JP2006047706A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store an information element to be displayed in the case of designating the information element in a camera selectively designating and inputting the aimed information element out of a plurality of information elements. <P>SOLUTION: A mark and a text or the like showing an item being set and an item not set are put in one screen and displayed on a menu screen displayed on a display unit 7 when a function setting menu switch is operated. Not only the item being set but also an item in a setting changeable state (standby state) are displayed. The item set by changing a numerical value such as the change of a diaphragm value and shutter speed are changed by an up/down system. The set function is stored in a memory 8 in association with every exposure mode. When the menu screen is displayed on the display unit 7, only the function (set item) related to the exposure mode set at that time is displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera having various setting items and selection items.

  Some cameras have become more multifunctional and sophisticated and require complicated operations to select and change setting contents. Patent Document 1 discloses a camera that eliminates complicated operations by prohibiting a user from specifying unnecessary selection items and setting ranges. According to Patent Document 1, it is described that an item specification (selection, setting) operation can be quickly and easily performed by deleting unnecessary items and ranges so as not to be displayed in advance.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-3115

  In the camera of Patent Document 1, the state where the unnecessary selection items and the setting range are deleted is not saved. Therefore, after the unnecessary items are deleted, another user performs a change operation (for example, the initial state where nothing is deleted). When (Return) is performed, unnecessary items had to be deleted again in order to return to the state before the change operation. For example, in the case where a plurality of users use a camera and the required items and ranges differ between user A and user B, when one user performs a change operation, the other Users had to select and set again. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera that can be easily restored to the state before the change.

The present invention is applied to a camera that selectively designates and inputs a target information element from a plurality of information elements prepared in advance so as to be selectable. And a display means for displaying a plurality of information elements, an operation means for outputting an operation signal in response to an operation, and an information element indicated by an operation signal output from the operation means among the information elements displayed on the display means Camera control means for setting a function corresponding to the above, storage means for storing information elements to be displayed on the display means, and display control means for reading information elements from the storage means and displaying them on the display means .
The storage unit of the camera may include a storage capacity for storing a plurality of sets of information elements to be displayed on the display unit. In this case, the display control unit is configured to display information elements indicated by an operation signal output from the operation unit. The set can be read from the storage means and displayed on the display means.
The storage means of the camera can store information elements to be displayed in the operation mode in association with the operation mode of the camera. In this case, the display control means may read the information element associated with the operation mode from the storage means and display it on the display means. The storage unit may be configured to store both the first information element corresponding to the function being set and the second information element corresponding to the non-set function. The information element and the second information element can be displayed in different modes. Further, the information element may include an information element for designating one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes, and the storage means in this case stores a corresponding information element in association with each of the plurality of operation modes, The display control means can also read the information element associated with the operation mode indicated by the operation signal output from the operation means from the storage means and display the information element on the display means.

  In the camera according to the present invention, the information element to be displayed when the information element is designated is stored. Therefore, even when the information element to be displayed is changed, the state before the change can be restored.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a main configuration of an electronic still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic still camera includes an image sensor 1, a flash device 2, a shutter control mechanism 3, an aperture control mechanism 4, an operation member 5, a processing unit 6, a display 7, and a memory 8, and includes a memory card. The recording medium 9 such as is detachable. The operation mode of the electronic still camera includes a shooting mode in which shooting is performed and image data is recorded on the recording medium 9, a playback mode in which an image based on the image data recorded in the recording medium 9 is played back and displayed on the display unit 7, And a menu mode for setting on / off of functions (including shooting-related items such as shooting conditions) provided in the camera.

  The operation member 5 includes a release switch, a menu switch, a cross switch, and the like (not shown), and outputs an operation signal to the processing unit 6 according to the operation of each switch.

  In addition to being used as a work area by the control processing unit 6, the memory 8 is used to hold data indicating functions set in the camera. The memory 8 and the recording medium 9 are composed of a nonvolatile memory that retains stored contents even when the power is turned off.

