JP2006081121A - Imaging apparatus and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology in which it is possible to quickly start and stop a clock display mode without starting an imaging mode or a reproduction mode. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus comprises a photographing means which photographs an image, a reproduction means which reproduces the image, and a mode setting means which sets the mode to the photographing means or regeneration means, and further comprises a start detection means which detects that the apparatus starts accompanying a predetermined operation, a control means which starts a 3rd mode different from modes set by the mode setting means when the device detects to be started by the predetermined operation, and a mode end detection means which detects an end of the 3rd mode, and the device transfers to a mode set by the mode setting means after the end of the 3rd mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that captures, reproduces, and records an image and a control method thereof.

  In the conventional digital camera, when the camera is activated, the mode is switched to either the shooting mode or the playback mode, and the switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode is switched by button operation or lever operation. In addition, a normal digital camera has a clock in the camera, and it is possible to add shooting date and time information to the shot image. The setting contents of this clock are set in the shooting mode or playback mode. After starting up, it is possible to check and set again in the setting menu. There are also cameras that display this clock information as information display in the shooting mode.

There is also a camera that has a clock display function for displaying the current date / time, etc., and displays the clock within a certain period of time by, for example, pressing the SET long push button after starting in the shooting mode.
JP-A-6-186629

  There are scenes where you want to watch the clock while shooting with the digital camera, such as the start time of the event or the departure time of the train. Since it was only possible to confirm after starting up, even if it was desired to confirm only the time, it was necessary to wait for the completion of the start of the shooting mode or playback mode.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of quickly starting and ending a clock display mode without starting up a shooting mode and a playback mode, and a control method thereof. is there.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus including a photographing unit that captures an image, a reproducing unit that reproduces an image, and a mode setting unit that sets the photographing mode or the reproduction mode. A start detection means for detecting that the apparatus has been started with the operation, and a third mode different from the mode set by the mode setting means when detecting that the apparatus has been started by a predetermined operation. And a mode end detecting means for detecting the end of the third mode. After the end of the third mode, the mode is set to the mode set by the mode setting means.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: a photographing unit that captures an image; a reproducing unit that reproduces an image; and a mode setting unit that sets an imaging mode or a reproduction mode. A start detection step for detecting that the apparatus has been started with the above operation, and a third mode different from the mode set by the mode setting means when detecting that the apparatus has been started by a predetermined operation. And a mode end detecting step for detecting the end of the third mode. After the end of the third mode, the mode is set to the mode set by the mode setting means.

  As a result, when the apparatus is activated by a predetermined operation, the predetermined mode is activated first regardless of the mode set by the mode setting means, and the setting mode is set to which mode. There is no need to be aware of this, and there is no need to wait for the completion of start-up of the shooting mode and playback mode, and it is possible to quickly start and end the predetermined mode.

  In addition, the activation detection unit can easily activate a predetermined mode that is neither the shooting mode nor the playback mode by detecting whether or not the predetermined operation unit is operated simultaneously with the power-on operation of the apparatus. .

  In addition, it is equipped with posture detection means that detects the posture of the device when the power is turned on, so that it can be started in a predetermined mode that is neither shooting mode nor playback mode by simply changing the posture of the device without worrying about complicated operations. It is possible to select whether to start in the shooting mode or the playback mode as in a conventional camera.

  The mode end detection means detects when the predetermined operation means is operated, so that the user can give an instruction to end the predetermined mode at an arbitrary timing.

  Further, the mode end detection means detects that a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the predetermined mode is automatically ended when a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the user gives an instruction to end the predetermined mode. No need to give it.

  In addition, since the third mode is a mode for displaying a clock, when the apparatus is started by a predetermined operation, the clock is displayed before the shooting mode or the playback mode is started. Can be quickly and easily confirmed, and by displaying the time at startup, it is possible to confirm the current time or whether the time set in the apparatus is correct.

  In addition, since the third mode is a mode for recording only sound, when the apparatus is activated by a predetermined operation, it becomes a mode for recording only sound before starting the shooting mode or the playback mode. This is useful for those who want to record audio immediately.

  In addition, since the third mode is a mode for playing a game, in a device equipped with a game function, when the device is activated by a predetermined operation, the shooting mode or the playback mode is quickly activated. Since the game mode is displayed, it is convenient for those who only want to play the game. Also, if the mode end detection depends on the game result, entertainment can be improved by determining the transition to the next mode depending on the game result.

