JP2003153052A - Digital camera with built-in printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera enabling switches to be operated easily, regardless of the dominant arm of the user. SOLUTION: The printer built-in digital camera comprises a means for arranging two switches in exactly the same configuration of linear symmetry and allocating either an imaging operation function or a printing operation function to each of the two switches, a means for storing the allocation of the functions to each switch, and a means for functioning each switch according to the stored allocation, thus allowing each function of imaging and printing to be reassigned to either the left or right button, according to the dominant arm of the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention mainly relates to a digital camera with a built-in printer, and more particularly to a digital camera with a built-in printer having a switch for shooting operation and a switch for printing operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital camera converts an image captured by an image pickup lens into an electric signal (image data) by using a photoelectric semiconductor element (CCD) that converts the intensity of light into an electric signal, and performs image processing (color data). After processing (data compression, etc.), the image is generally recorded as an image file on a recording medium such as a flash memory, and the mechanism for recording the image is greatly different from the conventional silver halide camera using a film.

However, even a digital camera is not so different from a silver-salt camera from the viewpoint of how to take an image. Specifically, there are differences such as those equipped with the same optical viewfinder as conventional silver halide cameras, those equipped with a color liquid crystal viewfinder unique to digital cameras, those equipped with both, but when shooting with a digital camera There is an example of using the same lens and release button (switch) as a silver-salt camera.

This means that the product design of the digital camera is not very different from that of the silver halide camera, and there is a tendency for the conventional camera user to positively resemble the design of the silver halide camera. I cannot deny that.

[0005]

However, as a result of the product design of the digital camera following that of the silver halide camera, the product form may be designed on the assumption that the product is operated with the right hand as in the past. It is commonplace. That is, in many digital cameras, a switch for shooting operation such as a release button is still arranged only on the right hand side of the user. Therefore, it is difficult for left-handed (non-right-handed) users to perform a shooting operation with a digital camera, and as a result, users are limited as in the case of a silver halide camera.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera in which an operation switch can be easily operated regardless of a user's dominant hand.

As an example for solving the same problem, there is Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-173971. This is a different operation from the conventional silver halide camera by using a switch having a special mechanism. Has made it easier to operate with either the left or right hand.

On the other hand, an object of the present invention is to make it easy to operate with either the left or right hand while maintaining the same operation as a conventional silver halide camera.

[0009]

In a digital camera with a built-in printer having a switch for performing a photographing operation and a switch for performing a printing operation, the two switches are symmetrically arranged with the same configuration, and the two switches are respectively photographed. By providing a means for allocating either the operation function or the print operation function, a means for storing the function allocation to each switch, and a means for causing each switch to function according to the stored allocation, the user can use his or her own hand. At the same time, the shooting and printing functions can be reassigned to either the left or right button.

Further, in a digital camera with a built-in printer having a switch for performing a reproducing operation and a switch for performing a printing operation, the two switches are symmetrically arranged with the same configuration, and the two switches have a reproducing operation function or a printing function respectively. By providing a means for assigning any of the operation functions, a means for storing the assignment of the function to each switch, and a means for causing each switch to function according to the stored assignment, the user can perform playback in accordance with his / her dominant hand. Allows each print function to be reassigned to either the left or right button.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram in which functional blocks constituting a printer-integrated digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention are arranged.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU which controls a printer-integrated digital camera and calculates various data. Reference numeral 2 is a RAM that is a memory that stores various data while the CPU is operating, and 3 is a ROM that stores programs executed by the CPU and various data in advance. Reference numeral 4 is a camera module for controlling the lens and shutter to take out digital image data from the image pickup device for photographing, and 5 is a JPEG module for JPEG-compressing the image data photographed by 4 or expanding the JPEG-compressed image data. , 6 is a memory card interface unit for connecting a removable memory card, and 7 is a memory card, which is mainly used for storing image data compressed by the JPEG module 4 as an image file.

