JP2002281352A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multifunction electronic camera in which a desired function is easily picked up. SOLUTION: The electronic camera is provided with a means 41 to store a plurality of items corresponding to a plurality of functions in a hierarchical menu form, a means 46 to select a desired item among the plurality of functions, an executing means to execute a function corresponding to the item selected by the selecting means, at least one operating means to which at least one of the plurality of items are allocated and an allocating means to allocate at least one desired item to the operating means among the plurality of items. The function corresponding to the item allocated to the operating means is executed by operating the operating means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly, to improvement of operability of an electronic camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic cameras are multifunctional, and various functions are assigned to respective buttons.
A desired function can be called from a hierarchical menu and set to a desired value. However, it is difficult to convert all functions into dedicated buttons in terms of space.

Therefore, in the current key operation, for example, when performing various settings, the functions are switched by software using general-purpose keys. That is, a desired item is called from the hierarchical menu display and various settings are made. However, when the frequently used item (function) is one item of the menu (ie,
If the key is assigned to a soft key), the operability is poor because it is necessary to follow the menu hierarchy. Furthermore,
It is difficult for a beginner to call a desired function from a multifunctional electronic camera and make various settings.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional electronic camera, since the electronic camera is multifunctional, it is troublesome to call the function.
Especially for beginners, you may not even know where the feature is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional electronic camera which can easily call a desired function.

[0006]

According to the present invention, the following means have been taken in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

An electronic camera according to the present invention has means for storing a plurality of items corresponding to a plurality of functions in a hierarchical menu format, means for selecting a desired one of the plurality of items, and means for selecting Executing means for executing a function corresponding to the item selected by the user, at least one operating means capable of assigning at least one of the plurality of items, and at least one of the plurality of items assigned to the operating means. Allocating means for allocating a desired item,
By operating the operation means, a function corresponding to an item assigned to the operation means is executed.

A preferred embodiment of the above electronic camera is as follows. (1) The operation means is a dedicated button provided for assigning the item. (2) The assigning means can assign at least one item to the operating means for each camera mode. (3) A menu for assigning items to the operation means is included in the hierarchical menu. (4) When operating the operation means, its contents are highlighted. (5) In the first operation of the operating means, the current set value of the function assigned to the operating means is displayed, and the setting is changed by the second and subsequent operations. (6) After the operation of the operation means, a predetermined time (for example, 2
If there is no operation for 2 seconds, turn off the display. (7) The operating means is provided in a place where the operation is most easy.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an electronic camera according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic camera according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, this electronic camera mainly comprises a camera body 1 and a lens barrel 2.
The camera body 1 is provided with a release button 5, a menu button 6, a cross button 7, an OK button 8, an LCD monitor button 9 and the like as main input units of an operation unit 46, in addition to an optical viewfinder 3 and a pop-up type strobe 4. Further, an image display LCD (color liquid crystal display) 30 is provided as a display unit. Although FIG. 1 also shows a custom button 10 according to the present invention,
In the present invention, a custom button 1 as shown in FIG.
The operability is improved by newly adding 0.

In FIG. 2, an optical image of a subject that has passed through a lens group 11 is converted into an electric signal by a CCD 12 and is converted into an analog image signal by an imaging circuit 13. The analog image signal is converted into a digital image signal (hereinafter, also referred to as “image information”) by the A / D converter 14 and is temporarily stored in the volatile built-in memory 25. The built-in memory 25 has a high speed, for example, an SDRAM (Synchr).
onous Dynamic Random Access
ss Memory), and is also used as a work area for image processing described later.

The image processing circuit 21 performs processes such as conversion of color information of image information temporarily stored in the built-in memory 25 and conversion of the number of pixels. The image information that has been subjected to various image processes in the image processing circuit 21 is, for example, JPEG-compressed by the compression / expansion unit 22 and recorded in the removable memory 20 such as a smart media.

When displaying a photographed image, the image information after image processing is transmitted via the LCD driver 31.
The image is displayed on the image display LCD 30.

When displaying an image recorded in the detachable memory 20, the image information read from the detachable memory 20 is decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 22. For example, predetermined image processing is performed by the image processing circuit 21. After that, the image is displayed on the image display LCD 30 in the same manner as in the shooting.

The main CPU 40 reads a basic control program of the electronic camera from a nonvolatile memory 41 such as a flash memory and controls the entire electronic camera.

The sub CPU 45 receives an input from an operation unit 46 (including a release button, a cross key, etc., not shown) and performs control according to the input. Also, sub C
The PU 45 controls a power supply unit (not shown) to manage the power supply of the entire electronic camera. Further, the sub CPU 45
The drive of the lens group 11 is controlled via a lens drive circuit 15.

In the present invention, the operation section 46 is provided with a custom switch 47 to which a new desired function can be assigned. By operating the custom switch 47, the function assigned to the custom switch 47 is provided. Is executed. The content assigned to the custom switch 47 is stored in the assignment content storage unit 42 of the nonvolatile memory 41.
The allocation content stored in the allocation content storage unit 42 is read out at the time of initial setting such as when the power of the camera is turned on, and the allocation content is allocated to the custom switch 47. Thus, by pressing the custom button 10, the function assigned to the custom button 10 can be executed. Hereinafter, a method of assigning functions to the custom buttons 10 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for assigning a desired function to the custom button 10. In FIG. 3, it is assumed that an item for setting a function to the custom button 10 is prepared in the menu. Note that the item for assigning a function to the custom button 10 may not be used frequently, and may be located at a lower part in the menu hierarchy.

