JP2002072333A - Liquid crystal display device and finder device for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal display device and a finder device by which a specified display segment out of plural display segments is recognized more conspicuously than other display segments. SOLUTION: This liquid crystal display device is provided with a polymer dispersed liquid crystal panel 10, a light source 30, and a waveguide (light guiding means) 40 guiding light from the light source 30 to the panel 10. Plural index segments 101 to 105 selected by selecting operation and the display segments 106 and 107 different from the segments 101 to 105 are formed on the panel 10. The respective display segments are independently controlled to a light scattered state or a light non-scattered state by a CPU 8. The selecting operation is performed by a selector 50. The CPU 8 detects the acting state of a single lens reflex camera 1. When the camera 1 is in the specified acting state, the CPU 8 forcibly sets the display segments 106 and 107 in the light scattered state to be in the light non-scattered state in a specified period and makes the light source emit the light so as to display only the selected index segments (one of 101 to 105) conspicuously.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmission type liquid crystal display device and a finder device capable of displaying necessary information superimposed on an optical image, and more particularly to a superimposed liquid crystal display used for a finder of a camera. The present invention relates to a device and a finder device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an optical device such as a camera, a transmissive display device (for example, a liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal panel) for superposing and displaying other necessary information on an optically obtained image. )It has been known. As an example, the present applicant has proposed a liquid crystal display device for a camera finder using a polymer dispersed liquid crystal as a liquid crystal layer.

In a liquid crystal display device using this polymer-dispersed liquid crystal, the liquid crystal layer can be switched between two modes, a light non-scattering state and a light scattering state, by switching the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer. By setting the shape of the (transparent electrode) to a desired shape (constituting a display segment), desired information can be displayed. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device configured as described above is arranged near the screen in the viewfinder of the camera so that an optical image generated on the screen can be visually recognized through the liquid crystal display device. By controlling the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer, desired information can be appropriately superimposed on an optical image on a screen and displayed.

In this case, the liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal display device is
Two transparent substrates provided with a plurality of transparent electrodes are provided.
A liquid crystal layer is sealed between two transparent substrates, and transparent electrodes of a desired shape facing each other with the liquid crystal layer therebetween constitute a display segment. The liquid crystal layer between the transparent electrodes to which a voltage is applied does not scatter light (light non-scattering state), and only the liquid crystal layer between the transparent electrodes to which no voltage is applied scatters light (light scattering state). ).

[0005] As described above, by selectively supplying voltages to the plurality of transparent electrodes constituting the plurality of display segments arranged on the liquid crystal panel, the display segments are displayed in a desired manner on the liquid crystal panel. You.

[0006]

By the way, in a finder device of an electronic device such as a single-lens reflex camera, when a plurality of display segments provided in the finder are selected so as to indicate the use state, etc. There is a demand that the selected display segment be displayed so as to stand out with respect to other display segments and that the photographer clearly recognizes the display segment.

For example, in a single-lens reflex camera configured to perform focusing by selecting one focus area from a plurality of focus areas, information as to which focus area is selected at the time of shooting is not known. , One of the display segments (hereinafter referred to as “index segments”) corresponding to the selected focus area to be clearly recognized by the photographer over other information (information indicated by other display segments). It is.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and makes a specific display segment (index segment) selected by a photographer among a plurality of display segments stand out from other display segments. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display device and a finder device capable of performing the above-described operations.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an index segment comprising a plurality of indices which can be selectively displayed by a selection operation, and a display comprising a marker other than the indices. A liquid crystal panel having segments, a light source, light guide means for guiding light from the light source to the liquid crystal panel, a selection means for performing the selection operation, the display segment and the index segment selected by the selection operation A control means for independently controlling the light scattering state or the light non-scattering state, and an operation detection means for detecting an operation state of an electronic device equipped with the liquid crystal panel, wherein the liquid crystal display device, When the operation detecting means detects an operation state requiring confirmation of the selected index as an operation state, the display segment in the light scattering state is controlled by the control means. Forcibly controlled to the light non-scattering state, in which light is emitted the light source. Thus, when a specific index segment is selected, even if another display segment is selected, the index segment can be displayed so as to stand out with respect to the other display segments.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control means includes:
The light source emits light for a certain period, and after the certain period elapses, the display segment forcibly changed to the light non-scattering state is returned to the light scattering state. As a result, the index segment can be displayed in a prominent manner for a certain period of time, so that the photographer can clearly recognize the index segment, and thereafter, the photographer can recognize another display segment again.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal panel having an index segment comprising a plurality of indices which can be selectively displayed by a selection operation, a display segment comprising a marker other than the indices, and a light source. A light guide unit for guiding light from the light source to the liquid crystal panel, a selection unit for performing the selection operation, and the display segment and the index segment selected by the selection operation independently of a light scattering state or light. A liquid crystal display device comprising: a control unit configured to control a non-scattering state; and an operation detection unit configured to detect an operation state of an electronic device equipped with the liquid crystal panel, wherein the control unit is selected as an operation state. When the operation detecting means detects an operation state requiring confirmation of the index, if there is no display segment in the light scattering state, the light source may emit light. It is. This prevents the selected specific index segment and the other display segments from being displayed at the same time, and makes it possible to display the index segment in a prominent manner with respect to the other display segments.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means is connected to a photometric means for measuring the luminance near the liquid crystal panel, and the control means determines that the luminance measured by the photometric means is not less than a predetermined value. At this time, light emission of the light source is prohibited. Thus, when the surroundings of the LCD panel are dark,
The selected indicator segment is illuminated by light from the light source to make it easier to see. When the periphery of the liquid crystal panel is bright, the selected indicator segment is scattered in a light-scattering state and is easily seen. become.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an autofocus camera wherein the electronic device has a plurality of focus areas, and the operation state requiring confirmation of the selected index includes an autofocus operation state and a focus area selection state. And at least one of the following. As a result, in the auto focus operation state, it is possible to confirm the focus area selected by the index segment. In the focus area selection state, it is possible to select a new focus area while confirming the already selected focus area. It will be easier.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a finder device including the liquid crystal display device, wherein the liquid crystal panel is disposed on a finder optical path, and the subject light is incident on the liquid crystal panel on the incident side of the subject light. And a light-shielding member for shading light to define a finder screen. With this, within the finder screen defined by the light blocking member,
The selected specific index segment can be displayed so as to stand out with respect to other display segments, and the space in the device can be effectively used.

The invention according to claim 7 is provided with an adjusting means for adjusting the size of the finder screen by moving the light shielding member in a direction intersecting with the finder optical path. Thus, the selected specific index segment can be displayed more prominently on the other display segments in the finder screens of different sizes adjusted by the adjusting means.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control means of the liquid crystal display device is connected to a light shielding member detecting means for detecting whether or not the light shielding member has entered the display range of the liquid crystal panel. The control means performs control based on the detection result of the light shielding member detecting means.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention (Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 4,
(Corresponding to claim 5) will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal panel will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be similarly applied to a polymer network liquid crystal and the like. First, the configuration of the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment and its display operation will be described.

The liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment has a rectangular flat liquid crystal panel 10, a frame-shaped holder (holding member) 20 for fixing the periphery of the liquid crystal panel 10, and a liquid crystal panel 10.
A light source 30 for illuminating the liquid crystal panel, a waveguide (light guide means) 40 for branching the light from the light source 30 and guiding it around the liquid crystal panel 10, a focus area selector 50, a drive circuit 7, and a CPU 8. (See FIG. 2).

Among them, the liquid crystal panel 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the structure is such that a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal 13 is sandwiched between a pair of transparent substrates (glass or transparent resin substrates) 11 and 12.
Reference numeral 3 is enclosed by a sealing material 14 provided around the transparent substrates 11 and 12 and the liquid crystal panel 10. Although illustration is omitted between the polymer dispersed liquid crystal 13 and the upper transparent substrate 11 and between the polymer dispersed liquid crystal 13 and the lower transparent substrate 12, ITO (indium) is used. Very thin transparent electrodes (consisting of a transparent electrode layer) composed of tin and oxide) are respectively formed.

