JP2003167184A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that in the case a plurality of operating modes with reference to a camera operation can be switched only in one direction, an operation of setting the operation mode is complicated. <P>SOLUTION: The camera is provided with a changeover switch which is operated in order to switch a 1st state capable of changing a focal distance and a 2nd state capable of setting the operation mode in accordance with the operation of a telephoto switch 2 and a wide angle switch 3, and a control means for circularly switching a plurality of operation modes in the forward direction in accordance with the operation of one of the telephoto switch 2 and the wide angle switch 3 when the state is switched to the 2nd state by operating the changeover switch, on the other hand, for circularly switching the plurality of operation modes in the opposite direction in accordance with the operation of the other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a zoom camera capable of selectively setting a plurality of operation modes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of setting an operation mode related to strobe light emission and selecting one of a plurality of distance measurement areas provided in a photographing screen, for example, an operation mode related to strobe light emission is set. Of the camera and a dedicated switch for selecting the distance measurement area are provided on the camera body, and by operating these dedicated switches, the operation mode related to flash firing can be set according to the irreversible circulation rule, and the distance measurement area can be set. I am choosing.

After setting the operation mode for the desired strobe emission or selecting the desired distance measuring area, the setting contents and the distance measuring area are determined by stopping the switch operation.

Further, Japanese Patent No. 2641174 discloses a method of selecting characters to be printed on a film by reversible circulation by operating a dedicated UP / DOWN switch provided in the camera body.

A method of setting the above-mentioned operation mode for strobe emission will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the rear surface of the camera.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a strobe switch which is operated to set an operation mode relating to stroboscopic light emission of the camera. Reference numeral 9 denotes an AF switch, which is a switch for selecting one of a plurality of distance measuring areas provided in the photographing screen.

Reference numeral 10 is a tele switch, 11 is a wide switch, and these switches are operated to change the focal length of the photographing optical system. When the tele switch 10 is operated, zooming to the tele side is performed, and when the wide switch 11 is operated, zooming to the wide side is performed.

Reference numeral 12 is a finder.
The subject image can be observed through. Reference numeral 13 denotes an external liquid crystal display unit for displaying information necessary for photographing to inform the photographer. Reference numeral 14 denotes an LED that informs the photographer of whether the photographic optical system is in focus or out of focus by lighting / blinking, and 15 is an LED that blinks / lights to indicate that the strobe is charging / charging completed.

The operation mode related to strobe light emission is irreversibly cycled and switched only in one direction in response to the operation of the strobe switch 8 as shown in FIG. 10, and the switched contents are displayed on the external liquid crystal display unit 13. To be done. And
When the desired operation mode is reached, the operation mode can be determined by stopping the operation of the strobe switch 8.

Similarly, the distance measurement area can be set by operating the AF switch 9. That is, A
According to the operation of the F switch 9, one of the plurality of distance measuring areas can be selected according to the irreversible circulation rule.

[0011]

However, in the method of setting the operation mode for strobe light emission described in the prior art, the operation mode for strobe light emission can be switched only according to the irreversible circulation rule, so that the operation of the camera is complicated. Becomes For example, if the user operates the strobe switch 8 by mistake while selecting the operation mode related to the desired strobe light emission while selecting the desired operation mode, he or she operates the strobe switch again several times to perform the desired operation. You will have to switch to mode.

On the other hand, in the case of reversibly switching the operation mode related to stroboscopic light emission, Japanese Patent No. 26411 has been proposed.
It is necessary to provide a dedicated switch such as a dedicated UP / DOWN switch in the No. 74 camera, but in this case, the increase in the dedicated switches hinders downsizing of the camera and cost reduction, and the operation becomes complicated. There is a risk that the photographer will be given the impression.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has a tele switch and a wide switch which are operated to change the focal length of a photographing optical system to the tele side and the wide side, and has a plurality of operation modes related to camera operation. In a camera that can be selectively set, a first state in which a focal length can be changed in accordance with an operation of the tele switch and the wide switch and a second state in which the operation mode can be set
And a change-over switch operated to switch between the above states, and when the changeover switch is changed to the second state, the change-over switch is operated in response to an operation of any one of the tele switch and the wide switch. And a control means for cyclically switching the plurality of operation modes in the positive direction and cyclically switching the plurality of operation modes in the opposite direction in response to the other operation.

