JP2001066686A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate photographer's inconvenience that the photographer must set character string information whenever photographing, to enhance quick photographing performance, simultaneously, to prevent the forgetting of a setting operation. SOLUTION: The camera is provided with a mode selecting means for selecting either of plural photographing modes including the prescribed photographing mode capable of setting optional information on photographing and photographing based on the set information, an operating member for setting the character string information, a display means for displaying the set character string information and time data, a storing means for storing the character string information obtained when the prescribed photographing mode is set by the operating member, and display control means #104 and #105 for reading out the character string information for the prescribed photographing mode stored by the storing means in the case the prescribed photographing mode is selected, and then, controlling the display means so that the character string information for the prescribed photographing mode may be displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a camera capable of setting arbitrary information relating to photographing and selecting a predetermined photographing mode which enables photographing according to the set information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent cameras, in addition to a mode for recording date information (year, month, day, date and time), information on character strings (“good morning”, “congratulations”, etc.) preset in the camera has been added. It has a recording mode (hereinafter referred to as caption mode). In addition, cameras that create and record arbitrary character strings (hereinafter also referred to as captions) are known.

[0003] When a user sets a caption mode and shoots, desired caption information is recorded. However, once shooting is performed, the caption mode is generally canceled. This is to prevent the user from forgetting to cancel and continuing to record the set caption despite different scenes.

Further, in the conventional camera, for example, the photographer sets arbitrarily desired photographing conditions such as an exposure mode, whether or not strobe light is emitted, and a photometric mode, and enables photographing with the settings thereafter. A camera is known (hereinafter, this is called a personal mode). Therefore, the photographing conditions that are frequently used are stored in advance, and the photographer selects this personal mode as necessary, so that the photographing mode becomes the standard for the manufacturer (hereinafter, also referred to as a normal mode). There is an advantage that it is not necessary to reset the setting every time shooting is performed.

[0005]

Here, a case is considered in which a camera capable of setting both the former caption mode and the latter personal mode is constructed. In this case, by setting the personal mode, the photographing conditions do not need to be reset, but if the photographer wants to record a desired caption on the film, it is necessary to set the caption every time the photographing is performed. Therefore, there is a possibility that the setting is forgotten. For example, in a case where it is desired to keep a record of flower growth, it is desired to always capture the photographing conditions and an arbitrary set caption (such as the name of the flower).

(Aim of the Invention) A first object of the present invention is to eliminate the inconvenience of the photographer setting caption information for each photographing, improve the quick shooting performance, and at the same time prevent forgetting the setting. It is intended to provide a camera.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of preventing the user from forgetting to set the time.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Agenda] In order to achieve the first object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, predetermined information relating to photographing is set and photographing is enabled by the set information. Mode selection means for selecting any of a plurality of shooting modes including the shooting mode, an operation member for setting character string information, and display means for displaying the set character string information and time data. A storage unit that stores character string information in the predetermined shooting mode set by the operation member, and that is stored in the storage unit when the predetermined shooting mode is selected. A camera having display control means for reading out the character string information for the predetermined photographing mode and displaying the character string information on the display means.

Further, in order to achieve the second object,
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the power of the camera is turned on, the time data is displayed on the display means to prompt the user to set the clock regardless of the shooting mode at that time. Is what you do.

In the above configuration, even if the photographing mode when the power is turned on is the predetermined photographing mode, the time data is displayed on the display means so as to prompt the user to set the clock, and then the operation for setting the clock is terminated. By detecting this, the character string information for the predetermined photographing mode stored in the storage means is read, and the character string information is displayed.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main part of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a control circuit having a clock circuit 1a therein and configured by a microcomputer or the like for controlling various circuits of the camera. Reference numeral 2 denotes an unshown film for winding or rewinding a film loaded in the camera. Is a feed motor drive circuit for driving the feed motor of FIG. 3 is time data based on date information such as “year / month / day” or “date / time / minute”,
A liquid crystal display (hereinafter, referred to as an LCD) for displaying the status of the camera, various setting information, etc., 4 is an AE / AF control circuit for measuring the distance and brightness of a subject, and 5 is for performing appropriate exposure on the film. A shutter drive circuit for controlling the opening and closing of a shutter (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes an imprinting LED for optically imprinting time data and the like on the film loaded in the camera with the set date information. Note that time data or the like may be recorded using magnetically set date information.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a release switch. When this switch is operated, first, an AE / AF control circuit 14 starts a distance measuring operation and a photometric operation, and thereafter, a shutter driving circuit 5 controls opening and closing of a shutter (not shown). (Appropriate exposure control is performed), and then the feed motor drive circuit 2 winds up one frame of the photographed frame. At the time of film winding, the imprinting LED 6 is driven, and information such as time data is imprinted on a predetermined position of the photographing frame.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a dial switch for selecting an arbitrary photographing mode from a plurality of photographing modes including a personal mode. The dial switch 8 is turned on and off when a mode dial described later is operated. , OFF, the photographing mode of the camera is sequentially switched, for example, “fully automatic mode → one point ranging mode → macro mode → personal mode”. Reference numeral 9 denotes a caption switch for changing information displayed on the LCD 3 to a caption mode, which will be described later in detail. Reference numeral 10 denotes a select switch for selecting arbitrary caption information from among a plurality of caption information after the caption mode is changed to the caption mode by the caption switch 9. When the switch is operated, the caption code is sequentially changed as described later. And the code is displayed on the LCD 3. 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a set switch for the photographer to confirm when a desired caption code is displayed by watching the display on the LCD 3, and to display caption information corresponding to the caption code displayed by operating the switch. Is determined, and this information is imprinted on a predetermined position of the film.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a RAM which is a volatile memory for storing caption information, date information, and the like, and a non-volatile memory for maintaining the storage of the caption information which is set even when the power is turned off. This is a storage device composed of an EPROM.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera having the above configuration. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 13 denotes a camera body, and reference numeral 14 denotes a mode dial. By turning the dial, the dial switch 8 is turned on and off. As described above, the shooting mode can be changed to "full automatic mode → one point ranging mode → macro mode → personal mode”.
Reference numeral 15 denotes a finder. In addition, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 denote the same parts.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining information displayed on the LCD 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the display is changed to a caption mode by the caption switch 9 and then selected by the select switch 10 and the set switch 11. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a list of possible caption information.

