JP2003287799A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera with which exposure timing is easily recognized and whose release time lag is made more shorter. <P>SOLUTION: The camera 1 possesses a release button 20 related to a release switch so as to previously detect the sign of release operation, an image pickup part 5 and a finger detecting part 9 to detect a finger in a non-contact state, and is set so that image pickup preparation such as photometry and range- finding is performed when the finger is detected by the finger detecting part 9 and image pickup or exposure is performed when the release button 20 is pressed and operated. Also, the camera 1 possesses a light projecting part 6 and a photodetecting part 7 of infrared ray and a projecting optical system 21 and a photodetecting optical system 22 related to the projecting and photodetecting, and the projecting part 6 and the photodetecting part 7 connected to the finger detecting part 9 are fixed at the main body of the camera 1 and also the projecting optical system 21 and the photodetecting optical system 22 are fixed at a movable part which is the release button 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera having a contactless function of detecting a finger to be released.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a general camera, a release operation is performed by manually operating a release switch by a user as a photographer. Some low-priced cameras have a single-contact release switch, but in high-end models and popular models, the release switch itself has a two-step switch structure, and the first step (1st. There are many cases in which the image pickup is prepared and the image is taken in the second stage (2nd release). By locking the photometry and distance measurement in the first step, the composition can be changed in that state and the image can be taken, so that the user can take a more targeted image.

Further, as a technique specialized in the release operation of a camera in recent years, for example, there is a camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-160971 (Patent No. 3207944),
For this purpose, a camera is proposed which detects a value corresponding to the amount of depression of the release switch in a non-contact manner and executes a predetermined photographing sequence when the amount of depression exceeds a predetermined value. More specifically, a structure is provided that includes a sensor (photoreflector, LED) that detects the moving distance of the forefinger here without contact, by providing a groove-like portion that is fitted when the user tries to press the release button with the forefinger. , Is devised so as to perform shooting preparation and exposure operation according to the moving distance. There has been proposed a technique capable of achieving the purpose of reducing the influence of camera shake or the like at the time of shooting by quickly detecting a release operation in a non-contact manner and performing an accurate operation like this camera. By applying the non-contact detection technology in this way, it becomes easy to reduce or prevent camera shake caused by the release operation.

[0004]

However, each of the above-mentioned conventional techniques has the following problems. In a camera having a release mechanism with a general two-step switch structure as described above, the preparation for shooting and the imaging operation are not performed until the release switch is operated, so the release time lag felt by the user is the camera after the switch operation. The time lag of itself is added to the time until switching is completed. Therefore, no matter how short the time lag of the camera itself is, the time required for switching remains, and it is extremely difficult to make the release time lag shorter than that.

Although the camera detects the release operation in a non-contact manner to reduce the effect of camera shake during shooting, it is a mechanical release type that pushes a conventional release switch (first step (1st. Release)). In comparison, it is difficult for the user to understand the operation drive timing of the release switch (that is, the exposure timing). Since the length of the release time lag is unknown from time to time, unless the user is accustomed to the individuality of the camera, it is not always possible to obtain a shooting result that matches the photo opportunity. Therefore, such a camera also requires further improvement in operability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera in which the exposure timing is easy to understand and the actual release time lag of the user is shorter.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention takes the following means in order to detect in advance the sign of the user's release operation. According to the first aspect, in a camera having a release switch, an imaging unit, and a finger detection unit that detects a finger in a non-contact manner, when the finger detection unit detects a finger, an imaging preparation is performed, and the release switch is Image pickup is performed when a pressing operation is performed, and further includes an infrared light projecting unit and a light receiving unit, and respective optical systems related to these light projecting and receiving, and the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit. Is fixed to the body of the camera, and the optical system is fixed to the movable portion of the release switch.

The release switch is composed of a first release switch of a first stage and a second release switch of a second stage, a mounting portion of a memory card as an external recording medium, and image information to the memory card. And a display unit for displaying a captured image. When the finger detecting unit detects a finger, the image is continuously displayed, and when the first release switch is pressed, the image is captured. The camera is characterized in that update is prohibited, and when the second release switch is pressed, data relating to the image being displayed is stored in the memory card. Further, the release member related to the release switch has a light emitting portion which emits visible light therein and further has a light transmitting portion which transmits light from the light emitting portion, and when the finger is detected by the finger detecting means, the light emitting portion is emitted. It is a camera characterized by making a part emit light.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the arrangement of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera 1 is an electronic camera having an electronic image pickup function, and is composed of the following elements. That is, a display unit 2 for displaying and outputting a subject image and information related to shooting, a power switch 3 for switching the power supply, and an operation state when the power switch 3 is turned on, and the shooting lens unit is mounted. A photographing lens control unit 4 for controlling the
The image pickup unit 5 electronically picks up a subject image. Then, the camera control unit 1 to which these units are connected and which generally controls the units by a predetermined control program (details will be described later).
Has 0.

