JP2006330357A - Photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing device to take a photograph by capturing a subject image made incident via a photographic lens in response to releasing operation, which is excellent in operability in a series of operation for setting a photographing condition. <P>SOLUTION: A mode corresponding to a shutter release button 105 is designated from a plurality of modes in response to operation, and a desired item in the mode corresponding to the shutter release button 105 is set in response to the detection of the operation to the shutter release button 105 by a touch sensor 1051, and photography based on the set photographing condition is performed in response to the detection of the operation to the shutter release button 105 by a first photographing sensor 1052 and a second photographing sensor 1053. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus that performs photographing by capturing a subject image incident via a photographing lens according to a release operation.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, photographing apparatuses such as a digital camera that forms an image of a subject on an image pickup device and takes in image data representing the subject, and a film camera that takes a photograph on a photographic film are known. In addition, the photographing apparatus has a plurality of modes having a plurality of items for which one of them is exclusively set, and photographing is performed under a photographing condition based on a set of items set for each of the plurality of modes. There are imaging devices configured to be able to. Depending on the imaging device, such an imaging device often has controls provided on the top and back of the imaging device for switching modes and setting items in the switched mode. However, by operating this operation element, it is possible to set a desired shooting condition (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-262153 A

  However, when a user sets desired shooting conditions with such a shooting apparatus, in order to operate an operator provided on the back surface or the upper surface of the shooting apparatus, the user holds the shooting apparatus with one hand. It is necessary to operate the operation element with the other hand. Therefore, for example, in a situation where one hand is occupied and it is necessary to operate the operating element with only the other hand, there is a problem that the operability is poor.

  In view of the circumstances described above, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that is excellent in operability of a series of operations relating to setting of imaging conditions.

The photographing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object provides:
Regarding a photographing apparatus that has a plurality of modes having a plurality of items that are exclusively set for any one, and performs photographing under a photographing condition by a set of items that are set for each of the plurality of modes according to a release operation,
A release button having one or more imaging sensors for detecting operation;
A shooting condition setting section for setting items relating to each of the plurality of modes;
A photographing unit that performs photographing based on the photographing condition set by the photographing condition setting unit in response to detection of an operation to the release button by the photographing sensor;
The shooting condition setting unit further includes
A mode designating unit for designating a mode corresponding to the release button from the plurality of modes according to an operation;
A mode setting sensor for detecting the operation of the release button at an earlier stage of the operation than the detection by the photographing sensor;
A release button corresponding mode setting unit configured to set a desired item in a mode associated with the release button by the mode specifying unit in response to detection of an operation on the release button by the mode setting sensor. It is characterized by.

  Here, the “mode setting sensor” in the present invention refers to, for example, a touch sensor for detecting contact / non-contact with the release button, a sensor for detecting a push, an infrared sensor, a fingerprint sensor, and the like. .

  The photographing apparatus of the present invention designates a mode to be associated with the release button from a plurality of modes according to the operation, and is associated with the release button according to the detection of the operation to the release button by the mode setting sensor. A desired item in the mode is set, and shooting is performed based on the set shooting conditions in response to detection of an operation on the release button by the shooting sensor. In general, a release button for performing a release operation is provided at a position where a user can easily place a finger when holding a photographing apparatus. Therefore, according to the photographing apparatus of the present invention configured to be able to set items in the mode by operating the release button provided at such a position, the state where the photographing apparatus is held is provided. Therefore, since it is easy to set desired items in the mode and perform shooting based on the set shooting conditions, the operability is good even when the shooting apparatus is held with one hand, for example.

