JP2004110065A - Digital camera, its control method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera for photographing a picture without missing a shutter chance and holding a photographing lens in a stored state in processing such as reproducing other than photographing. <P>SOLUTION: When the digital camera is turned to a photographing mode, a lens movement control part 40 in a lens position control part 35 moves a photographing lens 3 from a stored position S to a photographing position P and stops the lens 3 on the position P by using a lens moving mechanism 30. In the case of a reproducing mode, the control part 40 moves the lens 3 from the photographing position P to the stored position S and stops the lens 3 on the position S by using the moving mechanism 30. Since the position of the lens 3 can be changed in accordance with the state (mode) of the digital camera, a picture can be photographed without missing a shutter chance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention has a shooting mode in which image data shot through a shooting lens can be stored in a recording medium, and a reproduction mode in which image data stored in the recording medium can be output to a display screen or an external device such as a personal computer. The present invention relates to a digital camera and a control method thereof.

In recent years, imaging devices equipped with a CCD or the like, memories and devices for controlling the memories, etc., have become compact, and some of them have a size suitable for being carried so that the whole can be stored in a pocket. However, even when the body is very compact, some optical distance is required for imaging. In such a digital camera, when the digital camera is powered on to use the digital camera, the shooting lens is stored in the body or close to the surface of the body so that the entire body becomes compact when the camera is carried. And a predetermined optical distance is ensured.

動 き Such movement of the taking lens is employed in a compact camera even in a conventional camera that stores an image on a film. For this reason, when taking a picture, the taking lens is at a predetermined position, and when carrying the taking lens, the taking lens is stored and compact, so that it is convenient to carry.

However, a digital camera has a mode for shooting when the power is turned on, a mode for outputting image data recorded in a memory to an external device such as a personal computer or a printer, or a mode for reproducing an image on a monitor mounted on the digital camera. At least two different processing modes. Therefore, if the photographing lens is protruding from the body when the power is turned on, it is good for photographing, but when performing other processing such as reproduction, the balance is poor and it is difficult to place the photographing lens on a floor or a desk. Further, if the taking lens is forward, troubles such as damaging the taking lens are likely to occur.

On the other hand, by changing the position of the taking lens in conjunction with the shutter switch, or by changing the position of the taking lens manually or by operating a switch, the taking lens can be housed during playback. However, when taking a picture, it takes time to move the taking lens, and there is a possibility that problems such as missing a photo opportunity or forgetting to operate the lens to prevent taking a picture may occur.

Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to take a photograph without imposing a burden on a switch operation to a user or to miss a photo opportunity, and furthermore, in a process other than photographing such as reproduction, a digital camera in which a photographing lens is stored. It is intended to provide a camera and a control method.

Therefore, in the present invention, the taking-in / out of the taking lens is performed based on a processing mode such as a taking mode and a reproducing mode. That is, when the shutter switch is operated, the digital camera of the present invention has a shooting mode in which image data shot through a shooting lens can be stored in a recording medium, and the image data recorded in the recording medium is displayed on a display screen or an external device. A digital camera having a playback mode capable of outputting, a lens moving mechanism capable of moving the photographing lens to a photographing position where the photographing lens protrudes from the body and a storage position where the photographing lens approaches the body from the photographing position. And lens position control means for moving the taking lens to the taking position when the taking mode is set, and moving the taking lens to the storage position when the taking mode is released.

Further, in the control method of the digital camera according to the present invention, when the photographing mode is set, the photographing lens is moved to a photographable photographing position where the photographing lens protrudes from the body, and when the photographing mode is released, the photographing lens is photographed. Moving the photographing lens from the position to the storage position approaching the body.

According to the digital camera and the control method of the present invention, in order to perform processing, the taking-in / out of the taking lens is performed based on the state (mode) set in the digital camera. Therefore, if the camera is not in the shooting mode even when the power is turned on, the shooting lens does not protrude to the shooting position. Even when the power is turned on, the photographing lens can be stored in the storage position simply by canceling the photographing mode. Therefore, when performing processing other than photographing such as reproduction, the digital camera can be used in a compact and well-balanced state in which the photographing lens is housed. Therefore, when performing processing such as reproduction, the digital camera can be stably placed on a desk or the like. Also, at that time, the photographing lens is in the housed state, so that the lens is not damaged.