In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the caption switch 9 is operated in a state in which time data based on date information such as “year, month, day” and “date, time, etc.” is displayed on the LCD 3, the LCD 3 is operated. The above display is changed from time data based on date information such as "year / month / day" or "date / time" to "J-1" (see FIG. 3). Here, "J-1" is a code indicating caption information "congratulations" in Japanese (J) which can be selected first among a plurality of caption information as shown in FIG. This format (the format indicated by the code) is used to save the display area on the LCD 3. The photographer sees the instruction manual as shown in FIG. 4 and finds that the current caption code is "J-
If "1", it can be known that the caption information "congratulations" has been selected.

Thereafter, every time the select switch 10 is operated, the caption information is "J-2 (thank you)",
"J-3 (Good morning)" ..., "E-1 (caption information in English (E) (HAPPY BIRTHDAY))", ... and change, and after the final caption information is selected, "J-1 (congratulations)". That is, by continuing to operate the select switch 10, the caption code changes cyclically. Then, as described above, when the desired caption information is displayed, the selection is stopped and the set switch 11 is pressed when the desired caption information is displayed, whereby the caption information is re-determined. The determined caption information is stored in the storage device 11, and every time the personal mode is set, the stored caption information is read into the control circuit 1 and displayed (by the caption code).

Although not described in detail here, arbitrary caption information can be created and stored. For example, when observing a flower, caption information “Asagio” is input by an input device (not shown) or the like, and an arbitrary code corresponding to the caption information (“F
-1 "), and by storing this caption information in the RAM in the personal mode,
Thereafter, by selecting the personal mode, the caption information “Asa-O” is automatically selected.

Next, the operation of the main part according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 5 explains the processing in the control circuit 1 when the shooting mode of the camera is changed by the mode dial 14.

First, in step # 101, it is determined from the state of the dial switch 8 whether or not the mode dial 14 has been operated to change the photographing mode. At first, it is assumed that a shooting mode other than the personal mode (normal mode such as a full automatic mode, a single point ranging mode or a macro mode) is set. As a result, if the shooting mode has not been changed, the process proceeds to a process corresponding to the shooting mode at that time. On the other hand, if it is determined that the shooting mode has been changed, the process proceeds to step # 102, and it is determined whether the changed shooting mode is the personal mode.

If it is determined that the mode has been changed to the personal mode, the process proceeds to step # 103, and the RAM, which is a volatile memory in the storage device 12, is selected in the photographing mode before the change (normal mode different from the personal mode). by (in this example a caption information) caption information or date information have been, for example, "J-4 (Hi)" stores. This is because when the normal mode is selected again, the caption information is read, and this information is displayed on the LCD 3 again next time. Next step #
In 104, since the mode has been changed to the personal mode, for example, “F” stored in advance in the RAM in the storage device 12 as caption information for the personal mode.
-1 (Asagao) "caption code,
In a succeeding step # 105, the caption code "F-1" is displayed on the LCD 3.

If it is determined in step # 102 that the changed shooting mode is not the personal mode, the process proceeds to step # 106, where it is determined whether the shooting mode before the change is the personal mode. If the shooting mode is other than the above, the process shifts to a process according to the mode. When the photographing mode before the change is the personal mode, the process proceeds to step # 107, and it is determined whether or not the change operation of the caption information is performed by the select switch 10 and the set switch 11 in the personal mode. If the change operation has not been performed, the process immediately proceeds to step # 109,
For example, if the caption information has been changed from "F-1 (Asagio)" to "F-2 (sunflower)", the caption information is stored (rewritten) in the RAM in the storage device 12.

