JP2001094868A - Digital still camera having strobe default setting allowed to be customized - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide strobe default setting allowed to be customized in a digital still camera(DSC). SOLUTION: A strobe 74 and a strobe charging/discharging circuit 72 are mounted in a housing 14 of the DSC 10. Manually operable control means 62, 64, 66a, 66b, 68, 70a, 70b are mounted in the housing 14 so as to be operated by user's fingers. A control circuit 30 mounted in the housing 14 is connected to processing circuits 22, 24, 26, 28, 36 so as to generate plural image files from plural pairs of pixels and store these image files in memories 38, 44 and connected to the circuit 72 to allow the strobe 74 to emit light under a prescribed condition in the photographing, based on one of plural strobe modes. The control circuit 30 enables a user to select a current strobe mode and a default strobe mode from plural strobe modes by the manual operation of the control means 62, 64, 66a, 66b, 68, 70a, 70b, allows the strobe 74 to emit light on the basis of the current strobe mode during the period of a current photographing session, and after ending the current photographing session and turning on a succeeding power supply, the strobe 74 is flashed in the default strobe mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to electronic still photography, and more particularly to electronic still photography (for example, to prevent a novice user from taking an underexposed photograph after turning on a camera, and for a skilled user to frequently change the strobe mode. You don't have to do it)
A digital still camera (DSC) with improved customizable strobe default settings.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art DSCs are rapidly gaining consumer popularity as an alternative to conventional still cameras that use silver halide films. The number of pixels of a color electronic image is
Photo details and sharpness have increased to an acceptable level for consumers. Digital images can be selectively stretched before printing with home photo album software, thereby eliminating the cost and expense of purchasing and developing conventional camera film. Advances in inkjet and laser printer technology, inks, and paper have made it possible to produce color prints from digital images that are comparable in quality to silver halide color prints. Digital images captured by DSC can be cut and pasted into various word processors and other publishing applications used in personal computers (PCs). In addition, digital images can be used for web pages and transmitted over the Internet. From an environmental point of view, electronic still photography is also attractive because it reduces the need for the production of silver halide films and the processing and disposal of chemical developers.

[0003] DSCs use flashes, like ordinary silver halide film cameras, to compensate for low ambient light conditions. Otherwise, the photos will be "underexposed"
, Which results in poor digital image brightness, poor contrast, and / or poor color balance. A conventional DSC strobe is typically a gas discharge tube that is “lit” by charging a charging circuit in the camera to illuminate an object (object, etc.) or scene (landscape, etc.) of interest. is there.
In digital camera technology, the terms "flash" and "strobe" are used interchangeably. In conventional DSCs, the user typically presses a push button on the top of the camera housing to switch the DSC between various modes, e.g., "strobe on" mode, "strobe off" mode, "auto" strobe mode And so on. Also,
Most DSCs have a "red-eye auto" strobe mode and a "red-eye on" strobe mode. Other conventional DS
C requires the user to select a desired strobe mode using a graphical user interface (GUI) on an LCD display.

In the strobe-on mode, the strobe is driven and emits light every time a picture is taken, regardless of the amount of ambient light. In the strobe-off mode, the flash is not driven regardless of the amount of ambient light and does not emit light every time a picture is taken. In the automatic strobe mode, the amount of ambient light is detected by the internal control circuit of the DSC each time a picture is taken, and the strobe is driven as necessary according to a pre-programmed light level.

[0005] In the automatic red-eye strobe mode, the flash is repetitive and continuous when more light is needed on the spot to prevent the unpleasant feature of the resulting photograph being red in the human eye. Is driven. In the red-eye on-strobe mode, the flash is driven repeatedly and continuously regardless of the detected ambient light level.

The conventional DSC automatically selects a specific strobe mode when the power is first turned on. Reference is now made to FIG. Conventional D of the first type
When the SC is powered on, ie, when the DSC enters the startup sequence, its internal control always proceeds to the default mode. The default mode is usually an automatic strobe mode. The user can change the strobe mode, the choice is random access memory
(RAM). The camera remains in the selected strobe mode during the current photo session, but loses the strobe mode selection when the camera is powered off. When the camera is turned on again, the camera goes into the default strobe mode (usually the auto strobe mode).

