JP2006317778A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform release operation, in a manner that is superior in operability and where the need for depressing a shutter button is eliminated. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes a photographing preparing member 22A that performs a photographing preparing operation, such as AE and AF, when it is touched with a finger; and a photographing performing member 22B, disposed adjacent to the photographing preparation member 22A and used for instructing to perform the photographic operation (release), when the member is touched with the finger. Since the photographing preparing operation and the photographing operation are performed, by merely touching a touch sensor with the finger lightly, blurring due to the depression of shutter button for operation can be prevented. In addition, since an instructing means is made effective, in matching with the photographing position, misoperations can be suppressed, and superior operability is ensured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, and more particularly to a photographing apparatus that prevents camera shake and has excellent operability.

  In an imaging device of a digital camera, when performing a release operation such as an AF (autofocus) operation or a shutter driving operation, it is necessary to perform an operation of pushing the shutter button with respect to the imaging device. There was a problem that the camera moved and caused camera shake. In addition, depending on the size of the dominant hand or finger, the release operation is difficult and the operability is often poor.

As means for solving this, Patent Document 1 discloses a camera provided with two shutter buttons of a touch sensor. Patent Document 2 discloses a camera in which a release operation unit is configured to be movable. Thus, it is described that the release operation can be performed regardless of how the user holds the camera and the size of the finger.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-160776 JP-A-5-313225

  However, with the structure as in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to input a preparatory operation (AF operation, AE operation, etc.) before photographing. Furthermore, when shooting, it is necessary to hold the fingers of both hands against the two shutter buttons at the same time, so the operability is poor.

  Further, the structure as disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem in that camera shake cannot be prevented because it is accompanied by a pushing motion during a release operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that is excellent in operability and can perform a release operation by a method that does not involve pushing.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the first aspect of the present invention provides a first instruction means for instructing a photographing preparation operation when a finger is touched, and the first instruction means is adjacent to the first instruction means, and performs photographing when the finger is touched. And a second instruction means for instructing an operation.

  According to the present invention, the conventional release button that is pushed in two stages is divided into a first instruction means for instructing an operation such as an AF operation and a second instruction means for instructing a shutter drive or the like. Operation can be performed with a light touch of a finger. Therefore, it is possible to suppress camera shake accompanying the pressing of the release button. Further, since the release operation can be performed with one finger, the release operation can be performed even with the camera held with one hand, and the operability is excellent. Moreover, it is preferable that a 1st and 2nd instruction | indication means is a touch sensor, a touch panel, etc. In addition, the first and second instruction means are preferably provided at adjacent positions that can be easily operated with a finger of one hand even when the photographing apparatus is held, and are provided on one or more of the peripheral surfaces of the apparatus body. It has been.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when a finger enters the first detection area, a change in light is detected, and a first instruction means for instructing a photographing preparation operation is provided adjacent to the first instruction means. And a second instruction means for detecting a change in light when the finger enters the second detection area and instructing a photographing execution operation.