  Further, it further comprises means for controlling the effective range of the date and time acquired by the clock incorporated in the apparatus, and when the date and time acquired by the means is not the effective range, the oldest date and time effective range is displayed in the clock display mode. By displaying the clock from the date and time, if the date and time is not within the valid range when the device starts up, a screen for setting the date and time is displayed, but the user wants to see the clock display after recognizing that the date and time are not set correctly Therefore, the clock display can be confirmed by counting the clock from the head of the effective range.

  Further, it further comprises means for controlling the effective range of the date and time acquired by the clock incorporated in the device, and when the date and time acquired by the means exceeds the effective range while displaying the clock in the mode for displaying the clock, By exiting the clock display mode, the user is unaware of when the effective date range will be exceeded, so if the effective date range is exceeded during clock display, The updating is not stopped, but the clock display is ended, so that the user does not give the impression that the image device itself is frozen.

  Further, the apparatus further comprises means for controlling an effective range of the date and time acquired from a clock incorporated in the apparatus, and in a mode for displaying the clock when the date and time acquired by the means after the apparatus is started exceeds the effective range. After displaying the earliest date and time in the valid range of date and time for a certain period of time and then ending the mode, if the valid range of date and time is exceeded after device startup, the user should know the timing when the valid range was exceeded. Therefore, if the invalid date and time are displayed as they are, the user may be left with the invalid date and time, so the oldest date and time in the valid range is displayed for a few seconds and the clock is terminated. This makes it possible to make the user aware that the clock is abnormal.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly start and end the clock display mode without starting up the shooting mode and the playback mode.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

In addition, the present invention supplies a storage medium (or recording medium) storing software program codes for realizing the function of each apparatus constituting the printing system according to an embodiment described later to the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this is also achieved when the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, 10 is a photographing lens, 12 is a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 is an imaging element that converts an optical image into an electric signal, and 16 is an analog signal output of the imaging element 14 that is converted into a digital signal. It is an A / D converter.

  A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

  An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22.

  Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing.

  Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

  A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32.

  The data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is directly passed through the memory control circuit 22. It is.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A converter, and 28 denotes an image display unit composed of a TFT LCD or the like. Display image data written in the image display memory 24 passes through the D / A converter 26. Displayed by the image display unit 28.

  If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized.

  The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced. I can do it.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images.

  Thereby, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed.

  The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 32 denotes a compression / decompression circuit that compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and stores the processed data in the memory 30. Write to.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control means for controlling the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48.

  Reference numeral 42 denotes a distance measuring control means for controlling the focusing of the photographing lens 10, reference numeral 44 denotes a zoom control means for controlling zooming of the photographing lens 10, and reference numeral 46 denotes a barrier control means for controlling the operation of the protection means 102 as a barrier.

A flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.
The exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 are controlled using the TTL method, and based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement. Control is performed on the control means 42.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 100, and 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker that displays an operation state or a message using characters, images, sounds, or the like in accordance with execution of a program in the system control circuit 50, and an operation unit of the imaging device 100 One or a plurality of locations are installed in the vicinity where they can be easily seen, and are configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element.

  In addition, the display unit 54 is partially installed in the optical viewfinder 104. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded pixels, number of remaining images that can be captured, shutter Speed display, Aperture value display, Exposure compensation display, Flash display, Red-eye reduction display, Macro shooting display, Buzzer setting display, Clock battery level display, Battery level display, Error display, Multi-digit number information display and recording There are a display state of the media 200 and 210, a communication I / F operation display, a date / time display, and the like.

  Further, among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory, such as an EEPROM.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50, and may be a single unit such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by line-of-sight detection, a voice recognition device, or the like. Consists of multiple combinations.

  Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which can switch and set various function modes such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, and PC connection mode.

  Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned ON during the operation of a shutter button (not shown), and performs AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and the like. Instruct to start operation.

  Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and an exposure process for writing a signal read from the image sensor 12 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Development processing using operations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, recording processing for reading image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression circuit 32, and writing the image data to the recording medium 200 or 210. Instructs the start of a series of processing operations.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch, which can set ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. With this function, when photographing using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to the image display unit such as a TFT LCD.

  Reference numeral 68 denotes a quick review ON / OFF switch, which sets a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after photographing. In the present embodiment, in particular, a function for setting a quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off is provided.