Further, the camera 1 has a release button 20 which directly receives a pressing operation as a release member, and a release switch 11a relating to the release button 20 and an operating means 11 including various other switches. Then, basically, the camera control unit 10 evokes a predetermined photographing operation based on the release switch 11a being pressed through the release button 20. In the case of normal shooting, as in the conventional case, it is set such that a predetermined photometry / distance measurement is performed and an image pickup operation can be performed immediately after the release button 20 is touched with the user's finger 50.

Further, the camera 1 has a finger detecting portion 9 as a finger detecting means which can detect a finger in a "non-contact" manner in relation to the above-mentioned release member, and can detect a fingertip to be operated for release. It has the function of non-contact detection. This function operates in the so-called "finger detection (non-contact) mode", and even if the user does not touch the release button 20, bring the fingertip close to the button so that he / she can consider that he / she wants to shoot. In this case, the finger detection unit 9 detects the approach of the finger, performs photometry / distance measurement as an imaging preparation, and thereafter, when the release button 20 is contacted and the release switch 11a is pressed, the image is immediately captured. It is set to operate. As the finger detecting means, a release button 20 including a light projecting optical system 21, a light receiving optical system 22 and a light transmitting portion 23, which will be described later, and respective optical axes of the light projecting optical system 21 and the light receiving optical system 22. It comprises a light projecting unit 6 and a light receiving unit 7 arranged above, and the finger detecting unit 9 composed of a finger detecting circuit to which the light projecting unit 6 and the light receiving unit 7 are respectively connected.

The light projecting section 6 and the light receiving section 7 which form an optical mechanism for detecting a finger are provided in the main body of the camera 1, and the light projecting optical system 21 and the light receiving optical system 22 are movable by, for example, pressing force. The release button 20 is fixed or integrated at a predetermined position (details will be described later).

Further, it has a light emitting display section 18 which emits light for displaying the approaching state of the finger 50 and a warning thereof. The above-mentioned release member is further provided with a light transmitting portion 23 that transmits light from the light emitting display portion 18 including, for example, an LED of a predetermined color, and the user can determine the state at that time based on the light transmitted through this portion. It can be visually confirmed. The light transmitting portion 23 is formed as a visible light transmitting window on the surface of the release button 20, for example.

A finger detection permission prohibition unit 8 is connected to the finger detection unit 9 as a means for prohibiting the finger detection (non-contact) mode. If finger detection is unnecessary, for example, a prohibition button is used. It is possible to cancel the mode through the and disable the finger detection function.

By arranging the camera 1 in this manner, the photographer as a user can operate the release operation only by using the release button as in the prior art without being aware of the non-contact finger detecting means provided. You can shoot in exactly the same way. For the camera 1, the photographer releases the button 2.
Before touching 0, the camera 1 can detect the presence of the finger 50 and immediately start preparation for shooting. In other words, the photometry and distance measurement processing necessary for photographing are started before the photographer presses the release switch 11a via the release button 20, so that the processing immediately after pressing the release switch 11a is conventionally performed. It is less than in. Therefore, the shooting operation can be executed faster by that amount, and the release time lag substantially approaches zero for the photographer.

FIG. 2 shows the external appearance of the camera 1 of the first embodiment as seen obliquely from the rear. A display unit 2 composed of an LCD is arranged in the center of the back surface of the camera 1, and a green LED 4f and an orange LE are arranged in the vicinity of the upper portion thereof along with the finder 17.
D12a is provided. In addition, the release button 20
Zoom lever 11 as an operating means 11 including
In addition to b, various buttons and switches such as an image display button 11c, an image down button 11d, and an image up button 11e are provided.

Below the inside of the release button 20, an infrared LED 6a forming the light projecting portion 6, an infrared light receiving element 7 forming the light receiving portion 7, and a blue light L forming the light emitting display portion 18 are provided.
The ED 18a and the like are incorporated (details will be described later). Also,
A lens barrel 15 including a photographing lens provided on the front surface of the camera 1.
When it is not used, it is retracted inside the camera body and is protected by a lens barrier 1b which is slidable on the front surface of the body. The lens barrier 1b is also one of the operating members that interlock with the power switch 3.

Further, the features of the specific main configuration of the camera 1 of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the camera 1. Each unit included in the camera 1 is composed of the following elements. That is, the photographing lens control unit 4 described above includes an AF focusing unit including a zoom control unit 4a, a shutter control unit 4b, an aperture control unit 4c, a focus lens control unit 4d, a hill-climbing AF type focus detection unit 4e, and a green LED. It is composed of the display unit 4f.