  According to the present invention, the function of a conventional release button that is pushed in two stages is divided into a first instruction means and a second instruction means that are optical sensors, and an operation can be performed without directly touching the finger. Therefore, it is possible to suppress camera shake accompanying the pressing of the release button. Further, since the release operation can be performed with one finger, the release operation can be performed even with the camera held with one hand, and the operability is excellent. Moreover, it is preferable that a 1st instruction | indication means and a 2nd instruction | indication means are optical sensors (The thing comprised from a light emitting element and a light receiving element, the thing comprised from a light receiving element etc.). The first detection area indicates a space in the vicinity of the first instruction means in which the detection unit (light receiving element or the like) of the optical sensor can detect a change in light. In the first detection area, when a change in light due to the finger entering is detected, an imaging preparation operation is instructed. The second detection area refers to a space in the vicinity of the second instruction means in which a detection unit (light receiving element or the like) of the optical sensor can detect a change in light. In the second detection region, when a change in light due to the finger entering is detected, an imaging execution operation is instructed. In addition, the first and second instruction means are preferably provided at adjacent positions that can be easily operated with a finger of one hand even when the photographing apparatus is held, and are provided on one or more of the peripheral surfaces of the apparatus main body. It has been.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the space | interval with said 1st instruction | indication means and 2nd instruction | indication means is equivalent to the width | variety of a finger | toe. Further, it is sufficient that the first instruction means and the second instruction means are easily switched, and it is more preferable that the distance is about 1 cm. Thereby, by switching lightly one finger to be operated, it is possible to easily switch the instruction, and the operability is excellent. Moreover, it is preferable that a 1st instruction | indication means and a 2nd instruction | indication means are linearly arrange | positioned in a line form.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the first instruction means and the second instruction means are touch sensors. Thereby, since the input can be performed simply by lightly touching the first instruction means and the second instruction means, which are touch sensors, camera shake can be prevented and operability is excellent. Furthermore, the number of constituent members is smaller than that of the conventional shutter button, and the space can be saved.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the first instruction means and the second instruction means are touch panels. Thereby, since the input can be performed simply by lightly touching the first instruction means and the second instruction means which are touch panels, camera shake can be prevented and operability is excellent. Furthermore, the number of constituent members is smaller than that of the conventional shutter button, and the space can be saved. In addition, the first instruction unit and the second instruction unit are arranged in the same touch panel, but other frequently used operation buttons such as a zoom function may be arranged in the same touch panel.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that said 1st instruction | indication means and 2nd instruction | indication means are optical sensors. In addition, the first and second instruction means are preferably provided at adjacent positions that can be easily operated with a finger of one hand even when the photographing apparatus is held, and are provided on one or more of the peripheral surfaces of the apparatus body. It has been.

  Thereby, since it can divide into the 1st instruction | indication means and 2nd instruction | indication means which are optical sensors, and operation can be performed without touching these directly, it can prevent camera shake and is excellent in operativity. Furthermore, the number of constituent members is smaller than that of the conventional shutter button, and the space can be saved.

In the present invention, after instructing the photographing preparation operation to the first instruction means, the elapsed time is judged, and photographing is executed when the second instruction means is instructed to perform the photographing execution within a predetermined time. It is preferable that a determination unit for determining time is provided. Accordingly, when canceling the shooting preparation operation, there is no need to perform an additional operation such as operating the first instruction means once again, and the operability is excellent.
The predetermined time at this time is preferably 0.5 to 1 second.

  Also, in the present invention, the first and second indicating means for horizontal position operated when the apparatus main body of the photographing apparatus is in the horizontal position, and the vertical position operated when the apparatus main body is in the vertical position. First and second instruction means, and angle detection means provided inside the apparatus main body, and when the angle detection means detects that the image is taken in the horizontal position, the first for the horizontal position. When only the instruction by the first instruction means and the second instruction means are validated and it is detected that the image is taken by the vertical position, the instructions by only the first instruction means and the second instruction means for the vertical position are valid. It is preferable to make it. In this way, when the first instruction means and the second instruction means are provided on a plurality of surfaces around the apparatus main body, the unnecessary first instruction means and second instruction means are locked depending on the photographing position. Can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the release operation can be performed by a method that is excellent in operability and does not involve pushing.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the front side of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment. The first instruction means (hereinafter, referred to as a photographing preparation member) and the second instruction means (hereinafter, referred to as “photographing preparation member”). This is a case where a touch sensor is provided as a photographing execution member). FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an overview of the back side of the digital camera 10.

  A digital camera 10 in FIG. 1 includes a lens on the front surface of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 20, a display unit 110 including a liquid crystal monitor on the back surface, and a display touch panel 30 that is stacked on the display unit 110. ing. Further, a mode dial 150, a cross key 81, and a power switch 82 are provided on the back of the apparatus main body 20. Further, on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 20, the horizontal position shooting preparation member 22 </ b> A and the shooting execution member 22 </ b> B, the vertical position shooting preparation member 23 </ b> A and the shooting execution member 23 </ b> B, and the ball sensor 40 in the apparatus main body 20 are provided. I have.

