 whether or not the button 14 has been turned on. . In this case, the state of the button 14 in the reproduction mode, that is, the state of the index display button 14 is determined. Here, if the index display button 14 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S65,
An index display process is performed.

If the one-frame erase button 11 has not been turned on in step S64, and after the index display process in step S65, in step S66, the button 12, ie, the print button 12, in the reproduction mode is turned on. It is determined whether it has been performed. Here, if the print button 12 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S67 to execute a print process.

If the print button 12 is not turned on in step S66, and after the print processing in step S67, in step S68, the button 13 in the reproduction mode, that is, the automatic reproduction button 13 is turned on. Is determined. Here, if the automatic reproduction button 13 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S69, and the automatic reproduction display process is executed.

Then, if the automatic reproduction button 13 is not turned on in the step S68,
After this automatic reproduction display processing, this routine is exited.

Next, a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the above-described first embodiment, the example has been described in which the help processing corresponding to the operation of the operation member is performed when the help button and the operation member are simultaneously pressed, but the help button and the operation member are simultaneously pressed. An example in which the help process corresponding to the operation of the operation member is performed even if it is not performed will be described below.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining another operation example of the subroutine "help processing".

In FIG. 10, when the subroutine of the help process is entered, first, in step S71, it is determined whether or not the help button 17 has been turned on. Here, if the help button 17 has not been turned on, the process exits this routine.
On the other hand, if the help button 17 is turned on, it is assumed that the help mode has been entered, and a help menu is displayed in the following step S72.

Next, in step S73, the state of the selection button 8 or the decision button 9 is detected. Here, when the selection button 8 or the determination button 9 is operated, step S74 is performed.
Then, the help display process is executed. Then, when the help display process is completed in step S74, the process exits this routine.

On the other hand, if neither the selection button 8 nor the decision button 9 is operated in step S73, the flow shifts to step S75, where the mode selection switch 7, the selection button 8, the decision button 9 and the help button 17 are operated. Other states of the operation member are detected. If an operation member other than the mode selection switch 7, the selection button 8, the determination button 9, and the help button 17 is operated, the process proceeds to step S76, and a help display process corresponding to the operation member is executed. Then, the process exits the routine.

In step S75, the mode selection switch 7, the selection button 8, the determination button 9, and the help button 1
If no operation member other than 7 has been operated, step S72 is executed again.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the subroutine "help display process for operating members" in step S76 in the flowchart of FIG.

The processing operations of steps S81 to S82 and steps S83 to S99 in the flowchart of FIG. 11 are the same as steps S21 to S22 and steps S27 to S43 in the flowchart of FIG. Here, the description is omitted.

In the above-described first embodiment and its modifications, a button-type operation member or a lever-type operation member which is operated by pressing by an operator is used as the operation member of the camera. The members are not limited to this. For example, in the case of a camera having an operation member such as an electronic dial, the camera has a description about the operation of the electronic dial as help data. When a dial operation is performed, an explanation on the operation of the electronic dial is presented to the user.

As described above, the present invention can be applied not only to buttons but also to operation members that can be operated in a complicated manner, such as a dial, depending on the amount of displacement. Of course, various forms such as a button, a lever, and a slide switch can be considered as an operation member for calling the help.

When it is difficult to provide a dedicated operation member for calling the help, the help may be called by operating the operation member for performing the camera operation in combination.

Further, in this embodiment, the help data is provided as a memory in the help data storage unit 28 and the character image storage unit 27 separately from the control unit and the control unit. It may be provided in a ROM or the like (not shown) which is a memory built in the unit or the like. In this case, since they are integrated, it is advantageous in mounting.

In the above-described embodiment, a sentence and an image are stored as help data. However, only help text may be stored. In this case, the memory of the help data can be saved.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the first embodiment described above, the content of the help is displayed on the display screen of the monitor device provided in the camera. However, the help content may be displayed by a notification other than the screen display.

The second embodiment is an example in which the help content is notified by, for example, voice or the like, and is applied to a silver halide camera.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the silver halide camera according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 12, subject light from a subject (not shown) forms an image on a film 47 via photographing lenses 45a and 45b and a shutter diaphragm 46 arranged in a photographing lens barrel.