Referring now to FIG. When a second type of conventional DSC enters its startup sequence, its internal control determines from the nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM) the strobe mode or state that the user has selected last (ie, most recently) The flash mode is activated. The user can then change the strobe mode, and the change is stored in non-volatile RAM. The camera remains in the selected strobe mode until the user changes the strobe mode, regardless of whether the camera is subsequently turned on or off. Therefore, the second type of conventional D
In SC, the camera remembers the last selected strobe mode, maintains that mode during the current photography session, and is turned off and then on again until the user manually selects a new strobe mode. When it is turned on, it always returns to the strobe mode.

The first type of DSC (FIG. 1) is useful to prevent the user from forgetting to set the camera to a particular strobe mode. For example, when a user takes a picture under high light conditions, a second type of DSC (FIG. 2)
The flash off mode can be selected with. The DSC can then be powered off. Thereafter, the user may turn on the power of the second type of DSC, forget to change from the strobe off mode, and take a picture in a low light condition. Thereafter, the user may stow the second type of DSC for a while. In such a case, you will be disappointed with the "underexposed" photo when it is too late to retake the photo. The use of the first type of DSC enables the user to always take a photograph with proper exposure under low light conditions. This is because the DSC always enters the automatic strobe mode when the power is turned on.

On the other hand, the second type of DSC (FIG. 2)
It is suitable for advanced users who prefer one strobe mode over others. For example, in the studio
Photographers who set up a DSC of this type and want special artificial lighting for the spot lighting would select the strobe-off mode. This type of advanced user can use a DSC (as would be needed for a first type of DSC).
This is because it is not desirable to perform all steps for selecting the strobe off mode each time the power supply is turned on. Advanced users prefer a second type of DSC that "remembers" the last selected mode each time the DSC is turned on.

[0010] It is therefore desirable to overcome the disadvantages associated with such conventional DSC strobe mode selection and operation.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a digital still camera (DSC) with customizable strobe default settings.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a digital still camera that allows a user to customize the camera's strobe default settings.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a digital still camera with customizable strobe default settings is provided in a housing and within the housing for transmitting light from objects of interest and scenes. Attached lens. An image sensor is mounted within the housing and receives light transmitted through the lens to generate an output signal representing an image of the object or scene of interest. Further, a processing circuit is mounted in the housing, and connected to the image sensor, and processes an output signal from the image sensor when a plurality of pictures are continuously taken, so that a target object and Generating sets of pixels representing a plurality of images of the scene. A strobe and a strobe charge / discharge circuit are also mounted in the housing. A plurality of manually operable control means are mounted within the housing and allow the user to operate the control means with a finger. A control circuit is mounted in the housing and connected to the processing circuit for generating a plurality of image files from the plurality of sets of pixels and storing them in a memory. The control circuit is also connected to the strobe charging / discharging circuit so that the strobe emits light under predetermined conditions when a picture is taken according to one of a plurality of strobe modes. The control circuit allows a user to manually select the strobe mode from among a plurality of strobe modes by manually operating the control means. The control circuit fires a strobe in the current strobe mode during a current photo session, and after the current photo session is terminated, and after the camera is turned on, the control circuit operates in the default strobe mode. Make the flash fire.

The present invention also provides a method for controlling the strobe operation of a digital still camera. This method
During the camera startup sequence, setting the camera's strobe operating mode to a previously programmed strobe default mode and discharging the strobe according to the default mode during the current photo session. The method further allows changing the strobe operation mode of the camera to the current strobe mode during the current photography session, and then discharging the strobe according to the current strobe mode only during the current photography session. Including each step. Further, the method allows changing the strobe operation mode of the camera to the default strobe mode,
Thereafter, discharging the strobe in accordance with the default strobe mode after the camera startup sequence and during the current photo session until the strobe operation mode is changed to a different current strobe mode or a different default strobe mode. Including.