By appropriately forming the transparent electrode in a necessary area of the liquid crystal panel 10, a desired area (for example, the display segment 13a shown in FIG. 1) of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal 13 is displayed (light scattering state). Or a non-display state (light non-scattering state). Here, display segment 1
The operation principle of switching 3a between a display state (light scattering state) and a non-display state (light non-scattering state) will be briefly described.

The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal 13 is made of a polymer / liquid crystal composite material in which liquid crystal is dispersed in a polymer, and changes the degree of scattering by changing the refractive index of the liquid crystal by an electric field effect. Therefore, when a substantially zero voltage (zero voltage) is applied to the pair of transparent electrodes sandwiching the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal 13, the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal 13 scatters incident light in a state where no electric field is applied. (Light scattering state). Thus, by applying a zero voltage to the electrode corresponding to the display segment 13a, the display segment 13a scatters light and is distinguished from the surroundings.

On the other hand, when a predetermined voltage or more is applied to the pair of transparent electrodes, the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal 13 is in a state where an electric field is applied and does not scatter light (light non-scattering state). As described above, by applying an appropriate voltage to the transparent electrode corresponding to the display segment 13a, the display segment 13a is in a light non-scattering state and cannot be distinguished from the surroundings.

If the display segment 13a is to be distinguished from its surroundings, the above-mentioned transparent electrode layer is removed into the shape of the contour of the display segment 13a by etching, so that an electric field is generated independently from the surroundings only by the display segment 13a. Be able to control. The holder 20 for fixing the liquid crystal panel 10 includes a lower frame 21 and an upper frame 22, and an edge around the liquid crystal panel 10 is sandwiched between the two frames 21 and 22.

The lower frame 21 of the holder 20 is formed of an opaque material. On the other hand, the upper frame 22 of the holder 20 is formed of a transparent resin material such as an acrylic resin, and has an upper surface 22a, a lower surface 22b, and an outer surface 22c.
Is painted black to prevent light from leaking out. Further, an uncoated inner side surface 22e is formed in the recess on the inner peripheral side of the upper frame 22. The reason why the inner side surface 22e is not coated is that the light propagating in the upper frame 22 can be emitted toward the end surface 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10.

The waveguide (light guide means) 40 is embedded in the upper frame 22 which is the main body of the holder 20. That is, a rectangular opening 22k is formed on one side of the upper frame 22, and the waveguide 40
Is fitted and fixed in this state. The waveguide (light guide means) 40 is formed of a transparent material such as acrylic resin or glass, and the incident surface 40a at one end is a cylindrical lens surface.

The side surface 4 of the waveguide (light guide means) 40
Aluminum vapor deposition or the like is applied to Ob to prevent the illumination light from leaking to the outside. In addition, it is sufficient to simply shield the side surface 40b from light without using a mirror. Illumination light from the light source 30 enters the inside of the waveguide 40 via the incident surface 40a. The illumination light that has entered the inside of the waveguide 40 exits from the exit surface 40c while being reflected by the side surface 40b. At this time, the spread angle of the illumination light emitted from the emission surface 40c is narrowed within a predetermined box.

Illumination light emitted from the emission surface 40c at a predetermined spread angle enters the inside of the display panel 10 from the end face 10a of the display panel 10, and illuminates the polymer dispersed liquid crystal 13. When no electric field is applied to the display segment 13a, this portion is in a light scattering state and is displayed by the illumination light according to the color of the illumination light. The upper frame 2
By embedding the waveguide 40 on the long side of the upper frame 22 instead of embedding the waveguide 40 on the short side of 2, the uneven illumination (the side near the waveguide 40 is strongly illuminated and the side far from the waveguide 40 is weakly illuminated) Is difficult to occur.

The liquid crystal display device configured as described above is mounted on, for example, a single-lens reflex camera 1 (FIG. 2) having a plurality of autofocus areas. As shown in FIG. 2, the single-lens reflex camera 1 includes a photographing lens 2 for forming an image of a subject on a film 11, and a light flip-up reflecting mirror for switching an optical path L from the photographing lens 2. 3, a screen 4 arranged on a plane conjugate to the film 11, a liquid crystal panel 10 arranged close to the screen 4, a screen 4 and a liquid crystal panel 10
A pentaprism 5 that bends the light transmitted through the lens and an eyepiece 6 for observing the image projected on the screen 4
And Here, the liquid crystal panel 10 is held by the holder 20 and fixed to the camera body.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of index segments 101 to 105 (corresponding to five focus areas) and composition grid lines are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 10 mounted on the single-lens reflex camera 1, as shown in FIG. Display segment 106, the display segment 10 showing the photometric round line
7 are provided. 5 indicator segments 1
By operating the focus area selector 50 during auto focus control, 01 to 105 are selected to be in a light scattering state, and the selected index segment (focus area) is displayed.

The drive circuit 7 controls the liquid crystal panel 1 based on a control signal from a CPU 8 that controls the operation of the camera as a whole.
0 is a desired display mode (index segments 101 to 105,
The display segments 106 and 107 are driven to a light non-scattering state / light scattering state). The CPU 8 determines a display mode of the liquid crystal panel 10 based on a signal from the focus area selector 50 and further, an output signal from an AE device, an AF device (both not shown), and the like, and a control signal indicating the display mode. To the drive circuit 7 to control the display mode on the liquid crystal panel 10.

The photometric element 9 is provided with a luminance of the object (here,
It is a photoelectric conversion element that detects the luminance near the liquid crystal panel 10, and outputs an output signal indicating the detected luminance to the CPU 8. In the single-lens reflex camera 1 configured as described above, since the liquid crystal panel 10 is arranged close to the screen 4, the image formed on the screen 4 by the photographing lens 2 is transmitted to the background ( Background area) as it is. At this time, if any of the display segments (index segments 101 to 105, display segments 106 and 107) of the liquid crystal panel 10 is selected to be in a light scattering state, light incident on that portion is scattered (in all directions). The amount of light traveling in the direction of the eyepiece 6 is reduced.

As a result, the selected display segments (index segments 101 to 105, display segments 106,
107) becomes darker than the background, and the background and the pattern of the selected display segment are superimposed optically. When sufficient light does not reach the screen 4 (when light of the formed image is small), the light source 30 is turned on, so that the illumination light is incident on the liquid crystal panel 10 from the end face 10a and is bright on a dark background. The display pattern can be superimposed and displayed.

In the present embodiment, the selected index segment (any of 101 to 105) is
However, since the light is scattered in the indicator segment (any of 101 to 105) in the light scattering state, a part of the illumination light is also scattered in the direction of the eyepiece 6. Because. FIGS. 3 to 7 show display modes of the liquid crystal panel 10. In FIG. 3, all display segments (index segments 101 to 105, display segments 106 and 107) are selected to be in a light scattering state. FIG. 4 shows that the index segment 101 and the display segments 106 and 107 are selected to be in a light scattering state, and FIG. 5 shows that the index segment 101 and the display segment 106 are selected to be in a light scattering state. ,
FIG. 6 shows a state where the index segment 101 and the display segment 107 are selected to be in a light scattering state, and FIG. 7 shows a state where only the index segment 101 is selected and is in a light scattering state. Here the index segment 101
3 to 105, only one of them is selected to be in the light scattering state, and the other index segments are to be in the light non-scattering state (FIG. 3).
7 shows a state in which the index segment 101 is selected).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the circuit configuration of the entire operation control section of the single-lens reflex camera 1. As shown in FIG.
As shown in this figure, the operation control unit of the single-lens reflex camera 1 also constitutes a part of the liquid crystal display device,
PU 8, drive circuit 32 for light source 30 connected to CPU 8, drive circuit 7 for driving liquid crystal panel 10, half-press switch 80, full-press switch 85, grid line selection switch 90, round line selection switch 95, focus area It is composed of selection switches 51 to 54, a photometric element 9, an exposure control device 60, a feeding device 70, an end detection device 75, and the like.