The above-mentioned image pickup section 5 includes an image pickup element 5a, an A / D.
It is composed of a circuit 5b, a memory 5c, an image processing circuit 5d, an image compression section 5f and an image display control section 5g. Also,
An LED or the like is used for the light projecting unit 6, and a CD sensor or the like is used for the light receiving unit 7. The camera control unit 10 includes a main CPU 10a on which a program for controlling the camera 1 operates and an image CPU 10b dedicated to image processing.
And an EEPROM 10c as an internal storage unit, and microprocessors are adopted for these CPUs.

As described above, the operating means 11 includes a release switch and its button 20, and a zoom switch and its lever 11.
b, an image display switch and its button 11c, an image down switch and its button 11d, and an image up switch and its button 11e.

The strobe unit 12 is, for example, an orange L
It is composed of a strobe light emission display unit 12a including an ED, a strobe light emission unit 12b, a main capacitor 12c, and a strobe charge light emission control unit 12d. The taking lens 15 is
The lens barrel 1 is a photographing optical system in which a zoom lens, a shutter, a diaphragm, and an AF lens are arranged on the optical axis.
5, and is configured. The finger detection display unit 18a includes, for example, an LCD as a display element to indicate that a finger has been detected.

In the camera 1, the image information obtained by photographing can be recorded in the memory card 30 as an external recording medium via the memory interface 16. As a main power source of the camera, a rechargeable battery 40 such as a lithium ion battery is incorporated. Further, the release button 20 includes a light projecting optical system 21, a light receiving optical system 22, and a light transmitting section 23. Therefore, FIG.
The transition of the release operation by the release button 20 in the camera 1, the structure of the release member and the change thereof will be described with reference to the sectional views of the release member shown in FIGS. 4A shows a non-contact state immediately before the release operation by the finger 50, and FIG. 4B shows a contact state.

Normally, when the camera is not used, the release button 2
As shown in FIG. 4A, 0 is attached to the exterior 1a by a spring 26. The same applies when the finger 50 is brought close to the release button 20. However, when the release button 20 is pressed by the force F at the time of photographing, as shown in FIG. 4B, the tip portion 20a extending downward from the release button 20 is formed on the built-in substrate 19 in a two-step structure. The release switch 11a, which is formed by the above, is gradually pressed. The first stage is a 1R switch (abbreviated as 1RSW) and the second stage is a 2R switch (2RS).
It is abbreviated as RSW).

In particular, the camera 1 of the first embodiment has a mechanism capable of detecting the finger 50 even when the finger 50 is brought close to the release button 20, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the infrared L is placed at a predetermined position facing the back surface of the release button 20.
The ED 6a and the infrared light receiving element 7a are mounted on the substrate 19 in such a manner that they are isolated from each other by a light shielding member 24 as a partition in the button.

The release button 20 is made of resin having a characteristic of cutting visible light and transmitting infrared light, and the light emitted from the infrared LED 6a passes through a portion which becomes the projection optical system 21 of the release button 20 and the finger 50. The reflected light is received by the light receiving element 7a after passing through a portion of the release button 20 which will be the light receiving optical system 22 again. Then, the presence of the finger 50 is set to be detectable based on the intensity of the reflected light accompanying the emission of the infrared LED 6a. For example, when the finger 50 is not near the release button 20, the reflected light is not received by the light receiving element 7a,
Since the light is extremely weak even when received, it can be determined that the finger 50 is not in the immediate vicinity thereof, that is, the state is "not trying to release operation".

A blue LED 18 provided to indicate that the finger 50 is detected near the release button 20 is detected.
a is turned on and can be seen through the visible light transmitting window 23a. The infrared LED 6a and the light receiving element 7a
Is fixedly arranged on the substrate 19 in the body of the camera 1, while the release button 20, which is a movable member, forms a part of the exterior 1a and is a member that is easy to form without any electric circuit.

Even when the finger 50 is brought into contact with the release button 20 as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the release button 20 has a certain thickness, so that the reflected light remains inside the resin even in such a contact state. It is configured so that it can be refracted and enter the light receiving element 7a.