As described above, in the second state in which the operation mode can be set, the tele switch and the wide switch are operated to cyclically switch the plurality of operation modes in the forward direction and the reverse direction. It is possible to improve the operability in setting the operation mode, as compared with the case of cyclically switching only in the positive direction as in the related art.

Moreover, since the existing tele switch and wide switch are used in the camera body as the switch for switching the operation mode, a dedicated switch for cyclically switching the operation mode in the forward and reverse directions is separately provided in the camera body. It is not necessary to prevent the camera from increasing in size and cost, and since the camera body is provided with a large number of switches, it is possible to prevent the photographer from feeling that the operation is complicated.

By displaying the operation mode switched by the operation of the tele switch and the wide switch on the display means, the photographer can confirm the set contents.

[0017]

1 is a schematic rear view of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a mode switch (changeover switch) for selecting a mode for changing the setting contents of the flash light emission of the camera according to the operation of the photographer or a plurality of distance measuring areas provided in the photographing screen. It is possible to switch to a mode for selecting that distance measuring area. Reference numeral 2 is a tele switch, and 3 is a wide switch, and the focal length of the photographing optical system can be changed by pressing these switches. That is, when the tele switch 2 is operated, the zooming operation to the telephoto side is performed, and when the wide switch 3 is operated, the zooming operation to the wide angle side is performed.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a viewfinder of the camera, through which a subject image can be observed. Also,
A range-finding region for measuring a subject distance is provided in the finder 4 as described later, and the photographer can select the range-finding region through the finder 4. An external liquid crystal display unit (display means) 5 displays information necessary for photographing and informs the photographer of this information. Reference numeral 6 is an LED for notifying whether the camera is in focus or out of focus by lighting / blinking, and 7 is an LED for flashing / lighting to indicate charging / completion of strobe.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the camera of this embodiment. In the figure, a control unit (control means) 20 controls the operation of the entire camera (switching operation described below), and includes the mode switch 1, the tele switch 2, the wide switch 3, the viewfinder 4, and the external liquid crystal described above. The display unit 5 and the LEDs 6 and 7 are electrically connected.

FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram showing how the state of the camera changes according to the operation of the mode switch 1.

When the mode switch 1 is operated, the state of the camera is "shooting standby state (first state)", "strobe mode change standby state (second state)", "distance measuring area change standby state ( Second state) ”, and when the mode switch 1 is operated in the“ distance measuring area changing standby state ”, the state again switches to the“ shooting standby state ”. In this way, the state of the camera is switched by unidirectional irreversible circulation by the operation of the control unit 20 which receives the output of the mode switch 1.

Next, when the state of the camera is switched to each standby state described above by operating the mode switch 1,
How the display contents of the external liquid crystal display unit 5 are changed will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6.

FIG. 3 shows the display contents of the external liquid crystal display unit 5 in the "shooting standby state". In this state, the tele switch 2 and the wide switch 3 perform the function of changing the focal length of the photographing optical system, which is the original function of these switches.

When the mode switch 1 is operated in the "shooting standby state", the state of the camera is switched to the "strobe mode change standby state". The display contents of the external liquid crystal display unit 5 in this state are shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the camera is in the "strobe mode change standby state", the external liquid crystal display unit 5 is displayed.
An index of "▼" is displayed at a position corresponding to "STRB". As a result, the photographer can recognize that the camera state is the “strobe mode change standby state”. In this state, the tele switch 2 and the wide switch 3 are switched to switches (first mode change switch and second mode change switch) for changing the setting contents of the strobe mode.

Here, "strobe mode change standby state"
FIG. 5 shows the transition of the strobe mode when the tele switch 2 or the wide switch 3 is operated at.

When the tele switch 2 is operated, the setting contents (operation mode) of the strobe mode are as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 5 from the bottom (“slow sync”) to the top (“AUTO with red eye”) in the figure. The direction is sequentially switched, and the "auto with red eye" is switched to "slow sync" again. As described above, the switching of the setting contents of the strobe mode by the operation of the teleswitch 2 is performed by unidirectional irreversible circulation.