The drive circuit 7 controls the control signals from the CPU 8 (signals for updating the display modes of the index segments 101 to 105 and the display segments 106 and 107).
Is received, the display segments (index segments 101 to 105, display segments 106 and 107) in the light scattering state that have already been specified are switched to the light non-scattering state or newly selected according to the content of the control signal. Update operation such as switching the displayed display segments (index segments 101 to 105, display segments 106 and 107) from the light non-scattering state to the light scattering state is performed. In the initial state (when the power of the single-lens reflex camera 1 is turned on), the CPU 8 supplies the drive circuit 7 with the central index segment 101.
A control signal to turn on (FIG. 3) is output.

The switches 51 to 54 are operated in accordance with the up, down, left, and right operations of the focus area selector 50 (FIG. 9).
It is for detecting the selected direction (up, down, left, right)
A signal indicating the detection result is sent to the CPU 8.

The photometric element 9 measures the light transmitted through the photographic lens 2, jumped up by the reflection mirror 3 and scattered by the screen 4 arranged on a plane conjugate with the film 11, and outputs the luminance. The signal is sent to the CPU 8. Light source 30
Is constituted by an LED 31 and a drive circuit 32 for driving the LED 31, and the light of the LED 31 is transmitted through a waveguide (light guide means) 40 to the end face 10 of the liquid crystal panel 10.
a.

The exposure control device 60 includes a shutter, an aperture, an aperture control device, and a driving circuit (all not shown) for driving these components. This exposure control device 60
The CPU 8 indicates a shutter speed / aperture value when photographing is instructed by pressing a release button (not shown).
The film 11 is exposed at the shutter speed / aperture value represented by the control signal in response to the control signal from the camera (photographing).

The feeding device 70 performs an initial feeding operation for positioning the first frame of the film 11 by loading the film 11. The feeding device 70 performs a film winding operation of feeding one frame of the film 11 by one frame after shooting one frame based on a control signal from the CPU 8.
A film rewinding operation of winding the film No. 1 into the cartridge is performed.

The end detecting device 75 is connected to the feeding device 70, and detects that the film 11 has been wound up to the end. An output signal indicating the detection result is sent to the CPU 8. The half-press switch 80 turns on when a release button (not shown) is half-pressed, and turns off when the release button is half-pressed. A signal from the half-press switch 80 indicating the half-press state is sent to the CPU 8 and the CPU 8
Recognizes the half-pressed state and turns off the power of the camera.
This power-down state is maintained for a predetermined time after that, even when the release button returns to the original position and the half-pressed state is released.

The release switch 85 is turned on when a release button (not shown) is fully pressed, and is turned off when the release button is released. When the release switch 85 is turned on, a signal indicating this is sent to the CPU 8 and the CPU 8
Determines the shutter speed, aperture value, etc.
Is performed. The grid line selection switch 90 is turned on when a grid line selection button (not shown) is depressed, and turned off when the depression is released. When the grid line selection switch 90 is turned on in a state where the composition grid line (the display segment 106 shown in FIG. 3) is not displayed, a signal indicating this is sent to the CPU 8, and the CPU 8 displays the composition grid line. The segment 106 is set to a display state (light scattering state).
When the grid line selection switch 90 is turned on while the composition grid line (display segment 106) is being displayed, a signal indicating this is sent to the CPU 8, and the CPU 8 sends the composition grid line (display segment 106). Is released (light non-scattering state).

The round line selection switch 95 is turned on when a round line selection button (not shown) is depressed, and turned off when the depression is released. Round line for photometry (display segment 1 in FIG. 3)
07) is not displayed, and the round line selection switch 95 is displayed.
Is turned on, a signal indicating this is sent to the CPU 8,
The CPU 8 brings the photometric round line (display segment 107) into a display state (light scattering state). On the other hand, when the round line selection switch 95 is turned on while the photometric round line (display segment 107) is displayed, a signal indicating that is turned on is sent to the CPU 8.
The CPU 8 sends the photometric round line (display segment 1).
07) is released (light non-scattering state).

Next, display segments (index segments 101 to 105, display segments 106,
The drive control of step 107) will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a main program for controlling all operations of the single-lens reflex camera 1.

This main program is started when a battery (not shown) is loaded in the single-lens reflex camera 1. When this program is started, first, in step S1, initial reset of various parameters and flags used for operation control of the camera is performed (“Parameter A” is “0”, “Flag G” is “0”, “Flag C” is “0”, “Flag H” is “0”, “Flag T” is “0”
Are set respectively).

Here, "parameter A" is determined by any of the focus areas (the index segments 101 to 101 in FIG. 3) in the selection area processing (FIG. 12) executed in step S6 described later.
105) indicates whether the selected index segment is selected. When the value is “0”, the center index segment 101 is “1”, the right index segment 105 is “1”, and the left index segment 104 is “2”. , "3" indicates that the upper index segment 102 has been selected, and "4" indicates that the lower index segment 103 has been selected.

"Flag G" indicates whether or not to display the composition grid line (display segment 106) shown in FIG. 3, and is set to "0" when not displayed and "1" when displayed. Is done. The "flag C" indicates whether or not to display the photometric round line (display segment 107) shown in FIG. 3, and is set to "0" when not displayed and "1" when displayed.

The "flag H" indicates whether or not the single-lens reflex camera 1 is in a photographing preparation state for setting photographing conditions. When a release button (not shown) is half-pressed, the flag H is shown in FIG. It becomes "1" when the half-press switch 80 is turned on, and becomes "0" when the half-press switch is released. The “flag T” is a flag used to supply power for a predetermined time after the half-press is released, and is set to “1” during the predetermined time (during the half-press timer), It is set to "0" after a lapse of time (after the half-press timer expires).

After initial setting (resetting) of each parameter and flag is performed in step S1, step S2 is performed.
Then, it is determined whether or not the release button (not shown) has been half-pressed (determination of whether or not the half-press switch 80 has been turned on). If the half-press switch 80 has not yet been turned on after the start of this program, the result of the determination in step S2 is "No", and step S1
At 7, it is determined whether the "flag H" is "1" and further, at step S21, whether the "flag T" is "0".

If the half-press switch 80 has not been pressed after the start of the program, each flag has been reset in step S1, so that the determination result in step S17 is "No" and the determination result in step S21 is "Yes". "And returns to step S2. When the half-press switch 80 is turned on for the first time after the start of this program, the result of the determination in step S2 changes to "Yes" and the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, it is determined whether or not the "flag H" is "0" at this time. In this case (the half-press switch 80 is turned on for the first time in the current loop), the determination result of step S3 is “Yes”, and the
In step 4, the "flag H" is set to "1", and the process proceeds to step S5. In order to make it easier to confirm the index (one of the index segments 101 to 105) selected at this time,
Illumination processing (FIG. 11), which will be described in detail later, is executed, and then the process proceeds to step S6 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, while the half-press switch 80 is on,
When the process proceeds to the subsequent loop, the determination result of step S3 changes to "No", skipping steps S4 and S5, and proceeding to step S6 and subsequent steps. When the half-press is released after the release button (not shown) is half-pressed, the shooting preparation time for determining the shooting condition is measured.

That is, when the half-press switch 80 is turned off, the result of the determination in step S2 is "No", and in step S17, it is determined whether or not the "flag H" is "1". At this point, since the “flag H” is set to “1” in the step S4, the determination result in the step S17 becomes “Yes” and the step S18
And the "flag H" is set to "0" again.