[0015]

3 and 4 show a perspective view and a block diagram, respectively, of a digital still camera 10 constructed according to the present invention. The camera 10 has customizable strobe default settings. The default settings ensure that, for example, a novice user does not take underexposed photos after turning on the camera, and that an experienced user does not need to change strobe modes frequently. This design protects novice users from leaving the camera in a state other than the automatic strobe mode, and eliminates the need for experienced users to fix the strobe mode settings and reset the strobe mode when the camera is turned on. Is what makes it possible.

The camera 10 can transfer digital images to the printer 12 (FIG. 4) by cable connection, removable memory, or wireless transmission, as described in more detail below. Referring to FIG. 3, camera 10 includes a small, generally rectangular outer plastic camera body or housing 14, which houses and supports the camera's operating components in a conventional manner. A lens 16 that allows light from a target object and a scene to pass therethrough is attached to a front wall portion of the housing 14. Eyepiece 17a on rear wall of housing 14
(FIGS. 3 and 4) form part of the viewfinder, which allows the user to view the object and / or scene of interest that has passed through the lens 16 or to see the small color inside. It allows the viewing of electronically recorded images displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 17b (FIG. 4). This includes a pair of swiveling mirrors (not shown) in the housing 14
This is achieved by using

An image sensor 18 (preferably in the form of a charge coupled device (CCD)) 18 (FIG. 4) is mounted in the housing 14 behind the lens 16 to receive light through the lens 16. The image sensor 18 generates an analog output signal representing an image of a target object or scene. By pivoting one of the mirrors in the housing 14, light received through the lens 16 can be selectively transmitted to the eyepiece 17a or the image sensor 18. In addition, by turning another mirror, as shown by a broken line in FIG.
It is possible to view an object or a scene via the lens 16 or to view an electronic image on the internal LCD 17b.

Referring to FIG. 4, a color filter array 20 is superimposed on the front side of the image sensor 18. An analog signal from the image sensor 18 is sequentially sent to a gain control circuit 22, and an output of the gain control circuit 22 is sent to an analog / digital (A / D) converter 24. The digital output of the A / D converter 24 is sent to a digital signal processing (DSP) circuit 26,
The output of the SP circuit 26 is supplied to a control circuit 30 via a buffer memory 28.
Sent to The control circuit 30 receives power from a battery 31 and includes a microcontroller or microprocessor and a JPEG file format conversion component 32 and an EXIF file format component.

Still referring to FIG. Light from the image or scene of interest enters the camera 10 via the lens 16 and is focused on the active surface of the image sensor 18 after passing through the color filter 20, as schematically shown by the arrows. Is done. As is well known in the art, image sensors
The color filters associated with the various detectors in the 18 CCD array make them sensitive to one particular color of light. Just one example, CCD
The detectors can be configured with a repeating pattern of multiple 2 × 2 groups, where the upper right detector of the 2 × 2 group responds to red light and the upper left detector responds to blue light. In response, the lower right detector responds to green light and the lower left detector responds to blue light. Each detector of the CCD array accumulates charge representing the amount of light at one CCD pixel. A timing generator 36 is connected between the control circuit 30 and the image sensor 18. The timing generator 36 controls reading of the CCD detector array constituting the image sensor 18 in a conventional manner. The charges accumulated in each CCD detector are sequentially applied to the input of the gain control circuit 22.

The timing generator 36 (FIG. 4) periodically flashes the CCD array of the image sensor 18 (flu).
sh) is possible. The gain control circuit 22 uses a conventional correlated double sampling process (correlated doubl
e sampling process). This double sampling process is responsible for the overshoot and undershoot of the CCD detector output when reading the output voltage from each detector of the CCD array. The A / D converter 24 converts the analog voltage read from the CCD detector into a digital value after adjustment by the gain control circuit 22.