The circuit configuration of the finger detection mechanism for detecting a finger will be described with reference to the circuit diagram illustrated in FIG. The finger detection circuit forming this finger detection mechanism includes a CPU 9a, an A / D circuit 9b, and a DC.
It has a / DC circuit 9e, a battery 9g and a resistor 9f, and the infrared LED 6a and the light receiving element 7a are combined as shown in the figure to configure this mechanism. The CPU 9a is a microprocessor that controls the finger detection circuit while communicating with the main CPU 10a of the camera control unit 10. Further, the battery 9g is used as a power source, and the DC / DC circuit 9e is used.
The infrared LED 6a is driven by a constant current based on the constant voltage of the output of the. However, the battery 9g may also serve as the main power source of the camera. In the finger detection mechanism having such a configuration,
Each element works as follows. For example, the voltage V obtained by flowing the output current of the light receiving element 7a through the resistor 9f and converting it into a predetermined voltage
rp is input to the A / D circuit 9b and supplied to the CPU 9a to read the value of the voltage. Then, focusing on the magnitude of the voltage value, the presence of a reflecting object is detected. That is, the value of the voltage Vrp when the infrared LED 6a emits light (ON) or does not emit light (OFF) is used as a reference and compared with the above voltage value to determine whether or not the finger 50 exists near the release button 20. to decide. Then, a signal representing the result is sent to the camera controller 1
0 to the main CPU 10a.

When the photographer performs a finger detection permission prohibition operation, the CPU 9a receives the finger detection permission prohibition signal and stops the operation of the finger detection circuit. At the same time, CPU
9a notifies the main CPU 10a of the prohibited state.
On the contrary, if the finger detection permission cannot be given for some reason, the main CPU 10a issues a command to the CPU 9a,
The operation of this finger detection circuit is stopped.

Next, control in the camera of the first embodiment will be described. Continuing from FIG. 6 to FIG. 7, a main flowchart executed by the main CPU 10a of the camera 1 is illustrated. The main CPU 10a sets the initial setting (S
1 to S5b), the state recognition of various operation switches (zoom SW, mode SW, 1RSW, 2RSW, image down SW, image up SW, image display SW, etc.) and timer (4 minute timer, 50ms timer) Control, zooming control (zoom,
(Wide, collapsible), etc., and when image-related processing is necessary, while communicating with the image CPU 10b to exchange predetermined request commands and related information, etc., cooperate to control the entire camera as shown in the figure. Perform (S21 to S44).

In such a control sequence, the value of the release state flag (relste) provided for control
The processing corresponding to (0, 1, 2, 3) is performed. The flag value "0" is an initial value, "1" is a through display, and "2" is A.
The F / AE processing, "3" is set to start imaging, and appropriate control is performed based on the value.

The features of the first embodiment are, in particular, the following processing steps. That is, since the movement of the finger of the photographer is not so fast, the finger detection cycle is performed every 50 ms in this example, and the "finger detection process" is performed when the elapsed time of the 50 ms timer expires (S12). When the photographer performs the release operation, first, the presence of the finger 50 near the release button 20 is detected, and the blue LED 18 is detected.
The approach state is notified by turning on a (S15). Then, the image CPU 10b is sent a start command of "through display" to sequentially display the picked-up images on the display unit 2 every 30 ms (S16) to notify that the image pickup mode is set (S17).

After that, it is determined whether or not the 1RSW is pressed (S21), and if it is operated, the AF / AE lock process is performed (S23), and the image CPU 10b is notified of the image pickup mode (S24). . Furthermore, 2RSW
It is determined whether or not is operated (S25), and if it is operated, an "imaging start" command is sent to the image CPU 10b (S2).
8).

On the other hand, based on the pressing operation of the image display switch 11c, the image down switch 11d and the image up switch 11e (S38a to S38c), the image information temporarily stored in the memory 5c as a buffer is displayed on the display section 2. It is output (S39a to S39c). 4
When the minutes timer expires or the barrier is closed,
The camera 1 is set to stop operating (sleep) (S8 to S10). With various commands like this,
When the main CPU 10a controls the image CPU 10b, the image CPU 10b, which has received the instruction, performs control relating to image processing as described below.

Continuing from FIG. 8 to FIG. 9, the image CPU 10b
The main flowchart of is illustrated. In addition, FIG.
(A) and (b) show two specific examples of image display by the camera 1, and referring to these, the image CPU 10b
The control processing executed by the will be described.

The image CPU 10b first initializes the value of the release state flag (S45), and then the main CPU 1
It waits in a loop for receiving commands and information from 0a (S46, S48). In this control sequence, basically, when the image CPU 10b receives various request commands and information sent by communication from the main CPU 10a, the image CPU 10b performs the process corresponding to the command contents as shown in this main flowchart. For example, the image CPU 10b performs processing such as recognition of various requests (through display, AF / AE lock, image pickup start / stop, image display, etc.), image pickup control and image display control, strobe control (light emission, charging), and the like. Main C
Execute while communicating with the PU 10a (S46 to S99)
c).

It should be noted that the orange LEDs 12a arranged side by side on the viewfinder 17 are turned on / off in accordance with the flash emission control,
The processing steps relating to the turning on / off of the green LED 4f associated with the AF in-focus imaging control will not be described in further detail, but these are controlled at the timings shown in the figure, and the control status can be easily understood by the photographer by turning on the LED. You can tell by color.

