JP2007199102A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that there is the possibility that an unintended photograph is taken if a user forgets to perform setting and takes a photograph when using a camera which has not been used for a while. <P>SOLUTION: A power source off time is measured. The power source of the camera is turned on after the lapes of predetermined time or more, a screen for confirming the setup is displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a camera, a digital camera, and a video camera.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, cameras that automatically perform settings necessary for shooting when shooting are being taken and cameras that can be shot fully automatically have become widespread. However, in order to perform better shooting, there are situations in which the photographer needs to set the settings necessary for shooting. If the photographer sets the setting by himself and does not use the camera for a while after shooting, the photographer may forget that the setting has been changed in the previous use. In such a case, the possibility of becoming a failed photo increases. In order to solve this problem, there has been proposed one that resets the white balance setting to the initial state when the power is off for a long time (see Patent Document 1). In addition, there is a proposal that resets various settings to the initial state when the power is off for a long time (see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent No. 3106475 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-42175

  However, such a camera forcibly resets the setting state to the initial state, thus reducing the possibility of failure. On the other hand, if the photographer forgets his / her favorite setting, he / she wants to set it again. However, there is a problem that it cannot be done.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can easily make a mistake in setting or easily return to a desired setting.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, information transmission means to a photographer, setting means for performing various settings, and setting information storage means for storing setting information for various settings And an elapsed time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time, and an elapsed time determining means for determining the elapsed time, and when the photographer performs a power supply start operation to the imaging apparatus, the elapsed time measuring means stops supplying power. The elapsed time is measured, and when the elapsed time determining means determines that the elapsed time of power supply stop is longer than a predetermined time, the various setting information stored in the setting information storage means by the information transmitting means It is characterized by transmitting information based on the information to the photographer.

  In the imaging apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the setting information storage unit further includes a combination information storage unit that stores combination information of various setting information, and the photographer receives information based on the setting information and the combination information. It is characterized by transmitting to.

  In the imaging apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the combination information is set by a manufacturer or a seller.

  In the imaging device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the combination information is set by a user.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the various settings include the shooting mode, aperture value, shutter speed, exposure correction, photometry method, AF distance measurement range, ISO sensitivity, flash emission, AF mode, and continuous shooting. It is characterized by setting items necessary for determining shooting conditions such as mode.

  In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention according to claim 6, the various settings are settings of items necessary for determining image processing after shooting, such as white balance, image compression rate, development parameters, and image format. It is said.

  The image pickup apparatus of the present invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that the information transmission means is an external display device.

  The image pickup apparatus of the present invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the information transmission means is a sound generator.

  The image pickup apparatus of the present invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the setting information is displayed in a predetermined display order by the information transmission means.

  In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention described in claim 10, the predetermined display order is characterized in that the shooting mode, ISO sensitivity, and white balance are displayed with priority over other displayed items.

  In the imaging device of the present invention according to claim 11, when there are different setting values in the setting information and the combination information, only the different setting values are transmitted to the user by the information transmission means. It is a feature.

  In the imaging device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when there are different setting values in the setting information and the combination information, a different setting value expression method is different from the remaining setting value expression methods. It is characterized by.

  The above-described image pickup apparatus of the present invention prompts confirmation of settings when using a camera that has not been used for a while, so that it is possible to prevent setting mistakes and to prevent unsuccessful shooting. In that case, since the setting confirmation is performed for the first time after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is possible to prevent bothersomeness that the setting confirmation is performed every time after the power is turned on.

  In addition, since it is urged to confirm the setting of an item different from the personal preference setting, it can be easily changed to the personal preference setting.

  In addition, since it is urged to confirm the setting of items that are different from the initial setting in the shipping state, it is possible to easily change to the initial setting.

  Furthermore, it is possible to surely prevent unsuccessful shooting by displaying the images having a serious influence on shooting.

  Further, by displaying only the settings that should be notified to the photographer, the settings can be easily grasped.

  Furthermore, it is possible to reliably prevent unsuccessful shooting by displaying the settings to be notified to the photographer so that they are more conspicuous than other settings.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is a rear view of a digital single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, a digital single-lens reflex camera will be described. However, the present invention is applicable to any imaging apparatus such as a silver salt film single-lens reflex camera, a digital compact camera, and a silver salt film compact camera. The camera body 100 is provided with a power switch 101, operation buttons 102, 103, 104, and an external display device 105. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a camera to which the present invention is applied.