The DSP 26 (FIG. 4) processes the digital signal from the A / D converter 24 to implement a demosaic function, and also performs automatic white balance detection and correction and image sharpening (known in the art). (shrpening) function. For example, DSP 26 can be provided in the form of part number HD49811TFA sold by Hitachi. The output of DSP26 is a set of pixels, each of which is
Each color represents a specific portion of the image captured by the CCD array of the image sensor 18. CCD
The entire set of pixels for a complete flushing of the array will represent one image of the object or scene for which the "photo" was to be "captured" by the camera 10.

The microcontroller of control circuit 30 (FIG. 4) can execute firmware to provide JPEG file format conversion component 32. Alternatively,
The JPEG file format conversion component can be a dedicated hardware circuit or a combination of hardware and software. JPEG file format converter,
The information output received from the DSP 26 via the buffer memory 28 is compressed according to the well-known JPEG data compression standard. JP
EG format image information is stored in the EXIF file format component 34
Sent to. The EXIF file format component 34 embeds JPEG format image information in a file conforming to the digital still camera file format standard (version 1.0, July 13, 1995) commonly known as EXIF. The microcontroller of the control circuit 30 can execute firmware to provide the EXIF file format component 34. Alternatively, the EXIF file format component 34
It may be a dedicated hardware circuit or a combination of hardware and software.

Referring back to FIG. Elements of camera 10
The portions indicated by 22, 24, 26, 28, and 36 process output signals from an image sensor when photographs are continuously taken to form a plurality of sets representing a plurality of images of a target object or a scene. Generate pixels. The control circuit 30 converts the plurality of sets of pixels into a plurality of image files representing images of a target object and a scene. The image file is in the EXIF file format and represents a series of photographs taken by the camera 10. The image files can be stored in internal memory 38 and sent to a cable 42 connected to the printer 12 via an output port 40 attached to the camera housing 14. For example, the memory 38 can be composed of a nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM) portion and a volatile RAM portion. Alternatively, cable 42
Can be connected to a PC (not shown) so that the image file in EXIIF format can be further processed in the PC, displayed on a monitor, or downloaded to a printer connected to the PC. Will be understood by those skilled in the art.
Further alternatively, the user of camera 10 can make a selection to send the selected image file to printer 12 via removable memory 44, as described in more detail below.

The memory 44 (FIG. 4) stores the camera housing 14
It is preferably a flash memory card plugged into a female connector 46 in a socket or slot 48 formed on the outer surface of the flash memory card. Instead of flash memory card,
It is also possible to use floppy disks and other forms of removable storage media. As another alternative, the user of the camera 10 may select an image by utilizing a wireless data link that includes an infrared (IR) transmitter 50 (FIGS. 3 and 4) mounted on the outer surface of the camera housing 14. You can choose to send the file to the printer 12. In this case, the printer 12 receives the infrared light encoded with the image data via the IR receiver 52 (FIG. 4) mounted outside the printer housing. Printer 12 includes conventional circuitry connected to an IR receiver 52 for decoding image data from the received IR signal. The IR transmitting device 50 is connected to an IR driving circuit 54, and as described later, the IR driving circuit 54
The control circuit 30 controls the transmission of the desired image data.

A display 56 (FIG. 3) is mounted on top of the camera housing 14 for viewing by a camera user.
The display unit 56 is an LCD capable of displaying alphanumeric and graphic information.
It is preferable that The display unit 56 is driven in a conventional manner by an LCD drive circuit 58 (FIG. 4) controlled by the control circuit 30. The LCD drive circuit 58 is connected to the internal LCD 17b.
Is also driven, and a recorded image is displayed on the LCD 17b based on an instruction for viewing from the eyepiece 17a of the camera finder. The display 56 displays a series of menus that provide a plurality of user-selectable command options as part of a graphical user interface (GUI) generated by the control circuit 30 using a control program stored in the internal memory 38. Can be displayed.