  The display device 7 performs image display or display indicating functions set in the camera in accordance with display data generated by the control processing unit 6.

  In the photographing mode, the subject light flux that has passed through the photographing lens (not shown) is imaged on the imaging surface of the image sensor 1. The image sensor 1 sends the image signal to the processing unit 6. The processing unit 6 performs a known exposure calculation using the luminance information included in the imaging signal, and calculates an aperture value and a shutter speed so as to obtain an appropriate exposure. The processing unit 6 generates an aperture control signal and a shutter control signal according to the calculation result.

  The flash device (speedlight) 2 emits illumination light toward the subject when receiving a light emission instruction from the processing unit 6 at the time of photographing in a state where light emission is permitted. The shutter control mechanism 3 drives a shutter (not shown) according to a shutter control signal transmitted from the processing unit 6 at the time of shooting so that a predetermined exposure time can be obtained. The aperture control mechanism 4 drives an aperture (not shown) in accordance with an aperture control signal transmitted from the processing unit 6 at the time of shooting to obtain a predetermined aperture value.

  The processing unit 6 converts the analog imaging signal input from the imaging device 1 after the start of imaging into digital data, and then performs predetermined image processing such as white balance adjustment and image compression processing. Further, the processing unit 6 assigns a predetermined file name to the data after the image processing and records it on the recording medium 9.

  In the reproduction mode, the processing unit 6 reads the data of the file name indicated by the operation signal input from the operation member 5 from the recording medium 9, and uses the read data to display display data corresponding to the display resolution of the display unit 7. Generate and send to the display 7. As a result, the reproduced image is displayed on the display screen of the display device 7. Note that the file name of the image data to be reproduced and displayed is specified by, for example, the user operating the operation member 5.

  In the menu mode, the processing unit 6 generates display data necessary for displaying a mark, text, or the like on the display 7 and sends the display data to the display 7. As a result, the menu screen is displayed on the display screen of the display device 7. When the operation member 5 is operated by the user, the processing unit 6 sets (changes) the function according to the operation signal.

  The present invention is characterized by the operation of the menu mode of the electronic still camera described above. In the present embodiment, a case where an exposure mode at the time of shooting and a function related to the exposure mode are set (changed) will be described as an example.

The electronic still camera is configured such that one of the following plurality of exposure modes can be set alternatively.
1. Aperture priority exposure mode (A mode) that automatically changes the shutter speed with the aperture value fixed.
2. Shutter priority exposure mode (S mode) that automatically changes the aperture value while fixing the shutter speed to the set value
3. Program mode (P mode) that automatically changes the aperture value and shutter speed changes to a predetermined distribution method
4). Manual mode (M mode) that controls using the set aperture value and the set shutter speed

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed on the display unit 7 when a function setting menu switch (not shown) constituting the operation member 5 is operated. In FIG. 2, the display 11 “A” indicating the exposure mode is lit on the top of the four stages extending in the vertical direction of the screen.

  When the camera is set to the A mode, the display 11 “A” indicating the exposure mode being set is emphasized compared to the display 12 “S” and the display 13 “M” indicating other exposure modes that are not set. Is displayed. The highlighting is performed, for example, by adding a difference in brightness or a difference in contrast. In the example of FIG. 2, the display 11 “A” indicating the exposure mode being set is indicated by a solid line, and the display 12 and the display 13 indicating non-setting are indicated by a dotted line. By displaying the non-set items (display 12, display 13), the user is notified that the S mode and the M mode can be set and changed (herein referred to as a standby state). .

  The numerical value 21 “3.5” indicating the aperture value is lit on the second stage of the screen of FIG. An upward triangular display 22 and a downward triangular display 23 indicate that the aperture value can be changed in both upward and downward directions. Since the processing unit 6 sets the shutter speed in the A mode, the display of the shutter speed is omitted on this menu screen.

