JP2009089329A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of performing a photographing in an environment of high visibility at all the time by instantaneously confirming both an image and photographing information while using an entire valid picture area of a back liquid crystal, without performing complicated operation of an operation member or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera is configured so that a photographer can confirm a through-image or a photographed image at a certain angle of field on a back liquid crystal screen, and confirm photographing information at another angle of field different therefrom. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an external liquid crystal display of a digital camera.

  Conventionally, a TFT liquid crystal member has been used as an external display member of a digital camera from the viewpoint of high resolution, small size, and power saving. In a digital camera, the TFT liquid crystal is disposed on the back side in view of the camera layout, and as a use, there is confirmation of an image such as a through image or a photographed image. On the other hand, it is also used to check information necessary for shooting such as shutter speed, aperture value, image quality setting, white balance, and the like.

  As described above, there are two types of applications: displaying images and displaying shooting information. Currently, in order to improve the visibility of each, the display area is displayed with the maximum size. Are displayed exclusively.

Alternatively, as in Patent Document 1, there is a technique in which one screen is divided into two, an image such as a through image and a captured image is displayed on one screen, and information other than the image is displayed on the other screen. .
JP 2002-158903 A

  In the conventional digital camera, when it is desired to check the image such as a through image and a photographed image and the photographing information such as the shutter speed and the aperture value by the back liquid crystal member, each is displayed exclusively. Alternatively, it is possible to divide one screen into two and display each of the image and shooting information.

  However, in the former case, when both the image and the shooting information are to be viewed, it is necessary to perform an operation for switching by the user in order to display exclusively, and in switching the screen. This causes a time lag and is troublesome in simultaneous confirmation of images and shooting information.

  In the latter case, when both the image and the shooting information are to be viewed, since the image and the shooting information are simultaneously displayed in one screen, the troublesomeness of the former is eliminated. Since one screen is divided into two, the image and the shooting information become small, and the visibility is lowered.

As one way to solve the above problems,
In a digital camera equipped with a display that can simultaneously display different images at different viewing angles, a through image or a captured image is displayed at the first viewing angle, and at the same time, shooting information is displayed at the second viewing angle. By doing this, the user can confirm both the through image or the captured image and the captured information at the same time with high visibility only by switching the viewing angle in the entire effective screen area. . In particular, in the case of through-image shooting (shooting using the rear LCD as a viewfinder), both the elements are visible when the photographer is assumed to shoot away from the face with regard to image display and shooting information display. Although there is a need to increase the visibility, in a simple operation such as switching the viewing angle, since confirmation is performed using the entire screen, sufficient visibility can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a photographer can confirm a through image or a photographed image at a certain viewing angle on the rear liquid crystal screen, and confirm photographing information at another viewing angle different from that. I can do it. In other words, both the image and the shooting information can be confirmed instantaneously using the entire effective screen area of the rear liquid crystal by simply switching the viewing angle with respect to the rear liquid crystal without performing troublesome operations such as operation members. Shooting in an environment with high visibility can be realized.

  Next, details of the present invention will be described in accordance with the description of the embodiments.

  Examples will be described below taking a single-lens reflex digital camera as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 19 denotes a camera body, and 20 denotes a photographing lens for forming a subject image on the image sensor 11 in the camera body. The MPU 1 is a microprocessor for controlling the entire camera body, mainly controls the operation of the camera system from 2 to 7, the communication control with the lens CPU that controls the taking lens 20, and the control from 9 to 15. It mainly controls communication with the DSP 9 that controls the digital system. I will explain from 9 to 15 mainly from the camera system. The MPU 1 controls the AF sensor 4 for focusing the subject, calculates the focus from the image obtained from the AF sensor 4, and the focus drive mechanism of the taking lens 20 based on the calculation result. Based on the information obtained from the AE sensor 3 and the control of the AE sensor 3 for adjusting the exposure of the subject and the communication to the lens MPU 16 to drive the 17 according to the set ISO, the shutter speed and the aperture Program control for determining a combination of values, means for receiving information from the SW operation system 5 serving as a user interface such as a release button, an electronic dial, and the subject image captured from the photographing lens 20 although not described here Control of the mirror drive mechanism 6 for driving the main mirror for separation into the viewfinder system and the imaging system, and information in the camera based on information obtained by the AE sensor 3 Control of the shutter control mechanism 7 that controls the focal plane shutter having the front curtain and the rear curtain according to the shutter speed determined according to the gram, correction information of the AE sensor 3 and AF sensor 4, and prohibited voltage information of the camera For example, information that needs to be stored even when the battery is removed is stored in the EEPROM 2 and read out when necessary. The MPU 1 has a built-in flash ROM for recording a code for performing the above operation.