  70 is an operation unit composed of various buttons, a touch panel, etc., a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, menu movement + (plus) Button, menu movement-(minus) button, playback image movement + (plus) button, playback image-(minus) button, shooting image quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, image deletion button, image deletion cancel button Etc.

  80 is a power control means, which is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, etc., and detects the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, the remaining battery level, and the detection result In addition, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the system control circuit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each part including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, and 86 denotes a power source means including a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, or an AC adapter.

  90 and 94 are interfaces with a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, 92 and 96 are connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, and 98 is a recording medium 200 or 210 attached to the connector 92 and / or 96 It is a recording medium attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting whether or not the recording medium is being used.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two systems of interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems and any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard.
The interface and the connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like that conforms to a standard.

  Further, when the interfaces 90 and 94, and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card or the like, LAN cards, modem cards, USB cards, IEEE1394 Management data attached to image data and image data can be transferred to and from peripheral devices such as other computers and printers by connecting various communication cards such as cards, P1284 cards, SCSI cards, and PHS communication cards. I can meet each other.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes protection means that is a barrier that prevents the imaging unit from being soiled or damaged by covering the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the imaging device 100.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are installed.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a camera posture detection unit that detects the posture state of the imaging device 100, that is, the orientation state of the imaging surface of the imaging device 14 provided in the present device. For example, a gravity sensor is used as a sensor for detecting the posture state. A communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication.

  A date / time control unit 108 measures time using a real time clock (RTC) which is a clock built in the apparatus. This watch operates by supplying power from a built-in battery even when the device is turned off. This control unit counts the time acquired from the real-time clock, and controls from 10:00 on January 1, 1980 to 23:59:59 on December 31, 2030 as the effective date range.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the imaging apparatus 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

  The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 204 with the imaging device 100, and a connector 206 that connects to the imaging device 100.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

  The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 214 with the imaging device 100, and a connector 216 that connects to the imaging device 100.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic camera applied as the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 301 denotes a button for power ON / OFF. Reference numeral 302 denotes a mode switching lever that can switch and set each function mode such as a shooting mode, a playback mode, a moving image shooting mode, and a still image shooting mode. Reference numeral 303 denotes a shutter button. The captured image of the camera is displayed on the image display unit, which usually uses an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) (hereinafter referred to as LCD), so that still images and / or moving images are reproduced. This screen is also displayed on the LCD 308. Reference numerals 305 to 308 are a SET button, a MENU button, a cross button, and a PRINT button. These buttons change the shooting parameters and camera settings, and in playback mode, press the left and right buttons to connect the camera and printer. This is an operation button used when printing is performed by operating the button.

  FIG. 3 shows a display example of the setting menu displayed on the LCD.

  If the MENU button 305 is pressed after starting the camera in the shooting mode or the playback mode, a menu as shown in FIG. A cross button 306 is pressed to select a setting item. Here, Date / Time (date time setting) is selected. When the SET button 304 or the left button 306 is pressed here, a Date / Time setting screen as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed, and the cross button 306 can be operated to set the current date / time. . When the setting is completed, the user can press the SET button 304 to reflect the setting and exit or cancel the menu without reflecting the current setting by pressing the MENU button 306. The date and time set here is added to the captured image information as the date and time when the image was captured.

  The clock can be displayed by long pressing the SET button 304 in the shooting mode. The time displayed on the timepiece is controlled by the date control unit 108 in FIG.

  As shown in Fig. 4 (a), select Clock Display from the menu, and clock display time from 0 to 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes in 1 second increments. Selectable. The initial value is set to 5 seconds, but the user can set a desired setting time later.

  When the MENU screen is terminated and the SET button 304 is pressed and held on the normal shooting screen, a clock as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed. When the SET button is released, the clock display elapsed time starts to be counted, and the clock display ends after a predetermined time set by Clock Display has elapsed, and the shooting mode is set. When 0 seconds is selected for Clock Display, the clock is displayed only while the SET button is pressed, and the clock display is terminated when the SET button is released. Also, by pressing the shutter button or pressing the MENU button during the clock display, the clock mode can be terminated without waiting for a predetermined time.

  In addition, the clock can be displayed not only in the shooting mode but also from a power-off state. When the power button 301 is pressed while pressing the SET button 304 from the power-off state, the clock can be displayed regardless of whether the mode switching lever 302 is in the shooting mode or the playback mode. .

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the clock display process when the date and time detected by the date and time control unit 108 is within the valid range from the power-off state.

