JP2008054342A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera which attains improvement in operability and space saving. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic camera includes an operation means 2 which is configured by integrally providing a first operating unit separated from a reference position in a first direction, a second operating unit separated from the reference position in a second direction inverse to the first direction, a third operating unit separated from the reference position in a third direction different from the first and second directions, and a fourth operating unit separated from the reference position in a fourth direction inverse to the third direction. In a state where a menu list is displayed on a display means 4, a function is selected in response to operations of the first and second operating units, the selected function is shifted to a lower layer menu in response to an operation of the third operating unit, and the selected function is shifted to a higher layer menu in response to an operation of the fourth operating unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera having a camera mode for shooting and a playback mode for playing back captured images.

  This type of electronic camera converts the light transmitted through the photographic lens into electrical image data with an image sensor such as a CCD when the camera mode is set, and the image data is transferred to a recording medium such as a memory card or built-in memory in response to a release operation. Record. The operations required in the camera mode are basically the same as those of a normal camera (silver film camera) that uses silver halide film as the shooting medium, and framing, autofocus (AF), and exposure determination (when the aperture and shutter speed are set) Setting or calculation). Various information settings are usually performed by a common command dial in a single-lens reflex camera having many functions.

  On the other hand, in the reproduction mode, the image data recorded on the recording medium is read and reproduced as video on a monitor or the like. Operations in the playback mode include selection operations such as image selection from thumbnail display, enlargement / reduction, deletion, protection, and automatic feed. These employ a method of selecting one from the menu display of the display device, and this type of operation is an operation having a completely different operational feeling from the operation in the camera mode.

In electronic cameras that are currently known, those shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 are used as operation members used in the reproduction mode.
In FIG. 7, the thumbnail image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 32 is selected with the +/− buttons 21 and 22 provided on the back of the camera, or the function is selected in the menu display. To decide. In the single frame display state of the monitor 32, the image is sent / returned by the +/− buttons 21 and 22. The menu button 33 is operated when the monitor screen is set to the menu display state.

  FIG. 8 uses a push button 23 capable of four inputs. 4 inputs are assigned, for example, image selection in thumbnail display on the left and right, mode selection on the top (the mode switches each time the button is pressed), execution of the selected image (protection, deletion, etc.) and determination of the selected mode (Set) etc. Specifically, each time the button 23 (mode selection) is pressed in the single-frame display state of the image, each mode of “Protect” → “Delete” → “Thumbnail” changes cyclically, and the mode to be set is Press the bottom (set) to set that mode. When “Protect” and “Delete” are set, the image displayed in one frame is “Protect” and “Delete”, and when “Thumbnail” is set, thumbnail display is displayed. In addition, image selection in thumbnail display and image forwarding / returning in single frame display are performed by pressing the left and right buttons 23.

  FIG. 9 is particularly used for a multi-function camera having many menu items. The dial 24 commands selection of setting information / mode by rotation, and also functions as a push button switch when pushed in the radial direction, and selection information / mode is determined by the push button function. The image selection in the thumbnail display is performed by rotating the dial 24. In the single frame display mode, the image is sent / returned by the push buttons 25 and 26. The “return” button 27 is operated when returning to the previous hierarchy in the hierarchical menu. More specifically, when the dial 28 is depressed with the monitor 28 in the single frame display state, a menu screen is displayed. The item to be executed is scrolled and selected from the menu by rotating the dial 24, and the dial 24 is depressed. . When the thumbnail of the menu is selected / decided, the thumbnail is displayed, and an image is selected by rotating the dial 24 and is determined by pushing it in, so that one frame is displayed. When returning from the menu display state to the original one frame display state without selection or returning to the previous menu level, the return button 27 is pressed.

Each conventional method described above has the following drawbacks.
In the example of FIG. 7, the functions “+”, “−”, “menu mode”, and “decision” are distributed over four buttons, and each button has only a single function in the playback mode. The number of buttons increases.

  In the example of FIG. 8, four inputs can be performed with one button, so the number of buttons can be reduced. However, since mode selection is assigned only to the upper operation of the button, it should be set erroneously when selecting the mode. Once you have passed the mode, you have to keep pressing the button until it returns to cycle once. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of modes that can be selected cannot be increased so much in consideration of operability. In addition, since there is no button for the “return” function, it takes time to return the hierarchy if the user has accidentally advanced to the previous hierarchy using a hierarchical menu or the like.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the buttons are functionally arranged, but the locations are dispersed, and the function of selecting an image is duplicated between the dial 24 and the buttons 25 and 26. In addition, the operation feeling of the dial 24 and other buttons is too different, and it is difficult to intuitively understand which operation member has what function. In particular, since the “return” button 27 is provided separately from the dial for selecting or determining, there is a case where it is difficult to press which button should be pressed when it is necessary to return.