  Here, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the release button corresponding mode setting unit selects an item by detecting an operation by the mode setting sensor, and after the item is selected, by shifting to an operation non-detection state, The selected item may be set, or in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the release button corresponding mode setting unit selects an item by detecting an operation by the mode setting sensor, and The selected item may be set prior to photographing by the photographing unit based on detection of an operation by the photographing sensor.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that is excellent in operability of a series of operations related to setting of imaging conditions.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Here, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera that forms an image of a subject on an image sensor (herein, Charge Coupled Device: CCD) and captures captured image data representing the subject is described. To do. This digital camera is a digital camera having a retractable lens barrel that advances and retracts in the optical axis direction with respect to the digital camera body. When the power is turned on, the lens barrel is extended and the power is turned off. In this case, the lens barrel is further retracted from the focal length region of the lens, and the lens tip portion does not protrude from the digital camera body. In addition, this digital camera has a plurality of modes having a plurality of items for which one of them is exclusively set, and the shooting conditions by a set of items set for each of the plurality of modes in accordance with a release operation described later. I will shoot below.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera to which an embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied as seen from diagonally above the front, and FIG. 2 is an external view of the digital camera shown in FIG. It is a perspective view. FIG. 1 shows a non-photographing state where the lens barrel is retracted and the lens tip does not protrude from the digital camera body.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing lens 101 including a zoom lens and a focus lens that focuses on a subject is provided at the center of the front of the digital camera 100 in terms of appearance. Also, on the front upper part of the digital camera 100, an optical viewfinder objective window 102 that the photographer peeks to determine the position of the subject and a flash light emitting device 103 that emits light in synchronization with a pressing operation on the shutter release button 105. Is provided. Further, a slide-type power button 104 and a shutter release button 105 are provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 100. The shutter release button 105 has three stages of contact / non-contact, half-press and full-press. Although detailed description will be described later, the items in the mode associated with the shutter release button 105 are set by the contact / non-contact operation, and the exposure control and the focus are performed by the half-press operation. The subject is actually photographed by a full-press operation. The shutter release button 105 corresponds to an example of a release button according to the present invention. Inside the digital camera 100, a CCD 114 (see FIG. 3) provided on the back surface of the photographing lens 101 is provided. The subject light that has passed through the photographing lens 101 enters the CCD 114 and is converted into an analog image signal that is an electrical signal.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an optical viewfinder eyepiece window 106, a mode button 1071, an operation unit 1072 a with a “Δ” mark and a “▽” mark are written on the back of the digital camera 100. A zoom operation key 1072 including an operation unit 1072b, a cross key 1073 for performing various selection operations, an execution button 1074 for confirming the content selected by the operation of the cross key 1073, and a liquid crystal display (image or menu). And a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel 108. When the operation unit 1072a marked with a “Δ” mark in the zoom operation key 1072 is pressed, the lens barrel moves from the retracted state to the maximum extended state while the button is continuously pressed, and the zoom operation key 1072 When the operation unit 1072b on which the “▽” mark is marked is pressed, the lens barrel moves from the extended state toward the retracted state while continuing to be pressed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the digital camera shown in FIGS.

The digital camera 100 includes a shutter release button 105 having a touch sensor 1051, a first imaging sensor 1052, and a second imaging sensor 1053, a zoom lens 111, a motor driver 111a, a zoom motor 111b, an iris 112, a motor driver 112a, Aperture motor 112b, focus lens 113, motor driver 113a, focus motor 113b, CCD 114, timing generator 114a, CDS-AMP 121, A / D (Analog / Digital) converter 122, memory controller 123, AF value determiner 124, image signal processing unit 125, CPU 126, AF detection unit 127, a video encoder 128, a media controller ^{129, ROM130, E 2 PROM131,} RAM132, Mo A designation unit 133, a shutter release button corresponding mode setting unit 134, an image reproduction mode switching control unit 135, an image display device 140, a power switch 161, a mode switch 162, and a cross key switch 163 are provided. Is connected. In addition to these, a shutter and the like are provided inside the digital camera 100, but these are not shown because they are irrelevant to the subject matter of the present invention.

  First, the switch will be described.

  The power switch 161 is turned on and off in synchronization with the slide operation of the power button 104 also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and when the power switch 161 is turned on, the digital camera 100 is driven.

  The mode switch 162 synchronizes with the pressing of the mode button 1071 also shown in FIG. 2, and a plurality of modes for selecting a mode associated with the shutter release button 105 shown in FIGS. This switch is displayed / not displayed at 108. When the mode button 1071 is pressed once and the mode switch 162 is turned on, a plurality of modes are displayed, and a mode corresponding to the shutter release button 105 can be selected from the plurality of modes. When the mode button 1071 is pressed again and the mode switch 162 is turned off, the normal shooting function is enabled.

  The cross key switch 163 is pressed when the plurality of modes are displayed on the LCD panel 108 shown in FIG. 2 after the mode button 1071 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed. The cursor 1081 (see FIG. 5) displayed on the LCD panel 108 is moved in synchronization with the switch, and selects a mode to be associated with the shutter release button 105 from a plurality of modes displayed on the LCD panel 108. When the user selects a desired mode and then presses the execution button 1074 shown in FIG. 2, the selection is confirmed, and the confirmed mode is associated with the shutter release button 105 by the mode designation unit 133. A combination of the cross key 1073, the execution button 1074, and the mode designation unit 133 corresponds to an example of the mode designation unit according to the present invention.