  The photographing preparation members 22A and 23A are touch sensors and are first instruction means for giving instructions for performing preparatory operations such as autofocus (AF) control and automatic exposure (AE) control. The photographing execution members 22B and 23B are also touch sensors, and are second instruction means for giving an instruction to perform a recording photographing operation.

  The horizontal position shooting preparation member 22A and the shooting execution member 22B are provided adjacent to the upper surface of the apparatus main body 20, but may be arranged not only on the upper surface but also on the back and front of the operable position. .

  Although the photographing preparation member 23A and the photographing execution member 23B for the vertical position are provided adjacent to both side surfaces of the apparatus main body 20, they may be disposed on only one of the side surfaces or only part of the side surfaces.

  The photographing preparation member 22A and the photographing execution member 22B are arranged in a range where the other button can be touched when the finger operating the one button is slightly shifted when photographing. The photographing preparation member 23A and the photographing execution member 23B are also arranged in the same manner.

  The touch sensor mainly includes a touch detection unit and a detection circuit that detects that a finger is touched on the touch detection unit. The detection method is, for example, a capacitance change type touch sensor (a sensor that can detect a touch without directly touching a metal part), a pressure detection type, or a skin resistance detection type. Examples include, but are not limited to, touch sensors.

  Further, the ball sensor 40 provided in the apparatus main body 20 detects whether the shooting is in the horizontal position or the shooting in the vertical position. In this embodiment, the ball sensor 40 is used as the angle detection means, but other means may be used as long as it has a function of detecting the angle.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment. In the digital camera 10 of FIG. 2, the central processing unit (main CPU) 112 inputs from various buttons and keys of the operation unit 113 including the shooting preparation members 22A and 23A, the shooting execution members 22B and 23B, the mode dial 150, and the like. Based on the above, each circuit in the digital camera 10 is comprehensively controlled. A program executed by the CPU 112 is stored in the EEPROM 119.

  Now, when the still image shooting mode is set by the mode dial 150, the CPU 112 displays a moving image (through image) on the display unit 110 so that the shooting angle of view can be confirmed. That is, the light that has passed through the imaging lens 14 enters the solid-state imaging device 102a. Photosensors are arranged in a plane on the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device 102a, and the subject image formed on the light receiving surface is converted into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each photosensor. . The signal charges accumulated in this way are sequentially read out as voltage signals (image signals) corresponding to the signal charges based on pulse signals given from a driver circuit (not shown), and are respectively added to the imaging circuit 102b.

  The imaging circuit 102b includes a gain adjustment circuit, and image data obtained from the imaging circuit 102b is sent to the image processing circuit 108 and the high-pass filter (HPF) 125, respectively. The image processing circuit 108 includes a white balance correction circuit 108b, a gamma correction circuit 108c, a YC processing circuit 108d, a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, a sharpness correction circuit, a contrast correction circuit, and contour processing for performing image processing including contour correction for a captured image. Image processing means including a noise reduction processing unit that performs image noise reduction processing, and processes an image signal in accordance with a command from the CPU 112.

  The image data input to the image processing circuit 108 is converted into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color difference signal (Cr, Cl signal) and subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction, and then stored in the VRAM 132. The

  On the other hand, only the G pixel component is extracted by the high pass filter (HPF) 125 from the image data converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 108 a of the image processing circuit 108. Then, the G pixel component extracted by the integration processor 126 is integrated and sent to the CPU 112. The CPU 112 uses the integrated value of the image data sent from the integration processing unit 126 as an autofocus (AF) evaluation value to determine in-focus.

  When the captured image is output to the display unit 110 on the monitor, the YC signal is read from the VRAM 132 and sent to the video encoder 134. The video encoder 134 converts the input YC signal into a predetermined display signal (for example, an NTSC color composite video signal) and outputs the converted signal to the display unit 110. The display unit 110 is driven via the driver 111.