  Next, the operation of the taking lens 20 will be described. The photographing lens 20 receives focus information calculated mainly by the MPU 1 from the MPU 1 to the MPU 16 by communication, and based on the result, the focus driving mechanism 17 that drives the focus adjustment lens is controlled by the MPU 16 to focus. Further, the aperture value calculated by the MPU 1 is received from the MPU 1 by communication to the MPU 16, and based on the result, the aperture drive mechanism 18 for controlling the aperture blades is controlled by the MPU 16 so as to achieve a predetermined exposure.

  Next, 8 to 15 digital units will be described.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes an image pickup device that takes out subject light as an analog electric signal by performing photoelectric conversion. Reference numeral 12 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog electric signal obtained from 11 into digital data. The 13 TG (timing generator) controls the imaging drive of the image sensor 11 and synchronizes with the analog signal output from the image sensor 11 and performs A / D conversion by the 12 A / D converter. Is transmitted to the A / D converter 12. The TG 13 controls the digital data from the 12 A / D conversions to be sent to the DSP 8 with a timing clock signal that latches the data in the DSP 8 and transfers the digital data from the A / D converter 12 to the DSP 8. I'm doing it. Reference numeral 9 denotes a RAM capable of temporarily storing data. The unprocessed data captured from the image sensor or the processed image data developed and compressed by the DSP 8 is temporarily stored. Primary storage of work data necessary for operation and data for display on the liquid crystal panel 15 are stored (VRAM). The flash memory 10 is a recording medium capable of permanently recording image data processed by the DSP 9, and is removable from the main body. Next, reference numeral 15 denotes a dual liquid crystal panel, which is a display medium for displaying images and photographing information, and is a display medium capable of independently displaying images for two different viewing angles. That is, the display member can display two different images depending on the viewing angle. The details of this display panel are omitted here. Next, reference numeral 14 denotes a liquid crystal controller, which is a driver for performing RGB conversion on data in a specific area called VRAM in the RAM 9 and supplying it to the dual liquid crystal panel as an analog signal for display on the dual liquid crystal panel. DSP8 is a microcomputer that controls 8 to 15 digital devices as described above, is connected to MPU1 via serial communication I / F, and performs mutual control with camera system, and obtained from AD converter 12. Digital change processing such as development and compression is performed on the image data. In addition, a flash ROM for storing codes in the above-described control is incorporated.

  Next, the use of the RAM area when performing dual display will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows the memory space of the RAM 9 described with reference to FIG. The RAM 9 is large and is displayed on a work area 30 necessary for executing control codes, an image storage area 31 for storing image data from the AD converter 12 and image data obtained by compressing and converting the image data, and a dual liquid crystal panel. It is divided into three VRAM areas 32 for storing data. The VRAM area 32 includes 33 data storage areas A for displaying on the pixel array of the dual liquid crystal panel 15 visually recognized at a viewing angle A, and the dual liquid crystal panel 15 visually recognized at a certain viewing angle B. There are 34 data storage areas B that display in the pixel array.

  FIG. 3 shows an actual image. Here, 40 is a case where through image display is performed at a viewing angle A of 42, and 41 is an example of when shooting information is displayed at a viewing angle B.