  Although not shown, the digital camera 100 is provided with various switches such as an image display switch for displaying a captured image on the image display device 140. When these switches are set, the CPU 126 is informed of the setting status of each switch.

  Next, the shutter release button 105 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.

  The shutter release button 105 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes a touch sensor 1051 that detects contact / non-contact in synchronization with a contact / non-contact operation on the shutter release button 105 at a relatively initial stage of operation. Have. The touch sensor 1051 corresponds to an example of a mode setting sensor according to the present invention. In addition, the shutter release button 105 detects that the shutter release button 105 has been half-pressed in synchronization with the half-pressing operation of the shutter release button 105 at a relatively advanced stage, and A second imaging sensor 1053 is also provided for detecting that the shutter release button 105 is fully pressed in synchronization with the pressing operation of the shutter release button 105. The focus lock is set in response to the detection of the half-pressing operation on the shutter release button 105 by the first shooting sensor 1052, and the pressing operation of the full-pressing on the shutter release button 105 by the second shooting sensor 1053 is set. In response to the detection, the subject is actually photographed. A combination of the first imaging sensor 1052 and the second imaging sensor 1053 corresponds to an example of the imaging sensor according to the present invention.

  Next, the elements of the optical system will be described.

  The zoom lens 111 is a lens related to a change in focal length. Originally, an optical system of a photographing apparatus such as a digital camera is provided with a plurality of lenses, and at least one of the plurality of lenses is largely involved in the focus adjustment, and the relative position of each lens is the focal length. In FIG. 3, a lens related to a change in focal length is schematically shown as a zoom lens 111, and a lens related to focus adjustment is schematically shown as a focus lens 113. Show. A zoom motor 111b is attached to the zoom lens 111, and the zoom motor 111b is driven by an instruction signal in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 140. When the operation unit 1072a marked with a “Δ” mark or the operation unit 1072b marked with a “▽” mark on the zoom operation key 1072 shown in FIG. An instruction signal according to an instruction to move within the drive range is given to the zoom motor 111b via the motor driver 111a. When the zoom motor 111b rotates according to the instruction signal, the zoom lens 111 moves. Note that the zoom function of the digital camera 100 is performed by a combination of optical zoom and electronic zoom, and the user presses the operation unit 1072a marked with “Δ” in the zoom operation keys 1072 shown in FIG. By pressing the operation unit 1072b on which the telephoto (TELE) mark is marked, the zoom is made to the wide angle (WIDE) side. If it is assumed that the zoom position is currently adjusted to a predetermined zoom position within the optical zoom range, if the operation unit 1072a marked with a “Δ” mark is kept pressed, the zoom lens 111 reaches the limit of optical zoom-up. When the optical zoom-up is performed by moving the camera, and the limit of the optical zoom-up is exceeded, the CPU 126 detects the level of pressing on the operation unit 1072a on which the “Δ” mark is written, and electronic zoom is performed. Up is done. This electronic zoom-up is performed by detecting the level of pressing by the CPU 126 and determining the enlargement range on the CCD 114 by calculation.

  The iris 112 is provided with two holes having different sizes. An iris motor 112b is attached to the iris 112, and an instruction signal according to an instruction from the CPU 126 is given to the iris motor 112b via the motor driver 112a. When the aperture motor 112b rotates according to the instruction signal, the hole provided in the iris 112 is switched. By such switching, the amount of subject light is adjusted.

  The focus lens 113 is a lens for focusing on the subject. A focus motor 113b is attached to the focus lens 113, and an instruction from the CPU 126 to move the focus lens 113 within a predetermined driving range and an instruction of a focus position to move the focus lens 113 to the focus position. The instruction signal according to the above is given to the focus motor 113b via the motor driver 113a. When the focus motor 113b rotates according to the instruction signal, the focus lens 113 moves.

  Next, elements for photographing a subject and applying signal processing to the photographed image will be described.

  When a secondary battery (not shown) is loaded into the digital camera 100 and the power button 104 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is slid to turn on the power switch 161, the power is turned on and the digital camera 100 is driven.

