JP2002218303A - Imaging apparatus and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of pinching up an image, without blurring and a method for controlling the same. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus comprises a imaging unit for imaging a subject, and first and second contact type release switches for detecting that a user is contacted. The apparatus executes the imaging unit, so as to execute imaging operations under the conditions that the order be predetermined by the user and the first and second switches be contacted continuously within the predetermined time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having a contact-type release switch and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an image is taken using an image pickup apparatus, a user determines the position of the image pickup apparatus and the direction in which the image pickup apparatus is oriented so that the subject can be picked up in a desired composition. By pressing the button, the image pickup device is caused to image the subject. In such an imaging apparatus, when a user presses a switch with excessive force, the imaging apparatus moves at the moment of imaging, and as a result, a captured image may be blurred. For this reason, an imaging device provided with a contact-type release switch has been proposed so that a user can take a picture simply by lightly touching the release switch.

[0003]

However, the image pickup apparatus provided with the contact-type release switch has a problem that the photographing is performed even if the user touches the release switch by mistake.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof that can solve the above-mentioned problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0005]

That is, an image pickup apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an image pickup section for picking up an image of a subject, and first and second contact-type release switches for detecting that a user has touched. And an imaging instruction unit for causing the imaging unit to execute an imaging operation on condition that the user has contacted the first and second contact-type release switches in a predetermined order.

In the above imaging apparatus, the imaging command section executes the imaging operation on condition that the first and second contact-type release switches are continuously contacted by the user within a predetermined time. Is preferred.
It is preferable that the imaging device further includes an imaging stop unit that causes the imaging unit to stop the imaging operation on condition that the user contacts the first and second contact-type release switches in a predetermined order.

Further, the image pickup apparatus further includes a case holding the image pickup unit, and the first and second contact-type release switches are provided with a case substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of an optical system of the image pickup unit. Preferably, it is arranged on a surface on the body. Further, it is preferable that the imaging device further includes a housing that holds the imaging unit, and the first and second contact-type release switches are arranged in a region above a center of the housing. Preferably, the first and second contact release switches have an elongated shape and are arranged such that their longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, the first and second contact-type release switches are arranged close to each other.

Further, the image pickup apparatus further includes a housing for holding the image pickup unit, and the first and second contact-type release switches are respectively provided in both a left area and a right area from the center of the housing. Preferably, they are arranged. In this case, one of the first and second contact-type release switches arranged in the left area and the first and second contact-type release switches arranged in the right area is selected by the user. It is preferable that the apparatus further includes a switch selector that selectively operates.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image pickup apparatus, comprising: an image pickup section for picking up an image of a subject; and first and second contact-type release switches for detecting that a user has touched the image pickup apparatus. And an imaging instruction step for causing the imaging unit to execute an imaging operation on condition that the user contacts the first and second contact-type release switches in a predetermined order.

The above summary of the present invention does not list all of the necessary features of the present invention, and a sub-combination of these features may also be an invention.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the present invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention and have the features described in the embodiments. Not all combinations are essential to the solution of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing functions of an imaging apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The imaging device 100 of the present embodiment is, for example, a digital camera having a still image mode for capturing a still image and a moving image mode for capturing a moving image.

The image pickup apparatus 100 has contact-type release switches 110, 112, 116, and 118 for detecting that the user has touched the release switches. Contact release switches (110, 112, 116, 11)
8) is a touch sensor that detects whether or not a user's finger or the like has contacted, for example, based on a change in capacitance. There are two pairs of contact release switches, each pair being the first
And a second contact-type release switch (112, 118).

The imaging apparatus 100 further includes a first pair 112 and a second pair 114 of contact type release switches.
It has a switch selection unit 120 for selectively operating one of the pairs selected by the user. Switch selector 12
0 activates the pair of contact release switches selected by the user and disables the other pair of contact release switches.

The image capturing apparatus 100 further includes an image capturing section 102 for capturing an image of a subject, an image capturing instruction section 104 for causing the image capturing section 102 to execute an image capturing operation, and an image capturing stopping section 106 for causing the image capturing section 102 to stop the image capturing operation. .