  A mark 31 indicating the multi-pattern metering method is lit on the third stage of the screen of FIG. When the camera metering method is set to multi-pattern metering, the mark 31 indicating the metering method being set is emphasized compared to the mark 32 indicating the other metering method that is not set (center-weighted metering method). Displayed. In the example of FIG. 2, the mark 31 indicating the photometry method being set is indicated by a solid line, and the mark 32 indicating the non-set photometry method is indicated by a dotted line. The non-set item (mark 32) is also displayed to notify the user that the center-weighted metering method is in the standby state.

  In the fourth row of the screen in FIG. 2, a mark 41 indicating that the flash device 2 is set to be non-use (prohibit light emission) is displayed. When the setting is made so that the flash device 2 is not used, the mark 41 indicating the setting state is compared to the mark 42 indicating that the flash device 2 is always used (forced light emission) is set. It is highlighted. In the example of FIG. 2, the mark 41 indicating light emission inhibition is indicated by a solid line, and the mark 42 indicating forced light emission is indicated by a dotted line. The non-set item (mark 42) is also displayed to notify the user that the forced light emission setting of the flash device 2 is in the standby state.

  In the fourth row of the screen of FIG. 2, a mark 43 indicating a self-timer set is also represented by a dotted line. By displaying the mark 43 indicating the non-set self-timer, the user is informed that the self-timer set is in a standby state.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen displayed on the display 7 when the camera is set to the S mode. When an exposure mode and function setting menu switch (not shown) constituting the operation member 5 is operated, it is displayed on the display 7 instead of FIG.

  When the camera is set to the S mode, the display 12 “S” indicating the exposure mode being set is emphasized compared to the displays 11 “A” and 13 “M” indicating the other exposure modes that are not set. Displayed. In the example of FIG. 3, the display 12 “S” indicating the exposure mode being set is indicated by a solid line, and the display 11 and the display 13 indicating non-setting are indicated by a dotted line. By displaying the non-set items (display 11, display 13), the user is notified that the A mode and the M mode are each in the standby state.

  A numerical value 24 “1/60” indicating the shutter speed is lit on the second stage of the screen of FIG. An upward triangle display 25 and a downward triangle display 26 indicate that the shutter speed can be set and changed in both the up and down directions, respectively. Since the processing unit 6 sets the aperture value in the S mode, the aperture value display is omitted on this menu screen.

  A mark 32 indicating the center-weighted photometry method is lit on the third level of the screen in FIG. When the camera metering method is set to center-weighted metering, the mark 32 indicating the metering method being set is emphasized compared to the mark 31 indicating another non-set metering method (multi-pattern metering method). Displayed. In the example of FIG. 3, the mark 32 indicating the photometry method being set is indicated by a solid line, and the mark 31 indicating the non-set photometry method is indicated by a dotted line. The non-set item (mark 31) is also displayed to notify the user that the multi-pattern metering method is in a standby state.

  In the fourth row of the screen of FIG. 3, a mark 41 indicating that the setting for prohibiting the light emission of the flash device 2 is performed, a mark 42 indicating that the setting for forcibly emitting the flash device 2 is performed, A mark 43 indicating the self-timer is indicated by a dotted line. By displaying the non-set items (marks 41 to 43), the user is notified that the function corresponding to each mark is in a standby state.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen displayed on the display 7 when the camera is set to the M mode. When an exposure mode and function setting menu switch (not shown) constituting the operation member 5 is operated, it is displayed on the display unit 7 instead of FIGS.

  When the camera is set to the M mode, the display 13 “M” indicating the exposure mode being set is emphasized compared to the displays 11 “A” and 12 “S” indicating the other exposure modes that are not set. Displayed. In the example of FIG. 4, the display 13 “M” indicating the exposure mode being set is indicated by a solid line, and the display 11 and the display 12 indicating non-setting are indicated by a dotted line. By displaying items that are not set (display 11, display 12), the user is notified that the A mode and the S mode are each in the standby state.