A plurality of manually operable control units 62, 64, 66a, 66b, 68, 70a, 70b (FIGS. 3 and 4) are attached to the outer surface of the camera housing 14, and the user can display the display unit 56. These controls can be easily operated with a finger while watching. For example, manually operable control units 62, 64, 66a, 66b,
68, 70a, 70b may be of the push button type. When the push button 62 is pressed, the power of the DSC is turned on / off, and when the push button 64 is pressed, “take a picture” can be performed. In addition, manually operable control units 66a, 66
By pressing b, the command options displayed on the display unit 56 can be scrolled up and down. By pressing the push button 68, the command option currently highlighted or marked with the cursor can be selected. Push buttons 70a, 70b
Press to select the current strobe mode or
Other functions, such as time input, can be controlled.
The current strobe mode can be selected from strobe modes of “strobe on”, “strobe off”, “auto”, “red-eye automatic”, and “red-eye on”.
Each time the push button 70a is pressed, an instruction for the current strobe mode can be displayed on the LCD 56. When the desired current strobe mode is displayed, for example, by pressing the push button 68,
The desired strobe mode can be selected and activated in the camera 10.

As will be described in detail later, the user can use the DSC 10
After powering on, the strobe push button 70a (FIGS. 3 and 4) can be depressed with the index finger to set the current strobe mode for the current photo session. The manually operable control on the camera housing 14 can comprise a rotary dial (not shown), in which case by positioning the dial pointer next to the desired mode, It is possible to select one of several different operating modes.
Such various operation modes include a photographing mode, a review / preview mode, a date / time input mode, and the like. The dial will be used for mode selection instead of, or as an alternative to, mode selection via the GUI using push buttons 66a, 66b. The manually operable control units 62, 64, 66a, 66b, 68, 70a, 70b interface with the control circuit 30 in a conventional manner via a switch input / output (I / O) buffer device 71 (FIG. 4). Take.

A conventional strobe charge / discharge circuit 72 is provided between the control circuit 30 and a strobe or flash 74 (FIGS. 3 and 4) mounted on the front of the camera housing 14.
(FIG. 4) is connected. The strobe 74 can be composed of a gas discharge tube, and the strobe charge / discharge circuit 72 (FIG.
When 4) is "light-emitting" or energized, the target object or scene is illuminated with bright light.
The strobe 74 is fired according to the current strobe mode during the current photo session. Strobe charge / discharge circuit 72 receives power from battery 31. DSC
When 10 is set to the automatic strobe mode, the surrounding brightness is detected by the control circuit 30 of the DSC 10 each time a picture is taken, and the strobe 74 is activated as necessary according to a pre-programmed brightness level. Is done. To facilitate this operation, the DSC 10 includes a brightness detection circuit 76 that receives the analog output signal of a suitable brightness detector 78 (FIGS. 3 and 4) mounted on the front of the camera housing 14.
(FIG. 4).

The control circuit 30 also causes a series of menus to be displayed on the display unit 56, and displays one of the push button control units.
Provides command options that can be selected by two manual operations. When some of the pushbutton controls are manually operated in the proper sequence, the control circuit 30 causes the stored individual images to be displayed on the small internal LCD 17b and causes the viewfinder eyepiece 17a (FIG. 3).
And via FIG. 4). The LCD 56 on the top of the camera housing 14 is used only to display alphanumeric data and graphic symbols as part of the GUI. The control circuit 30 generates a markup file in response to a user selecting a first predetermined order of command options by operating the push button control unit. The markup file indicates designation of still another process of the image file. The markup file may include information about not only which images are selected, but also about the number of copies desired. In addition, the markup file may include information regarding image enhancements performed on the selected image, such as rotation, cropping, and brightness enhancement.

When the markup file is generated, the user presses an appropriate push button control unit in accordance with an appropriate menu on the display unit 56 to transfer the designated image file to the cable 42, the removable memory 44,
Alternatively, the data can be sent to the printer 12 via the IR transmitter 50. The printer 12 receives all of the selected image files specified in the markup file and all information relating to the number of images and the image quality improvement, regardless of the data transfer mode. The markup file needs to be created only once by the user, and the information specified in the markup file can be used in any of the three data transfer modes, namely, the cable 42, the removable memory 44,
Alternatively, it can be used via any of the IR transmitters 50.