According to the digital camera of the present invention and the control method thereof, when the camera is in the shooting mode, the shooting lens is always protruding to the shooting position, so that the user can immediately shoot by operating the shutter switch. Therefore, there is no chance that a photographer cannot miss a photo opportunity or forget to operate the taking lens. Therefore, according to the present invention, a desired image can be taken without putting a burden on the user for operating the lens and without missing a photo opportunity, and in other cases, the digital camera is used in a compact state. it can.

Here, in the present invention, it is possible to provide a changeover switch capable of switching between a photographing mode and a reproduction mode, and operate the switch to move the photographing lens. By doing so, the position of the taking lens is automatically determined in conjunction with the mode set by the changeover switch.
The control method described above can be provided by recording it on a recording medium such as a compact flash memory card that can be read by a digital camera. Further, it can be used by being installed from a user's personal computer into a program memory of a digital camera.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a digital camera of a type in which the taking lens moves in and out of the body, the position of the taking lens is changed according to the state of the camera. Therefore, unless the photographing mode is set when the power is turned on, the photographing lens does not protrude forward of the body. In addition, even when the photographing lens is in the photographing mode when the power is turned on and the photographing lens protrudes forward, the photographing lens can be stored in a position close to the body only by canceling the photographing mode. Therefore, when processing other than photographing is performed, it can be used in a compact and well-balanced state in which the photographing lens is housed. Therefore, it can be easily placed on a floor or a desk in a stable state, and the lens can be protected. Further, according to the present invention, in the photographing mode, the photographing lens is always extended to the photographing position, so that photographing can be immediately performed only by operating the shutter switch. For this reason, there is no problem that a photo opportunity is missed or a photograph cannot be taken.

Hereinafter, a digital camera to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show an outline of a digital camera of this embodiment having a front view, a left side view and a right side view. FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show a plan view, a rear view, and a bottom view of the digital camera of the present example, respectively. Further, FIGS. 3A and 3B show the digital camera 1 of the present example with the photographing lens in the storage position and the photographing position, respectively.

デ ジ タ ル In the digital camera 1 of the present example, the photographing lens 3 is provided at a position offset to one side of the surface of the housing 2 as a body. The lens 3 can be moved in and out in the front-rear direction, and can be stopped at a storage position S approaching the surface of the housing 2 and a photographing position P protruding forward of the housing 2 and capable of photographing. The user can take out a desired image such as a scene by moving the taking lens 3 from the storage position S to the taking position P, pointing it in a desired direction, and operating the shutter switch 4. The photographed image (image data) is stored and held in a built-in memory.

The digital camera 1 is provided with a flash 5 for shooting in a dark place and a viewfinder 6 for viewing an image of a shooting target. Therefore, various photographing can be performed. A liquid crystal panel (LCD) 8 for a monitor is arranged in the center of the rear surface of the housing 2, and an image to be captured can be displayed on the LCD 8. Thus, the user can shoot a predetermined subject while checking the image projected on the LCD 8 instead of looking into the viewfinder 6.

By operating various switches 7a to 7k provided on the back and top surfaces of the housing 2, images stored in the memory can be displayed on the LCD 8 and various processes such as selection of shooting quality can be performed. It has become. Among the switches 7a to 7k, the dial switch 7a arranged on the upper surface of the housing 2 is a changeover switch capable of turning on / off the power and switching between a photographing mode and a reproduction mode. The photographing mode is a state (mode) of the digital camera capable of operating the shutter switch 4 and recording image data photographed through the photographing lens 3 in a built-in flash memory. The playback mode is a state (mode) of the digital camera capable of outputting image data stored in the flash memory to the LCD 8 or an external device such as a personal computer.