In the next step S19, the timer for measuring the above-mentioned photographing preparation time (predetermined time) is operated to start counting. In step S20, the "flag T" indicating that the timer is counting is set to "Flag T". 1 "is set, and the processing after step S6 is performed. As described above, when the timer for measuring the photographing preparation time starts to operate and the half-press switch 80 remains off and the state in which the switch is not switched continues, the determination results in step S2 and step S21 are both "No" in the next and subsequent loops. As a result, it is determined in step S22 whether the shooting preparation time (predetermined time) has elapsed.

As long as the result of this determination is "No", the processing after step S6 is executed as it is. After the half-press switch 80 is switched from on to off, when the shooting preparation time (predetermined time) has elapsed, the above-described step S22 is performed.
Turns to "Yes", the timing of the predetermined time is ended (step S23), and thereafter, the "flag T" is set to "0" (step S24), and the current loop is ended.

As described above, when this program is started, when the half-press switch 80 is turned on, and at a predetermined time (shooting preparation time) after the half-press switch 80 is turned off, Over this, the processing after step S6 is executed. In the processing after step S6, first, in step S6, the selection area determination processing (FIG. 1)
2) is executed, and “parameter A” indicates a value (“0” to “0”) indicating the focus area selected by the photographer.
"4") is set. Note that the focus area selected at this time is set as an auto focus area in auto focus control, which is not described, and auto focus is performed based on an image in the focus area.

At step S7, it is determined whether or not "Flag F" is "1" at this time. The “flag F” is set to “1” when the value of the “parameter A” is changed in the selection area determination processing (FIG. 12) as described above, and is set to “0” when there is no change. is there. Therefore, if “Parameter A” has been changed in the current loop (the determination result of step S7 is “Ye
s '') In step S8, the area is updated, and in step S9, the same illumination processing as in step S5 (FIG. 11) is executed to clearly display the updated area.
Proceed to step S10.

On the other hand, if no area is selected from the previous loop to the current loop, step S7
Is "No", and the above-mentioned steps S8, S8
Skip to step 9 and proceed to step S10. Step S
At 10, a selection button process (FIG. 13) for determining whether to display the composition grid line (display segment 106) and / or the photometric round line (display segment 107) (light scattering state) is executed. You.

By this selection button processing, whether the composition grid line (display segment 106) and / or the photometric circle line (display segment 107) should be in the light scattering state or the light non-scattering state is determined by the grid line. Judgment is made according to the states of the selection switch 90 and the round line selection switch 95, and the “flag G” and “flag C” are set to “0” or “1”. The “flag G” and “flag C” set in this way are used in the above-described illumination processing (FIG. 11), and according to the selection state, the display segment 106 indicating the composition grid line, the photometric round line Is controlled in the light-scattering state / light-non-scattering state of the display segment 107 indicating the following.

In the next step S11, the brightness of the screen 4 (luminance of the subject) near the liquid crystal panel 10 is detected from the output of the photometric element 9 (photometric measurement). This photometric result is used in the subsequent exposure calculation in step S12 and in the above-described illumination processing (FIG. 11) to determine whether or not the LED should emit light. In the next step S12, the film sensitivity set by a film sensitivity setting device (not shown), the brightness of the subject detected in step S11 (the brightness near the liquid crystal panel 10), and a predetermined exposure mode (for example, program The shutter speed and the aperture value (or the number of steps from the maximum aperture) are obtained by a predetermined function of the automatic exposure mode.

In the next step S13, it is determined whether or not the release button (not shown) is fully pressed based on the on / off state of the release switch 85. at this point,
If the release button has been fully pressed, step S1
The process proceeds to step 4 and subsequent steps. If it is not yet fully pressed, the process returns to step S2 without executing steps S14 to S16 and step S25.

The release button is fully pressed (step S
When the result of the determination in step S13 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step S14, where the exposure control device 60 is controlled so that the shutter speed and the aperture value (or the number of steps down) calculated in step S12 are obtained. Film exposure). When the exposure control in step S14 ends, in step S15, the feeding device 70 is driven,
The film is wound up by one frame.

In the next step S16, the termination detecting device 7
5, it is determined whether the film has reached the end. As long as the result of the determination in step S16 is "No", the process returns to step S2, and processing for photographing the next frame is performed. On the other hand, when the film has reached the end by winding up the film, the process proceeds to step S25, where the film is rewound (feeding device 7).
0, the film is wound up into the patrone, and the film is rewound) and the program ends.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when it is desired to display the selected index segment (any one of 101 to 105) on the other display segments 106 and 107, the light scattering The composition grid line (display segment 106) and the photometric round line (display segment 107) displayed in the state are temporarily and forcibly set to the non-scattering state, and the LED 31 of the light source 30 is turned on. Therefore, only the selected index segment (index indicating the focus area) is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 10, and only this index segment is displayed brightly.

Next, the lighting process executed in step S5 of the main program (FIG. 10) will be described with reference to FIG. When this lighting process is started, first,
In step S101, the brightness of the screen 4 is detected by the photometric element 9 (photometry). In the next step S102, it is determined whether the brightness on the screen 4 near the liquid crystal panel 10 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If the result of this determination is “No” (brighter than a predetermined luminance), L
Even if the ED 31 is turned on, the illumination is darker than the brightness of the subject, and the effect of making the display pattern easily visible cannot be expected. Therefore, the present routine ends without turning on the LED 31.

If the result of the determination in step S102 is "Yes"
(Darker than a predetermined luminance), the LED 31 of the light source 30
Is turned on, and processing after step S103 is performed in order to superimpose a bright display pattern (selected index segment) on a dark background by illuminating light from the end face 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10. In determining the predetermined brightness, the brightness on the screen 4 near the liquid crystal panel 10 in the case of employing the apex method uses a variable Bv indicating the subject brightness and a variable Av0 indicating the open aperture of the attached lens. Therefore, the predetermined luminance can be set to a value between 1.0 and 4.0 (preferably, a value around 2.5).

In the next step S103, it is determined whether or not the "flag G" is "1". The result of this determination is “Y
es ", that is, the composition grid display segment 10
6 is selected and in the light scattering state, step S
Proceeding to step 104, the composition grid line (display segment 106) in the light scattering state is forcibly changed to the light non-scattering state (non-display), and the processing proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, step S10
If the determination result of No. 3 is “No” (when the composition grid display segment 106 is not selected and the light is not scattered), the process skips step S104 and proceeds to step S105.

In step S105, it is determined whether or not "flag C" is "1", and the result of this determination is "Ye
s ", that is, when the display segment 107 of the photometric round line is selected and in the light scattering state, step S10
Proceeding to step 6, the photometric round line (display segment 107) in the light scattering state is forcibly changed to the light non-scattering state (non-display).
The process proceeds to step S107 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, step S105
Is "No" (when the display segment 107 of the photometric round line is not selected and in the light non-scattering state), the step S106 is skipped, and the process proceeds to the step S107 and subsequent steps.

In step S107, the LED of the light source 30
31 turns on only for a predetermined time (for example, about 300 ms). When the lighting of the LED for the predetermined time is completed, it is determined in the next step S108 whether or not the “flag C” is “1”. If the determination result is “Yes”, that is, if the photometric round line (display segment 107) is forcibly set to the light non-scattering state in step S106, the process proceeds to step S109 to change to the light non-scattering state. A certain photometric round line (display segment 107) is again set to the light scattering state (display), and the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S108 is "No", step S109 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S110 and subsequent steps.

In step S110, it is determined whether or not "flag G" is "1", and the result of this determination is "Ye
If s ", that is, if the composition grid line (display segment 106) is forcibly set to the light non-scattering state in step S104, the process proceeds to step S111, and the composition grid line in the light non-scattering state is reached. (Display segment 1
06) is set to the light scattering state (display) again, and this routine ends. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S110 is “N
If o ", step S111 is skipped and the present routine ends.