  The YC signal of each frame processed at a predetermined frame rate is alternately written in the A area and B area of the VRAM 132, and the Y area other than the area where the YC signal is written out of the A area and B area of the VRAM 132. The YC signal that has been written is read out from this area. In this way, the YC signal in the VRAM 132 is periodically rewritten, and the video signal generated from the YC signal is supplied to the display unit 110, whereby the image being captured is displayed on the display unit 110 in real time. . The user can check the shooting angle of view from the video (through) displayed on the display unit 110.

  Here, when a finger touches the photographing preparation member 22A or 23A, the AE and AF processes are started. When a finger touches the shooting execution member 22B or 23B, a shooting operation for recording starts. Image data acquired in response to the photographing execution member 22B is converted into a luminance / color difference signal (Y / C signal) by the image processing circuit 108, subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction, and then stored in the VRAM 132. The

  The Y / C signal stored in the VRAM 132 is compressed according to a predetermined format by the compression / decompression processing circuit 144 and then recorded as an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) file on the recording medium 40 via the media controller 146. The image is recorded in the data part of the Exif file. The CPU 112 records shooting date / time information and the like in a predetermined tag (such as an image description tag) in the header portion of the Exif file.

  The CPU 112 is also connected to a strobe control circuit 115 that controls the light emission of the strobe 18 made of a xenon tube. When still light shooting is detected as having low illuminance, or the light emission is instructed by the strobe button. In this case or when the forced light emission mode is set, the flash 18 is controlled to emit light for a short time (for example, for a short time of 1 second or more) at a timing synchronized with the timing signal generated by the timing generator 120.

  When the moving image shooting mode is set by the mode dial 150, the moving image recording operation starts in conjunction with the operation of the shooting execution member 22B or 23B, and when touched again, the moving image recording operation stops. The recording operation may be performed while the shooting execution member 22B or 23B is continuously touched, and the recording may be stopped by releasing the contact. The moving image data is recorded on the recording medium 40 in, for example, a motion JPEG (MPEG) format.

  When the playback mode is selected by the mode dial 150, the compressed data of the last image file (last recorded file) recorded on the recording medium 40 is read. When the file related to the last recording is a still image file, the read image compressed data is decompressed into an uncompressed YC signal via the compression / decompression processing circuit 144 and stored in the VRAM 132. The YC signal stored in the VRAM 132 is added to the video encoder 134. The video encoder 134 creates an NTSC RGB color composite video signal from the input YC signal and outputs it to the display unit 110. Thereby, the frame image of the last frame recorded on the recording medium 40 is displayed on the display unit 110.

  Thereafter, when the right key of the cross key 81 is pressed, the frame is advanced in the forward direction, and when the left key of the cross key 81 is pressed, the frame is advanced in the reverse direction. Then, the frame-positioned image file at the frame position is read from the recording medium 40, and the frame image is reproduced on the display unit 110 in the same manner as described above. If the last frame image is displayed and the frame is advanced in the forward direction, the first frame image file recorded on the recording medium 40 is read and the first frame image is displayed. Played back to the unit 110.

  The display unit 110 corresponds to an external display device connected to an LCD 114, a finder, a video output terminal, or the like built in the camera 10. The CPU 112 includes an OSD signal generation circuit, and the OSD signal generation circuit generates a signal for displaying characters such as a shutter speed, an aperture value, the number of shootable images, a shooting date / time, a warning message, and a symbol such as an icon. A signal output from the OSD signal generation circuit is mixed with an image signal as necessary and supplied to the LCD 114. As a result, a composite image in which characters, icons, and the like are combined with the through image and the playback image is displayed.

  The display touch panel 30 is stacked on the display unit 110. The display touch panel 30 has a predetermined resistance value in a matrix along each of the vertical and horizontal directions, and the resistance value changes when an object such as a user's finger touches, and the current value changes at this time. By detecting this, it is possible to detect the contact position of the object. The current value is input to the CPU 112 via the touch panel interface unit 31. The CPU 112 can start various processes according to the contact position detected by the display touch panel 30. A predetermined area (predetermined subject) in the image displayed on the display unit 110 can be pressed to designate the predetermined area as a focus point.