The control unit 50 for controlling the entire camera includes:
Help data storage unit 52 via control unit 51
And the audio output unit 53 are connected. A speaker 54 is connected to the audio output unit 53.

Further, the control unit 50 includes the photographing lens 4
A lens controller 56 for controlling the shutters 5a and 45b, a shutter controller 57 for controlling the shutter diaphragm 46, and a film drive controller 58 for driving the running of the film 47.
, A distance measuring unit 59, a photometric unit 60, a light emitting unit 61, and a communication unit 62 for communicating with a printer or the like (not shown).

The control unit 50 further includes a release button 6
5, a help button 66, a macro button 67, a landscape button 68, a night view button 69, and a shooting mode select button group 71 including a sports button 70 are connected.

The power supply 73 supplies power to each part in the camera.

Next, the operation of the camera according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power is turned on and this routine is started, in step S101, first, the help button 66
Is detected. If the help button 66 has not been turned on, the process proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, when the help button 66 is turned on, it is determined that the help mode has been entered, and the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the control unit 5
1, the help data storage unit 52 sends the voice output unit 5
3. Voice guidance of the help menu 1 is output via the speaker 54. The voice guidance for this help menu 1
For example, it is as follows.

"I will show you how to handle the camera.
If you do not know how to use the camera, operate the switches and buttons that you do not know how to use. Operated switches,
I will explain how to use the buttons etc. by voice. If you want to know other contents, please press the help button again. In step S103, the operation members, that is, the release button 65, the macro button 67, the landscape button 68, the night view button 6
9. It is detected which of the sports buttons 70 has been operated. Here, if any button is turned on, step S10
The process proceeds to step S105 if none is turned on.
Move to.

In step S104, the above-described help voice output processing corresponding to the operation member is executed. For example, if the night view button 69 is turned on in step S103, the following content is output as sound.

[0111] When this button is pressed and the star mark is displayed on the display window, the camera enters the night view mode. At this time, when the release button is pressed, the flash fires and the shutter speed 2
Shooting takes seconds. Since the shutter speed is long, use it when using a tripod. On the other hand, in step S105, it is detected whether or not the help button 66 has been turned on again. If the help button 66 has not been turned on, the process proceeds to step S103. Move to step S106.

In step S106, step S1
At 01 and S105, the voice guidance of the help menu 2 is output in response to the help button 66 being turned on twice. The voice guidance of the help menu 2 is, for example, as follows.

"If you want to know the contact information of the service center, press the macro mode button. If you want to know about the application of the camera, press the help button again." Then, in step S107, It is detected whether or not the macro mode button 67 has been turned on. Here, if the macro button 67 is turned on, step S1
In step 08, a telephone number or a facsimile number, which is a contact point of the service center, is output as voice.

If the macro button 67 has not been operated in step S107, the flow shifts to step S109 to detect whether the help button 66 has been operated again. If the help button 66 has not been turned on, the process proceeds to step S107. If the help button 66 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S1.
Move to 10.

In step S110, a sound output process for help application is executed. This is a more hierarchical way to provide audio guidance on how to use the camera.
Since the details are well known, the description is omitted. Then, when all the voice guidance is completed, the process proceeds to step S111.

In step S111, it is determined whether or not an operation member for performing various operations of the camera has been operated. Here, if any operation is performed, the operation process of the camera is executed in the subsequent step S112.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S101.

According to the second embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a camera such as a silver halide camera having no functions such as monitor display.

According to the above embodiment of the present invention,
The following configuration can be obtained.

That is, (1) a plurality of first operation means for performing an operation as a camera, and a storage means for storing information corresponding to the plurality of first operation means.
A second method for presenting the information stored in the storage means.
Operating means, and a notifying means for presenting the information,
A camera that selects and notifies information in the storage unit in response to an operation of the second operation unit and the plurality of first operation units.

(2) A plurality of first operation means for performing an operation as a camera, a storage means for storing information corresponding to the plurality of first operation means, and a plurality of first operation means stored in the storage means. Selecting means for selecting information stored in the storage means, second operating means for presenting the information stored in the storage means, and display means for displaying the information. In the operation of the means, the plurality of first
Wherein at least one of the operation means is operated, the selection means selects information corresponding to the operated first operation means and displays the information on the display means.