On the other hand, when the wide switch 3 is operated,
As shown by arrow B in FIG. 5, the setting contents of the strobe mode are sequentially switched from the upper direction (“AUTO with red eyes”) to the lower direction (“Slow sync”) in the figure, and again from “Slow sync” to “AUTO with red eyes”. It switches to ". In this way, the setting contents of the strobe mode are switched by operating the wide switch 3 by unidirectional irreversible circulation.

Here, "AUTO with red eye" is a mode in which light emission for red-eye reduction is performed and main light emission is automatically performed. "AUTO without red eye" is automatically performed without light emission for red-eye reduction. This is a mode for performing main light emission. "Strobe emission" is a mode in which main flash is automatically performed, and "prohibit strobe emission" is a mode in which main flash is prohibited. "Strobe flash off (+1.5 exposure compensation)" and "Strobe flash off (-1.5 exposure compensation)" change exposure by +1.5 steps or -1.5 steps with main flash disabled, respectively. In the mode, "slow sync" is a mode in which light is emitted under a slow shutter. By looking at the external liquid crystal display unit 5, the photographer can see the tele switch 2 and the wide switch 3
The setting contents of the flash mode selected by can be confirmed.

The setting contents of the flash mode selected by operating the tele switch 2 or the wide switch 3 are determined by operating the mode switch 1 to switch the camera state to the next standby state. The camera may be returned to the “shooting standby state” when a predetermined time has elapsed while the camera is in the “flash mode change standby state”. In this case, the setting content of the selected strobe mode may be determined when a predetermined time has elapsed.

By changing the setting contents of the strobe mode by operating the tele switch 2 or the wide switch 3 in this manner, the setting contents of the strobe mode can be reversibly changed and the operability of the camera is improved. be able to. For example, if the desired setting contents are exceeded due to a wrong press of the tele switch 2,
By operating the wide switch 3 once, it is possible to easily switch to desired setting contents.

Further, since the tele switch 2 and the wide switch 3 provided in advance in the camera are used as switches for switching the setting contents of the strobe mode,
Since it is not necessary to separately provide a dedicated switch, the camera can be downsized and the cost can be reduced, and the increase in the number of dedicated switches does not give the photographer the impression that the operation is complicated.

When the camera state is changed to the "distance measuring area changing standby state" by operating the mode switch 1, the display content of the external liquid crystal display section 5 is switched as shown in FIG. At this time, the index "▼" is displayed on the external liquid crystal display unit 5 at a position corresponding to "AF". This allows the photographer to recognize that the camera state is the “distance measuring area change standby state”. In this state, the tele switch 2 and the wide switch 3 are switched to switches (first mode change switch and second mode change switch) for selecting the distance measurement area.

FIG. 7 shows the transition of the distance measurement area when the tele switch 2 or the wide switch 3 is operated in the "distance measurement area change standby state". In the camera of the present embodiment, three distance measuring areas are provided in the photographing screen, and these distance measuring areas are arranged at the center of the photographing screen and on the left and right of this center.

When the tele switch 2 is operated, the setting contents of the distance measuring area are changed from the bottom ("left one point") to the top ("AIAF (Artificial Intelligenc)" as shown by an arrow C in FIG.
e Auto Focus) ”), and
The "AIAF" is switched to the "left one point" again. In this way, the setting contents of the distance measurement area are switched by the teleswitch 2 by unidirectional irreversible circulation.

On the other hand, when the wide switch 3 is operated,
As shown by an arrow D in FIG. 7, the setting contents of the distance measurement area are sequentially switched from the upper (“AIAF”) to the lower (“left one point”) direction, and from “one left point” to “AIAF” again. Switch. In this way, the setting contents of the distance measurement area are switched by the wide switch 3 by irreversible circulation in one direction (the opposite direction to the switching direction by the tele switch 2).

Here, "AIAF" is for selecting three distance measuring areas provided in the photographing screen, and "center one point" is for selecting a distance measuring area provided in the center of the photographing screen. is there. Further, "one point on the right" is for selecting a distance measuring area provided on the right side with respect to the center of the shooting screen, and "one point on the left" is selecting a distance measuring area provided on the left side with respect to the center of the shooting screen. It is a thing. The photographer can confirm the distance measuring area switched by operating the tele switch 2 or the wide switch 3 by looking into the finder 4.