  The present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The microcomputer detects that the photographer has operated the power switch 101 and sets the camera in a power supply state (hereinafter referred to as power ON). When setting various setting values, the microcomputer drives the external display device 105 as information transmission means, displays the setting information, and any of the operation buttons 102, 103, 104 as setting means is operated. Make various settings. The various settings are settings used for photographing such as an aperture value and whether or not flash light is emitted, and settings used for image processing such as a compression ratio of a photographed image and an image format. Various set values are stored and held in a memory which is a storage means. When the photographer performs a shooting operation, the microcomputer drives the imaging unit to perform a shooting operation according to various settings, drives the image processing unit, and records the obtained electrical information as image information by the image processing program. After shooting, when the photographer operates the power switch 101, the microcomputer sets the camera to a power supply stop state (hereinafter referred to as power OFF).

  When the photographer operates the power switch 101 again to turn on the power, the microcomputer calculates the power-off time by an elapsed time measuring program that is an elapsed time determination means. If it is determined by the elapsed time determination means that the predetermined time has elapsed, the microcomputer drives the external display device 105 to display the content for confirming the setting. For example, character information such as “Is the current setting OK?” Or “Check the setting” (FIG. 4A) is displayed. Alternatively, a list of setting states may be displayed (FIG. 4B). If it cannot be displayed in the list, it is displayed with priority given to setting items that have a large effect on shooting. Setting items having a great influence include a shooting mode, ISO sensitivity, and white balance (FIG. 4C). The display order of other items may be arbitrary. When the elapsed time determining means determines that the power OFF time is shorter than the predetermined time, the standby state is entered.

  In this embodiment, the information transmission device is an external display device, but the present invention can be applied to a sound device using a sounding body such as a speaker. The predetermined elapsed time may be several hours or may be arbitrarily set.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the present invention. START is waiting. If it is determined in step 100 that the power is OFF, the power OFF time is recorded in step 101. If it is determined in step 102 that the power is ON, the power ON time is recorded in step 103. In step 104, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the recording of the power OFF time and the power ON time by the elapsed time determination program. If it is determined that the time has not elapsed, a standby state (END) is entered. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the microcomputer drives the external display device in step 105 to display predetermined information. In step 106, it is determined whether the change operation has been performed. When the change operation has been performed, the setting value is changed in step 107. After the change, it is determined in step 108 whether the time during which no change operation is performed is longer than a predetermined time. If it is determined in step 106 that the change operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step 108. If it is determined in step 108 that the time during which no change operation has been performed is longer than the predetermined time, the predetermined information displayed in step 105 is changed to the normal standby state display in step 109, and the standby state (END ) If it is determined in step 108 that the time during which no change operation is performed is shorter than the predetermined time, the process returns to step 106.

(Example 2)
A second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The microcomputer detects that the photographer has operated the power switch 101 and sets the camera in a power supply state (hereinafter referred to as power ON). When setting various setting values, the microcomputer displays setting information on the external display device 105 as information transmission means, and when any of the operation buttons 102, 103, 104 as setting means is operated, Set up. The various settings are settings used for photographing such as an aperture value and whether or not flash light is emitted, and settings used for image processing such as a compression ratio of a photographed image and an image format. A combination of various setting values is set as one group (hereinafter “favorite” setting). The “favorite” setting value is stored in a memory which is a combination storage means, and is held as information that can be used when the photographer needs it. Setting values other than the “favorite” setting value are also stored in a memory which is a setting value storage means. The combination storage unit and the set value storage unit may be the same memory, or may be separate memories. When the photographer performs a shooting operation, the microcomputer drives the imaging unit to perform a shooting operation according to various settings, drives the image processing unit, and records the obtained electrical information as image information by the image processing program. After shooting, when the photographer operates the power switch 101, the microcomputer sets the camera to a power supply stop state (hereinafter referred to as power OFF).