In the digital camera 1, when the dial switch 7a is stopped at the off position H1, the power is shut off. When the dial switch 7a is rotated clockwise from the off position H1 to stop at the on position H2, the power is turned on. When the power is turned on, the mode shifts to the on mode in which the photographing can be performed while looking through the viewfinder 6. At this time, the LCD 8 is off, and can be monitored only by the viewfinder 6. When the dial switch 7a is further rotated clockwise from the on position H2 to stop at the view position H3, the view mode is set and the LCD 8 is turned on. Then, the LCD 8 can be used as a monitor, and photographing using the LCD 8 or the viewfinder 6 can be performed. As described above, in the digital camera 1 of the present example, in the on mode and the view mode, the state of the digital camera 1 is a state in which photography is possible, that is, the above-described photography mode.

On the other hand, when the dial switch 7a is rotated counterclockwise from the off position H1 to stop at the playback position H4, the power is turned on and the image data recorded and held in the memory can be reproduced on the LCD 8. Go back mode. That is, at this time, the state of the digital camera 1 is set to the above-described playback mode.

The panel 9 provided on the upper surface of the housing 2 is for displaying the number of shots, the remaining battery power, and the like. The switch 7b provided on the back of the housing 2 is a switch for waiting for a process of recording image data in a memory.

蓋 A lid 2a for mounting a compact flash memory card is provided on the bottom surface of the digital camera 1. By opening the lid 2a and inserting a compact flash memory card therein, a memory for image recording can be added. The side of the digital camera 1 is also provided with an infrared interface for securing connection with external devices such as a personal computer, a printer, and a mobile phone, or an interface 11 to which an RS232C cable or a Centronics cable can be connected. The image data recorded in the flash memory is transmitted to an external device such as a personal computer via the interface 11 so that each external device can edit or print out the image.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic system configuration of the digital camera 1 using a block diagram. The digital camera 1 is entirely controlled by a CPU 15. An internal bus 16 connected to the CPU 15 has an imaging unit 17 that captures images and generates digital image data, and a RAM 18 that is used as a temporary storage area. A ROM 19 storing a plurality of control programs for realizing the functions of the CPU 15 and a built-in flash memory 21 for storing image data generated by the imaging unit 17 are connected. If a control program is recorded in the flash memory 21, a configuration in which the ROM 19 is omitted can be adopted.

The internal bus 16 includes a switch control unit 23 that controls an input instruction from a switch group 22 including various switches 7 a to 7 k provided outside the housing and transmits the input instruction to the CPU 15. A memory control unit 24 for controlling access, an LCD control unit 25 for controlling input and output of data to and from the LCD 8, and an interface control unit 26 for controlling input and output of data of the interface 11 for connecting external devices are connected.

デ ジ タ ル The digital camera 1 of this example has a lens moving mechanism 30 for moving the photographing lens 3 to the photographing position P and the storage position S. The lens moving mechanism 30 is provided with a driving force by a driving motor 31. The lens moving mechanism 30 can move the photographing lens 3 to one of the photographing position P and the storage position S, and stop at that position. . The drive motor 31 is supplied with a predetermined drive current from a drive circuit 32 connected to the internal bus 16. The control of the drive current is performed by the CPU 15 executing a control program stored in the ROM 19 at an appropriate timing. In this example, as described later, when the digital camera 1 enters a shooting mode (on mode or view mode), the shooting lens 3 is automatically moved to the shooting position P by the lens moving mechanism 30. On the other hand, when the shooting mode is canceled, that is, when the power is turned off and when the playback mode (playback mode) is set, the shooting lens 3 is automatically moved to the storage position S.

In the digital camera 1, in the ON mode or the view mode, when the shutter switch 4 is pressed while the photographing lens 3 is moved to the photographing position P, light collected through the lens 3 is digitized by the CCD 33. After being converted into an electric signal, the image signal is input to the imaging unit 17 and is converted into image data indicating an image to be captured. Then, the image data is stored in one of the built-in flash memory 21 and the compact flash memory card 10. The image may be adjusted while the shutter switch 4 is pressed halfway.

