JP2004128731A - Attention calling device, digital camera and attention calling method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an attention calling device capable of improving operability of an apparatus by reducing the frequency of occurring of an abnormal state which may occur depending on the operation tendency of a user, and to provide a digital camera and an attention calling method. <P>SOLUTION: When the user applies a new operation to the digital camera in such a case of turning on power or changing an operation mode, a count value of each error/alert item which has been stored before the new operation is read (step 200), and it is determined whether or not the read count value is equal to or more than a predetermined value (a value predetermined for each error/alert item as a threshold for informing message information for avoiding the generation the error state/alert state) (step 202). Here, when the count value of the error/alert item is equal to or more than the predetermined value, message information corresponding to the error/alert item is informed by an LCD or an LED (step 204). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an alerting device, a digital camera, and an alerting method that reduce the frequency of repeated occurrence of an abnormal state that occurs due to an operation of a user in a device that is activated by the operation of the user.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional digital camera, various information regarding its operation state, for example, setting contents of various operation modes, setting contents of various setup items, error information indicating abnormal operation states caused by user operations, abnormal operation states A function for notifying the user of alert information or the like indicating a warning for avoiding the problem to the user by using an LCD, an LED, or the like is provided, and the user can easily grasp the operating state of the camera by using this information. .
[0003]
Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for storing a history of abnormal operation states of a camera. Based on this history, the background of occurrence of abnormal operation states is grasped, and the abnormal operation states are single or combined. It is possible to recognize whether it is due to a factor.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-149113
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional digital camera as described above, in general, the error information and alert information regarding the operation state are only notified to the user unilaterally. For example, the error information is output at the timing when the error occurs. Therefore, when a similar error occurs repeatedly depending on the user's operation tendency, the user recognizes the error information each time and repeats the return operation from the error, which takes time and effort. Sometimes. For this reason, it is preferable to alert the user so as to avoid the occurrence of frequently occurring errors, which contributes to improvement in operability. From this, it seems that the technique described in Patent Document 1 for storing a history of an abnormal operation state (error history) that has occurred in the camera is an effective technique in terms of grasping errors that occur frequently. The main purpose of this technology is to use error history for device maintenance, etc., and it does not directly reduce the error, but does not contribute to improving operability during user operations. There wasn't.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and it is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of abnormal states that are likely to occur depending on the user's operational tendency, and to improve the operability of the device. The purpose is to provide a camera and a method of calling attention.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to detecting means for detecting an abnormal state caused by a user operation in a device operated by a user operation, and the abnormal state by the detection means. And a warning means for calling attention to the user so as to avoid the occurrence of the abnormal state when the user performs a new operation on the device.
[0008]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the detecting means detects an abnormal state that occurs due to a user operation in a device that is operated by a user operation. In addition, when an abnormal state is detected by the detection unit, the alerting unit alerts the user to avoid the occurrence of the abnormal state when the user performs a new operation on the apparatus. As a result, the user can reduce the frequency of occurrence of the same abnormal state repeatedly depending on the user's operation tendency by performing an operation based on alerting at the time of a new operation, and the user's operation burden is reduced. Can be reduced.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 2 further comprises counting means for counting the number of occurrences of the abnormal state of the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alerting means is an apparatus that counts by the counting means. The number of occurrences of the abnormal state is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the user is alerted to avoid the occurrence of the abnormal state when the user performs a new operation on the device.
[0010]
According to invention of Claim 2, a counting means counts the frequency | count of occurrence of the abnormal state of an apparatus. Further, the alerting means avoids the occurrence of the abnormal state when the user performs a new operation on the apparatus only when the occurrence number of the abnormal state of the apparatus counted by the counting means exceeds a predetermined value. Alert the user. Accordingly, by setting the predetermined value in advance for each abnormal state that occurs, it is possible to call attention corresponding to each abnormal state at a desired frequency.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the alerting means includes a display means for displaying information, and a state of the abnormal state when the user performs a new operation on the device. And control means for controlling the display means so as to display alert information for alerting the user so as to avoid the occurrence.
[0012]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the alerting means is a display means for displaying information to alert the user to avoid the occurrence of an abnormal state when the user performs a new operation on the device. Display alert information for alerting. Thereby, a user can be visually alerted with high accuracy.
[0013]
The alerting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 may be applied to a digital camera as in the invention according to claim 4.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 5 detects an abnormal state caused by a user's operation in the device operated by a user's operation, and when the abnormal state is detected, the user's new operation on the device In this case, the user is alerted to avoid the occurrence of the abnormal state.