By this illumination processing, the focus area (one of the index segments 101 to 105) which is selected and displayed in the light scattering state is illuminated by the LED 31 for a predetermined time. Even if the composition grid line (display segment 106) or the photometric round line (display segment 107) is in the light scattering state, it is temporarily forcibly changed to the light non-scattering state in the above-described processing. Therefore, these composition grid lines (display segment 10
6), the photometric round line (display segment 107) is LED3
No illumination at 1

By this illumination processing, the index (focus area) which is selected and in the light scattering state when the release button (not shown) is half-pressed and for a predetermined period after the half-press is released. Only the index segment corresponding to is illuminated, making it easier for the photographer to see. Next, the selection area determination processing executed in step S6 of the main program shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

This selection area determination processing is processing for determining which focus area has been selected by the photographer's operation of the focus area selector 50 (FIG. 9), and the "parameter A" is set to "0". To “4”. In this selection area determination processing, the focus area selector 50 is selected in steps S202 to S208.
The setting of "Parameter A" when the switch 51 is turned on by the operation of "?" Is the setting of "Parameter A" when the switch 52 is turned on in steps S209 to S215.
The setting of “parameter A” when the switch 53 is turned on in steps S216 to S222 is performed in step S223.
The setting of “parameter A” when the switch 54 is turned on in steps S229 to S229 is performed.

When the selection area determination process is started, first, in step S201, "flag F" is set to "1". This “Flag F” indicates that when the value is “1”, “Parameter A” has been changed in the current loop,
"0" indicates that no change has been made.

In the next step S202, it is determined whether or not the right button is pressed (the switch 51 is turned on). If the result of this determination is "Yes", steps S203 to S2
At 06, it is determined which switch 51 to 54 has been pressed in the previous loop based on the value of "parameter A". Then, when the right side is pressed in the current loop (the switch 51 is turned on), if the opposite side (the left switch 52) is turned on in the previous loop (step S20).
The determination result of No. 6 is “Yes”. “Parameter A” is set to “0” to indicate that the center (the index segment 101 in FIG. 3) is selected as the focus area (step S207). On the other hand, when other index segments 102, 103, and 104 have been selected in the previous loop (any of steps S203 to S205 is "Yes").
In this loop, these index segments 102, 103,
“Parameter A” is set to “1” to indicate that 104 is changed to the index segment 105 (step S208).

In the previous loop, the index segment 1
If 05 has been selected, steps S203-S
All of 206 are “No”, and this routine ends without changing “Parameter A” (at this time, “Parameter A” = 1). Similarly, steps S209 to S2
In step 15, the setting of parameter A when switch 52 is turned on (= 2), and in steps S216 to S222, setting of parameter A when switch 53 is turned on (= 3) is set in steps S223 to S223. In S229, the setting (= 4) of “parameter A” when the switch 54 is turned on is performed.

If it is determined in this loop that none of the switches 51 to 54 is turned on, the "flag F" is set to "0" in step S230 to indicate that the area is not changed. . The index focus area (index segments 101 to 1) thus selected
05) is used for liquid crystal drive control (not shown), the selected index segment is set to the light scattering state, and the other index segments are controlled to the light non-scattering state. You.

Next, the selection button processing executed in step S10 of the main program of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described according to the flowchart of FIG. The selection button processing includes a grid line selection switch 90, a round line selection switch 95
Grid lines (display segment 10)
6) The photometric round line (display segment 107) is set to a light scattering state / light non-scattering state.

When the program is started, first, in step S301, it is determined whether or not the photographer has depressed a grid line selection button (not shown) based on the on / off of the grid line selection switch 90. . This step S30
If the determination result of step 1 is "No", step S302 is performed.
Steps S306 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S307 and subsequent steps.

The result of the determination in step S301 is "Ye
s "(when pushed down), step S3
In step 02, it is determined based on the value of the "flag G" whether or not the composition grid line (display segment 106) is already in the light scattering state in the previous loop. When the composition grid line (display segment 106) is in the light non-scattering state (“flag G” is “0”) in the previous loop, the determination result of step S302 is “Yes”, and the
At 303, the composition grid line (display segment 106) is changed to the light scattering state, and "flag G" is set to "1" to indicate that (step S304), and step S3 is performed.
It proceeds to 07 or later.

On the other hand, when the composition grid line (display segment 106) is already in the light scattering state in the previous loop (“flag G” is “1”), the determination result of step S302 becomes “No”, and In S305, the composition grid line (display segment 106) is changed to the light non-scattering state, and “flag G” is set to “0” to indicate that (step S306), and the process proceeds to step S307 and subsequent steps.

In step S 307, it is determined whether or not the photographer has depressed the round line selection button (not shown) based on the on / off state of the round line selection switch 95. When the result of the determination in step S307 is "No", this program is ended as it is. Step S3
When the determination result of step 07 is “Yes” (when the button is depressed), the process proceeds to step S308, and in the previous loop,
Whether or not the photometric round line (display segment 107) is already in the light scattering state is determined based on the value of the “flag C”, and in the previous loop, the photometric round line (display segment 10) was determined.
7) is in the light non-scattering state (“flag C” is “0”), the determination result of step S308 is “Ye
s ", the photometric round line (display segment 107) is changed to the light scattering state in step S309, and" flag C "is set to" 1 "to indicate that (step S31).
0), end this program.

On the other hand, if the photometric round line (display segment 107) is already in the light scattering state (“flag C” is “1”) in the previous loop, the determination result of step S308 becomes “No”, and In S309, the photometric round line (display segment 107) is changed to the light non-scattering state, and "flag C" is set to "0" to indicate that (step S309).
312), end this program.

As described in detail above, the liquid crystal display device (the liquid crystal panel 10, the holder 20, the light source 30, the waveguide (light guide means) 40, the focus area selector 50) used in the single-lens reflex camera 1 of the first embodiment. According to the driving circuit 7 and the CPU 8), when the image projected on the screen 4 of the finder on which the liquid crystal panel 10 is arranged is an optically bright image such as an outside scene, the index segments (101 to 101) used for autofocusing are used. Since any of the index segments 105 is in the light scattering state, the indicator segment in the light scattering state becomes dark and is easily recognized. On the other hand, when the image projected on the screen 4 of the finder is dark, the illumination light is applied from the light source 30 to the index segment (any of 101 to 105) in the light scattering state, and the index segment (101 to 105 ) Becomes brighter and easier to visually recognize.

In this case, when illumination light (for example, red) of a specific color is emitted from the light source 30, the selected index segment (any of 101 to 105) is displayed in the same specific color. The indicator segments are more easily recognized. Further, when the indicator segment (any of 101 to 105) is illuminated by the illumination light from the light source 30, the display segment 106 indicating the composition grid line and the display segment 107 indicating the photometric round line are assumed to be Even in the light scattering state, while the light source 30 is illuminated, the light is forcibly controlled to the non-scattering state.
In the finder of the selected index segment (10
Only any one of Nos. 1 to 105) is illuminated with the illumination light, and is easily distinguished from other display segments. As a result, the photographer can select the focus area (index)
Can be clearly recognized at a glance, and the operability is significantly improved.

After the illumination by the light source 30 for a predetermined time, the display segments 106 and 107 that have been forcibly changed from the light scattering state to the light non-scattering state are returned to the light scattering state again. Index segments (101-
Even if the display is instantaneously returned to the original state after any of the images 105 is highlighted, the photographer does not feel uncomfortable.

In the above embodiment, the brightness of the screen 4 (subject brightness) near the liquid crystal panel 10 is detected by the photometric element 9 and the light source 30 is turned on only when the brightness is lower than a predetermined brightness. Although described above, the light source 30 may be turned on regardless of the subject brightness. In this case, when the brightness of the subject is sufficiently bright (when the image formed on the screen 4 is bright) as in the case of shooting in daylight,
Since the illumination light is darker than the luminance of the subject, the selected index segment (any of 101 to 105) is superimposed as a dark display pattern on a light background.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
(Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 4, Claim 5)
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. In the second embodiment, index segments 101 to 101
The difference from the first embodiment is that only the display segment 106 indicating the composition grid line is on / off controlled as a display segment different from 105.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the round photometric line 107 formed on the liquid crystal panel 10 is not formed of a display segment, and a round line selection switch for turning on / off the display segment is also provided. Not. That is, in the second embodiment, the photometric round line 107 is always displayed, and the liquid crystal panel 10 has three display modes shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6.