First, a menu is displayed (step A).
1) A menu item for changing the setting of the custom button 10 is selected (step A2). Then, items that can be assigned to the custom button 10 as shown in FIG. 4 are displayed (step A3), and a desired item is selected therefrom (step A4). Here, it is determined whether or not the function of the custom button 10 is to be changed (step A5). If the function of the custom button 10 is changed in step A5, for example, OK
By pressing the button 8, the selected item is confirmed, the function corresponding to the item is stored in the assignment content storage unit 42 of the nonvolatile memory 41, and set to the custom button 10 (step A6). As described above, since various functions can be assigned to the custom button 10, when the custom button is pressed, it is often not possible to know the item or setting content set for the current custom button. In this case, it is preferable to display the current setting at the first operation of the custom button, and to sequentially change the setting every time the custom button is operated from the second operation. As a result, the settings at the present time can be confirmed, so that it is possible to prevent the settings from being changed by mistake. Specifically, it is as follows.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example when the custom button 10 is operated. FIG. 5 shows an example in which ISO sensitivity is assigned to the custom button 10.
When the custom button 10 is pressed as shown in FIG.
The O sensitivity menu is displayed, and the current setting (auto in this case) is displayed. Each time the custom button 10 is pressed, the ISO sensitivity becomes “100”.
→ 200 → 400 → 800 → Auto ”.

As described above, by operating the custom button 10, the assigned item and the current setting are displayed, and the setting can be changed each time the button is pressed. In addition, shooting modes (auto, manual,
Frequently used functions are different for each of a plurality of camera modes such as shutter priority) and playback mode.
It is preferable to assign to.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment of the present invention. For example, instead of displaying a menu when a button is operated, in FIG. 5, only the ISO sensitivity and the current set value are highlighted (for example, by changing the color and size), and each time the button is pressed. The set value may be changed. Further, control may be performed such that the liquid crystal monitor is turned on when the custom button 10 is pressed.

In FIG. 1, a custom button 10
Is located next to the cross key, but is not limited to this, and it can be placed anywhere as long as it is easy to operate, especially when assigning the functions that are operated most frequently. It is preferably provided at a location.

Further, in the above embodiment, the embodiment in which the function for one item is assigned to the custom button 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of functions may be assigned. In this case, when the custom button 10 is pressed, a plurality of (for example, two) items may be displayed, and any one of the items may be selected with a selection key such as a cross key.

Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, an operation means (either a button or a lever) capable of assigning an item to a frequently used item is newly provided. A function corresponding to a desired item can be easily selected and set.

In addition, since a dedicated button is provided, frequently used functions can be called immediately.

Further, shooting modes (auto, manual,
Desired items (that is, items most frequently used by the user) can be assigned to each of a plurality of camera modes such as a shutter mode and a playback mode, so that operability is excellent.

In addition, even if a frequently used function changes according to the use condition of the camera or the like, an arbitrary function can be easily assigned to the operation means, so that operability is not impaired.

If the display is the same or smaller than the others, it may not be known whether the item is registered in the custom key.
By highlighting, it is possible to know that the custom key, which is the operation means, has been operated, and to know the registered contents of the custom key.

Even if it is not desired to change the set value of the custom key, changing the setting from the first time increases extra work. However, since the set value at the present time is displayed at the first time, the set value at the present time is changed. It can be easily determined whether or not to change.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an electronic camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for assigning a desired function to a custom button.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a function assigned to a custom button.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a display example when a custom button is operated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera body 2 ... Lens barrel 3 ... Optical viewfinder 4 ... Strobe 5 ... Release button 6 ... Menu button 7 ... Cross button 8 ... OK button 9 ... LCD monitor button 10 ... Custom button 11 ... Lens group 12 ... CCD 13 ... Imaging circuit 14 A / D converter 15 Lens driving circuit 20 Detachable memory 21 Image processing circuit 22 Compression / expansion unit 25 Built-in memory 30 Image display LCD 31 LCD driver 40 Main CPU 41 Non-volatile Memory 42: Assignment storage unit 45: Sub CPU 46: Operation unit 47: Custom switch

Claims (5)

[Claims] A means for storing a plurality of items corresponding to a plurality of functions in a hierarchical menu format; a means for selecting a desired one of the plurality of items; and an item selected by the selecting means. Executing means for executing a corresponding function; at least one operating means capable of assigning at least one of the plurality of items, having a dedicated button provided for assigning the items; and And allocating means for allocating at least one desired item of the plurality of items to the means. By operating the operating means, a function corresponding to the item allocated to the operating means is executed. Electronic camera featuring. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the assigning means is capable of assigning different items to the operating means for each camera mode. 3. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein a menu for allocating items to said operation means is included in said hierarchical menu. 4. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein when the operation unit is operated,
An electronic camera characterized by highlighting its contents. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein a current set value of a function assigned to the operation unit is displayed in a first operation of the operation unit. An electronic camera wherein the setting is changed by a second or subsequent operation.