  The recording medium 40 is means for holding image data obtained by shooting, and for example, a memory card called smart media is used. The form of the recording medium is not limited to this, and it may be a PC card, a compact flash (registered trademark), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a memory stick, etc., electronic, magnetic, optical, or a combination thereof A readable / writable medium can be used in accordance with the above-described method. A configuration in which a plurality of media can be mounted regardless of different types or the same type of recording media may be adopted. The means for storing the image file is not limited to a removable medium that can be attached to and detached from the camera body, but may be a recording medium (built-in memory) built in the camera.

  The CPU 112 is a control circuit that performs overall control of each circuit of the camera 10, and includes a cross key 81, a power switch 82, a mode dial 150, an operation unit 113 including a not-shown strobe button, zoom key, menu / execution button, and the like, and photographing. Based on the signals received from the preparation members 22A and 23A and the photographing execution members 22B and 23B, the operation of the corresponding circuit is controlled, and display control, strobe light emission control, autofocus (AF) control and automatic exposure in the display unit 110 are controlled. (AE) Control, input control, shutter drive control, etc. are performed.

  Each time the power supply of the camera 10 is turned on by the power switch 82, power is supplied to each circuit of the digital camera 10 from the main power supply 164 formed of a battery mounted inside the camera body.

  Image data from the image processing circuit 108 is also sent to the photometric processing unit 157. The photometric processing unit 157 is an example of a unit that measures the amount of external light. The photometric processing unit 157 calculates a photometric value (EV value) of subject brightness based on each input image data and the charge accumulation time of the solid-state imaging device 102a, that is, the shutter time of the electronic shutter. Can be configured. Thereby, the drive of the solid-state image sensor 102a is adjusted. The aperture value may be changed with the shutter time of the electronic shutter. When changing the aperture value, the photometric value corresponding to the subject brightness is calculated with the aperture value taken into account. As described above, the photometry processing unit 157 detects the brightness of the subject (subject brightness) by TTL (Through The Lens) photometry using the solid-state imaging device 102a as a light receiving sensor. The photometric processing unit 157 may be a photometric sensor composed of a phototransistor, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a means capable of photometry.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a program executed by the CPU 112. The CPU 112 executes an S1 detection unit 112a, an S2 detection unit 112b, an angle detection unit 112c, a timer 112d, and an input control unit 112e, which are programs. Further, the S1 detection unit 112a, the S2 detection unit 112b, the angle detection unit 112c, the timer 112d, and the input control unit 112e are stored in the EEPROM 119, and are appropriately read by the CPU 112 to the memory 127 and executed.

  In FIG. 3, the S1 detection unit 112a detects that the object such as the user's finger has touched the photographing preparation member 22A or 23A as a resistance value, and outputs a signal instructing the photographing preparation operation. Then, a shooting preparation operation is executed.

  In addition, the S2 detection unit 112b detects that the photographing execution member 22B or 23B is in contact with an object such as a user's finger as a resistance value, and outputs a signal instructing the photographing execution operation. Then, a shooting preparation operation is executed.

  The timer determines to maintain the shooting preparation operation when the input is detected by the S2 detection unit 112b before the predetermined time has elapsed after the input is detected by the S1 detection unit 112a. Further, when an input is detected by the S2 detection unit 112b after a predetermined time has elapsed since the input was detected by the S1 detection unit 112a, it is determined that the shooting preparation operation is to be canceled.

  Further, the CPU 112 sends a signal detected by the angle detection unit 112c, which is a program, to the input control unit 112e.

  The input control unit 112e accepts an operation of only the vertical position shooting preparation member 23A and the shooting execution member 23B when a detection signal indicating that shooting is in the vertical position is input. Further, when a detection signal indicating that the photographing is in the horizontal position is input, the operation of only the photographing preparation member 22A and the photographing execution member 22B for the horizontal position is accepted.

  Next, photographing using the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram (top view) showing a photographing method for performing photographing from preparation for photographing in the horizontal position on a part of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 20.