  The numerical value 21 “3.5” indicating the aperture value and the numerical value 24 “1/60” indicating the shutter speed are lit on the second stage of the screen of FIG. The upward triangle display 22 and the downward triangle display 23 indicate that the aperture value can be changed in both the up and down directions, and the upward triangle display 25 and the downward triangle display 26 can be changed in both the up and down shutter speeds. Indicates that In the M mode, both the aperture value and the shutter speed are displayed.

  A mark 32 indicating the center-weighted metering method is lit on the third level of the screen in FIG. When the camera metering method is set to center-weighted metering, the mark 32 indicating the metering method being set is emphasized compared to the mark 31 indicating another non-set metering method (multi-pattern metering method). Displayed. In the example of FIG. 4, the mark 32 indicating the photometry method being set is indicated by a solid line, and the mark 31 indicating the non-set photometry method is indicated by a dotted line. The non-set item (mark 31) is also displayed to notify the user that the multi-pattern metering method is in a standby state.

  In the fourth row of the screen of FIG. 4, a mark 43 indicating a self-timer set is lit and displayed, the mark 41 indicating that the flash device 2 is set to prohibit the light emission, and the flash device 2 are forcibly emitted. It is displayed with emphasis compared to the mark 42 indicating that the setting has been made. Similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, by displaying the non-set marks 41 and 42, the user is notified that the function corresponding to each mark is in a standby state.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the menu screen displayed on the display 7 when the camera is set to the M mode. When an exposure mode and function setting menu switch (not shown) constituting the operation member 5 is operated, it is displayed on the display unit 7 instead of FIGS.

  Since the display mode of the fourth stage of the screen is different from the case of FIG. 4, these differences will be mainly described. In the fourth row of the screen in FIG. 5, a mark 44 indicating that the white balance adjustment is set according to the color temperature of the light bulb is lit and displayed, and the flash device 2 is set to prohibit the light emission. The mark 41 indicating that the white balance is adjusted and the mark 45 indicating that the white balance adjustment is set in correspondence with the color temperature in cloudy weather is displayed in an emphasized manner. Similar to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the non-set items (marks 41 and 45) are displayed to notify the user that the function corresponding to each mark is in a standby state.

  The flow of processing by the menu program that is activated by the processing unit 6 when a function setting menu switch (not shown) is operated will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S11 of FIG. 6, the processing unit 6 reads the contents registered (stored) in the memory 8 in association with the exposure mode set at this time from the memory 8, and proceeds to step S12. The registered content is data indicating the set content for each function that is set in the camera and registered in the memory 8 when the menu program is started last time. For items not registered in the memory 8 (for example, display update time when the still image data recorded in the recording medium 9 is automatically read out one by one and displayed on the display unit 7). The contents are included in the program data in advance as default values.

  In step S12, the processing unit 6 displays a display indicating the read contents on the display unit 7, and proceeds to step S13. As a result, a function setting menu screen as shown in FIGS. In step S13, the processing unit 6 determines whether or not a change instruction has been issued by the user. For example, when an operation signal is input from a cross switch (not shown), the processing unit 6 makes an affirmative determination in step S13 and proceeds to step S14. When an operation signal is not input from the cross switch, the processing unit 6 makes a negative determination in step S13. The process proceeds to step S17. When the process proceeds to step S17, the menu program is terminated without changing the registered contents.

  In step S14, the processing unit 6 updates the display on the display 7 and proceeds to step S15. Specifically, the cursor (not shown) is moved to the mark or text position located in the direction indicated by the operation signal from the cross switch on the screen of the display device 7. When the determination switch (not shown) is operated with the cursor positioned on the upward triangular display 22 in FIG. 2, for example, the processing unit 6 changes the aperture value by one step each time an operation signal is input. . On the other hand, when a determination switch (not shown) is operated while the cursor is positioned on the downward triangle display 23, the aperture value is decreased by one step each time an operation signal is input.