  First, when the power button 301 is pressed while the power is off, the camera is activated. At this time, if the SET button 304 is also pressed (S501), a clock is displayed (S502). When the power button 301 is pressed again during the time display (S503), the power is turned off, that is, the time display is also terminated, and the power of the camera is turned off (S511). At this time, even if the mode switching lever is in the shooting mode, since the shooting mode has not yet been activated, the lens barrel has not come out, and therefore the process of sinking the barrel is unnecessary. The conditions for ending the clock display are when the clock display time has elapsed or when the user has performed a button operation for ending the clock (S504). The button operation for the user to end the clock is when the SET button, the MENU button, or the shutter button is pressed.

  As described above, when the clock display is completed, it is detected which mode the mode switching lever is in (S505), and if the photographing mode is set, the photographing mode is set and the lens barrel is extended (S506). If it is the playback mode, the playback mode is set (S507).

  If the SET button 304 is not pressed at the same time as the power button 301 in the power-off state (S501), the camera is activated without displaying a clock. It is detected which mode the mode switch lever is in (S505), and if it is a photographing mode, it becomes a photographing mode, the lens barrel is extended (S506), and if it is a reproducing mode, it becomes a reproducing mode (S507).

  When the power button 301 is pressed after the playback mode or the shooting mode is started (S509), the power is turned off. In the shooting mode, the power is turned off after the lens barrel is sunk. If the date and time controlled by the date and time control unit 108 has already exceeded the valid range with the camera turned off, the date setting screen is displayed first when the clock is displayed by simultaneously pressing the [SET] button and the [POWER] button. To prompt the user to set the date. When the user exits this screen and displays a clock without setting the date, the date and time starts counting from the beginning of the valid range, that is, January 1, 1980, 00:00:00.

  Also, as an exception, if the valid time range is exceeded during clock display (S502), that is, if it exceeds 23:59 on December 31, 2030, the clock display is terminated (S506), and the mode switching lever (S507), the shooting mode or the playback mode is entered.

The above is an example in which the camera is started by simultaneously pressing the [SET] button and the [POWER] button after the power is turned off, and the clock is displayed. However, the clock can already be displayed in the shooting mode. When the [SET] button is pressed and held in the shooting mode, the clock is displayed, and the clock is displayed until the [SET] button or the shutter button is pressed or until the clock display time ends. When the camera is started, the date and time controlled by the date and time control unit 108 is within the valid range. If the date and time is outside the valid range after the camera is activated, the date and time will be valid when the watch is started by pressing and holding the [SET] button. The top of the range is displayed on January 1, 1980, 00:00:00, for a few seconds, and the clock display ends.
[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment is an example in which a camera, such as a gravity sensor, that detects the posture state of the camera is mounted on the camera. If the camera posture is vertical when the camera is activated, a clock is displayed and the set clock is displayed. After the display time elapses or the button is operated by the user, the clock is ended, and it is detected which mode the mode switching lever indicates, and the mode is shifted to each mode. Also, when the camera is lying down, it immediately detects which mode the mode switching lever is pointing without displaying a clock, and shifts to each mode.
[Third Embodiment]
The third embodiment is an example in which a mode for recording only sound is added to the camera. When a power button is pressed while pressing any button from a power-off state, sound recording is started. After the set latest image display time elapses or when the user operates the button, the sound recording is terminated, and the mode switching lever is detected to indicate which mode, and the mode is shifted to each mode.
[Fourth Embodiment]
The fourth embodiment is an example in which a game mode in which several games are prepared in the camera is added. When the power button is pressed while pressing any button from the power-off state, the game mode is entered. Start the game. The user clears the game or ends the game mode by a button operation by the user, detects which mode the mode switching lever is pointing to, and shifts to each mode.
[Fifth Embodiment]
As in the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment is an example in which a game mode in which several games are prepared in the camera is added, and the power button is pressed while pressing any button from the power-off state. Press to enter game mode. The game content is a quiz format to know the user's proficiency level of the camera, and if the mode switch lever indicates the shooting mode after the game according to the score obtained by the user, the camera automatically selects the shooting mode. It is determined whether the automatic mode is determined automatically or the manual mode in which the user specifies an aperture value, a shutter speed, and the like.

  According to each of the above embodiments, when the camera is activated by a predetermined button operation, it is possible to start the clock mode or the voice recording mode without waiting for the shooting mode or the playback mode to start, and quickly check the time. Alternatively, voice recording can be performed.