As part of the GUI, the control circuit 30 also
"Strobe on", "Strobe off",
A menu of various strobe modes is displayed, including "auto", "red-eye auto", and "red-eye on" strobe modes. One of these modes can be changed using the GUI (eg, by scrolling with push buttons 66a, 66b and pressing push button 68 when the desired strobe mode is highlighted or marked with a cursor). The mode can be selected.

Next, reference is made to FIG. When the power of the DSC 10 is turned on, the control circuit 30 checks the memory 38 to determine the strobe mode to be shifted. When the user turns on the DSC 10, the user can select the strobe mode in two different ways. First, the user can press the strobe push button 70a on the top of the camera housing 14. Second, the user can use one or more of the push button controls and follow the menu shown on the LCD display 56 to access the GUI.
The flash mode can be selected via. By using the strobe push button 70a, the strobe mode can be changed only for the current photo session. When the power of the DSC 10 is turned off, the currently selected strobe mode is "forgotten". Also, when using the GUI, the user can set the default strobe mode, that is,
Thereafter, the DSC operates in the strobe mode, and then proceeds to the strobe mode even when the DSC is turned on.
Will be maintained until you change the strobe mode setting via.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the customizable strobe default setting of the digital still camera of FIGS. 3 and 4. First, camera 10
Enters a startup sequence as a result of the user pressing the push button 62 to turn on the camera 10. The control circuit 30 has previously been operated by the user via the GUI to store the internal memory.
If the default mode is set in the non-volatile RAM portion 38, the strobe mode is set to the default mode stored in the non-volatile RAM portion. Also, if the user has not previously set a default mode in the non-volatile RAM portion, the camera 10 is in a default mode (preferably set at the time of factory shipment) (preferably an automatic strobe mode). However, this default mode can be selected by the user via the GUI as described above. When the user presses the push button 70a or the GUI
When a strobe change operation is started via the control circuit
30 treats these two strobe change operations differently. The strobe mode change initiated by push button 70a is stored in the volatile RAM portion of internal memory 38, which is only for the duration of the current photo session, i.e., when the strobe mode is changed or camera 10
Is set until the power is turned off. When the power of the camera 10 is turned off, any change in the strobe mode initiated by the push button 70a is forgotten. If a strobe mode change is selected via the GUI, the change will be stored in the non-volatile RAM portion of the internal memory 38, and the strobe mode will not only be used during the current photo session, but also when the camera is turned off. Is set as the default mode when is turned on (unless the strobe mode is changed via the GUI in the meantime).

Accordingly, the present invention provides a
It allows customizing the strobe mode settings to the specific needs of the user. If the novice user selects the "strobe off" mode using the strobe push button 70a on the top of the camera, for example (unless the user changes the strobe mode via the GUI), D
The DSC 10 can be programmed so that the SC 10 always powers on in automatic strobe mode. A more advanced user may also use the GUI to set the default strobe mode so that when the camera is turned on, the DSC 10 will be in the strobe mode most frequently used or preferred by the advanced camera user. Can be programmed. The advanced user can then use the push button 70a on the top of the camera housing 14 to set the strobe mode for an individual photo or session.

Thus, the present invention not only provides a DSC with customizable strobe default settings, but also provides a novel method of controlling the strobe operation of a digital still camera. This method
Setting the camera's strobe operating mode to a previously programmed strobe default mode during the camera startup sequence and discharging the strobe according to the default mode during the current photo session. The method further comprises changing a strobe operation mode of the camera to a current strobe mode during a current photography session, and then discharging the strobe according to the current strobe mode only during the current photography session. Including each step. Further, the method allows the strobe operation mode of the camera to be changed to a default strobe mode, after which the strobe operation mode is changed to a different current strobe mode or a different default strobe mode, after the camera startup sequence. Discharging the strobe according to the default strobe mode during the current photography session.