The other components of the liquid crystal panel 10, the configuration of the liquid crystal display device, and the hardware such as the configuration of the single-lens reflex camera 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
Detailed description is omitted. Further, software such as a main program (FIG. 10) for controlling all operations of the single-lens reflex camera 1 and a selection area process (FIG. 12) executed in step S6 of the main program are the same as those in the first embodiment. This is the same as the embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, in the software according to the second embodiment, “C” indicating whether or not to display the circle 107 for photometry is displayed.
The flag "" does not exist.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an illumination process (see steps S5 and S9) executed by the main program (see FIG. 10) of the second embodiment. When the illumination process is started, first, in step S401, the brightness of the screen 4 is detected (photometry) by the photometric element 9 described above, and in step S402, the brightness on the screen 4 near the liquid crystal panel 10 is set to a predetermined value. It is determined whether the value is equal to or less than the value. If the determination result is “No”, the L
This routine ends without turning on the ED 31.
The predetermined value of the luminance at this time is the same value as the predetermined value used in the first embodiment.

If the result of the determination in step S402 is "Yes"
In step S403, it is determined whether or not the "flag G" is "1". When the result of this determination is "Yes", the display segment 106 of the composition grid line is in the light scattering state, so that in step S404 this is forcibly changed to the light non-scattering state (non-display), and the flow proceeds to step S405. On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S403 is “No”, the flow proceeds to step S405.

In step S405, the LED of the light source 30
31 turns on only for a predetermined time (for example, about 300 ms). When the lighting of the LED for the predetermined time is completed, it is determined in next step S407 whether or not the “flag G” is “1”. When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the composition grid line (display segment 106) is forcibly set to the light non-scattering state in the above-described step S404, the process proceeds to step S407 to change to the light non-scattering state. A certain composition grid line (display segment 106) is set to the light scattering state (display) again, and this routine ends. on the other hand,
If the decision result in the step S406 is "No", the step S411 is skipped and the present routine ends.

By this illumination processing, the focus area (one of the index segments 101 to 105) which is selected and displayed in a light scattering state is illuminated by the LED 31 for a predetermined time. Even if the composition grid line (display segment 106) is in the light scattering state, the composition grid line (display segment 106) is temporarily forcibly changed to the light non-scattering state, and the composition grid line (display segment 106) is illuminated by the LED 31. There is no.

Next, the selection button processing (see step S10) executed by the main program (see FIG. 10) will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. This selection button processing is to set the composition grid line (display segment 106) to the light scattering state / light non-scattering state according to the operation state of the grid line selection switch 90.

When this program is started, first, in step S501, it is determined whether or not the photographer has depressed a grid line selection button (not shown). This step S
If the determination result in step 501 is “No”, step S5
02 to S506 are skipped, and this program ends. When the determination result of step S501 is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S502 to determine whether or not the composition grid line is already in the light scattering state in the previous loop.
The determination is made based on the value of “flag G”.

When the composition grid line is in the light non-scattering state in the previous loop, the determination result in step S502 is "Ye
s ", the composition grid line is changed to the light scattering state in step S503, the" flag G "is set to" 1 "(step S504), and the program is terminated. When the grid lines are already in the light scattering state (the determination result in step S302 is “No”), the composition grid lines are changed to the light non-scattering state in step S505.
"Flag G" is set to "0" (step S50).
6) End this program.

In the second embodiment described above, when the selected index segment (any of 101 to 105) is irradiated with the illumination light from the light source 30, the display segment temporarily indicating the composition grid line is displayed. Even if 106 is in the light scattering state (display state), it is temporarily and forcibly controlled to the light non-scattering state, so that only the selected index segment (any one of 101 to 105) is clear. Can be displayed.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
(Corresponding to claims 3 to 5) will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, only the lighting process (see steps S5 and S9) executed by the main program (see FIG. 10) is performed in the second embodiment.
This embodiment is different from the embodiment.

In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, only the display segment 106 indicating the composition grid line is turned on / off as a display segment different from the index segments 101 to 105. In addition, the photometric round line 107 is not formed of a display segment, and a round line selection switch for turning on / off the display line is not provided. That is, the photometric round line 107 is always displayed, and the display modes of the liquid crystal panel 10 are three as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6.

Further, other components of the liquid crystal panel 10, hardware such as the configuration of the liquid crystal display device, and the configuration of the single-lens reflex camera 1, and a main program (see FIG. 10), the software such as the selection area processing (FIG. 12) executed in step S6 of the main program is the same as the second embodiment except that the software does not have the “C flag”. The embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an illumination process (see steps S5 and S9) executed by the main program (see FIG. 10) of the third embodiment. This lighting process is executed when the release button (not shown) is half-pressed or the focus area selector 50 is operated. When the lighting process is started, first, in step S601,
Then, the brightness of the screen 4 is detected (photometry) by the photometric element 9 described above, and in step S602, it is determined whether the luminance on the screen 4 near the liquid crystal panel 10 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If the result of this determination is “No”, this routine ends without turning on the LED 31. The predetermined value of the luminance at this time is the same value as the predetermined value used in the first embodiment.

If the decision result in the step S602 is "Yes",
In step S603, it is determined whether or not the "flag G" is "1". When the result of this determination is “Yes”, the display segment 106 of the composition grid line is in a light scattering state.
This routine ends.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S603 is "N
If o "(the composition grid display segment 106 is not selected and the light is not scattered), the process proceeds to step S604. In step S604, the LED 31 of the light source 30 is turned on for a predetermined time (for example, about 300 ms). At this time, the selected focus area (one of the index segments 101 to 105) displayed in the light scattering state is illuminated by the LED 31 for a predetermined time. When this LED is turned off, this routine ends.

By this illumination processing, only the index segment corresponding to the selected index (focus area) in the light scattering state is illuminated, and the index segment and the composition grid line (display segment 106) are simultaneously illuminated. Can be avoided. If the index segment and the composition grid line are simultaneously illuminated, it becomes difficult to determine the selected index segment, and thus, by illuminating only the selected index segment, as in the above-described illumination processing, The index segment can be displayed in a prominent manner, and the photographer can easily recognize the index segment.

In the above-described illumination processing, when the composition grid line (display segment 106) is selected and the light is scattered, the index segment corresponding to the selected index (focus area) is not illuminated. However, the time when the photographer selects the composition grid line (display segment 106) is usually when the composition grid line can be clearly recognized with respect to the background. If the composition grid line is clearly visible, the index segment corresponding to the index (focus area) should be clearly visible similarly.

From the above, when the composition grid line (display segment 106) is selected in the above illumination processing, the background is dark even if the index segment corresponding to the index (focus area) is not illuminated. The problem that it is difficult to clearly see the indicator segment hardly occurs. That is, according to the above-described lighting process, regardless of whether or not the composition grid line (display segment 106) is selected, the index segment corresponding to the index (focus area) is always clearly visible with respect to the background. be able to.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
(Corresponding to claims 3 to 8) will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 17, the single-lens reflex camera 200 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the single-lens reflex camera 1 (FIG. 2) described above with respect to a finder size switching device (201 to 20) described later.
5) is incorporated.

In the fourth embodiment, the main program for controlling the entire operation of the single-lens reflex camera 200 (FIG. 17) is the same as the main program for the single-lens reflex camera 1 (FIG. 10). The processing contents of steps S1, S5, S9 and S10 are changed according to the configuration of the finder size switching devices (201 to 205) (described later).