  When a determination switch (not shown) is operated in a state where the cursor is positioned on the non-set display 32, the processing unit 6 sets the mark 32 indicating the center-weighted metering method to the multi-pattern metering method. The display mode is switched (updated) so as to be displayed with emphasis from the mark 31 shown. As described above, when the items in the exclusive relationship that cannot be set at the same time are set to one, the other setting is canceled.

  The items in the exclusive relationship include, for example, exposure mode (A mode / S mode / P mode / M mode), flash device setting (forced light emission / light emission prohibition), and white balance setting in addition to the above-mentioned photometry method (Sunny / cloudy / bulb / fluorescent / flash device etc.)

  As described above, when the cursor is moved and a determination switch (not shown) is operated, the processing unit 6 sets the item corresponding to the cursor position at the time when the determination operation signal is input, or the numerical value corresponding to the cursor position. Increase or decrease.

  In step S15 in FIG. 6, the processing unit 6 determines whether or not a registration instruction has been issued by the user. When the determination switch (not shown) is operated with the cursor positioned on the return mark 51, the processing unit 6 determines that a registration instruction has been made, affirmative determination is made in step S15, and the process proceeds to step S16. If an operation signal is not input from the switch, a negative determination is made in step S15 and the process proceeds to step S17. When the process proceeds to step S17, the menu operation is terminated without registering (updating) the changed content.

  In step S16, the processing unit 6 registers (updates and stores) the changed contents in the memory 8 in association with the set exposure mode. The updated contents are reflected at the next shooting. For example, when the aperture value is changed, the processing unit 6 sends an aperture control signal corresponding to the updated aperture value to the aperture control mechanism 4.

  In step S17, the processing unit 6 determines whether to end the menu process. When the determination switch (not shown) is operated again with the cursor positioned on the return mark 51, the processing unit 6 makes an affirmative determination in step S17 and ends the process of FIG. When the process of FIG. 6 is completed, the processing unit 6 causes the display unit 7 to display a predetermined display screen in the shooting mode instead of the menu screen being displayed. On the other hand, when the determination switch is not operated again (when the cursor is moved again, etc.), a negative determination is made in step S17 and the process returns to step S11. When returning to step S11, it is a case where the content after registration (update) is further changed.

The embodiment described above will be summarized.
(1) The menu screen (FIGS. 2 to 5) displayed on the display unit 7 when the function setting menu switch is operated displays 1 mark or text indicating the item being set and the item not being set. Displayed in the screen. Thus, unlike a hierarchical structure in which menu items span multiple screens, the user can easily set (change) even if the user does not understand which level the item is to be set (changed). . In addition, it is not necessary to delete unnecessary items in advance for display in a single screen.

(2) Since not only items that are being set but also items that are in a setting changeable state (standby state) are displayed, the user can visually know which items are in a standby state. it can. In addition, items that cannot be changed (for example, shutter speed in A mode) are not displayed (FIG. 2), so only essential items are displayed, and a menu screen that is easy to understand and easy to operate for the user is displayed. can get.

(3) Since the items to be changed by changing numerical values such as changing the aperture value and shutter speed are changed by the up / down method, a GUI environment that is easy for the user to operate can be provided.

(4) The set function is stored in the memory 8 in association with each higher mode (exposure mode in the above example), and when the menu screen is displayed on the display unit 7, it is associated with the exposure mode set at that time. Only the functions (setting items) that have been set are displayed. That is, a plurality of sets of setting items are stored for each exposure mode, and one set of setting items related to the set exposure mode is displayed. The storage capacity of the memory 8 is sufficiently secured to store a plurality of sets of setting items. Therefore, even if the items whose settings can be changed between the exposure modes are different, the camera automatically displays only the necessary items on the menu, thereby providing a camera that can be easily set (changed) for the user.