A novice user is likely to simply select the current strobe mode by pressing the push button 70a, and may adjust the current strobe operation mode via a GUI on the display unit 56 via a menu. It will be appreciated that it is low. Therefore, it is unlikely that a novice user will change the default strobe mode (automatic strobe mode) programmed at the factory. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a novice user from turning on the power of the camera and taking a photograph under a low light amount condition when the strobe operation mode is set to the strobe off mode. On the other hand, for advanced users, there is an option to set the strobe operation mode to a desired mode via the GUI, and this desired mode is set to the push button 70a or the strobe operation mode regardless of whether the power of the camera is repeatedly turned on or off. Unchanged strobe operation mode until changed via GUI. In the former case, the selected mode is
Only the current strobe mode is set, that is, a mode that is forgotten when the camera is turned off. In the latter case, the selected mode becomes the default mode in addition to the operation mode in the current photographing session.

The present invention is also useful in DSCs with "red-eye automatic" and "red-eye on" strobe modes. These modes are either push button 70a or GUI
Can be selected via If one of these modes is selected with push button 70a, that mode will only last during the current photo session, ie, until the strobe mode is changed or the camera is turned off. These modes can also be selected via the GUI, in which case the mode will be the default strobe mode as well as being maintained during the current photography session, which will be the default strobe mode. Later, whether or not the camera is turned off, the strobe mode will persist until it is changed again via the GUI. Of course, any default strobe mode to which the camera 10 transitions can be overridden by selection of the strobe mode via the push button 70a, but such strobe mode selection will only be valid for the current photographic session. After turning off the camera 10,
When the power is turned on again, the default strobe mode previously selected in the GUI is set.

Although the preferred embodiment of the digital still camera and the strobe default setting method of the present invention has been described in the present specification, those skilled in the art can change both the configuration and details of the present invention. Will understand. The present invention can be implemented in other camera designs and strobe default setting methods in addition to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the protection afforded this invention should be limited only by the following claims.