[0015]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when an abnormal state that occurs due to a user operation in the device that is operated by the user's operation is detected and an abnormal state is detected, a new user operation on the device is performed. At that time, the user is alerted to avoid the occurrence of an abnormal condition. Therefore, the user can reduce the frequency of occurrence of the same abnormal state repeatedly depending on the user's operation tendency by performing an operation based on alerting at the time of a new operation, thereby reducing the user's operation burden. can do.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the main body 12 has a substantially box shape, and the main body 12 is gripped on the left side when viewed from the front. A gripping part is formed for ease.
[0018]
On the front side of the main body 12, as shown in FIG. 1A, a lens 14 for forming a subject image, a finder 16 for visually confirming a shooting range, etc., shooting at low illumination, etc. A flash 18 for emitting auxiliary light is attached.
[0019]
On the top surface of the main body 12, one of the operation modes of the digital camera 10 (for example, various shooting modes, captured image playback modes, PC output modes, and various setup item setting modes) is selected on the left side when viewed from the front. A mode dial 20 and a power switch 22 are provided for use in the operation, and a central portion of the mode dial 20 is a shutter button 24. Note that the shutter button 24 is configured to execute AF lock when half-pressed and to perform imaging processing when fully pressed.
[0020]
A slot 26 into which a media card 82 (see FIG. 2) for storing captured image data can be loaded is provided on the right side as viewed from the front of the main body 12, and this slot 26 will be described later. A connector unit (not shown) provided in the media control unit 68 (see FIG. 2) is disposed. The media card 82 loaded in the slot 26 is physically connected to the media control unit 68 via the connector unit, so that various data can be exchanged between the media control unit 68 and the media card 82. It is possible.
[0021]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, a color-displayable display 28 made of a reflective LCD or a transmissive LCD is attached to the lower side of the back surface of the main body 12. Various selection buttons such as a strobe button 30, a cross button 32, and a menu execution button 34 are provided.
[0022]
The display 28 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel whose display screen size is set to a predetermined number of pixels (eg, 640 × 480 pixels). An image based on the image file read from the SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) 86 (see FIG. 2) and the media card 82 is displayed on the entire screen, or a plurality of reduced images are displayed side by side (hereinafter referred to as thumbnail display). Or display various function selection screens.
[0023]
The cross button 32 is a button for selecting a button displayed on the display 28 or moving a cursor when the display contents of the display 28 are various item selection screens. The strobe button 30 is a button for issuing a forced light emission instruction when the flash 18 is forced to emit light, or a light emission inhibition instruction when prohibiting the flash 18 to emit light. The menu execution button 34 is displayed on the display 28. This is a button for determining execution of the item selected by the cross button 32.
[0024]
Further, the main body 12 is provided with a plurality of LEDs 36, which issue various operation states (for example, a normal operation state, an error operation state, and an error operation state) that are associated with each other in advance according to the lighting state. The alert operation state or the like) is notified to the user.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the control system of the digital camera 10 described above. The digital camera 10 includes an optical unit 40 including the lens 14, a CCD 42 disposed behind the optical axis of the lens 14, and an image signal (on the light receiving surface of the CCD 42) output from the CCD 42. An image signal processing unit 44 for generating predetermined digital image data representing a subject image based on a signal indicating the amount of received light in each of a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells arranged in a matrix, each unit of the optical unit 40, CCD 42, And a timing generator 46 for generating a timing signal for driving the image signal processing unit 44, a vertical / horizontal driver 48 for driving the CCD 42, and a shutter / iris for driving a shutter and an iris mechanism included in the optical unit 40. Units that drive motors, focus adjustment motors, zoom motors, etc. Each unit drive system driver 50, a strobe control unit 52 that controls the light emission of the flash 18, a power supply control unit 54 that controls power supply to each unit of the digital camera 10, and the main operation control of the digital camera 10 And a control unit 60.
[0026]
The timing generator 46 is connected to a vertical / horizontal driver 48, an image signal processing unit 44, and each unit driving system driver 50, and the timing generator 46 outputs a timing signal for driving the CCD 42 to the vertical / horizontal. The driver 48 outputs timing signals for driving the mechanical shutter and the diaphragm mechanism provided in the optical unit 40 to the unit drive system driver 50, respectively.
[0027]
The lens 14 included in the optical unit 40 includes a plurality of lenses, is configured as a zoom lens that can change (magnify) the focal length, and includes a lens driving mechanism (not shown). The zoom motor and the focus adjustment motor are included in the lens driving mechanism, and the zoom motor and the focus adjustment motor are each controlled by the drive signal supplied from the unit drive system driver 50 under the control of the main control unit 60. Driven. Further, when changing the optical zoom magnification, the main control unit 60 drives and controls the zoom motor to change the focal length of the lens 14 included in the optical unit 40, and the contrast of the image obtained by imaging by the CCD 42. Focusing control is performed by driving and controlling the focus adjusting motor so as to maximize the above.
[0028]
The image signal processing unit 44 includes a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit, a gain control amplifier (GCA), and an A / D converter (not shown), and the image input from the CCD 62. The signal is subjected to correlated double sampling processing by the CDS, sensitivity adjustment for each RGB color is performed by the GCA, and then converted to the digital image data by the A / D converter.
[0029]
The main control unit 60 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 62 that controls the operation of the entire main control unit 60 and a line buffer having a predetermined capacity, and adjusts white balance fluctuations (WB). And an imaging control unit 64 configured to include a Y / C conversion circuit (Y / C) that converts RGB data into YC signals (luminance signal Y, chroma signals Cr, Cb), and a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG A compression / decompression unit 66 for performing compression processing on the digital image data in a format and the like, and performing expansion processing on the compressed digital image data, and writing various information to the media card 82 and the media card The media control unit 68 that controls reading of various information written in the 82 and the LC that controls display drive of the display 28 The control unit 70, the SDRAM 86 for storing digital image data obtained mainly by imaging by the CCD 42, the flash ROM 84 for storing various parameters and programs, and the number of occurrences of error states and alert states, as will be described in detail later. A memory control unit 72 that controls reading / writing of various data to / from each memory of the nonvolatile memory 88 that stores the count value and an LED control unit 74 that controls the lighting of the LED 36 are mutually connected via a bus 76. Connected and configured.
[0030]
Various operation button systems 80 including the mode dial 20, the power switch 22, the shutter button 24, the strobe button 30, the cross button 32, the menu execution button 34, and the like are connected to the CPU 62, and control signals thereof are transmitted. It can be transmitted to the CPU 62. The strobe control unit 52 and the power supply control unit 54 are connected to the CPU 62 so that various control signals can be exchanged with the CPU 62.
[0031]
In the imaging control unit 64, digital image data sequentially input from the image signal processing unit 44 is accumulated in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stored in the SDRAM 86. The digital image data stored in the SDRAM 86 is read out to the WB under the control of the CPU 62 and subjected to white balance adjustment, gamma processing, sharpness processing, etc., and further Y / C signal conversion processing in Y / C. It is converted into YC signal data and stored in the SDRAM 86 again.
[0032]
When the shutter button 24 is pressed by the photographer, the YC signal data stored in the SDRAM 86 is compressed by, for example, the JPEG compression format by the compression / expansion unit 66 and then passed through the media control unit 68. To the media card 82.
[0033]
The image signal processing unit 44, the timing generator 46, and the main control unit 60 are configured as a one-chip LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit), thereby reducing the size, high reliability, and low cost of the digital camera 10. It is planned.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0035]
In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the power switch 22 is turned on by the user, and power is supplied from the power control unit 54 to each part of the digital camera 10 to enter a standby state in which a photographing operation can be performed. In the standby state, when the user operates the shutter button 24 to perform an operation, the CPU 62 outputs a control signal to the timing generator 46 under the control of the CPU 62, and the unit drive system driver 50 connected to the timing generator 46. Controls the shutter and iris, and outputs a control signal to the strobe control unit 52 to perform the light emission operation of the flash 18 when necessary, and the image signal processing unit 44 reads image data from the CCD 42.
[0036]
During the operation of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 62 constantly monitors the operation state of each unit, and repeatedly executes the processing routine shown in FIG. 3 at predetermined time intervals.
[0037]
First, in step 100, whether an error state or a state where alert information needs to be notified to the user (alert state), which is a plurality of predetermined abnormal states that occur due to user operations, has occurred. Judge whether or not.
[0038]
If the operation is normal, a negative determination is made in step 100, and the processing routine is terminated. On the other hand, if the above error state or alert state occurs, an affirmative determination is made in step 100, and the process proceeds to step 102, where the error / alert history data indicates the error state or alert state that occurred and the number of occurrences thereof. Is counted up, and the count value is stored in the nonvolatile memory 88 in the next step 104. As the storage method of the error / alert history data here, for example, E1 is an error when the media card 82 is not inserted, E2 is the remaining storage capacity of the media card 82, W1 is a warning for AF operation, and W1 is a warning for AE operation. As W2, item numbers are associated with each error state and warning state, and a counter value is associated with each item number. Thereby, the event corresponding to the wrinkle in the user's operation is stored as a history.
[0039]
The warning about the AF operation described above is an image in which the optical signal input to the CCD 42 via the optical unit 40 is converted into an electrical signal in a state where the shutter button 24 included in the operation button system 80 is half-pressed. After the data is processed by the image signal processing unit 44, the data obtained by the imaging control unit 64 is subjected to focusing calculation (so-called CCDAF calculation), and the focus lens included in the optical unit 40 is driven by each unit drive system driver. This warning is output when the in-focus state cannot be obtained even if it is driven minutely by 50. The warning about the AE operation means that image data obtained by converting an optical signal input to the CCD 42 via the optical unit 40 into an electric signal in the state where the shutter button 24 is half-pressed is displayed by the image signal processing unit 44. After the signal processing, the data obtained by the imaging control unit 64 is subjected to exposure calculation (so-called CCDAE calculation), and the exposure is appropriately adjusted by the aperture mechanism provided in the optical unit 40 or the electronic shutter in the image signal processing unit 44. This is a warning that is output when control is not possible (that is, when overexposed or underexposed).
[0040]
In the next step 106, the error state or alert state that has occurred is notified to the user. Here, for example, if the shutter button 24 is operated when the media card 82 is not attached, the LED 36 blinks in red, the remaining charge of the battery is reduced, or the remaining storage of the media card 82 is stored. If the capacity is low, a message indicating that is displayed on the LCD 28.
[0041]
Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 62 notifies the message information (corresponding to the alert information of the present invention) for avoiding the occurrence of an error state / alert state with a large number of occurrences. Then, when the user performs a new operation on the digital camera 10 such as when the power is turned on or when the operation mode is changed, the processing routine shown in FIG. 4 is executed.
[0042]
First, in step 200, the count value of each error / alert item stored in the nonvolatile memory 88 is read, and the process proceeds to step 202, where it is determined whether or not the read count value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. . Note that the predetermined value here is a value predetermined for each error / alert item as a threshold value when notifying the message information for avoiding the occurrence of the error state / alert state.
[0043]
If the determination in step 202 is negative, the processing routine is terminated. If the determination is affirmative, message information corresponding to each error / alert item whose count value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is notified by the LCD 28 or the LED 36. . Here, for example, if the count value of the remaining storage capacity zero (E2) of the media card 82 is less than the predetermined value, the message information is not notified as shown in FIG. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, as shown in FIG. 5B, the user is alerted by notifying message information indicating the remaining number of images that can be taken. That is, here, the digital camera 10 behaves differently from the normal operation. In this case, the user can avoid occurrence of an abnormal state having a high occurrence frequency by performing an appropriate operation based on the notified message information.
[0044]
As the message information, for example, when the number of occurrences of the remaining battery level warning is large, the message information of the remaining battery level is notified from the time when the remaining battery level reaches a certain value, or the camera shake warning is issued. If it is likely to occur, various message information such as notification of message information indicating that the forced light emission mode of the flash 18 is initially set can be employed.
[0045]
As described above, according to the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the number of occurrences of the error state / alert state generated by the user's operation is stored, and the error state / alert state having a high occurrence frequency is stored as By notifying the message information for avoiding the occurrence of the error state / alert state in advance, it is possible to notify the user of information useful for the operation corresponding to the user operation tendency. This makes it easy for the user to understand the processing for errors and alerts output by the digital camera, and provides a user-friendly digital camera.
[0046]
In the present embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is operated by an operation by a user such as a television, a video deck, a CD player, or a DVD player. It is applicable to various devices.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when an abnormal state that occurs due to a user operation in a device that is operated by a user operation is detected, a new operation of the user on the device is performed. Since the user is alerted to avoid the occurrence of the abnormal state, the frequency of occurrence of an abnormal state that tends to occur depending on the user's operational tendency is reduced, and the operability of the device is improved. It is possible to provide an alerting device, a digital camera, and an alerting method capable of providing
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a front side of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a back side of the digital camera.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control system of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of error / alert notification processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of message notification processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining an example of non-notification of message information on an LCD, and FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining an example of notification of message information.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Digital camera 28 LCD
36 LED
62 CPU
64 Imaging control unit 68 Media control unit 70 LCD control unit 72 Memory control unit 74 LED control unit 80 Operation button system 82 Media card 84 Flash ROM
86 SDRAM
88 Nonvolatile memory

Claims (5)

Detecting means for detecting an abnormal state caused by a user operation in a device operated by a user operation;
When the abnormal state is detected by the detection means, a warning means for calling attention to the user so as to avoid the occurrence of the abnormal state when the user performs a new operation on the device;
A reminder device with. Further comprising a counting means for counting the number of occurrences of the abnormal state of the device,
The alerting means is configured so that the number of occurrences of the abnormal state of the device counted by the counting means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and a user's new operation avoids the occurrence of the abnormal state when the user performs a new operation on the device. The alerting device according to claim 1, wherein the alerting device alerts the user. The alerting means is:
Display means for displaying information;
Control means for controlling the display means so as to display alert information for alerting the user so as to avoid occurrence of the abnormal state during a new operation of the user on the device;
The alerting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising: The digital camera provided with the alerting device of any one of Claims 1-3. Detecting an abnormal state caused by a user operation in a device operated by a user operation;
When the abnormal state is detected, the user is alerted to avoid the occurrence of the abnormal state when the user performs a new operation on the device.
An alert method characterized by that.

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