  When the digital camera 100 is driven, the focus motor 113b attached to the focus lens 113 in the photographing lens 101 shown in FIG. 1 is driven in the optical axis direction to focus on the center area of the photographing field angle. Focusing is performed continuously. When the shutter release button 105 is half-pressed, a focus lock is set to fix the position of the focus lens 113 at the position when the shutter lens is half-pressed. When the shutter release button 105 is fully pressed, the shutter is released. The actual shooting of the subject is performed.

  Various programs for operating the digital camera 100 are stored in the ROM 130. The ROM 130 also stores mode information about each of a plurality of modes that can be associated with the shutter release button 105 and item information about items in each mode. The digital camera 100 corresponds to an example of a plurality of modes according to the present invention, and includes a “still image / moving image switching” mode, a “zoom” mode, a “macro” mode, a “flash emission” mode, an “ISO sensitivity” mode, “ It has an “exposure” mode, a “backlight correction” mode, and an “image playback” mode. The “still image / moving image switching” mode is a mode for switching between two items of still image shooting and moving image shooting. The “zoom” mode is a zoom operation when the operation unit 1072a marked with a “Δ” mark or the operation unit 1072b marked with a “▽” mark is pressed by the zoom operation key 1072 shown in FIG. A mode for switching between two items, a continuous zoom operation (hereinafter, such zoom operation is referred to as continuous zoom) and a zoom operation for each predetermined magnification (hereinafter, such zoom operation is referred to as magnification zoom). It is. In the “macro” mode, shooting within a predetermined short distance range (hereinafter referred to as “macro” mode on) and shooting of a subject farther than the short range (hereinafter referred to as such This is a mode for switching between two items of shooting (referred to as “macro” mode off). The “flash emission” mode is a mode for switching three items of AUTO emission, forced emission, and red-eye correction emission. The “ISO sensitivity” mode is a mode for switching the ISO sensitivity. The “exposure” mode is a mode in which three items of a combination 1, a combination 2 and a combination 3 are switched as a combination of the F value of the lens and the shutter speed. The “backlight correction” mode is used to determine whether or not the flash is forced to fire during shooting under backlight conditions (hereinafter referred to as “backlight correction” mode on when forced flash is fired, and “backlight correction” mode off when forced flash is not fired. This is a mode for switching two items. The “image reproduction” mode is a mode in which image data stored in the storage medium 150 is read and an image is reproduced.

  The mode designation unit 133 designates a mode associated with the shutter release button 105 from among the plurality of modes according to an operation.

  The shutter release button corresponding mode setting unit 134 sets a desired item in the mode associated with the shutter release button 105 by the mode specifying unit 133 in response to detection of an operation on the shutter release button 105 by the touch sensor 1051. To do. The shutter release button corresponding mode setting unit 134 corresponds to an example of a release button corresponding mode setting unit according to the present invention. The combination of the cross key 1073, the execution button 1074, the mode specifying unit 133, the touch sensor 1051, and the shutter release button corresponding mode setting unit 134 described above corresponds to an example of the shooting condition setting unit according to the present invention.

In the E ² PROM 131, for example, item information set for each mode by the user is written and stored.

  The CPU 126 controls various elements of the digital camera 100 shown in FIGS. Further, the CPU 126 detects the operation of the shutter release button 105 by the first shooting sensor 1052 and the second shooting sensor 1053, the cross key 1073, the execution button 1074, the mode designating unit 133, the touch sensor 1051, and the shutter. Shooting based on the shooting conditions set by the release button corresponding mode setting unit 134 is performed. The CPU 126 corresponds to an example of the photographing unit referred to in the present invention.

  The CCD 114 receives subject light that has passed through the photographic lens 101 in FIG. 1, forms a subject image based on the subject light, and reads it as a subject signal that is an analog signal in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 126. This subject signal is output to the CDS-AMP 121 in accordance with an instruction from the timing generator 114a.

  The timing generator 114a sends an instruction to cause the CCD 114 to output a subject signal every predetermined time or when the shutter release button 105 shown in FIGS.

  The CDS-AMP 121 adjusts the amplification factor and amplifies the subject signal with the adjusted amplification factor.

  The A / D converter 122 converts the subject signal into captured image data that is digital data.

  The memory controller 123 controls the output destination of the captured image data.

  The digital camera 100 generates photographed image data before the actual photographing in order to perform a focusing operation for detecting the focusing position of the focus lens 113. The captured image data at the time of this focusing operation is temporary data with low resolution, and is sent to the AF detection unit 127, the AF value determination unit 124, and the RAM 132. Also, the high-resolution captured image data generated during the actual shooting is sent to the RAM 132 and written therein.