The features of the first embodiment are, in particular, the following processing steps. That is, according to the "through display" start command received in step S47, and further according to the command of the imaging mode (S48), the subject is focused (S51), imaging processing is performed, and the captured image is displayed on the display unit 2 as a through display. Yes (S52). Particularly, when displaying an image when a finger is detected, a grid-like composition line as shown in FIG. 11A is added to the display screen and displayed (S53).
This is because it is easy to visually understand that the image is picked up in the non-contact mode in which the finger can be detected, unlike the image display as shown in FIG.

These series of processing steps are processing when the finger 50 comes close to the release button 20, and not at the timing when the photographer actually presses the release button 20. A composition line is additionally displayed in the image display screen to distinguish it. Further, by displaying such composition lines, it becomes easy for the user to delicately correct the position of the main subject in consideration of the composition of the photograph. Also, fine adjustment of composition becomes easy.

Since the processing steps S51 to S53 form a loop, if the user holds his fingertip near the release button 20, the same image pickup operation is repeated each time the loop is turned around, and the display unit 2 is accordingly accompanied. The image is displayed on the LCD, and the information stored and stored in the memory 5c as image data is sequentially updated.

In step S60, "AE / AF lock"
When the command is received, according to the command and further according to the command of the imaging mode (S61), the latest imaging data is fixed, the imaging is stopped, and the number of imaging frames is stopped to be updated (S63).

When the "imaging start" command is received in step S70, the latest imaging data is saved as an image file in the memory card 30 according to this command and further according to the command of the imaging mode (S71) (S74). However,
At this time, the image without the composition line on the memory card 30 (see FIG.
1 (b)) is stored. Similarly, as for the image display, an image without a composition line (that is, the same image as the memory card 30) is displayed.

A command for displaying the imaged image data, such as a request to display the latest image (S81), a request to display the next image (S85), or a request to display the previous image (S89). According to the result of the reception determination of, the corresponding image is displayed and output (S82 to S84, S).
86-S88, S90-S92).

"Request to turn off image display" in step S93
When is received, the image display screen is turned off (S94). Also,
When the "image display off request" is received in step S98, the charging of the strobe device is stopped, the imaging circuit is stopped, and the image display screen is erased (S99a to S99).
c), the function of the image CPU 10b is stopped.

Here, the control process for detecting the user's finger 50 will be described in detail. 10 (a), (b)
Exemplifies a processing procedure of finger detection related to the release operation. For control, the flag (fsen ok, fing On) values (initial value 0, normal value 1) are used and the corresponding processing is performed. This flag fsen The value "1" of ok indicates a state in which the finger detection unit normally "detects a finger", and the flag "fing" is set. The value "1" of on can detect the finger and the finger 50
Indicates that the shutter button 20 is extremely close to the release button 20. Then, the states at the time of finger detection are distinguished based on the values of these two flags, and the "finger detection process" of step S12 in FIG.
In the routine, the above-mentioned processing corresponding to the state is appropriately performed. In this way, it is possible to detect the finger and how close the finger is, based on the respective set flag values.

Specifically, in the flowchart of FIG. 10A, the check processing procedure regarding the initial state of the finger detection circuit of the finger detection unit 9 is represented in detail in S100 to S116. The actual algorithm of finger detection is the infrared light for a certain time
Based on the voltage value corresponding to the amount of infrared reflected light from the finger 50 sampled by emitting light n times (5 times) at intervals of (100 μs),
A sampling sequence (ledoffs (n)) is created while digitizing the value with an A / D circuit. For example, by comparing the third largest value or the value at the center of the array with the first predetermined value, the finger's proximity To judge.

Here, in particular, the sampling sequence (ledoffs (n)) and the sampling sequence (ledons (n)) are created by alternately sampling the infrared LED when it is off and when it is on. That is, attention is paid to the time-series change of the sampled voltage value. Then, the difference (ledons (n) −ledoffs (n)) between the median values of the respective sampling columns is calculated to obtain the first
Is compared with a predetermined value of. The first predetermined value is a threshold for determining the presence of the finger.

In the initial state check of the finger detection circuit, when the infrared LED 9d is turned on / off and the change in the voltage Vrp is larger than a predetermined value, the barrier 1b is kept in the contact state with the finger 50 on the release button 20. There is a possibility that it was opened. Further, there is a possibility that dust or the like may be attached to the surface of the release button 20 or the finger 50 cannot be detected correctly. Therefore, if the value is less than the first predetermined value, fsen By initializing the value of ok to "0", it is regarded as a detection abnormality of the finger detection means (S116). Further, when the change of the voltage Vrp is equal to or more than the first predetermined value when the infrared LED 9d is turned on / off, it can be normally detected, and therefore fsen The value of ok is set to "1" (S115).