  The user usually holds the upper and lower surfaces of the digital camera 10 with the left hand, and holds the back surface excluding the display touch panel 30 or the cross key 81 with the right hand thumb. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the imaging preparation member 22A formed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 20 is lightly touched with the right index finger (solid line). Thereby, a shooting preparation operation such as autofocus is performed. Next, the index finger of the right hand is slightly shifted and lightly touches the photographing execution member 22B (dotted line). As a result, the shutter is driven and shooting is performed.

  In this embodiment, the operation for stopping the shooting has been described. However, even if the operation for executing the shooting with the shooting preparation lock released is performed or the operation for maintaining the shooting preparation lock unless another operation is performed. Good.

  Further, when the image is input to the imaging execution member 22B before the imaging preparation member 22A, the imaging may be executed as it is, or the input of the imaging execution member may be invalidated.

  In the present embodiment, the ball sensor 40 (angle detection means) and the photographing preparation member 22A and the photographing execution member 22B are provided on both side surfaces and the top surface of the apparatus main body 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead, a configuration in which the imaging preparation member 22A and the imaging execution member 22B are provided on one or more of the upper surface, the rear surface, and the lower surface, a configuration that does not include an angle detection unit, and the like may be used.

  According to the digital camera 10 in the present embodiment, the shooting preparation operation and the shooting execution operation can be performed by simply touching (touching) the finger with the touch sensor. Therefore, camera shake due to pushing during operation can be suppressed. In addition, since the instruction means is made effective in accordance with the shooting position, malfunction can be suppressed and operability is excellent.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, in which an optical sensor is provided as an imaging preparation member and an imaging execution member.

  In the digital camera 10 of FIG. 5, the touch sensors constituting the photographing preparation member 22A and the photographing execution member 22B in FIG. 1 are optical sensors, provided only on a part of the upper surface of the apparatus body 20, and the ball sensor 40 is excluded. These are the structures similar to 1st embodiment.

  An optical sensor that detects an input to the imaging preparation member 24A and the imaging execution member 24B includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. Infrared rays are generally used for the light-emitting elements, but are not limited thereto. For the light receiving element, a phototransistor, a photodiode, a CdS cell, a photo IC, or the like is used. In this optical sensor, the light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected by, for example, a user's finger, and a current proportional to the amount of reflected light flows in the light receiving element, thereby detecting an input. Based on the detection signal, a shooting preparation operation or a shooting execution operation is performed.

  Further, an optical sensor that does not have a light emitting element and does not irradiate can also be used. In this case, the light receiving element detects a change in received light intensity as a current value.

  The internal configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is such that the horizontal position shooting preparation member 22A and the shooting execution member 22B in FIG. 2 are optical sensors, the ball sensor 40, the vertical position shooting preparation member 23A, and the shooting. The configuration is the same except that the execution member 23B is excluded.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a program executed by the CPU 112, and is the same as that described above except that the angle detection unit 112c and the input control unit 112e in FIG. 3 are omitted.

  The CPU 112 executes an S1 detection unit 112a, an S2 detection unit 112b, and a timer 112d, which are programs. Further, the S1 detection unit 112a, the S2 detection unit 112b, and the timer 112d are stored in the EEPROM 119, and are appropriately read by the CPU 112 to the memory 127 and executed.

  In FIG. 6, the S1 detection unit 112a reflects the light emitted from the light emitting element of the optical sensor by the finger when the user's finger is pinched above the vicinity of the imaging preparation member 24a, and the light receiving element reflects the reflected light. In response to this, a current value proportional to the amount of reflection is detected, and a signal instructing an imaging preparation operation is output. Then, a shooting preparation operation is executed.

  In FIG. 6, the S2 detection unit 112b reflects the light emitted from the light emitting element of the optical sensor by the finger when the user performs a finger on the photographing execution member 24B, and the light receiving element receives the reflected light. A current value proportional to the amount of reflection is detected, and a signal for instructing a photographing execution operation is output. Then, a shooting execution operation is executed.