  The AF detection unit 127 detects the contrast of the photographed image based on the photographed image data with low resolution sent from the memory controller 123. The detected contrast is sent to the AF value determination unit 124.

  The AF value determination unit 124 determines the focus position of the focus lens 113 based on the contrast sent from the AF detection unit 127. The determined in-focus position is transmitted to the CPU 126, and a driving instruction is given from the CPU 126 to the motor driver 113a of the focus lens 113.

  In the RAM 132, photographed image data that is temporarily stored at the time of photographing is written.

  The image signal processing unit 125 reads out the captured image data generated at the time of actual photographing and written in the RAM 132 from the RAM 132, and performs RGB level adjustment, gamma adjustment, compression processing, and the like of the captured image data.

  The video encoder 128 converts the captured image data compressed by the image signal processing unit 125 into a data format that can be displayed on the image display device 140 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 126.

  The captured image data converted by the video encoder 128 is sent to the image display device 140, and the image display device 140 displays the captured image represented by the captured image data on the LCD panel 108 (see FIG. 2).

  The media controller 129 controls storage and reading of photographed image data on the storage medium 150.

  The image display device 140 is for displaying a photographed image represented by a menu screen or photographed image data on the LCD panel 108 (see FIG. 2).

  The storage medium 150 is a storage medium that stores image data representing a captured image.

  When the “image playback” mode is associated with the shutter release button 105, the image playback mode switching control unit 135 is stored in the storage medium 150 in response to detection of an operation on the shutter release button 105 by the touch sensor 1051. The image data is read and the image is reproduced.

  The digital camera 100 of this embodiment is basically configured as described above.

  Here, the feature of the digital camera 100 as an embodiment of the present invention is that an operation for designating a mode to be associated with the shutter release button 105 from among a plurality of modes, There is an operation for setting a desired item, and these operation procedures will be described below.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of a mode specifying operation associated with a shutter release button from among a plurality of modes.

  The operation described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is performed when the mode button 1071 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is pressed once and the mode switch 162 shown in FIG. Started by entering.

  When the mode button 1071 is pressed once and the mode switch 162 is turned on, a plurality of modes and a cursor for selecting a mode associated with the shutter release button 105 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are displayed on the LCD panel 108 shown in FIG. (Step S101).

  Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example in which a plurality of modes for selecting a mode associated with the shutter release button are displayed on the LCD panel.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the mode button 1071 is pressed once and the mode switch 162 is turned on, a plurality of selectable modes are displayed on the LCD panel 108 as a “still image / video switching” mode, a “zoom” mode, The “macro” mode, “flash emission” mode, “ISO sensitivity” mode, “exposure” mode, “backlight correction” mode, and “image playback” mode are displayed. Further, a cursor 1081 for selecting one mode from the plurality of modes is also displayed.

  By moving the cursor 1081 displayed on the LCD panel 108 in step S101 by operating the cross key 1073 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in the upward or downward direction, the shutter is selected from a plurality of modes shown in FIG. One mode associated with the release button 105 is selected (step S102). Here, as shown in FIG. 5, among the plurality of modes, the “flash emission” mode for switching three items of AUTO emission, forced emission, and red-eye correction emission is selected.

When the execution button 1074 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed while one mode is selected in step S102, mode information regarding the selected mode and item information regarding items in the mode are read from the ROM 130 and the E ² PROM 131 is read. Is written and saved, and the selection is confirmed as the mode associated with the shutter release button 105 (step S103).

  The mode whose selection is confirmed in step S103 is associated with the shutter release button 105 by the mode designating unit 133 shown in FIG. 3 (step S104). Here, the “flash emission” mode selected in step S102 is associated with the shutter release button 105. Note that the mode is associated with the shutter release button 105 even if the power is turned off. The operation is saved until the operation of S104 is executed again, and when the execution button 1074 is pressed, the mode is changed from the mode designation state to the photographable state, and a through image is displayed on the LCD panel 108.

  Next, an operation related to setting of a desired item in the mode associated with the shutter release button 105 will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the “flash emission” mode is already associated with the shutter release button 105 by the procedure described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of a flow of setting operation of a desired item in the mode associated with the shutter release button.

  The operation described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is started when the shutter release button 105 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is touched in a state where the digital camera 100 is turned on and can be photographed.

  When the shutter release button 105 is touched and the touch is detected by the touch sensor 1051 shown in FIG. 3 (step S201: Yes), the item in the “flash emission” mode associated with the shutter release button 105 is switched, AUTO light emission can be set (step S202).