The imaging command unit 104 includes a switch selection unit 12
At 0, the output of the contact release switch of the pair selected by the user is monitored. Then, the imaging instruction unit 104 performs imaging on the imaging unit 102 on condition that the user has contacted the first and second contact-type release switches in a predetermined order (hereinafter, referred to as a “first setting order”). Execute the operation. Here, executing the imaging operation means taking a still image when the still image mode is selected in the imaging apparatus 100, and taking a moving image when the moving image mode is selected. Start and continue. In addition, in the present embodiment, “contacting the first and second contact-type release switches in the first setting order” means that the user first touches the first contact-type release switch with a finger or the like, and then touches the second contact-type release switch.
Touching the contact-type release switch. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, even if the user erroneously touches one of the first and second contact-type release switches, the imaging unit 102 does not capture an image.

The image capturing command section 104 further causes the image capturing section 102 to perform an image capturing operation on condition that the first and second contact-type release switches are continuously touched by a user within a predetermined time. Therefore, even if a part of the user's body accidentally touches the first and second contact-type release switches in the first setting order, the contact time interval exceeds the above-mentioned predetermined time. In
There is no accidental shooting.

When the moving image capturing mode is selected in the image capturing apparatus 100, the image capturing suspending unit 106 allows the user to set the first and second order in a predetermined order (hereinafter, referred to as a “second setting order”). The imaging unit 102 stops the imaging operation on condition that the contact type release switch is touched. The second setting order may be the same as the first setting order, but in the case of the present embodiment, the second setting order is reverse to the first setting order. That is, the imaging stop unit 106 causes the imaging unit 102 to stop the imaging operation on the condition that the user first touches the second contact-type release switch and then touches the first contact-type release switch. It is preferable that the imaging stop unit 106 also causes the imaging unit 102 to stop the imaging operation on condition that the first and second contact-type release switches are continuously touched by the user within a predetermined time.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the image pickup apparatus 100.
FIG. 2A shows the rear surface of the imaging device 100, and FIG.
2B illustrates a side surface of the imaging device 100. Imaging device 10
0 has a housing 132 that holds the imaging unit 102 and the like.
First pair of contact release switches 110 and 112
Are arranged on the same surface of the housing 132. Therefore,
The user can easily trace the surface with a finger or the like,
The first and second contact release switches 110 and 112 can be touched according to the first setting order or the second setting order.

First pair of contact release switches 11
0, 112 are arranged on a surface of the housing that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis E of the optical system 140 of the imaging unit 102;
For example, the front surface 142 or the back surface 134 is preferable. Contact type release switch 1 arranged on these surfaces
This is because 10, 112 can be easily touched with the index finger or thumb of the hand gripping the side surface of the housing. In the case of this embodiment, the first type of the contact type release switch
Are arranged on the back surface 134 of the housing 132.
A second pair of contact release switches 114 is also located on the back 134 of the housing 132.

The contact-type release switch includes a first pair 10
Both the eighth pair 114 and the second pair 114 are arranged in a region above the center of the casing 132 (dashed line B). In particular, the first pair 108 is arranged in a region on the left side of the center (dashed line A) of the housing, and the second pair 114 is arranged in a region on the right side. With this arrangement, the first pair of contact release switches 108 can be easily operated with the left thumb of the user holding the left side 136 of the housing 132. On the other hand, the second pair 114 can be easily operated with the right thumb holding the right side surface 138.