In the following, exemplary embodiments comprising combinations of various constituent elements of the present invention will be described. 1． A digital still camera (10) with customizable strobe default settings, comprising a housing (1
4) and a lens (1) mounted in the housing (14) and transmitting light from the object and scene of interest.
6) an image sensor mounted in the housing (14) for receiving light transmitted through the lens (16) and generating an output signal representing an image of a target object or scene; 18), mounted in the housing (14), connected to the image sensor (18), the image sensor when a plurality of pictures are taken continuously
A processing circuit (22, 24, 26, 28, 36) for processing the output signal from (18) to generate a plurality of sets of pixels representing a plurality of images of the target object and scene; and
A strobe (74) mounted in (14) and a strobe charge / discharge circuit (72) mounted in the housing (14) and connected to the strobe (74), which can be operated by a user's finger. A plurality of manually operable control means (62, 64, 66a, 66b, 68, 70a, 70b) attached to the housing (14)
And a memory (38,
44), mounted in the housing (14), connected to the processing circuit (22, 24, 26, 28, 36), generating a plurality of image files from the plurality of sets of pixels, and A control circuit (30) stored in the memory (38, 44), the control circuit (30) being connected to the strobe charging / discharging circuit (72), and being connected to one of a plurality of strobe modes.
The strobe (74) emits light under predetermined conditions when a picture is taken according to the above, and the control circuit (30) causes the control means (62, 64, 66a, 66b, 68, 70a, 70b) to Connected, allowing a user to select a current strobe mode or a default strobe mode from the plurality of strobe modes, the control circuit (30) controlling the strobe (74) during a current photo session. A control circuit (30) for emitting light in accordance with the current strobe mode and for emitting light in accordance with the default strobe mode after the current photographic session is completed and the camera (10) is subsequently powered on.
A digital still camera (10) comprising: 2. The digital still camera (10) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of strobe modes are selected from the group consisting of a strobe on mode, a strobe off mode, an automatic strobe mode, a red-eye automatic strobe mode, and a red-eye on strobe mode. 3. The digital still camera (10) of claim 1, further comprising a display (56) mounted within the housing (14) for displaying alphanumeric and / or graphic information for viewing by a user. 4. The control circuit (30) is connected to the control means (66a, 66b, 68) and the display (56) to enable a user to select one of the plurality of strobe modes. Providing a graphical user interface, item 3 above
Digital still camera (10) according to (1). 5. The control circuit (30) is connected to the control means (70a, 70b), and the user can use the plurality of strobes through manual operation of the control means (70a, 70b) without using the graphical user interface. Digital still camera (10) according to the preceding clause 4, which makes it possible to select one of the modes. 6. The control circuit (30) further operates the control means (66a, 66b, 68) so that a user can manually select a current strobe mode and select a default strobe mode using the graphical user interface. 6. A digital still camera (10) according to the item 5, wherein the digital still camera is capable of performing the following operations. 7. The digital still camera (10) according to the above item 6, wherein the control circuit (30) does not save the manually selected current strobe mode when the camera (10) is turned off. . 8. The memory (38) includes a nonvolatile RAM portion and a volatile R
The digital still camera (10) according to the above item 1, comprising an AM part. 9. The digital still of claim 8, wherein the current strobe mode is stored in the volatile RAM portion of the memory (38) and the default strobe mode is stored in the non-volatile RAM portion of the memory (38). Camera (10). Ten. The digital still camera (10) according to claim 1, wherein the current strobe mode and the default strobe mode are selected using a display unit (56) attached to the housing (14).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of a first type of conventional DSC, which is in a default strobe mode (usually an automatic strobe mode) at power-on;
Thereafter, it is possible to manually select the strobe mode.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of a second conventional type of DSC, which remembers the last strobe mode when the power is turned on, and then allows a manual strobe mode selection.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a digital still camera configured according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit of the digital still camera of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a customizable default strobe operation of the digital still camera of FIGS. 3 and 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Digital still camera 14 Housing 16 Lens 18 Image sensor 22,24,26,28,36 Processing circuit 30 Control circuit 38,44 Memory 62,64,66a, 66b, 68,70a, 70b Control means 72 Strobe charge / discharge circuit 74 Strobe

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A digital still camera (10) having a customizable strobe default setting, comprising a housing (14), mounted within the housing (14), for transmitting light from objects and scenes of interest. A lens (16), mounted in the housing (14), the lens (16)
Receiving light transmitted through to generate an output signal representing an image of the object or scene of interest;
An image sensor (18), mounted in the housing (14), connected to the image sensor (18), and outputs an output signal from the image sensor (18) when a plurality of pictures are continuously taken. Processing, to generate a plurality of sets of pixels representing a plurality of images of the target object and scene, a processing circuit (22, 24, 26,
28, 36), and a strobe (74) mounted in the housing (14)
And mounted inside the housing (14), the strobe (7
And a plurality of manually operable control means (62, 64, 66) attached to the housing (14) so as to be operated by a user's finger.
a, 66b, 68, 70a, 70b) and a memory (38, 44) mounted in the housing (14).
Mounted in the housing (14), and the processing circuit (2
2, 24, 26, 28, 36), a control circuit (30) for generating a plurality of image files from the plurality of sets of pixels and storing the image files in the memories (38, 44). hand,
The control circuit (30) is connected to the strobe charging / discharging circuit (72) and controls the strobe (7) under a predetermined condition when a photograph is taken according to one of a plurality of strobe modes.
4) to emit light, and the control circuit (30) controls the control means (62, 6).
4, 66a, 66b, 68, 70a, 70b) to allow a user to select a current strobe mode or a default strobe mode from the plurality of strobe modes, wherein the control circuit (30) comprises: A strobe (74) is fired according to the current strobe mode during a current photo session, and according to the default strobe mode after the current photo session is completed and the camera (10) is next powered on. A digital still camera (10) including a control circuit (30) for emitting light.