  After the item is switched in step S202, the shutter release button 105 is returned to the initial position, and the touch sensor 1051 shifts to the non-detection state of the contact with the shutter release button 105 (step S203: Yes). Operation | movement of step S201-step S202 mentioned above is attained. When the operation from step S201: Yes to step S202 described above is performed again, the forced light emission, which is an item different from the item first switched in step S202, is switched to, and hereinafter, S201: Yes to step S203. : By repeating the operation of Yes, the items are switched in the order of red-eye correction light emission → AUTO light emission → forced light emission.

  After the item is selected by switching to a desired item in step S202, the shutter release button 105 is half-pressed without returning the shutter release button 105 to the initial position (step S203: No). When the operation is detected by the first imaging sensor 1052 (step S204: Yes), the items selected when the half-pressing operation is detected by the first imaging sensor 1052 are shown in FIG. Is set by the shutter release button corresponding mode setting unit 134 (step S205).

  After a desired item is set in step S205, photometry / aperture adjustment (step S206) and focus adjustment (step S207) based on the set of set items are executed according to an instruction from the CPU 126.

  After the focus adjustment is executed in step S207, the shutter release button 105 is returned to the initial position, and the first photographing sensor 1052 shifts to the non-detection state of the half-press operation to the shutter release button 105 (step S208). : Yes), the operations in steps S201 to S207 described above can be performed again.

  After the focus adjustment is performed in step S207, the shutter release button 105 is fully pressed without returning to the initial position (step S208: No), and the full pressing operation is performed by the second imaging sensor 1053 shown in FIG. When it is detected (step S209: Yes), the subject is photographed in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 126 and an image is captured. Finally, image data representing the photographed image is stored in the storage medium 150 shown in FIG. Saved (step S210).

  As described above, a desired item in the mode is selected by contact / non-contact with the shutter release button 105, and when the desired item is selected, the shutter release button 105 is continuously touched as it is. Based shooting can be performed.

  Here, an example in which the “flash emission” mode is associated with the shutter release button 105 has been described, but, for example, a “still image / moving image switching” mode is associated with the shutter release button 105. In this case, the switching and setting of two items, that is, still image shooting and moving image shooting, are executed according to the procedure of the operation described in the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. When switching or setting of two items of continuous zoom and magnification zoom is performed and “macro” mode is associated, two items of “macro” mode on and “macro” mode off are selected. Are switched and set, and when “ISO sensitivity” mode is associated, ISO sensitivity = 200, ISO sensitivity = 400, and ISO sensitivity. When switching and setting of the three items 800 are performed and the “exposure” mode is associated, switching and setting of the three items of the combination 1, the combination 2 and the combination 3 are performed. When the “backlight correction” mode is associated, switching and setting of two items of “backlight correction” mode on and “backlight correction” mode off are executed, and the “image playback” mode is associated. 3, the image reproduction mode switching control unit 135 shown in FIG. 3 reads out the image data stored in the storage medium 150 and reproduces the image. Item switching is performed.

  As described above, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment designates a mode to be associated with the shutter release button 105 from a plurality of modes according to an operation, and detects an operation on the shutter release button 105 by the touch sensor 1051. Accordingly, a desired item in the mode associated with the shutter release button 105 is set, and set according to detection of an operation on the shutter release button 105 by the first shooting sensor 1052 and the second shooting sensor 1053. The photographing is performed based on the photographed photographing conditions. Generally, a shutter release button for performing a release operation is provided at a position where a user can easily place a finger when holding a digital camera. Therefore, according to the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment configured to be able to set the items in the mode by operating the shutter release button 105 provided at such a position, the digital camera 100 is Since it is easy to set desired items in the mode while holding the camera and perform shooting based on the set shooting conditions, for example, the digital camera 100 may be held with one hand. Is easy to use.

  Next, two other embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  In the embodiment described below, since it has almost the same device configuration as the device configuration described in the above-described embodiment, attention is paid to differences from the above-described embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of a setting operation flow for a desired item in the mode associated with the shutter release button of the digital camera of the first embodiment of the other two embodiments. . In the following description, the “flash emission” mode for switching three items of AUTO emission, forced emission, and red-eye correction emission is already associated with the shutter release button 105 according to the procedure described with reference to FIGS. Explain that it is.