In the fourth embodiment, like the second and third embodiments, the index segments 101 to 101 are used.
As a display segment different from 105, only a display segment 106 indicating a composition grid line is on / off controlled. Further, the photometric round wire 107 is not a display segment, and no round wire selection switch for turning on / off the segment is provided. That is, the photometric round line 107 is always displayed, and the display modes of the liquid crystal panel 10 are three as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6. In the software according to the fourth embodiment, there is no “C flag” indicating whether or not to display the circle 107 for photometry.

The configuration of the finder size switching devices (201 to 205) of the single-lens reflex camera 200 (FIG. 17) and the software of the single-lens reflex camera 200 will be described below in order. As shown in FIG. 17, the finder size switching device (201 to 205) includes a light shielding member 201 that shields subject light guided from the photographing lens 2 and reflected by the reflection mirror 3 to define a finder screen;
A drive mechanism 202 for moving the light blocking member 201 back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the finder optical path, a rotary operation knob 203 provided outside, and a driving mechanism
2 and a switch 205 that is turned on / off in accordance with the advance / retreat of the light blocking member 201 (for example, JP-A-2000-56365).

The light shielding member 201 is provided between the reflection mirror 3 and the screen 4 on the finder optical path due to the space in the single-lens reflex camera 200 (FIG. 17).
That is, it is arranged on the incident side of the subject light with respect to the liquid crystal panel 10. For this reason, the subject light guided to the finder optical path from the reflection mirror 3 enters the screen 4 through the space between the light shielding members 201, further passes through the background (background area) of the liquid crystal panel 10, and passes through the eyepiece 6. Injected into the side.

Further, the switch 205 is operated by the operation transmitting member 204 so that the rotational force of the operation knob 203 is controlled by the driving mechanism 202.
Is turned on when the light shielding member 201 advances into the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10, and is turned off when the light shielding member 201 is retracted from the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10. The switch 205 is for detecting an advancing / retreating state of the light shielding member 201. The detection signal from the switch 205 is C
The data is sent to the PU 8 and is appropriately referred to in software described later.

In the finder size switching device (201 to 205) configured as described above, when the light shielding member 201 is retracted from the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10, the finder screen visible to the photographer is as shown in FIG. It will be either FIG. 4 or FIG. When the light-shielding member 201 advances into the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10, as shown in FIGS. 18, 19, and 20, the surroundings (parts indicated by oblique lines) are shielded and darkened, and FIGS. The finder screen is smaller than that of FIG. That is, the size of the finder screen can be switched according to the advancing / retreating state of the light blocking member 201.

Next, the finder size switching device (201)
-205) single-lens reflex camera 200 incorporating
The software of FIG. 17 will be specifically described.
As described above, the main program for controlling all the operations of the single-lens reflex camera 200 is, as described above, of the steps S1, S5, S9, and S10 of the main program (FIG. 10) of the single-lens reflex camera 1 (FIG. 2). The processing content is changed according to the configuration of the finder size switching devices (201 to 205).

In the fourth embodiment, in step S1 of FIG. 10, initial resetting of various parameters and flags used for camera operation control is performed (“Parameter A” is “0”, and “Flag G” is “0”, “flag S”
Are set to "0", "flag H" is set to "0", and "flag T" is set to "0", respectively.) Here, “flag S”
Is "1" when the light shielding member 201 moves into the display range of the liquid crystal panel (when the switch 205 is turned on), and when the light shielding member 201 is retracted from the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10.
This flag is set to “0” (when the switch 205 is off). Other "parameter A", "flag G",
Since “flag H” and “flag T” have already been described, description thereof will be omitted here.

In the fourth embodiment, FIG.
In steps S5 and S9 (when the release button is half-pressed or the focus area selector 50 is operated), the illumination processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21 is executed. When the illumination process is started, first, in step S701, the brightness of the screen 4 is detected (photometry) by the photometric element 9 described above, and in step S702, the liquid crystal panel 1 is detected.
It is determined whether or not the luminance on the screen 4 near 0 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If the result of this determination is “No”, this routine ends without turning on the LED 31. The predetermined value of the luminance at this time is the same value as the predetermined value used in the first embodiment.

If the result of the determination in step S702 is "Yes"
In step S703, it is determined whether or not the “flag G” is “1” in step S703. When the result of this determination is “Yes”, the display segment 106 of the composition grid line is in a light scattering state, and thus this routine ends without turning on the LED 31. On the other hand, when the determination result in step S703 is “No” (when the composition grid display segment 106 is not selected and the light is not scattered), it is determined in step S704 whether the “flag S” is “1”. It is determined whether or not it is. When the determination result is “Yes”, the light blocking member 20 of the finder size switching device (201 to 205)
Since 1 has advanced into the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10,
This routine ends without turning on the LED 31.

If the result of the determination in step S704 is "No" (when the light shielding member 201 is retracted from the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10), the process proceeds to step S705.
Proceed to. In step S705, the LED 31 of the light source 30
Lights up for a predetermined time (for example, about 300 ms).
At this time, the focus area (one of the index segments 101 to 105) which is selected and displayed in the light scattering state is illuminated by the LED 31 for a predetermined time. Then, when the lighting of the LED for the predetermined time ends, this routine ends.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, FIG.
In step S10 of 0, the selection button / operation knob determination processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22 is executed. This selection button / operation knob determination processing is performed by the grid line selection switch 9.
0 (display segment 1)
06) in a light scattering state / light non-scattering state and a process of setting “flag G” (steps S801 to S806).
And a process of setting the “flag S” according to the operation state of the operation knob 203 (steps S807 to S809).

The first half of the processing (step S801)
Steps S806 to S806) are the same as steps S301 to S306 in FIG. By the way, the program of FIG.
Operation knob determination processing) is started, and steps S801 to S801 are executed.
When the process in 806 is completed, in step S807, it is determined whether the switch 205 is on (the light blocking member 201 has advanced into the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10).

When the result of the determination in step S807 is "Yes" (the switch 205 is turned on), since the light shielding member 201 has advanced into the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10, the "flag S" is set to " 1 "(step S
808), this program ends. Conversely, step S
If the determination result of 807 is “No” (the switch 205 is off), the “flag S” is set to “0” because the light blocking member 201 has been retracted from the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10 (step S809), ends this program.

In the fourth embodiment described above, FIG.
When the light shielding member 201 is retracted from the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10 by the illumination processing shown in FIG. 1, only the index segment corresponding to the index (focus area) selected by the photographer and in the light scattering state. Is illuminated,
This index segment and the composition grid (display segment 1)
06) can be avoided at the same time. Therefore, only the selected index segment can be displayed in a prominent manner, and the photographer can easily recognize the index segment.

In the above-described illumination processing, when the composition grid line (display segment 106) is selected and the light is scattered, the index segment corresponding to the selected index (focus area) is not illuminated, but the background is not illuminated. There is almost no problem that the indicator segment is dark and difficult to clearly see.

Further, according to the above-described illumination processing, it is possible to prevent the composition grid lines (display segments 106) from being illuminated when the light-shielding member 201 has advanced into the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10. If the composition grid lines are illuminated while the light shielding member 201 is advanced, the surroundings of the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10 (portions indicated by oblique lines in FIGS. 18 to 20) are dark. Of these, the portion located outside the display range (outside the finder screen) is displayed extremely brightly, making it difficult to determine the selected index segment, and resulting in a finder screen giving a strange impression.

Therefore, as in the illumination processing described above,
By illuminating only the index segments when the light shielding member 201 is retracted from the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10, only the index segments can be displayed in a prominent manner, making it easier for the photographer to visually recognize the index segments. .
That is, according to the above-described lighting process, regardless of whether or not the composition grid line (display segment 106) is selected,
Further, regardless of whether or not the light blocking member 201 has advanced into the display range of the liquid crystal panel 10, the index segment corresponding to the index (focus area) can always be clearly recognized with respect to the background.