In the flowchart of FIG. 10B, the procedure of the "finger detection process" is shown in detail in S120 to S137. The actual finger detection algorithm here is substantially the same as the above-described algorithm, except that the value to be compared is set to the second predetermined value. This second predetermined value is a threshold value for determining the degree of approach of the finger 50.

Similarly, here again, the infrared LED 9d is turned on / off about 5 times to repeat light emission, and the difference in the received light voltage (ledon (n) -ledoff) obtained when the LED is turned on and when it is turned off.
(n)) The voltage difference at the center (for example, the third from the largest) is used for the determination. When the infrared LED 9d is turned on / off and the change in the voltage Vrp is equal to or more than the second predetermined value, it is determined that the finger 50 is very close to the finger 50, and fingering is performed. Set the value of on to "1" (S1
36).

If it is less than the second predetermined value, fing
By initializing the value of on to "0", it is determined that the finger is not approaching and the processing is performed (S137).

The number of times n of sampling is not limited to 5 times, and may be any appropriate number as long as it does not cause an erroneous determination by, for example, the headlights of surrounding automobiles. Also,
The first and second predetermined values may also be set to appropriate values because they relate to the sensor sensitivity.

As described above, the camera 1 of the first embodiment is
A finger detection function has been added to the release member, and the user's presence of the release operation can be detected in advance without contact, so it can be detected faster than conventional contact-based detection, and shooting faster. You can move on. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user of the camera 1 with a camera that can easily understand the exposure timing and has a shorter release time lag.

(Modification 1) The above-described first embodiment may be modified as follows. For example, the finger 5 for infrared light
Since the distance to the finger to be detected changes according to the reflectance of 0, here, the finger is detected within a range of about 2 to 3 mm.
The resistance value in the circuit and other predetermined values may be set to appropriate values.

Further, for distance measurement in a camera, a PSD is used for a light receiving portion, and the well-known "triangular distance measurement principle" is applied to measure the distance to the finger 50. Therefore, of course, the PSD may be used for the finger detection. Alternatively, the distance to the finger may be detected based on the phase difference using two CCDs, and if there is an object in the vicinity, it may be determined as the finger. According to these modifications, the same or higher effects as those of the first embodiment can be expected.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the camera according to the present invention will be described. However, here
The characteristic items different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. 12A and 12B exemplify the release operation and the structure of the release member in the camera of the second embodiment.

As shown in the sectional view of FIG.
A mechanism for optically detecting the approaching finger 50 is provided on the substrate 19 by a combination of the ED 6a and the infrared light receiving element 7a, and the infrared LED 6a and the infrared light receiving element 7a are shielded by a partition wall. Separated. The release button 20 made of a semitransparent resin that surrounds them from the top has a peripheral edge portion 26 sandwiched between the exterior 1 a of the camera 1 and the substrate 19.
The translucent resin is a member having a relatively soft elasticity and capable of being deformed and restored, and its peripheral edge portion 26 is integrally fixed in a state of being placed on the substrate 19.

In the non-contact state immediately before the release operation is about to be performed by the approaching finger 50, the release button 20 is removed with the central crown of the camera 1 protruding from the exterior surface of the camera 1 as shown in the figure. Have been worn,
The central crown portion can be depressed and switched by a slight pressing force of a fingertip. Release button 2
A release cap 25 is attached to the surface of 0 so as to cover it from above. The release cap 25 is made of resin having a characteristic of cutting visible light and transmitting infrared light.

The members forming the release button 20 are
In place of the structure in which the elastic resin is used and supported by the spring 26 of the first embodiment described above, in the second embodiment, the conductive material that temporarily deforms when pressed and forms 1RSW and 2RSW. The printing section is sequentially electrically conducted, and when the pressing force disappears, the printing section is restored to its original shape by its elasticity.

More specifically, as shown in the sectional structure illustrated here, the length 3 of the release button 20 made of a resin having elasticity is short.
The conductive printing portions formed as 1RSW and 2RSW at the two tip portions are usually separated from the substrate 19, but are deformed downward by pushing down the release button 20 with the finger 20, and the long 1RSW and short 2RSW are formed. The tips of the substrates 19 are set to come into contact with each other in order.