  The timer determines to maintain the shooting preparation operation when the input is detected by the S2 detection unit 112b before the predetermined time has elapsed after the input is detected by the S1 detection unit 112a. Further, when an input is detected by the S2 detection unit 112b after a predetermined time has elapsed since the input was detected by the S1 detection unit 112a, it is determined that the shooting preparation operation is to be canceled.

  Next, a photographing method using the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The user usually holds the upper and lower surfaces of the digital camera 10 with the left hand, and holds the back surface excluding the display touch panel 30 or the cross key 81 with the right hand thumb. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the finger is touched without touching the photographing preparation member 24 </ b> A formed on the upper surface of the apparatus body 20 with the right index finger (solid line). Thereby, a shooting preparation operation such as autofocus is performed. Next, when shooting is performed, the right index finger is moved to the shooting execution member 24B and the finger is moved (dotted line). As a result, the shutter is driven and shooting is performed. At this time, it is not necessary to touch the buttons 24A and 24B directly, but in the vicinity of the apparatus main body 20 in the extension of the irradiation direction.

  In this embodiment, the operation for stopping the shooting has been described. However, even if the operation for executing the shooting with the shooting preparation lock released is performed or the operation for maintaining the shooting preparation lock unless another operation is performed. Good.

  Further, when the photographing execution member 24B is input before the photographing preparation member 24A, the photographing may be performed as it is, or the input of the photographing execution member 24B may be invalidated.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging preparation member 24A and the imaging execution member 24B are provided only on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper right side of the side surface, the upper surface, or the rear surface. For example, the imaging preparation member 24A and the imaging execution member 24B may be provided, and the angle detection unit may perform input control in accordance with the imaging position.

  According to the digital camera 10 in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform a shooting preparation operation and a shooting execution operation simply by placing a finger near the portion that emits light from the optical sensor. Therefore, camera shake due to pushing during operation can be reliably suppressed.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, in which a touch panel is provided as a photographing preparation member and a photographing execution member.

  The digital camera 10 of FIG. 7 has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment except that the optical sensor that constitutes the imaging preparation member 24A and the imaging execution member 24B in FIG. 5 is a touch panel. As shown in FIG. 7, a shooting preparation member 26 </ b> A and a shooting execution member 26 </ b> B are provided on a touch panel 32 provided on a part of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 20.

  The internal configuration of the digital camera 10 in FIG. 7 is the same as that in the second embodiment except that the optical sensor in the second embodiment is a touch panel.

  The touch panel 32 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 20, and is disposed, for example, on a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel. The touch panel 32 has predetermined resistance values in a matrix along each of the vertical and horizontal directions. When the user's finger or the like touches, the resistance value changes, and the current value at this time is input to the CPU 112. Thus, the S1 detection unit 112a or the S2 detection unit 112b detects the input. In response to the input, a signal instructing a shooting preparation operation or a shooting execution operation is output from each of the detection units 112a and 112b. Various processes can be started in response to the detection signal.

  The block diagram executed by the CPU 112 according to the present embodiment and the schematic diagram showing the usage state at the time of photographing are the same configuration except that the optical sensor is a touch panel in FIGS.

  Next, a photographing method using the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The user usually holds the upper and lower surfaces of the digital camera 10 with the left hand, and holds the back surface excluding the display touch panel 30 or the cross key 81 with the right hand thumb. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the photographing preparation member 26A formed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 20 is touched with the right index finger to loosely sense pressure (solid line). Thereby, a shooting preparation operation such as autofocus is performed. Next, the index finger of the right hand is lightly shifted to touch the photographing execution member 26B to loosely sense pressure (dotted line). As a result, the shutter is driven and shooting is performed.

  Further, the touch panel 32 can be provided with not only the shooting preparation member 26A and the shooting execution member 26B but also other frequently used functions such as the zoom function 28.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the imaging preparation member 26A and the imaging execution member 26B are provided only on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper right side of the side surface, the upper surface, or the rear surface. For example, the imaging preparation member 26A and the imaging execution member 26B may be provided, and the angle detection unit may perform input control according to the imaging position.