  When the photographer operates the power switch 101 again to turn on the power, the microcomputer calculates the power-off time by an elapsed time measuring program that is an elapsed time determination means. If it is determined by the elapsed time determining means that the predetermined time has elapsed, the microcomputer further sets the last used various setting values and the “favorite” setting value by the setting value determining program as the setting value determining means. A comparison is made to determine if there is a different set value. If the various setting values are not different, the microcomputer drives the external display device 105 to display first information for confirming the setting. For example, text information such as “Is it OK to set“ Favorite ”?”, “Use of“ Favorite ”setting” is displayed. Alternatively, a list of setting states may be displayed. If there is an item with a different set value, the microcomputer drives the external display device 105 to display the second information that informs that the set value is different. For example, character information such as “something is different from“ favorite ”setting” and “return to“ favorite ”setting” (FIG. 6A) is displayed. Alternatively, only items that differ from the “Favorites” setting may be displayed, such as “The setting of XXX differs from the“ Favorites ”setting” or “Do you want to return the setting of XXX to“ Favorites ”?” . Alternatively, a setting list may be displayed so that only different items are displayed more prominently by different display methods (for example, changing the color, changing the display size, etc.) (FIG. 6). (B)). When displaying, if it cannot be displayed on one screen, it is displayed with priority given to setting items that have a large influence on shooting. Setting items having a great influence include a shooting mode, ISO sensitivity, and white balance (FIG. 6C). The display order of other items may be arbitrary. When the elapsed time determining means determines that the power OFF time is shorter than the predetermined time, the standby state is entered.

  In this embodiment, the information transmission device is an external display device, but the present invention can be applied to a sound device using a sounding body such as a speaker. The predetermined elapsed time may be several hours or may be arbitrarily set.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the present invention. START is waiting. If it is determined in step 200 that the power is OFF, the power OFF time is recorded in step 201. If it is determined in step 202 that the power is ON, the power ON time is recorded in step 203. In step 204, it is determined by the elapsed time determination program whether a predetermined time has elapsed from the recording of the power OFF time and the power ON time. If it is determined that it has not elapsed, the state is in a standby state (END). If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the microcomputer compares the “favorite” setting with the last used various setting values in step 205 to determine whether there is a different item. If it is determined that there is no different item, the microcomputer drives the external display device in step 206-1 to display the first predetermined information. If it is determined that there is a different item, the second predetermined information is displayed in step 206-2. In step 207, it is determined whether the change operation has been performed. When the change operation has been performed, the set value is changed in step 208. After the change, it is determined in step 209 whether or not the change operation is longer than a predetermined time. If it is determined in step 207 that no change operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step 209. If it is determined in step 209 that the time during which no change operation has been performed is longer than the predetermined time, the predetermined information displayed in step 206 is changed to a normal standby state display in step 210, and the standby state (END ) If it is determined in step 209 that the time during which no change operation is performed is shorter than the predetermined time, the process returns to step 207.

(Example 3)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The microcomputer detects that the photographer has operated the power switch 101 and sets the camera in a power supply state (hereinafter referred to as power ON). When setting various setting values, the microcomputer displays the setting information on the external display device 105, which is an information transmission device, and when any of the operation buttons 102, 103, 104, which are setting means, is operated, Set up. The various settings are setting values used for shooting such as an aperture value, whether or not flash light is emitted, and setting values used for image processing such as a compression rate of the shot image and an image format. The set value is stored and held in a memory which is a set value storage means. The initial settings set at the time of shipment from the factory are stored in a memory which is an initial setting storage means, and can be used when necessary. The set value storage means and the initial set value storage means may be the same memory or may be separate memories. When the photographer performs a shooting operation, the microcomputer drives the imaging unit to perform a shooting operation according to various settings, drives the image processing unit, and records the obtained electrical information as image information by the image processing program. After shooting, when the photographer operates the power switch 101, the microcomputer sets the camera to a power supply stop state (hereinafter referred to as power OFF).