Split lands (switch lands forming 1RSW and 2RSW) are formed on the substrate 19 side, and are electrically connected to each other through the conductive printing portions. Then, the release member configured as described above, and the infrared sensor 6a and the infrared light receiving element 7a built in the lower part and mounted on the substrate 19 cooperate with each other to configure a "sensor" mechanism for performing finger detection. is doing.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the release button 20 is integrally molded with an elastic member such as resin, and at this time, the tip end portion having a long and short foot shape is extended so as to correspond to 1RSW and 2RSW. By installing a conductive print portion on the tip end thereof, a spring or adhesive unlike the conventional case is not required for attaching the release button 20, and moreover, by adopting a translucent resin, Not only the light projecting optical system 21 and the light receiving optical system 22 for infrared light, but also the light transmitting portion 23 forming a window for confirming the state by visible light is integrated with the release button 20. You get a camera.

By utilizing the elastic deformation and the light transmitting property of the release button 20 itself, the release button 20 which is normally separated from the substrate 19 is deformed by lightly pressing it with the finger 20, and the long 1RSW is transferred first. Then, after that, it is possible to provide a release mechanism having a two-stage structure in which short 2RSWs can be sequentially brought into contact with the substrate 19. Of course, since the same "finger detection mode" as described above can be used, it is possible to provide a camera with a simpler exposure timing and substantially no release time lag with a smaller number of components.

(Modification 2) Furthermore, the second embodiment may be modified as follows, and the same effect as described above can be expected. For example, the appearance of the release member is shown in FIG.
Alternatively, a release cap 25 having a substantially elliptical shape and a half-moon-shaped visible light LED cap 23a provided in the vicinity of the release cap 25 may be arranged adjacent to each other.

Here, LED caps 23a for visible light LEDs are arranged in parallel adjacent to the release cap 25. A visible light LED is mounted underneath it on the substrate 19. Then, from the top, the board 1 inside the camera body
Infrared LED 6a and infrared light receiving element 7a mounted on 9
Can be seen through a translucent member (release button 20, release cap 25). However, the LED cap 23a does not need to be a resin having elasticity, and is preferably a transparent member having a light transmitting property. Also, the LED cap 23a is the exterior 1a.
It may be fixed to.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. However, also here, the characteristic items different from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described. FIG. 13 illustrates the circuit configuration of the finger detection unit 9 of the third embodiment.

In the finger detection circuit shown in FIG. 5 described above, since the photocurrent is simply converted into voltage for measurement, the infrared LED 6a must be illuminated with a large current in order to reduce the measurement error. . Therefore, the finger detection circuit shown here is implemented so that a finger can be detected with high sensitivity even with a small current. This finger detection circuit is the light receiving element 9c described above.
Including resistors R1, R2, capacitor C1,
The amplifier 9h, the BPF (band pass filter) 9i, and the waveform shaping circuit 9j are the main constituent elements.

The finger detection circuit configured as described above operates as follows. That is, when receiving light, a photocurrent flows from the light receiving element 9c to the resistor R1 and a voltage is generated in the circuit.
For example, when pulsed light is received by the light receiving element 9c, the voltage of the resistor R1 fluctuates according to the cycle of the pulse, and the fluctuation is input to the amplifier 9h via the capacitor C1 and the resistor R2. When the signal amplified by the amplifier 9h passes through a BPF (band pass filter) 9i, a signal having a frequency different from the pulse frequency of the infrared LED (6a) (not shown) can be removed. Further, it can be shaped into a square wave by the waveform shaping circuit 9j. When the obtained square wave voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it can be determined that the finger 50 is near.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the finger detection circuit can be implemented with higher accuracy. Further, by using the same "finger detection mode" as described above in the camera 1 having this finger detection circuit, it is possible to provide a camera with a high exposure accuracy, in which the exposure timing is easy to understand and there is substantially no release time lag. Is possible.

(Other Modifications) In the description, an electronic camera having an electronic image pickup function is taken as an example. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to the type of camera, and the release operation can be performed on a finger or other body. Any type of camera may be used, and a silver salt camera or a simplified camera may be used.

Further, the shape, structure, material, etc. of the release button 20 may be appropriately modified depending on the type and application of the camera or design requirements. Further, it goes without saying that the circuit configuration of the finger detection circuit may be modified appropriately. Besides this, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The above description is based on the embodiments, but the present invention includes the following inventions. (1) A finger detection unit capable of detecting a non-contact finger is provided adjacent to the release button. When the finger detection unit detects the user's forefinger, a predetermined imaging preparation is performed, and when the release button is pressed, an imaging operation is performed. It is possible to provide a camera for performing. (2) The camera according to (1) can be provided in which the light emitting / receiving member for detecting a finger is fixed to the camera body, and the light emitting / receiving optical system is integrated with the release button (movable portion).

(3) It is possible to provide the camera according to (1), in which the finger detection section is operated only when the camera is in the operating state with the power switch. (4) A finger detection permission prohibition function for prohibiting finger detection permission is provided, and the finger detection unit is made to function only when the finger detection permission prohibition function is released and finger detection is permitted ( The camera described in 1) can be provided.