  According to the digital camera 10 in the present embodiment, the shooting preparation operation and the shooting execution operation can be performed by simply touching a desired instruction means on the touch panel with a finger or pressure-sensitively. Therefore, camera shake due to pushing during operation can be suppressed.

  As described above, in the first to third embodiments according to the present invention, a configuration in which the photographing preparation member and the photographing execution member can be operated in the width direction of the finger in the shape as shown in FIGS. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration that can be operated in the direction of expansion and contraction of the finger as shown in FIG. Also in this case, the internal configuration of the digital camera 10 and the program executed by the CPU 112 are the same as those in the second and third embodiments. 8 shows an example in which the imaging preparation member 24A ′ and the imaging execution member 24B ′, which are optical sensors, are provided only on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 20, the apparatus main body 20 is similar to the first embodiment. Even in a state where the digital camera 10 is held on one or more of the peripheral surfaces of the lens, it may be provided at an adjacent position where it can be easily operated with a finger of one hand.

  FIG. 9 shows a photographing method in the vicinity of the upper surface of a part of the L-L ′ sectional view of the digital camera 10 in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, the user first places his / her finger on the shooting preparation member 24A ′ (solid line). Thereby, a shooting preparation operation such as autofocus is performed. Next, the user extends his / her finger and places his / her finger on the photographing execution member 24B ′ (dotted line). As a result, the shutter is driven and shooting is performed.

  In the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, an example is shown in which the operation is performed in the direction in which the finger is extended, but the operation can also be performed in the direction in which the finger is contracted. Further, although the photographing preparation member 24A 'and the photographing execution member 24B' are optical sensors, a touch sensor or a touch panel can also be applied.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to a digital camera but also to a silver salt film camera, a mobile phone with a photographing function, and the like.

  As described above, by applying the photographing apparatus according to the present invention, the release operation can be performed by a method that is excellent in operability and does not involve pushing.

1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the digital camera in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the program which CPU runs in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition at the time of imaging | photography in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the digital camera in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the program which CPU112 in 2nd embodiment of this invention runs. It is a perspective view which shows the digital camera in 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the digital camera in the modification of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition at the time of imaging | photography in the modification of 2nd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 20 ... Apparatus main body, 22A, 23A ... Shooting preparation member (touch sensor), 22B, 23B ... Shooting execution member (touch sensor), 24A, 24A '... Shooting preparation member (light sensor), 24B, 24B '... shooting execution member (light sensor), 26A ... shooting preparation member (touch panel), 26B ... shooting execution member (touch panel), 32 ... touch panel, 30 ... touch panel, 112 ... CPU, 112a ... S1 detection unit (first detection unit) ), 112b ... S2 detector (second detector), 112c ... angle detector, 112d ... timer, 112e ... input controller, 40 ... ball sensor

Claims (8)

A first instruction means for instructing a shooting preparation operation when a finger touches;
A second instruction means that is adjacent to the first instruction means and instructs a photographing execution operation when a finger touches the first instruction means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: A first instruction means for detecting a change in light when the finger enters the first detection region and instructing a shooting preparation operation;
A second instruction means that is adjacent to the first instruction means, detects a change in light when a finger enters the second detection region, and instructs a photographing execution operation;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an interval between the first instruction unit and the second instruction unit is equal to a finger width.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first instruction unit and the second instruction unit are touch sensors.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first instruction unit and the second instruction unit are touch panels.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first instruction unit and the second instruction unit are optical sensors.   A time determining means for determining an elapsed time after instructing the first preparation means to perform the photographing preparation operation, and for performing photographing when the second instruction means is instructed to perform the photographing execution operation within a predetermined time; The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The first and second instruction means for the lateral position operated when the apparatus body of the photographing apparatus is in the lateral position;
The first and second indicating means for the vertical position operated when the apparatus body is in the vertical position;
An angle detection means provided inside the apparatus main body,
When the angle detection means detects that the image is taken in the horizontal position, the instruction of only the first instruction means and the second instruction means for the horizontal position is validated, and it is detected that the image is taken in the vertical position. In this case, the photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the instruction of only the first instruction means and the second instruction means for the vertical position is validated.

Images