  When the photographer operates the power switch 101 again to turn on the power, the microcomputer calculates the power-off time by an elapsed time measuring program that is an elapsed time determination means. If it is determined by the elapsed time determining means that the predetermined time has passed, the microcomputer further compares the last used various set values with the initial set values by the set value determining program as the set value determining means. Judge whether there is a different set value. If the various setting values are not different, the microcomputer drives the external display device 105 to display first information for confirming the setting. For example, text information such as “Is the initial setting OK?” Or “Initial setting in use” is displayed. Alternatively, a list of setting states may be displayed. If there is an item with a different set value, the microcomputer drives the external display device 105 to display the second information that informs that the set value is different. For example, character information such as “There are things different from the initial settings” and “Do you want to return to the initial settings?” (FIG. 8A) is displayed. Alternatively, only items different from the initial settings such as “The setting of XXX differs from the initial setting” or “Do you want to return the setting of XXX to the initial setting?” May be displayed. Alternatively, a setting list may be displayed, and only different items may be displayed more prominently by different display methods (for example, changing the color, changing the display size, etc.) (FIG. 8). (B)). When displaying, if it cannot be displayed on one screen, it is displayed with priority given to setting items that have a large influence on shooting. Setting items having a great influence include a shooting mode, ISO sensitivity, and white balance (FIG. 8C). The display order of other items may be arbitrary. When the elapsed time determining means determines that the power OFF time is shorter than the predetermined time, the standby state is entered.

  In this embodiment, the information transmission device is an external display device, but the present invention can be applied to a sound device using a sounding body such as a speaker. The predetermined elapsed time may be several hours or may be arbitrarily set.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the present invention. START is waiting. If it is determined in step 300 that the power is OFF, the power OFF time is recorded in step 301. If it is determined in step 302 that the power is ON, the power ON time is recorded in step 303. In step 304, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the recording of the power OFF time and the power ON time by the elapsed time determination program. If it is determined that it has not elapsed, the state is in a standby state (END). If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the microcomputer compares the initial setting with the last used various setting values in step 305 to determine whether there is a different item. If it is determined that there is no different item, the microcomputer drives the external display device in step 306-1 to display the first predetermined information. If it is determined that there is a different item, the second predetermined information is displayed in step 306-2. In step 307, it is determined whether a change operation has been performed. If a change operation has been performed, the set value is changed in step 308. After the change, it is determined in step 309 whether the time during which no change operation is performed is longer than a predetermined time. If it is determined in step 307 that no change operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step 309. If it is determined in step 309 that the time during which no change operation has been performed is longer than the predetermined time, the predetermined information displayed in step 306 is changed to a normal standby state display in step 310, and the standby state (END ) If it is determined in step 309 that the time during which no change operation is performed is shorter than the predetermined time, the process returns to step 307.

A perspective view of a digital single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention is applied Block diagram of a camera to which the present invention is applied Flow chart showing the first embodiment Display of the external display device showing the first embodiment Flow chart showing the second embodiment Display of external display device showing second embodiment Flow chart showing the third embodiment Display of external display device showing third embodiment

Explanation of symbols

100 Camera Body 101 Power Switch 102 Operation Button 103 Operation Button 104 Operation Button 105 External Display Device

Claims (12)

Information transmission means to the photographer, setting means for performing various settings, setting information storage means for storing setting information of various settings, elapsed time measuring means for measuring elapsed time, and elapsed time determination for determining elapsed time Means and
When the photographer performs a power supply start operation on the imaging apparatus, the elapsed time measuring means measures the power supply stop elapsed time, and the elapsed time determining means determines that the power supply stop elapsed time is longer than a predetermined time. In such a case, the information transmission unit transmits information based on various setting information stored in the setting information storage unit to the photographer. The setting information storage means further includes combination information storage means for storing combination information of various setting information,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information based on the setting information and the combination information is transmitted to a photographer.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the combination information is set by a manufacturer or a seller.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the combination information is set by a user.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the various settings are settings of items necessary for determining a shooting condition.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the various settings are settings of items necessary for determining image processing after shooting.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission unit is an external display device.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission unit is a sounding device.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting information is displayed in a predetermined display order by the information transmission unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined display order is displayed with priority given to shooting mode, ISO sensitivity, and white balance over other setting items.   5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when there are different setting values in the setting information and the combination information, only the different setting values are transmitted to the user by the information transmitting means. .   5. The imaging according to claim 2, wherein when there are different setting values in the setting information and the combination information, a different setting value expression method is made different from the remaining setting value expression methods. apparatus.

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