  In addition, when the camera is started by a predetermined button operation and clock display or voice recording is started, the clock display or voice recording is terminated when a predetermined time has elapsed, and the mode (shooting mode or playback) indicated by the mode switching lever is terminated. Mode). For this reason, it is possible to confirm the time or record the voice with a predetermined button operation without worrying about what mode the mode switching lever is in. Even if no operation is instructed, the clock display or voice recording ends when the set time elapses, and the mode automatically changes to the mode indicated by the mode switching lever.

  In addition, it is possible to enhance entertainment by installing a game. To provide a camera that is easy to use for each user by obtaining means for interactively determining the user's camera proficiency level in this game and determining whether the shooting mode is automated or manual based on the user's camera proficiency level It becomes possible and exhibits a remarkable effect.

It is a functional block diagram of the imaging device of one embodiment concerning the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic camera to which an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is applied. It is a figure which illustrates the setting menu displayed on LCD. It is a figure which shows a mode that a clock always time is set from a menu. It is a flowchart which shows the clock display process in the case of being in an effective range from the power-OFF state.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Shooting lens 12 Shutter 14 Image pick-up element 16 A / D converter 18 Timing generation circuit 20 Image processing circuit 22 Memory control circuit 24 Image display memory 26 D / A converter 28 Image display part 30 Memory 32 Image compression / expansion circuit 40 Exposure Control means 42 Distance control means 44 Zoom control means 46 Barrier control means 48 Flash 50 System control circuit 52 Memory 54 Display unit 56 Non-volatile memory 60 Mode dial switch 62 Shutter switch SW1
64 Shutter switch SW2
66 Image display ON / OFF switch 68 Quick review ON / OFF switch 70 Operation unit 80 Power supply control means 82 Connector 84 Connector 86 Power supply means 90 Interface 92 Connector 94 Interface 96 Connector 98 Recording medium attachment / detachment detection means 100 Imaging device 102 Protection means 104 Optical Viewfinder 106 Camera posture detection unit 108 Date and time control unit 110 Communication means 112 Connector (or antenna)
200 Recording medium 202 Recording unit 204 Interface 206 Connector 210 Recording medium 212 Recording unit 214 Interface 216 Connector 301 Power ON / OFF button 302 Mode switch lever 303 Shutter button 304 SET button 305 MENU button 306 Cross button 307 PRINT button 308 LCD

Claims (12)

In an imaging apparatus having a photographing means for photographing an image, a reproducing means for reproducing an image, and a mode setting means for setting to a photographing mode or a reproduction mode,
Activation detection means for detecting that the apparatus has been activated with a predetermined operation;
Control means for starting a third mode different from the mode set by the mode setting means when detecting that the device has been started by a predetermined operation;
Mode end detection means for detecting the end of the third mode,
After the end of the third mode, the imaging apparatus shifts to a mode set by the mode setting means.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the activation detection unit detects whether or not a predetermined operation unit is operated simultaneously with a power-on operation of the apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising attitude detection means for detecting the attitude of the apparatus when the power is turned on.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode end detection unit detects when a predetermined operation unit is operated.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode end detection unit detects that a predetermined time has elapsed.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third mode is a mode for displaying a clock.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third mode is a mode for recording only sound.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third mode is a mode for playing a game. Means for controlling the effective range of the date and time acquired by a clock built in the device;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the date and time acquired by the means is not in the valid range, the clock is displayed from the earliest date and time in the valid range of date and time in the mode for displaying the clock. Means for controlling the effective range of the date and time acquired by a clock incorporated in the device;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the time and date acquired by the means exceeds the valid range while displaying the clock in the mode for displaying the clock, the mode for displaying the clock is ended. Means for controlling an effective range of date and time acquired from a clock incorporated in the device;
When the date and time acquired by the means after the device is started exceeds the valid range, in the mode for displaying the clock, the oldest date and time of the valid range of date and time is displayed for a certain time, and then the mode is terminated. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6. In a control method of an imaging apparatus, which includes a photographing unit that captures an image, a reproducing unit that reproduces an image, and a mode setting unit that sets the photographing mode or the reproduction mode.
An activation detection step of detecting that the apparatus has been activated with a predetermined operation;
A control step of starting a third mode different from the mode set by the mode setting means when detecting that the device is started by a predetermined operation;
A mode end detection step for detecting the end of the third mode,
A control method, wherein after the end of the third mode, the mode is set to the mode set by the mode setting means.

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