Then, in the next step # 109,
Since the mode has been changed from the personal mode to the normal mode, the storage device 1 is stored in advance as caption information for the normal mode.
For example, stored in the RAM of the 2 information is read "J-4 (Hi)", in a subsequent step # 110, the information this made "J-4 (Hi)" LC
Display on D3.

Next, the operation immediately after the power is turned on will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described according to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power is turned on to the control circuit 1, the control circuit 1 proceeds to step # 401, and displays on the LCD 13 a message prompting the user to set the clock. Thereby, forgetting to set the clock can be prevented.

Next, the operation from when the battery is turned on to when the clock adjustment is completed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When power is supplied to the control circuit 1 and thereafter an operation member (not shown) for setting a clock is operated, the control circuit 1 proceeds to step # 501 where it is determined whether or not the mode is the clock adjustment mode. Do. As a result, if the mode is the clock adjustment mode, the process proceeds to step # 502; otherwise, the process returns to the main routine.

In step # 502, a clock adjustment process is performed. In the following step # 503, it is determined whether or not the clock adjustment has been completed. If the clock adjustment has not been completed, the process returns to the main routine. When it is determined that the clock adjustment has been completed, step #
The process advances to step 504, where it is determined whether the current shooting mode is the personal mode. If the shooting mode is the personal mode, the process proceeds to step # 505, and since it is determined in step # 502 that the clock adjustment has been completed in the personal mode, the caption information for the personal mode (for example, "F-1 ( Asagao))) L
The message is displayed on CD3 and the process returns to the main routine.

It should be noted that even if the power of the control circuit 1 is turned off, the EPR, which is a non-volatile memory in the storage device 12, is capable of maintaining the set caption information continuously.
Since the caption information for the personal mode (for example, “F-1 (Asagio)”) is stored in the OM, when the power is turned on again, the caption information is stored in the EP.
By reading from the ROM, this information can always be displayed on the LCD 3.

If the photographing mode is not the personal mode in step # 504, step # 50
6, since it is determined in step # 502 that the clock adjustment has been completed in the normal mode, the caption information for the normal mode selected last time (for example, "J-1
(Congratulations) ") Display on LCD 3 and return to main routine.

It should be noted that, even when the power of the control circuit 1 is turned off and then turned on, in the normal mode,
The time data from the previous caption information is displayed.
For example, the caption information is "J-4 (Hello)"
Is changed to “J-1 (congratulations)”, the power is turned off, and when a new power is turned on, “J-1”
(Congratulations) "will be displayed.

According to the above embodiment, a camera having the following effects can be obtained.

1) Since the caption information unique to the personal mode is set and stored in the storage device 12, the inconvenience of the photographer setting the caption information for each photographing in the personal mode can be solved. In addition, it is possible to enhance quick shooting and prevent forgetting of setting.

2) As described in 1) above, when the personal mode is set, the personal caption information (character string information) stored in the storage device 12 is automatically read and displayed. Become. Therefore, even when the power supply is replaced (turned on), if the personal mode is set, the personal caption information is automatically selected and displayed, and a screen for prompting the setting of the current time is displayed. There is a problem of forgetting to set the clock because it is not done. Therefore, when the power is replaced (turned on), a screen prompting the clock setting is displayed regardless of the shooting mode, and when the clock setting is completed, if the shooting mode at that time is the personal mode, the screen is automatically displayed. By displaying the caption information stored in the storage device 12,
When forgetting to set the clock and trying to imprint time data in the normal mote, it is possible to prevent beforehand that the time data is transferred due to the data.

[0038]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of the photographer setting the caption information for each photographing, improve the quick shooting performance, and at the same time forget the setting. It is possible to provide a camera that can prevent such a situation.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera that can prevent forgetting to set the time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a main part of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation procedure when selecting caption information in the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a list of caption information that can be selected in the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a shooting mode is changed in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation immediately after power-on according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation from turning on the battery to finishing clock adjustment in one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 control circuit 3 LCD 6 imprinting LED 7 release switch 8 dial switch 9 caption switch 10 select switch 11 set switch 12 storage device 14 mode dial

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Mode selecting means for setting any information related to photographing, and selecting one of a plurality of photographing modes including a predetermined photographing mode enabling photographing according to the setting information, and a character string In a camera having an operation member for setting information and display means for displaying the set character string information and time data, character string information in the predetermined shooting mode set by the operation member is stored. When the predetermined photographing mode is selected, the character string information for the predetermined photographing mode stored in the memory means is read out, and the character string information is displayed on the display means. A camera having display control means. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising data recording means for recording the set character string information at a predetermined position on the film. 3. The display control means, when the camera is turned on, causes the display means to display time data in order to urge clock setting, regardless of the shooting mode at that time. 3. The camera according to 1 or 2. 4. When the display control means detects that the operation for adjusting the clock is completed, the display control means determines whether or not the current shooting mode is a predetermined shooting mode. 4. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the character string information for the predetermined photographing mode stored in the storage means is read, and the character string information is displayed on the display means.