In this embodiment, each of the contact release switches 110, 112, 116, and 118 has an elongated shape. Also, the contact release switches 110 and 112 and 116 and 118 are positioned close to each other such that their longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to each other. To be placed in close proximity means, for example, that two fingers
This means that two contact-type release switches are arranged at intervals so that they can be touched simultaneously. Further, the first pair of contact-type release switches 110 and 112 is configured such that a straight line passing through the middle of each longitudinal axis is formed on the left side 1 of the housing 132.
36 is disposed so as to intersect below the center of the housing 132 (dashed line B). On the other hand, the second pair of contact-type release switches 116 and 118 are such that a straight line passing through the middle of each longitudinal axis intersects the right side surface 138 of the housing 132 below the center of the housing 132 (dashed line B). Placed in The first and second pairs of contact release switches arranged in this manner are connected to the side 136 or 1 of the housing, respectively.
The operation can be easily performed by turning the thumb of the hand holding the handle 38 in an arc shape shown by a dotted line C or D around the base thereof, for example.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image pickup apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, first, the switch selection unit 120 selectively operates one of the first pair 110 and the second pair 114 of the contact-type release switches according to a user's request (S102). Here, it is assumed that the switch selector 120 operates the first and second contact release switches 116 and 118 of the second pair 114.

Next, the moving image mode is selected in the imaging device 100 (S104: Y), and the user operates the first and second contact release switches 116 in the first setting order.
When the user touches 118 (S106: Y), the photographing instruction unit 10
4 causes the imaging unit 102 to execute the shooting of a moving image (S10
8). Next, when the user touches the first and second contact release switches 116 and 118 in the second setting order (S
110: Y), the shooting canceling unit 106 causes the imaging unit 102 to stop shooting a moving image (S112).

On the other hand, the still image mode is selected in the imaging device 100 (S114: Y), and the user sets the first and second contact release switches 11 in the first setting order.
6 and 118 (S116: Y), the imaging command unit 104 causes the imaging unit 102 to execute the imaging of a still image (S116).
118).

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the description of the appended claims that embodiments with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, a contact release switch (110
) Is replaced with a metal electrode, and the imaging command unit 104 monitors the user's brain waves via the user's finger or the like touching the metal electrode.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0-97369,
When a specific waveform appears in the electroencephalogram, the imaging unit 102 may perform imaging.

[0028]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus capable of preventing erroneous photographing and a control method thereof.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of an imaging device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a back surface (a) and a side surface (b) of the imaging apparatus 100.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the imaging apparatus 100.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 imaging device 102 imaging unit 104 imaging command unit 106 imaging stop unit 110 first contact release switch 112 second contact release switch 116 first contact release switch 118 second contact release switch 120 switch selection unit 140 Optical system

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H054 AA01 2H100 AA14 CC07 EE01 5C022 AA11 AA13 AB55 AC32 AC52 AC77

Claims (10)

[Claims] An imaging unit configured to image a subject; first and second contact-type release switches configured to detect that a user has touched the first and second contact-type release switches; An imaging command unit that causes the imaging unit to execute an imaging operation on condition that the release switch is touched. 2. The image capturing command unit executes the image capturing operation on condition that the first and second contact-type release switches are continuously contacted by the user within a predetermined time. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging stop unit that causes the imaging unit to stop an imaging operation on condition that the user contacts the first and second contact-type release switches in a predetermined order. The imaging device according to claim 1. 4. A housing for holding the imaging unit, wherein the first and second contact-type release switches are substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of an optical system of the imaging unit. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is arranged on an upper surface. 5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing for holding the imaging unit, wherein the first and second contact-type release switches are arranged in an area above a center of the housing. Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1. 6. The switch according to claim 4, wherein said first and second contact-type release switches have an elongated shape and are arranged such that their longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to each other. An imaging device according to claim 1. 7. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the first and second contact-type release switches are arranged close to each other. 8. A housing for holding the imaging unit, wherein the first and second contact-type release switches are respectively arranged in both a left area and a right area from a center of the housing. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: 9. The user of the first and second contact-type release switches arranged in the left area and the first and second contact-type release switches arranged in the right area. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a switch selection unit configured to selectively operate one selected by the switch. 10. A method for controlling an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup section for picking up an image of a subject and first and second contact-type release switches for detecting that the user has touched the object, wherein the users are arranged in a predetermined order. An imaging command step for causing the imaging unit to execute an imaging operation on condition that the first and second contact-type release switches have been touched.