  The operation illustrated in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is the shutter shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in a state where the digital camera 200 of the first embodiment of the other two embodiments is turned on and can be photographed. It is started when the release button 105 is touched.

  When the shutter release button 105 is touched and the touch is detected by the touch sensor 1051 shown in FIG. 3 (step S301: Yes), the item in the “flash emission” mode associated with the shutter release button 105 is switched, AUTO light emission can be set (step S302).

  After the item is switched in step S302, the shutter release button 105 is not returned to the initial position (step S303: No), and the half-pressing operation to the shutter release button 105 by the first photographing sensor 1052 is not detected. When the time length of (Step S304: No) exceeds the predetermined time length, the item in the “flash emission” mode associated with the shutter release button 105 is switched again, and the forced emission can be set. By repeating the operations of S301: Yes to Step S304: No, the items are switched in the order of red-eye correction light emission → AUTO light emission → forced light emission.

  By touching the shutter release button 105 for a length of time exceeding a predetermined time, the items in the mode are switched, so that a plurality of items can be selected while being compared.

  After the item is switched in step S302, the shutter release button 105 is returned to the initial position, and the touch sensor 1051 shifts to the non-detection state of the contact with the shutter release button 105 (step S303: Yes). Operation | movement after step S301 mentioned above is attained.

  The shutter release button 105 is half-pressed without returning the shutter release button 105 to the initial position with the desired item switched in step S302 (step S303: No), and the half-press operation is the first shooting. When detected by the image sensor 1052 (step S304: Yes), the item that was switched when the half-pressing operation was detected by the first image sensor 1052 is the shutter release button shown in FIG. It is set by the response mode setting unit 134 (step S305).

  After a desired item is set in step S305, photometry / aperture adjustment (step S306) and focus adjustment (step S307) based on the set of set items are executed in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 126.

  After the focus adjustment is performed in step S307, the shutter release button 105 is returned to the initial position, and the first photographing sensor 1052 shifts to the non-detection state of the half-press operation to the shutter release button 105 (step S308). : Yes), the operations in steps S301 to S307 described above can be performed again.

  After the focus adjustment is performed in step S307, the shutter release button 105 is fully pressed without returning to the initial position (step S308: No), and the full pressing operation is performed by the second imaging sensor 1053 shown in FIG. If detected (step S309: Yes), the subject is actually photographed in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 126, and the image is captured. Finally, image data representing the photographed image is stored in the storage medium 150 shown in FIG. Saved (step S310).

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of a setting operation flow for a desired item in the mode associated with the shutter release button of the digital camera of the second embodiment of the other two embodiments. . In the following description, the “flash emission” mode for switching three items of AUTO emission, forced emission, and red-eye correction emission is already associated with the shutter release button 105 according to the procedure described with reference to FIGS. Explain that it is.

  The operation illustrated in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is the shutter shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in a state where the digital camera 300 of the second embodiment of the other two embodiments is turned on and can be photographed. It is started when the release button 105 is touched.

  When the shutter release button 105 is touched and the touch is detected by the touch sensor 1051 shown in FIG. 3 (step S401: Yes), the item in the “flash emission” mode associated with the shutter release button 105 is switched, AUTO light emission can be set (step S402).

  After the item is switched in step S402, the shutter release button 105 is not returned to the initial position, and the time length of detection of contact with the shutter release button 105 by the touch sensor 1051 exceeds a predetermined time length. (Step S403: No), the item in the “flash emission” mode associated with the shutter release button 105 is switched again, and the forced emission can be set. Hereinafter, the operation from S401: Yes to Step S403: No is repeated. By doing so, items are switched in the order of red-eye correction light emission → AUTO light emission → forced light emission.

  By touching the shutter release button 105 for a length of time exceeding a predetermined time, the items in the mode are switched, so that a plurality of items can be selected while being compared.

  After the desired item is switched in step S402, the shutter release button 105 is returned to the initial position, and the touch sensor 1051 shifts to a non-detection state of contact with the shutter release button 105 (step S403: Yes). Items that were switched at the time of transition to the non-detection state of contact with the shutter release button 105 are set by the shutter release button corresponding mode setting unit 134 shown in FIG. 3 (step S404).

  Since the items in the mode are set before the shutter release button 105 is pressed halfway, it is difficult to miss a photo opportunity.

  After the desired item is set in step S404, the shutter release button 105 is half-pressed, and when the half-press operation is detected by the first imaging sensor 1052 (step S405: Yes), according to the instruction from the CPU 126. Then, photometry / aperture adjustment (step S406) and focus adjustment (step S407) based on the set of set items are executed.