FIG. 5 is a schematic functional block diagram of the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment. The digital camera 1 has a lens position control unit 35 mainly composed of the CPU 15, and the position of the taking lens 3 is controlled by the lens position control unit 35. The lens position control unit 35 includes a mode determination unit 36 that determines whether the shooting mode (on mode or view mode) or the shooting mode has been released, and a driving circuit based on the determination result of the mode determination unit 36. A lens movement control unit 40 that controls the drive current supplied from 32 to the drive motor 31 and moves the lens 3 to the photographing position P or the storage position S is provided.

Note that, in this example, when viewed by function, the LCD 8 has two modes: a playback mode (reproduction mode) in which image data can be reproduced on the LCD 8, and a photography mode in which an image can be photographed. Of course, it is also possible to prepare a mode for executing functions other than photographing and reproduction. Even in such a digital camera, when the photographing mode is released, the position of the photographing lens 3 becomes the storage position S.

When the lens movement control unit 40 recognizes that the mode is the ON mode or the view mode from the determination result of the mode determination unit 36, the lens movement control unit 40 selects the function 37 for holding the photographing lens 3 at the photographing position P. In this function 37, when the ON mode or the view mode is selected, the driving current supplied to the driving motor 31 via the driving circuit 32 is controlled, and the photographing lens 3 is moved from the storage position S by the lens moving mechanism 30. Move to shooting position P. As a result, the photographic lens 3 projects forward from the surface of the housing 2.

On the other hand, when the lens movement control unit 40 recognizes that the mode is the playback mode from the determination result of the mode determination unit 36, the lens movement control unit 40 selects the function 38 for holding the photographing lens 3 at the storage position S. In the function 38, when the playback mode is selected, the drive current supplied to the drive motor 31 is controlled, and the lens moving mechanism 30 moves the photographing lens 3 from the photographing position P to the storage position S. As a result, the taking lens 3 is housed on the front side of the housing 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the movement control of the taking lens when the power is turned on in the digital camera of this example. In the digital camera 1, first, in step ST1, the dial switch 7a is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise from the off position H1 to turn on the power. In step ST2, whether the mode is the on mode or the view mode is determined. Is determined.

If the mode is the on mode or the view mode in step ST2, the taking lens 3 is moved from the storage position S to the taking position P by the lens moving mechanism 30 in step ST3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, the photographing lens 3 is in a state of protruding forward of the housing 2, and photographing can be performed simply by pressing the shutter switch 4. On the other hand, when the dial switch 7a is turned from the off position H1 to the playback position H4, the state of the digital camera 1 at the time of turning on the power is in the playback mode, so that the photographing lens 3 is held at the storage position S. . As a result, the reproduction process can be executed in a compact state.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the movement control of the taking lens at the time of mode switching in the digital camera of this example. First, when the mode is switched by operating the dial switch 7a in step ST10, it is determined whether or not the mode is switched to the on mode or the view mode in step ST11. If it is determined in step ST11 that the mode has been switched to the on mode or the view mode, the photographic lens 3 is in the storage position S before the dial switch 7a is operated, and thus the photographic lens 3 is moved to the photographic position P in step ST12. Let it. On the other hand, when the mode is switched to the playback mode, since the photographing lens 3 is at the photographing position S, the photographing lens 3 is moved to the storage position S in step ST13. As a result, the photographing lens 3 always projects to the front of the housing 2 in the ON mode or the view mode, and is always held at the storage position S near the surface of the housing 2 in the playback mode.

As described above, in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, the taking-in / out of the taking lens 3 is performed based on the state (mode) of the digital camera. Therefore, the shooting lens 3 does not jump out to the shooting position P unless the shooting mode (on mode or view mode) is set even when the power is turned on. Further, even when the photographing lens 3 is protruded to the photographing position P when the power is turned on and the photographing lens 3 protrudes to the photographing position P, the photographing lens 3 is returned to the storage position S simply by canceling the photographing mode by operating the dial switch 7a. Can be. Therefore, when performing processing other than photographing, the photographing lens 3 can always be stored at a position close to the surface of the housing 2. Therefore, when performing processing other than photographing, the entire digital camera is kept in a compact and well-balanced state, so that the digital camera can be stably placed on a desk. Further, at that time, since the photographing lens 3 is in the housed state, there is no fear of damaging the lens.