  In the above description, the example in which the highlighting in FIGS. 2 to 5 is performed by changing the luminance difference or contrast is shown, but in addition to this, the display is performed in different modes such as blinking display, reverse display, or changing the color. May be.

  As an example of setting (changing) operation, an example has been described in which the cursor is moved by operating the cross switch and then the decision switch (not shown) is operated. However, the display 7 is configured by a display with a touch panel, The setting (selection) operation may be performed by directly touching the display position or the display position of the mark.

  In the above description, the exposure mode is described as an example of the upper mode. However, the shooting mode (portrait shooting / landscape shooting / close-up shooting / night scene shooting, etc.) may be set as the upper mode.

  When the cursor is positioned on the item having the exclusive relationship, the normal display and the reverse display may be alternately switched and blinked for all the items having the exclusive relationship.

  In the above description, a plurality of sets of setting items are stored for each exposure mode, and one set of setting items related to the set exposure mode is displayed. Instead of this, a different registration number may be assigned to each set of setting items, a plurality of sets may be stored, and one set of setting items corresponding to the designated registration number may be displayed. In this case, in step S11 of FIG. 6, the contents registered (stored) in the memory 8 corresponding to the registration number designated by the operation member 5 are read from the memory 8 and the process proceeds to step S12. In step S16, the changed content is registered in the memory 8 in association with the registration number designated by the operation member 5 (updated storage).

  Correspondence between each component in the claims and each component in the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described. The information elements correspond to, for example, displays 11 to 13 and marks 31, 32, and 41 to 45. A display means is comprised by the indicator 7, for example. The operation means is constituted by the operation member 5, for example. The camera control means and the display control means are constituted by the processing unit 6, for example. The storage means is constituted by, for example, the memory 8. For example, the exposure mode corresponds to the operation mode. In addition, as long as the characteristic function of this invention is not impaired, each component is not limited to the said structure.

It is a block diagram explaining the principal part structure of the electronic still camera by one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen displayed on a display. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen in case a camera is set to S mode. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen in case a camera is set to M mode. It is a figure which shows the other example of the menu screen in the case of being set to M mode. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a menu program.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device 2 ... Flash apparatus 3 ... Shutter control mechanism 4 ... Aperture control mechanism 5 ... Operation member 6 ... Processing part 7 ... Display device 8 ... Memory 9 ... Recording medium 11-13 ... Display 21, 24 ... Numerical value 22,25 ... Upward triangle display 23, 26 ... Downward triangle display 31, 32, 41-45 ... mark

Claims (5)

In a camera that selectively designates and inputs a target information element from a plurality of information elements prepared in advance,
Display means for displaying the plurality of information elements;
An operation means for outputting an operation signal in response to an operation;
Camera control means for setting a function corresponding to the information element indicated by the operation signal output from the operation means among the information elements displayed on the display means;
Storage means for storing information elements to be displayed on the display means;
A camera comprising: display control means for reading information elements from the storage means and displaying the information elements on the display means. The camera of claim 1,
The storage means includes a storage capacity for storing a plurality of sets of information elements to be displayed on the display means,
The display control means reads a set of information elements indicated by an operation signal output from the operation means from the storage means and displays the information on the display means. The camera of claim 1,
The storage means stores information elements to be displayed in the operation mode in association with the operation mode of the camera,
The display control means reads out an information element associated with the operation mode from the storage means and causes the display means to display the information element. The camera according to claim 3.
The storage means stores both the first information element corresponding to the function being set and the second information element corresponding to the non-set function,
The display control means displays the first information element and the second information element in different modes. The camera according to claim 3 or 4,
The information element includes an information element for designating one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes,
The storage means stores a corresponding information element in association with each of the plurality of operation modes;
The display control means reads information elements associated with an operation mode indicated by an operation signal output from the operation means from the storage means and causes the display means to display the information element.

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