The present invention is applied to an electronic camera capable of setting a camera mode for shooting and recording image data and a playback mode for playing back recorded image data, and a plurality of functions related to playback of image data when the playback mode is set. The display means for displaying a menu list having a plurality of hierarchies for at least one function among the plurality of functions, the first operation unit separated from the reference position in the first direction, and the first direction from the reference position A second operation unit separated in the opposite second direction, a third operation unit separated from the reference position in a third direction different from the first and second directions, and a third direction from the reference position; In response to the operation of the first and second operation units with the operation unit integrally provided with the fourth operation unit separated in the opposite fourth direction and the menu list displayed on the display unit. Select the function and operate the third control unit. Control means for making a transition to the lower hierarchy menu of the selected function in response, and making a transition to the upper hierarchy menu of the selected function in response to an operation of the fourth operation unit. It is characterized by.
When setting the camera mode, the shooting conditions may be set in response to the operation of the first to fourth operation units. In particular, when selecting and setting the focus area in the finder, the focus area to be selected is changed to a direction substantially coincident with the first to fourth directions in response to the operation of the first to fourth operation units. You may do it.

  According to the present invention, many operations can be performed without removing a finger from one operation means, contributing to improvement in operability and space saving, and in addition, opposing functions are realized by operations in opposite directions, respectively. Because you can, you will not get lost in the operation.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single-lens reflex electronic camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) 1 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the back side. The camera 1 can be set to the above-described camera mode and playback mode, and a liquid crystal monitor 4 is provided on the back of the camera. The liquid crystal monitor 4 displays in real time an image taken by a CCD (not shown) through a photographing lens, reproduces an image already recorded on a recording medium, and sets a function at the time of image reproduction. Also displays the menu.

  A circular 4-input button 2 is provided on the right side of the liquid crystal monitor 4 in the figure, that is, on the back side of the camera grip 1g. This 4-input button 2 is the same as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-88890 by the applicant of the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 2a to d are provided. By pressing each indicator portion, the entire button is tilted in that direction, and the switches SW1 to SW4 (FIG. 3) corresponding to each indicator are turned on. When the pressing is released, the button 2 returns to the original state, and the switch is turned off. The on / off states of the switches SW1 to SW4 are input to the CPU 50 in FIG. 3, and the CPU 50 performs an operation described later based on the on / off state. Hereinafter, the operation of the index (2a) portion of the 4-input button 2 is operated upward, the operation of the lower index (2b) portion is operated downward, the operation of the left index (2c) portion is operated left, and the operation of the right index (2d) portion is operated. Are called right operations. A mark MK (for example, a red circle) indicating the right operation position is engraved on the right side of the right index 2d.

  In the present embodiment, the 4-input button 2 is used in both the camera mode and the playback mode. When the 4-input button 2 is operated in the camera mode, the CPU 50 selects one of the five focus areas 3a to 3e (FIG. 4) provided on the finder screen. Each time the up / down operation is performed, the selection area moves up and down in 3a, 3b, 3c, and every time the left / right operation is performed, the selection area moves left / right in 3e, 3b, 3d.

On the other hand, in the playback mode, the right operation of the 4-input button 2 is assigned to “menu” and “decision”, the left operation is assigned to “return”, and the up / down operation is assigned to scrolling and image feeding in the respective directions. A specific operation example will be described below.
When the upper operation of the 4-input button 2 is performed while an image of one frame is being reproduced on the monitor 4, the CPU 50 changes the display image to the next image, and returns to the previous image when the lower operation is performed. When the right operation is performed, a list of menu items (functions) as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed, and here, four items are displayed. The items enclosed in the boxes are the currently selected items (but not yet determined), and the colors are inverted. Each time the down operation is performed in this state, the selection item moves down one by one as shown in FIG. 5B, and when the up operation is performed, the selection item moves up. When a right operation (decision) is performed after selecting an item (FIG. 5 (c)), the item is “decided” and a display corresponding to it is made. For example, when “thumbnail” is selected and determined, the liquid crystal monitor displays a thumbnail as shown in FIG.

  In the thumbnail display, the up / down operation of the 4-input button 2 is an image selection operation. At this time, the operation position of the four input buttons matches the moving direction of the selected image, and the selected image is changed upward by the upper operation and downward by the lower operation. For example, if the lower operation is performed when the lowermost image is selected, it may be moved to the next row.

  On the other hand, if “thumbnail” is selected and determined, but if this is incorrect, if the left operation (return) is performed, the menu item display is restored (FIG. 6B), and the intended menu is selected again by the up / down operation. Can do. For example, if the intended menu item is “print”, the user can select “print” and perform the right operation (decision). “Print” has a hierarchical structure, and a menu item at a lower layer as shown in FIG. 6C is displayed by the above right operation. Here, “all images” or “selected image” is selected by the up / down operation and determined by the right operation. In the case of canceling “print” in the state of FIG. 6C, if the left operation is performed once, the menu item display is restored, and if the left operation is continued, the menu item display is exited and the frame display is restored.