Also, in the digital camera 1 of the present example, when the camera is in the on mode or the view mode, the photographing lens 3 protrudes to the photographing position P, so that the photographer can immediately photograph by simply operating the shutter switch 4. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the problem of photographing caused by the time required for moving the photographing lens 3, such as when the photographing lens 3 is moved in conjunction with the shutter switch 4. For example, it is possible to avoid a problem that a timing of a photo opportunity is shifted and a desired image cannot be photographed. Further, when a manual switch or a dedicated switch for moving the photographing lens 3 is operated, a photograph may not be taken due to forgetting to put out the photographing lens 3. However, in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, the shooting lens 3 always jumps out to the shooting position P and is ready for shooting in the shooting mode, so that such a problem can be avoided.

Although the description has been given of the digital camera 1 provided with two types of modes, a shooting mode and a playback mode, according to the function, the present invention can be applied to a digital camera provided with a mode other than the shooting and playback modes. Of course. Further, not only a digital camera in which the photographing lens 3 is stopped at the two positions of the storage position S and the photographing position P, but also a camera having a telephoto function and having a plurality of photographing positions P may be provided.

The above-described control method is performed by installing the program in a recording medium, for example, the ROM 19 or the flash memory 21, on which a program having an instruction capable of executing a process corresponding to each step of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Can be used.

(A) is a front view of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied, (B) is a right side view thereof, and (C) is a left side view thereof. (A) is a plan view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1, (B) is a rear view thereof, and (C) is a bottom view thereof. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state where a photographing lens of a digital camera is held at a storage position, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a state where the photographing lens is held at a photographing position. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic system configuration of a digital camera. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic function of the digital camera. 9 is a flowchart illustrating movement control of a photographing lens in the digital camera when power is turned on. 6 is a flowchart illustrating movement control of a photographing lens in the digital camera at the time of mode switching.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 digital camera, 2 housing (body), 3 photographing lens, 7a dial switch (switching switch), 15 CPU, 22 switch group, 30 lens moving mechanism, 31 drive motor, 32 drive circuit, 35 lens position controller, 36 mode Judgment unit, 40 lens movement control unit, P shooting position, S storage position

Claims (4)

When a shutter switch is operated, the camera has a photographing mode in which image data photographed through a photographing lens can be stored in a recording medium, and a reproduction mode in which image data stored in the recording medium can be output to a display screen or an external device. A digital camera, wherein a photographing lens can move the photographing lens to a photographing position where the photographing lens protrudes from the body, and the photographing lens can be moved from the photographing position to a storage position close to the body; A digital camera comprising: a lens position control unit that moves the photographing lens to the photographing position when the photographing mode is set, and moves the photographing lens to the storage position when the photographing mode is released. A digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising a changeover switch capable of switching between the photographing mode and the reproduction mode, wherein the lens position control means moves the photographing lens when the changeover switch is operated. When a shutter switch is operated, the camera has a photographing mode in which image data photographed through a photographing lens can be stored in a recording medium, and a reproduction mode in which image data stored in the recording medium can be output to a display screen or an external device. A method for controlling a digital camera, comprising: moving the photographing lens to a photographing position where the photographing lens protrudes from a body when the photographing mode is set; and releasing the photographing lens when the photographing mode is released. Moving the photographing lens from the photographing position to a storage position close to the body. When the shutter switch is operated, a photographing mode in which image data photographed through a photographing lens can be stored in a recording medium, and a reproduction mode in which image data stored in the recording medium can be output to a display screen or an external device can be set. A control program for the digital camera, wherein when the shooting mode is set, the shooting lens is moved to a shooting position where the shooting lens protrudes from a body and a shooting is possible; and when the shooting mode is released, the shooting is performed. A computer-readable storage medium storing the control program having instructions for executing a process of moving the photographing lens from the photographing position to the storage position where the lens approaches the body.

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