Reference numeral 8 is a video module for displaying images on the LCD of the apparatus, 9 is a printer module for printing the image data in the apparatus, and 10 is a user interface module for reading the state of buttons for the user to operate the apparatus. , 11 are battery modules that supply power for operating the apparatus. Although it is assumed that the JPEG module 5 is mounted as hardware in this figure, it may be mounted as software and operated by the CPU 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a printer-integrated digital camera, which is an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front of the lens.

In FIG. 2, a digital camera (camera section)
The printer device (printer unit) is completely integrated in the housing 200, and the cassette for supplying paper and ink is also the housing 20.
It is within 0.

Reference numeral 201 is a lens portion of the camera portion, 202 is a window for an optical viewfinder of the camera portion, 203 is a window for various optical sensors of the camera portion, 204 is a flash portion of the camera portion, 20
Reference numeral 5 denotes an LCD for displaying the photographing mode of the camera unit, the number of photographable images, the number of printable images for the printer unit, and 206 and 207 are release buttons for photographing the camera unit or print execution buttons for instructing execution of printing. A paper discharge port of the printer unit, and 209 is a printing paper that is printed by the printer unit and discharged. Further, 210 is a grip portion for preventing the camera body from slipping when held by hand.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a printer-integrated digital camera, which is an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear of the lens.

Explaining only the components not shown in FIG. 2, a color LCD 211 for confirming the photographed image and displaying various information, a menu for controlling the operation of this apparatus (displayed on the LCD 211). There are a switch group 212 for operating the, a switch 213 for switching the mode (photographing and reproduction) of the camera unit, turning on / off the power source, and the like.

Further, on a side surface of the housing 200 opposite to the paper discharge port 208, a memory card replacement port 214 and a printer unit cassette 21 containing ink and paper are stored.
There is 5.

First, it has been described that a digital camera generally uses a release button to perform photographing as in a silver halide camera. However, the release button is actually 4
It may consist of two switches (focus lock, release, zoom in, zoom out), etc.
In particular, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform a complicated operation with the fingertip opposite to the dominant hand. Many digital cameras are now designed to operate the release button only with the right hand, making it especially difficult for left-handed users.

On the other hand, in the digital camera with a built-in printer according to the embodiment of the present invention, the image taken at last is printed by operating the print execution button during shooting, and is played back by operating the print execution button during playback. It is desired that the image being displayed or a plurality of selected images can be printed. Therefore, the digital camera with a built-in printer of the present invention is characterized by having a print execution button for activating the print processing immediately during shooting or reproduction as described above.

In the present invention, which requires a release button and a print execution button, the same operation buttons 206 on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the camera body 200 are used.
207 are provided symmetrically so that the allocation of each function of the release button (shooting function) and the print execution button (printing function) can be changed according to the user's setting. That is, the user can reassign each function to the left or right button according to his or her dominant hand. For example, a right-handed user can use the right button 206 as a release button and the left button 2
07 can be assigned as the print execution button, and the left-handed user can set the reverse assignment.

With this function, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a digital camera which is easy to operate without depending on the dominant hand while keeping the operation style of shooting with the release button of the conventional silver halide camera.

In order to set the function assigned to the buttons 206 and 207, the LCD 211 and the switch group 2 are set.
12 is used. The user operates the switch group 212 while looking at the menu displayed on the LCD 211 to change the assignment. The assignment once set is stored in a non-volatile memory or the like in the camera and held until the next setting change. Therefore, basically, at most, the time and effort required for the setting of the switch allocation by the user is once after the purchase.

As for the method of selecting the function assignment, the recommended settings for the right-handed person and the left-handed person prepared in advance in the program may be selected, or the functions may be independently selected and assigned to the left and right buttons. Is also good. Further, the print function may be temporarily not assigned to either key in order to prevent erroneous operation, or the shooting function may be assigned to both buttons at the same time.

Further, when the print execution button is assigned to the button composed of four switches, the three switches are unused, but these may be left unused, and the operation related to printing may be left. The user may be allowed to select the assignment to the switch.

For example, if the function of each switch of the release button is assigned to focus lock, release, zoom in, and zoom out, when assigning the print function, the print setting confirmation (displayed on the LCD 211 is displayed on the corresponding switch. ), Start printing, increase the number of prints (LC
(Displayed on D205), reduced number of prints (displayed on LCD205)
It is good to assign functions such as.