The setting contents of the distance measuring area selected by operating the tele switch 2 or the wide switch 3 are determined by operating the mode switch 1 to switch the camera state to the next standby state. The camera may be returned to the "shooting standby state" after a predetermined time has elapsed while the camera is in the "distance measurement area change standby state". In this case, the setting content of the selected ranging area may be determined when a predetermined time has elapsed.

The camera of this embodiment measures the object distance based on the determined distance measuring area, and adjusts the focus based on the measurement result. Here, when “AIAF” is selected, the camera measures the object distance in all three distance measuring areas, and focuses on the object closest to the camera based on the measurement result.

Even when the distance measuring area is selected in this way,
Since the distance measurement area is reversibly switched by operating the tele switch 2 or the wide switch 3 provided in advance in the camera, the operability of the camera is improved as in the case of switching the setting contents of the strobe mode described above. It is possible to reduce the size and cost of the camera.

In this embodiment, the case of changing the setting contents of the strobe mode and the case of changing the distance measuring area have been described, but the present invention can be applied to the case of changing other setting contents. .

For example, when selecting one of a plurality of photometric areas provided in the photographing screen, when setting the date and time, and when setting the title information to be imprinted on the film, the telephoto area is set. It may be set by operating the switch 2 or the wide switch 3.
Further, the standby states shown in FIG. 2 may be reversibly switched by operating the tele switch 2 or the wide switch 3.

[0044]

According to the present invention, in the second state in which the operation mode can be set, the plurality of operation modes are cyclically switched in the forward and reverse directions by operating the tele switch and the wide switch. By doing so, it is possible to improve the operability in setting the operation mode, as compared to the case where the switching is cyclically performed only in the positive direction as in the conventional case.

Moreover, since the existing tele switch and wide switch are used in the camera body as the switch for switching the operation mode, a dedicated switch for cyclically switching the operation mode in the forward and reverse directions is separately provided in the camera body. It is not necessary to prevent the camera from increasing in size and cost, and since the camera body is provided with a large number of switches, it is possible to prevent the photographer from feeling that the operation is complicated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a camera that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a transition diagram of a standby state by operating a mode switch.

FIG. 3 is a partial rear view of the camera in a shooting standby state.

FIG. 4 is a partial rear view of the camera in a strobe mode change standby state.

FIG. 5 is a transition diagram of setting contents of a strobe mode.

FIG. 6 is a partial rear view of the camera in a standby state for changing the ranging area.

FIG. 7 is a transition diagram of setting contents of a distance measurement area.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the camera of this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of a camera according to the related art.

FIG. 10 is a transition diagram of the setting contents of the strobe mode in the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Mode switch 2: Tele switch 3: Wide switch 4: Finder 5: External liquid crystal display 6: LED (camera focus / non-focus) 7: LED (strobe is charging / charging completed) 8: Strobe switch 9: AF switch 10: Tele switch 11: Wide switch 12: Finder 13: External liquid crystal display section 14: LED (camera focus / non-focus) 15: LED (during strobe charging / charging completed)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03B 17/18 G03B 3/00 A 2H102 F term (reference) 2H011 AA01 CA21 DA05 2H044 DA02 DE01 DE08 2H051 AA01 GA10 GA18 GB20 2H053 AB04 2H100 AA18 AA31 2H102 AA56 AA66

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A camera having a tele switch and a wide switch which are operated to change the focal length of a photographing optical system to a tele side and a wide side, and in which a plurality of operation modes related to camera operation can be selectively set. A switch operated to switch between a first state in which the focal length can be changed and a second state in which the operation mode can be set in accordance with the operation of the tele switch and the wide switch. And a plurality of operation modes cyclically in the forward direction in response to an operation of either the tele switch or the wide switch when the switch is switched to the second state by operating the switch. And a control means for cyclically switching the plurality of operation modes in the opposite direction according to the operation of the other. La. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying an operation mode switched by operating the tele switch and the wide switch. 3. The operation mode includes at least one of a strobe light emission mode for making settings relating to strobe light emission and a distance measurement mode for making settings for measuring a subject distance. The camera described in 2.