(5) Further has a finger detection permission prohibition function,
It is possible to provide the camera described in (1), which can be selectively switched by a dedicated switch, and when this prohibition function is selected, the two-step release operation is prioritized. (5) It is possible to provide the camera according to (1), further including a light emitting display unit that emits light through a part of the transparent window to notify when the finger detection unit detects a finger.

(6) It is characterized in that it has a power switch for switching the operating state and the non-operating state of the camera, and when the camera is set in the operating state by this switching, the finger detecting means is operated. The camera according to claim 1 can be provided.

[0076]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a camera in which the exposure timing is easy to understand and the release time lag is shorter by detecting the sign of the release operation in advance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of a camera as a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of this camera.

FIG. 3 is a detailed block configuration diagram showing a detailed configuration of this camera.

4 (a) and 4 (b) are sectional views showing a release operation and a structure of a release portion of the camera of the present embodiment,
(A) shows the non-contact state immediately before the release operation by the fingertip, and (b) shows the contact state.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a detection circuit for detecting a finger.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the first half of a main flowchart relating to camera control.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the main flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the first half of the main flowchart relating to the processing operation of the image CPU.

9 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the main flowchart of FIG.

10A and 10B show a processing procedure of finger detection related to a release operation of the camera of the present embodiment,
(A) is a flowchart showing a check processing procedure of an initial state of the finger detection circuit, and (b) is a flowchart showing a finger detection processing procedure.

11 (a) and 11 (b) show an image display example in this camera, (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an image display with a composition line, and (b) is an image without a composition line. Explanatory drawing which shows a display.

12A and 12B show a release operation and a structure of a release member in the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12A shows a non-contact state immediately before a release operation by a fingertip. Sectional drawing and (b) are the top views showing the plane structure and appearance of a release member.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a finger detection circuit in the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Camera, 2 ... Display unit (LCD), 3 ... Power switch, 4 ... Shooting lens control unit (shooting lens unit), 4a ... Zoom control unit, 4b ... Shutter control unit,
4c ... Aperture control section, 4d ... Focus lens control section, 4e ... Focus detection section, 4f ... AF focus display section (green LED), 5 ... Image pickup section, 5a ... Image pickup element, 5b ...
A / D circuit, 5c ... Memory, 5d ... Image processing circuit, 5f ... Image compression section, 5g ... Image display control section, 6
... light emitting unit (infrared LED), 7 ... light receiving unit (infrared light receiving element), 8 ... finger detection permission prohibiting unit (finger detection mode releasing unit),
9 ... Finger detection unit (finger detection circuit), 10 ... Camera control unit (C
PU, microprocessor), 10a ... Main CPU,
10b ... Image CPU, 10c ... EEPROM (internal storage unit), 11 ... Operation means (various SW), 11a ... Release switch, 11b ... Zoom switch, 11c ... Image display switch, 11d ... Image down switch, 11e ...
Image up switch, 12 ... Strobe unit, 12a
... Strobe light emission display section (orange LED), 12b ... Strobe light emission section, 13c ... Main condenser, 14 ... Barrier (also serves as power switch member), 15 ... Shooting lens (lens barrel: shooting optical system), 16 ... Memory interface, 17 ... Finder, 18 ... Light emitting display section, 18a ... Blue LED, 18b
... Visible light LED, 19 ... Substrate, 20 ... Release member (release button), 21 ... Projection optical system, 22 ...
Light-receiving optical system, 23 ... Translucent part (LED cap, release window: visible light transmissive window), 24 ... Light-shielding member (bulb inside button), 2
5 ... Release cap (button cover).

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A camera having a release switch, an imaging section, and a finger detection means for detecting a finger in a non-contact manner, wherein when the finger detection means detects a finger, an imaging preparation is performed, and the release switch is operated. A camera characterized by taking an image when pressed. 2. The finger detecting means includes an infrared light projecting section,
It has an infrared light receiving portion and respective optical systems related to these light emitting and receiving, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are fixed to the main body of the camera, and the optical system is a movable release switch. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is fixed to the section. 3. The release switch is a first stage first stage.
It is composed of a release switch and a second release switch of the second stage, a mounting part of a memory card as an external recording medium, a writing part for writing image information to this memory card, and a display part for displaying a captured image. And, when the finger detection means detects a finger, the image is continuously displayed, and when the first release switch is pressed,
When the update of the image is prohibited and the second release switch is pressed,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein data relating to an image being displayed is stored in the memory card. 4. The movable portion of the release switch has a light emitting display unit that emits visible light therein, and integrally has a light transmitting unit that transmits light from the light emitting display unit, and the finger detecting unit detects a finger. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting display unit emits light when detected.