  Finally, an example of an operation for performing shooting while displaying a through image will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  With # 100, the photographer activates the camera by turning on the battery or turning on the Main SW that turns on the main power of the camera body. In this case, the MPU 1 performs a reset release operation or a wakeUP operation. Next, in # 101, the camera shooting mode that was set last time, and the shooting condition data such as shutter speed, aperture value, ISO, white balance, etc. are read from EEPROM 2 or the flash ROM in DSP8. Each setting is made and written in the area B34 of the RAM 9, and photographing information is displayed through the liquid crystal controller 14 so as to be visible with respect to the viewing angle B of the dual liquid crystal panel 15. Next, in # 103, the photographer sets shooting conditions such as the shutter speed, aperture value, ISO, and white balance in this shooting. Also, with this setting, each setting is performed in the same manner as in # 102, and writing is performed on the writing display panel 15 in the area B34 of the RAM 9.

  Next, in # 104, the MPU 1 performs a photometric operation using the AE sensor 3 by operating the operation SW (included in 5) for preparing for shooting to make it active. After that, the mirror drive mechanism 6 is operated, and a detailed description is omitted here, but the subject image from the photographic lens 20 is formed on the image sensor 11 and the optical system is formed on the AF sensor. After arranging the mirror, the MPU 1 performs control to perform autofocus drive using the AF sensor 4, the focus drive mechanism 17, and the lens MPU 16, and in the DSP 8, the image sensor 11 through the AD converter 12 performs real-time control. Then, the image is read and processed into a display size and written to the area A 33 of the RAM 9 as needed, and the display is performed so that the viewing angle A of the dual liquid crystal panel 15 can be visually recognized via the liquid crystal controller 14. (# 105) Next, in # 106, the photographer operates the operation SW (included in 5) for photographing to make it active so that the mirror driving mechanism 6 is operated, and detailed description is omitted here. However, the MPU 1 is configured so that the subject image from the photographic lens 20 is formed only on the image sensor 11, and the photometric data obtained by the AE sensor 3 and the shutter speed and aperture value incorporated in the camera in advance. Based on the program diagram, the shutter speed and aperture value are determined, the 18 aperture drive mechanisms are controlled via the MPU 16, and the 7 shutter control mechanisms are controlled. The DSP 8 controls the TG 13 so that the image sensor 11 performs accumulation while the shutter is opened by the shutter control mechanism 7 based on the imaging timing signal obtained from the MPU 1 to perform imaging. The captured image obtained by # 106 is written in a resized state in the display area 33 and displayed on the dual liquid crystal panel 15 via the liquid crystal controller 14. Next, in # 108, it is time to display the captured image on the dual liquid crystal panel 15. During this time, the captured image is displayed on the dual liquid crystal panel 15. Thereafter, the same operation as # 105 is performed, and a through image and a captured image are displayed on the dual liquid crystal panel 15. Next, in this shooting condition, when shooting, this leads to the operation of # 105. (# 110) When the shooting condition is changed or the shooting is ended, the contents of the # 111 VRAM area 32 are cleared, and the MPU 1 and DSP 8 perform the end operation or sleep operation processing. Until the operation of # 111 is performed, information on the photographing condition set in # 103 is written in the RAM area B34, and this content is continuously displayed in the viewing angle B of the dual liquid crystal panel. Through the operation as described above, a through image or a photographed image is displayed at the viewing angle A of the dual liquid crystal panel. At the same time, photographing information is always displayed at the viewing angle B, and both contents can be simultaneously changed by changing the viewing angle. Can be easily confirmed.

Overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention RAM area diagram in the embodiment of the present invention The image figure in embodiment of this invention Flowchart in the embodiment of the present invention

Claims (2)

  In a digital camera equipped with a display capable of simultaneously displaying different images at two different viewing angles, a through image or a photographed image is displayed at the first viewing angle, and at the same time, it is photographed at the second viewing angle. A digital camera characterized by displaying information.   2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the shooting information is parameter information necessary for shooting shutter speed, aperture value, image quality setting, and white balance.

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