Further, it is determined by the LCD 205, which function the user has assigned to each button or each switch.
Alternatively, it is desirable to display it on 211. Furthermore, in order to make it easier to hold the main body when shooting with either the left or right hand, it is desirable that the grip portions 210 be on the left and right sides of the front surface of the camera body as shown in FIG.

The digital camera has a major feature that the photographed image can be confirmed on the spot on the LCD 211 (reproduction mode), which the silver halide camera does not have. When the two operation modes of the digital camera are the shooting mode and the playback mode, the playback function is reassigned to the button (switch group) used as the release button in the shooting mode of the conventional digital camera in the playback mode and played back to the user. There was a case to perform operations for display (switch display format, enlarged display, etc.).

That is, also in this case, the problem of the dominant hand occurs, and in the present invention, in the reproducing mode, the buttons relating to the reproducing function and the printing function are exchanged based on the setting of the user, and the dominant hand is the same as in the photographing mode. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use digital camera that does not rely on

The two modes of shooting and reproduction are switched by the switch 213, but the button assignment is automatically reset every time the mode is switched. Each button and function combination is for right-handed and left-handed (right-handed: shooting (right button 206), playback (right button 206), print (left button 207) / left-handed: shooting (left button 207), Reproduction (left button 207), printing (right button 206)) may be set selectively, or a combination of buttons and functions may be freely set for each mode. This setting is also stored in the non-volatile memory or the like in the camera and held until the setting is changed next time.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, two exactly the same operation buttons are arranged on the left and right sides of the camera body, so that the user can perform each function (photographing / printing) according to his / her dominant hand. It becomes possible to reassign to any button, and it is possible to eliminate the conventional drawback that it is difficult to operate depending on the dominant hand.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a digital camera which is easy to operate without depending on the dominant hand while keeping the operation style of shooting with the release button of the conventional silver halide camera.

Further, according to the present invention, the user can reassign each function (playback / printing) to any of the left and right buttons according to his or her dominant hand even during the playback operation peculiar to the digital camera. It is also possible to eliminate the drawback during playback that is difficult to operate.

Further, the implementation to a digital camera having a built-in printer has been described so far, but it is also applicable to a digital camera having operation buttons for transmitting data wirelessly or by wire and printing from an external printer. Similar implementations are possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1] Basic configuration diagram of digital camera with built-in printer

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a digital camera with a built-in printer.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a digital camera with a built-in printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 camera module 5 JPEG module 6 Memory card interface 7 memory card 8 video modules 9 Printer module 10 User interface module 11 Battery module

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a digital camera with a built-in printer having a switch for performing a shooting operation and a switch for performing a printing operation, the two switches are symmetrically arranged with the same configuration, and the two switches have a shooting operation function or a printing function respectively. A digital camera with a built-in printer, comprising: means for allocating any of the operation functions, means for storing the function allocation to each switch, and means for causing each switch to function according to the stored allocation. 2. In a digital camera with a built-in printer having a switch for performing a reproduction operation and a switch for performing a printing operation, the two switches are symmetrically arranged with the same configuration, and the two switches respectively have a reproduction operation function or a printing function. A digital camera with a built-in printer, comprising: means for allocating any of the operation functions, means for storing the function allocation to each switch, and means for causing each switch to function according to the stored allocation. 3. In a digital camera with a built-in printer, which has a switch for shooting and reproducing operations and a switch for printing operations, two switches are arranged symmetrically with the same configuration, and the two switches respectively have a shooting operation function. Alternatively, a means for allocating any of the print operation functions, a means for allocating either the reproduction operation function or the print operation function to each of the two switches, a means for storing the function allocation to each switch, at the time of shooting and reproduction A digital camera with a built-in printer, comprising means for switching the function assignment to each of the switches to operate. 4. The digital camera with built-in printer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the printing operation function can be assigned to neither of the two switches. 5. The digital camera with a built-in printer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a shooting operation function or a reproduction operation function can be assigned to both of the two switches. 6. The digital camera with a built-in printer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein which function is assigned to two switches can be displayed.