(3) The camera according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the information is a handling explanation for each operation means of the camera.

(4) First signal output means for outputting a first operation signal in response to a first manual operation, and a first signal output means for outputting the first operation signal in response to a second manual operation. 2 signal output means, display means, and operation control means for executing a predetermined camera operation when only the first operation signal is output, wherein the second operation signal is output. A camera characterized in that when the first operation signal is output, information on the predetermined camera operation is displayed on the display means.

(5) First signal output means for outputting a first operation signal in response to a first manual operation, and second signal output means for outputting a second operation signal in response to a second manual operation Signal output means, display means, and operation control means for executing a predetermined camera operation when only the first operation signal is output, and after the second operation signal is output. ,
A camera characterized in that when the first operation signal is output, the predetermined camera operation is not performed, and information is displayed on the display means.

(6) A first signal output means for outputting a first operation signal in response to a first manual operation, and a first signal output means for outputting the first operation signal in response to a second manual operation. (2) signal output means, operation control means for executing a predetermined camera operation when only the first operation signal is output, and when both the first operation signal and the second operation signal are output And display means for displaying information relating to the predetermined camera operation.

[0125]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a camera having information such as how to use a handling explanation and how to cope with a trouble, it is possible to know the required information easily without any trouble. Can provide a camera that is capable of.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a digital camera that performs electronic imaging according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of help data stored in a help data storage unit 28 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation of the camera.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a subroutine “help process”.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a help menu when a help menu process in step S13 of a subroutine “help process” in FIG. 5 is executed.

FIG. 7 is a step S15 in the flowchart of FIG. 5;
It is a flowchart explaining the operation of the subroutine "operation member corresponding help display processing".

8A is a diagram showing details of help related to a self-timer in step S29 in the flowchart of FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing details of help related to an index display in step S37 in the flowchart of FIG. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a subroutine “camera operation process” of step S8 in the flowchart of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another operation example of the subroutine “help processing” in a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is step S in the flowchart of FIG. 10;
76 is a flowchart for describing the operation of a subroutine “operation member-related help display processing” of 76.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the camera according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 camera body, 2 shooting lens barrel, 3 monitor device, 4 viewfinder, 5 display screen, 7 mode selection switch, 8 selection button, 9 enter button, 11 self-timer button, 1 frame erase button, 12 macro shooting button, Print button, 13 flash button, automatic playback button, 14 photometry switching button, index display button, 16 release button, 17 help button, 18 self-timer lamp, 21a, 21b shooting lens, 22 shutter aperture, 23 image sensor, 24 A / D conversion unit, 25 image processing unit, 26 buffer memory, 27 character image storage unit, 28 help data storage unit, 29 nonvolatile memory, 33 control unit, 34 control unit, 36 lens control unit, 37 shutter control unit, 38 measurement Distance section, 39 Photometry section, 40 Bus line, 41 Light emitting section, 42 Communication section, 4 The power supply unit.

Claims (3)

[Claims] A plurality of first operation means for performing an operation as a camera; a storage means for storing information corresponding to the plurality of first operation means; and a plurality of first operation means stored in the storage means. Second to have information presented
Operating means, and notifying means for presenting the information, comprising: selecting information in the storage means in accordance with an operation of the second operating means and the plurality of first operating means; A camera characterized by being notified. 2. A plurality of first operation means for performing an operation as a camera; a storage means for storing information corresponding to the plurality of first operation means; and a plurality of first operation means stored in the storage means. Selecting means for selecting information stored therein, and a second means for presenting the information stored in the storage means.
Operating means, and display means for displaying the information, wherein at least one of the plurality of first operating means is operated at the time of operating the second operating means. A camera, wherein the selection means selects information corresponding to the operated first operation means, and displays the information on the display means. 3. An operation mode of a camera, comprising: a plurality of operation members, wherein when one of the plurality of operation members is operated, a predetermined camera operation assigned to the operation member is performed. Wherein when any one of the plurality of operation members is operated in a state in which the operation mode is switched to the help mode, a help display corresponding to the operation member is displayed.