In the present embodiment, since the four-input function of the four-input button 2 is assigned as described above, the following effects are obtained.
Most operations in the playback mode can be performed without releasing the finger from one button 2, so it is excellent in operability and contributes to space saving. Furthermore, since the “menu” function and the “decision” function for entering the menu are performed by the operation at the same position (right operation), it is easy to understand intuitively, and it is also easy to become familiar with in the conventional manner. In addition, “Back”, which is a function in contrast to “Decision”, has been placed on the opposite side (left side) of “Decision”, so when making an incorrect decision, the wrong decision can be canceled by pressing the opposite side. It is easy to understand because it matches the instantaneous human reaction.

Also, since the operation position of the 4-input button 2 matches the change direction of the selection target in the camera mode and the playback mode (the four directions match in the camera mode and the two directions match in the playback mode), it is easy to understand and get lost. Can be selected quickly. Further, since the 4-input button 2 is located on the back side of the camera grip 1g, it can be easily operated with the thumb of the right hand while holding the grip 1g with the right hand in the camera mode, and is excellent in operability.
As described above, each function of the 4-input button 2 is intuitively understandable even if there is no description. Therefore, as long as the menu / decision position is clearly indicated by the mark MK, it is intuitively possible without clearly indicating each function of the other buttons. I can understand immediately.

  In the configuration of the above embodiment, the 4-input button 2 constitutes an operation member, the CPU 50 constitutes a control means, and the liquid crystal monitor 4 constitutes a display means. Further, the up / down operation of the 4-input button 2 corresponds to the operation of the first and second operation units, the right operation corresponds to the operation of the third operation unit, and the left operation corresponds to the operation of the fourth operation unit.

  FIG. 10 shows an operation member in another embodiment. The operation member 2 ′ is a three-input switch that can be operated up, left, and right, and includes an upper operation (operation of the index 2a ′ portion), a left operation (operation of the index 2c ′ portion), and a right operation (index 2d ′ portion). The function allocation for the above operation) is the same as in the previous embodiment. Although there is no down operation in the previous embodiment, the selection item can be switched cyclically by the up operation. In the present embodiment, the upper operation corresponds to the operation of the selection operation unit, the right operation corresponds to the operation of the set operation unit, and the left operation corresponds to the operation of the reset operation unit.

  In the above description, the up / down operation of the 4-input button 2 is assigned to the selection operation, and the right / left operation is assigned to the “menu” / “decision” and “return” operations. It is good also as "decision" and "return" operation. The types of menu items are not limited to those described above. Further, although the description has been given of the camera incorporating the liquid crystal monitor, the display means may be an external monitor (for example, a television) connectable to the camera. In addition, the function of the 4-input button 2 in the camera mode is not limited to the selection of the focus area. For example, the up / down operation zooms in / down the photographic lens, and the left / right operation assigns focus (closest side, infinity side). Also good.

The perspective view which looked at the electronic camera which concerns on one embodiment of this invention from the back side. The figure which shows 4 input buttons. The block diagram which shows a control system. The figure explaining selection of a focus area. The figure explaining switching of the function by operation of 4 input buttons. The same figure as FIG. The perspective view which shows an example of the conventional camera. The figure which shows the operation member of another conventional camera. The perspective view which shows another conventional camera. The figure which shows the operation member of the camera which concerns on other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electronic Camera 2 4 Input Button 2a Index 2 '3 Input Button 3a-3e Focus Area 4 LCD Monitor 50 CPU
SW1 to SW4 switch

Claims (3)

In an electronic camera capable of setting a camera mode for shooting and recording image data and a playback mode for playing back the recorded image data,
Display means for displaying a menu list having a plurality of layers for a plurality of functions related to reproduction of the image data and at least one of the plurality of functions when the reproduction mode is set;
A first operation unit separated from a reference position in a first direction; a second operation unit separated from the reference position in a second direction opposite to the first direction; A third operation unit separated in a third direction different from the second direction and a fourth operation unit separated from the reference position in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction are integrally provided. Operating means,
In a state where the menu list is displayed on the display means, the function is selected in response to the operation of the first and second operation units, and the selection is performed in response to the operation of the third operation unit. And a control means for making a transition to a lower hierarchy menu of the selected function and making a transition to the upper hierarchy menu of the selected function in response to an operation of the fourth operation unit. camera.   2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein when the camera mode is set, the control unit sets a photographing condition in response to an operation of the first to fourth operation units.   The setting of the photographing condition is a selection setting of a focus area in the finder, and the control means selects the focus area to be selected in response to the operation of the first to fourth operation units. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein the electronic camera is changed to a direction substantially coincident with the direction.

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