In the above-described fourth embodiment, as the software of the single-lens reflex camera 200 (FIG. 17), the illumination processing (FIG. 21) created according to the configuration of the finder size switching devices (201 to 205) is performed. ) And select button
Although the operation knob determination process (FIG. 22) has been described, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in place of the lighting process (FIG. 21), the lighting process of FIG.
The selection button processing of FIG. 15 may be employed instead of the operation knob determination processing (FIG. 22). Further, the illumination processing of FIG. 14 may be employed instead of the illumination processing (FIG. 21), and the selection button processing of FIG. 15 may be employed instead of the selection button / operation knob determination processing (FIG. 22).

[0128]

As described above, according to the liquid crystal display device of the first aspect, the index segment selected by the selection operation and the display segment different from the index segment are independently set in the light scattering state. Or, when controlling to the light non-scattering state, in the operation state requiring confirmation of the selected index, the display segment in the light scattering state is forcibly controlled to the light non-scattering state, and the light source emits light. In addition, the selected index segment can be displayed so as to stand out from other different display segments, and the operability of the electronic device is significantly improved.

Further, according to the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, after the light source emits light for a certain period of time, the display segment forcibly changed to the light non-scattering state is returned to the light scattering state. The selected index segment can be displayed in a prominent manner for a certain period of time, so that the photographer can clearly recognize the index segment, and then the photographer can recognize another display segment again. At this time, the other display segments that have been returned to the light scattering state are instantaneously returned to the original state, and the photographer does not feel uncomfortable.

According to the liquid crystal display device of the third aspect, the index segment selected by the selection operation and the display segment different from the index segment are independently controlled to the light scattering state or the light non-scattering state. In the operating state requiring confirmation of the selected index, the light source is illuminated if there is no display segment in the light scattering state, so that the selected index segment stands out from other different display segments. Can be displayed
Operability of the electronic device is significantly improved.

According to the liquid crystal display device of the fourth aspect, the control means inhibits light emission of the light source when the luminance near the liquid crystal panel measured by the photometric means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. When is dark, the selected indicator segment is illuminated by light from the light source to make it easier to see, and when the periphery of the liquid crystal panel is bright, the selected indicator segment is in a light scattering state and is projected dark,
The visual recognition is easy, and the operability of the electronic device is improved.

Further, in the autofocus camera according to the fifth aspect, since the liquid crystal display device is mounted, in at least one of the autofocus operation state and the focus area selection state, confirmation of the index segment indicating the focus area and selection of the index segment indicating the focus area are performed. The focus area can be easily selected at a glance while confirming the current focus area, and the operability is improved.

According to the finder device of claim 6,
Since the light-blocking member is provided on the incident side of the subject light with respect to the liquid crystal panel, the selected index segment can be displayed in the defined finder screen, thereby improving operability and improving the operability of the device. Effective use of space is also achieved. Further, according to the finder device of the present invention, since the adjusting means for adjusting the size of the finder screen is provided, the selected index segments can be displayed in the finder screens of different sizes adjusted by this. And operability is improved.

Further, according to the finder device of claim 8,
Since the control means performs control based on the detection result of the light shielding member detection means, the selected index segment is highlighted in a finder screen according to the state of the light shielding member moving into and out of the display range of the liquid crystal panel. Can be displayed,
Operability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view and a side cross-sectional view for explaining a structure of a liquid crystal panel 10 provided in a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a single-lens reflex camera 1 on which a liquid crystal display device is mounted.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a display mode of the liquid crystal panel 10.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a display mode of the liquid crystal panel 10.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a display mode of the liquid crystal panel 10.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a display mode of the liquid crystal panel 10.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a display mode of the liquid crystal panel 10.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of the entire operation control unit of the single-lens reflex camera 1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a focus area selector 50.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a main program for controlling all operations of the single-lens reflex camera 1;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a lighting process executed by the main program.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a selection area determination process executed by a main program.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a selection button process executed by the main program.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a lighting process executed by a main program according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a selection button process executed by the main program according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a lighting process executed by a main program according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a structure of a single-lens reflex camera 200 equipped with a liquid crystal display device and a finder size switching device.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a light blocking state of a finder screen.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a light blocking state of a finder screen.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a light blocking state of a finder screen.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating lighting processing executed by a main program according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a selection button / operation knob determination process executed by a main program according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,200 single-lens reflex camera 7 drive circuit 8 CPU 9 photometric element 10 liquid crystal panel 13 polymer dispersed liquid crystal 20 holder 30 light source 40 waveguide (light guide means) 50 focus area selector 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 index Segment 106 (showing composition grid line) Display segment 107 (showing photometric round line) Display segment 201 Light shielding member 202 Drive mechanism 203 Operation knob 204 Operation transmission member 205 Switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03B 13/12 G03B 17/18 Z 5C022 17/18 17/28 E 17/28 H04N 5/225 B H04N 5 / 225 G02B 7/11 Z F term (reference) 2H018 AA21 BA03 BA06 BE02 2H051 AA01 DA07 GA03 GA09 GA17 2H091 FA14Z FA23Z FA26X FA41Z GA11 JA02 LA30 MA10 2H093 NC42 NC50 NC51 ND41 NE06 NG20 2H102 AA41 AC08AC04 AC13

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal panel having an index segment composed of a plurality of indices that can be selectively displayed by a selection operation, a display segment composed of a marker other than the indices, a light source, and a light from the light source. Light guide means for guiding to the liquid crystal panel; selection means for performing the selection operation; control for independently controlling the display segment and the index segment selected by the selection operation to a light scattering state or a light non-scattering state. Means, and operation detection means for detecting an operation state of the electronic device on which the liquid crystal panel is mounted, the control means, as the operation state, the operation detection means to determine the operation state that requires confirmation of the selected index An electronic device for forcibly controlling the display segment in a light scattering state to a light non-scattering state when detecting the light to cause the light source to emit light; Liquid crystal display device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit emits light from the light source for a certain period of time, and returns the display segment forcibly changed to the light non-scattering state to the light scattering state after the certain period has elapsed. The liquid crystal display device of an electronic device according to claim 1. 3. A liquid crystal panel having an index segment composed of a plurality of indices that can be selectively displayed by a selection operation, a display segment composed of a marker other than the indices, a light source, and light from the light source. Light guide means for guiding to the liquid crystal panel; selection means for performing the selection operation; control for independently controlling the display segment and the index segment selected by the selection operation to a light scattering state or a light non-scattering state. Means, and operation detection means for detecting an operation state of the electronic device on which the liquid crystal panel is mounted, the control means, as the operation state, the operation detection means to determine the operation state that requires confirmation of the selected index A liquid crystal display device for an electronic device, wherein the light source emits light when there is no display segment in a light scattering state when the display segment is detected. 4. The control means is connected to a photometric means for measuring the luminance near the liquid crystal panel, and the control means emits light from the light source when the luminance measured by the photometric means is a predetermined value or more. 4. The liquid crystal display device of an electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display device is prohibited. 5. The electronic device is an autofocus camera having a plurality of focus areas, and the operation state requiring confirmation of the selected index is at least one of an autofocus operation state and a focus area selection state. The liquid crystal display device of an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. A finder device provided with the liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal panel is disposed on a finder optical path, and light of subject light is incident on the liquid crystal panel. A finder device provided on a side of the finder device for shielding the subject light to define a finder screen. 7. An adjusting means for adjusting a size of the finder screen by moving the light shielding member in a direction intersecting with the finder optical path.
6. The finder device according to 1. 8. The control means of the liquid crystal display device includes:
A light-shielding member detection unit that detects whether the light-shielding member has advanced into the display range of the liquid crystal panel is connected, and the control unit performs control based on a detection result of the light-shielding member detection unit. The finder device according to claim 7, characterized in that: