JP2004343810A - Image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording apparatus in which a user can automatically turn off a liquid crystal to reduce useless power consumption when a liquid crystal monitor is not used as a finder, by performing precise power source control based on the status of the liquid crystal monitor and a mode of a camera. <P>SOLUTION: While the image recording apparatus is in a recording mode and a liquid crystal monitor unit 20 is closed to a camera body 17, an optical finder 18 is used to determine whether photographing is possible, and the power source of the liquid crystal monitor is controlled to automatically turn off the power source of the liquid crystal, thereby reducing the useless power consumption. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording device, and more particularly to power management of a display device.

  In electronic cameras, a display device typified by a liquid crystal monitor is built in or detachable from the main body, and the captured image is immediately reproduced and checked, used for adjusting the angle of view during shooting, and various information is displayed. Often. In particular, when a liquid crystal monitor is used, there is a great merit that the angle of view can be adjusted at the same angle of view as the image to be actually shot.

  In consideration of operability and visibility, the LCD monitor in electronic cameras is housed in the main unit when not in use, and it is at right angles to the main unit when used by the hinge mechanism or the LCD monitor rotates. Is made in Patent Document 1 and the like. In such a configuration, when not in use, the display surface of the liquid crystal monitor is directed parallel and inward with respect to the camera body, thereby improving the protection and portability of the display surface.

  Also, when adjusting the angle of view on the liquid crystal monitor, by turning the liquid crystal monitor parallel to the camera main body to 90 degrees with respect to the main body, the power of the liquid crystal monitor is automatically turned on and the image sensor is mounted. The passed image is displayed. Further, when the liquid crystal monitor is rotated by 180 degrees, the image is turned upside down, left and right, and when photographing oneself, it is possible to take a picture while confirming to which part of the angle of view the user has shifted.

  In the reproduction mode, the liquid crystal is returned to be parallel to the camera body while being rotated by 180 degrees, so that the recorded image can be reproduced with good portability and operability.

  However, in a liquid crystal monitor, a driver IC for driving a liquid crystal is operated or a backlight for the liquid crystal is turned on, so that current consumption is larger than in a case where the liquid crystal monitor is not used. Concerns, users need to carry extra batteries. Here, in addition to the liquid crystal monitor, an optical viewfinder is built in or can be attached to the camera body. At the time of shooting, the liquid crystal monitor is turned off and shooting is performed using the optical viewfinder, and the shot image is confirmed. In this case, the consumption of the battery can be reduced by minimizing the use of the liquid crystal monitor, for example, by turning on the liquid crystal monitor and checking the photographed image.

  In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163873 proposes a method of reducing current consumption by turning off a viewfinder such as a liquid crystal monitor during self-timer recording. In general, electronic cameras are designed to automatically enter a power saving mode in which the LCD monitor is automatically turned off or the processor is stopped when there is no operation for a certain period of time. Care has been taken to prevent this.

For a camera that can have both a liquid crystal monitor and an optical viewfinder that are perpendicular to the main unit or that rotate the monitor itself, for example, for playback, set the liquid crystal display unit parallel to the main unit and the display surface to the outside To check the shot image. When taking a picture as it is, it is easy to imagine that the user adjusts the angle of view using an optical finder without using a liquid crystal monitor.
JP-A-9-9108 Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-79437

  However, in the conventional power supply control method for a liquid crystal monitor, the problem of battery consumption due to current consumption has not been solved because the liquid crystal monitor is turned on even in a state where it can be determined that photographing is performed using the optical viewfinder.

  An object of the present invention is to automatically turn off a liquid crystal monitor in a state where it can be determined that photographing is performed using an optical finder, thereby reducing battery consumption.

  The present invention relates to an image pickup unit for taking an image and obtaining image data, a mode switching unit for switching between a recording mode and a reproduction mode, and an image to be taken when the mode switching unit switches to a recording mode. Image display means having a mechanism capable of rotating and rotating with respect to the apparatus main body while displaying a captured image when the mode is switched to the reproduction mode by the mode switching means; and A liquid crystal open / close detection switch for detecting that the liquid crystal device is closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and a liquid crystal rotation detection switch for detecting rotation of the image display means, wherein the liquid crystal open / close detection switch and the liquid crystal rotation detection switch When the state in which the image display means is closed with respect to the apparatus main body and faces outward with respect to the apparatus main body is detected, The display on the image display means is not performed when the mode is switched to the recording mode by the mode switching means, and the display on the image display means is performed when the mode is switched to the reproduction mode. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus characterized by performing the above.

  Preferably, imaging means for photographing an image and obtaining image data, mode switching means for switching between a recording mode and a reproduction mode, and an image to be photographed when switched to the recording mode by the mode switching means. An image display means having a mechanism capable of rotating and rotating with respect to the apparatus main body while displaying the captured image when the mode is switched to the reproduction mode by the mode switching means. A liquid crystal opening / closing detection switch for detecting that the apparatus is closed with respect to the apparatus main body; and a liquid crystal rotation detection switch for detecting rotation of the image display means. The image display means is realized by the liquid crystal open / close detection switch and the liquid crystal rotation detection switch. When it is detected that the liquid crystal display is closed with respect to the apparatus body and faces outward with respect to the apparatus main body, a display is performed on the image display means, and the mode is switched to the reproduction mode by the mode switching means, and When the image display means is closed by the open / close detection switch and the liquid crystal rotation detection switch with respect to the apparatus main body and detects a state facing outward with respect to the apparatus main body, the image is displayed on the image display means. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus characterized in that:

Preferably, an imaging unit for capturing an image to obtain image data, a mode switching unit for switching between a recording mode and a reproduction mode, and attempting to capture when switched to the recording mode by the mode switching unit. Image display means for displaying an image, displaying a photographed image when the mode is switched to the reproduction mode by the mode switching means, and having a mechanism capable of rotating and rotating with respect to the apparatus main body; A liquid crystal open / close detection switch for detecting that the means is closed with respect to the apparatus main body; and a liquid crystal rotation detection switch for detecting rotation of the image display means. In this case, the liquid crystal open / close detection switch and the liquid crystal rotation detection switch allow the image display means to operate. When detecting a state in which the apparatus is closed with respect to the apparatus main body and facing inward with respect to the apparatus main body, and when detecting a state in which the image display means is closed with respect to the apparatus main body and facing outward with respect to the apparatus main body. Performs display on the image display means,
In the case where the mode is switched to the reproduction mode by the mode switching unit, the image display unit is closed with respect to the apparatus main body and inward with respect to the apparatus main body by the liquid crystal open / close detection switch and the liquid crystal rotation detection switch. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus characterized in that when detecting a state of being touched, it is controlled not to display the image on the image display means.

  According to the above configuration, in the recording mode, when the liquid crystal display is set parallel to the main body and the display surface is set to the outside, the liquid crystal is automatically turned off.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the power supply is finely controlled in accordance with the state of the liquid crystal monitor and the mode of the camera. Reduce power, last longer battery.

  In addition, in the reproduction mode, if the liquid crystal display surface is in a state where the user can see it, reproduction display is performed on the liquid crystal monitor, so that operability is not impaired.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a photographing lens optical system and an imaging circuit, 2 is an ADC (analog-digital converter), 3 is a TG (timing generator) for giving various timings to the imaging circuit 1, and 4 is a RAM for temporarily storing image data. 5, a signal processor for performing image processing; 6, a liquid crystal monitor for displaying an image during or after photographing; 7, a liquid crystal driver circuit and a backlight for driving the liquid crystal monitor 6; VRAM for storing image data to be recorded, 9 is a recording medium for recording image data, 10 is a recording medium attachment detection circuit for detecting attachment of the recording medium 9, and 11 is an MPU for controlling the operation of the entire camera. (Microprocessor unit), 12 determines whether the camera is in the shooting mode, the playback mode, or the power-off state. , A release switch for giving a shooting timing, a liquid crystal open / close detection switch for turning on when the liquid crystal monitor 6 is parallel to the main body, and a fixed liquid crystal monitor 15 A liquid crystal rotation detection switch 16 which is turned on when the camera is rotated by an angle or more is a mode display liquid crystal panel which displays the state of the camera, such as the number of recordable images and the photographing mode, according to the state of the recording medium 9 mounted on the camera.

  FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are external views showing a state corresponding to each mode of the liquid crystal monitor unit in the embodiment of the electronic camera of the present invention. In the figure, 17 is a camera body, 18 is an optical finder, 19 is a hinge mechanism, 20 is a liquid crystal monitor unit including the liquid crystal monitor 6, a liquid crystal driver and the backlight 7, and 21 is a display surface of the liquid crystal monitor 6.

  Here, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 is opened at right angles to the camera body 17. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the display surface 21 of the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 faces outward and the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 is parallel to the camera body 17. FIG. 4 shows a state where the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 is parallel to the camera body 17 with the display surface 21 of the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 facing inward. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 is opened at a right angle to the camera body 17, and a state in which the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 is rotated by 180 degrees from the state in FIG.

  Next, the operation in such a configuration will be described. When the power is changed from the power-off mode to the shooting mode by the camera mode switch 12, the MPU 11 detects that the recording medium 9 is mounted by a signal output from the recording medium mounting detection circuit 10, and determines the free space of the recording medium 9. The MPU 11 investigates through the signal processor 5, finds the recordable number from the free space, and displays it on the mode display liquid crystal panel 16. Thereafter, the MPU 11 detects the states of the liquid crystal open / close detection switch 12 and the liquid crystal rotation detection switch 15.

  If the state of the liquid crystal open / close detection switch 12 indicates that the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 is not in a state parallel to the main body (FIGS. 2 and 5), the MPU 11 activates the TG 3 and the signal processor 5, and the TG 3 is activated. Then, the photographing lens optical system and the imaging circuit 1 are activated, and the subject image is output as an analog signal. The analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the ADC 2 and stored in the RAM 4. After that, the MPU 11 instructs the signal processor 5 to perform an LCD monitor output process. The signal processor 5 performs signal processing and stores the image data in the VRAM 8. The image data stored in the VRAM 8 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 6 by the MPU 11 activating the liquid crystal driver 7. By repeating such processing, an image to be photographed is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 6 in real time.

  Thereafter, when the release switch 13 is turned on, the MPU 11 instructs the signal processor 5 to perform recording. The signal processor 5 that has received the recording instruction performs signal processing, compression, and the like on the image data stored in the RAM 4 and records the image data on the recording medium 9.

  On the other hand, if the state of the liquid crystal open / close detection switch 12 indicates that the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 is parallel to the main body (FIGS. 3 and 4), the MPU 11 does not start anything. Thereafter, when the release switch 13 is pressed, the MPU 11 activates the TG 3 and the signal processor 5, and the TG 3 activates the photographic lens optical system and the imaging circuit 1 to output a subject image as an analog signal. The analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the ADC 2 and stored in the RAM 4. After that, the MPU 11 issues a recording command to the signal processor 5. The signal processor 5 that has received the recording instruction performs signal processing, compression, and the like on the image data stored in the RAM 4 and records the image data on the recording medium 9.

  When the camera mode switch 12 is set to the reproduction mode, the state of the liquid crystal opening / closing detection switch 12 is parallel to the main body of the liquid crystal monitor unit 20, and the state of the liquid crystal rotation detection switch 15 is not rotating. In other cases (FIGS. 2, 3, and 5), the MPU 11 issues a reproduction command to the signal processor 5. The signal processor 5 which has received the reproduction command takes in the image data from the recording medium 9 and temporarily stores it in the RAM 4. After that, the signal processor 5 expands the compressed image data and performs signal processing, and stores the reproduced image data in the VRAM 8. The signal processor 5 notifies the MPU 11 of the completion of the signal processing, and the MPU 11 having received the notification activates the liquid crystal driver 7. The liquid crystal driver 7 displays the reproduced image data stored in the VRAM 8 on the liquid crystal monitor 6.

  On the other hand, when the camera mode switch 12 is set to the reproduction mode, the state of the liquid crystal open / close detection switch 12 indicates that the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 is parallel to the main body, and the state of the liquid crystal rotation detection switch 15 When the state indicates that the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 is not rotating, that is, when the positional relationship between the liquid crystal monitor unit 20 and the main body 17 is the state shown in FIG. 4, the MPU 11 does not issue a reproduction command to the signal processor 5.

According to the configuration of the present invention, by performing fine power control according to the state of the liquid crystal monitor and the mode of the camera, the liquid crystal is automatically turned off when the user does not use the liquid crystal monitor as a finder, and unnecessary power consumption is reduced. Reduce battery life.

  In addition, in the reproduction mode, if the liquid crystal display surface is in a state where the user can see it, reproduction display is performed on the liquid crystal monitor, so that operability is not impaired.

Configuration block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic camera of the present invention External view of an embodiment of the electronic camera of the present invention External view of an embodiment of the electronic camera of the present invention External view of an embodiment of the electronic camera of the present invention External view of an embodiment of the electronic camera of the present invention

Explanation of reference numerals

1 photographing lens optical system and imaging circuit 2 ADC
3 TG
4 RAM
5 signal processor 6 liquid crystal monitor 7 liquid crystal driver circuit 8 VRAM
9 Recording medium 10 Recording medium attachment detection circuit 11 MPU
12 Camera mode switch 13 Release switch 14 Liquid crystal open / close detection switch 15 Liquid crystal rotation detection switch 16 Liquid crystal display panel 17 for mode display 17 Main body 18 Optical finder 19 Hinge mechanism 20 Liquid crystal monitor unit 21 Display surface

Claims (3)

Imaging means for photographing an image to obtain image data, mode switching means for switching between a recording mode and a reproduction mode, and displaying an image to be photographed when the mode switching means switches to the recording mode; An image display unit having a mechanism capable of rotating and rotating with respect to the apparatus main body while displaying a captured image when the mode is switched to the reproduction mode by the mode switching unit;
A liquid crystal open / close detection switch for detecting that the image display means is closed with respect to the apparatus body,
A liquid crystal rotation detection switch for detecting the rotation of the image display means,
When the image display means is closed by the liquid crystal open / close detection switch and the liquid crystal rotation detection switch, and is in a state facing outward with respect to the apparatus main body, a recording mode is set by the mode switching means. The image recording apparatus does not perform display on the image display means when the state has been switched to the reproduction mode, and performs display on the image display means when the state has been switched to the reproduction mode. . Imaging means for capturing an image and obtaining image data;
Mode switching means for switching between a recording mode and a reproduction mode;
When the mode is switched to the recording mode by the mode switching means, an image to be captured is displayed. When the mode is switched to the reproduction mode by the mode switching means, the captured image is displayed. Image display means having a mechanism capable of rotating and rotating;
A liquid crystal open / close detection switch for detecting that the image display means is closed with respect to the apparatus body,
A liquid crystal rotation detection switch for detecting the rotation of the image display means,
In the case where the mode is switched to the recording mode by the mode switching unit, the image display unit is closed with respect to the apparatus main body and faces outward with respect to the apparatus main body by the liquid crystal open / close detection switch and the liquid crystal rotation detection switch. When detecting the state, without displaying on the image display means,
In the case where the mode is switched to the reproduction mode by the mode switching unit, the image display unit is closed with respect to the apparatus main body and is directed outward with respect to the apparatus main body by the liquid crystal open / close detection switch and the liquid crystal rotation detection switch. An image recording apparatus characterized in that, when a touched state is detected, an image is displayed on the image display means. Imaging means for capturing an image and obtaining image data;
Mode switching means for switching between a recording mode and a reproduction mode;
When the mode is switched to the recording mode by the mode switching means, an image to be captured is displayed. When the mode is switched to the reproduction mode by the mode switching means, the captured image is displayed. Image display means having a mechanism capable of rotating and rotating;
A liquid crystal open / close detection switch for detecting that the image display means is closed with respect to the apparatus body,
A liquid crystal rotation detection switch for detecting the rotation of the image display means,
In the case where the recording mode is switched to the recording mode by the mode switching unit, the image display unit is closed with respect to the apparatus main body and faces inward with respect to the apparatus main body by the liquid crystal open / close detection switch and the liquid crystal rotation detection switch. When detecting the state and when detecting the state where the image display means is closed with respect to the apparatus main body and faces outward with respect to the apparatus main body, the display on the image display means is not performed,
In the case where the mode is switched to the reproduction mode by the mode switching unit, the image display unit is closed with respect to the apparatus main body and inward with respect to the apparatus main body by the liquid crystal open / close detection switch and the liquid crystal rotation detection switch. An image recording apparatus, characterized in that when detecting a state of being touched, it is controlled not to display on the image display means.

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