  After the focus adjustment is executed in step S407, the shutter release button 105 is returned to the initial position, and the first photographing sensor 1052 shifts to the non-detection state of the half-press operation to the shutter release button 105 (step S408). : Yes), the operations in steps S401 to S407 described above can be performed again.

  After the focus adjustment is performed in step S407, the shutter release button 105 is fully pressed without returning to the initial position (step S408: No), and the full pressing operation is performed by the second imaging sensor 1053 shown in FIG. If detected (step S409: Yes), the subject is photographed in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 126 and an image is captured. Finally, image data representing the photographed image is stored in the storage medium 150 shown in FIG. Saved (step S410).

  In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera that forms an image of a subject on a CCD and captures captured image data representing the subject has been described. For example, the present invention can be applied to a photographing apparatus such as a film camera that takes a photograph on a photographic film.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the release button according to the present invention is configured in three stages of contact / non-contact, half-press and full-press is described. For example, it may be configured by two stages of contact / non-contact and full pressing.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the mode setting sensor according to the present invention is a touch sensor that detects contact / non-contact with the release button has been described. However, the mode setting sensor according to the present invention includes: However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a sensor that detects the pressing of the release button, an infrared sensor, a fingerprint sensor, or the like may be used.

It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the digital camera with which one Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention was applied from front diagonally upward. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 from back diagonally upward. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the digital camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the designation | designated operation | movement of the mode matched with a shutter release button from several modes. It is a figure which shows the example of a display with which the several mode for selecting the mode matched with a shutter release button was displayed on the LCD panel. It is explanatory drawing which shows the list of the flow of the setting operation | movement of the desired item in the mode matched with the shutter release button. It is explanatory drawing which shows the list | wrist of the flow of the setting operation | movement of the desired item in the mode matched with the shutter release button of the digital camera of the 1st embodiment of other two embodiments. It is explanatory drawing which shows the list | wrist of the flow of the setting operation | movement of the desired item in the mode matched with the shutter release button of the digital camera of 2nd embodiment of other 2 embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera 101 Image taking lens 102 Optical viewfinder objective window 103 Flash light emitting device 104 Power button 105 Shutter release button 1051 Touch sensor 1052 First image sensor 1053 Second image sensor 106 Optical viewfinder eyepiece window 1072 Zoom operation key 1072a, 1072b Operation unit 1071 Menu button 1073 Cross key 1074 Execution button 108 LCD panel 1081 Cursor 111 Zoom lens 111a Motor driver 111b Zoom motor 112 Iris 112a Motor driver 112b Aperture motor 113 Focus lens 113a Motor driver 113b Focus motor 114 CCD
114a timing generator 121 CDS-AMP
122 A / D conversion unit 123 Memory controller 124 AF value determination unit 125 Image signal processing unit 126 CPU
127 AF detector 128 Video encoder 129 Media controller 130 ROM
131 E ² PROM
132 RAM
133 Mode designation unit 134 Shutter release button compatible mode setting unit 135 Image playback mode switching control unit 140 Image display device 150 Storage medium 161 Power switch 162 Mode switch 163 Four-way key switch

Claims (3)

Regarding a photographing apparatus that has a plurality of modes having a plurality of items that are exclusively set for any one, and performs photographing under a photographing condition by a set of items that are set for each of the plurality of modes according to a release operation,
A release button having one or more imaging sensors for detecting operation;
A shooting condition setting unit for setting items regarding each of the plurality of modes;
A photographing unit that performs photographing based on the photographing condition set by the photographing condition setting unit in response to detection of an operation on the release button by the photographing sensor;
The shooting condition setting unit further includes:
A mode designating unit for designating a mode associated with the release button from the plurality of modes according to an operation;
A mode setting sensor for detecting the operation of the release button at an earlier stage of the operation than the detection by the photographing sensor;
A release button corresponding mode setting unit for setting a desired item in a mode associated with the release button by the mode specifying unit in response to detection of an operation on the release button by the mode setting sensor. An imaging device characterized by the above.   The release button corresponding mode setting unit selects an item by detecting an operation by the mode setting sensor, and sets the selected item by shifting to an operation non-detection state after selecting the item. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The release button corresponding mode setting unit selects an item by detecting an operation by the mode setting sensor, and sets a selected item prior to shooting by the shooting unit by detecting an operation by the shooting sensor. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

Images